The Town Talk from Alexandria, Louisiana • Page 32

The Tcwvn Ta'k Aiexandna-PwvineLa D-2F'jay Oetcbe 14 1994 Briefs Edwards endorses priest's Would train church-based counselors to help recovering plan drug abusers By Robert Morgan Staff reporter BATON ROUGE A plan to send Department of Health and Hospitals employees to train church-based counselors to help recovering drug abusers was endorsed by Gov. Edwin Edwards Thursday. The program was brought to the state by the Rev. George Clements, a Roman Catholic priest from Washington, who said. "We're not here asking for money.

We're here asking for trainers." Clements initiated the program less than a year ago in Chicago, 111., as an effort to mobilize the religious community against drug abuse. Clements said virtually every aspect of government had been organized but no one had previously attempted to mobilize the churches. abuser will seek professional help only to be released from a detoxification program because his insurance benefits were depleted. The church based program would provide teams of volunteers to provide support and counseling to people seeking help for a substance abuse problem, he said. The program was immediately embraced by 19th Judicial District Judge Robert Downing who will administer Baton Rouge's drug court beginning in January.

"I very much desperately need church-based programs. Anybody that wants to set this up, I will send them people (for assistance)." Downing said. Clements said he hoped the program could get organized quickly and would expand to 100 churches within the first year. "That's ironic because this really is a spiritual problem." Clements said. Edwards acknowledged that the program will cost the state in terms of providing salaried state workers to act as trainers for the counselors.

But Edwards cannot envision a program that would be more worthy in the long run to the quality of life in Louisiana than (one that) addresses the drug problem." Edwards said the program will not "replace what we're doing in state government, it's going to supplement it." As to specific estimates of potential costs, Edwards pointed out the program is only in the formative stage and costs would be determined by the number of churches that get involved and the number of volunteers that offer their services. The number of volunteers and their edu cational and professional backgrounds will determine the amount and kinds of training that will be needed, he said. Despite a preponderance of black ministers and elected officials at the press conference. Clements, ho is black, said he anticipates churches of all races and denominations to participate. Edwards pointed out the Catholic bishops of Louisiana were represented and wanted it known that they are aware of and support the program to be known as "One Church.

One Addict" Clements said. "Substance abuse covers every nationality and race. I have no doubt that we will have white churches involved." The program was described as an extension of counseling that might be available in a formal drug detoxification program. Clements said many times a drug Official says Ark. needs interstates 'ft Stephen Reed Staff photographer a.

i Prompting parrot Stephanie Smith, a docent at the Alexandria Thursday during the zoo's annual Safari Zoo, tries to get Sinbad to talk as she shows Night. The yearly fund-raiser is put on by the the Blue Front Amazon Parrot to Jean Boese Friends of the Alexandria Zoo. Metro Daybook Homeless conference The fourth annual Louisiana State Conference on Homelessness is set for Oct 23 25 at the Ramada Inn on MacArthur Drive. The conference will begin Oct 23 with registration and a reception followed by plenary sessions and over 31 workshops the next two days. To register or for more information, contact Joan Jeffries at 484 6784.

England restoration The Restoration Advisory Board, a citizens group which follows environmental cleanup at the former England Air Force Base, will have its third meeting at 7 m. Oct. 26. The meeting will be at the Air Force Base Conversion Agency office at 1406 Van Cossen. The meeting, at which environmental updates will be discussed, is open to the public.

Firefighters Day Volunteer firefighters from throughout Rapides Parish will be honored Oct. 29. That day has been designated by the Rapides Parish Police Jury as "Volunteer Firefighters' Day." The celebration will kick off with a parade of fire engines from LSUA to the old Lecompte High School. The parade will begin at 9 a.m. From 10 a.m.

until 3 p.m., the public is invited to see the equipment used by the volunteer fire departments and watch demonstrations such as the extrication equipment. Volunteer firefighters of the year will also be recognized during a luncheon. The luncheon is not open to the public. SECURE praise A group seeking ways to make state government more efficient has praised Louisiana voters for approving a constitutional amendment allowing improved investment practices for education trust funds. SECURE (Select Council on Revenues and Expenditures) Louisiana's Future, made up of public and private sector leaders, calls the change "a common sense change in the way we handle the state'9 education trust fund money." A portion of the so-called 8g funds can now be invested in stocks after passage of the consti- tutional amendment.

iNYU reception NEW ORLEANS New York University's Office of Undergraduate Admissions will sponsor a reception open to all Louisiana high school seniors who are planning to attend col- lege in the fall of 1995. The event will be held at 2 p.m. Oct. 22 in the Hyatt Regency New Orleans, 500 Poydras Plaza. Parents and prospective college freshmen will hear remarks from an NYU admissions staff representative and an NYU student.

A short film on the school will be screened, and a question and answer period will follow. KREII back on air OAKDALE The newly restored KREH radio station is back on the air. The station, located at 900 on the AM radio dial, held grand opening ceremonies Wednesday, according to Carol Skaggs, station manager. The station is located on La. Highway 10 East, next to the Oakdale Dress plant, its original location, Mrs.

