Storm recovery efforts continue in Homer
The Guardian-Journal photos/Michelle
Bates
Above, Entergy crews work to get power
lines back up and running on Edgewood Drive on Wednesday, June 13. Because of
the enormous amount of debris following Tuesday’s storm, the road was closed to
allow crews to work. Below, while power was out, there were only a few gas
stations open, like this one on Hwy. 79 North, causing long lines for gas as
citizens fueled their vehicles and their generators.
Red Cross came into Homer and were staged
at the Homer Fire Station on Wednesday, June 13, to provide snacks, water and
cleanup kits which included mops and other tools to help citizens during the
recovery following the storm on Tuesday, June 12. Red Cross volunteers stayed
will into the afternoon.
Entergy crews from all over the state
converged on the Town of Homer last week working diligently to restore power to
thousands in the aftermath of a storm that hit Tuesday morning, June 12. Crews
staged in the old Wal-Mart parking lot, where fred’s Store and Delta Interiors
are located. The parking lot served as a mobile command center for linemen.
They were also fed there and were able to rest as they worked in shifts to get
power back on to residents and businesses.
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The
hearts of hundreds opened up when they converged on Claiborne Parish to help
with cleanup and recovery efforts that will likely continue for weeks.
On
Tuesday morning, June 12, a massive storm converged on Claiborne Parish, right
over Homer, causing destruction and a mass power outage. The storm uprooted
several old stately trees as well as knocking trees into the streets and into
homes taking power lines with them.
In the
aftermath, emergency crews, electric crews and others came together in
Claiborne Parish on Tuesday to start cleanup efforts and restore power.
Jim
Pesnell, Entergy customer service manager for Northwest Louisiana, said at
least 200 spans of line were down, causing power outages to 14,000 people over
the Northwest Louisiana area, with 1,800 of those inside the Homer corporate
limits.
“We
still have some customers out today,” Pesnell said Thursday afternoon, “about
400 still without power.”
As
Entergy staged in Homer, about 200 crewmen and 100 trucks came into Homer to
restore power.
Many of
the trucks that came to Homer were from South Louisiana, and while most were in
Homer, he said there were several crews in Springhill and Minden as well in
Webster Parish. Sarepta took a pretty hard hit too, he said, with downed trees.
Through
the Claiborne Parish Office of Homeland Security, Entergy staged a resource
center at the Claiborne Parish Police Jury building to help customers if need
be.
As of
this edition of The Guardian-Journal, if customers still do not have power or
still have a need for service, Pesnell said to call 1-800-9-OUTAGE.
Joey
White, manager of member relations with Claiborne Electric Cooperative, said as
of Wednesday afternoon, they still had at least 931 still without power, but
much of that was expected to be narrowed down by the end of the day Wednesday
-- worst case by Thursday afternoon, June 14.
The
hardest hit area for Claiborne Electric in Homer was the Homer Oilfield area,
where the cooperative has a substation, and Airport Loop. Not only were there a
lot of trees down, White said, but a good number of poles were broken,
especially in these areas.
“Linemen
began working immediately from the substations out,” White said. “Claiborne
Electric crews were joined by 40 additional crewmen which were brought in from
out of the area to assist in the restoration effort.”
Crews
have worked diligently trying to get power back on for its customers.
By late
Friday afternoon, less than 20 were still without power, due mostly to severe
damage to structure at those locations, White said.
And not
only were electric crews working hard, but tree service companies, highline
companies and a little help from God came too.
Members
of the North Louisiana Baptist Convention Disaster Relief Crew brought in their
chain saw ministry members to help people get trees off their homes and out of
their yards.
David
Abernathy, regional coordinator for North Louisiana, said he had five teams
working on Airport Loop Wednesday, and were moving towards Homer proper to
continue cleanup efforts.
“We’ve
mainly concentrated right here on Airport Loop,” Abernathy said, “but we’re
moving to Bella Vista and moving west of town on Oilfield Road and tarp a house
that’s got some roof damage.”
