Heart attack blamed for Falmouth man's death in a one-vehicle accident on Main Street

A Falmouth man was pronounced dead at St. Luke Hospital on Thursday, December 13 after the vehicle he was driving hit a tree on Main Street in Falmouth around 4 p.m. It's believed that Shelby Harrington, 62, suffered a heart attack while he was operating his Chevrolet Suburban vehicle. He was traveling on Main Street headed toward U.S. 27 when he apparently suffered the heart attack. His vehicle went through the front yard of a residence at 806 Main Street and struck a tree in the back of a residence at 810 Main Street. Falmouth Police Officer Mark Posey is investigating the accident. Harrington was transported to St. Luke Hospital by the Pendleton County Ambulance. TransCare was also on the scene. Pendleton County Deputy Sheriffs, Chip Jones and Todd Dennie, also responded to help. Photo by Jackie Vaughn.

VIPS organization introduced to city council
Max Goldberg Skate Park discussed

By Roger McKinney, Reporter

Falmouth Police Chief Bob Scott introduced the Volunteers in Police Services (VIPS) to the city council at the beginning of their monthly meeting on November 29, 2007. Chief Scott said that VIPS was chosen from the two graduating classes of Falmouth's Citizens Police Academy. The members of VIPS are as follows: Chaplain Lonnie Love, Tanya Hanser, Tammy Bullock, Richard Watkins, Kendra Jones, David Marquardt, David Haley, Richard Ramsey, Jodie Watkins, Eric Downing, Lonnie Gregg, Paul Ralph Jones and David Priest. The Chief stated that the volunteers will assist with traffic control, general security and crowd management at school sporting events. "The uniformed police assistants have radios," he said, "and will be able to communicate with law enforcement officers from the city, county and state. Their uniforms and equipment are paid for with grant funds," declared Chief Scott, "and their services are provided at no cost to the City of Falmouth."

Falmouth Mayor April DeFalco said that she had recently met with representatives from the Kentucky League of Cities. The KLC officials said that the Falmouth Police Department had scored 100% on their annual evaluation and only two other Kentucky cities had accomplished that rating. The Mayor said, "The City of Falmouth has an excellent police force and we are very proud of that fact."

Skate Park Advisor Teresa Wilcox from Lexington, Kentucky's Elements of Play, addressed the council regarding Falmouth's future Max Goldberg Skate Park. Ms. Wilcox presented a preliminary design of the park to the council members. She said the skating surface will be constructed from modular concrete sections that can be moved and rearranged to change the design or to increase the area. Councilman Rick Mineer said that the park was scheduled for completion in the spring of 2008.

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

Fiscal Court approves bonding for justice center

By Roger McKinney, Reporter

Pendleton County Fiscal Court approved a resolution permitting the Pendleton County Public Properties Corporation to ratify the issuing and selling of bonds through the bonding company of Ross and Sinclair on November 27, 2007, for the purpose of financing the new Justice Center off U.S. 27, in Falmouth. The fiscal court then went into recess and the Public Properties Corporation was convened and initiated that action with the guidance and counseling of Ryan Barrow, who represented the bonding company. After this the Properties Corporation was adjourned and the fiscal court immediately entered upon forum and continued with their meeting.

The fiscal court approved the Burn Notification Ordinance, which states that if an individual wants to conduct a controlled burn they must notify the dispatcher of that planned burn. If notification action is not taken and the fire department shows up at the scene, $500 charge will be issued to the individual conducting the controlled burn.

Other business conducted by the court: Approved a resolution allowing the fiscal court to participate in a matching funds grant application to the Governor's Office of Wellness and Physical Fitness. The grant will provide finances that will create exercise stations along the athletic park walking trail. Approved the bid on a tri-axle dump truck. Approved the purchase of a tri-axle dump truck. Approved a technical contract for repair, support and equipment purchases of data processing equipment and software. Approved the agreement between Pendleton County and BlueOne that will improve security in and around facilities and equipment.

Pictured above: Brandon Buckler, 8-year-old son of Paul and Tammy Buckler, was the grand marshal at this year's Butler Parade. Not only did he get his wish to ride in the first-place-winning Butler Fire Truck but also had the opportunity to chat with Santa Claus. Photo by Jackie Vaughn.

