Former Haynesville officer set to appear
in federal court
The Guardian-Journal
A
former Haynesville police officer has been indicted with his first court
appearance set at 3 p.m. Monday, September 24 in federal court in Shreveport.
According
to Federal Bureau of Investigation Spokesman Kyle Hanrahan, of the New Orleans
Field Office, Ricky Goode has been charged with prohibited person in possession
of a firearm and possession of a controlled substance.
While
he is set to appear in court, his indictment remains under seal, officials with
the U.S. Attorney’s Office say. Published reports say he was indicted on August
22.
In late
July, Claiborne Parish Sheriff Ken Bailey received a call in regards to Goode. At
that time, an investigation by the Claiborne Narcotic Enforcement Team (CNET)
and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was launched, and through a
coordinated effort between the two agencies, the investigation resulted in the
seizure of Schedule III CDS Hydrocodone and a .40 caliber Glock semi-automatic
pistol.
According
to a CNET press release at the time of the investigation, the two agencies
conducted a sting operation during which Goode purchased a quantity of the
hydrocodone.
“Goode
made this purchase while on duty, in uniform and armed with his service
weapon,” the press release stated. “After making this purchase, Goode was
dispatched just south of Haynesville on U.S. 79, where he was detained without
incident.”
The
narcotics that were purchased illegally as well as Goode’s service weapon were
seized by the FBI. Goode was then transported to Shreveport for booking on
federal charges, but the U.S. Attorney’s Office requested that Goode be
released pending presentation of the facts to a federal grand jury.
Homer Memorial Hospital showcases new
ICU
The Guardian-Journal photos/Michelle
Bates
Elected officials, hospital board
members, Claiborne Healthcare Foundation members as well as doctors and Homer
Memorial Hospital’s ICU nurses gathered at the entrance of the new Intensive
Care Unit for a ribbon cutting during its grand opening on Sunday afternoon,
September 9. The public was invited to tour the new state-of-the-art unit which
includes six beds as well as a spacious nurses station. Pictured below is one
of the six units which features spacious quarters for nurses to work as well as
for family members to visit their loved ones.
Attorney awaits opinion from
disciplinary board
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
Attorney
Chris Bowman still awaits an opinion from the Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary
Board following a recommendation from the Louisiana Disciplinary Hearing
Committee that he be suspended from law practice.
Chief
Disciplinary Counsel Charles Plattsmier said the case was orally argued on
Thursday, August 16, but the disciplinary board has yet to render an opinion.
“We’re
still waiting on them to make an opinion,” he said. “They usually try to do
that within 30 to 60 days of arguments, but sometimes it’s as long as six
months.”
In the
meantime, Bowman can still practice law until a final decision is made. Now
that his case has gone before the disciplinary board, a final decision will
come from the Louisiana Supreme Court.
According
to Plattsmier, once his case went to the hearing committee and it made its
recommendation, the case moved to the disciplinary board so each side could
argue its case. Even though neither side may enter new evidence, they are
allowed to argue their case before the panel, which serves as an “appellate
court.” Once the disciplinary board renders an opinion, it will then go before
the Supreme Court for a final decision.
Bowman
was recommended for suspension from practice for one year and one day for the
underlying criminal conviction involving violence, with all but six months
deferred.
The
Office of Disciplinary Counsel (ODC) also recommended a probationary period of
two years with Bowman to pay all costs.
The
Jonesboro attorney was convicted of domestic abuse battery in July 2008 in
Lincoln Parish, following a custody dispute with his ex-wife regarding their
three children. Because of this conviction, formal charges were filed against
him by the ODC saying he violated the Rules of Professional Conduct.
Homer receives $1.2 million in grants
Mayor
Alecia N. Smith is pleased to announce the Town of Homer recently completed six
grant funded projects for Fiscal Year 2011-12.
Yearly,
the Town’s Grant Committee writes and submits proposals to various funding
sources seeking opportunities to assist in improving areas in the town.
Of the
proposals, the following awarded and completed:
• The
Town of Homer received a grant totaling $9,223 to improve the Jaycee Park by
repairing the fence, tennis court, breaker box, merry go round, swing, and
slide.
• The
Town of Homer received $35,000 to repair a section of the City Halls roof. The
new roof is safe and adequate for the town’s daily operations as well as
community activities held for the citizens of Homer.
