Area News, Health Care

Freeman Acquires Pinamonti Wellness Center

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Freeman Health System Announces Acquisition of Pinamonti Wellness Center  

 

 

JOPLIN, Mo. — Freeman Health System is pleased to announce the acquisition of Pinamonti Wellness Center, a respected community-focused fitness and wellness facility known for its commitment to performance, longevity, and whole-person health.

The center is located at 1014 Mt. Carmel Way, Pittsburg, KS.

 

This strategic investment represents a significant step forward in Freeman’s ongoing commitment to expand access to high-quality orthopedic care, rehabilitation, and preventive wellness services across the region. By integrating Pinamonti Wellness Center into its care network, Freeman is strengthening its ability to support patients across the full continuum of musculoskeletal health, from injury prevention and recovery to long-term performance and well-being.

 

“This is a meaningful opportunity to bring together two strong programs with a shared focus on patient outcomes and whole-person health,” said Mick Ward, Director of Professional Support for Freeman Health System. “Together, we are enhancing access to services that help patients stay active, recover more fully, and live healthier lives, close to home.”

 

Located in a modern, state-of-the-art facility, Pinamonti Wellness Center will complement Freeman’s growing Orthopedic Medicine program by offering expanded programming, stronger integration between clinical care and wellness services, and access to leading physicians and care teams.

 

Freeman Health System also looks forward to supporting the Center’s long-term growth by investing in resources and programming that strengthens community health and empowers individuals to lead more active, healthier lives.

 

“At Freeman, we believe care should extend beyond the walls of a hospital,” Renee Denton, MO/KS Market President for Freeman Health System added. “This partnership allows us to meet people where they are, supporting movement, recovery, and wellness in ways that improve outcomes and enhance quality of life.”

 

The acquisition reflects Freeman’s continued focus on expanding access, strengthening communities, and delivering high-quality care where patients need it most.

 

 

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About Freeman Health System
Locally owned and nationally recognized, Freeman Health System is a not-for-profit health system serving communities across Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Kansas through a network of hospitals, physician clinics, outpatient locations, and specialty services. The system includes Freeman Hospital West, Freeman Hospital East, Freeman Neosho Hospital, and the Freeman Health System facilities in Bentonville, Springdale, Willow Creek, and Siloam Springs. Freeman Health System also operates Ozark Center—the region’s largest provider of behavioral health services, and offers comprehensive cancer, cardiology, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopedics, and women’s and children’s services. The system is supported by more than 7,000 employees and is the only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in a 70-mile radius. For more information, visit Freeman Health System.

 

 

    

#YourHealthIsWhyWeCare

 

 

Government, Kansas

KS Attorney General Opposes Clemency Requests For Death Row Inmates

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Kobach strongly opposes clemency for Kansas death row inmates, urges Gov. Kelly to reject requests and uphold jury verdicts

WICHITA – (June 9, 2026) – Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach today voiced strong opposition to clemency requests filed by nearly all of Kansas’s death row inmates. At a press conference today flanked by law enforcement, Sedgwick County District Attorney Marc Bennett and victim family members, Kobach called on Governor Laura Kelly to reject the petitions and respect the jury verdicts that imposed the ultimate punishment for these heinous crimes.

“These clemency requests are an outrage to the victims of these killers and all Kansans. A jury sentenced them to death. I urge Gov. Kelly to reject clemency and deliver long-overdue justice for the families. As attorney general, I support the death penalty and oppose any effort to set aside the jurors’ decisions to impose this penalty,” Kobach said.

Between May 1 and May 30, eight of the nine individuals on Kansas’s death row initiated formal clemency proceedings. There is a limited window for the public to provide comment.

Kansas employs one of the highest standards in the nation for imposing a capital sentence. Every death row inmate seeking clemency was convicted and sentenced by a jury, upheld by a judge, and affirmed through multiple layers of appellate review. The state has not carried out an execution since 1965, underscoring the deliberate and painstaking nature of the process.

