New addition coming
A vibrant project is taking shape in Challenger Park, adjacent to the pickleball complex behind McPherson Fire Station 1.
A 9,000-square-foot pollinator garden, approved by the McPherson City Commission on Sept. 30, will feature a butterfly-shaped flower bed, ADA accessible paths, copper ponds and educational signage.
City staff will handle much of the work and maintenance, with opportunities for donations and community involvement to create a destination and educational viewing experience.
Those wishing to be involved are encouraged to contact Public Lands & Facilities Director Wayne Burns at 620-245-2565 or email wayneb@mcpcity.com.
The project aims to create a welcoming space for pollinators and the community, with plans for sculptures, irrigation and more.
Golden named new KACP president
City of McPherson Police Chief Mikel Golden in September was appointed President of the Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police.
The prestigious role marks a significant milestone, not only for Chief Golden, but also for the department as he becomes the first McPherson police chief to serve in that capacity. Former Chiefs Dennis Shaw and Robert McClarty have served on the board. Shaw is the current executive director.
The KACP plays a key role in shaping law enforcement policies in Kansas, working closely with state legislators, police and sheriff departments, as well as federal and state agencies.
You can find out more information about the KACP by clicking here.
In August, Golden also was appointed as historian for the FBI National Academy Associates for the Kansas/Missouri Chapter.
Golden joined the McPherson Police Department in October 2006 as a Patrol Officer.
He attended the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center — Class 189 as Class President. In 2008, Chief Golden was promoted to Detective and was selected for the Police Specialty Team (SWAT). Assignments included the McPherson Drug Task Force in 2010 followed by the Assistant Team Leader for the Emergency Response Team in 2018.
Golden was promoted to Patrol Lieutenant for nearly two years before being promoted to Police Assistant Chief and Commander of the Emergency Response Team in April 2018. On September 30, 2019, Chief Golden was promoted to Chief of Police.
Restoring history
The McPherson Fire Department is collecting funds to complete the restoration of a 1949 Seagrave with ties to the department.
The Seagrave was delivered in 1949 and served the department until 1975. After being taken out of service, it went to a collector in Salina. It then ended up serving as a private fire truck on a hog farm in western Kansas until it made its way to a collector in Iowa approximately two years ago. it was purchased and returned to the MFD this spring.
Like the 1928 American LaFrance on display at Fire Station 2, the Seagrave’s restoration is being funded all through donations. Those with interest in supporting this project are encouraged to reach out to the department at 620-245-2505.
See a video of the engine fired up by clicking here.
Workin' the dirt
Following the installation of new irrigation and the removal of old grass, work now has begun on the new look for Hess Park in western McPherson.
The McPherson Park Department is busy working up the dirt to begin the planting process. The 3-to-5-year plan aims to change the landscape and add to the overall aesthetics of the park. The plan eventually will include new trees, plant life and flowers.
First responders' Night
The McPherson Police Department, McPherson Fire Department, McPherson Animal Shelter, and various other responding entities, participated in the annual First Responders’ Night at Lakeside Park on Sept. 25.
The McPherson Police Department organize the event, providing food and beverage for free for all those attending.
The event was filled with different activities, including inflatable obstacle courses and educational opportunities for local families.
See some of the photos provided by the McPherson Police Department. You can see more on the department's Facebook Page.
Stay informed, vote
In November, voters in McPherson County will head to the polls with a sales tax question on the general election.
The proposal from McPherson County is a half-percent sales tax that would provide funding for McPherson, Lindsborg and Moundridge Emergency Medical Services — along with Rural Fire District 1 at Canton and Rural Fire District 2 at Marquette. Both of the latter provide ambulance services for those communities.
If approved, this tax will take effect April 1, 2026, with a five-year sunset.
While it is not guaranteed, if the tax were adopted by voters in the county, it presents an opportunity for a potential decrease in levied funds through Ad Valorem tax for the communities affected, as well as the county budget.
'Fair'ly busy
For 10 days, numerous volunteers and City employees put in their time at the McPherson booth at the Kansas State Fair. The booth is set up and operated by McPherson Convention & Visitors Bureau Director Joni Regnier. Volunteers are organized throughout the event into three-hour shifts. It was a chance for everyone to share all that makes McPherson a wonderful place to live and visit. (Pictured are McPherson Fire Chief Chad Mayberry and Deputy Chief Seth Graham).
The CVB organized a prize-wheel and trivia game and gave away over 1,200 prizes and went through 20 large bags of candy. The booth was a great welcome to McPherson’s hospitality.
C.O.P.S. Shoot
The McPherson Police Department and Justice Lodge No. 457 in September hosted a charity shoot at the MPD shooting range. The benefit was for the Kansas Chapter of the Concerns of Police Survivors. The C.O.P.S. organization provides care and services to families of officers killed in the line of duty. Donations raised in the event were matched up to $1,000 by the Justice Lodge.
Donations to go families to help with funeral and other costs.
