Claiborne Parish 4-H Junior Leaders
helped sort and box the food for the Brookshire’s Spirit of Christmas Food
Drive. Pictured are: Josh Sellers, Jesse Clements, Joe Dan Baugh, Chet
Andrews, T.J. Camp, Justin Sanders, Ashley Graham, Leah Sellers, Laura Faulk,
Catherine Ellis, Jacob Ellis, Madison Cain, Lauryn Cain, Sarah Ellis, and
Christopher Ellis. Not pictured are: Macy Driscoll, Mckenzie Zachary, and
Scarlett Carter. Members of the Homer Lions Club cooked breakfast for the
junior leaders and distributed approximately 140 boxes of food to needy
families this year. The Haynesville Lions Club also helped distribute boxes in
the Haynesville area. Brookshire’s Grocery Company gave vouchers for one baking
hen for each box distributed. Thank you to all those who helped make this
year’s food drive such a success. A special thank you goes to First
Presbyterian Church for the use of their fellowship hall as boxes were sorted,
packed and distributed.
Butcher: Enjoy the Holidays – Safely
The Guardian-Journal
Christmas
Day is just around the corner, and this weekend, travelers will be hitting the
roads to spend time with their loved ones.
And as
travelers hit the roads, Claiborne Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness
(OEP) Director Dennis Butcher offered some tips so everyone can enjoy a safe
holiday this year.
“Enjoy
the holiday season,” he said. “A safe
holiday is always a good holiday. If you use a little common sense, you can
have a safe and happy holiday.”
Travel Safety
•
Always be aware of your surroundings when traveling.
•
Remember to bring a fully charged cell phone on the roadway.
• If
being followed, drive to a hospital, fire hall, 24-hour market, police station
or any public location.
•
Travel well-lit, busy streets.
•
Travel with someone.
•
Always lock the doors immediately when entering your vehicle.
• If
you break down, use your cell phone to call for help.
• Be
familiar with changing a flat tire...at a minimum have all tools necessary.
• Let
someone know your route and travel times/locations.
• If
possible, don’t carry valuables or large amounts of cash...credit cards or travelers’
checks are best.
Louisiana
State Police (LSP) Public Information Officer Mark Dennis also offered a few
tips on travel safety as families and friends gather within the next few days.
“The
main thing we see during the holidays is an increase in traffic,” he said.
“With that increase in traffic is an increase in crashes. The main thing we see
as causes are people failing to wear a seat belt and children not properly
restrained.”
The
second biggest is drunk driving.
“Don’t
drink and get behind the wheel,” Dennis said. “Don’t drive distracted. Allow
yourself some extra time to get to your destination.”
And
always, always keep your eyes on the task at hand -- driving safely.
“Don’t
become complacent behind the wheel,” he said, “because we can’t go back if we
make a bad decision.”
The
Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is campaigning to reduce the number of car
crashes related to drunk driving, according to a press release. The “Drive
Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign is one that many law enforcement agencies
are participating in.
“Since
2006, an average of 10 people per year have been killed in crashes over the
Christmas holiday in Louisiana, said Lt. Col. John LeBlanc, executive director
of the LHSC. “Many of those deaths involved alcohol use, which tends to
increase during holiday periods such as Christmas. The goal of ‘Drive Sober or
Get Pulled Over’ is to save lives by raising awareness of the dangers of
drinking and driving and arresting those who disobey DWI laws.”
The
campaign began Friday, December 16, and will go through Monday, January 2,
2012, which will feature DWI check points and saturation patrols focused on
apprehending drunk drivers.
Auto Theft
Also
big on some people’s Christmas list might be a car that doesn’t belong to them.
Theft reports also increase during this time of year, including auto theft.
Here are a few tips to prevent vehicle theft.
• Never
leave keys in your ignition.
• Never
leave an unattended car running.
•
Always lock your doors.
• Keep
windows rolled up.
• Do
not leave items inside your car, put them in the trunk.
• Park
in busy, well-lit areas.
• Keep
copies of your car’s registration, if your car is stolen, the police will need
this to make a report.
Identity Theft
The
holiday season is also a time when an increase in identity theft is seen. There
are bits of information that are like presents under the tree for identity
thieves who know how to use them for their own fraudulent purposes. Information
such as your name, address and phone number, your date of birth, your Social
Security number, driver’s license number, health insurance number, student ID
number or employee ID number, your financial account numbers, your passwords --
these are all types of information that thieves can use to commit a crime.
