Light snowfall and frigid temperatures remind us it's winter time

The countryside was beautiful for a short time as Mother Nature covered the area with a light blanket of snow on January 24. Schools were closed and children hunted out their sleighs to try and get some serious sledding done. The unusually warm temperatures we have had in December and most of January moved out and cold arctic temperatures blew in. The temperature was a low 14 degrees this past Monday with a windchill of zero. Photo by Jackie Vaughn.

Teen accidentally shoots his younger brother

By Debbie Dennie, Editor

A 15-year old juvenile was listed in stable condition on Monday, January 29 after he was injured around 8 p.m. on Friday, January 26 at his mobile home in the southern part of Pendleton County.

Shea Price, 18, of Versailles, was holding a handgun when it accidentally discharged sending a bullet into his younger brother. Police said the bullet entered the teen's back and exited through the front of his stomach and out through the mobile home located in the 200 block of Northcutt Road.

Price immediately called for an ambulance. The Pendleton County Ambulance went en route to the accident scene. The teen was airlifted to the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington.

Kentucky State Police Detective Chris Jaskowiak is investigating the accident. Kentucky State Police Trooper Scott Lengle responded to the accident scene along with Pendleton County Deputy Sheriff Chip Jones.

Gary Askin appointed to vacant Falmouth Council seat

By Roger McKinney, Reporter

Falmouth City Council lawmakers discussed filling the empty council seat made available through the resignation of Rob Yelton at their regular session on Thursday, January 18, 2007. Jason Gregg said that the majority of the council favored the appointment of former Councilman, Gary Askin, but Councilman Gregg believed that the best choice to fill the empty seat was former Councilwoman, Kim Myers. Councilman Gregg said he based this belief on the fact that Myers had more experience than Askin. Councilmen Rick Mineer, Mark Hart and Darryl Ammerman informed Councilman Gregg that Mrs. Myers told them that she supported the appointment of former Councilman Askin. "I make the motion that Gary Askin be appointed to fill the vacant council seat," Councilman Rick Mineer said. Councilman Mineer's motion was given a second and a roll call vote was taken: Rick Mineer, "Yes." Mark Hart, "Yes." Darryl Ammerman, "Yes." and Jason Gregg, "No." Thus, Gary Askin was appointed to fill the vacant council seat.

City Attorney Henry Watson III explained that because Mr. Askin was appointed to the position it would be necessary for him to seek re-election in the November 2007 general election.

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

Engaging every learner - Saving their lives

By Robert Yost, Superintendent

As superintendent, I spend a lot of time in meetings: school board meetings, and with principals and central office administrators; meetings on special projects like the addition/renovation of Pendleton County High School. There are meetings that involve Pendleton County as a member of an organization like the Northern Kentucky Cooper-ative for Educational Services or the Kentucky School Boards Association. The major objective of all those activities is improved academic achievement of all students.

When not in a meeting, some of my time is spent reading: e-mails, letters, reports or other publications. I have a number of education related books I've started; sometimes I struggle to finish them before the next one is recommended.

Recently, I signed up to receive a new book four times a year through the American Association of School Administration. The library program is billed as a way to provide thought provoking ideas and effective strategies designed to help a superintendent and the leadership team.

"Engaging Every Learner" is the first volume in a series entitled "The Soul of Educa-tional Leadership." Early in the book, one of the editors of the series, Alan Blankstein, sounded the overarching theme of this initial volume when he wrote "Saving young people from failure in school is equivalent to saving their lives!"

Although some students may fail, the consequences are too important to allow such an option to be considered acceptable. Students who don't finish school earn substantially less in wages and have far greater rates of incarceration and drug abuse than do their peers.

According to the U.S. Census and using a 40 year career for the average working person, high school graduates can expect, on average, to earn $1.2 million; those with a bachelor's degree, $2.1 million; and people with a master's degree, $2.5 million. Persons with doctoral degrees earn an average of $3.4 million during their working life, while those with professional degrees do best at $4.4 million.

