Monthly Archives: June 2026
From the Bleachers by Dr. Jack Welch
Rescue the Employee
Most people understand how insurance works. You can pay your premiums on time, follow the rules, and still eventually receive the dreaded letter that says your coverage is being canceled because of too many claims or too many mistakes. The workplace can become very similar. An employee may work long hours, take on difficult assignments, try to solve problems, and carry heavy responsibility. Somewhere along the way, mistakes happen. A deadline gets missed. A decision does not work out. Communication falls short. Then leadership begins asking the question: “Is it time to replace this person?”
The challenge for leaders is that the employees making the most mistakes are often the same employees attempting to accomplish the most. In coaching, the quarterback who throws interceptions is usually also the quarterback trying to make plays. The assistant coach who occasionally forgets something may also be the one organizing camps, handling travel, calling recruits, and solving problems behind the scenes. In business, the employee with scratches on the company truck may be the same employee driving across the state building relationships, recruiting clients, and creating opportunities.
Meanwhile, there are always people who rarely make mistakes because they rarely step outside their comfort zone. They avoid responsibility. They avoid difficult assignments. They stay hidden from pressure and accountability. They become experts at protecting themselves instead of helping move the organization forward.
Now, this does not mean leaders should ignore carelessness, dishonesty, laziness, or destructive behavior. At some point, every organization has to make difficult decisions. There are times when replacing someone is necessary for the overall health of the team.
However, leadership is a slippery slope. Some leaders become so focused on eliminating mistakes that they unintentionally eliminate initiative, creativity, and effort. Employees eventually stop trying because they become afraid every mistake may cost them their future.
I have learned through the years that I would rather work with someone who occasionally makes mistakes while trying to move the train forward than someone hiding in the closet avoiding work altogether. The best organizations are not built by perfect people. They are built by people willing to work, learn, adjust, and grow.
Thought for the Week, “A leader’s job is not simply to remove mistakes. Sometimes the greatest leadership comes from rescuing and developing the employee behind the mistake.” Jack Welch
Dr. Jack Welch serves as President of Fort Scott Community College. With a career spanning professional sports, public education, and rural community development, he brings a servant-leader mindset and a passion for building trust-driven cultures that empower people to thrive in the classroom, on the field, and in life. He is also the author of Foundations of Coaching: The Total Coaching Manual.
Volunteers Needed to Help Track Kansas Bumble Bees
PRATT–The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) is seeking volunteers to help protect Kansas bumble bees for the fifth year of the Great Plains Bumble Bee Atlas. The Bumble Bee Atlas is a community‑science project that trains volunteers to survey and document bumble bees and their habitats across the Great Plains.
With pollinator declines accelerating, the Bumble Bee Atlas gives people a way to take action conserving bumble bees. Training is available for anyone interested in getting involved.
The Bumble Bee Atlas is a nationwide effort spanning 21 states, where trained community scientists help researchers document bumble bees and the habitats they use. The data collected helps researchers, state and federal agencies, and policymakers better support these important pollinators.
Over the past four summers, Kansas participants have identified six bumble bee species, two of which are considered at risk of extinction. Since 2022, participants have recorded 2,300 bumble bees and conducted 263 surveys across the state.
This year, the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation and KDWP will host both online and in-person training events in May and June. The goal this summer is to survey unsampled areas in Kansas, particularly prairie habitat in the western part of the state.
“All you need to become a volunteer is an interest in pollinators and the ability to spare a couple of weekends between June and September,” said Katie Lamke, a conservation biologist for the Xerces Society. “We especially need volunteers who want to explore sparsely populated areas like the western prairies, where we have less information about bumble bees.”
To learn how to do bumble bee surveys, volunteers can watch the most recently recorded online training, review the project handbook, and attend one of the in-person training sessions. The in-person sessions provide hands-on experience with the project methods, including swinging a net and photographing bumble bees.
