Baker University Leads the Heart, State of Kansas in Final Learfield Standings

BALDWIN CITY, KS – After arguably one of the greatest athletics seasons in Baker University history, the Wildcat athletic department finished No. 26 nationally and No. 1 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference and the State of Kansas in the 2015-16 Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup NAIA Final standings, announced this week.

Baker finished with 372.75 points, just 3.75 points ahead of fellow Heart member MidAmerica Nazarene who finished at No. 27.

Also ranked in the standings from the Heart include Benedictine (No. 30), Grand View (No. 45), Central Methodist (No. 75), William Penn (No. 77), Missouri Valley (No. 86), Evangel (No. 136), Graceland (No. 167), Avila (No. 169) and Peru State (No. 172).

Baker earned 166 points in the fall, 162.75 in the winter and 44 points in the spring. Overall the Wildcats captured four Heart of America Athletic Conference championships in 2015-16, including Football, Men’s Soccer, Men’s Indoor Track & Field and Men’s Outdoor Track & Field.

The women’s basketball team made a historic run through the 2016 NAIA DI Women’s Basketball National Championship advancing all the way to the national title game, finishing as the national runner-up and the wrestling program captured Baker’s second and third all-time national champions in the sport, as Victor Hughes (149-pounds) and Colby Crank (157-pounds) won national titles respectively.

All together in the 2015-16 academic year, Baker athletes earned 109 Heart of America All-Conference awards, 45 Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete awards and 15 ‘Cats were named NAIA All-Americans.

Kansas School One of the Most Affordable Online Colleges in the US ccording to OnlineSchoolsCenter.com

NASHVILLE, TN (PRNewswire) -  OnlineSchoolsCenter.com has recently released their list of the Most Affordable Online Colleges, which is a comprehensive list of distance education schools with the most reasonable tuition rates in the country!
You may view the list, along with a description of the benefits of each institution, by clicking the link
http://www.onlineschoolscenter.com/affordable-online-colleges/
Unfortunately, tuition costs can keep outstanding and highly motivated online students from applying to college, simply because it would create an unreasonably large college debt. Upon graduation, some students are burdened by tens of thousands of dollars in repayment to their alma mater. However, these twenty colleges provide students with incredibly practical tuition rates, exceptional financial aid and award programs, interest-free payment plans, and/or tuition based on time spent, rather than credits earned. These twenty distance education institutions provide their students with marvelous coursework and additional benefits within their degree programs, as well as, excellent resources inside and outside of their academic careers.
Without sacrificing educational structure or thoroughness, these schools provide students with the best available tuition rates. Many of the institutions on this list have been repeatedly recognized for their achievements and academic prowess by respected journalistic resources and accrediting agencies/commissions. Online students attending one of these schools have the same opportunities as on-campus students, and receive the same amount of attention and recognition from world-class professors.
According to lead researcher and writer, Rowan Jones, "Affordability should not stand in one's way of going to an online college. These institutions provide students with fantastic programs, as well as highly beneficial channels through which they can pay for their schooling, without stretching their budgets too thin."
Below we have listed the schools that have made the listing:

Western Governors University - Salt Lake City, UT

Fayetteville State University - Fayetteville, NC

Fort Hays State University - Hays, KS

Penn State World Campus - University Park, PA

Liberty University - Lynchburg, VA

Great Basin College - Elko, NV

University of Illinois at Springfield - Springfield, IL

Murray State University - Murray, KY

Bellevue University - Bellevue, NE

Washington University in St. Louis - St. Louis, MO

South Texas College - McAllen, TX

University of Wyoming - Laramie, WY

American Public University - Charles Town, WV

Hodges University - Naples, FL

Darton State College - Albany, GA

Lee University - Cleveland, TN

Kaplan University - Fort Lauderdale, FL

Marylhurst University - Marylhurst, OR

Georgia Southern University - Statesboro, GA

University of Maryland, University College - Upper Marlboro, MD
These colleges were chosen for several factors that put them ahead of other online graduate programs, due to the: nature of the coursework, degree of thoroughness and complexity of the curriculum, 100% online availability, sufficient financial aid availability, and an education that give students more than just classroom experience.
OnlineSchoolsCenter.com is an online web publication that is committed to enhancing the information available to students when choosing an academic institution. The editors collect the most important and relevant data about colleges, universities, and campus facilities from various highly respected sources and offer them in a simple format that is easy to understand. In developing this list, we chose not to list the schools in an ordered way, but instead highlighted twenty of the very best programs, all of which have their own unique strengths.

