The Sharp family pose for a picture with the PCHS seniors at Pendleton County High School gymnasium on March 2. L-r: Laura Layton, Katherin Sharp, Joe Sharp, Union College President Edward D. de Rosset. Sandra Milburn, Joanna Layton and Union College Scholarship recipient Cassandra Ammerman. Photo by Roger McKinney.

President George W. Bush, right, speaks with Dr. Phillip A. Sharp, left, of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology prior to being presented a National Medal of Science, Monday, Feb. 13, 2006 during ceremonies in the East Room of the White House. Dr. Sharp is honored for his contributions to the understanding of RNA interference techniques to perform genetic analysis in mammalian cells. White House photo by Eric Draper.

President and Union College honors Dr. Phillip A. Sharp

PCHS senior awarded scholarship

By Roger McKinney, Reporter and Debbie Dennie, Editor

Phillip A. Sharp was born and grew up in Pendleton County on a 133-acre tobacco farm along the Licking River. His formal education was entirely in the public schools of Pendleton County; McKinneysburg Elementary, Butler Elementary and High School at Pendleton County Memorial High School. Dr. Sharp graduated from Pendleton High in 1962. He graduated from Union College in 1966 with a B.A. degree in chemistry and mathematics.

Dr. Sharp met Ann Holcombe at Union and they were married in 1964. Phillip Sharp and Ann have three daughters: Christine Alynn, Sarah Katherin and Helena Holcombe. Ann Sharp received her degree from Union College in elementary education with a minor in home economics. Mrs. Sharp began her twenty plus year career in education as a fourth grade teacher in Illinois. After moving to Boston in the mid 1970s Dr. Sharp began his career at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Ann became a nursery school teacher at the Second Church Nursery School. During her tenure at the school Ann was responsible for creating the school library and was committed to supporting the school's music program.

In 1993 Dr. Sharp was head of the biology department at MIT when he and Richard J. Roberts were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine for their discovery of "split genes."

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

Transportation Cabinet removing illegal signs on State Right of Way in District 6

As of Thursday, March 2, the Transportation Cabinet will start removing signs illegally placed on state right of way in the 11 county area of District 6. This includes the counties of Boone, Bracken, Campbell, Carroll, Gallatin, Grant, Harrison, Kenton, Owen, Pendleton and Robertson.

Signs to be removed include political signs and other business and promotional signs that encroach on the right of way of state highways. The signs will be removed for legal and safety reasons.

"The safety of the traveling public is our overriding concern," said Tom Schomaker, chief district engineer for the District 6. "There are several valid safety reason that signs should not be placed on state right of way, and we are committed to keeping out highways as safe an possible." Schomaker continued, "That is why the illegally placed signs will be removed by the state maintenance personnel."

"Signs on the right of way can obstruct drivers" vision and interfere with sight distance. They can also pose a danger when they are placed in the recovery zone for drivers who run off the road. An abundance of signs can also take drivers' attention off the road, and driver distraction is a leading cause of traffic accidents. These signs also interfere with mowing and litter removal operation, and can pose a danger to motorist and workers alike if they are struck by mowers or by vehicles on litter pickup duty and thrown through the air," Schomaker continued.

Not only is it illegal to install a sign on state right of way, it is also illegal to attach a sign to a structure already installed on state right-of-way. For example, a sign should not be bolted to guardrail. "Guardrail is there to protect vehicles. Signs interfere with that protection and create a danger." Schomaker said.

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

Bulldozer catches fire on Lenoxburg Road

Falmouth firefighters responded to the scene of a grass/equipment fire at the property of Richard Knock on Lenoxburg Road at 2:36 p.m. on Tuesday, February 28. Marty Powell, operating a Case 1150D bulldozer, was doing some work along a hillside when the machinery he was using somehow caught fire. According to reports, the bulldozer seemed to be running properly and there was no indication of a mechanical problem when the fire suddenly erupted from the back of it. The flames quickly consumed the bulldozer and then caused the dry grass in the area to also ignite. Firemen had to make their way down a narrow, hilly path to reach, contain and extinguish the blaze. Only about a quarter of an acre of land was burned in the incident. Photo by Jackie Vaughn.

United States Congressman Geoff Davis presents a $500,000 CDBG check to the City of Falmouth in the Kennett Tavern Council Chambers on February 21, 2006. L-r: Pendleton County Judge/Executive Henry Bertram, Falmouth City Councilman Rick Mineer, Falmouth City Councilwoman Mary Ann Pittman, Falmouth City Councilman Mark Hart, and Kentucky 4th District U.S. Congressman Geoff Davis. Photo by Roger McKinney.

