The One Year Mark: A Year in Review

by D. Kevin Surbaugh

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One year ago today (December 31), residents of Baldwin City awoke to find that the Baldwin City Signal released that morning would the last issue to be printed. The Lawrence Journal World had decided to cease publication.  With that news, the Gazette was birthed.  As the founder, I couldn't simply sit by idle. I had to act.  It was important to me to put my love of writing into action.  While the year hasn't been easy, with working a full-time job at the same time I was trying to operate this paper can be a challenge to be the least. Finding and getting advertising, even if we have the cheapest rates in the area. Getting out and covering the news as it happens, while trying to go to a full-time job everyday.  Letting people know, that they can send press releases to us. Whether it be non-profit groups, politicians, or other entities that needed to get news out.  Then determining what was blatant advertising in the guise of a press release and what was legitimate news.  Overall, it has been a fun year, and my wife and I look forward to an even better year ahead.

Now lets look back at the top ten stories of the year. To determine the top stories, they are ranked by the number of visitors to our website that viewed the article.

1. Our number ten most popular article was, School Board Has Joint Public Meeting With Baldwin City Council, with 379 visitors.
   
2. With 380 visitors, City Council Hears Public Concerns and Discusses the Utility Building Project, came in at number nine. 
3. Donald Trump Responds, was our number nine story, with 436 visitors, readers learned what Trumps views were.  Unfortunately, Hillary Clinton, Gary Johnson and Jill Stein ignored our media inquires. 
4. Coming in at number 8, Signs of Change, had 438 visitors. 
5. Our sixth top story, with 504 visitors, was also the most controversial.  Area Residents Shocked by New Utility Bill, in the end, it was learned that the bill was for a longer period of time the was normal.
6. With 598 visitors,  our article Goodbye to Santa Fe Market, came in number five.
7. With 1,186 visitors, Kwik Shop Relocation is Underway, came in at number four.
8. With 2135 visitors, our November 21st article, Iconic Women Theatre Series will premiere in Kansas in 2017 came in at number three.
   
The article tells of the proposed series of plays by author Mike Brommel that plans a stop in Baldwin City.
9. With 3,424 visitors our article, Nichole Servos - Life with Neurofibromatosis Type 2 came in as the second most popular article.
   
The article explored what it was like to live with a condition that caused a young girl to lose her hearing.

10. With 3,559 visitors, our article, Santa Fe Market Sold was the most popular artical of the year, making it our top story.
The owner of Baldwin City's Santa Fe Market, Frank Foye, announced in the June 2, 2016 that he has sold his store. The was bought by Kwik Shop, which became the only fuel station in Baldwin City.

Baker University Head Football Coach Mike Grossner Named AFCA Regional Coach of the Year

Press release submitted by Tyler Price, Baker University Assistant Athletic Director

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BALDWIN CITY, Kansas – Baker University head football coach Mike Grossner was selected as the 2016 American Football Coaches Association’s (AFCA) NAIA Region 3 Regional Coach of the Year, announced on Tuesday.

This marks the second-straight season Grossner has been named an AFCA Regional Coach of the Year.

The three-time Heart of America Athletic Conference Coach of the Year is now 98-49 all-time in 13 seasons at Baker, good for second-all time in victories in school history, as he just passed Emil S. Liston all-time in career victories with the win over No. 9 Eastern Oregon last Saturday, 45-41, in the NAIA-FCS Semifinals.

The current No. 2 ranked Wildcats are a perfect 14-0 and will next take on No. 4 University of St. Francis (Ind.) on Saturday, Dec. 17 at 5 p.m. CST in the NAIA-Football Championship Series National Championship game, Presented by Waste Pro, inside Municipal Stadium.

Under Grossner, Baker has won 17-straight games against a Heart of America Athletic Conference opponent and has advanced to the NAIA-FCS Playoffs in four of the last five years, 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2016. They have also captured a Heart of America Athletic Conference in three of the last four years, 2013, 2015 and 2016.

This season’s BU football team is the first to appear in a NAIA National Championship game since 1986.

