Texting while driving law goes into effect Saturday

By SUSAN TEBBEN Glasgow Daily Times  December 30, 2010

GLASGOW — A new law that will be enforced starting Jan. 1 hopes to increase driver awareness in a technological age.

The law, signed April 15 by Gov. Steve Beshear, bans texting for drivers of all ages while the vehicle is in motion.

Drivers over age 18 can use global positioning devices (but manual entry of information must be done while the vehicle is stopped) and can use the phone to read, select, or enter a telephone number or name to make a phone call, according to a release by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

The only situation in which texting would be allowed is in the event of an emergency or to report illegal activity. Emergency and public safety vehicles are exempt when the use of a personal communication device is essential to the operator’s official duties, according to the KYTC release.

Drivers who violate the new law will be fined $25 for the first offense and $50 for each subsequent offense, plus court costs.

In Kentucky last year, there were more than 57,000 crashes — and more than 200 fatalities — attributed to driver distraction, inattention and cell phone use.

Law enforcement officials have been on the lookout for texters since April, giving out warnings for offenders, but no citations could be distributed. However, officers have learned that the new law will only be enforceable through strict watch of drivers.

“It’s going to require some observation by the police,” said Lt. Col. Kent Keen, of the Glasgow Police Department. “It’s a lot like the seat belt law where a lot of people get caught when they’re stopped at stop lights. We’ll just have to deal with it as we go.”

State troopers will already be out in force for the start of the law because of the holiday. The Kentucky State Police will be working on the “Over the Limit, Under Arrest” campaign, conducting traffic stops and road checks throughout the counties.

“This law also covers e-mailing, we’ve pulled people over who have said ‘no, I was just checking my e-mail,’ but you will be pulled over and cited for that kind of thing as well,” said Trooper Charles Swiney, public information officer for the Bowling Green post of the KSP.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, driver distraction and inattention contributes to 25 percent of police-responded traffic crashes nationwide.

Inexperienced drivers under 20 years old have the highest proportion of distraction-related fatal crashes.

Kentucky was the 22nd state to ban texting while driving, according to the KYTC. Currently, 30 states and the District of Columbia ban text messaging for all drivers and 12 of the laws were enacted just in 2010.

Turnovers key as Holmes downs Ryle

By Terry Boehmker

ERLANGER, Ky. - The talent level on the Holmes boys’ basketball team may have dropped a notch or two this season, but there’s plenty of bite left in the Bulldogs.

In the quarterfinal round of the Lloyd Invitational Tournament on Tuesday, Holmes scored 20 points off 15 turnovers created by its aggressive defensive play and defeated Ryle, 63-54.

To read the KY Post article:  Turnovers key as Holmes downs Ryle

Ryle's Stauffer too much for Brossart

By Marc Hardin • Enquirer contributor • December 27, 2010

Ryle boys basketball coach Alan Mullins said part of his job is being an investigator.  "We're always looking for evidence to show the players that if they play a certain way, they can be successful," Mullins said. "After a game, we like to sit down with them and find the numbers and point out why we were successful with the plan we had and reinforce what we're doing."

On Monday during the first-day of the Lloyd Memorial Invitational, Mullins was able to point to some strong numbers in the locker room after the Raiders downed Bishop Brossart 55-44 behind the dominating post presence of 6-foot-7 senior Bobby Stauffer.

"We're more effective when the ball goes into the post first before we take a jump shot," Mullins said. "But we're still trying to push it to greater than 50 percent of the time when we do that."

Stauffer scored nine of his game-high 20 points in the opening quarter to fuel a 19-11 start for the Raiders, ranked fourth in the Enquirer Northern Kentucky coaches' poll.

Stauffer, who pulled down a team-high seven rebounds, received many of his feeds from guards Tate Mullins, who dished a game-high seven assists, and Zach Perkins, who had six assists.

"We need to realize we have the size advantage in most games and we need to work it to the post. And when we saw Bishop Brossart, we knew we had the advantage," Tate Mullins said. "But it's off and on. Some games it goes well. Sometimes we shoot too much from the outside."

Tate Mullins said he and many of his teammates are hot-wired to shoot the basketball and sometimes it is difficult to resist the temptation to put it up early in the game when an opening is there.

But when he sees the numbers found by his father, coach Mullins, it all makes sense.

"Everybody wants to get their shots. But if you keep missing, you can't keep shooting," the junior point guard said. "It's coming along. We're getting better about going inside and let the confidence build and get momentum and force the defense down low and get those shots later."

Following Monday's win coach Mullins had the evidence to support his findings which show that good things come to those who wait to shoot jump shots.

"We got a good start from Bobby off dribble penetration and he was able to finish," the coach said. "That reinforces what we're trying to do, coaching-wise, because the opponent has to respect us down low. When they go down low, that's when we knock down shots. We shoot better when we wait, and we did that today."

Ryle shot 57.8 percent (22-for-38) from the field, 61.7 percent on two-point shots. The Raiders have been shooting less than 50 percent overall this season.

