Hartzler & Blunt Applaud Nevada Medical Center's New Sole Community Hospital Status

Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-04) and Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO) today applauded the Nevada Regional Medical Center (NRMC) on receiving its “Sole Community Hospital” designation from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), a designation that will provide the hospital with an annual $800,000 subsidy.

“I am thrilled the Nevada Medical Center will receive this much needed boost,” said Hartzler. “I’m honored that I was able to come alongside community members working to save the hospital by advocating for this designation and pushing for a timely decision by CMS.”

"This designation will help ensure Nevada Regional Medical Center is able to continue providing quality care to people in the area," said Blunt. "There is no doubt the community's efforts were absolutely critical in securing this designation, and I thank CMS Administrator Verma for her support."

“The Sole Community Hospital designation is key to strengthening this hospital,” said Steve Branstetter, Chief Executive Officer at NRMC. “Our employees are doing all they can to narrow the gap between revenue and expenses. There are just a handful of outside things we rely on - referrals, community support and reimbursement rates - that can really push us into operating in the black and this is one of them. This is a huge win for NRMC.”

NRMC (Nevada Regional Medical Center, Nevada, Mo.) applied in January to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to be designated as a "Sole Community Hospital," in the wake of the recent closing of Mercy Hospital in neighboring Fort Scott, Kansas and the failure of so many rural hospitals across the country. Members of the “Committee to Strengthen our Hospital” reached out to Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler, who contacted Senator Roy Blunt, and they immediately sent a letter to the Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Seema Verma, asking for a quick decision on the “Sole Community Hospital” designation.

“Congress created the Sole Community Hospital program in 1983 to support small and rural hospitals in underserved areas such as NRMC,” Hartzler and Blunt wrote. “The Sole Community Hospital program could serve as a lifeline for NRMC and would ensure that nearby residents continue to have access to care.”

Obituary - William George Edward Barrett

William George Edward Barrett (Bill), son of William and Pearl Goodman Barrett born July 21, 1936 in Independence, MO. He passed away May 31, 2019 in Hermitage Missouri at the age of 82 years old. Bill was proceeded in death by his parents, his sister Katherine Barrett Lynch and brother John Vincent Barrett and his son William Stanley Barrett. He is survived by his wife Sharon Barrett of Pittsburg, MO., mother in-law Francis Benner of Hermitage MO., daughter Cynthia Barrett Brawley and husband Frank of Adrian, MO, his grandchildren Sabrina Fry of Pittsburg, MO., William Fry of Raymore Mo., and three great grand children Jayden, Alyssa and Leland. Bill lived in Harrisonville, MO. and graduated from Harrisonville High School in 1955.

On June 26, 1960, Bill and Sharon were married in Independence MO. Bill worked as an Insulator and was a member of the Heat and Frost Insulators Union Local 27 for over sixty years. Bill retired in 1991 when he and Sharon moved to Pomme De Terrre Lake, Pittsburg Mo. A “Celebration of Life” will be held on Friday June 7, 2019 at the Pomme De Terre United Methodist Church at Carsons Corner in Hermitage Mo. Visitation will be at 12:00 with the service to follow at 1:00. Burial will be at a later date at the Mound Grove Cemetery, Independence, MO.

June Law Enforcement Luncheon

Make plans now….

The June Law Enforcement Luncheon

in St. Clair County will be held

Tuesday, June 4, at 11 a.m. 

The luncheon will be held At

Smith’s restaurant

Collins, Missouri

All law enforcement are welcome to attend

Please join us

the monthly luncheons are held

the first Tuesday of each month unless otherwise noted

Flags ordered to half staff

ATTENTION: By order of the President of the United States effective immediately, the United States flag at all State and government offices will be flown at half-staff, from sunrise to sunset through Tuesday, June 4, 2019, in honor of the victims of the tragedy in Virginia Beach, VA.

Severe Storms Tuesday Afternoon & Evening

So long, dry weather. We'll see weak storms enter NW MO this morning, but severe storms are possible throughout the area beginning this afternoon.

Not everyone will see storms, but strong wind gusts and large hail are possible where storms do develop.

Green Light Event In Butler

Free Benefit Concert at the Harrisonville City Park

Free Benefit Concert at the Harrisonville City Park.

June 29th 2pm-9pm

Proceeds benefit Remington's Heart Foundation

Obituary - Wynona L. (Love) Newton

Wynona L. Newton, 98, formerly of Joplin, MO passed away on Sunday, June 2, 2019 at Moore-Few Care Center in Nevada. Wynona was a born July 6, 1920 in Ashdown, AR to Benjamin Franklin and Mary (Farquhar) Love. She was united in marriage to Alfred Buford Newton on October 29, 1938 and he preceded her in death in 2008.

Wynona was raised in Ashdown, AR and graduated from Ashdown High School in 1937. At the age of 18 she moved to Joplin where she met her husband. Wynona lived nearly all of her life in Joplin and managed Ridgeway and Robinson Apartments for 15 years. She enjoyed playing Bridge with the Women’s Club at Twin Hills Country Clud and was a volunteer at Freeman West Hospital for many years. Wynona was a member of Byers Avenue Methodist Church in Joplin and the Methodist Women’s Group.

Survivors include one daughter, Tommie Sue Beisner, Nevada; five grandchildren, Rick McClary and his wife Christy, Oklahoma City, OK, Ron McClary, Norman, OK, Michael Beisner and his wife Christi, Nevada, MO, Pamela Huffman, Joplin, MO; 12 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Raamah Crim and her husband Tom, Springfield, MO; one son-in-law, Rick Baker, Nevada; several nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband she was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Ben Love; one granddaughter, Cathy Baker; one sister, Elizabeth “Libby” Bingham.

Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, June 7, 2019 at Mt. Home Cemetery in Webb City, MO with Pastor Chuck Kralik officiating.

In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to Byer’s Avenue Methodist Church, American Cancer Society, or Parkinson’s Foundation in c/o Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada.