Safety At A Price.

The Public Safety Committee agreed last Monday night that a traffic signal control device triggered by emergency vehicles was a good idea. The price was debateable.

Jim Lucas explained how the radio controlled device, to be manufactured for Lucas Technologies, LLC of Carthage, would allow emergency vehicles to control traffic signals. A transmitter is mounted in the vehicle and a receiver is located at the intersection. As the vehicle approaches with emergency lights on, the traffic signals would receive the radio signal and switch all lights at the intersection to yellow and then red. A strobe type beacon would alert the emergency vehicle that the receiver was operational. In return for information and evaluation of the system, Lucas would discount the $2,275 price of the start up unit by $1,000. The City would pay for installation of the equipment.

Committee member J.D. Whitledge was encouraged by the concept, but felt the value of the City evaluating the system would be equal to the entire price of the unit. The discussion will continue at the Public Works Committee meeting in two weeks..

If you ever wondered exactly what those folks down at the Police Department do, you’ve got the chance to find out.

The Department is hostin’ another of its Citizen Police Academy programs in the next month or so. Ya still have to sign up and get a little "hands on" experience.

I don’t think you’ll be chasin’ the bad guys across town, but you will see a side of law enforcement that ya won’t see on "Cops." "Whatcha gonna do?"

The classes will be held on Thursday evenin’s from around 6 to 9 for eight weeks.

If ya talk to anyone who’s been through the course, they’ll tell ya it’s well worth the time.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

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Young children are notorious for putting off bedtime. It’s the final ritual of the day: story, chit chat, prayers, hugs and a kiss. Then, as if on cue, with the click of the "off" switch of the lamp, the drama kicks in. "I need a glass of water; I can’t find my teddy bear; I have to go potty; I’m hungry; my blankets are too hot; my blankets are too cold; will you leave the light on, Mom, pleeeeze?"

Whether it’s anxiety about a new day at pre-school, monsters in the closet, robbers lurking by the window or any other fear, sometimes children need extra comfort to navigate the long night hours.

To help your child put closure on the day, enjoy making this bedtime glowworm together. Because the body of this whimsical bedtime buddy is a flashlight, your child can switch it on anytime to add a soft glow in the room.

With the open end down, stuff a paper lunch bag or a colorful cellophane gift bag with newspaper. Decorate the bag using odds and ends from your craft box or junk drawer. Make it like a glowworm, firefly or any fanciful creature you wish. Glue on buttons for eyes and pipe cleaners twisted in the shape of a smile or antennae. Cut out craft paper in wing shapes and glue to the side folds of the bag. Draw extra features with markers or crayons. Remove the newspaper.

Place a lightweight flashlight on your work table with the head of the flashlight up. As your child holds the flashlight, slip the bag over the top half of the flashlight. Be sure the on/off switch is exposed. Wrap a rubberband or ribbon around the bag to hold it in place. Turn the flashlight on to light-up the glowworm.