Pickin’ up the Pieces
Storm takes out historic general store
Photos courtesy of Pam Worley
Top, the tree that fell through the
Blackburn Store is 40 inches in diameter Also known as the Worley Store in
Blackburn, it was torn down and buried this week. Above, this photo was taken
two weeks before the storm. The store goes back as far as 1896, closing
approximately 25 years ago.
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The
storms that blew through Claiborne Parish last Tuesday night wreaked havoc from
East Texas all the way to Alabama -- and an historical landmark in Claiborne
Parish was lost.
The old
general store in Blackburn suffered massive damage when the storms blew through
felling a huge oak tree right in the center of it.
Owned
by Sandra Hines and her family, the store was built in 1896. L.C. Worley,
Sandra’s grandfather, bought into the store in later years and the store stayed
open until approximately 25 years ago. The store was handed down from her
grandfather to her father, who ran it until it closed.
“It was
almost like losing a family member to us,” said Chic Hines, Sandra’s husband.
“It’s just been around in our lives for so long; it was just amazing. It’s a
historical landmark.”
Over
the last few days, the family decided to go ahead and tear down the remains of
the building and bury it -- but it was a tough job to undertake.
“When
they took the trachoe out there, and it went into the store, the floor actually
held the trachoe up,” Hines said. “It took ‘em a while to get it down, but it
was amazing to watch.”
The old
store brought back many memories for people, Hines said. It was a gathering
spot for all kinds of people.
“I’ve
had hundreds of people tell me they used to come get a moon pie and an RC
cola,” he said. “This is also where hunters gathered -- it was just a great
meeting place.”
It was
the center of the small community that was once an oil boom town. The Blackburn
area is a small settlement on Hwy. 2, approximately 11 miles west of Homer.
The
store also stocked anything a person might need, from food to clothes to other
things. Hines said the store sold horse tack, horse feed, clothes, shoes,
canned goods and even salted meats.
“Just
about anything you think of, they sold it,” Hines said. “There wasn’t any
refrigeration, but they sold salted meats as well as horse feed, horse tack,
chemicals for crops, shirts and shoes -- almost anything you can think of that
a general store would handle back then, they had it.”
It’s a
sad loss for the small community in northern Claiborne Parish, and others lost
as well.
Johnny
Rigsby, a resident of the Blackburn area, said he was laying on his couch when
the storm came through at about 10 p.m. Even though he received substantial
damage, the only thing that was totaled was his truck.
But it
didn’t stop there.
“It
just tore all that up down through (Hwy.) 534, down through Blackburn,” Rigsby
said.
According
to the National Weather Service, tornadoes touched down in several areas that
spread from East Texas all the way through to the Louisiana lines on the north
and eastern borders. Several areas were without power for long periods of time,
including overnight in some areas of Claiborne Parish.
According
to Claiborne Parish Superintendent of Schools Dr. Janice Williams, several of
the schools were closed that Wednesday because there was either limited or no
power to several of the schools. Claiborne Parish
According
to Entergy’s website, hundreds were left without power in the north Louisiana
region, including Claiborne Parish. However, the hardest hit areas were the
parishes surrounding Claiborne, where they concentrated their efforts to
restoring power.
Claiborne
Electric also spent several hours restoring power to its customers, however,
only 200 residences lost power during the storm. According to their records,
they had all power restored by Thursday, April 28.
“By
midmorning Wednesday, we only had 41 people without power in the parish,” said
Joey White, Claiborne Electric’s manager of member relations and marketing.
“For the most part, Claiborne Parish fared much better than neighboring
parishes such as Webster and Bienville. Webster Parish was where Claiborne
Electric experienced the worst damage. We had lots of broken poles and downed
power lines. Bringing in additional crews from contractor companies and other
Louisiana electric cooperative to assist the Claiborne Electric crews, we were
able to complete the power restoration in all parishes by Friday night.”
According
to Claiborne Parish Police Jury Road Superintendent Tommy Durrett, most of the
damage his crews saw was up in the north end of the parish around Corney Lake.
Luckily, there was no damage to the roads themselves, however, they had a lot
of timber debris to clean up.
“We had
about 28 roads where trees were laying across them,” he said. “There was
definitely a tornado that went through that area. It looked like cutovers up
there. There were trees everywhere.”
