Today's Feature

Mouton To Run for Circuit Judge.

News release

Carthage Attorney David Mouton announced today in a press conference held at the Jasper County Courthouse that he is running for the Jasper County Division III Circuit Judge post currently held by Judge Jon Dermott, who has announced that he is not seeking re-election. Mouton, who is 47 years of age, was raised in Jasper County and has practiced law in Jasper County for 20 years.

Mouton attended Missouri Southern State College and completed his undergraduate studies and obtained his law degree at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and the UMKC School of Law. He practiced law for 12 years with the Carthage firm of Flanigan, McCanse & Lasley, later known as Flanigan, Lasley & mouton. He established the Law Office of David B. Mouton in 1998 and has continued in solo practice since that time. He has also served as Carthage City Attorney and Carthage City Prosecutor since 1999.

From his earliest days as an attorney, Mouton has served in many probate cases as the Court appointed attorney. He has experience no only in various aspects of probate law, but in the other types of cases handled by the division III judge: civil litigation, criminal cases, juvenile court and family law.

Mouton is a member of the Fairview Christian Church and has been active in the church and community. He has been married for 25 years to Beverly (Edwards) Mouton and has two children, Elizabeth, age 15 and Luke, 9.

Relay For Life Registrations.

News release

The Relay For Life of Carthage is fast approaching. Teams may be registered by calling Roger Kirby, Team Recruitment Coordinator at 358-7506 or Catherine Singleton at the American Cancer Society office at (417) 627-7506 or (888) 379-2233, extension 7506.

Survivors and current cancer patients, their families, businesses, civic organizations, and the public are invited to take part in this exciting team event. Relay For Life takes place from 6 p.m. on Friday, June 2, 2006 until 7 a.m. on Saturday, June 3, 2006 at Central Park in Carthage.

Teams of eight to 15 members gather with tents and sleeping bags to participate in the largest fund-raising walk in the nation. Relay For Life brings together friends, families, businesses, hospitals, schools, churches... people from all walks of life. Teams seek sponsorship prior to the Relay, all with the goal of supporting a cure for cancer.

"Relay For Life brings the progress against cancer to the forefront," said Crystal Jones, event co-chair. "Many participants are our family, friends, and neighbors who have been cured of cancer themselves. Their involvement is proof of the progress that has been made not just in cancer cure rates, but also in the quality of life following cancer treatment."

"The funds raised enable us to continue our investment in the fight against cancer through research, education, advocacy, and services to patients," said Ms. Jones. "Due to the generosity of corporate sponsors like Hometown Bank, Grace Energy Corporation, Jerry and Nancy Perry, McCune-Brooks Hospital, Southwest Missouri Bank, Keith Hulfeld, D.D.S., UMB Bank, Wendy’s Wal-Mart, Leggett & Platt, Incorporated, H.E. Williams, Ott Food Products, Vista Pharmacy, Carthage Specialty Pallet, Bill and Judy Cheney, Mix 95.1, Re/Max Classic, Robert and Shirley Locarni, Larry Deffenbaugh, D.O.P.C., Jeff Hodkin Agency/American Family Insurance, Arvest Bank and Dr. Wayne and Miriam Putnam, the money raised by participants goes directly to the American Cancer Society’s lifesaving programs."

The American Cancer Society is the nationwide, community-based, voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy and service.

Stench Report:
Monday,
2/13/06

No Stench Reported

I’ve heard over the last year or so that there is a Hopalong Cassidy museum up around Augusta, Kansas and was in that part of the country over the weekend. I happened across a guy that had been there and he proceeded to give me directions.

I thought I knew the general vicinity from previous conversations with past visitors and tried to fit what this new guy was tellin’ me into my preconceived ideas. Somehow they just didn’t fit.

After followin’ the path I thought was right I stopped at a gas station and inquired again. I gained a whole new perspective. What I was told confirmed what the other guy was sayin.’ I was about fifteen miles away and time didn’t allow another chase. Maybe next trip I’ll listen to the locals.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Check With Relatives About Colonoscopy

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I read your article on colon cancer with interest, as my mother died of it. I recently had a colonoscopy, and the specialist gave me some information that was new to me and not in your article.

He indicated that if a first-degree relative had colon cancer before age 60, then colonoscopies should be done every five years rather than 10. You may want to share this information with your readers. -- P.L.

ANSWER: Your specialist is correct. Every advisory organization has a slightly different schedule for the timing of colonoscopies -- scope exams of the colon for cancer detection. The American Medical Association Council on Scientific Affairs recommends that people with a first-degree relative who, before age 60, had colon cancer or a polyp that could transform into colon cancer should have a colonoscopy every three to five years. Furthermore, if a person has two first-degree relatives who had colon cancer or a polyp with the potential for colon cancer, that person should have colonoscopies every three to five years beginning at an age 10 years younger than the youngest affected relative.

A first-degree relative is a mother, father, brother, sister or child.