Best times ahead
As I close within a couple months from my one-year work anniversary with the City, I continue to be amazed each day at the breadth of services the City provides for the residents of McPherson. I’m even more amazed at the talent, passion, and commitment of the people that I’m blessed to work with each day. Whether its staff that were here when I joined the team, staff that we’ve hired since to fill vacancies, or the organizations, businesses, and residents that we work alongside. There are amazing people all around us that care deeply about Serving McPherson Today for a Better Tomorrow. That’s what excites me the most. The people that care. The people that give their best to make things better. The people willing to have hard conversations in order to create meaningful and lasting solutions. The people willing to work with others to create something bigger than themselves.
I see these people every day in our office, in the field, in our schools, in our churches, and out in our community. Thank you for being that person!
Providing critical assistance
The City of McPherson Fire Department spent several days in May providing aide to fight wildfires in Western Kansas. The State Fire Marshal's Office on Thursday, May 14, put out a request for service availability, and the MFD listed one of its new brush trucks, along with a 3,000-gallon pumper/tender, and 4-6 personnel at a time — along with a command vehicle. By Friday, the MFD's service was requested so the the first crew headed to Bucklin. (Photos from McPherson Fire Department)
As part of the South Central Kansas Region, mutual aide is not that uncommon for the MFD, and other regional fire service providers. This request was made by the state's Emergency Operation's Center as large fires were roaring through Clark and Meade Counties, which resulted in upwards of 120,000 acres burned.
The MFD arrived by that Friday afternoon and was assigned to a task force in Clark County. The MFD worked west of Ashland from Friday afternoon until 10 a.m. Saturday.
At 10 a.m. Saturday, the MFD went through a partial crew switch, while command took a short rest. The MFD's day crew and the brush truck were assigned to work in Meade County.
By Saturday evening, crews had to change again to avoid exhaustion and the refreshed crew worked overnight in Clark County into Sunday. Crews returned to McPherson that Sunday morning to regroup and rotate, resulting in a fresh crew headed west.
The MFD crews, along with all other agencies, worked a similar schedule through Monday taking rest when needed, but fought through Tuesday afternoon. By 9 p.m. Tuesday evening, all MFD crews and apparatus had returned.
The MFD rotated people and at any given time, there were 4-6 personnel there. A total of 13 MFD firefighters spent time with several others working overtime to cover the local stations.
Approximately 200 firefighters from across the state, representing various departments were mobilized in the effort.
Get the summer started
Several City of McPherson Departments were on hand for the McPherson Public Library's Summer Kickoff in May. The second straight event was held on the last day of school for area kids and featured a “Things that Go” event, where kids could climb aboard some of the various trucks and equipment. The City Street Department had a loader and dump truck on hand while kids enjoyed climbing aboard and taking the controls. The McPherson Fire Department, Police Department and Convention & Visitors Bureau had vehicles and representation. Staff from the McPherson Water Park also was on hand. The Library event was the first of many scheduled for the summer of 2026. For more, visit the Library's website.
Goats and more goats
The City of McPherson and Turkey Creek Golf Course in May contracted with Restoration Grazing as the company released roughly 200 goats on an outer section between the course and Avenue A, and along the walking bridge. The goats worked for about four days clearing out all the brush, leaves and whatever else surrounding the creek bed. Restoration Grazing is based out of Valley Center and spends a great deal of the spring and summer traveling around the region offering its services. Clearing out the brush offers an easier opportunity for course staff to do some work cleaning out the creek bed for aesthetic purposes as well as helping the flow of waters during heavy rain events.
Odds/Ends
Community Support
The City of McPherson Public Lands & Facilities Department hosted a ribbon cutting May 20, 2026 on the Downtown Plaza, Marlin & Main Streets. The new shade structure covering the stage area was dedicated to Sid & Wendy Johnson, who generously donated $23,000 toward its completion with additional funds coming from McPherson Main Street The dedication preceded the lunch time concert that day, which is part of a weekly series in May and September the department organized. The spring series will wrap June 3 with more performances slated for the first Wednesday in September. The structure was part of ongoing improvements on The Plaza, that also includes permanent canopies with funding donated from the McPherson Rotary Club.
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New shoes
The City of McPherson Street sweeper was busy this spring and a new pair of shoes and brushes were in order to get the machine back out on the street. The sweeper was in full force ahead of the annual All Schools Day event.
While the look of the street is a by-product, the street sweeper's purpose goes much deeper.
