Category Archives: Area News

Tri-Valley Foundation Golf Tournament Is Sept. 13

Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation Preps for Annual Tournament at Woodland Hills Golf Course in Fort Scott

 

The annual fall golf tournament for the Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation is set for Saturday, September 13th.  The four-person scramble will take place at the Woodland Hills Golf Course, located at 2414 Horton Street in Fort Scott, KS.

 

“Time has flown since last year’s tournament, which was a blast.”  states Tricia Campbell, Special Projects Coordinator.  “We are excited about our annual golf tournament and partnership with Woodland Hills Golf Course.”

 

Play begins at 9 am with registration open at 8am.  The team entry fee covers green fees, carts, lunch, and mulligans.  Cash prizes will be given to the 1st and 2nd teams for two flights as well as to the Longest Drive and Closest to the Pin.  Door prizes will be given away at the end of the tournament.  Sponsorships are still available.

 

For more information or to sign up for a team or sponsorship, contact Tricia at either 620-431-7655 or [email protected]. All funds raised stay local and go toward providing quality and affordable housing for our neighbors with intellectual/developmental disabilities served by Tri-Valley Developmental Services.

 

 

 

 

Freeman’s New Expansion Creates Closer Access/Cancer Care in Pittsburg                            

 

Comprehensive Cancer Care

 

                                     

PITTSBURG, Kan. – Freeman Health System officials have greenlit a $14-million expansion to the existing Freeman Physicians Group of Pittsburg facility. Upon completion, it will provide the most comprehensive, high-quality cancer care in Southeast Kansas.

The expansion project – adding 12,000 additional square feet to the existing 4,500-square-foot building located at 1201 Centennial Drive in Pittsburg – is the latest investment Freeman has made to Crawford County and its communities. Dirt is already being moved onsite with heavy equipment.

The nearly 17,000-square-foot facility, utilizing the entire three-acre site, is tentatively scheduled for completion in late 2026.

“It’s so great to see this happening,” said Pittsburg-based Freeman Oncologist Dr. Boban Mathew, adding that the new facility will provide comprehensive cancer care to all cancer patients in the area.

Medical Oncology

The existing medical oncology department in Pittsburg will more than double in size, said Ben Blair, Freeman’s Director of Oncology Service Line.

“We’ll double the number of chemotherapy chairs we have there. We’re also building a pharmacy in-house, and that alone will give us a lot better drug access and the ability to do what we need to do there,” Blair said. “It’s absolutely a huge step forward for us in Pittsburg.”

The pharmacy Blair’s referring to is a state-of-the-art compound pharmacy – one of two major new components centered around medical oncology in the expansion project. Compound pharmacies specialize in creating customized medications – usually by combining, mixing, or altering ingredients – to meet specific patient needs that aren’t readily available from standard pharmacies.

The other major addition consists of a top-of-the-line PET/CT scanner, Blair said. The scanner provides detailed images of the patient’s body and can detect, locate, and even assess the nature of any abnormalities discovered, aiding in more accurate and timely diagnoses.

“We currently have a PET/CT truck onsite – we’ve been using that for a while now – but the new digital scanner is going to be able to give us the ability to do more extensive scans that our current scanner simply can’t do,” Blair said.

Once the building opens to the public, the existing PET/CT mobile scanner and modular compound pharmacy – both housed outdoors and accessible via covered walkway – will be removed from the property, Blair said.

Radiation oncology

Medical oncology isn’t the only key area being addressed. A radiation oncology component, overseen by Freeman Oncologist Dr. Chance Matthiesen, will be added to the new building.

Enclosed within a concrete protective vault inside the building will be one of the newest, state-of-the-art linear accelerators available, complementing the existing TrueBeam accelerator currently in operation at Joplin’s Freeman East Hospital.

The machine uses high-energy x-rays to target and destroy cancer cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

“Presently, Freeman does not have a radiation ‘treatment center’ in Southeast Kansas. This is going to add that critical missing piece,” said Dr. Matthiesen, who currently operates a radiation oncology clinic in Pittsburg twice a month.

Right now, Freeman’s Southeast Kansas-based patients need to drive to Joplin for their radiation treatments, he said. Data from multiple sources, including the American Cancer Society, shows that the closer to home patients stay for cancer treatment and healing, the better the long-term results and outcomes will be.

