McPherson City Digest

City Outlines Strategic Vision for 2026 Entering the new year, McPherson city officials have unveiled a 2026 strategic plan focused on the vision of "A Growing Community Everyone Wants to Call Home." Following a November planning session with local leaders, the municipality is prioritizing objectives ranging from internal efficiency improvements to significant infrastructure upgrades. Community Information Coordinator Nick McQueen emphasized that the initiative relies heavily on keeping residents informed through accurate facts rather than social media speculation, urging the public to engage directly with official channels to shape the city's future.

Cash Assistance Available for New Homebuyers The City of McPherson is actively seeking applicants for its Homebuyer Cash Assistance Program, which offers a one-time payment of $5,000 at closing to qualified purchasers. To be eligible, applicants must purchase a single-family, owner-occupied home within city limits in a platted development with current taxes paid, and they must not have owned a residence in McPherson in the past 30 months. Funding for the program, which was renewed annually under Ordinance No. 3450, is limited to

Police Department Wraps Up Blue Santa Program The McPherson Police Department successfully concluded another year of its Blue Santa Program, delivering gifts to local families in need during the holiday season. The initiative relies on donations from the community and the assistance of volunteers, including staff and teachers from McPherson USD 418. Department officials credited the collaborative effort of donors and organizations for making the season brighter for numerous residents.

Kansas Day Celebration Set for January 29 The McPherson Museum will host a Kansas Day celebration on January 29 from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., featuring a collaboration between the museum, the Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the Maxwell Wildlife Refuge. Attendees can purchase bison burger meals for $5 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by free cookies, coffee, and crafts in the afternoon. The event will also feature a scavenger hunt exploring America’s 250th anniversary, with opportunities to win a Maxwell Wildlife Refuge experience.

Loving to Succeed Brown as Mayor Jim Loving is set to be sworn in as the new mayor of McPherson on January 13, following the conclusion of Mayor Tom Brown’s 16-year tenure. Loving, a retired energy executive and former president of NCRA who ran unopposed in the November general election, will be welcomed alongside the outgoing mayor at a public reception on January 6 at the Community Building. Brown’s final full meeting is scheduled for January 6, marking the official transition of leadership for the city.

Turkey Creek Golf Course Holds 35th Anniversary Drawing Turkey Creek Golf Course has kicked off a month-long elimination drawing to celebrate its 35th anniversary, culminating in the award of a lifetime membership on February 1. Staff drew 35 names from ticket holders on January 2 and will systematically eliminate entrants each week until a final winner is announced. While only one person will win the lifetime membership, officials confirmed that all 35 finalists will receive a prize.

All Schools Day Theme Announced for 2026 The McPherson County All Schools Day committee has selected "A Star Spangled Celebration" as the theme for the 113th annual event in May 2026. In preparation for the festivities, the executive committee has opened the annual button design contest to all area residents. The winning artwork will be featured on the official button for the celebration, with further details available on the committee’s Facebook page.

Northview Sidewalk Project Resumes Construction crews have returned to work on the Northview sidewalk project, which spans from Main Street east to Veranda, following a holiday hiatus. Progress includes the pouring of ADA ramps on the north side of the road and the filling of ditches on the south side following drainage installation. The project is supported by an alternative transportation grant from the Kansas Department of Transportation and funding from Disability Supports.

Lindsborg Community Hospital Joins Chamber of Commerce Lindsborg Community Hospital (LCH) has officially joined the McPherson Chamber of Commerce to strengthen healthcare partnerships across the Smoky Valley region. Located at 605 West Lincoln Street in Lindsborg, the critical access hospital offers a wide range of services including primary and urgent care, emergency services, and chronic disease management. Hospital leadership emphasized that their mission, "Partners caring for the health of the Smoky Valley communities," aligns with the Chamber’s goal of fostering economic growth and improving quality of life through regional collaboration.

Historical Reflection Marks Semiquincentennial Year As the United States enters its 250th anniversary year, the Chamber is highlighting the stark differences between life in 1776 and today to provide historical context for the celebration. The retrospective notes that during the Revolutionary era, life expectancy was only 38 years, most citizens were entrepreneurs in an agrarian economy, and the signatory founders risked severe penalties protected only by the era’s poor communication infrastructure. This historical trivia is part of a broader effort to engage the community in the nation’s milestone birthday.

Digital News Outlet Featured at Museum Meeting Citizen Journal, a digital-first local news platform, will be the focus of the Chamber Connections meeting held at the McPherson Museum on Jan. 15. The 9:30 a.m. event at 1111 E. Kansas Ave. will highlight the outlet's model of delivering breaking news and sports via mobile apps and podcasts while remaining free for readers through local advertising. The presentation aims to demonstrate how modern journalism principles are being applied to cover the McPherson community.

Museum Exhibits 1950s Automotive History The McPherson Museum & Arts Foundation is currently hosting "Fabulous Fins," an exhibit showcasing cars from the 1950s that will remain on display through the winter. Visitors can view the collection at 1111 E. Kansas Ave. during regular hours, which are Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The exhibit celebrates the distinctive design aesthetics of mid-20th-century American automobiles.

Meadowlark Trail Opens to Public The Meadowlark Trail is now officially open for use, providing a 13.6-mile recreational corridor connecting McPherson to Lindsborg. The trail, which utilizes a rail corridor banked in 1997 by the Central Kansas Conservancy, represents decades of work by volunteers and local businesses, including Dacus Towing which installed a flatbed railcar bridge. While conditions vary along the route, the trail creates a continuous link from northwest McPherson to the Valkommen Trail at the Old Mill Campground.

Sources: City of McPherson Newsletter • January 2026. McPherson Chamber of Commerce Newsletter

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