Category Archives: Area News

Freeman Health System Unveils Renovated Cardiac Cath Lab  

Dr. Ryan Longnecker with cath lab equipment. Submitted photo.

 

Investing in Heart Care                                       

Joplin, MO. – There was a time, decades ago, when Freeman Health System Cardiologist Dr. Ryan Longnecker heavily relied on rolls of chest X-ray film to help diagnose a patient’s heart problem.

On Monday morning, Freeman’s Director of Cardiovascular Service Line was proud to exhibit Freeman Heart & Vascular Institute’s newly renovated Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Room 1, which will enable the Institute to provide more advanced care for Freeman’s cardiac patients.

The Institute, Dr. Longnecker said, is home to four cath labs; the renovated Room 1 opened just 11 days ago.

“This is an exciting time for us,” he said. “We’ve continued to upgrade and enhance our equipment over the years with cutting-edge technology for the benefit of our patients, and also for the benefit of our staff.”

To that end, the ceiling-mounted, Phillips-manufactured cath lab equipment reduces the radiation dosage a cardiac patient – and the cardiac team working on that patient – receives by nearly 50 percent.

“The reason we’re so excited about this lab is not only is the picture quality amazing, but it actually uses less radiation to take pictures,” Dr. Longnecker said.

X-ray dosage has always been a concern for cardiac physicians and their teams working inside cath labs; it’s the reason why they wear lead-lined suits or aprons to protect themselves from radiation exposure. In the past, a reduction in radiation meant less reliable imaging. Thanks to the new technology, radiation from x-rays is reduced without negatively impacting image quality.

“The pictures this machine generates – they are just amazing,” Dr. Longnecker said.

The system’s technology, he continued, can produce extremely high-quality images for angiograms.

“This is an advancement that we feel is very important for our patients and staff,” Dr. Longnecker continued. “The less radiation that we can be exposed to, the less amount of side effects there will be when working inside the lab.”

Additional benefits the system provides include:

* Creating three-dimensional representations of a patient’s heart and blood vessels.

* Overlaying those 3D images onto a real-time, two-dimensional fluoroscopic view of a patient’s heart helps create a detailed “roadmap” for Dr. Longnecker to follow.

* Due to quality and sharpness of images, less contrast (dye) injections are needed. The dye enhances the visibility of certain tissues or structures in x-rays or CT scans, but the dye can sometimes cause allergic reactions.

* Stent visualization technology so physicians can see old stents inside arteries and help them more easily land new stents

* Can estimate the size of a blockage, helping the physician determine a optimal-sized stent.

The renovated cath lab will only enhance Freeman’s Level 1 STEMI designation, in which Freeman’s door-to-balloon time is less than 55 minutes, lower than the 90-minute recommendation.

“We’re so excited to have this technology and to bring it to the Joplin area,” Dr. Longnecker said, “It’s really second to none.”

 

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

 

Evergy Is Allowed to Recover Costs, From Customers

KCC approves settlement agreements allowing Evergy to
recover costs to build two gas plants and a solar facility

TOPEKA – This afternoon, the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) approved two settlement agreements which allow Evergy Kansas Central (EKC) to recover the cost of three new generation facilities intended to meet increasing electric demand and improve reliability. Last fall, the utility announced plans to build two gas plants and a solar facility. Evergy filed an application with the Commission in November, requesting a determination of how costs incurred will be recovered from customers.

The application generated a great deal of interest. In addition to Evergy and Commission Staff, 31 parties sought and were granted the right to intervene and formally participate in the proceedings. As a result of their work, the Commission was presented with two settlement agreements for consideration: a unanimous settlement agreement regarding the solar facility, and a non-unanimous settlement agreement on the gas plants.

Evergy is proposing the new solar facility (Kansas Sky) to be located in Douglas County and owned 100% by Evergy Kansas Central. The estimated cost of construction is $228.1 million. After careful review, the Commission found the unanimous settlement agreement related to Kansas Sky was supported by substantial, competent evidence, will result in just and reasonable rates, and is in the public interest.  In making this finding, the Commission found the arguments regarding resource diversification compelling.  To date, very little utility-scale solar generation has been successfully developed in Kansas, and the profile and attributes of solar energy, if developed, will be complimentary to existing generation in the region, including wind generation.

Evergy’s gas plant proposal calls for two 710 MW combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) plants. The Viola plant will be located near Evergy’s Viola Substation in Sumner County and is expected to operate by January 1, 2029. The McNew plant will be built in Reno County and is expected to operate by January 1, 2030. Evergy Kansas Central and Evergy Missouri West will each have 50% ownership in the gas plants. The cost of construction to Evergy Kansas Central is estimated at $788.75 million for the Viola plant and $800.52 million for the McNew plant.

The Commission finds approving the CCGT Settlement is in the public interest.  The Commission believes the CCGT Settlement is an efficient and reliable plan to add generation capacity to Evergy’s fleet.  Furthermore, the Commission believes the CCGT Settlement contains sufficient safeguards and guardrails to protect customers in the event of cost overruns.

The CCGT settlement will not immediately impact rates. Other than the Construction Work in Progress (CWIP) rider recently authorized by the Legislature, which Evergy can begin utilizing 365 days after construction begins on each plant, no other costs will be added to rates until Evergy files a subsequent rate case.

The frequency of rate cases is also addressed by the Commission in today’s order.

“The Commission is troubled by the frequency and magnitude of rate cases and strongly encourages Evergy to focus on pacing investment to better align with load growth and mitigate large rate increases. The Commission understands new investment is needed to support reliability and economic development in Kansas. However, affordability must be a major priority and proactively pursued as Evergy addresses a seemingly endless list of “justifiable” projects and initiatives. To meet future capacity needs, for example, the Commission will expect Evergy to demonstrate its serious consideration of less capital-intensive options like demand response, utilization of surplus interconnection sites and grid-enhancing technologies.”

