Homer-Athens Presbyterian Youth to
Present Live Nativity Scene
The
youth group from First Presbyterian Churches in Homer & Athens will present
a Live Nativity Scene featuring live animals on Saturday and Sunday night,
December 22 & 23 from 6-8 p.m. on the south lawn of the First Presbyterian
Church in Homer (located one block behind Capitol One Bank). We would like to
invite everyone in the community to take a few minutes from their busy holiday
schedule to drive by and view the nativity. Remember Jesus is the Reason for
the Season. For more information, please call Rev. John McClelland at 927-3887.
Man arrested in hit and run
Victim in critical but stable condition
The Guardian-Journal
Homer Police not only found the vehicle
in the hit and run that snarled traffic at the Square on Tuesday, December 4,
but they also found the driver of the vehicle. Evidence of the hit and run was
found on the truck, police say, and with a confession, police arrested Harvey
Henry Huse II on several charges, including vehicular negligent injury.
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
A
Virginia man remains in critical but stable condition at Louisiana State University
Health Sciences Center in Shreveport after being struck by a truck last week,
and the man responsible has been arrested.
On
Friday, December 7, Harvey Henry Huse II, of Homer, was arrested by Homer
Police and charged with first degree vehicular negligent injuring with bond set
at $20,000, hit and run with bond set at $5,000, failure to report an accident
with bond set at $5,000, obstruction of justice with bond set at $1,000 and
careless operation with bond set at $1,000.
According
to Homer Police, Ernest Sogokuru, of Roanoke, Va., was attempting to make a
right turn on the Square from U.S. 79 on West Main Street in his 18-wheeler.
Reports say he went into the intersection under the traffic light and was
unable to make the turn.
Sogokuru
got out of his truck, which was facing north, walked south to the back of his
truck to get traffic to go around him. According to witnesses, police say, as
Sogokuru was walking back to his truck in the other lane of travel, the man was
struck by an older white truck, at which time Sogokuru was thrown onto the hood
of the truck, rolled off and was run over by both axles of the vehicle.
The man
sustained multiple severe injuries to his head, right leg and other areas of
his body.
Witnesses
say the truck was moving too fast for Sogokuru to get out of the way, reports
said. Emergency personnel were called to the scene, where Sogokuru was taken to
LSU Health Sciences Center for treatment.
The
following Friday, Homer Police Chief Russell Mills received a tip in regards to
the hit and run. Mills and Lt. Roger Smith traveled to his residence on South
4th Street. Police say Huse admitted to the hit and run and he was subsequently
arrested. His truck, which turned out to be an older model Dodge truck, did
show evidence of the crime.
Investigating
officers were Lt. Roger Smith, Sgt. Van McDaniel and Chief Mills.
Huse
was transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center following his arrest.
In a
separate incident, a Homer man was arrested after he sent another to the
hospital caused by a physical altercation.
According
to Homer Police, Richard Guillotte, 42, of Homer, was arrested on Friday,
December 7, and charged with aggravated second degree battery. Bond was set at
$25,000.
Reports
say Officers Ray Yetman and Willie Fred Knowles were dispatched to Beardsley
Street in reference to a man being hurt. Upon their arrival, Pafford Ambulance
was already on scene to tend to the injured man. Officer Yetman noted several
injuries about the man’s head. During the investigation, the victim was
transported to the hospital, where he was interviewed.
At that
time, the two officers went back to the scene of the altercation, and advised
Guillotte of his rights and placed under arrest. Reports say the victim was hit
about the head several times with a frying pan.
Guillotte
was transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center for further booking.
In a
separate arrest, a Homer man was arrested for issuing worthless checks. Don
Gilmore, 51, was arrested by the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday,
December 4, and charged with the aforementioned charge with bond set at $2,000.
DWCC Toys for Tots drive bigger than
ever
The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates
David Wade Correctional Center’s offender
self-help organizations worked hard throughout the year to raise money and
purchase toys for its annual Toys for Tots Drive. In fact, the security shifts
competed to see which one could bring in the most toys. South B won the
competition. U.S. Marines came to DWCC to pick up the donated toys, of which
they almost didn’t have enough room to fit them all in the vehicles they
brought. Pictured above are SSGT Jeff Bergeaux, SSGT Kattie Hollay and 1st SGT
Lavaro Ramey, all of the Bravo Company, 1st Battalion 23rd Marines, based in
Bossier City.
