Back to School!
Sheriff, school officials urge safety as
school begins this week
The Guardian-Journal
The
safety of children is the number one priority for not only bus drivers and
school systems but parents as well.
That’s
why law enforcement and Claiborne Parish Schools Transportation Supervisor
Ronnie McKenzie are asking motorists to follow a few simple rules.
Claiborne
Parish Sheriff Ken Bailey and McKenzie participated in a meeting with the
Claiborne Parish School Board bus drivers Tuesday morning, and Bailey said the
most important thing he talked about is the fact that they are carrying our
most precious cargo.
“The
main thing I stressed is that in the morning and in the evening, they’re
carrying the most precious cargo they can carry, and that’s our kids,” Bailey
said. “They have an awesome responsibility. They have to pay attention to the
road and drive defensively.”
Motorists
need to be aware and follow the traffic laws of the school bus and the school
speed zones. If the bus is at a full stop with their stop signs and bars out,
then motorists must come to a complete stop until the bus moves again. And
Bailey said, in the past, there has been trouble with that.
“We’ve
had some hot spots, where in the past, vehicles have blown by the buses when
the bars and the stop signs were out,” he said.
McKenzie
said that if the stop arms are out and a vehicle passes that bus, it could be
up to a $500 fine and suspension of their driver’s license for up to 30 days.
“It
sounds pretty stiff, but if you pass that bus and run over a kid, is it really
that stiff?” McKenzie said.
On
Thursday, the first day of school, Bailey said there will be much more traffic
on the roads as parents drop off their kids, teachers drive to school and some
students who will be driving to school. That’s why it’s so important for
motorists to obey traffic laws in the school speed zones.
Speed
limits for school zones in Homer and Haynesville are 25 miles per hour. In
Summerfield and Athens, the speed limit in school zones is 35 miles per hour.
All school zones are radar equipped, which means the speed limit signs have
radars that show the driver their speed as they enter the school zone.
During
the meeting with the bus drivers, McKenzie also stressed that texting and cell
phone usage are a “no-no.”
The
student handbook also offers some of the following rules for students who ride
the bus. The number one rule is to obey the bus driver. It is very important
for students to know that the bus driver is in “FULL CHARGE” of the bus. Here
are a few more rules students and parents should be aware of:
•
Students should be on time waiting for the bus at the designated stop. The bus
cannot wait for those who are late. McKenzie said students need to be at their
bus stop at least five to 10 minutes before their designated pick up time.
•
Students should never stand in the road while waiting for the bus.
• Walk
on the left side of the road, facing traffic.
•
Getting off at stops other than the student’s regular bus stop is forbidden
unless the permission of the principal is obtained.
• No
food or drink is allowed on the bus.
•
Students should always be seated, and bus drivers are not to move until all
students are seated in their assigned seats.
•
Students who must cross the road after leaving the bus of when boarding the bus
should always pass 10 FEET in front of the bus and NEVER BEHIND IT. The driver
should see that the road is clear before the child is permitted to cross the
road. WATCH THE DRIVER’S HAND SIGNAL.
“Parents
need to talk to their students about the bus rules,” McKenzie said. “The bus is
an extension of the classroom. The same rules of the classroom apply to the bus
as well. Failure to follow these rules could result in the loss of your
privilege to ride.”
Bailey
wanted to remind everyone to be safe as school starts this year.
“We
want everyone to have a safe and productive school year, and we’re here to help
any way we can,” Bailey said.
Village of Athens
Water Conservation Notice
Due to
the excessive drought we are in at this time, the Village of Athens Water
System is asking the water customers to follow the rules set below until
further notice:
• No
filling of swimming pools
• No
washing cars
• No
watering yards
You
will be allowed to water PLANTS ONLY every other day for one hour beginning
after 9 p.m. and before 6 a.m.
The
village wants to make sure we can continue supplying our customers with the
necessary water for household use.
Your
cooperation of this request is appreciated!
Kids get free haircuts for school
The Guardian-Journal photos/Michelle
Bates
Top, Smitty’s Barbor Shop were hard at
work at Homer City Hall Monday. Barbers were giving kids free haircuts to look
their best as they return to school this year.
Another arrest made in Grambling case
The Guardian-Journal
Another
arrest has been made in the case of a Monroe man who was shot in Grambling
after an altercation with several young men from Homer.
