Homer man behind bars for wearing vest

MICHELLE BATES, Editor

A Homer man is behind bars, along with the man who was supposedly shooting at him, because he was wearing a bullet-proof vest.

Daren Block, 39, of Homer, was arrested Monday, September 19, and charged with unlawful use of body armor and illegal use of weapons or dangerous instrumentalities. Bond is to be set on both charges.

Christopher Butler, 29, of Homer, was arrested the same day and charged with illegal use of a weapon or dangerous instrumentalities, aggravated assault, resisting an officer by flight and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Bond on these charges is to be set. Also, a probation and parole hold was placed on him by authorities in Washington State.

According to Homer Police Chief Russell Mills, his department received a call from the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office in reference to shots fired in the 1300 block of Adams Street. Mills, Officer Steve Risner and Captain Donald Malray responded to the call.

Dispatch at the sheriff’s office gave officers a description of the two, and officers began their search. As Risner got to the area of Lewis and Memphis Streets, he saw a person fitting the description of one of the subjects jumping over a fence and into the yard of Lewis Street residence. He detained the subject, identified as Block, and put him in the back seat of his patrol unit for both Risner’s and Block’s safety. And when Block was arrested, it was reported that he was wearing a bullet-proof vest under his shirt.

“At that time, we still weren’t sure what was going on,” Mills said.

As the investigation continued, he said that Block kept telling him that someone was shooting at him. He reported that someone gave him the vest and told him someone was going to kill him. So he donned the vest for his own protection, Mills said. However, at the time of the incident, it is believed there were several innocent bystanders in the area that could have been killed.

As the search continued, Mills and Malray returned to the scene to investigate the reports of shots fired.

Their initial investigation led them to a residence on East 4th Street, Mills said, and Malray went there and made contact with the other subject, identified later as Butler, also believed to be the shooter. When Malray made contact, Butler ran.

Mills then radioed for back up, at which time the David Wade Chase Team, Off-duty Officer Lt. Roger Smith, and Sheriff’s Deputies Lt. Jimmy Brown and David Morgan all responded to the scene.

“Once the Chase Team arrived on scene, it was just minutes before he was apprehended without incident,” Mills said.

He was transported to the Homer Police Station for questioning.

Mills said there are conflicts in witness testimony and the investigation is still in its early stages. However, police believe the incident occurred because Butler was reportedly looking for the person or persons who broke out a window in his car the day before. Mills said Butler believed Block was the person or one of the persons he was looking for.

Mills also said that Block cooperated to a degree, but Butler has, so far, not cooperated at all with authorities. Police still don’t know where or from whom Block obtained the vest.

And in regards to the vest, there is a Louisiana law that says it is illegal for a convicted felon to wear or be in possession of body armor. Revised Statute 14:95.3 says, “It is unlawful for any person to possess body armor who has been convicted of any of the following...” It goes on to list several crimes, including burglary, violent crimes (felony), possession of controlled dangerous substances (illegal drugs), use or possession of weapons by convicted felons or during the commission of a crime.

According to the statute, body armor is defined as “bullet resistant metal or other material intended to provide protection from weapons or bodily injury.”

Both Butler and Block were booked into the Claiborne Parish Detention Center on the above charges, and as of press time, both were still incarcerated.

Traffic stop yields drug charges

The Guardian-Journal

A Homer man was arrested on drug charges after a traffic stop yielded a search of his vehicle.

According to a news release from the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office, Deputies Aaron Christian and Everette Lewis conducted a traffic stop on Hwy. 9 on a vehicle for speeding. Upon coming into contact with the driver, Darcy Richard Stevens III, 34, deputies detected a faint odor of what was believed to be marijuana.

Upon searching Stevens, deputies discovered a pack of cigarettes that had a large bulge in the bag. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that Stevens had two small bags of a green, leafy substance presumed to be marijuana.

Stevens was placed under arrest and transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center. He was charged with speeding with bond set at $500 and simple possession of CDS Schedule I (marijuana) with bond set at $500.

Patriotic theme for Claiborne Fair Parade

This year’s Claiborne Parish Fair Parade, set for Tuesday, October 11, at 6 p.m., will have a Patriotic theme.  In recognition of our veterans of the parish, the Claiborne Parish Fair Board and the residents of the parish would like to honor the veterans this year as our Grand Marshals.  There will be a float available for the veterans that wish to participate.  If the response is overwhelming, the younger veterans will walk behind the float to allow the senior veterans space to sit.

Please let us honor you in this year’s Fair Parade.  Call Janell Brown at 318-624-2468 and sign-up.  THE CLAIBORNE PARISH FAIR PARADE wants YOU!

