McPherson – Week of May 6 2025
Automotive Showcase; Speech State Title; Senior Housing Advances; Bridge Inspection Bill; Intersection Reopens
C.A.R.S. Club Hosts Annual Automotive Showcase with Live Music and Tours
Dynasty Continues: McPherson High Celebrates Speech State Title Amidst Concerns for Future of Kansas Forensics
McPherson Advances Deerfield Senior Housing Phase Two, Seeks State Tax Credits Amidst High Demand
McPherson County Faces $200K+ Bridge Inspection Bill as Staff Departure Looms; Considers Consultants vs. New Hires
Key Intersection Reopens as McPherson Prepares for Annual Parade, Avenue A to Follow
GET THE CITIZEN JOURNAL APP - FREE!
Contact: greg@loql.ai
C.A.R.S. Club Hosts Annual Automotive Showcase with Live Music and Tours
McPherson College's campus transformed into an automotive paradise last Saturday as the College Automotive Restoration Students (C.A.R.S.) Club hosted its highly anticipated annual Car & Motorcycle Show. Nearly 400 vehicles from across the country gleamed under perfect spring skies at the May 3rd event, which has become a standout attraction in the national car collector community. Visitors enjoyed live music from both McPherson High School and College jazz bands, tours of the renowned Templeton Hall restoration facilities, and convenient trolley rides to downtown McPherson. The student-led event, which kicked off with a Friday night cruise-in on Main Street, showcased everything from meticulously restored classics to custom builds, culminating in an afternoon awards ceremony that recognized the most impressive entries.
McPherson College
Dynasty Continues: McPherson High Celebrates Speech State Title Amidst Concerns for Future of Kansas Forensics
McPherson High School's debate and forensics team, led by Head Coach Aaron Schopper, celebrated their speech state title at Tuesday's City Council meeting, having defeated Bishop Miege by a record margin. McPherson’s debate‑speech program has captured a state championship in each of the past five seasons (2021‑25), including a three‑year, 4‑speaker debate title run from 2022‑24, and a 3 year speech run from 2021-2023. This year saw 45 state event qualifications and 91 individual qualifications throughout the season—continuing their remarkable dynasty. While highlighting this success, Schopper raised concerns about the decline of similar programs across Kansas, noting that 50 debate and forensics programs have been eliminated in the past year with another 25 expected to be cut by next year due to tightening school budgets. Since taking over in 2013, Schopper has grown McPherson's program from 12 to nearly 45 students, emphasizing that debate and forensics are crucial for developing public speaking skills, critical thinking, and empathy among students, while thanking the community for its continued support and urging advocacy for all educational programs in an increasingly challenging financial environment.
City of McPherson
McPherson Advances Deerfield Senior Housing Phase Two, Seeks State Tax Credits Amidst High Demand
The City Council has moved forward with the Deerfield South of States Phase Two senior housing project, signaling a commitment to address the growing need for senior accommodations. Recognizing the high demand evidenced by a 44-person waiting list for the first phase, the council expressed its willingness to pass a resolution supporting the project's application for state tax credits, should it be selected by the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC). Mayor Thomas A. Brown highlighted the project's potential to free up existing housing within the city for younger families, though he also noted the increasing difficulty and expense of such developments due to legislative funding cuts and the competitive nature of available programs.
City of McPherson
McPherson County Faces $200K+ Bridge Inspection Bill as Staff Departure Looms; Considers Consultants vs. New Hires
Public Works Director David Bohnenblust outlined challenges related to bridge inspections. Currently, one staff member inspects 461 bridges over 20 feet every two years, plus another 600 smaller structures on a 5 to 10-year cycle. With this inspector planning to leave, the county is exploring options, including hiring consultants at an estimated cost of $550 per bridge, which would total over $200,000 every two years for the larger bridges alone. The county is considering hiring and training new engineering techs, a process that could take two to three years, likely requiring consultant use in the interim.
McPherson County
Key Intersection Reopens as McPherson Prepares for Annual Parade, Avenue A to Follow
City officials announced at Tuesday's council meeting that the Euclid-Maple intersection will reopen Thursday night just in time for McPherson's annual All Schools Day celebration on Friday, as crews race to complete the final concrete sealing on the Elm Street drainage and Euclid Extension project that has disrupted downtown traffic for months. Director of Public Works Jeff Woodward assured residents that while some work remains in the north alley between Maple and Maine, the area will be safe for pedestrians during Friday's festivities, which include the traditional May Day parade and performances by Robbie and the J-Dog’s at the Main Street Plaza immediately following the procession. Meanwhile, Woodward also reported that Avenue A should reopen by Tuesday evening following railroad crossing repairs that had been delayed due to weather complications.
City of McPherson
How to Subscribe or Unsubscribe to City-Specific Newsletters
Citizen Journal is growing and now covers Salina, Lindsborg, and Hutchinson in addition to McPherson. To subscribe only to your city's newsletter:
- Visit adastraperaspera.us.
- Click Sign-in (top-right corner) or Account if already logged in.
- On mobile, tap the menu icon (two lines, top-right corner).
- After signing in, click Manage under Emails.
- Select the newsletters you want to receive.
We'll soon launch city-specific notifications in the app. More Kansas cities are coming in 2025—email greg@loql.ai to suggest your city or become a paid content contributor.
SUBSCRIBE ONLINE TO GET THE MCPHERSON CITIZEN JOURNAL IN YOUR INBOX - FREE!
Sponsors (click me!)
Sources
- McPherson College
- https://www.facebook.com/CityOfMcPhersonLocalGovernment/videos/1862509374484535
- https://www.facebook.com/CityOfMcPhersonLocalGovernment/videos/1862509374484535
- https://www.mcphersoncountyks.us/949/BOCC-Recent-Agendas-Minutes-and-Video
- https://www.facebook.com/CityOfMcPhersonLocalGovernment/videos/1862509374484535