Darius
Coleman, 21, was arrested at a residence on Lisbon Street in Homer on Lincoln
Parish charges of simple battery and accessory after the fact. According to
Captain Donald Malray, with the Homer Police Department, said he was placed
under arrest on those warrants and transported to the police station for
questioning.
During
the initial interview, Malray said, Coleman denied ever being in Grambling
until he realized people had identified him at the scene. It was at that time
he confessed to being in the area, and after the interview, police confirmed
that Coleman had been in the area at the time of the altercation.
Coleman
was charged on the above charges with total bond set at $30,000, Malray said.
He was transferred to Lincoln Parish on those charges.
On July
23, Grambling Police Chief Tommy Clark Jr. said several people were at a party
with four men from Monroe in the parking lot. Also, 12 to 15 boys from Homer were at the party as well, Clark said. The
altercation ensued with two of the four Monroe men fleeing the scene. The other
two, Charles Hudson and Frank Goodin, were unable to flee. A witness at the
scene confirmed that the four men from Monroe were standing in the parking lot
talking when they were separated by the individuals from Homer. At that point,
Daniel Champ, arrested August 2 in Minden, apparently assaulted Hudson by
striking him in the head with a handgun and then shot Goodin in the torso area
three to five times, unarmed, while he was on the ground.
Hudson
also received other injuries when he was kicked about the head and body several
times.
According
to Malray, Coleman’s involvement included “stomping” the victim on the ground.
The accessory after the fact charge comes from the fact that Coleman left the
area knowing that a crime had taken place, and that he was involved in the
beating of the victim after he was on the ground.
Champ
is charged with attempted second degree murder with bond set at $250,000,
aggravated second degree battery with bond set at $20,000, and possession of a
firearm by a convicted felon with bond set at $50,000. Champ was later
transferred from Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center in Webster Parish to
Lincoln Parish Detention facility.
In
other news, Malray reported that a burglary had taken place at Fred’s Store and
Pharmacy early Saturday morning around 3:40 a.m. The Homer Police Department
was dispatched to Fred’s on Saturday, August 13, in reference to an alarm. Upon
arrival, Officers Thomas Davis and Scott Glen observed broken glass from the
front door.
Malray
arrived on scene a short time later, and at that time, physical evidence was
collected from inside and outside the store. That evidence has been sent to the
crime lab for DNA analysis.
At this
time, pharmacists and technicians employed with Fred’s doing inventory of the
pharmacy to determine the amount of medication and/or chemicals used in making
medications were stolen.
“We
have some pretty good leads on some suspects at this time,” Malray said.
The
case is under investigation and arrests are pending, he said.
In a
separate case, Dewayne A. Thomas, 37, of Homer, was arrested Wednesday, August
10, for possession of drug paraphernalia with bond set at $2,000 and
unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling with bond set at $20,000.
According
to reports, Thomas is accused of stealing two air conditioners from a residence
in the 900 block of South 4th Street in Homer. Before his arrest, during a
search for officer safety, an alleged crack pipe was found in his pants pocket.
Investigating
officers included Sgt. Van McDaniel, Lt. Roger Smith and Malray.
Handling a crisis
The Guardian-Journal
Knowing
how to handle a crisis in any situation is as important as keeping our children
safe.
That’s
why the Claiborne Parish School Board wants to make sure that parents know what
to do in a situation that might arise at their child’s school. In the student
handbook and on the parish website, an entire section is dedicated to making
sure that parents and students have the tools and directions they need should a
crisis situation arise.
Mike
Blackwelder, with Claiborne Parish Schools, said that during a meeting of
school administrators and law enforcement personnel last spring, it was agreed
that an “Informed Public” should be our number one priority.
The
handbook directs the community in what to do during an emergency situation.
These emergency situations could be anything from bad weather to bomb threats
or school shootings. Blackwelder states, “We all want our schools to be
safe. Parents can be a huge help in this regard by responding appropriately
during any crisis situation.”
Parents
are instructed to tune into local television stations or radio, or the school
board’s website for information in the event of a crisis situation.
“Do not
phone your child’s school or the school board office during a crisis
situation,” instructions state. “Do not go to your child’s school or the scene
of an emergency unless instructed to do so by law enforcement or school
officials.”
