Obituary: Mary Jane “M.J.” Boyle Mingus

Mary Jane “M.J.” Boyle Mingus, 81, of Baldwin City passed away Thursday, August 3, 2017 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Lawrence, Kansas. M.J. was born October 8, 1935 in Youngstown, Ohio, the daughter of Edward Bernard Boyle and Mary Stewart Jennings (Woodard) Boyle. She grew up in Warren, Ohio as well as Sanford, FL where she graduated from Seminole High School.

Mary Jane “M.J.” Boyle Mingus

She attended Brenau University in Gainesville, GA for her undergraduate degree and then worked at the Dallas Theatre Center where she earned her Master’s degree from Baylor University, later she earned her  Ph.D. in Theatre from Case Western Reserve in Cleveland, OH. That education and passion would lead to her career as a Theatre professor and costumer at Tarleton State University for over 30 years, retiring in 1997.   In 2008, M.J. moved to Baldwin City, KS to be closer to family and shared that experience and love for theatre with the Baldwin City Community Theatre, impacting the lives of many, young and old alike.
Mary Jane was named Professor Emeritus at Tarleton State University. She was a lifetime member of Alpha Gamma Delta and was the chapter’s founder at Tarleton State University. She was a member of the United States Institute for Theatre Technology; the Texas Educational Theatre Association, Inc., and the Purple Poo.  She was also a member of the Lumberyard Arts Center in Baldwin City, KS.
Mary Jane was united in marriage to George Edward Mingus in July of 1967 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Warren, Ohio. They shared over 44 years of marriage until his passing on May 10, 2011.
She is also preceded in death by her mother and father, and a daughter, Amanda Michael Mingus.
Survivors include her daughter, Samantha Cheek and husband, Doug, of Baldwin City, KS; two grandchildren, Drew Cheek of Lawrence, KS and Sydney Cheek of Baldwin City, KS; a sister, Dr. Kathleen Boyle Bond of Parkville, Missouri; four nieces; and two nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday August 12, 2017 at Baldwin First United Methodist Church, 704 8th St, Baldwin City, KS.  A Celebration of Life service will follow at the Lumberyard Arts Center, 718 High St., Baldwin City, KS. A second Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date at Tarleton State University, Stephenville, TX.  Memorial contributions may be made to either the Lumberyard Arts Center, Baldwin City, KS or the Mary Jane Mingus Scholarship Fund at Tarleton State University and sent c/o Lamb-Roberts Funeral Home, P.O. Box 64, Baldwin City, KS 66006. Condolences may be sent to the family through www.lamb-roberts.com.

New Media Announces Agreement to Acquire Morris Publishing Group Assets for $120.0 Million

BUSINESS WIRE

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The owner of the Ottawa Herald, Leavenworth Times, Fort Leavenworth Lamp, Dodge City Globe and Pittsburg Morning Sun has bought the Topeka Capital Journal, along with a number of other newspapers.

NEW YORK - New Media Investment Group Inc. (“New Media”, NYSE:NEWM), one of the largest publishers of locally based print and online media in the United States as measured by number of publications, announced today that it has agreed to acquire many of the newspapers and related assets from Morris Publishing Group, LLC (“Morris”) for $120.0 million, through its subsidiary of Gatehouse Publishing.
New Media is acquiring many of the Morris portfolio of U.S.-based newspaper assets located across Georgia, Florida, Texas, Kansas, Arkansas, and Alaska. New Media is acquiring 79 publications including all eleven dailies, the largest of which are The Florida Times-Union (44,750 daily circulation and 68,591 Sunday circulation), The Augusta Chronicle (26,862 daily circulation and 31,682 Sunday circulation), and the Savannah Morning News (21,588 daily circulation and 26,048 Sunday circulation). In addition to the print publications, the acquisition includes Morris’s Main Street Digital group, substantially all weekly and niche print products and all related websites and digital operations.
“New Media is very excited to welcome the Morris publications and their employees into our Company,” said Michael E. Reed, New Media President and Chief Executive Officer. “For over 80 years, the Morris family has built and operated an incredible collection of local media assets. We are honored that the family has chosen us to uphold the rich tradition of journalism and innovation they have established. This transaction will expand our footprint into new states and add some very attractive markets to our local media portfolio. We see strong synergies between our two companies and look forward to the value creation opportunity that will exist as we combine the portfolios.”
William S. “Billy” Morris III, chairman of Morris Publishing, will remain as publisher of The Augusta Chronicle and will oversee editorial-page policy for the three Morris newspapers in Georgia. Morris said, “Since 1929, the Morris family has had a great love and passion for journalism and the local communities that they serve. However, every newspaper company in America is battling trends and redirected advertising dollars, so it is necessary for newspapers to be part of a large newspaper group to build and maintain the necessary resources to compete. We are deeply grateful for the many friendships and business relationships we have enjoyed for these many years and look forward to the impact the next generation will make.”
The purchase price is within New Media’s stated acquisition range of 3.5x – 4.5x the seller’s LTM As Adjusted EBITDA. The transaction will be funded with cash on the balance sheet. We expect it to be highly accretive to free cash flow with net synergies of $10-15 million. We expect the transaction to close early in the fourth quarter.
Moorgate Securities and Avondale Communications acted as financial advisors to Morris Publishing Group in connection with this transaction.

