McPherson – Week of March 5 2025
County Manufacturing; Visitor Dollars Fund Events; Tree City 46 Years in a row; Historic Fire Engine Displayed; Cat Shelter Stats;
McPherson County Excels Nationally in Manufacturing
Visitor Dollars Fund McPherson's 2025 Events: $13k in Hotel Taxes to Support Local Attractions
McPherson Earns Tree City USA Recognition for 46th Consecutive Year
Historic Fire Engine Displayed as Station Two Renovations Progress
Local Cat Shelter Celebrates Purrfect Year of Feline Care
McPherson Bullpup Sports & Activity Report
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A Kansas Town's Civil War Hero
McPherson County Excels Nationally in Manufacturing
McPherson County is one of the top manufacturing hubs in the nation for counties of its size, according to data presented at a recent economic development forum sponsored by McPherson Industrial Development Company (MIDC). A Kansas State University economics professor highlighted the county's significant manufacturing output and export capacity. Kasi Morales of MIDC reported statistics about workforce movement, showing significant numbers of employees crossing county lines daily—both entering McPherson for work and leaving to work elsewhere.
The meeting also spotlighted the “Love, Kansas" campaign, a strategic initiative aimed at bringing former residents back to the state. The program specifically targets individuals who left for larger metropolitan areas after college and have been away for 10-15 years, encouraging them to return and raise families in small-town communities. With a geographic focus spanning from Texas to South Dakota, plus special outreach to former Kansans in California and Florida, the campaign seeks to address the interconnected challenges of workforce mobility, housing needs, and childcare accessibility that impact the county's continued economic growth. Local industries remain optimistic that the "Go McPherson" efforts, combined with understanding these cross-county commuting patterns, will help them develop better target recruitment strategies.
MIDC, County
Visitor Dollars Fund McPherson's 2025 Events: $13k in Hotel Taxes to Support Local Attractions
The McPherson Convention & Visitors Bureau has approved funding for more than a dozen local events expected to draw visitors to the community throughout 2025, all without costing local taxpayers a dime. During Tuesday's city council meeting, officials explained that the visitor attraction grants—totaling nearly $13,000—are funded entirely through the city's transient guest tax collected from hotel visitors rather than local sales tax revenue. The strategic investments will support high-profile community events including the McPherson County All Schools Day celebration in May, infrastructure improvements for the Heartland Christmas display at Lakeside Park, the McPherson College Cars Club Motoring Festival, and various sporting tournaments including multiple baseball championships and basketball tournaments. Smaller community gatherings receiving support include Main Street's "Shop the Night Away" and "Burning Down Main" events, the Highway 56 Scramble flea market, and the Mountain Man Rendezvous at Maxwell. The funding represents an innovative approach to tourism development, creating a self-sustaining cycle where visitors help finance the events that will attract future travelers to McPherson.
City of McPherson
McPherson Earns Tree City USA Recognition for 46th Consecutive Year
The Arbor Day Foundation has named McPherson a 2024 Tree City USA honoree for the 46th consecutive year, recognizing the city's ongoing commitment to urban forestry and tree maintenance. Only a small handful of Kansas communities have maintained this prestigious designation for longer, placing McPherson among the state's leading municipalities for environmental stewardship. "We all have a role to play in shaping our future, and tree champions like McPherson are leading the way," said Michelle Saulnier, Vice President of Programs at the Arbor Day Foundation, which has planted more than 500 million trees globally since 1972. The designation acknowledges McPherson's efforts to leverage trees as critical infrastructure that mitigates urban heat, reduces stormwater runoff, improves air quality, and enhances residents' mental and physical health. City officials encourage residents to participate in upcoming Arbor Day activities planned for April, where the community will celebrate this achievement and McPherson's continued dedication to its urban forest.
