Category Archives: Area News

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.

 

###

 

 

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.

Even more reading suggestions

NextReads Sneak Peek
Looking for something else to read? Try NextReads!
Newsletters are divided into genres and topics. Get recommendations tailored to your interests sent directly to your inbox.
If we don’t yet own a suggested title, make a purchase suggestion or ask your library about interlibrary loan. Here’s a sneak peek of titles from the latest issue:
Historical Fiction

The Harvey girls by Juliette Fay
Fonseca : a novel by Jessica Francis Kane
The art of a lie : a novel by Laura Shepherd-Robinson

More Newsletters…

If you would like to unsubscribe to this newsletter, use the “Manage Subscriptions or Unsubscribe” link at the bottom of this message.
Want even more book suggestions? Subscribe to this and other newsletters using the “Subscribe here!” button below:
See something we don’t have? Make a purchase suggestion.

Southeast Kansas Library System
218 E. Madison Ave.
Iola, Kansas 66749
620-365-5136sekls.org

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.

Workers Comp Seminar Sept. 23-24

Kansas Department of Labor to Host 51st Annual Workers Compensation Seminar

TOPEKA –The Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) will host its 51st annual Workers Compensation Seminar on Tuesday and Wednesday, September 23-24, 2025, at the Overland Park Convention Center in Overland Park, Kan.

The two-day event provides legal, medical and case management professionals with the latest updates on workers compensation and the opportunity to earn continuing education credits.

This year’s seminar features a variety of educational opportunities, including morning general sessions and three focused tracks: Legal, Management and Medical.

Event Details:

  • Dates: September 23–24, 2025
  • Location: Overland Park Convention Center

For more information about the seminar agenda, please visit dol.ks.gov/wc/seminar and follow KDOL on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn using #KSWCSeminar.

###

STEM Discovery Day for Homeschoolers Scheduled for October 17

Erie, KS – Area Homeschool families are invited to participate in a day of hands-on science learning at the upcoming STEM Discovery Day for Homeschoolers on Friday, October 17, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Neosho Valley Event Center, 321 N. Wood St., Erie, Kansas.

This free event is designed to spark curiosity and excitement about science, technology, engineering, and math through interactive, age-appropriate sessions led by experienced educators and professionals. Students will rotate through engaging stations that encourage exploration, problem-solving, and discovery.

All materials are provided, but participants are asked to bring a sack lunch. Parents must accompany their children.

Registration is required by October 10. To register or for more information, call 620-244-3826.

STEM Discovery Day is hosted by K-State Research and Extension, Southwind District, Wildcat District, and Cherokee County.

Freeman’s Dr. Scott McClintick Now Providing ENT Services in Pittsburg                                       

Better in Every Sense

                                     

PITTSBURG, Kan. – There is a new option for ear, nose and throat care in Southeast Kansas.

Freeman Health System Otolaryngologist Dr. Scott McClintick is now treating patients at the Freeman Specialty Clinic of Pittsburg, 1606 N. Broadway.

Dr. McClintick provides patient care for a variety of ailments, including tonsil and ear infections, neck and thyroid surgery, nose and sinus disease, and skin cancers.

“I’m pleased and proud to be able to provide our trusted skills and services to Pittsburg and the surrounding communities,” he said.

No stranger to the Sunflower State, Dr. McClintick regularly sees patients in Parsons and Girard. Pittsburg, he said, was the next logical step for his outreach services. He began seeing Crawford County patients earlier this year.

“I’ve already done a ton of outreach in Southeast Kansas,” said the Kansas native, who attended the University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed both his internship and residency at Freeman Health System. “Now we’re getting into the Pittsburg market. Our goal is to see patients every three to four weeks, which is not bad for a specialty clinic.”

As Dr. McClintick’s patient list grows, the plan is to expand appropriately his clinic hours in Southeast Kansas. And by conducting outpatient care at Pittsburg Specialty Clinic in downtown Pittsburg, it saves his patients a long drive south to Joplin.

“Not only is it a huge convenience for my patients, but they also receive high-quality, compassionate, and safe patient care,” the board-certified head and neck surgery specialist said.

Services Dr. McClintick offers to his Pittsburg patients include:

  • Ear tube placement
  • Head and neck cancers
  • Salivary gland tumors
  • Sinus surgery
  • Skin cancer
  • Throat and mouth cancer
  • Chronic tonsil infections
  • Treatment of thyroid and parathyroid disorders
  • Sinus and nasal conditions
  • Difficulty swallowing

“ENT can be a pretty complex specialty,” Dr. McClintick said.

His deep love for rural healthcare stems from his childhood growing up in Eureka, a town of less than 3,000 people located in Greenwood County, a two-hour drive from Pittsburg. His father practiced medicine there for 45 years.

“So, growing up with my dad being a physician, I was always around medicine, and that’s what really inspired me to become a doctor,” he said.