Skaggs said. Various recording artists were on hand for the grand opening ceremonies. Head Start session The Cenla Action Committee Head Start Parent Policy Council will host the state Head Start Association's annual state Parent Involvement Conference Oct. 18-20 at the Holiday Inn Convention Centre in downtown Alexandria. Topics cover a range of issues on parental involvement in Head Start, social services, parent education activities and nutrition information.

Registration is $40. For more information, contact Garry McClinton or Joan A. Lee at 318-487-5892 or 318-487-5897. Politicol odvertisement paid who TEXARKANA. Ark.

(AP) In Arkansas, all roads lead to Little Rock, and U.S. Transportation Secretary Federico Pena said Thursday if the state wants more economic development, those roads aren't enough. Pena traveled to southwestern Arkansas to talk up proposed interstate highways that would snake north-to-south through the Ozark and Boston mountains and cut a swath from the southwestern woods to the Delta. "It's one thing for me to read documents in Washington, D.C.," Pena said. "It's something else to come here to get a real feel of what these projects are all about and why they're important to the economy." States are developing new highways to channel goods to Mexico and Canada, in part because of the North American Free Trade Agreement.

In Arkansas, Interstate 49 would replace winding U.S. 71 as the primary north-south route in the west, running from south of Texarkana to the Missouri line north of Bentonville. With the rest of 1-49 and 1-29, Arkansans would have a four-lane route to Canada. Pineville, and Dawn Ourso, 19, of 4802 Connella Alexandria, each charged with possession of stolen goods for allegedly possessing a stolen amplifier. Stephon Reynolds, 28, of 22 Bertie possession of stolen goods for allegedly attempting to cash a stolen check.

Alan Geis, 37, of 636 Willow Brook Drive, Gretna, unauthorized use of a movable for allegedly taking a truck belonging to a towing company. Eddie James Mann 26, of P.O. Box 191, Homerville, charged with attempted purse snatching for allegedly trying to grab a woman's purse in a lot at 742 MacArthur Drive Wednesday night. He was captured by police Sgt. Larry Coutee.

Fredrick Milton 35, of 405 Hickory Wardville, felony theft for allegedly stealing merchandise from an employer. assure the first group of trial jurors that the court would not separate them from their families and friends any longer than possible. Those jurors chosen to hear the trial will be sequestered until they render a final verdict. To the first group named, Mrs. Jackson said, "As you can see, we still have a number of seats to fill in that jury box.

I assure you that we will work Friday, Saturday and Sunday to fill those seats." She hoped to start the trial Monday if possible, but noted that will depend upon how quickly the court can move through the last four or five panels to be interviewed. Interstate 69 would run from Memphis southwest to the Louisiana line south of Magnolia, replacing U.S. 79. With other routes along the corridor, a four-lane highway would reach from Mexico northwestward to Michigan and Canada through Arkansas. "Everything that has been done for our part of the state would pale in comparison to what impact this would have on Magnolia," Magnolia Mayof George Wheatley said after meet? ing with Pena at an 1-69 meeting in Little Rock.

"The challenge now is getting raw products in and finished products out," he said. "We're not on a routed You've got to be coming our way." Pena gathered with Arkansas Gov. Jim Guy Tucker and high' way officials from Arkansas and Texas in Texarkana. Four-lane highways branch out from Little Rock but few link other areas, i "You've got to invest in the transportation infrastructure of this country to make your economies competitive and to make us globally strong," Pena said. Robbery Continued from D-l be explosive devices.

They threatened to ignite the explosives and use their guns, persuading clerks to hand over an undetermined amount of money. Bank employees triggered a silent alarm to alert law enforcement personnel, while the suspects fled on foot. Two Fort Polk men were arrested Tuesday afternoon about a half mile from the bank less than 90 minutes after the robbery by a Vernon Parish deputy and a Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries agent. Scott Jarvis, 26, and Jesse Nave, 23, were both charged with armed robbery. An additional charge of threatening to use a fake explosive device was placed on Jarvis and Nave as a result of fake explosives left outside and inside the bank during the robbery.

Both Jarvis and Nave have their bonds set at $185,000. All three men remain in the Vernon Parish Jail Jim Colvin Sidinq Windows Sine 1963 Vinyl Siding Patio Coven Seamless Gutters Window Screen Insulating Windows Awnings auoore 445-0929 The Rapides Homemakers Council is made up of 14 clubs around the parish, said Lou Altazan-Brown, a home economist with the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service. Each of the different clubs takes turns at running the concession stand, and some of the members' husbands are also recruited to help out, she said. Mrs. Altazan-Brown said the group's charitable activities focus around programs for women and children.

The group sponsors a Christmas party for mentally handicapped children, donates money to the parish library during National Children's Week and sponsors three scholarships worth a total of $1,800, she said. Because of cool, wet weather so far this week, all four organizations reported lower-than-expected sales. Gullett Continued from D-l to permit it. Walsh said "strike backs" was not a situation envisioned by the Legislature. "I believe once a juror has been sworn, she should become a member of the jury," he said.

