Category Archives: Area News

Books to Read: Southeast Kansas Library System

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 crane husband
by Kelly Regan Barnhill

“Award-winning author Kelly Barnhill brings her singular talents to The Crane Husband, a raw, powerful story of love, sacrifice, and family. “Mothers fly away like migrating birds. This is why farmers have daughters.” A fifteen-year-old teenager is the backbone of her small Midwestern family, budgeting the household finances and raising her younger brother while her mother, a talented artist, weaves beautiful tapestries. For six years, it’s been just the three of them-her mother has brought home guests at times, but none have ever stayed. Yet when her mother brings home a six-foot tall crane with a menacing air, the girl is powerless to prevent her mom letting the intruder into her heart, and her children’s lives. Utterly enchanted and numb to his sharp edges, her mother abandons the world around her to weave the masterpiece the crane demands. In this stunning contemporary retelling of “The Crane Wife” by the Newbery Award-winning author of The Girl Who Drank the Moon, one fiercely pragmatic teen forced to grow up faster than was fair will do whatever it takes to protect her family-and change the story”

City under one roof
by Iris Yamashita

Detective Cara Kennedy investigates a murder in a small Alaskan town after a local teen discovers a severed hand and foot washed up on the shore, teaming up with a town police officer as bad weather approaches. 50,000 first printing.

Midnight duet : a novel
by Jen Comfort

Retreating to Paris, Nevada, after an on-stage accident destroys her career, Erika Greene, to save the opera house she inherited from falling into the hands of a greedy developer, leases the space to glam rock god Christof Daae with whom she makes beautiful music until reality sets in. Original.

Maame
by Jessica George

“Maame (ma-meh) has many meanings in Twi but in my case, it means woman. It’s fair to say that Maddie’s life in London is far from rewarding. With a mother who spends most of her time in Ghana (yet still somehow manages to be overbearing), Maddie is the primary caretaker for her father, who suffers from advanced stage Parkinson’s. At work, her boss is a nightmare and Maddie is tired of always being the only Black person in every meeting. When her mum returns from her latest trip to Ghana, Maddie leaps at the chance to get out of the family home and finally start living. A self-acknowledged late bloomer, she’s ready to experience some important “firsts”: She finds a flat share, says yes to after-work drinks, pushes for more recognition in her career, and throws herself into the bewildering world of internet dating. But it’s not long before tragedy strikes, forcing Maddie to face the true nature of her unconventional family, and the perils–and rewards–of putting her heart on the line. Smart, funny, and deeply affecting, Jessica George’s Maame deals with the themes of our time with humor and poignancy: from familial duty and racism, to female pleasure, the complexity of love, and the life-saving power of friendship. Most important, it explores what it feels like to be torn between two homes and cultures-and it celebrates finally being able to find where you belong”

Really good, actually : a novel
by Monica Heisey

Determined to embrace her new life as a “Surprisingly Young Divorcě,” 29-year-old Maggie, with the help of her tough-loving academic advisor, her newly divorced friend and her group chat, barrels through her first year of singledom, searching for what truly makes her happy. 100,000 first printing.

The chemistry of love
by Sariah Wilson

A geeky, brilliant, cosmetic chemist, Anna Ellis, to win over Craig Kimball, the man of her dreams and her boss starts fake dating Craig’s half-brother Marco, with whom Craig is super competitive, as an experiment in attraction until her feelings for Marco become all-too real. Original.

All hallows
by Christopher Golden

On Halloween night in 1984 Coventry, Massachusetts, four children in vintage costumes with faded, eerie makeup blend in with the neighborhood kids trick-or-treating, begging to be hidden and kept safe from The Cunning Man. 60,000 first printing.

Meru
by S. B. Divya

Jayanthi, a posthuman descendant, and her pilot Vaha are sent to test the habitability of an Earthlike planet called Meru, an unoccupied new world and the future of human-alloy relations — a journey that challenges their resolve in unexpected ways as they discover they’ve been set up to fail. Original.

