News

By Dennis Brown

A Lewis County youth was found unharmed last week less than 24 hours after he had been reported missing by his parents.

Larry Colley, who coordinated search efforts in Lewis County, said a call was received from the boy’s parents about 10:15 a.m. Tuesday reporting that the 12-year-old had walked away from his home sometime overnight.

“A prime concern of mine was that the parents reported the boy has asthma and was without an inhaler,” Colley said.

Colley said he contacted Larry Dixon, the area manager for Kentucky Emergency Management’s Morehead office, and relayed the information to him.

Colley said he met Dixon at the boy’s home and they interviewed his mother and father to gather as much information as possible to use in searching for the youth. Colley had also put out a call to fire departments for volunteers and four-wheelers to be used in the search.

He said an organizational headquarters was set up near the home about 2.6 miles from the Carter County line on Ky. Rt. 59. Volunteers responded with equipment from Camp Dix, Kinniconick and Garrison Volunteer Fire Departments and were working in conjunction with Lewis County Sheriff’s Deputies, KSP Troopers and a unit from Rowan County Rescue.

The initial search area included wooded areas around the home and questioning nearby residents to ask if they had seen the youngster.

As the day progressed other agencies were notified and the search area expanded. Colley said a team from Commonwealth Search and Rescue arrived on the scene as well as volunteers from Olive Hill Fire Department.

He said because of the proximity of Interstate 64 to the search area, Department of Transportation and Vehicle Enforcement units were alerted and were checking along the highway and at rest areas.

“The alert went out statewide,” Colley said. “Pretty much every unit operating in Kentucky was aware of the missing boy and was looking for him.”

Colley said separate witness reported having seen the boy in the early morning hours near the intersection of Ky. Rt. 59 and Ky. Rt. 2 in Carter County and the search progressed in that direction.

He said KSP sent out an alert to the media along with a photo of the boy asking for any information that could be helpful in the search.

He said evidence was found that the boy had been at that location and concentrated search efforts were moved to that area. The

command center was relocated to the fire department in Olive Hill and volunteers joined officials in searching the city street by street and door to door.

Colley said the search extended several miles in each direction from Olive Hill and officials with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources helped to search in rural areas as well as barns and buildings in the area.

Colley noted that a city park at Olive Hill was searched more than once on Tuesday with no signs that the youngster had been there.

Colley said a heavy rain lasting about 40 minutes Tuesday afternoon only slightly hampered search activities because of limited visibility. It was at about that time, he said, that officials and volunteers were comparing notes and putting additional ideas together to continue the search.

Colley said full search efforts continued until about 12:30 a.m. Wednesday when the effort was relaxed until early the next morning.

As the search efforts picked back up Wednesday morning, Olive Hill Police Officers discovered the boy inside a building at the Olive Hill City Park.

“He had been asleep in the building and the door was locked,” Colley said. “Officers found him and a short time later he was reunited with his parents safe and sound.”

Colley commended everyone involved in the search efforts. “We used every resource available,” he said. “They searched miles and miles of roadways, ditch lines, culverts, under bridges, in barns and door-to-door. No stone was left unturned.”

“Everyone worked great together,” Colley said of the search effort. “I especially appreciate the efforts of Dispatcher Patty Beth Moore,” he added. He said Moore was helping to coordinate search efforts from the dispatch center while also handling and directing calls for several other agencies.

“I’m thankful for the input of information from people,” Colley said. “It made a turning point in the direction of the search,” he said. Witnesses had reported to officials that the boy had been seen at various locations between his home and Olive Hill.

Colley said having cellular telephone service available in the search area also was a great help in his coordination of field efforts during the search efforts.

“We are very happy the situation ended the way it did,” Colley said. “Knowing his medical condition and history of asthma, we increased our efforts to do everything we could to find him,” he said.

He said the boy reportedly had taken a few things with him, including some food and a change of clothes. “He did have some nourishment and dry clothes,” Colley said. “The main thing is he is safe and back at home.”

