McPherson – Week of January 30 2025
Zoning board election chaos; Fire Department 2024 report; golf irrigation nearly done; new park shelter approved; new county appraiser;
1. Planning and Zoning Election Descends into Lawless Anarchy
2. Fire Department Reports on 2024 Activity
3. Golf Course Irrigation Project Nears Completion
4. Commission Approves New Lakeside Park Shelter
5. County Names Hubbard as New Appraiser
Bullpup Sports and Activity Report
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Calendar
Emergency logs
Obituaries
Best eating in the Heartland II
FLASH…The Elm Street drainage project and Euclid extension remains temporarily paused due to weather conditions…
1. Planning and Zoning Election Descends into Lawless Anarchy
Concerns about procedural irregularities have emerged following the McPherson County Planning and Zoning Board's January 13 election meeting. Jeff Smith, a board member, alleged in Monday's County Commission meeting that Planning and Zoning Administrator Jon Kinsey violated established bylaws during officer elections by implementing an unauthorized colored paper voting system and attempting to run the meeting instead of the chair. Troublingly, Smith reported that the administrator replaced a winning candidate with a second-place finisher without notifying the victor. These allegations were corroborated by former board member Gary Frownfelter, who served on the Planning and Zoning Board for approximately 12 years, stating the administrator "doesn't seem to know the rules of the board" and cited multiple procedural violations. Smith plans to motion for a new election at the board's February 10 meeting, emphasizing that the board should focus on "finding solutions, not finding more problems." County commissioners acknowledged the concerns and indicated they would investigate the matter.
Article Source: McPherson County
2. Fire Department Reports on 2024 Activity
During a city commission meeting, McPherson Fire Chief Mayberry presented the department's 2024 annual statistics, revealing 1,362 total emergency responses with EMS calls comprising 61% of those responses. The chief noted that McPherson's trend of decreasing fire calls and increasing EMS responses aligns with national patterns in fire service. The department responded to 57 fires, with the remaining calls distributed among service calls, good intents, and false alarms. The year included equipment upgrades, including the acquisition of a new Rescue 1 vehicle and plans to replace Engine 2 with two more cost-effective brush trucks. The year also marked leadership transitions, with appointments of a new Fire Chief, Deputy Chief, and Division Chief of Community Risk Reduction. The department maintained full staffing for full-time positions and implemented new software systems to improve data management. Substantial progress was made on Fire Station 2 and Station 1 began a remodel.
Article Source: City of McPherson
3. Golf Course Irrigation Project Nears Completion
Turkey Creek Golf Course's irrigation system upgrade is nearing completion, with only one hole remaining, Public Lands & Facilities Director Wayne Burns reported at Tuesday's McPherson City Commission meeting. While recent weather conditions have temporarily paused work on hole #16, Burns projects the irrigation installation will be completed by mid-March. The project's final phase includes the construction of a new pump house, scheduled to begin in mid-March, though the delivery timeline for the ordered pumps remains pending.
Article Source: City of McPherson
4. Commission Approves New Lakeside Park Shelter
The McPherson City Commission has approved $118k for the replacement of Shelter #4 at Lakeside Park, continuing a multi-year park improvement initiative. The new 28-by-36-foot cedar forest open timber truss shelter, to be located on west Lakeside Drive across from Washington Elementary School, represents the fifth shelter replacement in the park's ongoing renovation program. Under House Moving will remove the existing shelter at no cost to the city in exchange for salvage rights. This upgrade follows the successful replacement of shelters 1, 3, 5, and 6 in previous years.
Article Source: City of McPherson
5. County Names Hubbard as New Appraiser
The McPherson County Commission has formally appointed Stacey Hubbard as the new County Appraiser, following the resignation of Joe Penny. During Monday's commission meeting, the board unanimously approved a resolution installing Hubbard, who began her duties on January 19. The transition requires formal notification to the State of Kansas about the change in appraisers. Hubbard, who was present at the meeting, reported that her transition into the role is progressing well.