The two in-person training events will be held on June 6 at the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve and on June 7 at the Sandsage Bison Range Wildlife Area. The events are free, but preregistration is required. Visit BumbleBeeAtlas.org/pages/events to register. Participants are encouraged to view the recorded online training webinar, available on the Xerces Society’s YouTube page, before attending an in-person training session.
“We are excited that the Great Plains Bumble Bee Atlas is continuing in Kansas for the next two years,” said Diedre Kramer, wildlife diversity coordinator for KDWP. “This is a great opportunity for volunteers to get out and appreciate the wild spaces we have in Kansas while also providing valuable information that will help inform conservation efforts in the future.”
To stay informed about the progress of the Bumble Bee Atlas, sign up for the mailing list and connect on Facebook and Instagram (@bumblebeeatlas). For more information about the Great Plains Bumble Bee Atlas project, visit https://www.bumblebeeatlas.org/great-plains.
This project has been financed, in part, through the State Wildlife Grant Program under Grant #F25AF00897 from the Fish and Wildlife Service, a division of the United States Department of the Interior, which is administered by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.
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About the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks
The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) is dedicated to the conservation and enhancement of Kansas’s natural resources for the benefit of both current and future generations. KDWP manages 29 state parks, 177 lakes and wildlife areas, more than 300 public waterbodies, and 5 nature centers. Other services include management of threatened, endangered, and at-risk species, law enforcement, and wildlife habitat programs. For more information about KDWP, visit ksoutdoors.gov.
About the Xerces Society
The Xerces Society is a nonprofit organization that protects wildlife through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitat. Established in 1971, the Society is a trusted source for science-based information and advice. We collaborate with people and institutions at all levels and our work to protect pollinators encompasses all landscapes. Our team draws together experts from the fields of habitat restoration, entomology, plant ecology, education, farming and conservation biology with a single focus: Protecting the life that sustains us.
To learn more about our work, please visit www.xerces.org or follow us @xercessociety on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.
Available for Interview:
Katie Lamke, Conservation Biologist, Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation (402) 256-5252
[email protected]
Diedre Kramer, Wildlife Diversity Coordinator, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks; (620) 672-0792; [email protected]
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports June 1, 2026
Freeman Health System Completes Acquisition of Northwest Health, Expands Regional Care
Joplin, Mo. – Freeman Health System today announced it has completed its acquisition of Northwest Health in Northwest Arkansas following the close of its purchase agreement with a subsidiary of Community Health Systems, Inc. (NYSE: CYH). The system’s care network now includes Freeman Health System – Bentonville Medical Center, Freeman Health System – Springdale Medical Center, Freeman Health System – Willow Creek Medical Center, and Freeman Health System – Siloam Springs Medical Center, along with associated outpatient centers, physician practices and a workforce of approximately 2,200 dedicated employees.
“Welcoming Northwest Health into the Freeman network supports our commitment to long-term growth and enhances our ability to provide compassionate, coordinated care across a broader regional footprint,” said Matthew Fry, President and CEO of Freeman Health System. “Northwest Health’s hospitals and care teams bring tremendous strength to our organization, and together, we’re elevating care delivery, expanding access to essential services, and investing in the health of the people and communities who rely on us every day.”
The acquisition marks Freeman Health System’s first expansion into Arkansas and reflects the organization’s Freeman Forward strategy to increase access to high-quality, community-focused care while advancing clinical collaboration, operational excellence, and innovation across the Four-State region. The announcement follows several recent growth initiatives across the system, including the opening of Freeman Fort Scott Hospital late last year.
“As one of the fastest-growing regions in the U.S., Northwest Arkansas sits at the center of powerful economic forces, with leading retail, food, and logistics companies driving sustained population growth,” Fry added. “We owe it to these communities—both new and longtime residents—to ensure access to high-quality healthcare that keeps pace with growth and reflects the care people expect and deserve.”
