MID-AMERICA BANK HONORED WITH FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AWARD
Mid-America Bank has been recognized for its commitment to strengthening the communities it serves, receiving the prestigious Community Leadership Award from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka (FHLBank Topeka).
CEO Dave Hill, President Jeff Hill, Senior Vice President of Lending Andrew Madl, and Vice President of the Johnson County Market Julie Dean accepted the award on behalf of the bank. Along with the recognition, the award included a $10,000 charitable donation, which Mid-America Bank chose to split evenly between the Baldwin Education Foundation and the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence.
Presented annually, the Community Leadership Award recognizes one member financial institution within FHLBank
Topeka’s district that demonstrates an exceptional commitment to community development. The award highlights banks that go beyond traditional banking by supporting affordable housing, community investment, volunteerism and local nonprofit organizations. FHLBank Topeka serves approximately 650 member financial institutions across Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma, providing funding and programs that support housing finance and community development.
For Mid-America Bank President Jeff Hill, the recognition is both an honor and an affirmation of the bank’s mission.
“I was honored to find out we would receive the Community Leadership Award,” Hill said. “We have three specific expectations for each of our branches. One is to offer
good real estate loan products, and another is for our people to personally be active and involved as leaders in our communities. I hope receiving this award is an affirmation that we’re hitting the mark on those goals.”
Hill said the recognition carries additional significance because it comes from an organization that understands the community banking industry.
“There are about 650 members in the Topeka FHLBank district, so they see what a lot of banks are doing,” he said. “For them to single us out is a huge recognition.”
A Partnership Since the Beginning Mid-America Bank has been a member of FHLBank Topeka since opening its doors in 1997. Hill credits the partnership as an important factor in the bank’s continued growth and ability to serve customers.
“The FHLBank has two purposes: to provide liquidity to its member banks and to support housing finance,” Hill explained.
He said there have been times when the bank’s loan demand has grown faster than customer deposits.
“Our goal is always to grow with local customers first,” he said. “But the liquidity from the FHLBank helps us fill in the gaps. The alternative would be to stop lending money for a while, and that doesn’t work. You can’t be in the business some days and out of the business other days.”
The relationship is especially valuable because Mid-America Bank places a strong emphasis on residential mortgage lending.
“Housing finance is the core of our lending business,” Hill said. “Their programs support banks financing housing, particularly long-term financing, first-time homebuyers and affordable housing. It’s a natural fit.”
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Mid-America Bank team members from multiple locations gathered for the award ceremony. With more than 75 employees, Mid-America Bank is proud to serve its communities through a dedicated team committed to exceptional customer service and community involvement. Photograph by Cedric Williams
UPDATE FROM MARK DODGE: 2026-2027 SCHOOL REGISTRATION IS OPEN
Dear Baldwin Families,
Registration for the 2026-2027 school year is now open! Returning students should log in to the PowerSchool Parent Portal at https://usd348.powerschool.com and pick Forms on the left to begin registration. This video will walk you through the process.
Log in with the username and password you used last year. If you have forgotten your password, there is a “forgot my password” link.
If your family has a new student to add this school year, you should start with the pre-registration website. After you complete this form and the school has approved it, you will receive an email with information about how to register. This video will walk you through the process and help prepare you to register your new student.
If your family is not returning to USD 348 this fall, please let each school know by calling your child’s school or emailing the Principal.
If you have questions during the process please call your child’s school during regular hours.
BESPC 785-594-2444
BESIC 785-594-2446
BJHS 785-594-2448
BHS 785-594-2725
If you do not have internet access or a computer at home, each school will have computers available for you to complete registration during regular hours. Please call ahead of time so they can set it up for you.
We encourage families to register between now and August 4, 2026, to allow our schools time to add students to class lists, develop transportation routes, and prepare devices for students.
BHS and BJHS students will once again be assessed a mandatory $20 fee that will provide each student with a school-issued ID card to be used for student admission at no additional cost to all home BJHS and BHS athletic activities, with the exception of KSHSAA postseason games. We are excited to see our students at our events, showing pride in their school and community, while supporting their classmates in competition.
