DEAR DR. ROACH: I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea in the early 1990s and have been using a CPAP machine ever since. I’ve just recently begun seeing advertisements on television for a product that cleans the inside of your CPAP machine. It is common knowledge that we must clean the faci…

Have your food expenses gone up recently? Even if your local grocery isn’t spiking the prices, it’s now costing more to get what we need.

The unrelenting barrage of bad news and stress can have a negative impact on both your body and your mind. Need a boost? According to recent research, some foods have the same effect on your body as taking a prescription mood-enhancing drug.

Baking bread is just plain fun when your preschoolers shape prepared dough into adorable bear shapes. Toss in simple math along the way too, as your pint-size bakers divide the dough into halves, fourths and even sixths to form the bear’s arms, legs and snout. They’ll watch the dough rise be…

Has your Meals on Wheels expanded their service? In a number of areas, the program has taken on more volunteers or widened the area they cover, having received grants and other funding, giving more seniors the opportunity to have meals delivered. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, those …

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am an extremely healthy 76-year-old woman. Almost every night, I am startled awake by visions of people standing over my bed. It’s usually once, but can happen up to three times in a night. It’s often after being asleep for an hour and a half. They’re not dreams. Something …

KEARNEY — Due to concerns over public gatherings and social distancing guidelines in place by Clay County in light of COVID-19, Kearney city leaders decided Monday, May 18, to cancel the Kearney Amphitheater’s 2020 summer entertainment schedule as well as the annual July 3 fireworks celebration.

The Mid-Continent Public Library System has launched curbside service Monday, May 18. As part of this, customers will be able to pick up materials that they put on hold (either online or over the phone with a staff member) and were notified by the library that they are ready for pick-up, acc…

Memorial Day is a federal holiday created to remember those who died while serving our country. Because of the battle we are currently waging against COVID-19, I think it also would be fitting to recognize all of the frontline medical personnel, health workers and essential workers who are p…

DEAR DR. ROACH: I just turned 68. For the past couple of months, my ear canals have been very itchy. Also, my wife was constantly cleaning earwax out of my ears. Now for some reason I no longer produce earwax, but my ears itch a lot. Do you have any idea what may be causing this? How do I st…

Do your kids snack all day? Some parents call it “grazing.” And when kids grab a bite here or there, it’s fine, as long as their quick forays into the kitchen are healthy ones.

Life might be slowly getting back to normal, but a number of things we anticipated won’t be happening now. The expired prescription-drug drop off: Once a year in my area, the drug store turns its parking lot over to an organization that collects and destroys old drugs.

KEARNEY — At the 34th Annual Excellence in Education Banquet presented by the Northland Chamber of Commerce, during its virtual ceremony, the Exemplary Service Award went to Joseph Head, Custodian at Kearney School District's Dogwood Elementary.

SMITHVILLE — A bulky item pick-up event runs through this week, Monday to Friday, May 11 to 15. During the week, residents of Smithville will have the opportunity to discard up to five large and bulky items at their curbside with regular trash collection. 

KEARNEY — This spring, birthdays, anniversaries, special events and even Mother’s Day have been different because of COVID-19.

Much to the disappointment of my snack-starved son, who had just bounded into the house, the note on the kitchen counter by the metal cooling rack read: “Dog Biscuits! Sorry, not for you. — Mom.” The tempting treats may have looked and smelled like peanut-butter cookies, but they were hard a…

National Nurses Week begins each year on May 6 and ends on May 12, Florence Nightingale's birthday. This year, just as with teachers, nurses are even more important as their jobs have brought them to the front line, aiding patients dealing with COVID-19. However, day to day, we thank them fo…

What I have always loved about being an American is that through it all, we somehow manage to keep the faith, persevere and stand together. It used to be that going to the grocery store was a routine and mundane task. Now with the COVID-19 pandemic, we all must think differently about going …

I don’t often recommend specific products in this column, but there’s one that many of us could use right now: a Kindle.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am an 69-year-old white male. I take one 20-mg pravastatin per day to manage my cholesterol. One of the side effects is joint pain. Are you aware of a substitute that does not have this joint pain side effect? — H.L.

As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Clay County Public Health Center released guidelines for faith-based organizations that seek to return to holding church services as stay-home orders are lifted, pastors and church members say they are reviewing their own paths for reopen…

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have a question that I’d love to see answered in your column sometime. My husband recently had major surgery. Before the surgery, they asked if he has ever smoked. (Husband is 77.) He answered that when he was 9, he smoked a cigarette. He is now in the computer as an ex-smo…

It’s morning. You’ve opened the newspaper, or you are reading it online. Wouldn’t a fluffy, crisp waffle taste good right now?

