Claiborne to usher in Christmas season
Lots of activities for everyone on Saturday
Christmas is almost here and the citizens of Claiborne
Parish will be able to partake of the joys of the season. On Saturday, December
10, there are several activities going on, whether it be shopping for that
perfect gift, eating some of the best food Claiborne Parish has to offer or the
kids getting excited ‘cause Santa’s coming to town! Here’s a schedule of what’s
going on, and get ready because it’s a full day of activities!
Piggly Wiggly Homer Rib Cook-Off
Piggly
Wiggly in Homer will host a rib cook-off to let our chefs show-off their
rib-cookin’ skills! Prizes for the winners include: first place $300, second
place $150, and third place $75. You provide the team, grill and spices, and
Piggly Wiggly will provide three slabs of pork ribs for the cooking! The rib
cook off will begin at 7 a.m. until noon, and judging will follow. The cook-off
will be held in the parking lot at the side of the store.
Claiborne Parish Christmas Festival and Parade
During
Claiborne Parish’s annual Christmas Festival, this year’s activities will
include a car show, entertainment, fun activities for the children and the
annual Christmas Parade will round out the day. All these wonderful activities
will take place on the Courthouse lawn in Homer at the Square. The Christmas
Festival will take place from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. In case of rain, the festival
will be moved inside to Homer City Hall.
Christmas Parade
Claiborne
Parish’s annual Christmas Parade, which will round out the day of activities,
will begin at 4 p.m. and will take its usual route around the Courthouse
Square.
Lineup
will begin about 3 p.m. at Homer High School.
The
Grand Marshal this year will be Keith Killgore of Haynesville.
The 2011 L&NW Santa Train
Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 - Rain or Shine
Santa
Claus will be coming to town in style as he makes his way through Claiborne
Parish on a train provided to him and his elves by L &NW Railroad. He is
scheduled to make the following stops:
9:30
a.m. at E.W. Merritt Pavilion in Gibsland, 10:15 a.m. at La. Hwy. 518/Athens
Avenue, 11:15 a.m. at Delta Interiors in Homer, and 12:10 p.m. at the Claiborne
Parish Fair Grounds in Haynesville. On his way out, Santa will also be making
some stops in Arkansas: 1:15 p.m. in Emerson at the Emerson Fire Station, 2:25
p.m. at Union Street Station in Magnolia and 3:05 p.m. at McNeil City Hall.
At each
stop, each town has special activities and events for the children planned.
Everyone from the surrounding areas is invited to attend.
As a
special treat, Santa will be giving away one train set at each location to one
lucky boy or girl!
Fuller Center answers prayers
The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates
Doris, front center, and her husband John
Green, standing behind Doris, stop for a moment to take a picture as volunteers
with the Fuller Center for Housing of Claiborne Parish make repairs to their
home. The Greens applied for the repairs, which included new floors, roof
repairs and plumbing work. Also pictured, in no particular order, are the Rev.
Russell Grigsby, pastor of Believer’s Worship Center and president of
Claiborne’s Fuller Center for Housing, Volunteers Delilah Kelly, Michael Kelly,
Burna Grigsby, Dave Colbert, Fuller Center for Housing board member, Tracy Turner,
Dave Colbert Jr. and Jeffrey Rhone.
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
Help
couldn’t have come at a better time for one Claiborne Parish couple.
Doris
and John Green, of Homer, were blessed with some much-needed repair work in
their home on Thursday, December 1. Volunteers from the Fuller Center for
Housing of Claiborne Parish, Greater Blessings Project, re-laid floors
throughout the home, repaired a leaky roof and did some plumbing work inside.
“I’m so
excited,” Mrs. Green said about the repair work. “I just didn’t know how I was
going to pay for it, so I began praying and I knew He (God) would answer in His
time.”
Not
knowing how she was going to pay for repairs to a home that was already used
when she and her husband bought it; she said she trusted her faith. She gives
all the credit to God, because He came through for her.
“If it
wasn’t for this, I just don’t know...” she said.