Some hurt, some charged in Quincy accidents

By Dennis Brown

Two separate accidents near Quincy last week are under investigation by the Lewis County Sheriff’s Department.

Deputy Tom Polley is investigating a two vehicle last Monday afternoon that sent three people to the hospital.

Polley said the accident happened about 12:30 p.m. Monday on Ky. Rt. 8 at Quincy Curve.

Polley said a 2004 Ford Escort, operated by Paul Cooper, 36, of Garrison and a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado pick-up, operated by Jan Bolander, 26, of Garrison, were traveling west on the roadway.

Polley said the Cooper vehicle had stopped to pick up "Doc" Martin Wilburn and was struck in the rear by the pick-up.

Paul Cooper and a passenger in the Escort, Michelle Cooper, 33, of Garrison, were taken to Southern Ohio Medical Center in Portsmouth, Ohio, by ambulance. Bolander was taken to the hospital by private vehicle.

Members of the Garrison and Black Oak Fire and Rescue Squads assisted at the scene. Polley is continuing the investigation into the accident.

The second accident happened on Ky. Rt. 8 just west of Quincy on Tuesday evening.

Chief Deputy Johnny Bivens said the accident happened as a 2000 Ford Ranger, operated by Brandon Brickey, 35, of Blue Creek, Ohio, was traveling east on the roadway when Brickey apparently lost control of the vehicle.

Bivens said the vehicle traveled across the center line and into the west bound lane when the operator overcorrected. He said the vehicle then went off the right side of the roadway and struck a ditch causing the vehicle to overturn and finally come to rest in an upright position.

Bivens said Brickey was taken to Meadowview Regional Medical Center at Maysville for treatment of minor injuries.

He said following Brickey’s release from the hospital, he was taken to the Lewis Coutny Detention Center and charged with first offense DUI.

Two passengers in the vehicle, Greg Masters, 46, of Portsmouth, Ohio, and Johnda Kerns, 45, were arrested at the scene and lodged in the Lewis County Detention Center on charges of alcohol intoxication.

Bivens was assisted at the scene by Deputy Dwayne Stone, Deputy Joe Templeman and Garrison Fire and Rescue.

Plant Board to save by refinancing bonds

By Dennis Brown

Members of the Vanceburg Electric Plant Board took steps last week that should save the local utility more than $300,000 in interest payments over the next 20 years.

Board members took the first steps in refinancing some revenue bonds that were initially issued in 2000 for electric improvements. About $4.1 million remains of the original $5 million principal amount.

Plant Board Superintendent Bill Tom Stone said officials with Ross, Sinclaire and Associates, a Cincinnati brokerage and investment banking firm, contacted him concerning the matter.

R.J. Palmer, an associate with the firm, presented information to board members showing projected annual savings of between $15,000 and $23,000 on interest payments by refinancing.

“Refinancing is very common in our world,” Palmer told board members.

While the current principal balance is $4.15 million, the newly financed amount will be about $390,000 more. That amount, according to Palmer, includes costs associated with refinancing the bonds.

“It is in excess of a good time to refinance,” Palmer said. “Rates are near historic lows.”

Total projected payments on the proposed bond issue would amount to $6,934,625 compared with total payments of $7,317,230 if the plant board continued to pay off the current bonds at the higher interest rate.

Since the bonds are issued to the City of Vanceburg, Plant Board members voted to request the city adopt an ordinance to allow for the refinancing of the bonds. Council agreed to the request during its regular meeting last week by holding a first reading of the ordinance.

Palmer said it will take about 30 to 60 days to get the bonds refinanced after authorization is granted. Council plans a second reading of the ordinance during regular session on August 2.

During the superintendent’s report to board members, Stone said a project to provide water service to residents on Old Trace is near completion with lines set to be tied in with the Rattlesnake Ridge Water District.