Incidentally, his sister and brother are also physicians, along with two sisters-in-law and his father-in-law.

“It’s a family thing,” Dr. McClintick said with a chuckle.

His goal is to establish comprehensive ear, nose and throat care and surgical services in the Pittsburg area.

“There is just something different about going to these smaller towns,” Dr. McClintick said. “Joplin is great, but it’s nice to give back to the smaller communities. I just have an appreciation for them.”

 

###

 

 

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.

 

 

Freeman Appoints New Vice President of Imaging Services

 

submitted photo.

Hector Juarez Brings Extensive Experience to Key Community Service

                                     

JOPLIN, Mo. – Freeman officials are proud to announce the appointment of Hector Juarez as Freeman Health System’s new Vice President of Imaging following an extensive nationwide search.

Juarez brings vast experience to Joplin’s largest employer, having overseen multi-site imaging operations while supervising more than 30 facilities across multiple markets during his career.

“I am ecstatic to be part of Freeman Health System,” Juarez said, who starts this week. “I look forward to working with our teams to expand imaging services and ensure our surrounding communities have access to high quality, innovative care.”

Prior to moving to Southwest Missouri, Juarez successfully directed daily operations of more than 350 employees across 16 departments at Memorial Hermann Texas Medical Center, one of the nation’s busiest Level I trauma centers. He directed one of Houston’s largest and most complex imaging programs, performing more than 372,000 examinations annually and leading initiatives that improved efficiency, expanded access, and enhanced patient experience. As the flagship facility of the Memorial Hermann Health System, TMC anchors one of Texas’ largest not-for-profit health systems, comprising 17 hospitals, eight cancer centers, and three heart institutes.

“We’re excited to welcome Hector to Freeman Health System as our new Vice President of Imaging,” said Freeman President and Chief Executive Officer Matt Fry. “His deep expertise and engaging leadership style will help shape our future and ensure we are able to provide exceptional care to our patients.”

Hector holds a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and a Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences from Midwestern State University. He is credentialed by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists as both a Registered Radiologic Technologist and a Registered Computed Tomography Technologist.

“I believe in leading imaging services through collaboration that blends data driven strategy with a people first approach,” Juarez said of his vision for Freeman’s imaging services moving forward. “When leaders invest in their teams, excellence in patient care naturally follows.”

Freeman, accredited by the American College of Radiology, offers a full range of services that include state-of-the-art computed radiography, computed tomography (CT), stationary positron tomograph/computed tomography (PET/CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, digital mammography – including the region’s first use of the GE Healthcare’s Senographe Pristina™ Dueta 3-D mammography system – and diagnostic angiography.

“As technology continues to evolve, we want to make imaging more accessible, more efficient, and more robust, ensuring patients across our region have access to the very best imaging services,” Juarez said.

His goal for Freeman Health System is a simple one: “I want to advance imaging as both a clinical and community resource, aligning our services with Freeman’s strategic planning, growth, and improving the overall patient experience.”

 

###

 

 

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.

 

A Senior Living Conference: October 22 in Chanute

Anna Methvin, Director of NMRMC Foundation talking about the Green Living Program.
Submitted photo.
Picture 2 is Melanie Smith, SHICK Coordinator. Providing information about Medicare programs.

 

Aging = Living Conference Offers Resources, Education, and Inspiration for Seniors and Their Families

The Southeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging (SEKAAA) invites seniors, caregivers, and families to attend the Aging = Living Conference, a one-day event dedicated to helping older adults live life to the fullest. The conference will be held on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the SEK Impact Center, 1500 W. 7th Street, Chanute, Kansas.

The Aging = Living Conference will feature expert speakers, interactive workshops, and resource booths covering a wide range of topics, including healthy aging, financial planning, home safety, community resources, and ways to stay active and engaged. Attendees will have opportunities to connect with local organizations, discover services available in Southeast Kansas, and take part in meaningful discussions about aging well.

Registration Information:

  • Mail: SEKAAA – Aging = Living, P.O. Box J, Chanute, KS 66720
  • Online: www.sekaaa.com
  • Phone: 620-431-2980
  • Cost: $10.00

Admission includes access to all sessions, resource fair, lunch, and materials. Early registration is encouraged to ensure space availability.

“Aging is living – it’s about embracing every chapter of life with purpose, joy, and the right support,” said Kathy Brennon, CEO of SEKAAA. “This conference is designed to empower our seniors and their families with tools, connections, and inspiration to make the most of every day.”

Whether you are planning for your own future, caring for a loved one, or simply interested in learning more about resources for aging well, the Aging = Living Conference is a valuable opportunity to learn, connect, and be inspired.

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 10 counties in Southeast Kansas, SEKAAA provides services that promote independence, dignity, and well-being.

 Melanie Smith, SHICK Coordinator. Providing information about Medicare programs.

