Category Archives: Area News

John E. Johnson Jr. Escaped From Jo. Co. Department of Corrections

Escapee John Evans Johnson Jr.
Submitted photo.

Minimum-Custody Offender John Evans Johnson, Jr. Placed on Escape Status from Johnson County Department of Corrections’ Adult Residential Center

~Should be considered dangerous~

GARDNER, Kansas. –

Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) resident John Evans Johnson, Jr., has been placed on escape status after not returning to the Johnson County Department of Corrections (JSDOC) Adult Residential Center (ARC) facility this afternoon.

Johnson, a 49-year-old white male with green eyes, stands 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs 191 pounds. He has a shaved head and nine tattoos across his arms, legs, neck, and back.

He was placed on escape status when he did not return to the residential center following two job interviews.

Johnson has been serving a one-year sentence at the Johnson County Work Release Center since August 3, 2023. He was convicted in Wyandotte County for one count of burglary.

Anyone with information on Johnson should call the KDOC’s Enforcement, Apprehension, and Investigations Division (EAI) at 816-266-2102, the JCDOC at 913-715-6539, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation at (800) 572-7463 or local law enforcement at 911. Kansans can also contact EAI via email at [email protected]

The walk-away is currently being investigated.  New information will be released as it becomes available.

Under an agreement between the KDOC and JCDOC, residents who meet certain criteria can be housed at the ARC to promote their successful reintegration into the community.

A photo of John Evans Johnson, Jr., can be found here.

Preparing for prom: Fairy Godmother Boutique set for March 16

PITTSBURG — Thanks to generous donors and the Fairy Godmother Boutique, area high school students can pick out new and gently used dresses. Many don’t look forward to prom
because they can’t afford to purchase a dress and accessories.

“The Fairy Godmother Boutique was created to help these students get the prom experience we all dream of — the perfect dress, the hair, the shoes,” Patient Education & Support Manager
Julie Laverack says.

The pop-up boutique is set for Saturday, March 16, at CHC/SEK in Pittsburg, at 3011 N. Michigan (Pittsburg). To shop for a free dress, prom goers must book an appointment by calling 620-231-
9873 and ask for a Family Resource Specialist.

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas staff and community recently gathered their lightly used and nearly new prom dresses to give to the Fairy Godmother Boutique. Additionally,
sponsor Sara Loree’s Bridal and Formal, donated many dresses as well.

“We’ve had tremendous community support,” Laverack says. “Thank you all for donating these beautiful dresses. Another huge thank you to those who signed up to be volunteer stylists during the event.”

There will be dresses sizes 0-20 in a variety of styles. Personal stylists, makeup consultants and private dressing rooms will be available.
There are still opportunities to sign up and volunteer by reaching Laverack at 620-231-9873.
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Youth Volunteerism Grants Available

Get Busy Livin’ Foundation Announces 2024 Youth Volunteer Grant Cycle

 

The Dylan Meier Get Busy Livin’ (GBL) Foundation has been awarding funds for projects aimed at youth volunteerism as part of the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas (CFSEK) Grant Program since 2016. Since then, 50 grants totaling $26,000 have been awarded to Southeast Kansas nonprofits for youth volunteerism projects.

 

These projects keep Dylan’s spirit of adventure, fitness, curiosity, generosity, and a daily zest for life experiences alive and thriving. The GBL Foundation is determined to “break down the boundaries that keep people from living life to the fullest, whether those boundaries be social, economic or imaginary.”

 

Last year, the GBL Foundation awarded $4,000 in grant funds to eight nonprofit organizations across Southeast Kansas.

 

“We are thrilled to announce the kickoff of the 2024 GBL Youth Volunteer Grant Cycle,” said Devin Gorman, CFSEK Executive Director. “These grants are not just about funding projects; they’re about fostering Dylan’s legacy and empowering youth volunteerism in our communities. Through volunteering, we hope young hearts are ignited to embrace adventure, curiosity, and the joy of giving back.”

 

Don’t forget the 2024 GBL 5K, Friendship Walk & Kid Fest on April 27th at Hutchinson Field.

 

CFSEK is pleased to be the host agency for the Get Busy Livin’ Foundation Fund and is proud to assist them in the granting of these awards.

 

For more information on the GBL Foundation, visit SoutheastKansas.org/GBL.

 

If you have an interest in establishing a grantmaking fund, please contact CFSEK at 620-231-8897.

 

 

Health Advisory, Safety Tips for Prescribed Fire Season in Flint Hills

 

TOPEKA – Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) reminds Kansans that March and April are when large areas of the state’s rangelands are burned by prescribed fire, especially within the Flint Hills.

