News

Interagency council hears "green" report

By Dennis Brown

The Lewis County Interagency Council met last week and committee members heard a presentation from Dave Kreher, Executive Director of People’s Self-Help Housing in Vanceburg.

Kreher conducted a short quiz on saving energy and building efficient homes. He complimented those attending for their understanding of the recent push for energy savings and going “green”.

Kreher explained the Energy Star rating and reviewed many energy saving measures that can be taken to help save on energy costs as well as conserve energy.

He said that Energy Star is a program of the US Environmental Protection Agency and displayed the familiar Blue Star logo which can be found on many appliances and various kinds of electronic equipment. The star is awarded to products that exceed the minimal energy usage standards determined by the EPA.

He said newly constructed homes can also achieve the Energy Star rating if the home is built to specific standards which include being well insulated and with an eye toward resource conservation. He said that People’s Self-Help Housing has been building the so called “green” and potential Energy Star homes for 25 years and hadn’t realized it.

Energy Star homes are more efficient than standard new homes and are verified by a certified rater through inspections and tests of the home during and after construction. He said there are only 22 individuals in Kentucky certified to perform those inspections, compared to just a couple a few years ago.

Kreher also reviewed the Green Build Kentucky Certification process and categories. Certification results for points earned in six areas of new construction and include two inspections. In building green, Kreher said, consideration must be given in several areas including house placement, efficient planning and framing techniques, materials used, high performance appliances, innovative options and the indoor environment. Maintenance and homeowner education also figure in, he said.

Kreher said some of the benefits of green homes include less maintenance, higher resale value, less expensive to operate, good for the environment, healthier for your family and more comfort.

Kreher said existing homes can also benefit from a little green by using more efficient lightbulbs, turning off lights and appliances when not in use, more efficient appliances and heating/cooling systems and some common sense.

Kreher said PSHH will be building five homes this summer which will have solar panels installed to help

Dennis Brown/Lewis County Herald

People's Self-Help Housing Executive Director Dave Kreher displays the familiar Energy Star logo during a meeting of the Lewis County Interagency Council last week. Kreher gave a "green" presentation.

supplement electricity for the home and said the organization is continually tweaking home plans and blueprints to help save energy and reduce waste.

He said that Kentucky is one of the highest users of energy in the nation, partly because the cost of electricity is so inexpensive here. Judge Executive Steve Applegate interjected that he had recently attended a meeting where they had discussed projected steep increases in electricity rates in Kentucky.

Applegate said that is because of a push for lower generating plant emissions and electric providers will be paying more to generate or purchase cleanly produced electricity.

Kreher said PSHH recently went online with a new Website at www.pshhinc.org and invited everyone to stop by for a visit.

He said the site now includes income limit guidelines for those who are looking into home ownership through PSHH. The site also includes information on rental assistance, home repair, weatherization and homeowner education.

Applications for housing programs can also be downloaded from the site and there are some already completed homes listed for sale there along with general information for anyone wanting to learn more about People’s Self-Help Housing and what they have to offer.

Interagency Council members also heard updates on L-Trans which is a transportation service set to begin in Lewis County within a couple of weeks and the Women’s Crisis Center which recently located in Vanceburg.

The next meeting of the Interagency Council was scheduled for 9:00 a.m. May 19 at the Lewis County Extension Office.

Lewis County officials submit monthly reports

By Dennis Brown

Lewis County officials presented their monthly activity reports during the March meeting of Lewis County Fiscal Court.

Sheriff Bill Lewis filed his department’s report for activities from February 9, 2009, to March 9, 2009:

* Subpoenas Served 73

* Domestic Related Calls 89

* Civil Summons Served 40

* Felony Arrests 21

* Misdemeanor Arrests 32

* Accident Investigations 11

* Juvenile Investigations 15

* Criminal Summons 23

* Prisoners Transp. to Secure Facility 576 miles

* Juveniles Transported 324 miles

* DVOs and EPOs 6

* Court Bailiff Hours 407

* Prescription Deliveries 2

* Auto Inspections 97

* Funeral Escorts 5

* Property Taxes Collected $68,781.55

* Franchise Taxes Collected 11.98

Total $68,793.53

Lewis County Emergency Management Director Carl Chaney reported the following activities:

* Performed all routine administrative/office tasks as required by KyEM.

* Turned in all monthly reports for KyEM.

* Participated in several conference calls with state and federal officials.

* Worked on preliminary paperwork for state and federal officials.

* Met with FEMA representatives.

* Attended a FEMA grant workshop at Maysville.

* Attended a Web EOC training at Maysville as required by KyEM.

* Working on 911 issues.

* Working of Flood Plain issues.

* Provided dispatch coverage.