The magician’s daughter
by H. G. Parry

“It is 1912, and for the last seventy years magic has all but disappeared from the world. Yet magic is all Biddy has ever known. Orphaned as a baby, Biddy grew up on Hy-Brasil, a legendary island off the coast of Ireland hidden by magic and glimpsed by rare travelers who return with stories of wild black rabbits and a lone magician in a castle. To Biddy, the island is her home, a place of ancient trees and sea-salt air and mysteries, and the magician, Rowan, is her guardian. She loves both, but as her seventeenth birthday approaches, she is stifled by her solitude and frustrated by Rowan’s refusal to let her leave. One night, Rowan fails to come home from his mysterious travels. To rescue him, Biddy ventures into his nightmares and learns not only where he goes every night, but that Rowan has powerful enemies. Determination to protect her home and her guardian, Biddy’s journey will take her away from the safety of her childhood, to the poorhouses of Whitechapel, a secret castle beneath London streets, the ruins of an ancient civilization, and finally to a desperate chance to restore lost magic. But the closer she comes to answers, the more she comes to question everything she has ever believed about Rowan, her own origins, and the cost of bringing magic back into the world”

A castle in Brooklyn : a novel
by Shirley Russak Wachtel

“1944, Poland. Jacob Stein and Zalman Mendelson meet as boys under terrifying circumstances. They survive by miraculously escaping, but their shared past haunts and shapes their lives forever. Years later, Zalman plows a future on a Minnesota farm. In Brooklyn, Jacob has a new life with his wife, Esther. When Zalman travels to New York City to reconnect, Jacob’s hopes for the future are becoming a reality. With Zalman’s help, they build a house for Jacob’s family and for Zalman, who decides to stay. Modest and light filled, inviting and warm with acceptance–for all of them, it’s a castle to call home. Then an unforeseeable tragedy–and the grief, betrayals, and revelations in its wake–threatens to destroy what was once an unbreakable bond, and Esther finds herself at a crossroads”

The bullet garden
by Stephen Hunter

In 1944 Normandy, when German snipers start picking off hundreds of Allied soldiers every day, Pacific hero Earl Swagger, assigned this crucial and bloody mission, must infiltrate the shadowy corners of London and France to expose the traitor who is tipping off these snipers with the locations of American GIs.

A Cow Hunter’s Lament and Other Stories
by Larry D. Sweazy

“Award-winning novelist Larry D. Sweazy’s first published short story collection features eleven western stories, including a new short story, “A Cow Hunter’s Lament.” Three of the stories, “Rattlesnakes and Skunks,” “Lost Mountain Pass,” and “Shadow of the Crow,” are origin stories for Sweazy’s series characters Josiah Wolfe, Trusty Dawson, and Sonny Burton. The stories are traditional westerns with a few that have underlying mysteries, as well as two that have supernatural elements, all written in Sweazy’s signature atmospheric style. All of the stories feature western characters challenged by the landscape and loneliness they exist in, overcoming adversity, with a respect for history, along with plenty of expected action”

New Audiobooks

The Nazi conspiracy : the secret plot to kill Roosevelt, Stalin, and Churchill
by Brad Meltzer

In this gripping true story of daring rescues, body doubles and political intrigue, the New York Times best-selling authors of The First Conspiracy and The Lincoln Conspiracy reveal the Nazi’s plans to kill FDR, Joseph Stalin and Winston Churchill?—?an assassination plot that would’ve changed history. 300,000 first printing.

Hell bent
by Leigh Bardugo

Assembling a team of dubious allies, Galaxy “Alex” Stern is determined to find a gateway to the underworld and rescue Darlington from purgatory

Someone else’s shoes : a novel
by Jojo Moyes

When she accidentally takes the wrong gym bag, Sam Kemp tries on a pair of six-inch high Christian Louboutin red crocodile shoes that give her the confidence to change her life, while the shoes’ owner tries to cling to her glamorous life after her husband cuts her off

New Nonfiction

B.F.F. : a memoir of friendship lost and found
by Christie Tate

The author of the New York Times bestseller Group reflects on her lifelong struggles to sustain female friendship and how the return of an old friend helped her explore the reasons she has avoided attachment.

Unraveling : what I learned about life while shearing sheep, dyeing wool, and making the world’s ugliest sweater
by Peggy Orenstein

Sharing her year-long journey as a daughter, wife, mother, writer and maker, the New York Times best-selling author, a lifelong knitter, shows how she, to keep herself engaged and cope with a series of seismic shifts in family life, set out to make a sweater from scratch. 75,000 first printing.

A minor revolution : how prioritizing kids benefits us all
by Adam Benforado

A revelatory investigation into how America is failing its children, and an urgent manifesto on why helping them is the best way to improve all of our lives. By the New York Times best-selling author of Unfair: The New Science of Criminal Injustice.

Outsmart your brain : why learning is hard and how you can make it easy
by Daniel T. Willingham

Steeped in scientifically backed practical advice, this groundbreaking guide provides real-world practices and the latest research on how to train your brain for better learning.

