Another shooting on Pearl Street
Police believe shooting retaliation for death of Homer
man
The Guardian-Journal
Police believe a shooting that
happened Sunday was in retaliation for the shooting death of a 21-year-old
Homer man last week.
Tony Mitchell, 35, a resident in
the 1400 block of Pearl Street, was shot in the upper leg area around 8:30 p.m. Thursday, September 30. Although investigators did not release any information
on the events that led to the shooting, Captain Donald Malray, with the Homer
Police Department, did say that someone discharged a weapon several times from
the Wood Line area from behind two different residences. One projectile struck
Mitchell in the leg while another entered his home in the carport area.
Mitchell was transported by private
vehicle to Homer Memorial Hospital and then later transferred to Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport. As of press time, Mitchell
was still in the hospital and his condition at this time is unknown.
During the subsequent
investigation, officers have recovered several projectiles and shells
throughout the area as well as other key pieces of evidence.
“We’ve received several phone calls
from people who have advised that this (shooting) was in retaliation to the
incident which occurred on September 26,” Malray said.
On that fateful morning, around 4 a.m., Jeremy Willis was shot in the upper chest area in the middle of Pearl Street. He made it to a neighbor’s house where he collapsed. He was pronounced dead at
the scene. Statements from witnesses at the scene of this incident say it was
gang related, however, police still don’t know if this alleged gang activity
has any affiliations with gangs outside the area.
One arrest has already been made
and a person of interest was arrested later in the week. Haywood Harris, 36, of
Homer, was arrested on September 26 and charged with second degree murder.
Derrick Mitchell was located, arrested and charged with possession of a firearm
or carrying a concealed weapon by a convicted felon. A hold by Probation and
Parole was also placed on him. Bond for the possession charge was set at
$15,000.
Derrick Mitchell was arrested that
day, but a Homer woman was charged with obstruction of justice when she tried
to tell the arresting officer that Mitchell wasn’t there. However, Devora
Ridley told police he was there after the officer told her he’d get a warrant.
She was arrested on the aforementioned charge with bond set at $10,000.
Malray said witnesses have advised that Derrick Mitchell was
in possession of a weapon at the time of the September 26 incident, however, it
is not known if these weapons were the ones used in the commission of the
crime.
At this time, police are still
looking for the person or persons who shot Tony Mitchell, but they aren’t
releasing any more information at this time. Police are also still gathering
information as to who fired the fatal shot that killed Willis.
Additional charges are pending in
this case and it is expected to go before a grand jury around November 1.
Homer Police Chief Russell Mills
vowed that his department would bring to justice the person or persons who were
involved in these crimes.
“One loss of life is too much,” he
said. “During these investigations, every person involved or mentioned in this
case will be interviewed and when we get to the bottom of this, those involved
from the fight to the shooting, if warranted, will be arrested.”
Police are working closely with
several law enforcement agencies at this time to quickly solve this case. If
anyone has any information about either incident, please call the Homer Police
Department at 318-927-4000, or Captain Donald Malray at 318-957-2660.
The Results are in
Citizens speak out on tax propositions, other races
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The citizens have spoken – and
that’s good news for the Town of Homer.
The two sales and use tax
propositions passed with flying colors in Saturday’s election, which now means
the Homer Police Department will get some badly needed funding to improve the
department and the town will also get much needed funding for its recreation
department.
According to results from the
Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office, both tax propositions passed by more
than 60 percent of those who voted. The parks and recreation sales and use tax
passed by 64 percent, with 491 votes in favor and 36 percent, with 276 votes
against. The sales and use tax dedicated to the police department passed with
66 percent, with 507 votes in favor and 34 percent against with 267 votes.
Newly elected Homer Mayor Alecia
Smith said passage of these two tax propositions will help the town in its
efforts to provide for its citizens.
“In order to attract and retain
qualified committed law enforcement personnel, I realized that pay is a key
factor,” she said of the tax dedicated to the Homer Police Department. “Passage
of the police tax will greatly aid in this process.”
Of the tax passed dedicated to
recreation, she said, “I think every citizen would agree that our security and
standard of living is always enhanced by great recreational activities within a
community, therefore I am delighted that the recreational tax will provide
needed resources that will fuel these opportunities.”
Homer Police Chief Russell Mills
thanked the citizens of Homer for passing the tax proposition dedicated to his
department. The revenue gained from this increase will not only go towards much
needed raises for his officers, it will also help provide them with better
equipment and more training to better serve and protect the citizens of Homer.