World Class Sports Complex Combines Retail, Hotels, Office Space, and Soccer Fields

GRANDVIEW, MO. (PRNewswire) - A July 26 press from Gateway Sports Village announced a partnership with Liberty Hotel Group to add two new hotels to the sports and entertainment development.  Liberty will build a Best Western Plus that will be integrated on-site with soccer fields, retail, and a multi-sport field house. 
Liberty Hotel Group is a hotel development, investment, and management company with hotel holdings across the United States.  The Hotel Group brings experience in various segments of both the lodging and the real-estate industry.  Led by hotel veteran Larry Patel, the company owns hotels across the United States. 
Gateway Sports Village is the first of its kind, $300 million dollar sports complex that combines youth soccer fields, retail, office space, and hotels.  The complex will attract 1.8 million visitors a year, generating thousands of hotel rooms a night for visiting teams, players, and families. 
"It is very gratifying to create this strategic partnership with Liberty Hotel Group," said Deron Cherry, Gateway Sports Village Managing Partner.  "Our vision has been to develop a one stop destination for soccer and sports' families.  Hotels are an integral part of that vision, and Liberty operates quality hotels that will serve our soccer and sports' visitors well."
"We are excited to become part of this incredible sports complex.  Our confidence in entering the sports' market is heightened by Gateway's soccer partner who has been operating and managing large scale soccer events and tournaments for over 38 years here in Kansas City," explained Larry Patel.  "Having the largest soccer league in America as a master tenant makes this development a winner from day one.  We could not be more excited to build our hotels and welcome guests from across the country."
"This strategic partnership with Liberty enables us to accelerate our planned growth.  Together we will concentrate on developing the best new family-oriented sports' complex," said Cherry. 
Gateway Sports Village is scheduled to open soccer fields in Spring 2017, and the first of two hotels is set to begin construction in early 2017. 

Broadway at Baker Production Presents Bells Are Ringing

Broadway at Baker and Music Theatre Kansas City will present "Bells Are Ringing" at 2:30 p.m., Sunday, July 31, at Rice Auditorium on the Baldwin City campus.

Students 13 to 18 years of age gain stage skills during the week long intensive preparation, which culminates in a full-scale performance at the Sunday performance.

“Bells Are Ringing” is a classic musical comedy set in a time before answering machines and voicemail, when a real person answered the telephone for  someone that was unavailable. After just one phone call, danger, romance and hi-jinks ensue. The production features a score by Jule Styne and Comden and Green with popular songs like “I Met a Girl” and “Just in Time.” Cary Danielson Pandzik will direct and the show that will be choreographed by David Grindrod, who recently worked on the national tour of “Beauty and the Beast.”

According to the press release, admission will be $8 for adults and $5 for seniors and children under 12. Tickets will be available at the door.

Kwik Shop Set to Move In Today

This morning at 6 A.M. the new Kwik Shop location will open, in the former Santa Fe Market location, 522 Ames.  The previous location at 600 Ames, closed at 10 P.M. last night, so that staff could begin the final relocating of equipment and stock to the new store.
As for what will happen to the previous location. That is still up in the air.  The location is suspected to be leased, where as Kwik Shop owns the new location. 

Upcoming Events

July 28
6-7 PM
Free Community Meal
Ives Chapel UMC
1018 Miami
Everyone in the community is invited to come for a great meal and fellowship.
For more information or transportation
call 785-766-2973

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Jul 30
8 A.M.-Noon
Back to School
Neighbor Helping Neighbor
Lighthouse Baptist Church
700 Chapel
Baldwin City, KS
 First Come, First Serve

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August 6, 2016
7-10 P.M.
Spend an Evening with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
Hearty Dinner
Tasty Beverages
Rinky Dink Piano
Gal Singer
Poker
Horseshoes
Bingo
Photo Op

Tickets: $50
Tickets available in the Lumberyard and Chamber offices.
or call 785-594-3186
Proceeds support the Lumberyard Arts Center

