McPherson – Week of February 27 2025
Refinery shutdown; Sheriff to install new cameras; Annual car show; Turner secures Rudd Scholarship; Street dept gets new truck
Exclusive: CHS Refinery in McPherson Prepares for Major Maintenance Shutdown
County Approves Advanced License Plate Camera System to Combat Drug Trafficking
McPherson Gears Up for Annual Car Show Weekend
Local Student Lane Turner Wins Rudd Scholarship
City Approves New Truck for Street Department, Elm Street Project Continues
McPherson Bullpup Sports & Activity Report
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McPherson's Oil Refinery Chugs Along After Nine Decades
1. Exclusive: CHS Refinery in McPherson Prepares for Major Maintenance Shutdown
The CHS Refinery in McPherson is gearing up for a plantwide turnaround scheduled from late March through April, according to Rhett Heflin, VP of Refining. This periodic required maintenance event will include routine cleaning and inspection of equipment, along with significant upgrades such as replacing four heaters with two larger, more efficient ones and enhancing major pieces of electrical distribution infrastructure. The extensive work will bring more than 5,000 contractors to the refinery, potentially impacting traffic around 14th Avenue and 81 Bypass during shift changes, prompting CHS to arrange traffic control assistance.
Local communities are expected to experience substantial economic benefits from the maintenance shutdown. Hotels, rentals, and RV parks in McPherson, Reno, Saline, and Marion counties are anticipated to reach full occupancy during the turnaround period. According to the McPherson Industrial Development Company, the city saw a 15% increase in sales tax revenue during the last major event in 2019, and similar positive economic impacts are expected this year as the influx of workers boosts traffic to local businesses and restaurants throughout the region.
Source: Citizen Journal
2. County Approves Advanced License Plate Camera System to Combat Drug Trafficking
McPherson County Commissioners approved a five-year contract for the Flock camera system during Monday's meeting, greenlighting the installation of four license plate recognition cameras at strategic points along Interstate 135 and Highway 56. The $12,000 annual investment comes after Deputy Sergeant Jackson presented compelling evidence from a 90-day trial period that demonstrated the system's effectiveness in combating fentanyl distribution and recovering stolen vehicles in Moundridge.
The solar-powered cameras will automatically scan license plates, vehicle makes, models, and colors, feeding information into a secure cloud-based system that shares data with law enforcement agencies nationwide. Sergeant Jackson emphasized the urgent need for the technology amid rising fentanyl overdoses in the county, telling commissioners, "I'm tired of seeing young people die from it." The system will send immediate alerts to department supervisors when vehicles of interest cross county lines, with neighboring jurisdictions including Hesston, Harvey County, Salina, and Lindsborg already utilizing the Flock network. McPherson City Police Department is also planning to implement the system, creating a comprehensive regional surveillance network.
Source: McPherson County
3. McPherson Gears Up for Annual Car Show Weekend
The city commission has approved street closures for the annual Cars Club Cruising event, kickstarting a weekend celebration of automotive heritage on Friday, May 2, 2025. The evening cruise, running from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., will close Main Street from Kansas Avenue to the railroad tracks, along with portions of Euclid and Marlin streets, transforming downtown into a showcase of classic and specialty vehicles. The cruise serves as the opening act for the McPherson College Car & Motoring Festival taking place the following day on campus, where approximately 400 cars from across the nation will be on display. Organized by the college's C.A.R.S. Club, connected to McPherson's renowned Auto Restoration program, the two-day event continues a tradition that draws automotive enthusiasts from around the country to the central Kansas community. "This annual event highlights McPherson's special connection to automotive history and education," said a city spokesperson, noting the economic boost the festival brings to local businesses.
