Obituary: Sherry Anne Mowrer Newell

Press Release

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The visitation for Professor Emerita Sherry Anne Mowrer Newell will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, June 4, 2018, at the Becker-Rabon Funeral Home; her memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 5, 2018, at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 1313 SW D Avenue (Lawton, OK).

Sherry Anne Mowrer Newell

She died at 2:05 a.m. on May 26, 2018. The daughter of Mary Lillian (nee Sandefur) and Claude Newell Mowrer of Baldwin City, Kansas, Sherry was born on 11 June 1931 and is survived by her daughter, Kenni Lee (Kenwa Li) Newell of Los Angeles, California; two nieces, Mary Yvonne and Jackie Marie, of Overland Park, Kansas, and a nephew, Andy Green, of Overland Park; and twenty cousins. She is also survived by her beloved cat Sobi. In addition, she leaves behind a number of dear friends including Meg Deal-Saul, John G. Morris, Susan Luke, Sue Burpo, Roy Morgan, Steve Johnson, Ray Jackson and others too numerous to mention.
A teacher for thirty-four years before she retired, she taught grade school subjects at Gardner Elementary School in Gardner, Kansas; English at Indian Hills Community College in Indian Hills, Iowa; English at Kansas State University--Pittsburgh; and English at Cameron University, where she attained the rank of assistant professor, from 1975 to 1994. After graduating from public schools in Argentine, Kansas, and Baldwin City, she earned an undergraduate degree in psychology at Baker University in Baldwin City, serving as an intern in a private psychiatric hospital in Olathe, Kansas; she also earned an undergraduate degree in education at Baker and was certified for life as a teacher of elementary education. She later earned an MA in English at the University of Kansas. An outstanding student who graduated second in her class at Baker, she was a member of several honor societies: Alpha Delta Sigma, an interdisciplinary honor society at Baker that recognized academic achievement as well as involvement in university life; Sigma Tau Delta, the international English honor society; Phi Sigma Iota, the international foreign language honor society; Kappa Delta Pi, the international education honor society; and Phi Kappa Phi, the international interdisciplinary honor society.
Sherry's dedication to service her entire adult life resulted in her lifetime membership in the Humane Society, the Southwest Oklahoma Opera Guild, and Star Fleet International; the Leigh Holmes, John G. Morris, and Sherry A. Newell Endowed Lectureship for Classic Films at Cameron honors her service as the faculty co-advisor to the Cameron University Magic Lantern Film Society for twenty-seven years, a period of service that extended well after her retirement from Cameron. As a member of St. Andrew's, she was also an active volunteer in the St. John's Baptist Church's feeding program as well as the Salvation Army. A talented singer, she sang in several choirs: the Baker University Acappella Choir, the Kansas State University Symphony Choir, the Cameron University Messiah and Spring Concert Choirs, The Lawton Philharmonic Concert Choir, the Evening of Praise Choir, and the St. Andrew's Chancel Choir. Sherry loved learning, knowledge, her students, and any opportunity to serve and honor others. She was also deeply devout and faithful to her Lord. Memorials may be made to the St. Andrew's Music Program at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, P. 0. Box 1256, Lawton, OK, 73502.
An online guest book and sympathy cards are available at www.beckerfuneral.com

KDHE: Boil Order Rescinded

Press Release

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TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has rescinded a boil water advisory for the City of Baldwin City public water supply located in Douglas County.  The advisory was issued because of a loss of pressure. Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.

Public water suppliers in Kansas take all measures necessary to notify customers quickly after a system failure or shutdown. Regardless of whether it’s the supplier or KDHE that announces a boil water advisory, KDHE will issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.

Laboratory testing samples collected from the City of Baldwin City indicate no evidence of contamination and all other conditions that placed the system at risk of contamination are deemed by KDHE officials to be resolved. 

Boil Order Issued for Baldwin City and Wellsville

Kevin Surbaugh

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TOPEKA, KS – The Baldwin City Gazette has learned from KSNT in Topeka that the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a boil water advisory for the City of Baldwin City public water supply located in Douglas County. This order affects Wellsville as well as Baldwin City since Wellsville purchases its water from the city of Baldwin City.



According to the KDHE press release,

Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice:

Boil water for one minute prior to drinking or food preparation or use bottled water.

Dispose of ice cubes and do not use ice from a household automatic icemaker.

Disinfect dishes and other food contact surfaces by immersion for at least one minute in clean tap water that contains one teaspoon of unscented household bleach per gallon of water.

Water used for bathing does not generally need to be boiled. Supervision of children is necessary while bathing so that water is not ingested. Persons with cuts or severe rashes may wish to consult their physician.

If your tap water appears dirty, flush the water lines by letting the water run until it clears.

The advisory took effect on May 29, 2018, and will remain in effect until the conditions that placed the system at risk of bacterial contamination are resolved. KDHE officials issued the advisory because of a loss of pressure. Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.

Although the KDHE says the order is until further notice, water officials in the Facebook group, Citizens for the Future of Baldwin City, Kansas are saying 12-24 hours. According to the KDHE, the order was issued around 9 a.m. on Tuesday morning.
KDHE's statement said that regardless of whether the public water supplier or KDHE announced the boil water advisory, only KDHE can issue a cancellation of an advisory following testing at a certified laboratory.

Hawver: Kansas Democrats Have a Choice This Year

By Martin Hawver

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It’s likely to be one of those years—first in (practically) 24 years—that Kansas Democrats might want to carry a note into the primary election voting booth to remember the name of their favorite gubernatorial candidate.
For most of the last 24 years, it’s been just checking the box on the only Democrat in the race. Made it pretty simple, and you didn’t have to remember the name, just the office.
Democrats had their last “official” primary election race for governor back in 1998, but it was the late Rev. Fred Phelps, of Topeka, and now-Rep. Tom Sawyer, D-Wichita, who were on the ballot back then, and the votes were about 15,000 for Phelps for all the reasons that the anti-gay Topeka minister preached about…and anyone else on the ballot…Sawyer.

