LDCHD news release about community flu clinics

Press Release

---

Lawrence, KS – The Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department has scheduled three
community flu vaccination clinics. They will be:
• Tuesday, Oct. 17 — 4-6 p.m., Eudora City Hall, 4 E. Seventh St., Eudora.
• Thursday, Nov. 2 — 3:30-5:45 p.m., Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont St.,
Lawrence.
• Wednesday, Nov. 8 — 4-6 p.m. Baldwin City Public Library, 800 Seventh St., Baldwin
City.
Participants should bring health insurance information or cash, credit card or check. The flu shot is:
• $28 for children ages 6 months to 35 months.
• $35 for individuals 3 years and older.
• $62 for the high-dose vaccine for individuals 65 years and older.
The Health Department recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older should get a
yearly flu vaccine. Getting the vaccination is the most effective way to avoid getting the flu, a
contagious respiratory illness.
Influenza can cause mild to severe symptoms and can lead to hospitalizations and death.
During the 2016-17 flu season, influenza was a contributing factor or directly caused 1,205
deaths in Kansas, according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Those
most at risk are infants and young children, older adults and pregnant women; however, flu is
unpredictable and even healthy children and adults can get flu.
Clinic Supervisor Kathy Colson said it’s not only important to get vaccinated to protect yourself,
but also your family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors. “People can be infected with the flu
virus and not be showing symptoms. During this time, those persons may still spread the virus
to others.”
For more information about flu or to view Douglas County flu activity, visit ldchealth.org/flu.

Meet the Candidate - Brian Messenger

Candidate Questionnaire

---

Gazette: What sets you apart from other candidates? 
Messenger:   No response/Unable to contact

Gazette: What aspects of your personal history, accomplishments, and personal philosophy make you the best possible choice in this election cycle? 
Messenger:   No response/Unable to contact

Gazette:  What do you see as the most important issue this election? 
Messenger:   No response/Unable to contact



Gazette: What would you do to ensure the community you hope to represent is a livable community? 
Messenger:   No response/Unable to contact


Gazette:  If money were no obstacle, what is one project you’d like to see the city move forward on? 
Messenger:   No response/Unable to contact


Gazette: Polls show most voters don't think government works. What would you do to reform the underlying structures and systems that seem to be a major cause of the problem? 
Messenger:  No response/Unable to contact



Gazette: Do you think eliminating obsolete laws, regulations (and bureaucracies) would help reduce wasteful spending in government? And if so, how would you do it? 
Messenger:   No response/Unable to contact





 Gazette: Do you think state and local civil service rules make it harder to cut wasteful spending and to efficiently manage public agencies? If so, what would you do about it? 
Messenger:   No response/Unable to contact





Gazette: What is your position on the Baldwin City Recreation Center?
Messenger:  No response/Unable to contact

Jenkins, Loebsack Send Letter to HHS on Direct Supervision

Press Release

---

Congress Person Lynn
Jenkins

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Recently, Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins (KS-R) and Congressman Dave Loebsack (IA-D) sent a letter to Acting Secretary of Health and Human Services Don Wright to permanently prevent Medicare’s enforcement of unreasonable and inflexible direct supervision rules for outpatient therapy services at Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) and other small, rural hospitals. The bipartisan letter was signed by 54 other members of the House of Representatives.

“Critical Access Hospitals and small hospitals are the lifeblood of rural communities,” said Congresswoman Jenkins. “Permanently preventing the “direct supervision” rule will help CAHs and other rural hospitals plan for the future and focus more on their patients. I will continue working to repeal burdensome regulations on our rural and critical access hospitals to ensure their continued presence and vitality throughout Kansas.”

“We must keep fighting to ensure all Iowans have access to high-quality health care no matter where they live,” said Loebsack. “Critical Access Hospitals play an important role in rural communities by providing access to primary, emergency, and acute care services. I have visited CAHs across the state that has struggled to meet the direct supervision requirement. I am proud to continue working with Rep. Jenkins on a bipartisan basis to permanently extend this rule to provide CAHs with certainty that they deserve.”

