News

By Dennis Brown

A spokesman with the Kentucky Department of Transportation said work on a permanent repair to Ky. Rt. 8 between Vanceburg and Black Oak is nearing completion.

Allen Blair, with the District Nine Office in Flemingsburg, said all that remains to be done to the section of roadway is blacktopping and guardrail replacement.

An embankment failure closed the roadway to traffic two months ago.

Blair said HG Mays Corporation was scheduled to apply blacktop to the area last week but another failure on I-64 at Catlettsburg resulted in scheduling changes and workers concentrated on constructing a bypass in that area, delaying the work locally.

Blair said the westbound lanes of I-64 reopened Wednesday evening after crews finished a temporary crossover route that allows traffic in both directions.

The lanes are just west of the 191 exit in Catlettsburg and were closed last Monday after they sank about a foot due to an embankment failure. Blair said a permanent repair for that failure is about two or three months away.

The Department of Highways was forced to close the Ky. Rt. 8 after torrential rains hit the area in late July and a 200-foot section of Ky. Rt. 8, about two miles east of Vanceburg, began to buckle and slip as water-saturated soil beneath the pavement gave way.

Bart Bryant, chief district engineer for Department of Highways District Nine, said it soon became apparent that repairs would have to include an engineered stabilization of the embankment. “While it will take some time to repair correctly, it’s our goal to get the work done as soon as possible,” Bryant said.

Highway crews first attempted repairs to the roadway on Saturday, August 1, by temporarily patching the roadway with 48 tons of asphalt so it could reopen to traffic. However, continued soil movement caused the roadway to slip further.

Two days later, crews attempted a lengthier patch using 100 tons of asphalt to even out the sloping highway – and again it continued to move, creating hazardous driving conditions.

“While strengthening the highway with blacktop had worked in the past, it became obvious at that time that we would have to pursue a more construction-oriented solution,” said Deanna Miller, engineering branch manager who oversees highway projects in District Nine’s eastern region.

Since then, the highway department has investigated erosion and drainage in the area, ordered core drilling to better understand the geology underneath the highway – the only rock lies 40 feet below the surface – and sought locations of utility lines, all in preparation for a construction project.

That project got under way August 29 when highway crews began excavation. Subsequent work was to stabilize the ground beneath the roadway, rebuild the sub-surface, and address current and future drainage issues.

“We understand the importance of this highway to those who live and work in Lewis County,” Bryant said. “But we need to take the time to make the correct repairs to ensure there’s the least chance this will happen again.”

Until the repairs are completed, the roadway will remain closed to through traffic at the site of the embankment failure. Motorists may detour using Ky. Rt. 59, Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway and the AA Highway.

Lewis County officials present monthly reports

By Dennis Brown

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

Sheriff Bill Lewis filed his department’s report for activities from August 10, 2009, to September 14, 2009:

* Subpoenas Served 54

* Domestic Related Calls 41

* Civil Summons Served 21

* Felony Arrests 19

* Misdemeanor Arrests 21

* Accident Investigations 7

* Juvenile Investigations 12

* Criminal Summons 11

* Prisoners Transp. to Secure Facility 875 miles

* Juveniles Transported 64 miles

* DVOs and EPOs 8

* Court Bailiff Hours 446

* Prescription Deliveries 0

* Auto Inspections 71

* Funeral Escorts 8

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.

* Met with a Health Net representative and visited the Designated Landing Zones for any changes.

* Attended the BTADD annual meeting in Flemingsburg.

* Attended the Emergency Services Conference in Louisville.

* Attended a County Fire Association meeting.

* Working on FEMA paperwork.

* Working on 911 issues.

* Working of Flood Plain issues.

* Provided dispatch coverage.

The Lewis County E-911 Dispatch Center received a total of 445 calls for service for the following agencies:

* Sheriff’s Department 156

* Vanceburg Police Department 109

* Traffic Stops 23

* Injury Accidents 8

* Non-injury Accidents 13

* Complaints 75

Fire Department and other calls:

* Lewis Co. FD 1

* Camp Dix FD 1

* Garrison FD 16

* Vanceburg FD 5

* Firebrick FD 4

* Black Oak FD 7

* Kinniconick FD 0

* Tollesboro FD 9

* Med Corp Ambulance 134

* Coroner 3

Road Supervisor Dane Howard reported that more than 2,188 tons of gravel and 6.88 tons of asphalt had been hauled over the previous month and said pothole repairs had been made at Lions Club Road, Mountain View Road, Trinity Station Road and in the Garrison area.

