By Al Owens

An estimated crowd of 200 attended a gospel concert held in the Lewis County High School auditorium last Saturday night. The proceeds from the concert went to support the Boys and Girls Club of Lewis County.

Darrell Polley of Tollesboro hosted the event that featured groups and soloists from five Kentucky counties and three Ohio counties. The talent level was high caliber, and the crowd often broke out in spontaneous applause.

Some of the groups played Bluegrass or Country Gospel, and the skill of those musicians coupled with the harmony of the singers made for awesome presentations. Other singers, especially the soloists, used sound tracks that provided professional quality accompaniment for accomplished vocalists.

The participants of the concert have united to donate their time and talents to raise funds for worthy causes. They bill the concerts as “More Than the Music.” To date they have performed for those worthy causes 17 times. The next “More Than the Music” event is scheduled for Saturday night, September 9 at the Central Baptist Church, Maysville. It is being billed with the theme “Unto the Least of These,” and will benefit Polly Hesler’s Community Thanksgiving Meal. Other performances are set for later in September and in early November.

Polley issued a note of thanks to the Lewis County Board of Education for permitting the use of the high school auditorium. Wilma Insko of Maysville was in charge of the concept and planning. Kenny Reeder served as the Stage Director. Lester Williams served as the Sound Engineer, and Jason Hill was the Video and Lighting Director.

During the break at midpoint of the concert Mike Kennedy, Director of the local Boys and Girls Club, expressed his gratitude to all the singers and others who made the event possible.

The club provided a summer program during the month of June in conjunction with summer school but is closed for now. It will reopen the first day of school on Monday, August 7.

The membership fee for the Boys and Girls Club is $1.00 per year. The club provides a safe and fun place after school for the young people of Lewis County ages six to 18. The hours are from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. weekdays. Buses from the school district provide transportation for most of the area.

For more information about the Boys and Girls Club of Lewis County you can call 606-796-2582.

Twelve people were indicted recently by the Lewis County Grand Jury, including a Lewis County man charged in connection with several fraudulent eBay transactions.

Matthew Leroy Arnold, 23, of Tollesboro, was indicted on three counts of felony theft by deception, one count of misdemeanor theft by deception, and four counts of unlawful access to a computer.

On or about March 3, 2005, Arnold allegedly received $707.56 from high bidder Shirley Gass in payment for Wal-Mart gift cards Arnold offered for sale on eBay with no intention of delivery.

On or about March 8, 2005, Arnold allegedly received $290 from high bidder Frank Bruno for two Dish Network 510 receivers that Arnold offered for sale on eBay with no intention of delivery.

On or about March 23, Arnold allegedly received $1,469.50 from high bidder Matthew Johnson for three high definition digital recorders that Arnold offered for sale on eBay with no intention of delivery.

On or about March 31, 2005, Arnold allegedly received $1,275 from high bidder Michael Huber for two DirecTV HD receivers that Arnold offered for sale on eBay with no intention of delivery.

In addition, Arnold was indicted on four counts of unlawful access to a computer in connection with each of the four previous theft by deception charges by without the effective consent of eBay Inc. he allegedly knowingly and willfully directly of indirectly accessed, caused to be accessed to attempted to access computer software, computer programs, data, computer(s), computer systems, computer network(s) or part(s) thereof, for the purpose of devising and executing a scheme or artifice to defraud potential bidders on eBay Inc.'s online website and to obtain money for himself or another by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations and/or promises of delivering merchandise, to wit: Wal-Mart gift cards, two Dish Network 510 receivers, three high definition digital video recorders, and two DirecTV HD receivers, to a potential high bidder. Testifying before the Grand Jury was George H. Stewart, investigator with the Office of Consumer Protection, Kentucky Attorney General's office.

Robert L. Canell, 59, was indicted on three counts of possession/receipt of a stolen credit/debit card, a class D felony.

On or about July 10, 2006, Canell allegedly knowingly received/possessed a credit/debit card, which he knew belonged to Rodney Switzer (said card having been lost, mislaid or mistakenly delivered) and charged $44 at Vanceburg SuperQuik, $43.98 at Lewis County Foodland and $411.06 at NAPA Auto Parts.

Richard Reynolds, 35, was indicted on five counts of possession/receipt of a stolen credit/debit card, a class D felony.

On or about July 10, 2006, Canell allegedly knowingly received/possessed a credit/debit card, which he knew belonged to Rodney Switzer (said card having been lost, mislaid or mistakenly delivered) and charged $41.31, $35.64, $77.35, $52.22 and $23.78.

Todd Pack, 22, was indicted for driving on suspended license, suspended for DUI 2nd offense, a class D felony, DUI 3rd offense and speeding, a misdemeanor.

On or about May 10, 2006, Pack allegedly operated a motor vehicle while his license was suspended for a violation of KRS 189A.010 and aggravated by being in violation of KRS 189A.010 at the time of the offense, operated a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or other substance, aggravated by having a child 12 years old or younger in the vehicle, and refusing the test for intoxicants offered by the arresting officer, and drove a motor vehicle 16 mph over the speed limit.

Ronald D. Liles, 40, was indicted for driving on a suspended license, suspended for DUI 2nd offense, a class D felony, driving under the influence of alcohol or other 3rd offense, a misdemeanor, leaving the scene of an accident, a misdemeanor, and 1st degree persistent felony offender, a class C felony.

On or about February 17, Liles allegedly operated a motor vehicle while his license was suspended for a violation of KRS 189.010 and enhanced by driving in violation of KRS 189A.010 in the commission of this offense, operated or had physical control of a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other substance, operated a motor vehicle that had been involved in a collision with another motor vehicle and left the scene without identifying himself or rendering aid, and being 21 or older and previously committed and convicted of two prior felonies (in Bracken County and Lewis County Circuit Courts) and sentenced to one year or more, is now charged as a persistent felony offender in the first degree.

The Lewis County Sheriff's Department is investigating a two vehicle accident that occurred last Wednesday morning on the AA Highway, 3.1 miles west of Vanceburg.

According to Sheriff Bill Lewis, Michael Detillion, 45, of Vanceburg, was operating a 1992 Toyota Corolla east on the AA Highway when the vehicle veered left of center and struck a westbound 2002 GMS Envoy, operated by Susan Lunsford, 39, of Worthington.

Detillion's vehicle traveled 71 feet after impact and came to rest in the emergency lane. Lunsford's vehicle traveled 495 feet, went off the left side of the road and over an embankment.

Detillion was pronounced dead at the scene by Lewis County Coronor Tony Gaydos. Lunsford and her children, Andrew Strehle, 11, and Olivia Strehle, nine, were transported to Southern Ohio Medical Center.

The Strehle children were treated and released, Lunsford was transferred to University of Kentucky Medical Center.

The accident remains under investigation by Sheriff Lewis, who was assisted at the scene by Emergency Management Director Carl Chaney, Vanceburg Volunteer Fire Department, Portsmouth Ambulance and Lewis County highway department.