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A tour worth taking
As part of National Travel & Tourism Week, the McPherson Convention & Visitors Bureau sponsored free tickets for participants to go on a tram adventure at Maxwell Wildlife Refuge. The CVB sponsored 25 tickets per day for tram rides to kick off NTTW. The trams take visitors out into the field to get up and close with the Buffalo herd on the refuge, complete with commentary about the history and educational information about the historic mammals. From then, the CVB hosted activities throughout the week to celebrate NTTW.
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A dog's day
Six puppies captured the hearts of many on social media with a call to the McPherson Animal Shelter. A call came in near the end of the day May 22, 2026, for a group of abandoned puppies left in the WalMart parking lot. The litter was merely a week old and in the absence of a mother, were in need of constant care to stay alive. Members of the Police Department, Animal Shelter and McPherson County Sheriff’s Office, jumped to the task — and many reached out to volunteer a helping hand. The puppies needed round the clock care and feeding, and the various departments worked in shifts to make that happen on a holiday weekend. The police department reported six days later that after a thorough investigation into the incident, the pups’ mother had been found and reunited. The Animal Shelter will house the puppies along with the mother until the puppies can be adopted out safely. The case was forwarded to the county prosecutor for pending charges and restitution.
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D.A.R.E to be
McPherson Police Department Sergeant Blane Janssen was at Eisenhower Elementary and Roosevelt Elementary School on May 14 to complete both their Fifth Grade Recognitions and D.A.R.E. graduations. D.A.R.E (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) is a national program founded in 1983. It is a police officer-led series of classroom lessons that teaches children from kindergarten through 12th grade how to resist peer pressure and live productive drug and violence-free lives. The MPD works with local schools in the D.A.R.E. program throughout the year as Janssen runs the program in the fall at Washington, Lincoln and St. Joseph Elementary, and McPherson Middle School during the fall. Eisenhower and Roosevelt Elementaries have a spring program.
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Mission accomplished?
Through May 31, the Convention & Visitors Bureau needed just one card to fulfill its task of collected 250th birthday cards from all 50 U.S. States in honor of the country's milestone anniversary. Only New Jersey remained on the list with several stating they would put one in the mail. The effort was one of several 250th themed activities through McPherson through the year, that will culminate with the July 4 celebration with fireworks and live music at Wall Park.
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The City of McPherson utilizes Everbridge as its emergency alert notification system. In a continued effort to collaborate with local and area agencies, the City now will be a part of the South Central Kansas regional notification system. Residents in 14 counties — including McPherson — can receive critical emergency alerts and community news by signing up. This system allows allows users to choose how and where they receive notifications, including home, mobile or business phones, email or text messages. You can sign up for alerts by clicking here.
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CVB Grants
The McPherson Convention & Visitors Bureau Board in May The board approved a $1,000 grant to Great Plains Nature Photographers for their annual meeting in McPherson in October. Maxwell Wildlife Refuge received a $250 grant for its Party on the Prairie Event in May, and the McPherson Police Department received a $500 grant for its annual First Responders Night, a community event slated for Sept. 22, 2026.
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Leadership McPherson
Congratulations to the Leadership Class of 2026 through the McPherson Chamber of Commerce. The class was recognized for its completion in early May at the McPherson Opera House. Three representatives from the City of McPherson completed this year's course: Lauren Przymus, Park Department Supervisor; Bethany Odell, McPherson PD Asst. Administrative Support; and Emily Sanner, Animal Control Officer.
Project updates
Mill & overlay
The City of McPherson Public Works Department took bids for mill & overall projects for the upcoming season with APAC-Kansas, Inc. awarded the contract via vote in May from the City Commission. Mill & overlay projects totaling $482,592.60 are on the schedule for 2026, including finishing two blocks of Myers Street and the 1100 block of Elm Street. Additional overlays are slated for Janasu Road from Briarwood Lane east as well as Heritage Place from Janasu north to the cul de sac.
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Hickory Street
Road reconstruction work is set to begin this summer/fall in the area of Hickory and Hayes Streets. The design is complete and utility relocates have been underway. The City of McPherson Public Works Department hosted a public meeting April 21 — mainly with residents in that area and others interested — to discuss the project goals, scope and phasing with local residents affected by the project. The Hickory Street project is the last in a series of projects identified by citizens survey during the 2017 renewal of a half-cent sales tax, which is 100 percent dedicated to street maintenance and repairs. Eight areas were identified as a top priority during that vote and through last year, seven of them were complete.