 NAIA
Region 1: Chris Oliver, Lindsey Wilson College & Drew Cronic, Reinhardt University* (tie)
Region 2: Kevin Donley, University of Saint Francis (Ind.)*
Region 3: Mike Grossner, Baker University*
Region 4: Steve Ryan, Morningside College*
Region 5: Chuck Morrell, Montana Tech
*-2015 winner

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Southeastern Defeats Number 12 Baker, 72-57

Press release submitted by Tyler Price, Baker University Assistant Athletic Director

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BALDWIN CITY, Kansas – Southeastern University (Fla.) women’s basketball jumped out to a 14-0 lead to begin Monday afternoon’s game inside the Collins Center and used that lead to propel towards a 72-57 win over the  number 12 ranked Baker Wildcats.

This marked the second-straight game the Fire have defeated a nationally ranked team from the Heart of America Athletic Conference, as they defeated number. 3 MNU, 66-64, in Olathe, Kansas on Saturday night.

The Fire is now a perfect 11-0 on the year, while the Wildcats fall to 9-3. Anna Hignight again had a big day for the Wildcats with 18 points, as she went 5-of-10 from three-point range. The sophomore has scored in double figures in four of the last five games.

Courtney Hoag added 10 points for Baker and Sydnie Hanson was active on the court with a team-high seven rebounds.

Southeastern shot 52.8-percent from the floor and caused 20 Wildcat turnovers. Baker out rebounded the Fire, 34-32.

The Wildcats are now off until January 4 when they return to Heart of America Athletic Conference action, as they host Evangel at 5:30 pm.

 NAIA Women's Basketball Box Score

Team	1	2	3	4	T
Southeastern (Fla.)	18	18	24	12	72
Baker (Kan.)	5	17	17	18	57

FOOTBALL: Baker Lands Seven Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athletes

Press release submitted by Tyler Price, Baker University Assistant Athletic Director

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BALDWIN CITY, Kansas – The NAIA National runner-up Baker University football team garnered seven 2016 Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athletes, announced this week at the NAIA-FCS National Championship game.

The seven Wildcats to earn the award include senior Nick Becker, junior Logan Brettell, senior Adam Lomenick, senior Trey McGuire, junior Jacob Tompkins, senior Sam Wescott and senior Kyle Wittman.

In order to be nominated by an institution’s head coach or sports information director, a student-athlete must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale and must have achieved a junior academic status.

Baker finished its record-setting season with a school record 14 wins and competed in its second-ever NAIA-FCS National Championship game this past Saturday.

Area Happenings

Here are the upcoming events that the Gazette has been made aware of as of  December 24, 2016.

To submit an item to the community events calendar, please email it to press@baldwingazette.com.

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January 4, 2017

Join us for the most fun you will ever have while exercising-Exercise in Disguise
Zumba Fitness
Demo and Free Class
Jan. 4, 2017
5:15-6:10pm
Questions?
Baldwin City Recreation Commission
http://www.baldwinrec.org
or
785-594-3670
or marydavidson.zumba.com
or
mwdzumba@gmail.com

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January 14, 2017

Baldwin High School Baseball Teams Annual Pancake Feed

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Every 4th Thursday of the Month

10 A.M. - 11 A.M.
Mobile Food Bank
Baldwin City New Life Assembly of God
118 5th St
Baldwin City, KS
Stay in car, line up and drive through

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Every Tuesday through October
Eudora Local Gardening Farmer’s Market
4:30 pm – 6:30 pm Tuesdays 
 through October 2016
1402 Church Street
Eudora, KS. 
In the parking lot of Gene’s Hartland Foods. 
Local, fresh produce and foods offered by local growers and producers!

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Every Wednesday through October
De Soto Farmer’s Market (Fresh Promise’s Market)
4:30 pm – 6:30 pm Wednesdays through October 2016 
at The Barn at Kill Creek Farm
9200 Kill Creek Road
De Soto, KS
 Local, fresh produce and foods offered by local growers and producers!