Invention and innovation : a brief history of hype and failure
by Vaclav Smil

“Smil presents the long history and modern infatuation with invention and innovation. Meticulous as always, these vast realms of human ingenuity are organized into sensible categories: inventions that went from welcome to undesirable, inventions that dominate and missed the mark, inventions we still dream about, and lastly, the exaggerations, myths, and wise expectations for innovations we need most”

How medicine works and when it doesn’t : learning who to trust to get and stay healthy
by F. Perry Wilson

A noted physician and medical research discusses how big Pharma and healthcare corporations has eroded the faith of both doctors and patients and why our interactions with medical professionals feel less personal and impactful. 40,000 first printing.

Continue reading Books to Read: Southeast Kansas Library System

Heart Month: Ascension Via Christi Hospital

#HeartMonth feature: Kristy Tippie, RN, Heart Center at Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg

Kristy Tippie. Submitted photo.

 

Kristy Tippie, RN, who began her nursing career 21 years ago at Ascension Via Christi Hospital, has spent the past 10 years serving in its Heart Center.

“I picked a career in healthcare for the flexibility,” says Tippie. “If you get ‘burnt out’ in one area, there are so many others that you can go into.”

The Heart Center, located inside the main hospital building, provides minimally and non-invasive diagnostic testing services like angiograms, pacemaker implantations, electrocardiograms, echocardiograms, stress tests and more.

Tippie’s typical day includes setting up for the day’s procedures, performing pre-op with the patient and following through with their care until they are transferred to another department.

She says her favorite part of the job is one-on-one time with patients. Following the patient from when they arrive to when they’re transferred out of the Heart Center gives her the chance to establish a rapport with them and their family.

“I enjoy working for Ascension Via Christi in Pittsburg because the size of the facility allows us to provide our patients with a personal experience,” says Tippie.

As a reminder during Heart Month, Tippie suggests trying your best to eat healthy and stay active, even if it’s just a short walk. She also suggests listening to your body and not being afraid to ask questions when you have concerns.

To learn more about cardiac services at Ascension Via Christi, go to ascension.org/viachristiheart.

 

 

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About Ascension Via Christi

 

In Kansas, Ascension Via Christi operates seven hospitals and 75 other sites of care and employs nearly 6,400 associates. Across the state, Ascension Via Christi provided nearly $89 million in community benefit and care of persons living in poverty in fiscal year 2021. 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. Ascension is the leading non-profit and Catholic health system in the U.S., operating more than 2,600 sites of care – including 145 hospitals and more than 40 senior living facilities – in 19 states and the District of Columbia. Visit www.ascension.org

Cardiac Rehab nurse reflects on years in department

Jessica on the left, Michelle Hardister in the middle and Kerry on the right. Submitted photo and cutline.

 

Inside Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg is the Cardiac Rehab department where you’ll find Michelle Hardister, a nurse who helped open the department 31 years ago, hard at work with her patients.

A typical day in Cardiac Rehab consists of patient wellness programs, blood pressure being taken and telemetry monitoring, coupled with a lot of chatter and laughter, says Hardister.

“Exercise and socialization play a huge role in patient recovery,” says Hardister. “Patients are not only here to get their physical bodies stronger but to also improve how they feel about their health.”

Patients attending Cardiac Rehab may be recovering from a heart bypass, transplant, valve surgery,   balloon or stenting procedure, heart attack, or living with heart failure.

Hardister reflected on one patient in particular who she will never forget: “She first came in using a wheelchair and as time progressed she went from a walker to not using any assistive devices at all,” she says. “She went from being very nervous to becoming a wonderful advocate for Cardiac Rehab and would encourage our new patients by telling them to ‘Look at me now!’”

Hardister says her favorite part of the job is her daily interactions with patients and coming up with exercise plans that fit their individual needs.

As a reminder during Heart Month, Hardister suggests being proactive about your health by getting yearly screenings, practicing moderation instead of deprivation, and finding an exercise you enjoy and making it a part of your routine at least 4-5 times a week for 30 minutes. Regular activity, she adds, not only helps physically but emotionally and mentally as well.

To learn more about cardiac services at Ascension Via Christi, go to ascension.org/viachristiheart.

 

 

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About Ascension Via Christi

 

In Kansas, Ascension Via Christi operates seven hospitals and 75 other sites of care and employs nearly 6,400 associates. Across the state, Ascension Via Christi provided nearly $89 million in community benefit and care of persons living in poverty in fiscal year 2021. 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. Ascension is the leading non-profit and Catholic health system in the U.S., operating more than 2,600 sites of care – including 145 hospitals and more than 40 senior living facilities – in 19 states and the District of Columbia. Visit www.ascension.org.

Comments Opportunity on Electric Transmission Line

KCC schedules two public hearings on transmission line siting application

TOPEKA – The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) has scheduled two public hearings to give Kansas residents an opportunity to learn more about and make comments on an electric transmission line siting application filed by NextEra Energy.