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Grant submitted
The City of McPherson Public Works has submitted an application for continued grant funding through the Transportation Alternatives program through the Kansas Department of Transportation. If awarded, the City would have the opportunity to move forward with the the proposed Northview Trail project and extend the trail east to Maxwell Street, then put in a new 5-foot walking path from Northview stretching south on Maxwell Street. The City, after adopting Resolution No. 26-09 in support of the application, will wait for word on the grant.
Browns honored at CCCK
Former City of McPherson Mayor Tom Brown, and wife Kathy, were inducted into the Central Christian College of Kansas Academe of Achievers during the colleg's commencement in May. This information was put out by CCCK and photo taken from the CCCK Facebook page. At Commencement 2026, Central Christian College of Kansas was honored to induct Tom and Kathy Brown into the Academe of Achievers—a recognition reserved for individuals whose lives reflect extraordinary leadership, service, and faith. Tom and Kathy’s story is one of enduring commitment—to one another, to their family, and to the communities they have faithfully served for decades. From Tom’s service in the U.S. Marine Corps and his 16 years as mayor of McPherson, to Kathy’s impactful work as a speech therapist and dedicated volunteer, their lives have been marked by purpose and generosity. Together, they have built a legacy that extends across generations, including their daughter Tina, a Central graduate, and a growing family of children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Their influence reaches far beyond titles and accomplishments—it is found in the people they have served, the community they have strengthened, and the example they continue to set.
Things in June
Drop in a line
The 19th annual Youth Fishing Derby will see its first cast at 8 a.m. June 20, 2026, in Lakeside Park. The event is part of Father's Day weekend in McPherson. Youth anglers compete in various age groups with limited help from their parents or guardians. The yearly event has grown in popularity. Even with last year's downpour, nearly all competitors returned to the park following the rain to close out the competition.
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Free movies
The first of four summer moves hosted by the Convention & Visitors Bureau will be shown June 12, 2026, at the McPherson Opera House. Participants will take part in a sing-along with Frozen. The CVB, with sponsorships throughout, will host four free movies until July 3. McPherson Pizza Ranch also donates snacks for each movie.
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'Donut' miss it
The Convention & Visitors Bureau for the third straight year is set to deliver free donuts on Saturday, June 6, 2026, as part of the City's Fidelity Days. Those partaking were encouraged to invite as many neighbors as possible for free donuts delivered by CVB staff.
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Your checklist
Looking for things to do in McPherson? Look no further than this checklist of must-do activities throughout the summer. Whether it be going for a swim at McPherson Water Park or playing a round at Turkey Creek Golf Course, there is something for everyone.
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Feeling generous?
The McPherson Fire Department relaunched its Fire Safety & Education efforts with a goal in 2026 to raise $5,000 to expand education materials across the community. Work in education and fire prevention is funded by donations each year. These funds are used to purchase things such as coloring books or workbooks for children to hand out during school visits or department tours. Other things such as plastic fire helmets, stickers and other related materials that are used to promote fire safety or risk reduction may be purchased as well. The fire department has a Venmo account to make a donation or those with questions can contact the department at 620-245-2505 to request more information.
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Coffee & conversation
On June 18, 2026, the City of McPherson will host the Chamber of Commerce weekly Chamber Coffee, a gathering to learn about different members and services of the Chamber. The City will host this event at the Wastewater Treatment Facility and provide an opportunity for the group to learn about the vital infrastructure, its purpose and its capability for future growth. The coffee is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. at 1401 Treatment Plant Road.
Credits:
Created with images by Nadya Vetrova - "Wheat field.,Ears of golden wheat close up.,Beautiful Nature Sunset Landscape.,Rural Scenery under Shining Sunlight.,Background of ripening ears of wheat field.,Rich harvest Concept." • Nadya Vetrova - "Wheat field.,Ears of golden wheat close up.,Beautiful Nature Sunset Landscape.,Rural Scenery under Shining Sunlight.,Background of ripening ears of wheat field.,Rich harvest Concept." • Bits and Splits - "Golden wheat ears in field" • Bits and Splits - "Golden wheat ears in field" • Bits and Splits - "Golden wheat ears in field" • Akun - "A green dollar sign within a circle on a white background" • Bits and Splits - "Golden wheat ears in field" • Bits and Splits - "Golden wheat ears in field" • Bits and Splits - "Golden wheat ears in field"