These
teams are from as far away as Grant Parish, he said, Oak Grove, Blanchard, two
teams from West Monroe, and others, with about 25 to 30 people working in the
area.
Dr.
Gibbie McMillan, director of men’s ministries of the Louisiana Baptist
Convention, said the main purpose is to assist homeowners with tree damage,
whether it’s on the house or in their yards.
“We
prioritize the needs then we try to get the number one priorities,” McMillan
said.
Not
only do they provide labor to help homeowners remove debris from their homes,
but they also offer chaplaincy services as well, to help homeowners deal with
the loss and destruction of the storm.
Abernathy
said their main focus last week was to work with the homeowners, the Claiborne
Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness and Homeland Security.
“The
way it operates is if a homeowner is interested in receiving the help, then
they have to sign a release,” McMillan said, “which empowers the team to go in
and work. We can’t do the work unless the homeowner signs off on it.
“We
don’t charge them anything, and we try to encourage them,” he continued. “It’s devastating, especially for senior
adults who can’t do for themselves.”
Abernathy
and McMillan said their teams expected to be in the area at least through
Friday (June 15).
While
the chain saw ministry was throughout town and the outlying areas, the Town of
Homer crews were busy as well clearing the streets and picking up debris. Homer
Mayor Alecia Smith said she was grateful for all the support the town has
gotten since the storm. She thanked several people, groups and others for their
quick response to the town.
In
fact, employees in city hall moved to the Homer Fire Station due to the power
outage to field phone calls and direct citizens in what needed to be done.
“We
have teams set up on every street corner cleaning up debris,” Smith said. “Any
needs that we have, we have organizations here to help remove debris.”
One
thing she emphasized is that Homer’s water system never failed, which means the
town is not under a boil advisory. All the lift stations and the sewer plant
have been continuously run.
“We
(had) generators on our sewer system,” she said, “and our hospital was our main
priority. We appreciate the efforts of everybody -- especially (Homer Fire
Chief) Dennis Butcher -- our police officers, our volunteers who came out to
help, the staff of Entergy, Representative Patrick Jefferson and Senator Mike
Walsworth, who have been constantly calling and keeping in contact, and Jenny
Reynolds from the Governor’s office.”
Butcher
said as of Wednesday afternoon, the number of total outages would go down by
the hour.
“Things
are rapidly returning to normal,” Butcher said, “but cleanup will last for
days.”
Where to Take Debris
In a
special called meeting of the police jury Tuesday afternoon, a plan was set in
place to quicken the pace of cleanup efforts because of the overwhelming nature
of the cleanup. An Interstate Mutual Aid Compact (IMAC) was approved by the
police jury that will allow mutual aid from other parishes to come in and help.
According to the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness
(GOHSEP), the compact involves mutual aid from Caddo, Bossier and Webster
Parishes. Bossier Parish has agreed to provide three dump trucks, a grapple
truck and drivers and crew. Caddo Parish will provide two dump trucks, a
grapple truck and drivers and crews, while Webster Parish will provide an EPA
approved vegetation dump site for overflow if needed.
And in
conjunction with the Town of Homer and the Town of Haynesville, this plan is
for the hardest hit areas of the town and parish due to the storm on the
morning of June 12. Some of the hardest hit areas included Homer Oilfield,
Airport Loop, Bream Island, Bella Vista, some on Arizona Road, Featherston
Road. In the city, the west side of town was hit really hard, including West
Side Street, Bolling Drive, Edgewood, and East 5th Street area.
Butcher
said that while these crews are coming in to help, it is important to be safe
about it because trees and limbs are still falling and could still affect power
lines. It is important to consider downed power lines as hot, whether they are
or not. For those who have vegetative debris in their yards tangled up with
power lines, stay away from it. Butcher also reminded citizens to be aware of
your surroundings.