User fees for participating in sports and activities will be assessed after the rosters are set and must be paid before the first competition. The curriculum and activity fee must be paid before user fees for sports and activities can be accepted.
You may pay fees by credit card (Visa, MasterCard, or Discover) or e-check online.
If you do not want to pay online you may bring or mail a check to a school. If mailing, please address the envelope with the School’s Name, P.O. Box 67, Baldwin City, KS 66006. If you have children in more than one school, you can write one check for the total.
Some fees will be reduced or waived if you have applied and qualified for free or reduced lunch AND given your consent to disclose your status. As you complete registration, you will find the Free and Reduced Lunch form. It will have a link to the online lunch application as well as the Consent for Disclosure. If you do not wish to apply online, you can download a copy of these two forms from our website, or pick up a paper copy at your student’s school. Even if you are unsure if you will qualify, please submit an application.
If you have already received notification that your family is eligible for free or reducedprice meals for the 2026-2027 school year due to direct certification, follow the instructions provided. Families who do not qualify for free meals will be responsible for paying for their child(ren)’s meals. Money for meals can be added online at https://linqconnect. com. Your previous username and passwords will continue to work and money you have left from last school year will remain. Click here for meal pricing information and information on Linq Connect.
Breakfast before school is available for pre-K to 8th-grade students and a “second chance” breakfast is offered at the Junior High and High Schools. Meal times are available in student handbooks and on building websites.
August 12 – students in 6th grade and 9th grade have orientations and K through 5th grades begin classes for a half day in the morning.
August 13 – Full day of classes for all students in K-12.
August 17 – students in PreK begin classes.
Thank you so much for your support of Baldwin Schools. We cannot wait to see your students in our halls and classrooms!
COMMUNITY
PIZZA HUT INVESTIGATION CONTINUES; REOPENING DECISIONS AWAIT INVESTIGATION RESULTS
We’ve received many questions from readers asking whether there are any updates on the future of Baldwin City’s Pizza Hut. While there isn’t new information to report just yet, we wanted to share what we do know.
The Maple Weekly recently reached out to Pizza Hut for an update following the July 4 fire that forced the restaurant to close. A company representative said the investigation into the cause of the fire is still ongoing, and no official information has been released.
The representative also said the company has not yet made any decisions regarding the future of the Baldwin City location. Those decisions, including whether and when the restaurant will reopen, will be made after the investigation has concluded and the results have been reviewed.
The restaurant has remained closed since the fire on the evening of July 4. Shortly after the incident, Baldwin City Fire Chief Terry Baker told The Maple Weekly that local firefighters had completed their portion of the investigation before turning the case over to the Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office. At that time, the cause of the fire had not been determined.
We know many residents are eager for answers, and so are we. As soon as Pizza Hut or investigating officials release confirmed information, we’ll share it with our readers.
BALDWIN BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL WOMEN ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR TWO LOCAL SCHOLARSHIPS
The Baldwin City chapter of Business and Professional Women (BPW) is now accepting applications for two scholarships designed to support local residents pursuing education and career advancement.
The Violet Ford Memorial Scholarship is available to individuals between the ages of 18 and 20 who have earned a high school diploma or GED and are enrolled in a post-secondary school. The scholarship is intended for students continuing their education or training to prepare for their chosen career.
The Lillian Andrews Career Advancement Memorial Scholarship is designed for women ages 21 and older who are seeking to advance or change their careers. Applicants may be pursuing non-degree training to build new skills, completing coursework toward a degree, or obtaining additional education needed for career advancement. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens and reside within a 12mile radius of Baldwin City.
Applications are available at the Baldwin City Public Library, from any Baldwin BPW member, or by texting Kathleen at 785840-5575 for more information.
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Supporting Local Organizations
Rather than direct the full $10,000 award to one organization, MidAmerica Bank requested permission to divide the donation between two local nonprofits. FHLBank Topeka agreed.
The Baldwin Education Foundation and the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence each received $5,000.
