May Day Fiesta benefit dance & auction

MULBERRY, KS — come one…come all! It’s time for the May Day Fiesta Benefit Dance & Auction. Arriving on May 7th…This is an event you don’t want to miss. Not only does it benefit Girard Medical Hospital, but you can walk away with some pretty cool things from the auction.

 

  • The event is from 4 – 10 pm. However, 4-6 is happy hour with margarita specials.
  • There are live and silent auctions throughout the evening
  • Ticket prices: $20 for single and $30 for couples.
  • Tickets are available at Girard Medical Center or at the door of the event.

Other Morning Show interviews:

Larry Spahn rolls into the KOAM studio to talk about the Heart of the Heartland museum.

 

Prepare with KOAM: Resources and more for severe weather

Severe weather comes all year long. To help you stay safe, here are several resources for the 4-States area. Weather officials suggest everyone be aware and be prepared for storm systems ahead of time. Make a plan and know what to do when the time comes.

CLOSINGS

  • KOAM Closings
  • Submit Closings
    • To sign up to submit closings:
      • Call KOAM at 417-624-0233 or 620-231-0400 OR email frontdesk@koamnewsnow.com
        • A front desk clerk can walk you through requirements and help you sign up Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
    • Each year, it’s recommended that you test your closings login before winter weather hits. This way, you can call KOAM to help solve any issues.
    • After hours: If you have not signed up to be a part of the closing system, you can post your closing to our Facebook page’s community post section.

WATCH FOR UPDATES/LATEST WEATHER

ROAD CONDITIONS

OUTAGE MAPS

SAFETY

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4-State Area Social Media Accounts to Watch

Several law enforcement agencies in the 4-State area will post updates during severe weather on their social media pages.

You can also find updates from Department of Transportation agencies on social media.

GOP conservatives help medical marijuana advance in Kansas

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – Kansas medical marijuana supporters have found support from some conservative Republican legislators, allowing a proposal to advance Monday after weeks of deliberations.

Some Republicans say they have been motivated by conservative neighbors Missouri and Oklahoma legalizing medical marijuana in 2018 through ballot initiatives, while others say many of their constituents support it.

Legalization advocates are glad state lawmakers are seriously considering the matter. But the measure has received pushback, mainly from law enforcement groups that say that there’s not enough evidence that marijuana can treat medical conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder and Parkinson’s disease.

The state House Federal and State Affairs Committee on Monday approved the bill 13-8, sending it to the full House for approval.

“I think the majority of Kansans want it and I think we need to listen to our voters,” said Rep. John Eplee, an Atchison Republican committee member and a physician, told The Associated Press.

The bill would authorize the state health department to issue medical marijuana identification cards to patients and caregivers for a list of conditions that include cancer, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Medical marijuana could be sold as oils, tinctures, patches or potent edibles, but not in smoking or vaping products. The bill would also set up a licensing process for growers and dispensary owners.

An amendment approved Monday prohibits a cap on the number of licenses state agencies can issue to dispensaries, laboratories and cultivation facilities. It also lowered license fees about half.

“I certainly never want to see us at recreational marijuana,” Eplee said without elaborating. “I think we have the capacity and the ability as a state to make it medical marijuana and leave it at that.”

In testimony to lawmakers last month, Darrell G. Atteberry, legislative chair of the Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police, noted that the federal Department of Veterans Affairs states on its website that there’s no evidence that marijuana is an effective treatment for PTSD and that it could be harmful for those with the condition.

But medical marijuana advocates note it’s been tough to get evidence due to pot’s legal status in the U.S. Parents of children with disabilities have testified to lawmakers that marijuana would help relieve symptoms such as seizures. Veterans pushing for the bill say marijuana has reduced trauma-induced dreams by helping them get a deep sleep.

Todd Scattini, a Platte City, Missouri, resident and Afghanistan veteran, testified to Kansas legislators in last month’s meeting. In an interview, Scattini said marijuana helped him treat chronic pain from military exercises and manage recurring nightmares.

“For a lot of veterans today, there’s a lot of survivor’s guilt and I suffer from that as well,” Scattini said. “A lot of people spend their time asking ‘Why did my buddy go who was a way better soldier and person than me and I’m still here?’ So there’s a lot of nightmares and anxiety and depression, bad dreams and negative thoughts that take place.”

Christine Gordon, former vice president of the advocacy group Bleeding Kansas, said she has worked for six years to legalize medical marijuana. In 2018, she moved from Lenexa to Littleton, Colorado, seeking cannabis treatment for her now 9-year-old daughter, who has Dravet syndrome and severe autism.

“The fact that they’re even looking at it seriously, not just trying to appease the community, but they’re actually working it is pretty exciting,” Gordon said.

Rep. Randy Garber, a conservative Sabetha Republican, said hearing stories like Gordon’s has played a role in his support of medical marijuana legalization.

“I understand the law enforcement’s concerns, I really do. But what is our job? In my opinion, as a legislator, it is to help the people of Kansas,” Garber said. “And I believe this medical marijuana does help people in need.”

Kansas moves to the next vaccination phase today

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – Kansas residents ages 16 to 64 with certain underlying health conditions are eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations starting Monday, but it’s still unclear if they need to show proof of their medical condition.

(Previous Story: Kansas to move to next vaccination phase in 4 weeks or less)

The Kansas City Star reported that as of late Friday, the state was “in the process of developing further guidance.” The state has provided no updates since then.

Some counties have already decided their approach. Health officials in Johnson and Wyandotte counties said they will not require documentation of health risks but do require proof of residency.

Little Balkans Days festival returns for 2021

PITTSBURG, Kan. – The Festival Committee announces the return of Little Balkans Days and is looking for input on activities.

Organizers canceled the event in 2020 due to COVID-19 concerns. The Festival has been held annually on Labor Day weekend in Pittsburg, Kansas since 1985. It pays homage to the region’s history, ethnic diversity and community spirit.

The board is asking residents to help determine what activities to continue, and what to bring back from previous years. They’re also asking for ideas for new activities.

You can give your input on social media. They have pinned a post to the top of their Facebook page: Facebook.com/LittleBalkansDays/.

A release from the Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau stated, “The Festival Committee is working diligently and will begin announcing activities, events and the entertainment lineup in the weeks to come.”

Funds donated in 2020 by sponsors and donors will roll over to the 2021 event. The board will also work with the Crawford County Health Department to create a mitigation plan due to the COVID pandemic.

To help vendors who have been unable to sell their goods at festivals for the past year, fees will be reduced for the 2021 Little Balkans Days Festival. Artisan, craft, antique, and food vendors can get details and register at LittleBalkansFestival.com/vendors/.