After a committee meeting Monday, Greg Dagnan was declared winner by 32 votes. Jerry Neil had 30 votes and interim Sheriff Archie Dunn received 5.

Although Dagnan won by a plurality vote from the 67 votes cast, Committee Chairwoman Rita Hunter was informed that the candidate must be elected by majority. Dagnan would have needed to receive at least 34 votes to win a majority Monday.

There is a total of 79 committee members that can vote on the candidates. Former Sheriff Bill Pierce is one of 5 new members who will be eligible to vote.

"We won’t know the exact number of committee members who will vote," said Hunter. "We don’t know exactly who will show up."

Hunter said that as far as she knows Neil and Dagnan are both still in the race but she isn’t sure about Dunn.

The Republican committee will be voting again on Tuesday, August 12th at the Jasper County Courthouse at 7:00 p.m.

The County Voter Registration Office confirmed that there has been quite some interest in Independent candidates, although the actual number will not be able to be released until August 27th, when the Independents’ 800 signatures are due.

Current Exhibits at artCentral.

By Lee Sours, artCentral

The Thomas B. DeCleene pastel exhibit is receiving some favorable comments. There are some beautiful fall scenes such as the luminescent "Sunlit Maple." There are also some great Colorado landscapes. I like to see pines growing on rocky bluffs. This artist is a transplant from Colorado who has made a home in Joplin. He and his lovely wife, Tonya, can be seen in a portrait in the gallery.

In the upstairs gallery we have some wild and whimsical artwork by another Joplin artist, Jerry Long. Stop in and see this exhibit, you’ll appreciate his clever sense of humor.

In our satellite gallery at Shellie’s restaurant on West Third, a photography exhibit is on display. If you are a gardener or nature lover you will especially love this exhibit. The close-up of the magnolia blossom reminds me of the lovely blooms I have seen on the tree in front of artCentral.

The artCamp classes ended last Saturday. A mother daughter team was teaching the classes last week. Both have degrees in art and both are great with kids. I managed to get some good photos of the participants in action.

Now that this event is over it is time to work on the next one which will be a wine and art event to be held during the Maple Leaf Festival. This should be a pleasant afternoon of viewing art, tasting wine, socializing and possibly even listening to live music. More about this later.

HOURS: Tue. – Fri. 11 - 5

Sunday 12 -5 • Closed Mon. and Sat.

1110 E 13th • 358-4404

ozarkartistscolony.com

I was the witness to the extraordinary typical response to devastation over the weekend. I became aware of a nest of those yellow tailed wasps that like ta build their home under my porch roof. After applyin’ my secret "go away bee" solution to the problem, I carefully (I mean with a long stick) removed the hive from my premises. A few minutes later, as I was sippin’ on some ice tea and hopin’ for some slight breeze to soften the heat, I noticed a lone bee. After a little while another, and then a third bee joined in the search. Up and down the porch they flew, always returnin’ to the spot where the hive had been.

I know the incident must have caused lifelong trauma for the trio, thinkin’ that they collectively lost contact with their impeccable homing instincts. The three gathered eventually at a new location a few feet away to begin anew, blissfully ignorant of their fate.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Oak Street health & herb

Natural Nutrition

By Mari An Willis

Some traditional herbs to take during the allergy season are: nettle root, licorice root, slippery elm, marshmallow and fenugreek.

Nettle root has been used throughout England for many years. It is an astringent and tonic plant. It is used to strengthen and support the whole body. It can be taken either in the tea form or in capsules. It is also available in combination in some very excellent Allergy Support formulas.

*Licorice root is traditionally used as an expectorant, demulcent and antispasmodic. It has a wide range of uses in bronchial problems such as phlegm, bronchitis and coughs. It is widely known for its use in gastric and ulcer conditions.

Slippery elm is a very soothing anti-inflammatory. It is one of my favorites. Not only does it help remove excess phlegm, but it calms the stomach and allows for easier digestion. It is especially good for sensitive or inflamed mucous membranes.

Marshmallow is another soothing herb. It has an abundance of mucilage, as does slippery elm, which makes it beneficial in inflamed conditions including those in the respiratory tract. We use it to calm a cough or dry throat. It, along with slippery elm, is much better if consumed as a tea or in some apple sauce.

*An Elder’s Herbal by David Hoffmann