Burn bans lifted
The burn bans for Claiborne Parish Fire Districts #3 and
#6 as well as the Haynesville Fire District have been lifted. All of Claiborne
Parish is no longer under a burn ban.
Grambling, Homer seek fugitive
Champ considered armed, dangerous
The Guardian-Journal
A Homer
man is wanted by Grambling Police in connection with a shooting that occurred
Saturday night.
Daniel
Champ, 21, has been on the run since Saturday, July 23, after an incident that
left one man wounded and another nearly dead.
According
to Grambling Police Chief Tommy Clark Jr., warrants have been issued for
Champ’s arrest after he allegedly beat up one man and shot another three to
five times. Clark said the incident occurred in a parking lot at 119 Gus Lane
at approximately 2 a.m. Several people were at a party, he said, with four men
from Monroe in the parking lot. There were also 12 to 15 boys from Homer at the
party.
Clark
said an altercation ensued, with two of the four from Monroe fleeing the scene.
The other two, Charles Hudson and Frank Goodin, were unable to flee. A witness
at the scene confirmed that the four Monroe men were standing around in the
parking lot talking when they were separated by the individuals from Homer,
Clark said. At that point, the chief said Champ reportedly assaulted Hudson by
striking him in the head with a handgun and then shot Goodin in the torso area
three to five times.
Hudson
also received other injuries when he was kicked about the head and body several
times.
Clark
made it clear that Goodin was shot while he was on the ground, and both men
were unarmed at the time of the incident. Records show no prior run-ins with
police for Hudson and Goodin, Clark said.
Pafford
Ambulance was called to the scene, where Goodin was airlifted by Pafford Life
Air to Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC) where he
underwent a six-hour emergency surgery.
As of
press time, Goodin’s condition is listed as critical.
Once
arrested, Champ will be charged with aggravated second degree battery,
attempted second degree murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted
felon.
According
to Captain Donald Malray, of the Homer Police Department, Champ’s criminal
history shows a long list of priors including robbery, violent crimes and
aggravated battery.
“Once
he’s arrested, we will be charging anyone who is harboring him,” Clark said.
Those found to be harboring Champ will be charged with aiding and abetting and
accessory after the fact.
The
investigation, in conjunction with the Homer Police Department, is still
ongoing with at least five or six more arrests pending. Homer Police Chief
Russell Mills and Malray are working closely with Clark and Grambling Lead
Investigator William Sullivan in this case.
Champ
is considered armed and dangerous and police are asking for the community’s
help. If anyone has any information as to Champ’s whereabouts, please contact
the Homer Police Department at 318-927-4000 or the Grambling Police Department
at 318-247-3771 or 318-247-3772.
Benefit slated for drowning victim
The Guardian-Journal
A
benefit for a little boy who drowned in Lake Claiborne earlier this month will
be held this Saturday night at Valhalla Motorcycle Club.
Karaoke
will be the order of the evening, beginning at 8:30 p.m. There will be no cover
charge and jars will be set out for donations for the family of Brayden Lynn.
The Nelsons, owners of Valhall, wish to remind everyone who will be drinking to
bring a designated driver.
For
more information, please call Valhalla at 318-927-9310 or Tana Nelson at
318-617-5681. Also, visit their facebook page at valhallamc.
According
to Claiborne Parish Sheriff Ken Bailey, Lynn, 8, was swimming with his cousin
in water about four to five feet deep. After about five or six minutes, his
cousins couldn’t find him. A search by family members began, and he would
faound at the back end of a barge at a privately owned boat dock.
Lynn
was pronounced dead at the scene, and his death was ruled an accidental
drowning.
Haynesville man faces sex charges
26 counts of incest, 2 counts rape
charges levied
The Guardian-Journal
A
Haynesville man is facing steep charges after the Claiborne Parish Grand Jury
returned with 26 counts of sex charges.