“I applaud each citizens for their
support,” Mills said. “This will enable us to purchase updated equipment,
continue education and training for our officers and give them better salaries.
This tax is not just for the police department, it’s to allow us to better
serve the community.”
He also thanked the citizens of
Homer for their support in Saturday’s election.
“I look forward to serving you for
the next four years,” he said. “Over the past four years, we’ve had to overcome
a lot of obstacles and I’ve grown from the experiences learned.”
There were two pretty hot races
going on in Homer as well: the mayor’s and chief of police race.
In the mayor’s race, Interim Mayor
Alecia Smith was given a run for her money as opponent Huey Dean took nearly
half the votes on Saturday. Dean took 44 percent of the vote with 450 votes
being cast. Smith came away with 56 percent of the vote with 566 votes being
cast. Here it is broken down by precinct:
Alecia Smith: Precinct 08, 47 votes,
Precinct 84, 75 votes, Precinct 85, 43 votes, Precinct 87, 140 votes, Precinct
88, 21 votes, Precinct 93, 60 votes, Precinct 96, 0 votes. Early voting results
showed Smith with 180 votes.
Huey Dean: Precinct 08, 29 votes,
Precinct 84, 76 votes, Precinct 85, 34 votes, Precinct 87, 24 votes, Precinct
88, 103 votes, Precinct 93, 31 votes, Precinct 96, 1 vote. Early voting results
showed Dean with 152 votes.
In the Marshal’s race (chief of
police), Mills came away with a surprising 57 percent, putting him ahead of
opponent Bennie Holyfield IV, who had 43 percent of the vote. Mills had 566
votes to his credit and Holyfield came away with 430 votes. Here is broken down
by precinct:
Russell Mills: Precinct 08, 46
votes, Precinct 84, 110 votes, Precinct 85, 39 votes, Precinct 87, 41 votes,
Precinct 88, 113 votes, Precinct 93, 30 votes, Precinct 96, 1 vote. Early
voting results showed Mills with 186 votes.
Bennie Holyfield IV: Precinct 08,
31 votes, Precinct 84, 42 votes, Precinct 85, 37 votes, Precinct 87, 110 votes,
Precinct 88, 9 votes, Precinct 93, 57 votes and Precinct 96, 0 votes. Early
voting results showed Holyfield with 144 votes.
In the town council’s race, Don
McCalman ran unopposed for District 3. He will replace current District 3
Councilman Toney Johnson. District 5 Councilwoman Patricia Jenkins also ran
unopposed. She will fill the term for the next four years.
However, District 1’s race is just
about to heat up. There will be a runoff between candidates Linda Mozeke and
Willie “Hoghead” Curry. Sedric Bates came away with the lowest number of votes,
only 6 percent with 13 votes. Incumbent Councilman Scott “Doc” Roberson, who
filled the unexpired term of the late J.C. Moore, came away with 46 votes or 22
percent. Mozeke came away with 41 percent, 84 votes, while Curry received 31
percent, 64 votes. Here it is broken down by precinct:
Sedric Bates: Precinct 84, 0 votes,
Precinct 87, 3 votes and Precinct 93, 5 votes. Early voting showed Bates with 5
votes.
Willie “Hoghead” Curry: Precinct
84, 1 vote, Precinct 87, 15 votes, Precinct 93, 20 votes. Early voting showed
Curry with 28 votes.
Linda Mozeke: Precinct 84, 2 votes,
Precinct 87, 29 votes and Precinct 93, 21 votes. Early voting results showed
Mozeke with 32 votes.
“Doc” Roberson: Precinct 84, 0
votes, Precinct 87, 21 votes, Precinct 93, 11 votes. Early voting showed
Roberson with 14 votes.
In District 2, Incumbent Michael
Wade came away with 58 percent of the vote, with 93 votes. His opponent, Ray D.
Jiles, came away with 42 percent, or 66 votes. Broken down by precinct:
Michael Wade: Precinct 85, 11
votes, Precinct 87, 49 votes, Precinct 88, 0 votes, Precinct 93, 10 votes.
Early voting showed him with 23 votes.
Ray D. Jiles: Precinct 85, 6 votes,
Precinct 87, 34 votes, Precinct 88, 0 votes, Precinct 93, 3 votes. Early voting
results showed Jiles tied with Wade with 23 votes.
