Lewisport Council notes well-attended Christmas in the Park, parade

The Lewisport City Council met a week early for its December meeting on Thursday, Dec. 11, and enjoyed a Christmas dinner.

The city’s annual Christmas in the Park celebration on Friday, Dec. 5, and the Lewisport Christmas Parade on the following day once again drew large crowds.

At last month’s meeting, Councilman Kelly Vanover asked about payment options without additional fees other than for credit cards. City Clerk Carrie Dixon said water and gas customers can pay with cash, check, or enroll in automated clearing house (ACH) payments at City Hall with no extra charges. All card payments incur a fee.

Vanover also had questions about Taylor Avenue and said he would send a video to council members and Mayor Chad Gregory about developing retail and tourism in the area. The council has held ongoing discussions on promoting growth in the city, many started by Vanover, who has suggested strategies proven effective in similar nearby cities.

Councilwoman Mary Margaret Hawkins expressed appreciation for the Public Works crew’s efforts to make the city look beautiful for the holidays and for the Christmas in the Park event and parade.

“It is beautiful,” Hawkins said. “The city looks so pretty.”

The crew, led by Superintendent R.J. Simpson, prepared for weeks to make the festivities and holidays special for the community.

Lewisport’s grand marshal, Hancock County Public Libraries and Chamber Executive Director Tina Snyder, rode in this year’s parade on the city’s newly restored oldest fire engine. Gregory said Snyder was chosen as grand marshal this year for her ongoing work to enrich the lives of children and adults throughout the community.

Simpson reported that the crew found a water main break early in the morning Thursday, Dec. 11. It was an 8-inch pipe that burst, and they repaired it in about three hours, working in waist-deep cold water.

Simpson and City Administrator Jason Roberts traveled to Centralia, Illinois, on Dec. 3 and 4 with city engineers Matt Curtis and Bryan Lovan, co-owners of Bluegrass Engineering, to tour the factory that will build the wellhouses and other structures for the new regional water plant in Lewisport. The plant will serve all of Hancock County once it is completed.

The city has received an additional $2 million from Congressman Brett Guthrie’s office for the project, bringing total secured funding to about $24 million. Gregory said the hope is to pay off the remaining balance within 10 years while continuing to seek additional funding.

The design includes wellhouses in small buildings adjacent to the Lewisport Library, with the treatment facility and chemical processes housed indoors and the entire site fenced with controlled access for safety, security and visual appeal.

Lewisport and Hawesville have signed an initial agreement for the shared plant that will replace both cities’ aging systems. Construction is expected to begin in 2026, with completion projected about 2028. The plant will use a reverse osmosis process that has been proven effective in Lewisport pilot testing at removing emerging contaminants such as PFAS, providing a more reliable, higher-quality water supply for residents.

Police Chief Greg Linn provided a brief review for 2025.

“Just to wrap up the year, up until today we have responded to 1,112 CAD calls for the year. We have taser recertification later this month. We have in-service training setup for next year. Everything else is going well,” Linn said.

Officer Nick Jarboe’s training will be in January and Linn’s is scheduled for May of 2026. Kentucky police officers are required to complete annual in-service training overseen by the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training. The program includes at least 40 hours of instruction on topics such as defensive tactics, firearms qualification, crisis intervention and community policing. The training helps officers maintain state certification and stay informed about current laws, safety procedures and best practices in law enforcement.

The council approved the fire department’s monthly financial statement.

The Lewisport Volunteer Fire Department, led by Fire Chief Troy Roberts, reported on social media that its participation in the 2025 Christmas parade was very succesful and that the crew had a great time. Members worked to help make sure everything went smoothly.

Lewisport’s first fire engine, a 1943 model, was featured in this year’s Lewisport Christmas Parade. The truck was recently restored and the crew is excited to have it running again. The fire engine was originally acquired after World War II.
After the parade, LVFD members and other emergency services personnel attended the second annual Emergency Service Christmas Party, which was created so everyone who works together in the county can gather for fellowship during the holidays. The Hancock County Emergency Services Association and others organized the event.
The department advises residents to keep space heaters and all heating equipment at least three feet away from clothes, blankets, furniture and anything else that could catch fire to reduce the risk of a home fire.
The fire department is recruiting new members. Applications are available at the station or can be downloaded from the pinned post on the Lewisport Volunteer Fire Department Facebook page. Completed applications may be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to P.O. Box 22, Lewisport, KY 42351. Volunteer firefighters must complete at least 20 hours of training each year.
Junior Firefighter Program 
The Junior Firefighter Program is open to youths ages 15 to 17. Program details and the application link are posted on the department’s Facebook page.