These cases represent some of the most brutal crimes in Kansas history, claiming the lives of students, law enforcement officers, mothers, fathers, teachers, and children including:

·       Carrie Williams, a 20-year-old Pittsburg State University student

·       Miki Martinez, a 19-year-old mother from Great Bend

·       Darren Wornkey, a 24-year-old father from Great Bend

·       Matt Samuels, a hero and the Sheriff of Greenwood County, Kansas

·       Jason Befort, originally from Pratt, a teacher and coach from Augusta

·       Brad Heyka, 27, originally from Dodge City, he worked at Koch Industries

·       Heather Muller, a preschool teacher at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School

·       Aaron Sander, a 29-year-old who was studying to become a priest

·       Ann Walenta, a gifted cellist and member of the Wichita Symphony Orchestra

·       Dorothy Wight, a mother and grandmother from Burlingame

·       Karen Kahler, a mother and homemaker from Burlingame

·       Emily Kahler, an 18-year-old freshman studying at St. Louis College of Pharmacy

·       Lauren Kahler, a 16-year-old who played tennis and bass guitar in a rock band

·       Jodi Sanderholm, a 19-year-old dancer from Arkansas City

·       Kaylie Bailey, a 21-year-old mother from Ottawa

·       Lana Bailey, an 18-month-old toddler beloved by her family

·       Andrew Stout, a 30-year-old who loved frisbee golf and Mario Brothers

·       Steven White, a 31-year-old

·       Suzette Trouten, a 27-year-old nursing student

·       Izabela Lewicka, a 20-year-old born in Poland, studying at Purdue University

·       Lisa Stasi, a 20-year-old mother originally from Alabama

·       Beverly Bonner, a 49-year-old prison librarian

·       Sheila Faith, a 45-year-old mother

·       Debbie Lynn Faith, a 15-year-old daughter

“Granting clemency to multiple death row inmates — particularly in the final weeks of a gubernatorial term and based on personal opposition to the death penalty — would substitute one person’s policy preference for the considered judgment of juries, judges, and appellate courts,” Kobach emphasized. “Kansas law enforcement asks Governor Kelly to honor the verdicts of the juries, the families of the victims who have waited decades for finality, and the men and women in law enforcement whose safety depends on the strong message this state sends about the consequences of the most serious crimes. As the maxim holds: mercy to the guilty is cruelty to the innocent. The victims and their families deserve justice.”

Letters opposing clemency may be sent to the Prison Review Board at 714 SW Jackson, Ste. 300, Topeka, KS 66603, or emailed to KDOC_Victim_Notification@ks.gov (mailto:_Victim_Notification@ks.gov). Comments may also be directed to Governor Laura Kelly at the Kansas Statehouse, 300 SW 10th Ave., Ste. 241S, Topeka, KS 66612, or by phone at 785-296-3232 or 785-368-8500.

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Fort Scott National Historic Site

Official US Flag Disposal Ceremony 

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Fort Scott National Historic Site

Fort Scott, Kan. – Saturday, June 13, 2026, at 3:30 p.m., Fort Scott National Historic Site, American Legion Post 25, and Fort Scott Fire Department will be hosting an official US Flag Disposal Ceremony. Bring your: United States, POW/MIA, State, and Service (U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Coast Guard) flags to the fort between now and 3:30 p.m. Saturday and we will properly and respectfully dispose of them. Just as there’s etiquette for displaying Old Glory, there’s also etiquette for disposing of flags in a dignified manner.

4 U.S. Code § 8k (Respect for flag) states that: The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning. “As with celebrating this country’s newest citizens at our Naturalization Ceremony and honoring those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom through the ‘Field of Honor’ during Symbols of Sacrifice, we are proud to be a part in honoring this country’s flag by hosting this ceremony,” said Jill Jaworski, Superintendent, Fort Scott National Historic Site.

