Week of October 16 2024
K-61 construction; McPherson enrollment drop; MIDC report; $849K trail grant; $1M fire engine purchase; $6.7M county building renovation; Chili Cook-off winners
FLASH…K-61 construction….
1. McPherson Schools Enrollment Drops 98 Students, Kindergarten Numbers Plummet
2. McPherson Industrial Development Company: Apprenticeship Programs Interest and New Engineering Program at McPherson College
3. McPherson Receives $849K for Trail Project as Part of Statewide $31.5M in Transportation Funding
4. McPherson Approves $1M Fire Engine Purchase
5. Fuqua Construction's $6.7M Proposal for County Building Renovation Moves Forward
Burnin’ Down Main Chili Cook-off Winners
McPherson Bullpup Sports Report
See the new Ad Astra Podcast! Released on Apple and Spotify
Contact: gregloving@protonmail.com
FLASH…Beginning Tuesday, Oct. 15, KDOT will start bridge repair on K-61 near McPherson….K-153 to eastbound K-61 will be closed, and K-61 traffic reduced to one lane with reduced speed….
Article Source: Ad Astra Radio
1. McPherson Schools Enrollment Drops 98 Students, Kindergarten Numbers Plummet
Enrollment numbers in the McPherson school district have dropped by 98 students compared to 2023, with the most noticeable decline in kindergarten enrollment. Only 111 kindergarten students enrolled, significantly lower than the nearly 200 seniors in the district. The COVID-19 pandemic played a key role in this trend, as many families chose to delay their children's entry into school or explore alternative educational options. This shift mirrors broader statewide trends in Kansas, where younger grades are shrinking while older cohorts remain more stable.
To better understand these changes and plan for the future, the district's superintendent has suggested conducting a demographic and enrollment study. The study would provide essential data for strategic planning, especially in light of declining birth rates and an aging population in McPherson. The data would align with a broader community-wide demographic study already in progress, helping the district develop a long-term plan to address both enrollment trends and their financial impact on the school system, which relies on per-pupil funding.
The Board has also scheduled a special meeting for November 16, 2024, at 11:30 AM to initiate strategic planning discussions for the district’s future. Key items on the agenda include a review of the district's longstanding mission and vision statements, which were created in 1989 and last revisited in 2017, and the development of a "portrait of a graduate" to define the skills and attributes students should possess upon graduation. The strategic planning process comes at a critical time, as the district grapples with declining enrollment. The board seeks to incorporate input from the community.
Article Source: USD 418
2. McPherson Industrial Development Company: Apprenticeship Programs Interest and New Engineering Program at McPherson College
The McPherson Industrial Development Company (MIDC) presented its quarterly update at the October 15 city commission meeting. McPherson, which heavily relies on a commuting workforce, saw an encouraging uptick in employment data versus 2023. A renewed interest in apprenticeship programs was voiced by over 40 attendees representing 21 different businesses at a recent workforce meeting. Apprenticeship programs are expected to strengthen ties between local schools and industries, offering high school and college students direct pathways into the workforce. Additionally, McPherson College is starting a 4-year mechanical engineering program, reflecting local industry needs and creating synergies between the liberal arts college and the local manufacturing sector. In a separate event, 15 transitioning soldiers from Fort Riley’s Heroes Make America program toured local manufacturers, with some expressing interest in relocating to McPherson.
Article Source: City of McPherson, Ad Astra Radio
3. McPherson Receives $849K for Trail Project as Part of Statewide $31.5M in Transportation Funding
On October 14, 2024, Governor Laura Kelly announced nearly $31.5 million in funding for 31 projects aimed at enhancing safety, accessibility, and mobility across Kansas through the Transportation Alternatives Program. The City of McPherson received $849,913.60 for the McPherson Ave A Trail Phase III project. Managed by KDOT and supported by the Federal Highway Administration, the program funds bicycle, pedestrian, and other transportation-related projects, with local communities providing a 20% match.
Article Source: Ad Astra Radio
4. McPherson Approves $1M Fire Engine Purchase
The McPherson City Commission has approved a contract with Conrad Fire Equipment for the purchase of a new fire engine to replace Engine 3, at a cost of just over $1 million. The Fire Department's selection committee recommended the unit to standardize the fleet for better maintenance and operational efficiency. Additionally, the Commission approved a payment to Hutton Construction for work on the North Main Fire Station and allocated funds for finishing the restoration of the 1928 American LaFrance fire truck, a project supported by private donations.
Article Source: City of McPherson, Ad Astra Radio
5. Fuqua Construction's $6.7M Proposal for County Building Renovation Moves Forward
Fuqua Construction has presented a final cost of $6.7 million for the renovation of the county building at 122 West Marlin, which will house several departments currently located in the McPherson County courthouse. The project is expected to take a year to complete. Commissioners are reviewing funding options, including the potential use of American Rescue Plan Act funds (federal COVID relief money), with a decision expected in a follow-up meeting is scheduled for October 2.
