Week of September 24 2024

FLASH Intersection of Main and Euclid closed until December
1 City Plans 100 MW Power Expansion, Aims for 2030
2 McPherson Fire Department to Upgrade Fleet with Two New Brush Trucks for $473K
3 MCCF Launches Professional Recruitment Program, Offers Scholarships
4 Laura Parks Named New Executive Director of United Way of McPherson County
5 King Midas and the Mufflers Gets Exhibit at McPherson Museum
Sports

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FLASH Intersection of Main and Euclid closed until December

The intersection at Euclid and Ash Streets is now completed and set to reopen. Phase 2 of the Elm Street Drainage Project will begin today (Tuesday, September 24, 2024), focusing on the Main Street intersection. This phase is expected to last through December 2024. Limited parking will be available on the side opposite the construction to minimize the impact on nearby businesses. The City of McPherson Public Works Department advises that no official detour is planned during the closure. For more information, contact Public Works at 620-245-2545 or sign up for CivicReady alerts for the latest updates.

Source: City of McPherson

1 McPherson Plans 100 MW Power Expansion, Aims for 2030

The city is partnering with Burns & McDonnell to add 100 megawatts of new power generation capacity to the local energy fleet. The project requires a generation interconnection application to the Southwest Power Pool (SPP), which must be submitted by the end of October 2024. Approval is expected to take three to four years, with construction extending the project timeline by another two to three years. The new energy capacity is projected to go live by 2030, addressing growing demand and aging infrastructure. City officials see this as a crucial step to prevent future electricity shortages.   

Ed note for comparison, 100 megawatts (MW) of power can supply electricity to roughly 65,000-100,000 homes at once, depending on average consumption. It's equivalent to powering a small city or several large industrial facilities. In terms of physical size, it would take a 500-600 acre solar farm or 100 windmills to generate 100 MW.

Source: City of McPherson

2 McPherson Fire Department to Upgrade Fleet with Two New Brush Trucks for $473K

The city has approved the purchase of two new brush trucks for the fire department, replacing the aging Engine 2. The decision came after a proposal to spend $473k on two trucks built on International CV chassis, each capable of carrying 600 gallons of water. The new trucks will serve the department's needs in fighting wildland fires. Weiss Fire in Salina was chosen for the purchase due to its proximity and additional features. The existing Engine 2, a 2006 International Pumper, will be sold after the new trucks arrive. The department expects to receive the new vehicles within a year, enhancing its ability to manage wildfires.

Source: City of McPherson

3 MCCF Launches Professional Recruitment Program, Offers Scholarships

The McPherson County Community Foundation has a new initiative, the McPherson County Professional Recruitment program. This reverse scholarship aims to attract college or trade-educated professionals to McPherson County by offering financial assistance toward student loans or relocation costs for those who move to participating communities and work for local businesses. Fundraising efforts are underway to officially launch the program. For more information, interested parties can contact Michelle Huddle at 620-245-9070 or email michelle@mcphersonfoundation.org.

Source: Ad Astra Radio Daily

4 Laura Parks Named New Executive Director of United Way of McPherson County

Laura Parks, a Wichita native and McPherson College alumna, has been appointed as the new executive director of the United Way of McPherson County. With 17 years of experience at the Kansas Department for Children and Families, Parks specialized in vocational rehabilitation, focusing on helping individuals with disabilities access accommodations and employment opportunities. Her previous roles also included participation in Kansas Women in State Employment and serving on Special Education Transition Councils for McPherson and Ellis Counties, where she collaborated with Kansas Youth programs.

Source: Ad Astra Radio Daily

5 King Midas and the Mufflers Gets Exhibit at McPherson Museum

A new exhibit celebrating McPherson's legendary rock band, King Midas and the Mufflers, opened on September 20 at the McPherson Museum. Dubbed “Kansas’ Longest Performing Rock & Roll Band,” King Midas got its start in 1965 and, after nearly six decades, continues to perform. In recognition of their long-standing contribution to the state's music scene, the band was inducted into the Kansas Music Hall of Fame in 2006. The exhibit pays tribute to their legacy, showcasing memorabilia and the band's enduring impact on Kansas' music history.

Article Source: Ad Astra Radio, McPherson Museum

Sports

High School

Football

Bullpups Fall Short Against Chanute, 27-14

CLASS 4A RANKINGS 

1. Andover Central (3-0, LW: 2) Last week: 56-17 win vs. Arkansas City (1-2). This week: at Valley Center (0-3). 

2. Bishop Miege (0-3, LW: 1) Last week: 38-20 loss at 6A No. 8 Blue Valley West (2-1). This week: vs. Rockhurst (Mo.). 

3. Kapaun Mt. Carmel (3-0, LW: 3) Last week: 27-20 OT win vs. 6A No. 10 Wichita East (1-2). This week: at 6A No. 5 Wichita Northwest (3-0). 

4. Wamego (2-1, LW: 4) Last week: 22-20 loss at 3A No. 4 Marysville (3-0). This week: vs. 3A No. 4 Topeka Hayden (3-0).

5. Wellington (1-2, LW: 5) Last week: 35-14 win vs. Clearwater (2-1). This week: at Labette County (1-2). 

6. Louisburg (3-0, LW: 8) Last week: 23-15 win vs. 3A No. 6 Clay Center (1-2). This week: vs. Bonner Springs (0-3). 

7. Buhler (2-1, LW: 6) Last week: 43-26 loss at 5A No. 4 Great Bend (2-1). This week: vs. Circle (1-2). 

8. Chanute (3-0, LW: 9) Last week: 27-14 win vs. No. 7 McPherson (1-2). This week: vs. 2A No. 4 Nemaha Central (1-2). 

9. Ottawa (3-0, LW: 10) Last week: 37-34 win at Paola (0-3). This week: vs. Eudora (1-2). 

10. McPherson (1-2, LW: 7) Last week: 27-14 loss at No. 9 Chanute (3-0). This week: vs. Winfield (3-0). 

Next five out: Fort Scott (3-0), Tonganoxie (1-2), Eudora (1-2), Winfield (3-0), Mulvane (2-1).