And
it’s through generous donations from the community that help make these repairs
possible for homeowners like the Greens in Claiborne Parish. Unfortunately,
said the Rev. Russell Grigsby, president of the Claiborne Parish Fuller Center
for Housing, they were not able to approve all the applicants, even though they
met some of the requirements.
“My
heart really goes out to those we can’t help,” he said, “because they need new
housing. It’s such a vital need. Some of the homes we’ve gone into are
heartbreaking to see because of the conditions they’re living in.”
Some of
the homes are in such bad disrepair, he said, that they need new homes, but
because of financial constraints, it’s just not possible right now.
According
to Grigsby, there were 26 applicants this year and 18 of those met all the
requirements, but the costs for the repair work have to stay within a certain
limit, according to the rules and regulations of the parent organization. And
unfortunately, although several applicants met the requirements, the repair
costs exceeded the limit of what they could do. Grigsby said they either have
to stay within that limit or build a new home, and the organization just
doesn’t have the resources to build a new home for anyone right now.
The
Greater Blessings Project began a few short years ago, and at first, had some
trouble getting started. They were only raising enough money to do small
repairs, but as word got around, donations began picking up.
“At
this point in time, we have contacted a number of banks, churches and
organizations,” Grigsby said. “We will be having other fundraisers and other
activities, and there are a number of items that have been donated to the
Fuller Center.”
The
Fuller Center office is located at Believers Worship Center in Homer, but
meetings are held at Homer City Hall.
Grigsby
also said the group is seeking volunteers with fresh ideas on how to make the
organization grow in Claiborne Parish as well as raise more funding so that
maybe in the near future, they can begin construction on a new home for someone
in need.
For
many years, Webster Fuller Center for Housing was accepting donations from
citizens in Claiborne Parish. Grigsby and others in the community saw a great
need right here at home. And Claiborne Parish, more so, needs a program like
this because Claiborne is a rural parish and tends to have a higher low-income
population.
The
board hopes to begin raising enough funds to build a home, but so far, they’ve
only been able to raise enough to make repairs to existing homes -- and that’s
a good start, Grigsby said.
The
next project will be at Clarence Ferguson’s home in Homer, which is in dire
need of repair and handicap accessibility. The project will include new
cabinets, floor work, bathroom modifications, entryway modifications and other
repairs.
The
Fuller Center for Housing Ministry actually began as Habitat for Humanity in
1976, founded by Millard and Linda Fuller. The idea was to begin a Christian
ministry to give people safe, decent housing.
According
to their website, www.habitat.org, the “concept that grew into Habitat for
Humanity International was born at Koinonia Farm, a small, interracial community
outside of Americus, Georgia. Koinonia Farm was founded in 1942 by farmer and
biblical scholar Clarence Jordon.”
The
website continues, “The Fullers first visited Koinonia in 1965. They had
recently left a successful business and an affluent lifestyle in Montgomery,
Alabama to begin a new life of Christian service.”
At this
farm, the Fullers and Jordan developed the concept of “partnership housing,”
centered on those in need of decent shelter. They worked side by side with
volunteers to construct simple, decent houses.
Building
expenses are paid for through a revolving fund called “The Fund for Humanity.”
The fund’s money comes from the new homeowners’ house payments, which are
no-interest loans provided by supporters and volunteers. Funds also come from
fundraising events as well as generous donations from the communities.
This
program is not a handout, but rather a hand up.
“What
the poor need is not charity, but capital, not case workers but co-workers,”
reads to the mission statement. “And what the rich need is a wise, honorable
and just way of divesting themselves of their overabundance.”
The
volunteers who build the homes are those in need of repairs on their own homes
or are receiving a new home. This idea is called “sweat equity” in which volunteers
or potential Habitat homeowners and their families work on other homes in need.
They also work on their own homes when construction begins.
Habitat
for Humanity International is worldwide, with ministries in many countries as
well as right here in the United States. The name changed in 2005 to The Fuller
Center for Housing, which is currently building and renovating homes in 14
countries and 64 communities in the United States, according to
www.fullercenter.org.
