January

KSP announces the addition of new area troopers: Scott Allen, David Holland, James Jackson, Christopher Arnett and Nathan Moore graduated from KSP academy on Dec. 20, 2005.

Falmouth to sue downtown merchant: Pertaining to legal action against Russ Conrad, owner and operator of Conrad's Hardware and Furniture, the city unanimously voted to file a lawsuit in circuit court that would force Mr. Conrad to remove his wooden storefront awning from the Streetscape right of way.

The Pendleton Wildcats basketball team captured 1st place honors at the Mason County Invitational Tournament after defeating the Mason County Royals in double-overtime on January 7.

Fiscal Court and Butler Fire Department discuss county wide fire district. Gary Seibel addressed the fiscal court regarding the volunteer organization's need for operating funds. Seibel told the court that the Butler Fire Department would close its doors on July 1, 2006 if additional financial support did not materialize in the near future.

The jury trial for William Dale Harris, 31, Butler was held on January 13. Harris was arrested for his involvement with an illegal meth operation at the residence of John Sebastian, Demossville. Harris was found guilty at the trial and recommended to serve a sentence of 10 years in jail.

February

Kentucky State Police Troopers David Holland and Jerry Fieger were transported to St. Elizabeth South for minor injuries after the police cruiser they were patrolling in slid off the road due to ice and rolled over on Milford Road last Saturday evening.

Senator Katie Stine and Representative Tom McKee presented a $3,645 check to Shirley Merrill and Barbara Bowling of Kincaid Regional Theatre for their 2006 General Operating Support Grant in Frankfort on Arts Day, February 8.

Monte L. Clos, 26, of Falmouth, accused of trying to kill his brother-in-law during a Halloween night shooting, pled not guilty to the charges of attempted murder, first degree burglary, and first degree assault at an arraignment hearing on February 6.

Eighteen-year-old Kasey Bishop of Pendleton County has claimed the title of Miss Maysville River Valley. Kasey is a freshman at Georgetown College majoring in Political Science and a minor in Women's Studies. Next stop for Kasey is the Miss Kentucky Pageant.

The City of Falmouth has filed a complaint for injunctive relief against Conrad Hardware. The lawsuit by the city was filed after Russ Conrad refused to remove the awning from the front of his business on East Shelby Street.

A Pendleton County jury has recommended the maximum sentence for Paul David Goins, Jr., a Falmouth man convicted of shooting and stabbing his daughter's boyfriend on Christmas Eve 2004. The jury has recommended that Goins serve 20 years in prison.

The Falmouth Rotary Club remembered one of their dearest departed members during their monthly meeting on February 16. Dan Woodhead, Rotary president, presented Bobby Fogle with a Proclamation of Respect honoring his late wife, Becky Fogle, who passed away on November 5, 2005.

Local officials were recognized for their participation in the Kentucky Community Preparedness Program and their commitment to public safety on February 21 when Kentucky Office of Homeland Security Deputy Director Mari Harris presented Falmouth and Pendleton County with Prepared Kentucky Community certificates.

March

U.S. Congressman Geoff Davis presented a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant to the City of Falmouth on February 21. This money will be used towards Falmouth's Streetscape Project.

The Pendleton County Wildcats basketball team became the 38th District Champions for the third consecutive year after defeating the Deming Devils by a score of 77-43 at Harrison County High School on Thursday, March 2.

ABC's Sunday night primetime hit television show "Extreme Makeovers: Home Edition" rolled into Sunrise on March 9 to build a new home for Brian and Michelle Hassall. The Hassalls, who adopted a 8 year old and 3 year old, were chosen by Ty and the gang as the latest deserving family to receive a new home from the design crew.

The Hassall family returned to the site where their old home once stood in Sunrise on March 16. They were greeted by a huge tour bus which blocked the view of the new home that had been specially built for them. The Hassall's new home, built by John Henry Homes and Sosbe Construction, is estimated to be worth 1.5 million dollars.

