Wildlife and parks
The Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission will have a public meeting and a public hearing beginning at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the Best Western Hospitality House, 3021 W. Highway 50. Afternoon sessions will recess at 5 p.m. and the public hearing will open at 7 p.m. to announce 2009 Free Park Entrance Days and Free Fishing Days.
Afternoon topics include department-related action anticipated in the 2009 session of the Kansas Legislature; the department’s revenue and budget alternatives; drawing of 2009 Commissioner Big Game permits; KDWP cabin summit update; Kansas Coalition for Children in Nature; public land regulations and KDWP fishing participation marketing program.
New nursing director
Newman Regional Health has a new chief nursing officer.
Julie Stowe accepted the position at Newman. She graduated from the College of Saint Teresa in Winona, Minn., with a bachelor in science in nursing and received her masters in nursing with an emphasis in nursing administration from Winona State University.
Stowe is board certified as a nurse executive. She has held leadership positions at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.; chief nursing officer for a critical access hospital in Hudson, Wis.; and as a nurse manager for Lakeview Hospital in Stillwater, Minn. She also served as an adjunct faculty member in the Winona State Graduate nursing program.
Ornaments available
Emporia Main Street still has a limited supply of Kenyon Hall collectable Christmas ornaments available. Kayla Oney, executive director of Emporia Main Street, said the ornaments are available for $10 and can be purchased at 12 E. Fifth Ave.