Today's Feature

Costume Parade.

A multitude of costumed children and their parents were present on the Historic Carthage Square on Friday afternoon for the annual Treats on the Square hosted by the Carthage Chamber of Commerce. Downtown merchants distributed candy to the children from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., and a costume contest was held at 4:00 p.m.

Carthage Football Game Tickets.

The state playoff game between Carthage High School football team and Neosho will be held on Wednesday, November 5 at 7:00 p.m. in Neosho. Tickets for the game are scheduled to go on sale beginning Monday, November 3 at 9:00 a.m., available at the Carthage High School main office and the Central office. Tickets cost $5.00.

Technical Center Announcement.

News release

In 2007 the Carthage R-9 School District submitted an application to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for a 50/50 match funding grant for construction of a technical center near the new high school. Earlier this year the state of Missouri approved House Bill 2023, which includes the $2,150,000 allocation requested for construction of the new technical center. The Kent and Mary Steadley Memorial Trust has committed the local matching funds, payable in installments over the next 15 years. Together these grants will provide $4,300,000 for phase one of construction of the new facility.

In collaboration with R-9 personnel, plans for the new technical center are being developed by Hight.Jackson.Associates, the district’s architects, and bids will be solicited in February 2009. The first phase of construction will begin in April 2009 with targeted occupancy by May 2010. The facility will be completed in stages as additional funding is identified.

The Carthage Technical Center serves Carthage students, students from other area school districts, and adults who seek to acquire new skills and enter the workforce. Emphasis is placed on high demand, high paying fields.

The construction of this new technical center has been made possible through the Steadley Trust. We are grateful for the generosity of Kent and Mary Steadley and the faithful support of the Steadley Trust Advisory Board. Through them countless opportunities have been provided for our students and our community. We are also grateful for the support of Senator Gary Nodler, Representative Steve Hunter, and Representative-elect Tom Flanigan as this bill was processed through the Missouri General Assembly.

Mornin'
The time change is never an easy transition.

I tried to sleep in the extra hour on Sunday, but my internal clock was wide awake. After tossin’ and turnin’ for a half hour or so, I rambled around the house and waited for the day to catch up.

Ever’thing was proceeding fairly well, the clocks were all changed the night before. It looked as though it would be fairly painless except for the early darkness.

I went for my second cup of coffee, and discovered the timer for the pot was overlooked. Luke warm java and the timer was shut down.

My system will adjust in a couple a weeks as usual, just in time for the annual holiday stress.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

This Is A Hammer
By Samantha Mazzotta

Space Heater Trips Circuit Breaker

Q: I have a space heater that, every time I turn it on, causes the circuit to shut off almost immediately. Is there something wrong with the wiring in my house? -- David L., Lexington, Ky.

A: My first inclination is that something is wrong with the space heater, not the wiring. Many space heaters draw a lot of power, but a heater that regularly trips circuits may be faulty.

Run through a short checklist first: Do you plug the heater into the same wall outlet every time, or have you tried it throughout the house? Are there other electrical appliances sharing the same circuit? Is the space heater in good condition and less than 10 years old? Do the plug and power cord get very hot when using the heater? Is the outlet being used in good condition? Does the heater’s plug fit snugly into it? Does any other appliance trip the circuit when plugged into it?

If you cannot find anything wrong with either the space heater or the outlet, and there are few or no other appliances sharing the circuit, first take the space heater to an appliance service center to be checked by a professional (never try to repair a space heater yourself).

Should nothing be found wrong with the space heater, contact an electrician to inspect your home’s wiring.

Some quick tips on using portable space heaters safely: Never place a heater on furniture; place it on the floor instead. Clear several feet of space around the heater. Don’t run the power cord underneath a rug, and avoid using an extension cord, if possible. If you must use one, use only a UL- or ETL-rated extension cord marked No. 12 or No. 14 A WG (indicating the wire gauge).

HOME TIP: Safety is paramount when using space heaters, and the U.S. government publishes information on keeping yourself safe when using one. Information is available online at http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PUBS/463.html, courtesy of the Consumer Product Safety Commission.