News

Library project is awarded to Trace Creek Construction

By Al Owens

Meeting in regular session last week the Trustee Board of the Helen H. Rayburn Public Library of Lewis County accepted the low bid of $1,557,000 from the Trace Creek Construction Company for the erection of the new library.

The board received six other bids ranging up to $2,049,799.
The facility will be located next to the Vanceburg Post Office. Construction could possibly begin in December. Plans call for the building to be completed in ten months.

Architect Jeff Pearson of Pearson and Peters Architects, PLC in Lexington advised the board that a special meeting would be called in the near future for the signing of the documents for the USDA loan and the grants for the project. He said that once the construction starts project meetings will be held every two weeks.

Library Director Marilyn Conway reported that 851 patrons of record used the library in September. She pointed out that the figure doesn’t really reflect how many people actually come in to the library during the month. That’s just the ones who checked out books. The residents who came in to use the computers or for some other purpose are not included in that count. She estimated that well over 1,000 people came to the facility every month.

Her report also shows that the patrons checked 4,909 books out of the main library and 1,441 from the Bookmobile. The free computer usage remains popular with 1,377 registering to use the computers last month. Of that number they accessed the Internet 690 times.

The next regular session of the Trustee Board will be Tuesday, November 9 at 1:00 p.m. at the library.

Firefighters have busy weekend

By Dennis Brown

Dry and windy conditions contributed to wildfires in Lewis County over the weekend and two families lost their homes to fire on Sunday.

An open burning ban remains in effect for Lewis County until further notice although conditions are expected to improve this week with the arrival of some precipitation.

Firefighters battled wildfires in Lewis County including one at Harrison Hollow. Smoke from the wildfire could be seen from several miles as the fire burned throughout the day on Sunday and spread to nearby hollows.

Fire also destroyed a hay-filled barn and mobile home on Little Cabin Creek Sunday. A Vanceburg family also lost their home and belongings to fire on Sunday night.

The fire at 36 West Second Street in Vanceburg heavily damaged one of the city’s oldest structures, according to a spokesman.

Residents in nearby homes were evacuated after the fire was reported about 9:00 p.m. Sunday. Bill Tom Clark, who lives next door to the residence, said his Grandmother Ort had lived there as a child.

The cause of the Vanceburg fire remains under investigation. Firefighters remained on the scene until past Midnight to ensure the fire didn’t rekindle.

Firefighters from Vanceburg, Lewis County, Black Oak and Garrison Volunteer Fire Departments were on the scene to battle the fire and provide assistance.

The county-wide burning ban is in effect until further notice and all open outside burning is prohibited.

Bertram is county attorney candidate

By Dennis Brown

Attorney Thomas M. Bertram II has announced his candidacy for the office of Lewis County Attorney in the November 2 General Election.

Bertram, who has maintained a law practice on Main Street in Vanceburg since 1976, said the county attorney’s office performs many services and duties.

The most obvious responsibility, he said, is the prosecution of all violations of criminal law within the jurisdiction of the district court, including all misdemeanors such as DUI offenses, other traffic violations, assault and theft of less than $500.

The county attorney also has prosecutorial jurisdiction over juvenile issues, which include criminal acts, dependency, neglect, and abuse, he said.

Bertram said the county attorney also works with judges to issue emergency protective orders in domestic violence cases, handle extraditions and oversee mental commitments and disability cases.

In district court, county attorneys handle felony preliminary hearings and prosecute to recover delinquent taxes, he said.

Bertram said the county attorney also serves as counsel to Lewis County Fiscal Court, districts, commissions, boards and county officials in all legal issues.

Bertram and his wife, Anita, reside at Charters on the family farm. He is the son of the late William C. and Anne D. Bertram. Anita Bertram serves as Director of the Lewis County Health Department and is the daughter of Norma Kennedy and the late Herbert Kennedy.

The Bertrams have four children; Alex, Amanda, Katie and Charles; and three grandchildren.

Bertram is a 1969 graduate of Lewis County High School and earned degrees at the University of Kentucky and University of Louisville. He has served as Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney for the 20^th Judicial District for the past 19 years.