NextEra Energy is requesting permission to site a 94-mile, 345 kV electric transmission line connecting the Wolf Creek Substation in Coffey County to the Blackberry Substation in Jasper County, Missouri, less than one mile over the state line.  If the proposed route is approved, the line will pass through five Kansas counties: Coffey, Anderson, Allen, Bourbon and Crawford.

The first public hearing will be held on March 1 at Iola High School, 300 E. Jackson Street, Iola, KS. KCC and NextEra staff will be on hand to answer landowner questions beginning at 3 p.m. The public hearing will begin at 6 p.m. This hearing does not have a virtual option for remote participation such as asking a question or making a comment, but will be broadcast live for viewing on the Kansas Corporation Commission’s YouTube Channel.

The second public hearing will be held on March 2 at the Girard Public Library, 128 W. Prairie Avenue, Girard, KS. Attendees may participate in person or virtually via Zoom. Anyone opting to participate virtually using ZOOM must register at https://kcc.ks.gov/your-opinion-matters by 5 p.m. on March 1.  KCC and NextEra staff will be onsite to answer questions beginning at 3 p.m. The public hearing will begin at 6 p.m. KCC Commissioners will participate in the Girard public hearing virtually. The hearing will be broadcast live on the agency’s YouTube channel for those unable to attend.

In addition to the public input opportunities provided with the two hearings, written public comments on the application will be accepted through 5 p.m. CST, March 9, 2023. Comments may be submitted online, in a letter, or by phone.  Details can be found at https://kcc.ks.gov/your-opinion-matters.

The Commission, by law, will issue an order on the siting application on or before May 24, 2023.  The order could approve or disapprove the proposed route, alter the route, or provide conditions for the granting of the line siting application that the Commission determines is just and reasonable and best protects the rights of all interested parties and those of the general public. If the route is approved, NextEra will have the authority to move forward with the project.

Background:
The Wolf Creek to Blackberry transmission line construction project was identified by the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) as a necessary economic project to increase the transmission capability and relieve congestion from western Kansas east to load centers within the SPP region. The SPP is a regional transmission organization (RTO) mandated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to ensure reliable supplies of power, adequate transmission infrastructure, and competitive wholesale prices on behalf of its members. The SPP serves 17 states, including Kansas. The project was competitively bid by the Southwest Power Pool and NextEra Energy won the right to construct the line.

Congestion results in an overabundance of energy at particular locations, which limits the ability of lower priced energy to flow freely through the system. When that happens, customers could end up paying higher energy costs. Reducing congestion on the system is the largest driver of cost reductions associated with building new transmission.

On August 29, 2022, the KCC granted a certificate of convenience and necessity (CCN) to NextEra Energy Transmission Southwest, LLC, enabling the company to do business as a transmission only public utility in the State.  In issuing the order, The Commission found the project provides benefits for Kansans:

“Based on the testimony received, the Commission finds that the Transmission Project will have a beneficial effect on customers by lowering overall energy costs, removing inefficiency, relieving transmission congestion and improving the reliability of the transmission system.”

The Commission considered arguments that the primary purpose of the line was to send nuclear power to Missouri, or to export wind outside of the SPP footprint, and it found those arguments were not supported.   The evidence in the record indicated that the purpose of the line is to alleviate congestion and improve reliability in Kansas, and within SPP.  The purpose of the line is not to deliver Kansas nuclear power to Missouri.  All of Wolf Creek’s nuclear power will continue to be delivered to SPP, with the rights to Wolf Creek power continuing to be owned by Evergy, Inc. (a utility serving both Kansas and Missouri customers) and Kansas Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. (a wholesale generation and transmission cooperative serving distribution cooperatives throughout Kansas).

Justin Grady, KCC Chief of Revenue Requirements, Cost of Service and Finance, addressed misconceptions about the financing in his testimony, saying the cost of the line will be allocated equitably across the entire 17 state SPP region based on transmission customer load share. Kansas will pay 16.5% of the cost. Grady testified that Kansas customers could see an increase of $0.04 to $0.05 per month to cover the cost of the line beginning in 2025, but when the benefits of the project are considered, they should see a reduction of $4 to $7 for every dollar spent on the line over its 40 year operating life.

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Women’s Fight For Rights Presentation Explores: What Is a Hero?

Linda O’Nelio Knoll, is a speaker, educator and historian in Pittsburg. Photo from the Humanities Kansas website.

Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes in Fort Scott will host “Army of the Amazons: Women’s Fight for Labor Rights in the Kansas Coalfields,” a presentation and discussion by Linda O’Nelio Knoll on Friday, February 10, 2023 at  2 p.m., at the Lowell Milken Center at 1 South Main Street.

