The meeting was designed as a public forum for Lewis County farmers to learn more about the state-wide Phase I Tobacco Settlement Program and to speak out on issues specific to Lewis County agriculture. Special invited guests included John-Mark Hack, executive director of the Office of Agriculture Policy, and Jeff Harper, representative for the Licking Valley area.

Thus far, Lewis County has had $647,540 of Phase I funds available. Approved expenses to date include $112,000 for a soybean extruder in the Tollesboro area; $99,500 for the farmers market; and $375,000 for various blanket programs.

Blanket programs are currently available in Lewis County for forage, handling facilities, cattle genetics, agriculture diversification, and goat diversification. 50/50 cost-share funds are still available, in each of the blanket programs, up to a maximum of $4,000 per producer household. Contact the Lewis County Extension office at 796-2732 for more information.

A major comment from farmers during the past year has been in regards the 50/50 cost-share, and those attending the meeting vocally reinforced that concern. Several farmers pointed out that many farm operators do not have the financial resources to match a 50 percent grant without adding to existing farm debt. It was noted that last year's extreme weather conditions severely stressed farm operations in the county. Others observed that while some farmers may not have a problem with coming up with matching funds, those who are struggling feel cut-out and see Phase I grants as a program for "rich farmers".

Other topics of discussion at the meeting included new blanket programs for fencing and for hay/straw and grain. Farmers were invited to provide ideas and suggestions for what these programs should include.

Beef cattle operations were also discussed extensively. The major point made by county beef producers was that production quality methods need to be addressed to improve the market quality of Lewis County.

Suggestions for future blanket programs were solicited. An immediate suggestion dealt with water supplies, particularly in light of the fact that many farm ponds dried up this past year. Ponds are used for crop irrigation and livestock watering. Improving water supply availability at a reasonable cost is a serious consideration for many Lewis County farms.

Home and business alarm systems are generally a good investment, unless when the alarm is triggers and a monitoring service or the system itself dials up law enforcement and they don't know where you are located.

Sheriff Bill Lewis said the problem has been on the increase lately but adds there is a solution.

That solution is as simple as providing some basic information to the agency or agencies that will be contacted when an alarm is triggered.

Lewis said the sheriff's department has received numerous calls recently in which the location is given as a post office box or a confusing address, costing time for dispatchers and responding unites to determine the location of the protected property.

"It is imperative that the monitoring center and the local agencies have accurate and up to date information in the event the alarm is triggered," he said.

A direct call system will contact the telephones numbers programmed into the system and play a recorded message. That message, Lewis said, should include the physical address, whether the alarm is for fire, medical emergency or burglary, and should be repeated at least twice to ensure the dispatcher has a chance to take down the information.

Stone said the first accident happened about 1:35 p.m. January 25 on Quicks Run Road. He said a 1989 Ford Probe, operated by John Buckner, and a 1985 Dodge pickup, operated by Bonnie McCann, were traveling in opposite directions and the two vehicles collided as they met at the crest of a hill. Stone said there were no injuries.

The second accident happened about 3:10 p.m. January 25 during a snowstorm that left area roadways snow covered and slick.

Stone said a Toyota minivan, operated by Maryanna Hunt of Indianapolis, Indiana, apparently slid near the intersection of the AA Highway and the Grayson Spur, striking a 2000 Hyundai operated by Mary Kovach of Cincinnati, Ohio. He said damage was minimal and there were no injuries.

The third, and most damaging, accident happened about 1:45 p.m. on January 27 on Ky. Rt. 8 at Dugan's Curve, east of Vanceburg.

Stone said a 1994 Chevrolet Cavalier, operated by Ashley Jordan, 16, of Garrison, was traveling west on the road and hit a patch of snow and ice while rounding the curve.

The vehicle traveled 36 feet and struck an earthen embankment, which caused the vehicle to overturn, travel another 39 feet and come to rest on the passenger side, Stone said.

He added that Jordan was assisted by other motorists and later taken to Southern Ohio Medical Center in Portsmouth, Ohio, by Portsmouth Ambulance.

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