Stone said FEMA officials are working with utility officials to complete applications for fund reimbursement to pay for damage following flooding in May. He said the costs associated with damage repairs are expected to exceed $100,000.

He told board members that two firms have responded to a request to provide a rate study to the utility company. The study was suggested at an earlier meeting to help get rates for the different utility services in line with what they should be. Some rates, including water and sewer, have remained unchanged for several years.

Stone said the estimates for the rate study ranged significantly between the two firms with the higher end at about $85,000.

He suggested the possibility of having USDA conduct the rate study at no cost since they would likely do a study anyway in preparing to loan money to the utility company for impending sewer line upgrades.

“The time has come for us to do that,” said board member Charles Ross.

Stone discussed new requirements concerning mapping of the company’s natural gas lines and requested authority to name assistant supervisors for the water and electric departments.

Board members authorized Stone to discuss the positions with each department’s supervisor and fill the positions with the employees who are next in line.

The board voted to go into closed session to discuss proposed or pending litigation and took no action when returning to open session.

The board approved financial reports and the payment of bills before adjourning.

House Speaker visits fiscal court

By Dennis Brown

House Speaker Greg Stumbo stopped in Lewis County last week to address magistrates and offer his support for the betterment of Lewis County through his position in state government.

Stumbo told magistrates the best way to help out Kentucky counties is to figure out a way to bring jobs and opportunities to the Commonwealth.

“I believe that to make Kentucky grow, we have to make ourselves attractive,” he said.

He said improvements should be made in schools and infrastructure as well as cultivating entertainment opportunities. “And we need to bring our communications systems up,” he said.

“We need to sell the quality of life that we are enjoying,” Stumbo said. “Sometimes we forget what we have and how lucky we are to have it.”

Stumbo said he has enjoyed hunting and fishing in Lewis County and mentioned those are marketable things as far as attracting some business to the area. “Lewis County is a remarkable county,” he said.

“We have to promote what we have. Kentucky can’t grow unless all of Kentucky grows,” he said.

“We need to think outside the box a little bit,” he continued. “We may not be able to get Toyota here, but we can get workers from here to Toyota.”

Stumbo said workers from Lewis County, as well as his home county of Floyd, travel to Toyota Manufacturing facilities in Georgetown each week to work. He noted that growth in one part of the state can help another part.

Before closing, Stumbo told magistrates they could contact him any time. “I can give you two things,” he said. “As much time as you need, and the truth.”

David Hayes, a candidate for 96^th District State Representative, was traveling with Stumbo and also addressed court members.

“I’m proud of these Ten Commandments hanging on the wall here,” Hayes told magistrates as he motioned to the document.

“I went down to Frankfort recently and told them two things I wanted to see done in the 96^th District,” Hayes said. “One of those things was improving cell phone service in Lewis County.”

Hayes said he was put in contact with AT&T officials who gave him some good news for Lewis County.

He said the officials confirmed a new cellular site was planned to be put into operation next year to improve cell service between Tollesboro and Maysville. He added he will be pressing for improved service in Vanceburg and other areas of the county where service is inadequate.

“I want to show that I am serious about serving the people,” he said.

Dennis Brown/Lewis County Herald

House Speaker Greg Stumbo spoke to fiscal court members during a regular session last week at the Lewis County Courthouse.

Judge Executive Steve Applegate thanked Stumbo and Hayes for their words. “And I appreciate anything you can do for the people of Lewis County,” he added.

Taking up regular business last week, magistrates approved an offer to sell property in the Tollesboro Industrial Park adjacent to Primary Plus at a cost of $10,000 per acre.

Applegate said a medical type facility that would create 20 to 25 jobs is interested in locating near Primary Plus.

In related measures, magistrates agreed to offer property to Primary Plus surrounding their facility for any future growth, also at $10,000 per acre, and approved to advertise for logging and pulp wood in an area behind Primary Plus.

Applegate said three to four acres in the industrial park could be cleared to create more space in that area of the park. All of the items were recommended by the Industrial Park advisory board.