“The presentation and books are free and there will be wine and cheese as well,” said Ronda Hassig, Funding Development Spokesperson at the LMC. “We would love to see you and you are welcome to bring a friend too!”
 

Members of the community are invited to attend the free program. Contact the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes at #620-223-1312 for more information. The program is made possible by Humanities Kansas.

Refreshments will be provided for those attending.

To view the poster of the event:

Email Community Book Read (5 × 7 in) (2)(1)

 

In December 1921, thousands of women in southeast Kansas rose up to fight injustice in the area coalfields.

These women were immigrants from Eastern European nations as well as Kansas born.

After a months-long strike by the coalminers, the women joined the cause. In the short term, their efforts crippled mine production for nearly a month; in the longer term, their continued activism impacted future statewide elections and national legislation.

This talk will share the stories of these women, christened the “Amazon Army” by The New York Times, and their fight for democracy and labor rights in Kansas’s coalfields.

This event will kick off the community reading of two books about Unsung Heroes “Cher Ami” and “Lorraine Hansberry.”

Free books are provided by Humanities Kansas and all are welcome to participate!

Both book discussions will happen at the Lowell Milken Center three weeks after the book is passed out

About Humanities Kansas

Humanities Kansas is an independent nonprofit spearheading a movement of ideas to empower the people of Kansas to strengthen their communities and our democracy. Since 1972, our pioneering programming, grants, and partnerships have documented and shared stories to spark conversations and generate insights. Together with our partners and supporters, we inspire all Kansans to draw on history, literature, ethics, and culture to enrich their lives and serve the communities and state we all proudly call home. Visit humanitieskansas.org.

 

 

About the Lowell Milken Center: The Lowell Milken Center is a non-profit 501 © (3) that works with students and educators within a range of diverse academic disciplines, to develop projects focused on unsung heroes. Once their projects are finished, we advocate the student’s unsung heroes by sharing them in our Hall of Unsung Heroes or our website so people all over the world discover their individual influence and obligation to take actions that improve the lives of others. The Hall of Unsung Heroes is proudly located in Southeast Kansas and showcases some of the top projects developed in collaboration with the Center.

 

 

 

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Ascension Via Christi Hospital’s Newborn Screening Program receives recognition

Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg has been recognized for its Newborn Screening Program, a service done 24-48 hours after birth to identify and treat rare conditions.

The awards, given in partnership between the Kansas Hospital Association, Kansas Midwives Association and Kansas Department of Health and Environment, were assessed from 2021 qualifying criteria based on state screening goals. The hospital received recognition for its critical congenital heart defect, hearing, metabolic and genetic screenings.

 

“These screenings allow us to provide the best care for babies born in our hospital,” says Janelle Wade, director of inpatient services. “If needed, we are able to get the baby immediate care for conditions that may have gone unnoticed otherwise.”

 

The program, available to Kansas families at no cost since 1965, is a collaborative effort among public health, hospitals, providers and the parents of the babies screened. Newborn screening in Kansas consists of three types of tests: hearing screen to detect hearing loss, pulse oximetry screening to detect critical congenital heart defects and a heel stick to collect small blood samples which can detect 32 genetic or metabolic conditions.

 

“This achievement speaks to the high quality of care that every member of our team provides to our moms and babies,” says Drew Talbott, hospital president. “I am so proud of the collaborative effort of all involved in receiving this recognition.”

 

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

 

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About Ascension Via Christi

 

In Kansas, Ascension Via Christi operates seven hospitals and 75 other sites of care and employs nearly 6,400 associates. Across the state, Ascension Via Christi provided nearly $89 million in community benefit and care of persons living in poverty in fiscal year 2021. 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. Ascension is the leading non-profit and Catholic health system in the U.S., operating more than 2,600 sites of care – including 145 hospitals and more than 40 senior living facilities – in 19 states and the District of Columbia. Visit www.ascension.org.

Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg becomes Dispensary of Hope site

 

Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg soon will become a Dispensary of Hope site, a pharmaceutical program that delivers critical medicine, at little to no cost, to the people who need it the most but can’t afford it.

 

“America’s most vulnerable are in the greatest need of healthcare solutions and typically lack access to a consistent and reliable source of medication,” says Chris Okeke, director of Pharmacy Services. “Our local community hospital will now be able to provide solutions to that problem.”

 

Since 2007, Dispensary of Hope has been providing eligible patients with medications and supplies needed to treat a wide range of chronic diseases and conditions. The program offers participants ordering and free weekly shipping.

 

“We are blessed to be able to provide these essential medicines to those in the community who may not have been able to receive them otherwise,” says Drew Talbott, hospital president. “This addition to our hospital aligns perfectly with our Mission of providing compassionate care, close to home.”

