Pendleton FFA members observe National FFA Week

The Pendleton County Chapter of Future Farmers of America observed National FFA Week on February 20-24. In closure of this week, Pendleton County FFA Tractor Day was held Friday, February 24. Over 20 students, driving tractors of all makes, lined up at the Pendleton County Fairgrounds to make the drive on U.S. 27 up Pendleton Hill to the high school. FFA promotes citizenship, volunteerism, patriotism and cooperation. Their motto is "Learning To Do, Doing To Learn, Earning To Live, and Living To Serve." This gives the students direction of purpose to take an active role in succeeding in agriculture education. Today's FFA members are tomorrow's agricultural leaders. See more information and photo of an old tractor on Page 5. Photo by Jackie Vaughn.

Council discusses Streetscape Project, Fire protection contract proposed

By Roger McKinney, Reporter

Community Development Director Bill Mitchell updated the lawmakers on the progress of the Streetscape Project at the Falmouth City Council meeting on February 7. A resolution was read that allowed an application for a $250,000. TEA-21 Grant to fund the completion of the Streetscape Project, which would develop Main Street from Shelby to Fourth. Approval of the TEA-21 Grant requires the city to pay $150,000 in matching funds. A motion was made and seconded to approve the resolution. A roll call vote was taken: Rick Mineer, "Yes." Mark Hart, "Yes" Gary Askin, "Yes" Kim Bastin, "Yes." Mary Ann Pittman, "No." Thus, the motion was passed by a vote of four over one.

Councilman Mineer asked City Attorney Henry Watson III about the status of the injunction that was to be filed in January regarding the removal of the Conrad awning from the Streetscape right of way? Attorney Watson said the injunction had not been filed, but he would take that action in the very near future. (The injunction asking the Circuit Court to require Conrad's Furniture and Hardware to remove its awning was filed on Friday, February 10, 2006 at 3:30 p.m. Mr. Conrad was served with papers by a Pendleton County Deputy Sheriff on the morning of Monday, February 13, 2006. He has twenty days to reply.)

In five weeks from February 7 Streetscape construction will reach the area of the Conrad awning. Councilman Mineer asked what would happen in regard to construction and/or penalties if the Circuit Judge rules against the city and in favor of Conrad's Furniture and Hardware? Falmouth Mayor Gene Flaugher said he had met with the Streetscape contractor and the contractor had proposed laying the utility lines beneath the street by the curb for the 90- ft. required, instead of under the sidewalk that passes below the awning. Attorney Watson said he was confident that the court would require Mr. Conrad to remove his awning, but he couldn't say that the court wouldn't require the city to pay Mr. Conrad damages.

Councilwoman Kim Bastin told her fellow lawmakers that the Chairman of the Renaissance Committee David Bay had asked Mr. Conrad, if the Conrad storefront could be brought into compliance without any cost to Mr. Conrad, if funds could be provided to pay all costs, would he consider it? Mr. Conrad said he would consider a proposal, but he didn't have time to research or gather information himself. At that point Councilman Mark Hart asked the rhetorical question: "Mr. Conrad has said that he will go out of business if he is forced to take down his awning, but he doesn't have time to do research?"

Renaissance Committee Member Randy Bastin asked Community Development Director Bill Mitchell how a deviation from the original Streetscape plan might affect future funding of the project? If Falmouth couldn't reach the original concept, then what would be the attitude of the officials in Frankfort, who approve the grants? Director Mitchell indicated that failure to complete the plan as presented was not good.

Councilman Mark Hart proposed a revised county fire protection contract. Initially the county proposed paying the Falmouth Fire Department $500 per run for each run it made outside the city. Then, that proposal was revised to paying the city $100 per fire truck, $12 per fireman and $75 for fuel per fire run. Councilman Hart's alternate proposal asks for $180 for each truck, $35 for each fireman and $75 for fuel per run. The proposal stated that the city of Falmouth was not willing to take part in a countywide fire district, where the municipality would be required to turn over its station and

For more of this story, see this week's Falmouth Outlook

Fogle honored by Rotary Club

The Falmouth Rotary Club remembered one of their dearest departed members and welcomed another during their monthly meeting on Thursday, February 16. Mr. Dan Woodhead, Rotary President, presented Robert "Bobby" Fogle with a Proclamation of Respect honoring his late wife, Mrs. Rebecca "Becky" Fogle, a former club member, who passed away on November 5, 2005. Mr. Fogle has also joined the Falmouth Rotary Club as their newest member. Photo by Jackie Vaughn.

Local Kentucky State Police Detective plays role in catching serial rapists

By Debbie Dennie, Editor

A local Kentucky State Police Detective Chris Jaskowiak of Butler played a role in catching the serial rapists, David Hopper, who had committed robbery and sexual assaults in strip malls covering three states.

Authorities held a press conference on February 14 at the Ft. Wright Police Department announcing that David Hopper, 42, of Burlington, had been linked to cases involving the strip mall rapes. Hopper was arrested on February 9.

Hopper's trail of crime and rapes started in Ohio in 1992. Most of the attacks involved stores in strip malls near interstate highways.

The case residents in Pendleton will remember was a female store clerk at the Big Dog Sporting Goods store located in the Dry Ridge Outlet Mall was robbed and sexually assaulted in January of 2004. A composite of that man was run on the front page of the newspaper.

"State police at the Dry Ridge Post 6 worked in conjunction with the Grant County Sheriff's Department to help solve that case," Det. Jaskowiak said.