“We’re
facing the monumental task of cleaning the vegetative debris up,” Butcher said,
“It’s one of the worst (storms) I’ve seen in my lifetime. We were fortunate
there was no loss of life or serious injuries. Both the city and the parish are
overwhelmed and it’s going to require some assistance from somewhere.”
For
those who are cleaning up debris in town and need to haul it off, it can be
taken to the Oil Mill yard; however, an attendant must be present for debris to
be dropped off. Also, there is an EPA approved vegetative dump site just north
of Haynesville as well.
Butcher
advised calling Homer City Hall to see when pickup will be available or when
debris can be dropped off. Debris will be picked up curbside and must be a
certain length. Anything less than 24 inches in diameter should be cut into 10
foot pieces and anything greater than 24 inches in diameter should be cut up
into six to eight foot pieces due to weight issues. Do not stack debris on the
road. Please stack it on the curb within 10 feet of the edge of the road.
Remember,
that only vegetative debris (tree limbs, chunks of wood) will be picked up.
Household garbage and construction debris will NOT be picked up. If it is mixed
in with vegetative debris, it will NOT be picked up.
With
the implementation of the IMAC plan, work will begin Monday morning on June 25.
Butcher expected cleanup to last about four to five business days.
Police
Jury Secretary Treasurer Dwayne Woodard thanked Butcher and several others for
acting so quickly in the aftermath of the storm, including Road Superintendent
Tommy Durrett and Sheriff Ken Bailey.
“I
can’t thank Dennis, the sheriff, and Tommy enough for the actions that started
Tuesday morning,” Woodard said. “It was really bad, and there are still people
in the parish that don’t realize how bad it was. We did not get power here (at
CPPJ office) until 3:30 Friday afternoon (June 15). That generator we got four
years ago was worth every dime we have spent on it. This building was excellent
for a center of operations.”
He also
thanked police jury members for coming in after the storm lending their support
where needed as well as Homer Mayor Alecia Smith and Public Works Supervisor
Lee Wells for the excellent job their crews did.
For
more information about pickup inside the city limits of Homer, please call City
Hall at 318-927-3555. For more information or for further details in the
parish, please contact the police jury office at 318-927-2222.
RIF policy implemented, transfers
approved
The Guardian-Journal
The
Reduction in Force (RIF) policy has now been implemented, and according to
Claiborne Parish Schools Superintendent Dr. Janice Williams, all those affected
have been notified.
A
certified letter was sent to each of those on the list on June 15, and in May,
every employee received a copy of the RIF policy. RIF has not changed, with a
total of 19 employees, nine certified and 10 support staff being laid off. The
support personnel include five paraprofessionals, two custodians, one secretary
and two cafeteria technicians.
“These
last two years have been the toughest,” School Board President Will Maddox
said. “It’s not easy.”
And
while the employees were notified, there were several transfers. The total number
of transfers includes 24 certified personnel, eight paraprofessionals, one
principal, one secretary, three custodians and four cafeteria technicians will
be transferred.
Fortunately,
she said, “every school has fallen within the parameters set forth by the
Department of Justice. We have a total of 112 teachers, and the parish wide
ratio is 29 black at 26 percent, 83 white at 74 percent. And the agreement with
the Justice Department calls for us to be within plus or minus 10 percent in
order to achieve racial balance [teachers and staff, not students].”
In
personnel actions, three resigned with another leaving for other employment.
According to the personnel actions hand out, Nora Howard, a bus driver for
Homer Schools, left for other employment. Terese Sherman, a teacher at
Haynesville Jr./Sr. High School resigned as did Laura Evans, a social worker
with Homer Schools and Ted Waller, a counselor at Haynesville Jr./Sr. High
School.
Junction City/CPSB Agreement
The
agreement between Claiborne Parish Schools and Junction City, Arkansas Schools
was approved by the school board for the 2012-13 school year, contingent upon a
final decision from the school board’s legal advisors regarding Louisiana’s ACT
54’s value added implications for the evaluation of Louisiana teachers.