Article Source: McPherson County
Burnin’ Down Main Chili Cook-off Winners
McPherson Main Street revealed the winners of the Chili Cook-off and dessert competition from Burnin’ Down Main on Saturday, Oct. 12. In the Chili Cook-off, Rhaemy Rierson’s Rhaemazwitos Chili took 1st place, followed by Renee Williams of Flat Branch Home Loans in 2nd, and Chad Spooner of Big Spoon BBQ in 3rd. For the dessert competition, where maple was the mandatory ingredient, Brad Doughman won 1st place with cookies, Chandra Ackerman took 2nd with cinnamon rolls, and McPherson Pet Resort finished 3rd with a cake.
Article Source: Ad Astra Radio
McPherson Bullpup Sports Report
Football
Bullpups' Late Rally Falls Short as Mulvane Prevails 35-21
Wichita Eagle 4A high school football rankings:
1. Wamego (5-1) 2. Louisburg (6-0) 3. Andover Central (5-1) 4. Kapaun Mt. Carmel (5-1) 5. Wellington (4-2) 6. Bishop Miege (0-6) 7. Chanute (5-1) 8. Buhler (4-2) 9. Eudora (3-3) 10. Mulvane (5-1)
Next five out: Ottawa (5-1), McPherson (3-3), Tonganoxie (3-3), Winfield (4-2), Kansas City Piper (1-5).
Tennis - 10/12, 4A Regional Final Update
McPherson is celebrating a stellar performance at the 4A Regional Tennis Finals, clinching the Team Championship!
* Maryn Sandbo took home the Regional Singles Championship
* Dragon Rodriguez secured a 3rd Place finish in Singles.
* Avery Unruh/Quinn Liebl were Regional Doubles Champions.
* Kennedy Tully/McKenna Paul finished in 2nd Place in Doubles.
Next up, McPherson heads to the 4A State Tennis Tournament in Topeka!
Golf - 10/14
The Lady Pups Golf team iqualified for state for the second time in just three years of their program’s history! McPherson shot an impressive team score of 326 (+42), tying Topeka-Hayden for the regional title.
Brodie Kuhn captured the Regional Championship with a round of -2 (69).
Soccer
10/10: McPherson 5, Winfield 1
10/15: McPherson 3, Augusta 0
Volleyball
10/12 McPherson Invitational
Pool A Results:
* McPherson d. Salina South 25-16, 25-13
* McPherson d. Wichita Heights 26-24, 25-18
* Bishop Carroll d. McPherson 25-17, 25-22
In the championship match, Bishop Carroll overcame McPherson in three hard-fought sets: 22-25, 25-18, 25-8
10/15 Wellington Triangular
* McPherson d. Wellington 25-12, 22-25, 25-23
* Buhler d. McPherson 22-25, 25-22, 28-26
Cross Country - 10/12 El Dorado Invitational
McPherson had a strong showing at the El Dorado Invitational, with the boys taking 2nd place and the girls finishing 4th in the team standings.
Girls Top Finishers:
* Eva Ramey: 6th place, 20:29.76
* Lexi Patterson: 8th place, 20:58.19
Boys Top Finishers:
* Caleb Muehler: 2nd place, 16:09.40
* Ethan Elder: 4th place, 16:33.39
Article Source: Wichita Eagle, Ad Astra Radio, X
Sources
1. https://www.adastraradio.com/mac-news/k-61-bridge-repair-to-begin-oct-15-in-mcpherson-county
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wsKmJLdYOs
3. https://www.facebook.com/CityOfMcPhersonLocalGovernment/videos/509389295248209
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ad-astra-radio-daily/id1694025121?i=1000672698926
4. https://www.adastraradio.com/adastra-news/31-5m-to-be-awarded-for-31-bicycle-pedestrian-projects-across-kansas
5. https://www.facebook.com/CityOfMcPhersonLocalGovernment/videos/509389295248209
https://www.adastraradio.com/mac-news/the-city-of-mcpherson-moves-forward-with-major-infrastructure-and-public-safety-upgrades
6. https://www.mcphersoncountyks.us/949/BOCC-Recent-Agendas-Minutes-and-Video
7. https://www.adastraradio.com/mac-news/burnin-down-main-cook-off-and-dessert-winners-announced
8. https://www.kansas.com/sports/varsity-kansas/varsity-football/article293947129.html
https://www.adastraradio.com/adastra-sports/ad-astra-radio-thursday-high-school-scoreboard-10-10-24
https://www.adastraradio.com/adastra-sports/ad-astra-radio-saturday-high-school-scoreboard-10-12-24
https://www.adastraradio.com/adastra-sports/ad-astra-radio-tuesday-high-school-scoreboard-10-15-24
https://x.com/ladypupsgolf/status/1845935375833071854?s=46&t=nVb-5uC_WM3Cp0R0dGiqHQ
@JoelMuhs_
@BullpupsTennis