The Kentucky Fury baseball team has won the American Division in the Southwest Ohio Baseball League with a record of 20-2.

The team, made up of 12-year-olds from Union, Florence, Burlington,Walton and Villa Hills, compiled an overall record of 42-12.

In July, the team also finished in the top third of 64 teams that played in a national invitational tournament at Cooperstown Dreams Park in Cooperstown, N.Y. It finished the tourney with a 5-4 record.

"We lost a close game,'' said Daniel Carney, manager. "When a community team like ours competes against the top teams across the country, it is tough. But we are proud of what we did. We came out OK.''

Fury catcher Jaran Peace won the "King of Swat'' home-run title, besting 63 other top hitters from other teams in the tournament.

The Fury also won the Midland Memorial Day Tournament and the July 4 USSSA Extravaganza.

The team also reached the final four in the Cincinnati Storm Tournament.

The Kentucky Fury is coached by Todd Pugh, Brad Quatkemeyer and Mike Peace.

Church gets new pastor

Larry Smith, who is moving from Louisville to Fort Thomas, will began todayas pastor of the Lincoln Park Baptist Church in White Oak.

Smith, who has been in the ministry for 20 years, previously served as pastor of the Cove Hill Baptist Church in Louisville.

"I am excited about coming to Cincinnati," he said.

"Most of my work in the church has been bi-vocational as a pastor and teacher.

He has been a lecturer in humanities and religion at the University of Louisville and Indiana University.

Smith received a doctorate in Christian missions from the Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville in 1982.

Volunteer gets award

Calvin Ray Johnson, a volunteer who promotes awareness about muscular dystrophy, has been awarded the Muscular Dystrophy Association's 2004 Personal Achievement Award for Kentucky.

Robert Ross, president and CEO of the association, said Johnson was selected because of his inspirational attitude and community involvement.

"His notable achievements exemplify the talents and abilities of people with neuromuscular diseases across the country and the important contributions they are making to their families and communities,'' Ross said.

Johnson, 24, has served as MDA State Goodwill Ambassador and speaks on behalf of MDA at fundraisers.

He also has appeared on the local broadcast of the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon.

Dean's list

Four Northern Kentuckians were among the students named to the dean's list at Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Ind.

Receiving Spring Quarter honors: Benjamin D. Dunham-Freer, Fort Thomas; Emily M. Hilycord, Union; Emily E. Miller, Edgewood, and Kelly E. Owens, Highland Heights.

Dunham-Freer is a 2001 graduate of Highlands High School. He is a senior at Valparaiso, majoring in psychology. Dunham-Freer is the son of David Freer and Christie Dunham.

Hilycord, a senior, is majoring in nursing. She is a 2001 graduate of Notre Dame Academy and is the daughter of Gregory and Jane Hilycord.

Miller graduated from Dixie Heights High School in 2000. She graduated from Valparaiso in May. She is the daughter of Carl and Lisa Miller

Owens, a senior, is a biology major and a 2001 graduate of Highlands High School. She is the daughter of Kenneth and Doris Owens.

Students must achieve at least a 3.5 grade-point average on a 4.0 scale and be enrolled full time to be eligible for the dean's list.

Scouts' dream trip

Members of Boy Scout Troop 820, Lakeside Park, went to Alaska in June for their dream trip.

Their home base was Trail River Campground of the Chuagh National Forest in the Kenai Peninsula, south of Anchorage.

The troop did a behind-the-scenes tour of the SeaLife Center in Seward, Alaska, and took a boat cruise into Resurrection Bay.