Mamaw Murrell's Little Angels and Little Devils took first place honors in the Float Division. Mary Murrell and the late Frank Murrell's 13 grandchildren and eight great-grand children rode in their respective places on the float. Thankfully, there were more angels than devils! Photo by Jackie Vaughn.

Butler Christmas Parade delights young and old alike

By Jackie Vaughn, Reporter

The Butler Christmas Parade merrily made its way through the streets of Butler on Saturday, November 8. A nice crowd of residents, young and old, came out to enjoy the festive event.

The grand marshal for the parade was 8-year-old Brandon Buckler of California, Ky.

Brandon suffers from Gaucher's Disease, a terminal condition that effects the liver and spleen, among other things.

Brandon wished to ride in a fire truck during this year's parade so local firefighters got together to make his dream come true. He rode in the new Butler Fire Truck at the front of the parade.

"We'd just like to thank the Butler, Campbell County, Northern Pendleton, and Alexandria fire departments, Flagg Springs Baptist Church and everybody else who made this possible," said parents Paul and Tammy Buckler. "The firefighters have just been unbelievable."

The Butler Fire Truck received first place honors in the Truck Division and Brandon received a trophy and blue ribbon.

Other winners from the Truck Division included: second place - Falmouth Fire Truck, driven by Ricky Ramsey, third place - Pendleton County Red Cross.

In the Float Division, Mamaw Murrell's Little Angels and Little Devils took first place, Pendleton County Cabinet for Health and Family Resources won second place, and Pendleton County Search & Rescue secured third place honors.

After the parade, everybody was invited to the Butler Community Building for refreshments. Children had a chance to get their picture taken with Santa and they also received an early Christmas gift from him.

See Page 15 of this week's Falmouth Outlook for more photos from Butler's Christmas Parade.

Members of the Oakland Christian Church portraying "Angels" in the Walk Through Bethlehem are pictured above front row: (l-r) Hannah Fields, Heather Rick and Audrey Ramsey. Back row: (l-w) Becky Bloomfield, Brianna Aulick, Ella Bowling, Kelly Bloomfield, and Allison Moore. Photo by Anthony Redell.

Oakland Christian Church hosts Walk Through Bethlehem

By Roger McKinney, Reporter

Oakland Christian Church hosted a Walk Through Bethlehem for the surrounding communities on November 30 and December 1, 2007. Downtown Bethlehem had been constructed in the church's parking lot and back yard. Visitors were given a tour of the city, which was alive with activity. Consideration of the idea began with Oakland Christian Church members, Jim and Sherry Fields. The couple's son-in-law, Lance Bowling, was aware of the concept and discussed it with his wife's parents. In April of 2007 Sherry Fields researched the project on the internet and contacted churches that had presented the walk through in the past. Mrs. Fields was able to gather an abundance of information, which she shared with fellow Oakland Church members. In August a committee was formed to conduct further research and to plan for the event. That group was made up of Jim Fields, Sherry Fields, JoAnn Arnold, Sandy Moore, Ruth Ann Cummins and Melva Moore. These individuals met once each week in the home of Melva Moore.

In September the committee began to administrate the gathering of costumes and props that were required by the walk through. The churches that had presented the event before were very large, so the project had to be scaled down to fit Oakland's available land area. The construction of Bethlehem took one week in the latter part of November. One hundred and forty individuals volunteered to participate in the Bethlehem project. Larry Bowling and Beryl Mattox built the Nativity stable out of lumber slabs. The tours were scheduled for November 30, December 1 and 2, but a relentless, ice-cold rain fell on Oakland Christian Church during Sunday, December 2 and that date had to be canceled.

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

Butler Baptist plans live nativity

There will be a live nativity at the Butler Baptist Church at 7 p.m. Friday, December 14 and Saturday, December 15.

Come and witness the story of Christmas. Everyone is welcome to attend. For information call 472-5540.

American Legion Christmas dinner

The American Legion Hardin-Browning Post invites all veterans and their families to attend their annual Christmas dinner. The dinner will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 15 at the St. Francis Xavier Hall in Falmouth. Please bring a covered dish.

Additional items this week:

Walk Through Bethlehem photos

Nellie's Place in Butler offers home cooking to customers

U.S. Veteran Billy Newman remembered for service

Ladycats pick up first win of the season

Scenes from the Butler Christmas Parade

and more!!