Martin Hawver

Before that, it was the 1994 five-way Democratic primary which saw 7-term former U.S. Rep. Jim Slattery, D-Kan., and running mate Carol Sader take the primary easily, later losing in the general.
But this year, for the first time in 20 years, it’s going to be a three-way; four, if you count a high schooler who has officially filed for office. Nobody’s heard from two other Democratic potential candidates, Salinan Robert Klingenberg and Olathe doctor Arden Anderson. While there are two clear leaders—Sen. Laura Kelly, D-Topeka, and former state Rep. Josh Svaty, of Ellsworth and later Topeka—just how they come out is uncertain.
And, nobody yet knows just what the candidacy of former Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer will have on what most are predicting to be the split between Kelly and Svaty. There’s always the upset, and either Kelly or Svaty could do something or say something that immediately costs her/him the election, but both are careful and in interviews appear to quietly think through their answers before they utter a response.
Yes, it’s going to be considerably different for Democrats than the good old days of the summer of 1998. Is it going to be the former lawmaker Svaty who has roots in rural Ellsworth which is west of Salina, and running with businesswoman Katrina Lewison of Manhattan? Or maybe the current senator with Topeka roots, and running mate Lynn Rogers of Wichita who sits just to her left in the Senate chamber? Or Brewer of Wichita where he was elected, then elected again as mayor, and his running mate former Gardner (that’s Johnson County) Mayor Chris Morrow?
Is geography a big part of the decision? Any chance a Democratic nominee from your area gets your local roads repaired, or at least at the top of the list for repairs? Maybe it’s not geography, though it doesn’t hurt…
If it comes down to experience, well, that comes down to experience doing what? Is it experience running a government that deals closely with its constituents—we’re thinking the mayors here—or does it come down to experience in state government? That’s probably the Kelly and the Svaty teams. Svaty served four and a half terms in the House before Gov. Mark Parkinson named him Secretary of Agriculture in 2009, and he was out the day that Republican Gov. Sam Brownback took office. Things have changed a lot in the last eight years.
Kelly? Four terms in the Senate, starting under Democratic Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and later Parkinson. And she’s been there in the eight-year Brownback/Gov. Jeff Colyer regime. The question, for Democrats, is whether she can use the Brownback/Colyer years to her advantage.
Wonder how this is going to work out…who remembers what…and their names…

Syndicated by Hawver News Company LLC of Topeka; Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver's Capitol Report—to learn more about this nonpartisan statewide political news service, visit the website at www.hawvernews.com

Congressional Candidate Issues Statement Regarding U.S. House of Representatives Passage of the FY 2019 NDAA

Kevin Surbaugh

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Washington, D. C. - The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Fiscal Year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (FY 2019 NDAA) on Thursday, approving their funding plan for the military and mapping out some policy priorities, also known as House Resolution 5515, passed the House with wide bipartisan support in a 351-to-66 vote.
In Topeka,  Steve Watkins, U.S. Army veteran, engineer, and Republican candidate for Kansas' second Congressional District, released a statement after the House of Representatives passed FY 2019 NDAA.

United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.
Photographer Peter Griffin

"I was encouraged to see the House of Representatives set political differences aside earlier today to pass the FY 2019 National Defense Reauthorization Act (NDAA) with a strong bipartisan majority. The bill includes the largest pay raise our troops have seen in 9 years, a growth of 2.6%. The act also eliminates bureaucratic red tape within the Department of Defense," said Steve Watkins. "Congress has provided the financial backing to support the President's commitment to rebuilding the military, making sure that our servicemembers are well prepared to defend American interests across the world. I thank the House for honoring their commitment to our men and women in uniform."

The bill is not ready for the Presidents desk yet. The Senate and House will have to work out their differences and both chambers will have to vote once again on the compromise version before it makes it to President Trump's desk for his signature.

As Parents Prepare for Summer Break, State Offers Advice on Keeping Kansas Kids Safe

Press Release from Taylor Forrest Director of Communications Kansas Department for Children and Families