In District 4, Carlette Sanford
came away with 65 percent of the vote or 115 votes. Her opponent Maxine Wilson
received 35 percent, or 61 votes. Here it is broken down by precinct:
Carlette Sanford: Precinct 08, 26
votes, Precinct 84, 30 votes, Precinct 85, 17 votes. Early voting results
showed her with 42 votes.
Maxine Wilson: Precinct 08, 9
votes, Precinct 84, 11 votes, Precinct 85, 15 votes. Early voting results
showed her with 26 votes.
The Claiborne Parish School Board
may see a little upset as District 10 will have a new sitting member come
January. Current board member Terry Willis lost out to two other candidates, B.
Stewart Griffin and Billy Kirk, who will face off in November.
Griffin received 41 percent of the
vote or 121 votes. Kirk received 32 percent of the vote, or 92 votes, while
Willis received 27 percent, or 79 votes.
Broken down by precinct, the votes
are as follows:
Griffin: Precinct 85, 26 votes,
Precinct 93, 58 votes. Early voting showed Griffin with 37 votes.
Kirk: Precinct 85, 25 votes,
Precinct 93, 33 votes. Early voting showed Kirk with 34 votes.
Willis: Precinct 85, 18 votes,
Precinct 93, 34 votes. Early voting showed Willis with 27 votes.
The Claiborne Parish School Board
will also see some new faces come January. In District 4, Incumbent A.D.
Williams chose not to run again, which left the seat open. Two people qualified
for the seat, with one coming out on top with 77 percent of the vote. Yolanda
Coleman received 77 percent of the vote, or 119 votes. Her opponent Betty
Richardson, came away with 23 percent, or 35 votes.
Broken down by precinct:
Coleman: Precinct 34, 43 votes,
Precinct 36, 62 votes. Early voting results show Coleman bringing in 14 votes.
Richardson: Precinct 34, 11 votes,
Precinct 36, 11 votes. Early voting results show Richardson with 13 votes.
In School Board District 5,
Incumbent Stanley Edwards came out on top with 65 percent of the vote, or 170
votes. His opponent, Betty Andrews, came away with 35 percent of the vote, or
90 votes. Here are the results broken down by precinct:
Edwards: Precinct 05: 62 votes,
Precinct 42, 34 votes, Precinct 51, 53 votes, Precinct 94, 1 vote. Early voting
results showed Edwards with 20 votes.
Andrews: Precinct 05, 61 votes,
Precinct 42, 15 votes, Precinct 51, 8 votes and Precinct 94, 2 votes. Early
voting results showed Andrews with 4 votes.
In District 7, Incumbent Vera
Meadors came out the winner in this race with 62 percent of the vote, or 278
votes. Her opponent, Georgia Norton, came away with 38 percent of the vote, or
170 votes. Broken down by precinct is as follows.
Meadors: Precinct 87, 82 votes,
Precinct 88, 83 votes. Early voting results show Meadors with 113 votes.
Norton: Precinct 87, 73 votes, Precinct
88, 35 votes. Early voting results show Norton with 62 votes.
School Board District 9 was also
left open when Incumbent Blake Hemphill chose not to run again. Those vying for
his seat were Mary Randle and Joey White. White came out on top with a staggering
74 percent of the vote, or 260 votes. Randle came away with 26 percent, or 92
votes. Broken down by precinct:
White: Precinct 84, 87 votes,
Precinct 92, 108 votes. Early voting showed White with 65 votes.
Randle: Precinct 84, 53 votes,
Precinct 92, 4 votes. Randle came away with 35 votes in early voting.
In statewide voting, both proposed
constitutional amendments passed with ease. Constitutional Amendment #1,
convening of the legislature, passed with 66 percent of the vote and 34 percent
against. Constitutional Amendment #2, dealing with the Governor’s Office of
Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, passed with 62 percent voting for
it and 38 percent voting against it.
In the Louisiana Lieutenant
Governor’s Race, out of 8 candidates vying for the seat, a runoff will be held
on November 2 between Louisiana Secretary of State Jay Dardenne and Caroline
Fayard. Fayard received 25 percent of the vote while Dardenne came away with 21
percent.
Please see next week’s edition for
what will be on the November 2 ballot. There will be several statewide items to
vote on, including Senate and House of Representative races as well as a
Constitutional Amendment. Also, local runoff races will be held on this date as
well.
Council supports Amendment #2
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The word is spreading on Amendment
#2 slated to be on November 2’s ballot.
District 8 Claiborne Parish Police
Juror Roy Mardis came before the Homer Town Council at its regular monthly
meeting, asking them to pass a resolution in support of the much needed revenue
it would bring in if passed.