Dear Acting Secretary Wright:

On July 13, 2017, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released the proposed rule for “Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment System Changes for 2018.” While we were pleased CMS included a two-year moratorium on enforcement of its burdensome direct supervision requirement for outpatient therapeutic services provided in certain small and rural hospitals, we urge you to include a moratorium for the current year, 2017, and to permanently extend the enforcement moratorium.

Under current regulations, hospitals must perform most outpatient therapeutic services under the “direct supervision” of a physician or qualified non-physician practitioner, which can be challenging for small and rural hospitals due to already low numbers of available health professionals and associated costs. When these services become too expensive or difficult to provide under “direct supervision” requirements, they are at risk of being terminated, leaving patients without access to care in their communities.

The American Hospital Association, which represents nearly 2,000 small and rural hospitals, has stated that hospital outpatient services in rural communities have always been – and will continue to be provided by licensed, skilled professionals under the overall direction of a physician. However, if CMS enforces its burdensome direct supervision policy in these vulnerable facilities, we are concerned that many hospitals will simply stop offering certain services or drastically limit when they are offered to patients because they cannot afford to maintain compliance with the regulation. Furthermore, we are concerned that without a moratorium in 2017, hospitals operations and services may be jeopardized by the prospect of enforcement of this burdensome regulation.

We appreciate your willingness to listen to and consider our concerns, and for your commitment to protect access to patient care in rural communities and provide regulatory relief to America’s small and rural hospitals.

Baldwin High Community Homecoming

Kevin Surbaugh

---

 Baldwin High School held a community-wide Homecoming Celebration complete with a parade in downtown Baldwin City on Thursday, October 12, 2017.   Citizens from throughout the district came out to pump the team up, before the big victory that came the next night.

Baldwin High Football Team   Photographer Kevin Surbaugh

Photographer Kevin Surbaugh

Baldwin High fans show their support for Baldwin Football
Photographer Kevin Surbaugh

Baldwin City Council Agenda - October 17, 2017

Baldwin City Public Library
800 7th Street
Baldwin City, KS 66006
TUESDAY
October 17, 2017
7:00 PM

---

A. Call to Order- Mayor Marilyn Pearse
B. Consent Agenda
   1. Minutes of the October 3, 2017, Regular Meeting
C. Public Comment:
Members of the public are welcome to comment on items relating to City business not listed on this
Agenda. Please stand and wait to be recognized by the Mayor. As a general practice, the comments may or may not be acted upon by the Council during the meeting, or Council may refer the items to staff for .follow up.
If you wish to comment on an item listed on the Agenda, a sign-up sheet is provided for you to sign in and .provide your address. You will be called on when the Agenda item of interest is under discussion by the Council.
D. Special Reports or Presentations
   1. Highway 56 Project Update -- BG Consultants
E. Old Business
F. New Business
  1. Mayor appointments
       a. Gerard Arantowicz-library board
       b. Glenn Rodden - treasurer
 2. Ordinance 1381 Amending Water Rates
3. Ordinance 1380 Amending Sewer Rates
4. Lotatorium discussion
5. Capital Improvement Plan discussion
G. Committee and/or Commission Reports
1. Budget and Finance/Kathy Gerstner, David Simmons
2. Community Development Committee/A.J. Stevens, Tony Brown
3. Public Health and Safety Committee/David Simmons, Kathy Gerstner
4. Public Works Committee/Christi Darnell, A.J. Stevens
5. Utilities Committee/ Tony Brown, Christi Darnell
H. City Administrator and Staff comments
I. Council & Mayor Comments
J. Executive Session
K. Adjourn

Meet the Candidate - Peter Sexton

Candidate Questionnaire

---

Peter Sexton

Gazette: What sets you apart from other candidates? 
Sexton:     I have demonstrated integrity and reliability to the voting public in two states (OH and IL) by re-election to three positions within three different venues: Village Council, Village Trustee and Township Trustee. I am a fiscal conservative, preferring to save before we invest, and in all cases, evaluate carefully whether projects are needs vs wants. I have a great deal of respect for public expressions of support or opposition, but I urge all parties involved in any issue to hear and understand both points of view before judging the right or wrong of their concern. Volume does not make right any more than silence is a sign of concealment. Experience, in my case, 32 years, is a valuable aid to navigate the changing geography of government. I love where I live and I’m ready to serve!





