Two street closures in McPherson this week

McPherson City Public Works Director Jeff Woodward announced two street closures for later this week as part of his report at the Monday McPherson City Commission meeting.

As part of the First Street project, Hartup Street south of First will be closed beginning Wednesday, April 16th until work is finished in August.

Also this week, First Street itself will be closed between Maple and Chestnut to install a new water main that will feed McPherson Hospital. That closure is anticipated for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday this week. Water will be rerouted to the hospital during construction, so the hospital will have continuous water service.

MHS Forensics Showcase Monday Night

Support our MHS State and National Forensics students tonight at 7 pm. The McPherson Forensics Team will be presenting a showcase of the 2014 pieces that will be presented on the national stage in Chicago, IL. Tickets will be sold at the door and are $5 per person. The presentation will be in the MHS Little Theatre.

McPherson County Job Fair Next Week

The 2nd Annual McPherson County Job Fair will be taking place Thursday, April 24th from 10 am to 2 pm at the Best Western Holiday Manor.  This is a great opportunity to meet potential employers and get an idea of the job market in McPherson. Bring your current resume and dress to impress. (620) 245-2514

McPherson County Crimestoppers Crime of the Week

Sometime between 10:55 p.m. and 11:15 p.m. April 3, 2014, two subjects in an older model white Chrysler New Yorker stole 270 feet of two inch telephone cable from Home Communication Incorporated in Galva. One of the subjects was about a foot taller than the second one. Total loss in this case has been placed at over two thousand dollars. If you have any information about this or any other crimes, or the location of any stolen property or information concerning illegal drugs, call McPherson County Crime Stoppers at 241-1122 or toll free at 1-800-241-8118. You can also text MPCS and your tip to 274637.  If your information proves helpful, you could receive a cash reward of up to $1000 and never have to give your name.

Red Flag Warning today, advice from McPherson Fire Chief

Spring is wildfire season in Kansas and dry conditions have made fires more likely. McPherson and surrounding counties are under a red flag warning put out by the National Weather Service to warn against open burning. It suggests that conditions are favorable for wild land and grass fires.

In Kansas, during a red flag warning period, it is prohibited to burn. Fines can range from several hundred dollars to several thousand. Even more important is the necessity of everyone to play their part to see that fires do not start during these times.

The McPherson Fire Department is doing its part by flying a red flag on its pole during red flag warnings. The McPherson Sentinel and Mid Kansas Online will post stories about the warnings on their websites and KBBE will talk about current red flag conditions on the radio.

Open burning is part of life in Kansas, but burning has very restrictive limitations. Regardless of weather conditions, there is no burning within the city limits.

Outside of the city, a person can only burn if:  

1. They have a verbal or written authorization from McPherson County Communication Dispatch. Call (620) 245-1266 to receive authorization.

2. The wind speed is not greater than 15 mph.

3. Only burning for agricultural purposed areas is allowed in the open in McPherson County. If a person did not grow it, they cannot burn it.

4. Trash must be in a proper receptacle that is protected by a spark arrestor, wire basket, metal barrel or masonry enclosure with an opening no greater than a half inch.

5. Burning cannot take place within 50 feet of a building or within 10 feet of a property line or roadway line perimeter and the fire must be tended at all times. A fire cannot be lit and then left unattended.

The above mentioned instructions are a simple outline of the complete resolution for burning in McPherson County.

A complete copy must be obtained to ensure understanding of the regulations required to obtain a burn permit.

A copy can be found under the fire department section of the McPherson City website at www.mcpcity.com.

Orange is the color of the week, according to KDOT

What do the Amelia Earhart Memorial Bridge and the Governor’s Mansion have in common? For the week of April 7-11, they will be lit up in orange lights to help raise awareness on work zone safety.

Other locations around Kansas will be lit up in orange including a portion of the Visitor’s Center in the Capitol, the Eisenhower State Office Building, the Kansas Contractors Association’s office and all Kansas Department of Transportation’s District offices in Topeka, Salina, Norton, Chanute, Hutchinson and Garden City.

All this orange is part of KDOT and numerous safety partners’ efforts to participate in National Work Zone Awareness Week, a safety campaign that highlights the hazards and dangers highway workers and motorists face every day.

KDOT will also share blogs each day written by highway workers and law enforcement telling their experiences in work zones as well as photos of people wearing orange in support of highway workers. Links to these and other information can be found on the KDOT website at www.ksdot.org and click on the Go Orange link.

YP Mac April mingle at Ask Your Travel Agent April 24

Spring is here which means summer is just around the corner. Now is the time to start planning your summer vacation.  

From family-friendly fun to adults-only get-aways, Ask Your Travel Agent has all of the information and advice you need for a fantastic vacation.

Ask Your Travel Agent is hosting the April mingle from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 24, at the office at 207 N. Main, McPherson. Take this opportunity to learn more about Ask Your Travel Agent's products and services while meeting other young professionals.

Learn more at www.askyourtravelagent.com.

If you have never attended a mingle before, this is your opportunity to join the fun and see what YP MAC has to offer. There is no cost to attend and RSVPs are not required.

For questions or more information contact YP MAC at ypmac.ks@gmail.com.

Legion Family Night coming up April 17

Thursday, April 17, 2014 is Family Night at the American Legion with proceeds going to the Legion Jr. Auxiliary.

Hamburger, fries, soft drink, and dessert only $5 with advance ticket.  At the door $1.25 each item.  

Serving from 5:00 PM through 6:30 PM.

May Fete signups this week, first practice April 14

This is the week to sign up for All Schools Day events for the May Fete.

Fifth grade girls from McPherson County are invited to wind the May Pole at each performance on May 7 and May 8.

First practice is April 14.

School age groups in McPherson County are also invited to participate in the May Fete.  The details for all events may be found on our website: www.allschoolsday.com

Accident in Marion County Monday kills Marion man

An accident just east of Hillsboro on Highway 56 Monday morning at 6:15 killed a Marion man.

According to a report from the Kansas Highway Patrol, 46 year old Gary J Alleven of Marion was driving a 2012 Ford Fiesta when a 2013 Kenworth Semi driven by 25 year old Samuel B Unruh of Canton turned onto the highway off of Santa Fe Street in Hillsboro in front of him.

Alleven rear ended the trailer of the semi. Unruh was not injured in the crash.