Meeting in a brief special session last week, the Lewis County Fiscal Court took routine measured to launch the county government into its next term of four years.

New Judge Executive Steve Applegate said that state law required the meeting for the purpose of appointing and/or reappointing all the county employees and for approving surety bonds for each of them.

Departments under the control of the county government include the Sheriff's department, the County Clerk's office, the County Jail, the dog warden, the road department, the Solid Waste Director, the emergency management office, the fiscal court clerk and the county treasurer.

The county sheriff was removed from the list of employees for that department because the sheriff is elected and not appointed by the county. The names of all the deputies and bailiffs at the Justice Center were on that list.

With no actual business on the agenda for January, the Vanceburg City Council conducted a short regular session last week.

Council members took the oath of office administered by City Attorney E.V. Holder Jr.

The council remains the same as it was for the last term except for the return of a former council members, Brenda Lykins. Lykins replaces Jason Evans who did not run for re-election.

When asked how she felt about being back on the council, Lykins replied, "It's like coming home."

New Lewis County Jailer Tim Underwood appeared to apologize for the lack of help from the county jail inmates in picking up the trash for the city the past week. He said that some of the inmates reported in sick and did not work as usual.

He expressed confidence that the men would be out on the streets working again soon.

Mayor William T. Cooper shared a thank you note from Police Chief Joe Billman.

Billman thanked the council for its $500 donation to the local Shop With a Cop Program at Christmas time.

Cooper said that 87 children had Christmas this year, who would not have had any gifts without the program.

The committee decided to partially close the museum in terms of a regular schedule during the last part of January and through the month of February, mostly for the purpose of renewing exhibits and spring housecleaning.

However, anyone wishing to tour the museum during that time may call several places to secure a private tour: Joni Pugh at the Victorian Rose 606-796-2069; Paula Franke at the Lewis County Herald 606-796-2331; Lois Taylor at 606-796-3274; or William T. Clark at 606-796-9887.

The committee hopes to follow that exhibit with school art, science exhibits and other school matters of interest.

Toward summer, we hope to enlist individuals in another folk art program to exhibit some of their works for another folk art exhibit. Pictures from our former exhibit are on the Depot website at www.vanceburgdepot.com and have drawn many letters from interested people.