Police Juror faces misdemeanor charges
The Guardian-Journal
A
Claiborne Parish Police Juror and another Top Dollar Scrap and Recovery
employee have been arrested on misdemeanor charges.
According
to the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, Willie J. Young, 55, of Homer, has been
arrested for failure to make a daily report of entries and failure to provide
photographs or other records of items purchased.
Shelby
Rogers, 54, a cashier at Top Dollar, was arrested for failing to pay by check
or money order, which is required by law. Caddo Sheriff’s Office Public
Information Officer Cindy Chadwick said she paid cash for items on several
occasions.
Young
works for Top Dollar Scrap and Recovery in Oil City as an on-site manager.
Both
were arrested on Tuesday, June 26, and booked at the Caddo Correctional Center,
according to a press release and were released on their own recognizance.
Detectives
said the scrap metal business in Oil City has been in business about four years
and has consistently violated scrap metal laws put in place to protect
legitimate property owners. The issue came to light again recently during a
felony theft investigation when it was learned that the business had purchased
stolen items but did not report the transaction to authorities or take photos
of the items purchased as required by law.
Chadwick
said that according to the investigating officer, Young has failed to report on
several occasions.
Town recognizes first responders
The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates
Mayor Alecia Smith and the Town of Homer
recognized Homer Fire Chief and Claiborne Homeland Security Director Dennis
Butcher for his work and efforts following the storm on Tuesday morning, June
12. Butcher accepted the plaque on behalf of all the emergency personnel,
first responders and all the volunteers who were a part of the cleanup efforts
in Homer’s time of need.
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
Storm
cleanup efforts topped the meeting of the Homer Town Council, with much of the
discussion focusing on where it stands.
Homer
Fire Chief Dennis Butcher, also the Claiborne Parish Office of Emergency
Preparedness Director, updated council members and the public on just where they
stand on the massive cleanup of the town following a devastating storm on
Tuesday, June 12. According to Butcher, at least 40 structures within the
town’s corporate limits were damaged, with 12 of those “significantly” damaged.
As of
Monday night’s meeting, at least 300 loads of vegetative debris had been hauled
to the EPA approved vegetative landfill just north of Haynesville.
He
credits all of the volunteers who helped, first responders, emergency personnel
and anyone who came together during a time of great need for the small town.
“The
most amazing thing to me is there was no loss of life or any serious injuries,”
Butcher said.
Homer
Mayor Alecia Smith, on behalf of the Town of Homer, presented Butcher with a
plaque in recognition of his hard work in the days following the storm. Butcher
accepted the plaque on behalf of all the emergency personnel, first responders
and volunteers who helped get the ball rolling within just a few short hours
after the storm.
“We
couldn’t have done it without their help,” he said.
Also
reporting was Carl Johnson, of American Wastewater Management, who said all in
all, everything did great following such a devastating storm. While the power
was out, generators were quickly hooked up to the lift stations and the wastewater
treatment plant to keep things running. The only hiccup was valves at the
treatment plant that aren’t working properly.
He
explained that while the power was out, the valves that open to allow water to
flow were submerged, and while they were submerged, they did not work. After
the water subsided, he said, the valves came back on. To repair the valves, it
would cost approximately $3,000, but Johnson recommended replacing the valves,
because at least one keeps blowing a fuse.
Also,
Recreation Director Fred Young said that activities have resumed at all the
parks, and Mayfield Pool was opened as soon as the power was turned back on
after the storm. Damage to all three parks was minimal, Young said.
During
the mayor’s report, Smith praised the public works department as well, saying
that Supervisor Lee Wells worked diligently and everyone worked as a team. She
said she and the council appreciate his efforts as well as those of the
maintenance workers for working so hard following the storm.
Brett
Menefee, of JW Menefee Contractors LLC, contracted to maintain the Homer
Municipal Airport, said one of the hangars at the airport sustained some
damage, but it was mostly trees down. At least 25-30 trees were down around the
airport area, and at least two-thirds of that has been picked up. Luckily, the
runway was not damaged.
