Category Archives: Area News

Gamechangers and Champions Event

Kansas Innovation Partners Gather for Gamechangers and Champions Event

TOPEKA – The Kansas Office of Innovation served as a convening partner last week for the Gamechangers and Champions event, held in Wichita, which brought together a diverse set of partners to support entrepreneurship and innovative startup development in Kansas. The 2025 Gamechangers and Champions was co-presented by NXTUS, a Wichita-based catalyst for the startup ecosystem.

“By bringing together startups, angel investors and ecosystem champions from across Kansas, we are creating a space where groundbreaking ideas can take root, partnerships can spark, and the future of our state’s innovation ecosystem can be shaped,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “This collaboration with NXTUS reflects our enduring commitment to empowering local startups, cultivating collaboration and fostering a culture of innovation that drives economic growth and opportunity for all Kansans.”

In addition to professional development and networking, Kansas startups competed in the Bracket Bash for Innovators and Angels — a startup pitch competition — where entrepreneurs had the opportunity to showcase their businesses, gain exposure to investors, and compete for funding that could propel their ventures forward. A $20,000 grand prize was delivered to pitch competition winner, Andrew Marquez with VU Scholarships of Roeland Park. And, selected by a vote of the more than 200 attendees, Matt Williams with Noonan brought home the “Fan’s Choice” award, which carried a $2,500 prize.

“Most Kansans have no idea the breadth and quality of entrepreneurs who are building tomorrow’s great businesses right here in Kansas,” President and CEO of NXTUS Mary Beth Jarvis said. “We’re changing that, thanks to the support from the Kansas Department of Commerce, Barton School of Business at WSU and the dozens of other sponsors. For the first time ever, we’ll collide state-wide innovators – these gamechangers for our economy – with their champions – the investors and supporters who are lifting them up as they build companies around breakthroughs in every industry.”

In addition to the pitch competition that initially included 74 companies, Gamechangers and Champions 2025 featured a variety of engaging activities, including:

  • Opening Networking Session with Startup Grind and WIBA, sponsored by IMA
  • Startup Grind Fireside Chat with Graham Krizek, CEO of Voltage Cloud, presented by the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce
  • Expert-led breakout tracks – Focused educational sessions for both startups and investors, supported by the Greater Wichita Partnership, Lange Capital and Kansas State University
  • Business & Basketball Lounge – Thanks to Network Kansas’ eGrowth Ventures, attendees had access to networking sessions, complimentary headshots, and the NCAA Tournament games
  • Keynote remarks, sponsored by Koch, from Kevin Lockett – Former K-State and Kansas City Chiefs player and longtime entrepreneur, who now manages the investment firm Fulcrum Global Capital

The event successfully created a space for innovation, collaboration and the celebration of Kansas’ growing startup ecosystem.

“The Gamechangers and Champions event was a true celebration of the diverse innovators building disruptive startups right here in Kansas,” Commerce Chief Innovation and Strategy Officer Romaine Redman said.Congratulations to Andrew Marquez and VU Scholarships on winning this year’s pitch competition as they march on toward many future successes. We’re incredibly grateful to our sponsors for making this celebration possible and to the city of Wichita for warmly welcoming innovators, investors and ecosystem partners from across the state.”

About NXTUS:

NXTUS Inc. helps entrepreneurs grow companies of significance. The organization works to connect startup founders with community resources, capital and customers. NXTUS manages NXTSTAGE programs, which are aimed at connecting startups to mature businesses and regional partners looking to become customers for their innovations and to help accelerate the pace of innovation and startup growth in the region, as well as Accelerate Venture Partners, a fast-growing regional angel investor syndicate.

About the Kansas Department of Commerce:

As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.

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NRMC obtains Hospital Accreditation

 

 

Center for Improvement in Healthcare Quality seal

NRMC obtains Hospital Accreditation

Hospitals that participate in the Medicare program must be in compliance with the Conditions of Participation by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). NRMC was recently surveyed by the Center for Improvement in Healthcare Quality (CIHQ) and has successfully met the requirements for Hospital Accreditation by demonstrating compliance with CIHQ Standards. They have been NRMC’s deeming authority for 12 years.

NRMC was subjected to a rigorous unannounced onsite assessment February 4-6, 2025. The CIHQ team toured the hospital, reviewed medical records, observed care practices, and interviewed staff and patients. The hospital is surveyed every three years & NRMC team members spent months preparing for their arrival.

