Category Archives: Area News

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SOUTHEAST KANSAS ANNOUNCES WILL NORTON AS NEW DONOR ENGAGEMENT OFFICER

 

The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas (CFSEK) is excited to announce the hiring of Will Norton as its new Donor Engagement Officer!

Will comes to CFSEK and its affiliates, the Columbus Area Community Foundation, Fort Scott Area Community Foundation, and the Girard Area Community Foundation, with a passion for networking and a love of community. He will be leading CFSEK’s donor engagement efforts, which includes building relationships with donors and organizations to assist them with achieving their charitable goals.

“We are thrilled to welcome Will to the team,” said Devin Gorman, CFSEK Executive Director. “He is a great fit for this newly created position, which will help the Community Foundation provide better engagement and outreach across Southeast Kansas. The more connections we build, the more resources and funds we can provide back to our communities.”

A native of Dallas, but a graduate of Chanute High School, Will attended Pittsburg State University, receiving his undergraduate degree in fitness management and his master’s degree in physical education. He was also a Sigma Chi, where he later served as a chapter advisor. He most recently worked for Backyard Discovery as an account manager.

“I’ve been fortunate to meet a lot of great people in Southeast Kansas,” Will said, “and I am passionate about building relationships with people, so this is right up my alley!”

When Will is not working with donors, he can be found supporting his 3 kids at their school events, playing poker, being a singer in a band, or tinkering with cars.

When asked about his new position, Will had this to say, “I am so excited to get to do some good for this community, because I love this Southeast Kansas community we all get to call home!”

The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas has awarded over $2.3 million in grants from all foundation funds in 2025 and has facilitated over $25 million in grants since its inception in 2001. CFSEK serves the region by providing donors with a wide variety of charitable interests and encouraging charitable giving, which addresses present and future needs in our area. More information about CFSEK is available at SoutheastKansas.org.

 

CATO CELEBRATES ITS PIONEER HISTORY WITH CATO DAYS

 

The annual Cato Day will be presented by the Cato Historical Preservation Association on Saturday, November 8th, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Admission is free.

 

Cato, Kansas – The annual Cato Day will be held on Saturday, November 8th, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Cato, Kansas.  This free event, organized by the Cato Historical Preservation Association to celebrate Cato’s pioneer heritage, begins with sign-in at 9 a.m.  Visitors are welcome to arrive any time, but we kindly ask that they sign our guest book.  The day’s activities will start at 9:30 with music and history presented by Matt Wells and friends in the historic Cato Christian Church.  At 10:30, a cavalry drill led by Matt Feild will be presented in the area behind the church, and at 10:45, in the “Old Stone School,” Anna Portwood Swank, Elizabeth Portwood Thompson, and Jamie Thompson will discuss the school’s history.  This will be followed by a historical re-enactment of the 1860 Settler Removal in front of the Pioneer Cabin at 11:30. At 12 noon, we will take an outdoor lunch break with musical entertainment by Jim Harris and the Players Circle.  Cowboy Stew, prepared by Shawn Pryer and the Mighty MO Chuck Wagon crew, will be available, with proceeds benefiting the preservation of Cato’s buildings and supporting educational events for local school children.  Shawn will demonstrate Chuck Wagon and Dutch oven cooking.  Throughout the day, presenters will show guests what life was like in the 1800s, and the Southeast Kansas Antique Tractor Club will display and demonstrate vintage tractors. At 12:30, there will be a raffle for a beautiful quilt donated by longtime member, Sue James of Texas.  The highlight of the event begins at 1 p.m. with a hayrack wagon ride, led by Joe Bournonville, to various local historical sites.  The hayrack ride and Cato Day will end at 3 p.m.  All times are approximate.

Booklets about the history of Cato and the Cherokee Neutral Land (present-day Crawford and Cherokee Counties) will be available for sale.  The Cato Store will also be selling other Cato-related merchandise, including t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, and more. Cash or check only.  Proceeds from the quilt raffle, “Cowboy Stew,” books, and merchandise support the preservation of Cato’s historic buildings and Cato Kids’ Day, which is held every year for local fourth and fifth-graders.

