The Jasper County Health Department was notified this week of a positive West Nile Virus test in two birds in the 64834 and 64870 zip code. The positive test confirms the Department’s assumption that WNV is active in the Jasper County area. In 2003 approximately 40 counties in Missouri had WNV activity in mosquito, bird, horse or human cases.

Local health officials continue to stress that while a positive test for WNV in the horse has been confirmed, residents should not be overly concerned about the risk of illness. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services it is important to remember that very few persons are actual at risk for contracting the virus. Transmission of WNV occurs when people become infected by the bite of a mosquito infected with WNV. In areas where the virus is circulating, the chances you will become severely ill from any one mosquito bite are extremely small. Less than 1% of persons infected with WNV will develop severe illness.

NASCAR to the Max

Saturday’s running of the Chevy Rock and Roll 400 from the ¾-mile Richmond International Raceway featured a lot of typical short track action. As is usual at many of the short tracks, caution periods started early, the first on lap 24, and came frequently, 14 cautions for 73 laps; almost 20% of the scheduled laps. With nine laps remaining, following a brief caution period, the race restarted on what everyone hoped would be an unblemished dash to the checkered flag. Kevin Harvick and Ricky Rudd were battling for second when Rudd bumped Harvick sending him into the outside wall and bringing out the 14th caution. Harvick was able to continue and salvaged a 16th place finish while Rudd held on for third. Ryan Newman maintained control throughout the final laps and caution periods and claimed his sixth victory of the season.

The fireworks in the final laps between Rudd and Harvick carried over onto pit road following the cool down lap with Harvick bumping Rudd’s car and stopping alongside Rudd. Harvick climbed on top of his car and unleashed a tirade on Rudd with several of Harvick’s crew climbing on top of Rudd’s car causing considerable damage. Rudd’s crew came to their driver’s aide with NASCAR officials struggling to maintain control.

When the dust settled, NASCAR summoned both drivers and crews to the NASCAR Trailer (NASCAR’s wood shed). On Monday NASCAR released the penalties assessed to those involved. Harvick was fined $35,000.00 and placed on probation for the rest of the season. Several members of both teams where likewise fined and placed on probation with two of Harvick’s crew members being suspended for one race because of their actions. Harvick’s team owner has apologized for his team’s actions and called Rudd’s team owners and offered to pay for the damage to Rudd’s car caused by his overzealous crew.

The series now heads to the one-mile New Hampshire International Speedway. Recent races at the track have been single file affairs with little passing. Recent improvements may remedy the situation. Jimmie Johnson won the July race here.

I’m figurin’ there are few things as complicated as shoppin’ for a home sound system.

At one point in time the most critical part of a "stereo" was gettin’ a good stylus for the turn table. Next was gettin’ the best speakers you could afford. What went in between was more a matter of brand loyalty or taste.

The systems available today contain so many options and configurations that it’s hard to determine what’s important or even necessary. Now add in the possibility of high definition tv comin’ into play, the purchase of a "home entertainment" center has turned into a life altering experience.

At the current, I’m thinkin’ an am radio and an old record player may be all the entertainment I can handle.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Metcalf Auto Supply

Click & Clack
TALK CARS

By Tom & Ray Magliozzi

Dear Tom and Ray:

I recently bought a five-speed ‘89 Toyota Camry for my son. It needed a new clutch, so I took it to a very reputable foreign-car garage. The owner made an interesting comment: "Almost all the cars we work on are automatics ... we don’t do many clutches anymore." I was shocked. I figured that if anybody would be good at repairing cars with manual transmissions, it would be these foreign-car guys. I’m planning to buy myself a new car soon, and I assumed I would get a five- or even six-speed. Now I’m wondering if there will still be good mechanics who can work on those cars in six to seven years, when I will needa clutch. Must I buy an automatic? — Linda

TOM: Fear not, Linda. It’s true that automatics represent about 90 percent of all cars sold in the United States these days. But I think you’ll always find somebody who can replace a clutch for you.

RAY: Clutches are easy to replace. It’s a job we even let my brother do. It’s not like rebuilding a carburetor, where you have 100 pieces smaller than a gnat’s rear end and you’re working inside a small, dark hole. It’s a job that — even if he does it only once a month, or once every six months — a mechanic would have a hard time screwing up.

TOM: Do you want to reconsider that last statement?

RAY: I said he’d have a "hard time." I didn’t say it was impossible to screw up a clutch.

TOM: The reason there are fewer and fewer stick shifts being sold is that automatics are better than ever. Five-speed automatics are becoming common, and six-speed, seven-speed and continuously variable transmissions are working their way into the marketplace.