Today's Feature

It Was Not Explosive.

The Carthage Fire and Police Departments were called to action when a possible military explosive was found on Tuesday at 9:20 a.m. The item in question was a military training device, not an explosive.

A driver for American Disposal services noticed a package fall out of the back of the garbage truck. The package resembled a military explosive with a clear wrapping on it and "M-112 Demolition" written on it.

The driver took the package to the Fire Department to find out what it was. One of the firemen who has recently returned from Iraq said that the item looked like Military C-4. Several firemen looked up the numbers from the package on the internet. The sites listed the numbers as an explosive device.

At that point the Jasper County Sheriff, Joplin Police Department, Highway Patrol and the Bomb Disposal Unit from Fort Leonardwood were called in and everyone in a one block radius was evacuated. The Bomb Disposal Unit, after investigating, said that it was a military training unit which was not explosive.

I’m no expert on high explosives, but I’m unsure if I’d be draggin’ what I thought to be able to clear a city block to the fire station. (See the front page article) I suppose it would be reasonable to expect somethin’ that’s been bounced in a trash truck to be pretty stable. Havin’ turned out to be just a chunk of plastic, it’s all speculation.

From the sound of it, ever’one acted in accordance with procedure and took the proper steps to assure the community safety. Another example of on-the-job trainin’ brought to you by a chance discovery of a trainin’ device carried off a military base.

Prob’ly a one in a million chance. But then folks line up to take those odds ever’day in the lottery. The long shot was a hoax this time, but oddly close to home.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Here's A Tip

By Jo Ann Derson

• "A bowl of charcoal briquettes stored on the top of your refrigerator can result in an overall fresher-smelling kitchen. We tend to put baking soda in the fridge to deal with smells, but the charcoal can pick up ambient odors such as grease or strong vegetable smells." — V.K. in Massachusetts

• "To get a little extra life out of your windshield wipers, rub them with alcohol once a month. If you have any streaks or smears when you clean your windshield by running the wipers, it is time to replace them." — F.L. in North Carolina

• Generally, for every degree you lower your thermostat during heating season, you reduce your energy costs by 3 percent.

• "My shopping list is on my computer. I rearrange, delete and add items as necessary before I go to the grocery store each week, then I print it out on an envelope. I stick my coupons in the envelope, and I am ready to go shopping." — S.E. in California

• "I attached a small piece of hook and loop tape to a small plastic cup and to my dashboard. You really can’t tell it’s there, since the dash and the tape are the same color. When I’m driving, I pull out the cup and place my cell phone in it. I never have to try and fish my phone out of my purse or bag while driving. That’s dangerous. Now I can reach the phone, answer, and I know who to call back when I am off the road." — P.J. in New York

• Mix a little cinnamon into a half-cup of powdered sugar. Then place a doily on top of a pound cake and sift the flavored sugar on top. Remove the doily to reveal the tasty design.