Cato is located in the northern part of Crawford County, off Hwy 69.  From Hwy 69, turn west on 720th Avenue, and follow the signs to Cato.  Directions can be found at http://catoschool.com/.  The Cato Historical Preservation Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the buildings and history of Cato and the surrounding area. These buildings include the “Old Stone School,” built in 1869; the Cato Christian Church, built in 1915; and a full-sized replica of a cabin the early settlers would have used in the 1860s. The “Old Stone School” is on the National Register of Historic Places.  A stone bridge, part of the “Old Wagon Road,” can also be seen on the property.  Cato is an open-air museum, and its buildings are only open to the public a few times a year, so don’t miss this unique opportunity to spend an afternoon of entertainment and enlightenment in historic Cato.

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SEKAAA is Awarded Community Foundation Grant of SEK for 60+ Nutrition Program.

 

The Community Foundation of SEK awarded a grant to SEKAAA 60+ Nutrition Program to purchase silverware, bowls, and drinking cups for dining participants. “The number of people coming to our meals sites have grown in the last year, and we added a meal site in Fort Scott, which caused the good problem of needing more tableware”, said Tabitha Torres, SEKAAA Nutrition Coordinator. “Our participants really like the upgrade. It enhances the dining experience.”

Individuals 60 and older can receive a meal at any of the SEKAAA meal sites that are located throughout the SEKAAA 9-county service area. Participants must call at least 24 hours prior and there is a requested donation of $2 per meal. Inability to pay does not prevent the person from receiving a meal. For more information about the SEKAAA 60+ Nutrition program people can call 620-431-2980 or go to www.sekaaa.com.

“It becomes so much more that getting a health meal,” Kathy Brennon, SEKAAA Executive Director, “they develop friendships and encourage each other.”

About SEKAAA
The Southeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging is committed to improving the quality of life for older adults and their families through advocacy, education, and access to community resources. Serving 9 counties in Southeast Kansas, SEKAAA provides services that promote independence, dignity, and well-being.

Interstate Highway 70 Closed Westbound In Topeka This Weekend

Weekend closure scheduled on westbound I-70 in Topeka

Westbound I-70 will be closed through downtown Topeka this weekend while the Kansas Department of Transportation completes pavement patching on the Polk-Quincy Viaduct.

Conditions permitting, westbound I-70 will be closed between 10th Avenue and MacVicar Avenue starting at 10 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 31. The closure will be in place until work is complete, or no later than 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 2.

The 10th Avenue exit will be the last westbound exit open for motorists. Through traffic will follow signed detours and be routed south to I-470, or north to K-4 to U.S. 24 to U.S. 75. Drivers can use the local street detour: 10th Avenue to Topeka Boulevard to 6th Avenue to MacVicar Avenue to the westbound I-70 on-ramp.

The 1st Street on-ramp to westbound I-70 will remain open during the closure.

Additional I-70 closures may occur if more work is needed on the viaduct. If necessary, KDOT will work with the City of Topeka to schedule the closure and provide information when available.

Both directions of I-70 will stay reduced to one lane until construction of the viaduct’s replacement is complete. More information about the Polk-Quincy Viaduct project can be found at ksdot.gov/I-70-Polk-Quincy. 

KDOT urges motorists to stay alert and follow posted signs in all work zones. For current road conditions, visit KanDrive.gov or call 511. For updates on highway projects in northeast Kansas, visit ksdot.gov/NortheastNews.

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I70 WB Closure 10.30.25


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NRMC IV Infusion Services Gives Patient Hope & Vision

 

When Kathy began experiencing pain and issues with her eye, she was referred to a specialist in Arkansas.  She was diagnosed with Graves’ eye disease, an autoimmune condition that attacks the tissues behind the eye, causing pain and inflammation.  Kathy’s case was severe enough that she was losing her vision.  When the specialist told her that she needed infusions to treat the condition and that it needed to be done in Arkansas, Kathy advocated for herself and spoke with her primary care provider, Teresa Reed, FNP-C.  Ms. Reed worked with Pharmacy Director, Jodee Mashek, Pharm.D. to ensure that Nevada Regional Medical Center (NRMC) could purchase and infuse the needed medication.

