News

Library Board authorizes sale of bonds

By Al Owens

Meeting in regular session this month the Trustee Board of the Helen H. Rayburn Public Library of Lewis County adopted a resolution officially authorizing the sale of $1.1 million dollars in Series 2010 Build America Bonds through Rural Development.

The only bid received for the sale of the bonds was from Rural Development. The interest rate on the bonds will be 4.125 percent.

Architect Jeff Pearson conducted a Progress Meeting as part of the board’s monthly session. He told the board that the completion date for the project is October 12, 2011. If things go as planned that means that Lewis County will have a brand new library next Fall.

Pearson said that during the project he will conduct two Progress Meetings per month, on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month.

Speaking to the folk involved in the project he discussed not only the contract date but also the proper forms to be used, who would have shop drawings and how they are to be used, the connecting of all the utilities on the local level and excavation and special inspections.

The consultant regarding the new library’s furnishings, Mandy Flynn, presented a slide show of other libraries she has helped so the board could get a feel for and see the looks of the new furnishings. She also explained the procedures for ordering, delivering and installing the furniture, etc.

The monthly report from Library Director Marilyn Conway showed that 863 patrons checked out books in November, 4,683 from the downtown library and 1,224 from the Bookmobile.

Magazines, newspapers, reference books, music and books on CD’s, videos, audio cassettes and DVD’s are also available at the library. Computer sign-in records reveal that the patrons signed on to the computers 1,319 times and the Internet was accessed 625 times. Use of the computers at the library is free. Patrons can also send faxes or make copies for nominal fees.

Prior to the meeting the library board and guests enjoyed the annual Christmas dinner. Catered by Ron’s IGA, the meal consisted of turkey and dressing, mashed potatoes, green beans and rolls with cake and pumpkin pie for dessert. Beverages were soft drinks and coffee.

Board President Lena Fugate announced the next regular session of the board will be on Tuesday, January 11, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. at the library.

Lance O'Cull at Shepherd Center

By Dennis Brown

Lance O’Cull has been transferred from the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington to Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Georgia. The 24-year-old was seriously injured in an auto accident November 28 and has remained in a coma since that time.

Lance O’Cull’s sister, Chelcee O’Cull, and brother, Brock O’Cull, have been regularly updating an Internet blog on Lance’s progress and the move to the Atlanta facility on December 22. The blog may be found at www.livethelion.blogspot.com.

Shepherd Center is listed as one of the top rehabilitation hospitals in the nation, specializing in medical treatment, research and rehabilitation for people with spinal cord or brain injury. The center has a coma stimulation program which family members hope will coax Lance out of his comatose state.

Family members and friends consider the move to Shepherd Center is an opportunity to progress Lance’s condition and help to speed his recovery.

Lance’s mother, Jill O’Cull, traveled with him to Atlanta on Wednesday. Other family members followed and will take turns traveling to be with him.

A community prayer service was held in Vanceburg on December 19 and was well attended. A generous offering for the family was collected.

Lance was traveling to Morehead State University on the evening of November 28, where he was taking classes. He was involved in a three vehicle accident at Cranston on Ky. Rt. 377 in Rowan County.

O’Cull and the driver of the other vehicle were airlifted to the UK Medical Center. A passenger in the other vehicle was pronounced dead at St. Claire Medical Center in Morehead.

A secondary accident resulted as a third vehicle struck one of the vehicles involved in the initial crash and resulted in minor injuries to the driver.

Jill O’Cull, said Lance had spent the Thanksgiving holiday with family and had left her home near Vanceburg around 6:30 p.m. Sunday to return to Morehead.

John O’Cull, said Lance suffered multiple broken bones, some internal injuries including a lacerated liver, and injuries to his brain. He said Lance had undergone multiple surgeries for the injuries.

He said a neurologist at UK Medical Center said his son’s brain suffered a diffuse axonal injury.

John O’Cull said some people who suffer this type of brain injury awake after days or weeks, others come out of it in months and a few will remain comatose indefinitely.

He added Lance’s spinal cord doesn’t appear to have any injury.

“The outpouring of love and support of friends that surround our family has lifted our spirits,” John O’Cull said. “Thanks to all who have prayed to God and asked Him to help Lance. Please continue to pray as we trust In God's miraculous power to heal and save."

