John Biddle's body was found inside the yellow taped off area above at the Rumpke Landfill in Pendleton County. Photo by Jackie Vaughn.

Melbourne man's body found in Rumpke landfill

By Debbie Dennie, Editor

The body of a 48-year old Melbourne man was found in the Rumpke landfill in Pendleton County at 2:50 a.m. on April 3.

John Franklin Biddle's body was found after a Rumpke commercial garbage truck driver deposited his load at the landfill. The driver's route included portions of Newport and Bellevue. Rumpke immediately notified police.

JOHN FRANKLIN BIDDLE

Kentucky State Police along with the Pendleton County Deputies and the Sheriff responded to the scene. Campbell County Police were notified and they sent a unit.

Police examined the other contents from the driver's route, in hopes of helping to determine cause of death.

Pendleton Coroner John Peoples pronounced Biddle dead at the scene.

Biddle's body was transported to the Northern Kentucky Medical Examiners Office for an autopsy. Police are not releasing the cause of death at this time, or how the body ended up in the garbage truck; however no criminal behavior is suspected.

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

Falmouth Chief Bob Scott promotes Sergeant Mark Posey to Falmouth's Chief of Police on April 1. Photo by Roger McKinney.

Former Falmouth Police Chief Bob Scott honored; Posey sworn in as new police chief

Falmouth Officer Rick Grigson promoted

By Roger McKinney, Reporter

The City of Falmouth honored Police Chief Bob Scott with a surprise retirement party on April 1, 2008. The celebration was held in Kennett Tavern's Council Chambers and began at 1 p.m. The event was attended by nearly 100 of Chief Scott's friends. The chief promoted two of his officers and a buffet lunch was served after the ceremonies were concluded.

Mayor April DeFalco and the Falmouth City Council made the following four presentations to Chief Scott: a framed proclamation of the municipality's appreciation for his years of excellent performance as head of the city's police department, a key to the city (the only key to the City of Falmouth ever presented to anyone), a separate group portrait of Bob Scott with the members of his department, plus the traditional parting gift of the police chief's city issued personal sidearm or pistol.

Mayor April DeFalco and the Falmouth City Council presented Chief Scott with four separate accolades. (L-r): Councilman Mark Hart, Councilwoman Kim Myers, Falmouth Police Chief Bob Scott, Mayor April DeFalco, Councilwoman Mary Ann Pittman, and Councilman Rick Mineer. Photo by Roger McKinney.

Pendleton County Judge/Executive Henry Bertram, presented the chief with a framed certificate of recognition from the fiscal court that noted his years of outstanding professional performance as an officer of law enforcement. Judge Bertram thanked Bob Scott for being a great police officer and a good friend, who served the city and the county in an excellent manner.

Chief Scott said that he had spent 35 years of his life in law enforcement, 27 years of that as a Kentucky State Trooper. "If I had one gift as an administrator", he said, "it was to pick out people who could help me. Each accolade I received in my career as police chief can be attributed to people I chose to be on the team. I have been given credit for building a strong police department. But it wasn't I, it was we. We accomplished this goal. I will match my guys, my team of officers against any police force in the Commonwealth. It doesn't matter what our patches say, when people in the county need us, we go. We assist other officers whenever we can."

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

Heavy rains cause Licking River and South Licking to overflow their banks

Heavy rains last week caused the Licking and South Licking Rivers to rise and overflow their banks. The Licking River crest Saturday was 26 1/2 feet. That was below the predicted crest of 33 feet. Some low lying roads had water over them or right along side them but the river did not get into any houses. It came close to getting in the basement of Bev Askins home at 200 Water Street, Falmouth. They moved items up from the basement. Information by Jackie Vaughn.

Son arrested April 1 for his parents murder at Dry Ridge

The Kentucky State Police arrested Russell G. Bramlage, 22-years-old, on April 1 in conjunction with the November 2007 murders of his parents, Terry and Lynda Bramlage.

The bodies of Terry and Lynda were found deceased at their Cordova Road residence in Grant County, Kentucky. Kentucky State Police Detectives charged Russell G. Bramlage with two counts of Murder, Tampering with Physical Evidence, two counts of Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument 2nd Degree, three counts of Theft by Unlawful Taking. Bramlage was lodged at the Grant County Detention Center. The case remains under investigation by Detective Kevin Flick.

He was arraigned on April 3.

NJROTC takes part in Cincinnati Reds Opening Day Parade

Overcast skies and rain did not deter 34 NJROTC cadets from Pendleton County High School from marching in the Cincinnati Reds Opening Day Parade on Monday, March 31. The cadets proudly carried their unit's banner, the Color Guard displayed the flags, the Drill Team marched with rifles, and the officers carried ceremonial swords.

Fiscal Court approves Jail Budget

By Roger McKinney, Reporter

The Pendleton County Fiscal Court met in regular session on March 25, 2008 and conducted the following business:

*Approved the 2008-2009 Jail Budget.

*Approved Tower Radio System Maintenance Contract with John Gosney.

*Approved resolution adopting Hickory Hill Court into county road maintenance system.

*Approved a collateral agreement with Fifth Third Bank.

*Approved a $780 change order to the new animal shelter addition.

*Judge Bertram informed the court that the County Road Aid Contract may be over estimated by 8% in revenue due to non-funding by the Kentucky Legislature.

*Approved restructuring of Pendleton County Animal Control's operation and employment.

Spring warrant round up

The Pendleton County Sheriff's Office in conjunction with the Kentucky State Police and Falmouth Police Department will be conducting their spring warrant round up.

Starting this week, anyone who believes they may have a warrant against them, and would like to have it taken care of without going to jail may turn themselves in at the sheriff's office.

For more information call the sheriff's office at (859 654-4511.

Additional articles this week include:

Davenport wins state gymnastic championship

Wildcats baseball team in search of first win

Students make real life choices at Reality Store

KET visits Pendleton County Gifted and Talented Program

Pendleton County's Annual Evening of the Arts

and more!!