News

ELLY GRIMM

   • Leader & Times

One of the job fields being hit particularly hard in modern times is nursing, and there has been much work done to figure out how to prevent that from happening.

“Right now, the U.S. is amidst a national healthcare professional shortage, and Kansas faces a severe statewide nursing shortage, with recent data showing a decline in the number of registered nurses since 2019,” Emmi Sosa, director of clinical services at MedPro Healthcare Staffing, said. “The number of registered nurses has dropped 9.6 percent from 2019 to July 2025. Rural areas are hit hardest, as burnout drives nurses out and physicians are forced to fill roles they weren’t trained for, and these pressures are delaying care and putting entire communities at risk. As a nurse myself, and directly from my role at the patient's bedside and now in the corporate sector, the shortage of nurses seems to be getting worse. What I've noticed is fewer nurses and sicker patients, which ultimately turns into a patient safety issue. And it's becoming not just a trend but a significant issue that needs addressing, so now, with my role in the corporate sector, one of my main goals is to come up with some creative solutions to help with this issue.”

ELLY GRIMM

   • Leader & Times

The annual Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations have concluded and this year, a former Liberal student brought that tradition to his current home.

McPherson College senior and former Liberal student Fabian Camacho received a grant from the McPherson College Horizon Fund to build an ofrenda to celebrate Día de los Muertos, which took place Nov. 1. An ofrenda is a shrine created to honor family members and loved ones who have died. Ofrendas often include photos, candles, marigolds, and decorations, and Camacho's ofrenda featured all those elements, along with spaces for anyone to display a photo of a loved one or even a pet.

ROBERT PIERCE

   • Leader & Times

Thanksgiving is about a week and a half away, and the day will see millions of Americans eating tons of turkey and fixings.

One popular activity for many following the holiday meal is walking as they try to balance out what they eat with a little exercise.

For several years, Seward County United Way has given people a chance to get some exercise in prior to Thanksgiving with its annual Turkey Trot, which former Director Diana Esparza called a chance to “run the race before you stuff your face.”

This year’s Turkey Trot is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 22, and current SCUW Director Patricia Fierro said United Way volunteer Teresa Randle is in charge of this year’s event.

ELLY GRIMM

   • Leader & Times

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, but before going home and traveling to see family and friends, people are invited to celebrate with their fellow community members.

The public is invited to a Community Thanksgiving meal Monday, Nov. 24 at the Randall Girls Scout Building in Light Park. The meal will be served from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The meal is free, but reservations must be made by Nov. 21 by calling or texting (620) 566-8026. A limited number of to-go meals also will be available. The menu will include turkey, stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, green beans, cranberry sauce, rolls and multiple desserts. Water, coffee and tea will also be served. The meal is being sponsored by the Liberal Area Coalition for Families (LACF), Girl Scout Troop 60129, and the High Plains Heritage Foundation. Anyone interested in donating food or volunteering to work can also call (620) 566-8028. Anyone interested in donating funds can contact Kay Burtzloff at (620) 629-0203 or Sarah Mersdorf-Foreman at (620) 655-2061.