Claiborne
Parish Schools Superintendent Dr. Janice Williams said she’d spoken with the
assistant state superintendent and Joan Hunt, with the Department of Education,
regarding the issue of a waiver for the agreement between CPSB and Junction
City.
“They
said the waiver is not applicable to this situation, as the law only applies to
a natural disaster or extenuating circumstances,” Williams said. “They did not
classify this (agreement) as an extenuating circumstance. I’m still waiting to
hear from our attorneys with regard to this matter.”
The
agreement between CPSB and Junction City was set up in the 1930s, according to
the intergovernmental agreement, which allows Louisiana students in Claiborne
Parish who live near Junction City, Ark., to attend Junction City schools so
students could be closer to home.
“This
arrangement has allowed parents to place their children in a local neighborhood
school reducing the danger of long drives and distant schools,” the agreement
states.
As in
years past, the school board provides a set amount from Minimum Foundation
Program (MFP) funds equal to the Louisiana allocation based on the per pupil
amount. For this school year, however, the amount being sent to Junction City
is less than in years past. For the 2011-12 school year, Claiborne Parish
allocated approximately $581,000. This year’s agreement is less by 7.474
percent, reducing the allocation to approximately $537,000.
Challenging ACT 2
The
school board also adopted a resolution that will allow the school board to
enter into litigation in federal or state court, either individually or as a
member of a group of other public school systems with similar purpose,
challenging the constitutionality and/or legality of Act 2 of the 2012 Regular
Session of the Louisiana Legislature, which deals with the use of state funds
to support students in a private or parochial schools.
The issue,
essentially, is this: Does House Bill 976 (signed into law in the 2012 Regular
Session) conflict with another law?
“Although
no action has been taken at this time, this will permit Claiborne Parish
Schools to be entered into any type of litigation going forth with the decision
or to pursue whether Act 2 is both constitutional and legal,” she said.
The
cost of the litigation will be “our fair share” depending on how many districts
opt in should any litigation come forth.
“At
this time, we received this resolution to see how many school districts would
be in favor of going forth with contesting the legality and constitutionality
of Act 2,” Williams said.
In
other news, the personnel evaluation plan has been modified due to Bulletin 130
to be consistent with value-added evaluations.
“It was
revised by BESE (Board of Elementary and Secondary Education) to be consistent
with Act 54,” she said. “This plan includes guidelines for evaluation of both
tested and non-tested grades in both subjects, observation requirements, what
determines teacher effectiveness, the evaluation process, how a teacher is to
go through intensive assistance and any due process procedures.”
Property Millage Changes
The
school board also adopted a resolution to establish and levy property tax
millage rates for 2012.
According
to Claiborne Parish Schools Business Manager Fred Evans, the millage for 2012
is as follows:
In the
general fund (parish wide) mills for the constitutional tax is 5.29 mills, an
increase of .13 mills from 2011, due to a decrease in taxable property after
reassessment. The special operational and maintenance tax is 5.15 mills, a .13
mills increase from 2011 for the same reason.
The
maintenance tax (parish wide) is 5.15, also a .13 mills increase from 2011.
In the
district maintenance taxes, these changes are as follows:
Athens
School District No. 1 is 4.19 for 2012, a .13 mills increase due to decrease in
taxable property after assessment. Haynesville School District No. 11 is 3.33
mills, a .17 mills increase due to a decrease in taxable property after
assessment. Homer School District No. 13, is 11.88 mills, an .08 mills decrease
due to increase in taxable property after assessment, and the Summerfield
School District No. 26 saw no change at 9.25 mills.
In
bonded debt, Haynesville District 11 debt service is still at 13 mills, with
five years remaining on the payment schedule. Homer District No. 13 is still at
16.50 mills with 10 years remaining on the payment schedule.
Both
Homer and Haynesville’s bonded debt were refinanced in 2010.
