Daniel Wood billboard dedication

The message above was placed on the billboard located on KY 22, about a quarter of a mile from the Hwy 1054 intersection, in memory of Daniel Wood on Tuesday, June 24. It has three pictures on it, one of Daniel and two aerial shots of the tragic school bus accident that claimed his life. Magic Media donated the billboard space. Photo by Jackie Vaughn.

Billboard warns drivers to slow down on KY 22

By Jackie Vaughn, Reporter

A new billboard message was put up along Kentucky Highway 22 on Tuesday, June 24 in memory of Daniel Wood, a Pendleton County High School student who was tragically killed in May when a fully-loaded dump truck crossed the centerline and struck the side of the school bus he was riding in. The billboard warns for motorists to "Please Slow Down" and has three pictures on it. Two of the pictures show aerial shots of the terrible bus accident while the third is a picture of Daniel Wood. Across the bottom of the billboard it reads "In Memory of Daniel Wood and Bus #46."

Toni Wood (center) expresses her gratitude to Tammy Wessel (left) for the support she has shown in raising safety awareness on KY 22. Wessel was responsible for getting a billboard message up in memory of Dwight and Toni Wood's son, Daniel, who was killed after a dump truck hit the school bus he was riding on. The billboard also urges motorists to slow down. Daniel's father, Dwight Wood, is pictured to the right. Photo by Jackie Vaughn.

Family, friends, concerned citizens, and local politicians joined Dwight and Toni Wood, the parents of Daniel, for the dedication of the new billboard message on Wednesday, June 25. Tammy Wessel, who resides on KY 22 and played a major role in getting the billboard project off the ground, stood beside the Woods and offered her support in making safety changes on the curvy stretch of road.

"As a mother, this is something that I felt I needed to help with," said Wessel. "It's just what God laid on my heart to do."

After the accident in May, Wessel contacted Toni Wood and asked her what she thought about a memorial billboard in honor of Daniel that would also serve as a warning for others to drive slower and safely. Mrs. Wood thought it was a good idea and Wessel got started on the project. She contacted Magic Media, a billboard company, for costs and was later informed by a sales representative that they would like to donate the space.

"If this billboard will grab some attention and make people more aware of the dangers on this road then it will have done its job," said Toni Wood as she addressed the crowd in attendance. "If just one life is saved then it was well woth it."

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

James Demitt's vehicle was found early Friday morning in a creekbed on Hwy 177 in Butler. The truck was barely visible from the roadway. Photo by Jackie Vaughn.

Somerset man injured in creekbed wreck

By Jackie Vaughn, Reporter

Pendleton County emergency personnel were alerted to a call of a wrecked truck in a creekbed on Highway 177 in Butler just after 9 a.m., Friday, June 27.

James Demmitt, 72, Somerset, operating a 1996 Chevrolet S-10 pick-up truck, was traveling west on Highway 177, coming down the hill into Butler, when he failed to stop and wrecked into a creekbed. It is unsure at this time what happened to cause the accident. Police believe the mishap occurred sometime overnight and Mr. Demmitt may have been trapped for several hours. His vehicle was barely visible from the roadway and had tree branches on top of it.

Kentucky State Trooper Mark Grisik worked the accident and was assisted by Butler Police Chief Kenny Hale, Pendleton County Chief Deputy Sheriff Paul Vater, Pendleton County Ambulance Service, and the Butler Fire Department.

Emergency workers had to use a chainsaw to remove branches from atop the vehicle and then Mr. Demmitt had to be extricated from the wreckage. Mr. Demmitt was transported to Northern Elementary where he was airlifted to University Hospital in Cincinnati. He is listed in serious condition.

Midwest Towing removed the truck from the creekbed.

Pendleton Summer Parade rolls through Falmouth

The Pendleton County Summer Parade made its way through Falmouth Saturday, June 28. This year's theme was "Summer Fun" and it proved to be quite a success with one of the largest, festive processions in many years delighting and entertaining the crowds that lined the streets. The kids of Small World, decked out in their bathing suits, took first place honors with a tropical setting in the floats division. Winners and more parade photos on Page 2 of this week's Falmouth Outlook. Photo by Jackie Vaughn.

