Pictured above: A tanker heading to Griffin Industries was misdirected by its GPS and turned onto Knoxville-Portland Road. The tanker came upon a sharp turn and overturned into a creek bed. Photo by Jackie Vaughn.

Tanker overturns on Knoxville-Portland Road

A contract hauler from Mississippi ended up in a creek bed after his Global Positioning System (GPS) steered him down Knoxville-Portland Road around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday morning, April 22.

Rocky A. Ferguson II, told Kentucky State Police Trooper Jerry Fieger that he was operating the tractor trailer and was on his way to Griffin Industries with over 6,000 pounds of spent cooking oil when he came upon a sharp curve on the narrow roadway. His back wheel got off the left edge of the roadway and the truck toppled over into a creek bed.

The tanker was owned by Ken Jones, out of Cleveland, Mississippi.

Trooper Fieger said that since the accident, he has been told that a man by the name of Tracy L. Canady, from Gunnison, Mississippi was operating the tanker. The accident is still under investigation by Tpr. Fieger.

The Pendleton County ambulance and Butler firemen also responded to the scene. The truck remained in the creek bed for several hours until workers from Griffin's could come out, set up equipment and pump the cooking oil out of the overturned tank and into an empty one. Pendleton County Emergency Management Director Mike Moore and a member of the Environmental Protection Agency were onhand to watch over the cleanup efforts and make sure the cooking oil didn't leak into the creek water.

Sechrest Towing hooked cables to the the tanker and pulled it back onto the road. The roadway finally re-opened about 1:30 p.m., some 12 hours later.

"Griffin's was a tremendous help," said Mike Moore, Emergency Management Director. "They sent manpower and equipment to help pump out the tanker so we could get it set back up and the roadway re-opened."

Constable McCord addresses Court
Dispatchers honored for community service

By Roger McKinney, Reporter

Pendleton County District 3 Constable Louis McCord addressed the fiscal court in its April 22 meeting. Constable McCord spoke to the following statements made in the court's April 8 session: that Constable McCord may have used blue lights illegally, that he had not followed through in securing a $50,000 personal bond or in undergoing police academy training as requested by the court, that the constable had arrested an individual and impounded her vehicle, (which are perfectly legal actions) but this case, outside the realm of standard procedure. Constable McCord said that in regard to the use of blue lights he was in compliance. Kentucky law says that constables may not operate forward facing, flashing, rotating, oscillating or blinking blue lights without permission of the fiscal court. "I have blue lights at either end of my light bar on the roof of my cruiser, but they're only window dressing, they're inoperable." said McCord. "I have blue spotlights but they do not blink or flash."

Pertaining to the bonding issue the constable said that he did in fact have a $50,000 personal bond through KACO and that this was a matter of public record. Concerning the arrest and impounding incident Louis McCord said that no arrest had occurred.

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

Local men recognized for heroic and meritorious actions

Three local men were recognized by both the Kentucky House of Representatives and the Senate on Monday, April 14, 2008 for meritorious actions rendered while attempting to locate and rescue a young child from a burning home near the city of Butler. The following information was taken directly from the Recognition Certificates given to all three men. The three men, Butler Police Chief Kenny Hale, Kentucky State Police Trooper Mark Grisik, and a truck driver from Napier Pallet Company, Troy McKinney, tried to gain entry into the home that had been engulfed in flames setting aside any regard for their own personal safety and exercising every possible means of entering the structure. Hale and Grisik distinguished themselves as courageous members of the law enforcement profession, and McKinney, as a truck driver, all bravely went above and beyond the call of duty for this harrowing and heartbreaking ordeal. "That is the reason for this august body joining with State Representative Thomas M. McKee and extending to them our sincere expression of gratitude for their heroic actions," said Senate Pro Tem Katie Stine. The men and their families were recognized on the floor of the Kentucky Senate. Each one received a letter of thanks from Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear. Pictured above: (l-r) Falmouth Mayor April DeFalco, Kentucky State Police Trooper Mark Grisik and his fiancee Kelly Dennie, Senate Pro Tem Katie Stine, Butler Police Chief Kenny Hale, Troy McKinney, his wife, Brandi McKinney and daughter, Brooklyn McKinney holding the gavel.