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August 7, 2016

The Baldwin Golf Association’s Baldwin Open Come play in the sand with us!!
When: Sunday, August 7th 2016
Where: Baldwin Golf Course
This is an “open” Tournament Multiple flights!
Every skill level is welcome!!!
Tee Times: 7:00am - 10am
Price: $25.00 per player $10.00 for club cart (limited availability)
Sponsorship Opportunities Available!
*Example* Sponsored by: Baldwin Golf Association, Baldwin Feed, Stephens Insurance
Contact Brad Scraper for details and to schedule a tee time 785-550-8694

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August 10, 2016
The Baldwin City Community Senior Mix will meet at 2 P.M. on Wednesday, Aug. 10 for their 7th "Birthday Party." The Senior Mix is seven years old! Those attending are asked to bring a "goodie" to share at the birthday table, if they wish. The event will be held in Fellowship Hall of the Ives Chapel United Methodist Church, 1018 Miami, Baldwin City at 2:00 p.m. Special guests will present an entertaining program.  All seniors from "55 to 105" in the Baldwin community/area are welcome! 

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August 27, 2016
Ride for Research 150
Motorcycle ride for cancer research sponsored by the Palmyra #23 Masonic Lodge (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 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!

Paul Harvey: Police

Today, we thought it would be great to include this video/transcript to honor the men and women of the Baldwin City Police Department. Not just the BCPD, but every police agency in Douglas and Miami Counties. We thank Paul Harvey, who put into words our thoughts better, than I myself could, for this great reminder. We thank all the men and women of the our local police and sheriffs departments, the Highway Patrol, Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Federal Bureau of Investigation and every agency in between.


Yeah, policeman! A policeman is a composite of what all men are I guess the mingling of saint and sinner, dust and dearly. What that really means is that they are exceptional they are unusual they are not commonplace. Buried under the fraud is the fact, and the fact is the less than one half of one percent of policemen misfit that uniform and that is a better average than you'd find among clergyman. What is the policeman he of all men is at once the most needed and the most wanted. A strangely nameless creature who is Sir to his face and pig or worse behind his back. He must be such a diplomat that he can settle differences between individuals so that each will think he won but if a policeman is neat he's conceited if he's careless he's a bum if he's pleasant he's a flirt if he's not he's a grouch he must make instant decisions which would require months for a lawyer but if he hurries he's careless, if he's deliberate he is lazy.
He must be first to an accident, infallible with the diagnosis. He must be able to start breathing stopped bleeding, tie splints and above all be sure the victim goes home without a limp. The police officer must know every gun draw on the run and hit where it doesn't hurt.
He must be able to whip two men twice his size and half his age without damaging his uniform and without being brutal. If you hit him he's a coward if he hits you he's a bully.
The policeman from a single human hair must be able to describe the crime, the weapon, the criminal and tell you where the criminal is hiding, but if he catches the criminal he's lucky if he doesn't he's a dunce. He runs, files, and writes reports until his eyes ache to build a case against some felon, who get dealed out by a shameless shameless. The policeman must be a minister, a social worker, a diplomat, a tough guy and a gentle man and of course he'll have to be a genius because you have to feed a family on a policeman's salary.

Baldwin City Council Met on July 18

Mayor Marilyn Pearse called the July 18, 2016 Baldwin City council meeting to order. Tom Larkin, Flint Hills Development, who is a member of the development team of the School House Lofts at 704 Chapel addressed the council about the affordable housing project in the former school building.
The group already operates several other properties  around Kansas including in Lawrence, Olathe and Fort Scott. Remodeling of the building is expected to begin this fall and be completed by January 1, 2018.
Larkin requested a Neighborhood Revitalization Act "NRA" Tax Abatement of 95% for fifteen years.  Council-member Steve Bauer moved that the city staff draft a resolution to show their support for the project and the creation of the Neighborhood Revitalization Area.
Steve Friend, Baldwin City Recreation Commission (BCRC), addressed the council in regards to the proposed new recreation center. Friend said the school board would be asked to approve an increase in the BCRC’s annual property tax levy of 2 mills to provide $2.5 million to help construct a community center. Even though the BCRC has no taxing authority, but it has an agreement with the Baldwin school district to approve its annual 4 mill levy for operations.
He asked the Baldwin City Council to provide the other $2.5 million needed with a half-cent sales tax, which unlike the property-tax,  requires a city-wide vote by state statute. Although a petition drive could force a vote on the school boards mill levy increase.  The council and school board plan to have a joint meeting on the issue at 6:30 P.M. on August 9.  A location for the meeting has not been set yet. Council Member Kristi Darnell made a motion directing the city staff to draft an ordinance, seconded by Council Member Kathy Gerstner.
In other business: 

The council approved a request for $15,000 (annually) from the city for the Economic Development Corporation.
Jeannette Blackmar, Interim Director, Chamber of Commerce, address the council about the benefits of the Chamber, a members only Non-Profit and an advocate for local businesses.