Today’s order is available here.

The Kansas Sky unanimous settlement agreement is available here.

The CCGT non-unanimous settlement agreement is available here.

A recording of today’s Business Meeting featuring comments by Commissioners, is available on the KCC YouTube channel.

 

 

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Southeast Kansas Library System June Newsletter

The SEKnFind Newsletter
June 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

Before Dorothy
by Hazel Gaynor

“Chicago, 1924: Emily Gale and her new husband, Henry, yearn to leave the bustle of Chicago behind for the promise of their own American dream. But leaving the city means leaving Emily’s beloved sister, Annie, who was once closer to her than anyone in the world. Kansas, 1932: Emily and Henry have made a life in the warmth of the community of Liberal, Kansas, and among the harsh beauty of the prairie. Their lives hold a precarious and hopeful purpose, until tragedy strikes and their orphaned niece, Dorothy, lands on their doorstep. The wide-eyed child isn’t the only thing to disrupt Emily’s world. Drought and devastating dust storms threaten to destroy everything, and their much-loved home becomes a place of uncertainty and danger. When the past catches up with the present and old secrets are exposed, Emily fears she will lose the most cherished thing of all: Dorothy.”

Beach reads and deadly deeds
by Allison Brennan

A risk-averse bibliophile gets in over her head when strange notes in a book draw her into a real-life investigation.

The Surf House : a thriller
by Lucy Clarke

In an expat community of surfers in Morocco, deadly secrets threaten to breach the surface.

Our last wild days : a novel
by Anna Bailey

A young woman searches for answers after her estranged friend is found dead in the bayou of their rural Louisiana hometown.

What kind of paradise : a novel
by Janelle Brown

Raised in isolation in a Montana cabin by her enigmatic father, Jane’s world shatters when she discovers her unwitting role in a terrible crime, forcing her to flee to 1990s San Francisco, where she uncovers long-buried family secrets and confronts the dangers of the digital age.

Atmosphere : a love story
by Taylor Jenkins Reid

“From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones & The Six comes an epic new novel set against the backdrop of the 1980s Space Shuttle program about the extraordinary lengths we go to live and love beyond our limits”

The night birds
by Christopher Golden

An atmospheric horror novel by a New York Times best-selling author is set in a deteriorated, half-sunken freighter ship off the coast of Galveston, Texas.

Of monsters and mainframes
by Barbara Truelove

“Demeter, an interstellar ship that shuttles humans between Earth and Alpha Centauri, keeps having her passengers murdered. It all started when an ancient and nasty vampire decided to come along for the ride. To keep from getting decommissioned, Demeter must stop this vampire and she joins forces with her own team of monsters: a werewolf, an engineer built from the dead, a pharaoh with otherworldly powers, and more. But will they be enough to defeat Dracula?”

Everybody wants to rule the world except me
by Django Wexler

“Davi has left the horde behind her, hoping to find a peaceful solution to keep the Kingdom from being destroyed this time. But her plan to guide the Kingdom is thwarted when her usual love interest, Prince Johann, is already married and the bloodthirstyDuke Aster is running the government. Johann’s new husband is everything Davi is not, but he holds a key to the one mystery she can’t solve – the origins of the time loop that has entrapped her. She must gain his trust, and swiftly. With restless armies at her doorstep, Duke Aster reaching for power, and an ancient magician hounding her every turn, Davi must scheme her way to peace and uncover the truth behind her curse if she is to break the spell that binds her once and for all”

The river is waiting : a novel
by Wally Lamb

Corby Ledbetter, grappling with addiction, prison life, and the tragedy that shattered his family, finds unexpected kindness and connection behind bars, as he seeks redemption and hopes for forgiveness from those he’s hurt the most.

The Medusa protocol
by Rob Hart

Former assassin Astrid wakes in a secret prison where a sinister doctor probes her memories for a crucial secret, while her sponsor Mark and their Assassins Anonymous group decipher her cryptic plea for help, setting the stage for a daring escape.

The Man from Blood Gulch
by William W. Johnstone

A hard man with a hard past, Garret ‘Ghost’ McCoy will never forget the day his family was brutally attacked by vicious marauders. It forced him to grow up fast, get tough even faster, and sharpen every skill to survive–by gun, by knife, or by fist. A true loner and silent stalker, Ghost is the kind of no-nonsense bounty hunter who always gets his man. … But it’s only a matter of time before his reputation catches up with him in a dusty dead-end town called Coyote Flats

New Audiobooks

Beach house rules : a novel
by Kristy Woodson Harvey

A mother-daughter duo learn to lean on their community of women–and each other–after their world is turned upside down

The love haters
by Katherine Center

“It’s a thin line between love and love-hating in the newest laugh out loud, all the feels rom-com by New York Times bestselling author Katherine Center. Katie Vaughn has been burned by love in the past-now she may be lighting her career on fire. She hastwo choices: wait to get laid off from her job as a video producer or, at her coworker Cole’s request, take a career-making gig profiling Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer in Key West. The catch? Katie’s not exactly qualified. She can’tswim-but fakes it that she can. Plus: Cole is Hutch’s brother. And they don’t get along. Next stop paradise! But paradise is messier than it seems. As Katie gets entangled with Hutch (the most scientifically good looking man she has ever seen . . . but also a bit of a love hater), along with his colorful Aunt Rue and his rescue Great Dane, she gets trapped in a lie. Or two. Swim lessons, helicopter flights, conga lines, drinking contests, hurricanes, and stolen kisses ensue-along with chances to tell thetruth, to face old fears, and to be truly brave at last”