 

“CIHQ’ 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 accreditation.”  When asked what this means for patients at Nevada Regional Medical Center, Chief Operating Officer Holly Bush noted “the goal of the survey process for hospitals is to continue to improve the care provided in our community.  This recognition reflects NRMC’s commitment to safety and quality patient care.”

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About Nevada Regional Medical Center
NRMC is a 71-bed acute, intensive and skilled care hospital providing comprehensive health care services.  Staff represent more than a dozen medical specialties including ear, nose & throat, family practice, general surgery, gynecology, internal medicine, orthopedics, pain management, pediatrics, psychiatry and wound care services. Additionally, consultation clinics are held regularly by specialists in cardiology, dermatology, neurology, podiatry, pulmonology and urology.

NRMC is centrally located between Kansas City and Joplin along the I-49 corridor.

 

 

 

Freeman Health System Breaks Ground for New Frontenac Hospital 

 

Submitted graphic.

Freeman Health System Breaks Ground for New Southeast Kansas Hospital  

                                     

Frontenac, KAN. – With ceremonial shovel scoops of dirt, what was once a wind-swept Southeast Kansas soybean field will quickly transform into Freeman Health System’s newest full-service hospital.

Wearing her iconic pink hard hat while gripping a gold-colored shovel, Freeman President and Chief Executive Officer Paula Baker led selected dignitaries – including Frontenac Mayor Steve Morrison and Frontenac City Manager John Zafuta – through the much-anticipated groundbreaking ceremony for the 50-bed, 170,000-square-foot Freeman Southeast Kansas Hospital.

“Today we mark a historical first for Freeman Health System and the entire region,” Baker said. “We’re honored and grateful for this opportunity to improve healthcare in Southeast Kansas and beyond.”

The $168 million hospital, located on Highway 69, is set to serve a significant healthcare need.

“The region,” Baker said, “deserves the best, and that’s why we’re building here.”

Freeman Health System hired HMN Architects of Overland Park, Kansas, to design the hospital.

The construction project will be completed in three phases, over a 24- to 34-month time period, Baker said during her speech. Phases include:

  • Site development, utilities, and roadways;
  • Construction of a two-story Ambulatory Surgery Center, with the top floor dedicated to medical and physician offices; and
  • Construction of Freeman Southeast Kansas Hospital itself.

The new Freeman hospital will provide much-needed emergency care; cardiac care, including a catheterization laboratory; an ICU; maternity care; pediatrics; outpatient and inpatient surgery – including robotic procedures; medical and radiation oncology; pulmonary care; radiology; and other key services.

Freeman engineers, Baker said, are working with City of Frontenac engineers to design and upgrade sewer and water infrastructure to serve the hospital and the future of the community.

“Frontenac officials began planning for water and sewer upgrades several years before we selected this site,” she said during her speech. “The timing couldn’t be better, because they are nearly ready to start construction of a new water tower, with new pumps and piping.”

Freeman Health System is also coordinating with Kansas Department of Transportation and recently conducted a comprehensive traffic study projecting the impact of increased traffic at the hospital site, Baker said.

Once completed, the new hospital is expected to create 500 to 1,000 jobs for the area. The health system, the largest employer in the region, already serves Southeast Kansas with primary and specialty care clinics, an outpatient surgery center, and a comprehensive medical oncology program. Just down the road, Freeman will open this year a 24/7 emergency department and 10-bed acute care hospital in Fort Scott, Kansas.

“This is truly a dream come true for Freeman Health System, and for me personally, because I grew up in Pittsburg and will always hold the area close to my heart,” Baker said.

 

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About Freeman Health System
Locally owned, not-for-profit and nationally recognized, Freeman Health System includes Freeman Hospital West, Freeman Hospital East, Freeman Neosho Hospital and Ozark Center – the area’s largest provider of behavioral health services – as well as two urgent care clinics, dozens of physician clinics and a variety of specialty services. In 2024, Freeman earned dozens of individual awards for medical excellence and patient safety from CareChex®, a quality rating system that helps consumers evaluate healthcare providers and their experiences. U.S. News & World Report named Freeman Health System one of the Best Hospitals for 2022. With more than 320 physicians on staff representing more than 90 specialties, Freeman provides cancer care, heart care, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopaedics, children’s services, women’s services, and many others for all of the Four State Area. Freeman is also involved in numerous community-based activities and sponsored events and celebrations. Additionally, in the Joplin/Pittsburg areas, Freeman is the only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in a 70-mile radius. For more information, visit freemanhealth.com.

