Three Greenup County residents were arrested and charged last week by Vanceburg Police and Lewis County Sheriff's deputies after an alleged shoplifting spree in Vanceburg and Garrison.

Deputy Dwayne Stone said the sheriff's office received a complaint from Collins FoodCenter in Garrison that some people were in the store shoplifting items.

Stone said that when deputies arrived, the suspects had left the store in a green passenger vehicle with Ohio registration plates.

He said that a short time later the office received a call from Lewis County Foodland to report shoplifters there. When deputies arrived there, Manager Mark McCane reported that the suspects had left the store, gotten into a green passenger car and traveled west on Ky. Rt. 3037.

Stone said Deputy Johnny Bivens and Lt. Tom Flannigan attempted to locate the suspect vehicle in Rt. 3037. A short while later, Sgt. Mark Jordan saw the vehicle traveling east on the AA Highway.

Stone said Jordan attempted to stop the vehicle but the driver refused to stop and proceeded east on the highway. Jordan lost sight of the vehicle for a short while although Deputy Bivens spotted the vehicle at Southern Manor Estates just off the AA Highway west of Vanceburg.

Stone said the suspects were attempting to hide items in a wooded area of the subdivision. He said it was determined that the three suspects were in possession of approximately $500 in stolen food from Collins FoodCenter, Ron's IGA and Lewis County Foodland. He said the items included ribeye steaks, New York strip steaks and pork tenderloin.

He said the suspects also possessed merchandise, including clothing, jewelry and personal hygiene items, that had reportedly been stolen from Family Dollar Store near Foodland.

Stone said Woodard Mahon Jr., 39, of Greenup, was charged with DUI fourth offense within five years, second offense driving on a suspended license, first degree fleeing and evading police, receiving stolen property over $300, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Donald Chaffins, 39, of Greenup was charged with receiving stolen property over $300, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and public intoxication. Heather Brant, 29, of South Shore, was charged with receiving stolen property over $300, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and public intoxication.

Stone said Brandt also had outstanding warrants from Greenup County and added that additional charges are pending in other theft complaints in the area in recent weeks.

By Al Owens

Meeting in regular session this month, the Lewis County Fiscal Court approved two reappointments to Fire Tax Boards. Merideth Hughes was reappointed to the Black Oak fire Department Tax Board with a term expiring on June 30, 2008, and Cova Maddox was reappointed to the Camp Dix VFD Tax Board with her term expiring on June 30, 2009.

The court approved the renewal of the encroachment permit for participation in The Adopt-A-Highway Program of the Kentucky Department of Highways, District Nine. The permit allows the county to pick up litter off the sides of the highways.

In order to avoid having to act on the matter every year the court approved a motion by First District Magistrate Keith Chapman to always adopt the state approved mileage per dem rate. Last year it was 32 cents per mile. This year the rate was increased to 35 cents per mile.

The court also approved a written contract with the Bracken County Animal Shelter for the euthanasia of unclaimed or unwanted animals. Previously that agreement was merely verbal, but this year it’s in writing.

Without comment the court approved the 2005-2006 annual budget for the Firebrick Fire Department.

The court moved to advertise for bids for drilling, furnishing and installing piling on Crooked Creek.

In response to a recommendation from the Buffalo Trace Area Development District the court approved an inter-local agreement with the City of Vanceburg for the county to act as the leading agent regarding the co-application for a Community Development Block Grant for the Lewis County Health Department. The Health Department is in the process of planning a new building.

The treasurer’s report for the end of the past fiscal year showed the total of all funds at $4,189,092.68. Disbursements totaled $3,997,138.50 leaving a cash balance of $191,954.18. Encumbrances came to $28,904.42 leaving an unencumbered cash balance of $163,049.76. The records balance with the bank records.

Chapman requested that the court have County Attorney Clayton “Buddy” Lykins, Jr. draw up a resolution requesting the state not to close the Garrison Boat Dock as planned. The state announced the closing noting that the money is not available to keep it open.

Lewis County Jailer Tim Underwood told the court that the dock doesn’t cost the state any money any way because the county maintains it at no cost to the state.

Sheriff Bill Lewis said that the area has only two openings into the Ohio River, those being the boat ramp in Vanceburg at the Veteran’s Memorial Park and the dock in Garrison.

The court plans to compose and adopt that resolution.

The magistrates also discussed building new buildings in the voting precincts of Tannery and Burtonville with a view to keeping the polls accessible and comfortable for the voters.

County Judge Executive Steve Applegate presented the court with a year-end review of fiscal year 2004-2005.

Applegate highlighted the upgrading of the courthouse with new windows with heat and air units that were installed with funding left over from the construction of the Justice Center. The improvements included the installation of new guttering and the planting of two blue spruce pine trees in the courthouse yard.

Judge Applegate noted that the county was able to obtain three new pieces of badly needed equipment for the Road Department without having to get loans and go into debt. He referred to a new GMC dump truck, a new John Deere Mower and a new one-ton Ford truck with a snow plow. In addition to that, the new road grader will be paid off in one month.

Applegate said that the county has incurred no new debt in the current administration.

He lauded the county departments for always working well together and helping each other out when necessary.

Applegate said in private interview that the county insurance question has been settled. Since KACo did not renew the workers compensation contract the county purchased the workers comp from KEMI through Ron LeMaster Insurance, Inc.

The court routinely approved all the claims for the month so the bills could be paid. No transfers of funds were made in June.

The court recessed the July meeting until Monday, July 18 at 9:30 AM at the usual location. The highlights of the recessed meeting will include the annual treasurer’s settlement, opening the bids for the chip and seal and blacktop, voting on a franchise with Adelphia Cable and adopting the resolution requesting the state to keep the Garrison Boat Dock open.

The next regular session of fiscal court will be on Monday, Aug. 8 at 9:30 AM in the third floor courtroom of the Lewis County Courthouse. The meetings are open to the public.