September 14, 2010, News Headlines
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Burning ban in effect for Lewis County - Officials submit reports to magistrates - Stolen checks passed at area businesses - Walking promoted for health, history - Citizens completes bank purchase

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Burning ban in effect for Lewis County

By Dennis Brown

Because of the recent dry conditions, Lewis County Judge Executive Steve Applegate has issued a countywide burning ban in effect until further notice.

Several brush fires have been reported around the county in the past several weeks as a result of the dry conditions.

The ban is on all open burning and is intended to keep any fires from getting out of control and spreading into wooded areas or threatening homes and other structures.

Although drought conditions have been declared for several counties in Western Kentucky, the conditions fall short of a drought declaration for Lewis and surrounding counties.

The area received a small amount of precipitation on Saturday,

but not enough to improve the dry conditions existing in the area.

Area residents will soon be gathering up and disposing of falling leaves. With the burning ban in effect, leaf burning is not allowed as a way to dispose of those leaves. The persistent dry conditions  will likely mean an early season for leaf cleanup.

While there isn’t a shortage of water, several area streams are running lower than usual for this time of year.

While no rain is predicted in the immediate forecast, mid to late September generally sees cooler temperatures and increased rainfall around the area.

The burning ban includes, but is not limited to, campfires, bonfires, leaf burning, debris burning, fire training, agricultural and natural land management burning.

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Officials submit reports to magistrates  

By Dennis Brown

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

Sheriff Bill Lewis filed his department’s report for activities from July 12, 2010, to August 9, 2010:

* Subpoenas Served   94

* Domestic Related Calls   81

* Civil Summons Served   32

* Felony Arrests   22

* Misdemeanor Arrests   20

* Accident Investigations    8

* Juvenile Investigations   10

* Criminal Summons   9

* Prisoners Transp. to Secure Facility   275 miles

* Juveniles Transported   728 miles

* DVOs and EPOs   812

* Court Bailiff Hours   532

* Prescription Deliveries   2

* Auto Inspections   80

* Funeral Escorts   6

* Stolen Property Recovered

Generator, Saw & Cord  $705.00

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.

* Performed a damage assessment for State and Federal representatives.

* Working with FEMA public assistance and individual assistance representatives.

* Provided dispatch coverage.

* Working on FEMA paperwork.

* Working on 911 issues.

* Working of Flood Plain issues.

The Lewis County E-911 Dispatch Center received a total of 495 calls for service for the following agencies:

* Sheriff’s Department   161

* Vanceburg Police Department   192

* Traffic Stops   95

* Injury Accidents   6

* Non-injury Accidents   15

* Complaints   90

Fire Department and other calls:

* Lewis Co. FD   3

* Camp Dix FD   7

* Garrison FD   9

* Vanceburg FD   3

* Firebrick FD   2

* Black Oak FD   2

* Kinniconick FD   1

* Tollesboro FD   10

* Med Corp Ambulance   104

* Coroner   1

* Emergency Medical Assistance   0

* Non-CAD Events   588

Road Supervisor Dane Howard reported that more than 2,063 tons of gravel and over three tons of asphalt had been hauled over the previous month.

Graded roads included Laurel area, Petersville area, Tully Road, C. Saurers Road, Perry Branch, K. Zornes Road, Rock Camp, Sargent Branch, Frye Hollow, Blankenship Cemetery, Fugate Lane, Lyles lane, Straight Fork, Rock Camp, Rose Mountain Road, Crooked Creek, Saylor Branch, Long Branch, Black Lick, Elk Lick, Twin Branch, Dummitt Branch, Happy Hollow, Wilson Road and Burnt Cabin.

Howard reported that pipe had been installed or repaired at Spring Branch, Beechy, Old Trace, K. Riley Road, Little Holly, Twin Branch, V. Richmond Road, Crooked Creek, Emerson, Hackworth Branch, Heddleston Church Road, Toller Hollow, Perry Branch, Big Cabin, Nolan Branch and Saw Pit Branch. Slide areas were repaired at Laurel, Old Trace, Burnt Cabin, Rock Camp and Black Lick.

Potholes were repaired at Meadowbrook, Robinson Avenue, Union Hill, Poplar Flat, Ribolt-Epworth and Andrew Mason. Long Branch, Fingerboard, Mills Branch and Stone Branch received ditching or road widening work. A piling project was underway on Straight Fork.

