The canine above was used by the police officer to stop a fleeing suspect from a stopped vehicle. The dog quickly apprehended the suspect and held him until the officer could get there. The four day spring workshop was held in Grant County on April 24-27. Photo by D. Dennie.

K-9's helping to take a "Bite out of Crime"

Handlers and their dogs attend spring workshop

By Debbie Dennie, Editor

Dogs have shared their lives with mankind for several thousand years. Some research indicates that the first domesticated canines were wolves used for the purpose of assisting humans to hunt for food.

Not only has the dog been used to hunt for food and provide man with companionship but they have also been used to provide for their master's protection.

Law enforcement personnel from several states and many local municipalities met in Dry Ridge last week for a spring workshop given by the North American Police Work Dog Association (NAPWDA).

Captain Roger Humphrey of the Grant County Sheriff's Department and a member of the Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force hosted this spring seminar. He is also a coordinator for the national group. Humphrey, a handler, has worked with his partner K-9 Roy for the past eight years. Roy is 10-years-old and came from Holland.

Twenty-two law enforcement officers and their dogs attended the week-long seminar.

Approximately 15 officers and their dogs participated in the demonstration held last Wednesday evening at Grant County High School.

The mission of the NAPWDA is to assist police work dog teams throughout the world. The organization was formed in 1977 with 30 officers and today numbers over 4,000, composed of law enforcement officers throughout the United States and several other countries.

The group conducts in-service training workshops in various states throughout the year and holds a major national workshop in a different state yearly. Officers and their K-9's attend these workshops for problem solving, legal updates, new techniques in various phases of police work dog use and certifications.

Bill Faus, master trainer, a member of NAPWDA, DAD/DAC and a retired Indiana law enforcement police officer attends many of these seminars. He spent 38 years as a police officer and 21 of those years was in the K-9 Unit. "I retired last year from the Elkhart, Indiana Police Department."

Faus was one of the founding fathers of the NAPWDA. "We can give the officers attending these seminars some tips and knowledge we have learned over the years to make our K-9 teams better and safer. The K-9 and the handler are a team. Neither can't do the job without the other. It's the dogs job to smell and the officer's job to show the dog where to smell," said Faus.

"Several thousand soldiers in the Vietnam War credit the scout dogs for saving their lives," Faus said.

Evidence of dogs military contributions can be found in every conflict.

"Bad guys fear a dog more than a gun and using the dogs is not deadly force," said Faus.

Faus credits his dog as having saved his life in the 1970's. "I was outside walking with my dog after a rain shower and I started to step in a puddle of water. My dog jumped up and knocked me back and he fell in the puddle of water and was electrocuted. An electric line must have fallen into the water," Faus stated.

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

Butler man killed in one vehicle accident

A Butler man's life was cut short after a tragic single-vehicle automobile accident around 9:45 p.m., Thursday night, April 27, 2006.

Thomas Mason, 28, Butler, operating a 1991 Toyota pick-up truck, was traveling south on KY Hwy 177 when his vehicle left the roadway and overturned.

Mason was rushed to St. Luke West Hospital where he was pronounced dead by doctors due to injuries sustained in the accident.

It is unknown if Mason was wearing a seat belt at the time of the wreck and the involvement of alcohol is suspected. The case is still under investigation by Trooper David Holland of the Kentucky State Police.

Thomas Mason is the son of Chuck and Phyllis Mason of Butler.

Pinwheels for Prevention of child abuse

Have you noticed the pinwheels stuck in the ground in front of the courthouse on Main Street in Falmouth? Have you wondered what they are or what they represent? In 2005 there were 160 reported cases of child abuse and neglect in Pendleton County. This field of pinwheels represents the abused children in our community. One pinwheel for each child. If you think or know of a child being abused here, call the local authorities and let them investigate it. This program is brought to you by St. Luke Hospital and the Health Alliance. Photo by D. Dennie.

Judge and magistrates discuss new courthouse
Creation of county fire department considered

By Roger McKinney, Reporter

Judge Bertram spoke to the magistrates regarding the location of the new Pendleton County Courthouse. The judge said there was a rumor circulating that the courthouse would be constructed out in the county, but by law it must be built within the city limits of the county seat. "It can't be situated at McKinneysburg, Morgan or Mt. Auburn", he said, "but it is possible to choose property adjacent to Falmouth that can be annexed." Judge Bertram told the court that a public hearing had been scheduled for May 17 in the Circuit Court Jury Room at 1:30 p.m. The purpose of this meeting is to give citizens an opportunity to offer their properties as a building site for new courthouse. However, if their asking price is more than $40,000 the property must be appraised. Also individuals are invited to comment on the proposed facility project and its eventual location.

Paul Dickison presented his county fire protection proposal to the court. Magistrate Dickison's plan involves the establishment of a new fire department to cover that area of the county now served by Falmouth. Dickison said that his proposal was a working document to be considered and possibly changed. He said the new fire department could be initiated at a cost of $20,000. He told the court that the fire trucks and equipment could be housed in the old county barn. He estimated that 20 certified fire fighters would be available to man the operation. Magistrate Dickison also stated that the county's promise to help the Butler Fire Department should not be forgotten. Magistrate Stacey Wells said the fire fighters should be compensated for their travel. Magistrate Dickison agreed. An amount of $5 per fire run was suggested. It was agreed that the Dickison Proposal would be discussed further in the fiscal court's next caucus meeting.