Gazette: What aspects of your personal history, accomplishments, and personal philosophy make you the best possible choice in this election cycle? 
Sexton:   Career history includes, Advertising and Periodical Publishing, representing or employed by major national manufacturers including Baldwin Piano Co., General Electric (Co.) Aircraft Gas Turbine Div, Chrysler Corp, Formica Corp., Anchor Hocking Glass, Rust-Oleum Coatings, The Merchandise Mart (Chi), Condé Nast Publications and Simmons-Boardman Publications. 
With civic experience including having been active in local government in Mariemont, OH (ten years elected to Village Council) and Lake Bluff, IL eight years as Village Trustee, six years Village Clerk, four years Township Trustee and four years as a Commissioner on the Northeast IL Planning Commission serving incorporated and unincorporated areas of six counties in Greater Chicago. Total of 32 years of experience in local government.  Member of the Baldwin City Chamber of Commerce, serving on the Visitors Bureau, Senior Engagement Coordinating Council and the Mural Project.  Judge for Baldwin HS Future Business Leaders of America  Chairman, Board of Elders, Church of the Redeemer, Mettawa, IL; member, Christ Church, Lake Forest, IL and New Hope Fellowship, Lawrence, KS.

Gazette:  What do you see as the most important issue this election? 
Sexton:   Housing, Residential Tax Base, Consistent Enforcement of Planning & Zoning regulations, Improve Communication and Cooperative Activities of three groups: City Administration, Economic Development Corp. and Tourism Bureau. Areas of concern include (a) Aesthetics – Curb appeal, (b) Provision for temporary overnight accommodation of visitors and (c) Variety of price points attractive to both retirees and new family formations.



Gazette: What would you do to ensure the community you hope to represent is a livable community? 
Sexton:   Anticipated growth of both incorporated area and median age of residents, possibility of 12-15% for both categories. Availability of affordable housing and state of the national economy may also have significant impact on the demographic profile and the pace of change. Will retirees (both local agricultural and business professionals retreating from higher cost urban areas) compete with a younger audience seeking a small-town environment to raise a family? Will there be any significant changes in the commercial/industrial climate to accelerate or retard change in any category? Will Baldwin City and its school system have sufficient facilities and qualified staff to attract businesses to locate here and maintain a suitable balance of tax revenue base to accomplish affordable growth?


Gazette:  If money were no obstacle, what is one project you’d like to see the city move forward on? 
Sexton:  No Response


Gazette: Polls show most voters don't think government works. What would you do to reform the underlying structures and systems that seem to be a major cause of the problem? 
Sexton: No Response



Gazette: Do you think eliminating obsolete laws, regulations (and bureaucracies) would help reduce wasteful spending in government? And if so, how would you do it? 
Sexton:  No Response





 Gazette: Do you think state and local civil service rules make it harder to cut wasteful spending and to efficiently manage public agencies? If so, what would you do about it? 
Sexton:   No Response





Gazette: What is your position on the Baldwin City Recreation Center?
Sexton: No Response

Number 2 Baker Charges Past MNU, 48-14

Tyler Price, Assistant Director of Athletics | Communications  Baker University

---

BALDWIN CITY, Kansas – After a slow start and a 30-minute lightning delay, the number two ranked Baker University football team regrouped and defeated rival Mid-America Nazerine, 48-14, to move to a perfect 7-0 on the season and opens up Heart Southern Division play with a 1-0 record.

This is Baker’s fourth win over Mid-America Nazarene in the last five seasons and marks its 24^th-straight win over a Heart of America Athletic Conference opponent.