Inspire Health Foundation, CHC/SEK, and Greenbush Launch Spring Break Camp

PITTSBURG – The Inspire Health Foundation, the Community Health Center of Southeast
Kansas, and Greenbush are partnering to offer a Medical Spring Break Camp March 18 – 20 for
area students. The camp is an interactive experience designed to spark children’s curiosity
about the systems of the human body and the health careers dedicated to caring for those
systems.
The camp will be hosted at the John Parolo Education Center, located on CHC/SEK’s Pittsburg
North Campus at 3015 N. Michigan.
The camp will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day, with separate sessions for different age
groups:
• March 18: Kindergarten – 2nd Grade
• March 19: 3rd – 5th Grade
• March 20: 6th – 8th Grade
Students will have the chance to create models and conduct experiments to discover the inner
workings of the skeletal, respiratory, cardiovascular, digestive, and brain systems. They will
participate alongside CHC/SEK staff, including dietitians, respiratory therapists, and nurses, to
learn more about health and health careers.
“Students will engage in learning and play centered around the best of what each organization
has to offer; skills in problem-solving, scientific experiments, health education, health careers,
and community connection,” said Leah Gagnon, Director of Inspire Health Foundation. “We
know this will be the first of many student learning opportunities in partnership with
Greenbush and Inspire Health.”
“Greenbush camp staff are always looking for people and organizations within the community
to offer unique, fun experiences for students,” said Emily Roth, Greenbush Camp and
Enrichment Coordinator. “When we learned of the new education facility at the Community
Health Center of Southeast Kansas, we instantly wanted to begin a partnership to educate and
engage students about the health industry.”
To register for the camp visit www.greenbush.org/camps. Inspire Health Foundation is a
subsidiary of the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas. To learn more about Inspire
Health visit, www.chcsek.org/inspirehealth
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Freeman Hospital Groundbreaking Ceremony Near Frontenac is March 7

Continued Steps Forward

 Groundbreaking Ceremony Set for Freeman Southeast Kansas Hospital

 

What: Groundbreaking for Freeman Southeast Kansas Hospital

 

When: 10:00 am Friday, March 7, 2025

 

Where: Take US Route 69 north through Pittsburg and Frontenac. Turn right off US Route 69 at East 600th Ave. – look for Freeman arrow signs for the turn (and large Chicken Annie’s restaurant sign). On East 600th Ave. heading east, the groundbreaking parking area is located to the left on 50-acre hospital site.

 

Background: Freeman Health System will break ground for the long-awaited Freeman Southeast Kansas Hospital Friday morning.

Freeman President and Chief Executive Officer Paula Baker, accompanied by a distinguished list of Frontenac, Pittsburg and Cherokee County dignitaries, will don hard hats and grab shovels to officially launch the state-of-the-art building’s construction.

The $168 million, 50-bed hospital will offer a full array of comprehensive care, including an emergency department, cardiac services and catheterization lab, an intensive care unit, maternity, pediatrics, outpatient/inpatient surgery – including robotic procedures – as well as medical and radiation oncology, among other key services. Overall, the hospital will create at least 500 to 1,000 new jobs in Pittsburg.

 

 

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About Freeman Health System
Locally owned, not-for-profit and nationally recognized, Freeman Health System includes Freeman Hospital West, Freeman Hospital East, Freeman Neosho Hospital and Ozark Center – the area’s largest provider of behavioral health services – as well as two urgent care clinics, dozens of physician clinics and a variety of specialty services. In 2024, Freeman earned dozens of individual awards for medical excellence and patient safety from CareChex®, a quality rating system that helps consumers evaluate healthcare providers and their experiences. U.S. News & World Report named Freeman Health System one of the Best Hospitals for 2022. With more than 320 physicians on staff representing more than 90 specialties, Freeman provides cancer care, heart care, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopaedics, children’s services, women’s services, and many others for all of the Four State Area. Freeman is also involved in numerous community-based activities and sponsored events and celebrations. Additionally, in the Joplin/Pittsburg areas, Freeman is the only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in a 70-mile radius. For more information, visit freemanhealth.com.