A Square Deal on the Square coming September 24

The public is invited to an open air market on the Claiborne Parish Courthouse Square lawn to be held monthly on the fourth Saturday, beginning September 24.

Anyone interested in becoming a vendor should contact Don McCalman at 318-245-2921 to schedule a spot. There will be no charge to vendors and a wide variety is expected.

Known as “A Square Deal on the Square,” this venture is planned to bring people to the Square and to provide citizens a venue for selling their wares. Church and school organizations as well as individuals are invited to participate.

The Guardian-Journal photo/Jenni Williams

A number of Homer High School All-American Athletes were honored at half-time during Friday night’s annual Haynesville/Homer rivalry game. The seven honorees were Ray Wilkins, Fred David Miller, Wayne Volentine, Maz Bursey, Vincent Coleman, Shannon Heard and David Williams. Many of these athletes became college and professional athletes. The honors plaques and artwork were presented by the Homer High School Student Council officers.

Redistricting a concern for Haynesville

MICHELLE BATES, Editor

Following the results from a study, Haynesville council districts may change. That’s according to Haynesville Mayor Sherman Brown.

Brown explained to council members during their regular monthly meeting last Thursday that census data showed a 13 percent drop in population since the census taken in 2000.

He talked to someone at CDC who will look at Haynesville’s census data. If there is no more than a 10 percent deviation in population in each district, then district lines will not have to be moved. However, if it is greater than 10 percent, then district lines will have to be redrawn. He said that boundaries could change, which means districts could become smaller or larger, depending on the population in each district. Districts should be fairly equal in population numbers.

“According to our census data, we had a 13 percent drop in population from 2000,” Brown said. “It’s in his hands, and we are waiting on their (CDC) recommendations.”

The deadline for turning in their data to Washington DC is December 31.

In other news, the council accepted an $800 bid from Sharon Morgan for the 1997 Jeep Cherokee, from the Haynesville Police Department, that was declared surplus.

The council also:

• Adopted a resolution to hire consultants for the Louisiana Community Development Block Grant (LCDBG), which authorizes the mayor to execute on behalf of the Town of Haynesville. The Coordinating Development Corporation to provide the administrative services for the grant.

• Adopted a resolution hiring Balar and Associates as the engineering firm for the LCDBG grant.

In other news, the date for the October council meeting has been moved back one week due to a conflict with an annual clerk’s conference that week. The date has been moved to Thursday, October 27. The clerk’s conference is set for October 20-22 in Baton Rouge.

The Haynesville Town Council usually meets on the third Thursday of each month.

In FYI, the next Citizens Advisory Council meeting will be held at 6 p.m., Monday, September 19.

Mayor Brown also signed a proclamation, proclaiming that the week of September 18-24 as Child Passenger Safety Week, as requested by the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission. Saturday, September 24, has been declared as National Seat Check Saturday.”

Also, a final Environmental Impact Statement for the I-69 SIU 14 has been completed. It was prepared on behalf of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Development and the Federal Highway Administration. It should be available online at www.i69arkla.com.

“I’m just glad to know that there’s still some action going on and the project is moving forward,” Brown said.

Also, the news has spread that the northern part of Claiborne Parish has been tapped to begin drilling in what’s called the Brown Shale, which is believed to come into Claiborne Parish from Arkansas. Southwestern Energy Co., of Houston, Texas, announced in July that it plans to begin drilling in Claiborne Parish by the end of the year.

“Some earlier information sent stated that they would be drilling 10 to 12 wells in north Claiborne Parish next year,” Brown said. “That’s very encouraging.”

Also under FYI, the resurfacing project on Hwy. 79 from the Arkansas state line just south of Haynesville is now complete. Brown said that was according to a representative with Madden Construction.

As the meeting came to a close, District #5 Councilwoman Carla Smith said that since political season has begun, signs are going up everywhere, including in public places owned by the town. She said she’d recently removed some signs from Parker-Newell Point and moved them across the street. She and the mayor wanted political candidates to be aware that the town wants to keep their property clear of any political signs lest someone believe the town is endorsing one candidate or another.

The mayor said he’d seen the political signs too, and he liked the idea of keeping those areas clear.

“There are plenty of other areas to put the signs,” he said. “Now that you mention it, I’m going to keep my eye on Bicentennial Park, because we should not have political signs there, unless it’s something city-wide, parish-wide -- like the Butterfly Festival or the fair.”