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

Democratic Woman's Club meets at Assembly Cafe

The Pendleton County Democratic Woman's Club met at the Assembly Café in Downtown Falmouth on Monday, January 22 at 7 p.m. Representative Tom McKee installed the club's 2007 officers: Sue Onan as President, Rita Spencer as Vice President, Helen Brown as 2nd Vice President and Carolyn McGlasson as Secretary/Treasurer. Above (l-r): Pendleton County Judge/Executive, Henry Bertram, Assembly Café owner Michael Wyrick, Falmouth Mayor April DeFalco, restaurant owner Alan Rider and Representative Tom McKee pose for a photo after the meeting. Everyone enjoyed an interesting session, plus a delicious dinner at the new restaurant. By Roger McKinney, Reporter.

Assembly Café plans grand opening for February 1

The Assembly Café, located at 100 Shelby Street in historic downtown Falmouth, has planned February 1 to be their grand opening. They quietly opened their doors to the public at 11 a.m. Tuesday, January 23, 2007.

Local restaurateurs, Michael Wyrick and Alan Rider, took occupancy of the historic Assembly Building (also known as the "Old Moreland Drug Store") on September 1, 2006. They have since been completely renovating the first floor and furnishing the facility with restaurant and dining equipment to serve the public lunch and dinner seven days a week.

The facility has a seating capacity of 120, and represents an initial investment in downtown Falmouth of approximately $140,000 by the aforementioned restaurateurs.

Severe blood shortage

Central Kentucky Blood Center is urging donors to step up to close a serious gap in the regional blood supply. So far, Central and Eastern Kentucky have been spared the brunt of several recent winter storms that swept across the country, but the flu bug is taking a toll on local donations.

"Health officials have listed Kentucky in the 'widespread flu' category," said Dan Dickson, CKBC Communications Director. "It's crucial for healthy donors to come now, rain or shine, through ice or snow, to help rebuild the supply."

So far in January, transfusions at the 67 Kentucky hospitals served by CKBC have been running ahead of the number of donations that have been received.

The Blood Center cannot expect assistance from other blood centers around the country due to the weather and flu issues they are dealing with, so local donors must rally to help.
About five to seven mobile blood drives are scheduled each day in the region. To find the date, time and location of a mobile drive, visit ckbc.org and click on "Find a Mobile Blood Drive."

Donors must present a photo I.D., be at least 17 years of age, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds, and be in general good health.

Founded in 1968, Central Kentucky Blood Center is a non-profit community blood center providing blood to 67 hospitals serving 62 eastern and central Kentucky counties.

Cheers for the Upward League

Kacie Staten is all smiles and pompoms as she cheers on the Antioch Upward League at Antioch Mills Christian Church. The league has started but it is not too late to join. Contact Lonnie Love at Antioch Mills at 859-234-1686.

National Wild Turkey Federation Chapter hosts fund raising banquet for wild turkey conservation

Help support wild turkey conservation and have a great time by attending the Wild Turkey Super Fund Auction and Dinner, hosted by the Kincaid Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation. This event will be held February 3 at Stonewood Gardens. The doors open at 5:30 p.m., so you can enjoy social hour before you sit down for a delicious meal.

All ticket holders will be eligible to win valuable prizes exclusive to National Wild Turkey Federation events. Place the highest bid and you could go home with sporting art, hunting guns, knives, calls, outdoor equipment and more.

Your ticket to fun at the Kincaid Longspurs Chapter's Annual Wild Turkey Super Fund banquet is only $40. Your membership will help the NWTF support wildlife management on public, private and corporate lands and preserve hunting as a traditional North American sport.

If you want to join the nation's fastest growing and most progressive single species conservation organization, reserve your tickets by calling Rodney Thompson at 859-472-3276 or Mickey Craig at 859-635-7266.

For more information log on to web site at www.nwtf.org or e-mail at nwtf@nwtf.net.

Additional stories this week include:

Second "Formal Affair" set for March 18 at Stonewood Gardens

Woodhead Funeral Home online

Judi's Attitudes In Hair and Tanning Salon opening soon

Local couple make beautiful music together

Relay for Life Kickoff - February 2

And More!!

(Note: Wildcats and Ladycats basketball results will be completely updated in our next issue. We sincerely apologize for the delay!)