Kathy is the 1st patient with Graves’ and thyroid eye disease to receive the Tepezza infusion treatment here at NRMC.  She will receive the infusion every 3 weeks, for a total of 8 infusions.  Kathy has received 2 infusions thus far and has already noticed a great improvement.  She has been able to discontinue some pain medication and notes the treatments have stabilized her vision.  Without the infusions, she would most likely lose her eyesight.

Kathy works in the Specialty Clinic at NRMC processing incoming physician referrals and takes great pride in getting patients in quickly and advocating for patient care.  She stated “I love NRMC & have had nothing but great experiences here in my healthcare journey.  I encourage other patients to ask questions of their care providers when care is needed to see what options are available in order to stay close to home.”

To learn more about the infusion services offered at NRMC, call 417-448-3693.  A provider referral is required.

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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.

Feedlot and Dairy Operations Incentives For Water Efficiency Available

MANHATTAN, Kansas —The Kansas Department of Agriculture’s Division of Conservation (KDA–DOC) is pleased to announce the availability of funds in the form of cost share assistance and incentive payments to assist commercial feedlots and dairy operations with livestock water efficiency technology. The Kansas Livestock Water Efficiency Project is part of the state’s ongoing effort to encourage water conservation and to seek solutions for water challenges in the state.

This initiative is designed to enhance and/or upgrade current large-scale livestock watering systems in commercial feedlots and dairies by providing cost share assistance for practices such as upgrading to high efficiency livestock waterers, water controls, and water recycling systems.

KDA–DOC will accept applications from October 15, 2025, to the close of business November 14, 2025. Equipment purchases and subscriptions made before application approval by KDA–DOC are not eligible for this initiative. Eligible applicants must hold a current livestock water right with the state of Kansas.

Funding is provided through appropriation from the State Water Plan Fund and the program is administered by KDA–DOC in consultation with the State Conservation Commission.

Applications for this livestock water efficiency cost share funding must be made through KDA–DOC. Find more information about the project including the application and more details about funding eligibility at www.agriculture.ks.gov/DOCLivestockWater or email Jake Dooling at [email protected].

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Add Your Voice to Regional Transportation Priorities On Oct. 7

LOCAL CONSULT TUESDAY

This is the information on the Local Consult meeting in Pittsburg, Kansas on Oct. 7, 2025.

Local Consult meeting in Pittsburg Oct. 7 to focus on regional transportation priorities

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) is seeking input from the public on regional transportation priorities at Local Consult meetings across the state in October.

“For people in communities from Paola to Pittsburg, Chanute and the surrounding area, Local Consult is a fantastic opportunity to let us know their priorities for the Kansas transportation system,” said KDOT District 4 engineer Darrin Petrowsky. “I always find it encouraging when people come together to share what’s important, and I’m looking forward to the discussion on October 7.”

People in southeast Kansas (KDOT District 4) are invited to participate –

PITTSBURG – 9 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, Oct. 7:

Pittsburg Memorial Auditorium, 503 N Pine St.

Attendees will also hear about transportation investments being made in their area and learn about various grant funding programs available through KDOT.

People can attend other upcoming regional Local Consult meetings set for –

WICHITA – 9 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, Oct. 8: Eugene M. Hughes Metropolitan Complex, 5015 E. 29th St. N (metro area).

TOPEKA – 9 a.m. to noon on Thursday, Oct. 9: Maner Conference Centre, 1720 SW Western Ave.

PRATT – 1 to 4 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 13: Pratt Community College – Benson Education Center, 348 NE Sr 61 (south central Kansas, District 5).

LIBERAL – 9 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, Oct. 14: Seward County Activity Center, 810 Stadium Rd. (southwest Kansas, District 6).

COLBY – 9 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, Oct 15: City Limits Convention Center, 2227 S. Range Ave. (northwest Kansas, District 3).

KANSAS CITY – 1 to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 21: Great Wolf Lodge, 10401 Cabela Dr. (metro area).

SALINA – 9 a.m. to noon on Thursday, Oct. 23: Tony’s Pizza Events Center, 800 The Midway (north central Kansas, District 2).

