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Johnson named Chief Judge, position to rotate (published February 3, 2010)

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Judge Kathy Johnson became Chief Judge for the Seventh Judicial District Court on January 1, 2010.

The court rules of the Seventh Judicial District Court will be amended so the position of Chief Judge will rotate on a yearly basis.

The duties of the Chief Judge approved by the Louisiana Supreme Court are to preside over the judge's meetings, to represent the court in ceremonial functions, to exercise general supervision of administrative functions, to supervise expenditures by the judicial expense fund, oversee all financial planning and other duties.

Johnson has served as District Judge for Catahoula and Concordia parishes since March, 1996. She was elected in 1996 in a special election after Judge Glenn Gremillion was sworn as a member of the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals. At that time Johnson became the first female ever to be elected as a judge in the 7th Judicial District. Prior to her election as judge, Johnson served as the first female Clerk of Court in Catahoula Parish.

Johnson implemented the 7th JDC Juvenile Drug Court in 2005 and the Truancy and Behavioral Court for the school systems in Catahoula and Concordia parishes. She also serves, along with Judge George Murray, on the Central Louisiana Juvenile Detention Facility which serves seven surrounding parishes.

Johnson said she hopes to improve services rendered by the court and encouraged local attorneys to participate in school programs which teach students about the lawyer's role in society.

Local fire fighters have busy first day of the month (published February 3, 2010)

The Jonesville Volunteer Fire Department was something beyond busy on the first day of February as they battled three fires before the day was done.

Fire fighters began at the stroke of midnight battling a blaze that engulfed and finally gutted the Front Street home of James Branch. JVFD was on the scene within minutes of the call and remained there battling the fire until after 4 a.m. Monday morning, but the home was too far gone.

The next call came around 10 a.m. when a fire erupted in a trailer house on Deville Drive. Again, fire fighters were on the scene quickly, but the trailer too was gutted.

The last fire of the day was a small one in the Sandy Lake community.

To all of our local fire fire fighters, thanks for being there when we need you, and thanks for doing what you do.

An account for the James Branch Family has been created, and donations may be made at the Jonesville Town Hall.

The top photo is of the James Branch home on Front Street after the fire. The bottom photo is of the trailer home fire on Deville Drive

Jonesville PD unit involved in accident with pedestrian (published February 3, 2010)

Jonesville Police Chief Bubba Roy requested Louisiana State Police investigate an accident involving a JPD unit and a pedestrian that occurred last Friday night at 7:30 p.m. on the corner of MLK Dr. and Sixth St.

Jimmy Jerome White, the pedestrian involved in the accident was transported to Riverland Medical Center and released. The accident is still under investigation, and no information was available from Troop E as of press-time.

In other recent activity, JPD made the following arrests:

Terrion Takel Miller, 17, of 706 Gohegan St., Jonesville, arrested on January 29 and charged with four counts of aggravated assault and resisting arrest by flight.

Opie M. Wigginton, 35, of 200 T.J. Dupuy Rd., Monterey, arrested on January 7, 2010 and charged with driving under suspension.

Matthew Wayne Russell, 23, of 145 Pardue Rd., Jonesville, arrested on January 25, 2010 and charged with disturbing the peace by fighting.

Jerry Glenn McEntyre, 27, of 703 Bushley St., Harrisonburg, arrested on January 25, 2010 and charged with disturbing the peace by fighting. (The previous two individuals were arrested while fighting in the parking lot of Ford's East in Jonesville).

Tiayeshhia O'Steen, 24, of 707 Pollard Ave., Jonesville, arrested on January 23, 2010 and charged with disturbing the peace by fighting.

Deidre N. Hood, 22, of 1000 Early Dr., Jonesville, arrested on January 23, 2010 and charged with disturbing the peace by fighting. (the previous two individuals were arrested while fighting on MLK Dr.)

Dominique Lamont Davis, 18, of 613 Willow St., Jonesville, arrested on January 17, 2010 and charged with disturbing the peace by fighting.

Kenneth Neal Barber, 53, of 1003 Cole St., Jonesville, arrested on January 27, 2010 and charged with four counts of simple battery.

CPSO deputies nab two for burglary (published February 3, 2010)

The Catahoula Parish Sheriff's Office arrested two men last weekend in connection to the burglary of a camp on Black River Lake in the Parhams Bend community.

When the burglary was reported, Deputies Raymond Rouse and Paul Jackson responded and soon had two suspects detained.

Preston Case, 17, and Bradley Wayne Scriber, 24, both of Jonesville, were charged with simple burglary.

The duo led the deputies to the stolen items and were then transported to the Sheriff's Office where they were booked.

Items recovered included numerous firearms, ammunition, TVs, and other household items.

Sheriff James Kelly said he believes these two arrests may also lead to the finalizing of other crimes reported in the Parhams area.

Other recent arrests include Nathan Jones, 18, of Jonesville, for flight from an officer, reckless operation and proper equipment required; Michael Glenn Freeman, 46, of Ferriday, for theft and unauthorized use of an access card; and Rebecca Middleton, 19, of Branden, MS, for theft and criminal conspiracy.

Crop Production Meeting slated for Feb. 15, 2010 (published February 3, 2010)

A new year brings in new hopes, plans, and promises. This is our hope for Catahoula Parish farmers. In an effort to provide farmers with the resources they will need, the local extension office will hold its annual crop production meeting on February 15th beginning at 8:15 a.m. at the recreation room of the First Baptist Church in Jonesville.

This production meeting has been approved by the Department of Agriculture for the renewal of private pesticide applicator licenses. Farmers whose license expires this year can renew their license at this meeting. This meeting is also approved for CCA points for consultants.

There will also be a WPS meeting on February 18 at 5:00 p.m. at Agrilliance in Jonesville. This meeting is for workers whose “green card” will expire this year and for any new workers producers may have.

If you have any questions, please call the Catahoula Parish Extension Office at 318-744-5442.

Below is an agenda for the meeting:

8:15 Welcome

Glen Daniels, Area Agent, Catahoula/Concordia Parishes