‘Team Cade’ fundraiser this Saturday

2nd Annual “Team Cade”

Poker Run

Saturday, May 5

Courthouse Square in Homer

Registration begins at 8 a.m. with the first bike out at 9 a.m.

Registration fee: $25 per player

Route: Begins at Courthouse Square with the first stop at Outpost Travel Center in Webster Parish. Second stop will be in Dixie Inn, then on to Cullen. The poker run will then go through Shongaloo to Haynesville and back to Homer.

Grand prize is $250 cash

(winner to be determined by who has the best hand)

Please make sure to turn in your report card at each stop for a card, then turn the entire report card in to the judges.

The Guardian Journal

The Team Cade Cystic Fibrosis fundraiser is this Saturday on the courthouse lawn on the Square in Homer.

Last year’s fundraiser was in honor of Cade, and his parents, Holly and dad Casey, have been very involved in efforts to help the foundation find a treatment and possibly a cure for their little boy.

With food and fun for all, there will be several items raffled off as well as chicken plates for sale for $7 each. Plates, to be served from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., will include leg quarters, beans, chips, bread and a cookie.

Raffle prizes include a Bennelli 12-guage pump shotgun displayed at Michael’s Men’s Store, a hope cedar chest built by Artis and Bobbie Sue Powell, $200 worth of gas provided by Emerson Oil and a four-gallon fish cooker made by RV Works. Raffle tickets can be purchased at several locations throughout the parish at $2 each.

Also, the fire departments in Homer and Haynesville will be doing a boot drive, so if you see a fireman in the middle of the street holding a boot out, please donate what you can! The Haynesville Fire Department will be doing a boot drive in Haynesville and the South Bossier Fire Department will also be doing one as well. The boot drives will begin at 9 a.m.

For all those who enjoy riding the two-wheel variety, a poker run will take place that morning starting off at the Square in Homer. Registration begins at 8 a.m., with the first bike out at 9 a.m. Riders will return to the Square by noon. Registration will be $25 per player, and the grand prize for the poker run is $250.

The poker run will be an 85-mile run with the first stop at Outpost Travel Center just across the parish line into Webster, and the last stop will be in Homer at noon.

For more information about the fundraiser, call Holly Liles at 318-548-2659 or Tommy Sanders at 318-548-2681. For information on the poker run, please call J.T. Williams, coordinator, at 318-453-5529 or Ricky Bearden at 318-927-9740 or 318-245-4726.

Trial set in Dunn stabbing case

MICHELLE BATES, Editor

Trial has been set for a woman accused of stabbing her boyfriend to death.

Patishi S. Kirk, 22, is set for trial on Monday, May 21, accused of second degree murder in the killing of her boyfriend, Vincent Dunn.

According to Homer Police, Kirk was arrested on Saturday, July 3, 2010, after officers responded to the 100 block of Hunter Street in reference to a stabbing. When officers arrived, there were several family members in the yard who advised a young man had been stabbed inside the home. That young man turned out to be Vincent Dunn. Captain Donald Malray found Dunn deceased in a bedroom inside the house.

Officers collected evidence at the scene, which included clothing and other items of evidence believed to be used during the commission of the crime.

Kirk was detained and transferred to the Claiborne Parish Women’s Jail for her own safety. She was questioned at the jail, admitted to the stabbing but offered no motive.

According to police records, officers have been called to this residence several times in reference to domestic issues. Dunn also had a restraining order on Kirk in the past, Malray said.

Assistant District Attorney Danny Newell will be prosecuting the case.

Success through Education

Scholastic banquet honors Claiborne students

The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates

Dr. Bob Haley, a Summerfield native, spoke to Claiborne Parish students, encouraging them to succeed in life by obtaining a good education.

The Guardian-Journal

Many Claiborne Parish students were honored at this year’s annual Scholastic Banquet for their achievements in their academic careers.

Dr. Bob Haley, who “exudes exemplary leadership wherever he’s been,” according to Phillip “Butch” Fincher, was the guest speaker. Haley, who has spent his professional career in the medical field, has faithfully supported Claiborne Parish in education through the Haley Scholarship Fund for Homer High School students and has supported the Hightower Scholarship as well as others.

He congratulated the honorees for their achievements and praised the banquet committee for their hard work in honoring these students.