For
more information, please call Homer City Hall for an application at
318-927-3555.
Food drive still underway
Application deadline is this Friday
Brookshire’s
Grocery Company, in partnership with the Homer Lions Club are still collecting
food, which will be distributed to needy families in Claiborne Parish during
the holidays while the 30th Annual Spirit of Christmas Food Drive is still
underway.
The
Haynesville Lions Club has once again agreed to help with the distribution of
the food boxes in the Town of Haynesville. As in years past, the Claiborne
Parish 4-H Junior Leaders, along with their sponsors, Lee Faulk and Teresa
Price, will offer their valuable assistance in helping to collect, sort and
package food items for delivery.
First
Presbyterian Church in Homer will continue to allow Lions the use of their
fellowship hall to prepare the food boxes for delivery. Food boxes will be
delivered between noon and 5 p.m. on Friday, December 16.
Area
residents are asked to make donations by placing non-perishable food items in
designated bins located at Brookshire’s in Homer. People are asked NOT to
donate HOMEMADE GOODS or items in GLASS JARS. Bulk items such as flour, sugar
and corn meal should be donated in smaller sizes to allow for more variety in
the boxes given to the recipients.
In
addition to the public food donations, each family will receive at least one
coupon for a baking hen from Brookshire’s. All food collected in this area will
be distributed in Claiborne Parish.
Families
to be assisted by the Spirit of Christmas Food Drive are selected by local
relief organizations or government agencies according to need. The Claiborne
Parish Office of Family Services (OFS) will again provide printouts to be
submitted with completed applications.
Application
forms are still available at the OFS located on East 2nd Street next to Piggly
Wiggly in Homer, at the Claiborne Parish Police Jury office and at Haynesville
City Hall.
The
deadline to turn in completed applications along with OFS printouts is Friday,
December 9.
Completed
applications can be turned in to the Police Jury office or mailed to Spirit of
Christmas Food Drive, c/o Cynthia Steele, 309 North Main Street, Homer, LA
71040.
The
Spirit of Christmas Food Drive began in 1982, when 92 families in Tyler, Texas,
received assistance. Last year, some 500,000 pounds of food was collected in
the Ark-La-Tex and distributed to more than 16,000 families. In Claiborne
Parish, more than 185 food boxes were collected and distributed.
“The
success of this year’s Spirit of Christmas Food Drive, as in the past, depends
upon the wonderful generosity of our local citizens,” said Susan Herring,
former food drive chairman for the Homer Lions Club. “We are very appreciative
to everyone who has donated food items in years past and hope they will
continue to be willing to help those in our communities who are less
fortunate.”
For
more information, please call Homer Lions Chairpersons Dwayne Woodard at
318-927-2222 or Cynthia Steele at 318-927-2566.
2 charged with attempted theft
The Guardian-Journal
Tis the
season for theft -- well, attempted theft.
According
to a news release from the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office (CPSO), on
Tuesday, November 8, a resident of Logansport was arrested by CPSO for the
offense of attempted theft. On that Tuesday evening, the observant eyes of two
Webster Parish residents observed two vehicles parked side by side, blocking
both travel lanes of La. Hwy. 521, just north of its intersection with La. 2
Alternate, west of Haynesville.
Both
vehicles were pointed in a northerly direction. At this time, the concerned
citizens observed unknown individuals under and around the carport area of the
residence located there.
These
persons observed the concerned citizens’ vehicle and ran to the vehicles parked
in the roadway. The concerned citizen observed the license plate information on
both vehicles and reported this information to both the Claiborne Parish and
Webster Parish Sheriff’s Offices.
The
vehicles fled the scene, but were pursued by the concerned citizens, which led
to one of the vehicles and its driver being detained in Webster Parish. CPSO
dispatched a deputy, Roger Ellerbe, to the scene, who requested detectives on
scene to initiate an investigation into the reported matter.
CPSO
Detectives Charles Buford and Darren Keel responded to the scene.
After
observing the scene and talking to the owner of the residence in question, it
was found that the individuals were attempting to steal an ATV (all-terrain
vehicle) from the carport of the residence.
