Today's Feature
Election Tomorrow.

The election for the proposed Jasper County Law Enforcement sales tax will be held tomorrow, November 8.

At the close of last week reports from the election office showed 410 absentee votes received. Employees from the office said that the number was quite high for a special election with no more than three items for any area in the County.

As it is worded on the ballot, the tax would be used for the purpose of providing law enforcement for the County. In a more detailed list furnished by Jasper County Sheriff Archie Dunn the funding would be used to increase officers, improve equipment and upgrade pay scales.

New Tax Payment Options.

News release

Jasper County Collector of Revenue Stephen H. Holt today announced the completion and opening of the new Jasper County Collector on-line services program. The announcement was made jointly with Newton County Collector of Revenue James W. (Jim) Otey, who announced a Newton County website opening as well.

"We are extremely pleased to be able to offer these new services and information to the citizens of both Jasper and Newton Counties," Holt stated. Residents may now inquire as to payment status and amounts due for both their real and property taxes. In addition, taxpayers may make payments on-line for their taxes that are due. There is a small service fee that is charged for paying on-line by the servicing company. Neither Collector receives any portion of the transaction/convenience fee.

In addition to paying taxes or making payment inquiries, additional information concerning the payment of taxes and additional tax links are available. The new website is www.jaspercountycollector.com. In addition to the new on-line payments and web-page system, Hold also announces several other new and existing options to make the payment of 2005 taxes more convenient.

New 24-hour drop-payment boxes have been installed at the Carthage Courthouse. The new payment box in Carthage is located at the west outside entrance to the Courthouse. These payments will be processed daily, with paid tax receipts being mailed upon completion of the payment posting.

The office to pay taxes is located at the Jasper County Courthouse in Carthage. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily, Monday through Friday.

Convenient return payment envelopes are included with this years 2005 tax statements. In addition payments may be made in person, by phone or on the form provided with each statement for payment by Mastercard or Visa. Again there is a slight service fee that is not received by the Collector or Jasper County.

Holt stated that his office is happy to offer these new and improved services to the residents and taxpayers of Jasper County and it is hoped that the new website will aid the taxpayers, title companies, and lending institutions with complete and accurate updated information.

2005 tax statements will be mailed beginning November 7th of next week.

Stench Report:
Friday,
11/4/05

No Stench Detected

‘Course, our class did have the distinction of bein’ the only 8th grade class to have all the male members called to the office in mass (it was based on the flimsiest of evidence and no formal reprimand was issued. At least until I go home).

In fact, I don’t think the class ever did anything that they were harshly punished for. Teachers just had this uneasy feelin’ that although we stayed in check, there was always a dormant volcano that could erupt at any minute. They didn’t want to be one of the casualties of the fire lava flow.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Fireplace Basics

Q: A few years ago you printed directions on safely lighting a fire in the fireplace. This winter will be the first time we will use our new fireplace. Can you print those instructions again? — Charlie, via e-mail

A: Sure can! Your request comes at the perfect time, as we move into November and cold weather sets in for most of the country.

Here are step-by-step instructions for lighting a fire safely and successfully. If you own a gas-lit fireplace, skip Steps 3 and 5.

1. Open the damper and visually inspect the firebox and flue to ensure that they are clear.

2. Stack firewood in the center of the fireplace, being careful not to place the logs too close together. The wood stack should take up no more than one-third of the space in the fireplace.

3. Place loosely rolled newspaper in the gaps created by the wood stack, on all three sides. (Use newspaper only — avoid magazines or color inserts.)

4. Preheat the flue. Carefully light a rolled piece of newspaper and hold it about 2 inches inside the flue. Move the paper in slow circles for 10 to 30 seconds. This will encourage warm air to flow up and out the chimney.

5. Light the newspaper between the logs, on all three sides. A good-sized flame should leap up shortly, but will die down as the last of the paper burns. Look for smaller flames flickering along the bottom of the logs; this shows that the wood has caught and that a nice, small- to medium-size fire will build in a few minutes.

6. Add wood to the fire one piece at a time. To maintain the fire’s size, add one new log for each one that burns away. To increase its size, add one log every five minutes or so to a steady fire, and note the amount of flames and heat after each addition.

For new users, the hardest part of fire-building is finding the right amount of kindling to get a steady fire going. Dry twigs and wood chips can be added to newspaper; leaves don’t burn as well and are better left on the mulch pile.

Use a combination of woods for the best results: oak burns slowly and cleanly, while pine ignites more easily and burns hotter, but is consumed quickly.

Enjoy your new fireplace — but with a dose of common sense: Don’t burn trash in it, keep the gate closed and have the fireplace and chimney cleaned once a year.

HOME TIP: Leave about 1 inch of fine ash in the bottom of the fireplace. The ash will insulate the firebox and help the fireplace heat more efficiently.