Magistrates tabled a matter to advertise about 55 acres of property in the Industrial Park for hay production. The acreage has been leased on an annual basis for the past several years for the purpose of growing and harvesting hay.

Magistrates raised the possibility of increasing the term to more than one year to allow the tenant to apply fertilizer in the fall and reap the benefits the following year. Magistrates said they would follow the recommendation of the Industrial Park advisory board.

Magistrates approved the appointment of Andrea Buckner to the Camp Dix Volunteer Fire Department Tax Board to a term expiring in 2012 and approved the acknowledgement of the receipt of annual budgets for several taxing districts in the county.

Magistrates approved the annual county treasurer’s settlement after presentation by Treasurer Kathy Dillow. “Every fund is in balance to the penny,” she told magistrates.

County officials presented their monthly reports and magistrates approved the payment of bills before adjourning.

Council hears complaints of nuisances

By Dennis Brown

Fast drivers and trashy properties were the hot topics last week at the regular meeting of Vanceburg City Council.

Vanceburg businessman Danny McCane addressed council and said speeding on Market Street, where he operates his business, has been a problem for some time.

He said a recent auto accident on the street finally prompted him to see if something could be done.

McCane said the operator of the speeding vehicle involved in the accident was not insured and one of the vehicles damaged was covered only by liability insurance.

“What can we do to slow these people down?” he asked.

The possibility of locating speed bumps on the street was brought up and soon discounted because the speed control devices can only be used in certain residential areas, not through streets.

McCane noted there are no posted speed limits on the street and Mayor Angie Patton responded she would research the speed limit for Market Street and have the limit posted. She added she would notify city police officers of the problem and have patrols increased in the area to slow down the offenders.

Patty Kennard, who serves as the city’s zoning enforcement official, said she had received numerous complaints concerning property on Halbert Street littered with junk and that people who rent the property have chickens, which are prohibited in the city limits.

Kennard said she had spoken with the owner and given him two weeks to correct the problems. She added another property on Fairlane Drive is home to some 60 chickens.

“This goes against the nuisance ordinance,” she told council members. “If they don’t comply, we can fine them $500. We need the money. Why don’t we do it?”

Kennard also mentioned other properties in the city she called “eyesores”. “People should come in and file a complaint. The property owners will have seven days to comply and then we need to fine them,” she said.

“It really, really, really needs to be done,” she added. “We need to enforce the law.”

Kennard said property owners who live near the offending properties are the ones who suffer the consequences because of having to put up with the problems and the devaluation of their property.

Council member Denver Moore, who serves as the city’s representative on the Electric Plant Board, gave a Plant Board update to council.

Moore said the Plant Board adopted a budget in June and gave an update on the progress of the upcoming sewer upgrade project in the city.

Council heard the first reading of two ordinances which will allow the Plant Board to refinance a loan at lower interest rates to save money and approved a legal services agreement which allows City Attorney John Holder to handle issues relating to a Rural Development loan for the construction of a new fire station/community center.

Patton said she would discuss a possible maximum number of hours to allow for Holder in the agreement and bring it back before the council. Holder’s fees would be $100 per hour after three hours.

Anita Gilbert, a candidate for Lewis County Judge Executive, addressed council and informed them a company that had applied to dredge sand for profit from the Ohio River at Lewis County has tentatively withdrawn their application.

Gilbert said the dredging would not improve navigation in the river and said it would likely hurt the environment as well as cause erosion problems on both sides of the river. She thanked council members for signing a petition to keep the dredging from happening.

She also informed council members that a company which had looked at the speculative building at the Black Oak Industrial Park had chosen to locate in Morgan County.

Gilbert said the prospect had told her the restrictions associated with the spec building were prohibitive and that the judge executive in Morgan County was very aggressive in marketing that county to the company. She said Morgan County was able to offer a better deal for the company.

Council approved minutes of the previous meeting and payment of bills before adjourning.

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