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 Every Thursday through October
Cottin's Hardware Farmer's Market on Thursdays from 4:00 pm - 6:30 pm through September at Cottin's Hardware & Rental back parking lot - 1832 Massachusetts Street, Lawrence, KS. Local vendors offer a variety of goods including produce, baked items, hot foods, meats, eggs, soaps, jams, jellies, herbs, fudge and much more!  

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 Every Friday through October
Perry Lecompton Farmers' Market 
Fridays from 4:00 pm - 6:30 pm 
at Bernie's parking lot
24 Hwy and Ferguson Road
Perry, KS
Visit the market to find fresh vegetables, fruits, homemade jams and jellies, baked goods, honey, fresh cut flowers, farm fresh eggs, handmade crafts and more!

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Local Victim’s Family Launches GoFundMe Account

                      Kansas City - On the evening of October 25, Nicki Alexopoulos was senselessly murdered in her Brookside, Missouri home as the result of a domestic dispute with her son, who also shot a family friend in the home before taking his own life.

According to a press release, Alexopoulos' daughter, Kristen Oehlert, has started a GoFundMe page to help raise funds to cover the costs of the memorial, home repair and medical bills for their family friend who was also a victim in the shooting.

Alexopoulos was loved by many, the press release said, "This act of domestic violence rocked a close, tight knit community and was covered extensively by nearly every news outlet. It is the hope of the Alexopoulos family to spread Nicki’s story and ask for support by directing to the GoFundMe.

           

Council Receives Update from Economic Development Corporation

by Kevin Surbaugh

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The last city council meeting of the year met on Monday night, December 19, 2016. In public comments, Josh Ediger asked if there was any headway on getting first street paved.City Administrator Glenn Rodden, said there has been some talk with the township discussing some kind of joint effort to pave First Street. Eventually, both sides of First Street will be in the city limits.  Rodden said, that right now it is a matter of money, but something should happen in the Spring.
In a special presentation, Hank Booth from the Baldwin City Economic Development Corporation (EDC), said the EDC is currently working with ten to twelve prospective businesses in Baldwin City. He said that it was to early to announce who they were or the type of businesses they might be.
Booth touted some of there successes over the past year, including Homestead Kitchen, which recently opened in downtown Baldwin City. The Baldwin City Gazette, which they are working with the local editor and his wife to be very successful, and encourage everyone to send their news items to and help support with advertising dollars.  In addition, they have been working with a new Certified Public Accountant (CPA) that is expected to open in June of 2017.
The EDC also has some interest in a possible brewery on the highway. Booth said, that there has also been interest in another gas station, that a location is being sought out, and hopefully will materialize in 2017.  In addition the EDC seeks to work with the council to establish a "Buy Baldwin City First" policy in 2017.
As for housing development, there are currently ten homes listed in the community currently along with seven lots. The EDC is actively working with developers and builders to create inventory of available lots and new homes to reach a goal of 30 new homes sold in Baldwin City each year.
Working with Baker University officials is another aspect of the EDC. Seeking out how the community as a whole can help Baker achieve its own stated goal of 1000 students on campus.
Dave Hill, Board Chairman of the EDC, said that continuations of half price building permits would help encourage more construction in the city. "If we are going to build thirty homes per year," Hill said, "we are going to have to have developers come in."He suggested another way the city could consider, to help attract those developers, is a down payment assistance program. Offering $10,000 per home. In the past they had great success with a $20,000 program. However, Hill said looking back, he wishes they had done 10,000 then and did 20 homes rather then ten at 20,000.  Timing is key, Hill said, if we want anything to happen in 2017 we have to put these incentives into action.

In other business:

The council unanimously approved resolution 2016-23 an investment policy to help get better rates with the bond rating company. It is a policy required by state law.

Heard from Public Works Director, Bill Winegar, told the council that they have completed a soil survey and site layout in preparation for the new public works building.  Winegar, said that he had received he had just received the results from the soil sample, and hadn't had time to look at it, but didn't expect to find anything they weren't already expecting. There were no underground tanks or anything of that nature to cause concern.

