Nola Sizemore

Staff Writer

During a meeting of the Loyall City Council on Monday, Police Chief Mike Lunsford reported to council members he had made 11 arrests during the month of May, which included one felony when a theft allegedly occurred at the laundromat.

“On May 17, Johnny Blevins was arrested and charged with theft by unlawful taking under $10,000 and lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center,” said Lunsford. “He took approximately $600 in quarters and $600 in bills when a staff member was emptying machines at the laundromat. After the money was placed in a van, Blevins allegedly took the quarters and bills from the vehicle.”

Lunsford noted during the summer months, arrests usually increase.

In other council action, the new pastor at the Loyall Church of God, Billy Owens, and the church’s youth pastor, Colby French, addressed the council inquiring about the recreational building owned by the city on Park Hill. Owens said his church would like to be able to use the building for youth-related activities.

“We’d like to work as hard as we can trying to get the youth involved in something besides being on the street,” said Owens. “If we can help the city, as volunteers, we will be more than happy to do so. We’d just love to see that building back in operation and we’ll help in any way we can.”

Mayor Clarence Longworth said work has been done on the building and repairs have been completed on the plumbing. He said he, too, would like to see the building put to use by the community.

French asked council members for permission to block a street near the church to host a block party in August for the county’s youth. Council members agreed to vote on the issue at the next scheduled meeting once a definite date is set for the event.

“I don’t see why they can’t do this,” said council member Kenneth Colinger. “If they want half a block for a community thing, I’m all for it.”

A second reading of the city’s 2012-2013 budget ordinance was read and council members voted to approve that ordinance. Fire Chief Vern Guffy reported the fire department’s tanker is presently out of service. He also said he and two other firefighters had attended pump maintenance training in Lexington recently.

“Learning to work on the equipment ourselves will save the city thousands of dollars in the long run,” said Guffy.

Water and Sewer Plant Supervisor Mark Duff reported he had unclogged a lateral line on Park Hill and helped on another line on Bailey Street. Longworth noted a resident of the city had not paid their water and sewage bills for several months and the city will probably start legal action against them.

Reach Nola Sizemore at 606-573-4510 or at nsizemore@heartlandpublications.com