Participants in the Pendleton County High School Drive Smart program: Department of Transportation officials, employees of the South Family Resource Center and members of the 2006-2007 PCHS Senior Council. Front row: (l-r) Department of Transportation Safety Program Coordinator Brandon Muravchick (in white bear suit), Department of Transportation Information Officer, District 6, Nancy Wood, South Family Resource Center Family Advocate Hallie Smith, South Family Resource Center Coordinator Kelly Staten, Charity Flynn, Mollie Bradshaw, Betsy Beyersdoerfer, Erin Sandy, Courtney Cox, Danielle Nahari, Rachael King, Caitlin Moore, Pendleton County Sheriff-Elect Craig Peoples, and DOT Mgr., Corridor Safety Program, Dennis Gardner. Back row: PCHS Principal Ron Livingood, Pendleton County Deputy Sheriff and School Resource Officer Todd Dennie, PCHS Assistant Principal Gary Dearborn, Bhishma Desai, Kentucky State Police Trooper Scott Lengle, Jessica Chandler, D.J. Adams. Photo by Roger McKinney.

New Drive Smart Buckle Up signs unveiled at high school

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet officially unveiled the new "Drive Smart, Buckle Up PCHS" signs at Pendleton County High School on December 4. Signs were placed at the school's exits to encourage students, parents, school staff and the general public to buckle-up.

"Through Governor Ernie Fletcher's leadership, the Commonwealth now has a primary seatbelt law in place to protect you and your family," said Commissioner Tim Hazlette, Kentucky Department of Transportation Safety. "These signs serve as an important reminder to simply take time to 'Buckle up and Drive Smart.'"

The Transportation Cabinet's Department of Transportation Safety recently conducted a safety belt survey at the school. The results indicated that 52% of drivers and passengers were wearing their seat belts. Another safety belt survey will be conducted in three months.

The Department of Transportation Safety's goal is to reduce fatalities, injuries and economic costs of traffic collisions by using a data-driven approach to identify highway safety emphasis areas throughout the state. Teen drivers represent 6% of the driving population; they make up 20% of all driving collisions, 21% of all injury collisions and 16% of all fatal collisions.

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

Kenton Annexation Petition withdrawn

By Roger McKinney, Reporter

Pendleton County Judge/Executive Henry Bertram, informed the court that Kenton Fire Protection District 1 had withdrawn its petition to annex parts of Pendleton County into District 1's area of fire protection and ambulance coverage. Chairman of District 1's Board of Directors, Chuck Grizzel, said the action was taken because 51% of the property owners involved opposed the annexation petition. Judge Bertram pointed out that if the petition had not been withdrawn, he could have ruled for or against annexation based on a public hearing. If he ruled against the action no attempt to annex could be made for two years. As it stands now, another petition to annex could be filed at almost any time. Butler Mayor Delbert Reid said that if Butler formed its own fire district, future attempts could not take place. One district cannot annex a second district without its permission. Mayor Reid said that the tax rate could be set at an affordable level.

Pendleton County Sheriff-Elect Craig Peoples and Pendleton County Deputy Sheriff, Paul Vater, presented Chip Jones with a framed document, which recognized the deputy for bravery in the line of duty. Pendleton County Deputy Sheriff Jones rescued a man from a burning building on September 11 of this year.

Other business conducted by the Pendleton County Fiscal Court in the November 28 meeting:

The court gave Judge Bertram authority to contract a clean up of the Suburban Property near Tony's Steak House.

The court authorized Project Manager Larry Sutton to bid Pendleton Athletic Park lighting.

The magistrates approved a resolution that supports a future litigation against the Executive and Legislative branches of Kentucky Government. The lawsuit will ask the State to cover the costs to county jails incurred by the incarceration of State felons. The fiscal court agreed to contribute $400 toward the statewide $75,000 litigation.

Based on a ruling by the Kentucky Attorney General the court approved a motion to pay the remaining wages of $1,600 owed to Pendleton County Emergency Management Consultant Craig Peoples.

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

Take some time out this weekend and attend the Holiday season performance of Kincaid Regional Theatre's production "Sanders Family Christmas." Sit back and enjoy this delightful musical comedy, which will take you back in time to the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church. Our community is blessed with an abundance of talent that performs in the show and you're sure to enjoy this down-home musical. Some have attended a second time with friends because it was so good. Cast members shown above are left to right: Aaron Angel, playing Dennis Sanders; Erica Cope, who is Denise Sanders; Tyler Mullins as cousin Homer on banjo; Shirley Merrill as Vera Sanders; Brandon Godman on fiddle as cousin Jake; Mark Aulick, as Uncle Stanley playing base; Matthew Menkhaus who plays Preacher Mervin Oglethorp; and Bill Oliver, who portrays Burl Sanders playing guitar. Not shown was Ginny Utz who plays June Sanders. Shows this week are at 8 p.m. Friday, Saturday and the closing performance Sunday evening. See photos and information on Page 6 Photo by D. Dennie.

