Dagnan Gets The Republican Nod.

The Jasper County Republican Central Committee voted last night to nominate Greg Dagnan for the special election for Jasper County Sheriff.

Of the 67 votes cast by the Committee, Dagnan received 32, Interim Sheriff Archie Dunn received 30, and current Chief Deputy Jerry Neil received 5.

Dagnan will face Democrat J.D. Love in the September 30 special election.

Marian Days Are Almost Here.

The Carthage Police Department is preparing for the 26th Annual Marian Days, to be held this weekend, August 7-10.

Although an exact number cannot be given, educated guesses estimate around 60,000 people attending last year’s event. This year may be less, an estimated 40,000 attending.

"Last year was the 25th year, which of course is a very big deal," said Police Chief Dennis Veach in an interview with the Mornin’ Mail. "This year is the 26th so we probably won’t have as many as last year but it’s going to be a whole lot of people."

Streets will be closing Wednesday morning. After streets are closed off, there will be 25 police officers on duty at all times. The shifts run for 6 hours. Carthage Police Department will not be the only department on duty; Joplin, Webb City and Jasper County personnel will also be on hand to help.

"We depend greatly on other police departments," said Veach. "Carthage works less than half, we still have to take care of the town."

As the largest gathering of Vietnamese in America, the concern of Asian gangs rises. During the first Marian Days, there was significant gang problems, even leading up to shootings. Although there has not been gang problems for many years, it is one of the police departments biggest concerns.

"That is one of our highest functions," said Veach, "watching out for Asian gangsters, monitoring that, and really watching for that closely."

Asian gang investigators from Federal agencies and from police departments all over the United States come to Carthage to help assist with the problems.

Besides the gang worries, Veach stated that the problems that arise are normal for a community of 50,000 people.

"Lost kids, minor theft, and major traffic problems," said Veach. "Those very small things only on a scale much smaller than you would expect."

Dear Editor,

While the office of Main Street Carthage no longer exists, the soul of the programs will remain active through the volunteer efforts of several caring citizens. Thank you to Lana and Ray Mathis for volunteering to manage the Carthage Farmer’s Market, to Pinewood Nursery and Charles Burt Homefolks for planting maple trees throughout the year in the Welcome To Carthage program.

The county commissioners have retained four hanging baskets to keep the downtown in blooms and the Carthage Crisis Center will see that the square is clean and beautiful throughout the remainder of the summer. Susan Cordell will coordinate the Ragtime Festival for the Labor Day weekend to keep those tunes close to the heart of Carthage and the Christmas Parade will be bigger and better through the efforts of Mark Sponaugle and the new parade sponsor, SkillsUSA-VICA.

Treats Around the Square, offering a safe outlet for the children of Carthage on Halloween, will be spearheaded by The Carthage Press and the Ticket To The City program will continue to bring smiles to visitor faces under the direction of the Carthage Convention and Visitors Bureau.

A special thanks to the Board of Directors of Main Street Carthage for their commitment to downtown in the past and more importantly, the future, and a pat on the back to everyone who worked hard to preserve our history for our future.

I had a wonderful time and met so many, very special people.

Thank you so much.

Carol Green

The rule for our kids for splittin’ up a candy bar or a piece of cake was for one to divide it, the other to choose which piece they wanted. Easy and equitable.

Too bad most decisions aren’t that simple or as fair.

Other decision makers were of course the toss of a coin or drawin’ straws. No argument, just the luck of the draw.

I suppose the one main thing that makes these problem solvers work is the fact that they remove any logic or influence by those effected by the decision.

‘Course that doesn’t keep a youngster from spendin’ hours tryin’ to get a coin’ to land a certain way each throw. The fact is it’s near impossible to always toss a "heads." (at least for a twelve year old with lots of time on his hands.)

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 73-year-old woman and have done physically hard work all my life. I never smoked, and I have never been overweight. My blood pressure is normal. In the past few months, I have had chest pain when I walk fast or long distances. My doctor examined me and said I have coronary artery disease. The heart doctor says I have angina. Who is right? — C.J.

ANSWER: Coronary artery disease is the No. 1 illness and the No. 1 cause of death in our society. Coronary arteries are heart arteries, three in number, that bring blood to the heart muscle. The heart is our hardest-working organ, never stopping to rest. If it does, we are in big trouble.

Coronary artery disease is the name of the condition where these arteries develop plaque on their inner walls. Plaque is a sludgelike glob of blood platelets, blood proteins, cholesterol and fats. The buildup limits the amount of blood that can flow through the arteries. Walking or any physical exertion adds to the heart’s pumping burden. The heart muscle requires more blood. The heart beats harder. Plaque, however, prevents more blood from reaching the heart muscle. The result is the chest pain of angina.

Coronary artery disease is the name given to partially blocked heart arteries. Angina is the chest pain that results from CAD. Both terms are used interchangeably, so feel free to choose either. Both your doctors are correct.