On July
13, the grand jury met and returned true bills against Alfred L. “Bo”
Kirkpatrick, 47, of Haynesville and Robert Wayne Richter, 31, of Athens. The
grand jury charged Kirkpatrick with 26 counts of aggravated incest and two
counts of aggravated rape. Kirkpatrick was arrested by the Claiborne Parish
Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday, July 19.
He was
jailed at the Claiborne Parish Detention Center (CPDC) under a $500,000 bond.
The
grand jury charged Richter with one count of aggravated incest. During this
investigation, it was discovered that Richter fled to Los Angeles, Ca., to
avoid prosecution. Richter was arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department on
Thursday, July 21.
He
waived extradition and is being transported back to Claiborne Parish within the
next few weeks.
Richter
will be housed at CPDC under a $50,000 bond.
In
other crime news, on Wednesday, July 13, the sheriff’s office received a
complaint of two vehicles being stolen from property located east of Lisbon on
Hwy. 2.
A joint
investigation with the Union County Sheriff’s Office and the Union Parish
Sheriff’s Office was initiated and led to the arrest of Larry C. Murray, 32, of
Spearsville.
The
vehicles were located at Barker Steel Scrap Yard in El Dorado, Ark.
Murray
was booked at CPDC on July 21 and charged with two counts of criminal trespass
and two counts of theft over $500. Bond was set at $22,000.
In a
separate incident on the same date, Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Deputy Aaron
Christian was patrolling Hwy. 9 South and observed a vehicle with no tail
lamps. Christian initiated a traffic stop and made contact with the driver,
Clayton Dale Futch, 28, of Homer.
The
initial investigation resulted in the use of a canine partner that alerted on
the passenger side door as to the presence of illegal narcotics.
Deputy
Shane Huffstetler arrived on scene to assist.
A
subsequent search of the vehicle revealed a set of digital scales and plastic
bags commonly used in the sale of illegal narcotics. Located on the passenger
side floor board was a clear plastic water bottle containing a chemical mixture
that appeared to be a “shake and bake” meth lab.
Claiborne
Narcotics Enforcement Team (CNET) Agent James Spillers was called to the scene,
accompanied by CNET Agent Adrian Malone of the Haynesville Police Department.
Once
the lab was removed from the vehicle, a further search revealed a pack of
rolling papers containing a small amount of a green leafy substance and a
hand-rolled cigar containing a green leafy substance, presumed to be marijuana,
in a cup holder on the dash of the vehicle.
Futch
was transported to CPDC and booked on the charges of tail lamps required with
bond set at $1,000, possession of drug paraphernalia with bond set at $1,000,
possession of marijuana (second offense) with bond set at $5,000, and
creation/operation of a clandestine lab for manufacturing a Controlled
Dangerous Substance with bond set at $25,000.
CPDC van involved in accident
The Guardian-Journal
A
transport van from the Claiborne Parish Detention Center was involved in a
two-vehicle accident that sent one man to the hospital.
According
to the Louisiana State Police, the driver of the detention center’s 2007 Chevy
van, Roy Mardis Jr., 24, was headed eastbound on La. 146, near the Aycock
Community on La. 146 and Hwy. 518, when the driver of a 2011 Ford Mustang
apparently T-boned him. The driver of that vehicle, Steven Duck, 30, of Sibley,
was transported to Homer Memorial Hospital by Pafford Ambulance with minor
injuries.
“They
were bringing back work release inmates when the accident happened,” Claiborne
Parish Sheriff Ken Bailey said. “They were taken to the hospital to be checked
out, and they are all fine.”
The
inmates were returning from a job in Lincoln Parish, Bailey said.
The
accident occurred at approximately 7:23 p.m., Saturday, July 16, and Claiborne
Parish Fire District #5 responded to the scene with the Homer Fire Department
assisting. Ambulances from Pafford Ambulance were on scene.
The
Claiborne Parish Detention Center is run by LaSalle Management Company. At this
time, no alcohol is suspected in this incident, state police said.