A spokesman with the Morehead Post of the Kentucky State Police said the accident happened about 7:10 p.m. November 28.

The spokesman said KSP received the report of a multi-vehicle fatality accident from Morehead Police Department Dispatch. Trooper David Zimmerman, Trooper Jason Brown and Sgt. Rob Conn responded to the scene along with Det. Toby Gardner, an accident reconstruction specialist.

The spokesman said Justin A. Robinson, 25, of Olive Hill was northbound on Ky. Rt. 377 in a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu when he crossed the center line and struck a southbound 2002 Chrysler sedan operated by Lance O’Cull, 24, of Vanceburg.

The spokesman said after striking O’Cull’s vehicle, the Malibu came to rest in the northbound lane facing southbound.

He said a 1998 Oldsmobile sedan, operated by Anna M. Richmond, 18, of Vanceburg, was traveling north and collided with the Malibu causing the vehicle to turn back northbound and come to rest on the northbound shoulder. The Richmond vehicle continued traveling northbound across the southbound lane, coming to rest in a culvert.

A passenger in the Malibu, Karie L. Huynh, 21, of Olive Hill suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at St. Claire Medical Center in Morehead by Rowan County Coroner John Northcutt.

Detective Toby Gardner is continuing the investigation into the accident.

John O’Cull said the accident happened at the crest of a rise in the roadway and investigators believe he had little time to react to the oncoming vehicle.

John O’Cull said Lance was taking courses at Morehead State University leaning toward the medical field, although he was undecided about a future career.

Lance had been working part-time with the Nunn Center for Oral History at UK and was planning to take some courses there next semester while continuing to work for the Nunn Center.

Lance, a 2004 graduate of Lewis County High School, already earned a bachelor’s degree in history and classical languages from University of Louisville and a master’s degree in finance and international relations from the UK Patterson School of Diplomacy.

“Lance is someone who loves life,” Jill O’Cull said. “We feel he’s going to be OK.”

“Prayers are still needed as we get through this time in our lives,” John O’Cull said. “We are so grateful for everything and every prayer.”

Switchgrass is alternative for farmers and power plants

Staff Report

A project to assist Kentucky farmers in their switch from raising tobacco is continuing to make strides across the area.

The Kentucky Forage and Grassland Council and University of Kentucky Plant and Soil Science Department established 20 research plots of Switchgrass in 2007 that were used for electric energy production across Northeast Kentucky.

That original research is now drawing to a close and there is a new program that began this year and will continue into 2011. The goal is to establish 700 more acres of Switchgrass in the northeastern quadrant of Kentucky.

Farmers interested in growing Switchgrass should apply for EQIP by January 11, 2011, at their local NRCS Office, and specifically mention Energy Initiative Funding Pool with the acres they wish to establish.

EQIP eligible applicants will be ranked within this funding pool, instead of competing with all other EQIP applicants for all other conservation practices, typically increasing the likelihood of a successful contract. Application for EQIP does not obligate the producer.

When an applicant is approved, then and only then, when they sign their contract do they become obligated, according to a program spokesman.

If farmers are contracted they will then follow NRCS

establishment protocol for planting the Switchgrass along with guidance from University of Kentucky College of Agriculture personnel.

When the existing vegetation has been controlled and Switchgrass is no-till planted according to NRCS requirements, the producer will be eligible for a conservation payment of approximately $354.

Farmers will also receive a "lost opportunity cost" of $100 per acre later from the “New Switchgrass Program” itself once the crop has been harvested in the late fall. There is a five acre minimum and it must be contiguous. The Switchgrass stands have to remain in place for five years.

University of Kentucky specialists fully expect East Kentucky Power Cooperative (EKPC) will pursue the continuation of generating electricity from Switchgrass.

EKPC has been encouraged to offer program participants a contract for Switchgrass bales. EKPC is said to be very interested and are discussing the options that will meet their product expectations and the financial needs of the farmers.

A decision from EKPC is expected prior to a meeting in January and before farmers would need to sign the five year commitment with NRCS.

For more information concerning the program, contact the Extension Office.

Parent Portal in the works for school district

By Dennis Brown

The Lewis County Board of Education met in regular session last week and was updated on efforts to allow parents access to an Internet based program to follow their children’s progress in school.

Jamie Weddington, Director of Pupil Personnel, said progress is continuing in making the Parent Portal operational.

