Tourism gift shop sells A-Team creations

The Grant County Tourism Gift Shop, located in the Dry Ridge Outlet Center, hosted an opening reception for the Pendleton High School A-Team on the afternoon of Saturday, March 10, 2007. The A-Team, which consists of students from the Pendleton County High School Gifted and Talented Program, will exhibit their art work at the gift shop, from March 10 to April 20. These student works are for sale. Above: (l-r) members of the Pendleton A-Team pose in front of their artwork, Courtney Cox, Chelsey Wilson, Lauren Petrakis, Gonzalo Sanchez, Morgan Taylor and Brett Petrakis. Not pictured are Jessica Chandler, Josh Wolfe and Dustin Yelton. Photo and story by Roger McKinney.

Skateboarding banned downtown only

By Roger McKinney, Reporter

Falmouth City Council met in a special session on Tuesday, March 6 at 7 p.m. The council changed the ordinance to ban skateboarding citywide to designate the downtown area only. Skateboarding is banned in the following area only: from Broad Street, on Shelby to the railroad tracks, and from Second Street to Fourth on Main.

Outside of this area it is legal to operate skateboards, roller skates, roller skis, inline skates and scooters on the sidewalks. It is still illegal to operate these vehicles on the streets anywhere within Falmouth city limits.

City Attorney, Henry Watson III, performed a second reading of the newly amended ordinance and it was then approved by a roll call vote: Jason Gregg, "Yes." Kim Myers, "Yes." Gary Askin, "Yes." and Darryl Ammerman, "Yes."

Keaton Belcher proudly displays his piece of the basketball net after the Belmont Bruins defeated ETSU 94-67 in the Atlantic Sun Conference Championship at Johnson City, Tennessee on Saturday, March 3. The Bruins earned an automatic bid in the NCAA Tournament with the win. Photo courtesy of Gray Quetti, ASunPhotos.com.

Belcher and Belmont headed to Big Dance

By Jackie Vaughn, Reporter

Former Pendleton County Wildcats basketball star Keaton Belcher and the Belmont Bruins of Nashville, Tennessee will be making their way to Winston Salem, North Carolina this week to compete in the first round of the NCAA Division I Tournament.

The Bruins (23-9) earned an automatic bid to the "Big Dance" by defeating the top-seeded East Tennessee State Buccaneers (ETSU) 94-67 in the Atlantic Sun Conference Championship at Johnson City, Tennessee on Saturday, March 3. The victory marked the Bruins second consecutive conference title.

The Bruins and Buccaneers split a pair of games during the regular season with both teams winning close encounters in overtime.

Belcher was a contributing factor in the championship win scoring 8 points in eight minutes for the Bruins including two three-pointers that helped spark the team to an early advantage.

Belmont's opponent in the first round of the NCAA Tournament was announced on Selection Sunday, March 11. The #15 seeded Bruins will be facing the Big East champion Georgetown Hoyas (26-6), who earned a #2 seed. The game will be played this Thursday in Winston Salem, North Carolina.

I'm very excited to have the opportunity to play in the tournament," said Belcher. "It's always been a dream of mine. I feel like I've helped the team this year and contributed the best that I could. No matter what, it's going to be fun."

The 6'9", 205 lb. freshman forward had a solid first season for the Bruins this year. He played in 32 games, averaging 10.1 minutes per game, scored 124 points (44 FG - 112 FGA), hit 25 three pointers, pulled down 73 rebounds, recorded 17 assists and had 9 steals. He had a career high 15 points against Campbell in February.

"Keaton, even though he is only a freshman, has been an integral part of our success this season," said Bruins Head Coach Rick Byrd. "The greatest strength of our team this season has been our depth, and he has contributed often as a backup at the four spot. In particular, he played a big role in our win at the Tournament in Johnson City, making big threes during our run against ETSU. As Keaton gains more experience, I expect him to be not just a good player, but an outstanding player in the Atlantic Sun Conference. We are sure glad he is here at Belmont."

An excited group of family and friends will be making the eight hour journey to Winston Salem to see Belcher in action.

"It's been a dream of Keaton's since he was a little kid and it's finally coming true," said his mother Karen Belcher. "You teach your kids their whole life to believe and work hard for their dreams. It's such a good feeling when they achieve them."

"I am one proud father," added Keith Belcher. "Keaton has always had three big dreams. Play in the high school Sweet Sixteen Tournament, play Division I basketball, and make it to the "Big Dance" and now he's accomplished all three."

"He's the first player in Pendleton County history to play in the NCAA Tournament and we're awfully proud of him."