Don’t forget me, little Bessie : a novel
by James Lee Burke

“James Lee Burke tells his most thrilling and insightful story yet through the eyes of fourteen-year-old Bessie Holland. At the beginning of the twentieth century, as America grapples with forces of human and natural violence more powerful than humanity has ever seen, Bessie Holland yearns for the love that she has never known. She finds a soulmate and mentor in a brilliant but tormented suffragette English teacher, who inspires Bessie to fight the forces of evil that permeate her world. Watching the vast Texas countryside being destroyed by an oil company and a menacing figure with a violent past, Bessie is prepared to defend her home and her family. But when she accidentally kills an unarmed man to defend her father Hackberry, she must flee to New York. There, her older brother introduces her to boys who will grow into gangsters, but as children admire and respect Bessie’s spirit and fortitude as she is cast into a gangland that yearns for justice and mercy. A welcome return to the beloved Holland series and populated with characters both radiant and despicable, Don’t Forget Me, Little Bessie is an epic story of a remarkable young girl who fights against potentially overwhelming forces”

New Nonfiction

Sea of grass / : The Conquest, Ruin, and Redemption of Nature on the American Prairie
by Dave Hage

“The North American prairie is an ecological marvel. One cubic yard of prairie sod contains so many organisms that it rivals the tropical rainforest for biological diversity. And like the rainforest, it showcases nature’s prodigious talent for symbiosis.The lush carpet of grasses feeds a huge population of grazing animals and is home to some of the nation’s most iconic creatures–bison, elk, wolves, pronghorn, prairie dogs, and bald eagles. These creatures return the favor by spreading nitrogen and seeds across the prairie in their manure, and the grazers in turn feed prairie predators, and when they die, they return their store of organic matter to the living soil. When European settlers encountered the prairie nearly 200 years ago, rather than recognizing a natural wonder they saw a daunting landscape of root-tangled soil. But with the development of the steel plow, artificial drainage, and nitrogen fertilizers, in mere decades they converted the prairie into some of the richest farmland on Earth-a transformation unprecedented in human history. American farmers fed the industrial revolution and made North America a breadbasket for the world, but their progress came at a terrible cost: the forced dislocation of indigenous peoples, pollution of the continent’s rivers, and the catastrophic loss of wildlife. Today, as these trends build toward an environmental crisis, industrial agriculture has resumed its assault on the prairie, plowing up the remaining grasslands at the rate of one million acres a year.Farmers have an opportunity to protect this extraordinary landscape, but trying new ideas can mean ruin in a business with razor-thin margins and will require help from Washington, D.C., and from consumers who care about the land that feeds them. Veteranjournalists and Midwesterners Dave Hage and Josephine Marcotty follow the history of humanity’s relationship with this incredible land, offering a deep, compassionate analysis of the difficult decisions as well as opportunities facing agricultural and Indigenous communities. Sea of Grass is a vivid portrait of one of the world’s most miraculous and significant ecosystems, making clear why the future of this region is of essential concern far beyond the heartland”

Canva for dummies
by Jesse Stay

The essential guide to the popular, beginner-friendly graphic design platform Canva For Dummies is a beautiful full-color reference, covering everything you need to create dazzling visual materials in Canva Free and Pro versions

Agents of change : the women who transformed the CIA
by Christina Hillsberg

A former intelligence operative takes readers inside the Agency in a way that’s never been done before, paying long overdue tribute to the survivors and thrivers, the indispensable groundbreakers, and defiant rabble-rousers who made the choice to change their lives and in turn, changed history

Ocean : Earth’s last wilderness
by David Attenborough

“Through personal stories, history and cutting-edge science, Ocean uncovers the mystery, the wonder, and the frailty of the most unexplored habitat on our planet–the one which shapes the land we live on, regulates our climate, and creates the air we breathe. This book showcase the oceans’ remarkable resilience: they can, and in some cases have, recovered the fastest, if we only give them the chance. Drawing a course across David Attenborough’s own lifetime, Ocean takes readers on an adventure-laden voyage through eight unique ocean habitats, countless intriguing species, and the most astounding discoveries of the last 100 years, to a future vision of a fully restored marine world–one even more spectacular than we could possibly hope for. Ocean reveals the past, present and potential future of our blue planet. It is a book almost a century in the making, but one that has never been more urgently needed”

This dog will change your life
by Elias Weiss Friedman

“This book weaves together stories of the many dogs Elias has been lucky enough to know, both in his personal life and while doing his Dogist work. Told in a light tone that does not shy away from more serious issues (Elias is not above the occasional sentimental moment or dog pun), this book charmingly explores the ways that dogs are not just our family and our friends but also irreplaceable beings capable of generating boundless love and restoring balance to our lives. In an increasingly alienating anddivisive world, there is one clear remedy: the one with four legs that rolls over for belly rubs. Dogs can change our lives, and this book might just change yours”–Provided by publisher

The how not to age cookbook
by Michael Greger

“New from Michael Greger M.D., FACLM, whose books have sold more than one million copies worldwide, comes a fully-illustrated cookbook filled with recipes to make you healthier as you age. In his instant New York Times bestseller, How Not To Age, Dr. Michael Greger revealed that diet can regulate every one of the most promising strategies for combating the effects of aging. His Anti-Aging Eight streamlined evidence-based research into simple, accessible steps for ensuring physical and mental longevity. Now, in How Not To Age Cookbook, decades of scientific research are put to use in over a hundred recipes that will leave readers feeling nourished for years to come. Each of these simple, nutrition-packed dishes uses ingredients that have been proven to promote a healthy lifespan and inspiration from the places around the world where people traditionally live the longest. Grounded in the latest nutrition science, How Not to Age Cookbook is chock-full of delicious meals, snacks, and beverages that will keepthe body both nourished and youthful”

