1801 news

Traffic slows for AA Blitz

By Dennis Brown
If you spent much time on the AA Highway last week it's likely you noticed an increase in patrol vehicles. A big increase.

Operation Drive Smart Blitz got underway on the highway Monday and lasted all week. It's also likely that you met some vehicles that you didn't think were radar equipped vehicles, but they were out there too.

Pat Melton, Director of Drive Smart Kentucky, said the patrols will continue to be increased although not at the same levels as during the blitz.

Melton said there are 5,400 unmarked cars and pickup trucks equipped with radar units across the state with some stationed in every county.

"We're asking all the agencies involved to devote a certain amount of time each week to patrolling on the highway," he said. "It’s important to keep the speed down on the AA Highway because of all the intersections, side roads and animals that get on rural sections of the roadway."

Vanceburg Police Chief Joe Billman said the Vanceburg Police Department wrote 81 speeding citations last week. The highest speed violation was 83 miles per hour. In addition, the department issued three safety belt citations, one person was arrested for having a suspended operator's license for DUI, one was arrested for possession of illegal drugs, 11 other citations were issued along with 33 warnings.

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Dennis Brown/Lewis County Herald

Vanceburg Police Chief Joe Billman writes out a speeding citation following a traffic stop on the AA Highway in Vanceburg last week. Billman said officers will continue to monitor speeding on the highway to help reduce the number of accidents.

Melton said that for the entire highway last week, 1,288 citations were issued. The highest speed was reported on Monday at 96 MPH. Melton added that on Friday, the highest speed was clocked at 83 MPH. The figures are preliminary because not all agencies had reported to Melton by press time Monday.

In other statistics for the week's blitz, Melton said there were eight DUI arrests, six with suspended licenses, three child restraint violations, 121 seat belt violations, four warrants, eight drug-related arrests, 164 warnings and 235 other citations issued.

Little League Opening Day May 5

Lewis County Little League board members have been busy planning for the upcoming season and it's almost here!
The league plans to hold Opening Day ceremonies on Saturday, May 5, with a parade of teams through downtown Vanceburg. Teams will march to the Lewis County Central Elementary ballfields to play each other for the first games.

Players need to line up along Front Street at 9:00 a.m. The parade will start at 10:00 a.m.

Players, ages five to 14, are divided into five divisions consisting of 26 teams: four tee ball, five rookie league baseball, four minor league baseball, three minor league softball, five major league baseball, two major league softball, two junior league baseball and one junior league softball.

The league's schedule is set and will be officially announced next week. On most nights, league games will begin at 5:30 p.m. and 6:34 p.m. The regular season will begin on Monday, May 7, and continue through to Tuesday, June 26.
The regular season will end with a County Tournament held June 29 through July 1. District All-Star play is tentatively scheduled to begin after the July 4^th holiday.

The regular season and tournament schedules for the junior league teams will be announced at a later date.

Depot Committee meets

Members of the Vanceburg Depot Committee met last week to discuss ways to raise money and to plan for the opening of the Depot Building.
Members agreed to apply for a Community History Grant and to hold local fund raisers to generate operating revenue for the Depot.

Funding is needed to purchase security display cases for the items and documents that will be on the display as well as for continued operating expenses.

Plans are to open the Depot to the public around July 4 along with a program to honor World War II veterans, many of whom left for the war from the Vanceburg Depot.

Funding provided by the City of Vanceburg has been utilized to purchase some furniture, a computer system and alarm system for the building.

In addition to applying for the grant, members discussed holding an auction where the Depot fund would receive a commission on the items to be sold.

Anyone can bring items to be auctioned and would receive the money with a buyers premium going to the Depot fund.
Among the items suitable for the auction are furnishings, artwork, china, glassware, rare and autographed books, and other like items for this type of auction.

Local and railroad items of historic significance are also being sought to be put on display in the Depot on a rotating basis. Items for display on the opening of the Depot in July have been secured from rail enthusiasts George and Bob Gilkison who have an extensive collection of railroad memorabilia.

For more information on the auction, or if you have historical items you would like to loan for some of the displays in the Depot, contact Joni Pugh at the Victorian Rose at 208 Main Street in Vanceburg or call 606-796-2069.

Visit the Vanceburg Depot on-line!

Photo Catches

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Dennis Brown/Lewis County Herald

THE OLD AND THE NEW . . . Newly designed arm patches for the Vanceburg Police Department were recently delivered and will soon be appearing on officers' uniforms. The old patch, at left, has been utilized for several years. The new patch, at right, features a view of the Veterans Memorial Park and the Ohio River. The colorful new patch was designed by Vanceburg artist Ed Taylor.

Paula Franke/Lewis County Herald

Several Lewis County farmers gathered at Joe LeMaster's farm in Quincy last week to watch the operation of specialized equipment that creates a raised bed and lays plastic mulch and trickle irrigation tape at the same time. The equipment, purchased through a grant last year, will be used by several members of the Lewis County Vegetable Producers Association this year in a pilot testing program.

Paula Franke/Lewis County Herald

Joe LeMaster walks behind the tractor to check that black plastic mulch is being laid properly on the raised bed.

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