 

STATEWIDE VIRTUAL MEETING: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday Oct. 28: Please register in advance – visit Local Consult | Kansas Department Of Transportation to attend the virtual meeting.

Local Consult meetings occur every two years to provide Kansans opportunities to ask questions and speak with local, state and federal officials about transportation needs across the state.

 

To email for more information, click here

Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation 6th Annual Fort Scott Golf Classic Results

Flight one winners at the Tri-Valley Golf Tournament 2025

 

Saturday, September 13th was a perfect day for the Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation to hold their 6th Annual Fort Scott Golf Classic at the beautiful Woodland Hills Golf Course.  It was fantastic weather.  Play began at 9 am with 17 teams.

Flight two winners. Submitted photos.

Prizes were given to 1st and 2nd places in A and B Flights.  The winners were:  A Flight 1st Place – the team of Josh Query, Jonathan Allen, Jordan Herren, and Miles Adams; A Flight 2nd Place – the team of Allen Bukowski, Cody Clayton, Chase Halsey, and Jed Perez; B Flight 1st Place – the team of Billy Portwood, Johnathan Portwood, Shawn Eaton, and Roger Eaton;  and B Flight 2nd Place – the team of Chase Cannon, Hayden Lowe, Noah Panington, and Chad Purdy.  Prizes were also handed out for Closest to the Pin and Longest Drive. Chase Halsey won Closest to the Pin and Jonathan Allen won the Longest Drive contest.

 

Players were given the opportunity to try their chances with several contests and games. The hole games were Paul Bunyon and Trouble Hole-In-One.  Another contest was the 50/50 raffle, which was won by Millie Lipscomb.  The Orange Ball Contest, which was won by the team of Terry Pruitt, Tyler “Goose” Cook, Dustin Fowler, and Ricky McDaniel.  New this year to Fort Scott were “grenades.”  Each team received one grenade to use during the game.  Kat Lorenz-Moore and Sue Schropp oversaw the Hole Games and had fun interacting with the golfers.

 

At the end of the tournament, door prizes were given out to several lucky golfers.  Lunch consisted of hamburgers fresh off the grill, potato salad, and chips.  The hamburgers were grilled by Tri-Valley’s own Neil Kisner.  Water was provided by G & W Foods of Fort Scott.

 

For the third year, a raffle drawing was held.  This year, three prizes were given away.  The prizes were:  a fire pit donated by Niece Products of Fort Scott; $100 Gift Certificate to Ruddick’s Furniture, and 4 tickets to a 2026 Kansas City Royals game along with a backpack cooler courtesy of SEK Financial.  The winners were: Fire Pit – Randy Ruby; Ruddick’s Gift Certificate – Ben Lyons; and KC Royals Tickets – Don Krone.

 

The tournament’s sponsors were:  Cheney Witt Chapel; Don’s Spirits and Wines, LLC; Diehl, Banwart, & Bolton; Holmtown Pub, Kansas Teachers Community Credit Union, Mertz Tax Service, Neighborhood Rx, Peerless Products,  and Wise Accounting.  G & W Foods of Fort Scott and SEK Financial were goodie bag sponsors.

 

All money raised from the event goes toward the Foundation’s mission of providing quality and affordable homes for our neighbors with intellectual/developmental disabilities in the eight counties of Allen, Bourbon, Chautauqua, Elk, Greenwood, Neosho, Wilson, and Woodson.  Since 2001, the Foundation has built six houses and acquired nine houses and a duplex.  Four of these homes are located in Fort Scott and are home to 26 of our neighbors with intellectual/developmental disabilities.

 

“Without the generosity of our communities, this fun event could not have been held.  Thank you to all the golfers who participated as well as to our event sponsors: corporate, hole, and in-kind.  It is friends like you that allow us to provide services to our neighbors with I/DD and to help them achieve the quality of life they seek.  Thank you”  stated Special Projects Coordinator, Tricia Campbell.

 

 

Heartland awards $30,000 through Concern for Community grant program

The Beacon Food Pantry, Fort Scott, receives $5,000 grant.

The Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative Board of Directors has selected six projects throughout the co-op’s service area for funding through the Concern for Community grant program. A total of $30,000 will be awarded.