“Traveling even an hour each day is hard – financially, emotionally, and physically,” Dr. Matthiesen said. “Our comprehensive Pittsburg cancer center will at least lessen or even eliminate these complicating factors. With few exceptions, they’ll receive their full extent of state-of-the-art, highest-quality cancer care treatment while staying at home in Southeast Kansas. For the most common cancer diagnoses encountered in the Four-State area – including cancers of the lung, breast, prostate, rectum, skin, and others – we will now be able to fully take care of all these patients closer to their homes in the Pittsburg area and Southeast Kansas, just like we’re taking care of them in Joplin.”

Freeman Physicians Group of Pittsburg’s expansion, he continued, “is going to change the landscape for patients in Southeast Kansas when it comes to access to receiving the highest quality of cancer care.

“Once we get started, this is only going to be the beginning,” Dr. Matthiesen 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 2025, 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.

 

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Bourbon County Is Connected to Southwest Power Pool Energy Project

 

The transmission line of the Wolf Creek/Blackberry Project, from the NextEra Energy website.

A power delivery project, many years in the making, has started transmitting energy through Bourbon County.

NextEra Energy Transmission (NEET) – Southwest began producing energy over the 92-mile, 345-kV Wolf Creek – Blackberry transmission line on July 16, 2025, according to Lillie Zeng, spokesperson for NEET-Southwest.

The project was within budget and nearly five months ahead of Southwest Power Pool’s (SSP) required in-service date.  The project was completed within three years, according to the spokesperson.

This is the second of three competitively awarded transmission projects in SPP that the company is building, she said.

“NextEra Energy Transmission – Southwest is proud to support SPP and its customers in Kansas and Missouri with a transmission line that will help enhance grid reliability and support economic growth in the region.”

The  NEET-Southwest field office is at 2522 Richards Road, Fort Scott, KS 66701.

“We are in the process of hiring local office staff. In addition, NEET Southwest has access to approximately 70 affiliate technical staff located in the project area,” according to the spokesperson.

The project included a diagonal power line through the southwest part of Bourbon County as noted in the graphic from NextEra.

The process can be summed up this way:

Electric power is generated by nuclear energy at the Wolf Creek Nuclear Plant near Burlington, Kansas in Coffee County.

The power is moved via transmission power lines to the southwest, to the Blackberry Electrical Substation, just over the state line in Missouri.

Electric power transmission lines along with wind turbines can be seen from Hwy. 3. in Bourbon County, near Birch Road, north of Hepler, KS. These are NextEra Energy Transmission lines.

There, high voltage power is then stepped down to a lower voltage and distributed over power lines to neighborhoods, businesses, and residences, according to https://www.nexteraenergytransmission.com/subsidiaries/neetsw/projects/wolf-creek-blackberry

This project is a new 94-mile, 345-kilovolt (kV) regulated transmission line that runs from the Wolf Creek substation (Evergy Energy) in Kansas to the Blackberry substation, Associated Electric Cooperative Inc.(AECI) in Missouri.​

The Blackberry Electric Substation, Jasper County, MO. August 2025

About Wolf Creek

Wolf Creek Nuclear Generating Station, Kansas’s only nuclear power plant, has been providing energy to Kansans and Missourians since 1985, according to https://www.evergy.com/landing/wolf-creek-nuclear-generating-station

 

The Wolf Creek site is about 10,500 acres, and 1,500 acres of company land are reserved and managed for wildlife. Wolf Creek employs approximately 750 employees, many of whom have worked at the site since the plant began providing electricity to the nation’s power grid more than three decades ago, according to the Evergy website.

Wolf Creek provides electric generation for Evergy and generates about 1,200 megawatts of electricity, which is enough energy to power more than 800,000 homes, according to the Evergy website.

Wolf Creek generates 20.7 percent of Kansas’ electricity, and 36 percent of its emissions-free electricity, according to the NextEra website.

 

Evergy is an electric service provider in Bourbon County.

“Evergy and Next Era are both members of the Southwest Power Pool (SPP), which helps manage the power grid and energy markets across 14 states in the middle of the country, including Kansas and Missouri,” said Evergy Director of Corporate Communications Gina Penzig. “SPP keeps track of how electricity moves through the system and helps ensure coordination among area utilities.”

“The Wolf Creek–Blackberry Transmission line simply connects to Evergy’s equipment and helps send electricity into the power grid,” Penzig said. “The SPP chose Next Era to build this line through a competitive bid process. Even though the line connects to Evergy’s substation and electricity flows through it, Next Era owns and operates the line.”