Creative zigzag rope sewing projects : 16 projects and a dozen techniques for making bowls, totes, and more
by Denise Haar

“Creative Zigzag Rope Sewing Projects will help you level-up your favorite zigzag rope projects with patterns for unique bowls, baskets, and even a wine caddy! Inside, author Denise Haar shares the lessons that have filled her rope sewing classes with eager students, teaching you 16 distinct projects taking you from learning rope sewing basics to advanced shaping techniques”

The river’s daughter : a memoir
by Bridget Crocker

“After Bridget Crocker’s parents’ volatile divorce, she moved with her mother from Southern California to Wyoming. Her life was idyllic, growing up in a trailer park on the banks of the Snake River with a stepfather she loved, a new baby brother, and theriver as her companion–until her mother suddenly took up a radical new lifestyle, becoming someone Bridget barely recognized. The one constant in her life–the place Bridget felt whole and fully herself–was the river. When she discovered the world of whitewater rafting, she knew she’d found her calling. On the river, Bridget learned to read the natural world around her and came to know the language of rivers. One of the few female guides on the Snake River, she then traveled to the Zambezi River in Africa, some of the most dangerous whitewater in the world, where she faced death and learned to conquer her fears–both on the water and off. The river taught her how to overcome years of betrayals and abuse, to trust herself, and, finally, how to help heal her family from generational cycles of trauma and poverty”

Madame Queen : the life and crimes of Harlem’s underground racketeer, Stephanie St. Clair
by Mary Kay McBrayer

“In her heyday, Stephanie St. Clair went by many names, but one was best known by all: Madame Queen. The undeniable queen of the Harlem numbers game, St. Clair redefined what it meant to be a woman of means. After immigrating to America from the West Indies, St. Clair would go on to manage one of the largest policy banks in all of Harlem by 1923. She knew the power of reputation, and even though her business was illegal gambling, she ran it like any other respectable entrepreneur. Because first and foremost, Madame Queen was a lady. But that didn’t stop her from doing what needed to be done to survive. St. Clair learned how to navigate the complex male-dominated world of crime syndicates, all at a time when Tammany Hall and mafia groups like the Combination were trying to rule New York. With her tenacity and intellectual prowess, she never backed down. Madame Queen was a complicated figure, but she prioritized the people of Harlem above all else, investing her wealth back into the neighborhood and speaking out against police corruption and racial discrimination. St. Clair was a trailblazer, unafraid to challenge societal norms. But for far too long she’s been a footnote in more infamous characters’ stories, like Bumpy Johnson, Dutch Schultz and Lucky Luciano. Now, in this masterful portrayal of a woman who defied the odds at all costs, she finally gets her due”

The gunfighters : how Texas made the West wild
by Bryan Burrough

Examining the historical reality behind the myth of the Wild West, this account explores how post-Civil War Texas became a breeding ground for widespread violence, shaping the gunfighter culture that spread across the American frontier and later became enshrined in popular imagination. Illustrations. Map(s).

Even more reading suggestions

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

Seniors Farmers Market Vouchers Available on July 14

Great News! The Senior Farmers Market Vouchers will be available starting July 14th.

“We and Seniors were very disappointed the vouchers were not available June 1st as expected. People start calling us in May checking on when the vouchers will be available.” commented Stacy Dickerhoof, Associate Director, SEKAAA. “So many of our seniors are on a limited income and this is the only way for them to have access to fresh vegetables. The number of vouchers we will be getting has been cut by half so the vouchers will go fast.”

The Kansas Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (KSFMNP) is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service. The program provides annual benefits to low-income seniors to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables, herbs and honey from authorized farmers at Farmers Markets in Kansas.

Benefits are given out on a first-come, first-serve basis. The person must be at least 60 years old and meet financial guidelines. Applications will be available at the following locations:

Fort Scott – Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, 231 E. Wall.

    Iola – City of Iola, 2 West Jackson
    Parsons – Parsons Public Library, 311 S. 17th
    Pittsburg – Pittsburg Housing Authority, 101 N. Pine

Chanute – SEK Area Agency on Aging, 1 West Ash

Benefits are distributed until September 30, 2025 or until benefits are gone, whichever happens first. Applicants who qualify will receive a booklet of $5 coupons for a one-time annual benefit of $50 to purchase eligible foods from authorized farmers. For more information call SEK Area Agency on Aging at 620-431-2980.

Submitted by Kathy Brennon, Southeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging

Centennial Celebration Freeman Respects Past while Embracing a Bright Future  

 

                                     

Joplin, MO. – Joplin, MO. – Under the banner of “A Century of Service, A Legacy of Caring,” Freeman Health System celebrated 100 years of health care in style Thursday morning with an outdoor rededication ceremony.

The gathering included more than 150 guests, including trusted community partners, state and local dignitaries, several direct descendants of Freeman Health System’s founder, John W. Freeman, and past and current Freeman team members – all stakeholders to the progress and success of the System over the past 100 years.

“Over the past 100 years, we have witnessed extraordinary progress in healthcare – from rudimentary treatments to groundbreaking surgical techniques, from limited diagnostics to advanced imaging, and from basic patient care to holistic wellness program,” said Matt Fry, Freeman Health System’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Freeman has not only kept pace but has often led the way.”

The 75-bed Freeman Hospital, attached to John W. Freeman’s 18-room Joplin home, opened to the public in 1925 at 2008 Sergeant Ave. The hospital employed a staff of 19 nurses and five surgeons/physicians.

“We started as a small, local hospital, and today, we stand as a leading regional health system, continually expanding our services, embracing new technologies, and setting new standards for patient care,” Fry concluded.