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

Kids meeting with Falmouth mayor and Pendleton 4-H Agent

4-H Agent Kathy Hunter and Falmouth Mayor April DeFalco will be having a kids meeting at 6 p.m. on March 30 in the Falmouth City Council Chambers at City Hall.

The purpose of this meeting is to find out what local kids would like to see here, get their opinion on a skate board park, and what activities they would like to see developed.

If you are interested in attending this meeting call City Hall at 654-6937. Pizza will be served.

Kincaid Regional Theatre's "Showcase of Talent" to be held March 24

Kincaid Regional Theatre is pleased to present its first "Showcase of Talent" at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 27 and 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 25. The shows will be held at Southern Elementary School in Falmouth.

Those attending will enjoy local performers as they present a mixture of talent including pop and gospel vocals, choirs, pianists, dancers, monologues, and much more! The Masters of Ceremonies for the shows are Ron Livingood, Principal of Pendleton High School on Saturday, and Tom Flannery, Vocal Music Director at Pendleton High School on Sunday. Plan now to attend!

Ticket prices are $8 for adults, $6 for children, and $20 for a special family package. For ticket information, please contact the KRT office at 859-654-2636.

Gadget wins $600 in lottery

By Jackie Vaughn, Reporter

Gadget, the well-known, seven-year-old, black Labrador retriever owned by David Ishmael, recently had several correct numbers in the Kentucky Lottery's "Win For Life" game and trotted away with $600.

Every week, David buys lottery tickets for himself and Gadget. He picked up a couple at Well's Market on January 31 and didn't find out until last week that Gadget was a big cash prize winner.

According to David, Gadget plans on buying 517 bags of his favorite beef jerky with his winnings.

When asked how it felt to win the lottery, Gadget could only bark in excitement.

Falmouth School Center hosts KAEA Exhibit

By Roger McKinney, Reporter

The Kentucky Art Education Association (KAEA) Northern Region All-State Exhibition is now on display at the Falmouth School Center, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday-from March 13 to March 20, 2007. For special showings outside this time frame call (859) 654-3325 Ext-31 to schedule reservations. The Falmouth School Center held an opening reception, plus an awards ceremony for the KAEA Exhibit on the evening of Friday, March 9, 2007. Many young artists from Pendleton County High School were recognized for their excellent art work. The KAEA Exhibition features student creations from Pendleton County, Campbell County, Simon Kenton, Dixie Heights, Notre Dame, Highlands and Scott High Schools.

Court talks with industry interested in locating in Commerce Center

By Roger McKinney, Reporter

Fiscal court discussed covenant changes requested by an industry interested in developing a facility within the Commonwealth Commerce Center in their February 27 meeting.

District 3 Pendleton County Constable Louis McCord, asked the court to look into its power to grant short wave police radio frequency access.

The court discussed Rumpke's request for a road closure.

The annual Waste Tire Grant Agreement with the Northern Area Development District was approved.

The court approved the HNB Engineering Water Well Research Contract.

The magistrates gave Judge Bertram permission to file a permit application with the Division of Water.

The business conducted by the court in a special calleed meeting on March 7 was as follows:

Approved certain waivers requested by an industry that intends to locate in the Commonwealth Commerce Center.

Approved the purchase of a new jail transport vehicle.

Students will be going 30 minutes longer per day to make up for snow days missed

At a special meeting of the Board of Education held on Thursday, March 8, the school board approved the proposed addition of 30 minutes to the school day which began March 12 until the start of the Commonwealth Accountability Testing System (CATS) testing scheduled for April 23, 2007.

The purpose for the five (5) weeks of additional instructional time is to allow for intensive test preparation which Pendleton County Schools are calling CAT ATTACK. In order to show the amount of planning and preparation that has gone into CAT ATTACK, the principals presented school plans outlining the measures to be taken for this instructional effort.

Additionally, the School Board approved a proposal to change Dental coverage for employees effective May 1, 2007. The district will be switching from Delta Dental to Guardian Insurance.

With a comparable package of benefits (preventive care 100%, basic care 80%, major 50%, deductible $25), and a comparable in-network, single premium cost will be $13.34 compared to Delta Dental's 2007 increased premium of $22.86.

An upgrade would be available at employee costs to choose any dentist (in or out of network) with the employee paying the difference; however, that premium of $21.70 would be less than the increased rate for Delta Dental. There are savings to both the School Board (Board pays $13.74/mth for certified; classified pay entire premium).

Additional items this week include:

Stonewood Gardens Formal Affair this Sunday afternoon

Pendleton County Schools: Leaders in Technology

Roberts to cheer for EKU in NCAA Tourney

NCAA Tournament Contest Pullout

Jared Brewer new deputy with Pendleton County Sheriff's Department

To Have and To Hold - 2007 Bridal Tab

and more!!