The Claiborne Parish Fair has been set for October 9-14, which will feature the chili cook-off, the tractor show. The fair parade will be held at 4 p.m., with line up at 3:30 p.m., behind First Methodist Church.

At the beginning of the meeting, a moment of silence was held for the following that passed away since the last town council meeting: Donald Ray Taylor, James Beene, Charlie Burcham, Yvonne Webster, Bobby Glenn Adams, Thomas Earl Evans, James Funderburg and Linda Garner.

Again, the next meeting of the Haynesville Town Council will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, October 27, in council chambers located behind City Hall. For more information, please call 318-624-0911.

Seasonal flu shots now available

Seasonal flu shots are now available at the Claiborne Parish Health Unit, located at 624 West Main Street in Homer.

Groups eligible to receive the influenza vaccine through the health unit are as follows:

• All children aged 6 months to 18 years

• All persons aged 50 years and older

• Adults and children who have certain medical conditions such as diabetes, asthma, heart/lung disease, etc.

• Persons who have immunosuppression

• Women who are or plan to be pregnant during the influenza season

• Children and adolescents who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy

• Residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities

• American Indians/Alaska natives

• Persons who are morbidly obese

Clinics will begin Monday, September 19, and shots will be given on a daily basis, except for the second and fourth Mondays of each month. They will be given between 8 and 11 a.m. and between 1 and 3 p.m., each day.

People are asked to bring their Medicaid/Medicare cards for billing purposes. For those who are not covered by these programs, there is a $10 administrative fee.

For more information, please call the health unit at 318-927-6127.

Claiborne Jubilee sponsoring ‘Swamp Gravy’ conference

On October 14 and 15, area citizens will have the opportunity to spend two days with three internationally known leaders in the field of building creative communities through the Art of Social Change.

At this conference, they will experience hands-on ways to impact your communities through a spirited and creative process, “Swamp Gravy.” Many will remember when their representatives visited two years ago. Others will want to know, “Just what is ‘Swamp Gravy’?”

“Swamp Gravy” is a project of the Colquitt-Miller County Arts Council (CMAC) which has transformed the spirit and economy of that rural part of southwest Georgia. It is a building creative communities process in which the leaders are willing to share with other parts of the country, and northwest Louisiana is fortunate to be next.

The conference will take place at First Presbyterian Church in Homer. It will begin Friday, with registration at 9 a.m., and will include two different performances Friday and Saturday nights at 7 p.m. For more information, contact Cynthia Steele at 318-927-2566. Tickets are available at the Claiborne Chamber of Commerce and the Ford Museum. Cost for the entire conference, both days, is $25, which also includes tickets to the performances both nights.

Positive Social and Economic Impact of Swamp Gravy

Swamp Gravy, Georgia’s Folk Life Play, is based on true stories collected from South Georgia and is professionally written, directed and designed. The play is performed by a cast of 75-125 local volunteers. October 12th will mark the 19th anniversary of this remarkable project and is a testament to the thousands of volunteers who have given their time, talent and energy to make their hometown a better place to live and work.

Here are some of the results of Swamp Gravy:

• A new play has been produced each year and presented 32 times in October, March and April. Approximately 150,000 people have seen Swamp Gravy since its beginning in 1992.

• Eighteen plays, four books published from stories collected for the play and two audio recordings “The Music of Swamp Gravy Volume 1 and 2” have been produced.

• Budget has gone from $2,000 in 1989 to more than $200,000 this year.

• Assets have increased from $2,000 in 1992 to $1.5 million currently.

• Seventy-five to 80 percent of Swamp Gravy patrons are out-of-town visitors who inject new dollars into the local economy.

• The Center for Creative Community Development in North Adams, Mass., conducted an economic impact study that revealed Swamp Gravy alone generates a $2 million economic impact. Local merchants say, “Swamp Gravy is like having two more Christmases each year.

Cultural Tourism Industry Developed

Because of the success of Swamp Gravy, CMAC and the city have been able to attract donations and grants to grow a cultural tourism industry that attracts 50,000 visitors annually and includes the following:

• Tarrer Inn, a Victorian inn and restaurant listed on the National Historic Register.

• Market on the Square, a “mini-mall” featuring more than 20 vendors who sell antiques, arts, crafts and other fine things.

• New Life Learning Center began in 1999 as a training center for adults and children in the traditional crafts of quilting, basketry and pottery. Today, it is a certified day care center that houses after-school and summer programming for youth.

• The Storytelling Museum artifacts were collected from the community and many contributors had a story about the items. Thus, a storytelling, folk-life museum was created.