“When
you hear reassessment,” Evans said, “[this means] it’s recalculated to bring in
the same amount of money as the prior year. That’s what it’s based on.”
In
other news, Paula Becker, nutrition supervisor for CPSB, named the lowest bids
that were approved by the school board, which include Borden’s for milk,
Flowers Baking for bread and Blue Bell for ice cream for the upcoming school
year.
Also,
on Thursday, July 12, at 5 p.m., a public hearing will be held in regards to
the 2012-13 budget. The next regular monthly meeting of the Claiborne Parish
School Board will be held at 6 p.m., at Central Office on Thursday, July 12.
The public hearing will be held one hour before the start of the regular
meeting.
For
more information, or for questions, please call their office at 318-927-3502,
Monday through Thursday, from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. During the summer, the office
is closed on Fridays.
CPSO investigating attempted armed
robbery
The Guardian-Journal
The
Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating the attempted armed robbery
of Gibsland Bank and Trust in Athens.
According
to Claiborne Parish Sheriff Ken Bailey, two male subjects came to the front
door of the bank around 8:30 or 8:45 the morning of June 14 and rattled the
door. When they couldn’t get in, they took off around the back of the building.
Sheriff’s deputies gave chase, calling in the David Wade Correctional Center
(DWCC) Chase team, but to no avail.
During
the chase, according to reports KTBS Channel 3, a six-year-old Golden Retriever,
Tera, owned by Michaela McCowen of Athens, was shot by a deputy. Bailey said
the deputy told him the dog was coming at him full speed, showing his teeth.
The deputy feared the dog would bite him.
According
to the report, Bailey expressed his sorrow for the death of the dog, and said
the incident is still under investigation.
And
while the shooting is still being investigated, detectives are still looking
into the attempted armed robbery of the bank.
Lead
Detective Ben Booth said one subject appears to be around six foot to six feet
two inches tall, and the other appears to be around five feet eight inches tall
to five feet 11 inches tall. The shorter subject was wearing full camouflage
while the taller was wearing a blue shirt and blue pants.
Booth said
weapons were visible on video surveillance.
“We’re
running down leads and talking to people,” Bailey said. “This
investigation is still ongoing, and we are looking for any information that
will lead to the arrests of these individuals.”
If
anyone has any information, please contact Booth at the Criminal Investigation
Division at 318-927-9800 or call the sheriff’s office at 318-927-2011.
Chamber Cake and Casserole Auction set
for June 27
The
Claiborne Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual Cake and Casserole Auction
on Wednesday, June 27 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Homer City Hall. Beef brisket
plates, catered by Upper Crust Catering will be available. Tickets are $6. For
more information, please call the chamber office at 318-927-3271.
Claiborne 911 to move
Effective
July 1, the Claiborne Parish E-911 Office will be moved from the Claiborne Parish
Police Jury Office to the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office, located at 613
East Main Street. The move is to better serve the public. Walter Johnson, 911
director, said the phone number has not changed. For those who need assistance
from the 911 office, please call 318-927-9400, or call the sheriff’s office at
318-927-2011.
Burham fundraiser rescheduled
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
A fish
fry fundraiser has been rescheduled for July to help a fellow police jury
coworker who was injured in a motorcycle accident.
Proceeds
from the fundraiser will be used to help defray medical costs for Bryon Burham,
who was severely injured while riding his motorcycle on May 3.
“Unfortunately,
his leg took the brunt of the crash,” Road Superintendent Tommy Durrett said in
a letter to the police jury. “He has had six surgeries to this day and faces
many more to keep his leg.”
According
to Louisiana State Police, the accident occurred at approximately 7 a.m. on
Dutchtown Road off the Hwy. 79 truck bypass, when the driver of a 2003 Pontiac
Grand Am crossed the center line into the other lane of traffic, hitting
Burham.
The
driver of the Grand Am, Carolyn Allen, of Homer, was cited for driving left of
center.
During
the Claiborne Parish Police Jury monthly meeting, Durrett updated police jurors
on Burham’s progress, saying that he got to come home before the next surgery.