“We can be lifted by those around us,” Haley said. “Academic achievement is the easiest way to have success in life.”

However, he said, remember “your roots” in Claiborne Parish. Originally from Summerfield, Haley talked about a small town and the lessons a small town can teach a person.

“In small towns, you have to learn how to get along in life and with people,” he said. “Bring home a basketful of appreciation and gratitude when you come home.”

He quoted someone who once said, “Math may be hard but it’s harder to count your blessings.”

These students are senior students who have achieved a grade point average of 3.5 in their high school academic work, or juniors attaining a 3.75 average or attained an ACT score of 25 or higher. Students also included were juniors and seniors who qualified for rally, FBLA, or Science Fair competition at the state level, National Merit Finalist or semi-finalist.

Participating schools included Athens, Haynesville, Junction City, Claiborne Academy, Homer, Mt. Olive Christian School and Summerfield.

Students were: Kyle Acklin, senior at Claiborne Academy, India Adams-Pickens, a senior at Homer High School, Korsica Anderson, a senior at Homer High School, Nakia Aubrey, a senior at Homer High School, Sean Bailey, a junior at Haynesville High School, Caroline Bourn, a senior at Claiborne Academy, Lacy Camp, a junior at Homer High School, Kennedy Carey, a junior at Summerfield High School, Myesha Cato, a senior at Athens High School, Jesse Clements, a junior at Haynesville High School, Kristin Cooper, a junior at Homer High School, Jermund Curry, a senior at Homer High School, Ke’Atte’ Daniels, a senior at Claiborne Academy, Khadijah Dean, a senior at Homer High School, Skye Dettenheim, a junior at Claiborne Academy, Candice Dillard, a junior at Athens High School, Jessica Dudley, a senior at Junction City High School, Jasmine Dupree, a senior at Homer High School, Billydia Ellis, a senior at Homer High School, Lianne Ellis, a senior at Homer High School, Mykeyah Evans, a senior at Haynesville High School, Shelbe Foster, a senior at Summerfield High School, Jessica Gilbert, a senior at Summerfield High School, Katie Glover, a junior at Junction City High School, Kayley Gonzalez, a senior at Claiborne Academy, Selina Gonzalez, a junior at Claiborne Academy, Ashley Graham, a senior at Athens High School, Maryanne Gray, a senior at Haynesville High School, Akiyah Green, a senior at Haynesville High School, Fernando Grider Jr., a junior at Haynesville High School, Tray Grider, a junior at Athens High School, Kelonte Hamilton, a senior at Haynesville High School, Jon Harris, a junior at Homer High School, John Robert Holloway, a junior at Homer High School, Stephanie Horner, a senior at Homer High School, Tyesha Hunter, a senior at Haynesville High School, Le’Vert James, a senior at Haynesville High School, Jasmine Jenkins, a junior at Homer High School, Jamie Jones, a senior at Haynesville High School, Zack Kidd III, a junior at Mt. Olive Christian School, Jasper Kimble, a junior at Athens High School, Christina Kemp, a senior at Summerfield High School, Alhasnat Laghari, a senior at Claiborne Academy, Haider Laghari, a junior at Claiborne Academy, Candance Lee, a senior at Haynesville High School, Shavon Lewis, a junior at Athens High School, Johnathan Lindsey, a junior at Summerfield High School, Courtney Lowe, a senior at Junction City High School, Bailee Lunsford, a junior at Junction City High School, Mark Lyons, a junior at Homer High School, Keyana McCoy, a junior at Homer High School, Austin McCurry, a senior at Summerfield High School, Jessica McGowan, a junior at Homer High School, Aidan Messina, a senior at Claiborne Academy, Ashley Mitchell, a junior at Homer High School, Tre’Various Moore, a junior at Homer High School, LaFaye Muse, a senior at Haynesville High School, Shelby Pace, a junior at Claiborne Academy, Katie Patrick, a senior at Claiborne Academy, Alyssa Patterson, a senior at Mt. Olive Christian School, Foster Phillips, a senior at Claiborne Academy, Logan Puckett, a senior at Summerfield High School, Delaney Roberts, a junior at Claiborne Academy, Justin Sanders, a senior at Summerfield High School, Shanice Shelton, a senior at Homer High School, Kameron Simpson, a junior at Claiborne Academy, Kylie Singleton, a senior at Summerfield High School, Cathrine Slaton, a senior at Haynesville High School, Frankie Smith, a senior at Junction City High School, Jasmine Smith, a junior at Athens High School, Keyon Smith, a junior at Summerfield High School, Samantha Smith, a senior at Haynesville High School, Hunter Soileau, a junior at Claiborne Academy, Brittany Starkey, a senior at Homer High School, Rontrette Sturvivant, a senior at Haynesville High School, Alexandra Taunton, a junior at Claiborne Academy, Dekeveon Thomas, a junior at Haynesville High School, Lauryn Thomas,  a senior at Summerfield High School, Chardarius Thompson, a senior at Athens High School, Jacob Tinsley, a senior at Claiborne Academy, Taylor Tuggle, a senior at Claiborne Academy, Bryce Turner, a junior at Homer High School, Kristen Turner, a senior at Mt. Olive Christian School, Merdis Watson, a senior at Homer High School, Janescia Webb, a junior at Haynesville High School, Chris Willis, a senior at Homer High School, Khadejah Willis, a senior at Homer High School, Zachary Wilson, a junior at Summerfield High School, and Taylor Youngblood at junior at Summerfield High School.