Graded roads included Thurman Lane, Pine grove, Virginia Craig Road, Kilbreth Lane, Paint Lick Ridge Road, Burnt Cabin Road, Thorpe Ridge Road, Fair Grounds, Ben

Willam Branch, Swearingen Branch, McCleese Hollow, Crooked Creek, Burtonville, Canaan Church Road, Willis Branch, Mud Lick Road, Old State Fork Road, K. Riley Road, Horseshoe Bend Road, Craycraft Road, Long Branch Road, May Hollow, Harrison Hollow and the Recycling Lot.

Howard reported that pipe had been installed or repaired at McDowell Road, Greenbriar Road, Rock Run Cemetery, Hardy Fork, South Bend Road, Horseshoe Bend Road and Ribolt-Epworth Road.

Greenbriar Road, Holly Road, Hardy Fork, Fitch Fork Road, Fuller Branch and Stamper Branch received ditching or road widening.

Tree and debris removal/brush cutting/mowing was reported for the Garrison area, Bentleyville, Holly Road, Cooper Fork Road, Trinity Station Road, Laurel Road, Cooper Fork Road, Montgomery area, Tannery Precinct, Long Branch, Rock Run Road, Hazel Road, Tar Fork Road, Rock Creek Road, McDowell Road, Petersville, Vances Creek Road, Simmons Road, Scaffold Lick Road, Dry Hollow Road, Firebrick-Indian Run Road, Little Trace, Crooked Creek, Black Lick, Burnt Cabin, Paint Lick, Sargeant Branch, Rock Camp, Oak Hill, Dunbar Hill and Stamper Branch.

Howard reported other repairs Fitch Fork Road, Toller Hollow, Long Branch Road, Greenbriar Road, McEldowney Cemetery, Rock Run Cemetery, Holly Road, Mills Branch Road, Burnt Cabin Road, Charters, Simmons Road, Rock Camp Road, McDowell Road, Bill Chain Road, Hackworth Branch and Black John Road.

Lewis County Jailer Tim Underwood filed the following activity report for August 1 – 31, 2009:

Inmate Population:

* State Inmates CC/CD/CI 47

* Traded 0

* Served Out 0

* Paroled 2

* County Inmates 40

* Inmates Booked In 74

* Average Daily Jail Population 80

Fees/Payments Collected:

* Booking, Housing, Medical, Damaged Property $1,314.94

* Telephone Commission $937.75

* Class D/CC/CI Pay for July $33,721.84

Food

* Somerset Food in August $6,158.30

Traveled 600 Miles

* Blackburn Correctional Complex

* Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex

* Marion Adjustment Center

Underwood reported that 45 Class D inmates participated in the work program totaling 3,560 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 Old Trace, Garrison Lane, Indian Run, Murphy’s Lane, Sand Branch, Garrison Boat Dock, Bel Air Drive, Montgomery Road, Rt. 1013, McDowell, Garrison Fire Department, Tollesboro Fire Department, Tin Can Alley and Dudley Lane. A total of 137 bags of waste were picked up.

Underwood reported the commissary account at the jail totaled $6,387.04 and the inmate account had a balance of $7,674.38.

Lewis County Animal Control Officer Shawn Henderson reported that there were 15 pickups in Lewis County for the month of August. Drop offs totaled 55; 5 adoptions; 6 tagged; and 49 put down.

Henderson reported that Ohio Fuzzy Paws donated dog food valued at $75.00 and blankets and supplies valued at $85 were also donated to the shelter.

County Treasurer Kathy Dillow reported the total of all county funds for the month of August had a beginning balance of $565,168.47 and an ending balance of $1,180,762.29. Receipts for the month totaled $950,464.28 while disbursements totaled $334,870.46.

The next regular meeting of Lewis County Fiscal Court will be at 9:30 a.m. October 12, 2009, in the third floor courtroom of the Lewis County Courthouse.

Two injured in accident

By Dennis Brown

A single vehicle accident early Friday is under investigation by the Lewis County Sheriff’s Department.

