Jasper County Health Department.

News Release

The Jasper County Health Department in conjunction with the Carthage Stream Team is recommending refraining from using recreational water in the Tuckers Ford and Francis Street areas of Spring River. Water samples taken by the Carthage Stream Team on July  24, 2004 show elevated one day levels of E. coli bacteria. This bacterium is a common microorganism in the digestive tract of all warm blooded animals which when present in recreational water is indicative of fecal contamination.

Therefore it is advised to avoid full body contact with the water in these two areas until further testing show a decline in bacterial counts. Full body contact includes any recreational use of Spring River in these two areas that may result in the ingestion of water or complete submergence of the head. Exposure to elevated levels of E. coli bacteria in recreational waters may cause gastrointestinal and dermatological illness.

It is important to be conscientious whenever swimming in natural areas. Natural streams are a dynamic system and change constantly. The highest likelihood for contamination exists after large rains which wash contaminants into the stream. Caution should be used in not putting water in the mouth or swimming with open wounds.

These are many ways individuals can help to keep recreational water safe.

• Avoid going in the water if you have an open wound or an infection.

• Don’t use soap in recreational water. Soap nourishes algae and bacteria, helping them grow.

• Take limited amounts of food to avoid attracting animals and birds which leave droppings. Don’t feed animals or birds and securely close garbage bins.

• Pick up your pet’s droppings and dispose of them hygienically.

• Avoid using fertilizers near recreational water.

• If you live in a rural area make sure your septic system works properly.

• Practice pollution-free boating and disposing of human waste hygienically.

• Encourage your municipality and local industry to treat waste properly.

If you have any questions contact Steve McKarus at the Jasper County Health Department at 358-0481 or Wayne Christian at the Carthage Stream Team at 359-7020.

Correction.

Carthage High School open house and sophomore orientation has been changed to August 24th.

A buddy tells the story of stayin’ with his in-laws. He was impressed at the attention to detail in the "keepin’ the place tidy" category. Said he got up to take a shower, when he returned, the bed was made.

When I was a kid, I hooked up a couple a ropes with clothespins on ‘em, hooked ‘em on the blankets and gave a tug to pull up the blankets. Finally figured out it was easier just to manually pull up the covers.

One a the problems with greenhorns ridin’ a horse is they constantly want to be pullin’ the reins this way or that. Mainly what it does is ta frustrate the horse to the point it starts ignorin’ the rider all together..

I’d have ta figure that the bed maker in my buddy’s case, wouldn’t have much fun ridin’ a horse. ‘Sides there’d be all that stoppin’ to clean up the trailin’s.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Metcalf Auto Supply

Click & Clack
TALK CARS

Dear Tom and Ray:

I am concerned about my brakes, but I don’t want to get ripped off. I was driving last night, and when I went to brake, I had to pratically shove the brake pedal into the floorboard to make the car stop. And the pedal was mushy, like there was no pressure on the brakes, if you know what I mean. then I was stopped at a red light, and without releasing the brakes, the car started moving and I could feel the pedal going down by itself, with no extra pressure from me. But this morning, everything seems fine. Please help. – Jessica

TOM: Jessica, if you’re not dead by the time you read this, you should get your car to a repair shop right away. If you are dead, then disregard this advice.

RAY: You have the classic symptoms of a bad brake master cylinder. The master cylinder is the device that, when you step on the brake pedal, pushes hydraulic fluid through the brake lines. That’s what stops the car.

TOM: So if the master cylinder goes bad, you’ll get exactly the symptoms you describe. The pedal will "sink" down while you’re stepping on it. And you’ll push the pedal without the car stopping. That’s not good, Jessica.

RAY: And it’s not a fluke. A failing master cylinder will sometimes act up intermittently. It will often be worse when the temperature is colder. But it needs to be replaced, and it’s not something you want to wait on.

TOM: And by the way, if you ever have difficulty breathing, cold sweats and chest pain that radiates out to your shoulder, arm or jaw, don’t write to us about it and wait for a response. Go right to the hospital, OK?