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TOPEKA – The summer months mean a welcomed break from school for Kansas kids, but they also signal a shift in the family’s daily routine. Families may be considering leaving children home alone during the summer, instead of opting for a sitter. Safe Kids Kansas, the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) have some tips on how to decide if your child is ready to be home alone. And if you decide to keep the kids home, we have some important advice on keeping them safe.
“Developmentally, children are generally ready to be home alone around the age of 12 or 13,” said Cherie Sage, State Director of Safe Kids Kansas. “However, children develop at different rates, so use your own discretion to determine your child’s maturity level and capabilities. For example, if you have an impulsive 13-year-old who is a big risk taker, you might be hesitant to leave him/her alone. On the other hand, a thoughtful 11-year-old, who has a good track record of following household rules might be ready. Most states, including Kansas, don’t have regulations or laws about when a child is considered old enough to stay at home alone or babysit another child.”
DCF has some general guidelines to help you make the decision when your child is ready to be home alone:
• Age—Young children through age six, should never be left alone for even a short period of time. Kids six to nine can be left alone for only short periods of time, depending on their level of maturity. Children 10 and older can be left alone, depending on other factors.
• Length of time alone —Consider whether your child is ready to spend the whole day alone or if only a couple of hours is more appropriate.
• Maturity—Consider your child’s ability to fend for himself/herself and your child’s level of common sense. Certainly, children with developmental disabilities and emotion issues should be monitored closely.
• Knowledge of emergency preparedness—Ask your child if he/she knows what to do in the event of a fire, tornado, stranger at the door, etc. Ask “what ifs”.
• Availability of adults—Children must know how to reach a responsible adult at any point in the day for any reason, even if it’s just to provide reassurance if the child becomes fearful.
• Insecurity—Children should feel comfortable with the idea that they will be home alone. The more fearful they are, the less likely they will be able to respond appropriately to emergency situations.
• Behavior—Children who misbehave, vandalize, steal, intimidate neighbors, set fires or are a danger to themselves need close supervision.
“If you are unsure whether your child is ready to stay home alone, it is best to be cautious and take all measures necessary to ensure child safety,” DCF Secretary Gina Meier-Hummel said. “Never assume your child is ready because he/she seems old enough.”
Each year, more than 3 million kids, ages 14 and under, get hurt at home—and more than 2,000 children die from unintentional injuries in the home. Fire, suffocation, drowning, choking, firearm and poisoning are among the top leading causes of unintentional home injury death for this age group.
“Teach your children about hazards around the home, and make sure they know what to do in an emergency,” says Sage. “The first time your kids stay home alone, it should be for a short time and you should be nearby.”
Safe Kids Kansas also recommends parents take the following precautions to ensure your child’s safety:
• Carry a cell phone and keep it turned on. Make sure your children know where you will be and what time you will return. In addition to your cell phone number, post emergency numbers (police, fire, EMS, doctor and the poison control hotline, 800-222-1222) and a friend or neighbor’s number by every phone in the home. Teach your child their home address so they can tell emergency personnel where to dispatch assistance, if necessary.
• Prepare a snack or meal in advance — preferably one that does not need to be heated. If your children will need to cook, remind them never to leave an oven or stove unattended while cooking and to turn it off when they are finished.
• Make sure potentially poisonous or hazardous household items are locked up out of reach — especially medications, matches, lighters, weapons and cleaning products.
• Review your family’s emergency plans and make sure your children know what to do if the smoke alarm or carbon monoxide detector goes off. Practice two escape routes from each room.
• Review and practice plans for other types of emergencies, such as severe weather. Ensure they know where to go for emergency shelter.
• Show your children where you keep your first aid kit and how to use basic first aid supplies.

Area Happenings - Week May 27, 2018

Here are the upcoming events that the Gazette has been made aware of as of  May 26, 2018.  To submit an item to the community events calendar, please email it to press@baldwingazette.com.

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May 28, 2018

Time: 10 a.m.

American Legion Post 228 will hold a Memorial Day Service at Oakwood Cemetery on Monday, May 28th at 10:00 am if inclement weather the services will be moved to the legion post at 803 High St.

Location: Oakwood Cemetery

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May 28, 2018

Time:  1 p.m.-7 p.m.

Opening Day of the pool for the 2018 season.
Free admission opening day only.

Baldwin City Pool
317 Fremont

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May 29, 2018

Candidate for Governor of Kansas,

Joshua Svaty (File Photo)

Joshua Svaty, (Democrat) Ellsworth,  has served as a Representative in the Kansas State House, as Kansas Secretary of Agriculture, and as liaison between Midwest farmers and the EPA. Joshua will share his perspective on current issues and invites you to participate in this discussion.

Location: Lumberyard Arts Center
718 High St, Baldwin City

Date: Tuesday, May 29

Time: 6:30 Program

For more information: call 785-331-0421

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June 1, 2018

Eggs and Issues

A civic engagement program brought to you by the Baldwin City Chamber, Kansas State Bank, and the City of Baldwin City.

A conversation with Vernon Brown of the Anderson County Review

Topic: Come chat about current communications in Baldwin City and the possibility of having a print newspaper. Your input is needed.

Location:
Kansas State Bank
Baldwin City

Baldwin City, KS
7:30 A.M.

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June 2, 2018

Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting of Dunn's Vista

Location: Dunn's Vista
424 Washington Street
Baldwin City, KS

Time: 12-3 P.M.

Join us on June 2nd from 12:00-3:00pm as we celebrate the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting of our new home in Baldwin City, Dunn's Vista. We are excited to share this amazing home with our community!  

We will have hamburgers and hotdogs from 12-1pm, our ribbon cutting and special remarks at 1:30, and tours, petting zoo, enjoying the amazing views, activities for the kids and more throughout the event. This event is free and open to the public!  

PARKING: Please park in the Baldwin City High School parking lot and either take the shuttle or walk up the driveway. 

Morningstar Care Homes provides real care in real homes for residents with Alzheimer's, dementia and Parkinson's. Our staff becomes family with personalized care plans and the latest in memory care services located in real neighborhood homes. Dunn's Vista is our newest home developed for those with early stage memory loss providing a total life care experience. With sweeping views of Vinland Valley, walking paths, a fishing pond and barn filled with animals, Dunn's Vista is truly a one-of-a-kind home.

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June 5, 2018

Join us as we celebrate
the Retirement of Steve Friend
from the Baldwin City Recreation Commission


Time: 5-8 p.m.
Remarks at 5:30 p.m.

Location:
Dance Cafe
711 High St.
Baldwin City, KS



and meet the new director, Matt McClure.

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June 5, 2018

Baldwin City Council Meeting

Location: Baldwin City Library
800 7th Street
Baldwin City, KS
Time: 7 P.M.

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June 6, 2018

Baldwin City Caregiver Support Group



Location:
Baldwin Junior HighFirst United Methodist Church
704 Eighth St
Baldwin City, KS

Time: 1 p.m.-2 p.m.

Guest Speaker:  Bath innovation walk-in bathtubs and remodeling

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June 15, 2018

5-9 P.M.
Wine Fest

718 High St
Lotatorium
Baldwin City, KS


Don't miss out! This summer, Winefest returns to Baldwin City with...
Wine. Food. Music.
...and the Lumberyard Art Center's 3rd Friday Artwork and shopping.

Tickets: $20 in advance, or $25 at the door. Online purchases will be $21.83 with fees.  Online or in the Chamber office at 718 High Street. Ticket price includes entry to the event, plus 2 samples from each winery present.

Save the date now, and more information on vendors and tickets will be available soon!

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June 19, 2018

Baldwin City Council Meeting
Location: Baldwin City Library
800 7th Street
Baldwin City, KS
Time: 7 P.M.

