Budget Dominates Agenda.

The City Council is scheduled to meet this evening at 7:30 in City Hall. The agenda include the first reading of several ordinances that pertain to the annual setting of the budget.

Included is an ordinance authorizing a contract with the Carthage Convention and Visitors Bureau for services in the amount of $125,000. The funding for this contract comes from the local Lodging Tax collected by hotels, motels, and bed and breakfasts.

Other contracts to be considered include services by the Over 60 Center in the amount of $15,000 and services by the Carthage Humane Society in the amount of $16,800.

The Council will also hear the first reading of the proposed Annual Operating and Capital Budget of the City for the fiscal year 2003-2004. The City’s fiscal year begins July 1. Second reading of the ordinance will be at the June 22 Council meeting.

The agenda also includes the second reading of an ordinance that authorizes the Mayor to enter into an agreement with Driller Baseball for the use of youth ball fields in Muni Park for the 2004 season.

Land Transactions.

Phyllis M. Cravens sold the property at 10543 County Loop 128, Carthage, MO 64836, to Joshua Hill and Jennifer Lynn Elliff. The sale was handled by Kip Smith with Donal M. Myers Realty in cooperation with Ron Bay with Charles Burt Home Folks.

Sally L. Ford and Jack Ford, wife and husband sold the property at 808 W. Central, Carthage, MO 64836, to Troy A. Pennington and Francis Pennington, husband and wife. The sale was handled by Donal Myers with Donal M. Myers Realty.

Vince Scott and Kristi Scott sold the property at 118 Wiggins, Carthage, MO, 64836. The sale was handled by Kip P. Smith with Donal M. Myers Realty in cooperation with Tami Adams with Charles Burt Homefolks Realty.

Carthage proved to be an excellent setting for the Third Annual Carthage Acoustic Festival again last Saturday. Although the threat of thunderstorms durin’ mid afternoon thinned the crowd a bit, by five o’clock, the evenin’ spectators swelled to four or five hundred.

Entertainment on stage filled the day from ten in the mornin’ until ten at night and several dozen musicians played under the shade trees all day.

Onea the most satisfiyin’ outcomes was the near perfect way the Courthouse lawn was left. The Exchange Club concession stand had steady business all day but there was little in the way of litter to be found. Downtown restaurants report good days. Assistance from police, park, street and fire departments aided the success of the event.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

McCune- Brook Hospital

TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH

By Paul G. Donohue, M.D.

Hepatitis A Does Not Damage Liver

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: You have written about hepatitis B and C, but I haven’t seen anything on hepatitis A. I had it. Will it cause liver problems in the future? — T.S.

ANSWER: Hepatitis A is a worldwide problem. In countries where sanitation is poor, it’s a major public-health menace. Even in industrialized countries with excellent sanitation, it poses a threat. Hepatitis A antibodies are found in 40 percent to 70 percent of the world’s population, with the highest numbers in countries where it is difficult to maintain a sanitary water and food supply. Antibodies are evidence of previous infection.

The virus is spread from person to person or from food or water contaminated with it. It has a long incubation period — the time between when the virus enters the body and when symptoms first appear. The average is one month. Such a long incubation makes it hard to pinpoint the source of infection.

Fever, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle aches and a loss of appetite are common symptoms. Some become jaundiced — their skin and the whites of their eyes turn yellow, a sign of liver involvement. Urine color darkens. The illness lasts about three weeks for most patients.

For a minority, hepatitis A can be a harrowing experience, and for a very few it can prove lethal.