Larry McClanahan, Kincaid Lake State Park Ranger, received the "Ranger of the Year" award for District 3 of Kentucky. There are 66 sworn rangers in Kentucky so this was quite an achievement for Larry.

The City of Falmouth has purchased three used maintenance trucks from Altec Industries out of Birmingham, Alabama.

April

John Sebastian jumped bond and fled from Pendleton County in July of 2005. He was arrested on June 10, 2005 at his mobile home in DeMossville for manufacturing meth in an old abandoned house near his home. He was to appear in court last July and never showed. His cover was blown on March 28 when he was arrested in Lebanon, Ohio.

Severe thunderstorms and winds up to 70 mph blew into the county on April 2. Utility lines and some poles were knocked down, some across roadways. Uprooted trees were tossed around yards and across roadways blocking traffic. A newly built hay shed approximately seven miles south of Falmouth on US 27 was blown to the ground.

Pendleton County Deputy Chip Jones received a report of a possible marijuana patch growing in the Peach Grove area. Jones and Craig Peoples went to check it out, upon investigation they found a 2X2 box with plastic over it, a hot house in the woods on Hwy 154 between AA Hwy and Hwy 10. Inside the box they found 25 styrofoam cups and they counted 23 marijuana seeds, the seeds were destroyed and they are investigating the case.

Buddy Biggs was voted "Coach of the Year" by Kentucky High School basketball coaches. On April 4, Buddy received a call from Courier Journal Sports Editor Jody Demling informing him of the honor.

Mr. Howard Hoess has been named "Outstanding Person of the Year" by the Pendleton County Historical and Genealogical Society. This was a great honor for Howard to receive.

An Alexandria Police Officer, Gary Frodge, was seriously injured on April 19 when the cruiser he was operating was hit by a Reis Concrete truck. He was airlifted to University Hospital with broken bones and internal injuries.

Shirley Mains, owner of Betty and Shirley's Korner Market in Butler, is stepping away from the business after 21 years of dedicated service. She is unsure of what her future holds, but looks back on the last 21 years with many fond memories.

May

A Butler man's life was cut short after a tragic single-vehicle accident on April 27. Thomas Mason, 28, of Butler, was traveling south on Ky Hwy 177 when his vehicle left the roadway and overturned. Mason was rushed to St. Luke West where he was pronounced dead by doctors due to injuries sustained in the accident.

City Council discussed the creation of a medical urgent care center in Falmouth. Falmouth must raise $342,000 in start up money before the project can be initiated.

Pendleton County Circuit Court heard the case of City of Falmouth vs. Conrad's Hardware and Furniture on May 3. Judge McGinnis requested that the city and Mr. Conrad try to work out their differences in the next two weeks through negotiation. A second hearing date for the case was scheduled for May 17.

Our community was deeply saddened Saturday morning, May 13, when news was received that two cousins, Roger Lee Lawson, 17, and Juston Lee Lawson, were killed in a single-vehicle accident in Harrison County.

Pendleton County Fiscal Court approves Falmouth's Fire Protection proposal.

Pendleton County had 24% of its 9,504 registered voters show up for the May Primary.

The Pendleton County High School Class Night was held on Friday evening, May 19, 2006, in the gym at the high school. Jennifer Delaney and Adam Hall received the 2006 Good Citizenship Award.

An electronic scoreboard was dedicated to the memory of Lee Kelsch at Moreland Field in the Pendleton Athletic Park on May 17. Mr. Kelsch volunteered much of his time to many Pendleton County Athletic programs.

Charles Bruener II and Betsy Carroll were arrested and charged with unlawful transaction with a minor after Ms. Carroll's 16-year-old son, Dwayne Carroll, died of an apparent drug overdose on May 25. Charles Bruener III, 19, who was having trouble breathing, and another teenage girl, were taken to St. Luke Hospital where they were treated and released. Bruener II was also charged with selling a controlled substance to a minor.