This is
very important in that it allows school officials and law enforcement to focus
on what all parents worry about -- their children’s safety. It is also
important to remember that if parents/guardians are allowed to come to the
school to pick up their child, please remember to have photo identification
ready to show, because the only person or persons allowed to pick up a child
from school are those documented as a parent, guardian or emergency contact.
Descriptions
for emergency terms are as follows (directly from the handbook):
•
LOCKDOWNS occur when internal or external threats exist. Exterior and interior
doors are locked with staff and students in secured areas until an all clear is
given. If possible, signs are posted to alert parents and visitors about the
lockdown. DO NOT COME TO YOUR CHILD’S SCHOOL DURING A LOCKDOWN CRISIS.
•
SHELTER-IN-PLACE assures student safety when schools are alerted that hazardous
materials may have been released into the atmosphere and evacuation or
dismissal is not advisable. Safe areas are identified in schools where refuge
can be taken until it is safe to release students. DO NOT COME TO YOUR CHILD’S
SCHOOL DURING A SHELTER-IN-PLACE CRISIS.
•
EVACUATION procedures at each school include alternate locations and procedures
where parents can be reunited with their child. Parents will be directed
through the news media or district website to a specific location where they
will be required to show proper identification such as a driver’s license or
other photo identification. These alternate locations are listed in your
child’s student handbook.
•
RECOVERY is the longest phase of emergency management, lasting until the
physical environment, students, and staff have returned to a sound physical and
emotional state. Trained school and volunteer community mental health
professionals will assist students, staff, and families in the event that a
school emergency occurs.
For
more information or for questions, please contact the school board office at
318-927-3502, or go to the school board’s website at www.claibornepsb.org.
Homer going green? Maybe
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
Homer’s
going green!
In a
special called meeting last Friday, the Town of Homer approved a motion to
release funds of up to $150,000 from the industrial fund to go towards a
“green” project that would ultimately create five to 12 jobs in Homer. Rodney
Dickerson, with the industrial board, proposed a wastewater project that would recycle
water for use by oil and gas companies in Claiborne Parish. It’s a waste
recycling system that is proposed to be built on property behind Synco Motors
in Homer.
According
to Town Attorney Jim Colvin, the industrial board has the funds to invest, which
would be put into an escrow account. The project would be a partnership between
the industrial board and the Claiborne Economic Development Board (CEDB).
Total
cost for the project is roughly $1.25 million, and would come with USDA loan
backing. The CEDB would put up $100,000, for a total of $250,000 toards the
project.
“It’s
backed by local people,” Dickerson said. “This is the first of five businesses
we intend to launch. We’re going to build these things and lease it to
companies, and these other businesses have the potential to create more jobs.”
In
other news, the council also adopted Resolution 11-8020, which would allow
attorneys to go before the bond commission on behalf of Homer Memorial Hospital
in September for the amount of $900,000. Colvin broke it down, saying the
monies would go toward equipment and the rest of what’s needed to get the ICU,
cafeteria renovations paid for at the hospital.
A total
of $400,000 would go towards various new equipment, including $179,000 for an
endoscope and another $80,000 for laproscopy equipment.
The
other $500,000 would finish paying for the renovations at the hospital. Garcia
Construction turned in the lowest bid as contractor for the project.
The
hospital has gone to a bank and opened an open line of credit, which would be
paid back by the monies released by the bond commission. According to Colvin,
the resolution had to be adopted before August 16 in order to get on the docket
for the September bond commission meeting.
Also in
other news, the Homer Police Department now has a new officer, replacing one
lost last month. Frank Evans, who is a POST certified officer was recommended
to the council by the town’s police hiring committee. Captain Donald Malray
said Evans would start out as a patrol officer.
The
next meeting of the Town of Homer will be Monday, September 12, at 6 p.m. in
council chambers, located inside City Hall. The council will not meet on the
first Monday of September because that day is Labor Day. For more information
or for questions, please call city hall at 318-927-3555.
National Night Out a success for
Claiborne Parish
The
Shiloh Baptist Church community, along with Center Springs, Antioch and Forest
Grove churches, joined forces with 15,000 communities to promote
police-community partnership, crimes, drug and violence protection, safety and
neighborhood unity on Tuesday, August 2.
Speakers
for the evening were the Rev. Julius McCray, Claiborne Parish Sheriff Ken
Bailey, Homer Police Department Captain Donald Malray and District 8 Claiborne
Parish Police Juror Roy Mardis.
Entertainment
was provided by the Center Springs Youth Department.
