Today's Feature
State Scenic Byway Proposal.

The Public Works Committee met Tuesday afternoon to discuss the designation of Route 66 as a State Scenic Byway. The change would be of no cost to the City. According to City Administrator Tom Short the benefit of the road being designated a scenic byway would be- a potential increase in traffic and tourism in Carthage.

Council member Bill Welch was in attendance of the meeting and spoke on the matter saying that he would expect positive changes from the designation of the route.

"We’re lucky enough to have it, why not take advantage of it?" said Welch.

The item was proposed by the Missouri Route 66 Association in coordination with the Missouri Department of Transportation and offices on a federal level. According to Short the Association asks only that the City make a statement saying they support the designation.

Short said the projected goal for the project is for the entire state of Missouri to agree to this new designation. Lebanon and Jasper County are the only two along the route that have not approved the changes as at this time.

I don’t know why, but seein’ those worm vendin’ machines outside convenience stores always strikes me as funny. We always went diggin’ for worms when we needed bait for fishin’. I thought that was part of the price ya paid for gettin’ ta sit around for a few hours in the shade.

The idea I always had for a vending machine was ta put nuts in one that weren’t over a year old. I bet if they tried that they would really make some money.

Makes ya wonder ‘xactly how long those worms have been in there, doesn’t it. At least if they leave ‘em long enough, ya get extra worms.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Dear Tom and Ray:

My wife said she heard you say that snow tires are useless on rear-wheel-drive cars. Your Web site seems to say the opposite, but it isn’t specific enough about rear-wheel-drive cars to satisfy her. I need an answer fast, since we’ve just moved to Cleveland and have a very heavy rear-wheel-drive car (BMW 7 series). Should I get snow tires, or rely on the show-driving skills I honed as a Boston driver some 20 plus years ago? - Chris

TOM: Nah, it must have been one of her boyfriends who told her that, Chris. We never said that.

RAY: Snow tires are useful on all cars. Some cars inherently better than others in the snow - heavier cars, all-wheel-drive cars,, front-wheel-drive cars - but every single car can benefit from snow tires. And we recommend that you get four of them.

TOM: In your case, you have a rear-wheel-drive car, so the two snow tires you put on the rear wheels will help you go. They’ll give you starting traction and accelerating traction, so you’ll be less likely to stop moving and spin your front wheels. But snow tires on your front wheels will help you do other important things, like... stop. And turn. There are often underrated functions, but we’re very much in favor of them.

RAY: The same is true for front-wheel-drive cars. Two snow tires on the front wheels will help you go and stop, but won’t help keep the rear end from sliding out on turns.

TOM: In addition, having four similar tires on your car makes the car’s handling more predictable in non-snowy conditions. So your best bet - if you really have to drive in the snow - is four good snow tires.