"Both Bobby and Todd Vollet shot better than 50 percent," coach Mullins said. "That shows we're being more productive inside and doing what we want to do."

Vollet, a senior forward, scored 13 points. Perkins added 10 points for the Raiders (7-5).

"When we go to the post first, we open up the outside," Stauffer said. "A lot of our jumps shots were from 15 feet."

Bishop Brossart (5-3) was led by Joe Jennings 13 points.

BISHOP BROSSART (5-3): Jennings 5 3 13, Saunder 5 1 11, Fardo 4 0 9, Norton 3 1 8, Uebel 1 0 3. Totals 18 5 44

RYLE (7-5): Stauffer 8 4 20, Vollet 6 0 13, Perkins 3 4 10, Stinson 2 2 6, Richards 2 0 4, Mullins 1 0 2. Totals 22 10 55.

Bishop Brossart 11 12 9 12-44
Ryle 19 14 11 11-55

3-pointers: B 3 (Uebel, Fardo, Norton). R 1 (Vollet).

To see the Enquirer article:  Ryle's Stauffer too much for Brossart

Ryle fares well in split-squad action

By James Weber • jweber@nky.com • December 27, 2010

For the past few years, the Ryle High School wrestling program has had the best of both worlds.  The Raiders sent most of their varsity lineup Dec. 18-19 to the Southwest Ohio Wrestling Coaches Association Glenn Sample Meet to test their mettle against the best of Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio.

Their junior varsity and younger wrestlers stayed local to compete for the Northern Kentucky Athletic Conference title Dec. 18 at Conner.

Ryle finished second in that meet to qualify for the Kentucky state duals competition in January, which is a key measuring stick for the overall state meet in February.

"Everybody contributed. Everybody got matches and we substituted a lot," said assistant coach Rick Barker, who led the Raiders in the meet. "We had to dig a little deeper this year. We brought seven junior high wrestlers. That really helps when you have two teams who can compete."

Ryle finished second to Campbell County in the team standings. Campbell, which had its full varsity lineup competing, won 63-18 in a head-to-head matchup. The tourney format started with 11 teams split into three pools facing each other.

A pair of 103-pounders led the way for Ryle. Jacob Erdman and Cody Haynes were undefeated, with all the wins by pin or forfeit. Jon Belk lost once at 119 and Lee Craven was 2-0 at 119.

Haynes, Belk and Craven were all conference champs at the NKAC JV meet a week earlier. Ryle won the team championship there.

In the varsity meet, Ryle edged Cooper 42-39 in pool play, and routed Dixie Heights and Cooper.

At the Southwest Ohio meet, T.J. Ruschell was second place at 119, losing to a Moeller wrestler in the championship match, 9-1. He had three pins and a technical fall in the tournament.

Connor Coyle was third at 160, and Court Mace fifth at 171. Cory Buckler was eighth at 215.

Ryle will test itself in another major Ohio meet Dec. 28-29 in Vandalia, a suburb of Dayton.

To read the entire article:  Ryle fares well in split-squad action

Class of the Commonwealth

The Lexington Herald-Leader has published their 19th annual Class of the Commonwealth, a salute to 22 of the top high school football seniors in Kentucky.  Players were chosen for the Class of the Commonwealth based primarily on their individual and team accomplishments, with consideration given to college potential.

Conner Hempel

QB, Ryle

Height, weight: 6-3, 190

Credentials: On the same day he quarterbacked Ryle to an upset of Highlands (ending the Bluebirds 37-game winning streak), Hempel committed to Harvard. Hempel didn't have out-the-roof passing stats, but he didn't have to in Ryle's balanced attack. He still threw for 4,593 yards and 44 TDs in his career and rushed for 1,546 yards and 16 TDs, including 1,002 yards and 11 scores this year. Ryle gave eventual 6A champ Trinity one of its closest games of the season in the state semifinals, losing 28-9.

Read more: http://www.kentucky.com/2010/12/19/1572611/2010-class-of-the-commonwealth.html#more#ixzz18ZEs8HER

Congratulations Conner!

Enquirer All-Stars

The KY Enquirer has just released their All-Star selections for the fall of 2010.  In addition to Travis Elliott and Gabby Gonzalez being named the athlete of the year for their sport, the following Ryle athletes have been named All-Stars:

FOOTBALL

Logan Delaney

Court Mace

Zack Senvisky











GOLF

Blake Hamilton 

Nadine Innes

Boys Golf Coach of the Year - Jon Ehlen 










SOCCER

Rob Poehlmann 

Chris Froschauer 

Ellie Schmalzl

Player of the Year

Congratulations to Travis Elliott for being named the Enquirer football Player of the Year!

Ryle HB named Enquirer player of the year

Also congratulations to Gabby Gonzales for being named the Enquirer Cross Country Runner of the Year!

No. 7 Raiders romp to win vs. No. 3 Cougars

Enquirer staff reports • December 17, 2010

With the help of a dominant first half, Ryle rolled to a 74-53 victory over Conner in a boys' basketball game Friday night.

The Raiders (4-3), ranked No. 7 in the Enquirer Northern Kentucky coaches' poll, led the No. 3 Cougars (3-4) 37-18 at halftime.