• The
Town of Homer received $35,000 to purchase a new backhoe for the Water
Department, which allowed projects to be completed in a more timely and
efficient matter.
• The
Town of Homer received $454,000 from LCDGB to construct a new 500 gallons per
minute (gpm) water well and to renovate the feed building for treating water.
• The
Town of Homer received $100,000 from DRA to improve the Waste Water Facility
Rehabilitation.
• The
Town of Homer received over $540,000 from the FFA for the Lighting and
Obstruction removal to improve the Homer Municipal Airport.
All
funded projects have been completed, thus bringing more effective, vibrant and
fluidly functioning municipality to better serve the citizens.
Additionally,
Mayor Alecia Smith would like to congratulate and thank the following Grant
Committee members for their hard work and dedication to the betterment of the
Town of Homer: Gene Coleman, Committee Chair, Lafaye Jackson, Councilwoman
Patricia Jenkins, Jimmy Hagan, Councilman Don McCalman, Shelly King, Lisa
Foster, Town Clerk, and Lee Wells, Public Works.
McMillan: ‘Will we finish strong?’
Remember 9/11, move forward focus of FBC
program
The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates
Above, members of Claiborne Parish Fire
District #6, as well as law enforcement, emergency personnel and military were
honored at this year’s 9/11 program hosted by First Baptist Church in Homer.
These public servants, along with their families and friends were treated to a
fish fry dinner, fellowship and a message of strength by the guest speaker.
Inset, guest speaker Dr. Gibbie McMillan, director of men’s ministries with the
Louisiana Baptist Convention, spoke to audience members about preparing for the
worst and strengthening our faith by succeeding at home first.
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
“Will
we finish strong?”
That
was a question asked by Dr. Gibbie McMillan, the guest speaker for the annual
September 11th program hosted by First Baptist Church in Homer. He asked this
question following a video of a first officer who was supposed to co-pilot
Flight 11 that bright, sunny morning of September 11, 2001. On the video, Steve
Scheibner described his experience and what happened that morning from his
point of view -- how he was supposed to have flown that day but at the last
minute, the first officer’s slot was changed, how he came to realize the
significance of why he was not chosen to fly that day and the purpose it’s
given his life today.
McMillan
went over the events of September 11, paying tribute to those who lost their
lives so senselessly, and how the U.S. culture is crumbling. He mentioned the
Colorado theater massacre, the Penn State sex abuse scandal and others, saying
there is a problem.
“The
problem is not in the culture,” McMillan said. “The problem is in the church.
Congregations are declining in the U.S. but are rising in Africa and India.
Will we finish strong? Are we prepared for times of disaster?”
In
order to be prepared, we must succeed at home first, he said, and that involves
having a “PMS -- Personal Mission Statement.”
His is
“Don’t mess up.”
So how
do we not mess up? He says by staying in the scriptures.
“We
must stay in the Word of God,” McMillan said. “Dwell on the things that matter
the most, not yourself.”
Another
way is to stay close to a friend -- one that will hold us accountable, and for
those who are married, your spouse should be your best friend.
“Make
the most of today; it’s all we’ve got,” he said, and the final thing is to stay
alert to the tactics of the enemy.
“We are
in trouble and we need to turn it around right,” he said.
All the
firefighters, law enforcement and emergency personnel who attended were asked
to stand and were honored before McMillan spoke. Cub Scout Pack 187 presented
the colors with the U.S. flag as well as the Christian flag.
The
Rev. Billy Pierce, pastor of First Baptist Church in Homer, offered the opening
prayer with the Rev. John Markley offering the closing prayer, praying for our
military, law enforcement, firefighters and emergency personnel.
Gurvis
Vines lead the program, along with Michael Allen, both men’s ministry members.
National Take Back Initiative September
29
The
Homer Police Department will be accepting unwanted or unused prescription drugs
on Saturday, September 29, from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. as part of the Drug
Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) National Take Back Initiative going on
nationwide.
According
to Homer Police, anyone in Claiborne Parish can come in with their prescription
drugs they don’t need or want in their home anymore. The prescription pills will
be bagged and turned into the DEA for proper disposal.
Please
make sure all pills are in a prescription pill bottle. Also, please don’t flush
pills in the toilet or pour them down the drain in a sink or bathtub as this
will contaminate the water supply.
For
those who wish to turn in their unused or unwanted prescriptions and need more
information, please contact Homer Police Sgt. Van McDaniel at 318-927-4001.
