Week of November 12 2024

1. Elm Street Drainage Project Targets Thanksgiving Completion
2. School District Gears Up for 10-Year Strategic Plan
3. New Voter Registration Sees Notable Increase in McPherson County Election
4. McPherson Fire Department Dive Team Gets New Gear
5. Rainfall Roundup
McPherson College's ‘Path to Pebble’ Wins Best Documentary Short at Film Festival
6. Sports

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1. Elm Street Drainage Project Targets Thanksgiving Completion

The City of McPherson is making progress on the Elm Street drainage project, which has shut down the intersection of Main and Elm, causing some public ire. Recent work has included installing sidewalk as part of Phase II on the south side, along with completing electrical conduit and wiring for new traffic signals. With favorable weather, the city hopes to reopen Main Street by Thanksgiving.

Article Source: City of McPherson

2. School District Gears Up for 10-Year Strategic Plan

The school district is advancing its 10-year strategic plan with a work session set for November 16 at the Wichita Hyatt Regency, coinciding with the Kansas Association of School Boards convention. Stakeholder survey results, gathered from staff, parents, students, and community members, will be reviewed to highlight areas of need. In January and February, focus groups composed of diverse district stakeholders will provide deeper insights, helping shape the plan’s priorities. Targeting finalization by spring, the 10-year plan will address critical facility improvements, educational quality, and long-term district goals.  

Also discussed at the school board meeting, the district has outlined a 10-year lease purchase plan for critical HVAC upgrades to prevent potential school closures due to aging infrastructure. With some equipment well past its lifespan, the $80,000 annual lease payments will fund replacements expected to last 25 years, ensuring reliable heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. The board has initially accepted the proposal, with final approval expected in December following a bid process to confirm costs.

Article Source: USD 418

3. New Voter Registration Sees Notable Increase in McPherson County Election

In the recent McPherson County election, 80 individuals registered to vote for the first time. The County Clerk’s office handled a total of 472 provisional ballots, with 159 ultimately denied. A provisional ballot is a ballot used when there are questions about a voter's eligibility, allowing their vote to be counted once their eligibility is confirmed. Out of 1,027 mail-in ballots sent, 67 remained unreturned by the state-mandated deadline. The county coordinated closely with the post office to ensure timely delivery of ballots, even adding enhanced security features, like upgraded cameras and a twice-daily collection log, to monitor the ballot drop box. 


McPherson County officials have also scheduled several key meetings to address legislative priorities, infrastructure, and emergency planning. On November 18, county commissioners will meet with state representatives to discuss local needs, followed by a public works session to review upcoming projects. Additionally, the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) will host a cybersecurity session on November 14 and two strategic planning sessions: one on November 21 focused on joint city-county development and another on November 22 to discuss city-specific initiatives. These meetings aim to align McPherson’s infrastructure, safety, and development goals.

Article Source: McPherson County

4. McPherson Fire Department Dive Team Gets New Gear

In a surprise for a land-locked community in Central KS, McPherson has had its own Fire Department dive team since 2022. Formed to handle water-related emergencies, the team has already been put to the test three times. The city recently approved over $10,000 in new equipment, including underwater communication devices, full-face masks, and buoyancy control systems, to ensure safer and more efficient operations.

Article Source: City of McPherson

5. Rainfall Roundup

Recent rainfall measurements recorded on November 7 and 8 have increased McPherson’s rainfall total above typical November averages. My gauge in east McPherson registered 0.3 inches on November 7, followed by 1.35 inches on November 8. This recent precipitation has pushed the area's rainfall totals to 3.5 inches above the November average and 0.7 inches above the average for the year.

Article Source: Rain Drop

McPherson College's ‘Path to Pebble’ Wins Best Documentary Short at Film Festival

McPherson College’s documentary, “The Path to Pebble,” chronicling the decade-long journey to compete at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance won Best Documentary Short Film at the Grand Motoring Film Festival on Oct. 31 at Hilton Head Island. 

Link

Article Source: Ad Astra Radio

6. Sports

Bullpups' Season Ends With Playoff Loss to Wamego

Sources

1. https://www.facebook.com/CityOfMcPhersonLocalGovernment/videos/1761207724652069

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iDeH_PALDs

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

4. https://www.facebook.com/CityOfMcPhersonLocalGovernment/videos/1761207724652069

5. Rain Drop app

6. https://www.adastraradio.com/adastra-news/path-to-pebble-wins-top-prize-at-grand-motoring-festival