The Lewis County E-911 Dispatch Center received a total of 348 calls for service for the following agencies:

* Sheriff’s Department 138

* Vanceburg Police Department 97

* Traffic Stops 41

* Injury Accidents 6

* Non-injury Accidents 12

* Complaints 56

Fire Department and other calls:

* Lewis Co. FD 6

* Camp Dix FD 9

* Garrison FD 12

* Vanceburg FD 7

* Firebrick FD 1

* Black Oak FD 10

* Kinniconick FD 4

* Tollesboro FD 14

* Med Corp Ambulance 86

* Coroner 1

Road Supervisor Dane Howard reported that more than 2,100 tons of gravel had been hauled over the previous month and said pothole repairs had been made at Quincy, Firebrick, Tar Camp, Bentleyville, Laurel, Garrison, Slate Hollow and Ribolt-Epworth Road.

Graded roads included Petersville, Dummitt Branch, Twin Branch, Perry Branch, Pine Grove, Virginia Craig, Gerkie Road, Wilson Road, South Bane, Craycraft Road, Fuller Branch, Little Holly, Cooper Fork, Twin Branch 59, Dummitt Branch, Briary Road, Perry Branch, KLG Road and Stevens Ridge.

Howard reported that pipe had been installed or repaired at Garrad Road, Holly Road, Beechy, Garden Branch, Murphy’s Lane and Greenbriar Road. Holly Road received repairs to a slide area and Spy Run, Mud Lick and Skidmore Lane received repairs to bridges.

Tree and debris removal was reported for Holly Road, Quicks Run, Scaffold Lick, Mud Lick, Bill Chain, Laurel and Oak Hill. Signs were printed and/or installed on Jordan Lane, Rose Mountain Road, Bentley Lane, Spence Lane, Wildwood Trail, Kenton Avenue, Hampshire Lane, Sexton Lane, Quicks Run, Murphy’s Lane, Lumpy Lane and Garrard Road.

Howard reported other repairs at Mulligan Hollow, Rock Run Road, Manley Hollow, Railroad Street, Smooth Rock, Cooper Fork, McCarthy Bend, Hackworth Branch and Dyer Branch.

Lewis County Jailer Tim Underwood filed the following activity report for February 1 – 28, 2009:

Inmate Population:

* State Inmates CC/CD/CI 40

* Traded 0

* Served Out 2

* Paroled 7

* County Inmates 30

* Inmates Booked In 74

* Average Daily Jail Population 70

Fees/Payments Collected:

* Booking, Housing, Medical, Damaged Property $1,892.10

* Telephone Commission $1,574.11

* Class D/CC/CI Pay for January $30,525.16

Food

* Somerset Food in February $5,813.17

Traveled 1,282 Miles

* Casey County Detention Center

* Marion County Adjustment Center

* Roederer Correctional Complex

Underwood reported that 38 Class D inmates participated in the work program totaling 3,920 man hours. The agencies they assisted included The Lewis County Courthouse, Justice Center, Sheriff’s Department, City of Vanceburg, Solid Waste Program, Clean Highways Program, Garrison Little League, Garrison Boat Docks, Tollesboro Little League, Lewis County Historical Society, Lewis County Board of Education, Corps of Engineers, Helen Rayburn Library, and the Black Oak, Tollesboro and Camp Dix Fire Departments.

Areas covered by the Clean Highways Program included Ky. Rt. 10, Garrison Lane, Old Trace Creek, Rock Run, Warrens Cemetery Lane, Hickle Drive, Briary Road, Martin Lane, Ky. Rt. 8 and Murphy Lane. A total of 750 bags of waste were picked up.

Underwood reported the commissary account at the jail totaled $5,794.45 and the inmate account had a balance of $7,493.39.

The next regular meeting of Lewis County Fiscal Court will be at 9:30 a.m. April 6, 2009, in the third floor courtroom of the Lewis County Courthouse.

Helen Rayburn Library presents latest audits

By Al Owens

Meeting in regular session this month the Trustee Board of the Helen H. Rayburn Public Library of Lewis County entertained Donna Hendrix, CPA who presented the report on the latest library audit.

Hendrix said that the audit was good, and she found no fraudulent activity. She added that the library is in good financial shape. However, she had to report two significant deficiencies that must be corrected or they will become material weaknesses in the next audit. If that happens the library will not be eligible to receive any grants.

Hendrix told the board that most small libraries have these deficiencies in regard to internal controls of the finances. The library must either hire someone to do the bookkeeping internally or hire someone from the outside to do the job.

Board President Carol Gilbert announced that her second term ends the last of June and Lena Fugate’s interim term, filling the term of the late Helen H. Rayburn, ends in July. The board selected two names to fill each position. Those names will be submitted to the Fiscal Court, and the court will approve one name from those selections to fill each position on the board. Fugate’s name will be submitted for reappointment.

State Librarian Wayne Onkst told Carol Gilbert that the new library for Lewis County is at the top of his priority list for funding. State Senator Charlie Borders and State Representative Robin Webb are also aiding in raising the funds for the library.