Pictured above: (l-r) Gifted and Talented students, Jacob Johnson and Jayson Williams, process a crime scene in the woods behind Phillip A. Sharp Middle School, June 20, 2008.

Summer Enrichment Program includes CSI Camp

By Roger McKinney, Reporter

Each year the Pendleton County School System's Gifted and Talented students participate in a week-long Summer Enrichment Program. In addition to its many other courses, 2008's curriculum introduced the CSI Student Camp or the Detective Science Retreat. Beginning June 16 and going through June 20 twenty five students from grades five through eight took part in this educational and adventurous experience, which was hosted by Phillip A. Sharp Middle School. The training began at 12:30 p.m. and concluded at 4 p.m. each day. Pupils were shown how to collect evidence and the use of DNA, blood spatter, ballistics, fingerprints, photography, measurements and tracks in solving crimes.

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

Fiscal Court approves county zoning ordinance

Planning Commission Attorney compliments lawmakers

By Roger McKinney, Reporter

County Attorney Jeff Dean performed the second reading of the Pendleton County Zoning Ordinance. Magistrate Alan Whaley made a motion to approve the ordinance. Magistrate Bobby Fogel gave Whaley's motion a second. Then the court voted unanimously to approve the document.

Judge/Executive Henry Bertram said that the passing of the ordinance was a monumental achievement for Pendleton County. He commended the Planning Commission and the magistrates of the court for all their hard work toward reaching the goal. The judge said everyone could be proud of the achievement.

Magistrate Stacey Wells thanked Dr. Owen Collins, Attorney Tim Theissen and the Pendleton County Planning Commission for their dedicated efforts toward creating the zoning ordinance.

Magistrate Gary Veirs said that the ordinance was not a rubber stamped document. It had been created specifically for Pendleton County. Magistrate Veirs commended everyone involved for their efforts in making the ordinance a reality.

Pendleton County Planning Commission Attorney Tim Theissen said that he was very impressed with how the fiscal court took the ordinance that was presented to them and dissected it word by word, with how much attention they paid to detail and how meticulously they debated each issue until every conflict was resolved. Attorney Theissen stated, "The process you followed was not only a model for local government, but for all government. The president and the congress should work together that way."

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

Alexandria man dies on tractor

A 53-year-old Alexandria man was bushhogging on a farm on KY 330 approximately five miles from Falmouth (part of which was the Tommy Ammerman farm) when he apparently suffered a heart attack.

David Rowe's son had been trying to reach him by cell phone all of Sunday afternoon and into the early evening. When he could not reach his father, he drove out to the farm around 1:30 a.m. Monday, June 30 and found him still on the tractor. The tractor rolled into a tree after Rowe suffered an apparent heart attack.

Deputy Coroner Jonathon Peoples took the body to Peoples Funeral Home in Falmouth from where it was later transferred to Alexandria Funeral Home.

Butler July 4th Fireworks

The Butler and Community Volunteer Fire Department would like to invite everyone to come out and enjoy the 4th of July fireworks. The fireworks celebration will begin at dusk.

The department would like to thank all of those who gave in the Boot Drive to help with the event. And thanks goes to the businesses who helped also, who will be recognized after the 4th.

Hot Air Balloons

The hot air balloons are coming to Maysville Community and Technical College on August 8-9. Admission is $5 and children under 12 free. You can purchase your tickets here at The Falmouth Outlook office at 210 Main Street in Falmouth.

We celebrate our independence this Friday

On Friday, July 4, 2008 we celebrate the birth of our great nation, Independence Day. Let us not forget those who are responsible for that independence. We are proud of our nation and salute the brave men and women of our Armed Forces who have fought and still are fighting to defend America and her ideals. Last let us be thankful for everything that we have been given. Please be safe this holiday.

Additional items this week include:

Summertime Parade Photos

The Rabbi - Morgan History - Miscellaneous

Mayor Butler Reid and a Butler success story

Pendleton pair win on 7UP Tour

Flag - Signature Page

and more!!