Fort Scott National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service, is open Friday through Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Park grounds are open daily from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. For more information or to learn how to get involved, call 620-223-0310 or visit www.nps.gov/fosc.

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Credit Photo as: NPS Photo

Submitted by

Carl Brenner
Program Manager for Interpretation and Resource Management
Fort Scott National Historic Site (www.nps.gov/fosc)

National Park Service, DOI Region 5

Office – 620-223-0310

www.facebook.com/FortScottNPS

www.instagram.com/FortScottNPS

Bourbon County

Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports June 9

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Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office
Daily Reports — June 9, 2026

Arrests — June 8–9, 2026

SAWYER, EMILY A (Age 41) — Arrested by Fort Scott Police Department on 6/8/2026 at 9:04 PM.
Charge: Criminal Threat; Unknown Circumstance — No Bond ($0.00)

LITCHFIELD, LESLIE LEE (Age 62) — Arrested by Fort Scott Police Department on 6/8/2026 at 11:13 PM.
Charge: Warrant – Fort Scott Municipal (Warrant No. E0012596) — Cash Bond $150.00

Released — June 8–9, 2026

GIER, CHRISTIAN LEE — Booked 05/25/2026. Released 6/8/26 at 11:17 AM. Release Type: Time Served.

MATTHEWS, EVAN ANDREA — Booked 06/07/2026. Released 6/8/26 at 3:30 PM. Release Type: Surety Bond (A+ Bail Bonds).

STATEN, MADISON JANE — Booked 05/07/2026. Released 6/8/26 at 3:30 PM. Release Type: Time Served.

Total Inmates Released: 3

Documents:

Uncategorized

Obituary of Mark Leon Christy

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Mark Leon Christy, who was born on February 18, 1962, in Fort Scott, Kansas, and passed away on June 5, 2026, in Joplin, Missouri, will be remembered with deep love and lasting respect by all who knew him. He carried himself with quiet strength and a thoughtful spirit, and he touched the lives of family, friends, and coworkers through his steady presence and kind heart. Those who knew him best will remember his warm sense of humor, his practical wisdom, and the genuine care he showed in everyday moments.

Mark was a graduate of Pittsburg State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in history and psychology. He valued learning, thoughtful conversation, and understanding the world around him, and he brought those qualities into both his personal and professional life.

He devoted almost 40 years of service to Ward/Kraft, where he built a long and respected career. His dedication, reliability, and strong work ethic earned the admiration of his colleagues and the trust of those who worked beside him. He was known as someone who could be counted on, and his years with the company stand as a testament to his loyalty and commitment.

Outside of work, Mark found joy in simple and meaningful pursuits. He enjoyed fishing, where he could appreciate the quiet outdoors and the patience the sport required. He also loved cooking, and he took pleasure in preparing meals and sharing them with others. These interests reflected his appreciation for both solitude and connection, as well as his ability to find happiness in life’s ordinary but treasured moments.

Mark is survived by his wife, Angela, and daughter, Anastasia. He is also survived by daughter Allie Bloomquist and husband, Darin, and by his grandchildren, Brady and Isla Bloomquist, who brought him great pride and joy. He leaves behind his parents, Gene and June Christy, his sister, Gina Christy, and his sister, Samantha Christy-Dangermond and husband Tom. In addition, Mark is survived by his nephews, Colby Sisson and wife Rachel, Wil Sisson and wife Kristen, and Gerrit Dangermond, nieces MacKenzy Neal and husband Taylor, and Margot Dangermond, great-nephews Wyatt and Wade Sisson, Colter Neal, and great-nieces Estella and Maddie Sisson, and Quinlee Neal. His family was central to his life, and he cherished the bonds they shared. He will be deeply missed by all who were fortunate enough to know and love him.

His life was one of quiet accomplishment, devotion to family, and enduring integrity. He leaves behind a legacy of love, intelligence, and hard work that will continue to be remembered by those closest to him. Though his passing leaves a profound sadness, his memory will remain a source of comfort and strength to his family and friends in the days ahead.