Brush cutting/mowing/tree and debris removal projects were completed at Old Trace, Fly Branch, Trinity Station, Tar Fork, Crooked Creek, Laurel Road, Straight Fork, Hazel, Horseshoe bend, Woodland 3estates, Riverview, Bradford Lane, Bowman Springs and Burnt Cabin. Cross section and/or drainage repairs were made at Tar Fork, Scaffold Lick and Garden Branch.

Bridge redecking and other repairs were performed at Spy Run Road, Lower Kinney and Toller Hollow.

Other road repairs were reported at Straight Fork, Tully Road, Lambert Branch, Heddleston Church Road, Hazel Road, Blue Springs Road, K. Riley Road, Little Holly, Dummitt Branch, Long Branch, Toller Hollow, Swearingen Branch, Elk Lick, Silver Lick, Spence Lane, Laurel Road, Straight Fork, Old Trace, Perry Branch, Stamper Branch, Crooked Creek, Hackworth Branch, Firebrick-Indian Run, Dry Hollow and Big Cabin.

Lewis County Jailer Tim Underwood filed the following activity report for July 1– 31, 2010:

Inmate Population:

* State Inmates CC/CD/CI   37

* Traded   0

* Served Out   1

* Paroled   2

* County Inmates   40

* Inmates Booked In   79

* Average Daily Jail Population   75

Fees/Payments Collected:

* Booking, Housing, Medical, Damaged Property   $2,081.07

* Telephone Commission   $449.42

* Class D/CC/CI Pay for April   $19,806.88

Food

* Somerset Food in May  $9,332.45

* GPS System  $450.00

Traveled 200 Miles during the month to Blackburn Correctional Complex.

Underwood reported that 22 Class D inmates participated in the work program totaling 2,120 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.

He said 123 bags of waste were picked up in various locations for the Clean Highways Program.

Information concerning the July commissary account will be presented to magistrates in September.

There was no report submitted for the Lewis County Animal Sheleter.

County Treasurer Kathy Dillow reported the total of all county funds for the month of July had a beginning balance of $299,410.48 and an ending balance of $307,243.06. Receipts for the month totaled $374,529.65 while disbursements totaled $366,697.07.

Judge Executive Steve Applegate reported on the alternate sentencing program adopted for non-violent offenders.

In the report, hot mix and pipe cleaning tasks were completed on Robinson Avenue, Union Hill and Lower Kinney Road.

Mowing/trimming work was done for Hazel Road, Fly Branch, Solid Waste Roadway, Meadowbrook, Horseshoe Bend, Sand Hill, Lower Kinney Road, Slate Hollow and Laurel Creek Road.

Road Garage Flood Cleanup hours totaled 180.

The program reported a total of 1,080 participant work-hours and six bags of trash were picked up along roadways.

Applegate reported savings associated with health insurance for county employees. He said a report from the insurance carrier indicated a 44.63 percent savings on claims that are the responsibility of the county.

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Stolen checks passed at area businesses

By Dennis Brown

The Lewis County Sheriff’s Department is searching for three men who reportedly have been passing checks stolen from Goodwin Lumber Company in Vanceburg.

Sheriff Bill Lewis said a number of checks were discovered stolen from Goodwin Lumber Company shortly after some men, who matched the descriptions of those passing the forged checks, had applied for work there.

Lewis said the checks had been cashed or used to buy items at area retailers totaling about $16,000.

He said workers at Citizens Deposit Bank notified authorities after the three men attempted to cash some of the checks in question at the Tollesboro bank branch.

Lewis said the three men, described as Hispanic, were traveling in a tan colored Ford Explorer and have been sought by authorities since the incident was first reported.

Deputy Dwayne Stone in the lead investigator in the case and anyone with information concerning the matter should contact the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

In an unrelated matter, Lewis said residents should be aware of a probable scam operating in the area in which someone offers to seal a blacktop driveway.

Lewis said the scam is generally repeated around the area in the fall and the scammers perform shoddy work then attempt to charge more than the initial stated cost of the job.

Lewis cautions residents to be wary of such offers of work and to not let strangers in your home.

To report possible scams, or other illegal activities, contact the Lewis County Sheriff’s Department at 606-796-2912.

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Walking promoted for health, history

By Dennis Brown

While exercise may be the definition of a strenuous workout to some, it takes on another meaning to others.

The Lewis County Health Department is coupling one of the easiest and most enjoyable forms of exercise with history as a way to keep residents in shape.

Anita Bertram, Director of the Lewis County Health Department, said Vanceburg’s Historical Walking Tour and the Community Walking Trail are combined to provide participants with an easy and educational way to exercise.