His spirits are good, Durrett said, and he was very excited to come home and
spend time with his children and his wife.
Tickets
for the fundraiser are available at the police jury office and through parish
employees. For those who have already purchased a ticket, please hold on to
them, as they will be good on the new date in July.
In
other news, the police jury discussed a request from Claiborne Parish Sheriff Ken
Bailey about placing signs on the spillway gates and the Public Boat Launch off
Hwy. 146 in regards to loitering and nuisance behavior.
According
to Chic Hines, Watershed District Commission member, the state owns the
property but “they don’t do much with it.
“We’re
going to have a real problem if some of the deputies go up there and find
people on the dam, and there’s no sign saying they can’t be there,” he said.
“We (the Watershed Commission) would like to see, and work through the sheriff,
where they can place the signs and word the signs where they can enforce it.”
“The
reason we’re doing this,” Sheriff Ken Bailey said, “is that it seems like every
time this time of year, we’ve got some individuals that want to see how much of
a cannonball or a swan dive they can do off that bowl. And somebody’s going to
get hurt -- it’s just a matter of time. Nine times out of 10, they have
alcoholic beverages in their system.”
Once
the signs are in place, the sheriff said his department would begin issuing
citations for trespassing.
However,
an issue they run into is what happens during special events, like the upcoming
Lake Claiborne Boat Parade and Fireworks Show. Spectators gather on the dam
every year for the event, and the sheriff said this would be an exception.
“It’s
the kids that are going out there and walking through the gate and jumping off
the bowl,” the sheriff said.
It was
approved unanimously.
In
other news, the police jury meeting date has been moved to Wednesday, July 11
due to the Fourth of July holiday the previous Wednesday.
Resolution
2012-2012 was approved, which establishes the cost of bonding a parish road at
$100,000 per mile for oil/gas well projects under Section 82-37 of Ordinance
No. 703 of the Claiborne Parish Police Jury. While the resolution was approved,
it did not come without some debate and discussion.
According
to Police Jury President Scott Davidson, Claiborne Parish is one of the last
few that don’t require bonding before oil and gas companies start wells.
“Because
of the moving in and out of drilling rigs and heavy equipment, our roads are
taking some abuse,” he said. “Absolutely, we welcome any business opportunity
that presents itself in this parish. That’s not what this is about. We are
trying to protect the taxpayers of this parish. We realize that these companies
bring in tax dollars and we appreciate that, but it’s an inordinate amount of
damage when they are concentrated in one area.”
Section
82-37 provides for the issuance of “special permits” at a specific charge by
the road superintendent in which a company may operate on parish roads or
rights-of-way in a manner in violation with the Section. In March, the police
jury established the cost of this “special permit” to be $500, which is payable
at the time of the permit application process for the movement of oversized and
overweight equipment to and from any new or existing oil and gas well locations
within the parish. The $100,000 bonding is where the “operator” (oil and/or gas
company) enters into an agreement with the parish.
“All
they have to do is bring us proof of insurance, where this is bonded, and then
we’ll issue the permit,” Davidson said.
He also
said this is inexpensive, and “it’s fairly painless.”
District
10 Police Juror Willie Young said he’s against it, because businesses and
industry need to be encouraged to bring their business to Claiborne Parish.
“Regulations
are tearing us up,” Young said. “Every time you put in a new rule in or new tax
in where they have to pay more money, it’s just penalties. I think this is an
opportunity for Claiborne to shine, and I don’t think we ought to discourage
businesses by putting a $100,000 bond on them. Right now, oil and gas is our
pony. That’s our ride, and I don’t think we ought to send that message.”
Roy
Mardis, District 8 police juror, disagreed, saying it is protection for all
bodies.
“Bonds
are a good idea because it protects all parties,” he said. “Bonds are in line
with insurance. It doesn’t necessarily mean they will use that bond, but it’s
better to have it than not.”
