McPherson – Week of February 19 2025

1. Winter Grips McPherson with Snow, Arctic Chill
2. McPherson Approves $250k for Ambulance Remount
3. McPherson OKs $315k Police Substation Upgrade
4. County Building Renovation 20% Done in McPherson
5. McPherson College, YMCA Ink Student Deal

Sports and Activity Report

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McPherson’s Power Play

FLASH…McPherson KS Police Department has enacted an Emergency Accident Reporting Plan (EARP)…

1. Winter Grips McPherson with Snow, Arctic Chill

McPherson residents are experiencing a stark reminder of winter's grip as approximately three inches of fresh snow blankets the area amid dangerous Arctic temperatures. The National Weather Service reports wind chills plummeting to minus 17 degrees today, with actual temperatures hovering around 7 degrees and gusty north winds up to 21 mph creating treacherous conditions. The bitter cold is expected to persist through Friday morning, with overnight lows dipping to minus 11 degrees. However, a warming trend is on the horizon, with temperatures forecast to rebound dramatically over the weekend. Saturday will mark the beginning of the thaw as highs climb to 40 degrees, followed by the 50s on Sunday. The mercury is expected to potentially hit 61 degrees by Monday – a 70-degree swing from this week's frigid lows.

Article Source: NWS

2. McPherson Approves $250k for Ambulance Remount

During Tuesday’s City Commission meeting, officials approved a quarter-million-dollar expenditure for the emergency remount of Medic 3 ambulance following an engine failure. EMS Director Will Moore presented the proposal, which accelerates the originally planned 2027 remount to meet a March 1 deadline. The Commission also authorized the Mayor to enter negotiations with McPherson County and McPherson Hospital regarding cost-sharing for this expense.  The Commission also approved a $7k payment to Amber Waves Diving Co. for  diving equipment for the McPherson Fire Department's dive team, including two dry suits and additional gear needed for cold-water operations. In other business, the Elm Street Drainage project remained paused this week and the Public Works Department announced an upcoming public meeting on February 20 at 5:30 p.m. to discuss the reconstruction of Myers Street from First Street to Hulse, inviting all interested residents to attend at the Municipal Center.

Article Source: City of McPherson

3. McPherson OKs $315k Police Substation Upgrade

McPherson city commissioners have approved a $315k bid from local firm Kuluva Construction Service and Contracting LLC to renovate the police substation at 218 E Kansas. The project, which garnered four bids, is set to begin March 1 with a 120-day completion timeline to modernize the facility's security and operational capabilities. The decision came during the commissioners' February 11 meeting, where KC Service and Contracting emerged as the lowest bidder for the comprehensive remodel.  Police Chief Mikel Golden explained to citizen journal that the renovation addresses several critical needs, including response time delays caused by train crossings that frequently block access routes from the current Joint Law Enforcement Center during emergency calls. The upgraded substation will also satisfy downtown business owners' requests for increased police presence while alleviating overcrowding at the main facility, which has become worse since its construction in 1993. The renovated space will house the department's Investigations Bureau and include facilities for patrol officers, including an interview room, major case room, and a virtual crime center connected to citywide surveillance cameras. Golden noted this is part of a broader strategy to accommodate McPherson's growth, with future plans including a new police facility near the Fire Department Substation on North Main and Wickersham.

Article Source: City of McPherson

4. County Building Renovation 20% Done in McPherson

The county building renovation project in downtown McPherson is over 20% complete, with local contractors handling much of the work. The county has contracted with Mid Kansas Construction of Galva for framing, along with McPherson-based companies for flooring, painting, and HVAC services. Fire-Tronics Partners of Buhler and Fun Electrical of Goessel are managing fire alarm and electrical work respectively. Currently, the site is fenced, a storage area has been constructed, and HVAC equipment is being delivered and stored. The project will require removal of several fourth-floor windows to facilitate sheetrock installation. The City of McPherson has waived building permit fees. The renovation also includes plans to replace two 44-year-old electric filing systems, with new units estimated at $50,000 each. A committee meets this week to select colors, furniture, and carpeting for the facility.

Article Source: McPherson County

5. McPherson College, YMCA Ink Student Deal

McPherson College and the local YMCA have forged a new partnership that will provide full-time students with YMCA memberships starting August 2025. The collaboration, announced jointly by both institutions' leadership teams, extends beyond basic membership access to include the YMCA's management of college intramural programs and expanded student internship opportunities. "McPherson is fortunate to have a thriving and active local YMCA, and we are fortunate to be able to provide McPherson College students access to all it has to offer," said McPherson College President Michael Schneider. YMCA Interim CEO Quinlan Rageth expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, which will see the college providing annual financial support, maintenance services, and facility assistance in return. The arrangement also includes plans for on-campus programming and the hosting of college events at the YMCA facility, with Dawn Loving, YMCA Community Outreach Coordinator, noting that the partnership will benefit both organizations and the broader McPherson community.