Local 4-H Member Showcased Their Talent at K-State

Photo caption:  4-H members from the Southwind Extension District – Allen, Bourbon, and Woodson Counties – had the opportunity to participate in the annual Kansas 4-H Livestock Sweepstakes at Kansas State University. Their skills and knowledge were challenged by participating in Livestock & Meats Judging, Livestock Quiz Bowl and Livestock Skillathon contests. Those attending were (from left to right) Klara Stock, Kendyl Bloesser, Hailey Shadden, Jewel Endicott, Makinlee Bloesser, Marley Sutton, Alexa Ellis, Kyser Nemecek, Emery Yoho, Reegan McDaniel, Carla Nemecek (volunteer/coach)
Southwind Extension District 4-H Members Excel in State 4-H Contests at Kansas Livestock Sweepstakes
The Southwind Extension District 4-H members showcased their talent and determination at the 2025 Kansas 4-H Livestock Sweepstakes, held August 23-24 at Kansas State University in Manhattan. Demonstrating consistent excellence, Southwind teams placed in the top five of every contest, winning two of the four events and ultimately claiming the title of 2025 State 4-H Livestock Sweepstakes Champions.
The participants representing the Southwind Extension District were Hailey Shadden, Makinlee Bloesser, Marley Sutton, Kendyl Bloesser, Emery Yoho, Alexa Ellis, Jewel Endicott, Kyser Nemecek, Reegan McDaniel, and Klara Stock. These 4-H members, hailing from Allen, Bourbon, and Woodson Counties, demonstrated exceptional knowledge and livestock skills throughout the competition.
The Sweepstakes event consisted of four contests, with scores blended to determine the overall Sweepstakes winners. The Southwind team emerged victorious in 2 contests, Meats Judging and Livestock Quiz Bowl. This achievement highlights the dedication and hard work of the Southwind 4-H members.
Top Individual Sweepstakes Winners:
Hailey Shadden, Reserve Individual Overall; Jewel Endicott, 5th; Klara Stock, 7th; Kendyl Bloesser, 8th; Marley Sutton 13th; Makinlee Bloesser, 14th
The Southwind teams excelled in the Livestock Quiz Bowl, which began with 17 teams taking the qualifying exam. Southwind #1 (Nemecek, McDaniel, Yoho, Shadden) won three matches ‘one last time’, to claim the title of Champion Overall Quiz Bowl Team. Southwind #2 (Sutton, M. Bloesser, Ellis, K. Bloesser) also performed admirably, finishing as the 6th best team.
In the Livestock Judging contest, Southwind #1 (Shadden, K. Bloesser, Ellis, Stock) had an outstanding day, earning 5th in Cattle, 6th in Sheep, 5th in Hogs, 5th in Reasons, and being named 4th High Team Overall. There were 38 teams from across the state and 193 individuals in the contest. Individual highlights include: Hailey Shadden – 6th Cattle
The Meats Judging contest involved identifying 30 retail cuts, six placings classes, and three sets of reasons. Southwind #1 (Sutton, Shadden, K. Bloesser, Stock) was named the Champion Meats Judging Team, with a standout performance by winning Retail Identification, and also earning 5th in Placings and 3rd in Reasons. 69 Senior Individuals and 15 teams competed in the contest. Southwind #2 (M. Bloesser, Ellis, Endicott) was 8th in Placings, 9th in Reasons, 7th in Retail ID, and 7th Team Overall. Individual accomplishments for the Southwind squad include:
  • Makinlee Bloeser – 10th Individual Overall; 5th Placings; 7th Retail ID
  • Hailey Shadden – 2nd High Individual Overall; 4th Retail ID; 8th Reasons
  • Marley Sutton – 9th Individual Overall; 3rd Retail ID
  • Kendyl Bloesser – 5th Individual Overall; 2nd Retail ID
  • Klara Stock – 4th Individual Overall; 4th Reasons; 10th Retail ID
  • Jewel Endicott – 6th Retail ID; 10th Placings
 In the Livestock Skillathon, 4-H members rotated individually through stations that addressed six areas of animal science. Those included feedstuffs, breed identification, equipment identification, meat identification, wool evaluation and a written test. There was also a team component where members worked together on evaluating quality assurance protocols, and demonstrating proper cattle breeding techniques. Out of 27 teams and 149 individuals, Southwind #1 (Shadden, Ellis, Endicott, K. Bloesser) worked together to be named the 3rd Team Overall. Individual Skillathon results include: Jewel Endicott, 2nd Exam, 6th Practicum, 4th Overall Individual; Hailey Shadden, 7th Exam, 9th Practicum, 8th Overall Individual.
This particular Sweepstakes championship is proof that Southwind 4-H knows how to win—with grit, talent, and an unstoppable team spirit. True to their motto of “Making the Best Better,” these members pushed each other to new heights. The District credits its success to the unwavering support of parents, dedicated coaches, loyal alumni, and the entire Southwind 4-H community.
________________________________________________________________
K-State, County Extension Councils, Extension Districts, and U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperating.  K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.