Pendleton County Judge/Executive Henry Bertram, several magistrates and Falmouth City Council members, among others, went to Williamstown to accept a check from U.S. Congressman Geoff Davis. Pictured above: (l-r) Falmouth Councilman Rick Mineer, Pendleton Magistrate Alan Whaley, U.S Congressman Geoff Davis, Pendleton Judge/Executive Henry Bertram, Falmouth Councilman Mark Hart and Pendleton Magistrate Bob Fogel.

 Congressman brings some funding for Lake Williamstown expansion

By Debbie Dennie, Editor

Congressman Geoff Davis was in Williamstown on January 10 bringing with him a check for $500,000 for the Lake Williamstown Expansion Project.

Grant County Judge/Executive Darrell Link, Williamstown Mayor Glenn Caldwell, and Pendleton County Judge/Executive Henry Bertram, along with several members from each governing body from Pendleton County, Falmouth City Council and members from the Lake Williamstown Expansion Advisory Committee.

The idea and work began on this project with Grant and Pendleton counties working together approximately eight years ago. "This is a prime example of counties working together for a regional project," said Judge Bertram.

When completed the expansion project will be able to provide a clean water supply to Grant County during droughts and adjoining cities and a secondary supply for Pendleton County, other than the Licking River. The Project is expected to produce a huge economic development for both counties.

Congressman Davis stated, "I am pleased to be standing here today to present this check. This funding was nearly two and a half years in the making and this presentation is the culmination of the hard work of many people standing in this room, most notably, Judge Link, Judge Bertram and Mayor Caldwell. There is still much work to be done on this project, but this funding represents a critical step in the process."

Grant County Judge Executive Darrell Link said, "Congressman Geoff Davis delivered on his promise. Congressman Davis was able to include a $500,000 appropriation in the budget bill for the planning and design of the expansion of Lake Williamstown. When Congressman Davis gives you his word, it is like putting money in the bank. Congresssman Davis and I had dinner together in Washington, D.C. immediately after he was initially sworn into office, and we agreed that it was in the best interest of our constituency that we work together. This appropriation is the result of working together and uniting in purpose to meet the expectations of those who have placed their trust in us. This is a clear example of why Congressman Davis will represent the 4th District for a long, long time. I appreciate Congressman Davis' friendship, his commitment to this project, and his dedication to the people of the 4th District."

Pendleton County Judge Executive Henry Bertram remarked, "The Williamstown Lake Expansion project is a key raw water source that will also create an enormous amount of development for both Grant, and especially Pendleton County, since 75% of the expansion will take place in our county. This $500,000 appropriation the Congressman has been able to acquire shows us how committed he is to the project and to our county."

"The Williamstown Lake Project will be a major economic driver for both Grant and Pendleton Counties as well as the cities of Dry Ridge, Williamstown, and Falmouth," said Williamstown Mayor Glenn Caldwell. "This project is a long term water solution as well and should take care of Grant and Pendleton Counties water supply needs for over 100 years."

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

Butler man walks into CVS Pharmacy demanding narcotics; waves glass bottle at employee

A Butler man was charged with robbery first after he walked into the CVS Pharmacy, in Falmouth, at 2:45 p.m. on January 7 and headed straight to the pharmacy department demanding prescription narcotics.

When Kentucky State Police Trooper Scott Lengle and Falmouth Police Sgt. Aaron Arnsperger arrived they found Samuel A. Marino, 39, behind the pharmacy counter. There he waived a glass bottle, threatened the pharmacist, demanded prescription narcotics and attempted to break the glass bottle to possibly use it as a weapon.

Trooper Lengle and Sgt. Arnsperger took Marino into custody without any injuries to the employees or themselves.

Falmouth Police Chief Bob Scott also assisted at the scene.

Marino was in court January 8 where a public defender was appointed by the court. He entered a not guilty plea. His bond was set at $10,000 cash.

A preliminary hearing has been set for 2 p.m. January 15.

Above Mrs. Luellen Hutchinson, left, and Mrs. Sally Edwards, right, hold their Gold Star Mother license plates they were presented with from Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Leslie E. Beavers.

