City Council considers alcohol sale ordinances
Kim Bastin Myers appointed to vacant Falmouth City Council seat

By Roger McKinney, Reporter

In January of 2007, the Pendleton County Spirit Committee was formed to study strategies that would allow the sale of mixed drinks in restaurants that seated 100 customers and whose business consisted of 51% food sales. The strategies would also allow the sale of packaged liquor and malt beverage products on Sundays.

The members of that committee are as follows: Todd Mains of the Spirit House, Paul Gregory of the Cold Spot Bar and Carry Out, Alan Rider and Michael Wyrick of the Assembly Café, David Bay of BB's Superstore, Dana Wells of Wells Open Air Market, Dennis Crawford of the Time Out Tavern, Ed Clemons of Edwardo's Pizza and Subs, Paul Klee of Klee Wholesale and Jeff Carson of NAPA Auto Parts. This committee studied ordinances from surrounding counties, and then, drafted two ordinances to present to the Falmouth City Council. The committee talked to individuals, who might oppose these ordinances and recorded their thoughts regarding the documents. The ordinances do not allow bars to be opened on Sundays or extended alcohol sales past midnight.

During the Falmouth City Council meeting on Thursday, February 22, 2007, Jeff Carson explained the purpose of the committee to the lawmakers and detailed the economic benefits of the ordinances. Pendleton County Industrial Authority Director Jack Wright acting as the Spirit Committee facilitator, gave each council member copies of the two proposed ordinances. Facilitator Wright asked that adoption of the ordinances be considered by the lawmakers. Falmouth Mayor, April DeFalco, told the committee that the Falmouth City Council would take the matter under advisement.

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

Animal Control Officer Gary Maxwell discovered the dog pictured above tied to a door knob without any food or water at a home on Highway 330. The dog was deceased and lying in its own feces.

Animal Control Officer investigates animal cruelty case on Highway 330

By Jackie Vaughn, Reporter

Pendleton County Animal Control Officer Gary Maxwell and Assistant Ashley Brock responded to an animal abuse case at 5290 Highway 330 in the morning hours of Friday, February 23.

It had been reported that several dogs had been abandoned at the residence of Norman Emmons.

Upon their arrival, Maxwell and Brock discovered a canine that had been tied to a truck and had perished due to exposure and starvation.

A search warrant was obtained from the Pendleton County Sheriff's Department to check the inside of the residence.

Upon entry to the home, two more dogs were found. One had been tied to a door knob and laid dead in a hallway by an empty water bowl surrounded by its own feces. Another was found closed up in a back bedroom but was alive. Maxwell and Brock checked the dog's condition and took it to the Pendleton County Animal Shelter.

The bedroom the dog was pinned in, as well as the rest of the home, was covered with feces.

Maxwell estimates the dogs had probably not had anything to eat in around thirty days. It is believed that Emmons only stopped in every once in a great while to check on the dogs.

The whereabouts of Emmons are unknown at this time. Charges are pending. If you have any information about Emmons or this case, please contact Gary Maxwell at the Pendleton County Animal Shelter at 859-472-5400 or the Pendleton County's Sheriff Office at 859-654-4511.

The aerial view above is of the city of Falmouth. You can see the Highway 22 east bridge in the bottom right hand corner. Up in the left hand area is the west end of Falmouth that had the deepest flood water. The Licking River crested at 52'. Flood stage for Shoemakertown is 28'. Just the very top of the old Dairy Queen could be seen and the flood water left the big "M" on the McDonald's Restaurant above water. Approximately 80% of the city of Falmouth was flooded. Most of the town's 2,700 residents were evacuated, plus 700 of the 900 residents and businesses were damaged by the flood water. Today there is very little evidence left of the flood. Severely damaged houses were bulldozed away, litter cleaned up, a lot of new paint and new siding helped with cosmetic repairs for both towns. There is green grass growing in the empty lots. Five people lost their lives, Jerry Beyersdoerfer, Hazel McGovney and her daughter Crystal McGovney, George Florence, Jr., and Elizabeth Kraczek. For the residents of Pendleton County life has went on.