Prescribed fire is a tool used by landowners and managers to help preserve the tallgrass prairie ecosystem, control invasive species, reduce woody encroachment from species such as Eastern Red Cedar and provide better forage for cattle. Prescribed burning also reduces the risk of wildfires and is effective in managing rangeland resources. Smoke from the burns can influence the air quality of downwind areas. The use of smoke management techniques is vital to reduce the air quality and health impacts.

KDHE will activate the Kansas smoke modeling tool in early March, prior to widespread burning in the Flint Hills. The computer models use fire data and current weather conditions to predict the potential contribution of smoke and air quality impacts to downwind areas. There are approximately 2.2 million acres burned on average in the Flint Hills of Kansas and Oklahoma each year.

“We are entering the 14th year that we have been able to provide this important tool for the prescribed fire community,” Jayson Prentice, meteorologist at the KDHE Bureau of Air, said. “We continue to encourage ranchers and land managers to utilize smoke modeling resources, such as the smoke modeling tool to mitigate potential air quality impacts.”

Prescribed burns release large amounts of particulate matter and other pollutants that can form ground-level ozone. Particulate matter and ozone can cause health problems, even in healthy individuals. Common health problems include: burning eyes, runny nose, coughing and illnesses such as bronchitis. People with respiratory conditions, cardiovascular diseases, children and the elderly are more vulnerable to experience symptoms.

Steps to protect your health on days when smoke is present in your community include:

  • Healthy people limiting or avoiding strenuous outdoor
  • Vulnerable people should remain
  • Keep indoor air clean by closing doors and windows and running air conditioners with air
  • Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of
  • Contact your doctor if you have symptoms such as chest pain, chest tightness, shortness of breath or severe

For more information about the prescribed burning in the Flint Hills, the Flint Hills Smoke Management Plan, April burn restrictions and the smoke modeling tool, please visit The Kansas Flint Hill Smoke Management Website.

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NRMC to Offer Free Colon Health Screening

 

  

Nevada Regional Medical Center (NRMC) will offer free colon health screening kits beginning on Monday, March 4th in observance of National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.  The free kits will be available in the main lobby of NRMC from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. throughout the month while supplies last.

Colorectal cancer is one of the 5 most common cancers in men and women in the United States. It is just as common among women as men. Colorectal cancer is also one of the leading causes of cancer death in the United States. Although there are no symptoms in the beginning, colorectal cancer is highly preventable through screening. This type of cancer almost always starts with a small growth called a polyp. If the polyp is found early, doctors can remove it and stop colorectal cancer before it starts.

To help lower your chances of getting colorectal cancer:

  • Get to and stay at a healthy weight
  • Be physically active
  • Limit the amount of alcohol you drink
  • Eat a diet with a lot of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and less red or processed meat.

 

The American Cancer Society recommends screening for colon cancer every year beginning at age 50 for people with no risk factors other than age.  Testing is painless, can be done in the privacy of your own home, and can save your life.  For more information or to begin with a consultation, call Nevada Regional Medical Center’s Professional Practice Clinic at (417) 448-2121.

 

 

About Nevada Regional Medical Center
Serving a six-county area since 1937, Nevada Regional Medical Center is a 71-bed acute, intensive and skilled care hospital. Nevada Regional Medical Center has earned recognition as a respected regional medical center for its comprehensive health care services, skilled and caring employees and state-of-the-art medical technology. Staff represent more than a dozen medical specialties, including family practice, women’s services, neurology, urology, psychiatry, wound care services, and general, vascular, thoracic and oncological surgery. Additionally, consultation clinics are held regularly by specialists in pulmonology, podiatry, ear, nose, and throat and cardiology.

 

 

The SEKnFind Newsletter February 2024

View Online
The SEKnFind Newsletter
February 2024

We hope you enjoy this newsletter sent as a courtesy to adult patrons of a southeast Kansas library using the SEKnFind catalog.
This selection of titles are NEW at a SEKnFind library and available for a hold.
Need assistance? Your local librarian can show you how!
Happy Reading!

New Fiction

The teacher
by Freida McFadden

A pariah at Caseham High School after having an inappropriate relationship with a teacher, Addie is desperate to keep the truth hidden, while Evie, horrified to find Addie in her class, is keeping something from her husband—and each will learn just how far someone will go to keep them silent. Original.

The night of the storm : a novel
by Nishita Parekh

Hunkering down with her sister in her fancy house in Sugar Land, along with her brother-in-law’s family, as Hurricane Harvey bears down on Houston, single mom Jia Shah and her 12-year-old son, Ishaan, finds tensions escalating along with the storm, resulting in murder.

Keep your friends close
by Leah Konen

Involved in a messy divorce and desperate for a friend, Mary confides in another playground mom, who disappears for two months only to reappear with a new identity after Mary’s ex-husband is found dead, making her a prime suspect. Original.

