Firemen from five departments fought a fire in a vacant frame home on the corner of Pendleton and Shelby streets in Falmouth in the early morning hours of February 2. The arson investigator was called in to investigate the fire. Photo by Jackie Vaughn.

The fireman above kneels on his knees in the snow after hours of fighting the house fire. Pendleton Red Cross members were on the scene to offer hot drinks to the firemen. Photo by Jackie Vaughn.

Early morning fire on West Shelby Street ruled as arson

By Jackie Vaughn, Reporter

Firefighters from five different stations responded to the scene of a structure fire at 807 West Shelby Street in Falmouth during the cold, early morning hours of Friday, February 2.

A vacant two-story frame home, owned by Pendleton Savings Bank, broke out in flames in a front room around 3:11 a.m.

Falmouth Police Officer Roger Nowakowsi, who was patrolling the area, noticed the smoke coming from the home and immediately contacted emergency personnel.

Members of the Falmouth Fire Department were the first to arrive at the scene and discovered that the side door had been broken into. Firefighters attacked the blaze from several entry points throughout the home but the fire still managed to burn through the floor into the basement and spread through the walls to the second floor.

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

Butler man stabbed at Grant's Lick Café

A Butler man was stabbed several times at the Grant's Lick Café in Campbell County on Friday, February 2.

Tim Dickerson, 33, was airlifted to University of Cincinnati Medical Center. Dickerson had 23 staples to close his wounds. He was released Saturday morning.

Police arrested Pamela Keller, 36, and Matthew Clark, 29, both of Park Hills, Kentucky and charged them with one count of first-degree assault.

Police reports said the fight took place around 11:30 p.m. Police searched the area around the café for four hours before finding the knife.

Campbell County Police are investigating the stabbing.

Assembly Café celebrates grand opening

The Assembly Café, located at 100 East Shelby Street, celebrated their grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, February 1. A small gathering of friends, local business owners and city officials were all onhand to commemorate the occasion. The 3,300 square foot facility, operated by Michael Wyrick and Alan Rider, opened its doors to the public last week and residents wasted no time in patronizing the new restaurant. With a menu full of delicious appetizers, sandwiches, dinners and desserts, the Assembly Café has become an instant favorite among the many people dining out for lunch and supper. They offer a complete dining experience as customers can choose to sit in a formal type setting or in a casual, relaxed atmosphere. Families can come in and sit at a table in the large dining area while others can enjoy a meal and their favorite beverages in the bar area. The bar area features a television, jukebox, and plenty of interesting conversation for patrons. The Assembly Café also caters to clubs, organizations and other private parties. Carryout is available by calling 859-654-2400. "We'd just like to thank everyone who has played a part in helping us get this operation going," commented co-owners Wyrick and Rider. "Everyone has been so supportive, especially Jack Wright and the Pendleton County Industrial Development Authority. We're looking forward to serving the public for many years to come." Pictured above: Back row - (l-r) Falmouth Councilman Darryl Ammerman, P.C. Industrial Authority Vice Chairperson Ed McCandless, P.C. Industrial Authority Chairperson Jeff Carson, P.C. Industrial Authority Director Terry Sowder, P.C. Industrial Authority Director Ron Moreland, Falmouth City Councilman Jason Gregg. Front row - (l-r) Assembly Café Co-owner Michael Wyrick, Assembly Café Dining Room Supervisor Jennifer Voss, Falmouth Mayor April DeFalco, former Mayor Gene Flaugher, and Assembly Café Co-owner Alan Rider. Article and photo by Jackie Vaughn.

Pendleton School Board extends contract for Superintendent Robert J. Yost through 2011

The Pendleton County Board of Education extended the contract of Superintendent J. Robert Yost through June 30, 2011. Yost initially received a three-year contract when employed in May 2004.

Yost came to Pendleton County Schools following a 32-year career in Indiana as a teacher, assistant principal, athletic director, high school principal, assistant superintendent and 10 years as superintendent of the Southwest Dubois County Schools in Huntingburg, Indiana.

Yost expressed thanks for the vote of confidence expressed by the Board of Education citing a series of accomplishments - completion of the district Facilities Plan, all schools conducted by fiber optic lines, $300,000 spent on technology, district support for innovative instructional programs, and planning for $14.3 in construction for the addition/renovation project for Pendleton County High School.

No one spoke during an advertised public forum for comments on the district's School Nutrition and Physical Activity Report which was presented at the January 16 School Board Meeting. The superintendent will file a report with the Kentucky Department of Education before March 1.

The Board of Education approved the Draft Budget for FY08 (2007-08). The General Fund budget is projected to be $16,600,000. While funding from the state will increase by about $1 million dollars, the mandated salary increases by the 2006 Kentucky General Assembly will consume that same amount with no allowance for the increase in the County Employees Retirement System (approximately $75,000), higher utility costs (Owen County Electric has applied for a 6% rate increase), and additional bus payment of $40,182 for new busses purchased in 2007. A revised budget will be presented to the Board in May with the final budget approval in September.