Winfield Correctional Facility Escapee Sought

Press Release

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Minimum-custody inmate Lewis Mitchell walked away from Winfield Correctional Facility at approximately 11 p.m., Tuesday, August 8^th. Mitchell was reported missing when he could not be located at the facility.

Minimum-custody inmate
Lewis Mitchell

Winfield Correctional Facility exclusively houses minimum-security inmates.

Mitchell is currently serving a 27-month sentence for a 2017 Sedgwick County conviction for burglary. He also was convicted of aggravated indecent liberties in 1995 and burglary and theft charges in 1981.

Anyone with information on Mitchell can call the Kansas Department of Corrections at (620) 221-6660, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation at (800) 572-7463 or local law enforcement.

The walk-away is currently being investigated.  New information will be released as it becomes available.

KDADS’ PEAK 2.0 Program Recognizes 14 Kansas Adult Care Homes

Press Release

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TOPEKA – The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) has recognized 14 adult care homes in Kansas for their achievements in providing and sustaining person-centered care for residents in 2016, KDADS Secretary Tim Keck announced today.

“I want to congratulate these facilities for doing the hard work of implementing and maintaining person-centered care, a culture change which involves rethinking their values and practices from top to bottom,” Secretary Keck said. “As a result, they are caring for their residents in a way – and in an environment – that enhances the quality of life for residents.”

The facilities recognized for their work as person-centered care homes that have moved away from institutional models of care in 2016 are:

•   Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor – Arkansas City, KS
•   Heritage Healthcare Center – Chanute, KS
•   Kansas Masonic Home – Wichita, KS

The facilities recognized for their work in sustaining person-center care in 2016 are:

•   Atchison Senior Village – Atchison, KS
•   Attica Long Term Care – Attica, KS
•   Bethesda Home – Goessel, KS
•   Leonardville Nursing Home – Leonardville, KS
•   Sharon Lane Health Services – Shawnee, KS

The facilities recognized for their work as Mentor Homes, facilities that have mentored other adult care homes in implementing person-centered care in 2016, are:

•   Brewster Place – Topeka, KS
•   Dooley Center – Atchison, KS
•   Evergreen Retirement Community – Olathe, KS
•   Medicalodge Columbus – Columbus, KS
•   Pleasant View Home – Inman, KS
•   Schowalter Villa – Hesston, KS

For the past 18 years, the Kansas Department of Aging and now KDADS has recognized nursing homes for successfully implementing positive culture change through the Promoting Excellent Alternatives in Kansas Nursing Homes (PEAK) program. As a result, accommodating the personal preferences of nursing facility residents has become as important as providing the vital services and supports their residents need.

KDADS recognizes that developing person-centered care in all nursing homes will not happen overnight. Five years ago, to encourage homes to adopt person-centered care as a minimum standard, the agency created the PEAK 2.0 program and redesigned the performance incentives included in the Medicaid nursing home reimbursement formula to recognize achievement in the areas of resident choice, staff development, home environment and meaningful life.

There are more than 705 adult care homes in Kansas, 337 of which are nursing facilities and of those, 174 are enrolled in the PEAK program.

KDADS continues its contract with the Kansas State University’s (KSU) Center on Aging to develop training materials and provide assistance to nursing home providers transitioning to person-centered care and continues to develop PEAK training and educational opportunities for nursing facility management and staff .

Lt. Governor’s Office Makes Key Staffing Additions

Press Release

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TOPEKA – Lieutenan Governor Jeff Colyer today announced the hiring of two new staff members. Clay Barker will serve as Special Assistant to the Lt. Governor, and Kara Fullmer will serve as Press Secretary  to the Lieutenant Governor.

“Clay has been a tireless advocate for Reagan Conservativism in Kansas, and served his country with distinction in the United States Army. I’m thrilled to bring his experience and expertise to our team,” said Dr. Colyer.