The Fiscal Court awarded the 2006-07 Ambulance Service contract to Pendleton County Emergency Medical Services based on the company's bid of $287,278.

June

John M. "Jack" Keith, Commonwealth Attorney for the 18th Judicial Circuit, announced his retirement after 26 years of service. He was honored in a ceremony held in the Harrison County Circuit Courtroom on June 1. Governor Fletcher has appointed Keith's assistant, Douglas Wright, to serve the remainder of Keith's term.

Thomas McMullin, 34, Butler, was arrested by Kentucky State Trooper Scott Davenport on June 2 and charged with several counts of sexual abuse. McMullin, a registered sex offender, had prior charges of sexual abuse in Campbell County.

Jim Hammond of Falmouth was inducted into the 10th Region Basketball Hall of Fame on March 21 in Maysville. Jim is known as one of the great Red Devil athletes. As a four year starter at Falmouth High School, Jim amassed 2,132 points and 1,380 rebounds.

Pendleton County Fiscal Court voted 3-1 in a special court meeting on May 31 to proceed ahead with a six month Beta test that will hopefully allow 85% of Pendleton County to be able to have wireless broadband service available to them.

A pair of tragic accidents claimed the lives of two men over the Memorial Day holiday weekend. Joe Mobley, 45, Brooksville, was killed on Hwy 177 after he struck a tree and overturned. Michael Ritchie, 35, Falmouth, was killed on Hwy 330 after hitting a guard rail and tree.

The 2005 and 2006 Wildcat basketball teams squared-off in the Game of Champions on Saturday, June 3. The 2005 team, led by Keaton Belcher, was victorious by a score of 62-56. The game was sponsored by the Pendleton Athletic Park to raise funds for the completion of Phase 1 of the Athletic Park.

Ron Livingood, Principal at Grant County Middle School for the past 14 years, has agreed to accept the position of Principal at Pendleton County High School. Mr. Livingood will fill the position of John White, who along with his wife Marilyn, retired at the end of the 2006 school year.

Roger Nowakowski, 42, of Grant County, joined the Falmouth Police Department on Friday, June 2 after being given the oath of office by County Attorney Don Wells. Nowakowski has over 16 1/2 years of experience in law enforcement.

The Kincaid Regional Theatre's first production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's classic Broadway musical, "South Pacific," took place on June 10 at the Falmouth School Center.

Falmouth was one of 82 Kentucky communities honored as newly-certified Kentucky Main Street/Renaissance communities during a ceremony Wednesday, May 31 at the Cathedral of the Assumption in Louisville.

The Pendleton County Justice Center Development Board met in special session on the morning of June 14, 2006. Architect Dennis Arthur said that only two of the four building sites being considered were appropriate for the new justice center. The old Fuller Manufacturing property was one and the second site was downtown Falmouth on the corner of Main Street and Shelby Street.

Don Baker, 69, Peach Grove, was seriously injured and aircared to U.C. Hospital after a tractor and disc mower accident around 1:40 p.m. Friday, June 16. He suffered severe lacerations to his shoulder, chest, and leg and had to undergo surgery to remove part of his arm.

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is working to upgrade the highway network in Pendleton County. Two contracts, totaling $461,470 have been approved by the cabinet.

Approximately 212 children gathered at Kincaid Lake State Park on Saturday morning, June 17 to participate in the 21st Joey Wells Fishing Tournament.

Senator Katie Stine, Judge Executive Henry Bertram, and officials from Rumpke Consolidated Companies, Inc., East Kentucky Power Cooperative and Owen Electric Power broke ground on Monday, June 26, for a new methane gas power plant, that will be located at Rumpke's Pendleton County Landfill. The plant will cost $4,000,000 and completion is expected by January 1, 2007.