Weddington demonstrated the program to board members and said parents will be able to access the information through the district’s website at www.lewis.kyschools.us in the Infinite Campus tab.

He said information will be available concerning student grades, schedules, attendance, assignments, and medical information.

Weddington said user groups are continuing to be defined and that nurses, for instance, would have access to medical information on students while teachers would not have access to that information.

He said he will work to have user names and passwords available for parents by the time parent-teacher conferences roll around next Spring. Training will be available at the schools to show parents how to access and utilize the information available.

Weddington said he would update the board again at the February meeting.

Superintendent Maurice Reeder Jr. updated board members on Ralph Davis Jr. night.

Davis was honored just prior to the Lewis County – Greenup County basketball game.

“I can’t think of a time that I was more proud to be a Lewis County resident and part of the Lewis County school system,” he said. “That went over just amazingly well. I think Ralph and his family were totally appreciative of all that,” he added.

“I thought our pep band just played great, the cheerleaders do what they do, the boys played great, our fans were great and even Greenup County fans were good. I was really proud for everybody that night,” Reeder said.

“It was just really a good night for everybody,” he said. “I appreciate everybody’s effort that went into that.”

Davis’ jersey was retired during a ceremony prior to the game.

Reeder said because of the weather auditors didn’t make the trip from Louisville to present the audit to board members. Joe Kennedy summarized the audit for board members.

Members agreed to approve the audit as presented.

In other business, board members approved an offer of assistance for matching funds from KETS for technology. That amount is $27, 231.

Members approved training hours for two board members and also approved a search dog for Lewis County Schools. Reeder said the KSP search dog would primarily be utilized at LCMS and LCHS.

Members approved non-resident contracts with surrounding counties and gave their approval to the proposed 2011-2012 school calendar.

Reeder said teachers provided much useful input in establishing the calendar. The recommendations included shortening Fall break, beginning with a partial week, having two full weeks for Christmas break, and moving Spring break back in hopes of having better weather.

Members approved an overnight trip for the boys varsity basketball team to travel to Glasgow.

Reeder reported the certified resignation of Connie S. Dixon as a substitute teacher. The retirement of Kenneth Cooley Sr. as of December 21; the classified substitute hire of Tonya Dixon; and the certified substitute hires of Alyssa Clark, Matthew Porter and Gloria Grierson.

Upon adjourning the meeting, Reeder presented Board Member Joe LeMaster with a plaque for his service to the Board of Education.

LeMaster was elected to the board in 1995 and decided to retire after completing this term. Sara Willis will replace LeMaster on the board beginning in January.

“This plaque is a memento of all the services that you’ve given and all the efforts that you’ve put out and all the good things that you’ve done, not only for the children and the students of Lewis County, but all of us here,” Reeder said.

“We’ve got a cake in there . . . we can’t put everything on it that Joe’s meant to us over the years, so we just put ‘Thanks Joe for everything’.”

“We wish you the very best for your retirement from the Board of Education,” Reeder said.

Five hurt in accident

By Dennis Brown

The Lewis County Sheriff's Department is investigating a two vehicle that injured five people at the intersection of the AA Highway and Montgomery Road at Garrison last week.

Deputy Dwayne Stone said the accident happened about 7:40 p.m. December 20 when a 1992 Dodge pick-up, operated by Jacob Osborne, 19, of Garrison, was traveling south on Montgomery Road and reportedly ran a stop sign.

He said a 1998 Oldsmobile, operated by Lafe Walters, 17, was traveling east on the AA Highway and struck the pick-up. Both vehicles came to rest in the ditch line on the southeast shoulder of the intersection.

Osborne and a passenger in the pick-up, Bradley Adams, 17, of Garrison, were both injured, Stone said.

Walters and two passengers in the Oldsmobile, Colton Bentley , 17, and Austin Walters, 13, both of Garrison, were also injured, he added.

All five were taken to Southern Ohio Medical Center in Portsmouth, Ohio, by ambulance. Austin Walters was later transferred to Cabell Huntington Hospital. Stone said all suffered facial injuries.

Stone said charges pending against Osborne include disobeying a stop sign, no seat belts, no insurance and no registration.

The accident remains under investigation by Stone. He was assisted at the scene by Deputy Tom Polley and Garrison Fire and Rescue.

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