Odds/Ends
Let there be light
The McPherson Park Department’s annual Lights from the Heartland display continues to grow in Lakeside Park. The department continues to look for opportunities to expand the holiday experience with more displays and features.
The display will light Nov. 27 and stay lit through Jan. 1. Monetary donations can be made though the McPherson County Community Foundation, and funds are used for things like LED lighting, cords and other essential electrical connections. Materials or displays also are considered for donation from any of local partners.
Those interested are encouraged to reach out to the McPherson Park Department at 620-245-2565 or email Public Lands & Facilities Administrative Assistant Ludi Egging at ludie@mcpcity.com
All about safety
The McPherson Fire Department unveiled a new fire safety house in early September.
The inflatable educational fire safety tool was purchased through donations and is replacing an older trailer. The inflatable features various tips and tricks for dealing with fire and smoke and is designed to educate children on the associated dangers.
The Fire Department also purchased a fire extinguisher training tool through a grant from CHS as well as donations.
New signage
The McPherson Municipal Court got a little bit of a facelift with a new sign above the door. Since the court sits on the back side of the McPherson Community Building, the Community Building lobby often is mistaken for the court entrance. The new sign should help guide people to the court’s location at 113 N. Ash Street.
Busy season
Staff at the McPherson Community Building is entering the busiest three months of the year. Since reopening the doors following restoration efforts in 2019, October, November and December have been the most active months. The month of October will include two events open to the public. 66 Lyons Creations will host its fall Sports Card & Memorabilia Show on Oct. 18, while the Optimist Club of McPherson will welcome several hundred to the annual Halloween Carnival on Oct. 23.
Deerfield South
Applications continue to come in for housing opportunities in the ongoing Deerfield Estates South Development. The plan is for 40 new moderate-income homes by the end of 2026 constructed in the area in southeast McPherson with various levels of cost savings available to qualified buyers.
Fore more information, click here.
Sign up for alerts
Leaning toward cooperation with McPherson County and other entities in the region, the City of McPherson is now utilizing Everbridge for those who wish to sign up to receive emergency notifications. The Everbridge system will replace CivicReady, which the City of McPherson utilized previously for sending out notifications. The Everbridge System connects the City of McPherson and county to the South Central Regional network. Signing up is easy. Just go to www.mcpcity.com and click the button that says “sign up for alerts,” and choose McPherson when signing up.
Project updates
1100 block North Elm Street
Despite the rainy season, the 1100 block of North Elm Street is now open for traffic. The Street Department is wrapping up some backfill on the newly-poured curbs and finished pouring the last sections of sidewalk and drives.
The road still needs some slight grading, but will remain as millings until the overlay schedule in 2026, allowing for compaction of the existing millings (pictured).
Myers Street
Working in the third block of this project, contractor Vogts-Parga has poured all the new curb in the 1000 block of Myers and will continue to work on driveways as weather allows. The first block of that project is complete, while the second and third blocks, once partially complete, will await the 2026 overlay schedule.
Northview 10-foot sidewalk
The rain took a heavy toll on the progress of the Northview 10-foot sidewalk (Phase III) project this summer. Contractors PSE and Klaver’s continue to have to pump water out of the area to work on the drainage system on the south side of the road. However, work has begun on the sidewalk on the north side of Northview, working from Main Street east.
This phase of the 10-foot sidewalk — matching what was done from Main Street to the west — will stretch just past Veranda Place. The project includes the drainage improvements on the south side of the road, along with a 5-foot sidewalk from Main Street to Grimes Street.
This project is part of a grant received from a Transportation Alternatives Grant with the City of McPherson only paying 20 percent of the construction costs.
West First Street
Kansas Paving continues to work on saw cutting and patching deteriorated sections of concrete on west First Street. The work will continue on the stretch from the U.S. Highway 81 Bypass east to just past Hospital Drive. Traffic is condensed to two lanes in the area. Once this part of the process is complete on the north side, work will begin on the south two lanes.
Sycamore complete
The reconstruction of streets in the Sycamore Subdivision is complete with the overlay done in September.
Credits:
Created with images by HNKz - "Abstract grey background poster with dynamic waves.,technology network illustration." • David - "Rusty-tipped Page butterfly - Siproeta epaphus, beautiful colored butterfly from Latin America forests and meadows, Costa Rica." • HNKz - "Abstract grey background poster with dynamic waves.,technology network illustration." • HNKz - "Abstract grey background poster with dynamic waves.,technology network illustration." • HNKz - "Abstract grey background poster with dynamic waves.,technology network illustration." • HNKz - "Abstract grey background poster with dynamic waves.,technology network illustration." • HNKz - "Abstract grey background poster with dynamic waves.,technology network illustration." • Sunshower Shots - "Line of voting privacy booths at an empty polling station, USA Election Day, copyspace" • HNKz - "Abstract grey background poster with dynamic waves.,technology network illustration." • HNKz - "Abstract grey background poster with dynamic waves.,technology network illustration." • HNKz - "Abstract grey background poster with dynamic waves.,technology network illustration." • HNKz - "Abstract grey background poster with dynamic waves.,technology network illustration."