Some of
the biggest tips Butcher offered were:
• Keep
an eye out for your holiday packages. Thieves follow delivery trucks and grab
the packages before the real recipients can retrieve them. This can lead to
identity theft if, for instance, the contents of the package contains personal
information, such as account numbers or if there is a check from a relative for
“little Johnny.” Consumers should require a signature upon delivery or have a
next door neighbor accept packages on their behalf if they won’t be home to receive
them.
• Shred
it and forget it. Buy a holiday gift for yourself -- a cross-cutting shredder
-- and use it to dispose of any documents you no longer need that contain your
personal information. (For those types of documents that you do want to retain,
keep them in a locked drawer or cabinet.”
•
Finally, to stop pickpockets from stealing your personal information while
you’re doing your holiday shopping, tuck your purse under your arm or place
your wallet in a front pocket rather than a back pocket. Don’t set your purse
or wallet down where someone may be able to grab it.
Shopping Tips
And
along the lines of preventing identity theft, here are a few easy tips to
remember while you are in the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping.
• In
parking lots, always be aware of your surroundings.
• Don’t
display large sums of cash. Whenever possible, use credit cards and checks.
• When
possible, shop with a friend or spouse.
• Don’t
be ashamed to ask for a security escort to your vehicle.
• Never
leave valuables in plain view inside your vehicle. This is what many criminals
look for, an easy target.
•
Always scan the parking lot for suspicious persons or vehicles before you park
and exit your vehicle.
•
Report all suspicious persons and vehicles to mall security/Metro Police
immediately.
• Don’t
display gifts under your tree from a front window of your home. Although this
looks pretty, it can be attractive to would-be thieves.
Other
things to look out for include scams. The holiday season is the perfect way for
a thief to swindle you out of money. Beware if someone approaches you and
requests money for donations or sponsorships, please verify that the
organization is legitimate before giving cash or checks. Although there are
hundreds of legitimate charities, we all need to be cautious.
Again,
Butcher wishes everyone a safe and happy holiday!
DWCC Lifers give back
Donations go for worthy causes this
Christmas
The Guardian-Journal photos/Michelle
Bates
The U.S. Marine Corps, sponsor of the Toy
for Tots Program and Foundation, came to David Wade Correctional Center to
accept the toys purchased by funds raised by the Lifer’s Association. Pictured
are, from left, Deborah Cody, sponsor of DWCC’s Lifer’s Association, SSGT Jeff
Bergeaux, SGT Blayne Schott, and DWCC Warden Jerry Goodwin. The Lifer’s
Association raised approximately $1,500 toward the purchase of these toys.
David Wade Correctional Center’s Lifer’s Association purchased toys to donate
to Seeds of Light, a Christian organization that helps offenders’ families
while their loved one is incarcerated. The organization also helps offenders.
And check out the LSU-themed tree!
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
Offenders
belonging to the Lifer’s Association at David Wade Correctional Center (DWCC)
have outdone themselves again this year raising money and purchasing toys for
Toys for Tots.
SSGT
Jeff Bergeaux and SGT Blayne Schott, of the United States Marine Corps, were on
hand to accept the gifts so graciously given.
“It
blows my mind to see how many toys you’ve donated,” Bergeaux said. “It’s really
nice to know that there’s no other motive than to give to the kids. Thank you
-- these kids are going to have a really great Christmas.”
In
fact, the two Marines didn’t have enough boxes to pack up all the donations.
Several bags were given to the Marines to pack up the rest of the toys.
DWCC
Warden Jerry Goodwin told those in attendance the Lifer’s Association, as well
as the staff, joined together and worked really hard throughout the year to
collect these toys. Goodwin said $1,500 was raised this year.
The
funds were raised through project sales, and this is one way that allows the
offenders to make amends and it’s a great way to give back to the community.
Deborah
Cody, sponsor of the Lifer’s Association, said those in the organization worked
very hard.
“Offenders
have quietly donated to purchase specific toys because they remember what it
was like to not get anything for Christmas,” Cody said.