Also,
Menefee’s contract was renewed. It is the same as was adopted in 2011.
In
other news, the 2012 millage rate for the Town of Homer has decreased, which
means good news for property owners. They will not have to pay as much on
property taxes, Town Attorney Marcus Patillo said. The millage is for
homeowners within the corporate limits of Homer and is 8.330 mills.
In
recreation news, Young also spoke about several things going on this summer.
AAU high school age basketball begins. The team went to Shreveport last weekend
and a tournament is scheduled for two weeks from now in Texas, he said.
The
Homer Dixie Boys baseball team will play in the all-stars this weekend, and one
of the Homer Coaches is the head coach for the Dixie all-star team.
Co-ed
softball is in full swing with eight teams. They play on Tuesdays and Thursdays
and some play on Sundays as well.
As a
reminder, hours at the Mayfield Pool are from 2 until 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday,
and from 1 until 6 p.m. on Saturdays. Also, Tremain Benjamin, a Red Cross
certified lifeguard, will be teaching swimming lessons at Mayfield Pool from
July 10-27, Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. until noon each day. The cost
is $30, payable at the beginning of the lesson. Checks will be accepted and
must be made payable to the Town of Homer.
The
next meeting of the Homer Town Council will be held at 6 p.m. August 6, in
council chambers, located inside City Hall. For more information or questions,
please call their office at 318-927-3555.
Dedication held for Joe Michael Memorial
Park
The Guardian-Journal photo/K.H. Hightower
On Saturday, June 30, the Joe Michael
Memorial Park was officially dedicated. With Michael’s family members and town
officials attending the ceremony, it was a meaningful event in which former
Mayor Joe Michael was honored. Michael was the mayor of Homer from 1971 to
1990. A sign, reflecting the official naming of the park, was erected at the
gateway to signify this historic event. Pictured right are Michael’s family and
friends and town officials. Michael never referred to himself as a politician
but rather a public servant to the Town of Homer.
Arrests made in bicycle, assault cases
The Guardian-Journal
A Homer
man’s ride didn’t last very long when he was caught with a bicycle that had
been reported stolen.
According
to police, Kirby Holly, 42, of Homer, was arrested on Friday, June 29 and
charged with simple burglary with bond set at $12,000 and a warrant for illegal
possession of stolen things with bond set at $10,000.
Officer
Frank Evans received a phone call from Sgt. Van McDaniel in reference to a
bicycle that had been reported stolen the day before. Evans arrived on scene at
a local convenience store where he saw McDaniel standing with Holly and the
bicycle in question. Because of a distinctive mark on the bicycle, reports say
McDaniel had reason to believe that the bicycle was the one that had been
reported stolen.
Homer
Police Officer Scott Glenn, on scene as well, took possession of the bicycle,
took it to the victim’s home for identification. The victim identified the
bicycle as the one she reported stolen.
Kirby
was arrested on the above charges. He was arrested on the simple burglary
warrant in relation to a separate case.
He was
transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center for further booking.
In a
separate incident, Jerry Singleton, 43, of Homer, was arrested on Friday, June
25, and charged with aggravated assault with bond set at $500. Singleton is the
second arrest made in an incident that resulted in the arrest of Donald “Duck”
Willis, 44, of Athens, for aggravated assault with bond set at $500.
According
to police reports, Glenn was dispatched to the 400 block of Meadow Drive in
reference to a firearm being pulled on another person.
Upon
arrival, Glenn made contact with the complainant, which turned out to be
Singleton, who said that as he was dropping off one of his employees, Willis
pulled up at that time, slinging some straps into the back of Singleton’s
truck.
Singleton
told Willis he didn’t have to sling the straps like he did, and it was at that
time the two began exchanging words. Reports say Singleton told officers Willis
pointed his finger in his face, at which time, he slapped his hand away. It was
then that Willis reportedly ran to his truck and pulled out a gun and pointed
it in Singleton’s face.
In
police reports, Singleton said he ducked down behind his truck, retrieved his
own revolver to protect himself because he feared Willis would shoot him. When
he came back up, he said he saw Singleton leaving.