The
speakers lectured on identity theft protection and how to be your neighborhood
watchman, safety and neighborhood unity.
After
the program, the communities fellowship together with conversation, food and
fun.
National
Night Out is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate
support for and participate in local anti-crime effort, to strengthen
neighborhood spirit, to let the criminals know that neighborhoods are fighting
back.
The
Abrahamic Covenant Promise Seed Ministry of Shiloh Baptist Church sponsored the
event.
On the
28th anniversary of National Night Out, the Shiloh Baptist Church registered
with National Night Out. Now, Claiborne Parish is a registered parish.
The
Shiloh Baptist Church message to the community: “We have with Christ taken the
step to register Claiborne Parish with National Night Out. Our hope is that
every community will get involved in 2012.”
Shiloh
Baptist Church’s 2012 project is to organize a neighborhood watch in Shiloh,
Antioch, Center Springs and Forest Grove.
To join
with these churches in organizing a National Night Out event, or to organize
one in your own neighborhood, please call Marethea Eddens at 318-433-0931, or
go to National Night Out’s website at www.nationalnightout.org.
Health Unit celebrates National
Breastfeeding Awareness Month
The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates
Urina Holt, regional coordinator for
Communities of Color, talked to new moms and moms-to-be about the dangerous
effects of cigarette smoke on their newborns and unborn children. She also
discussed ways for tobacco free living.
The Guardian-Journal
The
Claiborne Parish Health Unit, along with the Healthy Start ABC Program of North
LA AHEC, hosted a baby shower/brunch on Thursday, August 11, to celebrate
National Breastfeeding Awareness Month.
Pregnant
women and new moms were treated to refreshments, door prizes and detailed
information on the benefits of breastfeeding. The speakers included Georgia
Norton, Healthy Start Advocate, Ashleigh Tomlinson, Breastfeeding Peer
Counselor, Maquanda Roberson, WIC Peer Counselor Coordinator, Debbie Wells,
Nurse Supervisor with the Nurse Family Partnership Program, Urina Holt,
regional coordinator with Communities of Color, and Renee Thompson, WIC
Nutrition Educator.
The
main goal of the event was to provide clients with breastfeeding knowledge and
help women choose the best feeding option for their infants.
“We’re
here to promote breast feeding and we support your choice of feeding your
child,” said Erin White, nurse manager at the Claiborne Parish Health Unit.
The WIC
program, which is administered through the health unit, supports breastfeeding
and provides women who qualify with nutritious foods, nutrition education and
support services.
The
people of Louisiana deserve good health throughout their lifetime and all
available knowledge indicates the first step to good health is provided when
infants are breastfed.
According
to Maquanda Roberson, breast feeding coordinator for the peer counseling
program, said her job is to show women they can breast feed.
“Breastfeeding
is just misunderstood,” she said. “Breasts are seen as a sexual object and I’m
here to teach you that you can.”
She has
eight children, ages 17 to eight months, and, she continued, breastfeeding is
cheap and a great way to bond with your baby.
“It’s
the healthiest thing you can do for your baby,” said Georgia Norton, Healthy
Start advocate. “It’s not easy, but it’s worth it in the long run.”
Human
milk enhances growth, development and well-being and protects against specific
infections and allergies. Breastfeeding also has benefits for society through stronger
family bonds and decreased health costs.
Can you
think of any food, supplement or medication with those proven results? Probably
not, and that is why we, the health unit staff, are committed to educating the
public and promoting breastfeeding as being best for babies. The reward of a
happier, healthier baby is almost guaranteed and the benefits do last a
lifetime.
For
more information on WIC or feeding options, please contact the health unit at
927-6127. The health unit staff would liek to thank Brookshire’s Food Stores
for donating a beautifully decorated cake for this event and to everyone who
attended and made this event a success. Also, special thanks goes to WIC for
the materials provided for the shower and Healthy Start for the door prizes.
Coaches ready for football this year
The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates
The high school football coaches from
Homer High School, Haynesville High School and Claiborne Academy spoke to the
Homer Lions Club about their season’s line up as well as how their kids are
going to do this year. They all said that staying healthy and having good
academics were important this year. Pictured are, from left, Claiborne Academy
Head Football Coach Damion Herron, Haynesville High School Head Football Coach
David Franklin and Homer High School Head Football Coach John Sampson.