Here in 2025, noted Joplin historian Brad Belk, “I suspect that the father of Freeman Health System, John W. Freeman, would be astonished of how far Freeman Hospital has traveled since 1925. How could he possibly comprehend that his gift to our community would lead to employing 5,300 workers in three states at thirty locations?”

Dr. Lance Beshore, chairman of the Board of Directors for Freeman Health System, called the health system’s centennial celebration a “truly monumental milestone” for the community. To that end, Freeman was recognized with a City of Joplin proclamation from Mayor Keenan Cortez. A second proclamation was presented to Fry by Cortez from Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe.

“One hundred years. One century of healing, service, and unwavering commitment to the health and well-being of our community,” Dr. Beshore said. “As we look around this gathering, it’s impossible not to feel the presence of all those who came before us – the visionary founders who, a century ago, embarked on a journey driven by a simple yet powerful ideal: To provide compassionate and advanced healthcare to Southwest Missouri and beyond. They laid the bedrock of what would become Freeman Health System with courage, foresight, and an incredible spirit of generosity. We admire their tenacity, their dedication, and the foundational values they instilled, which continue to guide us to this very day.”

During his speech, Belk hit upon several key moments that helped expand Freeman from a single hospital facility into a thriving health system that serves as the region’s single largest employer.

  • When Joplin businessman Myron McIntosh donated 20 acres in 1969 and a construction drive spearheaded by TAMKO executive and Freeman board member Leland Browne raised $1.2 million that eventually resulted in the opening of a two-story, 120,000-square-foot, 144-room hospital at 1102 W. 32nd Street in 1975.
  • The acquisition of Neosho’s Sale Hospital in 1993, becoming Freeman Neosho Hospital.
  • The merger of Freeman Hospital with Oak Hill Hospital in 1995, becoming Freeman East, and creating Freeman Health System.

 

“This is truly a celebratory occasion,” Belk said. “We should always recognize how we arrived here today, to never forget our past and to always celebrate the landmark moments that define us and make us unique.”

Thursday, added Dr. Beshore, is not a day just for remembrance, but for renewal.

“It is a promise to our community that the legacy of compassionate, excellent healthcare will not only endure but will flourish,” he said.

Calling Freeman’s history a “remarkable feat,” Fry said none of Freeman’s success over the last 100 years could have happened without a team approach from every facet of society.

“How have we achieved this remarkable feat? It’s simple, yet profound. It’s because of you,” Fry said. “To our founders, whose vision laid the groundwork; to every colleague and volunteer, past and present, who has walked these halls; to our board members, our generous donors, and our invaluable community partners; and most importantly, to the millions of patients and families who have entrusted us with their care – my deepest appreciation goes out to each and every one of you. You are the heartbeat of Freeman Health System.”

 

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

 

The 2025 General Funds application is available until June 30th!

CFSEK Grantee Story Series:

Columbus Schools Park Elementary, Sensory Room Success

The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas (CFSEK) is excited to continue our series of articles highlighting the great work done by some of our grantees in Southeast Kansas communities. Our next grantee to highlight is Columbus USD 493 Park Elementary School, recipient of a 2024 General Funds grant focused on Youth Activities for their sensory room project.

Have you ever seen a space that just wasn’t put to full use? You don’t even have to have a plan for it; you just know that it isn’t being used to its full potential? Well, Park Elementary Special Edudation (SPED) teacher Rylee Crain saw an empty office space in her classroom and had an idea. Park Elementary had a “quiet room” for students who needed that space, but the data showed it wasn’t having the intended effect.

“I looked at this office turned storage room in my classroom and thought I could do something exciting,” Crain said. Crain went to her principal to share her idea for a sensory room in this space, and her principal was on board. “She really encouraged me to apply for grants and to move forward with the project.”

With grant funding, Crain was able to purchase a couch, a ball pit, soft lighting, and several other items that would have been hard to get without grant funding. All of these are tools to help children to re-regulate and work through their emotional state.

“This room allows kids to re-regulate their emotions, and work on strategies to help them self-regulate,” Crain said.

The data from kids using the quiet room showed repeated use with little to no improvement in behavior or academics, whereas data from usage of the sensory room showed progress in frequency and improved behavior and academics.

“There was a little boy that would use the sensory room early in the year, and we worked on strategies to help him self-regulate his emotions while in the sensory room,” Crain said. “Eventually, he didn’t need to use it. He came and saw me at the end of the year to thank me, and we had the biggest hug! I’ll never forget that!”

While the sensory room is located in the SPED classroom, Crain wanted to make the space available to everyone.

“I sent out a building-wide email saying that the space is open and available to every kid,” she said. “We want every child to have the tools they need to be successful, and the sensory room can and should be one of those tools!” Teachers can even use the space as a reward for their students. “I have seen so many relationships grow throughout the building because of this, and it makes it feel so worth it!”

Crain talked about improving the check-in/check-out system next year as well. “We want to add a folder system on the door so kids can identify how they are feeling and then have a list of tools they can use in the sensory room,” she said. “This lets each kid get what they need!”

Crain helped complete the project and is now moving to another school in the district for the upcoming year. “I won’t be teaching SPED next year, but I already plan to replicate this project in my new building because I’ve seen the results firsthand!”

Crain stressed that the grant funding received made this project possible. “While we had some funds, without this grant money, we would not have been able to have the completed room within the year. This gave kids the best opportunity to be successful all year long,” she said.

CFSEK’s 2025 General Funds grant cycle application is available until June 30th. More information about the General Funds cycle is available at SoutheastKansas.org/GF.