Article Source: McPherson County
Bullpup Sports and Activity Report
Boys Basketball
Boys gets 2nd place at McPherson Invitational Tournament
Semifinal OT video v SME (from @LaneGillPxP)
Championship highlight video (from @jasonlamb)
@GabrielPyle24 selected as MIT MVP
Girls Basketball
Follow our live coverage of the Mid America Classic Girls Basketball Tournament this weekend
Girls Wrestling
5th Annual Eureka Invitational (Jan. 25)
- Team Scores:
- Newton – 146
- Columbus – 120.5
- McPherson – 112.5
- Area Individual Top Four Finishers:
- 105 lbs: 1. Brookelyn Treaster (Newton), 4. Neveah Myers (Burlington)
- 110 lbs: 1. Camila Martinez (Remington), 2. Lexi Patterson (McPherson), 3. Devery Kennedy (Erie)
- 115 lbs: 1. Avery Hinojos (Newton)
- 120 lbs: 2. Olivia Lyons (Burlington)
- 125 lbs: 1. Sheyenne Pinkston (Remington), 2. Amara Dossett (McPherson)
- 130 lbs: 1. Jaeann James (Newton), 2. Addilyn Wacker (Iola), 3. Molly Owen (McPherson)
- 135 lbs: 1. Haylei Potter (Burlington), 3. Madi Cope (Erie)
- 140 lbs: 1. Ryah Bristol (Newton), 4. Sydney Cummins (McPherson)
- 155 lbs: 1. Taevyn Baylor (Humboldt)
- 170 lbs: 2. Paige Ferrera (Burlington), 4. Vanessa Edwards (Newton)
- 190 lbs: 3. Zoie Hesse (Iola)
- 235 lbs: 2. Gabiriela Vargas-Garcia (Humboldt)
Source: Ad Astra Radio
Scholars Bowl
AVCTL Div. III League Tournament at Buhler
- Varsity: Finished 2-3 (just one question away from 2nd place in Round 1)
- JV: Went undefeated at 5-0, finishing in 1st place
Source: @MHSBullpups
Boys Swimming
Over the past two weekends, the MHS Boys Swim team placed in the Top 10 at two large meets featuring 15+ teams, including multiple 6A schools.
Andover Invite (Jan. 18)
- Team finished 9th out of 17 teams.
- Relays:
- 4th in the 400 Freestyle Relay
- 8th in the 200 Freestyle Relay
- Top Individual Finishes:
- Gabriel House (Sr.): 8th in both 200 Freestyle & 500 Freestyle
- Cooper Bohme (Fr.): 7th in 500 Freestyle; competed in 200 IM
- Becket Shuckman (Jr.): 15th in 50 Freestyle & 100 Freestyle
- Ethan Elder (Sr.): 13th in 100 Fly & 100 Backstroke
- Ben Bocox (Jr.): 11th in 100 Backstroke, 14th in 500 Freestyle
Wichita-Heights Invitational (Jan. 25)
- Team finished 10th out of 16 teams.
- Top Individual Finishes:
- Cooper Bohme (Fr.): 5th in both 200 Freestyle & 500 Freestyle
- Gabriel House (Sr.): 10th in 500 Freestyle & 7th in 100 Fly
- Relays:
- Strong showing in the 200 Medley Relay with a state consideration time of 1:58.60
“Overall the team only finished 10th, but make no mistake: that does not accurately reflect how well we swam. It highlights the quality of competition in the state right now. Kansas swimming is in a great place, and it’s looking like it should be another explosive conclusion to the season in Lenexa next month.”
— Head Coach Matt Cotton
- Upcoming Meets:
- Jan. 28 @ Hutchinson
- Jan. 30 @ Haysville-Campus
- Feb. 15 AVCTL Meet @ Hutchinson
Source: Ad Astra Radio
McPherson Citizen Journal Score Network (submitted)
EAGLES EARN HARD-FOUGHT VICTORY, 44-34, WITH BALANCED TEAM EFFORT
In a display of disciplined basketball, Elyria's girls secured an impressive win against the Wichita Defenders. The Eagles' second-half defensive adjustments proved crucial, with Addison Swenson's relentless defensive pressure and sharp shooting creating the separation needed for victory. Joy Pyle delivered an aggressive performance, dominating the boards and handling challenging passes with skill. Grace orchestrated the offense masterfully, controlling the game's tempo and finding open teammates, while Sidney Hall made her presence felt on the glass, leading all rebounders in just her fourth game of the season. The Eagles' patient offensive execution and strong half-court sets compensated for a relatively low turnover count against the Defenders' sound defense and quick-trigger shooters. Elyria looks to maintain their momentum as they prepare to host Berean Academy this Friday night (1/31) at Central Christian College.
Introducing the McPherson Citizen Journal Score Network!
We're expanding our local sports coverage beyond varsity athletics to include middle school, JV, and other youth sports programs. To make this possible, we're launching a community-driven reporting system where parents, relatives, coaches, and team supporters can easily submit game scores and tournament results.
Submit your scores:
Both forms are mobile-friendly and can be shared via email. Help us build a comprehensive network of local sports coverage by becoming a score submitter today!
Questions? Contact Greg Loving at gregloving@protonmail.com
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Sources
2. https://www.mcphersoncountyks.us/949/BOCC-Recent-Agendas-Minutes-and-Video
3. https://www.facebook.com/CityOfMcPhersonLocalGovernment/videos/4008210799435616
4. https://www.facebook.com/CityOfMcPhersonLocalGovernment/videos/4008210799435616
5. https://www.facebook.com/CityOfMcPhersonLocalGovernment/videos/4008210799435616
6. https://www.mcphersoncountyks.us/949/BOCC-Recent-Agendas-Minutes-and-Video