His
crews were called out about 10:30 p.m. Tuesday night and they worked solid
until about 5 or 6 p.m. the next evening trying to clean up debris. In fact, he
said, crews are still cleaning up some areas.
‘Team Cade’ fundraiser rakes in $15,000
Community comes together for cystic
fibrosis benefit
The Guardian-Journal photos/Michelle
Bates
Above, the community gathered in force
Saturday for the Team Cade Cystic Fibrosis Benefit which raised more than
$15,000. Above left, volunteer firefighters pause for a moment while
participating in the fireman’s boot drive. Above right, Cade Liles and his
cousin are being pulled in a wagon by Cade’s dad Casey Liles.
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The
cystic fibrosis (CF) fundraiser in honor of Cade Liles received an overwhelming
response, raising approximately $15,000.
Many
members of Cade’s family, as well as numerous friends, joined together to pull
it all off. With two raffles, the chicken plate sale, the boot drive, the poker
run and the coin fundraiser at Homer Elementary, these funds will go directly
to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to help researchers and medical staff not
only develop better treatments of cystic fibrosis patients, but also find a
cure for this debilitating disease.
Cade,
the 18-month-old son of Casey and Holly Liles of Athens, was born with CF. CF
is a genetic disease that effects mainly the lungs and digestive system where
a thick sticky mucus builds up in the lungs and/or prevents the absorption of
nutrients from the food the patient eats.
His
parents are both carriers of the disease, which means that they don’t actually
have the disease but can pass it on. Cade must take several pills per day,
mostly enzymes and vitamins, that help him absorb more nutrients from the food
he eats, however, with CF, he may absorb 75 percent of what he takes in. Holly
said his doctors say he needs about 1,500 calories or more per day, and to
combat the disease, Cade eats a very high calorie diet to make up for what he
doesn’t absorb.
He also
undergoes breathing treatments twice a day, and his parents must forcefully pat
him on his back, chest and sides to loosen up the mucus that settles in the
bottom of his lungs.
Cade’s
family extends a very big thank you to all who helped or participated in the
fundraiser.
“We
would like to thank everyone that helped make the Team Cade Benefit for Cystic
Fibrosis a huge success,” Holly said. “This day
would not have been possible without the hard work of those that selflessly
dedicated their time and support. We also would like to thank the citizens of
Claiborne Parish that participated by purchasing raffle tickets, chicken plates
or by making donations. We are so thankful to be from a parish that believes in
taking care of their own.”
Special
thanks also goes to the following: Fire Department District 5, Fire Department
District 6, The Guardian-Journal, Homer Fire Department, House of Raeford,
Kenny Coil, Michael’s Mens’ Store, Peak Oilfield Services, Piggly Wiggly, Red
Rock Rentals, Southern Ingenuity, Stallion Oilfield Services, and Volvo Rents.
Totals
from each part of the fundraiser are as follows: Boot drive: $2,528, Chicken Plates;
$2,500, Raffle, Decals and Donations: $8, 423, Coins for Cade: $1,486, and the
Poker Run: $350.
“Words
will never be enough to express our gratitude,” the Liles family said. “Thanks
again for joining in our fight to find a cure for CF.”
McDonald’s employee arrested
The Guardian-Journal
A
McDonald’s employee has been arrested for theft over $500.
Tericka
S. Critton, 24, of Magnolia, Ark., was arrested on Wednesday, April 29, for
theft over $500, with bond set at $10,000.
According
to reports, Captain Donald Malray, of the Homer Police Department, made the
arrest after receiving a report that money had been stolen from the McDonald’s
store in Homer. Once she was arrested, police say she admitted to taking the
money on two different occasions. She reportedly said she’d used the money to
pay bills.
She was
transported to the Claiborne Parish Women’s Facility for booking.
In a
separate incident, a Homer man was arrested on April 11 on a charge of domestic
abuse battery.
George
B. Puffer, 44, was charged with domestic abuse battery with bond set at $2,500.
According to reports, Officers Mario Thomas and Willie Fred Knowles responded
to a disturbance call at a residence on Hwy. 9 North. Upon arrival, the two
officers spoke with the complainants, a mother and her son.
Reports
say the son (a minor) gave a statement saying he’d witnessed the incident.
Reports go on to say that Puffer allegedly attacked the mother in a physical
altercation.
