President Bush declared a major disaster for Kentucky on March 14, making federal funding available for some of the state's recovery efforts from last month's severe winter storm.

The president ordered federal public assistance funding for 51 counties and individual assistance in 15 counties.

Individual assistance goes to residents and business owners whose homes or property were damaged in the storm. Meanwhile, public assistance is earmarked to help pay for the cost of damaged roads, buildings and utilities, and also to help pay for removing debris, according to the release.

Assistance for housing and essential needs of those who suffered losses in the storms totaled $1.16 million Saturday, eight days after the declaration was issued.

Individual and family assistance totaling $466,000 was approved to help 147 families with serious needs not covered by insurance or met by charitable organizations.

Grants totaling $688,259 were approved for 274 families in need of disaster housing and the US Small Business Administration issued 394 home and 110 business loan applications, and approved $72,900 in loans.

"Registration so far is about what we expected," said Gracia Szezech of FEMA. "We think the number will increase as more people in the disaster counties make that important registration call."

People who suffered losses in the named counties (which include Lewis, Carter and Greenup) can apply for help by calling 1-800-621-3362. People who are hearing or speech impaired may call 1-800-462-7585. Information is also available on the Internet at www.fema.gov.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

The US Small Business Administration will also be available to cover residential and business losses not covered by insurance.

Lewis County has also been approved to conduct a sign-up for the Emergency Conservation Program due to the storm. Eligible practices include debris removal from farmland and building or repairing fence due to damage from the ice storm.

Producers should have some idea of the extent to the damage when completing an application. Producers must file an application before starting any debris removal or repairs in order to be eligible for cost-share assistance.

Local and state officials gathered with area residents at Laurel Point Christian Holiness Church to break ground for the project, which will include 64 miles of water mains, two water storage tanks and four pump stations.

An estimated 384 households will be connected to the system by the time the project is completed.

Vanceburg Mayor W.T. Cooper recognized the officials on hand and made some opening comments recalling when well water was the only drinking water to be had in the entire area.

Slone said Rural Development will loan $1.515 million and grant $900,000 toward the project. An Appalachian Regional Commission Grant of $450,000 along with a state grant of $1.177 million and local contribution of $135,000 will round out funding on the water expansion.

Contractors for the project include G&W Construction, Kentucky Glass Lined Tanks and Micro-Comm Inc. Haworth, Meyer and Boleyn Engineering will be doing the planning and engineering.

Local and state officials attended the open house to get a first hand look at the new equipment and to join the community in celebrating its delivery.

FVFD Chief Johnny Evans spoke to those in attendance and expressed appreciation to the officials, area residents and firefighters for working to improve the department and expand protection to Firebrick area residents.

State Director for USDA Rural Development Ken Slone outlined funding for the purchase of the pumper.

Slone said Rural Development will loan $40,000 and grant $10,000 toward the project. A Kentucky State Fire Commission loan of $60,000 along with $20,000 from the fire department round out the financing for the new truck.

Firebrick Volunteer Fire Department held an open house recently to show off their new 1,250 GPM pumper truck. The truck replaces an older truck, which is no longer serviceable.

Rural Development Specialist Elwood Howe said this was the third fire department in Lewis County that Rural Development has helped to provide funding for a new truck in the past two years. The other departments are Garrison and Black Oak.

Deputy Dwayne Stone is investigating separate burglaries including one on county-owned property.

Stone said the first burglary was reported on March 14 when Anthony Henderson of Sullivan Ridge reported that an outbuilding had been burglarized.

Stone said items taken included a Sears air compressor, an 029 Lincoln welder, a Stihl chainsaw, a water pump, assorted welding equipment and extension cords.

The second reported break-in was at the county impound lot located west of Vanceburg off Ky. Rt. 3037.

Stone said the burglary was discovered March 19 when employees discovered that an office trailer at the lot had been broken into.

Four charged following fire

Four Lewis County residents were arrested last week and charged with third degree arson in connection with a fire on March 1.

Sheriff Bill Lewis said the charges are in connection to a barn fire on Big Cabin Creek. Lewis said Deputies Mark Snedegar and Tom Polley conducted an aggressive investigation and followed several leads to track down the suspects.

Lewis said the four suspects are Shannon Keeton, 18, Richard Thoroughman, 19, Ashley Kennedy, 18, and Heath J. Malone, 22, all of western Lewis County.