“There are so many deserving organizations,” Hill said. “But we have employees personally volunteering their time with both of these organizations. They also have strong directors and leadership teams, so we have a high confidence the money will be put to good use.”
Hill noted that education and childcare remain important priorities for the bank’s charitable giving efforts across the communities it serves.
More Than Banking
Hill believes the award reflects the philosophy that has guided MidAmerica Bank since its founding.
“We have a saying at the bank: ‘You’ll never find a good bank in a bad town, or a bad bank in a good town,’” he said. “We want to have a great bank, and that means doing whatever is needed to have a great town.”
That commitment is especially meaningful in Baldwin City, where
Mid-America Bank’s main office is located.
“We have 35 people working here in our main office, and the majority of us live here too,” Hill said. “We go to church here, have kids in school here, shop here and have a vested interest in seeing our community thrive.”
While honored by the recognition, Hill emphasized that community support is not unique to Mid-America Bank.
“This award was for us, but the reality is we have three great banks here in town that each give back so much in time and money,” he said. “I would really encourage people to bank locally if they don’t already. The banks here all make Baldwin a better place to live and work, and growing our customer bases makes it easier to continue doing that.”
Hill said community banks offer something larger institutions often cannot: personal relationships.
“At the large national banks, and even some regional banks, you truly are just an account number,” he said. “Here, our customers mean a lot more to us, and we appreciate having them.”
The Community Leadership Award serves as recognition not only of MidAmerica Bank’s financial services, but also of its ongoing investment in housing, education, volunteerism and the long-term success of the communities it proudly calls home.
Baldwin Education Foundation trustees accept a $5,000 donation, which will support educational opportunities and classroom initiatives for students in USD 348.
COMMUNITY
TEN YEARS OF TELLING BALDWIN CITY’S STORY THROUGH ART CALL FOR ART
What started as a conversation around a planning table has become one of Baldwin City’s most recognizable and lasting community projects.
This year, the Baldwin City Community Mural Program is celebrating its 10th anniversary, marking a decade of transforming ordinary walls, benches and public spaces into colorful works of art that tell the story of the community. Since its founding in 2016, the program has completed 10 murals and five painted park benches, bringing together hundreds of volunteers, artists, students, businesses and organizations along the way.
The idea for the program was born during a Baldwin City Tourism Bureau strategic planning session in January 2016.
Community members gathered to discuss ways to attract visitors while celebrating the town’s unique identity. Rather than simply commissioning artwork, organizers envisioned a program that would invite the community to help shape every project from the beginning.
Under the leadership of Jeannette Blackmar and Lucretia Carlson, residents were asked an important question: What makes Baldwin City unique? Those conversations became the foundation for murals that celebrate the city’s history, agriculture, education, natural beauty and sense of community.
The first mural, Maple Seed Fountain, was completed in 2017 after months of community meetings, artist workshops and
volunteer painting days. It quickly demonstrated that the project was about much more than public art—it was about bringing people together to create something lasting.
Over the next several years, the collection continued to grow with murals throughout downtown and at community gathering places. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the program adapted by creating five artist-designed benches for Sullivan Square, giving residents another colorful reminder of the community’s resilience. More recent additions have included murals at the Baldwin City Library, Baldwin City Beer Company, the Chamber of Commerce, Baker University, the Community Garden and the library’s first three-dimensional mural installation.
The impact of the program extends well beyond beautification.
Baker University students, Baldwin High School students, local artists and community volunteers have all played roles in designing and painting the projects. The collaborative approach has helped create public art that belongs to the community because the community helped create it.
Over the past decade, the murals have also become destinations for visitors, photo backdrops for families and graduates, and landmarks that showcase Baldwin City’s character. The program has even inspired neighboring communities interested in developing mural initiatives of their own.
Although the program is celebrating 10 years, organizers say the work is far from finished. Plans continue for a Baldwin City Mural Walking Tour and additional public art projects that will further connect residents with the city’s history while encouraging tourism and community pride.