 

The SEKnFind Newsletter February 2025

View Online
The SEKnFind Newsletter
February 2025

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

We all live here : a novel
by Jojo Moyes

Lila Kennedy juggles a broken marriage, rebellious daughters, a crumbling house, and an elderly stepfather when her estranged father unexpectedly shows up after thirty-five years, forcing her to confront unresolved feelings and discover unexpected lessons about love and family amidst her chaotic life.

Famous last words : a novel
by Gillian McAllister

Returning to work, new mom Camilla’s life is upended when she learns her husband is the gunman in a London hostage crisis, leaving her to decipher his cryptic goodbye note and make a critical choice. 150,000 first printing.

We are watching : a novel
by Alison Gaylin

After losing her husband in a tragic car accident, Meg Russo reopens her bookstore, only to face escalating threats from conspiracy theorists obsessed with an apocalyptic novel, forcing her to confront sinister secrets tied to her family and uncover the truth behind her husband’s death.

Every Tom, Dick & Harry : a novel
by Elinor Lipman

Emma Lewis reluctantly takes over her parents’ estate-sale business, facing her quirkiest job yet involving clearing a scandalous B&B, but as she navigates its colorful clients, she discovers unexpected paths to fulfillment and happiness. 50,000 first printing.

The strange case of Jane O. : a novel
by Karen Thompson Walker

After giving birth, Jane experiences amnesia, hallucinations, and premonitions, leading to her sudden disappearance and a subsequent episode of dissociative fugue; her psychiatrist investigates the links between her struggles and a traumatic past, he grapples with questions of memory and reality, while a ghostly figure warns of impending disaster.

I got abducted by aliens and now I’m trapped in a rom-com
by Kimberly Lemming

A PhD student, Dorothy Valentine, finds herself stranded on a dinosaur-filled alien planet with her new lion companion and two dangerously attractive aliens, Sol and Lok, as they navigate survival, romance and mystery together. Original.

The haunting of Velkwood
by Gwendolyn Kiste

Three childhood friends miraculously survive the night when everyone in their suburban hometown turns into ghosts.

Blood of Hercules
by Jasmine Mas

“I’m Hercules.I’m struggling to survive in a Titan infested world where Spartans, immortals from twelve royal families who have god-like powers and obscene wealth, rule over all. A shy-stammering foster child with nothing, I keep my head down, cover my scars, and focus on excelling in school…Then it happens. My blood test reveals I’m part of the powerful elite. I’m one of them. A Spartan.Forced to attend the Spartan War Academy, I undergo the most harrowing test of all time to see if I have what it takes to be an immortal. There’s just a few problems. Achilles and Patro are my scary mentors. Kharon, the ferryman of death, and Augustus, the son of war, are my terrifying professors”

The Black Orb
by Ewhan Kim

In downtown Seoul, Jeong-su witnesses a massive black orb that consumes his neighbor, then proceeds to multiply and wreak havoc on the city, inciting violence and panic; embarking on a desperate journey to find his elderly parents, Jeong-su must reassess his beliefs as he confronts the unfolding horror.

Midnight black
by Mark Greaney

The Gray Man, aka assassin Court Gentry, must face miles of frozen wasteland and the Russian police state to free his lover, ex-spy Zoya Zakharova, from Penal Colony IK22.

To save the man : a novel
by John Sayles

At the Carlisle Indian School in 1890, young Native students are forced to abandon their culture under the brutal hand of Captain Pratt, while whispers of the ghost dance spread across the Plains, offering a glimmer of hope and rebellion against the inevitable bloodshed looming on the horizon.

Beartooth
by Callan Wink

Set in the rugged Absaroka-Beartooth mountains, two brothers burdened by debt and grief face a life-altering decision after a dangerous offer in this gripping tale of survival, brotherhood and the stark beauty of the American West. 50,000 first printing.

New Audiobooks

Beautiful Ugly
by Alice Feeney

A year after his wife Abby mysteriously disappeared, author Grady Green, still consumed by grief, retreats to a remote Scottish island only to encounter a woman who looks exactly like the wife he lost. 150,000 first printing.