Mrs. Quinn’s rise to fame : a novel
by Olivia Ford

A contestant on a British baking show, Jenny, who, after 59 years of marriage, has decided to do something for herself, delights in her new-found independence, but finds the show unearthing memories buried decades ago—and a secret that could be a recipe for disaster.

The wren, the wren : a novel
by Anne Enright

Centering around celebrated Irish poet Phil McDaragh, who was lauded in public but was carelessly selfish at home, three generations of McDaragh women must contend with inheritances—poetic wonder, abandonment and a sustaining love—in this intricately woven tapestry of longing, betrayal and hope.

The frame-up
by Gwenda Bond

A magically gifted art forger, Dani Poissant, the daughter and former accomplice of the world’s most famous art thief whom she betrayed, must assemble her estranged mother’s old crew to pull off a once-in-a-lifetime heist and discovers there’s far more at stake in this job than she ever realized.

The mountain king : a novel
by Anders De la Motte

After a high-profile kidnapping case goes wrong, criminal inspector Leonore Asker is relegated to the so-called Department of Lost Souls where she, drawn into a peculiar case, one possibly linked to the kidnapping, is led to the darkest recesses of the city where an unusual kind of evil lurks in the shadows.

The book of doors : a novel
by Gareth Brown

When her favorite customer, a lonely yet charming old man, dies right in front of her, Cassie holds on to the last book he was reading, which turns out to be a rare volume that has great power and she is tasked with protecting it from those who will do evil.

Thirteen ways to kill Lulabelle Rock
by Maud Woolf

The 13th copy made of washed-up actress Lulabelle Rock, tasked with tracking down and eliminating her predecessors, finds her mission made difficult by a developing conscience and falling love with one of her targets. Original.

Everyone on this train is a suspect : a novel
by Benjamin Stevenson

On a famous Australian train between Darwin and Adelaide for the Mystery Writers’ Society one of the attendees is murdered for real in the new mystery from the author of Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone. 150,000 first printing.

This plague of souls
by Mike McCormack

Returning from prison to his house in the west of Ireland to find it empty, Nealon, receiving calls from a man who claims to know what’s happened to his family, is drawn into a verbal game of cat and mouse that leaps from his past to a series of international crimes.

The Woman Who Inherited Trouble
by C. K. Crigger

When January Billings receives a letter informing her not only of a grandfather she knew nothing about, but also that a meeting with the attorney will include something to her advantage, she is both angry and intrigued. Eli Pasco convinces her to follow up on the matter. A second note telling her to stay away “on pain of death” only makes the decision easier. January is not a woman to be cowed by threats. Turns out her grandfather was enormously wealthy and he’s left most of his fortune to January. Three male cousins expected to inherit the fortune and, one way or another, mean to see they do. Matters escalate when January meets two more unnamed heirs-underage kids she begins to feel responsible for. Arson, arrows, kidnapping, and murder are all in the cousins’ bag of tricks. As January fights to stay alive and keep the kids safe, Eli and a few friends join her in her mission to see justice done.

New Audiobooks

Only If You’re Lucky
by Stacy Willingham

Margot finds herself living in an off-campus house with three other girls. But by the middle of their sophomore year, one of the fraternity boys from next door has been brutally murdered, and Lucy Sharpe is missing.

The Fox Wife
by Yangsze Choo

Manchuria, 1908. A young woman is found frozen in the snow. Her death is clouded by rumors of foxes involved, which are believed to lure people by transforming themselves into beautiful women and men. Bao, a detective with a reputation for sniffing out the truth, is hired to uncover the dead woman’s identity. Since childhood, Bao has been intrigued by the fox gods, yet they’ve remained tantalizingly out of reach. Until, perhaps, now. Meanwhile, a family that owns a famous Chinese medicine shop can cure ailments, but not the curse that afflicts them, their eldest sons die before their twenty-fourth birthdays. Now the only grandson of the family is twenty-three. When a mysterious woman enters their household, their luck seems to change. Or does it? Is their new servant a simple young woman from the north or a fox spirit bent on her own revenge?

The Wishing Bridge
by Viola Shipman

Middle-aged career woman Henrietta Wegner needs to convince her parents to sell their iconic Christmas store to a massive corporation before the holidays. But what sounded great in the boardroom begins to lose its luster in reality.

New Nonfiction

Infectious generosity : the ultimate idea worth spreading
by Chris Anderson

Recounting inspiring stories from the world’s boldest thinkers, the bestselling author, media pioneer and curator of TED shows how generosity has the power to transform outrage back into optimism and offers a playbook for how to embark on our own generous acts. Illustrations.

If love could kill : the myths and truths of women who commit violence
by Anna Motz

An internationally acclaimed forensic psychotherapist based in London explores the underexamined psychological reasons for female violence, explaining that it is more widespread than realized and reveals how it exposes centuries-old beliefs about women and their value.