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
Children
in the ArkLaTex area will have a wonderful Christmas thanks to the donations of
toys by offenders and staff at David Wade Correctional Center to the U.S.
Marine Corps Toys for Tots drive.
With
more toys than ever this year, they almost didn’t fit into the vehicles brought
to load up the toys. SSGT Jeff Bergeaux was overwhelmed by the sheer number of
toys sitting there waiting to make the Christmas of little boys and girls all
over the ArkLaTex.
“Every
year it’s gotten bigger and bigger,” he said. “My first year, it was a pleasant
surprise. Now we wonder if we’ll fit it all in the truck! Next year, we may
have to get a Uhaul truck!”
SSGT
Bergeaux, SSGT Kattie Hollay and 1st SGT Lavaro Ramey came to DWCC as
representatives of the Marine Corps to pick up the toys. They are from the
Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 23rd Marines, based in Bossier City. All 780 of
the toys they picked up will go to children in the Arklatex area.
Offenders
from self-help organizations also gave out donations to several nonprofits in
the area as well. Toys were donated to Seeds of Light, an organization that
helps the families of those incarcerated by providing food, clothing, and other
needs as well as spiritual guidance. Cody said 45 children were sponsored in
Claiborne Parish.
Dr. Pat
Bates and Alisa Norton accepted toys under the Christmas trees for Seeds of
Light. Dr. Bates thanked everyone who had a part in donating the toys, saying
these will help them make Christmas special for the children of offenders’
families.
“If it
weren’t for this, these kids wouldn’t have a Christmas,” Dr. Bates said.
Also,
handmade dolls were donated by Claiborne Community Services.
Monetary
donations were made to the Fuller Center for Housing of Webster Parish, the
Light House and the Sickle Cell Foundation.
Scotty
Gibson, of the Veterans Light House, expressed his appreciation of the
donation, saying 100 percent of it will go towards the veteran’s home. Located
in the Highland neighborhood in Shreveport on Creswell Avenue, the organization
assists homeless veterans and helps them get back on their feet. Apartments are
offered at affordable rates with utilities included.
“I love
veterans and I love them for what they do for our country,” Gibson said to
those in attendance.
Speaking
to the offenders present, Gibson said there is hope for them.
“There
is hope and there’s good things and keep a positive attitude,” he said. “Good
things happen when you do right. That’s all you need is a chance to do the
right things.”
Lillie
Bradford, of the Sickle Cell Foundation, also expressed her thanks for the
monetary donation they received.
“Every
child will receive a toy, and every year we’ve been here it’s grown,” she said.
“On behalf of the Sickle Cell Foundation, we thank you for your donations and
for working with us.”
Charlie
Park, retired executive director of the Fuller Center for Housing of Webster
Parish, expressed his thanks to the Human Relations Club for their donation,
which will go to the repair of homes in Webster Parish, or go towards the
building of a new home for a family in need. Park also introduced the new
executive director, Derek Melancon. Melancon has extensive experience in human
resources, media and communications, information technology, insurance
programs, credit and finance and a variety of other skills that will be
invaluable to the progress of the Fuller Center of Webster.
This is
the sixth year DWCC has presented toys to the U.S. Marine Corps, which assists
the Salvation Army for the Toys for Tots project.
DWCC
staff made private donations of toys and the self-help organizations and
offender population donated more than $1,200 to purchase toys. The Lifer’s
Association, Human Relations Club and Vets Incarcerated II all made donations
to the foundations and organizations listed above.
The
funds donated to the Lifer’s Association to purchase toys were made available
by raising money through projects such as food sales, pictures, birdhouse sales
and card sales. The offender population spends their wages, hobby craft earning
or their personal funds to support these endeavors.
And
while the offender’s self-help organizations were raising money to purchase
toys, the staff and security shifts had a little competition of their own going
on. Cody sponsored a cheeseburger dinner for the shift that donated the most
toys. Security Shift South B won the competition, bringing in 162 toys at the
end of the competition. They brought in another sack full the next morning,
Cody said.
Major
Darrell Hamiter was one of the biggest motivators on that shift, Cody said.