Voters in the Butler Community Precinct went to the poll on Tuesday, June 20 and voted 46 to 39 in favor of selling alcoholic beverage by the drink at the Pendleton Country Club.

Former Miss Pendleton County of 1985, Mrs. Shawn Mills-Nordheim of Butler, claimed the title of Mrs. Kentucky America 2006 on June 10 at the Kentucky Center for the Arts. She will compete in the Mrs. America Pageant on September 6, 2006.

July

The East Pendleton Water District hosted a ground breaking ceremony at the Pendleton Athletic Park on the morning of June 29, 2006. The occasion was conducted in celebration of the future construction of 14.7 miles of water distribution line.

Over 35 skateboard enthusiasts showed up for for a demonstration, conducted by the American Ramp Company, at Goldberg Park on Tuesday, June 27. Councilman Rick Mineer has proposed a plan to turn the old park into a skate park for the youth of Pendleton County.

Pendleton County leaders have devised a technology plan designed to improve the county's economy and quality of life. In the next year and a half they plan to increase technology education, improve online communications and expand online government services.

Miss Jade Amberly Greene was crowned Miss Pendleton County 2006 at this year's Youth Fair. Miss Krista Perkins claimed the title of Miss Teen.

Ray C. Beach, 48, was killed in a single vehicle accident around 2:10 a.m. Sunday, July 16, in front of his residence on Wagners Ferry Road. According to reports, Beach rounded a curve, lost control, left the roadway and hit a parked vehicle and a tractor. He was not found until sometime after noon on Sunday.

James "Buddy" Biggs, the 2006 Kentucky Coach of the Year, announced his resignation as head coach of the Pendleton County Wildcats varsity basketball team on Friday, July 14. He has accepted a coaching position with Ashland Paul Blazer. Chad Simms has been named the new coach for the Wildcats.

The fiscal court approved a jail demolition contract with Bruin Excavation at the July 11 meeting. The company will tear down and remove the deserted structure on 210 Chapel Street by August 15. The cost of demolition is $19,900. At the conclusion of the meeting, former magistrate Jim Fossett was remembered and honored for his service.

Barbara Deaton, 55, California, wrecked her car near Barker Road in the northeast part of the county and then remained there for two full days in 90 degree temperatures before being found by Randy Hensley. She was transported to St. Luke East Hospital where she was treated for cuts and dehydration.

August

Residents of South Park Mobile Home Complex are without running water until a special judge can decide whether the previous owner, Donald Sandlin, or the new owner, Larry Ritter, are responsible for the past due bills.

The home of Tony Crook and family, located on Liberty Ridge Road, erupted in flames just before 9 p.m. on Friday night, August 4 and a raging fire quickly engulfed the old, wooden home and the neighboring buildings. Firemen from Falmouth, Northern Pendleton and Northern Harrison were dispatched to extinguish the blaze.

Residents living in the South Park Mobile Home complex now have their water back on. Judge Patricia Summe, a special judge appointed to hear the case between new property owner Larry Ritter and the City of Falmouth, told the city to turn the water back on while the issue of who will be responsible for the back water bills is settled. If a decision cannot be reached between the two, she will then make a ruling on the case.

Emergency crews responded to the scene of a two-vehicle accident on the AA Highway, just north of the Pendleton and Campbell County line, on August 1. Judith O'Conner was pronounced dead at the scene after colliding head-on with an oncoming tractor-trailer.

After standing for over 150 years, the Pendleton County Jailhouse was torn down on Sunday, August 6, by Michael Bruin Excavating and Demolition. The building was demolished to provide additional parking for the courthouse.

Dr. Ghassan Haj-Hamed, 40, a Cincinnati doctor who operated Riverside Medical Clinic on Shelby Street, pled guilty in U.S. District Court in Covington on August 14 to distributing controlled substances. He is facing a possible sentence of up to 20 years in prison and $1 million dollars in fines.