Budget Happy : The Win-win Secret to Saving and Spending Money
by Lisa Woodley

Hi, I’m Lisa, and I want to give the word ‘budget’ a makeover! For most people, the very thought of budgeting makes them want to run a mile. It suggests restriction, going without and only buying the cheapest of the cheap. But at its best, budgeting can mean making smart decisions, planning your spending carefully and having plenty left over for treats.

The last fire season : a personal and pyronatural history
by Manjula Martin

In this part memoir, part natural history, part literary inquiry, the author recounts her experiences in Northern California during the worst fire season on record, which causes her to question her own assumptions about nature and the complicated connections between people and the land on which we live.

Big meg : the story of the largest and most mysterious predator that ever lived
by Tim F. Flannery

A father-daughter scientist team presents an account of the ancient marine creature known as the megalodon, a now extinct shark that was the largest predator of all time, and its impact on both marine ecosystems and the human psyche.

Rethinking diabetes : what science reveals about diet, insulin, and successful treatments
by Gary Taubes

Exploring the history underpinning the treatment of diabetes, types 1 and 2, an award-winning journalist and best-selling author of Why We Get Fat reimagines diabetes care that argues for a recentering of diet over a reliance on insulin.

The batch lady : healthy family favourites
by Suzanne Mulholland

Provides easy-to-follow, freezable, portion-controlled recipes for creating fresh, healthy and satisfying meals for the whole family without spending hours in the kitchen. 10,000 first printing. Illustrations.

From the Associated Press: Kansas City Chief’s Super Bowl Parade Shooting This Afternoon

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A shooting at the end of the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl parade left at least eight injured while sending terrified fans running for cover.

Fire Department Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins said eight to 10 people were injured but declined further comment, saying only that additional information will be released soon.

Police said in a news release that two people were detained. Fans were urged to exit the area as quickly as possible.

A woman is taken to an ambulance after an incident following the Kansas City Chiefs NFL football Super Bowl celebration in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024. The Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers Sunday in the Super Bowl 58. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
A woman is taken to an ambulance after an incident following the Kansas City Chiefs NFL football Super Bowl celebration in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024. The Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers Sunday in the Super Bowl 58. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)

Ofilio Martinez, 48, said he heard shots fired a couple blocks away about 10 or 15 minutes before the gunfire near the Union Station rally.

“This is making me nervous, scared,” he said.

Kevin Sanders, 53, of Lenexa, Kansas, said he heard what sounded like firecrackers and then people running. After that initial flurry, calm returned, and he didn’t think much of it. But he said 10 minutes later, ambulances started showing up.

“It sucks that someone had to ruin the celebration, but we are in a big city,” Sanders said.

Lisa Augustine, spokesperson for Children’s Mercy Kansas City, said the hospital “is receiving patients from the rally.” She didn’t know how many or immediately offer any details about their injuries.

The University of Kansas Health System was treating one person wounded in the shooting, said Jill Jensen Chadwick, news director for the health system. She didn’t know the person’s condition.

“When you have this many casualties, it’s going to get spread out among a lot of hospitals so that you don’t overwhelm single ER,” she said.

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson and the first lady were at the parade when shots were fired but are safe, Parson posted on X.

“State law enforcement personnel are assisting local authorities in response efforts,” Parson posted. “As we wait to learn more, our hearts go out to the victims.”

Chiefs trainer Rick Burkholder said he was with coach Andy Reid and other coaches and staff members, and the team was on buses and returning to Arrowhead Stadium.

Areas that had been filled with crowds were empty after the shooting, with police and firefighters standing and talking behind an area restricted by yellow tape.

Throngs lined the route, with fans climbing trees and street poles, or standing on rooftops for a better view. Owner Clark Hunt was on one of those buses, holding the Lombardi Trophy. Former “Modern Family” star Eric Stonestreet was part of the mob.

Players rolled through the crowd on double-decker buses, DJs and drummers heralding their arrival.

“We are stacking up trophies,” linebacker Drue Tranquill said as he grabbed a reporter’s mic during Wednesday’s festivities to mark the Chiefs’ come-from-behind, 25-22 overtime win over the San Francisco 49ers.

“Best fans in the world,” exclaimed wide receiver Mecole Hardman, who caught the winning touchdown pass, as he walked along the route, with the players signing jerseys and at least one person’s head.

“Never stop,” running back Isiah Pacheco added from the route.

Key on the minds of many fans is whether pop superstar Taylor Swift would join her boyfriend Travis Kelce for the parade and victory speeches. Swift has not commented. She has a show in Melbourne, Australia, on Friday night, the first of three scheduled concerts on her Eras Tour.