Duck
was cited for following too close.
Home saved from total destruction
Submitted photo
Luckily, this boat is one of the few
things lost in a fire that occurred on Saturday, July 23. Thanks to the actions
of a passerby, Randy Broughton, the home of Benjamin Wright Sr., was saved from
total destruction.
The Guardian-Journal
Thanks
to the actions of one man, the home of another was saved.
On
Saturday, July 23, Homer Fire Chief Dennis Butcher said his department was
called to the home of Benjamin Wright Sr., in the 800 block of Airport Loop.
When firefighters arrived, Randy Broughton was there.
According
to Butcher, Broughton was passing by the house, saw the fire and alerted
Wright. At that time, he called 911 and grabbed a water hose, spraying the
house until the firefighters could get there.
The
initial investigation revealed that the blaze began from unattended outdoor
burning. Butcher said the homeowner was burning the day before and believed the
fire was out before he left it. When the wind picked up the next morning, the
fire started from there.
Most of
the damage occurred beside the carport, where a boat was located within mere
feet of the house. The house itself sustained minor damage, and thanks to
Broughton’s actions, the home was saved.
“There’s
no doubt in my mind that if he’d not seen the fire and tried to do something
about it, Mr. Wright’s house would have been destroyed,” Butcher said. “So
often, people choose not to get involved, and we’re thankful for what he did.”
There
were no injuries reported.
Discussions on alcohol consumption
ordinance continue
Public Hearing
A public hearing will be held Monday, August 1, at
5:30p.m., in council chambers at city hall to consider an ordinance dealing
with the consumption of alcohol on private property. The council will consider
adoption of this ordinance at the regular council meeting that will follow at 6
p.m.
Town of Homer Ordinance # 11-906
AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF HOMER AMENDING THE TOWN OF
HOMER CODE OF ORDINANCES CHAPTER 3, SECTION 3-2 REGARDING RESTRICTION OF
POSSESSION AND CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL.
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
Discussions
on the proposed ordinance that would prohibit consumption of alcohol in public
places continued at a special called meeting of the Homer Town Council Tuesday
evening.
If
adopted, Proposed Ordinance 11-906 would amend Homer’s code of ordinances in
Chapter 3, Section 3-2 of the code.
The
proposal better defines a public place, alcoholic beverages and open container.
The
proposed ordinance was introduced in July’s regular meeting, and it would
prohibit the consumption of alcohol in a public place, with the exception of
fundraisers or charitable events “on behalf of a political organization or
candidate for office, nonprofit organization, civic organization or any other
type of bona fide charity,” with the exception of school grounds.
The
proposed ordinance would prohibit the consumption of alcohol on “any public
street, sidewalk, park, recreation area, building, including any public school
building, school grounds, football stadium, gymnasium, or any place of
amusement holding a retail occupation license from the town including skating
rinks, bowling alleys, theaters, pool halls, dance halls and amusement
centers.”
If
adopted, this would apply directly to a place in Homer that has been the center
of debate for council members as well as community members. In July, Rob’s
Place came up during the introduction of the proposed ordinance, due to
complaints from community members saying there were minors in a place where
alcohol was being consumed.
During
the public comments portion of the meeting, Ronnie Anderson expressed his
thoughts on allowing such a place to be in business in Homer.
“All
it’s going to do is cause trouble,” he said. “If we allow it, there will be a
rise in crime. I’m against it and I’d like to see you not do it.”
Town
Attorney Jim Colvin made it clear, though, that there are no state laws
governing bottle clubs, which is a place where alcohol may be consumed but not
sold. Only municipalities and local governing authorities can regulate them.
In
other news, the juvenile curfew was also brought up for discussion. In July’s
meeting, there were questions as to how to handle a juvenile who violated
curfew.
Juveniles
are not allowed to be out on the streets between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5
a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and from midnight until 5 a.m. Friday and
Saturday.