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July 7, 2018

Time: 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

Baldwin City Car Show and Soc Hop

Location: Downtown Baldwin City
Baldwin City, KS

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Third Friday Art Walk and Farmers Market

Downtown Baldwin City

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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 your 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!

KCC Approves Westar/Kansas City Power and Light merger

Kevin Surbaugh

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Kansas City, MO, and Topeka, KS -The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) announced Thursday (May 24, 2018) that it had approved a settlement agreement giving Westar Energy and Great Plains Energy (the parent company of Kansas City Power and Light) approval to merge as equals. Under the agreement, the two companies will become wholly owned subsidiaries of a new parent company and serve more than 1.5 million customers in Kansas and Missouri.

Responding to questions from the Gazette, Gina Penzig, Westar spokesperson said the new name of the holding company will be, Evergy, Inc. (NYSE: EVRG) once the merger is complete in early June.  The two divisions will retain their individual names until sometime next year (2019) at which time they will be renamed under the Evergy name. Contact information, billing and account information, program enrollment and outage reporting will remain the same for customers of KCP&L and Westar.

Its principal business will be conducted by the operating companies known today as Westar and KCP&L.
“As neighbors, KCP&L and Westar have served customers in Kansas and Missouri for more than 100 years. This merger allows us to be even more efficient as we continue providing excellent customer service while maintaining competitive prices,” said Terry Bassham, chairman and chief executive officer of Great Plains Energy, who will be president and CEO of Evergy. “We appreciate that regulators and shareholders recognize the value in combining the companies.”

The utilities have guaranteed more than $100 million in customer bill credits with $29 million upfront for Missouri customers and $75 million for Kansas customers over the first five years after the merger closes. In addition, once currently pending rate reviews are resolved, the companies have agreed to fix their base rates for up to five years in Kansas as a result of the merger.

“Customers will benefit from bringing together two innovative teams of employees who are active in the communities we serve and take pride in providing excellent customer service. The increased scale and efficiency will deliver savings not possible without the merger,” Bassham said.

 In a statement from the two companies, they chose Evergy as the name to represent their combined identity. Evergy is a blend of “ever” and “energy,” capturing the history of its predecessors as reliable, enduring sources of energy for the communities they serve and its vision to continue far into the future.

Opinion: Value-added producers benefit from grants, according to report

by Cora Fox, Center for Rural Affairs

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Businesses that receive Value-Added Producer Grants (VAPG) are less likely to fail and are more likely to hire employees, according to a May 2018 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research Service (ERS) report.

Cora Fox

The VAPG program, administered by the USDA, supports farmers and ranchers who want to access value-added markets by offering funds for business and marketing plan development; feasibility studies; and working capital for processing costs, advertising, and some inventory and salary expenses. Value-added goods can be fruit made into jam or milk made into cheese, which both fetch a higher price than the base ingredients.

Taking a look at 1,020 businesses, the USDA study found those supplemented with VAPG dollars were 89 percent less likely to fail within two years of receiving the grant, compared to nonrecipient businesses of the same age and characteristics.

Additionally, the research found VAPG-funded businesses are more likely to hire employees. Between one and five years post-award, grant recipients employed five to six additional employees, on average. Prior to receiving funds, no significant difference in employment levels was found.

Lastly, the study found the success of a business correlated to the amount of funding received. After two years, businesses awarded with more dollars were less likely to fail. The increase also corresponded with job creation, as those with higher funding allotments were more likely to employ more workers.

The results show VAPG is important. Businesses that receive funding invest in their communities, support rural economies, and create jobs.

Governor Jeff Colyer Signs Adoption Bill SB284 into Law

Press Release (from multiple press releases)

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Valley Center - Governor Jeff Colyer on Thursday (May 18, 2018) signed SB 284, the Adoption Protection Act in to law at a ceremony held at Youth Horizons Kinloch Price Boys Ranch in Valley Center, KS.

Kansas State Capitiol
Photographer Kevin Surbaugh

The new law protects child placement agencies by stating that no child placement agency shall be required to perform, assist, counsel, recommend, consent to, refer, or otherwise participate in any placement of a child for foster care or adoption when the proposed placement of such child violates such CPA’s sincerely held religious beliefs. As has been done in other states, this law allows faith-based adoption agencies to continue working in Kansas without threat of being shut down for adhering to their religious convictions.
 

 “By keeping faith-based adoption agencies in our state, we give more children the opportunity to be adopted,” said Governor Jeff Colyer. “We are grateful for the work done by these and other placement agencies who are working hard to bring families together.”

Representative Susan Humphries of the 99^th District said,

 “Faith-filled Kansans have a long history of leadership and service in caring for the most vulnerable among us. This bill simply protects their place at the table while leaving many options open for the diverse population in Kansas. All Kansans will find a child placing agency suited to their needs.”

“The adoption option in a crisis pregnancy is a pro-Life, Kansas value. The Adoption Protection Act guarantees faith-based agencies the ability to serve their clients without the looming threat of litigation or closure. The most important beneficiaries of this new state law are pregnant mothers seeking help and the children they courageously bring into the world,” 

said Representative Chuck Weber of the 85^th District, 

 “My sincere thanks to all involved—including members of the Kansas Truth Caucus--who helped support this important legislation.”   

Eric Teetsel, President of the Family Policy Alliance, showed appreciation for support of this bill becoming law,

 “The provisions of the Adoption Protection Act signed into law today provide critical protections for faith-based adoption and foster care service providers in Kansas. Thank you, Governor Colyer, for securing the ability of these agencies to partner with the state to help kids in need find their forever family.”

Michael Schuttloffel, Executive Director of the Kansas Catholic Conference, had this to say about the new law,

 “On behalf of the Kansas Catholic Conference I would like to thank the governor for signing this important legislation and for his administration’s great support throughout the process.  The Adoption Protection Act ensures that faith-based adoption providers will be able to continue serving children, birthmothers, and adoptive parents as they have for so long.”