“We look forward to working with some outstanding partners to put these funds to work for the good of Heartland members and their communities,” said Mark Scheibe, Heartland CEO.

This year, six applications out of 68 received were approved for funding by the Heartland board. Projects selected are as follows:

  • Kansas State Historical Society – $5,000 for restoration work at the Marais des Cygnes Massacre State Historic Site, including electricity and water infrastructure upgrades and interactive interpretive signage.
  • Linn County Fair Association – $5,000 to install an intercom system across the fairgrounds to improve communication and safety for visitors during the county fair and other events.
  • Moran Youth Recreation – $5,000 to help build a 9-hole disc golf course and install permanent cornhole boards at the Moran City Park.
  • Beacon Food Pantry (Fort Scott) – $5,000 for critical lighting system upgrades to improve safety and visibility for volunteers and families served.
  • Cherokee County 4-H Council – $5,000 to replace original 1991 windows in the 4-H Building, improving energy efficiency for this important community hub.
  • Walnut Community Service Organization – $5,000 for upgrades to Walnut Softball Fields, including infield improvements, dugout repairs, batting cage enclosure, and restroom accessibility upgrades.

As a non-profit, member-owned cooperative, Heartland issues capital credits to members each year, but sometimes those credits go unclaimed. Because those monies were intended to be returned to the communities from which they came, Heartland’s Board of Directors decided to use unclaimed funds for community grants and started the Concern for Community program in 2019.

The Concern for Community program provides grants of up to $5,000 for capital improvement projects throughout the Heartland service area, which covers parts of 12 counties in eastern Kansas. Capital improvement projects are those that involve investment in structures or equipment that will last for many years.

Applications were accepted from June 1–July 31 and selected by the Heartland Board of Directors at their September 22 meeting. Heartland plans to reopen applications in summer 2026 for the next round of funding.

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

 

Freeman’s Dr. Derek Miller Noted by Newsweek for Knee Surgery Excellence                                        

Top Knee Doctor in Nation

 

JOPLIN, Mo. – Freeman Health System’s Dr. Derek Miller was named one of America’s most talented knee surgeons working in the field today by New York-based news magazine Newsweek and global data intelligence firm Statista.

The accolade, the board-certified surgeon admitted, caught him off guard.

“I first found out when my office notified me that I was ranked the number 19th knee surgeon in the United States,” Dr. Miller said. “For sure it’s quite an honor, given that there are more than 25,000 orthopedic surgeons practicing in the U.S.”

Dr. Miller said it’s always good to receive affirmation for the quality care he and his team provide daily to their patients at Freeman Orthopedics & Sports Medicine in Joplin.

“Especially when you consider the metrics that they use; complication rates, ER visits, unplanned re-admissions and doctor performance data from Medicare claims,” the board-certified surgeon said. “I think these are the things that people really care about – optimizing patient outcomes.

“To be honest, it takes a team to get results like we have,” he said. “I’m blessed with an incredible office staff that is both thorough and detail-oriented, and OR (operating room) personnel who are really good at their jobs and just truly care about people.”

Dr. Miller specializes in primary and revision knee and hip replacements, performing 500-plus surgeries each year.

“Joint replacement is a rewarding surgery,” he said. “And often, it’s truly life-changing for so many of my patients. Their quality of life has suffered as they become so debilitated and disabled from arthritis, or maybe they’ve had a terrible injury in the past. I have the privilege of helping relieve their pain and ultimately improve quality of life.”

Dr. Miller, who has been at Freeman for 18 years, is a primary user of the CORI robotic-assisted total knee system, a technological wonder that allows greater precision than traditional knee instrumentation of the past, increasing both patient satisfaction and long-term outcomes. He also utilizes lovera injections, which freezes the nerves to a patient’s knees, providing immediate, non-opioid pain relief for up to 90 days.

“It’s technology like these combined with a competent, compassionate team that makes Freeman the leader in knee surgery and gets us this kind of national recognition,” he added.

Dr. Miller is currently accepting new patients at Freeman Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, 3105 McClelland Blvd. in Joplin. Call 417.347.5400 to make an appointment.