Cuts in state funding to force tough choices in Pendleton County Schools

Reductions in state funding for the next two years will require the Pendleton County Board of Education to make some difficult decisions in the next six weeks.

Kentucky law requires the school board to adopt a local working budget by May 30. Now that the General Assembly and Gov. Steve Beshear have adopted a 2008-10 state budget, the district's spending plan for next fiscal year must be amended to reflect less funding in several areas.

J. Robert Yost, Superintendent said cuts that will most greatly affect the school system are:

Extended School Services: After school programs for academically at risk students, $77,535 / 59.2% funding cut.

School Safety: Alternative classrooms for troubled youth; building security $23,931 / 57.1% funding cut.

Pendleton County Schools is also suffering a double whammy as enrollment for 2007-08 has been below projections. This means the district will have a lower ADA figure and receive less state money than this year. Although attendance is equal to or higher than last year, enrollment is down 100 district-wide compared to last year.

In 2005-06 enrollment grew throughout the year; 2006-07 saw enrollment drop about 30-40 students. Phillip Sharp Middle School is projected to be down about 111 students for next year compared to two years ago. "Larger classes have moved up to the high school and the incoming 6th grade class will be among the smallest since moving from the Falmouth School Center facility to the location between Falmouth and Butler," said Superintendent Yost.

"On top of these cuts, transportation funding has been frozen while we're expecting to have to spend $100,000 more this year to run our bus fleet to get our children to school in the morning and back home in the afternoon," Superintendent Yost said. "Higher fuel prices are only going to add to our cafeteria expenses as the cost of food goes up. It is likely that the Board will receive a proposal to raise meal prices next year to offset rising food costs."

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

Grand Jury Indicts six

The Grand Jury charges that on or about November 21, 2007, Joshua Walton, DOB: 9/19/84, committed the offense of Theft by Unlawful Taking when he unlawfully took over $300 worth of property belonging to Janet Walton with the intent to deprive the owner thereof. Bail is set at $2,500. Arraignment: 9 a.m. 5/7.

The Grand Jury charges that on or about July 6, 2007, Josh Young, DOB: 8/8/85, committed the offense of Marijuana Cultivation of Five (5) or more plants, First Offense, by knowingly and unlawfully planting and cultivating Thirty-eight (38) marijuana plants with the intent to sell or transfer them; charges that on or about July 6, 2007, he committed the offense of Possession of Marijuana when he knowingly and unlawfully possessed Marijuana; charges that on or about July 6, he committed the offense of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia when he possessed rolling papers and two (2) bongs with the intent to use said drug paraphernalia to inhale Marijuana into his body. Bail is set at $2,500. Arraignment: 9 a.m. 5/7.

The Grand Jury charges that on or about November 23, 2007, Trenda Razor, DOB: 5/6/88, intended to either promote or facilitate the theft of a hay wagon valued in excess of $300 and belonging to James Nichols, aided Christian C. Thomas and Greg D. Walsh in unlawfully taking said property with the intent to deprive the owner thereof, thereby committing the offense of Complicity to Theft by Unlawful Taking over $300; charges that on or about November 23, 2007, the above-named Defendant, intending to either promote or facilitate the theft of a goose neck trailer valued in excess of $300 and belonging to Kenny Turner, aided Christian C. Thomas and Greg D. Walsh in unlawfully taking said property with the intent to deprive the owner thereof, thereby committing the offense of Complicity to Theft by Unlawful Taking over $300. Bail is set at $2,500. Arraignment: 9 a.m. 5/7.

The Grand Jury charges that on or about November 23, 2007, Greg D. Walsh, DOB: 7/26/89, committed the offense of Theft by Unlawful Taking when he unlawfully took over $300 worth of property, i.e., a hay wagon, belonging to James Nichols, with the intent to deprive the owner thereof; charges that on or about November 23, he committed the offense of Theft by Unlawful Taking when he unlawfully took over $300 worth of property, i.e., a gooseneck trailer, belonging to Kenny Turner, with the intent to deprive the owner thereof. Bail is set at $2,500. Arraignment: 9 a.m. 5/7.
The Grand Jury charges that on or about November 23, 2007, Christian C. Thomas, DOB: 3/23/89, committed the offense of Theft by Unlawful Taking when he unlawfully took over $300 worth of property, i.e., a hay wagon, belonging to James Nichols, with the intent to deprive the owner thereof; charges that on or about November 23, he committed the offense of Theft by Unlawful Taking when he unlawfully took over $300 worth of property, i.e., a gooseneck trailer, belonging to Kenny Turner, with the intent to deprive the owner thereof. Bail is set at $2,500. Arraignment: 9 a.m. 5/7.