Through
the efforts of the concerned citizens, the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office and
efforts CPSO deputies and detectives, an initial arrest was made that night.
Arrested
in the early morning hours of Wednesday, November 9, was Robert T. Phillips, a white
male from Logansport. Phillips was charged with attempted theft (over $1,500),
and was housed at the Claiborne Parish Detention Center on this charge. Bond
was set at $5,000.
After
further investigation into the offense, a warrant was obtained on the charge of
attempted theft (over $1,500) on Bobby G. Stevens Jr.,
a white male from Shongaloo. Stevens was arrested on this warrant on Tuesday,
November 29, and also housed at the Claiborne Parish Detention Center. Bond was
also set at $5,000 on this charge. Stevens also had outstanding bench warrants
in Claiborne Parish on traffic violations.
The
investigation continues and other arrests are expected to be made in this case.
Neighborhood zoning argument ends
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
A
battle that began in one neighborhood a few months ago is now over. With the
passage of an ordinance redefining a single family dwelling, a homeowner now
has to make some changes.
Gary
Stephenson owns property on Zimmerman Street in Homer and he has what he says
is a mobile home on the property, according to the permit in his possession.
However, Town Attorney Jim Colvin said the permit is no longer valid because he
does not have a mobile home on the property, but rather an RV.
During
the public hearing before the Homer Town Council’s regular monthly meeting,
Stephenson spoke up about the issue, saying it will be permanently attached to
the ground and at the time he obtained the permit, it was legal.
Stephenson
told the council that a building inspector had already been out to the property
and approved it.
The
town has all its building inspections done through the same company the
Claiborne Parish Police Jury uses, but the permit issued was cancelled, or
deemed invalid, because the structure that’s on the property is a camping
trailer and not a mobile home.
The
newly adopted ordinance now defines a single family dwelling as, “A building
designed for, constructed, or any construction or alterations for, or occupied
exclusively by not more than one (1) family; provided however that such
building is attached permanently to the ground and is not equipped with axles
or wheels. This definition does not include the following, regardless of
whether or not axles and wheels were removed or capable of being permanently
attached to the ground...”
It goes
on to list the types of homes that are excluded:
• a
mobile home which means a factory assembled structure or structures
transportable in one or more sections, with or without a permanent foundation,
and includes the plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and electrical systems
contained therein;
• a
residential mobile home which means a manufactured home designed to be used as
a dwelling, that may include a mobile home or residential mobile home that has
been declared to be part of realty as provided in La. R.S. 9:1149.4; or
• a
manufactured home which means a mobile home or residential mobile home.
Serena
Cox, who lives in the neighborhood under fire, said she supports the ordinance,
because she doesn’t want to see the neighborhood’s property values depreciate.
“We’re
just not interested in having mobile homes or RV’s in our neighborhood,” she
said.
Ronnie
Anderson, also a resident in the same neighborhood, said Stephenson had already
been told by his council member that he couldn’t put a mobile home out there
and he did it anyway.
“We
wanted to keep our neighborhood at a higher level because property values are
higher,” Anderson said. “Rather than chase a dollar, we decided we wanted
higher property values.”
To
explain, allowing mobile homes into the neighborhood would bring in more
property tax dollars, however, the property values would go down.
Ultimately,
Ordinance 11-910 was adopted unanimously during the regular meeting. District 1
Councilwoman Linda Mozeke was not present.
In
other news, the council was busy during the regular meeting with the
introduction of several ordinances as well as the adoption of others. Although
the agenda looked long, the meeting went fairly quickly.
The
council began the process of promulgating the election results concerning the
passage of all five propositions on the November 19 ballot regarding alcohol
within the corporate limits of Homer. However, proposed Ordinance 2011-912 was
tabled, which if introduced and passed, would reinstate Chapter 3, Sections 3-1
through 3-40 regarding alcoholic beverages. The proposed ordinance was tabled
until the election results have gone through all the proper channels and are
deemed final.