NextEra Energy
In October 2021, NextEra Energy Transmission (NEET) Southwest was awarded the construction of a new approximately 92-mile 345 kV transmission line from the Wolf Creek substation to the Blackberry substation in Jasper County, Missouri.
NEET Southwest finances, develops, constructs, owns, operates, and maintains the Wolf Creek-Blackberry 345 kV transmission project. The project received regulatory approvals, and construction began, according to https://www.nexteraenergytransmission.com/subsidiaries/neetsw/projects/wolf-creek-blackberry.html
Electric power transmission lines in southwest Bourbon County.

The project is part of the 2019 Integrated Transmission Plan approved by SPP in October 2019 to address the need for a more reliable and cost-effective grid. This project will reduce congestion and provide market efficiencies and benefits to ratepayers, according to the NextEra website.

According to NextEra, the project benefits are:

  • “Leads to lower electricity costs for customers
  • Enhances the reliability and resiliency of the electric grid
  • Creates job opportunities in the short and long term
  • Spurs investment in the local economy during construction
  • Supports public health and safety through access to reliable electricity

“Environmental & Visual Considerations

  • Conducted rigorous environmental analyses to limit impacts on wildlife, sensitive habitats, and natural resources

  • Coordinated with federal and state agencies to identify protected species found along the route

  • Selected monopole structures to minimize tree clearing and agricultural impacts

  • Incorporated considerations for visual impacts into the routing study.”

NRMC welcomes Dr. Smith home to serve the community

 

Nevada Regional Medical Center (NRMC) is pleased to welcome Dr. Colby Smith back to Nevada.  Dr. Smith will be joining the staff at Nevada Medical Clinic.  He is board certified in Family Medicine and proud to return home as a Nevada High School alumnus.  Dr. Smith will begin seeing patients in September.

Dr. Smith cares for patients of all ages & offers services including:

  • Acute or Chronic Illness Care
  • Blood Pressure & Diabetes Management
  • Preventive Care & Routine Exams
  • Well Child Exams
  • Wellness & Health Education
  • Work, School & Sports Physicals

 

Dr. Smith’s office is located within Nevada Medical Clinic, 900 S Adams.  He is accepting new patients.  Appointments can be made by calling 417-667-6015.

 

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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.

 

 

 

Governor Appoints John Mazurek To Replace Lori Bolton Fleminh

Governor Kelly Appoints John Mazurek to Fill District Court Position in the 11th Judicial District


TOPEKA
– Governor Laura Kelly today appointed John Mazurek of Pittsburg to a judgeship position in the 11th Judicial District. The vacancy was created by the appointment of Judge Lori Bolton Fleming to the Kansas Court of Appeals.

“John Mazurek has a wide breadth of experience working in private practice and in public service that will serve the 11th Judicial District well,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “I look forward to the impact he will have on the community as a district court judge.”

Mazurek is currently an attorney and owner of The Mazurek Law Office, LLC. He is also a prosecuting attorney for the City of Pittsburg and has served as assistant county attorney for Crawford County and as judge pro tem for the 11th judicial district.

“I’m honored by the appointment and grateful for the trust placed in me,” said John Mazurek. “Crawford County has been my home for thirty years and I truly love this community.  I am committed to continue serving the people of the 11th Judicial District with fairness, integrity, and respect for the law.”

District court judges in the 11th Judicial District are appointed by the governor and selected from nominees chosen by a district nominating commission. Judges in nominating commission districts are subject to retention elections every four years. The two other nominees selected by the district nominating commission were Sarah Elnicki and Mandy Johnson.

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8 Tips to Protect Your Family, Community and Wallet

Kansas Gas Service is encouraging safe digging on 811 Day

Ahead of 811 Day, recognized on Aug. 11, Kansas Gas Service encourages everyone planning any outdoor projects to consider how to dig safely before they begin.

Kansas law requires residents to call 811 or submit a request online at Kansas811.com before starting any digging project to help protect themselves, their property and their community. Kansas Gas Service highlights 8 safe digging tips, 1 important reminder and 1 essential number to call—not just on Aug. 11, but all year long.