• The Millennium Mural Project, 15 murals are complete, with the latest mural being the largest and most magnificent. “The Spirit Farmer,” which is painted on a 100 foot peanut silo with a circumference of 320 feet, is the largest mural in South Georgia and has become a great symbol of hope for our community. All the murals tell a story which further builds on the success of Swamp Gravy.

• Swamp Gravy Institute, the training arm of Swamp Gravy, is designed to teach other communities on how to do an oral history-based project that brings the community together. They have replicated 14 U.S. states, Brazil, Kenya and Canada.

• Summer Youth Theater Program. Each year, productions are presented in the summer that are written, designed and directed by young cast members. The 2011 production was “The Wizard of Oz.”

Voters get new ID cards

The Claiborne Parish Registrar of Voters will be mailing out new ID cards to every voter in Claiborne Parish. Each voter needs look closely at the ID cards, because of changes that were made because of reapportionment.

The BESE Board has been changed to 5, instead of 4 and several police jury districts were changed.

The parish added five new precincts and changed the polling place of Precinct 94 to Homer City Hall, instead of Athens Village Hall.

When you receive your new card, please destroy the old one.

If you have any questions, please call the Registrar of Voter’s Office at 318-927-3332.

Claiborne Parish tourism initiative is underway

JIMMY DEAN, Feature Writer

The Claiborne Chamber of Commerce has put together an assortment of materials to highlight where to go and what to do and see in Claiborne Parish. “Whether you’re a visitor or a local resident, Claiborne Parish has a driving tour CD set that you will find interesting,” says John Watson, Executive Director of the Chamber.

“The CD is one part of a major initiative aimed at helping others see and appreciate what is wonderful about Claiborne Parish,” Watson notes.

Asked what else is a part of the initiative, Watson explains that a colorful tourism brochure has been prepared. In addition,  there is a new website www.claiborneparishtourism.org.

Also, a cemetery brochure includes a map of the parish with the locations of 156 cemeteries in the parish or within a few miles of the parish line.

Finally, television ads have appeared describing Claiborne Parish as a desirable tourist destination.

Describing the tourism brochure, Watson says it highlights points of interest in Homer, Haynesville, Athens, Lisbon, Summerfield, and other areas of Claiborne Parish. It points out that 10 buildings in the parish are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The brochure includes pictures of the Claiborne Parish Courthouse, Herbert S. Ford Museum, Lisbon’s Killgore House, the mural on the west wall of Haynesville’s Killgore Pharmacy,  Homer’s Old Town Cemetery, the Hill Farm, Summerfield’s Alberry Wasson House, and Lake Claiborne.

The cover of the “Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, Cemetery Guide” notes that it is intended to be “A guide to finding the resting places of your ancestors.” A brief description gives directions for each of the 156 cemeteries There is also a map in the brochure marking the approximate location of each.

The new tourism website, www.claiborneparishtourism.org, describes Lake Claiborne State Park and lists local lodging such as Panther Creek Bed and Breakfast at Summerfield and Lake Claiborne Vacation Cottage on Harmon Loop.

The website describes “eateries” such as the Rebel Stop and Moon’s toward Summerfield, Port-au-Prince on Lake Claiborne, Sunrise Bakery and Restaurant and Homer Seafood and Pizza as well as Yesterday’s Grill in Haynesville.

Highlights related to Homer, Haynesville, Lisbon, Athens, Summerfield, and the parish’s historic cemeteries are all mentioned on the website.

Some parish events are plugged including the Butterfly Festival, the Claiborne Jubilee, the 4th of July Fireworks and Boat Parade, Lake Claiborne Antique Auto and Bike Show, and the Christmas Festival.

The set consists of two CDs with 41 tracks of information highlighting areas of interest around the parish. For only $3 visitors or local residents can learn things about Claiborne Parish that’s not in the history books, stories passed down from grandparents to grandchildren that has become the stuff of local legend and lore.

Of course, the internet website is free as is the tourism brochure. With the cemetery guide available for $1 and the driving CD sets for $3, the whole tourism package is available for $4, a token cost to cover expenses of production.

Many local citizens donated many hours to the brochures, the cemetery guide, the driving CDs, and the website.

Brochures and CD sets are available at the following locations:

* The Grapevine

* The Raven Bookstore

* Port-au-Prince Restaurant

* Killgore Pharmacy

* The Rebel Stop

* Claiborne Parish Library

* Delta Interiors

* The Chamber Office at Ford Museum

Brochures only are available at the following:

* Courtyard Florist

* Lake Claiborne State Park

* Haynesville City Hall

* The Guardian-Journal

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