Amendment #2 deals with the
severance tax issue and this proposed amendment is asking voters to “bring
home” the revenue it would produce.
“This is not a new tax,” said
District 3 Homer Town Councilman Toney Johnson. “It’s us getting more back from
the state from the oil and gas taxes paid in each year.”
“We have a great a great
opportunity to have an increase in our severance tax (revenue to the oil and
gas producing parishes),” Mardis said. “Currently, we receive $850,000, and we
have an opportunity to get that increased by $2 million. We’ve had this
opportunity before, and we feel that we’re down to the last opportunity to make
that a success.”
Fifty percent of the extra $2
million will go towards roads.
“At a time when our economy is in a
downfall – to have $2 million – I think that’s one of the things that Claiborne
Parish, town councils and police juries can focus on,” Mardis said.
He encouraged the council to pass
the resolution in support of Proposed Amendment #2, and encouraged citizens to
let their voice be heard on November 2.
The severance tax is a tax paid to
each oil and gas producing parish by the oil and gas companies. That money is
then paid in to the state which then returns 20 percent up to $850,000 to each
oil and gas producing parish to maintain roads and other things the parish
needs.
According to some, in 2008, the
proposed amendment failed partly because the language was confusing. According
to the Public Affairs Research Council, the proposed amendment failed because
voters weren’t educated well enough on the issue.
So this time, District 11 Rep. Rick
Gallot, D-Ruston, changed the language in hopes of clearing up any confusion of
what the passage of the amendment would mean.
This year, the Claiborne Parish
Police Jury has been traveling across the state in efforts to educate citizens,
hitting hard the parishes in which the amendment failed – and it’s working. The
committee has reported back to the police jury saying that other parishes and
municipalities are passing resolutions in support of the proposed amendment.
The proposed amendment will be on
the ballot on November 2.
In other council news, a public
hearing on two proposed ordinances were held, and later the town council
adopted them. The first ordinance deals with a third party agreement in which
the Town of Homer is acquiring a third party building inspector to handle all
building inspections within the town.
Town Attorney Jim Colvin said this
mainly deals with new construction of businesses within the corporate limits.
Also, a cooperative endeavor agreement was adopted between the Town of Homer and the Claiborne Parish Police Jury on the issue.
The other ordinance passed dealt
with bond issues that will go towards the purchase of a new X-ray machine at Homer Memorial Hospital. The machine currently at the hospital is broken, Colvin said. This
is not a town obligation, he continued, saying that the funds will come from
hospital revenue.
The council also introduced a
resolution to canvass votes on the sales and use taxes passed on October 2
which will be dedicated to recreation and the police department. A public
hearing will be held before the next town council meeting. It will be held at 5:30 p.m. Monday, November 1. The regular meeting will begin at 6 p.m. in council chambers, located at the Homer Police Station. For more information, please call
city hall at 927-3555.
Davidson, Woodard named to PJA Board
Elected and appointed officials
from 10 parishes gathered on Friday, September 17, for a meeting at the Lincoln Parish Library Events Center in Ruston.
Lincoln Parish hosted the meeting
for members of the Police Jury Association. In addition to Lincoln Parish,
Region IV includes Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, DeSoto, Natchitoches, Red River, Sabine and Webster parishes. The members voted YES to support
Amendment #2 on November 2. It will “Bring Home” local dollars for local road
and bridge projects without raising taxes.
Scott Davidson, of Claiborne
Parish, was elected Region IV President for the upcoming year, along with David
Cox of Caddo Parish as Region IV vice president. In addition, Claiborne
Parish’s Dwayne Woodard was elected secretary/treasurer. Bill Altimus of
Bossier Parish was re-elected to serve as Region IV’s state executive board
member.
Current Region IV President R.G.
Skip Russell from Lincoln Parish presided over the meeting. U.S. Representative
Rodney Alexander from the 5th Congressional District and District 11’s State
Representative Richard “Rick” Gallot Jr. were the guest speakers.
Alexander encouraged members to
continue their support and diligence in contacting their statewide elected
officials in order to better serve their communities. He emphasized the
importance of working together with local government.
Gallot urged members to vote YES
for Amendment #2 on November 2. He stressed the effect the amendment will have
on local communities to bring home significantly more money to parishes across
the state. Joe Salter, Director of the Department of Education, was also
available to give comments and offer his support for Amendment #2.