 

Those who are looking to benefit from the program will need to talk with their provider to get started.

 

To learn more about services offered at Ascension Via Christi, go to ascension.org/pittsburgKS.

 

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About Ascension Via Christi

 

In Kansas, Ascension Via Christi operates seven hospitals and 75 other sites of care and employs nearly 6,400 associates. Across the state, Ascension Via Christi provided nearly $89 million in community benefit and care of persons living in poverty in fiscal year 2021. 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. Ascension is the leading non-profit and Catholic health system in the U.S., operating more than 2,600 sites of care – including 145 hospitals and more than 40 senior living facilities – in 19 states and the District of Columbia. Visit www.ascension.org.

2023 Kansas Health Champions Announced

 

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Governor’s Council on Fitness (GCOF) presented the 2023 Kansas Health Champion Awards during the Community Health Promotion Summit today, Thursday, January 26.

The Health Champion Award was developed by the Governor’s Council on Fitness to recognize and promote exemplary contributions to fitness in Kansas. Those recognized include an individual and organization, as well as honorable mentions in each category.

  • Individual Health Champion: Douglas Neal, Topeka.
  • Organizational Health Champion: Stay Strong Live Well Wilson County.
  • Individual Honorable Mention: Renaire Palmer, Wichita.
  • Organizational Honorable Mention: STAND, a vision of Mirror Inc.

“Congratulations to this year’s Health Champions.” Secretary Janet Stanek, KDHE, said. “We appreciate your dedication to improving the health and livelihoods of the people of Kansas.”

Health Champions

Douglas Neal of Topeka is the Palliative Care Program manager at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and facilitates activities of the Palliative Care and Quality of Life and Interdisciplinary Advisory Council. Douglas served 27 years in the United States Army as a Senior Division Noncommissioned Officer and during that time he earned the title of Master Fitness Trainer. He also currently works as a Level III (the highest level) trainer at Genesis Health Clubs where he works with clients from all age ranges. Douglas has shown strong dedication to improving the lives of the people around him by modeling good health and fitness in a sustainable way.

Dr. Latania Marr y Ortega, who nominated Douglas, said, “Mr. Neal’s scope of influence has been far-reaching. During his career as a Noncommissioned Officer in the US Army, his current position as a Palliative Care Manager for KDHE, and as a fitness trainer, his message of achieving a fit and healthy lifestyle to avoid chronic disease continues to influence communities of all ages and ethnicities. Mr. Neal is committed to improving the life of Kansans and is truly a health champion.”

Dr. Be Stoney, who also nominated Douglas, said” Mr. Neal’s military and professional careers have led him to where he is today. Now a Palliative Care Manager for KHDE, he is the epitome of what it takes to not only educate yourself in assisting others in healthy lifestyles, but he models what it takes to be healthy, exercise, make healthy eating choices, and be determined to understand the importance of modeling.”

Stay Strong Live Well Wilson County is a community coalition that focuses on improving the health of Wilson County residents. They work with local restaurants to increase the availability of healthy food, work to build and create access to trails and parks, and work with the Fredonia Regional Hospital to implement a resource referral network that connects patients with community organizations that can address various needs.

Carlie Houchen, who nominated Stay Strong Live Well Wilson County, said, “Their work will have a lasting impact on the health and fitness of Kansas because they are making systemic and environmental changes. They are truly changing the context for members of their community. People will have free access to trails and parks that did not exist before. This removes significant barriers to active living and healthy eating to set people up to be healthy and happy.”

Honorable Mentions

Renaire Palmer of Wichita is a nutrition and wellness coach, certified fitness trainer and owner of Fundamental Fitness, a gym and physical fitness center. Renaire also developed Fun Fit Life

Foundation, a nonprofit fitness and nutrition program for underserved students. He has also volunteered his time to support a nonprofit organization that combines literacy and fitness titled Hoops 4 Literacy. Renaire has committed the last 12 years of his personal life and career to improve the health and wellness of the Wichita community.

Prisca Barnes, who nominated Renaire, said, “Improving the health and well-being of a community is no simple task. That is why Renaire’s commitment to reaching the younger generation is so important. His work in schools, community centers, parks and more empowers underserved youth and their families by providing them with tools to live happier and healthier lives.”

STAND, a vision of Mirror Inc. is a student-led group that focuses on peer-to-peer advocacy and education regarding substance misuse and encouraging healthy lifestyle choices. The STAND initiative is in its fifth year, and they aim to improve mental and physical health in their communities. They hold activities throughout the year that encourage students to be physically active while also building relationships. STAND has appeared before school boards, city councils, and presented at local town halls to advocate for community change and have been successful in getting their communities to pass ordinances that raise the age to purchase tobacco and prohibit tobacco use in city parks.

