The Mason County Sheriff's Department is investigating the fatal accident, which happened Thursday afternoon on the AA Highway.

A spokesman with the department said Francis Aphrem, 23, of Ashland, was operating a 2002 Nissan Ultima and attempted to pass another vehicle. The spokesman said Aphrem's vehicle slid across the roadway, struck a guardrail and then skidded into the path of an on-coming tractor-trailer.

Aphrem was pronounced dead at the scene by the Mason County coroner.

Several other, no so serious accidents, happened in Lewis County Thursday afternoon, according to Lewis County Sheriff's Deputies.

Deputy Johnny Bivens is investigating an accident at about 3:30 p.m. Thursday in which Troy Tolle of Vanceburg was operating a 2000 Dodge Dakota east on Ky. Rt. 8 when he lost apparently lost control of the vehicle, went over an embankment and struck a tree. Tolle and a passenger, Andora Pittman of Quincy, received minor injuries.

Driver Troy Tolle of Vanceburg and passenger received minor injuries as the result of an accident on a snow covered Ky. Rt. 8. Thursday, as snow fell in the area.

Bivens said that at shortly after 5:00 p.m. an auto operated by Eric Switzer of Vanceburg was traveling on Ky. Rt. 8 about two miles east of Vanceburg when he reportedly attempted to pass an auto operated by Amber Flinders of Vanceburg. Bivens said the Flinders was slowing as she prepared to make a turn off the roadway. The two vehicles collided. No injuries were reported.

Bivens is also investigating an accident o the AA Highway about two miles west of Vanceburg.

He said that Wayne Cantrell of Paintsville was operating an unloaded tractor-trailer when an auto operated by Judith Bloomfield of Vanceburg was attempting to make a left turn off the highway.

He is also investigating an accident on Ky. Rt. 1306 at about 3:30 p.m. when a school bus operated by Charles Rickett of spy Run, was traveling north when a 1978 Chevrolet pickup, operated by William E. Clark of Garrison, was pulling out of a driveway and into the path of the school bus.

Polley said the two vehicles collided resulting in minimal damages to the vehicles. No injuries were reported.

Polley and Deputy Mark Snedegar are investigating an accident Thursday afternoon on Ky. Rt. 10 at Tollesboro.

Snedegar said an auto operated by Brent Nolen of Vanceburg was traveling east in a 1986 Ford F-150 pickup, while an auto operated by Charles D. Insko of Tollesboro was turning into the roadway from the drive at Turner Tractor Sales.

He said that Insko apparently did not see the Nolder vehicle and pulled into the roadway, striking the pickup. He said there were no injuries, although moderate damage was sustained by both vehicles.

Snedegar is also investigating a single-vehicle accident on Ky. Rt. 8 east of Vanceburg at the intersection of Fannin Lane.

He said a 1989 Chevrolet Beretta, operated by Bobby J. Clark of Garrison, was traveling east when Clark lost control of the vehicle, went off the left side of the roadway, over a culvert and then landing in a creek.

Snedegar said a passenger, Helen Bloomfield, was thrown from the vehicle through the passenger side window.

Mark Snedegar/Lewis County Sheriff's Office

The passenger in this vehicle was injured as a result of a single-vehicle accident west of Vanceburg on Thursday afternoon.

Bloomfield was taken to Southern Ohio Medical Center in Portsmouth, Ohio, for treatment of multiple injuries. Clark reportedly declined treatment.

With no business either old or new on the agenda for the January session of the Vanceburg City Council the mayor voiced his opinion about freedom in the United States of America.

Mayor William T. "Bill Tom" Cooper said that he believes in freedom of speech but that free speech should be used with respect in the presence of ladies and children.

He also expressed his opposition to the current restrictions and attacks on religious freedom now prevalent in the country as propagated by such groups as the American Civil Liberties Union.

Cooper said the citizens of the country should contact their legislators in the federal and state governments and let them know where the people stand on these issues.

The mayor furthermore chided the preachers and pastors for not speaking out on these issues more and opined that they should preach more on right versus wrong. In his view if all the Christian people and churches kept in contact with their Representatives and Senators some of the problems now affecting the nation could be corrected or averted.

Moving to another topic the mayor extolled the Lewis County Herald for giving a good record of the major events in the county during the year 2003.

Cooper said that last year had some bad and good.

Referring to the bad he mentioned the ice storm, the tornado and the war in Iraq.

Focusing on the good the highlighted the proposal for a lake in Vanceburg, the improvements in the industrial park, the beginning of the recycling program, the progress of the Renaissance Program, the expansion of Northern Contours and to the new fire truck that will soon be delivered to the Vanceburg Fire Department. He also noted the presence of a new governor in Frankfort.

In his closing remarks the mayor read a letter from the state regarding the Annual Performance Report on the Green Street Apartments managed by Peoples Self-Help Housing. The report indicates the complex is being managed well by PSHH.

Lykins was the first candidate in the Commonwealth to file as a candidate for office under newly installed Secretary of State Trey Grayson.

Lykins attended the ceremony last week in the Kentucky Capitol Rotunda to swear in constitutional officers.

Grayson joined Attorney General Greg Stumbo, Auditor of Public Accounts Crit Luallen, State Treasurer Jonathan Miller, and Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer in taking the oath of office for their respective positions. Lykins said it was the first statewide swearing-in he had witnessed and said the event was an exciting one for him and allowed him the opportunity to "meet with our newly elected officials and to talk with the new leadership."

Lykins also attended the recent inauguration of Governor Ernie Fletcher in Frankfort, another first for him.

"I feel I can be an effective voice for the people of Carter and Lewis Counties," Lykins said.

"I feel I know the needs of the residents of this area better through my experiences as magistrate and education and through my involvement in the community through organizations such as the Lions Club and Little League."

Lykins said he has been listening intently to the concerns and comments of fellow educators, students and their families, and is putting together a working list of tasks he would like to see accomplished in state government.

"I've just been overwhelmed with the positive support and feedback I've gotten in talking with the residents of Carter and Lewis Counties," he said. "They know I will work hard to help lower health care and prescription costs and will work to support the working men and women and the family farmers."

A department spokesman said the burglary occurred at Tollesboro Supply on Ky. Rt. 10 and a youth rope and saddle were among the items taken.

Sheriff Bill Lewis is urging area residents to watch for any suspicious vehicles in their areas.