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Published April 1, 2009
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Suspects sought in Aimwell timber arson
Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain said 15 to 20 wildfires burned
nearly 100 acres of timberland in the rural area near the Manifest and Aimwell
communities of Catahoula Parish early last Tuesday morning.
Strain said Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry firefighters on the
ground and air had all of the fires contained by mid-morning. The fires were
set around 3 a.m. Seven LDAF fire crews with bulldozers and other heavy
equipment from Catahoula, LaSalle, Grant and Caldwell parishes responded to the
wildfire call.
LDAF Fire District 3 manager Robert Lamb said the fires were deliberately set on
locations along Amyx Road and Posey-Webb Camp Road.
“The fires were not a threat to any homes or structures,” Strain said. “Approximately 100 acres of timberland was destroyed.”
Depending on the age of the timber, the estimated damage from the wildfires may
be as high as $160,000.
Strain said LDAF wildfire enforcement personnel have examined the burned area
and have begun an official investigation.
LDAF investigators said Monday that the Louisiana Forestry Association is offering a $2,000 reward for information leading to the
arrest and/or conviction of the person or persons responsible for the Aimwell
fires.
Call in your information to Investigator Jason Watts at 318-345-7595.
More than 900 wildfires have destroyed 12,807 acres of timberland in 2009 so
far, Strain said. The average wildfire is contained to 10 acres.
“Wildfire arson is a very serious matter and will be investigated and prosecuted
fully,
” Strain said. “Please report suspected arson or wildfire activity as soon as possible.”
To report a forestry related crime, please call 225-925-4500.
Recent JPD arrests for March
Jonesville Police arrested the following individuals recently:
Joe L. Stevenson, 52, of 909 Front Street, Jonesville, arrested on March 28 and
charged with driving under suspension and no insurance.
Joe Nathan Fisher, 48, of 411 Tom Cotton St., Jonesville, arrested on March 19
and charged with driving under suspension and failure to yield (accident
involved).
Fred Allen Pons, 25, of Gainsville, FL, arrested on March 29 and charged with
possession of cocaine, possession of a firearm while in possession of CDS,
possession of drug paraphernalia, open container, and improper right turn. Bond
was set at $25,000.
Ben W. Davis, 63, of 340 Davis Rd., Jonesville, arrested on March 15 and charged
with DWI, obstruction of a public highway, and expired drivers license. On
March 28 he was involved in an accident and again arrested and charged with DWI
and expired drivers license.
Michael Weeks, 35, of 216 Wilks Rd., Jonesville, arrested on March 9 and charged
with disturbing the peace by fighting.
Kirby Lee Wroten, 20, of 607 Ellis St., Sicily Island, arrested March 9 and
charged with disturbing the peace by loud music.
Anderson G. Spillers, 44, of 913 MLK Dr., Jonesville, arrested on March 7 and
charged with disturbing the peace and resisting an officer.
Henry Rutledge, 53, of 121 Riverbank Ln., Jonesville, arrested on March 12 and
charged with theft of utilities. He was arrested again on March 28 and charged
with driving under suspension.
Paul Anthony Tarpley, 63, of 218 Williard St., Lot 17, Jonesville, arrested on
March 6 and charged with hit and run.
Ronald Eugene Powers, 23, of 1603 Hwy. 8, Sicily Island, arrested on March 4 and
charged with disturbing the peace by loud music.
Steven P. Morrison, 28, of Boyce, arrested on March 15 and charged with driving
under suspension.
Ray Lee O'Steen, 39, of 1012 Cole St., Jonesville, arrested March 23 and charged
with disturbing the peace by loud music.
Aunaray Lavergne, 39, of Jena, arrested on March 22 and charged with cruelty to
an animal, aggravated assault, and disturbing the peace.
Cynthia Gibson, 40, of Detroit, MI, arrested on March 15 and charged with
disturbing the peace by loud profane language.
Frederick Green, 17, of 1000 Early Dr., Jonesville, arrested on March 15 and
charged with domestic abuse battery.
Cedrick Tyrone Fair, 30, of 710 Tenth St., Jonesville, arrested on March 20 and
charged with disturbing the peace and public intimidation.
Tommy J. Baker, 28, of 218 Williard St., Jonesville, arrested on February 18 and
charged with possession of marijuana.
Ashley Danielle Freeman, 24, of 117 Riverbank Ln., Jonesville, arrested on March
9 and charged with disturbing the peace by fighting.
Beebe Hughes, 44, of 117 Riverbank Ln., Jonesville, arrested on March 9 and
charged with disturbing the peace by fighting.
Kendall Lane Book, 22, of 485 Hwy 3102, Jonesville, arrested on March 9 and
charged with disturbing the peace by fighting.
Sheriff’s Department arrest
Ivan Easter, 37, of 1000 Azalea St., Jonesville, arrested March 26 and charged
with molestation of a juvenile after a lengthy investigation. Bond has been set
at $50,000.
Catahoula youth attend summitt on tobacco
Eighty student leaders from across Louisiana attended the 2nd Annual Louisiana
Youth Summit on Tobacco held in Dry Creek, LA during March 6-8, 2009.
The Louisiana Youth Summit (LYS) on Tobacco is an intensive, three day camp that
addresses youth tobacco prevention and control issues.
This year students addressed issues regarding tobacco prevention control and
sustainability, the Clean Air Act, and cigarette taxes.
After hearing from experts in tobacco prevention, students worked in small
groups and created tobacco-related policy recommendations that will be
presented to legislators at the state and local level.
The LYS was sponsored by the Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living, the
Louisiana Tobacco Control Program and Louisiana Youth Prevention Services.
Those students attending the LYS from Catahoula were Florida Franklin and
Cassandra O
’Steen (Block High School); B. J. LaPrairie and Jake Ray (Central High School);
Kurt McGuffee and Oran Tubre (Harrisonburg Elementary School); Chauncy Hall and
Katie McClure (Jonesville Jr. High School); and Kenya MaGee and Myeshia
Phillips (Martin Junior High School).
Congratulations to B. J. LaPrairie and Katie McClure on being selected to
represent LYS at a press conference on the steps of the State Capitol in Baton
Rouge on May 12th.
In addition, 80 key students from participating schools will be joining them on
the steps and attending scheduled meetings with area legislators as they
promote tobacco-free living.
The Catahoula Parish School Board would like to express their gratitude to The
Rapides Foundation for funding these student activities.