She was nowhere to be seen early in the parade. Instead, Kelce was joined by his mom, Donna Kelce, the superstar of NFL moms (her oldest son, Jason Kelce, is a center for the Philadelphia Eagles).

Unseasonably warm temperatures in the 60s Fahrenheit (15-20 Celsius) had players stripping off shirts. The weather also helped generate a crowd that city officials estimate could top 1 million.

“I missed last year. I said, ‘I’m not missing this year,’” said longtime fan Charles Smith Sr., who flew from his home in Sicklerville, New Jersey, for the parade.

Known by friends as Kansas City Smitty, the 52-year-old first became a Chiefs fan when Christian Okoye played fullback for the team starting in the late 1980s.

“I got a history with this team,” he said, adding that he ran out of his home with a giant flag, screaming “Kansas City,” when the Chiefs clinched the victory in overtime.

The city and the team each chipped in around $1 million for the event commemorating Kelce, Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs becoming the first team since Tom Brady and the New England Patriots two decades ago to defend their title.

Some fans camped overnight and others began to stake out spots before dawn to catch prime viewing spots. Bailey McDermott, 17, and Gracie Gilby, 16, of Lebanon, Missouri, got up at 3 a.m. to make the three-hour drive to the parade. They had a party to watch the game, confetti poppers erupting when the Chiefs won.

“Kind of freaking out at the end,” said Gilby, who wore a sequined Chiefs jerseys with Kelce’s No. 87 on it. McDermott also had a sequined jersey, hers bearing Mahomes’ No. 15.

After decades without a championship, the city is gaining experience with victory parades. Five seasons ago, the Chiefs defeated the 49ers for the team’s first Super Bowl championship in 50 years. That followed the Kansas City Royals winning the World Series in 2015, the city’s first baseball championship in 30 years. That year, fans abandoned their cars on the side of the highway so they could walk to the celebration.

Then, last year, the Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35 and prophetically vowed they would be back for more.

___

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg earns High 5 for Mom & Baby recognition

A photo of part of the OB team.  Submitted.

Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg earns High 5 for Mom & Baby recognition

Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg has continued its commitment to infant and maternal health by once again earning High 5 for Mom & Baby recognition from the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund, a program developed by the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund to increase breastfeeding initiation and duration rates in Kansas.

“Our OB team takes pride in caring for their patients and has continued to set the bar high,” says Janelle Wade, director of Inpatient Services, which includes Women’s Health. “I am so proud of their commitment to helping the approximately 600 babies born at our hospital each year get the healthiest possible start in life.”

Ascension Via Christi in Pittsburg first received High 5 recognition in 2018 and has maintained it each year since that time.

High 5 for Mom & Baby provides resources and a framework to help Kansas hospitals implement 10 evidence-based practices proven to support successful breastfeeding, improve maternal and infant health outcomes and reduce racial and ethnic health disparities.

To obtain this recognition, each facility is asked to complete a voluntary and self-reported evaluation and must follow five of its 10 evidence-based practices:

  • Have a written maternity care and infant feeding policy that addresses all 10 High 5 for Mom & Baby practices supporting breastfeeding
  • Maintain staff competency in lactation support
  • Provide all expectant mothers with information and instruction on breastfeeding
  • Assure immediate and sustained skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby after birth
  • Provide all families individualized infant feeding counseling
  • Give no food or drink to newborns other than breastmilk unless medically indicated
  • Allow mothers and infants to remain together 24 hours a day
  • Encourage feeding whenever the baby exhibits feeding cues, regardless of feeding methods
  • Give no pacifiers or artificial nipples to breastfeeding infants
  • Provide mothers with information about community resources for breastfeeding support following their discharge from the hospital

These steps are designed to increase breastfeeding initiation and duration rates in the state of Kansas. Factors that influence how long or if a baby is breastfed include hospital practices, education and encouragement, policies or support in the workplace, and access to community support.

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, six out of 10 mothers stopped breastfeeding sooner than they had planned.

“We aim to provide the support that mothers and babies need to be successful through delivery and then breastfeeding, for as long as they desire to do so,” says Miranda Caskey, RN, the certified lactation consultant who led the hospital’s High 5 Mom & Baby efforts. “By empowering them to have better breastfeeding outcomes, we’re uplifting the health of our community.”

That support is critical, particularly during a pandemic, which is why Ascension Via Christi converted its lactation and childbirth education classes to virtual offerings led by a registered nurse and offered them at no cost to parents. Breastfeeding mothers also can schedule in-person follow-up appointments and weight checks with Caskey to help ensure a successful breastfeeding experience.

Earlier this year, Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg also earned designation from Blue Cross Blue Shield as a Blue Distinction Center+ for Maternity Care, showing it demonstrates expertise and a commitment to cost-efficient quality care for vaginal and cesarean section deliveries and have better overall patient satisfaction.

