Old Butler High School to under go massive restoration

Butler Mayor Delbert Reid announced last week that after nearly four years of efforts by the Northern Kentucky Area Development District, Bill Mitchell and Ken Palisin, Pendleton County Judge Henry Bertram, Fiscal Court, and Butler City Council, they have closed on the building and it will be owned by the city of Butler. At the same hour, the building was leased to Brighton Properties for development. The old school building housed apartments after it was retired by the school district. Fire destroyed some of the building and some of it had water damage. With the efforts of the above, the old building will now under go massive renovation. The outside will be restored to resemble what the old Butler High School building looked like as in the photo shown above. "Construction will start immediately," stated Mayor Reid. Cost of the project is approximately $4.5 million. "This will be a wonderful project for the city of Butler and everyone involved has put a lot of time and effort in to making it become a reality," Reid added.

Mayor Flaugher blocks one-time Sunday alcohol sales
Yelton resigns from Falmouth City Council; conflict with job

By Roger McKinney, Reporter

During the December 27 meeting of Falmouth City Council, Mayor Gene Flaugher successfully blocked a request for permission to sell alcohol on Sunday when that Sunday falls on New Year's Eve. Mayor Flaugher promised to veto any emergency ordinance that legalized such an action. The mayor said he considered it wrong and his family considered it wrong based on the sometimes devastating results of drinking and driving.

Other business conducted by the Falmouth City Council in the December 27 meeting:

Council approved a motion to pay for the installation of a handicap ramp at the Assembly Café.

Councilman-elect Rob Yelton addressed the lawmakers. Mr. Yelton said his eligibility to fill a council seat was still in question. Because Mr. Yelton is employed by a State university (NKU) a conflict of interest may exist. A decision regarding the matter is expected in the near future.

Mr. Yelton received word from his lawyer last Thursday afternoon that he would not be able to serve on city council because of his job with a state university and it being a conflict of interest. Someone, the next highest vote getter, will be appointed to serve on council. More on this next week.

Falmouth City Clerk Ramona Williams updated the council regarding the improvements being made in the city clerk's computer system.

Myron Doan's appointment to the Pendleton County Planning Commission was approved by council.

Don Cross' appointment to the Falmouth Housing Authority was approved by council.

Outgoing Mayor Gene Flaugher, Councilwoman Kim Myers, Councilman Gary Askin and Deputy City Clerk Doris Clinger were honored and applauded by their peers. The meeting was adjourned.

Assembly Café owners thank former Falmouth Mayor for his help

Michael Wyrick, left, Shelby Street, and Alan Rider, far right, Lakewood Drive, both from Falmouth, stopped for a moment to have their photo taken with former Falmouth Mayor Gene Flaugher. Wyrick and Rider are owners of the new Assembly Café on the corner of Shelby and Main streets in Falmouth. The restaurant will be open very soon to serve their patrons. Both men thanked Flaugher for all the help he has given them with the café. The restaurant has approximately 3,300 sq. ft. and will be able to seat approximately 99 people. "As 2006 slipped away we look back at the year in passing," Rider said. "The most noticeable changes, the new streetscape project is freshly in place and Mr. Flaugher has helped in the renovation process of the old Assembly Building," Rider added. The Assembly Building was built in 1892 and is on the National Historical Register. The old building has sat empty for quite some time until the two owners took possession in September of 2006. They have given the building a new face in the downtown business district. The building has housed many businesses over the years. Former Falmouth Mayor Max Goldberg ran a movie theatre there. There were plays performed in the upstairs area and a pool hall was operated in the basement of the building. Another movie theatre was operated out of the building before Mr. Goldberg had his. Russ Ballinger operated a furniture and jewelry store. O.B. Gayle operated a drug store there. Tom Moreland, O.T. Gillespie and Ron Moreland operated Moreland Drugs there for many years. The Assembly Café will soon open later this month as a new restaurant serving good food and sit down dining. Photo by D. Dennie.

Newly elected officials given "Oath of Office"

Pendleton County Judge/Executive Henry Bertram administered the oath of office to all the county elected officials at 10 a.m. on Friday, December 29 in the court room of the Pendleton County Court House. Those elected and sworn in are pictured above - Front row: (l-r) County Surveyor Howard Johnston, Pendleton County Court Clerk, Rita Spencer; Pendleton Couny Magistrate, Stacey Wells; Property Valuation Administrator John Steele; and Pendleton County Constable District 1, Aaron Bonar. Middle row: (l-r) Pendleton County Coroner, John Peoples; Pendleton County Magistrate District 1, Alan Whaley; Pendleton County Sheriff, Craig Peoples; Pendleton County Constable District 2, Otto Stapleton; Pendleton County Circuit Clerk, Mike Redden; Pendleton County Magistrate District 2, Gary Veirs; and Pendleton County Constable District 3, Lou McCord. Back row: (l-r) Pendleton County Judge/Executive Henry Bertam, Pendleton County Jailer Ken Kells and Pendleton County Constable District 4, Robert H. Best. Photo by Roger McKinney.

Pendleton High School Homecoming Royalty

King and Queen
Kane Belcher and Kala Cookendorfer

This year's Homecoming King is Kane Belcher. He is the son of Keith and Karen Belcher. Homecoming Queen is Kala Cookendorfer. She is the daughter of Paul and Tonya Cookendorfer and Jack and Renee Brandenburg.

Prince and Princess
Drew Schlueter and Lyndsey English

This year's Homecoming Prince is Drew Schlueter. He is the son of Steve and Jenny Schlueter. Homecoming Princess is Lyndsey English. She is the daughter of Susie Florer and Ronnie English.

Governor will appoint someone to be P.C. Magistrate for District 3 due to death of Paul Dickison

By Debbie Dennie, Editor

Governor Ernie Fletcher will appoint someone to fill the vacant seat on the Pendleton County Fiscal Court created by the recent death of Magistrate Paul Dickison.

Pendleton County Judge/Executive petitioned the Governor last Thursday, December 28. The Governor will have 30 days to appoint someone to that office.

Due to the election being so close for this office, the appointment will only be temporary.

Any Republician or Democrat interested in filing to run for Magistrate must file their Declaration of Candidacy form by 4 p.m. on January 30.

If there is more than one Republican and more than one Democrat who file they will have a run off in the May Primary. If just one Republican files for the Primary then the run off will be held in the November General Election.

A lone black ribbon hangs on the front entrance door to the Pendleton County Court House in memory of the late Magistrate Paul Dickison.

Owen and Janice Collins make donation to Athletic Park

Missy Osborne, Recreation Director, receives a check from Owen and Janice Collins (left) for matching funds for the Land, Water, Conservation Fund Grant, a federal program to help with the completion of the Pendleton Athletic Park. Superintendent Robert Yost (right) witnesses the transaction. Photo by Jackie Vaughn.

Kentucky enforces Primary Seatbelt Law in 2007

Beginning January 1, 2007, law enforcement around the state will be handing out tickets rather than "courtesy warnings" to motorists caught not wearing their seat belts. On that date, the six-month grace period built into the "primary seat belt law" (KRS 189.125) ends and violators will be subject to a fine not to exceed $25. Previously, Kentucky's seat belt law only allowed officers to cite for this violation if motorists were pulled over for another traffic violation. Law enforcement can now stop a vehicle solely for an occupant restraint violation.

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

Additional articles this week include:

Time is running out for taxpayers

Memorial to be placed in Veteran's Park

Living nativity staged by Butler Baptist

PCHS musicians perform at Mt. Moriah

Guard your hosehold against a poisonous intruder

Spencer registers seniors to vote

Mrs. Kentucky reads at Southern

and more!!