It’s at
the discretion of the officer as to whether the juvenile will be taken home or
whether to cite them. Colvin made it clear, though, that if a juvenile is
cited, the citation will be in the child’s name. If the child continues to
violate curfew and is caught so many times, then the parents can be charged
with failure to supervise and could be jailed as a result.
Colvin
also discussed Ordinance 11-904, which deals with junk and debris. The town
already has three types applicable of ordinances dealing with these issues,
including noxious weeds, “clear the house” and junk. The only ordinance that
has a limit as to how much the town can charge a property owner is the junk
ordinance, which places a $200 limit if the town has to do the cleanup. The
other two can charge whatever is deemed necessary due to the higher costs of
cleaning up property or removing a house.
On
another note, Colvin, in his capacity on the baseball commission, asked the
council to approve $3,000 from the recreation fund to help fulfill some of the
expenses incurred during this year’s baseball season. With only $1,000 left in
the bank, they have not been able to pay the additional costs of the all-stars
tournament as well as the contracted fee for mowing the field.
The
commission has a strict policy of not turning away any child who cannot pay the
entry fee, and this year, because they opened it up to the parish, they had
several additional children who could not pay the entry fee.
The
council approved the $3,000.
The
council also met in executive session to discuss a police personnel matter. At
the end of the meeting, no action was taken.
Blood drive slated for August 11
A high
school student needs the community’s help.
Brittney
Green, a student at Bastrop High School, was diagnosed with leukemia less than
six months until she graduates. Vibrant and active, Green played basketball,
participated in track, and worked after school.
She
needs healthy stem cells in order to save her life.
On
Thursday, August 11, from noon until 5 p.m., Lifeshare Blood Center, along with
Homer Memorial Hospital, will host a blood drive. And along with the blood
drive, applications and mouth swabs will be available for all generally healthy
donors between the ages of 18-60. These swabs will be tested to see if any are
a match to Green.
“Thousands
of patients depend on the “Be The Match” registry to find a donor who can give
them a second chance at life,” states the website BeTheMatch.org. “You have the
power to heal, the power to save a life. Take the first step. Join the
registry.”
According
to their website, the National Marrow Donor Program and the Be The Match
Foundation are nonprofit organizations dedicated to creating an opportunity for
all patients to receive the bone marrow or umbilical cord blood transplant they
need when they need it.
For
more information on the marrow registry, please call Marguerite Allen, marrow
coordinator, at 318-673-7534, or at or Gaye
Brunson at Homer Memorial Hospital at 318-927-2024.
Please
join the hospital in connecting with the Be The Match Foundation as they embark
on the mission of saving lives. To join, a donor only needs to be between the
ages of 18-60, be willing to donate to any patient in need and meet the health
guidelines.
Local named to national post
The
Guardian-Journal
A Homer
man has made his way all the way to Washington, D.C., as the new assistant
director for Migratory Birds.
Jerome
Ford, 46, began his career with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the late
80s as a co-op student and has served as the deputy director of Migratory Birds
since 2008.
According
to a press release, as assistant director, Ford will oversee the diverse
activities of the Migratory Bird Program, which administers the Migratory Bird
Treaty Act and other federal migratory bird laws, implements and oversees bird
managment and conservation programs across North America, and coordinates the
monitoring and assessment of both game and nongame migratory birds.
“Jerome
Ford has been a valuable asset to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service throughout
his career, and I welcome the outstanding leadership and dedication he brings
to this position,” said Director Dan Ashe. “I am confident his many years of
dedicated service will serve him well as he continues his efforts on behalf of
the nation’s migratory bird and waterfowl resources.”
Ford
will also be responsible for the management of two multi-million dollar grant
programs, the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) and the
Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act (NMBCA). The program also
administers the “Duck Stamp” program, which is an internationally recognized
program that generates more revenue to help continue the conservation of the
migratory bird’s habitat.
Ford
grew up in the Shiloh community, near Summerfield, hunting, fishing and
trapping.
