McPherson Implements County-Wide Burn Ban Amid Dry Conditions

USD 418 Addresses Urgent Facility Needs, Holds Off on Meal Price Hike

McPherson County and Kansas Wildlife and Parks Partner for Maxwell Game Reserve Road Repairs

McPherson City Commission Approves Splash Pad Renovation at Waterpark

McPherson Greenlights Road Improvement Projects

GET THE CITIZEN JOURNAL APP - FREE!

Contact: greg@loql.ai

Emergency logs

Obituaries

MHS baseball coach Heath Gerstner turns Mac into baseball town

1. McPherson Implements County-Wide Burn Ban Amid Dry Conditions

The McPherson County Commissioners unanimously approved Resolution 2025-05 on Monday, implementing a county-wide burn ban effective immediately in response to extremely dry and windy weather conditions. Emergency Management Director Emily Yates presented the resolution during the April 14th meeting, explaining that the current conditions have created an extreme fire hazard throughout the county's grasslands and croplands. The ban will initially remain in effect for one week, with commissioners planning to reassess conditions at their next meeting. An exception clause allows for prescribed burning of bench rows, fields, and other areas, but only with prior written approval from a city fire chief or rural district fire chief. When questioned by a resident about verbal approvals, officials clarified that only written pre-authorization would be acceptable under the terms of the resolution.
Source: McPherson County

2. USD 418 Addresses Urgent Facility Needs, Holds Off on Meal Price Hike

The USD 418 Board of Education took action on critical facility needs while delivering welcome news to families regarding meal prices at their regular meeting on Monday. The board unanimously approved a resolution authorizing a lease purchase agreement to fund urgent HVAC replacements at Washington and Eisenhower schools, with Emprise Bank offering a 4.45% interest rate on the $675,000 project. The annual payment of approximately $63,550 will come from the district's capital outlay fund, with equipment installation scheduled to begin immediately after Memorial Day.

In a move that brought relief to district families, Food Service Director Bill Froese recommended maintaining current meal prices despite rising market costs. Through strategic changes in purchasing practices and anticipated improvements to the summer food program, the district has found ways to absorb increasing expenses without passing costs to families. Froese also emphasized the importance of applying for meal benefits, noting that applications can be submitted at any time throughout the year when family circumstances change. The board also scheduled a special meeting for Tuesday, April 22 at 6:00 PM to further review the district's strategic plan, and received updates on the process to select a new architecture firm to address long-term facility needs across the district.
Source: USD 418

3. McPherson County and Kansas Wildlife and Parks Partner for Maxwell Game Reserve Road Repairs

The McPherson County Commissioners unanimously approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks to repair roads in Maxwell Game Reserve during their April 14th meeting. Public Works Director Dave Bohnenblust reported that work includes filling washouts with concrete rubble, pulling in road shoulders, adding gravel to soft areas, providing topsoil, and planting grass seed. The project, budgeted not to exceed $50,000, is already underway with $46,000 spent as of Friday, and is expected to be completed within days. Under the agreement, KDWP will reimburse the county for half the costs, up to $25,000. Once repairs are complete, McPherson County will continue maintaining the reserve's roads until further agreements are made.
Source: McPherson County

4. McPherson City Commission Approves Splash Pad Renovation at Waterpark

The McPherson City Commission unanimously approved the reconditioning of the 24-year-old splash pad at the McPherson Waterpark during their April 15 meeting. Public Land and Facilities representative Wayne Burns presented the recommendation after staff received four competitive bids for the project. Commissioners accepted the quote from Wildcat Painting of Wichita for an amount not to exceed $14,050. The renovation will include refinishing all splash pad water risers, sprayers, and bucket components, ensuring the popular water feature is ready for the upcoming summer season. The approval comes alongside other summer preparations, including the conditional hiring of 19 waterpark staff members for the 2025 season.
Source: City of McPherson

5. McPherson Greenlights Road Improvement Projects

The McPherson City Commission has approved multiple road improvement projects totaling over $1 million during their April 15 meeting. Commissioners accepted a bid from Kansas Paving of Wichita for the West First Street mill and overlay project at $493k, significantly under the engineer's estimate of $880k. The Sycamore Subdivision mill and overlay was awarded to APAC Shears Kansas Division for $160k, while the Meyer Street reconstruction project went to Vogts-Pargo Construction at $411k. Public Works Director Jeff Woodward reported that the ongoing Elm Street Drainage/Euclid Extension Project is approximately 75% complete despite some utility complications, with officials aiming to reopen the Maple and Euclid intersection by May Day.
Source: City of McPherson

McPherson High School Varsity Sports Scores

Boys Tennis

4/10 - 5th at Andover

Girls Swimming

4/10 - 2nd at Campus

Track

4/11 - Girls take 3rd and boys take 6th

Baseball (12-0)

4/11 - McPherson 6, Circle 5, McPherson 10, Circle 1

MHS baseball coach Heath Gerstner turns Mac into baseball town

Softball

4/11 - McPherson 8, Circle 1, McPherson 8, Circle 2

4/15 - McPherson 15, Liberal 0; McPherson 6, Maize 1

Girls Soccer

4/15 - Rose Hill 2, McPherson 0

How to Subscribe or Unsubscribe to City-Specific Newsletters

Citizen Journal is growing and now covers Salina, Lindsborg, and Hutchinson in addition to McPherson. To subscribe only to your city's newsletter:

1. Visit adastraperaspera.us.
2. Click Sign-in (top-right corner) or Account if already logged in.
   • On mobile, tap the menu icon (two lines, top-right corner).
3. After signing in, click Manage under Emails.
4. Select the newsletters you want to receive.

We'll soon launch city-specific notifications in the app. More Kansas cities are coming in 2025—email greg@loql.ai to suggest your city or become a paid content contributor.

Introducing the McPherson Citizen Journal Score Network! 

We're expanding our local sports coverage beyond varsity athletics to include middle school, JV, and other youth sports programs. To make this possible, we're launching a community-driven reporting system where parents, relatives, coaches, and team supporters can easily submit game scores and tournament results. 

Submit your scores: 

Game results

Tournaments

Both forms are mobile-friendly and can be shared via email. Help us build a comprehensive network of local sports coverage by becoming a score submitter today! 

Questions? Contact Greg Loving greg@loql.ai

SUBSCRIBE ONLINE TO GET THE MCPHERSON CITIZEN JOURNAL IN YOUR INBOX - FREE!

Sponsors (click me!)

Sources

1. McPherson County: https://www.mcphersoncountyks.us/949/BOCC-Recent-Agendas-Minutes-and-Video
2. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIWHScF4UKI
3. McPherson County: https://www.mcphersoncountyks.us/949/BOCC-Recent-Agendas-Minutes-and-Video
4. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CityOfMcPhersonLocalGovernment/videos/524847697349634
5. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CityOfMcPhersonLocalGovernment/videos/524847697349634