Today's Feature

Fire Department Grant.

Southwest Missouri Congressman Roy Blunt’s office has notified officials in the Carthage Fire Department that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has approved a $51,552 grant from the Assistance to Firefighters Program. The Carthage Fire Department is required to provide a 10 percent match to the federal grant.

Carthage Fire Department grant writer Daniel Myers said the grant will be used to upgrade self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBAs) and add the capacity to fill the air bottle on the scene of fires and other emergencies. Carthage will also purchase a thermal imagining camera.

Congressman Blunt continues to support the program that has brought grants to nearly half of the 7th District’s 96 departments: "Firefighters tell me this program is making a difference in the job they do. Having the latest equipment and protective clothing means our rural and urban fire fighters can be safer and more effective."

The grant was among 326 awards totaling more than $24.4 million announced in the 22nd round of notifications. Thirteen Missouri fire departments received awards.

Ever’one knows the old wisdom that time is money. ‘Course then you hear that money isn’t ever’thing, so I suppose you could then come to the conclusion that time isn’t ever’thing.

But then, time heals all wounds and love of money is the source of all evil.

My uncle used ta like to say that whether you’re rich or poor, it’s good ta have money. I suppose the same could be said of time. He also like the sayin’ that he’d rather be rich and healthy than poor and sick. Given the choice, I doubt that many would disagree.

I figure the main difference is ya can’t really make time. Unlike money, my time doesn’t draw much interest. And, if ya run outa time, there’s not much chance of a comeback in this world.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Carthage Printing

This Is A Hammer

By Samantha Mazzotta

Prepping Your House for the Holidays

Here we are already — Thanksgiving is just a few days away, and relatives are popping out of the woodwork. Can you make your house safe for winter and keep it a welcome place for visitors? Of course! And it only takes a few hours to do so. Before guests knock on your door, take a moment to shore up a few things and ensure a happy, safe holiday.

• Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they’re working by pressing the test button on the front of the detector cover. If you don’t get a nice, loud beep, replace the batteries and retest.

• Check fire extinguishers to make sure they’re fully charged and undamaged. An extinguisher that’s badly dented, corroded or not completely charged should be replaced. Household extinguishers can be purchased for as little as $10 at home-improvement stores; don’t hesitate to buy one.

¥ Outdoors, place mulch around shrubs and plants to protect them from cold weather.

¥ Unused rooms that are closed off should be opened at least two days before visitors arrive. This means keeping the doors open, opening the heating vents and possibly lifting the windows for a couple of hours to let fresh air in.