Not
only did the organization purchase toys for Toys for Tots, some gifts were also
donated to the Seeds of Light organization, a Christian organization that helps
offenders’ families while their loved one is incarcerated. Dr. Pat Bates,
sponsor of the program, thanked the Lifer’s Association and the DWCC staff for
their generous donations.
“You
see such need for these children, and you’re going to make 50 kids’ Christmas
this year,” she said. “God bless you and thank you so much!”
Also, a
$250 donation was made to the Claiborne Council on Aging and an art piece was
donated to Claiborne Charity for their silent auction.
Dan
Acklin, representing the Claiborne Charity, extended his thanks to everyone.
“This
will go to good use and thank you so much,” he said.
“This
year, with the support of the administration, generosity of staff, and hard
work from offenders, our Christmas will be blessed knowing these efforts have
assisted families needing assistance getting through the holidays,” says a DWCC
press release.
The
Lifer’s Association has been donating toys to Toys for Tots for five years,
Goodwin said. The Marine Corps assists The Salvation Army for the Toys for Tots
project, according to the press release.
However,
it was the generosity of one man that started it all.
The
Toys for Tots program began in 1947, according to the foundation’s website,
www.toysfortots.org.
It
began “when Major Bill Hendricks, USCR and a group of Marine Reservists in Los
Angeles, Ca. collected and distributed 5,000 toys to needy children. The idea
came from Bill’s wife, Diane.”
According
to the website, Diane Hendricks crafted a homemade doll and told her husband to
donate it to an organization that would give it to a needy child at Christmas.
When he could find none he began his own. The program has since gone
nationwide.
The
principal mission of Toys for Tots is to collect and distribute toys to needy
children in which a Marine Reservist Unit is located. All the toys donated to
Toys for Tots go into the community where the military unit is located.
“When
they’re not on duty, they (reservists) do live in the communities, and this is
their way of giving back to the community they live in,” Schott said of the
Toys for Tots program.
However,
for those communities without a unit, the Toys for Tots program can be run and
is usually done so by a Marine Corps League Detachment or a group of men and
women, generally veteran Marines, authorized by the Marine Toys for Tots
Foundation.
The
Lifers Association serves as a support group for men currently serving life
sentences at DWCC. According to information released by DWCC, the group also
conducts self-help programming, volunteers to help local community projects and
donates money and birdhouses to many charity groups and nonprofit
organizations.
“In
hard economic times, all too often shelters and other charity entities are
hardest hit,” the release states. “The Lifers Association has been a constant
at DWCC.”
Some of
the charities the association has donated to or volunteered projects for
include Fuller Center for Housing (formerly Habitat for Humanity) with yearly
donations of hobby crafts for their silent auction, Providence House, Grace
Camp, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, the Red Cross, Claiborne Charity, Toys for
Tots and Mt. Sinai Church, donating Easter baskets each year.
To find
out more about the Toys for Tots program and its foundation, please go to their
website at www.toysfortots.org. To find out more about how DWCC reaches out to
the community, please call 318-927-0400.
Multi-agency efforts lead to drug
arrests
The Guardian-Journal
On
Saturday, December 17, Claiborne Narcotic Enforcement Team (CNET) agents,
Haynesville Police Department personnel and Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office
(CPSO) personnel were deployed to Haynesville in an effort to arrest several
people wanted for drug violations.
This
multi-agency effort resulted in the arrest of three individuals for
distribution of controlled dangerous substances. These charges are a result of
ongoing efforts by CNET in their fight against illegal drugs in Claiborne
Parish.
Agent James
Spillers, of CPSO, stated that Agent Adrian Malone (Haynesville PD), was the
lead agent on these cases and should be commended on his energy and dedication
to this ongoing fight.
This
investigation is ongoing and more arrests are expected in the future.
Those
arrested were Michelle Lane, one count of distribution of a Schedule II CDS
(crack cocaine), Dantwun Waller, two counts of distribution of a Schedule II
CDS (crack cocaine) and Nicko Critton, three counts of distribution of a
Schedule II CDS (crack cocaine).
Upon
arrest, all subjects were booked. Lane was booked into the Claiborne Parish
Women’s Jail, while Waller and Critton were booked into the Claiborne Parish
Detention Center. Bond on each count for all three subjects was $30,000 per
count.