Free Fitness Class and Other Area Happenings Coming Up

 Here are the upcoming events that the Gazette has been made aware of as of  December 17, 2016.

To submit an item to the community events calendar, please email it to press@baldwingazette.com.

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January 4, 2017

Join us for the most fun you will ever have while exercising-Exercise in Disguise
Zumba Fitness
Demo and Free Class
Jan. 4, 2017
5:15-6:10pm
Questions?
Baldwin City Recreation Commission
http://www.baldwinrec.org
or
785-594-3670
or marydavidson.zumba.com
or
mwdzumba@gmail.com

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Every 4th Thursday of the Month

10 A.M. - 11 A.M.
Mobile Food Bank
Baldwin City New Life Assembly of God
118 5th St
Baldwin City, KS
Stay in car, line up and drive through

---

Every Tuesday through October
Eudora Local Gardening Farmer’s Market
4:30 pm – 6:30 pm Tuesdays 
 through October 2016
1402 Church Street
Eudora, KS. 
In the parking lot of Gene’s Hartland Foods. 
Local, fresh produce and foods offered by local growers and producers!

---

Every Wednesday through October
De Soto Farmer’s Market (Fresh Promise’s Market)
4:30 pm – 6:30 pm Wednesdays through October 2016 
at The Barn at Kill Creek Farm
9200 Kill Creek Road
De Soto, KS
 Local, fresh produce and foods offered by local growers and producers!

---

 Every Thursday through October
Cottin's Hardware Farmer's Market on Thursdays from 4:00 pm - 6:30 pm through September at Cottin's Hardware & Rental back parking lot - 1832 Massachusetts Street, Lawrence, KS. Local vendors offer a variety of goods including produce, baked items, hot foods, meats, eggs, soaps, jams, jellies, herbs, fudge and much more!  

---

 Every Friday through October
Perry Lecompton Farmers' Market 
Fridays from 4:00 pm - 6:30 pm 
at Bernie's parking lot
24 Hwy and Ferguson Road
Perry, KS
Visit the market to find fresh vegetables, fruits, homemade jams and jellies, baked goods, honey, fresh cut flowers, farm fresh eggs, handmade crafts and more!

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Number 4 St. Francis Captures NAIA-FCS Title, 38-17, over Number 2 Baker

Press release submitted by Tyler Price, Baker University Assistant Athletic Director

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DAYTONA BEACH, Florida – The Number 2 ranked Baker University football team competed in its second NAIA-FCS National Championship game in its storied football program history on Saturday night and fell to Number 4 University of St. Francis, 38-17, inside Municipal Stadium.

The Wildcats end its incredible season with a school record of wins at 14-1, while the Cougars move to 13-1 and capture its first-ever NAIA-FCS Championship in four tries.

Baker scored first in the game on its first drive on a 26-yard field goal by junior Clarence Clark, with 12:18 to go in the 1^st quarter.

The Cougars then scored 17-straight points and took a 17-3 lead into halftime. The ‘Cats then scored first in the second half on an incredible diving catch by Damon Nolan on a 13-yard score from 2016 NAIA National Player of the Year Logan Brettell.

Seth Coate then added his second and third touchdown receptions to give USF the 31-10 lead. Coate has now scored a receiving touchdown in 27-straight games.

Cornell Brown added a 1-yard TD run with 3:39 to go in the game to give the ‘Cats their final score.

Brettell ended the season with a 34-of-50 night with 263 yards and a touchdown, while Cornell Brown added 103 yards rushing and 81 yards receiving, leading the team in both categories.

Nate McLaurin led Baker in tackles with 10 and Mikeice Adams finished with seven, as did teammate Kharon Brown.

Jacob Tompkins had a terrific night punting, averaging 43.1 yards on seven attempts. Quanzee Johnson nearly hit double digits in receptions with nine.

 NAIA Football Box Score

Team	1	2	3	4	T
Saint Francis (Ind.)	10	7	7	14	38
Baker (Kan.)	3	0	7	7	17