Danna Gordon, who nominated STAND, said, “Members are creating social change and have impacted thousands through their positive leadership, prevention education, and student-designed projects that meet community needs. STAND is essential to the culture of our school and community.”

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Kansas Family Advisory Network SE Receives Grant

Governor Kelly Announces Nearly $1.8 Million in Funding for 10 Family Resource Centers

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced that 10 Kansas communities are receiving grants to assist with the creation of Family Resource Centers. These funds, granted by the Kansas Department for Children and Families, are part of its ongoing efforts to decrease the need for families to have formal contact with the agency.

“The centers receiving these grants serve as community hubs with the sole purpose of supporting families in their own neighborhoods,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Providing easier access to programs and services, including job skills training, early childhood programs, and nutritional services, sets Kansas families up for success.”

DCF awarded grants to:

Agency
Counties Served
Award Amount
Community Children’s Center
Douglas County
$208,300
Kansas Family Advisory Network SE
Allen, Bourbon, Chautauqua, Cherokee, Crawford, Labette, Linn, Montgomery, Neosho, Osage, and Wilson Counties
$208,300
Kansas Family Advisory Network SW
Barton, Comanche, Edwards, Finney, Ford, Gray, Greeley, Harvey, Lyon, Marion, McPherson, Meade, Pawnee, Reno, Rice, Seward, and Stafford Counties
$208,300
Kansas Children’s Service League
Sedgwick County
$208,333
KU Project Eagle
Wyandotte County
$208,095
Live Well NWKS
Cheyenne, Rawlins, Decatur, Norton, Sherman, Thomas, Sheridan, Graham, Wallace, Logan, Gove, and Trego Counties
$208,300
Pony Express
Marshall and Washington Counties
$197,443
Turner USD 202
Wyandotte County; USD 202
$84,000
Urban League of Kansas
67214 zip code in Sedgwick County
$124,999
USD 252 Lyon Co.
Lyon County communities of Neosho Rapids, Harford and Olpe
$106,142

Total awarded: $1,762,212 

 “We know that if we can help build the skills necessary for families to succeed, we can prevent the need for families to have contact with DCF, especially the child welfare system,” Secretary Laura Howard said. “These centers will focus on parent resilience, social connections and important parent and child development skills which we believe will result in fewer youth in the foster care system.”

Family Resource Centers are designed for all families with services at no or low cost for participants. Examples of services and supports offered at a resource center include:

  • Childcare resource and referral
  • Counseling
  • Early childhood programs
  • Food bank, cooking, and nutrition programs
  • Health screenings
  • Home visiting program
  • Job skills training
  • Legal services
  • Literacy programs
  • Parent leadership and peer groups
  • Play groups
  • Youth leadership and peer groups

DCF partners with the Kansas Children’s Service League (KCSL) to administer the Family Resource Center network. KCSL will work with the communities to design and create their center. As the lead operator of the Parent Helpline 1-800-Children, KCSL offers important insights on parenting and caregiver resources that will help ensure the success of each Family Resource Centers.

Grants run through June 30, 2024, with three one-year options to renew.

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Resource Adequacy Workshops Coming

Kansas Corporation Commission announces workshop series on resource adequacy

 

TOPEKA – The Kansas Corporation Commission has scheduled a series of informational workshops to discuss the topic of resource adequacy.

As renewable energy resources continue to grow nationwide and aging gas, coal and nuclear facilities are being retired, careful planning is required to ensure adequate energy generation and reliability in the event of extreme weather events. As part of this inquiry, the Commission recognizes the physical attributes of various generation options must be taken into consideration. These considerations include the intermittency of renewable resources, fuel availability and cost for thermal generation, and outage rates for all generation types.

KCC Utilities Director, Jeff McClanahan addressed these considerations in speaking before the Kansas House Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications committee at the Capitol last week.

“How far can you go with renewable generation given the need for reliability? Given the variability within renewable generation, you can’t always count on it. For example, there is just not as much wind in the winter. You need dispatchable generation out there to balance it all out until we get to long term, longer duration battery storage or other technology that can provide that,” said McClanahan.

Each workshop will feature experts on resource adequacy sharing information and answering questions from KCC Commissioners and staff.

The current workshop schedule appears below with additional dates to be added:

January 25          9 – 11 a.m.                           Black and Veatch

February 8          10 a.m. – 12 p.m.             Midwest Reliability Organization

February 24        9 – 11 a.m.                           Southwest Power Pool                          

The workshops will be held via zoom and broadcast on the KCC’s You Tube channel.

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Scheibe Elected to National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative

Mark Scheibe. Submitted photo.