Col. Lonnie Nail heads up South B shift.
During
hard economic times when families are forced to cut back because of loss of
employment, overtime and the increased cost of living, charities are often hard
hit. Children usually understand the need to turn off lights, not be able to
eat out as often and make other adjustments. They often do not understand how
Santa came as close as their next door neighbor and didn’t stop at their house.
“This
year, with the support of the administration, generosity of staff and hard work
from offenders, our Christmas will be blessed knowing these efforts have
assisted families needing assistance getting through the holidays,” states a
press release from DWCC.
Santa Train draws large crowds
The Guardian-Journal photos/K.H.
Hightower
The Santa Train rolled through Claiborne
Parish so Santa Claus could get all the little ones’ wish lists. Inset right,
Trista and Emma Pruitt and Beaux Hawkins, all of Athens, won a train give-away
in Athens. The train set was provided by L&NW Railroad. Inset left, Anna
Malsam, of Lisbon, tells Santa what she wants for Christmas. In Claiborne Parish,
Santa’s train rolled through Homer, Haynesville and Athens. Please pick up a
copy of this week’s edition for full coverage.
Come see Santa this Saturday!
Santa to meet with children in
Summerfield
Santa
is once again coming from the North Pole to Claiborne Parish.
This
Saturday, Santa Claus will be at the Summerfield Volunteer Fire Station from 10
a.m. until 2 p.m. to make sure he didn’t miss any children’s wish list for this
year.
Refreshments
will be served as well. The event is sponsored by the firefighters of Claiborne
Parish Fire District #6.
OCS executive director officially
retires
The Guardian-Journal photos/Michelle
Bates
Above, Jean Reynolds Sherrill, third from
left, officially retired from the Claiborne Parish Office of Community Services
after 27 years. Pictured with her are, from left, Sharon Willis, administrative
assistant, Mary Robinson, transportation director, Sherrill, and Jodie Heigle,
the new executive director. Below, Sherrill accepts a plaque of appreciation
from Claiborne Parish Police Jury President Scott Davidson. The plaque was
presented to her during the police jury’s monthly meeting.
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
A
retirement reception was held in honor of Jean Reynolds Sherrill, who has
officially retired from the Claiborne Parish Office of Community Services.
With
heartfelt praises from the Claiborne Parish Police Jury members, Sherrill was
presented a plaque of appreciation for the 27 and one half years she served as
Community Services’ executive director, beginning in June 1985.
Sherrill
thanked the jury for working so well with her and supporting the Claiborne
Parish Office of Community Services as it has over the last several years.
“This
retirement is kind of bittersweet, but I appreciate the support of the police
jury for the last 27 years,” she said.
Each of
the jurors thanked Sherrill for her years of service and for the outstanding
job she has provided to the parish. While each thanked her, Atkins was the most
emotional.
“You
know, people say a lot of times that when people imitate what you’re doing
that’s a compliment,” Atkins said. “With Jean, I sometimes feel guilty, because
we feel like we neglected you...but that too is a compliment.”
This
“neglect” comes from the fact that Sherrill has done such a good job they
didn’t have to worry about her or the job she was doing for the parish.
Police
Jury President Scott Davidson said, “It’s the squeaky wheel that gets the
grease, and Jean, your wheel has squeaked very little, and that is a
compliment. We do tend to forget you, and Tommy and others, because there’s no
problem out there. That is a big compliment. Jerry’s right, you feel like
there’s something more that could be done, but when all that can be done is being
done -- if it’s not broke, don’t fix it.”
District
5 Police Juror Lavelle Penix said Sherrill has been a huge asset to the jury.
District
4 Police Juror Joe Sturges said he was here when Sherrill got here and she’s
done a good job for this parish.
“That’s
what happens when you get dedicated people that serve you and do the job you
are supposed to do, and she’s done that,” he said. “I thank you for what you’ve
done and what you’ve left here.”
Jodie
Heigle, the new executive director of the Claiborne Parish Office of Community
Services, said she has some “big shoes to fill,” and she’s had a great teacher.
“She’s
still on speed dial,” Heigle said.
A
reception in Sherrill’s honor immediately followed the meeting. Her family and
friends as well as her coworkers came to honor her.