Mark Leon Christy will be remembered with gratitude for the life he lived and the example he set. His presence enriched the lives of others, and his memory will be held close with affection and respect.

There was cremation. Pastor Tom Lewis will conduct memorial services at 10:30 AM Friday, June 12th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Interment will follow in the Marmaton Cemetery, Redfield, KS. The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 PM Thursday, June 11th, at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Hammond Community Building Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.

Entertainment, Food, Fort Scott

City of Fort Scott Celebrates Independence Day on June 27 with Family Fun and Fireworks at Dusk

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Submitted graphic.

The Fourth of July is coming early this year in Fort Scott.

On June 27, the City of Fort Scott is hosting its annual community event.

“We wanted to avoid family activities/traditions on the Fourth of July,” said Rachel Carpenter, Fort Scott’s Director of Community Development. “There will not be anything happening from the city on the 4th.”

Rachel Carpenter from the City of Fort Scott Employee Directory.

The City of Fort Scott and community partners do invite residents and visitors to celebrate Independence Day at the annual Fort Scott Independence Day Celebration on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at Fort Scott Community College, Carpenter said.

“The family-friendly event will feature an afternoon and evening filled with food, live music, competitions, games, and fireworks, offering something for all ages.”

The churches near Fort Scott Community College are opening their parking lots for the afternoon activities,  and there is  ADA parking near the cosmetology department on the south central side of the campus.

June 27 city-sponsored activities begin at 3:00 p.m. and include:

  • Golf cart obstacle course and decoration contest
  • Slip N Slide Kickball Tournament
  • Water Wars featuring water inflatables and splash-filled fun
  • A variety of food trucks offering food and refreshments

Participants are needed for the above activities and the BBQ contest, according to the City of Fort Scott’s monthly newsletter.

Participants can register through the event QR codes available on promotional materials in this publication.

The People’s Choice judging for the Butcher Block BBQ Contest will begin at 5:00 p.m., allowing attendees to help crown the community’s favorite pitmaster.

Live entertainment will be provided throughout the evening with free concerts featuring:

  • Riker at 5:00 p.m.
  • The Flatland Band at 7:00 p.m.

Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and enjoy an evening of great music, food, and community fellowship before the fireworks display.

“This celebration is a great opportunity for families, friends, and neighbors to come together and celebrate our nation’s independence while enjoying everything that makes Fort Scott a special place to live and visit,” organizers said

Residents and visitors are encouraged to wear their red, white, and blue and join in a day of community pride, family fun, and patriotic celebration, according to Carpenter.

For additional event information, follow City of Fort Scott announcements and event updates on social media.

The annual city-sponsored fireworks display will start at 9:30 p.m., Carpenter said. Cars can line up on South Horton Street as in prior years to view the show.

The show will be launched at the Fort Scott Community College campus, at 1801 S. Horton, with lead pyrotechnician Shaunn Pytlowany and his crew from Premier Pyrotechnics handling the setup and shooting.

Fire works 2026 Rules

Between 18th and 23rd Streets on Horton Street,  cars will be lined up on June 27 for the fireworks display launch at Fort Scott Community College.

From The City of Fort Scott ordinances:

 

Fort Scott Community College, Opinion

From the Bleachers by Dr. Jack Welch

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It’s Not Experience, It’s the Person

One of the most common debates in leadership revolves around hiring and promotion decisions. Should an organization select the individual with years of experience, or invest in someone with less experience but tremendous potential? After more than four decades in coaching, education, and administration, I have come to a simple conclusion: it is not experience that determines success. It is the person.

Experience certainly has value. Individuals who have spent years in a profession have faced challenges, learned lessons, and developed wisdom that can benefit an organization. However, experience alone does not guarantee success. I have seen highly experienced leaders struggle because they became resistant to change, stopped learning, or relied too heavily on what worked in the past.