Puffer
was arrested on the above charge and transported to the Claiborne Parish
Detention Center for further booking.
El Dorado man arrested after traffic
stop
The Guardian-Journal
A lack
of vehicle maintenance ultimately led to the arrest of an El Dorado, Ark., man
when deputies found alleged drug paraphernalia inside.
According
to a news release from the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office, on Saturday,
April 30, Deputy Steve Harbour initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle for
speeding 70/55. Upon making contact with the driver, Jericho Jones, 27, Harbour
also noted that the vehicle license was expired and the brake lamps were not
functioning.
Deputy
Roger Ellerbe arrived on scene to assist, and the two deputies began to search
the vehicle. Harbour discovered what appeared to be a drug pipe and two Brillo
pads in the center console of the vehicle.
Jones
was placed under the arrest and transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention
Center and charged with speeding with bond set at $500, stop lamps/turn signals
required with bond set at $500, no proof of registration with bond set at $500,
expired license plate with bond set at $500 and possession of drug
paraphernalia with bond set at $500.
2011 Scholastic banquet highlights
leadership
The Guardian-Journal
Students
from all of Claiborne Parish schools and Claiborne Academy and Mount Olive
joined together at the Claiborne Parish Fair Complex as they were honored for
their scholastic achievements.
The
guest speaker was Dr. Randy Webb, president of Northwestern State University
and a native of Haynesville. He talked to the students about leadership and the
qualities that make a great leader as well as lead to success in life.
“Each
student in this room has the potential to be successful,” he said. “I’ve never
met a student who didn’t aspire to be successful.”
He
talked about several different approaches to taking the bull by the horns. One
approach, he said, is to never give up.
“Never
lose faith in the end of the story you have in mind,” he said. “It’s very
important that we persevere.”
And one
thing to always remember, he said, is that “I am responsible.”
“If you
remember this every day, you can live more fulfilled lives,” he said.
Webb is
the son of Joe and Narvis Almand Webb, and he graduated from Haynesville High
School in 1961, where he was named Mr. Haynesville High.
“I love
Claiborne Parish,” Webb said. “I am just so glad to be home. It’s just such an
honor for Brenda (his wife) and me to be here. I was blessed to have so many
role models and Mr. A.D. was one of them. I learned so much from him.”
A.D.
Williams is a lifelong friend of Webb, and he had this to say during his
introduction, which garnered a few laughs. “I know his pedigree -- that means I
know his mother, his father, his grandmother, his grandfather, aunts and
uncles.”
His
father, Joe, and Cedric Almand, Joe’s uncle, owned and operated Gulf Oil
Distributorship for many years.
Students
were honored for their academic achievements, and the criteria set included
seniors who have achieved a grade point average of 3.5 or above, juniors
attaining a 3.75 average or attained an ACT score of 25 or higher, along with
those qualifying for rally, FBLA, Science Fair competition at the state level,
National Merit Finalist or Semi-Finalist.
Students
include India Adams-Pickens of Homer High School, Korsica Anderson of Homer
High School, Abigail Bass of Claiborne Academy, Jesse Beard of Claiborne
Academy, Caroline Bourn of Claiborne Academy, Latiesha Buggs of Summerfield
High School, Lakkia Carswell-Bey of Haynesville High School, Cassie Coleman of
Haynesville High School, Alex Crain of Homer High School, Kadijah Dean of Homer
High School, Jasmine Dupree of Homer High School, Lianne Ellis of Homer High
School, Anthony Eubanks of Homer High School, Shelbe Foster of Summerfield High
School, Britney Gilbert of Haynesville High School, Maryanne Gray of
Haynesville, Akiyah Green of Haynesville High School, Aliyah Green of
Haynesville High School, Jakala Hardwell of Homer High School, Nathon Harkins
of Summerfield High School, Anslee Heckel of Haynesville High School, Holley
Hollenshead of Haynesville High School, Le’Vert James of Haynesville High
School, Kayla Jones of Homer High School, Miller Claire Killgore of Claiborne
Academy, Christina Kimp of Summerfield High School, Alhasnat Laghari of
Claiborne Academy, Candance Lee of Haynesville High School, Kelsey Lee of
Summerfield High School, Jasmine Lewis of Homer High School, Johnathan Lindsey
of Summerfield High School, Courtney Lowe of Junction City High School, Ramone