 

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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. With more than 320 physicians on staff representing more than 90 specialties, Freeman provides cancer care, heart care, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopedics, 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.

New Books In the SEK Library System

The SEKnFind Newsletter
September 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

Buckeye : a novel
by Patrick Ryan

In postwar Ohio, a stolen moment between Cal Jenkins and Margaret Salt reverberates through generations, as a small town’s buried secrets and a wife’s spiritual gift expose the longing for love and goodness.

The witch’s orchard : a novel
by Archer Sullivan

Former Air Force Special Investigator Annie Gore is getting by as a private investigator and her latest case takes her to an Appalachian holler not unlike the one where she grew up.

The ghostwriter : a novel
by Julie Clark

“From the instant New York Times bestselling author of The Last Flight and The Lies I Tell comes a dazzling new thriller. June, 1975. The Taylor family shatters in a single night when two teenage siblings are found dead in their own home. The only surviving sibling, Vincent, never shakes the whispers and accusations that he was the one who killed them. Decades later, the legend only grows as his career as a horror writer skyrockets. Ghostwriter Olivia Dumont has spent her entire professional life hiding the fact that she is the only child of Vincent Taylor. Now on the brink of financial ruin, she’s offered a job to ghostwrite her father’s last book. What she doesn’t know, though, is that this project is another one of his lies. Because it’s not another horror novel he wants her to write. After fifty years of silence, Vincent Taylor is finally ready to talk about what really happened that night in 1975”

The literati : a novel
by Susan Coll

Clemi, a broke 26-year-old book lover, lands her dream job at a literary nonprofit only to face absent leadership, legal scrutiny, and a collapsing gala, leading her to question whether the literary life is worth the chaos it brings. Original.

Life, and death, and giants
by Ronald J. Rindo

A remarkable child transforms a small, rural community—and soon the world.

Let’s give ’em pumpkin to talk about
by Isabelle Popp

Prickly textile artist Sadie comes home to Pea Blossom, Indiana, to care for her father’s beloved pumpkin patch until the Indiana State Fair pumpkin contest, but wild hogs destroy the patch; tech-millionaire-turned-farmer Josh offers his help, and a storm-fueled kiss proves there’s something between them. Original.

Play nice
by Rachel Harrison

Clio’s mother Alex lost custody of Clio and her sisters when Alex wrote a book saying their house was possessed; after Alex’s sudden death, the house passes to the sisters, and as the home makeover begins and Clio finally reads the book, the presence in the house becomes real and sinister.

Audition for the fox
by Martin Cahill

“Nesi is desperate to earn the patronage of one of the Ninety-Nine Pillars of Heaven. As a child with godly blood in her, if she cannot earn a divine chaperone, she will never be allowed to leave her temple home. But with ninety-six failed auditions and few options left, Nesi makes a risky prayer to T’sidaan, the Fox of Tricks”

The book of lost hours : a novel
by Hayley Gelfuso

In 1938, 11-year-old Lisavet Levy becomes trapped in a mysterious library of memory called the time space, where her path intertwines with American timekeeper Ernest Duquesne, whose 1965 death compels his niece Amelia to uncover buried truths amid shifting histories and shadowy CIA intrigue.

Dogs : a novel
by C. Mallon

Cruising Carbon’s lonely backroads one night, the quiet Hal witnesses both beauty and horror in his troubled hometown, where a catastrophic chain of events threatens his fragile bond with his compassionate friend Cody John and shatters their world.

A bitter wind
by James R. Benn

U.S. Army Captain Billy Boyle investigates a murder tied to World War II radio espionage at an English airbase, uncovering secrets from the White Cliffs of Dover to war-torn Yugoslavia, in the latest addition to the long-running series following The Phantom Patrol.