The Legislative Committee has requested that the library’s annual donation be increased from $50 to $200. The board moved to comply with that request. Other libraries around the state are doing the same.

The library is extending its hours for the months of June and July only. For those two months the library will be open on Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

KDLA Regional Consultant Charlotte McIntosh told the board that the 2007-08 Statistical Report of KY Public Libraries can be found online at www.kdla.ky.gov/libsupport/statistics.htm.

She also announced that the 2009 Kentucky Public Library Association/Kentucky Library Trustee Round Table Conference will be held on Wednesday, April 22 through Friday, April 24 at the Lexington Downtown Hotel and Conference Center. The theme is “The Power of Our Voice.” Program sessions will relate to the operation and management of public libraries.

The Library Director’s report shows that 741 patrons used the library last month. From the main library 4,877 books were checked out and from the Bookmobile 1,188. Patrons signed on to use the computers 1,346 times with the Internet being accessed 673 times.

Before adjourning Board President Carol Gilbert announced that the next meeting will be on Tuesday, April 14, at 1:00 p.m. at the library.

Local Red Cross Chapter to host spaghetti dinner

By Dennis Brown

The Lewis-Greenup Counties Chapter of the American Red Cross will be sponsoring a kick-off fundraiser for their Red Cross Heroes Campaign in Lewis County. The local chapter will host a spaghetti dinner at 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 3, at the Vanceburg United Methodist Church.

Debbie Lewis, Co-Chair of the local chapter, said the fundraising and awareness campaign kick-off will begin its Hunt for Heroes to help those in Lewis and Greenup Counties when emergencies happen.

Col. Vance Huston, USMC retired, is the honorary chairman of the campaign and was on hand for a local meeting of the chapter last week in Vanceburg. Huston said his definition of a hero is “someone who recognizes the needs of the community and does what he or she can do to help meet that need.”

The goal of the campaign is to raise $50,000 by May 1. The funds can be utilized by the Red Cross in many ways and can include helping a family who has lost their home to fire, providing shelter and assistance during a natural disaster, or notifying a family military member of an emergency and helping them to find a way home.

Huston said that as an example, $1,000 can provide 571 toiletries kits, 198 blankets or 37 cots. The same amount could also provide groceries for 34 disaster victims or help a family of four to get shoes and clothing after they have lost their home to a fire.

“A hero is someone who steps up to the plate,” Huston said last week. “It is someone who is civic minded and who doesn’t do this to be famous. It is somebody who recognizes the importance and the necessity of organizations like the American Red Cross.”

The chapter responded to 25 disasters last year in Lewis and Greenup Counties including 22 house fires and provided assistance to 68 individuals with emergency food supplies and shelter.

The chapter helped provide emergency connections for 19 military families and taught 520 individuals lifesaving skills such as first aid, CPR and AED training.

“The American Red Cross is there when it happens and it has the resources available immediately when there is need,” Huston said.

He noted he has had dealings with the Red Cross for more than 50 years. When he was in the US Marine Corps, the agency would help Marines get in contact with their families in cases of a death. He said he has been a volunteer blood donor for many years and contributed more than 11 gallons during that time.

Huston said there are lots of local heroes who help without being asked from local business owners to retired teachers. “The local staff of the Red Cross is very selfless people who go above and beyond what they are asked,” Huston said. Lewis and Greenup Counties can be very proud of these people and we are lucky to have them in our midst.”

The Red Cross is chartered by the federal government but receives no governmental funding. It relies on donations to continue its work.

For local information you can contact Debbie Lewis at 606-796-6761, Lloyd Spear at 606-796-3873 or Tom Bertram at 606-796-3024. Checks for donations may be made to NEKY Chapter Heroes or American Red Cross and may be mailed to 129 Second Street, Vanceburg KY 41179.

The local spaghetti dinner will include baked spaghetti, salad, bread and dessert for $5.00 and will begin at 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 3, at the Vanceburg United Methodist Church across from the Lewis County Courthouse on Second Street in Vanceburg.

Lewis said donations are sincerely appreciated and will benefit families locally. The Hunt for Heroes Campaign will run throughout April.

Unemployment increases across Commonwealth

Staff Report

Kentucky's unemployment rate has reached its highest level in more than two decades.

It topped nine percent last month for the first time since 1986.

The Office of Employment and Training released Kentucky's seasonally adjusted preliminary unemployment rate figures Thursday. The report says Kentucky's unemployment rate in February reached 9.2 percent, up from 8.8 percent the month before.

Lewis County was ranked the seventh highest in the state with 14.2 percent unemployment.

The report estimates there were nearly 192,000 unemployed people in Kentucky last month. That's nearly 79,000 more than February 2008.

Unemployment in Kentucky is worse than the national rate, which was at 8.1 percent in February, the report says.

Mining jobs rose by 300 in February 2009, making it the only sector to post an increase during the month.

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