On Dec. 1, 1955, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus, igniting the boycott that led to a Supreme Court ruling against segregation in public transportation.

Rosa Louise McCauley Parks (February 4, 1913 – October 24, 2005) was an African-American civil rights activist, whom the U.S. Congress called "the first lady of civil rights," and "the mother of the freedom movement".

On December 1, 1955, in Montgomery, Alabama, Parks refused to obey bus driver James F. Blake's order that she give up her seat in the colored section to a white passenger, after the white section was filled. Parks was not the first person to resist bus segregation. Others had taken similar steps in the twentieth century, including Irene Morgan in 1946, Sarah Louise Keys in 1955, and Claudette Colvin nine months before Parks. NAACP organizers believed that Parks was the best candidate for seeing through a court challenge after her arrest for civil disobedience.

Parks' act of defiance and the Montgomery Bus Boycott became important symbols of the modern Civil Rights Movement. She became an international icon of resistance to racial segregation. She organized and collaborated with civil rights leaders, including Edgar Nixon, president of the local chapter of the NAACP; and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a new minister in town who gained national prominence in the civil rights movement.

By: Stephen Gray Wallace, M.S. Ed.

The alcohol fueled alleged serial rape of a sixteen-year-old Ohio girl by two of her similarly impaired classmates - not to mention the drunken videotaped commentary of others – points yet again to the imperative that adult America renews its commitment to address as a true national community those issues that most threaten the health, safety, and forward development of youth.

It is a priority that carries with it, in Dr. Martin Luther King’s words, the fierce urgency of now. Indeed, is there a task more pressing than protecting the generation that will follow us as custodians of the future?

Probably not.

Senator Katie Stine (R-Southgate) serves as the president pro-tem of the State Senate.  She represents the 24th District including Pendleton and Campbell counties.

In our first week back, the Senate passed several pieces of legislation that reflect our priorities.

Much has been said about the huge unfunded liability in our public employee pension system. In fact, Standard & Poor’s rating agency has downgraded our bond rating because of its condition. Senate Bill 2 is step one in addressing this enormous challenge. It is important to note that this bill makes no changes to teachers’ retirement, does not impact those currently employed or retired, and does not create a new tax on pension income of either private or public employees.

When the General Assembly meets in odd-numbered years, it has a much different schedule than it does in those ending in an even number.

The meeting time is 30 rather than 60 days, and the first four of those are set aside just to elect legislative leaders and appoint members to committees.  The bulk of our work doesn’t begin until early February, and it effectively ends a little more than a month later.

That tightened time frame means our schedule fills up quickly, and that was certainly the case last week when my legislative colleagues and I returned to the Capitol on Tuesday.

By the time we had wrapped up our first week of work on Friday, two major priorities were on their way to the state Senate, where they are expected to be received favorably.

On Thursday, the House voted overwhelmingly for legislation that would give many of our public four-year universities the ability to use their own revenue to build a wide array of new or updated facilities.  A significant portion of these projects, which top $360 million, will take place at the University of Kentucky, including major upgrades at Commonwealth Stadium.  Combined, these projects are expected to generate about 5,000 jobs.

Pendleton County Fiscal Court meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m., February 12, 2013.

Tentative agenda will go as follows: Call to order, prayer, pledge, approval of agenda, approval of minutes, presentation of treasure's report, approval of purchase of dump truck bed, approval of estimate to upgrade electric entrance at county barn, approve county clerk's excess fees for 2012, approve resolution supporting HB79 dealing with heroin, Catawba Road Bridge, transfers, pay bills, closing remarks by Judge Bertram/magistrate and adjourn.

GO RED for Women campaign is designed to educate and raise awareness of issues affecting women’s heart health.

PHI Air Medical announced today a major community wide effort to educate the community and raise awareness for heart disease, especially as it relates to women’s heart issues.

“As a company, we understand first hand the devastating impact heart disease has on the women and families of our community,” explained, Erik Rohde, Regional Director. “We are committed to doing everything we can to raise awareness on this important issue. Our entire focus is to be proactive for the health of our community so that we don’t have to be called to transport another victim of heart disease.”

The Butler City Council was presented with the financial statement, which was accepted, at their regular meeting on February 4, 2013.

Council persons in attendance were: Dave Hopkins, Aaron Bonar, Gerald McElfresh, Paul Vanlandingham, Pat Taylor and Bonnie Bonar. The fire report was given by Chief David Marquardt. He reported there were no runs at Williams Place in January.

Council went into closed session. Council returned to regular session and discussion about sewer options. Motion by McElfresh, second by Taylor to go with Alternative 1.

Council person Taylor again thanked the fire department for their participation in the Christmas parade.

By: Susan Eicher, 17

Hi, I am Susan, I decided to write for mom this week. My 17th birthday is tomorrow January 24 so my treat to mom is to write the column for her. I made monster cookies yesterday. I wanted to have some to treat everyone for my birthday. I am here at my baby-sitting job. I brought some cookies for them too. The children really like the cookies. I think monster cookies are a treat for the children especially since they have M & Ms in them.

In a historic meeting, the Kentucky Industrial Hemp Commission (KIHC) voted to support Senate Bill 50, Senator Paul Hornback’s legislation that establishes a framework if and when the federal government acts to re-introduce industrial hemp into Kentucky’s agri-economy.  Today marked Senator Hornback’s first meeting as a member of the Commission, and he was met with enthusiastic applause.

“Senator Hornback has shown great courage,” Comer said.  “He is standing up for our farmers and all Kentuckians who want to see opportunities for our farm communities and jobs for our citizens.”

The 2013 Kentucky Official Highway Map is now available across the state at rest areas, welcome centers, local convention and tourism offices and all Kentucky State Parks.

The new map contains a wealth of information for motorists. And its “Only One Kentucky” theme highlights the beauty, natural attractions and features found in Kentucky:

· The Kentucky Bourbon Trail, which explores the rich tradition and heritage of “America’s Official Native Spirit.”

· Eastern Kentucky’s Red River Gorge Scenic Byway, which takes motorists to one of the nation’s special natural areas, offering stone arches, caves, cliffs, ravines and waterfalls.