Heartland CEO appointed to National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative Board of Directors

Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc. Chief Executive Officer Mark Scheibe will advocate for the technology needs of cooperatives in Kansas, Colorado, Nebraska and Wyoming following his election to the National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC) Board of Directors representing District 7.

 

NRTC is a national cooperative that helps rural electric and telephone providers deploy advanced technology solutions in rural communities. Scheibe said he is particularly interested in helping cooperatives leverage smart grid technologies to improve reliability, security, and efficiency of the electric grid.

 

“NRTC has always been there for major technology decisions at every co-op I’ve been at,” Scheibe said. “Whether it’s advanced metering infrastructure, solar, battery technologies, or electric vehicles, they’re always there to provide support and help solve problems.”

 

Scheibe said his background in data analytics and engineering lends him a unique perspective. He sees many opportunities for cooperatives to make better use of the data and streamline operations through automation of repetitive tasks.

 

“I want to ensure people are able to do the hard work once to get things automated and then reap the rewards in the future,” Scheibe said.

 

Scheibe was elected to the District 7 seat, which became open in 2021 upon the retirement of Dale Short as CEO of Butler Rural Electric Cooperative in El Dorado, by vote of the other NRTC board members, who considered several impressive cooperative leaders and conducted interviews prior to their vote. His election was effective January 13, 2023, and his term continues until March 2025.

 

“Mark’s track record of deploying technology to improve reliability, security, and efficiency of the electric grid is impressive,” said NRTC Board Chairman Tim Mergen, CEO and General Manager, Meeker Cooperative Light & Power Association in Minnesota. “We look forward to his contributions to the Board as NRTC continues to drive technology innovation on behalf of its members.”

 

Scheibe is a licensed professional engineer and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the Iowa State University. Prior to coming to Heartland, Scheibe worked his way up from Distribution Engineer to Director of Engineering for Maquoketa Valley Electric Cooperative in Anamosa, Iowa.

 

Prior service on local, state, and national boards and committees includes:

  • Board member for Learning Tree Institute at Greenbush
  • Trustee and Executive Committee Member for Kansas Electric Power Cooperative, Inc.
  • Chairman of Loss Control, Safety, and Compliance Committee for Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc.
  • Member of Strategic Technology Advisory Council for the Business and Technology Strategies area of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association

 

Scheibe is also an avid long-distance cyclist. He lives with his wife and two children in rural Crawford County, Kansas.

 

About Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc.

 

Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc. powers rural lifestyles throughout more than 11,000 locations in southeast and eastern Kansas. Heartland’s service area includes consumer-members in 12 counties, including Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, Cherokee, Coffey, Crawford, Labette, Linn, Miami, Neosho, Wilson, and Woodson counties.

 

Heartland REC is a non-profit, member-owned cooperative that traces its roots back to three original rural electric cooperatives: Cooperative Electric Power & Light Company, Sugar Valley Electric Cooperative Association, and Sekan Electric Cooperative Association. Cooperative Electric Power & Light Company joined with Sugar Valley in 1975 to form United Electric Cooperative; United Electric Cooperative joined with Sekan Electric Cooperative Association in 1996 to form Heartland.

NRMC Earns Swing Bed Accreditation


NEVADA, MO December 28, 2022 Nevada Regional Medical Center has been surveyed by the Center for Improvement in Healthcare Quality (CIHQ) and has successfully met the
requirements to be accredited for a Hospital Swing Bed Program.
In meeting the requirements, NRMC demonstrated compliance with all CIHQ Standards and the Conditions of Participation by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. This recognition reflects NRMC’s continuous commitment to safety and quality patient care.

Nevada Regional Medical Center was subjected to a rigorous, unannounced assessment on December 13, 2022. The CIHQ team toured the hospital, reviewed medical records, observed
care practices, and interviewed staff.

“CIHQ’s goal is to partner with hospitals to improve the care provided in our communities,” states Richard Curtis, Chief Executive Officer of CIHQ. “CIHQ is proud to recognize Nevada Regional Medical Center for achieving swing bed accreditation.”

Jason Anglin, NRMC’s CEO stated: “We are so excited to add this service to NRMC. This will help us better serve our community as patients will no longer have to travel to other facilities for
skilled care. Our doctors, nurses and rehabilitation staff will help patients stay close to home and move forward in their recovery process. To prepare for this survey, our leadership team prepared
policies and educated our clinical staff on how to care for and rehabilitate patients after their acute care stay. We are so proud of this accomplishment.”

For more information about our Swing Bed program, please visit
www.nrmchealth.com/swingbed or call 4174483682.
Reyna Blakely Community Relations & Foundation Manager
417.448.3801