More or Less Maddy
by Lisa Genova

Maddy Banks, an NYU student recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder after experiencing a wild and terrifying mania, rejects the stability of a“normal” life for a career in stand-up comedy, in a novel from a Harvard-trained neuroscientist and New York Times bestselling author.

Nemesis
by Gregg Hurwitz

Evan Smoak is dedicated to his assassin’s 10 Commandments, but when Tommy Stojack, gifted gunsmith and possibly his best friend, crosses a line while helping a dead friend’s son, Smoak is ambushed when trying to confront him, and the dispute explodes into open warfare.

New Nonfiction

Land rich, cash poor : my family’s hope and the untold history of the disappearing American farmer
by Brian Reisinger

“The hidden history of an economic and cultural catastrophe that is threatening our very food supply-the disappearance of the American farmer”

The grieving body : how the stress of loss can be an opportunity for healing
by Mary-Frances O’Connor

Discusses how grief and other major stressors impact physical health, combining scientific research and personal stories to reveal the effects on the cardiovascular, endocrine, and immune systems, while addressing common questions about grief’s cognitive impact and its relationship to overall well-being.

Unicorn Team : The Nine Leadership Types You Need to Launch Your Big Ideas With Speed and Success
by Jen Kem

Renowned brand strategist and entrepreneur Jen Kem will show you how to identify your Unicorn Leadership Type so that you can build and lead the most collaborative, harmonious, and motivated team of Unicorns to achieve extraordinary results. This values-driven approach to vision, strategy, and mobilization will revolutionize your company culture, enhance employee satisfaction, and drive organizational growth.

Filterworld : how algorithms flattened culture
by Kyle Chayka

“From trendy restaurants to city grids, to TikTok and Netflix feeds the world round, algorithmic recommendations dictate our experiences and choices. The algorithm is present in the familiar neon signs and exposed brick of Internet cafes, be it in Nairobi or Portland, and the skeletal, modern furniture of Airbnbs in cities big and small. Over the last decade, this network of mathematically determined decisions has taken over, almost unnoticed–informing the songs we listen to, the friends with whom we stay in touch–as we’ve grown increasingly accustomed to our insipid new normal. This ever-tightening web woven by algorithms is called “Filterworld.” Kyle Chayka shows us how online and offline spaces alike have been engineered for seamless consumption, becoming a source of pervasive anxiety in the process. Users of technology have been forced to contend with data-driven equations that try to anticipate their desires–and often get them wrong. What results is a state of docility that allows tech companies to curtail human experiences–human lives–for profit. But to have our tastes, behaviors, and emotions governed by computers, while convenient, does nothing short of call the very notion of free will into question”

Sisters in science : how four women physicists escaped Nazi Germany and made scientific history
by Olivia Campbell

“In the 1930s, Germany was a hotbed of scientific thought. But after the Nazis took power, Jewish and female citizens were forced out of their academic positions. Hedwig Kohn, Lise Meitner, Hertha Sponer and Hildegard Stèucklen were eminent in their fields, but they had no choice but to flee due to their Jewish ancestry or anti-Nazi sentiments. Their harrowing journey out of Germany became a life-and-death situation that required Herculean efforts of friends and other prominent scientists. Lise fled to Sweden, where she made a groundbreaking discovery in nuclear physics, and the others fled to the United States, where they brought advanced physics to American universities. No matter their destination, each woman revolutionized the field of physics when all odds were stacked against them, galvanizing young women to do the same”

Air-borne : the hidden history of the life we breathe
by Carl Zimmer

A columnist for the New York Times takes readers on a fascinating journey through the hidden world of airborne life, blending history and recent scientific discoveries to reveal the mysteries of the living atmosphere and its impact on global health.

We the pizza : slangin’ pies + savin’ lives
by Muhammad Abdul-Hadi

Showcases the mission-driven approach of Down North Pizza, with recipes for a variety of square-cut pizzas, including vegetarian options and popular meat varieties, as well as wings and shakes, all presented with colorful photography that highlights both the food and the journey of the team of formerly incarcerated staff members behind it.

The sewing book : a step-by-step guide to creating garments and projects for your home
by Alison Smith

A thorough guide covering over 300 techniques with illustrated instructions for everything from basic seams to complex details, while also teaching how to read patterns, select fabrics, and complete ten projects, making it an essential resource for creating clothing and home furnishings

Lorne : the man who invented Saturday Night Live
by Susan Morrison

Lorne Michaels has become a revered and inimitable presence over his 50 years at the helm of Saturday Night Live, and this volume provides unprecedented access to Michaels and SNL for the definitive story of how he created and maintained a comedy institution. Illustrations.

