How to keep your weight loss resolutions in 2023

JOPLIN, Mo. — As the new year gets closer a lot of people make resolutions to lose weight. But keeping a resolution is much harder than making one.

Experts say your focus should not be on a number.

“So what I would recommend is not focusing on a number, but focus on you know, looking at habits and maybe even evaluating what’s the reason you want to lose weight,” said Susan Pittman, Freeman, Program Coordinator for Diabetes Education.

Susan Pittman with Freeman Health System recommends setting behavioral goals.

“We really recommend just looking at more behaviors and setting them as a goal versus a true number for a weight loss goal,” said Pittman.

She says fasting is often a route chosen to lose weight, but may not be the best choice.

“My concern with that would be that it’s eliminating time where you need to be fueling your body. So we recommend that when you’re up and about doing work, school, exercise, that you need fuel for your body,” she said.

For the next year, Pittman suggests that you reflect on the positive.

“So I think with New Year’s thinking of it as what maybe even reflecting on what’s working really well. So evaluate like in the past year, what have I done well. And then looking towards the new year, what are some habits that maybe would benefit me,” Pittman said.

She says just because you’re eating less, doesn’t mean you’re getting healthier.

“So what we don’t want to see is restriction that is extreme. And so if we’re eating in moderation, we’re getting the nourishment to our body that the body needs. But what happens sometimes is we think less is better. And so we have people really cutting back skipping one meal and then maybe skipping two meals, maybe even three and that is very stressful and very harmful to the body,” she adds.

Pittsburg theatre fundraising effort falling short as year ends

PITTSBURG, Kan. — Time is running short on a matching fundraising effort. A nonprofit group planning to re-open the Colonial Fox Theatre in Pittsburg is in the midst of its annual year-end fundraising effort.

They had a donor come forward a couple of months ago announcing they would match any amount of contribution up to $30,000.

The group now needs only $8,000 to reach that goal, the end of the year is just two days away.

If you’d like to make a tax-deductible contribution to that effort, follow this link here.

Four States 2022 Year in Review

KSNF/KODE—2022 will run out tomorrow. It’s been a busy year for the Four States – everything from legalized betting and marijuana to deaths that rocked the region.

The legal landscape saw some big changes in the Four States in 2022… starting with marijuana. In Missouri, voters approved the move from medical marijuana only to recreational use starting at age 21.

“Right now the state is doing about 35 million a month through all the 190 dispensaries that are open right now but they expect that to two and a half times that. So they believe that will generate 84 million a month,” said Tom Bommarito, Greenlight Dispensary.

Missouri was also one of the first states to take action after the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe vs. Wade. It triggered a statewide ban against abortions unless there is a medical emergency.

Sports betting was a big change across state lines in Kansas. The legislature passed the measure in the spring and it took effect in September.

“The next time we go to the Super Bowl or hopefully the World Series we can be in a position that people will be able to bet on things going on here in Kansas,” said Sen. Rob Olson, (R) Olathe.

FOUR STATES CRIME…

Meanwhile, in Oklahoma, jail reform took center stage. House Bill 4369 changes the rules for parole for certain inmates, factoring in the type of crime and time served. It’s estimated 3,600 inmates will be eligible for release under the changes.

And a former member of the legal community found himself on the other side of the law. Former Ottawa County prosecutor Daniel Thomas Giraldi was charged with bribery of a public official, interstate travel in aid of racketeering, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, and use of a communication facility in furtherance of drug trafficking.

Then on Halloween, a Joplin double murder led to a standoff in Newton County.

“Had a handgun, kept us at bay for a couple hours. While negotiations went on, the Joplin Police Department was talking to him over the telephone about the case. Went as long as individual thought he could go and at that point, the individual shot himself,” said Newton Co. Sheriff Chris Jennings.

34-year-old David Rush of Wyandotte had two days earlier killed Stacy Rush of Joplin and Eric Stampfli of Grove at a home on the 2200 block of South Annie Baxter.

Another high-profile crime involves the deadly kidnapping of a pregnant Arkansas woman. Amber and Jamie Waterman, both of Pineville, are charged in the case that left both Ashley Bush and her baby dead.

“Suspect fled the area, a pursuit ensued,” said JPD Assistant Chief Brian Lewis.

And finally, 2022 is a year the Joplin Police Department will never forget, leaving not just one but two officers deceased in a deadly shooting. Corporal Ben Cooper and Officer Jake Reed passed away after a disturbance call near 4th and Range Line. Officer Rick Hirshey was injured but survived.