The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas awarded over $2 million in grants from all foundation funds in 2024 and has facilitated over $25 million in total granting to Southeast Kansas since its inception in 2001. CFSEK serves the region by providing donors with various charitable interests and encouraging charitable giving, which addresses present and future needs in our area. The Columbus Area, Fort Scott Area, and Girard Area Community Foundations are affiliates of CFSEK. More information about CFSEK is available at SoutheastKansas.org.

Evergy Invites Comments on Raising Rates


KCC will hold its final public hearing on Evergy’s
rate increase request Monday evening in Topeka

TOPEKA – The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) will hold its final public hearing on Evergy’s rate increase request on Monday, June 16 in Topeka.  The hearing will begin at 6 p.m. at Washburn Institute of Technology, located at 5724 SW Huntoon Street.

Evergy filed an application with the Commission in January seeking a $196.4 million (8.62%) rate increase. If approved as filed, the new electric rates would take effect in September 2025, resulting in an average monthly increase of $13.05 for residential customers.

At the hearing, attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about the company’s rate increase request, ask questions and make comments before the Commission. The public is invited to attend in person or participate virtually on Zoom (registration is required to attend virtually). The hearing will also be broadcast live on the KCC’s YouTube channel. Registration is not required to attend in person or view on YouTube.

The Commission will accept written comments through 5 p.m. on July 14. To register to participate in the hearing via Zoom, make a public comment online or find additional information on the application, go to the Commission’s website (www.kcc.ks.gov) and click on the “Your Opinion Matters” tab.

The Commission will issue an order on the application on or before September 29, 2025.

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CFSEK Launches 2025 General Funds Grant Cycle

 

Since 2001, the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas (CFSEK) has hosted the annual CFSEK General Funds grant cycle supporting a wide variety of projects. Since inception, the General Funds grant cycle has awarded over $1.9 million to projects across Southeast Kansas!

This grant cycle has 3 focus areas: Arts & Culture, Basic Human Needs, and Youth Activities.

“Year after year, we are deeply impressed by the dedication and impact of our nonprofit partners throughout Southeast Kansas,” said Devin Gorman, CFSEK Executive Director. “It’s a privilege to once again announce the opening of our General Funds grant opportunity. These grants offer support for the crucial programs and services that enhance the quality of life in our region.”

Applications are available at SoutheastKansas.org/Grant-App, and more information about the fund and lists of previous recipient projects are available at SoutheastKansas.org/GF.

Applications for the 2025 General Funds grant cycle are available online via CFSEK’s portal until midnight on June 30th. Questions regarding the grant applications should be directed to CFSEK Program Coordinator Kara Mishmash at SoutheastKansas.org/Contact/Kara.

***

Apprehended: Minimum-Custody Resident Anthony Mansfield

~Mansfield was taken into custody by US Marshalls in KCMO~

KANSAS CITY, MO. – Anthony Mansfield, a minimum-custody resident of the Johnson County Department of Corrections (JCDOC) Adult Residential Center (ARC) has been apprehended.

Mansfield was taken into custody Wednesday night, June 4, 2025, by U.S. Marshalls in Kansas City, Missouri. He was arrested without incident.

Mansfield was placed on escape status after not returning to the facility Wednesday, May 28, 2025.

No other details are being released as the investigation is ongoing.

Anthony Mansfield Escaped From Johnson County Work Release Facility

 

Minimum-Custody Resident Anthony Mansfield Escaped From Johnson County Work Release Facility After Not Returning To the Facility

~KDOC resident Anthony Mansfield placed on escape status~

NEW CENTURY, Kansas. – Kansas Department of Corrections resident Anthony Mansfield has been placed on escape status at approximately 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, after not returning to the Johnson County Department of Corrections (JCDOC) Adult Residential Center (ARC) or reporting to his job yesterday.

Mansfield, a 36-year old white male, is considered dangerous. He was reported missing when the resident could not be located at the minimum-security unit. This walkaway does not impact the security or operations of the medium-maximum secure compound.

Mansfield is 5-feet, 8-inches tall, and weighs 185 pounds with an average build. He has brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a white t-shirt with black designs, long black sleeve undershirt, brown boots, brown baseball hat and stonewashed jeans .

Mansfield was convicted in Johnson County for eight-months of incarceration for criminal damage to property convictions. He is serving that sentence at the JCDOC-ARC from which he walked away. Under an agreement between the KDOC and JCDOC, residents who have release plans that are appropriate to Johnson County are housed at the ARC.

Anyone with information on Mansfield can call EAI at 816-266-2102, JCDOC at 913-715-6539, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation at (800) 572-7463 or local law enforcement at 911.

Kansans can also contact EAI via email at [email protected].

The walk-away is being investigated.  New information will be released as it becomes available. 

Photo

###

Local Students Graduate From Freeman Health System Nursing School

Some of the nearly 30 nurses who will be joining Freeman Health System once they pass their NCLEX exams. Submitted phot

 

Mission Accomplished

Dozens of New Graduate Nurses Recognized During Special Ceremony  

 

Joplin, MO. – Nearly 30 nurses were warmly welcomed into the Freeman fold Tuesday night during a graduation ceremony that’s unique to this area.

Resembling athletic signing day celebrations often seen at high schools and universities nationwide, these graduate nurses – who have completed their two years of schooling but have yet to take their National Council Licensure Examinations (NCLEX) to become registered nurses – inked their signatures on dotted lines while loved ones looked on and future Freeman co-workers cheered and applauded their accomplishments.

“I am very appreciative of those around me and how hard they’ve worked to become nurses,” said Camrie Davis, a graduate nurse who will work for Freeman orthopaedics. “Anybody who you went to school with, they all become a sort of fellowship to you.”

Nurses serve as linchpins to any functional hospital or healthcare system, said Freeman Health System President and Chief Executive Officer Matt Fry, speaking to the assembled graduate nurses and their families at the Ron Richard Athletic Center on the Missouri Southern State University campus.

“A patient spends five percent of their time with physician and about 95 percent of their time with a nurse or nurse tech,” Fry said, “So, it is truly vital to us that we bring nurses into our system who are consistent with our mission, vision, values. I think we’re confident today that everyone joining the team fits that bill.”

The graduate nurses recognized during the ceremony included: Shelby Blythe, Karen Gonzalez, Aiddenn Vanatta, Jadyn Fox, Victorea Stephenson, Jaylen Evans, Adeline Vanderpool, Karleigh Schoenberger, Paige McIntire, Amber Opel, Alexia Ingold, Esmeralda Martinez, Jacob Pearce, Danielle Russell, Mickayley McCluney, Heather Autry, Blair Wilson, Taylor Young, Madison Burkhart, Amanda Weaver, Rylie Tyer, Dylan Byrd, Camrie Davis, Molly Kesler, Mackenzie Droessler, Megan Blair, Brittney Clark, and Anistyn Honey.

To learn more about Freeman Health System’s nursing programs, visit freemanhealth.com.

 

###

 

 

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

 

 

The SEKnFind Newsletter May 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 town with half the lights on : a novel
by Page Getz

“For readers of J. Ryan Stradal and The Music of Bees (with a dash of FX’s The Bear) comes a quirky and refreshing epistolary novel about family of culture-shocked Brooklynites transplanted to Goodnight, Kansas and their fight for their unexpected lifeline: the legendary May Day Diner. Welcome to Goodnight, Kansas. Population: Many Kansans, three New Yorkers, and one chance to save the place they love most.”

The retirement plan : a novel
by Sue Hincenbergs

Three best friends turn to murder to collect on their husbands’ life insurance policies, but the husbands have a plan of their own.

The other people : a novel
by C. B. Everett

Ten strangers awaken in a locked, eerie house with no memory of their arrival, tasked with solving a young woman’s disappearance while evading a relentless killer and uncovering the truth about their connection to the deadly game.

Run for the hills : a novel
by Kevin Wilson

Madeline Hill and her mom have lived alone on their farm in Coalfield, Tennessee, since her dad left; one day Reuben Hill pulls up in a PT Cruiser and announces she’s his half-sister, and he wants Mad to join him for a crazy road trip to find their father and half siblings.

The float test : a novel
by Lynn Steger Strong

“The Kenner siblings are at odds. Jenn is a harried mom struggling under the weight of family obligations. Fred is a novelist who can’t write, maybe because she’s lost faith in storytelling itself. Jude is a recovering corporate lawyer with her own story to tell, and a grudge against her former favorite sister, Fred. George, the baby, is estranged from his wife and harboring both a secret about his former employer and an ill-advised crush on one of his sisters’ friends. Gathered after a major loss, each sibling needs the others more than ever–if only they could trust each other”

Summer in the city
by Alex Aster

When 27-year-old screenwriter Elle returns to New York City and runs into polar opposite Parker Warren, a hookup from two years ago, she realizes he’s her twisted muse, so when he needs a fake relationship during his company’s acquisition, they agree to spend the summer together

The lamb : a novel
by Lucy Rose

In their secluded forest cottage, Margot and her mother welcome“strays,” lost travelers whom Mama feeds and ultimately consumes, but when a striking stranger named Eden arrives during a snowstorm, Margot must confront her family’s dark practices and assert her own desires.

Lightfall
by Ed Crocker

Discovering a conspiracy surrounding the death of the ruler’s son in vampire city First Light, palace maid Sam blackmails her way into a better class and better blood, joining with rebel maids, a sorcerer lacking in magic but skilled in deduction, a werewolf assassin and a countess who knows the city’s secrets.

Grave empire
by Richard Swan

As a mysterious plague spreads and war looms, Ambassador Renata Rainer must seek answers from practitioners of the arcane arts to prevent an ancient prophecy, the Great Silence, from bringing the Empire to ruin. Original. 20,000 first printing.

Fever beach : a novel
by Carl Hiaasen

A dim-witted Proud Boys reject becomes entangled in a bizarre web of corruption and intrigue involving a hitchhiker, a con artist, an eccentric millionaire and a power-hungry politician in the new novel by the best-selling author of Bad Monkey.

The silversmith’s puzzle
by Nev March

Captain Jim Agnihotri and Lady Diana Framji return to India as they investigate a murder amidst colonial Bombay’s complex hierarchy.

The country under heaven : a novel
by Frederic S. Durbin

“Set in the 1880s, the story follows Ovid Vesper, a former Union soldier who has been having enigmatic visions after surviving one of the Civil War’s most gruesome battles, the Battle of Antietam. As he travels across the country following those visions,he finds himself in stranger and increasingly more dangerous encounters with other worlds hidden in the spaces of his own mind, not to mention the dangers of the Wild West. Ovid brings his steady calm and compassion as he helps the people of a broken country, rapidly changing but, like himself, still reeling and wounded from the war. He assists with matters of all sorts, from odd jobs around the house, to guiding children back to their own universe, to hunting down unnatural creatures that stalk the night–all the while seeking his own personal resolution and peace from his visions. Ovid’s epic journey across the American West with a surprising cast of characters blends elements of the classic Western with historical fantasy in a way like no other”

New Audiobooks

My friends : a novel
by Fredrik Backman

“Most people don’t even notice them-three tiny figures sitting at the end of a long pier in the corner of one of the most famous paintings in the world. Most people think it’s just a depiction of the sea. But Louisa, an artist herself, knows otherwise and she is determined to find out the story of these three enigmatic figures.”