KRT's "Sanders Family Christmas" opens to rave reviews

Laughter, tears, down-home pickin' and fiddlin', and beautiful harmonies could be heard coming from 500 Chapel Street in Falmouth, Kentucky on opening night of Kincaid Regional Theatre's production of the "Sanders Family Christmas." All Thanksgiving weekend performances had large, enthusiastic audiences as the Sanders Family took the stage.

Here are some of the quotes from Kincaid patrons as they were leaving the theatre. Mary Ellen Klaber said, "This show was a terrific jump start for my holiday season. It refueled me and stirred by heart." Marvin Sullivan commented, "The casting was great. All the actors suited their characters' personalities well. It was truly entertainment for all ages." "I enjoyed the feeling of camaraderie among the actors on stage and in the audience as well," stated Dora Helen Fields. Danny Woodhead was quoted saying, "My family and I were thoroughly entertained, and we plan to see the production again. We have been proud supporters of Kincaid Regional Theatre for years." Linda Tackett and Randy Bastin were both heard applauding the quality of the local talent present on Kincaid's stage. "I loved the music. These were songs I grew up with," commented Linda Tackett. Randy Bastin laughed and said, "It was a fantastic play, and you shouldn't go through the holiday season without seeing the 'Sanders Family Christmas.'"

There are only three remaining performances of the "Sanders Family Christmas," at 8 p.m. on December 8, 9, and 10. For ticket reservations, call the office at 859-654-2636 or go on-line at www.krtshows.com. Come join them as they laugh, play and sing their way into the holiday season!

Pictured above: (l-r) Class instructor, Falmouth Police Officer Sergeant Aaron Arnsperger; Falmouth Mayor Gene Flaugher, Falmouth Police Chief Bob Scott, David Haley, David Priest, Pendleton County Sheriff Deputies Todd Dennie and Paul Vater. Front row: Tanya Hanser, Tammy Bullock, April DeFalco, Debbie Dennie, Lonnie Gregg, Rickey Ramsey, Jackie Vaughn and Pendleton County Chief Deputy Sheriff Craig Peoples. Photo by Roger McKinney.

Falmouth Police Citizen's Academy ends with graduation ceremony

By Jackie Vaughn, Reporter

The first-ever Falmouth Police Department Citizen's Academy came to a close with a graduation ceremony in front of family and friends, followed by a small reception, at City Hall on Monday, November 20, 2006.

Nine students received a framed Certificate of Completion, signed by Police Chief Bob Scott, Sgt. Aaron Arnsperger and Mayor Gene Flaugher, awarding them for their participation in the educational, law enforcement program.

The Citizen's Academy was designed to give individuals a better understanding of the duties of police officers, the procedures they have to follow, and to improve community relations between citizens and law enforcement. The idea originated with Sgt Ansperger, who planned the curriculum and instructed the course.

"What we did was line up a number of interesting classes and activities for the students," commented Sgt Arnsperger. "We involved officers and other individuals from several different departments of law enforcement and had them speak on their area of expertise. Our goal was for people to come away from the course with a little more knowledge and a better insight to what our job is and what we do as police officers. I believe we accomplished this and that the students had a good time along the way."

During the ten week course, students of the Academy were schooled in the areas of History of Policing, Mission of the Falmouth Police Department, Identity Crimes, Firearms Safety, Meth Labs, Patrol Operations, History and Mission of the Sheriff's Department, Defensive Tactics, Interviews and Interrogations, Street Crimes and Drugs, Legal Topics, K-9 Training, Driving, History of the Kentucky State Police and Women's Role in Policing. Interesting videos were shown on several of these subjects.

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

Pictured above left to right: Falmouth Fire Chief David Marquardt and Pendleton County Deputy Sheriff Chip Jones with the "Lifesaver Commendation Award."

Falmouth Fire Department holds Awards Presentation

By Jackie Vaughn, Reporter

The Falmouth Fire Department and Pendleton County Search and Rescue held their annual Christmas Dinner and Awards Presentation at St. Xavier Catholic Church on Saturday, November 25.

Pendleton County Deputy Sheriff Chip Jones received quite a surprise when he was presented with the "Lifesaver Commendation Award" by Falmouth Fire Chief David Marquardt. This special recognition award was given to Deputy Sheriff Jones for the bravery and heroic action he showed when he entered a burning home and pulled a man to safety during a September 11 fire. He suffered minor smoke inhalation from the incident and had to be rushed to the hospital.

The special recognition award is of a 2 foot bronze eagle and has the inscription: "In appreciation and recognition of courageous action without regard for personal safety which saved a human life."

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

Additional items this week include:

Transportation Cabinet gears up for "Ole Man Winter"

Cherished Events opens shop downtown

Wildcats fall to Bulldogs in season opener

Natalie Kelsch has huge opening week but Ladycats fall in two out of three games

Pendleton County Teen Court holds mock trial

Weight Watchers recognizes Sandi Sissel as Rookie Leader of the Year

and more!!