Unanimously approved ordinance 1344 to rezone a parcel of land from Agricultural to R-1B.

Approved the 2017 budget summary. Public hearings on the budget tentatively scheduled for August 1, 2016.

Unanimously approved the Water Supply Loan Fund Resolution 2016-08.

Approved each of the following Special Event Resolutions.

1. Chairity Fundraiser for Lumberyard Arts Center
   
2. Downtown Ballet Production
   
3. Wildcat Wobble Dance Party
   
4. BCRC's Maple Leaf Triathalon

The meeting adjourned about 8:30 P.M.

Upcoming Events

Tuesday July 19, 2016
7 P.M.
Pre-TV: The Powerful Art of Storytelling
Presented by storyteller Robin Schulte
Baldwin City Library
7th and High St
Cool refreshments will be served. More information on the presenter is at www.robinschulte.com

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July 22
Old fashion Ice Cream Social
6:30 PM
Ives Chapel UMC
1018 Miami
Free Will Donation

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July 23, 2016
Maple Leaf Triathlon
 317 Fremont Baldwin City, KS
Sprint and Short Course
ages 12-Up
Check-in: 5:30 A.M.-6:30 A.M.
Start: 7 A.M.

Youth Course
Check-in: 8:30 A.M.-9:30 A.M.
Start: 10 A.M. 
Proceeds benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

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July 28
6-7 PM
Free Community Meal
Ives Chapel UMC
1018 Miami
Everyone in the community is invited to come for a great meal and fellowship.
For more information or transportation
call 785-766-2973

---

August 6, 2016
7-10 P.M.
Spend an Evening with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
Hearty Dinner
Tasty Beverages
Rinky Dink Piano
Gal Singer
Poker
Horseshoes
Bingo
Photo Op

Tickets: $50
Tickets available in the Lumberyard and Chamber offices.
or call 785-594-3186
Proceeds support the Lumberyard Arts Center

---

August 7, 2016

The Baldwin Golf Association’s Baldwin Open Come play in the sand with us!!
When: Sunday, August 7th 2016
Where: Baldwin Golf Course
This is an “open” Tournament Multiple flights!
Every skill level is welcome!!!
Tee Times: 7:00am - 10am
Price: $25.00 per player $10.00 for club cart (limited availability)
Sponsorship Opportunities Available!
*Example*Sponsored by: Baldwin Golf Association, Baldwin Feed, Stephens Insurance
Contact Brad Scraper for details and to schedule a tee time 785-550-8694

---

August 10, 2016
The Baldwin City Community Senior Mix will meet at 2 P.M. on Wednesday, Aug. 10 for their 7th "Birthday Party." The Senior Mix is seven years old! Those attending are asked to bring a "goodie" to share at the birthday table, if they wish. The event will be held in Fellowship Hall of the Ives Chapel United Methodist Church, 1018 Miami, Baldwin City at 2:00 p.m. Special guests will present an entertaining program.  All seniors from "55 to 105" in the Baldwin community/area are welcome! 

---

August 27, 2016
Ride for Research 150
Motorcycle ride for cancer research sponsored by the Palmyra #23 Masonic Lodge (Baldwin City)

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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!

Habitat House Nears Completion

The Habitat for Humanity house being built in Baldwin City is nearing completion. Volunteers gathered July 16th to paint the house. According to some of the volunteers, Habitat expects to hold the ceremony to turn over the keys on August 20, 2016.

Photographer Kevin Surbaugh

Photographer Kevin Surbaugh

Volunteers gathering to paint the house Habitat for Humanity
is building for the Bayless family, near 11th and Fremont.
Photographer Kevin Surbaugh