Under Age Drinking Targeted.

Carthage Police Chief Dennis Veach reported to the Public Safety Committee Monday evening that under age use of alcohol will be a focus of the Department this summer. One officer will be assigned to address the problem that Veach says is very troubling.

"I have for some time I have been concerned," Veach told the Committee, "that as a police department we have not - are not doing enough, or could do more about youth and alcohol. I’m still troubled by the two teenagers killed north of town last summer.

"If you look at fatalities, alcohol involved fatalities of teenagers in Southwest Missouri, it would stun you compared to the rest of the state.

"I have talked to all of my staff and it is my plan, for the next three months, to create a temporary position that will work alcohol issues, which will include sales. It will include the Square. It will include parks. We’re going at it."

Veach said an extra position was authorized last year for the Department, but the force has just recently reached full strength to allow for this use of the position.

If you’re plannin’ on burnin’ that pile a sticks in the yard, you might wanna make sure there aren’t any logs in there somewhere.

The State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has rules about burnin’, but nobody seems ta be able to explain exactly what constitutes an illegal fire.

Representatives of the Carthage Fire Department and Police Department met with a DNR representative recently to get a better idea of how exactly to interpret the regulations. There doesn’t seem to be a clear distinction between a twig and a stick, or a stick and a log. Ever’one seems to agree you can burn leafs, and prob’ly twigs, but not hay bales. Sticks may be ok, but logs may be takin’ it too far. Unless of course your havin’ a winner roast, or some type a ceremony, then logs are ok too. Maybe best ta check.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Carthage Printing Services

Prime Time With Kids

by Donna Erickson

Sibling rivalry may be as old as Cain and Abel, but when your own kids start quibbling nonstop, it’s hard to accept the jealousy as normal behavior. It seems to start when a young child tries to understand why the new baby in the house isn’t just a visitor but is clearly there to stay!

If a second child has recently arrived in your home, here’s a great idea to help the preschool-age sibling along in understanding his own special abilities and how important he is to the family. It’s a simple bookmaking activity your child can make with you.

First, talk to your preschooler about his skills and abilities. Perhaps your child has learned how to count to 10, or how to hop. Jot down the achievements on scratch paper as you talk about them.

On a sheet of construction paper, use markers to print "My baby brother" or "My baby sister" at the top and finish the sentence with a characteristic about the new baby that fits one of the categories you discussed with the older sibling. For example, "My baby sister sleeps in a crib." Underneath, print a corresponding idea about the sibling, such as, "I sleep in a big bed." On a second sheet you may write, "My baby sister crawls" and "I can talk, run and skip." On a third sheet, "My baby sister eats rice cereal" and "I eat hamburgers." Continue for several pages, ending on the final page with something both children have in common, such as "My baby sister can smile." "I can smile too!"

Let your child illustrate the pages. For the cover of the book, glue photos of your preschooler and the baby on another sheet of paper and print the title in block letters, "My Baby Sister (or Brother) and Me." Punch holes along the left side of each sheet and tie the pages together with bright ribbon or yarn.