To learn  more about Labor and Delivery at Ascension Via Christi, visit viachristibaby.com.

For more information on the High 5 for Mom & Baby, contact Cara Gerhardt, program coordinator, at [email protected], or visit the website at https://www.high5kansas.org/

 

Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas Scholarship Applications Due March 31

Logo

Applications for our many Scholarship funds through the CFSEK Scholarship Program are available now. Many thanks to the individuals, businesses, and organizations for establishing these funds to create opportunities for advanced learning.

Applications are due March 31st, 2024!

Register and apply for a scholarship online.

Learn about our CFSEK Scholarship Program on our website.

For any questions, contact Sherri via our website

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Southeast Kansas Library System Newsletter

The SEKnFind Newsletter
January 2024

We hope you enjoy this newsletter sent as a courtesy to adult patrons of a southeast Kansas library using the SEKnFind catalog.
This selection of titles are NEW at a SEKnFind library and available for a hold.
Need assistance? Your local librarian can show you how!
Happy Reading!

New Fiction

First lie wins : a novel
by Ashley Elston

A woman with many faces and identities, Evie Porter, covertly moves from job to job for her unknown employer until her latest mark, Ryan Summer gets under her skin and makes her envision a different sort of life.

No one can know
by Kate Alice Marshall

Returning to the house where her parents were murdered, mother-to-be Emma Palmer who has never told anyone what she saw the night her parents died, even when she became the prime suspect, is reunited with her estranged sisters who will do anything to keep the past buried.

The fury
by Alex Michaelides

Spending Easter with Lana Farrar, a reclusive ex-movie star and one of the most famous women in the world, on her idyllic private Greek island, her guests, concealing hatred and desire for revenge, become trapped when the night ends in violence and murder.

True north : a novel
by Andrew J. Graff

A heartfelt novel of marriage and whitewater rafting follows one couple as they navigate the changing currents of family, community and the river itself.

The waters : a novel
by Bonnie Jo Campbell

Spending the days searching for truths on an island in the Great Massasauga Swamp, 11-year-old Dorothy Zook, the granddaughter of an herbalist and eccentric healer, finds her childhood upended by family secrets, passionate love and violent men where the only bridge across the water is her wayward mother.

Hedging your bets : a novel
by Jayne Denker

Happily divorced Gillian prefers her garden to the dating scene but is intrigued by her new neighbor until they’re pitted against each other in gardening contest, in the new novel from the author of the“Welcome to Marsden” series. Original.

The house of last resort : a novel
by Christopher Golden

Buying an abandoned house in the remote Italian town of Becchina, American couple Tommy and Kate Puglisi are drawn into a nightmare when they discover the home was owned by the Church—and learn the truth about what the priests were doing in this house for all those long years.

Sanctuary of the shadow
by Aurora Ascher

Hidden within an unusual circus run by a centuries-old Enchanter, Harrow, keeping her true identity and magical ability a secret, finds her destiny in an elemental with no recollection of who he is, forcing her to reveal the secrets from her own dark past to save this dangerous creature.

Mislaid in parts half-known
by Seanan McGuire

When Eleanor West’s School for Wayward Children’s mean girl discovers her talent for finding absolutely anything, new student Antsy searches for a way back to the Shop Where Lost Things Go to be sure Vineta and Hudson are keeping their promise.

The curse of Pietro Houdini : a novel
by Derek B. Miller

In 1943, 14-year-old Massimo, rescued by a mysterious man called Pietro Houdini who preserves the treasures within the Benedictine abbey’s wall, accompanies him on a World War II art-heist adventure where they lie, cheat, steal, fight, kill and sin to survive, while smuggling Renaissance masterpieces they’ve rescued from the“safe keeping” of the Germans.

The caretaker : a novel
by Ron Rash

In 1951, Blackburn Gant, the sole caretaker of a hilltop cemetery in Blowing Rock, North Carolina, is charged with caring for his best friend’s wife, Naomi, when he is drafted to serve overseas, and as Blackburn and Naomi grow closer and closer, a shocking revelation upends numerous lives.

On the Oregon Trail
by Robert Vaughan

When sixteen-year-old Matt Logan and his friend Danny Dugan ran away from an orphanage, they went west. There, they met Jim Bridger, among other mountain men, and became fur trappers. But the market for beaver plews died out, and the two friends took on jobs as wagon train guides. They eventually separated, hoping to meet again. One of the trains Matt picks up in Independence began its journey in St. Louis, led by widower Cody McNair. Cody was a well experienced leader, having once been the captain of an ocean-going sailing ship. His adult son and daughter, Jared and Ellen, make the trip with him. Also a part of the wagon company is Lon Baker, his wife Norma, and their eight-year-old daughter, Precious. Lon had been a slave on the McNair farm. When Cody’s father died, Cody had sold the farm and granted Lon his freedom. Lon, in turn, followed Cody to serve as a crewman on his ship. The two were now best friends and were embarking on this new adventure together. On the journey west, tension develops with some of the members of the train, and Cody and Matt are tasked with keeping things in check as the train endures the rigors of travel on their way to Oregon City, Oregon.

