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Monday, February 16, 2026
Hume Fire Department makes another upgrade
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Coming Soon: Skin Lesion Evaluation Clinic at BCMH
Bates County Memorial Hospital is preparing to launch a Skin Lesion Evaluation Clinic this summer, expanding access to focused evaluation and care for suspicious skin lesions and certain skin cancers.
Services through the Skin Lesion Evaluation Clinic will be provided by Laura Noble, FNP, and William Joyce, Jr., DO, General Surgeon. Appointments will focus on identifying concerning skin lesions, performing biopsies when appropriate, and guiding patients through next steps in care. Services may also include removal of select benign lesions, such as skin tags or moles, when clinically appropriate.
This clinic is designed specifically for the evaluation and management of skin lesions and possible skin cancers. It is not intended for diagnosis or treatment of general skin conditions such as rashes, acne, or chronic dermatologic disorders, and does not replace care provided by a dermatologist.
Every day, more than 9,500 people are diagnosed with skin cancer in the United States, underscoring the importance of early detection and timely evaluation. These numbers highlight why improving access to focused skin lesion evaluation and coordinated treatment services, such as those being introduced through the Skin Lesion Evaluation Clinic at Bates County Memorial Hospital, is important for our community.
For patients who are diagnosed with skin cancer, providers will review treatment options and help coordinate the most appropriate next step. Depending on the type of cancer and individual factors, this may include referral for Mohs surgery or consideration of image-guided superficial radiation therapy through GentleCure by SkinCure Oncology. Currently, GentleCure treatment locations are available in the Kansas City area and in Springfield, Missouri.
As part of the clinic’s development, BCMH is working toward the long-term goal of offering image-guided superficial radiation therapy locally through a partnership with GentleCure. In the meantime, the Skin Lesion Evaluation Clinic will serve as the starting point for evaluation, diagnosis, and care coordination.
As part of the clinic’s launch process, BCMH is currently identifying eligible patients for evaluation. Individuals who have been recently diagnosed with basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer and are interested in learning more about evaluation and treatment options are encouraged to contact the hospital for a consultation. Evaluation does not require delaying current or recommended care.
To schedule a visit with Laura Noble, FNP, or William Joyce, Jr., DO, please call 660-200-7006.
Additional information about image-guided superficial radiation therapy is available at gentlecure.com.
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Obituary - Linda Ann Wymore
Linda Ann Wymore, 74, of Nevada, MO, passed away on Saturday, February 14, 2026 at Research Medical Center, Kansas City, MO. She was born in Butler, MO on June 26, 1951 to Thomas Lee and Dorothy Cleo (Zwahlen) Whitten.
Linda graduated from Hume High School in 1969 where she enjoyed participating in band, choir, school plays, and basketball. Linda worked as a legal secretary for Blake Hudson at Hudson Law Firm in Ft. Scott, KS for 49 years, retiring in 2023 after a successful battle with cancer.
Linda was a member of Foster Christian Church for many years where she enjoyed playing the piano each Sunday and especially for Easter and Christmas programs. After moving to Nevada in 2002, she joined First Baptist Church. She loved her church family, especially the ladies in her Sunday School Class. They would become very dear friends of hers. Linda was a proud mother and grandmother, attending every event in their lives as their biggest cheerleader and supporter. She was a wonderful cook and shared her favorites with her family and friends. Her favorite thing to do was visiting her family and friends. She enjoyed dancing, preparing meals for family and playing cards and Bingo with them.
Survivors include her life partner, Dale Neal, Mound City, KS; her daughter, Tammy Hendren (Mike Ward), Nevada, MO; grandchildren, Dalton Hendren (Jordan Crozier), Rich Hill, MO and Melinda Hendren (Baily Solan), Springfield, MO; and three nephews and one niece and their families who were very dear to her heart, Tom Whitten, Jr., Ronald Whitten, Tonya Jacobs, Doug Norbury, Rich Hill, MO. Preceding her in death were her parents; one brother, Tom Whitten; a sister-in-law, Rosemary Whitten; and a niece, Deann Cobbs, Mound City, KS.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 from 3:00-5:00 p.m. at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada, MO.
Those who wish may contribute in Linda’s name to Salem Cemetery, Foster, MO in care of Ferry Funeral Home.
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Obituary - Benny C. Odom
He was the son of Robert Carroll and Bessie Edith (Powell) Odom.
Benny was a 1955 graduate of Cleveland High School. After graduation, he worked several years as a brick mason alongside his father and brother and became a member of the Bricklayers Union of Kansas City, Kansas. Benny then served as a Cass County, Missouri deputy sheriff for 10 years before becoming the Cass County Collector, a position he held for 30 years until his retirement. During his time as Cass County Collector, Benny clerked many farm auctions for John Goddard, Rick Cantrell and, Kirk Young. He also held the position of Chief of Police of Cleveland, Missouri.
On October 10, 1958 Benny was united in marriage with Judith Ann “Judy” Cravens and to this union four daughters, Tammy Lorraine, Julie Ann, Amy Lynne and Betsy Carol were born. Benny and Judy were married for almost 60 years before her passing on September 10, 2018.
Benny was a public servant at heart and had served on many committees and was a member of many organizations including Missouri Farm Bureau, charter member of the Cleveland Lions Club, past President of the Missouri County Collectors Association, Board Member of Missouri Association of Counties (MAC), served on the Midway School Board for 12 years and was President of the School Board for 6 of those years, served on the board of P.W.S.D. #7 for 12 years and was President of the Board for 8 years, and was elected Silver Haired Legislator of Missouri. Benny was a Mason and had been a member of the Cleveland Masonic Lodge. He was also a faithful and active member of the First Baptist Church of Cleveland, Missouri and had served as Chairman of Deacons.
Benny was completely devoted to his family. When his girls were young, he spent every weekend taking them to horse shows as well as all their other activities and that trend continued with his grandchildren.
After his retirement, Benny enjoyed spending time in his woodworking shop, mowing his lawn, fishing and hunting, but most of all, he loved the time he was able to spend with his grandchildren.
In addition to his wife, Judy, Benny was preceded in death by his parents Robert and Bessie Odom; brothers, Charles Edward Keeran and infant Donald Earl Odom; sisters, Wilma Jean Bain and Shirley Ann Barthol; great-granddaughter, Sophie Lueker and son-in-law, Dennis Lueker.
He is survived by his daughters, Tammy Lorraine Lueker, Julie Ann Holder and husband Aaron, Amy Lynne Hinkle and husband Mike, and Betsy Carol Frazier and husband Ron, all of Cleveland, Missouri; sister, Ruth Elaine Zimmerman of Cleveland, Missouri; 12 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandson.
The family of Benny C. Odom will receive friends from 5:00 – 8:00 P.M. Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at the First Baptist Church of Cleveland, 420 W. Main, Cleveland, Missouri 64734. Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 P.M. Thursday, February 19, 2026 at the church with Brother Henry Green officiating. Casket Bearers will be Mike Hinkle, Aaron Holder, Ron Frazier, Rob Irvin, Tom Suver and Dave Irvin. Honorary are all his Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren. Interment will follow in the Glenwild Cemetery.
Contributions are suggested to Logan Meerkatz and Clay Palmer Scholarship Memorial Fund. Checks should be made out to Mason Owens and on the Memo line please note “Memorial Scholarship Fund”.

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