McPherson – Week of April 2 2025
Honor guard at Thunder game; New electric rates; No measles in McPherson; County approves infrastructure funds; Water Park opening soon
McPherson Police Honor Guard Presents Colors at OKC Thunder Game
New Electric Rates on McPherson Bills Starting April 1
No Measles Cases in McPherson County Amid Kansas Outbreak
McPherson County Commission Approves Infrastructure Investments
McPherson City Commission Updates: Water Park Opening Nears
Bullpup Sports Report
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Emergency logs
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Where the Buffalo Roam
1. McPherson Police Honor Guard Presents Colors at OKC Thunder Game
OKLAHOMA CITY, April 1, 2025 - Four members of the McPherson Police Department's honor guard traveled to Oklahoma City on Monday to present the national colors at the Thunder's home game against the Chicago Bulls. The honor guard performed the ceremonial presentation before tip-off at the Paycom Center, where thousands of basketball fans witnessed the tribute.PicMcPherson Police Department
Source: MPD
2. New Electric Rates on McPherson Bills Starting April 1
McPherson residents may see higher electricity bills starting April 1, 2025, as the Board of Public Utilities implements its new rate structure for residential customers. The most significant change comes from the introduction of a demand charge—a new concept for many residential customers that bills them based on their highest 15-minute peak usage during the month, not just how much total electricity they consume. This means residents who simultaneously run multiple high-power appliances like air conditioners, electric ovens, and clothes dryers may pay more than those who spread their electricity usage throughout the day, even if both households use the same total amount of electricity. The new structure also eliminates the winter discount previously offered, creating additional increases for customers who rely solely on electricity for heating.
Source: BPU
3. No Measles Cases in McPherson County Amid Kansas Outbreak
McPherson County remains free of measles cases, despite Kansas health officials reporting one new case of measles in the past week. The McPherson County Health Department has heightened preparedness measures as the disease continues to spread, with six cases each now confirmed in Kiowa and Stevens counties, while Grant, Gray, Haskell, and Morton counties each have one to five cases. County health officials have activated emergency response protocols, coordinating with local healthcare providers, schools, and childcare facilities to ensure readiness should cases appear locally. The 2025 U.S. measles outbreak already includes a total of 483 confirmed measles cases were reported by 20 jurisdictions, with Kansas reporting 24 cases primarily concentrated in southwestern counties. Health officials urge McPherson residents to verify their immunization status and recognize symptoms including high fever, cough, and characteristic rash.
Source: MCHD, CDC, KSN
4. McPherson County Commission Approves Infrastructure Investments
At Monday's McPherson County Commission meeting, commissioners approved several major infrastructure and service investments for the county. Commissioners approved a $312,000 biennial grant for Harvey/McPherson County Community Corrections to fund evidence-based juvenile offender programs through the Kansas Department of Corrections. The money will support the new Project Yes program, providing services like assessment, therapy, and intervention for juveniles involved in minor offenses such as theft, property damage, and underage consumption. The commission awarded Ergon asphalt oil contracts for 2025 projects, covering chip seal, tack and general asphalt oil. The bids totaled $1.55 million, with Public Works Director Dave Bohnenblust highlighting that prices have dropped compared to last year. Commissioners also approved a partnership with KDOT for the improvement of Bridge #075010 on Arapaho Road 3 miles south, 0.5 miles west of Inman, where KDOT will contribute up to $950,000 toward the estimated $700,000-1,000,000 project, with the county responsible for 15% of costs; design work begins this year with construction scheduled for 2026.
Source: McPherson County
5. McPherson City Commission Updates: Water Park Opening Nears
The McPherson City Commission announced several updates during their April 1 meeting, including that the Water Park is scheduled to open in 55 days and is actively hiring seasonal staff. Public Works Director Jeff Woodward reported that the Elm Street drainage project is making progress, with work completed on the south side of Euclid west of Main Street and crews now advancing on the north side. The Commission also handled legal appointments, unanimously approving a contract with Ann Elliot and David Harger of Wise and Reber, as city attorney and assistant city attorney, respectively.
Source: City of McPherson
Bullpup Sports Report
BULLPUP BASKETBALL
• Player of the Year: Congratulations to Gabe Pyle, named 2025 All-Classes & 4A Boys Player of the Year by Sports in Kansas.
• Coach of the Year: Kurt Kinnamon was honored as the 2025 4A Boys Coach of the Year.
BULLPUP BASEBALL
• Started the season on fire with sweeps over Augusta (11-1, 15-0) on 3/27 and Winfield (22-1, 21-0) on 3/31.
• The Bullpups are now 6-0 overall.
BULLPUP SOFTBALL
• Also perfect so far, sweeping Augusta (10-3, 11-0) on 3/27 and Winfield (12-0, 12-1) on 3/31.
• Added two more wins on 4/1 over Great Bend (11-5) and Manhattan (17-2), moving to 6-0.
BULLPUP GIRLS SWIMMING
• 3/27 Topeka-West Invite: Finished 2nd out of 16 teams.
• State Qualifiers: Medley Relay (Pickerell, Schmidt, Wiens, Hubbard), Bree Pickerell (200 IM, 500 Free)
• State Considerations: 200 Free Relay (Wiens, Schmidt, Hubbard, Pickerell), Adyson Wiens (50 Free, 100 Free), Claire Schmidt (100 Breast)
• 4/1 Meet: Placed 6th overall, highlighted by new State Qualifier Pickerell (200 Free) and new State Considerations for Wiens (200 IM) plus the 400 Free Relay (Wiens, Hubbard, Schmidt, Pickerell).
BULLPUP GIRLS SOCCER
• Fell 1-2 to Andover Central on 3/27, then bounced back in the 19th Annual McPherson Invitational with wins over Wichita Collegiate (8-0) on 3/31 and Topeka (4-2) on 4/1.
• Will play Maize South in the tournament championship on April 4 at 7:00 p.m.
BULLPUP BOYS TENNIS
• Hosted the Varsity Invitational on 4/1, where McPherson “Red” finished third (41 points).
• Highlights:
• Bryson Archer / Alex Berger took 2nd in Doubles with a 3-1 record.
• Mason Eisenbarth / Rogan Jones finished 7th.
• Owen Neighbors (8th) and Jonas Emery (10th) competed in Singles.
Source: @MHSBullpups
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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.
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Sources
- MPD: McPherson Police Department
- BPU: BPU
- MCHD: https://www.mcphersoncountyks.us/1077/Measles-Rubeola
CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/measles/data-research/index.html
KSN: https://www.ksn.com/news/health/another-measles-case-in-kansas-sedgwick-co-holds-vaccination-clinic/ - MCC: https://www.mcphersoncountyks.us/949/BOCC-Recent-Agendas-Minutes-and-Video
- CMP: https://www.facebook.com/CityOfMcPhersonLocalGovernment/videos/1175377470909903