But defense co-counsel Mark Upton cited court rulings and law that supported the defense's contention it could challenge any juror until the full panel has been sworn. Mrs. Jackson agreed with Upton. Walsh added his own wrinkle to the selection process by not signing his jury challenge form and subsequently telling the court he wished to take back one of his challenges. Fair Continued from D-l buys all its materials for the concession stand locally.

Proceeds from the Shriners' stand goes to support crippled and burned children at Shriner hospitals in California and Florida. Inside the Coliseum Exhibition Hall, the Rapides Homemakers Council has sponsored a concession stand with a history as old as the fair itself. Frances Snoddy, a member of the Lamourie Homemakers Club, said she remembers helping out years ago when the club operated from a field tent. "This black top wasn't out here," she said. "It was mud." The proceeds from the concession stand go to fund 4-H activities and to sponsor scholarships, said Cecile Caughlin, a member of the Lamourie club.

Trial Continued from D-l Townsend is also accused in two more charges of devising a scheme to defraud a Bunkie woman out of $44,000 by telling her the money was being invested in a "trust account." A final charge accuses Townsend of failing to forfeit to the United States government the money he is accused of laundering. Ms. Domingue said that charge is used in case the jury convicts Townsend on the other charges. If so, the jury then returns to court to determine how much money should be forfeited. Wire fraud carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison plus a $250,000 fine, while the other charges, except the one used for forfeiture purposes, carry maximum sentences of 10 years in prison and $250,000 fines.

An indictment is a formal charge by a grand jury and is not an indication oT guilt or innocence. Gary K. HAYS DWIs State Police Troop Keith Tutt. 39, of 110 Hickory Ridge, Leesville, DWI. Alexandria Police: Charles J.

Farace, 36, of 1710 Magnolia DWI second offense, driving under revocation, improper display ot plates. Burgle lanes Alexandria Police: 505 Scallan vehicle. 98 Bertie residential. 3000 Jones commercial. 4118 Coliseum commercial.

1616 Lafargue vehicle. Police Blotter Alexandria Police: John Cloud, 22, of 116 Gardner Defense attorneys argued that, despite the lack of a signature on the challenge sheet, Walsh should be held to the list of jurors he initially selected when the sheet was submitted. Jackson said, however, she could envision a situation in which an attorney might list the wrong juror number beside a name or assign the wrong number to a name and wish to adjust the list to show the proper listing. In either case, "strike backs" or a change of heart by the prosecution, Mrs. Jackson admonished attorneys to be certain of their future choices before submitting a list of jurors to be named to the panel.

Once the seven jurors were named, the court renewed its' questioning of prospective jurors in a sixth panel. Mrs. Jackson attempted to Contacting reporters Metro reporters and the news subjects they primarily deal with are: Steve Bannister, courts 487-6378 Timothy Boone, police jury 487-6329 Kari Befvin, general news 487-6330 Kathy Catongne, police-crime 487-641 7 Leigh flynn, general news 487-6373 Jim leggett, city 487-6376 Mark Watson, business-finance 487-6383 Getting help If you are uncertain which newseditorial section or person to contact, call The Town Talk's switchboard at 487-6397 and you will be referred to the proper party. Contacting Editors, Reporters The Metro staff coverj news events in central Louisiana government, politics, crime, courts, education, business, etc. The department can be reached at (318) 487-6381 Monday through Friday between 9 a.m.

and midnight and on Saturday and Sunday between 4 p.m. and midnight. (Long distance callers may call toll-free at 1 -800-523-8391 The Baton Rouge Bureau covers state government. It can be reached at (504) 343-2445 between 8 a.m and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Numbers for the Sports and Features departments are in Sections and C. ATTENTION: RESIDENTS OF ALEXANDRIA THE ALEXANDRIA FIRE DEPARTMENT WILL BE CONDUCTING OUR ANNUAL FLOW TEST OF FIRE HYDRANTS BEGINNING OCTOBER 14, 1994, FOR THE NEXT 45 DAYS OR UNTIL COMPLETION. THE HYDRANTS TO BE TESTED ARE IN THE AREA BOUNDED BY: STARTING AT MAIN AND JACKSON STREET FOLLOWING RED RIVER SOUTH TO THE CITY LIMITS FOLLOWING CITY LIMITS TO THE UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD FOLLOWING RAILROAD TO JACKSON STREET RETURNING TO MAIN AND JACKSON STREETS. I i Contacting editors Managing Editor 487-6370 Asst. Managing Editor 487-6375 Metro Editor 487-6381 Asst.

Metro Editor 487-6340 Editors should be called if you have questions about content in this section, complaints or corrections. Obituaries There is no charge by The Town Talk for publishing obituaries. Ordinarily, the funeral home involved provides data to the newspaper. Obituaries can be reported between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m.

at 487-6372. wishes to express his sincere gratitude to those supported him during the recent election. for by Gory K. Hoyes, Jr. 1.