Senior Expo set for September 29
The
SALT Council of the Claiborne Parish Triad invites all senior citizens to the
annual Senior Expo to be held Saturday, September 29, at Homer City Hall.
Registration
begins at 8 a.m. with refreshments being served and continues until 9 a.m. when
the program begins. The expo ends at noon with a free lunch.
Local health
and government agencies will provide booths for helpful information and health
checks. Scott Freeling, with Willis Knighton Wellness Center, will lead in
exercises. Local Attorney Jim Hatch will again speak to seniors about estate
planning.
Entertainment
will be provided and door prizes will be a highlight of the program.
All
seniors are encouraged to come enjoy the fellowship as well as receive helpful
information.
Process starts to request 1 percent tax
Town wants to remove garbage rates from
water bills
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The
Homer Town Council covered a fairly short agenda Monday night as they passed
two resolutions and tabled two issues on the agenda.
The
first resolution the council adopted was Resolution No. 12-006, which
authorizes the town to request Legislative approval for the levy of up to an
additional 1 percent sales tax by the town. The purpose of this resolution is
to get the ball rolling so the town can take garbage payments off residents’
water bills, Mayor Alecia Smith said.
“This
is to take the garbage off the water bill and place it on the sales tax to make
the water bills a little cheaper,” she said. “It’s a lengthy process. This is
the first of the process and we can complete this in March.”
She
spoke to Rep. Patrick Jefferson about seeking legislative help to remove the
garbage bill off the water bill and paid for by the 1 percent sales tax.
The
motion was made by District 4 Councilwoman Carlette Sanford and seconded by
District 1 Councilwoman Linda Mozeke, and the resolution was unanimously
adopted.
The
other resolution adopted dealt with the FAA for the airport. This resolution,
Resolution 12-007, is to prepare the Preliminary Engineering Report to
rehabilitate the runway and apron at the Homer Municipal Airport. The resolution
also states that the town accepts the offer of the grant and will follow the
FAA’s program rules, regulations, conditions and assurances governing the
Airport Improvement Plan.
“This
is a resolution that we have to pass to pursue a grant application for our
airport,” Smith said.
In
other news, two issues were tabled. On the agenda was to introduce a possible
hire for the Homer Police Department, however, Homer Police Chief Russell Mills
asked the matter to be tabled. Also tabled on the agenda was to discuss/approve
water rates. Jimmy Hagan and Brandon Comer (as listed on the agenda) were not
able to be at this month’s meeting, the mayor said.
“They
are gathering data on the water rates and it takes a long time to gather that
data,” she said. “So, when they are able to be here, we will have a special
called meeting at that time.”
Making
the motion to table it was District 2 Councilman Michael Wade and seconded by
District 5 Councilwoman Patricia Jenkins. The council voted unanimously to
table the issue.
In the
mayor’s report, water collections for the month of August were $102,755.25, and
sales tax collections were $88,742.80.
The
council also met in executive session to discuss current and long term and
strategic planning with Chief Mills and discuss a personnel item by Town
Attorney Marcus Patillo. Also, the agenda was amended to include Bender and
Entergy litigation in executive session. No actions were taken on these items.
The
next meeting of the Homer Town Council will be Monday, October 1, at 6 p.m. in
council chambers, located inside Homer City Hall, 400 East Main Street. For
more information, or for questions, please call their office at 318-927-3555.
Claiborne Jubilee Awarded Second Mural
Grant
The
Shreveport Regional Arts Council has announced that the Claiborne Jubilee has
been awarded a grant for $2,646.00 through the Decentralized Arts Funding
process of the Louisiana Division of the Arts and the Louisiana State Arts
Council. The purpose of the grant is to encourage the arts throughout the state
and distribution is based on a per capita basis. The Legislature’s cuts to all
arts funding has resulted in a decline since 2003 from over $7,000.00 to
today’s award. The Jubilee is planning to use the funding as a basis for a
second mural to be painted in 2013 . Ms. Judy Buckner has agreed to create the
original painting once again and Associate Professor Nicholas Bustamante from
LATech will oversee the implementation.
Since
additional funds will be needed to complete the project, the Jubilee welcomes
contributions from the community. The popularity of the Kinnebrew Mural project
has spurred numerous ideas for future murals and it could not have been
completed without the help of many individuals and organizations.
For
more information contact Cynthia Steele, 927-2566.