Billy Matthews has been named the new head coach of the Pendleton County Wildcats varsity soccer team. He served as Tony Bentley's assistant last year.

The Pendleton County Fiscal Court approved a motion concerning Suburban Propane's agreement to sell its property on US 27 for a price of $126,000, August 22.

The Board of Education honored recent retirees John White, Marilyn White, Shelly Odor, O.W. Conrad and Elsie Ice for their many years of dedicated service to the Pendleton County School System on August 17.

September

The Pendleton County Athletic Park was dedicated with a ceremony that began at noon on Saturday, August 26. Many people who were responsible for the creation and planning of the facility were speakers at the event.

Secretary of State Trey Grayson met with Pendleton County officials on Friday, August 25 to deliver a check for $75,000 to offset the county's cost to purchase new voting machines.

Gary Maxwell rescinded his resignation in a special meeting of the Fiscal Court on September 1 and will remain on as Animal Control Officer in Pendleton County.

Deputy Sheriff Chip Jones pulled Daniel Keenan from his burning mobile home on Jenkins Lane after the man re-entered the structure to try and retrieve some pictures. Jones suffered minor smoke inhalation and was taken to St. Luke West. The home was extinguished by the Falmouth Fire Department and was a total loss.

Michael Wyrick and Alan Rider executed a capital lease agreement with the Pendleton County Industrial Development Authority and took occupancy of the Assembly Building (also known as Old Moreland Drug Store) on West Shelby Street in historic downtown Falmouth. The two partners are in the process of renovating the structure to provide the community with a much needed sit-down dining facility.

The new Pendleton County Justice Center will be constructed on the properties to be purchases from Suburban Propane and from Charles and Linda Tackett. Approximately $200,000 will be paid for slightly more than 3 acres, located next to Tony's Steak House. Completion of the Center is expected to take place by July of 2008.

The Pendleton County Justice Center Development Board voted in its early afternoon meeting of September 20 to employ Attorney Jeff Dean as its legal advisor. Dean becomes County Attorney in January of 2007 and will continue as the Development Board's counsel until the new courthouse is completed in 2008.

Falmouth Mayor Gene Flaugher filed a lawsuit on September 18 against April K. DeFalco, a candidate for Falmouth Mayor. The suit states that she has not been a resident of the city of Falmouth for at least one year prior to the election and that she originally filed to run for City Council but later crossed that out and wrote in Falmouth Mayor without having two residents re-sign the nominating petition. DeFalco says she has no intention of resigning and will see Flaugher in court.

The first Citizen's Academy, sponsored by the Falmouth Police Department, got underway on Monday, August 28 at the Emergency Operations Center with orientation and a brief overview about the ten week educational course.

Amy Bosley pled guilty to the murder of her husband, Bob Bosley, 42, on September 22 in Campbell County court. She will be sentenced on November 2.

October

Falmouth City Council met and discussed the Regional Sewer Plant as well as the two proposed new locations for the bridge (The Blue Bridge) that connects Falmouth to Shoemakertown.

Marty William Gallagher of McKinneysburg had a lucky night on Thursday, October 12, when he stopped in the Falmouth Tobacco Store and won $12,000 off a Price Is Right lottery ticket.

Circuit Judge Robert McGinnis heard the case of Flaugher vs DeFalco on the morning of October 11. Falmouth Mayor Gene Flaugher filed a legal complaint on September 18, claiming Ms. DeFalco had not maintained residency in the city of Falmouth for one year prior to the upcoming November 2006 Election. After a number of witness testified and several documents were presented, Judge McGinnis determined that Defalco's residency had not been disproved and that she could remain on the ballot.

The Pendleton County Wildcats soccer team won their first District Title since 1988 with a 2-1 win over St. Patrick at Mason County High School, October 13. Steven McElfresh, Derrick Myers, Bhishma Desai, and Kyle Feeback were named to the All-District Team.