“I’ve
always had an affinity for animals and nature,” Ford said in a separate
interview. “Nature is something that just comes natural to me. I wanted to
learn more about how animals interact with each other.”
The son
of Diretha Ford West and Jesse Walker, both of Homer, Ford grew up on a farm
and said that’s where his love of nature came about.
“Growing
up on the farm, I learned that it is a compatible lifestyle,” he said.
He
graduated from Pineview High School as valedictorian with a 4.0 grade point
average. From there, he attended Grambling State University, gaining a
bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology. While at Grambling, he participated in
the Service’s student co-op program, working at multiple refuges in Louisiana.
Ford’s
first full-time position with the Service was as the assistant refuge manager
at Logan Cave National Wildlife Refuge, located in Siloam Springs, Ark. He
later became the deputy project leader at the Holla Bend National Wildlife
Refuge, which was established to provide winter and feeding habitat for
migrating waterfowl.
In
1994, he became the project leader at Bayou Cocodrie National Wildlife Refuge
in eastern Louisiana, where he spent six years managing habitat for neotropical
songbirds and the threatened Louisiana black bear. In 2000, he transferred to
the nearly 70,000 acre Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge as project leader.
This refuge is dedicated to migratory waterfowl, neotropical songbirds,
Louisiana black bear and providing recreational opportunities for the public.
In 2006, he moved to Washington, DC to serve as the special assistant to the
director.
Ford
also does a lot of mentoring and motivational speaking, and he has a message
for the kids back home in Claiborne Parish.
“You
can be born and raised in Homer, Louisiana, and still do something for your
home and your country,” he said.
The
mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to
conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the
continuing benefit of the American people. The Service is both a leader and
trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for its scientific
excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated
professionals, and commitment to public service.
For
more information on their work, and the people who make it happen, visit
http://www.fws.gov. Connect with our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/usfws,
follow their tweets at www.twitter.com/usfwshq, watch their YouTube Channel at
http://www.youtube.com/usfws and download photos from their Flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwsq.
‘America’s Night Out Against Crime’
National Night Out slated for August 2
A
National Night Out event is slated for Tuesday, August 2, at Shiloh Baptist
Church in Homer, where Julius McCray is pastor.
The
event, set to begin at 7 p.m., will be a night of fellowship. The public is
invited to come fellowship. Law enforcement officers, along with the Claiborne
Parish Police Jury, will be present to discuss crime and violence in our
communities.
Come
out and enjoy a fun-filled evening in the Lord.
Hunters Ed slated for August 24-27
The
Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office, along with David Wade Correctional Center, will
be sponsoring the Hunter Education courses for 2011.
The
Hunter Education course will be conducted at the Homer Fire Station, located at
411 West Main Street, on August 24, 25, and 27.
Class
schedule is as follows:
August 24, from 6 until 9 p.m.
August 25, from 6 until 9 p.m.
August 27, from 8 a.m. until noon.
Anyone
interested in this Hunter Education class must pre-register with the Claiborne
Parish Sheriff’s Office at 318-927-2011 or by contacting Colonel Brad Rogers at
318-927-0400, extension 455.
In
1985, hunter education became mandatory in Louisiana. Anyone born on or after
September 1, 1969, is required by law to complete the Louisiana Hunter
Education course before purchasing a hunting license. The minimum age for
certification is 10.
Older
hunters who plan to hunt outside the state should check the state regulations
where they plan to hunt. All 50 states now require some form of mandatory
hunter education certification prior to issuing a license.
Hunter
education programs have always taught young hunters the practice of firearm and
hunting safety. Today, hunter education programs are about more than safety.
They have been expanded to produce knowledgeable, responsible and and involved
hunters -- hunters who understand the importance of complying with hunting laws
and behaving ethically. These programs give beginners a good foundation, and
they provide a refresher for veteran hunters.
Ultimately,
the mission of hunter education programs is to ensure the continuation of the
hunting tradition.