The
resolution was adopted by a vote of 8-2, with Young and District 2 Police Juror
Mark Furlow against it.
In
other police jury news, the jury will consider an ordinance to set policies and
procedures for districts and/or boards created by the police jury. In a special
called meeting Tuesday afternoon, Ordinance 766 was introduced. Webster Parish
implemented an ordinance and Claiborne Parish is discussing a similar ordinance
as a safeguard to make sure the districts the police jury is responsible for are
following the policies and procedures set forth by the Louisiana Legislative
Auditor’s Office. If adopted in the August regular monthly meeting, the
ordinance will require districts and boards under the police jury to submit a
copy of their annual audit report, notify the police jury secretary treasurer
of meetings conducted (regular, special called, committee) with a proposed
agenda, public meetings shall be recorded, minutes to be typed and submitted to
the police jury and all members of boards/districts will maintain residency
records on an annual basis.
In
other police jury news, jurors approved the following:
• A
request from the Claiborne Jubilee requesting their budgeted 2012 amount for
$500. This is included in the 2012 budget and is the same as was in 2011 and
2010.
• A
request from the Town of Homer requesting two loads of cold mix out of their
2012 ad valorem tax set aside in the Road Fund.
• A
request from the Village of Athens requesting assistance with the cutting of
overhanging bushes within the corporate limits.
• A
request from the Library Board of Control requesting permission to seek bids
for the library expansion and renovation pending approval of the construction
documents by the Fire Marshal’s office.
• The
Legislative Auditors Compliance questionnaire for the police jury in regards to
the 2011 audited financial statements. The police jury also approved Resolution
2012-2011, which authorizes the president and secretary treasurer to sign
documents on behalf of the police jury concerning the transmittal of the 2011
audited financial statements. According to Dwayne Woodard, secretary treasurer,
this just means it’s a statement saying the police jury followed the ethics
code, bid laws, budgeting laws and that they did everything as required by the
Legislative Auditor’s Office.
Because
of the Fourth of July holiday, the regular monthly meeting of the Claiborne
Parish Police Jury will be held at 9 a.m. Wednesday, July 11 in the police jury
meeting room. For more information, or for questions, please call their office
at 318-927-2222.
Routine traffic stop nets drug arrests
The Guardian-Journal
A
routine traffic stop revealed more than just a traffic violation.
According
to a press release from the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office, on Saturday, June
16, Deputy Aaron Christian observed a vehicle with an extremely loud exhaust.
Christian conducted a routine traffic stop and discovered the driver to be
Daniel A. Winters, 41, of Homer. Passengers in the vehicle were William R.
Winters, 36, of Homer and Eva Dettenheim, 40, of Haynesville.
Deputies
Shane Huffstetler, John Eric Stephenson and Lt. Roger Ellerbe arrived to
assist.
Subsequent
search of the interior of the vehicle revealed a small plastic bag containing a
white powder substance in a compartment under the right rear seat. This
substance field tested positive for cocaine.
A
further search revealed a small plastic bag containing a green leafy substance
between the right front door and seat. This substance field tested positive for
marijuana.
None of
the subjects in the vehicle claimed possession of the substances found and all
were placed under arrest.
Daniel
Winters and William Winters were transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention
Center for booking.
Daniel
Winters was charged with modified exhaust with bond set at $500, possession of
Schedule I CDS (marijuana) with bond set at $500, and possession of Schedule II
CDS (cocaine) second offense with bond set at $5,000.
William
Winters was charged with possession of marijuana with bond set at $500 and
possession of Schedule II CDS (cocaine) with bond set at $5,000 originally.
Upon booking him into the detention center, employees discovered a bag of
marijuana in his boot. He had an additional charge of introduction of
contraband into a penal facility added with a bond of $5,000.
Dettenheim
was arrested and booked into the Claiborne Parish Women’s Jail on charges of
possession of Schedule I CDS (marijuana) with bond set at $500 and possession
of Schedule II CDS (cocaine) with bond set at $5,000.
