Today's Feature

Fortune to be Sworn In.

The Carthage City Council will meet this evening at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall. This meeting will be the first held after the April 3 elections. Second Ward representative Ronnie Wells did not run for reelection and Bill Fortune ran unopposed for that seat and won. Fortune will be sworn in this evening, and a retirement reception will be held for Wells following the meeting.

Agenda items in their second readings include an ordinance annexing 3071 South Grand Avenue into the City, an ordinance creating a fee for vacation of property and the final plat of Blackberry Briar Subdivision. Following the old business the council will adjourn, and reconvene for the swearing in of new members.

Items in their first reading include a discussion of the City of Joplin’s proposed Enhanced Enterprise Zone and an ordinance to enter the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission cost share agreement for the Fairview Interchange. City Administrator Tom Short reported recently that there was additional federal funding available for the interchange project, which will cause the City’s contribution to decrease.

Tree Response to Freeze Damage.

News release

Trees are resilient and can cope with many things nature and people throw at them. Freeze damage is one of those things they occasionally have to deal with. What should you expect to see? It will vary with the type of tree, its’ growth stage, location, and how cold it gets.

Generically, early growth stages are more susceptible to damage than dormant or fully formed growth. Leaves and new tissue already partially grown may exhibit any of the following: wilting, browning and blackening, and later falling off of damaged tissue. Buds that have not started to grow at all should not have any damage. Buds that have started to grow, but not opened or very little, may also have wilting, browning and blackening, and dieback, but may also have the leaves expand, then look like they have been torn apart. What has occurred is the buds were partially frozen and the dead material in the leaves in the buds did not expand. The flowers of many trees, both the pretty and not noticed, are out or just finishing up. A freeze could cause many of these flowers to not produce fruit and seeds. Most damaged trees will respond by living with the damaged foliage and / or activate dormant buds and grow new foliage. This second flush of growth is not as strong and most likely smaller. Some trees that were already weakened for any reason may not recover. Trees that are protected from the cold by being covered or close enough to a heat source like a building may not have any damage or damage only on the side away from the building.

One of the problems in livin’ in a high-tech world is that it’s hard to get any enjoyment outa playin’ with machines.

Used ta be it was a simple thing to whack off the exhaust pipes and add a set of dumps or even a set of lakes pipes to your car. Nowadays, you don’t dare mess with the exhaust system or you can end up payin’ a big fine and time in jail.

‘Nother thing they don’t like ya tinkerin’ with is the "fuel delivery" system on the car. Used ta be able to tweak a little here or there on the carburetor and make some major difference. Not anymore.

‘Bout the only thing you can still do to an auto is to change the tire. If ya want to call that doughnut in the trunk a tire. Course, if ya want a real spare these days, ya gotta carry it on the roof.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

To Your Good Health
By Paul G. Donohue, M.D.

Plantar Fasciitis-Big Cause of Heel Pain

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My left heel is killing me. It started about two weeks ago. I had to stop jogging and playing volleyball. When I step on my foot after a night’s sleep, the pain is unbelievable. Would it help if I took something like Advil? How about soaking my foot in warm water? -- L.M.

ANSWER: You make a good case for plantar fasciitis, one of the biggest causes of heel pain. The plantar fascia is a wide band of tough tissue that attaches to the heel and fans out on the bottom of the foot to the spot where the toes join the foot. It provides support for the foot bones and the foot’s arch. Inflammation of the fascia -- fasciitis -- makes the bottom front part of the heel hurt. The pain is worst on taking the first step in the morning. It’s also bad after a person sits for a long time and then gets up and takes a step.

Overuse is the usual cause of this inflammation. Rest is important. Advil or another anti-inflammatory medicine helps, as do warm soaks. A heel cushion will take some of the stress off the heel bone. Weight loss, if it applies, is very important. If the pain doesn’t let up in another week, your doctor can inject the area with cortisone.

To prevent a recurrence, stretch the fascia when you’re pain-free. While seated, cross one leg over the other so the crossing leg’s foot rests on the knee of the leg whose foot is still on the ground. Wrap your fingers around the toes of the foot that rests on the knee and pull the front of that foot toward the ankle. Hold the pull for 10 seconds. Do 10 consecutive pulls and repeat the exercise at least three times a day. Stretching the fascia makes it less susceptible to inflammation.