Glenn
spoke to the two witnesses, the employee and a 16-year-old juvenile, who backed
up Singleton’s version of events.
Glenn
then traveled to Hunter Street to speak with Willis, who police say stated the
entire altercation began because Singleton was angry regarding an air
compressor. Willis went on to say that he did not pull a gun on anyone, that
Singleton pulled a gun on him, which is why he left.
Willis
was placed under arrest on the above charges on June 20. On June 25, Singleton
learned he had warrants on him and he turned himself in to officers at the
Homer Police Department where he was placed under arrest. He was transported to
the Claiborne Parish Detention Center for further booking.
Homer Police make arrest in burglary
The Guardian-Journal
A Homer
man has been arrested following the burglary of a residence on Bolling Drive.
Darien
C. Dunn, 18, was arrested on Thursday, June 21, for illegal possession of
stolen things.
According
to Homer Police Chief Russell Mills, officers were dispatched to the Bolling
Drive area when the complainants advised them that sometime during the night a
storage shed on the property had been entered but were unsure if anything had
been taken. Mills said that china, clothing and other items had been taken.
Through their investigation and the quick thinking of the homeowner, some of
the items have been recovered and an arrest was made.
Other
arrests are pending regarding this crime, Mills said.
Sgt.
Van McDaniel was the investigating officer.
South Claiborne, Central Water Systems
asking customers to conserve
Due to
the very hot weather we have been having, South Claiborne Water System and
Central Claiborne Water System are asking their customers to please start
trying to conserving water.
We are
not issuing a Water Ban at this time. If our customers will please try at this
time to conserve, we will not be forced to consider a Water Ban.
Forcht Wade Correctional Center closes
The Guardian-Journal
David
Wade Correctional Center in Homer now has more residents due to the closing of
Forcht Wade Correctional Center in Keithville.
According
to Baton Rouge’s The Advocate, due to budget cuts, Forcht Wade as well as J.
Levy Dabadie Correctional Center in Pineville closed. Gov. Bobby Jindal said
the closures will save the state $5.7 million in the current fiscal year.
According
to Louisiana Corrections Secretary James LeBlanc, the closing of Forcht Wade is
more about consolidation than anything else, published reports say, and DWCC
Warden Jerry Goodwin agreed but added the substance abuse program was vital to
offender rehabilitation.
“It’s a
budgetary issue, more of a consolidation issue that the department had to do in
order to stretch our funding,” he said. “It’s not something you want to do, but
it is important because we need to keep the substance abuse program going. This
was the only option that was available in order for us to keep funding the
substance abuse program.”
According
to Goodwin, Forcht Wade was originally opened in 1998 as a geriatric center and
boot camp. Three years ago they consolidated the skilled nursing unit,
geriatric center and the boot camp with Hunt Correctional Center in St.
Gabriel, just below Baton Rouge.
And
since the prison in Keithville opened, that’s where the substance abuse program
has been held. The good news is the program will remain as it was at Forcht
Wade; however, inmates assigned to the program will be transferred to Bossier
Parish maximum and medium security facilities. Goodwin said the substance abuse
program is for state inmates only.
According
to published reports, those offenders that weren’t transferred to other state
facilities will be housed in the Bossier facilities. DWCC will absorb about 30
inmates.
According
to the Louisiana Department of Corrections website, www.doc.la.gov, Forcht Wade
“performed special functions which include: North Region Pre-Class of
Department of Corrections offenders located in parish jails, Northwest Region
Pre-Class of Department of Corrections offenders located in parish jails and
the Steve Hoyle Rehabilitation Program (SHRP) providing short and long-term
substance abuse treatment and programming.”
DWCC,
Goodwin said, will not be affected much as far as the day-to-day operations go.
While there have been serious budget cuts in the last several years, most of
their cuts came from cutting vacant positions. There are 64 employees that have
transferred to DWCC, but many were posted in Bossier Parish for the substance
abuse program, funded by DWCC’s budget.
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."
