R-9 Settlement.

On Monday, June 24, the Carthage R-9 Board of Education approved a settlement agreement with Branco Enterprises, Inc., Neosho, Missouri, resulting from Branco’s construction projects in 1997 at Columbian and Fairview Elementary Schools.

According to R-9 Superintendent Gary Reed, the agreement cites the contractor’s installation of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system and the district’s investigation into system problems, repairs the HVAC system, and the correction of resultant damages to building materials as the reasons for the settlement of $50,000 paid to the district.

Grand Opening Attracts Collectors.

Mayor Kenneth Johnson spoke to collectors and artists attending the grand opening of Mary’s Miniatures studio located at Precious Moments on Saturday, June 22.

Johnson told guests that "the values on which Precious Moments was built - loving, caring, and sharing - are values that are very much at home, today, along the streets and avenues, and among the shops and people of Carthage, Missouri. We’re glad you’ve come, come often, stay long."

Heard a few pops in the distance last Friday mornin’. Guess that means the fireworks sales have begun.

As you prob’ly remember from a few weeks back, the City Council did decide to keep the ban on fireworks within’ City limits.

As you may also remember, the proposal to allow fireworks came after the Council was reminded that the Police just don’t have the personnel to try and round up all that ignore the ban. Doesn’t mean they won’t try, but if its a choice ‘tween chasin’ a crook and trailin’ a ten year old tossin’ firecrackers, the crook gets the priority.

If your neighborhood get ta soundin’ like a war zone, give the police a call, but don’t expect miracles. Ya might try just askin’ the offenders to stop, sometimes it works just ta let ‘em know the cops may come by.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Carthage Printing Services

by Al Carrell & Kelly Carrell

Q: My concrete patio had a rough finish on it so I installed indoor-outdoor carpeting over it. Recently, I removed the carpeting. Now I can’t find a way to get the old adhesive off the concrete surface. What would you recommend? - G. T.

A: We suggest a paint and varnish remover. It should soften up the adhesive, and then you can scrape away the sludge left behind.

Shop Talk - Liquid Nails is such a good construction adhesive that the manufacturer has come up with a special remover just for it. The remover works on other brands of adhesive and on caulk too. The formula is a gel so it won’t run off and make a mess. It works like a stripper to soften and remove even dry and brittle compounds. There is no harsh odor, and cleanup is simple. You should be able to find it at home centers and hardware stores soon.

Q: I need to cut a hole in the middle of a piece of sheet metal but don’t know what to use. It’s too thick to cut with tin snips. Is there a type of saw that would work? - D. E.

A: Our choice would be a sabre saw with a carbide-tipped metal cutting blade. You should use a drill with a carbide-tipped bit to create a hole in the center of the circle to give you a place to start your saw.

Super Hint - Those old mirror tiles that you might have left over from a project can be put to good use in a dark cabinet or closet, to help you see what’s in the back and help illuminate the dark spaces.