Ten years after the first planning meeting, the Community Mural Program stands as a reminder that some of Baldwin City’s greatest works of art weren’t created by one artist alone—they were created by an entire community.
“WHERE LAND MEETS PEOPLE: A COMMUNITY EXPLORATION
& ART PROJECT”
LUMBERYARD ARTS CENTER THIS SUMMER, WE’RE INVITING THE COMMUNITY TO EXPLORE THE PLACES THAT MAKE BALDWIN AND DOUGLAS COUNTY SPECIAL AND RESPOND THROUGH ART.
WHETHER YOUR INSPIRATION COMES FROM THE PRAIRIE, BALDWIN LAKE, LOCAL HISTORY, DOWNTOWN STREETS, FAMILY MEMORIES, OR THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE THIS COMMUNITY HOME, WE WANT TO SEE YOUR PERSPECTIVE.
WORK MUST BE SUBMITTED BY SEPTEMBER 11.
COMMUNITY
BALDWIN CITY METABOLIC MEDICINE BECOMES DRAKE PAIN MEDICINE
A familiar medical practice in downtown Baldwin City has a new name, but patients can expect the same trusted care they have come to know.
Formerly known as Baldwin City Metabolic Medicine, the practice at 705 High Street has officially rebranded as Drake Pain Medicine. The new name reflects the clinic’s growing focus on interventional pain management while reinforcing its commitment to providing specialized, patient-centered care.
“We are excited to announce our transition to Drake Pain Medicine, a name that better reflects our continued commitment to providing specialized, expert care in interventional pain management,” the practice shared in a July 9 Facebook announcement. “This rebrand highlights our specialty expertise in interventional pain management while reinforcing our mission to deliver personalized, evidence-based treatments designed to help patients reduce
pain, restore function, and improve quality of life.”
Although the name has changed, the ownership, staff and mission remain exactly the same.
“Everything is the same,” said co-owner Kelsey Madl. “We’re just taking the opportunity to focus on his fellowship-trained specialty and care for the community in the way we’re most needed.”
The practice is owned by Dr. Adam Madl and Kelsey Madl, who opened the Baldwin City clinic to provide advanced pain management services close to home, reducing the need for area residents to travel for specialized care.
And while the new name may sound especially personal, it has an even more personal inspiration.
“Drake is our dog,” Kelsey said with a laugh. “Him and Adam are obsessed with each other.”
The clinic will continue offering the same compassionate, evidence-based approach to helping patients manage chronic pain and improve their quality of life. Existing patients do not need to take any action, as the rebrand does not affect the services they receive or the providers they know.
The new name simply better reflects the clinic’s specialized expertise and the direction the practice has grown since opening its doors in Baldwin City.
COMMUNITY
WHAT IF...
By Jeanine Ross
Have you ever wished you could change things for the better? What kind of things would you change? If you had a magic wand that could change anything with just one wave of your wand, what would it be? Would you give us world peace? Would you heal every sick person in the world? Would you eliminate famine? What is your heart’s desire? Would you create beauty beyond compare?
What if I told you, you possess that kind of power? What if I told you that we as humans have the ability to create the world we want, and all we have to do is live our purpose? What if I had proof it was true? Would you be interested? Would you want to try it and find out for yourselves?
What do you think makes those people that we consider heroes so great? Are they born different from us? Do they possess something that the rest of us are lacking? Or maybe, they just tapped into something that gave them the ability to see beyond our present condition and see the best of what it could be. Then with that vision also came stamina and direction and strength and wisdom and knowledge. Would you be interested in that?
For all the years I’ve been on this earth and even before me, there has always been someone who had that vision. Someone who would step up to the plate, no matter the powers that be, and dare to say no when they knew the world was going in the wrong direction. Jesus, Martin Luther King, Ghandi, Mother Teresa, just to name a few. They were visionaries who knew that their lives were a small price to pay for shifting the direction of the world. Do you
think they did that on their own? Of course not! They were led. They were guided. They were directed, and comforted, and rejuvenated, and encouraged. But by whom?
