Transcript: Ottawa County News (02/24/23)

Ottawa County News Episode 1

Date: February 24, 2023

Mike: In this week's episode of Ottawa County News, we’ll be buying Cookies from a local Girl Scout Troop; We'll learn about a an upcoming vote on the legalization of Recreational Marijuana in Oklahoma. And later we'll see highlights of a recent townhall where area flooding was discussed. All of this and more here on Ottawa County News!

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Mike: Welcome to our First episode of Ottawa County News. As we noted in our opener for the program Ottawa County News is a production of Woodruff Media, Since 2018 we’ve been helping small businesses achieve more customers by telling their story. We do this in a variety of ways. This weekly news program is one of them through live ad reads and commercials. If you have been blessed by the work we have done on this program please let our advertisers know.

Anyway before we dive into what's going on around Ottawa County let's talk about those folks who help make this program possible..

-Extreme Gaming Mike: In addition to video games, Extreme Gaming at 1915 North Main in Miami is now offering movie rentals! Each Tuesday is New Release day and with over twelve hundred titles in stock, there’s something for everyone! To learn more give Extreme Gaming a call at 918-542-7529. On the phone or in person be sure to thank them for sponsoring Ottawa County News!

Mike: If you’d like to advertise or be a sponsor of Ottawa County News it’s only $20 an episode or $50 a month. Email me at Michael at Woodruff Media dot com with the word “advertising” in the subject line.

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Girl Scouts VO/SOT

Mike: It's that time of year, Girl Scout Cookie season. Each year, around 200 million cookies are sold, which results in about $800 million raised for programs that help the girls learn leadership, entrepreneurship, serve the community, and more. We caught up with a few young ladies and got their thoughts on being a Girl Scout. Lower third: Elizabeth, 13, Girl Scout Lower third: Tylica, 8, Girl Scout Mike: This year Girl Scout Troop #71387 is also reaching out to past members and volunteers as Girl Scout Troop #71387 Leader Melissa Patton Explains

Lower third: Melissa Patton, Girl Scout Troop #71387 Leader

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Mike: To learn where to get cookies or sign the Girl Scout Canopy visit girlscoutsmoheartland.org or visit First Christian Church in Miami Each Tuesday evening at 6:30. #2 (One shot/Video)

Book discussion at Miami Library VO/SOT Mike: In the past the Miami Public Library has hosted book discussions, mainly focused on Native American authors. For 2023, the literary focus will be books across a broader spectrum to include best sellers like The Help by Kathryn Stockett. Book discussion leader Doctor Joseph Farmer from Northeast State gives us more details on this program.

Lower Third: Dr. Joseph Farmer, Associate Prof English, Northeast State University

Lower Third: Kim Horn, Discussion Participate.

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Mike: The next book discussion will be at the Miami Public Library on Wednesday March 15th at 6:30 pm. This free event will feature a discussion about the book "Nickled and Dimed" by Barbara Ehrenreich (Ah-Rin-Rike). This monthly discussion is funded by a grant from Oklahoma Humanities and with monies from the Kirkpatrick Foundation, a private foundation located in Oklahoma City that funds a wide range of education and preservation endeavors.

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Presbyterian Conference Mike: In the Gospels of the Holy Bible, Jesus commands his disciples to heal the sick; On Saturday February 18th, newly commissioned deacons and other leaders of area Presbyterian Churches from Chelsea, Vinita, and Miami met at Piguets Prime Time, in Vinita, Oklahoma to discuss how they can be leaders and heal their communities. Reverend Tim Blodgett General Presbyter of Eastern Oklahoma Presbytery explains the groups over all mission. Lower Third: Re. Tim Blodgett, General Presbyter, Eastern Oklahoma Presbytery Lower Third: Rev. RayVandeGiessen, Pastor, Miami First Presbyterian Lower Third: Grace Goodeagle, Member Miami First Presbyterian #4 (one shot/Graphic)