Pendleton, Grant women presented with Gold Star Mothers license plates

By Debbie Dennie, Editor

Two mothers whose sons were killed during the Desert Storm War were presented with Gold Star Mother license plates remembering their fallen ones.

Luellen H. Hutchinson of Falmouth and Sally Marsh Edwards of Williamstown accepted the license plates presented by Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Leslie E. Beavers at the Grant County Court House on Friday, January 4, 2008.

"The two ladies have become known as the bookends," said Gen. Beavers. Sally's son was killed on the first day of the air war in Desert Storm and Lue's son was killed on the last day of the air war.

Luellen accepted the plate personalized "1991" in honor of her son Army Staff Sergeant William T. Butts. Sgt. Butts was a graduate of Pendleton County High School.

Sally accepted the plate personalized with "2-91" in honor of her son Marine Captain Jonathan E. Edwards.

Also present at the presentation was Jeffrey Acob, Cemetery Branch Manager for Grant County's new Veterans Cemetery, Al Duncan, Cemetery Director, Marty Pinkston, Deputy Commissioner for Kentucky Dept. of Veterans Affairs and Grant County Judge/Executive Darrell Link.

Both ladies expressed their gratitude for and strong support of Kentucky's Gold Star Mothers license plate program, and urged State Rep. Royce Adams, who was present as he represents Grant County, to help pass legislation expanding the program during the General Assembly that went into session on January 8.

"Not only have I grieved for my son, but I have watched my other children grieve for their brother they lost," Mrs. Hutchinson wrote in a letter to each state representative and senator. At present, Kentucky only issues the plates to mothers of sons or daughters killed in action. The two ladies found that other states have established a program allowing family members of deceased veterans to express their pride with Gold Star Family license plates.

"The loss my family has experienced is as great as mine, and I know that it is only just that we allow, wives, children, siblings, and grandparents the same opportunity that I have."

Mrs. Hutchinson drafted a copy of what the proposed license plate could look like for Gold Star Families.

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

Dump truck wrecks on Highway 159; driver unhurt

Pendleton County Sheriff Craig Peoples investigated a single-vehicle, non-injury accident on Highway 159, Friday, January 11. Russell Whitson, 51, Butler, operating a 1972 Ford L9000 dump truck, was traveling north when he went around a curve near Highway 609 and ran off the right side of the roadway into a tree. According to police reports, the steering on the truck failed causing the accident. Whitson was not hurt in the crash. Damage to the truck was very severe. The Falmouth Fire Department were dispatched to assist at the scene. Rodney Miles Towing removed the truck from the side of the roadway. Photo by Jackie Vaughn.

Local Health Department's Chairman of the Board of Directors, Henry Bertram, presents a Plaque of Appreciation to former nurse Mildred Dickison on January 10, 2008.

Health Department honors Mildred Dickison

By Roger McKinney, Reporter.

The local Health Department's Board of Directors honored Mildred Dickison with a plaque, which recognized her many years of service to the community on the evening of Thursday, January 10, 2008. Henry Bertram, presented the plaque and recounted Nurse Dickison's achievements:

She played a major role in the creation of the county health department in 1950. She was the only nurse with the department until 1963, when Carolyn Coleman was employed. Mrs. Dickison worked very closely with the county's first health officer, Dr. Virginia Kratz (Senator Katie Stine's mother). Mrs. Dickison coordinated the county's Salk Vaccination Program, which controlled and eventually eradicated Polio. She implemented the school health program and gave shots to every student in the county. Nurse Dickison provided antibiotic therapy to homebound tuberculosis patients. She provided transportation to those children requiring visits to eye clinics and handicapped services programs located in Covington, Kentucky.

Nurse Dickison served Pendleton County for 28 years, retiring in 1978. Chairman Bertram said the community was very appreciative of Mildred Dickison's hard work and dedication.

Additional articles include:

Fiscal Court meets in regular session

Wildcats suffer three more losses

Ladycats not sealing the deal

Grand Jury Indictments

Legislative Perspective on the Kentucky General Assembly

and more!!