Win, Win, Win.


A panel of speakers expressed their enthusiasm Friday morning about the proposed use of the current McCune-Brooks Hospital building for an expansion of the Missouri Southern State University. The opportunity would come after the hospital moved to its new location just south of HH to the west of Highway 71. The media conference was called to formally announce that negotiations were underway.

Those speaking to members of the media included Bob Copeland, CEO McCune-Brooks Hospital; Senator Gary Nodler; Dr. Julio Leon, President, MSSU; Dr. Charles McGinty, President, MSSU Board of Governors; Carthage Mayor Kenneth Johnson; Don LaFerla, President, McCune-Brooks Hospital Board of Trustees; and Thomas Flanigan, President, McCune-Brooks Healthcare Foundation.

Senator Nodler said the use of the facility as a MSSU campus was a "win, win, win" situation. Other speakers agreed and Dr. McGinty told those in attendance that he and the MSSU Governors were "very excited about the possibilities" concerning the endeavor.

I suppose it took more than a little convincin’ ta get folks ta give up on the horse and buggy. More than anything, it was probably the idea of bein’ comfortable with a known mode of gettin’ from here to there.

Automobiles aren’t entirely the blessin’ that proponents of that industry would have liked ever’one to believe, but they did offer a lot of advantages.

The one thing that changed the most was the amount a time folks spend just a walkin’. By the time ya saddled up on a horse and got all set ta go, you could be most places. Nowadays, a visit to a neighbor on the other side of the block warrants takin’ the car.

‘Course one of the big advantages of car ownin’ is ya don’t have to clean out the stall. Another is if ya leave the car in the garage, you don’t have ta keep puttin’ fuel in it just so ya have somethin’ ta clean later.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’

by

Carthage Printing

THIS IS A HAMMER

By Samantha Mazzotta

Prepare Now for Summer Storm Damage

Q: Help! A big storm went through our neighborhood last night, and between the rain and wind and lightning, the biggest tree in our yard was badly damaged. One of the limbs — longer than our roof — is half-broken and looks like it may fall if another storm comes. I’m worried that the limb could fall on our front room unexpectedly. How can I shore it up until the tree service comes? — Geoffrey L., via e-mail

A: I’ve sent a quick reply to you by e-mail, Geoffrey, so you can prevent further damage or possible injury from that damaged limb. For the rest of my readers, here’s a quick guide to dealing with storm-related tree damage.

In a case like the one above, speed is important. As soon as you discover a huge limb about to fall, contact a tree service to have it removed quickly and safely. If the limb is touching power lines or there is a risk that it will take lines out on its way down, call the fire department immediately and keep everyone away from the tree and its branches.

The same applies to damaged trees: They may not look as if they are about to topple, but don’t take any chances. And don’t take on the job of felling the tree or limbs yourself. There’s no telling when, or if, a tree will fall — even the experts call it wrong sometimes.

If a large limb or tree threatens to fall on your home, evacuate everyone right away and call emergency services. Don’t stay behind to collect belongings or shift furniture out of the threatened section of the house; wait until the fire department has assessed the situation, and don’t go back inside the house until it declares the area safe.

As you can see, it’s difficult to be in control of repairs to your yard or home after a damaging storm. However, you can take some control by preparing beforehand. Store important documents in a fire-resistant safe. Keep a small suitcase filled with basic necessities — like a change of underwear, toiletries and (if necessary) extra baby gear like diapers and bottles — that can be grabbed in a hurry. Place a list of emergency numbers — including police and fire departments, contracting services like plumbing, tree removal or flood cleanup, plus relatives and neighbors — next to your phone. Design and rehearse an evacuation plan with your family.