Chief Deputy Johnny Bivens said a 1995 Ford Mustang, operated by Jason Ruggles of Portsmouth, Ohio, was traveling west on Ky. Rt. 8 near Quincy when the accident happened.

Bivens said the operator apparently lost control and the

vehicle traveled off the left side of the roadway, impacted with a culvert and overturned upon impact.

Bivens said Ruggles, along with a female passenger, were transported to Southern Ohio Medical Center in Portsmouth by MedCorp Ambulance.

Bivens was assisted at the scene by Garrison Fire & Rescue and MedCorp Ambulance.

Garrison grocery will be larger and have a new name

By Dennis Brown

Garrison area residents will be seeing some construction getting underway soon on a new grocery store for the area.

John and Marsha Collins, the owners of Collins FoodCenter in Garrison, announced they are finalizing plans for a new store building to be located adjacent to the current store building on Ky. Rt. 8 in Garrison.

“The new, modern Collins Country Market will offer our customers a larger selection and wider variety of fresh produce, fresh meats, frozen foods, dairy products and general merchandise,” John Collins said when making the announcement.

He said construction on the new 12,000 square foot building will be getting underway in the next few weeks and will be completed as soon as possible.

“It’s been in the planning stages for some time and

we're ready to get moving on it,” he stated.

The current store building is 5,300 square feet and will be razed to allow for an expanded parking area once the new building is complete.

The Collins family is celebrating their 63^rd year of serving Garrison and the surrounding areas. John and Marsha are both third generation grocers.

John is the son of the late Ralph and Ethel Collins of RW Collins Key Market and Marsha is the daughter of the late Orville Bentley and June Bentley of Bentley Brothers Market.

“Marsha and I want to take this opportunity to thank all of our customers, friends and neighbors for their support through the years,” John Collins said.

He said, as with all construction projects, the completion date and store opening haven’t been set and will be dependent on the construction schedule and weather delays.

Chris McCane is candidate for Lewis County Jailer

By Dennis Brown

Chris McCane has filed a letter of intent with the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance to seek the Republican nomination for Lewis County Jailer.

“I would like to take this opportunity to announce my intent to seek the Office of Lewis County Jailer,” McCane said when making the announcement.

“I am a life-long resident of Lewis County and reside in Charters with my wife, Lisa McCane and two children, Dalton and Sydney.”

He is the son of James and Minnie McCane of Vanceburg and son-in-law of Sue and Bob Roberts of St. Paul.

McCane is a 1988 graduate of Lewis County High School and 1992 graduate of Morehead State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Minor in Corrections.

“I have 13 years of experience with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections with extensive knowledge and experience in correctional security, operational procedures and policies, employee supervision,” he added.

“As Correctional Specialist at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility, I was responsible for the total operations of four housing units containing 320 maximum security inmates and supervised 21 correctional employees,” McCane said, adding that he received numerous letters of recognition for his job performance and earned four job promotions.”

“Prior, I was employed by the Department of Youth Services as a Corrections Officer and responsible for overall security of a juvenile housing unit and management of daily operations for juvenile offenders,” he stated.

“I was promoted by the Ohio Parole Board as a Parole Officer, assisting the parole board in determining inmate eligibility for release serving numerous prisons throughout the State of Ohio,” he said.

McCane said he received extensive specialized training and certifications at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility in Lucasville, Ohio, that he believes are essential in operating a correctional facility.

Among those are completion of Department of Youth Services Training Academy, completion of Ohio Department of

File Photo

Chris McCane has announced his Republican candidacy for the office of Lewis County Jailer.

Rehabilitation and Corrections Training Academy, unarmed self-defense, advanced critical incident management, less than lethal weapons, suicide prevention, specialized mental health training, firearms training, use of force training & chairperson, Equal Opportunity Employment & chairperson, American Disability Act Chairperson, prison administrative management training, communicable disease training, budgetary management and certified auditor for the department of rehabilitation and corrections.

“It would be a privilege to utilize my correctional experience to establish the Lewis County Detention Center as a model facility and create a professional environment all Lewis County residents would be proud to acknowledge,” McCane said.

“I would work collaboratively with city and county government offices and officials, outside agencies, and staff to operate the Lewis County Detention Center efficiently, fiscally, and responsibly,” he added.

“I look forward to meeting the citizens of Lewis County and request your vote and support in the May 2010 Primary Election.”

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