The Grand Jury charges that on or about January 13, 2008, Deborah N. Perez, DOB: 6/11/84, committed the offense of Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree when she knowingly and unlawfully possess Heroin, a Schedule I narcotic drug; charges that on about January 13, she committed the offense of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia when she possesses a spoon and syringe with the intention of using said items to ingest or inject heroin into her body. Bail is set at $2,500. Arraignment: 9 a.m. 5/7.

Marketing Class promoting Beautification Project

If you work hard every year to beautify around your home, now is your time to show the county how hard you have worked. The high school advanced marketing class at Pendleton County High School wants to honor you with giving you the chance to win, send in a photo of your garden and you could win a first, second, or third place prize for the beauty you have created around your home.

Homeowners in Falmouth, please send in pictures of your renovations, lawn projects, and garden beautification. The deadline for sending in your pictures will be May 16.You may submit them by sending them to the high school: attention Tony Hoess at 2359 HWY 27 N Falmouth, Ky 41040. You may send digital images by e-mail tony.hoess@pendleton.kyschools.us or michelle.lustenberg@ pendleton.kyschools.us.

First place winner will receive prizes valued at $100, second place will receive $50 in gifts and third place will win $25 in gifts.

This project is sponsored by Mr. Hoess' Marketing Class with the help of Mrs. Lustenberg and funding from Service Learning (KDE)-Community Education. The project has been initiated by students Destinee Taylor, Jessica Eglian, Krissy Bishop, Tiffany Stull, Brittanie Napier, Marty Daugherty, Natasha Chandler, Jake Sandy and Katie Wiggins. Please help this class begin a tradition that could continue for years to come.

School Calendar for 2008-09 reflects Return to Tradition

Summer will be a little shorter in 2008 in Pendleton County under the school calendar adopted by the Board of Education at its April meeting. The first student day will be August 12 compared to this school year's start date of August 20.

The later start this year was due to construction at Pendleton County High School, which started in March 2007. The 18 month renovation and addition to PCHS will be completed by the time the school year starts in August.

There will be no school on Labor Day (September 1), Fall Break (October 10) or on the Presidential Election Day (November 4) nor the day preceding it.

Thanksgiving Break is Wednesday-Friday (November 26-28) while the December Holiday Break starts with the end of school on Tuesday, December 23 and school resumes on Monday, January 5.

There will be no school on Dr. Martin Luther King Day (January 19) or Presidents Day, February 16, however the later date is listed as make-up day for scheduled school day canceled due to inclement weather.

Spring Break returns to the calendar. Scheduled for April 13-17, the first two dates, Monday, April 13 and Tuesday, April 14 could also be used for make-up days due to school cancellations. However, they represent the 8th and 9th days to be made-up. "We hope that we will not need to use them next year," said Superintendent J. Robert Yost.

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

Baby Photos needed for Senior Tab

Parents, now is the time to gather up that special baby photo for your senior.

The deadline to have the baby photos into the newspaper is 5 p.m. Monday, May 12. The special senior edition will appear in the Tuesday, May 27 issue. Get your photos in today.

See advertisement elsewhere in this issue for cost and wording.

National Day of Prayer to be observed May 1

The Pendleton County Cooperative of Churches will hold a county-wide prayer service at Southside Church of Christ, located on Highway 27 at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 1. The service is in observance of the National Day of Prayer. All are invited to attend and bring their prayer concerns.

Prayer is our line of communication with our Heavenly Father, and on this day set aside to encourage that communication, we can be so thankful that in this nation everyone can freely, without fear of retribution, come together to worship and say those prayers.

As you give thanks for this carefully guarded privilege, come and bring your friends and families to bow their heads and raise the concerns of their hearts as well as their praises to God, our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Additional articles this week include:

The General Assembly's 2008 session adjourns

Morgan: A History? By the Rabbi Ben Ezra

Stine announces water/sewer projects for county

Wildcats find their groove, pickup five wins

Pendleton Conservation District holds annual Awards Ceremony

and more!