McPherson City Digest
Police chief honored by Sheep Dog IA, attends FBI conference
McPherson Police Department opens downtown substation, seeks new headquarters
Following the July 2025 completion of a newly remodeled downtown police substation, the McPherson Police Department's investigations and patrol teams are operating in an improved work environment. Despite the success of the new downtown facility, department officials report they are still working toward securing a new police headquarters to address ongoing overcrowding at the Law Enforcement Center, which currently lacks adequate offices, storage, workspaces, a break area, a modern lab, and a training room.
McPherson Police Department upgrades range facility, plans future improvements
The McPherson Police Department has completed numerous improvements to its facility and shooting range, including a land expansion, new fencing, perimeter berms, foundations, cameras, lighting, two pavilions, steel targets, and a large instruction facility. The upgraded range is now open to city employees, special events, and other community partners, with department officials planning a bathroom upgrade and additional improvements over the next few years.
McPherson police to complete Flock camera installation in May
Installation of new Flock cameras in McPherson will be completed in May 2026, with plans to add two additional cameras in 2027. The system, purchased through a Congressional Appropriation, is designed to locate vehicles involved in crimes, recover stolen vehicles, identify suspect travel and find children during Amber Alerts. Cameras are positioned exclusively on city property, and video recordings are retained for a few weeks before being overwritten. Officials said evidence from the cameras has already been used in numerous cases, and the department has established an audit plan to ensure staff compliance with policy.
New command trailer purchased for emergency operations and major events
The City of McPherson has acquired a Command Trailer built by Jet Streams out of Augusta, Kansas, utilizing funds from a Congressional Appropriation. The trailer is designated for major community events and emergency operations requiring a mobile command center. McPherson County Communications previously used the trailer successfully to dispatch to the county when their primary facility lost power.
Police department advances accreditation, hires officers and expands specialized teams
A three-person team from the McPherson Police Department is working to complete the Kansas Law Enforcement Accreditation Program, with all three members also serving on the KLEAP Board. The department recently added two MARCAN-trained crime analysts and is currently hiring for open police officer positions as it focuses on solving crime and preparing cases for the County Attorney. Several officers from another department have joined to assist with investigations, patrol and middle school resource officer duties, and a new investigator is in training. The department's specialized ranks now include two drug recognition experts, drone pilots, crisis negotiators, a Critical Incident Stress Management Team and an Emergency Response Team that partners with the county's Special Response Team. A new Bearcat armored vehicle is expected for delivery in June.
Department evidence custodian establishes Kansas Association of Property and Evidence
A McPherson Police Department evidence custodian has created the Kansas Association of Property and Evidence, a new 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The statewide association was formed to bring evidence technicians together from across Kansas to discuss best practices for evidence collection, storage and submission.
McPherson Police Department to host Peace Officers Memorial events
In recognition of National Police Week from May 11-17 and National Peace Officers Memorial Day on May 15, the McPherson Police Department will host two commemorative events on May 13. The department will hold a graveside ceremony at the McPherson Cemetery in the morning, followed by an evening Peace Officers Memorial at 6 p.m. at the McPherson Community Building.
McPherson police officers undertake specialized training and FBI academy program
McPherson Police Chief Mikel Golden reported that department officers are continuing to meet their minimum requirement of 40 training hours a year through various specialized programs. Officers are currently attending Command School to complete their CPM, with others participating in training at FBI-LEEDA, the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center (KLETC) and other locations throughout the state and surrounding areas. Additionally, the McPherson Police Department will send another member to the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, in September 2026.
McPherson prepares for annual weeklong All Schools Day celebration
The highly anticipated All Schools Day celebration has returned to McPherson County, continuing a weeklong Kansas tradition that began in 1914 to honor eighth-grade graduates. The May 2026 festivities draw thousands of attendees from across the county and nation to enjoy May Fete dances, a carnival, a parade and local food. The community-wide effort relies on numerous volunteers and local agencies, with the McPherson Police and Fire departments coordinating with regional and state organizations to ensure event safety. Meanwhile, the McPherson Park Department is preparing public spaces for the activities, and the McPherson Street Department is cleaning streets and organizing traffic barricades to accommodate the historic celebration. Up-to-date information on schedules, activities and street closures is available at allschoolsday.com.