"Through that joint investigation they found out that the Dry Ridge robbery and assault was similar to a robbery and sexual assault case that happened at a Payless Shoe Store in Aurora, Indiana in January 2005," Det. Jaskowiak said.

In February of 2004 a robbery and sexual assault occurred at a Subway Restaurant in Cold Spring, Kentucky. KSP Forensic artist Teresa Redmond completed composite sketches with all the victims. Cold Spring Police Department investigated this one.

A robbery and an attempted assault of a victim occurred at the Superior Cleaners in Ft. Wright, Kentucky in February 2004.

During the course of the investigation the state police discovered that Indiana State Police, the Grant County Sheriff's Department and Cold Spring Police Department all had similar cases as to the state of Ohio.

"In March of 2005 the Kentucky State Police organized a case meeting at the Boone County Sheriff's Office, with all the law enforcement

For more of this story, see this week's Falmouth Outlook

Mobile Mammography Unit coming to town on March 24

The Pendleton County Cancer Coalition, Pendleton County Extension Homemakers, and Three Rivers District Health Department Pendleton County Health Center in cooperation with St. Elizabeth Hospital has arranged a special mammogram screening.

"It is a fact that early detection saves lives. Having a screening mammography is an effective way of early detection", stated Pendleton County Health Center's Health Educator Jim Thaxton. "Those of us who have been touched by cancer through the cancer treatment of a relative, friend or loved one know too well how important these screenings are", Thaxton explained.

The Mobile Mammography Unit will be available to screen women over 40 from 8 a.m. till 4 p.m. on Friday, March 24. No health insurance? No problem!!

BB's Shell is offering a $10 gift certificate to all women who participate in the screening who have never been screened before or who have not had a mammogram in more that two years. Other gifts and incentives will be made available on a first come first served bases.

To make an appointment for your ten minute screening, contact Amy Whitaker at the Pendleton County Health Center at 859-654-6985.

Pictured above l-r: Magistrate Gary Veirs, Falmouth Police Chief Bob Scott, Judge/Executive Henry Bertram, Deputy Director of the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security Mari Harris, Magistrate Stacey Wells, Kentucky Community Preparedness Program Director Chuck Melville. Kentucky Office of Homeland Security Deputy Director Mari Harris presented Pendleton County Judge/Executive Henry Bertram with a framed Prepared Kentucky Community Certificate on February 21 in the Council Chamber of Kennett Tavern. Pendleton County is eligible up to $10,000 for making recommended changes. Photo by Roger McKinney.

Pictured above l-r: Falmouth City Councilman Mark Hart, Falmouth Mayor Gene Flaugher, Kentucky Office of Homeland Security Deputy Director Mari Harris, Falmouth Police Chief Bob Scott, Falmouth Water and Waste/Water Superintendent, Todd Ramsey, Kentucky Community Preparedness Program Director, Chuck Melville. Kentucky Office of Homeland Security Deputy Director Mari Harris presented Mayor Gene Flaugher with a framed Prepared Kentucky Community Certificate on February 21. Photo by Roger McKinney.

Gov. Fletcher congratulates Falmouth and the county regarding community preparedness program

Assessors with the Kentucky Community Preparedness Pro-gram visited Falmouth in October of last year, looking for potential vulnerabilities and ways to tighten security.

There was no specific threat that caused the officials in Pendleton County to invite the team of homeland security assessors into their community. It was what could happen in the future for which they wanted to prepare.

The Kentucky Community Preparedness Program is Gov. Ernie Fletcher's administration's homeland security initiative that focuses on prevention of hostile acts and crime in small-and-medium sized communities, using a system of risk assessment and recommendations for improved security.

Many people assume that big cities are the only possible targets. But that's not true. Every city, whether it's a booming metropolis in New York or a rural area of Kentucky, could become a victim of terrorism. Homeland security is not just a way to protect our borders from outside enemies. We have our own homegrown terrorists who could attack from within.

The officials in Falmouth and Pendleton County did not adopt a false sense of security that nothing could happen in their community. They took the bold and progressive stance that they wanted to be as prepared as possible for any catastrophic event, whether it is an act of mass violence or natural disaster. They accomplished that by participating in the Kentucky Community Preparedness Program.

Falmouth was among the first communities in the Common-wealth to volunteer for this program.

On February 21, its officials were recognized for their participation in the program and their commitment to public safety when Kentucky Office of Homeland Security Deputy Director Mari Harris presented Falmouth and Pendleton County with Prepared Kentucky Community certificates.

This is a prestigious honor and not one handed out lightly. To achieve this status a community must not only participate in the program, but also make positive changes.

One of the biggest steps officials have taken to make the community stronger is increasing their awareness. The assessors bring their experience, expertise and most importantly fresh perspective into a community to offer a new way of looking at things.

Raising awareness and hardening targets protects a community from any event that could cause major damage.

This program is a vital investment in Kentucky's safety. Initially the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security funded the program for 60 community assessments, and it quickly established itself as a useful and necessary tool in the fight against terrorism. That is why Gov. Fletcher's administration has funded an additional 30 communities assessments for next year. "We want to ensure that all of our Kentucky citizens are protected as diligently as possible," Gov. Fletcher added.

"I congratulate Falmouth for earning this honor and thank their leaders, as well as the entire Pendleton community, for taking part in this program," he said.

"Thankfully they realize that now is when we need to prepare ourselves, because waiting until there is a threat is too late."

Free political announcements must be in by March 3

If you are a candidate for the upcoming election and want to have your political announcement run in the newspaper free the announcement and photo must be in our office by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 3 to run for free.