Meeting in a recessed session Monday, March 28, the Lewis County Fiscal Court tabled approval of the only bid received for the Holly Road Project until more information could be gathered on the cost of the project.

The bid of $5.00 per linear foot came from E&E Construction Company, Vanceburg. However, a grand total for the estimate was not included. The county received $62,125 from the County Co-op Program's Emergency Fund to repair three slips on Holly Road. The court opted to ensure that the total cost of the project would not surpass the funds available for the job. The county would be liable for any amount over the $62,125.

Jailer Tim Underwood presented the 2005-06 Jail Budget to the court. No action was required on the budget, but the clerk noted in the minutes that the budget was presented as required.

Phil Kennedy, superintendent of the Electric Plant Board of the City of Vanceburg, appeared before the court to appeal for funds for a project currently in the works. The state legislature was able to designate $25 million from bond money for water and sewer projects for the Commonwealth, and $500,000 was allotted to Lewis County.

Kennedy said that the state did not fund the project this year, and he could not borrow the necessary funds from Rural Development without having $500,000 up front. He already has $170,000 for that purpose but asked for $400,000 of the $500,000 in order to apply for the loan needed to complete the job. Without it the utility company will have to wait another year to actually begin the work.

State Senator Charlie Borders had requested that County Judge Executive Steve Applegate contact the Buffalo Trace Area Development District about receiving more funds to go along with that money for the project before committing it to the plant board. The issue was tabled until the regular April session to give the court time to investigate additional funding that might be available through BTADD.

Applegate stated that he firmly supports Kennedy's request and, if no other funds are available, then the request will probably be granted.

The court waived a 90-day written notice of intent to purchase in the lease agreement with Northern Contours. The company wants to purchase the shoe factory building on Lions Lane.

The Vanceburg City Council took similar action in a special session last week clearing the way for Northern Contours to also purchase the shoe factory property on Rt. 8.

A sale price of $250,000 with possible adjustments for reimbursement of rent payments was part of the county's lease agreement with Northern Contours.

Applegate did not give any specifics because the totals were not in at the time of the recessed session, but he said that the county's Cleanup Week was a great success.

Before adjourning he announced that the next regular session of the Lewis County Fiscal Court would be on Monday, April 11, at 9:30 a.m. in the third floor courtroom in the courthouse.

A South Portsmouth woman was injured last week when the vehicle she was riding in was struck by a vehicle crossing the AA Highway on Ky. Rt. 59.

To promote Fair Housing, People's Self-Help Housing, Inc. is offering a $500 Fair Housing Scholarship to high school seniors in Lewis County.

Beginning April 12, applications for the Fair Housing Scholarship will be available from Kevin Lewis at the Lewis County High School Guidance Office. Contact Ann Royster at 606-796-3600 for additional scholarship information.

The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing activities because of religion, race, color, national origin, sex, disability or family status. The City of Vanceburg and the Lewis County Fiscal Court have adopted ordinances enacting fair housing laws throughout Lewis County.

For 23 years, People's Self-Help Housing has been providing affordable housing opportunities for low income residents of Lewis County. During that time, PSHH has constructed 215 new homes and repaired or rehabilitated 460 homes. PSHH has also developed and manages 92 rental units including emergency shelter, transitional housing and affordable rental housing.

PSHH plans to build 24 new homes in 2005 with local construction crews and subcontractors. For more information on having a new home built or having a place to rent, stop by the PSHH offices in Vanceburg or call 606-796-6333 (main office) or 606-796-0811 (rental office) during regular business hours. PSHH offers equal housing opportunities.

Local authorities, as well as those in Ashland and Catlettsburg, are seeking information concerning Friday night robberies of Foodland stores.

Vanceburg Police Lt. Tom Flannigan said a man wearing dark camouflage clothing and a mask, entered Lewis County Foodland about 9:00 pm. March 25 with a handgun, demanded money and then fled with an undetermined amount of cash.

One week later, on April 1, a man with a similar description entered Catlettsburg Foodland just after 9:00 p.m., threatened employees and customers with a silver handgun, and made off with an undetermined amount of money.

The third robbery, also on April 1, happened about 11:00 p.m. at a Foodland in Ashland.

Officials in Ashland and Catlettsburg believe those robberies may be connected. Investigators of all three robberies are comparing information to determine is they were all committed by the same person.