Today's Feature

Lowe’s Store Slated For Carthage.

The City of Carthage has announced that the construction of a new Lowe’s Home Improvement Center will soon be underway in Carthage. The City and Lowe’s have closed on the financial transaction involving the purchase of 10.2 acres of land in the Myers Park Subdivision from the City for the center. The purchase price for the property was $900,000. These, and other funds, will be used for the construction of improvements to the site consisting of water and sewer mains, street extensions for Annie Baxter and Garrison Avenues, and intersection improvements and widening on Highway HH. The new Lowe’s Home Improvement Center is expected to open in the first calendar quarter of 2007.

Max McKnight, Carthage Chamber of Commerce President/Economic Development Director for the City, said the City and Lowe’s have been working approximately two years to bring this project to fruition. McKnight said he was happy to see all the hard work done on this project by City staff and the Chamber of Commerce result in the center being built in Carthage.

"It’s good to see, with all the time and effort put in, for the project to become a reality," said McKnight.

The project is expected to begin quickly. McKnight said that citizens may see activity on the site within a few weeks.

A store of this size represents an investment for the company of approximately $6-10 million and creates additional full and part-time new jobs for area residents.

The Lowe’s Home Improvement Center is a one-stop shop for appliances, furnishings, building materials and lawn/garden products. The home improvement center will have approximately 111,196 square feet of retail sales space. This includes 27,720 square feet for a garden center.

The location of the center will be at the intersection of State Highway HH and the extension of Garrison Avenue. According to McKnight there is currently no warrant for a traffic signal at the future entrance of the site. The Missouri Department of Transportation will watch the traffic flow in the area and decide after the construction is complete whether a signal will be required.

Mayor James G. Woestman said that he is pleased to welcome Lowe’s Corporation to town and is looking forward to working with Lowe’s and its contractors in developing this site in Carthage. Woestman also said he is "hopeful that this center will spur additional economic development in the city to provide enhanced opportunities for our citizens."

Stench Report:
Tuesday,
8/1/06

No Stench Detected on Carthage
Square

My theory is still that most folks would choose to live in this part of the country, especially Carthage, if they just knew such a place existed.

‘Course the down side a that is if ever’one moved here, it just wouldn’t be the same. I can remember an in-law that lived in LA bein’ thrilled that she found a home only 90 minutes drive from work. No thanks.

I personally enjoy bein’ a couple hours away from the big city. Close enough to be convenient, but far enough away to avoid the day-to-day hassle.

Now if we could only get the State to build a SW Missouri ball field.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

• Looking to save money on wedding costs? Consider buying a wedding dress on consignment. There are some very expensive dresses that are offered through these stores, and you can try on those in your size right away. You can save hundreds by buying a quality used dress.

• Eyedrops can reduce the redness of your brows after plucking. Put a couple of drops on your finger and dab it on the redness zone for instant relief.

• "I was caught in a rainstorm recently and had to run to my car through a downpour. I had just purchased a really nice straw purse, and to protect it, I took a plastic shopping bag from the store I was in and made a hole in the bottom. I slipped the handle through the hole and made a dash for it. It worked so well that I now keep a plastic bag in my purse just in case this happens again when I am somewhere without a supply of plastic bags." -- V.A. in New York

• On a diet but still rely on the convenience of takeout foods? Create your own menu by listing only the lower-fat, lower-calorie, healthy choices at your favorite restaurants. Choose three or four healthy items from the takeout places you frequent most, and type them on a separate sheet of paper, along with the contact information of the restaurant. Then, when you’re ready to call in your order, you can choose from the healthy options and avoid the temptation of those heavier dishes.