 

8 Safe Digging Tips and Reasons to Call 811

  1. Plan ahead. Gather all the details of your property and project and call 811 or submit a request online at least two business days ahead of when you plan to start digging.
  2. Safety first. You may not think you need to contact 811 – but you probably do. For digging projects big or small, from installing a mailbox to building a deck or planting a tree, contact 811 to be safe.
  3. Be a good neighbor. No one wants to lose service – especially in the August heat. Hitting a buried line in your yard could wipe out service for your entire neighborhood. Contact 811 and be patient until the utilities crews arrive to mark your project area with colored flags or paint.
  4. Keep pets inside. They may want to say hello to utility crews marking lines outside, but it’s safest for everyone if they stay secure indoors.
  5. Color match. Understand what the different colors of flags or paint in your yard mean. For example, natural gas lines are marked with yellow flags. Learn more here.
  6. Leave flags alone. It’s best to leave the flags in place throughout your digging project to be sure you don’t accidentally hit any lines.
  7. Dig carefully. Make sure to dig at least 24 inches away from the flags in order to avoid inadvertently hitting a line. This is called the “tolerance zone.”
  8. Start with peace of mind. By contacting 811 and knowing where the lines are buried in your yard, you can rest assured that you’ve done what’s necessary to start your project on the right foot and keep everyone safe.

 

One Takeaway, One Number to Call

Safety is always the top priority. No matter the size of your project, failing to contact 811 can lead to serious injury if you hit a buried line, service disruptions and legal consequences for breaking the law. It can also cause delays or require repairs to your home project—unexpected costs that can add up quickly. Using the free 811 service helps keep you safe, your project on track and your wallet protected.

 

About Kansas Gas Service

Kansas Gas Service provides a reliable and affordable energy choice to more than 648,000 customers in Kansas and is the largest natural gas distributor in the state in terms of customers. Headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas Gas Service is a division of ONE Gas, Inc. (NYSE: OGS), a 100-percent regulated natural gas utility that trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “OGS.” ONE Gas is included in the S&P MidCap 400 Index and is one of the largest natural gas utilities in the United States. For more information and the latest news about Kansas Gas Service, visit kansasgasservice.com and follow its social channels: @KansasGas, Facebook, Nextdoor, LinkedIn and YouTube.

 

 

NRMC Welcomes New Family Practice with OB Physician

 

Nevada Regional Medical Center (NRMC) is pleased to announce the addition of Dr. KayeLinda Heiner to our team of physicians.  Dr. Heiner completed her Obstetrics fellowship in Memphis, TN.  She is board certified in Family Medicine specializing in Obstetrics.

Dr. Heiner can provide care from newborn to adults, including:

  • Acute or Chronic Illness
  • Blood Pressure Management
  • Diabetes Management
  • Maternal Care
  • Newborn & Well Child Exams
  • Pregnancy Related Medical Issues
  • Routine & Well Women Exams
  • School & Sports Physicals

 

Dr. Heiner’s office is located within Nevada Medical Clinic, 900 S Adams.  She is accepting new patients.  Appointments can be made by calling 417-667-6015.

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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 Wins Multi-Disciplinary Quality Improvement Award

 

Improving Patient Outcomes Across Multiple Clinical Specialties

                                     

Joplin, MO. – Freeman Health System has received the American Heart Association’s Commitment to Quality award for achieving high performance across three or more clinical areas in the Get With The Guidelines® program.

This is the first year for this special award level. Only 158 hospitals in the nation met the criteria for this award; hospitals earning this new award demonstrate a comprehensive approach to quality improvement. By participating in three or more Get With The Guidelines programs, they commit to using real-time data registries, evidence-based protocols and cross-disciplinary teamwork to raise the standard of care across multiple specialties.

 

“Freeman has an unwavering commitment to excellence that is exemplified through the active participation in the Get With The Guidelines Quality Registry,” said Paige Moschner, Service Line Director for Freeman’s Cardiac and Vascular Services. “By embracing evidence-based care and continuous improvement, Freeman is not only elevating cardiovascular outcomes but also setting a standard for compassionate, high-quality care in our community.”

 

Get With The Guidelines is the American Heart Association’s hospital-based quality improvement initiative that helps ensure patients are treated in accordance with the most up-to-date, research-based guidelines. Participating hospitals benefit from tools, resources and peer benchmarking to drive better patient outcomes.

 

“This award highlights the impressive commitment Freeman Health System has made to improving care across multiple disciplines,” said Donald Lloyd-Jones, past volunteer president of the American Heart Association and current volunteer chair of the Association’s Quality Oversight Committee. “By taking a systems-level approach to quality, these hospitals are building a foundation for better outcomes, fewer complications, and stronger communities.”