The aerial shots above show the city of Butler flooded. It shows the back side of the city looking out toward the Highway 177 bridge over the Licking River. In the bottom photo you can see Northern Elementary School in the middle of the photo and some houses in Eastside Park and out on U.S. 27 at the Butler intersection. Several homes in the city were torn down and the remainder repaired.

A Decade of Progress for Pendleton County, city of Falmouth and the city of Butler

By Debbie Dennie, Editor

In many ways it doesn't seem like it has been ten years since the March 1, 1997 flood. While at times as I drive through the county, city of Falmouth and the city of Butler I look for the home of one of our older residents or a business and I have to remind myself that the house or business no longer stands. It was washed away with the flood.

Since that horrible, horrible day on March 1, 1997 the residents of Falmouth, Butler and residents in the county that were affected by the flood waters, have accomplished nothing less than a miracle. Even those residents untouched by the flood waters were affected in some way. Many worked in businesses in Falmouth and Butler, they had family members or friends homes that were underwater. In some way or another everyone in our county was affected by the flood.
Thank God for all of the many hundreds of volunteers who came from all over to help us clean up the mud and tear out the insides of our homes and businesses. Then they, (volunteers), came and helped us put up the drywall and make other repairs. The homes also got new coats of paint inside, along with other items and new front entrance doors. Had it not been for all the volunteers and donations that came in I don't think we could have made it.

The communities were blessed with the many churches that came to help and the distribution centers for clothing and food that were set-up at Flour Creek Church, Sunrise Equipment, Plum Creek Christian Church, multipurpose building at the fair grounds, Southside Church, Hammer Strength and at the high school and the use of the other school buildings in the city and county.

Residents in the county, city of Falmouth, city of Butler, DeMossville, Peach Grove, Morgan are pioneers. Pioneers in the fact that they were knocked down by the 1997 flood, but they got up rolled up their sleeves and went to work rebuilding with the help of family, friends, and strangers we did not know, but later were considered good friends.

There wasn't any question about who you helped, it was who needs help and they responded.

Now ten years later we have so much to be thankful for. Just look at some of the progress our county and communities have made.

First, let me start off by mentioning the Vision Team that was established shortly after the flood. This team needs to be commended for the plans they put into place then and those ideas that were developed in the years to follow that helped make things better. Those members on that original Vision Team were: Chairman David Pribble, former judge/executive, Donald R. Mays, judge/executive at the time, David Butcher, Butcher Realty and Auctions, Jeff Carson, a Falmouth City Council member, Dennis Griffin, President of Griffin Industries, the late Lillian Hart for A. C. Properties, William "Bill" Klaber, a Magistrate in District Three at the time, R. Anthony Strong, at the time chairman of the Pendleton County Industrial Authority, Larry G. Sutton, then assistant superintendent of schools, and Phillip E. Turner, who was at the time the president and CEO of Farmers National Bank and a representative for the city of Butler. They received staff assistance from Jack Wright, Director of Pendleton County Industrial Development Authority, Les Daugherty, Coordinator, Management Services, and Morag Adlon, Development Planner for Northern Kentucky Area Development District.

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

Basketball players honored on Senior Night

Five Pendleton County Wildcats varsity basketball players were honored in front of family, friends, and fans before the start of their game against the Mason County Royals at Pendleton County High School on Senior Night, Friday, February 23. Pictured above are the Senior Wildcat players: (l-r) Abram Crozier, Bhishma Desai, Kane Belcher, Jeremy Mudd and Mark Hickey. Photo by Jackie Vaughn.