HAPPY 200TH BIRTHDAY, LOUISIANA!

President James Madison designated April 30, 1812 as the date that Louisiana would become the 18th state of the young United States. 

Two hundred years after achieving statehood, Louisiana remains one of the most distinctive states in the Union.  The state’s rich Creole heritage is evident in its use of the Civil Code, the organization of parishes as local political units, and the celebration of Catholic traditions such as Mardi Gras. 

The English-Scots-Irish Protestants left their mark on North Louisiana as they began settling the uplands in the 1820s.  African-Americans arrived with the first settlers to come to Louisiana.  Other ethnic groups have also enriched the blend of the people we are today.

Becoming Louisiana: Path to Statehood, a traveling exhibition commemorating 200 years of Louisiana statehood, will be on display at the Ford Museum until May 15, 2012.  The museum is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Becoming Louisiana: Path to Statehood documents the roles that Louisiana’s unique geography and cultural history have played on its path to becoming the 18th state of the Union.  The exhibit consists of a series of 10 fabric panels displaying images and text that tell the story of Louisiana’s early history.

For more information, contact the Ford Museum at 318-927-9190 or .

Seniors celebrated with ‘Seniors Day’

The Guardian-Journal photos/Jenni Williams

Above, a large number of Claiborne Parish senior citizens enjoy a hamburger and hot dog lunch at Mayfield Park last Thursday as a part of the annual Senior Citizens Day. Top, many Seniors enjoyed 4-wheeler rides at the park. Above, staff of Homer Memorial Hospital offered free blood pressure checks. Bottom, members of the Homer High School FBLA serve drinks while picnicking in the park.

LISA D. GAINES, Special to The Guardian-Journal

This past Thursday, the Town of Homer celebrated its very own and surrounding communities Seniors, with Senior Day. 

The activities started at the Town Hall where the Seniors were greeted with a gift for coming and refreshments to enjoy at their leisure.  Vendors especially related to Senior care were set up to talk about things like prepackaged medicines, the importance of knowing your blood pressure, insurance and burial needs, and hands on checks of blood sugar levels and other medical needs. 

After everyone got a chance to visit the vendors, we moved to the beautiful Mayfield Park. 

The Homer Public Works department was hard at work getting the tents, chairs, and lunch ready.  Lunch was burgers and hotdogs with chips and desert. 

Everyone seemed to just be enjoying each other’s company and being outside.  Different tables had different games going; cards, Dominoes, BINGO. 

We got some that wanted to play baseball and they all won.  The Seniors got to take 4-wheeler rides around the trails at the park and door prizes were given at both locations. 

Thank you to all the sponsors that helped make this event possible.  Thank you to the Homer High School FBLA club for helping at the event. 

The Seniors loved it and are already looking forward to next time.

Domestic violence affects everyone

Don’t forget DART radiothon Thursday!

MICHELLE BATES, Editor

Domestic violence is one of the top killers of women in the United States. And that’s why it is so important to talk about an issue that goes on everywhere, even next door.

