News

Tornado causes damage to buildings in Tollesboro

By Dennis Brown

A weak tornado touched down in Tollesboro last week amid a severe thunderstorm passing through the area.

The storm crossed from Mason County into Lewis County shortly after 9:00 p.m. Tuesday and along with the winds and spawned tornado were torrents of rain which caused damage in the watershed area north of Tollesboro.

Charlie Woodrum, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Wilmington, Ohio, said the tornado that developed about 9:25 p.m. had a maximum estimated wind speed of 90 to 95 miles per hour and covered a maximum path of about 50 yards wide by ¼ mile long. The path of the tornado was parallel to Ky. Rt. 10 in Tollesboro in the Hampton Lane area.

Woodrum said an assessment team traveled to Tollesboro on Wednesday morning to survey the damage and reported that the brief touchdown of the tornado produced damage consistent with that of an EF1 scale tornado.

He said several homes and mobile homes received minor structural damage with three mobile homes lifted off their foundations. A barn was destroyed and another was damaged.

He added that several trees and large branches of trees were downed and a truck was damaged. He said some other minor straight line wind damage occurred near the tornado damage area in Tollesboro.

Al Bane, who owns a small barn that was destroyed and collapsed on a farm tractor, said he had surveyed a field behind his home on Ky. Rt. 10 and debris was scattered all over the 50 acre tract. He said debris had caught in a barbed wire fence and caused it to be blown over by the wind.

People’s Self-Help Housing Executive Director Dave Kreher said crews had been preparing for a mini-build at Katelyn’s Corner subdivision and had three homes under construction there. He said wind tore tar paper off roofs and blew debris around the work areas. He said a utility pole was blown over and noted that some other homes around the area also suffered wind damage. That area is located just west of where the tornado touched down.

Bill Burchfield, who said he had moved into a mobile home on Hampton Lane about two months earlier, said the entire event was less than 30 seconds.

Burchfield said he and his family huddled next to an inside wall of the mobile home and listened as the wind moved the home off its foundation and left it teetering on some concrete blocks. He noted the usual description of the sound of a locomotive was not evident during the ordeal but said he heard wind whistling around the windows just before the tornado struck.

The National Weather Service had issued a severe thunderstorm warning and two tornado warnings for Lewis County on Tuesday night.

The thunderstorm warning was issued at 9:15 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. while the first tornado warning came at 9:36 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. and was extended to 10:30 p.m. at 9:58 p.m.

Tornado warnings were also issued for Lewis County by the National Weather Service on Sunday evening as a storm system passed through the area, although no funnel clouds were reportedly sighted.

The storm on Tuesday also dumped an estimated one-and-a-half inches of rain on the western end of Lewis County in a short time and resulted in flash flooding damage along Cabin Creek and in the Cottageville area at the mouth of Brown’s Run.

Wayne Howe, who has lived in that area since the mid 1950s, said it was the worst damage he has seen. Water coming down Brown’s Run washed out around a bridge leading to Howe’s home and the home of his brother, Brian.

Howe said the creek overflowed and dumped tons of rock and mud in Brian Howe’s back yard. The rocks and water knocked concrete block from beneath his home and moved automobiles and outbuildings.

Wayne Howe said the force of the water apparently lifted up one vehicle and deposited debris beneath it which had to be pulled out before the car could be moved.

Wayne Howe and some neighbors were working Wednesday to relocate equipment from the storage buildings to drier locations and were planning to begin work to fill back in around the bridge to allow access to the homes. He said he was hesitant to begin on that project with more rain predicted for Wednesday night.

Howe said he was not at home when the storm hit and water was across Cabin Creek Road as he and his wife were returning home, forced them to return later.

Culverts were also washed out on Cabin Creek Road and county road crews were working Wednesday morning to make those repairs along with clearing debris left in ditches and on the roadway after the water receded.

Although it was evident the water was up near the Cabin Creek Covered Bridge, the bridge appeared undamaged by the rains and high water Tuesday night. Workers had placed a supporting structure inside the bridge in March and temporary supports which had been placed beneath the bridge for support earlier had been removed.

Lewis County Sheriff’s Deputy Tom Polley said some cows were reported loose following the storm, apparently taking advantage of downed fences from the storm.

No injuries were reported as a result of the storm.

Photos and information about the tornado are available on the website for the National Weather Service at www.erh.noaa.gov/iln/2009-06-16/.

Photos of former judges to be put on display

By Dennis Brown

A project to display photos of all Lewis County Judges Executive at the Lewis County Courthouse has been undertaken by present Judge Executive Steve Applegate.

Applegate said he felt it would be fitting to display the portraits of all past judges executive to honor the public servants throughout the county’s history and to allow courthouse visitors a glimpse of the past elected leaders of the county.

Applegate said he has already procured photos of four of the 20 previous county judges. Applegate is number 21.

A majority of the judges were elected to multiple terms, sometimes not consecutively. Applegate is in his second term as Lewis County Judge Executive.

