Looking Back

25 Years Ago - January 5, 1999

Mark Lea, 27, of Falmouth, shot his younger brother, Matthew, 22, also of Falmouth, with a .22 caliber rifle at approximately 11:45 p.m. December 31. The incident occurred at the older brother's mobile home on Wagoner's Ferry Road, south of Falmouth. ...Lea was airlifted by University of Cincinnati AirCare to UC Medical Center where he remains in good condition. The shooting is still under investigation and (KY State Trooper Gerald) Fieger says further charges may be added to those already brought against Mark Lea.

The final approval was given by Falmouth City Council for the 1999 budget at the Council's final meeting on December 29. Even with this, CAO Steve Hasson warns, "The bloodletting isn't over yet. That's why a payroll tax or something is inevitable unless you touch the utility fund, and you shouldn't touch the utility fund."

County unemployment rates dropped in October 1998 to 2.89 percent. In October 1997, rates were 3.69. 

The new year brought with it a wave of winter weather that has still to subside nearly four days into 1999. Patches of ice on the roadways and six inches of snow everywhere has made travel dangerous and daring for residents of Pendleton County...

50 Years Ago - January 4, 1974

According to the minutes of the Pendleton Fiscal Court at a regular meeting Thursday, December 27, and a special meeting Friday night, December 28, the court has established the Pendleton County Ambulance Service. The court will operate the business out of an office on Main Street, formerly the office of the late County Attorney C. Harold Ewing, now owned by the Falmouth Fire Dept. It is to be rented "without compensation." The new ambulance business will operate on a seven day a week schedule, 24 hours per day. The ambulances will be parked in the rear of the Main Street location on the Courthouse Parking lot and will be ready to go instantly.

The Government ordered the printing of gasoline rationing coupons last Thursday but said it would take at least six more weeks to decide if the nation must use them. If so, rationing would not begin before March 1.

75 Years Ago - January 7, 1949

On January 1, 1949, the new higher postal rates went into effect and the public should be advised that to avoid any delay in the mails, the new rate of postage must be paid on all classes of mail affected by the change. Briefly, the following explains the new rates: First class mail, no change (3c per ounce), Postal cards and private post cards, no change (1c each). Second class (newspapers and magazines, no change). Third class (greeting cards, circulars, etc.) 2c for the first two ounces and 1c for each additional ounce. This means that greeting cards and circulars which have been costing 11/2c will now require a 2c stamp.

The Farmers Bank of Butler has a new president. He is L.P. Vastine, former Butler General Store operator and present truck operator who succeeds Rudolph Fryer of Ft. Thomas, who has resigned.

The new mayor of Butler is Ralph Bowling, a World War II veteran, who as a German prisoner for many months. Young Bowling was elected Monday night when Butler's new trustees took office.

The one-story frame home of Mr. And Mrs. Elmer Wills, situated on the Morgan and Goforth Road, burned to the ground Monday morning about 10 o'clock. Mr. and Mrs. Wills did not save anything from the fire. Mr. and Mrs. Wills are residing with their son, Floyd Wills and Mrs. Wills who live nearby.

100 Years Ago - January 4, 1924

The Pendleton Fiscal Court met Wednesday of last week and one of the important matters considered was the proposed suit of the citizens of the county to prevent the building of the concrete road from Greenwood through Butler to the Campbell County line, a distance of about seven miles. As a result of this session of the court an order was passed, seven of the court an order was passed, seven of the magistrates voting for it, directing County Attorney A. H. Barker to take steps forthwith to test the validity of the $250,000 bond issue and especially the contract with the State Highway Commission as to the building of the concrete road. This means the county is opposed to building and spending this much money for a concrete road, and will seek to obtain a cancellation of the contract. The procedure will not cost the county or taxpayers anything, and will obtain the same results as the citizens are seeking by raising a fund of $2,500 to fight the case in the courts.

Mrs. Charles McCarty is in a serious condition at Mercy Hospital following an attempt to end her life in a rooming house at Fourth and Cottage Streets late Wednesday. Mrs. McCarty is a Pendleton county woman, having been born and reared near Mc Kinneysburg. She his married and has a husband and two children residing in Pendleton county. 

C.W. Hart & Sons, of near this city have purchased the coal business and good will of John Fowee, and took charge Monday. This firm has an office and scales on the property above the depot, and handles the best grades of coal. The new firm will also handle hay.

Henry Plummer and Mrs. Jesse Hill of Pendleton County and Cincinnati, were tried and convicted before Judge Colvin Monday on the charge of living in adultery. They were given a fine of $20 and costs.

Preston Singer, one of our wide-awake young businessmen, has leased the Duncan Theater in this city, and will do his best to give our citizens a picture show worth while.

James Wood and W. C. Huddleston, Federal Prohibition Officers of Covington, boarded the southbound passenger train out of Cincinnati last Friday night and when the train reached Falmouth, the officers began a search of the train for booze. We did not learn how successful they were, but we do know that a number of bottles of moonshine, Scotch whiskey, and gin were picked up along the railroad tracks in and near Falmouth by people early Monday morning. It is said that passengers carrying Christmas booze home got some kind of a radio message that the officers were making a search, and they unloaded their private stock out of the car windows. It was at first reported that old Santa Claus had brought this booze to Falmouth for the thirsty denizens, but thanks are due to prohibition officers.