Nursing home drive donations can be accepted now

 

Change to front door hours coming to BCMH November 18

 Bates County Memorial Hospital (BCMH) will update the hours for its main front entrance beginning Tuesday, November 18, 2025.

The front doors will be open Monday through Friday, from 6:00 am to 5:00 pm. After hours and on weekends, patients and visitors should use the Emergency Room entrance, which remains open 24/7.

Patients or visitors who are already in the facility before 5:00 pm will still be able to exit through the front door at any time.

If this change in hours poses a challenge for your visit, please call us ahead of time at 660-200-7000 so we can assist you.

The hospital cafeteria will continue to serve supper beginning at 5:00 pm. Visitors arriving for the evening meal after 5:00 pm can access the cafeteria through the Emergency Department entrance. Supper is on a pre-order basis. To order, please call 660-200-7000, Ext. 7179, before 3:00 pm.

BCMH appreciates the community’s understanding as we make this adjustment to improve facility access and safety for patients, visitors, and staff.

City of Nevada to help with leaf clean up

 

Thanks Bates county, you did it again!

Thanks to your generosity, our BCMH Auxiliary volunteers collected hundreds of pairs of new socks for local students in grades K–12.

After two months of collecting donations from our employees and the community, our volunteers sorted and prepared the socks for delivery to area schools. From there, school counselors will make sure they reach the kids who need them most.

Thanks to our dedicated Auxiliary members, and especially to Lora Padley, who leads this annual project with so much heart (and a lot of footwork)!

We’re proud to see our community come together once again to support local kids in such a simple, meaningful way.

Courtesy Bates County Memorial Hospital

Another improvement in Rich Hill city park

 A huge thank you to Duffer Hollow Designs for installing the new park shade in the Rich Hill city park.

Please note that the shade will be removed in early December for the winter season and reinstalled in the spring. Once it’s back up, the City will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony with refreshments to celebrate and show our appreciation.

Also, crews have been busy trimming trees in the park to help complete the makeover. Thanks to everyone for your patience!

Appleton City students tour local college campuses this week

 

On Tuesday, Appleton City junior and senior students explored Fort Scott Community College, Cottey College, and Crowder College. On Thursday, a group of seniors attended the rootEd Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Fair at Metropolitan Community College.

Courtesy Appleton City Schools

Sidewalk project underway at Bates County Courthouse

 

The sidewalk project at the Courthouse started this week and there will be new sidewalks, entrance ramps and handrails installed. Work will include changing grade so that water will more easily drain away from the foundation.

The project is expected to be completed sometime in January.

Ellett Memorial accepts much needed donation

 

Lillian Colburn from Healthy Blue recently visited EMH to present the EMH PR Committee with a $2,500 check that will help sponsor EMH community initiatives which will target local food and hygiene insecurity. PR Committee members pictured include: Melissa Lattin, Anna Robinson, Jessica Ransdell, Michael Wriston, Michelle Siegismund, and Kayla Orear. Members not present for the picture are: Rebecca Conn-Smith, Nicki Munsterman, and Rob Coskey. Thank you to Healthy Blue for helping us better serve our community and its needs!

Courtesy Ellett Memorial Hospital