On the other hand, I have watched organizations hire young leaders with limited experience who accomplished remarkable things. They brought energy, vision, work ethic, and a willingness to learn. Some built championship programs and transformed organizations. Others struggled because they lacked the personal qualities necessary to lead effectively.

What I have learned is that experience and age are not the same thing. There are individuals in their retirement years who step into leadership opportunities and thrive because they possess humility, character, and a desire to continue growing. There are others with the same amount of life experience who struggle. Likewise, some young professionals excel beyond expectations while others do not.

The determining factor is rarely age or experience. It is the person. Do they have integrity? Are they willing to work hard? Can they build relationships? Are they teachable? Can they adapt when circumstances change? Do they place the mission and people they serve above their own interests?

Scripture reinforces this principle. When the prophet Samuel was sent to anoint a new king, he assumed God would choose one of Jesse’s older, stronger, and more experienced sons. Instead, God selected David, a young shepherd boy. The Lord reminded Samuel, “People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).

Jesus followed the same pattern. He did not choose the most educated religious leaders of His day. He chose fishermen, tax collectors, and ordinary men. What made them extraordinary was not their credentials; it was their willingness to follow Him and allow God to work through them.

Too often, organizations become fixated on years of experience while overlooking the qualities that truly drive success. Experience, training, and mentorship can help, but none can replace character, passion, commitment, and a servant’s heart.

When making leadership decisions, look beyond age and experience. Find the right person. If you find the right person, they will often find a way to succeed regardless of how much experience they have or do not have.

Thought for the Week, “Experience can teach you many things, but character determines what you do with what you’ve learned.” Jack Welch.

Dr. Jack Welch serves as President of Fort Scott Community College. With a career spanning professional sports, public education, and rural community development, he brings a servant-leader mindset and a passion for building trust-driven cultures that empower people to thrive in the classroom, on the field, and in life. He is also the author of Foundations of Coaching: The Total Coaching Manual.

Bourbon County

Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports June 8

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Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports for June 8, 2026

Arrests: June 5–8, 2026

Williams, Alexis Ann (age 22) – Arrested 6/5/2026 by Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office. Charges: DUI (misdemeanor), Reckless Driving. Bond: $2,500. Released 6/7/2026.

Carr, Randle R. (age 45) – Arrested 6/5/2026; held for Douglas County. Charge: Other Agency Hold. No bond.

Curtiss, Jaystyn Jaymes (age 20) – Arrested 6/5/2026; held for Douglas County. Charge: Other Agency Hold. No bond.

Jackson, Ontareo (age 23) – Arrested 6/5/2026; held for Douglas County. Charge: Other Agency Hold. No bond.

McQueen, Paul Jearrette (age 49) – Arrested 6/5/2026; held for Douglas County. Charge: Other Agency Hold. No bond.

Burns, Randy Dale Jr. (age 46) – Arrested 6/5/2026; held for Douglas County. Charge: Other Agency Hold. No bond.

Garcia, Silva Joeddy (age 27) – Arrested 6/5/2026; held for Douglas County. Charge: Other Agency Hold. No bond.

Tucker, Sky Marie (age 30) – Arrested 6/5/2026 by Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office. Charge: Warrant Bourbon County (Failure to Appear). No bond.

Eisenbrandt, Jonah Isaiah (age 46) – Arrested 6/5/2026 by Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office. Charge: Sanction. No bond. Released 6/7/2026.

Reisman, Robert Ryan (age 34) – Arrested 6/6/2026 by Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office. Charges: DUI (misdemeanor), Possession of Certain Illegal Drugs, Transporting an Open Container, Use/Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bond: $10,000. Released 6/7/2026.

Haynes, Raya Lashay (age 18) – Arrested 6/6/2026 by Fort Scott Police Department. Charges: Aggravated Escape from Custody (use of violence), Criminal Threat (unknown circumstance), Domestic Battery (knowing/reckless bodily harm), Interference with LEO (obstruct/resist felony). Bond: $5,000.

