HAPPY CHEF DESTROYED

McPHERSON — The iconic 28-foot chimney sweep statue that has stood sentinel along the highway between mileposts 56 and 57 for over two decades was discovered destroyed Tuesday morning, marking the end of an era for one of McPherson's most recognizable roadside attractions. Passersby found the fiberglass giant flat on his back with his legs mangled and dismembered, while the chimney brush he had proudly wielded since his transformation from Happy Chef to chimney sweep in 2000 lay shattered in pieces around him.

The statue's demise comes as little surprise to those who have watched its steady deterioration over the years. Brady Baus, owner of Chimney & Stone Specialists who inherited the landmark when he purchased the business in 2015, had publicly expressed concerns about the statue's condition just last month. Years of vandalism, including numerous bullet holes, combined with harsh Kansas weather had left the chimney sweep listing dangerously to the left with significant damage to his lower body. Despite understanding the statue's significance to the community and its status as a noted roadside attraction, Baus had indicated that astronomical repair estimates made restoration unlikely without substantial community support—help that apparently came too late for the fallen giant.