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

Fiscal court adopts new road into county system

By Roger McKinney, Reporter

In the January 23, 2007 meeting of the fiscal court a new road was adopted into the Pendleton County system. This road is a 1,500 ft. extension of David Pribble Drive that stops at the Speculation Building in the Industrial Authority's Commonwealth Commerce Center. In addition to the adoption, a motion was passed that allows the county to spend $5,000 for laying down a base of gravel on the new road in anticipation of eventual blacktopping.

Other business conducted in the meeting was:

Magistrates approved the hiring of Ashley Brock as a part time animal technician, and assistant to the Pendleton County Animal Control Officer Gary Maxwell.

Accepted the 2007 District 6 Rural Secondary State Road Program as presented by Chief Engineer Tom Shoemaker.

Approved an agreement for the 2007 House Bill 380 Ohio River Well Grant.

Approved the Medical Claims Assistant Contract to collect ambulance billing.

Approved the reappointment of Tommy Ammerman to the Pendleton Water District Board.

Approved the hiring of an additional county electrical inspector.

Approved the appointment of Jeff Auchter to the Industrial Authority Board.

Approved a revision of a resolution that governs the NCIC LINK Computer at the Emergency Operation Center.

Approved the Zoning Ordinance Development Contract with Pendleton County Planning Commission Attorney Tim Theissen.

Approved a fire protection service contract with the city of Butler.

Snowy weather causes several minor accidents in county

Snowy weather and slick roads closed Pendleton County Schools and wreaked havoc on early morning commuters, Friday, February 2. Chief Deputy Sheriff Paul Vater investigated a single-vehicle, non-injury accident at 6:15 a.m. on Hwy 159, about a mile north of Lenoxburg Road. Tiffany Wright, 31, Falmouth, operating a Jeep Cherokee, was traveling north when she lost control of her vehicle due to snow and ice, slid off the roadway and overturned. Damage was moderate/severe. Photo by Jackie Vaughn.

Former Pendleton resident publishes new book

Former Pendleton County resident and former Pendleton High School principal will appear at Conrad's Hardware Furniture and Gifts in Falmouth from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, February 17, 2007 to sign his latest book. The book will remain for sale at Conrad's.

"How Did Back Then Become Right Now? Reflections on life as it is, as it was and as it should be" is a select collection of 71 of more than 300 of Terry Cummins' articles, essays and commentaries. His articles appear weekly in several newspapers throughout the U.S.

The general theme of the collection is a unique and humorous approach to how life now is so different from the "old days." Topics covered are family, culture, politics, technology and his travels. The book is best described on the back cover with this blurb: "Humor is a weapon of mass restoration."

Three years ago, Terry returned to Pendleton County to sign copies of his first book, "Feed My Sheep." He grew up on his grandfather's farm in the Goforth-Short Creek area and graduated from Morgan High School in 1952. He was principal at PHS from 1962-1970. One of the articles describes how his dog, Black Dog, waited for him at the front door of the school each day.

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

Pendleton Veterans dates of death needed for memorial monument

The DAV Chapter will be placing a memorial in the Veteran's Park in Falmouth for service personnel who were killed in World War II while serving in the armed forces.

The following veteran's dates of death are unknown. If there is anyone that knows the dates of death for these five people, please call Clay Clifford at (859) 654-3483, as soon as possible.

John W. Montgomery, Army; Charles A. Smith, Jr., Army; Marcellus Mullins, Army; Robert W. Mason, Army; and Kenneth Mason, Army.

Pendleton Community Blood Drive, Feb. 15 at high school

You don't have to leap from tall buildings to be a hero. Donating blood or platelets saves lives. Your donation could help save as many as three local patients who need you to be their hero. It doesn't take superhuman powers to perform a superhuman act. All you need to do is donate blood or platelets.

The need for blood is great. Every three seconds, someone in Kentucky needs a blood transfusion. That need continues to grow, but with just one blood donation, you can do your part to ensure that the local blood supply is at peak levels.

The requirements to be donor are simple - 17 years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in general good health. It takes less than an hour and you can do it again 56 days later.

And consider this, please bring a friend or family member with you when you donate. You and your "blood buddy" can double the good you will do.

Donate at the Pendleton County Community blood drive from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Thurs-day, Feb. 15 for High School Drive and 2:30-7 p.m. for Community Drive at Pendleton County High School, 2359 Hwy. 27 North in Falmouth.

For more information call Holly Ray at 1-800-775-2522.

Additional stories include:

Falmouth officials benefit from academy

Falmouth Head Start elects Policy Council

Megan Wood, Senior Night at Thomas More - Feb. 7

Clark County ends Wildcats home win streak at 28

Monumental Life Insurance donates to P.C. Athletic Park

Owen Electric Cooperative to request pass through of power cost increase

And more!!