Malone of Claiborne Academy, Michaela McCowen of Claiborne Academy, Austin McCurry
of Summerfield High School, ShermaDee McDaniel of Homer High School, Cara
McLelland of Junction City High School, Kassie Mills of Mt. Olive Christian
School, Jarvis Morgan of Homer High School, Amelia Moss of Summerfield High
School, Courtney Mott of Claiborne Academy, Jasmine Norton of Homer High
School, Alyssa Patterson of Mt. Olive Christian School, Kamal Pickens of Homer
High School, Logan Puckett of Summerfield High School, Justin Sanders of
Summerfield High School, Spincir Silver of Homer High School, Chaise Simpson of
Claiborne Academy, Brittany Sketoe of Haynesville High School, Catherine Slaton
of Haynesville High School, Samantha Smith of Haynesville High School,
Rontrette Sturdivant of Haynesville High School, Lauryn Thomas of Summerfield High
School, Xavier Thomas of Haynesville High School, Chardarius Thompson of Athens
High School, Jacob Tinsley of Claiborne Academy, Taylor Tuggle of Claiborne
Academy, Kristen Turner of Mt. Olive Christian School, Merdis Watson of Homer
High School, Ciara White of Athens High School, Weston White of Summerfield
High School, Jadarius Willis of Claiborne Academy and Je’Marion Willis of
Haynesville High School.
Congratulations
to all these students!
HMH, LSUHC partner for women’s services
The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates
Pictured above is the Feist-Weiller
Cancer Screening mobile unit. Pictured from left are: Louie Laborde, LARHIX
project manager, Michael Randle, HMH chief financial officer, Dr. Don Hines,
LARHIX executive director, Scott Barrilleaux, HMH administrator, Ginger Smith,
HMH Director of Nursing, Linda Welch, CEO of the Louisiana Rural Hospital
Coalition, Suzanne Cutty, program coordinator, Amanda Westbrook, Gaye Brunson,
HMH executive director of ancillary services, and Lisa Ledbetter, HMH director
of marketing and public relations and the Claiborne Healthcare Foundation
coordinator.
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
Homer
Memorial Hospital (HMH) is reaching out to the women in Claiborne Parish by
partnering with Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC).
By
bringing digital mammography to the hospital, it can now offer mammograms for
women who do not have insurance or have an unaffordable insurance deductible.
Through a cooperative effort between rural hospitals and LSUHSC’s Fiest-Weiller
Cancer Center’s Partners in Wellness program, a mobile unit is brought to one
of five rural hospitals where women can be screened and get “live” results
within minutes.
“This
is an excellent service for our community,” said Scott Barrilleaux, HMH
administrator. “It further illustrates our commitment to the community and the
community’s health by working with external organizations like LARHIX to
advance women’s health services. We hope to expand our relationship with them
to bring additional services to our loyal customers.”
According
to Louie Laborde, project manager with Louisiana Rural Health Information
Exchange (LARHIX), the images are taken at the rural hospital and tramsitted
over a “T1” line (or a wireless router) to a radiologist at the Fiest-Weiller
Cancer Center. The radiologist then reads the image and then returns a “live”
result for that patient.
Dr. Don
Hines, executive director of LARHIX, said these are only screenings and not a
diagnostic tool. What this does is actually screens the patient and the results
will either come back normal or if they find an abnormality, then the patient
will need to see a doctor for further screening and/or treatment.
“This
is the only place we know that uses wireless equipment,” Dr. Hines said.
Homer
Hospital is one of the few hospitals in the northwest region to network with
LSUHSC using telemedicine, where physicians use interactive audiovisual media
for the purpose of consulting, and sometimes remote medical procedures or examinations.
Currently,
there are five rural hospitals that are participating in this program. They
include: Homer, Springhill, Arcadia, Jonesboro and Many. It is funded through a
three-year federal grant.
To
qualify for these screenings, the patient must be 40 years of age or older, no
insurance or a very high deductible and have not had a mammogram within one
year.
The
Feist-Weiller center will be at Homer Hospital every fourth Thursday of each
month.
“Early
detection -- it’s the difference between life or death,” Dr. Hines said.
These
screenings are done by appointment only, so those women who wish to participate
need to call Amanda Westbrook at 318-927-2024, ext. 286.