The Traitor of Arnhem : The Untold Story of WWII’s Greatest Betrayal and the Moment That Changed History Forever
by Robert Verkaik

Explores the role of the Cambridge Spies during Operation Market Garden, the failed airborne operation that sought a decisive Allied victory in the wake of D-Day, revealing how insiders working for the Soviet Union undermined the effort, resulting in a catastrophic defeat for the Allies and setting the stage for the Cold War.

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On March 5 KCC Holds Hearings On Evergy’s Request to Recover Costs

KCC schedules public hearing and comment period on Evergy’s
request to recover costs for new gas plants and solar facility


TOPEKA – The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) has scheduled a virtual public hearing beginning at 6 p.m. on March 5th to provide Evergy Kansas customers across the state with information about three proposed new generation investments (two combined cycle gas-fired generating turbine plants and one solar facility). One gas plant would be located near Evergy’s Viola Substation in Sumner County and the second near Hutchinson in Reno County. The Kansas Sky solar facility would be located in Douglas County. The Commission will also provide an opportunity for public comments during the hearing.

Evergy filed an application with the KCC requesting a predetermination of the prudency of the investments and whether the company would be entitled to recover the costs of the investments and under what terms. Evergy has asked to recover the cost of construction work in progress (CWIP) and in a future rate proceeding will ask for recovery of the investments after they are in service, which is expected at the end of 2026 for the solar facility and 2029 and 2030 for the gas plants.

To participate in the virtual hearing via Zoom and make a public comment, advance registration is required by noon on March 4. For persons wishing to watch, but not comment during the public hearing, a live video stream will be available on the YouTube channel. The hearing will also be recorded for later viewing.

In addition to the hearing, the Commission will accept written comments through 5 p.m. on April 7. Comments may be submitted online, by mail or by calling the KCC at 785-271-3140 or 800-662-0027.

To register for the virtual hearing, make a public comment online or find additional information on the application, go to the Commission’s website (www.kcc.ks.gov) and click on the “Your Opinion Matters” tab.

The Commission will issue an order on the application on or before July 7, 2025.

Bridge repair on U.S. 69 begins soon

 

Monday, March 3, the Kansas Department of Transportation plans to start a repair project at the Marias des Cygnes River bridge on the northbound lanes of U.S. 69. The bridge is approximately one mile south of the K-52/U.S. 69 north junction.

 

Northbound traffic will be reduced to one lane at the work zone. Weather permitting, the work should be completed by the end of May.

 

KDOT awarded Bettis Asphalt & Construction of Topeka the $477,049 construction contract. Persons with questions may contact Ian Stringham, (785) 433-6116, or Priscilla Petersen, (620) 902-6433.

 

KDOT urges motorists to stay alert and follow posted signs in all work zones. For current road conditions, visit www.kandrive.gov or call 5-1-1.

NRMC to Offer Free Cholesterol Screening

 

 

Nevada Regional Medical Center (NRMC) announces it will host a free cholesterol screening sponsored by NRMC Foundation on Friday, February 21 from 6:30 to 9:30 A.M. Registration is open to the public, but appointments are limited.

 

The Foundation sponsors this annual screening each February in recognition of American Hearth Month.  “This simple blood draw can give participants a quick view of their total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglyceride levels” notes Foundation Director, Jennifer Eaton.  “These results can then be shared with their primary care provider to determine the next steps to take in their heath journey.”

 

According to the National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. for both men and women.  However, there are steps you can take to keep your heart healthy and reduce the risk of heart disease:

  • Get enough quality sleep
  • Eat a balanced diet
  • Stop smoking
  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Get active
  • Manage/monitor your blood sugar & blood pressure
  • Manage stress
  • Control cholesterol levels

 

Daily acts of self-care can also benefit you heart health.  Make that doctor’s appointment you may have been putting off, do at least one positive action for heart health each day, find an exercise buddy or join a class/group to help stay motivated and encourage your family to participate as well to help you meet your health goals.

 

To register for the free cholesterol screening, call (417) 448-3801.