State Question

(Graphic Medical Marijuana in Oklahoma) Mike: Back in 2016, Oklahomans voted "Yes" to legalize medical marijuana. (Graphic) Since that time 11,974 Medical Marijuana businesses that range from growers to Waste Disposal facilities have been established. In Ottawa County alone 151 licenses have been issued to include 30 despenseraries, 107 growers, 13 producers, and 1 transporter. Customers statewide total over 380 thousand. With a state over close to 4 million people that equals to 1 percent of the poplation. This usage has benefitted the state with much need excise tax revenue especially during the height of the covid-19 pandemic in 2021 at 66 Million dollars. Since that time it has dropped over half to 30 million dollars. State and local taxes follwed pretty much the same trend 82 million dollarsto 39 million dollars. (Camera) On Tuesday, March 7th , Oklahoma voters have the opportunity to decide to allow the marijuan industry to go to the next level. Currently Twenty-one states – along with Washington, D.C. and Guam have acted to legalize recreational marijuana. (Graphic) According to State Question 820 recreational marijuana usage will be allowed for people 21 years and older and will have a fiscal impact on the state to include an increase from 7 percent to 15 percent excise tax. Like the previous excise tax these funds will be used to for paying for the Oklahoma Medical Marjiuana Authority also known as OMMA. Surplus from this revenue will go toward public school programs that address substance abuse, The general revenue fund, drug additicon treatment programs, courts and local government. Local government can regulate time, manner, and operation of a business within its boundries. They can not limit the number or completely prohibit such a business. Property owners like landlords can limit smoking marijuana but can't prohibit other products like gummies or brownies. Employers can still prohibit employees from use. Licensing for sale is open for the first two years to only current medical marijuana licensed businesses. (Graphic) Upon passage of this new law persons who have been charged with drug crimes such as possession or selling may see resentencing, reversals, modifications, or expungments. Since The new law will not trump federal law people who posses marijuana on federal property, like courthouses, could still be charged with a crime. According to a 2020 report by Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation; 5,587 people were arrested for such crimes; among them 509 were juveniles. (Graphic) If you want to learn more you can visit today's transcript at WoodruffMedia.com slash news (graphic) If you want to learn even more about State Question 820. The public is invited to a townhall on Thursday February 28th at 6:30pm at the Coleman theatre ballroom in Miami. This forum will feature proponents and opponents of Recreation Marijuana use. Woodruff Media Management will be livestreaming this event on our Facebook page. Source: 2016 State question 788 legalizing Medical Marijuana http://www.sos.ok.gov/documents/questions/788.pdf Marijuana Sales Data in Oklahoma https://oklahoma.gov/omma/about/licensing-and-tax-data.html https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/articles/where-is-marijuana-legal-a-guide-to-marijuana-legalization 2023 State Question 820 Legalizing Recreational Marijuana https://www.sos.ok.gov/gov/proposed_questions.aspx Drun Offenses in Oklahoma https://osbi.ok.gov/sites/g/files/gmc476/f/publications/2021/09/Crime_in_Oklahoma_-_Selected_Findings_Drug_and_Alcohol-Related_Arrests_2020.pdf (Graphic)

Mike: If you have a news tip or an upcoming event visit our website at Woodruffmedia dot com slash news Mike: After the break we'll be showing you highlights of a recent townhall where area flooding was discussed. Here’s a list of upcoming events in Ottawa County.

Upcoming Events Mon Feb 27, 9am Weekly Ottawa Board of County Commissioners, courthouse, Miami

Tues Feb 28, 6:30pm SQ 820 Townhall Colemen Ballroom, Miami Thurs Mar 2, 11:30am Free Business Workshop, Miami Regional Chamber of Commerce Fri Mar 3, 6;30pm MRCC Awards Gala, NEO College, Miami RSVP $50 (OKERT :30, PSA Free)

#5 (One shot/Video) Townhall on Flooding Highlights (Camera?video)

Mike: Welcome back everyone. Since it's constuction in 1938, The Pensacola Dam, also known as the Grand River Dam has been both a joy and a burden to area communities. While there has been a great benefit of tourism and electicity to us in Northeast Oklahoma, many communities like Miami have suffered from record flooding which has resulted in lost homes and businesses.

On February 17th the Miami City council hosted a townhall with the focus on current litigation and suggestions they want to see in the relicensing of the dam. Here are the highlights of that townhall. (Video) -Prescribed Levels -Memo from GRDA in regard to flooding in 1950s -Flooding map

-Mark Osborn "These are our nerds" Quote Lower Third: Larry Bork, Attorney, Goodell, Statton, Edmonds, & Palmer LLP

Lower Third: Joe Halloran, Attorney, Jacobson Law Group

Lower Third: Dr. Mark Osborn, Local Physician

Mike: During this event we had an opportunity to meet _______________ and hear his experience as a flood victim. (SOT) Lower Third: Virigil Clark, Flood Victim, Miami

Mike: Well that is it for our program please like and share this video and if you have yet, to become our friend on Facebook please do so. We’ll see you next week.

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