Barker served as the Executive Director of the Kansas Republican Party from 2011 until 2017. Barker graduated from West Point as a member of the Dean’s List with a degree in economics and history, and served as an infantry officer in the U.S. Army. He holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of Kansas, and previously worked as an attorney in Kansas City.

“Kara has grown a business and raised a family right here in Kansas,” said Dr. Colyer. “Her first-hand experience as a businesswoman, a mother, and a journalist make her a tremendous addition to our team.”

Fullmer worked in the news industry reporting for WIBW-TV in Topeka from 2003-2005 where her coverage included local and state government. She graduated with honors from Southern Utah University, earning a dual degree in Broadcast and Interpersonal Communications.  She has spent the last several years growing a small business in Topeka, and growing her family of four children.

Barker joined the Lt. Governor’s Office today, August 7, and Fullmer joined the office full-time on July 31. 

Opinion: Letters: New Taxes Hurt Workers

Letter to the Editor

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I read the Op-Ed piece by Sam Williams, KS Dept of Revenue Secretary, and found the entire piece quite negative.  While the writer says  "your employer will use new withholding tables to calculate how much additional money to take from your paycheck to pay your larger tax liability." And "Because the tax law is retroactive to January 1, you now owe more taxes on what you’ve earned so far this year."  Oh no!  It all sounds really dreadful!  Where is the benefit, Secretary Williams?

Another claim:   "Small businesses were previously exempt from paying income taxes to drive job creation and economic growth in Kansas."  Those small businesses will now have to pay taxes so that the state doesn't go under due to the heavy debt imposed by the governor's experiment in lowering taxes and hoping to create more jobs.  Instead, the state has borrowed heavily from the Transportation Dept; health and human services have been cut, and the financial rating agencies like Standard and Poor's have steadily downgraded Kansas rating.  More jobs?  Not so much.  But fortunately for him (and us), he is going to Washington DC, on to greater exploits.

And "Governor Brownback’s previous tax plan eliminated income taxes for nearly 400,000 of the poorest Kansans. The legislature’s new tax hike raises money by shrinking this exemption."   Actually, the "poorest Kansans" have suffered a good deal through the KanCare Medicaid program, with cuts to the programs to offset the tax exemptions for LLC's.  And what about Medicaid Expansion, where the state could gain millions of dollars from the Federal government under the Affordable Care Act, to assist 150,000 Kansans to obtain health insurance?  No, that was not in the cards under the governor.

Barbara Johnston,

Baldwin City

Meet Peter Carr, Opens Edward Jones Office in Baldwin

Kevin Surbaugh

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Peter Carr has been an Edward Jones Advisor for the past two years. He spent that time at the office in Gardner, KS.  He began renovation on the Baldwin City office in August 2016, which opened on August 1, 2017, at 723 8th Street, in downtown Baldwin City.

Pete Carr 
Photograph by Kevin Surbaugh

His wife grew Kelly grew up in Baldwin City and graduated Baldwin High in 1993. Carr himself, grew up in Cedar Rapids, IA.  The couple met while playing basketball for Mid-America Nazarene in Olathe, KS.



Family:
Carr and his wife Kelly have three boys.
Caleb, 12
Cooper, 9
Spencer, 7



What did you do before starting with Edward Jones?
Carr said that he did a lot of non-profit fundraising work, then spent fourteen years in the Pharmaceuticals industry, during which time he was a client (for ten years) at Edward Jones.

What qualifications do you have to be a financial advisor?
Carr told the Gazette, that he earned a Business Administration degree, while he was at Mid-America Nazarene. In addition, he says dealing with life, kids, health, and finances have help prepared him.

 Why did you decide to open an office in Baldwin City?  
Carr and his family have lived in Baldwin City for seven years. He told the Gazette, that he really enjoys the people and community.  According to Carr, a grand opening will probably be in September, but there is nothing firm as of yet.

ComfortCare Homes Aquires Senior Living Facilities

Press Release

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ComfortCare Homes in Baldwin City, Kansas has acquired Vintage Park at Neodesha and Vintage Park at Fredonia from Chicago Pacific Founders, according to Scott Schultz, President of ComfortCare Homes of Baldwin City and Ottawa.
Concurrent with this Acquisition, all care homes owned and operated by Schultz will now be operated under the Morningstar Care Homes brand, replacing the ComfortCare Homes brand in Baldwin City and Ottawa, and immediately replacing the Vintage Park brand in Fredonia and Neodesha.
Morningstar Care Homes now has a senior living capacity of 81 residents in these four homes. The corporate office will remain at 813 8th Street in Baldwin City.
In addition, Morningstar Care Homes at Dunn’s Vista, located in Baldwin City is under construction and plans a grand opening for the 12-bed home in 2018.
“The acquisitions in Fredonia and Neodesha continue our drive to be the senior living provider of choice in the markets we serve,” said Schultz. “With the addition of the home at Dunn’s Vista in 2018 approximately 50% our residential services will be provided to individuals who require the personalized memory care we are known for, and we expect memory care to be our dominant service offering in the future.
“We remain grateful to ComfortCare Homes of Wichita for helping us become established,” continued Schultz. “We are very excited to firmly establish the Morningstar brand in existing and new markets that cover a broad range of senior living services including in-home non-medical care, assisted living, respite care, adult day care and of course our personalized memory care service.”