McPherson celebrates Arbor Day, honors state poster contest winner
The McPherson Park Department celebrated Arbor Day on Friday, April 24, 2026, with the fifth-grade class from Eisenhower Elementary School at Lakeside Park, where Commissioner Gary Mehl honored fifth-grader Isabel Perry for winning both the local and state Arbor Day Foundation Tree Poster contests. Perry, whose victory marks the second consecutive year a McPherson student has claimed the state championship, will travel with her family to Topeka to meet the governor. At the celebration, students learned about the holiday's history from City Forrester Ethan VanDorn and about the Bur Oak from Tree & Park Board member Dr. Michael McIrvin, followed by the planting of a Bur Oak donated by board member Kurt Wagner and his wife, Karol. In conjunction with the event, the McPherson Public Library partnered with the Park Department through Neighborhood Forest to give registered students free trees to take home, while the City of McPherson highlighted its 48-year tenure as a #TreeCityUSA municipality, continuing its Tree Master Plan with 26 trees planted in Lakeside Park this year.
McPherson Fire Department sets $5,000 fundraising goal for 2026 safety education
The McPherson Fire Department has relaunched its Fire Safety and Education efforts with a goal to raise $5,000 in 2026 to expand community educational materials. The entirely donation-funded program purchases items such as coloring books, workbooks, plastic fire helmets, and stickers to distribute to children during school visits and department tours to promote risk reduction. Residents can support the fire prevention initiative by donating to the department's Venmo account or by calling 620-245-2505 for more information.
Former McPherson detective recognized as 2026 Officer of the Year
Former McPherson Police Department Drug Task Force Detective and United States Marine Corps veteran Matt Van Der Hoeven was recognized by the McPherson VFW and Region 5 as the 2026 Officer of the Year. Van Der Hoeven recently resigned from his post with the department and presented a report of his service to the McPherson City Commission upon his resignation, noting that more than 63,000 grams of illegal drugs were confiscated during his tenure on the force.
Police chief honored by Sheep Dog IA, attends FBI conference
City of McPherson Police Chief Mikel Golden attended the Kansas/Western Missouri FBI National Academy Associates Spring Conference in Manhattan in April, where he participated in training on leadership, digital technology, DNA case studies and the 2026 World Cup in Kansas City. Golden also recently began serving as the academy's historian. Additionally, Golden and his wife were recognized as the Sheep Dog Impact Assistance Ambassadors of the Year at the Sheep Dog Assistance Heroes Gala. Sheep Dog is a nonprofit organization that helps military members, veterans, first responders and their families live their best lives through a "Get off the Couch" programming theme.
Kansas Animal Control Association named state association of the year
The Kansas Animal Control Association was recognized in April as the State Association of the Year by the National Animal Care & Control Association. McPherson Police Department Administrative Support Supervisor Amber Bowlby serves as the president of the KACA, which hosted its annual conference earlier this year at the McPherson Community Building. Additionally, Bowlby spoke on a panel at the NACCA annual summit in Pittsburgh.
McPherson Fire Department recruits at career day, seeks firefighter and EMT
McPherson Fire Capt. Josh Hedlund and Deputy Chief Seth Graham attended a career day hosted by the Hutchinson Community College Fire Science Program in April. The McPherson Fire Department currently has an open position for a firefighter/EMT, and interested individuals are encouraged to review the job opportunities and apply via the city's website.
McPherson Convention & Visitors Bureau approves three $500 attraction grants
The McPherson Convention & Visitors Bureau Board in April approved three $500 visitor attraction grants for upcoming local events. The grants were awarded to the McPherson Swim Club for its swim meet on June 25, the United Way of McPherson County for the 19th annual triathlon on July 25, and the McPherson College C.A.R.S. Club for its 2026 Motoring Festival on May 1 and May 2. Additional information about available CVB grants can be found on the city's website, and residents are encouraged to follow the McPherson CVB on Facebook.
Registration open for Turkey Creek Junior Camps amid recent golf course upgrades
Registration is open until May 8 for the Turkey Creek Junior Camps at Turkey Creek Golf Course, offering kids the opportunity to learn the game through the SNAG (starting new at golf) program, develop new skills, make friends and spend time outdoors. Alongside the youth programs, the McPherson golf course—consistently voted as one of the top five public golf courses in the state—has highlighted several facility upgrades completed over the last two years. These continuous improvements include a new, more efficient irrigation system, enhanced aesthetics and function of various walls and ponds throughout the property, a new fleet of GPS-equipped golf carts and new cart sheds for guest storage.