Ryle was led by senior center Bobby Stauffer who scored a game-high 24 points.

One Hour Delay on Friday, Dec. 17th

The Boone County Schools are operating on a 1-hour delay on Friday, Dec. 17th.

Please drive safely!

School Closed on Thursday, December 16th

Due to the hazardous driving conditions, the Boone County Schools are closed on Thursday, December 16th.

At this time the remaining semester exams will be rescheduled for Friday, December 17th.

All school activities this afternoon and evening are canceled.

Please drive safely!

Ryle Cheerleaders at UCA Regionals

Congratulations to the Ryle cheerleaders as both varsity and junior varsity won at this weekend's UCA Regionals in Cincinnati!

The Varsity won First Place in the Medium Varsity division and the JV won First Place in the Large Varsity Division.



Meet The Squad: Ryle High School Varsity

School is Closed on Monday, Dec. 13

The Boone County Schools are closed on Monday, December 13th due to the hazardous driving conditions.

If you are out, please drive safely!

If you would like to remove your name from the automated phone call for snow delays and closures, please contact the school office.  You will still receive automated calls about school news and events.

Ryle wins the Raider Rumble

The Raiders were able to win what has become the toughest tournament in Kentucky by the closest margin ever. The Raiders were in 3rd going into the finals round by a few points. The boys stepped it up and not only won, but earned bonus points in the placement round. Truly an all around team effort when you win a tournament by half a point.  http://www.rylewrestling.com/

Placers for Ryle:

103- Dallas Pruett 7th Place
103- Jake Erdman 8th Place
112- Keegan North 3rd Place
119- TJ Ruschell 1st Place
125- Jon Belk 7th Place
135- Corey Ahern 6th Place
152- Josh Parker 6th Place
160- Connor Coyle 1st Place
171- Court Mace 3rd Place
189- Taylor Pruett 2nd Place
215- Corey Buckler 3rd Place
285- Jason Maines 7th Place

Pin in 3rd-place match gives Ryle win

Ryle dives into season with eyes on state

By James Weber • jweber@nky.com • December 7, 2010

Jim Bailie returns as Ryle High School head swimming coach this year.

The girls team was third in the region last year. They must replace standout Mary Bank, who won two medals last year at the state meet and is swimming at Kenyon College.

They return regional diving champion Meredith Brownell, a junior. She was second in the state.

Senior Sarah Truskot was fifth at regionals in the 200 individual medley and 24th in the state. She was fourth in the butterfly at regionals.

Senior Darby Cochran was seventh in the breaststroke and the IM at regionals.

Sophomore Taylor Piatt was fifth in the butterfly and eighth in the breaststroke at regionals.

Truskot, Cochran and Piatt were together in two relays that went to the state meet.

Top newcomers include junior Audrey Cochran (backstroke, freestyle), eighth-grader Kaylee Witkiewicz (backstroke, freestyle), and junior Taylor Dantes (200 and 500 free). Bailie expects them to add key depth in the regional meet.

"These swimmers and divers have recognized that if they want to improve from last year's results they will have to work harder than ever, and they have committed to do just that," Bailie said. "My goal this year is to challenge for the runner-up position at the regional finals."

The boys team was fifth in the regional meet, and returns two top veterans in senior Robert Parmele and freshman T.J. Albright.

Parmele was 10th in the region in both the 200 free and 100 breaststroke. Albright was fifth in the backstroke and eighth in the 100 freestyle. Junior Tommy Jennings was integral to three top-six relays at regions.

Jennings will be strong in the 50 and 100 free. Some top newcomers include freshman Mikey O'Leary (butterfly, IM), freshman Brian Kelly (backstroke, IM), seventh-grader Keagan Finley (50, 100 free), junior Myles Brown (200 free) and freshman Adam Dantes (breaststroke).

Bailie looks for a top-five finish at state and several state qualifiers.

Tips for Studying

Going above and beyond the completion of homework and class assignments is what makes students successful.  Being able to "study" or work on learning what is expected of you is a challenge.  Many students simply think that completing the homework and assignments given by the teacher will prepare them for upcoming tests and exams.  In reality that is not true and learning how to study is one of the most important skills students can learn.

Check out some of these websites for information, tips, and ideas on study skills.

how-to-study.com

Hints on Studying for Exams:

Study Skills Guide

Studying for Exams

How to Study

Today's Girls Basketball Game is Canceled

The Lady Raiders freshmen, JV, and varsity basketball games against Ballard HS have been canceled due to inclement weather and travel conditions.

Ryle Raiderettes in Macy's Parade

Last weekend some members of the Ryle Raiderette Dance Team were honored to be part of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.

The young ladies met with Santa in Central Park and walked at the end of the parade after spending 5 days in New York City and over 17 hours rehearsing for their performance.

Attending were Chelsea Caines, Katy DeBellevue, Kaitlyn Eleniak, Meghan Eleniak, Mollie Ford, Mallory Gardner, Kimberly Hatfield, and Megan Shefchik.