In a statement following the signing, Gubnertorial candidateJim Barnett decried his opponents’ support of a bill that ensures religious adoption agencies can refuse placements to Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) couples.

“These gubernatorial candidates have shown they are continuing the Brownback
administration’s stance against anyone who is not lockstep with the ultraconservative right wing,” Barnett said.

 “Really, this seems to be Tweedledum and Tweedledee between these two as they apparently see who they can disenfranchise the most to gain favor with the far right," Barnett continued.

Additional changes were also made to the existing law to update the language regarding adoption so that it more closely mirrors current federal law. 

Caryn Tyson Urges Voters to Look at Results, Demand Clear Positions on Tax Reform

Press Release

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Parker, KS - Caryn Tyson, a Kansas State Senator running for the Kansas 2^nd Congressional District, released the following statement today regarding tax reform.

“Many Washington Democrats are arguing that the greatest problems facing America are under-taxation and under-spending. In other words, if Congress could only spend more money and take more of your hard earned money they’d be able to take care of your needs. Nothing could be further from the truth. We need less spending and lower taxes in order to keep our recovery going, and to keep you free,” Tyson said.

“I’m disappointed my likely opponent has not only failed to distance himself from this rhetoric but has aligned himself with Washington Democrats. I’ve made my position on tax reform and tax cuts very clear. In fact, just last weeks I led the fight to return windfall tax revenues from federal tax reform back to the people of Kansas. Not taking this step is a tax increase on individuals and businesses across the second district.

File Photo: Senator Caryn Tyson

“Tax reform shows how critical this election is for Kansas and our nation. The economy is finally turning around but Washington Democrats and my likely opponent refuse to embrace tax cuts for Kansans. It’s time to move forward, not backward, and create a future that works for Kansas,” Tyson said.

Caryn Tyson has degrees in mathematics and computer science from Kansas State and a master’s degree in engineering management from KU. After graduating she began working in the Information Technology industry and continued working in this field for more than 25 years. Caryn’s work included space shuttle support for NASA where she received awards for achievement and teamwork.

Caryn also served in the Kansas House and Senate and is presently the Chair of the Tax Committee, one of the most important committees in the Kansas Senate. As one of the leading freedom fighters in the Senate, Tyson earned a 100 percent rating from the American Conservative Union in 2016. 

Caryn and her husband, Tim – both fifth-generation Kansans – own and operate Tyson Ranch in Linn County, established in 1871 by Tim’s great-great-grandfather.

Area Happenings - Week of May 20, 2018

Here are the upcoming events that the Gazette has been made aware of as of  May 19, 2018.  To submit an item to the community events calendar, please email it to press@baldwingazette.com.

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May 20, 2018

Baker University Graduations

Undergraduate Degrees
College of Arts & Sciences, School of Education, School of Nursing
Location: George F. Collins, Jr. Sports & Convention Center
524 Sixth St.
Baldwin City, KS
Time: 1 p.m.

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May 26, 2018

Time:  10 a.m.-2 p.m.

The Baldwin City Gravel Grind aka the "Cappuccino Ride"...
Gerard brings us another gravel classic out of Baldwin City, KS.

More info and course map soon.

Baldwin City

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June 28, 2018

Time: 10 a.m.

American Legion Post 228 will hold a Memorial Day Service at Oakwood Cemetery on Monday, May 28th at 10:00 am if inclement weather the services will be moved to the legion post at 803 High St.

Location: Oakwood Cemetery

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June 1, 2018

Eggs and Issues

A civic engagement program brought to you by the Baldwin City Chamber, Kansas State Bank, and the City of Baldwin City.

A conversation with Vernon Brown of the Anderson County Review

Topic: Come chat about current communications in Baldwin City and the possibility of having a print newspaper. Your input is needed.

Location:
Kansas State Bank
Baldwin City

Baldwin City, KS
7:30 A.M.

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June 2, 2018

Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting of Dunn's Vista

Location: Dunn's Vista
424 Washington Street
Baldwin City, KS

Time: 12-3 P.M.

Join us on June 2nd from 12:00-3:00pm as we celebrate the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting of our new home in Baldwin City, Dunn's Vista. We are excited to share this amazing home with our community!  

We will have hamburgers and hotdogs from 12-1pm, our ribbon cutting and special remarks at 1:30, and tours, petting zoo, enjoying the amazing views, activities for the kids and more throughout the event. This event is free and open to the public!  

PARKING: Please park in the Baldwin City High School parking lot and either take the shuttle or walk up the driveway. 

Morningstar Care Homes provides real care in real homes for residents with Alzheimer's, dementia and Parkinson's. Our staff becomes family with personalized care plans and the latest in memory care services located in real neighborhood homes. Dunn's Vista is our newest home developed for those with early stage memory loss providing a total life care experience. With sweeping views of Vinland Valley, walking paths, a fishing pond and barn filled with animals, Dunn's Vista is truly a one-of-a-kind home.

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June 5, 2018

Join us as we celebrate
the Retirement of Steve Friend
from the Baldwin City Recreation Commission


Time: 5-8 p.m.
Remarks at 5:30 p.m.

Location:
Dance Cafe
711 High St.
Baldwin City, KS



and meet the new director, Matt McClure.

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June 5, 2018

Baldwin City Council Meeting

Location: Baldwin City Library
800 7th Street
Baldwin City, KS
Time: 7 P.M.

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June 6, 2018

Baldwin City Caregiver Support Group



Location:
Baldwin Junior HighFirst United Methodist Church
704 Eighth St
Baldwin City, KS

Time: 1 p.m.-2 p.m.

Guest Speaker:  Bath innovation walk-in bathtubs and remodeling

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June 15, 2018

5-9 P.M.
Wine Fest

718 High St
Lotatorium
Baldwin City, KS


Don't miss out! This summer, Winefest returns to Baldwin City with...
Wine. Food. Music.
...and the Lumberyard Art Center's 3rd Friday Artwork and shopping.