City of McPherson launches new public meeting agenda software
The City of McPherson is transitioning its public meeting agenda software from BoardDocs to Diligent to provide information in a more user-friendly format. The new portal will officially launch with the agenda for the May 5 City Commission Meeting and study session. As part of the software switch, all related links on the city website will be updated, and past meeting agendas will become searchable and easier to find in the new format.
McPherson PLF team announces May lunchtime concert lineup
The McPherson PLF team is bringing music back to the now-shaded downtown Plaza this spring with a "Peanut butter and 'jam out'" concert series on Wednesdays at lunchtime in May. The announced performer lineup features Jaydon Evans on May 6, Deluge on May 13, Kashi on May 20 and Deflecting Ghosts on May 27.
McPherson joins regional emergency alert notification system
The City of McPherson is joining the South Central Kansas regional notification system, utilizing Everbridge for its emergency alerts in collaboration with local and area agencies. Residents in 14 counties, including McPherson, can sign up online to receive critical emergency alerts and community news. The system allows users to customize how and where they receive notifications, offering delivery options to home, mobile or business phones, as well as via email or text messages.
Convention & Visitors Bureau nears goal of collecting USA 250th birthday cards from all 50 states
As of April 30, the McPherson Convention & Visitors Bureau has collected USA 250th birthday cards from all but nine states in its nationwide quest. Staff members are displaying the received cards at the bureau's entrance at 1111 E. Kansas Ave., and they hope to collect cards from all 50 states by the time the CVB hosts the city's annual July 4 celebration at Wall Park. Residents can follow Visit McPherson to find out when the bureau reaches its goal.
McPherson Public Library to host summer kickoff party
Several city offices will join the McPherson Public Library for its summer kickoff party from 2 to 6 p.m. May 15. Attendees are invited to come out and learn about the CVB, the police and fire departments, and see what the McPherson Water Park has in store for the upcoming summer season.
City of McPherson launches new interactive zoning map
To help residents understand zoning regulations and streamline the permit process, City of McPherson Planning and Zoning Administrator Lexi Dargiewicz has developed a new interactive zoning map available on the city's website. The online tool allows property owners to highlight their land, determine its zoning designation and look up the corresponding district for further guidance on building codes, property upgrades and starting a business.
Hickory Street road reconstruction set to begin this summer
Road reconstruction work will begin this summer in the area of Hickory and Hayes streets following an April 21 public meeting hosted by the City of McPherson Public Works Department to discuss project goals, scope and phasing with local residents. The design is complete and utility relocations are underway for the Hickory Street project, which is the last of eight top-priority areas identified by a citizen survey during the 2017 renewal of a half-cent sales tax 100% dedicated to street maintenance and repairs. Seven of the eight identified priority areas were completed through last year.
Northview Trail project phase completed with new sidewalks and drainage upgrades
The most recent phase of the Northview Trail Project in McPherson was completed in late March, utilizing funding from a Transportation Alternatives Grant through the Kansas Department of Transportation. The project added a 10-foot sidewalk running west from Veranda to the Highway 81 Bypass before connecting to the Meadowlark Trail, a 13-mile repurposed railway path where pedestrians and cyclists can travel north through scenic countryside to Lindsborg. Additionally, this phase included drainage improvements along the south side of Northview and a new 5-foot sidewalk extending west from Grimes Street to Main Street, an upgrade assisted by funding from Disability Supports of the Great Plains.
West portion of First Street patchwork and sealing completed
Roadwork on the west portion of First Street was completed in early April. Crews finished the project by sealing the roadway patchwork that had been initially performed last fall and at the beginning of this year.
CVB marks National Travel & Tourism Week with multiple community events
The McPherson Convention & Visitors Bureau is celebrating National Travel & Tourism Week, observed May 3-8, with several community activities recognizing travel's role in powering the local economy. The bureau gave away free tickets for May 3 and 4 tram rides at the Maxwell Wildlife Refuge, and staff will hand out free popcorn near the playground areas of Hess Park, Wall Park and Lakeside Park on Tuesday, May 5, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. The CVB will also host a McPherson-themed bingo game at the McPherson Community Building on Wednesday, May 6, from 3 to 4:30 p.m., and will wrap up the week with participation in the All Schools Day celebration.
Source: City of McPherson Newsletter
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