Villazon, Vincent J. (age 28) – Arrested 6/7/2026 by Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office. Charges: Aggravated Burglary, Domestic Battery (knowing/reckless bodily harm). No bond.

Matthews, Evan Andrea (age 20) – Arrested 6/7/2026 by Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office. Charges: DUI (misdemeanor), Fleeing or Eluding a LEO, Liquor Purchase by Minor, Possession of Certain Stimulants. No bond.

Released: June 5–8, 2026

Black, Carla Mae – Released 6/6/2026 via Cash Bond.

Eisenbrandt, Jonah Isaiah – Released 6/7/2026, Time Served.

Ladish, Clay Matthew – Released 6/5/2026, Transferred Out (Douglas County).

Reisman, Robert Ryan – Released 6/7/2026 via Surety Bond (Able Bonding).

Surguy, Nikita – Released 6/6/2026, Time Served.

Williams, Alexis Ann – Released 6/7/2026 via Surety Bond (Larry Lamb).

Total Inmates as of 6/8/2026: 51

Inmates at Bourbon County Jail: 49
Inmates at Osawatomie State Hospital: 2

Charges are accusations only. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Documents:

Opinion

Germs and Gnats by Carolyn Tucker

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Keys to the Kingdom
By Carolyn Hayward Tucker

Germs and Gnats

I’m not a people watcher when I‘m shopping because I‘m usually on a mission and quite focused. However, one day I couldn’t help noticing a woman holding a folded wad of greenback between her lips as she diligently cleaned her cart handle with an antibacterial wipe. This puzzling absurdity blew my mind; I’m sure I stared. I’m no expert, but it’s a known fact that germs like to do a little party dance on money. I guess you could call it dirty dancing.

This scenario reminds me of the scripture in Matthew 23:24 NRS where Jesus is sternly talking to the religious leaders. “You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.” The rigid Pharisees and teachers of religious law would carefully strain their drinking water to make sure they didn’t accidentally swallow a gnat (the smallest inedible insect for the Israelites.) The camel was one of the largest unclean animals. Gnats and camels were both forbidden as food in the Old Testament. Jesus was purposely using a figure of speech to shock His hearers into getting the point.

Jesus was upset that doing justice, showing mercy, exercising faith in God, and loving Him was not being practiced by the religious leaders. Instead, they were busy straining their water. As Christ followers today, we need to be careful that we’re not majoring on the minors while ignoring the majors. Little trifling things that don’t amount to a hill of beans was not, and is not, what Jesus wants His disciples to major on.

Jesus criticized the Pharisees and teachers of religious law for their misplaced priorities. They neglected the more-important principles of a godly lifestyle. Practicing the weightier matters of loving God and loving others was sadly being neglected. The only people Jesus spoke to with consternation were the religious people who acted righteous on the outside but were unrighteous on the inside. Jesus sure didn’t beat around the bush when He said, “Great sorrow awaits you religious scholars and Pharisees — frauds and imposters! You are foolish to ignore the greed and self-indulgence that live like germs within you. You are blind and deaf to your evil” (Matthew 23:25-26 TPT).

When it comes to the practice of loving others, we believers don’t want to be guilty of making a mountain out of a molehill. Keep in mind that a fellow believer can be rough around the edges and still have a perfect heart toward God. We can read in Hebrews 11 about a lot of imperfect men and women who had a true heart of faith. Jesus said it’s all about the heart. Godliness is not just skin deep and can’t be confused with how a person looks on the outside. A godly person is one whose heart is sensitive toward God and takes Him and His Word seriously. The inside reveals who we really are, not the outside.

Honestly, believers should be hell-bent on majoring on the majors found in God’s Word. And it’s up to us to do our own regular heart checkups. When (not if) we find a problem, we need to submit to spiritual major-heart surgery performed by Dr. Jesus.

The Key: Spiritually speaking, let’s put our money where our mouth and heart is.

Bourbon County Local News