Source: City of McPherson, McPherson College
4. Local Student Lane Turner Wins Rudd Scholarship
Lane Turner was awarded the Rudd Scholarship Monday at McPherson High School. Representatives from the scholarship program made an unexpected visit to present Turner with a $100,000 scholarship that covers a full four-year education at Kansas State University. The Rudd Scholarship, designed to keep Kansas' brightest minds in-state by covering all remaining costs for tuition, fees, books, supplies, and room and board, represents a significant investment in Turner's future as he joins a class of other exceptional Kansas students going to KSU, ESU, FHSU, and WSU.
Source: MHS, KSU, Rudd Foundation
5. City Approves New Truck for Street Department, Elm Street Project Continues
The McPherson City Commission approved the purchase of a new 2025 Ford XLT 4x4 pickup truck with Tommy gate installation for the Street Department at Tuesday's meeting, at a cost of $58,347. The vehicle, which was supplied by local dealer Midway Motors after submitting the lowest bid, will replace a 2014 Ford pickup that had reached the end of its scheduled service life. In other Street Department news, Public Works reported that the Elm Street drainage project and Euclid extension are back underway after weather delays. While no work occurred during the previous week, the contractor has returned to the site, uncovered the base, and plans to begin grading operations on the south side of Euclid west of Main Street next Monday, weather permitting.
Source: City of McPherson
McPherson Bullpup Sports & Activity Report
BASKETBALL
February 21 vs. Augusta (Winter Homecoming)
Augusta Girls Stage Dramatic Comeback to Beat McPherson
At McPherson High School's winter homecoming, the Augusta Orioles girls basketball team completed their first-ever season sweep of the Bullpups with a 60-56 comeback victory. Despite facing a fully healthy McPherson squad and trailing by 13 points midway through the third quarter, Augusta mounted an rally led by Emma Bourm's 27-point performance, including five three-pointers. The Orioles seized the lead with under four minutes remaining and held on as McPherson went cold, failing to make a field goal in the final 4:53 of play. The victory improves Augusta to 9-9 overall (4-4 in AVCTL Division 3), while McPherson drops to 6-11 (2-5 in conference play).
McPherson Holds Off Augusta's Fourth-Quarter Rally for 73-65 Victory
The McPherson Bullpups survived a dramatic fourth-quarter shootout to defeat the Augusta Orioles 73-65 Friday night, completing a season sweep of their league rivals. After a low-scoring first half that saw McPherson clinging to a narrow 22-20 lead, the Bullpups used a dominant third quarter to build a seemingly comfortable 16-point advantage. However, Augusta's Junior Brody Haskell ignited an Orioles comeback with a shooting clinic, pouring in 24 of his game-high 35 points in the second half while connecting on 6-of-8 attempts from three-point range. As Augusta closed to within five points early in a frantic final period that featured a combined 68 points, McPherson's effectiveness at the free throw line proved decisive. The Bullpups converted 28 of 41 attempts from the charity stripe and made key defensive stops down the stretch to secure the win. Gabe Pyle led a balanced McPherson attack with 19 points as the Bullpups improved to 14-3 overall and remained perfect in AVCTL Division 3 play at 7-0, while Augusta fell to 10-8 (4-4 in league).
2025 Winter Homecoming Court
Kings Candidates-Brody Seidl, Logan Peterson, Jase Fitzmorris, Ian Razak
Queen Candidates-Josie Fitzmorris, Izabel Backhus, Lexi Patterson, Landree Wedel
Prince-Nick Willis
Princess-Iris Hirsch
Lexi Patterson and Logan Peterson were selected as Queen and King
February 24 vs. Circle
Girls: McPherson 51, Circle 66
February 25 vs. Mulvane
Boys: McPherson 75, Mulvane 36
Girls: McPherson 28, Mulvane 26
BOWLING (February 21 – AVCTL Meet in Wichita)
The McPherson High Bowling teams traveled to Wichita for the AVCTL league meet. Each squad featured six individuals rolling three traditional games, followed by four Baker games.