 

 

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Southeast Kansas Library System July 2025 Newsletter: New Book Selections

The SEKnFind Newsletter
July 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

A summer for the books
by Michelle Lindo-Rice

“Jewel Stone has it all–the perfect marriage, a bestselling author career, her dream home–or so she likes everyone to believe. But between her writer’s block and her husband losing his job, her picture-perfect life is in shambles…until she receives acall she never expected: her former best friend needs her help. When Shelby Andrews wakes up in the hospital after a biking accident, she can’t remember the last twelve years…There’s only one person who can help Shelby through this–her bestie, Jewel. With so many secrets and heartbreaks between them, Jewel and Shelby haven’t spoken in years. Yet Jewel can’t turn away from the friend who doesn’t remember their fallout. Besides, the best writing she’s ever done was with Shelby”

Sunburned : a novel
by Katherine Wood

When a washed-up foot ties Audrey Collet and her eccentric billionaire ex Tyson to a buried past, she’s pulled into a high-stakes investigation on his St. Barth’s estate, where blackmail, betrayal, and a deadly birthday dive reveal a killer among their secret-laden inner circle

The fourth girl : a novel
by Wendy Corsi Staub

On the 25th anniversary of Caroline Winterfield’s disappearance, her three former best friends reunite at the now-restored Haven Cliff mansion, where a new murder forces them to confront buried secrets, shattered friendships, and the possibility that Caroline might still be alive. Original.

The Poppy Fields : a novel
by Nikki Erlick

“Welcome to the Poppy Fields, where there’s hope for even the most battered hearts to heal. Here, in a remote stretch of the California desert, lies an experimental and controversial treatment center that allows those suffering from the heartache of lossto sleep through their pain… and keep on sleeping. After patients awaken from this prolonged state of slumber, they will finally be healed. But only if they’re willing to accept the potential shadowy side effects. On a journey to this mystical destination are four very different strangers and one little dog: Ava, a book illustrator; Ray, a fireman; Sasha, an occupational therapist; Sky, a free spirit; and a friendly pup named PJ. As they attempt to make their way from the Midwest all the way to the Poppy Fields–where they hope to find Ellis, its brilliant, enigmatic founder–each of their past secrets and mysterious motivations threaten to derail their voyage”

The lost book of first loves
by RaeAnne Thayne

From a New York Times best-selling author comes a brand-new story about two women, a family secret and a lost manuscript that changes everything.

How freaking romantic : a novel
by Emily Harding

“A romantic comedy about a soon-to-be lawyer who doesn’t believe in marriage, her new colleague who makes his living off divorce, and the worst case of all: falling in love”

How to survive a horror story : a novel
by Mallory Arnold

“When legendary horror author Mortimer Queen passes, a group of authors find themselves invited to the last will and testament reading, expecting a piece of his massive fortune for themselves. Each have their own unique connection to the literary icon, some known, some soon to be discovered, and they’ve been waiting for their chance to step into the great author’s shoes for some time. They enter the manor and wait for their prize. Instead, they are invited to play a game. The rules are simple, solve the riddle and progress to the next room. If you don’t, someone dies. Because each of these authors has something to hide, and Mortimer, even from the grave, always delivers the best story. Only this time, his manor will help. You see, the Queen estate was built on the bones of the family, and the house is still very, very hungry.”

The Devils
by Joe Abercrombie

Brother Diaz has been summoned to the Sacred City, where he is certain a commendation and grand holy assignment awaits him. But his new flock is made up of unrepentant murderers, practitioners of ghastly magic, and outright monsters. The mission he is tasked with will require bloody measures from them all in order to achieve its righteous ends. Elves lurk at our borders and hunger for our flesh, while greedy princes care for nothing but their own ambitions and comfort. With a hellish journey before him, it’s a good thing Brother Diaz has the devils on his side.

A Rebel’s History of Mars
by Nadia Afifi

Kezza, an aerialist in the Martian circus, can never return to Earth – but she can assassinate the man she blames for her grim life on the red planet. Her murderous plans take an unexpected turn, however, when she uncovers a sinister secret. A thousand years into the future, Azad lives a safe but controlled life on the beautiful desert planet of Nabatea. His world is upended when he joins a crew of space-traveling historians seeking to learn the true reason that their ancestors left Mars. Separated by time and space, Kezza and Azad’s stories collide in the Martian desert.