Do you believe that we are all here for a reason? Some of us will leave such a lasting impression on society that their names will be collectively remembered by all of humanity for as long as there is a humanity. But most of us will make a different kind of contribution. We will make small but meaningful contributions that will shift the energy around us and everybody in our lives. But that shift, though it may seem small, will be like a ripple from a pebble tossed in a lake that extends out much further than we ever thought it would. Our contribution, given in a way that only we can give, is necessary for the forward progression of all humanity.
So how do we do it? What do we do? When do we know we are living our purpose for being here? The answer is simpler than you think. Consider the thing you enjoy the most, the thing you would not be you, if you didn’t have it or couldn’t do it. No matter what that is or how insignificant you’ve been told it is, if you deeply love it, it is your purpose. Do that! Maybe it’s sewing beautiful things, painting, or writing (which is my purpose), or healing the earth, or gardening. No matter what makes your heart happy, doing that thing to the best of your ability is your purpose. Once you know what that is, center your life around it, love it, live it, and be grateful for it every day. As you cultivate it into your life, you will unlock the guidance and understanding, and every little thing you need to add to humanity. Just do it! The world needs you!
So, if you really want your life to change for the better, it begins by “Thinking Outside the Box.”
OUTSIDE THE BOX
COMMUNITY
CUSTOM SHOWERS VINYL PLANK HARDWOOD TILE
COMMISSIONERS REACH AGREEMENT ON 2027 BUDGET WITH DECREASE
LAWRENCE, Kan. – The Board of County Commissioners reached a tentative agreement July 15 on an approximately $199.2 million budget for 2027. Commissioners agreed on a mill levy of 40.286 mills, a decrease of 0.383 mills from last year.
For the fifth consecutive year, the county commission has lowered the mill levy. Since 2023, the commission has reduced the mill levy by a combined 7.112 mills, lowering the rate from 47.419 to 40.286, a decrease of 15%. One mill is one dollar per $1,000 assessed value.
The 2027 budget includes a 4.9% increase in assessed property valuation, compared to 5.7% the previous year.
Commissioners Erica Anderson, Gene Dorsey, Patrick Kelly, Shannon Reid and Karen Willey reviewed funding requests totaling $15.4 million from more than 40 community agencies and county departments.
Commissioners allocated funding for several one-time projects using existing fund balances. These include:
• $500,000 to the Baldwin City Economic Development Corporation to support a new childcare center in Baldwin City.
• $1.5 million pledge to Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center for a Youth Recovery Center.
• $485,085 to Family Promise to pay off loans on two supportive housing projects, increasing the agency’s ability to expand operations and services.
• $91,761 to Douglas County Historical Societies for capital improvement projects involving accessibility upgrades to facilities and a collections management assistant.
• $340,000 for two behavioral health capital projects for justiceinvolved housing and a peer support clubhouse.
Community projects that received ongoing funding include:
• $349,500 to help Cardinal Housing Network provide transitional housing services for women.
• $60,000 to restore funding for KU Innovation Park.
• $45,600 for DCCCA, Inc. to expand transitional housing support.
• $108,361 in wage adjustments for Senior Resource Center staff.
• $100,000 for the EveryDay Counts truancy program with Douglas County Youth Services.
In 2026, commissioners supported the expansion of operations at Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical for a new Station 6 as well as an ambulance replacement. The 2027 budget includes an additional $199,000 in ongoing and one-time costs to add a team lead position for the Mobile Integrated Health team.
Commissioners also approved about $1.8 million for an approximately 3.4% market adjustment and 1% merit pool for county employees.
Commissioners transferred $5.4 million to the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) fund to support facilities, road and bridge projects. Commissioners will review projects in the 2027-2031 CIP during their business meeting at 5:30 p.m. July 22.
The Commission held more than 20 hours of meetings and deliberations during its review of the proposed 2027 budget. Video recordings are available on the county’s YouTube channel and website at dgcoks.gov/ county-commission.
The 2027 budget will be adopted during a public hearing at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 26 during the Commission business meeting.
For information about the budget, visit https://dgcoks.gov/ administration/budget.