Tickets: $20 in advance, or $25 at the door. Online purchases will be $21.83 with fees.  Online or in the Chamber office at 718 High Street. Ticket price includes entry to the event, plus 2 samples from each winery present.

Save the date now, and more information on vendors and tickets will be available soon!

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June 19, 2018

Baldwin City Council Meeting
Location: Baldwin City Library
800 7th Street
Baldwin City, KS
Time: 7 P.M.

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July 7, 2018

Time: 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

Baldwin City Car Show and Soc Hop

Location: Downtown Baldwin City
Baldwin City, KS

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Third Friday Art Walk and Farmers Market

Downtown Baldwin City

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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 your 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!

Congressional Candidate Steve Watkins Issues Statement After House of Representatives Fails to Pass Farm Bill

File Photo Steve Watkins

Topeka, KS -- Steve Watkins, U.S. Army veteran, engineer, and Republican candidate for Kansas' 2nd Congressional District, today released the following statement after the House of Representatives failed to pass a Republican-led Farm Bill.

"Career politicians in Congress failed to deliver on a Republican-led farm bill that addressed critical issues impacting Kansas farmers — issues like work requirements for SNAP recipients and long overdue welfare reform," said Steve Watkins. "Halting farm assistance programs will have detrimental effects on Kansan farms and rural communities. Clearly, that doesn't matter to the partisans on Capitol Hill. This is why I am running for Congress. Kansas' hard-working agricultural producers and ranchers deserve better servant-leaders in Washington."

Area student(s) announced for Northeast Community College commencement

Norfolk, Nebraska - The 45th Commencement of Northeast Community College took place on Saturday, May 12, at 10 a.m. in the Cox Activities Center on the Norfolk campus.

As of Thursday, May 3rd, some 894 students earned 980 degrees; 37 students earned two degrees, 21 earned three degrees, one earned four degrees, and one earned five degrees.

Rebecka Mackling, Emerson, gave the student address. She received a diploma in Practical Nursing during the ceremony. Terry Nelson, speech instructor, gave the faculty address.

A Touch of Brass, under the direction of Keith Krueger, provided the musical prelude, processional, and recessional. Dr. Linda Boullion, adjunct instructor, sang the National Anthem, accompanied by Margaret Schultz, Northeast music instructor.

The Spring 2018 graduation candidates as of Thursday, May 3rd, are listed below by degree and program followed by hometown and name. Included in the list are tentative Spring 2018 candidates and the 253 graduates who completed their studies this past summer and fall.

 Baldwin City graduates are:

Associate of Applied Science Degree in Utility Line  
Baldwin City, KS - Taylor Peters

Baldwin City Council Discusses Business Registration

Kevin Surbaugh

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Mayor Casey Simoneau listens to thoughts on a
business registration.
Photographer Kevin Surbaugh

In its regular second meeting of May, the Baldwin City council made quick work of the agenda. A meeting in which the council, meet for just a little over a half hour before adjourning into an executive session to discuss personnel matters.
During the brief meeting the council unanimously approved a resolution that would give the council time more time to request a bond to finance recent purchases, should it decide to. The resolution does not obligate the council one way or the other. Rather it sets a sixty-day window for a bond proposal should they decide to go that route.
 The biggest discussion of the night was regarding a proposal for a business registration. Something that previous councils have discussed in passing, but have not taken it any further. It is also something that the Baldwin City Chamber has requested. There was no ordinance on the table but was on the agenda to get the councils thoughts. Mayor Casey Simoneau suggested a ten or fifteen dollar registration fee. Such a registration would better assist the city in its "buy local" policy so that they know what businesses are in the local area. Simoneau said that this may not get every business, but it would help the city to be better aware of local businesses. He asked business owner Mike Bosch who was in the attendance at the meeting his thoughts. Bosch said, that he was a big fan of the "buy local" policy and that a ten dollar registration fee was "no big deal." He concurred that it would give the city an idea of who is local in town.
The council; mostly supportive of the idea, will move forward with instructing staff to draft an ordinance for the next council meeting, which will be June 5. 

Opinion: Print or Digital

Kevin Surbaugh

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© Kovaleff | Dreamstime Stock Photos & Stock Free Images
Edited by Kevin Surbaugh

Recently the Baldwin City Chamber has made overtures towards trying to get a print newspaper in Baldwin City. Something that as a journalist I would love, but there are some realities that cannot be ignored in this process.
First and foremost print papers around the country (and even the world) are closing down. Primarily because the readership is dwindling as the readership moves to broadcast and digital formats for their news.  There are those that don't have access to the internet, that still depends on print. However, the cost of print is rising.  Especially since the first of the year, that is when the United States Department of Commerce started imposing steep tariffs of up to 32 percent on newsprint imported from Canada. This additional cost on an industry that has seen subscriptions falling for several years is costly. In a report entitled, "Newspaper Industry Lost Half Its Workforce Since 2001 Due to Digital Media Rise," we see what appears to be a bleak picture for the print industry.   According to the article which predicts that the digital platform will grow by 9.8% annually and the non-digital platform will experience a fall of three percent during the current period of time (2015-2020).  The same article continued to say,

"The number of U.S. newspaper employees fell from 412,000 in January 2001 to 174,000 in September 2016 as per the data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. On the other hand, the number of jobs in the Internet publishing and portal segment increased from 67,000 in 2007 to 206,000 in 2016. This reflects the transition from the print to the digital media sector causing several job cuts in the newspaper industry.
The same report confirmed that the number of newspaper industry businesses declined about 18%, from 9,310 in 2001 to 7,623 in 2016. Meanwhile, the number of Internet publishing and web search portals increased 150% from 2007 to 13,924 in 2016. Even magazines, book publishing, and radio broadcasting showed a decline, whereas the television industry jobs have been stable since 2001. The number of periodicals declined from 9,232 in 2008 to 7,566 in 2016."