Shield of Sparrows
by Devney Perry

Long ago, the gods unleashed monsters upon the five kingdoms of Calandra to remind us that humans are insignificant. I didn’t need a deity to remind me I was powerless. Being a princess had never been more than a performance. Until the day a prince walked into my father’s throne room and ruined my life. The day I married a stranger, signed a magical treaty in blood, and set off across the continent to the most treacherous kingdom in all the realm.

Hidden Nature
by Nora Roberts

“Natural Resources police officer, Sloan Cooper, and her partner had just taken down three men preying on hikers in the Western Maryland mountains. Driving back, she pulled in at a convenience store and walked right into a robbery in progress. One gunshot from a jittery thief was about to change her world. After being shocked back to life on the operating table, she has a long recovery ahead, so she moves back to her parents’ peaceful house in Heron’s Rest. As for the boyfriend who dumped her via text while she was in the hospital, good riddance. She may be down, but she’s not out. So, when a woman vanishes, leaving her car behind in a supermarket parking lot, Sloan searches online for similar cases. She finds them, spread across three states. And the abductions keep happening. Luckily, the new man in her life shares her passion for solving this mystery. But it will take every ounce of endurance to get to the dark heart of this bizarre case and she’s willing to risk her life again if that’s what it takes to stop the horror.”

New Nonfiction

Reading for Our Lives : The Urgency of Early Literacy and the Action Plan to Help Your Child
by Maya Payne Smart

“Today’s children face intense pressure to meet rising academic standards and prepare for future careers, but most fall dangerously short. Early struggles with language and literacy often snowball into lasting disadvantages. Millions of U.S. kids don’t learn to read well in elementary school, driving low adult literacy rates and threatening the nation’s economic productivity, public health, and social equity. In Reading for Our Lives, journalist Maya Payne Smart shows that the literacy crisis starts at home. Reading for Our Lives delivers a clear call to action and a path forward for families, schools, and communities to beat the literacy crisis together.”

Mysteries of the national parks : 35 stories of baffling disappearances, unexplained phenomena, and more
by Mike Bezemek

“For outdoor adventurers, national parks lovers, and fans of fascinating true stories, MYSTERIES OF THE NATIONAL PARKS is a collection of 40 fascinating tales from America’s national parks, including disappearances, mysterious happenings, and supernatural presences”

No more tears : the dark story of Johnson & Johnson
by Gardiner Harris

In this blistering exposé, an award-winning investigative journalist uncovers reams of evidence showing decades of Johnson & Johnson’s deceitful and dangerous corporate practices that have threatened the lives of millions.

The Apothecary’s Garden : The Science and Mythology of Medicinal Plants
by Emma Wayland

“A curious history of plants that heal, ‘The apothecary’s garden’ explores the science and mythology of over 60 species–from soothing hops, chamomile and valerian to immunity-boosting turmeric, meadowsweet and turkey tail mushroom. Featuring botanical illustrations from the archives at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and weird and wonderful remedies and images from medical archives, this is a fascinating exploration of nature’s pharmacy”

How to break up with your phone
by Catherine Price

A practical hands-on plan for readers looking to create a healthy relationship with their cellphone provides information on identifying goals and priorities and being more mindful with phone use

Baking across America : a vintage recipe road trip
by B. Dylan Hollis

“From the deserts of the Southwest to the shining Atlantic Coast, the USA is as sweet as it gets. In this tour de food, B. Dylan Hollis takes you on a delicious road trip to taste everything from the coffee-crazed creations of the Pacific Northwest to the larger-than-life sheet cakes of Texas. You’ll be hitting the pavement in vintage style as you journey with Dylan through the culture capitals of America to savor the very best bakes the nation has to offer. His retro recipes span the decades from the 1900s to the 2000s and feature famous (and forgotten) desserts from every state. With his signature wry humor, Dylan explores the US and uncovers the history of nostalgic local favorites, including Boston Cream Pie on the cobbled streets of Beantown, Beignets in the sultry heat of jazzy New Orleans, and Date Cream scooped up poolside in Palm Springs”

Meditative drawing : learn to draw mandalas and other patterns that foster calm and creativity
by Lizzie Snow

“Meditative Drawing shows step by step how to create mesmerizing mandalas and other nature-inspired designs while reducing stress and increasing creativity”

The book of alchemy : a creative practice for an inspired life
by Suleika Jaouad

Explores the transformative power of journaling, blending the author’s insights with essays and prompts from 100 writers, artists, and thinkers, offering guidance to navigate life’s challenges, embrace creativity, and uncover deeper self-awareness through themes of beginnings, love, loss, and renewal. Illustrations.

The art spy : the extraordinary untold tale of WWII resistance hero Rose Valland
by Michelle Young

A saga set in Paris during World War II uncovers how an unlikely heroine infiltrated the Nazi leadership to save the world’s most treasured masterpieces.

Snafu : the definitive guide to history’s greatest screwups
by Ed Helms

“History contains a plethora of insane screwups-otherwise known as SNAFUs. Coined during World War I, SNAFU is an acronym that stands for Situation Normal: All F*cked Up. In other words, “things are pretty screwed up, but aren’t they always?” Spanning from the 1950’s to the 2000’s, Ed Helms steps in as unofficial history teacher for a deep dive into each decade’s craziest SNAFUs. From planting nukes on the moon to training felines as CIA spies to weaponizing the weather, this book will unpack the incredibly ironic decision-making and hilariously terrifying aftermath of America’s biggest mishaps. Filled with sharp humor and lively illustrations, SNAFU is a wild ride through time that not only entertains but offers fresh insights that just might prevent history from repeating itself again and again”

Even more reading suggestions

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