PJAL President Carl Pierson of
Caddo Parish also addressed the crows. He thanked those in attendance for their
continued support to the Police Jury Association and their constituents. He
strongly encouraged them to support and vote YES for Amendment #2 on November
2. In addition, Police Jury Association Executive Director Roland Dartez
encouraged members to educate constituents on the benefits of voting YES to
Constitutional Amendment #2 on November 2. It is not a new tax but may send
back local dollars for local projects.
Tractor show slated for October 16
Submitted photo
The Claiborne Parish Fair Antique and Vintage Tractor
and Equipment Show will be held from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Saturday, October 16
at the Claiborne Parish Fairgrounds in Haynesville. Sign in is from 8 until 9 a.m. The unloading area will be on the north end of the fairgrounds off Hwy. 2
Alternate. Tractors, equipment and engines – year models 1970 or older – are
welcome. Trophies and prizes include tractors (first, second, third and best of
show), engines (first, second, third and best of show), and oldest tractor. For
more information, please contact J.R. Holt at 318-433-0358, Gerry Holt at
318-624-2169 after 5 p.m. or Tip Sherman at 318-624-3627.
Bernice man arrested on possession charges
The Guardian-Journal
A traffic stop on a Bernice man led
to several drug charges when Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Deputies found several
pills in the vehicle.
According to a news release, Lonnie
Frank Gilbert, 50, was stopped by Deputies Steve Harbour and J.T. Williams when
Gilbert was observed to have no license plate or brake lamps.
Once the traffic stop was
initiated, a cursory check of Gilbert’s appearance motivated deputies to pursue
an investigation. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed a lunch box on
the seat of the truck that contained three prescription pill bottles. Two of
the bottles contained mixed pills and one bottle contained pills which were
prescribed to Gilbert.
A plastic baggie containing
suspected marijuana and a package of rolling papers were also found in the
lunch box. Harbour also located a suspected marijuana cigarette in the ash tray
of the truck.
Gilbert was transported to the
Claiborne Parish Detention Center and charged with possession of marijuana with
bond set at $1,000, no brake lights with bond set at $1,000, possession of
Schedule II CDS (oxycodone) with bond set at $5,000 and possession of a
Schedule III CDS (hydrocodone) with bond set at $5,000.
In a separate incident, a Homer man
was busted for suspected marijuana when Claiborne deputies pulled him over.
Daryl Darnell Heard, 19, was
arrested for possession of marijuana with bond set at $500.
According to a news release, on
Thursday, September 30, Harbour was working traffic patrol when he observed a
vehicle cross the road and proceed into the ditch on the side of the road.
Harbour stopped the vehicle and made contact with Heard.
Harbour detected the odor of marijuana
coming from the interior of the vehicle and was given consent to search.
Harbour located a suspected marijuana cigarette in the passenger front floor
board.
Heard was placed under arrest on
the above charges.
Homer Bypass coming soon!
The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates
Pictured above are Homer Mayor Alecia Smith, Bypass
Proponent J.T. Taylor, District 11 Rep. Rick Gallot, D-Ruston, David North,
with the Louisiana DOTD and Jason Hathorne, District 4 engineer.
The Guardian-Journal
The Homer Bypass is now a lot
closer to completion.
With construction going on
throughout the state highway’s route, traffic is slowed some, but from all
indications, it has been well worth the wait. David North, with the State of
Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, said the entire bypass
should be complete in November.
The bypass, designated La. 3244, will be stop sign controlled at all intersections. North said after the roadway
is opened to traffic, a traffic count will be done to determine whether traffic
lights are needed at the intersection.
“A traffic light can cause just as
many problems as not having one,” North said.
Currently, rights of way will be
issued as the following:
• At the intersection of U.S. Hwy.
79, Hwy. 79 will have the right of way.
• At the intersection of Dutchtown Road, the Bypass will be the through-road. In other words, the bypass will have
the right of way.
• At the intersection of La. 3062 (N. Main Street), the bypass will be the predominant road.
• At the intersection of La. 2, La.
2 will have the right of way.
The Homer Bypass has been a long
time in coming. Due to the efforts of J.T. Taylor, Rick Gallot, and several
others who have supported the idea, the road is now coming to fruition.
The purpose for the bypass is to
take the heavy 18-wheelers off the Square in downtown Homer. Many accidents
have occurred on The Square because these trucks have to go around the Square
to return to Hwy. 79 going north. Proponents of the bypass have long said this
highway would alleviate a lot of traffic issues once the big rigs can bypass
The Square.