The Pioneers scored first on a Trey Cooper pass to Marquis McQuire from 28-yards out to put Mid-America Nazerine up, 7-0.

Clarence Clark put Baker on the board for the first time with 13:17 to go in the 2^nd quarter on a 21-yard FG.

Then a thunderous lightning bolt hit near Liston Stadium and sent the crowd fleeing out of the Stadium, causing a 30-minute lightning delay.

Baker came out recharged after the delay and scored 32-unanswered points, with another Clarence Clark field goal from 46-yards out.

Then safety Grant Elston picked off a Cooper pass and raced to the end zone for a pick-six from 50-yards out to put BU up, 12-7, Clark then ran in the PAT for two points, to make the score 14-7.

Logan Brettell scored his first TD of the game on a 10-yard run right after halftime, then he connected with Clark on a 20-yard TD pass to give BU the 28-7 lead.

Baker wasn’t done yet, JD Woods ran in a 1-yard touchdown run before Mid-America Nazerine finally scored again on a 4-yard pass from Cooper to Kobe Hardin.

The longest offensive play of the day came with 12:22 to go in the fourth quarter, when Tywonn Moss scored on a 42-yard pass from Brettell and Brandon Mueller ended the scoring for Baker with 5:39 to go in the game on a nifty 5-yard TD scamper.

The Wildcat offense finished with 450 total yards. Brettell went 23-of-36 for 341 yards passing and two scores and he led the team in rushing with 61 yards on 10 carries.

Trey Cooper struggled for Mid-America Nazerine throwing three interceptions and went 18-of-41 for 123 yards.

Elston had two picks for Baker and six tackles, while Landon Decker also had an interception and recovered a fumble.

Kegan Schumann led all players with nine tackles and Josh Kock had another sack, giving him 28 on his impressive career.

Baker held Mid-America Nazerine to just 263 total yards and allowed just 3.1 yards per play, while the BU offense averaged 6.0 yards per play.

Six different ‘Cats had a reception, as Moss had a monster game with seven catches for 142 yards and Clark finished with seven receptions for 95 yards.

The Wildcats next travel to Kansas City, Missouri to face Avila on Saturday, October 21 at 1 p.m.

Number. 2 Baker vs. MNU to be Broadcast on Watch ESPN/ESPN 3

Tyler Price, Assistant Director of Athletics | Communications  Baker University

---

 

BALDWIN CITY, Kansas – The number two Baker University football team will renew its rivalry against MidAmerica Nazarene University on Saturday, October 14 at 11:07 a.m. in a game that will be broadcast worldwide on the Watch ESPN App/ESPN 3 and locally on KSMO-TV.

Fans may watch the game on its home computer, tablet or mobile devices via the Watch ESPN app and on its television set on KSMO-TV.

The matchup inside Liston Stadium will be the 37^th all-time, as Baker leads the series, 19-17.

The Wildcats have won three of the last four games including a 55-34 win in Olathe, Kansas last year.

Baker is 6-0 for the third time in four years and has won 23-straight games against a Heart of America Athletic Conference opponent.

The Wildcats are one of the hottest teams across the nation, as they sport a 50-8 record since the start of the 2013 season.

MNU enters the contest 3-3 and has lost three-straight games after beginning the year, 3-0.

The Pioneers have accumulated 22.5 sacks this season, which ranks number four in the NAIA and linebacker Dominic Swillum ranks number 2 in the NAIA in tackles per game at 14.3.

Quarterback Trey Cooper has thrown for 1,651 yards this season and 13 touchdowns with five interceptions.

The Wildcats feature the number two ranked scoring offense in the NAIA, as they average 53.5 points per game and Clarence Clark leads the NAIA in total scoring with 90 points.

He is the NAIA’s all-time leading scorer by nearly 100 points with 43 TD’s, 43 field goals and 226 PAT’s totaling 613 points.

Baker also features the 2016 NAIA National Player of the Year in Logan Brettell. The senior is now Baker’s all-time leader in passing yards with 8,446, passing TD’s 84 and total offensive yards with 9,083.

