Today's Feature

Parking Ordinance on Agenda.

City Council will meet Tuesday evening at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall. Items on the agenda include the second reading of the ordinance which would prohibit parking in front yards in the City.

At the previous meeting Council rejected an amendment proposed by council member Ronnie Wells which would have added a 7 day maximum parking time to the ordinance. Council member Mike Harris said one problem with the ordinance would be the enforcement and monitoring of the seven days by the Police Department.

Council is scheduled to vote on the ordinance in tomorrow’s meeting.

Carthage Student Nominated.

Southwest Missouri Congressman Roy Blunt has nominated fifteen Southwest Missouri high school student leaders to attend the United States Military Academies for the Army, Navy, Air Force and Merchant Marine. Nominees include Carthage citizen Stephanie A. Mathews, 17.

Stephanie A. Mathews (Carthage High School) is the 17-year-old daughter of Matt and Denice Mathews of Carthage. Stephanie has been active in the National Honor Society, student council, 4-H, Future Farmers of America, Distributive Education Club, Future Business Leaders of America, Leaders of Today and the Foreign Language Club. She has also lettered in volleyball and was named the most valuable player two years. Last year she attended the National Youth Leadership Forum for Defense, Intelligence and Diplomacy and toured the Naval Academy. She wrote Congressman Blunt, "I know this would be the best route to achieving my goals. Not only would I accomplish my goal of being an officer, I would learn leadership skills, receive a first-rate education and have a chance to explore life on the east coast." Nominated to the Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland.

Other candidates include; Lane P. Bolin, Walnut Grove, Edgar M. Conrad, Joplin, Sean M. Edwards, Fair Grove, Ikechukwu K. Ehie, Springfield, William H. Giles II, Jasper, David S. Gilmore, Springfield, Joshua S. McChrystal, Springfield, William M. McNeely, Springfield, Jonathan T. Ross, Springfield, Cameron N. Ross, Reeds Spring, Jay R. Twitty, Springfield, Nickolas J. Velliquette, Nixa, Kevin A. Williams, Lampe

Jonathan Benson of Carl Junction High School is the first of the nominees to receive and accept a service academy appointment. This summer, Benson will begin classes at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Congressman Blunt said, "The war on terrorism and our reliance on an all-volunteer Armed Forces reminds me of how important the selection, training and dedication of these young men and women, like Jonathan Benson, are to the long-term national security of our nation. American taxpayers will contribute to the training and education of each of these young people to be the military thinkers, commanders and leaders of tomorrow."

A panel chosen by Congressman Blunt interviewed the candidates in early December about their scholastic, extracurricular and volunteer activities. The panel made recommendations to the Congressman. Blunt nominated the students for openings at the U.S. Military academies in the class of 2010. The military academies, located at West Point, New York, Annapolis, Maryland, Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Kings Point, New York will make the final selections and offer appointments to students by early spring.

Stench Report:
Thursday,
2/9/06

No Stench Reported

The real hoot was readin’ the directions on how to heat up the stuff. They gave direction for microwave, oven and skillet warmin’. All three were basically the same, put it in and heat it up. Pretty much like ya would do with regular bacon.

I suppose the little extra ya pay would be worth it if you were back packin’ or just wanted to save space in the icebox. I never cease to be amazed at time savin’ devices.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Wall-Mounted Heater

Q: I have a wall-mounted electric heater in the bathroom of my 1950s-era house, which I only run during cold spells when I want to enter a nice warm bathroom in the morning. However, during the last cold snap, I noticed a burning smell coming from the heater. I turned it off right away. Can I repair the unit safely, or should it be replaced? -- Joe P., Ocala, Fla.

A: With an antiquated electric heater, several possibilities for the burning smell exist, and all of them spell a hazard. You were smart to shut off the unit. Deteriorating insulation around the wires, a faulty limit control, or even dust collecting behind the heater could be the cause.

Wall-mounted heaters are installed in parts of a home that don’t have central heat running to them. In some Florida houses, the bathroom unit is the only heater in use throughout the winter; supplemental heat is provided by portable heating units.

The unit is placed in a metal wall can that is mounted between two interior wall studs. This makes it somewhat easy to remove for maintenance or replacement. So, to find out the cause of that burning smell, collect this equipment: standard and Phillips screwdrivers, needle-nose pliers, a circuit tester and a multi-tester, an old toothbrush (for cleaning) and a spare cloth.

Shut off power to the heater at the main circuit box. Remove the control knob and the mounting screws and slide the heating unit out of the wall can, lifting the top out first. Use the circuit tester to make sure power to the unit is completely off before proceeding.

The wires and surfaces behind the heating unit are probably coated with years’ worth of dust. Clean them with the dry toothbrush and cloth, and wipe down the wall can, too.

At the top of the unit are one or two limit controls -- thin pieces of metal attached to conductive assemblies. Disconnect the limit controls from their wiring one at a time, and set the multi-tester to test for continuity. If the tester doesn’t indicate continuity, the faulty limit control(s) must be replaced.

Frayed insulation around either the unit or the household wiring is another dangerous possibility. If the heater’s wiring is badly deteriorated, you can consider rewiring it; however, replacing the entire unit may be cheaper and faster. If the household wiring (the wiring bundle running into the wall can) has deteriorated, consult an electrician, as the problem could extend beyond the wall heater.