Hilltop Campgrounds & RV Park announces opening of their website
Hilltop Campgrounds & RV Park (Princeton/Haughton, LA) is proud to announce the opening of their website as of 06/10/2012, online at www.HilltopCampgrounds.com.
Hilltop Campgrounds and RV Park is a work-camper, family and pet friendly park located just minutes from I-20 and I-220. The park is always clean with on-site management and maintenance for a worry free stay. The rental prices include lot, electric, water, sewer and trash pickup.
The park is located less than five miles from Haughton and 3 minutes from I-20 (Haughton/Fillmore exit - Hwy 157 North), and just 10-15 minutes from all the Hottest Gaming Locations in Shreveport-Bossier.
The park is open to the public year round. Features include Fishing and Swimming in their 5 acre natural spring pond. hiking & biking nature trails and beautiful, peaceful & serene surroundings throughout the year.
The park owners stated that "We contracted a Claiborne Parish based website designer, Key-Comp Web Design, and are very pleased with the results and recommend their services to anyone needing a new website or a face-lift of an existing site . Key-Comp can be contacted via their website at www.KCWD.com."
Remember boating safety during Boat Parade, Fireworks Show
The Guardian-Journal
The
annual Lake Claiborne Boat Parade and Fireworks Show is just a few short weeks
away, and it’s expected to be better than ever!
Set for
Saturday, June 30, the boat parade will begin at Pleasure Point Marina, with
lineup at 7:15 p.m. The parade route will make its way around the lake to the
state park. A commemorative hat is given to each boat parade captain while
supplies last (one hat per boat only).
The
fireworks show is expected to be even more spectacular than last year with
1,330 display effects. Shell sizes will be from 2.5-inches to 8-inch shells
with all types of special effect shells ranging from cross rings to golden
kamuros.
The
fireworks show begins at 9 p.m.
Handling
the fireworks show again this year is Artisan Pyrotechnics out of Wiggins,
Miss.
And
while revelers and boaters celebrate that weekend for Independence Day, July 4,
it is important to remember the laws and safety rules of boating. And the first
rule to remember is that the rules of the road apply to the water as well.
According to Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries, that boat operators who are
driving while intoxicated (DWI) with a blood alcohol content of .08 and higher
face the same penalties as someone operating a vehicle on the highway.
Penalties include the suspension or revocation of boating privileges and
driver’s license. A designated sober operator is a must for both the roadway
and waterway.
Also
remember that all boats must have a personal floatation device (PFD), or life
jacket, for the operator and each passenger on the boat. Children 16 or younger
must wear a properly sized and fitted PFD when the boat is underway on all
vessels less than 26 feet in length. Smaller children should have a PFD that
has ample upper body floatation and a crotch strap, proper fitting is critical.
Please
remember that boats build after November 1, 1972 must have the Hull
Identification Number (HIN) permanently attached to the hull. It is important
to remember that all information, including registration and insurance is
up-to-date and on board at all times.
After
sunset, there should be no personal watercraft (jet skis) on the lake. All
other watercraft must display navigation lights: red and green lights should be
on the bow and the stem should be all around white.
For
more information on boating safety and what boaters need before getting on the
water, please visit the LDWF’s website at www.wlf.louisiana.gov.
“We
want everybody to have a safe and happy Fourth (of July), but we’re asking --
for safety reasons -- that no one be in the water during the parade,” Claiborne
Parish Sheriff Ken Bailey said. “Please be in a boat or on a dock.”
The
sheriff’s office will have deputies on the water, along with Wildlife and
Fisheries Law Enforcement Agents on the day of and during the parade.
The
Fireworks for Lake Claiborne Committee now has a Facebook page at
https://www.facebook.com/#!/FourthOfJulyFireworksForLakeClaiborne.
The
committee wishes to thank the individuals, local businesses and organizations
who help make this event possible every year.