Lloyd McNeil’s last ride : a novel
by Will Leitch

“From the award-winning author of How Lucky and The Time Has Come, this heartfelt and humorous novel follows an Atlanta police officer who learns he has months to live and determines to get killed in the line of duty to provide for his son . . . but keeps failing in unexpected ways. Lloyd McNeil has served as an officer with the Atlanta Police Department for 20 years while being a devoted father to his teenage son. But then he learns the worst possible news: He has learned he has an inoperable brain tumor, and he has only months left to live. Lloyd begins throwing himself into a series of increasingly dangerous situations, but things don’t go according to plan. Instead of dying, he becomes a civic hero. Meanwhile, a malevolent force from his past shadows Lloyd as he tries to get his affairs in order, teach his son the lessons he needs to be a good person, and to say goodbye. Told in Lloyd’s wistful but wonderfully comedic voice, Untitled is a masterful blend of suspense, humor, and compassion. It is a novel about what we leave behind and what we learn along the way, a bighearted story that brings into focus the depths of a father’s love for his son”

So far gone : a novel
by Jess Walter

“From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Beautiful Ruins comes a lively, smart, and deliciously funny new novel in the vein of True Grit, about a reclusive journalist who is suddenly thrown into a wild, suspenseful journey to rescue his kidnapped grandchildren”

Return to sender
by Craig Johnson

“Walt Longmire is back after the escapades of First Frost, and encounters one of his most baffling cases. The Sheriff of Absaroka confronts a cabal of devious outlaws who are hell bent on getting what they want, even though they have to bend and break the law. Walt is stretched to his physical limits to try to stop them, and has to answer the question of just how far he will go to stop these outlaws. Fans of the series will love seeing Walt put into this almost impossible situation, and new fans will fall for the venerable Sheriff as he ties to uphold the law and his own values in this high-stakes mystery from the master of the Western crime novel”

New Audiobooks

The river is waiting : a novel
by Wally Lamb

“From the New York Times bestselling author of Oprah Bookclub Picks I Know This Much Is True and She’s Come Undone comes the heart wrenching story of a young father who, after an unbearable tragedy, reckons with the possibility of atonement for the unforgivable”

Never flinch : a novel
by Stephen King

“When the Buckeye City Police Department receives a disturbing letter from a person threatening to “kill thirteen innocents and one guilty” in “an act of atonement for the needless death of an innocent man,” Detective Izzy Jaynes has no idea what to think. Are fourteen citizens about to be slaughtered in an unhinged act of retribution? As the investigation unfolds, Izzy realizes that the letter writer is deadly serious, and she turns to her friend Holly Gibney for help. Meanwhile, controversial and outspoken women’s rights activist Kate McKay is embarking on a multi-state lecture tour, drawing packed venues of both fans and detractors. Someone who vehemently opposes Kate’s message of female empowerment is targeting her and disrupting her events. At first, no one is hurt, but the stalker is growing bolder, and Holly is hired to be Kate’s bodyguard-a challenging task with a headstrong employer and a determined adversary driven by wrath and his belief in his own righteousness.”

Don’t Let Him In
by Lisa Jewell

Nick Radcliffe is a man of substance and good taste. He has a smile that could melt the coldest heart and a knack for putting others at ease. He’s just what Nina Swann needed in her life after her husband’s unexpected death. But to Nina’s adult daughter, Ash, Nick seems too slick, too polished, too good to be true. Without telling her mother, Ash begins digging into Nick’s past. What she finds is more than unsettling. Martha is a florist living in a neighboring town with her infant daughter and her devoted husband Alistair. But lately, Alistair has been traveling more and more frequently for work, disappearing for days at a time. When Martha questions him about his frequent absences, he always has a legitimate explanation, but Martha can’t share the feeling that something isn’t right. Nina, Martha, and Ash are on a collision course with a shocking truth that is far darker than anyone could have imagined.

New Nonfiction

The CIA book club : the secret mission to win the Cold War with forbidden literature
by Charlie English

“Recounts a covert Cold War operation led by George Minden to smuggle banned literature into Eastern Europe, focusing on the cultural and psychological battle against Soviet censorship and the role underground reading networks played in weakening totalitarian control, especially in Poland”

Fired up : how to turn your spark into a flame and come alive at any age
by Shannon Watts

“From the founder of Moms Demand Action, a guide to harnessing your potential, living without fear, and coming alive at any age”

The carpool detectives / : Four Moms, Two Bodies, One Mysterious Cold Case
by Chuck Hogan

“In 2020, four women found themselves at a crossroads: Each of them had transitioned from full-time jobs to full-time parenting, and each was pushing against the new boundaries of her life as the pandemic looms. At a bowling night fundraiser for their kids’ school, they discover they all share a passion for true crime that crystalizes around a mysterious double homicide that took place a decade earlier. A married couple in their 60s vanished overnight from their home. A few days later, the family business was shuttered, and the bank financing it sued the missing couple for one million dollars. They were rumored to have absconded with the money until their bodies were discovered inside their car at the bottom of a steep ravine. And then the case went cold. But what if, the moms think, they could solve it?”– Provided by publisher

Mailman : my wild ride delivering the mail in Appalachia and finally finding home
by Stephen Starring Grant

This is an exuberant, hilarious, and profound memoir by a mailman in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, who found that the post office saved his life, taught him who he was, gave him purpose, and educated him deeply about a country he loves but had lost touch with.