Editors note: I won the 2001 McPherson County Tree City poster contest as a 5th-grader 24 years ago, nbd
City of McPherson
Historic Fire Engine Displayed as Station Two Renovations Progress
Residents now have the opportunity to admire a piece of McPherson's firefighting history as the city's 1928 LaFrance fire engine has been moved to its new display location. Deputy Fire Chief Graham reported during Tuesday's city council meeting that the vintage apparatus "looks really good" in its permanent exhibition space, having been relocated last week. The announcement came alongside an update on ongoing renovations at Fire Station Two, where crews have recently removed the concrete front area and are preparing to install underground utility tubing. With plumbers and contractors actively working on site, the project appears to be progressing on schedule, though no completion date was specified. The dual developments represent both a celebration of the department's heritage and an investment in its future capabilities to serve the McPherson community. Also reported at the city meeting: the Elm Street Drainage Euclid Extension Project saw minimal activity last week with only the removal of insulated blankets that had been covering the open subgrade. According to Tuesday's city council report, grading work is scheduled to commence this week.
City of McPherson
Local Cat Shelter Celebrates Purrfect Year of Feline Care
The Cathouse McPherson animal shelter reported impressive results for their 2024 Fix-A-Cat program during Tuesday's city council meeting. Shelter Director Aaron Eson shared that the organization successfully found homes for 223 cats last year, nearly matching their total intake of 229 felines. The shelter's comprehensive approach to cat welfare included fixing 174 cats at their facility, distributing 52 spay/neuter vouchers to community members, and administering 60 rabies vaccinations. Additionally, they conducted 42 TNR (Trap, Neuter, Release) operations throughout McPherson, helping to humanely manage the local stray population. Eson noted that the shelter's reputation for quality care has attracted adopters from throughout Kansas, including Salina, Junction City, and Topeka, with some families traveling from as far as Colorado to provide forever homes for their rescued cats.
City of McPherson
McPherson Bullpup Sports & Activity Report
BASKETBALL
2/27 Winfield: Girls win 43-29, boys win 64-48
Sub-state begins tonight with girls traveling to Augusta. Boys play at home tomorrow vs Ulysses.
BOWLING
At Boys Regional Bowling, the Bullpups took 2nd and are going to state!
Brody Hutts took 2nd overall and Bentley Konen was 4th overall.
At Girls Regional Bowling, the Bullpups took 2nd and are going to state!
Broke Henry was 2nd overall. Alexandria Steven’s was 4th overall.
WRESTLING
Rawson Wins State Title, Leads McPherson Wrestlers at State Championship
McPherson’s Ciara Rawson is a state wrestling champion. Rawson claimed the Class 4A, 235-pound title by pinning Meaa Allen of Perry-Lecompton in just 1 minute, 58 seconds, highlighting the state wrestling tournament held February 28 through March 1.
The McPherson girls’ team combined for 19 points overall. Mercedes Ladwig (110 lbs) contributed 5 points, securing victories over Chanute’s Jarynn Hockett and Larned’s Miranda Nolde before being eliminated. Lexi Patterson (110 lbs) added 5 points, picking up a consolation victory against Isabella Stream from Wamego. Sydney Cummins (140 lbs) and Tylee Wilson (115 lbs) each scored 3 points, while Riley Sanchez-Fogarty (190 lbs) earned a win and scored 1 point. Alix Wilson (110 lbs) competed but did not score.
On the boys’ side, the Bullpups finished with 5 team points. Jase Fitzmorris (175 lbs) recorded McPherson’s only individual victory, finishing 1-2. Catch DeLaney (215 lbs) added 2 points, while Jase Fitzmorris scored 3 points. Brock Fitzmorris (190 lbs) competed but did not score.
The team faced tough competition, with all losses coming against wrestlers who placed in the top three in their weight classes, including Fitzmorris’ initial loss against the undefeated state champion Taye Wilson from Pratt.
6th-12th Orchestra held a concert 3/3 at MHS
McPherson citizen journal score network (submitted)
29 ECS Lady Eagles @ 56 South Haven
That concludes the ECS girls season
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:
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
- MIDC, County: https://www.mcphersoncountyks.us/949/BOCC-Recent-Agendas-Minutes-and-Video
- City of McPherson: https://www.facebook.com/CityOfMcPhersonLocalGovernment/videos/921202020090907
- McPherson City: https://www.mcpcity.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1114
- City of McPherson: https://www.facebook.com/CityOfMcPhersonLocalGovernment/videos/921202020090907
- City of McPherson: https://www.facebook.com/CityOfMcPhersonLocalGovernment/videos/921202020090907