While teams from both organizations continue immediate-term integration efforts, long-term goals for the newly expanded system include:
- Addressing a growing need for behavioral healthcare in Northwest Arkansas by expanding specialized mental health and substance use services
- Empowering local teams to enhance care delivery and sustain community-focused services
- Increasing access to maternal care
- Expanding specialty care services, including cardiology, oncology, and orthopedics
- Strengthening recruitment and retention efforts to educate, train, and hire the next generation of providers
Northwest Health patients will continue to have access to care and valued providers at the facilities they know and trust, now backed by the strength and resources of the region’s largest local healthcare provider. There will be no changes to the insurance plans accepted at the facilities or practices. Naming updates will continue to be shared in the coming months, and the community can expect ongoing updates.
For more information, visit freemanhealthnw.com.
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About Freeman Health System
Locally owned and nationally recognized, Freeman Health System is a not-for-profit health system serving communities across Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Kansas through a network of hospitals, physician clinics, outpatient locations, and specialty services. The system includes Freeman Hospital West, Freeman Hospital East, Freeman Neosho Hospital, and the Freeman Health System facilities in Bentonville, Springdale, Willow Creek, and Siloam Springs. Freeman Health System also operates Ozark Center – the region’s largest provider of behavioral health services, and offers comprehensive cancer, cardiology, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopedics, and women’s and children’s services. The system is supported by more than 7,000 employees and is the only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in a 70-mile radius. For more information, visit Freeman Health Syste
Draft Minutes of the Uniontown City Council
The Regular Council Meeting on May 12, 2026 at Uniontown Community Center was called to order at 7:00PM by Mayor Jurgensen. Council members present were Mary Pemberton, Bradley Stewart and Kyle Knight. Also in attendance for all or part of the meeting was Joe George, Loretta George, Betty Dennis, Alicia Jackson, Sherriff Bill Martin, City Superintendent Bobby Rich, City Treasurer Sally Johnson and City Clerk Haley Arnold.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS
CITIZENS REQUEST
Betty Dennis shared details of an incident in which she was bitten by a dog on May 9th from residence 401 2nd St. She discussed the circumstances surrounding the event, her experience with the dogs involved, and the impact the incident had on her.
The council discussed the dogs’ vaccination status, prior complaints, and other reported incidents involving the animals.
Alicia Jackson addressed the council regarding her granddaughter being attacked by the same dogs on school property 3 weeks prior. She also stated that dogs remain on the property constantly.
Stewart asked Dennis and Jackson about how long the dogs had been seen in the area and their past demeanor. Dennis stated the dogs had been roaming the area for approximately a year and a half and had not shown aggressive behavior until recently.
Loretta George addressed the council regarding a previous dog bite incident involving dogs from a residence on 2nd Street. She stated that one of the dogs bit her on the arm while she was walking past the property and that attempts to resolve the matter with the owners were unsuccessful. George also stated that she carries pepper spray for protection from other dogs in the community while walking after this incident.
The council discussed the city ordinance regarding dog registration requirements. Mayor Jurgensen asked Sherriff Bill Martin about the counties regulations for vicious dog.
Sheriff Martin stated that the county no longer has a vicious dog resolution in place. The council also discussed quarantine requirements and procedures following a dog bite incident.