The headache : the science of a most confounding affliction — and a search for relief
by Tom Zeller

“Veteran science journalist Tom Zeller Jr. takes readers on an odyssey both intimate and panoramic, through his own decades-long struggle with cluster headaches and across the scientific landscape of a group of disorders that is-to the chagrin of sufferers-as much a curse as a cultural punchline. He visits cutting-edge clinics; interviews dozens of doctors, neurologists, and fellow headache patients; participates in clinical trials for multi-million-dollar new medicines; and even experiments with psilocybin in search of relief. Along the way, Zeller traces the longer arc of mystery around headaches, from prehistoric skull surgery to Virginia Woolf’s assertion that, in the throes of a migraine, “language runs dry,” to reveal how headaches became one of the most under-researched afflictions in medicine-and how that is slowly starting to change. With warmth, wit, and infectious curiosity, Zeller’s search for the origins of his own headaches becomes a journey into the inner workings of the human nervous system, and an illuminating look at the nature of pain itself”

ArnieTex : over 100 recipes for Mexican-American cooking and Texas-style BBQ
by Arnie Segovia

“Arnie Segovia is a Texas guy with Mexican roots, and his cooking is a blend of Texas and Mexican cuisines in the comdia casera (comfort food) and carne asada (Mexican grilling) styles. His creations are a traditional blend of Southwest, Texas, and Norteäno cooking techniques, both in the kitchen and over open fire. For authentic Mexican cooking combined with a little bit of Texas and open-fire barbecue, look no further than ArnieTex!”

The book of home how-to : complete photo guide to home repair + improvement
by Cool Springs Press

“This updated 3rd edition, the ultimate reference for maintaining any type of home, from a small apartment to a mega mansion, is now completely up to code–featuring code updates and current best practices for all electrical, plumbing, and deck-related concerns. This A-to-Z encyclopedia offers precise how-to instructions and clear photos on every page. With an expanded index that is incredibly intuitive and a simple, alphabetical strategy for organizing the information, you won’t spend precious time wading through stuff you don’t need to know”

A marriage at sea : obsession, shipwreck, and other catastrophes
by Sophie Elmhirst

“The electrifying true story of a young couple shipwrecked at sea: a mind-blowing tale of obsession, survival, and partnership stretched to its limits. Maurice and Maralyn make an odd couple. He’s a loner, awkward and obsessive; she’s charismatic and ambitious. But they share a horror of wasting their lives. And they dream – as we all dream – of running away from it all. What if they quit their jobs, sold their house, bought a boat, and sailed away? Most of us begin and end with the daydream. But Maurice began to study nautical navigation. Maralyn made detailed lists of provisions. And in June 1972, they set sail. For nearly a year all went well, until deep in the Pacific, a breaching whale knocked a hole in their boat and it sank beneath the waves. What ensues is a jaw-dropping fight to survive on the wild ocean, with little hope of rescue. Alone together for months in a tiny rubber raft, starving and exhausted, Maurice and Maralyn have to find not only ways to stay alive but ways to get along, as their inner demons emerge and their marriage is put to the greatest of tests. Although they could run away from the world, they can’t run away from themselves.”

The ride : Paul Revere and the night that saved America
by Kostya Kennedy

Reexamines the famous midnight ride, revealing it as a complex, collaborative effort involving multiple riders and several near-disasters, while exploring its pivotal role in the early stages of the American Revolution through fresh archival research and overlooked historical accounts. Maps.

Lincoln’s lady spymaster : the untold story of the abolitionist Southern belle who helped win the Civil War
by Gerri Willis

“A historical account of wealthy Southern belle Elizabeth Van Lew, whose espionage for Abraham Lincoln and the Union helped win the Civil War”– Provided by publisher

Even more reading suggestions

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

Judge Lori Bolton Fleming to be sworn in as Kansas Court of Appeals Judge July 30

Judge Lori Bolton Fleming

Judge Lori Bolton Fleming to be sworn in as Kansas Court of Appeals judge July 30
TOPEKA—Judge Lori Bolton Fleming will be sworn in as judge on the Kansas Court of Appeals at 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 30, before an invited audience in the Supreme Court courtroom in the Kansas Judicial Center, Topeka.

