Turkey Fest

Larry, Curly, and Moe waddled to the barn to gobble their supper down. These colorful birds belong to Pam Mosher who lives in the southern end of Pendleton County. A friend of Pam's in Texas sent her 14 eggs of the Narragansett breed. She put the eggs in an incubator and tended to them every day, making sure they were turned several times a day until they hatched. She has four toms and two hens along with some chickens and ducks. One of the hens will fly upon her shoulder and set. She named the two females Ethel and Lucy. "My babies are southern birds all the way," she chuckled. One thing for sure they were strutting their stuff. Photo by D. Dennie.

Go Wildcats!

The Pendleton County Wildcats varsity basketball team was triumphant in their quest for the 38th District Championship at the Hilltop in Harrison County last week. They came from behind in games against the Harrison County Thoroughbreds and the Deming Black Devils to earn the title. Pictured above: The Wildcats celebrate with the 38th District Championship trophy after defeating Deming 63-59. Read the complete story inside on Page 7.

Pendleton man seriously injured in Wilder accident

A 26-year-old Pendleton County man remains in critical condition after he was involved in a two-vehicle accident near Bobby Mackey's nightclub on Licking Pike in Wilder at 7:30 a.m. Thursday morning, February 28.

Shawn Hayslette was a passenger in a 1989 Honda Civic operated by Jason Caldwell, 26, of Butler. "Both men were on their way to work in Cincinnati. Shawn was asleep when the accident happened," according to Jason's mother Teresa McKinney.

Shawn was airlifted to University Hospital in Cincinnati where he remains in fair condition. He sustained severe head trauma, a broken collar bone, a broken left arm, ripped tendons in his left hand, and part of his right ear was cut off. Surgery was done to sew the ear portion back on. Two holes were drilled in his head where tubes were placed. "Shawn is still unconscious, but has been responding to verbal communication to give the thumbs up sign," said his mother Sally Golfman. "The doctors have said they may remove the head tubes early this week and his vital signs are looking better."

Jason sustained a broken ankle, some skin abrasions and a slight concussion. He was taken to St. Luke Hospital East where he was treated and released. He was to have a pin put in his ankle this past Monday.

The two men have been best friends since high school. "After the wreck Jason pulled himself over to Shawn and tried to wake him up," said Mrs. McKinney. "He would not wake up and Jason could hear a gurgling in his throat." With the training he and Shawn had while in service Jason knew to do a mouth sweep to clean his breathing passage way. Jason called 911 from his cell phone.

Jason was a volunteer fireman and Shawn is still a volunteer firemen on the Falmouth Fire Department.

Shawn's wife, mother, stepfather and other family members have been with him at the hospital.

Jason said he thought they hit some black ice which caused him to lose control of the car and slide over into the southbound lane hitting a bread truck head-on. The driver of the truck was taken to St. Luke Hospital. It's not know what his injuries were.

Time for all to review target extension of the school day

Since the District Scholastic Review was conducted in Pendleton County Schools in February 2007, there has been an intentional focus improving conditions for the academic success for our students through the implementation of many of the recommendations contained in the report.

Among those efforts have been: the development of an Aligned Curriculum to the Kentucky Core Content; development of Common Assessments to determine whether students have reached proficiency of the curriculum; implementation of a Continuous Assessment Program to monitor student progress, Professional Development for teachers that focuses on district priorities; changes of Instructional Practices in the classrooms; district leadership monitoring of schools by conducting walk throughs to monitor instruction; to foster a culture of high expectations through development of professional learning communities in our schools; and effective use of district resources through implementation of the District Facilities Plan, District Technology Plan and achievement of goals in Comprehensive School Improvement Plans and the Comprehensive District Improvement Plan.

Because of the Addition/Renovation project at Pendleton County High School, the school calendar for 2007-08 was delayed in order to complete work necessary for a successful start. The school calendar started on August 21. The calendar was on a tight schedule due to the on-going construction.

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

Emergency Operations Manager Mike Moore presents former 911 Dispatcher Supervisor Jackie Stephens with a framed photo of her dispatching in 1993. Photo by Mary McDowell.

Former Dispatch Director Jackie Stephens honored with farewell party

By Roger McKinney, Reporter and Debbie Dennie, Editor

Jackie Stephens dedicated 15 years of her life to the Pendleton County Dispatch Center. Now she feels she can move on and not have so much responsibility on her shoulders.

She was given a farewell party at the Emergency Operation Center, on February 15, 2008. Judge/Executive Henry Bertram presented Director Stephens with a framed Certificate of Extraordinary Recognition for her 15 years of dedicated service to county citizens. Judge Bertram said Jackie was on call 24/7 and had never failed to assume full responsibility at any hour.

The new Pendleton County Emergency Operations Manager, Mike Moore, presented Director Stephens with a framed 8X10 photograph of herself. The portrait showed Ms. Stephens at her desk, working as a Falmouth Police Department Dispatcher in 1993. A gold plaque attached to the frame commemorated her years as a public servant.

Director Stephens was also honored by Regional Emergency Operations Manager Rick Watkins, Sheriff Craig Peoples, Falmouth Police Chief Bob Scott, Butler Police Chief Kenneth Hale, Jailer Ken Kells, the Red Cross, Emergency Medical Services and by her extended family the Pendleton County 911 Dispatchers.

Director Stephens thanked everyone for their kind words and well wishes. She told all her friends how much she cared for them and how much she would miss them. Ms. Stephens said she was proud of her service to the county and of her part in the implementation and development of the 911 Dispatch Center.

