3004 news

Library automation begins Monday

By Al Owens
Meeting in regular session last Tuesday the Library Board of the Helen H. Rayburn Public Library of Lewis County learned that the bar codes are applied to all the books and the library plans to initiate the new automation system on Monday, August 2.

According to library director Marilyn Conway she is applying for a grant from Gate Computers and the State Department of Libraries that will result in the installation of new Gates computers. Plans are also in the works for the library to put its computers online with DSL using a broadband Internet connection, again made possible by a grant.

The library will soon advertise for a new bookmobile librarian to replace Margie Moore who is retiring in December. Applications are already being taken. The applicant must meet two basic qualifications at the start. He or she must be a high school graduate and be able to operate and drive the bookmobile.

The board discussed putting new lettering on the library to reflect the recent renaming of the institution in honor of Helen H. Rayburn. Mrs. Rayburn's late husband Hobert was a state senator and introduced the legislation that made bookmobiles possible in the Commonwealth. Lewis County enjoys the library mainly through her efforts over the years. She was recently invited to Frankfort where she was recognized as the state's oldest librarian.

Conway attended a bookmobile conference since last month's meeting. She told the board that the state recommends but does not require that two people be on the bookmobile at all times. For many smaller libraries with limited budgets that really isn't feasible.

The board discussed problems with the bookmobile's generator. Last month it was taken to Glockner's Chevrolet. Altogether the board paid $1,227.20 in two repair bills at Glockner's but the problem was not corrected. The bookmobile will have to be taken to a service provider in West Virginia.

Board President Carol Gilbert announced that the day after the meeting she planned to attend a trustees meeting of the State Library Board at Jenny Wiley State Park.

Conway said that fines received for the month came to $95.00; books were $16.14; faxes $17.50; copies $35.15; expenses $92.99; and patrons in the library 740.

She also mentioned that last month the library received several music CDs that are now available to be checked out by the patrons.

The next regular session of the Library Board will be at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 17, at the library.

Wayward truck causes AA Truck Stop damage

The Lewis County Sheriff's Department is investigating an accident last week that damaged the canopies over gasoline pumps at AA Truck Stop on the AA Highway at Garrison.
Deputy Mark Snedegar said the incident happened at about 6:00 p.m. Friday as George Murphy, a truck driver with Paul Mercer Sawmill and Logging Company of McArthur, Ohio, was eating dinner at nearby Kelly's Kitchen.

Snedegar said the 1990 International truck, which Murphy had parked outside the restaurant, apparently jumped out of gear, traveled some 200 feet and struck a canopy support post at the AA Truck Stop. Snedegar said the trailer was loaded with logs.

The incident resulted in extensive damage to both the truck and support post, Snedegar said, adding that had the truck gone a few feet to the left or right, striking a gasoline pump, the damage could have been much greater.
In addition to Snedegar and Deputy Jason Hill, Garrison Fire and Rescue, and officials from the Environmental Protection Agency responded to the incident.

Snedegar said there were no injuries and he is continuing the investigation.

Trial scheduled for four men charged in assault

AP--Four Michigan men charged in the assault of a Kentucky National Guardsman are set to stand trial in April.
Michael T. Ross, 35, of Jackson, Mich., James E. Sandlin, 33, of West Branch, Mich., Timothy R. Ross, 32, and Ronald Alan Wilder, 32, both of Ypsilanti, Mich., were indicted on one count each of second degree assault, a felony.

Sgt. Roosevelt Bowles, who is black, said he was on weekend duty staying at a Maysville motel when he was attacked by the men, who are white. He claims the October 2003 beating was racially motivated.

Defense attorneys have argued that the incident was nothing more than a drunken brawl.
Mason County Circuit Court scheduled the trial to start on April 18, but authorities are still deciding whether to prosecute the case as a federal hate crime.

Bowles testified that he had a broken blood vessel in his eye, swelling of the face and head, multiple bruises and three chipped teeth.

He was treated and released from a hospital the morning after the attack, but continues to require medical attention for the injuries.

Photo Catch

Hay3004.jpg (140296 bytes) Dennis Brown/Lewis County Herald

MAKING HAY...Taking advantage of recent dry weather, this farmer on the AA Highway west of Vanceburg rolled hay. A wetter than usual spring has had area farmers and gardeners scrambling to get outside chores done during the few dry times.

Tiffany Stamper/Lewis County Herald

This building, located between Osman Pharmacy and the Vanceburg United Methodist Church, was razed last week to create additional parking on Second Street in Vanceburg. The building had formerly housed Farmer's Cooperative Insurance and had served as a construction office while the Justice Center was being built.

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