He said he has collected the photos of Joseph Marion Lee who served four consecutive terms from 1902 to 1918 and was elected again to serve from 1934 to 1938; Merrill Osborne, who served 1970 to 1974; Jackie Ray Cooper, who served four terms from 1978 to 1994; and George Martin Plummer, who was elected to two terms and served from 1994 to 2003.

Applegate said he would contribute his own photo at the conclusion of his service to the county.

He is requesting photos, preferably 8X10 inch copies, of the previous judges executive to be submitted to the Lewis County Judge Executive’s Office at the courthouse. He urges descendants and relatives of the previous judges to have the photos copied, or loan the photo so it may be reproduced and displayed at the courthouse.

Photos are needed of Thomas Henderson, who served the first two terms in the county’s highest office from 1851 to 1858; James R. Garland from 1858-1862; Socrates Holbrook from 1862 to 1866; James S. Pollitt from 1866 to 1868; George Morgan Thomas from 1868 to 1870; James R. Garland from 1870 to 1874; M.P. Lewis from 1874 to 1878; Asbury Walker Fryer from 1878 to 1886 and 1890 to 1894; Samuel Johnson Pugh from 1886 to 1890; S.G. Hillis from 1894 to 1898; Ed Willim from 1898 to 1902; William Thomas Stone from 1918 to 1930; J. Smith McGill from 1930 to 1934 and 1950 to 1954; Orville Preston Pollitt from 1938 to 1942; Taft Stone from 1942 to 1950; Boone Dummitt from 1954 to 1962, 1966 to 1970 and 1974 to 1978; and Harold Lee from 1962 to 1966.

Applegate said the photos will be placed in the hallway on the second floor of the Lewis County courthouse near the judge executive’s office.

Man charged in shotgun incident

By Dennis Brown

An Emerson man has been charged with first degree wanton endangerment after allegedly firing a shotgun at his son last week.

Lewis County Chief Deputy Johnny Bivens said the alleged incident happened Wednesday evening on Rose Lane at Emerson.

Bivens said he was responding to a call of a domestic dispute after a caller reported that his father had a gun and was threatening to kill him. While on his way to that location, he was advised by an emergency dispatcher that shots had been fired and the perpetrator was leaving the scene in a gray station wagon.

Bivens said that when he arrived, he interviewed the alleged victim and witnesses. He said the victim told him that his father and he were engaged in a verbal altercation when the father loaded a shotgun and fired at him.

Bivens said the victim, who is 32, was able to lock himself in a residence until police arrived.

Bivens said he located the alleged perpetrator, Clifford Rose, operating a gray station wagon on Steven’s Ridge Road. He said Rose, 77, was arrested without incident.

Bivens said that at the time of his arrest, Rose had three loaded firearms in his possession. Rose was charged with first degree wanton endangerment and lodged in the Lewis County Detention Center.

Bivens is continuing the investigation into the incident.

Two hurt in accidents

By Dennis Brown

Two motorists were injured in separate single-vehicle accidents last week in Lewis County, according to a spokesman with the Lewis County Sheriff’s Department.

Deputy Dwayne Stone said the first accident happened Tuesday evening on Ky. Rt. 59 just south of Vanceburg on Vanceburg Hill.

Stone said a Dodge Avenger, operated by Misty Ginn Thurman, 28, of Vanceburg, was traveling north on the roadway when she failed to negotiate a curve and went off the left side of the roadway and into a ditch, impacting an earthen bank.

Stone said Thurman was pinned inside the vehicle and members of the Lewis County Fire and Rescue Squad were able to free her using the Jaws of Life to cut the top off the car.

Stone said Thurman, who received multiple injuries, was taken from the scene by MedCorp Ambulance to Vanceburg where she was transferred to a medical helicopter which took her to a Huntington, West Virginia, hospital.

Stone and Chief Deputy Johnny Bivens are investigating the accident. They were assisted at the scene by

Lewis County Fire and Rescue and Vanceburg Police Officer Joe Paul Gilbert.

The second accident happened in Garrison about 11:00 a.m. Sunday as a Mustang, operated by Aundrea Carroll, 16, of Russell, was traveling east on Ky. Rt. 8.

Deputy Tom Polley said Carroll reportedly pulled out of a parking lot at Collins FoodCenter and turned east onto Ky. Rt. 8.

He said she traveled a short distance and a wheel dropped off the right side of the roadway causing the car to continue off the roadway. The vehicle traveled about 100 feet and struck a utility pole.

The utility pole is located in the front yard of Garrison volunteer firefighter David Jordan, according to a witness at the scene. The impact resulted in breaking the utility pole and damaging some telephone and cable television lines attached to it. Some lines were also pulled from Jordan’s home as a result of the mishap.

Carroll was taken to Southern Ohio Medical Center in Portsmouth, Ohio, by MedCorp Ambulance.

Polley, who is continuing the investigation, was assisted at the scene by Garrison Fire and Rescue, MedCorp Ambulance and Deputy Stone.

