Rumpke truck bursts into flames

Firefighters responded to a Rumpke garbage truck that ignited in flames on Highway 17, Friday, February 22. According to reports, Anthony Green II of Mt. Olivet was returning to the landfill around 7:14 p.m. when the cab of his truck somehow caught fire. He notified emergency personnel and Falmouth firefighters were dispatched to extinguish the blaze. Northern Pendleton Fire Department and Kentucky State Trooper Scott Lengle assisted at the scene. Green was treated by Pendleton County EMT's for smoke inhalation but was fortunate not to suffer any serious injuries. Sechrest of Williamstown towed the garbage truck back to the landfill where firefighters thoroughly doused any remaining fire. The cause of the fire is unknown. Photo by April DeFalco.

Ice and snow storms pound the area

A winter storm hit Pendleton County on February 21 covering the area with freezing rain and sleet and leaving a icy surface everywhere. Travel was slow and very treacherous. Mother Nature is not going out quietly. State Highway and County Road crews worked throughout the night Thursday and Friday. Just when the ice began to melt, snow moved in this past Sunday morning and left the area covered with 2-3 inches. County road crews worked Sunday clearing roads so residents could make their way to work and buses could run to have school Monday morning. Photo by Debbie Dennie.

A pretty red bird set on a snow covered branch looking at the snow and trying to find something to eat. Photo by D. Dennie.

Four indicted by Grand Jury

The Grand Jury handed down the following indictments:

On or about November 27, 2007, Thomas Lonaker, DOB: 11/17/87, committed the offense of Theft by Unlawful Taking when he unlawfully took over $300 worth of property belonging to Steven Blevins and Rayjean Fields with the intent to deprive the owners thereof. Bail is set at $2,500. Arraignment: 9 a.m. 3/5.

On or about January 7, 2008, Samuel A. Marino, DOB: 9/26/68, committed the offense of Robbery in the First Degree by threatening the immediate use of physical force upon employees of the CVS pharmacy in Falmouth while armed with a liquor bottle and in the course of committing a theft at the CVS pharmacy. Bail is set at $5,000. Arraignment: 9 a.m. 3/5.

On or about December 14, 2007, Daniel Hargett, Jr., DOB: 4/11/82, committed the offense of Burglary in the Second Degree when, with the intent to commit a crime, he knowingly entered or remained unlawfully in the dwelling of David and Jenny Burton; charges that on or about December 14, he committed the offense of Theft of a Controlled Substance when he unlawfully took controlled substances belonging to David Burton, Jenny Burton, and Davina Burton with the intent to deprive those persons thereof. Bail is set at $5,000. Arraignment: 9 a.m. 3/5.

On or about January 13, 2008, Joshua D. Sexton, DOB: 7/23/83, committed the offense of Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree when he knowingly and unlawfully possessed Heroin, a Schedule I narcotic drug; charges that on or about January 13, 2008, he committed the offense of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Second or greater offense, when he possessed a spoon and syringe with the intention of using said items to ingest Heroin into his body, and after having been previously convicted of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bail is set at $5,000. Arraignment: 9 a.m. 3/5.

Two people injured in accident on Highway 22 West

Pendleton County Deputy Sheriff Todd Dennie investigated a two-vehicle, injury accident on Highway 22 West, just after 9 a.m., Tuesday, February 19. According to police reports, Gilbert Jones, 45, Cincinnati, operating a 1994 Ford Ranger, was traveling west when he crossed over the center line and collided with Melissa Schalk, 33, Falmouth, operating a 2007 Ford F-150 pick-up truck. Schalk was unable to avoid contact with the oncoming vehicle. Both individuals were taken to area hospitals for minor injuries. Damage to the vehicles was severe. Midwest Towing removed the wreckage from the accident scene. The roadway was re-opened at 10:30 a.m. Photo by Jackie Vaughn.

Senator Katie Stine's Frankfort Report

The Senate introduced its signature bill, Senate Bill 1, this week which provides an academic achievement program that saves millions of dollars, reduces testing time, and provides teachers and parents with valid and reliable information at the student level of children's achievement and academic deficiencies. Senate Bill 1 will replace CATS with a national norm-referenced test in middle school and with the EPAS system (EXPLORE, PLAN, and ACT) in high school. I have heard concerns from both parents and teachers on the invasive quality of CATS regarding pressure to "teach to the test" and also alarm with the lack of academic instruction after the test is given. With Senate Bill 1, experts expect schools to gain up to 21 more instructional days. Further, the portfolio component is criticized for being too subjective. Senate Bill 1 will remove the portfolio from being graded but will require teachers to correct the writing samples so that children and parents can see progress. Senate Bill 1, which I support, will receive full hearings in the Education Committee next week.