In
other business, the police jury approved
• a
request from the Town of Haynesville for the delivery of three loads of cold
mix, three loads of pit run and two loads of top soil to the city shop.
• a
request from the LSU AgCenter for three 18-ton loads of pit run at $270 per
load.
•
Resolution 2012-021 to abandon a certain section of Parish Road No. 239,
Peterson Road. This portion of road is at the end of the Point at Pleasure
Point Marina Bar and Grill, beyond the store. A public hearing was held prior
to the meeting, and no one protested or had concerns.
• Merit
raises for Administrative Clerk Leigh Ann Jones at 50 cents per hour and
Administrative Assistant Shelia Washington at 50 cents per hour.
• the
2013 budget for Claiborne Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness. The local
share from the police jury is $24,651.50 per year or $2,054.29 per month. This
is the same as 2012’s budget.
• the
acceptance and awarding bids for the purchase of MC-30 Prime Oil, CRS-1, SS-1
and AEP for 2013. These bids were accepted from different companies. No bids
were turned in for AC-10 asphalt cement.
• the
acceptance and awarding of bids for the purchase of hot mix and colay (cold
mix) for 2013.
• the
acceptance and awarding of bids for the purchase of pit run sand gravel clay
and maintenance rock gravel for 2013.
• the
acceptance and awarding of bids for the purchase of 87 octane unleaded
gasoline, 89 octane mid-grade unleaded gasoline and diesel fuel for use by
parish-owned vehicles for 2013.
• the
acceptance of the 2013 worker’s compensation renewal rates.
•
Amended Ordinance 703, an ordinance concerning damage to roads and bridges. A
public hearing was held prior to the meeting, and one minor change was made to
the amendment, which was the changing of one word, Davidson said.
• the
adoption of the three-year Capital Improvement Program for the Claiborne Parish
Road System as required by the Parish Transportation Act. Woodard said it’s
basically a “wish list” where the parish looks at a three-year plan on how the
money would be sent. For those who wish to see the list, it is available for
public view.
• the
presentation of Ordinance No. 767, concerning the police jury’s 2013 budget,
all funds. Finance Committee Chairman Jerry Atkins went through the numbers,
saying he was proud of the job Secretary Treasurer Dwayne Woodard was doing
with the parish’s money. However, Atkins did get some credit.
These
budgets are available for public review. For those who would like to see the
budget, please contact Woodard at the police jury office at 318-927-2222. A
public hearing will be held at 3 p.m., Wednesday, January 2, 2013 in the police
jury conference room.
Atkins
reminded everyone that the proposed budget is just that, a proposal, because
these numbers are an educated guess based on the last year’s budget.
Woodard
went through the different funds in actual amounts for the police jury for
2013, including the roughly $2 million showing for the library expansion. He
also explained the five percent leeway governmental entities have before the
budget has to be amended. In other words, if the budget goes above five
percent, or below five percent, then it has to be formally amended and approved
by the jury. If not, then it does not have to be approved by the jury.
“Basically,
it’s a safeguard to keep you from setting a budget at the beginning of the year
and then letting that budget ride and making no adjustments at the end of the
year,” Woodard said.
In the
buildings and grounds committee report, District 3 Police Juror Bob McDaniel
said they have to renew a one-year service agreement on the agreement on the
police jury complex for $763 for basic and follow-up inspections on the
generator. It was approved.
Police
jurors also approved a new telephone system for the Registrar of Voters office,
because the current system is obsolete. To upgrade it, it will cost about
$1,550.
Projects completed within the
last month include a roof on the building that stores the jury’s voting
equipment. He commended Arklatex Builders for a job well done, saying this is
the third contract that has been awarded to the company by the police jury.
Also,
the refurbishment of the exterior of the tax assessor’s office is moving along
nicely, he said, and it should be completed by the end of this month. The
original contract amount was approximately $9,800, and with a change order, the
new contract amount was $14,650.86, which is much less than they anticipated.
In explanation, the police jury expected the refurbishment to be much higher
than even the new contract amount, because they feared what they would find
once the old exterior was torn away, Davidson said.
He also
commended Durrett and the highway department for their work on the pole barn
wall, saying they did an excellent job in providing additional protection for
their equipment and saving money.
