Fire guts mobile home on Bishop Ridge

Dannie Bueter was taking a shower around 9 p.m. Sunday, March 9 when he smelled something burning. "He got out of the shower and went to see what was going on. When he came out of the bath room he found heavy smoke in the hallway. As he went up the hallway the smoke became thicker," said Falmouth Fire Chief David Marquardt. He went to his son's house to get help and when they returned back to move cars away from the mobile home he noticed flames in the kitchen area. The 1975 mobile home, located at 1882 Bishop Ridge, and a garage were fully engulfed when the Falmouth Fire Department arrived on the scene. Due to the extreme heat from the flames firefighters were able to keep the second garage from catching on fire. Firefighters did a great job of controlling the fire. Red Cross and Pendleton County Ambulance were on the scene. Photo by April DeFalco.

School days will not be extended until further notice

The Kentucky School Districts received notification Wednesday, March 5, 2008, from the Kentucky Department of Education regarding procedures for adjusting 2007-08 school calendars for weather days, early dismissals and other events and still be in compliance with the 2006 Budget Bill (House Bill 380) calendar requirements.

When combining the requirements of House Bill 380 which extended the 2007-08 school year by an additional two instructional days and KRS 158.070 which mandates the amount of instructional time required for students, Pendleton County Schools must conduct no less than 177 six-hour days to provide no less than 1,062 hours of instruction during the 2007-08 school year.

Thus, the impact of the KDE memo is to say that Pendleton County Schools cannot use extended school days in order to meet the minimum instructional time. State law mandates that districts must operate all schools for a term specified in statute and regulation.

In the absence of time to have a proposal presented to the Pendleton County Board of Education, approved by the Board of Education and approved by the KBE, Pendleton County Schools will postpone the implementation of an extended school day until further notice. Pendleton County Schools will continue to operate on their regular schedule.

The Pendleton County School Board regrets any confusion or inconvenience that may occur as a result of this decision.

Let's not abandon the goal of achieving a 90 on the CATS test. Let's continue to provide intense instructional strategies to best prepare our students so that they can do their best.

A new school calendar complying with state statute and regulation is being developed for distribution and will be done so as soon as possible.

The vehicle above was buried in the snow along U.S. 27 on Bethel Hill. What a job it would have been to shovel it out. Photo by D. Dennie.

Children took advantage of the heavy snow fall and got out their sleds and other snow tools to have some winter fun. This group was having way too much fun on a hill running down from the U.S. 27 viaduct into the flat ground of Southern Elementary School in Falmouth on Friday evening. Photo by D. Dennie.

County and cities dig out

By Debbie Dennie, Editor

Winter snow storm brings blizzard like conditions to the county by late Saturday afternoon, March 8. County Road Foreman Tim Antrobus said the National Weather Service out of Wilmington, Ohio stated the county received approximately 13-14 inches of snow.

It has been quite awhile since the county has seen such a deep snow. By Friday afternoon many businesses had sent their employees home before the worst of the storm hit.

Earlier in the week the county received several inches of rain and the road department was out blocking bridges that had high water running over them. It was some week for unusual weather.

State highway crews were out Friday afternoon clearing U.S. 27 and other state roads. They too did a good job.

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

Conrad's Hardware recognizes quilters

Pendleton County is blessed with many ladies, and some men too, that love to quilt. Saturday, March 15th is National Quilting Day. Come out to Conrad Hardware from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and enjoy looking at some beautiful quilts made by residents here locally, like the one above that was done by Juanita Hughes. "We want to highlight our local artists at this Quilt Exposition," said Russ Conrad. If you would like to come and display a quilt you made, contact Russ at (859) 654-3358.

Champions take stand against tobacco, alcohol and drugs

Over the next 12 months students from Sharp Middle School and Pendleton Memorial High School language arts classes will be competing for the rights of some unique real estate -the billboard on US 27 across from the Middle School.

The students will be creating text messages encouraging their peers and the Pendleton Community to avoid substance abuse including tobacco, alcohol, and drugs.

This month's message takes advantage of the wearing of the green and the sad reality that the celebration of St. Patrick's Day along with the local Irish heritage too often includes consuming too much green beer. We have often heard of the luck of the Irish, the mythology of the Leprechauns and their treasured pots of gold to be found at the end of a rainbow.

Unfortunately, a vehicle operator's luck may run out if arrested for driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Besides being a hazard to their self and others, a DUI brings with it mandatory jail time, huge fines and court costs, increased insurance premiums and the public humiliation of having their name in the paper.

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

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.

Special Bridal Pages inside this issue

Look inside on Pages 2, 3 4 and 5 at all the photos of couples that are planning a wedding. Each year we print advertisements from many business in the county and others that advertise with us. Please give our local advertisers you business any time you can.

Additional articles this week include:

2008 Special Bridal Pages

School Board focuses on increasing the opportunity for academic success

Wildcats fall to Montgomery in Regional play

Ladycats fall to barrage of 3-pointers

Himmelsbach returns with California Team Gold

Schools celebrate Read Across America Week

and more!!