Sheriff’s Association Conference in Joplin.

Starting Sunday, July 31, 2011, Jasper-Newton County Sheriff’s began hosting the Missouri Sheriff’s Association annual summer conference at the Holiday Inn Hotel in Joplin.

Opening ceremonies will be held Monday at 8:00 a.m. at the Holiday Inn Banquet Center. The Conference will continue through Thursday, August 4, 2011.

While in Jasper County, the Sheriff’s will be touring the Tornado area as well as helping clean up debris on Tuesday afternoon. Tours to points of interest will be available to them and their families.

Missouri has 114 County Sheriff’s and 1 City Sheriff (St. Louis).

Friends & Family CPR Class.

August 11, 6 - 9 p.m. in the MBH conference room. This free class is geared toward babysitters, parents, caregivers or those who have family members with medical problems so that they will know what actions to take in case of an emergency. This class does not provide CPR certification. Reservation required.Call 359-1350

Jasper County Jail Count

203 July 29, 2011

Total Including Placed out of County

It’s an old game that kids learn early and play with ruthless cunning at the slightest indication that they can win. They always push the rules to the max. It’s the old trick of playin’ one parent against the other.

What most kids don’t understand is that most of us that are parents know most of the tricks of the trade. Been there.

It’s only natural. Ya take the path of least resistance. Once a kid realizes that dad doesn’t mind ‘em climbin’ trees, but it scares mom to death, they get dad involved in the tree climbin’ and make a big deal ‘bout how much fun it is to be sharin’ some real "quality time" with their buddy, dad. Once you are successful at gettin’ somethin’ done, try it again the same way.

Grown-ups don’t loose the knack they learned so well as kids. There’s the birth of shortcuts to solvin’ problems.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’

Weekly Column

Electrical Safety

Q: What is a GFCI? A contractor we’re considering to renovate our kitchen and bathroom keeps mentioning them. -- Gayle S., Wheeling, W.Va.

A: The letters GFCI stand for "Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter," a safety feature found in power receptacles (outlets). GFCI receptacles are required in bathrooms and kitchens by law.

GFCI receptacles detect when electricity is "leaking" and immediately interrupt the electrical circuit (e.g., shut off the power). This is an extremely important safety feature when operating electrical appliances like hairdryers or toasters near water. Even a tiny amount of excess electrical current will trip the circuit.

The receptacles are reset by pressing a button, usually set between the two outlets.

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Q: How can I know for sure that a circuit has been turned off to a room or larger area? -- Jay S., via email

A: Plug a lamp or a radio into an outlet in the room, or turn the overhead light or fan on. Have a helper stay in the area and tell you when the light or radio turns off. If you aren’t sure or are unable to check for power for any reason, turn off power to the entire home by flipping the main switch or circuit breaker. If you’re unsure the power is completely off (for example, power supplied from a source outside the home) or not confident you can make the repair, contact a licensed electrician.

HOME TIP: Veteran electricians know to never grab a wire -- touch it with the back of your hand first. If electrical shock occurs, your fist could close involuntarily, increasing injury if it closes around the wire.