A crew working the past few weeks in Lewis County replaced approximately 3,000 ties each day utilizing specialized equipment.

Although temperatures exceeded 90 degrees for several days, workers continued at a steady pace and drank plenty of liquids.

Vic Krebs, project foreman, said each member of the crew specialized in each aspect of the project much the same as each piece of equipment was manufactured to do each step in the process.

One machine removes spikes, the next, utilizing large magnets, collects the old spikes, another comes along to remove plates, the next pulls out old ties, one puts in the new ties, the next puts the plates back, another puts in new spikes.

Interspersed are equipment and workers who get the new ties, which had been left near the railroad earlier, lined up for replacement. Others collect the old ties and ready them to be removed.

Krebs said the crew completed the work from the east end of Lewis County to a few miles west of Vanceburg and would be going to Cincinnati to do a project there before coming back to continue work in Lewis County.

Meeting in regular session last week, the Vanceburg City Council moved to acquire a new computer program to enhance the record keeping and auditing systems for the city.

Mayor William T. Cooper said that the action is a result of the recently discovered accounting scandals involving Enron and other large corporations in America.

Jeffrey D. Newman, CPA, of West Union, Ohio, presented the proposal that was accepted by the council. Newman will install QuickBooks Pro 2002 for $450 and include payroll subscription for $200. The program will be installed on one computer work station and includes setting up three funds/companies, general ledger and a chart of accounts. The proposal also includes three days of training on accounts receivable, payroll, general ledger and reporting.

The council also donated a 1994 police cruiser to the Vanceburg Volunteer Fire Department. Parts will be taken off another old cruiser to put the donated vehicle in running order.

Cooper read a letter from the Department for Local Government informing the city that funding for construction of a new bridge leading to the park at the boat dock recreation area was not selected for funding.

Application for the assistance was made in January. If it had been approved, the city would match the $42,500 applied for to complete the $85,000 project. The letter advised the city to re-apply for the funds by October.

The fire was reported shortly before 1:00 p.m. by neighbors of Roscoe and Betty Gilliam on Ky. Rt. 59 near Pine Hill Bed and Breakfast.

The home was destroyed and the couple lost all of their belongings in the fire, which spread quickly after being ignited.

A spokesman with the Camp Dix Volunteer Fire Department said Roscoe Gilliam was preparing to cook out on a gas grill on the back porch of the residence when the grill exploded. Several people were in the vicinity of the grill for a birthday party being held for Gilliam's grandson, but none were reported injured.

Magoffin County reported the highest rate at 13 percent. It was followed by Carter County at 11.4 percent, Elliott County at 11.3 percent, Clay County at 10.4 percent and Harlan County at 9.4 percent.

The state average jobless rate remained at 5.1 percent for the month.

Lewis County was a 10.5 percent in May 2001.

The report shows Lewis County with a labor force of 4,193 and 341 of those unemployed.