I’m here to kill you : the last mountain man and the taming of the West
by William W. Johnstone

Two more tales from Johnstone Country: in “Brutal Night of the Mountain Man,” Smoke Jensen helps a saloon owner defend her family and business against the ruthless Silas Atwood and his army of killers, while “Venom of the Mountain Man” sees Smoke boarding a train east to rescue his wife from Gabe Briggs and his bloodthirsty gang

New Audiobooks

Departure 37
by Scott Carson

On a clear October day, the American skies empty after hundreds of pilots refuse to fly, triggering a complete ground stop as authorities seek to explain an act of baffling coordination that the pilots insist was anything but planned. The pilots received disturbing, middle-of-the-night calls from their mothers, and each mother had a simple and urgent request: do not fly today. There are a few concerning elements to the calls. None of the mothers remember making them—and some of the mothers are dead. While the nation’s military chiefs and artificial intelligence experts mobilize in search of answers, a sixteen-year-old girl named Charlie on the coast of Maine watches a strange, silvery balloon drift across the water and toward her home—a place she loathes. Her father’s dream of opening a craft brewery on an old airfield has been a disaster, and all she wants is an escape back to Brooklyn. She’s about to get much more than that. Her new home is ground zero for a story that begins at a remote naval base in Indiana during the winter of 1962, when a physicist named Martin Hazelton discovered something extraordinary—and deadly. All Hazelton wanted was time to seek an explanation, but pressure from both American and Russian actors forced him into a perilous race.

The End of the World As We Know It : New Tales of Stephen King’s the Stand
by S. A. Cosby

For the first time, Stephen King has fully authorized a return to the harrowing world of The Stand through this original short story anthology as presented by award-winning authors and editors Christopher Golden and Brian Keene. Bringing together some of today’s greatest and most visionary writers, The End of the World As We Know It features unforgettable, all-new stories set during and after (and some perhaps long after) the events of The Stand–brilliant, terrifying, and painfully human tales that will resonate with readers everywhere as an essential companion to the classic, bestselling novel.

Katabasis
by R. F. Kuang

When the greatest magician in the world, Professor Jacob Grimes, dies, two of his graduate students put aside their rivalry and journey to Hell to save his soul. Alice and Peter have only the tales of Orpheus and Dante to guide them across Hell, but Hell is nothing like what the storybooks say.

New Nonfiction

Reacher : the stories behind the stories
by Lee Child

These are the origin tales of all of the Reacher novels written solely by Lee Child, chock full of colorful anecdotes and intriguing inspirations; one by one, they expand upon each novel and place it in the context not only of the author’s life, but of the world outside the books.

Mission Driven : The Path to a Life of Purpose
by Mike Hayes

Filled with smart, empathetic guidance, this volume is a road map for discovering what drives you and a playbook for translating those drives into opportunities — a book to help us satisfy our ambitions and our souls.

Anointed : the extraordinary effects of social status in a winner-take-most world
by Toby Stuart

Exploring the hidden force of social status, this analysis reveals how invisible hierarchies shape our decisions, behaviors and opportunities and amplify inequality through small advantages while influencing everything from health and careers to innovation, culture and technology.

Proto : How One Ancient Language Went Global
by Laura Spinney

Daughter. Duhitár-. Dustr. Dukte. Listen to these English, Sanskrit, Armenian and Lithuanian words, all meaning the same thing, and you hear echoes of one of history’s most unlikely journeys. All four languages-along with hundreds of others, from French and Gaelic, to Persian and Polish-trace their origins to an ancient tongue spoken as the last ice age receded. This language, which we call Proto-Indo-European, was born between Europe and Asia and exploded out of its cradle, fragmenting as it spread east and west. Its last speaker died thousands of years ago, yet Proto-Indo-European lives on in its myriad linguistic offspring and in some of our best loved works of literature, including Dante’s Inferno and the Rig Veda, The Lord of the Rings and the love poetry of Rumi. How did this happen? Acclaimed journalist Laura Spinney set out to answer that question, retracing the Indo-European odyssey across continents and millennia.

The beast in the clouds : the Roosevelt brothers’ deadly quest to find the mythical giant panda
by Nathalia Holt

Recounts the perilous expedition into the Himalayas to find the elusive panda undertaken by the two eldest sons of Theodore Roosevelt in 1928, chronicling their scientific achievements, physical hardships, and the broader impact of their journey on Western conservation efforts. Illustrations.