Officials present monthly reports

By Dennis Brown

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

Sheriff Bill Lewis filed his department’s report for activities from May 11, 2009, to June 8, 2009:

* Subpoenas Served 43

* Domestic Related Calls 75

* Civil Summons Served 45

* Felony Arrests 18

* Misdemeanor Arrests 30

* Accident Investigations 7

* Juvenile Investigations 12

* Criminal Summons 15

* Prisoners Transp. to Secure Facility 128 miles

* Juveniles Transported 455 miles

* DVOs and EPOs 8

* Court Bailiff Hours 496

* Prescription Deliveries 2

* Auto Inspections 82

* Funeral Escorts 6

Stolen Property Recovered

* 2003 Ford F-350 $12,000.00

* 2008 Dodge Truck $32,000.00

* 1983 Honda $1,800.00

Total $45,800.00

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.

* Working on FEMA paperwork.

* Attended a Hazmat Meeting in Fleming County.

* Working on 911 issues.

* Working of Flood Plain issues.

* Provided dispatch coverage.

The Lewis County E-911 Dispatch Center received a total of 416 calls for service for the following agencies:

* Sheriff’s Department 164

* Vanceburg Police Department 108

* Traffic Stops 31

* Injury Accidents 5

* Non-injury Accidents 14

* Complaints 78

Fire Department and other calls:

* Lewis Co. FD 4

* Camp Dix FD 1

* Garrison FD 15

* Vanceburg FD 5

* Firebrick FD 3

* Black Oak FD 8

* Kinniconick FD 1

* Tollesboro FD 7

* Med Corp Ambulance 98

* Coroner 0

Road Supervisor Dane Howard reported that more than 2,618 tons of gravel and 41.11 tons of asphalt had been hauled over the previous month and said pothole repairs had been made at Skidmore Lane, McDowell Road, Straight Fork Road, Rock Run

Road, Firebrick, Scaffold Lick, First Street in Garrison, ADR Subdivision, Lynn Wood Subdivision, Creamery Pike, Old Trace Road, Logan Fork, Wildwood Trails, Indian Hills Subdivision, Evermans Lane, and Old Trace Ridge Road.

Graded roads included Mills Branch, Oak Hill Road, Andrew Mason Road, Gerkie Road, Goodwin Branch, Cottageville Church Road, Dry Hollow Road, Green Cemetery, Dummitt Ridge, Lambert Branch, Stone Branch, Abe Thomas Road, King Road, Roberts Road, Fingerboard, Kennedy Road, Garrard Road, Roberts Road, North Thorpe Ridge and Bogden Hollow.

Howard reported that pipe had been installed or repaired at Leo Doyle Road, Buck Lick Road, Mud Lick, Cophens Lane, Hazel Road, Holly Hill, Dry Hollow Road, Howie Lane, Swearingen Branch, Holly Road, Charters, Shaw Hollow, Fingerboard Road, Bear Branch Road, Trinity Station Road, Wilson Bottoms, Garrard Road and Rock Run Road.

Firebrick, South bend Road, Cophens Lane, Hazel Road, Poole Branch, Charters, Shaw Hollow, Holly Road and Rock Run Road received ditching or road widening.

Tree and debris removal/brush cutting/mowing was reported for Firebrick Cemetery, Murphy’s Lane, Warren Cemetery Road, McDowell, Quicks Run Road, Donald Applegate, Manley Hollow, Lower Kinney, Armstrong Church Road, Poplar Flat, Big Cabin Road and Holly Road.

Howard reported other repairs at Straight Fork Road, Leo Doyle Road, Buck Lick Road, Slate Hollow Road, Murphy’s Lane, Poole Branch, Dry Hollow Road, Fingerboard Road, Trinity Station Road, Wilson Bottoms and Garrard Road.

Lewis County Jailer Tim Underwood filed the following activity report for May 1 – 30, 2009:

Inmate Population:

* State Inmates CC/CD/CI 39

* Traded 0

* Served Out 2

* Paroled 1

* County Inmates 30

* Inmates Booked In 59

* Average Daily Jail Population 60

Fees/Payments Collected:

* Booking, Housing, Medical, Damaged Property $1,351.64

* Telephone Commission $1,443.36

* Class D/CC/CI Pay for April $39,975.44

Food

* Somerset Food in April $7,141.37

Traveled 334 Miles

* Casey County Detention Center

* Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex

Underwood reported that 37 Class D inmates participated in the work program totaling 4,760 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, Briary Road, Rock Run, Warrens Cemetery Lane, Scaffold Lick, Birchwood Lane, Lower Kinney, Indian Run Road, Murphy’s Lane and Dudley Avenue. A total of 269 bags of waste were picked up.

Underwood reported the commissary account at the jail totaled $6,106.94 and the inmate account had a balance of $5,407.24.

Lewis County Animal Control Officer Shawn Henderson did not file a report for the month of May.

County Treasurer Kathy Dillow reported the total of all county funds for the month of May had a beginning balance of $984,129.11 and an ending balance of $821,826.73. Receipts for the month totaled $200,924.79 while disbursements totaled $363,227.17.

The June meeting was recessed until 9:30 a.m. on June 29 and the next regular meeting of Lewis County Fiscal Court will be at 9:30 a.m. July 13, 2009, in the third floor courtroom of the Lewis County Courthouse.

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