Governor Ernie Fletcher visited Falmouth on Tuesday afternoon, October 17, and presented local officials with $2,800,000 in ceremonial checks for Pendleton County projects. Some of the projects include: Falmouth Regional Sewer Plant, Homeland Security - Mobile Data Computers, Streetscape, Diversification Program, Pendleton Athletic Park, Butler Sewer Collection System and the Max Goldberg Skate Park.

November

An accident in Campbell County, just south of Hillview Road, claimed the life of John Keeler at 7:02 a.m. on November 5. Mrs. Angela Bachman of Butler, operating a Ford Explorer, was traveling southbound on Alexandria Pike when she crossed the centerline and struck Keeler's Plymouth Neon head-on.

The city of Falmouth made history when voters elected their first female mayor on November 7. April DeFalco, 27, won with 398 votes over Gene Flaugher's 287 votes.

Falmouth Police arrested Dale Antrobus, 45, and Jodi Colvin, 29, both of Falmouth, for burglarizing Southern Elementary over the weekend. Surveillance cameras revealed the suspects had entered the school. They were lodged in Boone County Jail and each placed under a $10,000 cash bond.

Friends and colleagues of Pendleton County Fiscal Court member Paul Dickison paid tribute to the magistrate's outstanding service to the public by naming a Cedar Line Nature Trail in his honor on the morning of November 20. Karen Kuhnhein and her brother, Marc, donated 46 acres of their property on Flour Creek Road for the nature preserve.

Kenton Fire Protection District 1 published a legal notice stating its intent to annex a portion of Pendleton County to District One's existing area on November 14. Unless a petition objecting to this action is filed on or before November 28, the process can proceed. The petition must be signed by 51% of the property owners in the target area.

The Pendleton County Boys Cross Country team finished in 5th place overall at the State Meet. Scott Ritter placed 7th and Corey Hatfield placed 9th in individual running. Kelsey McCain finished 2nd place in individual running for the girls. She was only 2 seconds behind the winner.

December

Pendleton County Judge/Executive Henry Bertram informed the court that Kenton Fire Protection District 1 had withdrawn its petition to annex parts of Pendleton County into District 1's area of fire protection and ambulance coverage. The action was taken because 51% of the property owners involved opposed the annexation petition.

Laughter, tears, down-home pickin' and fiddlin', and beautiful harmonies could be heard coming from 500 Chapel Street in Falmouth, Kentucky on opening night of Kincaid Regional Theatre's production of the "Sanders Family Christmas."

Pendleton County Deputy Sheriff Chip Jones was presented with the "Life Saver Commendation Award" at the Falmouth Fire Department and Pendleton County Search and Rescue Dinner, Saturday, November 25. Jones pulled a man to safety during a September 11 fire.

The first-ever Falmouth Police Department Citizens Academy came to a close with a graduation ceremony in front of family and friends, followed by a small reception, at City Hall on Monday, November 20. Nine students received a framed Certificate of Completion.

The Kentucky State Police announces the promotion of Alexandria resident Scott T. Davenport to sergeant. Sgt. Davenport will be reassigned to Post 5 Campbellsburg from his current assignment at Post 6 Dry Ridge. He has been a member of the Kentucky State Police for 20 years.

District 6 Transportation Department officially announced on December 14 the location for the new bridge that will be built over the South Fork of the Licking River on Kentucky Highway 22. The new bridge and approaches will be built just below where the old bridge is now.

Pendleton County Fiscal Court met with Hilltop Stone representatives, President Kevin Sheehan and Consultant John Morgan, on the evening of December 12 to voice their concern regarding bad things created by the limestone quarry. Sheehan and Morgan said they would take the steps to solve the problems and improve communication with neighbors.

Julia Pugh, former head teller of US Bank in Falmouth, was indicted on December 13 on charges of embezzlement. She allegedly embezzled approximately $33,500 during her tenure as the head teller. If convicted, she faces up to 30 years in prison and/or a fine of $1 million.