"Jackie worked at the old dispatch center when the devastating flood of 1997 happened. It was a nightmare for everyone involved and especially for the emergency operations people. Emergency operations had to be moved out of its building due to flood waters. All in all the center had to be moved three times before being able to settle at Southern Elementary School," said Outlook Editor Debbie Dennie. "Many extra hours were spent there and you were on duty from daybreak until night or until whatever hour someone could get in to relieve her. She never complained about the enormous amount of time that she spent dispatching during those hard times sending help to the residents and emergency workers. She too lost her belongings to that flood but remained at the dispatch center for several days, as others also did."

"The flood was just one devastation the cities and county dealt with. I don't think there is a little town like ours anywhere that has went through what our towns and county did and managed to survive and come back like we have," said Stephens.

"The stress was great as it is with any supervisory job like that, her own personal life put on hold; but she stood strong and done the job as well as anyone could have and for this I feel we need to give her a big thank you for a job well done," said Dennie.

Stephens is now employed as a Campbell County Dispatcher in Newport. The new job offers the same salary as her previous position, but with far fewer hours and a lot less responsibility, which allows Jackie more time for herself and her family.

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month; have a check up

What Is Colorectal Cancer?

Colorectal cancer is cancer of the colon or the rectum. It is nearly 90 percent preventable, because it develops from polyps, grape-like growths on the lining of the colon and rectum, that may become cancerous. Screening tests can detect polyps so that they can be removed before they ever become cancer. It was estimated that 148,000 people were diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2007. It affects an equal number of men and women. It is the third leading cause of cancer death in the United States.

Who's At Risk?

Colorectal cancer (CRC) can affect anyone, men or women. Risk for CRC increases as we grow older. It's recommended that all men and women age 50 begin regular screening tests. African-Americans, Alaska Natives and some American Indian tribes and Hispanics are often diagnosed at later, less curable stages of the disease. Some people are at greater risk for colorectal cancer and may need to be screened earlier.

These include people with: * A personal or family history of colorectal polyps, colorectal cancer or inflammatory bowel disease. * A family history of hereditary or familial colon cancer syndromes. * People who use tobacco, are obese and/or are sedentary. * With regular screening tests and simple lifestyle changes you can reduce your risk of colorectal cancer.

Take Action!

1. Get Screened. There are several colorectal screening tests available. To find out which test is right for you, talk with your health care professional using this list as a guide. Beginning at age 50: * A colonoscopy every 10 years. * Have a yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT) or fecal immunohistochemical test (FIT). * Have a sigmoidoscopy together with an FOBT every five years. Men and women at higher risk should talk with their health care professional about what tests they should have and when. More frequent and earlier testing may be right for you.

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

Fiscal Court to consider EMS issue

By Roger McKinney, Reporter

Pendleton County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Director, Phillip Hart, addressed the fiscal court and communicated his concerns regarding the escalating number of ambulance runs. Director Hart said that the volume of runs per year continues to drastically increase. In 2007, 1,375 runs were performed in Pendleton County. One hundred and forty-four of those runs had to be covered by other ambulance services. In order to completely cover all runs Hart recommended that a second EMS crew be added and that an ambulance building be constructed in the Butler area to accommodate runs near that location. It was estimated that the cost of the additional EMS employees would easily exceed $200,000. The judge and the magistrates agreed that the matter warranted serious consideration.

Judge Bertram informed the court that he would request $400,000 from the federal government to be applied toward the development of a new Pendleton County Library. Former Falmouth Mayor Gene Flaugher told the court that he considered the current proposed location for the new library (near the high school) inappropriate. He based his opinion on traffic congestion in that area. Judge Bertram told Flaugher that other sites were being investigated.

Additional business conducted by the fiscal court in the February 26 meeting:

A public hearing was held to close out the Kelly Road Water Project.

Approved 911 Dispatch Employee Pay Scale.

Approved bonds of Pendleton County public officials.

109 Board announces Spring cleanup

In the year 2007 over 890 participants from Pendleton County groups and clubs were responsible for removing 2,603 bags of litter from over 300 miles of state and county roadways.

This year the Spring Cleanup will begin March 21 and end April 26. Registration will begin at 9 a.m. on March 11 by calling Fred Edwards, Pendleton Solid Waste Coordinator, 654-1000.

Remember, your group must be nonprofit to participate. Groups will be eligible to earn $100 per mile and all supplies will be provided. Questions may be directed to Fred Edwards.

Board votes longer school hours

Students in Pendleton County, like those in many other counties, have had a few extra days out of school, bad weather.

The recent inclement weather forced the cancellation of 10 days of instruction as well as delayed the start of the school day or caused an early dismissal from school. Kentucky statute requires 1062 hours of instruction to be scheduled each year. Pendleton County Schools have 177 days scheduled in their District Calendar. The loss of 8 instructional days between January 2 and the test window represents about 10% of the available instructional time.

In order to provide sufficient instructional time for the students of Pendleton County Schools prior to the CATS testing, Pendleton County Schools will, Target Time beginning Monday, March 10, through April 18, 2008, extend the school day by 30 minutes each day for the purposes of providing intensive instructional strategies.

According to Superintendent J. Robert Yost, the last student day was scheduled for May 22. The last day for students is now May 30. Students who have afternoon jobs need to inform employers of the extended school day. Dates for end of year activities, including graduation, has not yet been set.

Approval was given for a solution to remedy some surface cracks that have occurred in the upper level of the new auditorium floor.

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

Additional article this week include:

Library receives $25,000 grant

Greene nominated for Amateur Photographer of the Year

March declared Severe Storms Preparedness Month

Ladycats move onto 10th Region Tournament

Kay Knarr Homemakers enjoy International Day Program

Pendleton County School Board attends KSBA Conference

Cub Scouts enjoy day of racing at Pinewood Derby

and more!