1003 news

Council hears storm update

By Al OwensVanceburg Mayor William T. Cooper began this month's regular session of the city council last week by commenting on the Ice Storm 2003.

Cooper said, "I want to say how proud I am of the citizens of Lewis County and also of the City of Vanceburg. We need to praise the members of the Electric Plant Board for the work they did."

He alluded to the conduct of the residents in helping out their neighbors, families and friends during the time the community was without power or water. The employees of the utility company worked long hard hours to restore utility services in the community as well as workers from other agencies.

The mayor said that he ice storm was the most devastating storm of his lifetime. He mentioned that some folk in their 80s had stated they had never seen a natural disaster so destructive.

Cooper told the council that at one time every household in the county was without power.

He said, "We had no loss of life due to the storm. I think a lot of prayers must have been answered for that to happen."

The mayor informed the council that FEMA has been in the county with headquarters set up in the city building but said that they had moved that very day. To contact them one must now call Emergency Management at 606-796-3464.

He also said that Community Based Services could no longer be reached at the mayor's office because they have moved to the Eleanor Johnson Women's Center near Central Elementary. The old phone number for that agency is no longer in use.

See our storm photo collection at
Ice Storm 2003.

Signs will welcome visitors

By Dennis Brown
Lewis County Judge Executive Steve Applegate says he wants to welcome visitors to Lewis County with some signs placed along highways at the county line.

Applegate said he is considering two designs featuring the renowned explorers Lewis and Clark.

"The signs will help in more ways than one," Applegate said. "They will promote the county, help tourism and leave a lasting impression on people who may just be passing through," he said.

Applegate said he plans to locate the signs along Ky. Rt. 57 at the Fleming County line, the AA Highway at the Mason, Greenup and Carter County lines, and Ky. Rt. 8 at the Greenup County line.

He said other locations will also be considered depending on the traffic counts.

Applegate presented rough sketches to Caudill Signs in Morehead and they returned some proofs to him for consideration.

Graphic by Caudill Signs

Another possible design for Welcome to Lewis County road signs.

The signs feature the likeness of the explorers and will also have a smaller panel attached, which will note the Bicentennial Expedition this year. A re-enactment group will be stopping in Lewis County in September. The panel can easily be changed to promote other events or points of interest.

The back of the signs thanks visitors and invites them back. The likeness of a pioneer is the featured graphic on the back of the proposed signs.

Applegate said he hopes to have the signs erected soon and invites anyone with comments to contact him.

Shock probation denied

Lewis County Circuit Judge Lewis Nicholls denied shock probation last week for one of the four defendants who pleaded guilty in the October 2000 death of Marvin "Charlie" Prater.
Nicholls denied probation Friday for Tabatha Thurman who pleaded guilty to charges of facilitation to first degree robbery and tampering with physical evidence. She had agreed to a seven year sentence.

Special Prosecutor Thom A. Marshall of the Kentucky Attorney General's Office has said prosecutors would take no position on the matter of shock probation for Sarah Smith, Tabatha Thurman or Ricky Dale Switzer.

"We will leave that matter for the courts to decide," he said.

On shock probation, a defendant is released after a brief exposure to prison, generally 30 to 180 days.

The four people who pleaded guilty in connection with Prater's death received the maximum sentences from Judge Nicholls on September 30, 2002. Each had agreed to plea agreements with prosecutors.

Photo Catch

Al Owens/Lewis County Herald

At the March 3 City Council meeting, Mayor William T. Cooper showed an aerial map of a proposed lake for Vanceburg that could serve as an attraction for tourists visiting the area.

Photo Submitted

Longtime Lewis County fans Harold and Georgetta Voiers were honored February 28 for attending sporting events for more than 70 years. Pictured with them are LCHS head boys basketball coach Joe Hampton, LCHS associate athletic director Gary Kidwell and LCHS athletic director Corky Prater.

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