Today's Feature

Public Safety Meeting.

The City Council Public Safety Committee met Monday evening in a regular session. Police Chief Dennis Veach told the committee that the Carthage Police Department plans on participating in this year’s "Click It or Ticket" state enforcement program. Veach said that the dates have not been set currently, but the State recommends that it be held between May 22 and June 4. The "Click It or Ticket" program focuses on seatbelt enforcement.

Fire Battalion Chief Roger Williams spoke to the committee concerning the protocol for sounding tornado sirens. Committee chair Mike Harris said he had received several inquiries concerning the sirens. Williams told the committee that the sirens soundings are based heavily on the recommendations of the National Weather Service. Other factors include trained spotter sightings, and neighboring community sightings. Williams also told the committee that there are shelters available in cases of tornado warnings. The First Methodist Church and Salvation Army both open as shelters once warnings have been issued.

Williams informed the committee that a burn ban is still active in Carthage, including the entire Carthage Fire District.

Other items of discussion included the Carthage Police Department’s new Livescan Fingerprint System. The system was given to the CPD by the Missouri Police Chief’s Association and was purchased with SEMA funding. The system is inkless and checks fingerprints immediately against the State and Federal files.

Stench Report:
Tuesday,
4/18/06

No Stink Reported

‘Course I don’t suppose many worry about puttin’ in just a buck’s worth any more. Prob’ly more than that evaporates when ya open the spout.

Those of us who ‘member puttin’ in a couple a dollars worth and makin’ it through a weekend are mostly grandparents now. Makes for good stories ‘bout the good old days, but puts some distance ‘tween us and the younger crowd I’m sure. I guess for the price of a coke and candy bar you can still get for a gallon of gas, ‘cept no one gripes at the soft drink folks.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

• To keep your garbage disposal smelling fresh, just drop some torn pieces of citrus peel in it with a couple of ice cubes. It gets the gunk out and leaves it smelling great. You can also use baking soda and a little vinegar if it’s very smelly. Then follow up with the citrus peel.

• "For a little lift, put a few drops of essential oil on a cotton ball and dab it on your light bulbs. Make sure the lights are not turned on when you do this. Give it a few seconds and then when you turn on the lights, the heat generated in the bulb will send the scent out into the room. It lasts for a week or so." -- C.D. in Pennsylvania

• "To make plastic wrap easier to handle, just store it in the freezer. It doesn’t actually freeze; it just makes it nonsticky, and it comes off the roll like a breeze. It tears off easier, too." -- S.O. in New York

• "For a burn that stings, try covering the area with Colgate toothpaste -- the paste kind, not the gel. It takes the sting out quickly, and you’ll be feeling better in no time." -- A.L. in Oregon

• "A great use for an old purse is to hold the basic tools you need around the house, such as a hammer, pliers, a set of screwdrivers, etc. I keep an assortment of fasteners in mine too: Nails, safety pins and screws go easily in a side pocket." -- R.L. via e-mail