Creation Of The Southwest Missouri Joint Municipal Water Utility Commission.

The City Council is scheduled to meet tomorrow evening in City Hall for their regular meeting at 7:30.

The agenda includes a scheduled vote on an Ordinance authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract with other municipalities, public water supply districts and other public sector entities of the State of Missouri to form a Joint Municipal Water Utility Commission described as follows:

"The purpose of this Joint Contract and of the Commission created hereby is, generally, to develop water supply sources, facilities related thereto and the necessary water supplies required to meet the needs of the Contracting Members and the inhabitants they serve, in the most economic and feasible manner. It is the intent of the Contracting Members to organize the Commission on a regional basis to efficiently provide for a potable water supply and the production, joint purchase and distribution arrangements to produce and distribute safe drinking water to all or a part of the potable water requirements of the Contracting Members in the most economical and efficient manner.".

Jasper County Jail Count

? October 21, 2011

Total Including Placed out of County

They say the trick to rabbit huntin’ is to have a dog that never quite catches up to the rabbit. The furry little critters have a habit of runnin’ in a big circle and comin’ back to cross their tracks. The idea is to confuse any varmit that is chasin’ ‘em. The hunter is supposed to stay put and wait as the dog works his way through the hedge rows. Eventually, the theory is, the rabbit will come back by for an easy shot.

Havin’ a dog, as a kid, and always thinkin’ that rabbit huntin’ would be great sport, I went in search of the wascally wabbit. Unfortunately, the dog had not read the sportin’ magazine that I had. He’d take out after the rabbit all right, but eventually I would have to go find the mut out sniffin’ in a rat nest or barkin’ at some squirrel.

‘Course there is a chance that the rabbit wrote the real story.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Weekly Column

THIS IS A HAMMER

By Samantha Mazzotta

Closing Up for Winter

Q: Last year, I placed weather stripping inside my home’s window frames and the door. Yet I still feel that the house is drafty, and my heating bills didn’t really go down. Is there more that I can do? -- Frank L., Burlington, Vt.

A: You should do a home energy audit (or home energy assessment) this fall, before winter closes in, to find out if and where heat is escaping from your house. This can be done using a do-it-yourself kit -- often available through your utility company at a reduced price -- or by hiring a professional.

Professional auditors often use a blower door as their primary tool in hunting down sources of air coming into the house. The blower door is a fan unit that attaches to an exterior door, and includes a unit to measure air pressure inside the house. The door lowers the air pressure inside the house; then, higher outside air pressure means air will enter the house through unsealed openings and cracks. The auditor hunts down these entry points.

Ask the auditor if the blower door is calibrated or not. A calibrated blower door can provide additional information on how airtight the home is.

Another tool in the professional auditor’s arsenal is the thermographic scan. Using this, he or she can determine whether your home needs new insulation and where exactly that insulation needs to go. Proper insulation can go a long way toward reducing energy costs, particularly in older homes.

To find a professional auditor, contact your utility company or visit its website. Ask friends and neighbors if they’ve had an energy audit, and get recommendations from them. Contact several auditors, and ask if they use a calibrated blower door and whether they do thermographic scans. Get a written estimate before allowing any work to be done.

HOME TIP: Closing off unused rooms in winter and shutting the air vents in them can help reduce heating costs.