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

City council discusses urgent care center
Creation of skate park discussed

By Roger McKinney, Reporter

City Council discussed the creation of a medical urgent care center in Falmouth. The project would involve Harrison County Memorial Hospital as well as local physicians. Falmouth must raise $342,000 in start up money before the project can be initiated. The council members all agreed to pursue funding.

Falmouth City Councilman Rick Mineer is spearheading a skate park project in downtown Falmouth. Councilman Mineer would like to transform Goldberg Park, which has a tennis court and a play area into a place where skateboards can be employed for recreation. Mineer explained to his fellow council members that everyone now uses the courts in the Pendleton Athletic Park to play tennis. Councilman Mineer said that having a skate park downtown impressed him as a practical idea.

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

Pictured above: This large swarm of bees showed-up at the residence of Curtis Joslin and family on Ridgeway Avenue and went to work making their new home in a back-yard Sassafras tree. The swarm is estimated to weigh 2 lbs. and contain 15,000 to 20,000 bees. Photo by Jackie Vaughn.

Pictured above: Local bee keeper Konrad Rueb is shown knocking large amounts of bees from a tree branch into a holding box on Ridgeway Avenue, Thursday, April 27. He was attempting to capture the queen so that the other bees would follow. Photo by Jackie Vaughn.

What's all the "buzz" about on Ridgeway Avenue?

By Jackie Vaughn, Reporter

Spring is upon us once again and with it are all the insects that come along with the warmer season, including our honeymaking friends - bees.

Curtis "Pete" Joslin and his family know they're back as a swarm of the buzzing, little creatures decided to make their new home in a Sassafras tree in his backyard on Ridgeway Avenue early Thursday morning, April 27.

The bees showed up around 10:30 a.m. and gathered on a lower branch. Within just a couple of hours, the branch was caked with thousands and there was a flurry of activity going on.

"It was unbelievable how fast they showed up," said Joslin, caretaker of Riverside Cemetery. "I noticed a few in the morning and when I came back a little while later, they were everywhere. I knew I was going to have to get something done really quick."

Curtis contacted Mr. Konrad Rueb, a local bee keeper who is experienced in the safe removal of the insects, and he came to the home to take care of the growing problem.

"It's not uncommon for a swarm to show up like this," explained Mr. Rueb. "What probably happened was that the original hive became overcrowded or many of the bees followed a newly-hatched queen to this location."

Mr. Rueb remarked that he knew of a large hive not far from the Joslins' home where the bees may have originated from.

Equipped in protective gear, Mr. Rueb reached into the two pound swarm of bees, estimated to contain between 15,000 to 20,000, in an attempt to capture the queen. He knocked handfuls of the stinging insects of the branch and put them into a holding box.

"The idea is to get the queen and the rest of them will follow," said Mr. Rueb. "They'll know if she's gone. If she's in the box, they'll follow her right into it."

By nightfall, the swarm of bees, known as wild italian, had left the tree branch and entered the holding box on a table below. Mr. Rueb returned to the home and removed the bees to a new and safer location. There he will maintain them and process their honey.

"It took a couple of times to capture the queen but I got her," said Mr. Rueb. "The bees have been taken to a farm and they are doing just fine."

Game of Champions set for June 3

Mark your calendars in bold letters for the "Game of Cham-pions" set for Saturday, June 3. The Pendleton County Athletic Park is sponsoring an Alumni Basketball game between the 2005 Pendleton County Wildcats basketball champs and the 2006 Pendleton County Wildcats basketball champs. This will be the game of the century for Pendleton County fans. Players from each team will be battling it out for bragging rights. Coached by our own PHS coaches this game is sure to be a thrill for all sports fans.

Remember the excitement when the Wildcats beat Brossart in the 2005 District? Remember how you felt when the 2006 team defeated Harrison County in the District? Relive the excitement one more time. The game will begin at 7:30 p.m. with the doors opening at 6 p.m. A chicken or pork dinner will be served starting at 6 p.m. in the PHS cafeteria for those who want to get together and reminisce or socialize while getting their bellies full before the big game. The Jeff Wyler Auto group has donated a large screen TV to be raffled during the game plus there will many other nice prizes raffled and other activities going on throughout the evening.

The cost of the admission is $7 for adults and $5 for children. No passes will be accepted. Tickets can be purchased prior to the game at any of the four county school administrative offices or the county judge executive's office at the courthouse. A limited number of seats will be sold because of gym capacity so don't delay. When they are gone, there will not be a second chance. NCAA rules only allow the players to participate in one game.

Don't miss this chance to recognize these outstanding players and have a lot of fun also!

Additional headlines include:

No test score left behind

Teen airlifted to hospital

Cats make their mark at Campbell County Invitational

Pendleton County Praisers hold annual sports banquet

Jones having solid season for N.K.U.

Northern holds A"Cat"emy Awards show

Wildcats come alive with three wins

NJROTC 1st annual athletic competition

Fielding errors lead to 9-5 Ladycat loss

2006 Sample Ballot

P.H.S. Cheerleaders ready for new season

Cat-i-tude shirts show it's time for testing

2006 Church softball schedules

and more!!