Capt. Will Davis fired the shots that ended the pursuit near 9th and Connecticut.

New Year's wine and champagne affected by inflation

JOPLIN, Mo. — New Year’s Eve is a time of year synonymous with champagne and wine. But it you haven’t purchased your favorite brand yet, depending upon where it’s from, you might be in for a rude awakening.

Like almost everything else, the cost of American-made wine and sparkling liquor has increased slightly throughout 2022 at roughly the rate of inflation. But the same can’t be said for foreign produced beverages of the same type.

“Price increase anywhere from 20 to 50 percent, shipping costs have gone up, production costs have gone up, by getting labor, people to fix it, but getting the product itself into the store has been really hard,” said LaNetta Lewis, Manager, Jugz Liquor & Microbrew.

And Lewis says she doesn’t think the price hike and availability of those beverages will change away anytime soon.

“Foreign wines are gonna still get harder and harder to get and distributors are gonna have more and more trouble getting them, getting them off the shipping containers has been a nightmare, getting them to the middle of the country has also been a nightmare, we’re not on a port where it’s going to be close, our distributors are in the middle of the country, they got a long way to go before they get here,” said Lewis.

But Lewis says the same thing can be said for all types of foreign produced liquor, not just wine and champagne. And to add to that, a drought in wine producing countries abroad. She says it’s a “golden” opportunity for domestic as well as Four State area producers.

“You’ve seen an uptick in the number of local wineries that are able to produce a really good product. We push a lot of the local wineries, we want them to succeed. They make wines just as good as some of the imported. So you’re gonna see a lot more of the smaller wineries expand to fill in the gap where imports aren’t,” said Lewis.

Joplin nonprofit rings in the New Year early with fundraiser

JOPLIN, Mo. — A Joplin nonprofit rang in the new year a night early — and also raised some money. “FosterAdopt Connect” hosted a “Novel New Year Celebration” tonight at the “Scottish Rite Cathedral” in downtown Joplin. There was a mocktail-cocktail hour and a dinner.

The fundraising event also later featured a live, interactive performance from members of Joplin’s “Dream Theatre Company” — who put on a murder mystery.

“FosterAdopt Connect” provides support services and advocacy for foster, adoptive, kinship, and biological families.

“We’re a big organization. We have 11 branches across Missouri and Kansas, but all the money raised in Joplin stays in Joplin, so again, being able to serve those families that we have, you know, looking into next year, being able to start with some money in the bank, and push forward into getting into the rural areas around here and meeting the needs of those families,” said Tom Furrh, FosterAdopt Connect.

All proceeds from the night, their goal was $3,000, will support the 9 programs the organization offers.

Kansas City Chiefs surprise Salvation Army volunteer with Super Bowl LVII tickets

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A longtime Salvation Army volunteer is heading to the Super Bowl thanks to the Kansas City Chiefs and the NFL’s Inspire Change Program.

Jack Larson has volunteered with Kansas City’s Salvation Army branch for more than 30 years, but a recent shift ended a little differently.

“[As a kid] I saw a lot of homelessness, people digging through trash cans for food. It’s always been in my heart since then,” Larsen said. “I just know the Salvation Army does a lot of good work. They’re a people organization. That’s why I got involved with them.”

As Larson sat in a room, wearing a red t-shirt reading “Every Quarter Counts,” talking about his work with the non-profit, Chiefs tight end Noah Gray stood on the other side of the door waiting to deliver a huge surprise.

Gray walked into the room and told Larsen that he’d heard the man had done a lot of good work for the Salvation Army. Gray handed Larsen a gift and told him to open it.

Inside were two giant Super Bowl LVII tickets, shocking Larsen.

“Are these actually tickets for it? These are Super Bowl tickets?” Larsen said.

“Oh you’re going. I mean you can put them on your wall, but you’re going,” Gray said.

“You’re kidding me! You’re kidding me,” Larsen said. “Sometimes you reap what you sow. I’ve really tried to help people, you know and this is so great.”

You can watch the full surprise on the Chiefs Facebook page.

The only thing better for Larsen is if he gets to cheer for his Chiefs in the Super Bowl in Arizona in February.

The NFL’s Inspire Change Initiative works in communities to support education, criminal justice reform, economic advancement, and improve police-community relations.

Every year it also recognizes people, like Larsen, working to improve communities for the less fortunate.