Volleyball Triangular at Circle (9/17/24)

The McPherson volleyball team bounced back with two wins last Tuesday at the Circle Triangular. After dropping the first set to Circle, the Bullpups rallied to win the next two, taking the match 2-1. They followed that with a 2-0 sweep over Augusta. Haely Hagemann led the team with 17 kills, Rylie Whitfield contributed 33 assists, Ava Romero tallied 16 digs, and Brooke Doile added 5 blocks. With the victories, McPherson extended their win streak to three. They will host a triangular against Wichita Collegiate and Wellington on September 24.

Cross Country at Buhler (9/19/24)

The McPherson cross country teams competed in the Buhler Invitational in Hutchinson on Thursday. The boys finished 4th, led by Caleb Muehler, who took 2nd with a time of 17:11, and Ethan Elder, who finished 8th with 17:41. The girls placed 6th, with strong performances from Lexi Patterson and Eva Ramey, who finished 13th and 14th respectively.

Girls Tennis Invitational at Buhler (9/19/24)

The McPherson girls' tennis team claimed 2nd place at the Buhler Invitational. Maryn Sandbo finished 3rd in singles with a 3-1 record, while Dragon Rodriguez took 6th, going 2-2. In doubles, the pair of Avery Unruhand Quinn Lieblfinished 2nd with a 2-1 record, and Avery Eveland and Erin Olson secured 4th place, going 2-2. The Bullpups will next compete in the Doug Gayer Classic at McPherson on September 24.

Girls Golf at McPherson Invitational (9/19/24)

The McPherson girls' golf team hosted the McPherson Invitational at Turkey Creek Golf Course, finishing 6thout of 14 teams. The team recorded a combined score of 350, just three strokes behind Buhler. Brodie Kuhnled the Bullpups, finishing 5th overall with a personal best of 73, followed by Andi Buschbom in 11th place with a 79, and Reese Elliott with a personal-best 85. The team heads to Hesston for their next meet on September 27.

Boys Soccer vs. Salina South (9/19/24)

The McPherson boys’ soccer team suffered a 4-0 loss to Salina South on Thursday, marking their third match in four days. The team struggled offensively, managing only three shots on goal while allowing 17, with four finding the back of the net. This tough home loss puts the Bullpups at 3-4 for the season. They will face rival Buhler at home on September 24. As of 7:49 PM on September 24, McPherson was leading Buhler 3-0.

College (beta)

McPherson College Triumphs Over Ottawa in 31-14 Victory

The McPherson Bulldogs improved to 2-1 on the season with a 31-14 win over the Ottawa Braves on September 21st at McPherson Stadium. The Bulldogs controlled the game from the start, taking an early lead and never looking back, while Ottawa dropped to 0-3.

McPherson opened the scoring with a methodical 17-play, 80-yard drive, capped off by a 2-yard touchdown run from Jalil Brown. The Bulldogs struck again shortly after when quarterback Tristan Szabo connected with Traven Lewis-Johnson on a 60-yard bomb, giving McPherson a 14-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Ottawa’s only bright spot came in the second quarter when quarterback Taylor Eggers punched in a 1-yard run to cut the lead to 14-7. However, the Bulldogs answered back in the third quarter as Szabo threw his second touchdown pass of the night, a 21-yard strike to Brown, extending McPherson’s lead to 21-7.

McPherson's defense was relentless, holding Ottawa to just 71 rushing yards and forcing a key interception late in the game. The Bulldogs’ ground attack proved too much for Ottawa to handle, as McPherson racked up 233 rushing yards, with Jalil Brown leading the charge with 99 yards on 19 carries. Szabo also contributed 91 rushing yards, showcasing his dual-threat ability.

In the fourth quarter, McPherson sealed the victory with a 1-yard touchdown run from Jeremiah Mosley, followed by a 36-yard field goal from Maxwell Barba. Although Ottawa added a late score, the Bulldogs’ defense stifled any hopes of a comeback with an interception by Christopher Roshell.

Article Source: Wichita Eagle, Ad Astra Radio, McPherson College

Sources

1. https://www.mcpcity.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1031
https://www.facebook.com/CityOfMcPhersonLocalGovernment/videos/981103180367987

2. https://www.facebook.com/CityOfMcPhersonLocalGovernment/videos/981103180367987

3. https://www.facebook.com/CityOfMcPhersonLocalGovernment/videos/981103180367987

4. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ad-astra-radio-daily/id1694025121?i=1000669925810

5. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ad-astra-radio-daily/id1694025121?i=1000670394698

6. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ad-astra-radio-daily/id1694025121?i=1000670160320
https://mcphersonmuseum.com
https://www.adastraradio.com/adastra-news/king-midas-and-the-muflers-exhibit-fundraiser

7. https://www.kansas.com/sports/varsity-kansas/varsity-football/article292869629.html
https://www.adastraradio.com/adastra-sports/bullpup-weekly-sports-roundup-sep-16-22-updates-from-mhs-boys-soccer-volleyball-girls-golf-cross-country-and-girls-tennis
https://macbulldogs.com/football/2024/boxscore/vs-ottawa-university-kan-/7667/pdf