Today's Feature

Some Made Other Arrangements.

The Salvation Army, 125 East Fairview in Carthage, is functioning as a shelter for those affected by the recent storms. Late last week the Joplin Memorial Hall closed. The hall was being used as a Joplin shelter It was reported that the hall had too few people utilizing it to continue heating the large space. A transfer was arranged and those willing were to be brought to the Carthage Salvation Army.

Eight people of those staying at Joplin expressed a wish to transfer to Carthage, however some still made alternative arrangements and only two were scheduled to come to Carthage as of Friday afternoon. Salvation Army Major William Everling said that many people had decided to stay with family or to rent hotel rooms.

The Salvation Army can hold up to 30 people. No pets are allowed, with the exception of service animals.

Groundbreaking Rescheduled.

The groundbreaking for the new Carthage High School that had been scheduled for last Friday was cancelled on Friday morning, due to inclement weather. The event has been rescheduled for Friday, January 26th at 3:30 p.m.

Stench Report:

Friday,
1/19/07

No Stench Detected on Carthage Square

Got another one a those calls yesterday.

"Hello, this is Craig with the Fraternal Order of Police here in Carthage," the voice said.

"I didn’t catch the name," I replied.

"My name is Craig and I’m calling about....", he continued.

"What was the last name," I asked.

"Showers," he said.

"Then you don’t work here in town," I said, havin’ been knowin’ several of the local officers for some time.

"No," he said, "and I’m not an officer. It’s illegal for police officers to solicit money."

Knowin’ there are several local police activities I would rather donate to, I declined to commit any money.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Finding Leak’s Source Leads to Frustration

Q: In reading a recent question regarding water leaks and staining on the ceiling, I have been unable to locate where the water is coming from that has caused damage to my dining-room ceiling (there is a bedroom above with no ceiling damage). Twice after a heavy rain, it has leaked in the same area of the dining-room ceiling. The first contractor caulked an area outside where the porch joins the house. Neighbors who have had similar damage told me it was caused by a window in the bedroom above, and I replaced all my windows. Do I need a roofer or plumber to help locate the source of the leak? -- Nancy V., via e-mail

A: Because the leaks occur only after heavy rain, I would recommend calling a roofer first to check all possible entry points and look for damage both atop and underneath the roof. Deteriorated shingles, damaged flashing at the roof joints or around chimneys or vent stacks, and other hard-to-find but significant issues could be the culprit.

If the roofer can’t find the cause, or additional repairs don’t stop the leaks, contact a plumber to check the runs throughout the house for any trouble spots.

Another contractor to consider is a building or foundation specialist. This may be a long shot, but if the house has settled over several years or the foundation has shifted slightly, small cracks or warping in the walls or along door or window frames may have occurred (hence the suggestion from your neighbors to replace the windows). In this case, the specialist will check the entire home’s condition.

As someone who is constantly chasing little leaks that inexplicably appear (and disappear for months at a time) throughout the old home I live in, I feel for you. Best of luck in resolving this issue.

HOME TIP: "In the article on fixing ceiling damage, you said to use a thin piece of plywood when making the repair. The best thickness of plywood for this is between one-eighth and one-quarter inch, to provide a firm, lightweight backing for the sheetrock." -- Terry, via e-mail