 

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About Nevada Regional Medical Center
NRMC is a 71-bed acute, intensive and skilled care hospital providing comprehensive health care services.  Staff represent more than a dozen medical specialties including ear, nose & throat, family practice, general surgery, gynecology, internal medicine, orthopedics, pain management, pediatrics, psychiatry and wound care services. Additionally, consultation clinics are held regularly by specialists in cardiology, dermatology, neurology, podiatry, pulmonology and urology.

NRMC is centrally located between Kansas City and Joplin along the I-49 corridor.

 

 

 

 

KDOT to host open houses on U.S. 69 design options in Crawford County

Submitted graphic.

 

 

The Kansas Department of Transportation will host four in-person open houses and one virtual open house to allow the public to review design options for the U.S. 69 project in Crawford County in February.

 

All the open houses will share the same information, and the public will be able to provide input at each meeting. Project team members will be available to answer questions about the design options that were developed based on feedback from previous open houses and insights gained from data collected along the study area.

 

Participants are encouraged to drop by at any time during the in-person open houses, as there will be no formal presentations. The virtual open house will be recorded and start at the designated time and include a walk-through of the design options with a question-and-answer session.

 

In-person open houses times and locations:

 

Pittsburg State University, Overman Student Center, Ballroom C

302 E. Cleveland Ave., in Pittsburg.

Wednesday, Feb. 26, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 26, from 4 to 6 p.m.

 

Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Fellowship Hall

100 S. Cherokee St., in Frontenac.

Thursday, Feb. 27, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

 

Northeast High School

1003 E. South St., in Arma.

Thursday, Feb. 27, from 4 to 6 p.m.

 

Virtual open house time and link:

Friday, Feb. 28, 11 a.m. to noon (sign-in starts at 10:30 a.m.).
Link: https://shorturl.at/xXhjc

 

Information presented at the open houses will also be available online by Feb. 26 at: ksdot.gov/us69-highway-study

 

Anyone who requires language translation, special assistance or accommodation to attend the meeting should contact Alicea Thompson at Alicea.Thompson@ks.gov or call (785) 817-0864 at least five days before the meeting date.

CFSEK launches inaugural Mount Carmel Foundation Legacy Grant Cycle

Honoring the past by looking to the future:

CFSEK launches inaugural Mount Carmel Foundation Legacy Grant Cycle

On April 14, 1903, the Mount Carmel Hospital in Pittsburg opened its doors. For over 100 years, the hospital was a cornerstone of healthcare in the Southeast Kansas community. The name, Mount Carmel, means much to the community. The Mount Carmel Foundation (MCF) was formed in 1983 to ensure everyone in Southeast Kansas had access to quality healthcare and continued that mission until August 2024.

The changing landscape of healthcare in Southeast Kansas led the MCF board to consider transferring their assets to another local organization to carry on their mission. They chose to donate their funds to the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas (CFSEK) to establish the Mount Carmel Foundation Legacy Grant Cycle, with the mission to carry on the legacy of MCF throughout Southeast Kansas, forever.

“The Mount Carmel name has such a rich history in our area and holds a special place in many peoples’ hearts,” said Devin Gorman, CFSEK Executive Director. “We are extremely proud to help carry on the name and honor the great work the Mount Carmel Foundation achieved during its lifetime. These annual healthcare grants will honor that history while providing significant programs, services, and equipment, which will have a positive impact on the lives of so many people in our community.”

The inaugural Mount Carmel Foundation Legacy Grant Cycle through CFSEK is open February 1-28, 2025. This grant opportunity is for any nonprofit healthcare providers in Southeast Kansas that share the vision of the Mount Carmel Foundation: to provide high-quality, affordable healthcare for SEK residents.

Applications are available at SoutheastKansas.org/Grant-App, and more information about the granting fund is available at SoutheastKansas.org/news/blog/mtcarmel.

Tragic Plane Crash Near Washington, D.C. Airport From Wichita

Governor Kelly Releases Statement Regarding
Tragic Plane Crash Near Washington, D.C. Airport


TOPEKA — This morning, Governor Laura Kelly released the below statement: 

“I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives last night and extend my deepest condolences to the victims’ families and loved ones. I have been in constant communication with federal, state, and local officials overnight and want to thank the over 300 first responders from across the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area for their response efforts. I will issue a flag order today to acknowledge this devastating event and tragic loss of lives.”