Lewis County Judge Executive Steve Applegate has been notified that the county will receive funding through the Kentucky Department of Agriculture for the construction of an animal control facility. The funds will total $68,500.

Applegate has applied for funding for such a facility each year since taking office. He is well satisfied that the community is finally receiving the funds.

Acquiring the badly needed animal shelter was one plank of Applegate’s platform when he campaigned for office during the past election. 

He realizes the importance of establishing and maintaining proper animal control for the people of Lewis County.

The location for the facility is yet uncertain, but Applegate hopes to keep the site centrally located.

The facility will provide opportunity for the people of Lewis County to adopt pets as well as provide a location for visits from veterinarians for such programs as the spade/neuter program.

Applegate hopes to have the facility constructed and open to the public by Spring.

A Vanceburg man was arrested and charged last week as part of a continuing federal investigation, according to a spokesman with he Lewis County Sheriff's Office.

The spokesman said Billy Lightner, 30, was arrested Tuesday in Vanceburg on a federal charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted armed career criminal.

The spokesman said the arrest was made by federal Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agents, along with Secret Service agents, Kentucky State Police officers and Lewis County Sheriff's deputies.

The spokesman said a lengthy investigation by ATF agents in the Ashland office led to the execution of a search warrant at Lightner's residence and his arrest.

The investigation is continuing into the matter and additional charges are pending in the case.

Officials are looking into recent counterfeiting reports in the area.

Lewis County Sheriff's Deputy Joe Paul Gilbert is investigating a two-vehicle accident that occurred Friday afternoon, one mile west of Firebrick.

Gilbert said the incident happened around 3:50 p.m. when Mary Walters, 28, of Garrison, was driving a 2000 Ford Explorer east on Ky. Rt. 8. Gilbert said she apparently hit water on the roadway and lost control of the vehicle, rolling several times and coming to rest in the eastbound lane.

The Explorer was then struck by a 1992 Chevrolet Blazer, driven by Wanda Caseman, 29, of Vanceburg.

Walters and two passengers in her vehicle, John Pence, 21, and James Adams, 23, both of Ohio, were transported with minor injuries to Southern Ohio Medical Center in Portsmouth, Ohio.

Gilbert also noted that Caseman and her passengers, Chris Caseman, 32, Kiersten Caseman, 9, and Lindsey Caseman, 10, were not injured.

Gilbert was assisted at the scene by Firebrick Volunteer Fire Department and Portsmouth Ambulance.