According to Mary Ellen Gamble, who spoke at the Homer Lions Club along with Claiborne Parish Sheriff Ken Bailey, it is estimated that every nine seconds, a woman is battered. Eighty-five percent of all domestic violence victims are women. Domestic violence is the single major cause of injury to women, more than muggings and car accidents combined. About 30 percent of women’s disabilities are caused by domestic violence, and 50 percent of all women killed in the United States are by their husband, boyfriend or partner.

Getting her start with DART opened her eyes to the importance of bringing awareness to domestic violence and being there to offer services victims and survivors need to move beyond the abusive relationship. With a background in social work, Gamble came from a loving home with both parents. So, she really knew nothing about domestic violence.

“At the time, I knew absolutely nothing about domestic violence,” she said. “So, I applied for the job and got it. And I found out real fast that there is domestic violence in Claiborne Parish.”

However, she didn’t think domestic violence in Claiborne Parish is as prevalent as it is, she said. She got the job, and still didn’t know anything about domestic violence.

“Almost from the very first day I started receiving phone calls,” she said. “It amazed me, and I was ill equipped and I had to learn. So, I started attending every training that I could that dealt with domestic violence. I read every book that I could find on domestic abuse. And I talked to people that had worked in the field for a long time. The best source of my information and my knowledge came from talking to survivors of domestic violence.

“Almost without fail, every woman, their stories are all similar,” she continued. “There are many social, economic statuses, but their stories are all very similar.”

Louisiana is in the top 5 in the United States with the highest homicide related to domestic violence. Almost 90 percent of women who report domestic abuse, report that children have been witness to it. Between 25 and 30 percent of all adolescent relationships are violent relationship. This number is low, because it is believed that many are not reported by teens.

“I know a young lady that was abused by her boyfriend in high school and it was two years before it was ever reported,” she said.

Domestic abuse is a crime. It is against the law to physically abuse your spouse.

“Too many times, battery is passed on from generation to generation,” Gamble said. “You learn to do what you’re taught. I can assure you that the children know what’s going on in the home.”

Abuse almost always leads from verbal to physical, she said, which almost always leads to serious battery or death.

“Why doesn’t she just leave?” she asked. “It is very difficult to leave an abusive relationship. This is something that those of us who did not grow up in abuse find hard to understand sometimes. Statistically, if a batterer knows a woman is about to leave him or even if she has actually severed the relationship, this is the most dangerous time for her. Why? Because he is losing his power and control and the only way he feels he can gain it back is by hurting or killing her.”

Even if the victim severs the relationship, she, or in some cases, he, feel they have no resources, nowhere to go. Often, Gamble said, the victim has no money and is afraid for herself and her children. And while DART does not tell the victim what to do, it does offer services that can help her get back on her feet and can offer resources that can help them get away from her abuser.

“We believe in empowering a woman so that she can make decisions that are best for her and often her children,” Gamble said.

Some ways DART offers help is through assisting them in filling out the paperwork for a restraining order, and if the restraining order does not work, then they offer a safe place to go if they do not already have one available. The DART advocate (Gamble in Claiborne Parish) will often times go to court with the victim.

The organization also empowers the victim, giving them tools to work with as they transition from the abusive relationship to a life without abuse. One such example is through safety tips, what to do when at work and at home, how to protect the children.

Counseling services are also offered at no charge, and the organization does offer some assistance through Christmas gifts and limited children’s services. DART will guide a survivor through the processes of getting services they need, such as housing assistance, community services, the court system and law enforcement.

“We are here to help and while we have no authority over law enforcement or the courts, we can help a victim/survivor to better understand how the system works and try to help her through the process,” she said. “All of our services are free and confidential.”

And law enforcement is there to help as well. Bailey said his deputies are trained to deal with disturbance calls as well as domestic violence calls. They know what to do and how to handle the situation before it really gets out of hand after their arrival.

“My deputies are trained to go on these calls and separate them, find out what’s going on,” he said. “It might not have come to a physical altercation. He may have just been verbally abusive. I’m embarrassed to say that we did this, but 15 or 20 years ago, when we went on a disturbance call, this is what we said, ‘If we have to come back out here, somebody’s going to jail.’ That’s what we did and that’s so wrong. The next time we go out there, somebody’s going to be dead.”

