Tractor trailer driver injured after his truck hits culvert

Martin Ballinger of Robbins Avenue, Falmouth, operating a 2005 Volvo tractor trailer for Super Service out of Tennessee northbound on Hwy. 159, was injured when his tractor trailer slammed into a culvert on Christmas Day. Kentucky State Police Trooper Mark Grisik investigated the one-vehicle accident. Grisik said the driver got off the side of the road into a ditch and came to stop against the culvert. The front of the trailer split and pallets with store advertisements were thrown to the front of the trailer spilling out on the roadway. Ballinger was taken to St. Luke Hospital by the Pendleton County Ambulance.Two wreckers from Silver Grove Motors were dispatched to remove the tractor and trailer. The accident happened around 2:45 p.m.and Highway 159 was shut down until after 10 p.m. that evening. The accident occurred about a half-mile south of the Kincaid Lake State Park entrance. Photo by Jackie Vaughn.

JOEY T. MONTGOMERY

State Police investigating Grant County Jail shooting

The Kentucky State Police, Post 6, Dry Ridge are investigating an officer involved shooting that occurred December 27 in Grant County.

A 911 call was placed at 4:22 p.m. by employees at the Grant County Detention Center. The caller stated there was a male in or near the lobby of the detention center and armed with a shotgun. The male was demanding to see Grant County Jailer Steve Kellum.

The Grant County Sheriff's office is located in the same building as the jail. Deputy Brian Maines, responding from the office of the Grant County Sheriff, was the first officer to locate the armed man.

Deputy Maines confronted the armed man around the front door area of the detention center. Despite verbal commands to drop his weapon, the male subject turned towards Deputy Maines. Deputy Maines reassessed his position and sought cover. The armed individual walked in the direction of Deputy Maines, continuing to ignore verbal commands. The armed individual shouldered the shotgun, and Deputy Maines fired his service weapon, wounding the armed individual.

The armed man was identified as Joey T. Montgomery, 31, of Florence, Ky. He was transported to St. Elizabeth, Grant County Hospital, and then flown to University of Cincinnati Hospital. Montgomery suffered two gunshot wounds, and was listed in stable condition.

Deputy Brian Maines, age 26, is a two year veteran of the Grant County Sheriff's Office. Deputy Maines was not injured.

A warrant was obtained by KSP for criminal attempt to commit murder of a police officer. Ohio authorities were made aware of the warrant and will assist in his arrest upon his release from the hospital. The incident is still under investigation.

Ohio woman charged with DUI causes three-vehicle accident

A 30-year-old woman from Cincinnati was arrested after she caused a three-vehicle accident on U.S. 27 around 8:45 a.m. December 27 at Boston Bottoms. Christa Snyder was charged with DUI, no insurance and no operator's license. She was lodged in the Boone County Jail.

The photo above shows two of the vehicles involved in the accident.

Snyder was operating a 2001 Ford Focus northbound on U.S. 27. According to Kentucky State Police Trooper Mark Grisik Snyder struck a guard rail on the northbound lane and swerved into the southbound lane and struck Unit 2, Julie Krift, 30, of California, operating a 1999 Chevrolet pick-up southbound. Krift then spun around into the northbound lane where Unit 3, a 1995 Ford Van belonging to Licking Valley Oil and operated by Martin Lemming, 47, of Butler, struck her.

Tpr. Grisik said there were no injuries reported at the scene. He is investigating the accident.

Pendleton County Chief Deputy Sheriff Paul Vater and KSP Detective Chris Jaskowiak responded to help at the accident scene.

Homecoming Royalty Crowned at P.H.S.

2007 Homecoming King and Queen

Pendleton County High School held their 2007 Homecoming festivities on Friday, December 21, 2007. This year's Homecoming Queen was Josie Cavins, a senior, and King Jordan Ruschman, also a senior.

Additional items this week:

2007 - The Year in Review

Courtney graduates from college

Locals honored as Road Scholars

New Year's greetings from our local businesses

and more!!