Brettell has thrown for 1,901 yards this season with 21 touchdowns and just three interceptions.

Seven Wildcats have 10 or more receptions, as Nick Snider leads the pack with 28 and Clark leads the team in receiving yards with 657.

Defensively Indie Allen is the NAIA’s fifth-leading tackler per game at 11.7 tackles per game. Baker has 19 sacks by its defense, which is number ninth in the country.

Two-time defending Heart South Co-Defensive Player of the Year, Josh Kock leads Baker in sacks with five, while Jack Taylor and Allen each have three sacks apiece. Baker is +4 in turnover margin, while MNU is -1.

Number 4 BU Soccer Pushes Win Streak to Nine with Win over Number 12 CMU

Tyler Price, Assistant Director of Athletics | Communications  Baker University

---

 

BALDWIN CITY, Kansas – The number four ranked Baker University men’s soccer team picked up its ninth-straight win on Wednesday evening, defeating number twelve Central Methodist, 2-1 in Fayette, Missouri.

With the win, Baker improves to 11-1-1 overall and 7-0 in Heart play, while the Eagles fall to 9-2-2 and 5-1-2 in conference action. Baker hasn’t lost a match since its third match of the season on September 2.

The ‘Cats got off to a quick start when sophomore defender Joah Hickel nailed a shot past keeper Vince Gelei in just the third minute of the match.

The Eagles would respond in the thirtieth minute with a goal from Jackson Darnell to tie the match at 1-1.

In the eightieth minute, a CMU foul inside the penalty box gave Baker a chance to take the lead on a penalty kick.

Reigning Heart Offensive Player of the Week Blake Levine stepped up and nailed the PK into the upper right corner of the goal, giving the ‘Cats a 2-1 lead and ultimately the win.

Collectively, Baker recorded nine shots on the evening with five on goal, while the Eagles managed 15 shots and four on goal.

Levine led the ‘Cats on the offensive side of the ball, recording three shots with all three on goal and Joseph Houlihan attempted two shots. CMU’s Darnell led the attack with five shots.

Freshman goalkeeper Alberto Ciroi had another excellent night for Baker, recording three saves and only allowing one goal.

Baker will next take on the William Penn Statesmen on Saturday, October 14 at 7:30 p.m. inside Liston Stadium.

NAIA Men's Soccer Box Score

Team	1	2	T
Baker (Kan.)	1	1	2
Central Methodist (Mo.)	1	0	1

Baker Football Continues to Hold Number 2 Spot in Top 25 Ranking

Tyler Price, Assistant Director of Athletics | Communications

---

BALDWIN CITY, Kansas – The Baker University football team has kept the number two ranking in all six of the NAIA Football Coaches’ Top 25 polls this season including Monday’s installment, announced by the NAIA national office.

The 6-0 Wildcats enjoyed its Bye week last week, while number one St. Francis (Ind.) won the NAIA Game of the Week, 35-18, over then-number 20 Concordia (Mich.) last Saturday.

Baker is 6-0 for the third time in the last four years and has won 23-straight games against a Heart of America Athletic Conference opponent.

Also ranked this week from the Heart includes number 6 Grand View and number 12 Benedictine. Both fell to the Wildcats this season.

Next up, the Wildcats face rival MNU on Saturday, October 14 at 11:07 a.m. inside Liston Stadium in a game that will be broadcast worldwide on the Watch ESPN App/ESPN 3 and locally on KSMO-TV.

The number two ranked ‘Cats also feature the number two scoring offense in the NAIA, as they average 53.5 points per game.

Clarence Clark is still the nations leading scorer with 90 points and Indie Allen is fifth in the country in tackles per game at 11.7.

Baker is now one of eight teams in the NAIA with an undefeated record, including number one St. Francis (6-0), Reinhardt (Ga.) (5-0), Morningside (Iowa) (6-0), Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) (5-0), Southern Oregon (5-0), Langston (Okla.) (5-0), Georgetown (Ky.) (5-0).