- Girls
- Team Finish: 5th out of 8 (Total: 1980)
- Top Individual: Brooke Henry (4th overall, 497 series)
- Baker Game Highlights: 463 total, with a best single-game score of 158.
- Boys
- Team Finish: 7th out of 9 (Total: 2732)
- Top Individuals:
- Jace Godwin – 18th (547)
- Rayce Stiggins – 20th (541)
- Baker Game Highlights: 689 total, including a best single-game score of 188.
BOYS SWIMMING (February 21-22 – 5-1A State Championships in Lenexa)
The combined McPherson/Smoky Valley squad capped off the season at the Shawnee Mission Aquatic Center among 44 total teams. Cooper Bohme, Ethan Elder, Ben Bocox, and Beckett Schuckman represented McPherson and Gabe House represented Smoky Valley. The McPherson foursome qualified for the 200 Medley and 400 Freestyle relays and MHS’ Bohme qualified individually for the 200 and 500 Freestyle. Smoky Valley’s House qualified for the 100 Fly and 100 Backstroke individually.
- Team Results
- McPherson finished tied for 31st.
- Smoky Valley, represented by one swimmer (Gabe House), tied for 33rd.
- McPherson Highlights
- Relays: 200 Medley Relay and 400 Freestyle Relay narrowly missed advancing despite season-best times.
- Individual: Freshman Cooper Bohme qualified for the 200 and 500 Freestyle. He reached the B finals in the 500 Free, ultimately placing 13th overall with a time of 5:19.25, a personal best.
Despite a small state-qualifying group, head coach Matt Cotton praised the team’s season-long growth and is optimistic about the Bullpups’ future with several young swimmers poised to return next year.
FORENSICS (February 22 – Moundridge 4N6 Wildcat Invitational)
McPherson High placed 3rd overall in a deep field. Individual standouts included:
- Duet Acting
- 2nd Place: Sullivan & Hall
- 3rd Place: Nelson & Carver
- 4th Place: Bowman & Kunc
- Informative Speech
- 2nd Place: Florence Hall
- Oral Interpretation
- 2nd Place: Avery Unruh
- 3rd Place: Dylan Bruce
- 5th Place: Brenna Sullivan
- Prose
- 1st Place: Dylan Bruce
- 2nd Place: Oliver Bowman
- 6th Place: Brenna Sullivan
WRESTLING (February 22 – 4A Regionals in Abilene)
The Bullpup Boys Wrestling team finished 9th and qualified three seniors for the KSHSAA 4A State Tournament in Salina:
- 215 lbs – Catch DeLaney, 3rd Place
- 175 lbs – Jase Fitzmorris, 4th Place
- 190 lbs – Brock Richardson, 4th Place
All three earn spots in the 4A State Championships at Tony’s Pizza Events Center, February 28 – March 1. Fitzmorris (6th at state last season) overcame a football-season knee injury to return to form, while DeLaney will make his first state appearance. Richardson looks to improve on his previous state experience. All three seniors have already signed letters of intent to compete at the collegiate level in their respective sports.
Up Next
- Basketball: Final AVCTL matchups and sub-state seeding.
- Bowling: 4-1A Regionals in Hutchinson (Feb. 26), aiming for State on March 6.
- Wrestling: 4A State Tournament in Salina (Feb. 28–Mar. 1).
- Forensics: Continued invitational season, building toward Regional and State tournaments.
McPherson citizen journal score network (submitted)
Elyria Lady Eagles 19 @ Halstead 41
Altoona-Midway 18 @ Elyria Lady Eagles 60
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Sources
- Citizen Journal
- McPherson County
- City of McPherson, McPherson College
- MHS, KSU, Rudd Foundation (https://www.facebook.com/mcphersonhs/posts/1165268995393205?ref=embed_post, https://www.k-state.edu/sfa/scholarships-aid/scholarships/outside-scholarships/rudd-scholars.html, https://ruddfoundation.org/scholars/winners)
- City of McPherson