The cook’s garden : a gardener’s guide to selecting, growing, and savoring the tastiest vegetables of each season
by Kevin West

Features practical gardening advice and seasonal cooking techniques to help readers grow and prepare their own produce—regardless of space—while providing tips on preservation and reflections on the deeper value of cultivating and cooking food at home. Illustrations.

The Blue Zones Kitchen one pot meals : 100 recipes to live to 100
by Dan Buettner

Rooted in the dietary habits of the world’s longest-lived communities, this collection of 100 plant-based recipes emphasizes one-pot, one-pan, and sheet pan meals made with accessible ingredients, offering fast, longevity-focused options for breakfasts, mains, snacks, and sides suited to busy home cooks. Illustrations.

Crochet Your Celebrity Crush : Stitch Your Very Own Amigurumi Heartthrobs, Hunks, and Hotties
by Lee Sartori

Features 15 amigurumi patterns inspired by well-known male celebrities, offering step-by-step instructions for creating collectible figures, along with bonus content like fun facts and a personality quiz, appealing to crafters and pop culture fans alike. Original. Illustrations. Index.

Into the ice : the Northwest Passage, the Polar Sun, and a 175-year-old mystery
by Mark Synnott

Determined to navigate the treacherous Northwest Passage solo, an internationally certified mountain guide and Air Force Pararescuemen trainer embarks on a pulse-pounding journey to both complete this rare feat and investigate the 250-year-old mystery of Sir John Franklin’s lost expedition. Illustrations.

History matters
by David G. McCullough

This posthumous collection of essays from the legendary historian looks at subjects such as the character of American leaders, the influence of art and mentors and the importance of understanding the past to better navigate the present and future.

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Freeman’s Dr. Todd Twiss Noted by Newsweek for Shoulder Surgery Excellence  

Top Shoulder Doctor in Nation

                                     

JOPLIN, Mo. – Freeman Health System’s Dr. Todd Twiss was named one of America’s most talented shoulder surgeons working in the field today by New York-based news magazine Newsweek and global data intelligence firm Statista.

“It certainly is a privilege to be recognized by Newsweek with some of the best shoulder surgeons in the country, and I think it speaks volumes to the team we work with in both clinic and the operating room at Freeman to provide high-level care to our shoulder patients,” Dr. Twiss said.

In all, 2,845 specialists across 15 medical fields, from hearts to hips to hands, were named by the magazine from a pool of more than 1 million specialists nationwide. Dr. Twiss admitted the recognition came out of left field.

“An out-of-town professional colleague forwarded the article to me, and I was surprised to see our name on the list,” Dr. Twiss said.

His recognition comes from the excellent results from two of his primary shoulder surgeries – rotator cuff repairs and total shoulder replacements.

“These would be the two most common operations we performed, and the lion’s share of any shoulder surgery practice,” the board-certified surgeon said.

Additional shoulder surgeries he performs regularly include reverse total shoulder replacement, labral repairs, instability repairs, fracture fixation, arthroscopic bone resection, open shoulder reconstruction, and biceps tenodesis.

Dr. Twiss gravitated to orthopedics as a medical subspecialty for one primary reason – he simply wanted recreational and occupational athletes alike to get back into the game they enjoyed playing.

“I enjoyed treating the various traumatic and degenerative conditions with targeted interventions to relieve pain, restore function, and improve quality of life,” he said. “I chose to pursue a year-long fellowship after residency in the shoulder because of a love for the complex pathology and evolving treatments being developed during my training.”

Dr. Twiss also treats a large spectrum of shoulder disorders, including rotator cuff pathology, Instability and labral lesions, frozen shoulder, osteoarthritis, rotator cuff arthropathy, sports injuries, fractures, dislocations, post traumatic abnormalities, and generalized shoulder pain with both surgical and non-surgical treatments.

“I think all of the physicians and staff members at Freeman Orthopedics & Sports Medicine strive to provide high-level, musculoskeletal care for the people of the four-state area,” Dr. Twiss said. “For myself, to be recognized for the shoulder, the recognition validates those efforts and motivates us toward continued improvement.”

Dr. Twiss is currently accepting new patients at Freeman Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, 3105 McClelland Blvd. in Joplin. Call 417.347.5400 to make an appointment.