Missouri Department of Transportation says the roundabout being installed at the junction of route 571, Grand Avenue and Airport Drive will simplify the intersection and reduce traffic delays. A roundabout is an intersection that accommodates traffic flow in one direction around a circular island.

City Administrator Tom Short reported to the Public Works Committee at their last meeting that the work on the roundabout was about a week behind due to a late start and weather.

"However," said Short "it seems to be coming along at a good pace."

The completion date for the roundabout is set at July 15. (See inside page for construction stages and schedule)

Missouri Department of transportation plans to seed the interior island to grass if the city does not come up with an alternative plan.

The Public Works Committee discussed the layout of the interior island. The Committee discussed having a flag pole in the middle and something that says or represents Carthage in some way. Short noted that it should also be low maintenance and look nice but not draw crowds to the middle of the roundabout.

Missouri Department of Transportation also has guidelines that have to be followed regarding the interior of the roundabout. There are height limits for statues, trees and other objects chosen for the roundabout. Poles such as flag poles have to have a break away point.

The Public Works Committee discussed requesting ideas from landscapers, architects, engineers and anyone else interested in designing the interior of the roundabout. No final decision was made at the meeting.

I’ve been seein’ that "Smart Trailer" sittin’ on the road some. If ya haven’t seen it, it tells ya how fast you’re drivin’. The Police Department has the trailer on loan from the Highway Patrol.

The couple times I’ve passed it I was amazed to see how accurate my speedometer was, ‘cept that one time when the dang contraption musta been on the blink. Said I was speedin’ by five or so miles an hour.

They say they’re checkin’ the thing ever’ day for accuracy, but the I’m gonna be watchin’. ‘Course my speedometer might need a little adjustin’ too, down at the foot level.

Mostly it’s fun ta watch cars adjust their speed when they notice it’s bein’ broadcast to all the other motorists. I say the indicator drop from 36 to 24 in a heart beat.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

McCune- Brooks Hospital

TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH

By Paul G. Donohue, M.D.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am a 67-year-old woman whose doctor tells her that she has asthma. At 67? I do become short of breath when I have to rush around, and I do wake up at night coughing. The doctor put me on inhaler medicine. Do I need medicine? Do you think it is reasonable? — J.E.

ANSWER: I think it is quite reasonable. Asthma can come on at any age. Asthmatics have airways (bronchi) that act like extremely nervous people. They react to minor incidents and irritants in a fashion out of proportion to the irritant. The airways narrow, swell and fill with mucus. That accounts for the wheezing, shortness of breath and cough of asthma patients.

You should be on medicine if symptoms interfere with your activities. You should also be vigilant for things that provoke attacks — pets, dust and pollens, for instance. A house that is too humid and warm promotes mold growth, and molds can touch off asthma attacks. Spray medicines that dilate constricted airways are used for acute attacks. Albuterol, Proventil and Ventolin are examples. Cortisone sprays calm inflamed airways, and their use prevents attacks. Vanceril and Azmacort are two such sprays. Oral medicines are also useful in blunting airway inflammation, examples being Singulair and Zyflo. The time-honored asthma medicine theophylline is still with us and still contributes to asthma control.