Area Happenings - Week of August 6, 2017

Here are the upcoming events that the Gazette has been made aware of as of  August 5, 2017.  To submit an item to the community events calendar, please email it to press@baldwingazette.com.

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August 12, 2017

7th Annual Run for Ben  

Motorcycle Ride to Benefit Prairie Paws Animal Shelter

Registration Starts at 11 A.M.  
Live Music  
Kick Stands up at 1 P.M.   
Early online Registration Discount:
 $20 per rider  $25 with passenger 

at Prairiepaws.org   

 Day of: $25 per rider / $30 with passenger

Starting Location:
 Forest Park
400 N Locust
Ottawa, KS

More Information:
Call Prairie Paws at 785-242-2967

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August 16, 2017

Community Health Forum
Time: 5-7 P.M.
Location:  Baldwin City Library
800 7th St
Baldwin City
Free Food and Beverages
Make Your Voice Heard

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August 20, 2017

Battlefield Tours Led by John Brown

As part of the Civil War on the Western Frontier activities commemorating the 154th anniversary of Quantrill's Raid on Lawrence, Kansas, there will be a special tour of the Black Jack Battlefield. It will be conducted by Kerry Altenbernd as John Brown, assisted by members of the 13th Kansas Infantry Reg. re-enactor group serving as his civilian Free State militia. Maybe a few pro-slavery men will be there too.  
The re-enactors will be camping on site, so come out early and visit with them.

Time: Saturday, June 3 at 4 PM - 5 PM

Free Admission

Location: Black Jack Battlefield and Nature Park
163 E 2000th Rd
Wellsville, Kansas 66092

More Information:
(785) 380-9156
info@blackjackbattlefield.org

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August 24, 2017

Thankful Thursday Free Community Meal
Serving 6 to 7 pm
Ives Chapel UMC
1018 Miami
Baldwin City
Free community meals are the last Thursday of each month

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August 25, 2017

COME AND ENJOY OUR
COMMUNITY DINNER  & FELLOWSHIP
          TO BE HELD  AT 6:00  to?





HOST
VINLAND UNITED CHURCH
1724 N 692 RD
BALDWIN CITY, KS 6600

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September 29, 2017

Luke Bryant Concert

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 October 21-22, 2017

Maple Leaf Festival



Downtown Baldwin City

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 October 28, 2017

COME AND ENJOY OUR
COMMUNITY DINNER  & FELLOWSHIP
          TO BE HELD  AT 6:00  to?



HOST
VINLAND UNITED CHURCH
1724 N 692 RD
BALDWIN CITY, KS 6600

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 December 29, 2017

COME AND ENJOY OUR
COMMUNITY DINNER  & FELLOWSHIP
          TO BE HELD  AT 6:00  to?


HOST
VINLAND UNITED CHURCH
1724 N 692 RD
BALDWIN CITY, KS 6600

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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 car, line up and drive through

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

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

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

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

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Kansas Begins Offering Federally Compliant ID

Press Release

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New Adult License

TOPEKA—Kansas has a new driver’s license design, specifically formatted to comply with approaching federal ID requirements for airport security purposes, three years early.

New licenses issued will contain either a gold circle with a white star cutout proving lawful presence in the United States and designating it as acceptable federal ID, or the words “not for federal ID.” This complies with the REAL ID Act, a federal initiative that was approved by the U.S. Congress in 2005.

New Minors License

“We are starting to issue these new forms of ID three years ahead of when it’s required by the federal government for airport security purposes, so we can take advantage of the normal renewal cycles for most Kansans,” said Revenue Secretary Sam Williams. “There’s no need to rush in for a new ID, but it’s something the public needs to be aware of.”

To obtain a federally compliant “Real ID” credential, Kansans should bring proof of  social security number documentation in addition to their birth certificate or valid U.S. Passport. If they do not have those documents on hand, they can choose to obtain the “not for federal ID” card that will not be acceptable ID for boarding domestic flights or entering designated federal facilities after September 30, 2020. However, the “not for federal ID” cards will still be valid as state ID or as a driver’s licenses.