The COVID-19 crisis might make shopping for Mother’s Day a little challenging this year. Like many of you, our special family celebrations have taken place online via Zoom. Even though most of us are unable to celebrate Mother’s Day the way that we’ve done in years past, there’s no reason wh…

Being bored isn’t good, especially for seniors. We need to keep our brain cells active, even if we can’t get out of the house for any mental stimulation due to the coronavirus. And we need to find ways to move each day, even if it’s just for 10 minutes at a time, to keep our muscles strong.

SMITHVILLE — The city of Smithville is mourning the passing of one of its most beloved natives, Collins F. Kindred, known to many as “Colonel,” who passed away in his sleep Wednesday, April 29.

COVID-19 has brought about almost constant change to families, school settings and rules. Now that recovery plans are being defined, staying mentally healthy is a must, said Angie Winkler, counselor and clinical liaison for Signature Psychiatric Hospital.

CLAY COUNTY — Clay County Economic Development Council Chairman Greg Canuteson is attempting to unite members of the EDC for a first-ever virtual happy hour Friday, May 1.

KANSAS CITY NORTH — Monica Landess, along with her husband, Terry Landess, are recovering from COVID-19. The couple, who live near Liberty, have been personally battling the pandemic since mid- and late March, respectively.

LIBERTY — The Historic Downtown Liberty Farmers Market will open on Saturday, May 2. However, due to COVID-19 physical distancing orders, there will be new rules for both vendors and shoppers to follow.

KEARNEY — Nelson Home Group is providing lawn signs to local residents to display a message of strength during the COVID-19 pandemic.

During these uncertain times when so many are ill, have lost their jobs and are frightened about what the future may hold, it’s easy to feel hopeless or become depressed. Remember, even though things may look bleak, have faith that this too shall pass, that you’re not alone, and that help is…

Since last May when our first grandchild was born, one of the primary focuses of my attention has admittedly been on baby Ida. Living in the same metro area, I have happily zoomed in on her first smiles and enchanting coos and babble.

DEAR DR. ROACH: Why is pain measured by numbers? I have severe pain, and doctors do not know what to do when I say it is an 11 on a scale of 1-10. My pain can’t be measured by numbers. It depends on the time of day, what I have done during the day and the weather. I have arthritis in most of…

In conjunction with Work Zone Awareness Week, the Missouri Department of Transportation has launched a web page that features printable mazes, word games, a comic book and coloring pages designed to share safety messages for future drivers, according to a press release. 

How are you doing with your time-filling activities now that so many of us are locked up inside and told not to go out? Have you been able to complete any of your projects?

HOLT — Local mother Lauren Elliott isn’t letting physical distancing rain on her daughter’s party plans. While stay-home orders and social distancing guidelines mean a traditional party with friends and family is out of the question, the Holt mom is planning a vehicle parade Saturday, April …

KANSAS CITY — Gov. Mike Parson ordered U.S. and Missouri flags be flown at half-staff at all government buildings in Cass, Clay, Jackson and Platte counties and at fire stations across the state on Wednesday, April 22, in honor of Kansas City Fire Department EMT Billy Birmingham.

Eric Glenn and Al Rohlfing, both of Liberty, traveled to India at the end of February to help build a school with Be The Change volunteers. In all, BTC sent a team of eight to Forbesganj, India, for almost two weeks to work on adding classrooms to an existing school. The next time you spend …

It occurred to me the other day that I haven’t been eating right. It’s been difficult to find food in my stores, and it’s been difficult to work up the courage to go out, fearing I might get too close to someone who is sick.

A quick trip to the grocery store has taken on new meaning these days. You never know what will be in stock. Hopefully you can get the basics of milk, flour, eggs and butter for this recipe, so you and your kids can enjoy cooking up this easy, fancy-looking recipe of French crepes.

DEAR DR. ROACH: If a person has been exposed (verified by blood test) to herpes 1 and 2, can that person be a blood donor? Could a person catch herpes by sitting on a toilet seat that has been used by an infected person? Are scientists working on a cure for herpes? — Anon.

I’ve always been a firm believer in the power of a well-stocked pantry, and one of the main staples in my pantry has always been a variety of canned beans. Although researchers haven’t come up with a foolproof way to avoid the more “musical” and indelicate side effect of beans, they have fou…

LIBERTY — The Liberty Make Music Day Committee has made a difficult decision canceling the 2020 Make Music Day event.

Residents in Kearney and Liberty are encouraged to grab a slice, gather in their living rooms and enjoy a virtual pizza party this weekend.