Which segues into the second fact declining ad dollars is another factor in the decline of print media.   In the same article mentioned earlier, the writer said,

"Many publications have closed as print-advertising revenue went down 80% since 2005. The New York Times Co (NYSE:NYT) alone spent $72.0 million, about five percent of its operating cost in 2017. It had also affected hundreds of smaller papers having limited financial resources."

 That pretty much sums it up, without the advertising dollars, especially for a free publication, whether it be print or digital, the newspaper cannot survive. No advertising dollars means no community support. It doesn't matter how many readers the publication has, if it doesn't have the advertisers, it cannot continue.  That is the primary reason the community is losing Baldwin City Radio.  The Gazette itself needs to have at least 100 classified ads every week, along with business advertisers, who will place the banner ads in the pages.  Without that level of support, the writer cannot derive a salary to keep the digital paper going. Without a salary, even a one-person staff cannot cover the community the way it needs to be, due to outside work priorities. The level of advertising commitment is higher for a print paper due to the cost of the paper, printing, distribution, and mailing.  Again, I would love to publish a print paper, but the community does need to step up and support whatever form of paper that the community has.

So what is the future? With digital, the paper isn't limited to the printed words. Other mediums such as video content can be brought in to help tell the story.  In an article published by CNBC,  the CEO of the New York Times, Mark Thompson is quoted as saying that newspaper presses may only have ten years before they are obsolete.  I am not sure that I completely agree with that bleak picture.  In my mind, I believe that there will always be some form of the print media, but digital will be a big part of the future.
Another thought that I have read and heard about is that in the future newspapers will be transformed in a similar manner that what we now know as National Public Radio (NPR) did for radio. That being that newspapers will be non-profit.  Supported by a mix of free will donations and advertisers.  Perhaps each of these futuristic views could be in our future.  What does it mean for Baldwin City?  Only time will tell, but let us all work as a community and see what happens. 

Number 2 Corban (Ore.) Ends Number 3 Baker’s Historic Season

Press Release

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BALDWIN CITY, Kansas – The number three Baker University softball team ended its most successful season in program-history on Tuesday afternoon, as it fell to number two Corban (Ore.), 2-0, in an elimination game in the 2018 NAIA National Championship Opening Round in the Bowling Green Bracket #1 in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Baker ends its season with a school-record for wins with its 41-16 overall record and its win over Corban on Monday, 2-1, is the first-ever win in program history in the NAIA National Championship Tournament.

Corban advances to face number one Marian (Ind.) in the Opening Round Championship later in the afternoon.

The Warriors plated a run each in the second and third innings off of BU ace Olivia Brees and the Corban pitching staff allowed five hits to the BU offense.

Baker’s five hits came from five different players including Lydia Konrade, Hannah Flynn, Eva Gonzalez, Rachel Wheeler and Riley Swickard. Konrade and Wheeler each had a double.

Brees allowed just two hits in the game and struck out six batters while walking two. Sabrina Boyd earned the win and Kaylee Graney-Patterson collected the save.

Brees ends the season with a school-record 331 strikeouts and a program shattering 29 victories.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7		R	H	E
Corban (Ore.)	0	1	1	0	0	0	0		2	2	0
Baker (Kan.)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		0	5	1

NAIA Softball Box Score

Opening Round Bowling Green Bracket

Area Happenings - Week of May 13, 2018

Here are the upcoming events that the Gazette has been made aware of as of  May 12, 2018.  To submit an item to the community events calendar, please email it to press@baldwingazette.com.

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May 14, 2018

Baldwin Junior High 8th Grade Promotion



Location:
Baldwin Junior High
Baldwin City, KS
Time: 7 p.m.

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May 15, 2018

Baldwin City Council Meeting
Location: Baldwin City Library
800 7th Street
Baldwin City, KS
Time: 7 P.M.

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May 19, 2018


Free Admission - A Traditional German Celebration of the Arrival of Spring, Live Music by Wakarusa River Band, Farmhaus Barn and Market Open, Tours of Clearfield Grounds, Historic School, Clearfield Historic Information, Kids Activities - Games/Maibaum/Maypole Festivities.

Hamburgers, Bratz, Hotdogs, Sides, Drinks, Farmhaus Baked Goods, Farmhaus Market Items and Wakarusa River Band C.D.s Available All Day For Purchase.

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May 19, 2018
A Walk About Baker

Time: 10-11:30 a.m.

Location:

618 8th St
Baldwin City, Kansas

Starting at the Old Castle Museum

 Last year's walking tour was a success, so we decided to do it again! Starting at Old Castle, we'll visit all the historic buildings on campus and hear about Baker's storied past.

Donations: Welcomed ($5 suggested) and will benefit the museum

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May 20, 2018

Baker University Graduations

Undergraduate Degrees
College of Arts & Sciences, School of Education, School of Nursing
Location: George F. Collins, Jr. Sports & Convention Center
524 Sixth St.
Baldwin City, KS
Time: 1 p.m.

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May 26, 2018

Time:  10 a.m.-2 p.m.

The Baldwin City Gravel Grind aka the "Cappuccino Ride"...
Gerard brings us another gravel classic out of Baldwin City, KS.

More info and course map soon.

Baldwin City

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June 1, 2018

Eggs and Issues

A civic engagement program brought to you by the Baldwin City Chamber, Kansas State Bank, and the City of Baldwin City.

A conversation with Vernon Brown of the Anderson County Review

Topic: Come chat about current communications in Baldwin City and the possibility of having a print newspaper. Your input is needed.

Location:
Kansas State Bank
Baldwin City

Baldwin City, KS
7:30 A.M.

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June 2, 2018

Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting of Dunn's Vista

Location: Dunn's Vista
424 Washington Street
Baldwin City, KS

Time: 12-3 P.M.

