The two men charged in connection with the death and robbery of Marvin Charles Prater in October have entered pleas of not guilty in Lewis County Circuit Court.

Ricky Dale Switzer Jr., 19, and David Thurman, 24, both of Vanceburg, appeared before Circuit Judge Lewis Nicholls who appointed a public defender for each case and scheduled pre-trial conferences for February 16.

Each man was charged by a Lewis County Grand Jury with one count of murder, one count of first degree robbery and three counts of tampering with physical evidence in connection with Prater's death and robbery.

Two others were named in connection with the case by a referral order of the Grand Jury.

Sarah Smith, 22, and Tabatha Thurman, 20, both of Vanceburg, were named in the referral order to the next session of the Lewis County Grand Jury of the criminal cases now under investigation of the two ". . . arising out of the involvement in the matters surrounding the murder and robbery of Marvin Charles Prater."

As a result of donations from area businesses and individuals, 40 Lewis County children were provided a meal and allowed to choose several gifts they likely otherwise wouldn't have received.

The event was spearheaded by members of the Vanceburg Police Department and began Wednesday evening with a stop at Bee Mart where the children were provided meals from Taco Bell and Burger King.

Following the meal, the children were taken to Family Dollar Store where several volunteers helped them to shop for items for Christmas.

Dennis Brown/Lewis County Herald
Emergency Management Director Carl Chaney helped out with the annual Shop With a Cop program last week.

Dennis Brown/Lewis County Herald
KSP Trooper Tim Moore helped out with the Shop With a Cop event last week. Forty Lewis County children participated in the event.

The volunteers included officers from the Vanceburg Police Department, Kentucky State Police, Care First Ambulance, Vanceburg Fire Department and area residents.

The children chose clothing items, things they could give to other members of their family and, of course, lots of toys for themselves.

Vanceburg Police Chief Joe Billman expressed gratitude for everyone making a donation toward the event and said he looks forward to helping out more children next year.

"I want to thank everyone who donated or participated in any way," he said. "The expressions on the kids' faces and the amazement in their eyes made it all worthwhile."

With windchill temperatures dropping to 30 below zero during the recent cold snap, residents are urged to keep tabs on their neighbors, especially the elderly, disabled and those living alone.

Lewis said that with the escalating heating fuel prices, residents on fixed incomes are turning thermostats down to help keep down heating costs. Some area residents may also be low on fuel because they can't afford to fill propane tanks.

Lewis said the Sheriff's Department will be happy to provide assistance to those in need during bad weather. Lewis said deputies will help with deliveries of medicine, food or fuel, if needed.

"We want to keep our Lewis County residents safe and healthy," Lewis said.

Dennis Brown/Lewis County Herald
PARADE FORMATION . . . JROTC cadets from Lewis County High School lined up prior to the annual Christmas Parade in Garrison Dec. 9.