Bertram said walking groups are being organized and will meet on Thursdays at 5:00 p.m. at the George Morgan Thomas Visitor’s Center for walking sessions. She said the groups allow for any one from beginning walkers to the more experienced to participate at their own pace.

The Health Department’s Walking Trail extends 1.68 miles through Vanceburg and has markers along the route to show the distance covered to each point. Combined with Vanceburg’s Walking Tour, participants are able to see the historic buildings and features in the city. Historic markers are placed at each property and a brochure also provides historic information on each property.

Bertram said she welcomes beginners to join and cover as much of the trail at their own comfortable pace. More advanced walkers may cover more of the trail at a faster pace. She said the average to cover the 1.68 miles is 50 minutes.

Bertram said the Health Department promotes walking because it isn’t expensive and is an easy type of low-impact workout to get involved in.

“There are many benefits to walking,” she said. “For one thing, it’s free and doesn’t require any special equipment or training.”

Bertram said a comfortable pair of walking shoes is all one needs to get started.

She says walking is safe and low-impact with a low risk of injuries and accidents; it can easily be combined with other

activities; can be done practically anytime and anywhere; and you are free to enjoy your surroundings, chat with walking companions, or just relax. 

She said there are also many benefits to walking, including improved circulation; lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels; weight loss; improved flexibility of joints and muscles; stronger bones and muscles; improved immune system; improved breathing; and building confidence and mental well-being.

She said implementing a regular walking routine also aids in more restful sleep.

Bertram said while the trail around Downtown Vanceburg has been marked for some time, she continues to hear from people who aren’t aware of it or who ask about the signs posted around the city with various distances marked on them.

“We welcome everyone to join a walking group or even walk on their own at any time,” she said.

Bertram noted that several people enjoy walking early in the morning while others like to walk in the evenings. Some do both. “I see a lot of people who walk on their lunch hour too,” she said.

Bertram said coupling the low-impact exercise with history and the beautiful scenery around Vanceburg is something many Vanceburg area residents have done for some time, organizing it and calling it exercise is a more recent development.

“We all need exercise and this is a wonderful way to accomplish it,” she said.

“Walking is one of the body’s most natural forms of exercise,” she said. “It doesn’t require any practice and you don’t have to invest a fortune in a lot of equipment that will just gather dust if you lose interest in it.”

“Vanceburg is a beautiful place to walk and we’re coming up on a beautiful time of year,” she said. “If anyone has considered getting into an exercise routine, this is a perfect time to get started and start improving your health.”

Brochures for the Walking Trail and the Walking Tour are available at the George Morgan Thomas Visitor’s Center and at the Lewis County Health Department.

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Citizens completes bank purchase

By Dennis Brown

Citizens Deposit Bank has completed the purchase of four branches of Integra Bank in Mt. Olivet, Maysville, Ripley, Ohio, and Aberdeen, Ohio. The announcement was made Friday by Premier Financial Bancorp, a $1.1 billion bank holding company with eight bank subsidiaries.

Citizens will assume approximately $73.4 million of deposit liabilities related to the four branches and acquire $17.8 million of branch related loans, as well as $34.0 million of additional commercial real estate and $10.0 million of other commercial loans selected by Citizens originated from other Integra offices, according to Premier’s news release. 

The Kentucky branches include approximately $45.3 million of deposits, while the Ohio branches include approximately $28.1 million of deposits. Citizens paid a 3.38 percent deposit premium for the deposit liabilities it assumed and acquired the commercial and commercial real estate loans included in the branch sale transaction at par value. The four banking offices were also acquired at their book values.

 "We are pleased to add these locations and customers to our Citizens Deposit Bank franchise and fill-in our footprint along the Ohio River. We believe these locations will help expand the bank's presence in the communities we serve and give the bank more top of mind awareness with the citizens of those communities when it comes to their banking needs,” said Premier President and CEO Robert W. Walker.

Mike Mineer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Citizens Deposit Bank stated, "We welcome the customers, employees and friends of the former Integra locations with open arms. And while we know we will have to earn their business, I believe they will find the service and staff of Citizens Deposit Bank capable of exceeding their expectations. As always, we invite our customers to call or stop in and see us with any questions they may have. Our goal is to be their financial cornerstone, now and into the future.

"Also, on behalf of all the employees of Citizen Deposit Bank, I want to extend my sincere thanks to staff and leadership of Integra Bank. They have been excellent to work with during the transition. It is clear they have a commitment to exceptional customer service and we wish them success in their future endeavors," Mineer added.

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