Article Source: Ad Astra Radio

BULLPUP SPORTS

BASKETBALL

• February 14: Bullpups Split Games vs. Rival Buhler
• February 17: Bullpups Drop Two Games to Hays

GIRLS WRESTLING

• February 14–15: 4A Girls Super Regional at McPherson High School
  McPherson hosted 30 schools, with the top 8 finishers in each weight class qualifying for the 4A Girls State Wrestling Tournament. Congratulations to our Bullpup Girls Wrestlers who punched their tickets to State.

State Qualifiers

• Alix Wilson (8th)
• Mercedes Ladwig (6th)
• Lexi Patterson (5th)
• Tylee Wilson (7th)
• Sydney Cummins (6th)
• Riley Sanchez-Fogarty (8th)
• Ciara Rawson (1st)

BOYS SWIMMING

February 15: AVCTL Div. 3–4 Meet
The McPherson High School Boys Swimming team wrapped up its regular season at the AVCTL Div. 3–4 meet, hosted by Buhler on Feb. 14 and 15, finishing 4th overall. Although the squad didn’t reach the podium in the team standings, head coach Matt Cotton noted the strength of AVCTL competition—many of the top finishers are likely to excel at the State meet.McPherson’s 200 Medley Relay team of Ben Bocox, Beckett Schuckman, Ethan Elder, and Cooper Bohmequalified for State. They will join Smoky Valley teammate Gabe House at the Shawnee Mission Aquatic Center in Lenexa for the final meet of the year, which runs Feb. 20–22. Preliminary events for MHS begin Friday, Feb. 21, with the meet concluding on Saturday, Feb. 22.

For a team with only 10 guys, McPherson fought hard and won about every fight they could win,” Cotton said. “While the full team is done, Bohme, Elder, Schuckman, and Bocox will join House in Lenexa for State next weekend to finish the campaign and hope to put McPherson back on the state scoreboard for the first time since 2022.”

AVCTL MEET RESULTS
Team (Points)

1. Winfield (444.5)
2. Wichita Collegiate (414)
3. Buhler (391)
4. McPherson (224.5)
5. Circle (113)
6. Rose Hill (98)
7. El Dorado (83)
8. Wellington (49)
9. Andale (36)
10. Clearwater (31)

Key Individual Finishes

• 200 Medley Relay: 4th – Bocox, Schuckman, Elder, Bohme (1:55.21)
• 200 Freestyle: 6th – Bohme (2:02.44)
• 50 Freestyle: T-7th – Elder (25.04)
• 100 Butterfly: 7th – Jensen (1:15.26)
• 100 Freestyle: 8th – Elder (55.84)
• 500 Freestyle: 4th – Bohme (5:39.62)
• 100 Breaststroke: 7th – Schuckman (1:16.55)
• 400 Freestyle Relay: 3rd – Elder, Bocox, Bohme, Schuckman (3:50.99)

Source

McPherson citizen journal score network (submitted)

Lady Eagles Fall to Powerful Little River Squad, 67-31

In a challenging matchup against one of Kansas's premier basketball programs, the ECS Lady Eagles fell to Little River 67-31. Addison Swenson continued her sharp-shooting campaign, connecting on four three-pointers to lead the Eagles' offensive effort. Joy Pyle showcased determination in the paint, battling against Little River's formidable post players to finish with 14 points, while point guard Grace Prescott effectively managed the pressure defense and dished out seven assists. Little River's combination of athleticism and teamwork proved decisive throughout the contest, though the ECS coach praised his squad's unwavering effort even as the margin widened. The Lady Eagles will face another stern test next Friday, traveling to take on top-ranked 3A team Halstead.

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 at gregloving@protonmail.com

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Sources

2. https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=38.3745474&lon=-97.6594433

3. https://go.boarddocs.com/ks/comks/Board.nsf/Public

4. https://www.facebook.com/CityOfMcPhersonLocalGovernment/videos/1098652678677878

5. https://www.mcphersoncountyks.us/949/BOCC-Recent-Agendas-Minutes-and-Video

6. https://www.adastraradio.com/adastra-news/mcpherson-college-partners-with-ymca