Join us on June 2nd from 12:00-3:00pm as we celebrate the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting of our new home in Baldwin City, Dunn's Vista. We are excited to share this amazing home with our community!  

We will have hamburgers and hotdogs from 12-1pm, our ribbon cutting and special remarks at 1:30, and tours, petting zoo, enjoying the amazing views, activities for the kids and more throughout the event. This event is free and open to the public!  

PARKING: Please park in the Baldwin City High School parking lot and either take the shuttle or walk up the driveway. 

Morningstar Care Homes provides real care in real homes for residents with Alzheimer's, dementia and Parkinson's. Our staff becomes family with personalized care plans and the latest in memory care services located in real neighborhood homes. Dunn's Vista is our newest home developed for those with early stage memory loss providing a total life care experience. With sweeping views of Vinland Valley, walking paths, a fishing pond and barn filled with animals, Dunn's Vista is truly a one-of-a-kind home.

---

June 5, 2018

Join us as we celebrate
the Retirement of Steve Friend
from the Baldwin City Recreation Commission


Time: 5-8 p.m.
Remarks at 5:30 p.m.

Location:
Dance Cafe
711 High St.
Baldwin City, KS



and meet the new director, Matt McClure.

---

June 5, 2018

Baldwin City Council Meeting

Location: Baldwin City Library
800 7th Street
Baldwin City, KS
Time: 7 P.M.

---

June 15, 2018

5-9 P.M.
Wine Fest

718 High St
Lotatorium
Baldwin City, KS


Don't miss out! This summer, Winefest returns to Baldwin City with...
Wine. Food. Music.
...and the Lumberyard Art Center's 3rd Friday Artwork and shopping.

Save the date now, and more information on vendors and tickets will be available soon!

---

June 19, 2018

Baldwin City Council Meeting
Location: Baldwin City Library
800 7th Street
Baldwin City, KS
Time: 7 P.M.

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July 7, 2018

Time: 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

Baldwin City Car Show and Soc Hop

Location: Downtown Baldwin City
Baldwin City, KS

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Third Friday Art Walk and Farmers Market

Downtown Baldwin City

---

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 your 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!

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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!

Governor Colyer Signs 27 Bills into Law

Press Release

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Topeka – Kansas Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D. signed the following bills into law this past week:

1. Senate Bill No. 180: Allows law enforcement agencies to request and receive files concerning applicants previously employed by another state or local agency.
2. Senate Bill No. 260: Transfers responsibility for procuring and administering the Statewide Single Audit from Legislative Post Audit to the Department of Administration; authorizes additional audits.
3. Senate Bill No. 266: Amends the Sexually Violent Predator Act.
4. House Sub for Senate Bill No. 336: Amends laws related to public records regarding child fatalities, police body and vehicle cameras, and personal identification information.
5. House Bill No. 2129: Exempts division of legislative post audit from the monumental building surcharge.
6. House Bill No. 2194: Permits lottery ticket vending machines and bingo ticket vending machines.
7. Senate Sub for Senate Sub for House Bill No. 2386: Requires occupational licensing bodies to create a list of disqualifying factors for obtaining certain licenses and certificates. 
8. House Bill No. 2438: Amends SB 260 (see above) to change a date of implementation.
9. House Bill No. 2523: Amends definition of unlawful sexual intercourse to include law enforcement officers engaged in traffic stops, custodial interrogations, interviews, etc.; amends qualifications for the position of sheriff.
10. Senate Sub for House Bill No. 2556: Establishes the State Interoperability Advisory Committee.
11. House Bill No. 2571: Repeals the existing Uniform Arbitration Act and replaces it with the Uniform Arbitration Act of 2000.
12. House Bill No. 2642: Clarifies and strengthens campaign and election laws. 
13. Senate Bill No. 217: Updates certain statutory references relating to the Kansas Department for aging and disability services and the Kansas Department for children and families
14. Senate Bill No. 261: Amends provisions concerning state agency duties regarding docket fees, marriage licenses, the regulation of scrap metal, the Crime Victims Compensation Board, and transfer of the duty to appoint an appraiser.
15. Senate Substitute for Senate Bill No. 272: Amends the Uniform Act Regulating Traffic on Highways regarding the passing of waste collection vehicles.
16. House Substitute for Senate Bill No. 307: Amends the Kansas Amusement Ride Act.
17. Senate Bill No. 310: Changes the effective date of SB 307 and adds additional definition
18. Senate Bill No. 328: Prohibits the outsourcing or privatization of any operations or facilities of any correctional institution or juvenile correctional facility; allows existing contracts to be renewed.
19. Senate Bill No. 331: Adds the Flint Hills Trail State Park and Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park to the list of designated state parks.  
20. Senate Bill No. 335: Includes savings and loan associations and savings banks in the state banking code and repeals the savings and loan code.
21. Senate Bill No. 348: Authorizes electronic delivery as the standard method of delivery for certain health insurance related documents and requires the State Employees Health Care Commission to provide coverage for amino acid-based elemental formula, as specified.
22. Senate Bill No. 375: Designates the names of certain state highways.
23. House Bill No. 2511: Makes commercial driver's licenses renewable every five years.
24. House Bill No. 2549: Modifies procedures for judicial determinations of defendant's competency and commitment for treatment.
25. House Bill No. 2577: Creates the Kansas right-to-know fee fund.
26. House Bill No. 2583: Reforms regulations and procedures regarding the control and eradication of noxious weeds in the state of Kansas
27. Senate Substitute for HB 2028: “Kansas Telemedicine Act”, which formally defines “telemedicine” as live, real-time, two-way audio-video communications, while explicitly excluding e-mails, phone conversations, and faxes from the definition. It also outlines privacy requirements and forbids insurers from denying coverage for a service solely because it is provided via telemedicine.

The Governor has now signed 97 bills into law this session. By law, the Kansas Governor has 10 calendar days to sign bills into law, veto bills or allow bills to become law without his signature.