The council discussed the court process and emphasized its importance for future public safety.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Treasurer Johnson presented the April 2026 Treasurer’s Report. Beginning Checking Account Balance for all funds was $249,042.02, Receipts $37,238.88, Transfers Out $3,024.25, Expenditures $28,924.80, Checking Account Closing Balance $254,331.85. Bank Statement Balance $258,881.89, including Checking Account Interest of $52.59, Outstanding Deposits $0, Outstanding Checks $4,550.04, Reconciled Balance $254,331.85. Water Utilities Certificates of Deposit $43,462.65, Sewer Utilities Certificate of Deposit $24,422.45, Gas Utilities Certificates of Deposit $50,955.80, Total All Funds, including Certificates of Deposit $373,172.75. Year-to-Date Interest in Checking Acct is $196.57, and Utility CDs $693.91 for a Total Year-to-Date Interest of $890.48. Also included the status of the Projects Checking Account for the month of April 2026, Beginning Balance $0, Receipts $0, Expenditures $0, Ending Balance $0. April Transfers from Sewer Utility Fund to Sewer Revolving Loan $1,400.25; from Water Utility Fund to GO Water Bond & Interest $1,624.00, for Total Transfers of $3,024.25. Net income for the month of April $5,289.83, Year-to-Date Net Income $53,586.39. Budget vs Actual Gas Fund YTD Revenue $76,391.32 (59.0%), Expenditures $34,567.56 (26.2%); Sewer Fund YTD Revenue $13,156.07 (36.4%), Expenditures $11,100.99 (26.0%); Water Fund YTD Revenue $41,525.52 (33.4%), Expenditures $29,582.47 (20.7%); General Fund YTD Revenue $57,576.67 (39.1%), Expenditures $43,127.80 (18.4%); and Special Highway YTD Revenue $3,968.83 (54.4%), Expenditures $2,807.27 (25.1%). The May 2026 payables to date in the amount of $29,476.32.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Stewart, Second by Pemberton, Approved 3-0, to approve Consent Agenda:
- Minutes of April 14, 2026 Regular Meeting
- April Treasurer’s Report, Profit & Loss Report by Class & May Accounts Payables
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Codes Officer Coyan was unable to attend the meeting. Clerk Arnold addressed property concerns previously brought to her attention, including 202 4th St., where a prior letter regarding yard conditions had resulted in some progress but not sufficient compliance; the council agreed a citation was necessary. 101 Washington was found to be in compliance. 303 Washington will be sent a certified letter regarding code violations.
Treasurer Johnson reported that the gas surcharge was complete.
Superintendent Rich reported that the citywide cleanup went well, and that the KCC audit began May 11 and concluded May 13. Possible violations identified during the audit were also discussed.
Clerk Arnold presented the 2026 audit contract from DBB Inc., and the cost of the audit was discussed.
Moved by Stewart, Second by Knight, Approved 3-0, to approve the 2026 audit contract from DBB Inc.
COUNCIL REPORT
Councilman Knight – Knight reported flooding issues following the recent heavy rain at 205 7th St., 606 Wall St., 402 2nd St., and 1279 75th St. The council discussed prior efforts to address flooding concerns and potential actions the city could take moving forward.
Councilwoman Kelly – absent
Councilwoman Pemberton – none
Councilwoman Pritchett – absent
Councilman Stewart – none
Mayor Jurgensen – Jurgensen asked Superintendent Rich to add gravel to the east and west culverts near 201 7th St. to help manage rainwater runoff.
Treasurer Johnson – Johnson reported that the west sidewalk near 302 Hill has settled and is impeding water flow. Superintendent Rich stated he would inspect the area to determine possible corrective action.
OLD BUSINESS
FEMA Flooding– Mayor Jurgensen stated he had not heard from Marbery Concrete Inc., but he hopes work will begin soon, weather permitting.
NEW BUSINESS
Moved by Pemberton, Second by Stewart, Approved 3-0, to adjourn at 8:46PM.
FSCC Agenda for June 12
FORT SCOTT COMMUNITY COLLEGE
BOARD OF TRUSTEES REGULAR MEETING
ELLIS FINE ARTS CENTER
JUNE 2, 2026 – 12:00 P.M.
PUBLIC AGENDA
1.0 CALL MEETING TO ORDER – CHAIR DOUG ROPP
1.1 Roll Call of Trustees by the Clerk
___Bailey___Brown___Cosens___Hoyt___McKinnis___Ropp
2.0 FLAG SALUTE & INVOCATION
3.0 APPROVAL OF HEATER/FAN FOR TEC+ BUILDING
4.0 PERSONNEL
4.1 Enter Executive Session – Personnel Matters
4.2 Exit Executive Session – Return to Open Session
4.3 Employment Matters of Nonelected Personnel
5.0 ADJOURN
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