Chief Judge Sarah Warner, Kansas Court of Appeals, will preside over the ceremony. Fleming will be introduced by Chief Judge Kurtis Loy, 11th Judicial District, Chief Judge Dan Creitz, 31st Judicial District, and her husband, Kyle Fleming, attorney.

“We look forward to welcoming Judge Bolton Fleming’s family and friends as she takes her judicial oath and formally joins the Court of Appeals,” Warner said. “This ceremony will be an excellent occasion to celebrate her accomplishments and to reflect on the importance of having fair and impartial judges like her on the appellate bench.”

Fleming’s addition to the court shifts its makeup to nine women and five men. It was previously eight women and six men before Judge Henry Green Jr. retired in March.

The public can access a live webcast of the ceremony on the Kansas Court of Appeals YouTube channel at YouTube.com/KansasCourtofAppeals.

Career in education before law​ 

Fleming began her career as an educator. She earned a bachelor of music education degree and teaching certification in music and English from Pittsburg State University. She taught elementary school music and reading before teaching high school English and coaching debate and forensics.

Fleming said teaching emphasized the power of words in educating the public about the judicial system.

“As an educator, I understand the importance of clear communication, and I keep that in mind in my writing,” she said. “I believe that our government belongs to the people, and as judges it is important that we communicate what we do and why we do it directly to the people we serve.”

Transition to career in law

Fleming earned her law degree from Washburn University School of Law in 2001, where she was editor in chief of the Washburn Law Journal. She began her legal career as an assistant Crawford County attorney before entering private practice. She later taught courses at Pittsburg State University and was director of its legal clinic.

“As an attorney, I have a well-rounded background, including criminal, civil, domestic, juvenile, probate, adoption, and others,” she said. “I have significant experience in the courtroom, as well as in research and writing, that I believe will benefit the court.”

Fleming was appointed district judge in the 11th Judicial District by Gov. Sam Brownback in 2012. She was appointed chief judge by the Supreme Court in 2021.

Fleming said serving in the district court prepared her for the Court of Appeals, both in hearing cases and court administration.

“The cases considered by the Court of Appeals originate in district court,” she said. “As a judge, I have handed all types of cases, and as a chief judge, I was often involved in working on issues to improve our legal system, such as access to justice, rural justice issues, and cybersecurity and technology improvements.”

Joining Court of Appeals 

Fleming was appointed to the Court of Appeals by Gov. Laura Kelly to fill a vacancy created when Judge Henry Green Jr. retired March 3. Her appointment was confirmed by the Kansas Senate in March.

Fleming said she looks forward to serving Kansans through prompt review of the large volume of cases the court hears each session.

“It is easy to forget that behind each case are real people waiting for a decision so they can move forward with their lives,” she said. “We owe it to Kansans to make well-researched, timely decisions.”

Retention elections 

After a new judge serves one year on the court, they must stand for a retention vote in the next general election to remain in the position. If retained, the judge serves a four-year term.

Kansas Judicial Branch

Office of Judicial Administration

301 SW 10th Avenue

Topeka, KS 66612-1507

785-296-2256

www.kscourts.org

 

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SEKAAA Awarded Grant For 60+ Nutrition Program

Southeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging announces they have been awarded a grant from the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas for its 60+ Nutrition Program.

“In the last year, we have added two meal sites where people can get a tasty, healthy meal and visit with friends. Since 2022, the attendance at meal sites has doubled”, says Stacy Dickerhoof, Associate Director, “this is giving us the good problem of needing more utensils, glasses, and bowls to serve the food. We appreciate the Community Foundation supporting our seniors.”

Sometimes called Meals on Wheels, 60+ Nutrition serves a 9-county area and is a combination of home delivery, congregate meals sites, and restaurants.

The purpose of the program is to promote the general health and well-being of older Kansans. Participants are asked to provide a donation, but inability to donate does not prevent anyone from receiving a meal.

 

“Our seniors really enjoy having a place to go have a meal and see friends.”, says Tabitha Torres, Nutrition Coordinator. Sixty-three percent of SEKAAA 60+ Nutrition program participants report they eat alone most of the time. The National Institute on Aging has identified that social isolation increases health risk, such as high blood pressure, depression, and cognitive decline. “The meal is important, but we have found that participants find getting together with friends is just as important,” reports Torres.

 

For more information on SEKAAA 60+ Nutrition Program, please visit www.sekaaa.com or call 620-431-2980 for more information.