Congressman Geoff Davis presents CDBG check

By Roger McKinney, Reporter

Kentucky 4th District United States Congressman Geoff Davis presented Falmouth City Council members and the Pendleton County Judge/Executive with a $500,000 ceremonial check on February 21, 2006 at 1:30 p.m. The presentation took place in Kennett Tavern's Council Chambers. The funding was allocated by the Governor's Office for Local Development in 2004 and comes from the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. This money will be used toward Falmouth's $1,600,000 downtown Streetscape Project.

"This infrastructure rehabilitation project will drive the economic revitalization of Falmouth's downtown district," said Congressman Davis. "I am delighted to announce funding for it and look forward to seeing the tremendous impact on Falmouth when the work is done."

Pendleton County to be a pilot site for new Truancy Diversion Program created by the KY Court of Justice

Phillip A. Sharp Middle School in Falmouth has been designated as a pilot site for a new Truancy Diversion Pilot Program, which will eventually be available statewide. The Kentucky Court of Justice has announced the creation of a Truancy Diversion Program for students at risk of being charged with a truancy offense and referred to District Court or Family Court.

"We are excited about the possibilities that this important program will help kids break the negative cycle of absenteeism." said Jeffrey Aulick, principal of Sharp Middle School.

"Truancy is a complicated issue," said Family Court Judge David E. Melcher, who will help oversee the Truancy Diversion Pilot Program in Pendleton County. "A strong relationship has been established between persistent absences and many social, legal and financial difficulties that manifest themselves in adult life. Our goal is to bring together educators, law enforcement agencies, courts, communities and families to try to reduce student absenteeism in its early stages."

Students who have missed the number of days allotted for a school period or who have too many unexcused absences are subject to being charged with a truancy offense, which could create a formal court record. Truancy is a status offense, which means it is an act that would not be criminal if committed by an adult.

The program uses a team approach to help students develop good attendance habits and improve their overall educational experience. The team is made up of judges, court designated workers, school counselors, principals, directors of pupil personnel and family resource staff.

The Court Designated Worker Program, under the direction of the Department of Juvenile Services of the Administrative Office of the Courts, will facilitate the Truancy Diversion Pilot Program. Court designated workers will hold weekly meetings with the parents and the student to review attendance records, behavior and grades, and develop a plan for success. Local judges will periodically attend meetings to reinforce the work of the truancy diversion team, and to offer encouragement and recognition to participating students who are making progress.

The Court Designated Worker Program was created in 1986 by legislation enacted by the Kentucky General Assembly, which provided for each of the state's 120 counties to have the services of a court designated worker. Court designated workers are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to process complaints against individuals under the age of 18. The purpose of the Court Designated Worker Program is to serve the best interests of the child and to provide redress for offenses without court action and without the creation of a formal court record.

Antioch Community Gathering

Antioch Mills Christian Church is sponsoring a couple of community gatherings on March 11 and 12. On Saturday, they will be holding their end of the year Upward awards program. This ministry has been a tremendous success and has touched many lives in this community.

They are getting together at Southern Elementary at 1 p.m. to celebrate the season with worship, awards, and a Christian Illusionist. Then on Sunday, they will be back at Southern Elementary starting at 10:30 a.m. for a time of worship, as well as some practical teaching from God's Word.

Come early to grab a doughnut and some coffee and enjoy this time of fellowship in a very casual environment.

Both gatherings are open to the public and are free of charge. For more information, log on to www.antiochmills.org or call 859-234-1686.

Dinner-Dance fundraiser to be held at St. Francis Xavier Hall

Those in the community that are looking for something to do this weekend should mark their calendars for Saturday, March 11.

This is the second year for this fundraiser. The family of Landen Joseph Spence founded this fundraiser to help raise money for the Landen Joseph Spence Foundation.

Little Landen was diagnosed with cancer at a very early age and lost the fight to the disease. His family turned this tragedy into one where they set up this foundation and work to raise money to help further the study and hopefully someday find a cure for this disease.

The event starts with a steak and BBQ ribs dinner from 6-7:30 p.m. Jo Jo Gunn will be playing from 8 p.m. until midnight.

Charge for the evening will be $40 single or $80 a couple. Admission includes supper, beer and setups. You must be 21 and older to be admitted.

The fundraiser will be held at St. Francis Xavier Hall on Chapel Street in Falmouth.

Congratulations on your 38th District Championship win!!
Good Luck in the 10th Region Tournament!!