File/Lewis County Herald

Thomas M. Bertram is a candidate for Lewis County Attorney.

He was a public defender from 1993 to 2000, has served as Master Commissioner and Special Domestic Relations Commissioner of the 20^th Judicial District and for 12 years was Vanceburg City Attorney.

His current and previous civic affiliations include the Kentucky Bar Association, American Bar Association, Lewis and Greenup County Bar Association, U of L School of Law Student Bar Association, Lewis County Industrial Authority, Junior Chamber of Commerce, National Honor Society, Boy Scouts of America, Lewis County 4-H Council, 4-H Shooting Sports Coach, National Rifle Association, National Wild Turkey Federation, Ducks Unlimited, Vanceburg Lions Club, Little league Baseball Coach, lifetime associate member of Monte Lewis Stamm VFW Post 5438, and League of Kentucky Sportsmen. He is a member of the Vanceburg First Baptist Church.

Bertram encourages questions and comments concerning the office of County Attorney of Lewis County. He may be reached at 606-796-3024 or, evenings, at 606-796-3709.

“I appreciate the support and encouragement shown me by the great citizens of Lewis County,” he said.

Pugh is council candidate

By Dennis Brown

Vanceburg Council Member Joni Pugh is seeking reelection to a council seat.

Pugh has owned and operated The Victorian Rose in Vanceburg since 1986. “In those 24 years I have seen and experienced the challenges involved in keeping a small business operational,” she said.

Pugh is a member of the Vanceburg Depot Committee and is secretary of the Renaissance on Main Board.

“I established the start-up of community theater in Vanceburg with the Lewis County Theatre Guild,” she said.

Pugh also serves as the secretary of Primary Plus Board of Directors and the Lewis County Interagency Council.

“I have worked diligently with the Lewis County Transportation Committee to bring much needed transportation for employment and education through the L-Trans bus service,” she said. “Many hard-working citizens in our community who now have access to transportation have been able to maintain employment to provide for their families.”

“They can now also further educational opportunities which may lead to gainful employment,” she added.

File/Lewis County Herald

Joni Pugh is a candidate for Vanceburg City Council.

“Though the office of City Council is determined by voters, I do not consider myself a politician but a public servant,” Pugh stated.

“I will not make promises I cannot keep. What I promise the voters of Vanceburg is to listen to your concerns, remain available and to bring the mayor and fellow council members the issues that concern you most,” she said.

Jarrells is council candidate

By Dennis Brown

Councilman Matt Jarrells is seeking reelection to his seat on Vanceburg City Council in the November 2 General Election.

Jarrells, 34, has lived in Vanceburg his entire life and is a devoted father to his son, Kyle, 13. He is the son of Charles “Jinx” Jarrells and Jill Bentley. His grandparents were Charles “Krog” and Lorene “Dodie” Jarrells, and Carl “Jack” and Dorothy Bentley.

Jarrells is employed by PrimaryPlus in Vanceburg and travels to their four other locations troubleshooting technological problems for the locally based facility.

“I’ve enjoyed my first two years on council tremendously and gained a lot of insight and feedback from the citizens of our great town,” he said.

“I’m excited about the potential of serving the people again and letting their concerns be heard through my voice,” Jarrells added. “If reelected, I will work hard with whomever my other elected officials shall be.”

“The company I work for employs 140 individuals throughout Lewis, Mason, Fleming and Bracken Counties. Not only do I help my co-workers out if they run into problems with their computers or electronic medical records software but I’ve had at least one personal conversation with everyone at all locations,” he said.

“As with family and friends, I like to keep a close relationship with my co-workers. You spend about as much time with them as you do your own family,” he said.

File/Lewis County Herald

Matt Jarrells is a candidate for Vanceburg City Council.

“It’s always nice to speak up when you have a problem but it’s also crucial to listen to someone’s concerns too.”

“I use that same belief when it comes to Vanceburg’s citizens,” Jarrells said. “I think it’s time we all get on the same page and work towards making our great town even better.”

“When you go out to the polls on November 2, your consideration and vote would be greatly appreciated,” he added.

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