10th Anniversary Flood Remembrance Thursday, March 1; come tell your story
Those who died from 1997 flood will be remembered on March 3

The 10th Anniversary of the devastating flood of March 1, 1997 is this Thursday. News media are planning on doing a special report on the flood, its effect on our community, and the recovery made since that flood.

News media will be at the Kennett Tavern (Falmouth City Hall) at 2 p.m. on March 1 to have a roundtable discussion with citizens of Pendleton County who were effected by the flood.

Those who suffered from loss of property, business, or job, and those who aided in the rescue, cleanup, recovery, etc. are being asked to come and participate in this fact gathering meeting. This informative meeting will greatly assist the media in conveying the true experiences of those directly involved in this catastrophe.

The Pendleton County Historical Society will be videoing residents stories for their archive.

On Saturday, March 3 at 2 p.m. a reception will be held at the Assembly Café in remembrance of those five residents that lost their lives, Hazel McGovney and her daughter Crystal McGovney, Jerry Beyersdoefer, Elizabeth Kraczek, and George Florence, Jr.; and to celebrate the progress made since the devastating flood.

If you wish to participate in the roundtable discussion on March 1 or have questions, please call Judge Henry Bertram's office at (859) 654-4321.

Falmouth Police Department's Citizens Academy Spring 2007

The Falmouth Police Department's Spring 2007 Citizens Police Academy begins with an orientation on Tuesday, March 27 and meets Tuesday nights for ten weeks in the evening from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m, at the Pendleton County Dispatch located at 2275 Hwy 27 North. Some classes may run until 9 p.m.

Each two-hour Academy session covers a variety of subjects ranging from basic law enforcement and its role in the community to discussions and demonstrations with other specialized units.

This experience is important in creating a true understanding of what an officer's job is like. The goal of the Citizens Police Academy is to make for an exciting, interactive learning experience.

Academy enrollment is limited to 20 students. Citizens Police Academy Application forms are available at the Falmouth Department lobby at 212 Main Street.

After you fill out the registration form, turn it in to the Falmouth Police Department's Office Manager M-F 9 a.m. - 4 p.m by Friday, March 23. Sgt. Arnsperger with the Falmouth Police Department will contact you to confirm your selection to participate.

Potential candidates must:
* Be at least 21 years old;
* Live or work in the Pendleton County area;
* Have no felony convictions;
* And have no misdemeanor convictions within one year of application.
* Attendance and student participation is mandatory for graduation.
* Be of good moral character.

If selected a class fee of $18 for uniform shirt must be paid on orientation night Tuesday, March 27.

Pendleton County Judge/Executive Henry Bertram administers the Oath of Office to Mark Hart. He will replace the late Paul Dickison as magistrate for the Third District of Pendleton County. Photo by Monica Antrobus.

Governor appoints Hart as Magistrate for Third District

Governor Ernie Fletcher has appointed Mark A. Hart of Falmouth as magistrate for the Third District of Pendleton County.

Hart is a paramedic and firefighter for the Lexington-Fayette County Government Division of Fire. He received a bachelor's degree in biology from Northern Kentucky University. Hart is a member of the Pendleton County Search and Rescue, Inc., Board of Directors, the Northern Kentucky Interfaith Commission and American Legion Post 109. He is an elder for Falmouth Christian Church and is married to Lisa Hart.

Hart had been elected to Falmouth City Council for a second term in November of 2006. He resigned from Falmouth Council at midnight on February 16.

Hart replaces Paul Dickison, who passed away in December, 2006. He will serve until the seat is filled by general election this November, according to the provisions of Section 152 of the Kentucky Constitution.

Additional items this week include:

Mitchell discusses education with McKee

Rotary Club is leading the way!

Board approves high school project; bids under budget

Resident captures ice photos on Gumlick Road

Wildcats finish regular season with loss to Mason County

Our Classrooms are Pathways to Success

McGinnis attends Circuit Judges College

Memories of Gevie Shonert

A Decade of Progress March 1, 1997 - March 1, 2007 (3 page section)