Now, when deputies arrive on the scene of a disturbance call, if there is any sign of physical altercation, “we cuff ‘em and stuff ‘em.” Somebody’s going to jail, he said.

“It’s not always men we take to jail,” he said. “We take women too.”

He gave some statistics in Claiborne Parish, which proved to be an eye-opener as to how prevalent domestic violence is in Claiborne Parish.

In the last six months, the sheriff’s office has responded to 82 disturbance calls. These figures do not include the Homer or Haynesville Police Departments’ statistics.

“That’s quite a lot for rural Claiborne,” he said. “We’ve also gone on 31 domestic violence calls. It’s here, and domestic violence is a growing problem.”

As mentioned, his deputies are trained on what to look for and how to separate the parties. He made a comment several years ago, and it’s stuck since then.

“It should never hurt to go home,” Bailey said. “Unfortunately it does, and that’s one of the most dangerous calls that we go on -- a disturbance call. You never know what you’re going to get into when you get there.”

It doesn’t matter what race, what economic status, domestic violence is everywhere and it affects everyone.

“It’s one of those things that really concern us, and that’s why we send two or three deputies to a disturbance call,” he said. “If you’re about to arrest someone and another family member comes into the room saying, ‘What are you arresting my father for?’, then you have another problem. That’s what we deal with every day.”

The sheriff’s office also has a form for domestic violence victims to fill out, and when the aggressor goes to jail and bonds out, then the victim is notified.

He also talked about the silhouettes on the courthouse lawn on the Square in Homer every October, which commemorates every victim who lost their lives to domestic violence. As of right now, there are about 97 silhouettes, which represents deaths in Claiborne and surrounding parishes.

The last death, Bailey said, is the case in which a girlfriend stabbed her boyfriend to death. The case he speaks of is the arrest of Patishi S. Kirk, who is accused of stabbing her boyfriend, Vincent Dunn, to death. Trial for her case has been set for Monday, May 21.

“Domestic violence is a heartbreaker, and a lot of them are the same families that we get calls on,” he said.

He also discussed a case without getting into the details, saying that they have one offender behind bars that has already threatened to kill his significant other when he gets out.

“He’s already tried about twice,” he said. “Right here in Claiborne Parish.”

Golden Eagle Training & Safety
Announces the Opening of their New Website

Steve Risner (Homer, LA) and Butch Shaver (Shreveport, La) announce the opening of their new Golden Eagle Training & Safety website, now online at www.DefensiveTraining.us.

For more than 20 years, Golden Eagle Training & Saftey (GETS) has offered Instructional/Certification courses for the General Public, Law Enforcement & Corrections, School Resource Officers & Staff, Churches, Organizations and Companies.

GETS training for the public includes: Carrying Concealed Handgun Permit Class, Personal Safety Course, Women’s Safety & Self-Defense Course, Sexual Harassment and Rape Prevention (known as SHARP), Weapon Retention & Disarming (if you carry a firearm, you need to know how to effectively retain it or disarm someone who has one), Escape & Evasion, and Advanced Carrying Concealed Handgun Courses.

Certification courses available for Law Enforcement and Correctional Agencies include: Defensive Tactics (DT), Impact Weapon (IW), Weapon Retention and Disarming (WRD), Ground Avoidance/Ground Escape (GAGE), Spontaneous Knife Defense (SKD), Inmate Control, and Pressure Point Control Tactic (PPCT).

For the educational arena (School Resource Officers & Staff) they offer: Safe Schools Resource Officer (SRO) Training & Certifcation, Basic & Instructor Certification Classes in Human Factor Research School Safety ( Bullying) & Healthy Children and Disruptive Student Management (DSM).

They have also held "Surviving a Critical Incident Courses" for churches in Bossier City and will be glad to do the same with any church in your area.

Steve Risner said "We have contracted Joel Ponder, long time resident of Claiborne Parish, and designer/webmaster of many of our local area websites, to rebuild our website and we are very pleased with the fine job he is doing for a very affordable price. If any of you know someone who wants to start a website or has one that needs a facelift, we strongly recommend Mr. Ponder. You can contact Joel via his new website at: www.KCWD.com".

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

* 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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