New Audiobooks

The Guests
by Margot Hunt

When a Category 5 hurricane is poised to hit their coastal Florida town, the Davies family takes refuge in their waterfront manse. Marlowe, Lee, and their teenage twins invite their close friends to wait out the storm in comfort and style. Uninvited are the three strangers who dock on the family’s shore right before the storm descends. Brothers Jason and Bo―and Bo’s girlfriend, Darcy―are a charming, helpful trio in need of a safe haven that the Davies are only too happy to provide. But as the storm outside grows more threatening, so does the tension in the house. Soon, the lines between family, friends, and strangers blur. Danger mounts with every pointed finger and broken confidence, and long-held secrets are revealed one after another until only one truth remains: not everyone is going to make it out alive.

The Heiress
by Rachel Hawkins

When Ruby McTavish Callahan Woodward Miller Kenmore dies, her adopted son, Camden, rejects his inheritance, settling into a normal life as an English teacher in Colorado and marrying Jules, a woman just as eager to escape her own messy past. Ten years later, his uncle’s death pulls Cam and Jules back into the family fold and questions about the infamous heiress come to light. What really happened to those four husbands, who all died under mysterious circumstances? And why did she adopt Cam in the first place? Soon, Jules and Cam realize that an inheritance can entail far more than what’s written in a will–and that the bonds of family stretch far beyond the grave

Birdie & Harlow : Life, Loss, and Loving My Dog So Much I Didn’t Want Kids… Until I Did
by Taylor Wolfe

Taylor Wolfe tells the story of her wonderfully codependent relationship with her dog, and what he taught her about chosen family and the rewards of motherhood.

New Nonfiction

Your pocket therapist : break free from old patterns and transform your life
by Annie Zimmerman

“Every day, psychotherapist Dr. Annie Zimmerman meets clients in her private London practice who are struggling with their lives. They’re committed to achieving personal growth, making changes-but they’re struck at the question stage. They ask her: Why can’t I sleep? Why do I keep going back to a bad relationship? Why did I lose my temper? What is wrong with me? Here’s the thing: nothing is wrong with them. It’s just that they’re asking themselves the wrong questions. In Your Pocket Therapist, Dr. Zimmerman helps readers delve into their past to identify old, unhelpful patterns and teach them how to unlock the present. The book combines practical tools with anecdotes gleaned from the therapy room, distilling complex psychological concepts with her signature warmth and empathy. Her belief-galvanized by her hundreds of thousands of followers-is that if we learn to understand the roots of our suffering, we can bring about meaningful-and permanent-change in our lives. It comes down to learning how to ask the right questions. A brilliant, necessary toolkit for those who want to break free from past patterns and embrace a life of abundant self-awareness and connection, Your Pocket Therapist is an absolute must-read in the field of psychology”

Njuta : (enjoy, delight in) : the Swedish art of savoring the moment
by Niki Brantmark

Introducing the Swedish concept of njuta, which is about simplicity and intent in every aspect of life, this empowering and engaging guide offers advice for incorporating njuta into any lifestyle, showing you how to relax and consciously seize the moment to enrich and deepen your life. Illustrations.

I survived capitalism and all I got was this lousy t-shirt : everything I wish I never had to learn about money
by Madeline Pendleton

The TikTok superstar and founder of Tunnel Vision, a progressive and employee-centric clothing company, discusses her days living paycheck to paycheck while offering no-nonsense advice on taking control of your own financial life and building wealth.

Your journey to financial freedom : a step-by-step guide to achieving wealth and happiness
by Jamila Souffrant

The founder of Journey to Launch and the host of an award-nominated podcast of the same name offers her seasoned expertise, providing readers with the resources they need for spending and saving responsibly as they embark on a journey to financial freedom and independence.

The allure of the multiverse : extra dimensions, other worlds, and parallel universes
by Paul Halpern

Drawing on centuries of disputation and deep vision from luminaries like Nietzsche, Einstein and the creators of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, a physicist reveals the multiplicity of multiverses that scientists have imagined to make sense of our reality. Illustrations.

Break the cycle : a guide to healing intergenerational trauma
by Mariel Buquâe

A trauma psychologist, professor and sound bath meditation healer offers scientific research and practical exercises to help the pain of unhealed emotions and inherited trauma and transform that pain into intergenerational abundance.