Before
the 1970s, Homer’s Code of Ordinances allowed more alcohol than just beer, but
when an election was held and the people of Homer voted out all but beer within
the corporate limits, those results overrode Homer’s Code. However, now that
the propositions have all passed, this now means the town can reinstate the
original sections of the Code.
The
council also adopted a resolution dealing with the Louisiana Community
Development Block Grant (LCDBG), which says the town will pay the engineering
and administrative services if they get a grant. What this does, Colvin said,
is it gives the town a little more leverage when applying for the grant, which
is awarded based on a points system. Adopting this resolution now means the
town will get more points in the review process. Of course, he said, nothing
will be paid to anyone if the town does not receive or until the grant is
awarded.
Introduced
was a proposed ordinance, Ordinance No. 11-911, regarding horses on roadways.
If adopted, this ordinance will prohibit the riding of horses through public
streets or sidewalks within the corporate limits of Homer, except during
parades. The proposed ordinance will be advertised one more time before it
comes up for adoption at the next council meeting.
Also
discussed and introduced were ordinances dealing with the current year’s budget
and the 2012 budget. The fiscal year for the Town of Homer begins January 1 of
every year and ends December 31 of that same year. A few amendments were made
to the current year’s budget so that it will balance at the end of the year. A
proposed budget for 2012 was also introduced, which has some revenue going down
and expenses once again increasing.
A
special called meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 21 at 5:30 p.m. to
discuss the budget. A copy of the proposed 2012 budget is now available at
Homer City Hall for the public’s review. Office hours are Monday through Friday
from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Along
that same line, the 2012 holiday schedule was also approved.
In
other news, another ordinance was introduced to allow the rezoning of 910 Pearl
Street, which would be rezoned from residential to business. District 2 Councilman
Michael Wade brought up the issue with a representative of the company
attending to explain the reason for the rezone request.
Tangie
Wallace said an elderly care business, if the ordinance is adopted, would be
located at the Pearl Street address.
She explained that there would be no traffic issues, because the sitters would
be going out into the community to sit with the elderly in their homes.
Proposed
Ordinance 11-915 was introduced with a public hearing set for 5:30 p.m. on
Monday, January 9, 2012. After the public hearing, the proposal will be up for
adoption in the regular meeting to follow at 6 p.m.
The
mayor also made recommendations to appoint two new board members to the Homer
Memorial Hospital Board. Two vacancies arose with the term limits of Wesley
Emerson and Mac Rushing ending. Appointed to the board, by a unanimous vote,
were Dr. Scott Haynes and Loy Weaver. Councilman Wade made the motion and
District 3 Councilman Don McCalman seconded before it was passed by a vote of
4-0.
The
council also met in executive session to discuss pending litigation in the Town
of Homer vs. Entergy case. Also, they discussed Homer Police Captain Donald
Malray’s investigative findings regarding a complaint. No action was taken on
either issue.
The
next regular meeting of the Homer Town Council will be at 6 p.m., Monday,
January 9, 2012 in council chambers located inside City Hall. Also, a public
hearing will be held at 5:30 p.m. the same day on ordinances that were
introduced in December’s meeting. A special called meeting will be held at 5:30
p.m., Tuesday, December 21, to discuss and adopt budget amendments and the 2012
budget. For more information or for questions, please call 318-927-3555.
Santa in Summerfield
On
December 17, Santa Claus will be at the Summerfield Fire Station from 10 a.m.
until 2 p.m. Refreshments will be available. Bring your children to have a
visit with Santa!!!
Homer man runs from police, racks up
charges
The Guardian-Journal
A Homer
man racked up the bond amounts after he was arrested on several charges.
Fredrick
K. Kelly, 26, was arrested on Thursday, December 1, on charges of simple escape
with bond set at $5,000, resisting an officer with force or violence with bond
set at $10,000, disturbing the peace (simple drunk) with bond set at $500,
battery of a police officer with bond set at $500, disturbing the peace with
bond set at $500, resisting an officer with bond set at $500 and a parole
violation with no bond.
