Neosho Daily managing editor in ICU at Freeman West

The Neosho Daily News is reporting that its managing editor, John Ford, is in the ICU at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin with "a severe illness.

It is unknown when he will return to his position at the newspaper. In the meantime, his duties will be shared between Rick Rogers, publisher, reporters Todd Higdon and Amye Buckley, and sports editor Cody Thorn.

The newspaper has also hired Luke Taylor, a Neosho resident and student at Missouri Southern State University in its communications and journalism program, on a part-time basis to assist with coverage of news events during the summer.

“Obviously, our No. 1 concern right now is the health of John,” Rogers said. “We have been concerned for some time about John’s health. We ask that the readers of the Neosho Daily News join the staff of the newspaper in keeping John and his family in their thoughts and prayers.