Haynesville
Police Chief Anthony Smith stated that the cooperative efforts of his
department, CPSO and the Homer Police Department has again proven to be an
immeasurable value by making our communities safer and desirable to live in. It
is truly a pleasure to come to work and know all law enforcement agencies in
Claiborne Parish are working together for the common good of the people.
Claiborne
Parish Sheriff Ken Bailey, Homer Police Chief Russell Mills and Smith encourage
the public to notify area law enforcement agencies of any suspicious or illegal
activity that is going on in their neighborhoods.
Concerned
citizens can call CNET at 318-927-9800, the Homer PD at 318-927-4000,
Haynesville PD at 318-624-1355 or the Sheriff’s office at 318-927-2011.
Any and
all information is considered confidential and is greatly appreciated.
In a
separate incident, two people were arrested after deputies were dispatched to a
home in which the driveway was blocked.
On
Monday, December 12, Deputies David Morgan and Roger Ellerbe were dispatched to
New Home Road in reference to the blocked driveway. Upon their arrival, contact
was made with the driver of the vehicle sitting stationary in the roadway.
The
driver was found to be unresponsive and the engine was running. Landon H. Lord,
18, o Homer, was noted to have a strong odor of alcoholic beverage on his
person.
Ellerbe’s
investigation into the matter led to the discovery of multiple charges against
Landon Lord. He was charged with stopping, standing or parking in specified
places with bond set at $500, tail lamps required with bond set at $500, no
license in immediate possession with bond set at $500, open container with bond
set at $500, possession/carrying of a firearm or concealed weapon with bond set
at $15,000, DWI with bond set at $750, possession of alcohol under 21 with bond
set at $500 and possession of a Schedule II CDS synthetic marijuana with bond
set at $500.
Morgan
discovered a bottle of incense in Logan Lord’s pocket and arrested him. Logan
Lord, Longview, Texas, was charged with possession of marijuana with bond set
at $500.
Both
subjects were booked into the Claiborne Parish Detention Center.
The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates
The Homer Fire Department was dispatched
to the corner of South and West 4th Streets in reference to a car on fire. This
1993 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera was nearly engulfed in flames. Luckily, crews
were able to extinguish the flames. Fire Chief Dennis Butcher says the cause of
the blaze is undetermined at this time, but a preliminary investigation
revealed the fire could have been electrical, beginning under the dash on the
passenger side. The driver of the vehicle, Adam Pickens was uninjured.
The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates
Thanks to the generosity of AT&T, the
Boys and Girls Clubs of Timber Ridge have $1,000 in their coffers to continue
their efforts to help the kids of Claiborne Parish. Pictured are, from left,
District 11 State Representative-elect Patrick Jefferson, Boys & Girls Club
of Timber Ridge Book keeper/Office Manager Janell Brown, Board President Alma
Malone, Executive Director, Helen Houston, District 11 State Representative and
Senator-elect Rick Gallot and Troy J. Broussard, Regional Director of AT&T.
Women first graduating class of GED
courses at CPWJ
The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates
Earlier this month, four women have used
their time wisely while incarcerated to further their education. They each received
diplomas and flowers as they walked down the aisle to the next step in their
lives. Graduates pictured from left are: Brittany Pea, 22, Jamie Garner, 41,
Shenita Hardyway, 32, and Brandy Chambers, 34, who also served as
valedictorian. Also pictured from left, behind the graduates are: Warden Sophia
Burns, Deputy LaShanda Tate, Sheriff Ken Bailey, Bonnie King, Secretary
Treasurer of Seeds of Light, Christy Ratliff, teacher’s aide and Dr. Pat Bates,
chairman of Seeds of Light.
Fuller Center volunteers complete more
repairs
Submitted photo
Volunteers from the Fuller Center for
Housing of Claiborne Parish completed repairs to another home this week.
Clarence Ferguson, who desperately needed some modifications to his home,
received those. His home is now more handicapped accessible. Pictured from left
are Clarence Ferguson Jr., Mr. Ferguson’s son, David Colbert Sr., David Colbert
Jr., and Jeffery Rhone. To find out more about the ministry or to volunteer,
donate or help in any way, please call 318-927-1794, 318-927-9797 or
318-927-1161.Watch upcoming editions of The Guardian-Journal for the
next application drive to be held in January.