The Senate also tackled accountability in elections. We have read numerous stories about the so-called "527" groups who can spend unlimited amounts of cash on political races without accountability. Senate Bill 148 requires people or groups that spend more than $5,000 advocating for or against constitutional amendments to file frequent reports weekly during legislative sessions and daily during the month prior to an election. This bill will help ensure that voters are aware of the interest groups pushing for or against a constitutional change. Candidates for public office must also show similar transparency. Senate Bill 8 requires candidates to file more frequent campaign finance reports. Those who raise over $25,000 must file electronically to help ensure transparency in the election process.

The Senate's interest in and support for veterans' issues is well-established. Members of the military and their families are facing longer and more frequent deployments, more than was ever imagined. House Bill 168 provides returning military servicemen and women a 90-day grace period to renew their driver's license which may have expired while they were away defending our country.

Senate Bill 145, my complete streets legislation, passed the Senate Transportation Committee and should be voted on next week by the full Senate. Senate Bill 145 encourages, but does not mandate, the inclusion of pedestrian and bicycle pathways in the planning for state roads where feasible.

As we enter the last half of the 2008 General Assembly Session, the pace of bills will increase. Please call me toll-free at 1/800-372-7181 with your opinion or log on www.lrc. ky.gov. I look forward to hearing from you.

Legislative Perspective - Ky. General Assembly

The highlight of the General Assembly last week was the last major piece of legislation that Gov. Steve Beshear is expected to unveil during the 2008 Regular Session. On Thursday, he and House leaders presented a plan to get a handle on the growing unfunded liability in our public retirement systems.

This problem has gotten steadily worse in recent years, and there is worry that if nothing is done, governments at the state and county level could face extraordinary costs within the next two decades.

It is important to emphasize that those benefits guaranteed to teachers and government employees and their retirees are iron-clad and cannot be altered. The governor's proposal does recommend that state and local government retirees be under the same cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) guidelines as teachers. COLAs are designed to protect pensions from inflation; currently, they are set at 1.5 percent a year for teachers, although that is often raised higher when funding is available.

Most of the changes the governor is recommending would affect new hires, with the goal of encouraging them to work longer. We also want our retirement systems to improve the return on their investments, because the money from that alone already pays about two-thirds of every dollar retirees get.

If this becomes law, the state will work toward a long-term solution to increase its funding so that the liability is kept in check. This legislation is a good first step in that direction.

House Bill 396, which promotes the use of a ground-breaking vaccine that is proven to help protect young girls from contracting cervical cancer later in life.

Our legislation, sent to the Senate on Wednesday, would add this vaccine to the list of those needed to enroll in school. In this particular case, however, parents could choose to easily opt out if they have any concerns.
This vaccine is the first medicine we have that actually stops cancer before it starts. It also speaks well of Kentucky, because University of Louisville researchers were leaders in its development.

The protection of children was also the focus of another bill that the House adopted last week. House Bill 367 seeks to update Kentucky law when it comes to misuse of the internet. It would do this by setting strict limits on registered sex offenders who use popular websites like Facebook and MySpace, and it would prohibit using a web-based camera to transmit obscene material to a minor. Stalking others via the internet would also be outlawed as well.

House Bill 484, meanwhile, would call on our public postsecondary schools to buy Kentucky-grown agricultural products if the schools are already buying similar products today. I am a co-sponsor of this bill because I believe state government should buy from our farmers whenever possible.

I can always be reached by writing to Room 332B, Capitol Annex, 702 Capitol Avenue, Frankfort, KY 40601.

You can also leave a message for me or for any legislator at 800-372-7181. For the deaf or hard of hearing, the number is 800-896-0305. I hope to hear from you soon.

Photos needed for Special Bridal Section

Stonewood Gardens and The Falmouth Outlook will once again join together to hold a Formal Affair on Sunday, March 16 at the Stonewood Gardens Banquet Hall located at 208 Pendleton Street in Falmouth.

This is a Formal Affair you won't want to miss if you are planning or will be planning a wedding or special event.

If you have recently become engaged, plan on having a wedding, or were just married we need your photo and information for the Special Bridal Section. The cost for a photo and article is $12. Mail or bring your photo in to the office at 210 Main Street, in Falmouth. The mailing address is: The Falmouth Outlook, P.O. Box 111, Falmouth, KY 41040.

The Bridal Tab will be run in the March 11 issue of the newspaper.

Deadline to submit photos, 5 p.m. Monday, March 3.

Additional articles this week:

A Salute To Our Law Enforcement Officers

Ladycats finish with victory over Lloyd

Wildcats win thriller on Senior Night

Body Recall Class has surprise party for Thaxtons

and more!!!