By Dennis Brown

Vanceburg City Council approved a planning budget and authorized moving ahead on a project to build a new firehouse/community center in the city.

Kevin Cornette, with Buffalo Trace, presented a planning budget of $696,900 for the project and recommended Brandstetter Carroll as the architect firm on the project. The company proposed performing the architectural work for $24,900.

Cornette said the company ranked first after a committee reviewed proposals from firms interested in doing the work. He said the proposal was also less than the others at six percent of the total budget.

He said the proposed budget allocates $415,000 for building construction, $225,000 for land acquisition and the remainder for architectural, administration and other fees.

Cornette said the primary funding source would be a Community Development Block Grant of $500,000 with the city

 responsible for the remaining $196,000. Low interest loans would likely make up most of that amount.

Police Chief Joe Billman addressed council and requested funding to purchase a four-wheel-drive vehicle for the police department to use during bad weather. Billman said some areas in Vanceburg are nearly inaccessible when snow is covering the streets.

Council members approved a recommendation to have local auto dealer Kenny McCann look for a suitable used vehicle for purchase.

Council approved an application for an Economic Development Grant for $2 million to go toward a project for the Electric Plant Board to separate the storm sewer and sanitary sewer systems in the city and adopted a required resolution to show the city has an emergency response plan as required by FEMA.

The meeting agenda called for council to go into closed session to discuss site proposals for the firehouse/community center, but delayed that session to a later date due to the absence of City Attorney John Holder.

By Dennis Brown

A Tollesboro man has been arrested and charged  for allegedly trying to sell prescription medication to an undercover informant, according to a Lewis County Sheriff's Department spokesman.

The spokesman said Eddie Smith, 35, of Tollesboro, was arrested Friday night after deputies received information that Smith had tried to sell a large quantity of prescription medication to an undercover informant for the sheriff's department.

The spokesman said Smith was stopped on Ky. Rt. 10 in Tollesboro and deputies found a bottle containing more than 700 Xanax pills with an estimated street value of more than $7,000.

Smith was taken into custody by Deputy Jason Hill and charged with third degree trafficking in a controlled substance and third degree possession of a controlled substance, second offense. He was lodged in the Lewis County Detention Center.

Hill is continuing the investigation into the incident. He was assisted at the scene by Chief Deputy Johnny Bivens and Deputy Dwayne Stone.

Sheriff Bill Lewis said the department remains committed in the fight against illegal drug trafficking. Anyone with information on suspected criminal activity may call the LCSD Tip Line at 606-796-0123.