Come hungry : salads, meals, and sweets for people who live to eat
by Melissa Ben-Ishay

“In Come Hungry, Melissa shares her favorite everyday recipes and tips for creating nourishing, delicious meals the whole family will love. With flavorful ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, Melissa encourages home cooks of all levels to cook outside of their comfort zones and reveals her go-to techniques for creating the perfect bite”

Ascension Via Christi Pittsburg Earns Distinction for Maternity Care

Ascension Via Christi hospitals designated
Blue Distinction Centers+ for Maternity Care

Ascension Via Christi St. Joseph, Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan and Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg have all earned designation by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas as Blue Distinction Centers+ for Maternity Care.

St. Joseph is the only Wichita hospital to earn this quality recognition, which is based on Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s analysis of patient outcomes, satisfaction and additional measures collected as part of its 2023 Maternity Care Provider Survey.

According to Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Blue Distinction Centers+ for Maternity Care demonstrate expertise and a commitment to cost-efficient quality care for vaginal and cesarean section deliveries and have better overall patient satisfaction.

“The criteria for Blue Distinction Center+ designation covers virtually every aspect of maternity care, requiring a demonstrated team commitment to and focus on evidence-based best practices and protocols,” says Samer Antonios, MD, chief clinical officer for Ascension Via Christi. “Thanks to everyone involved for helping ensure that delivering mothers have the best possible experience and outcomes at our hospitals.”

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About Ascension Via Christi

 

In Kansas, Ascension Via Christi operates seven hospitals and 134 other sites of care and employs more than 6,400 associates. In FY2023, Ascension Via Christi provided more than $65 million in community benefit programs. In FY2023, Ascension provided $2.3 billion in care of persons living in poverty and other community benefit programs. Ascension includes more than 150,000 associates and 40,000 aligned providers. The national health system operates more than 2,600 sites of care – including 139 hospitals and more than 40 senior living facilities – in 19 states. Serving Kansas for more than 135 years, Ascension is a faith-based healthcare organization committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. Visit www.ascension.org.

Fort Scott Students Qualify For PSU Fall Semester Honor Roll

Pittsburg State University has released the honor roll for the 2023 Fall semester.  

To qualify for Dean’s Scholastic Honors, a student must complete at least 12 semester hours, receive a grade point average of 3.6000 for all credit course work that semester, and have no grade lower than a B and no grade of I in any course during the semester.

To qualify for All-A Scholastic Honors, a student must complete at least 12 semester hours, receive a grade of A in all credit course work for the semester and have no grade of I in any course during the semester.

https://www.pittstate.edu/gorillaconnection/2023/12/university-releases-fall-2023-honor-roll.html?fbclid=IwAR1IzRUQggg22lCy1o2TKYqn0Tl2HZwJ-LPRZpQhmEX4Qln9HhuK2Ny66CA

The following are the honor students listed from Fort Scott:

Burke, Rebecca B. Fort Scott Psychology SR Dean’s Scholastic Honors

Carver, Kaeden L. Fort Scott Accounting JR Dean’s Scholastic Honors

Delatorre, Jacob Fort Scott Physical Education SR All A Scholastic Honors

Emmerson, Amanda R. Fort Scott Elementary Education JR All A Scholastic Honors

Erie, Aleana G. Fort Scott English SR All A Scholastic Honors

Feagins, Grant Fort Scott Accounting JR All A Scholastic Honors

Gorman, Tyler D. Fort Scott General Studies SR Dean’s Scholastic Honors

Goucher, Courtney Fort Scott Workforce Development SR All A Scholastic Honors

Hill, Sage R. Fort Scott Geo and Political Sciences JR All A Scholastic Honors

Hudiburg, Dawna C. Fort Scott Rec, Sport, and Hospitality Mgmt SR All A Scholastic Honors

Jones, Madison P. Fort Scott Physical Education SR Dean’s Scholastic Honors

Jones, David A. Fort Scott Music JR All A Scholastic Honors

Keating, Elizabeth Fort Scott Nursing SR Dean’s Scholastic Honors

Love, Adriana N. Fort Scott Nursing SR All A Scholastic Honors

Madison, Kendall E. Fort Scott Elementary Education SR All A Scholastic Honors

Mason, Rylan Fort Scott Biology SO All A Scholastic Honors

Mcclure, Macayla J. Fort Scott Elementary Education SR All A Scholastic Honors

Michaud, Alaenah M. Fort Scott Biology JR Dean’s Scholastic Honors

Michaud, Alec P. Fort Scott Construction Eng Technology SR All A Scholastic Honors

Mix, Angela C. Fort Scott Psychology SR All A Scholastic Honors

Reynolds, Kerigan J. Fort Scott Psychology SO All A Scholastic Honors

Terry, Noah R. Fort Scott Electrical Technology SO All A Scholastic Honors

Witt, Ivan A. Fort Scott Accounting SR All A Scholastic Honors