According
to police, Kelly was spotted on Armory Drive on that day after a call came in
to police in reference to a drunken person causing a disturbance. According to
records, Kelly had active warrants, and Sgt. Van McDaniel, of the Homer Police
Department, spotted him on Armory Drive. Once the suspect saw McDaniel’s police
cruiser, he allegedly ran.
McDaniel
gave chase, but Kelly continued to run and refused to obey verbal commands to
stop. While chasing Kelly through the neighborhood to Carter Drive, McDaniel
radioed for assistance, at which time, Lt. Roger Smith, also of the Homer
Police Department, attempted to locate Kelly in the area. With the help of a
witness, Smith found Kelly and was attempting to take him into custody, but a
struggle took place. Kelly was able to break free and continued to run. Smith
was able to relocate Kelly at which time he was taken into custody.
Claiborne
Parish Deputy Cedrick Millage was also on the scene to assist at the time of
Kelly’s arrest.
Kelly
was placed under arrest on the above charges, four of those charges being
active warrants and that day’s charges, which included disturbing the peace
(public intoxication) and resisting an officer.
In an
unrelated case, Darryll Watts, 30, of Homer, was arrested for his second DWI
with bond set at $1,000 and disobey stop/yield signs with bond set at $500.
According
to reports, Officer Frank Evans initiated a traffic stop on Watts on Saturday,
December 3 for running a stop sign.
Officer
Scott Glenn arrived on the scene to assist, and upon his arrival, Evans told
Glenn he detected what he believed to be the odor of alcoholic beverages coming
from the suspect’s person. Watts was asked to exit the vehicle, and reports say
he voluntarily submitted to a field sobriety test in which he performed poorly.
Watts
was placed under arrest and transported to the Homer Police Station where he
submitted to a test on the Intoxilyzer 500. His results were above the legal
limit, which is .08.
Watts
was then booked and transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center
without further incident.
Program offers healing, hope
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
Healing
-- that’s what one program in Claiborne Parish strives to accomplish through
God’s Word.
Conquerors
through Christ, a Christian Biblically-based 12-step program, is offered at 6
p.m. on Tuesdays at The Lighthouse Family Worship Center in Homer. According to
Ben Booth, pastor, the program is not about advertising for the church or
advertising a program. It’s about truly helping people deal with “hurts, habits
or hang-ups.”
“With
any Christian based program, it should be about helping people and working with
God’s love to help people work through their problems,” Booth said. “That’s
what this program is about -- sharing God’s love. That’s what God is really all
about is healing and helping one another. It’s not about building a church;
it’s about building the Kingdom of God.”
Program
Leader Tommye Jane English, said the idea of Conquerors Through Christ is to
reach out to those who hurt.
“Our
mission is to be God’s vessels in reaching out in love to the hurting persons
of this community,” she said, “and let each individual know that God has a
purpose and a plan for each of our lives.”
According
to information about the program, this support group is about lives that have
been changed and the ones that will be changed. It teaches people how to deal
with issues such as abuse, drugs, alcohol, or for those who have been hurt by
someone’s words or actions. It is a place where people can meet with
confidentiality and safely talk about and deal with issues that are keeping
them from God’s light.
“The
purpose of ‘Conquerors Through Christ’ is to encourage fellowship and to
celebrate God’s healing power in our lives, as we work our way along the road
to recovery,” states a press release on the support group. “We are changed as
we share our experiences, strengths and hopes with one another. In addition, we
become willing to accept God’s grace and forgiveness in solving our life’s
problems.”
According
to Booth, this support group has changed many lives in Claiborne Parish for the
better. It truly is an ecumenical program which reaches across all lines of
race, gender, nationality and church affiliation. None of that is seen or
acknowledged in these meetings. When attendees come, they are one of God’s
children reaching out for help and supporting others as they come for healing
through God’s grace and forgiveness -- and the emotional and spiritual freedom
that comes with growing in the support group.
For
more information, please call 318-927-4419 after 6 p.m. or call the church at
318-927-9080. Again, the group meets at The Lighthouse Family Worship Center,
located at 403 East 5th Street in Homer, at 6 p.m. every Tuesday.
