McPherson schools welcome 28 new teachers

With school beginning this week, McPherson schools will be bringing on 28 new teachers to the district for the 2017-18 school year. There will be 15 brand new teachers, starting their first year as a teacher throughout the district, and there will be 13 teachers that are new to the school district, but have taught in the past.

The make-up of the brand new teachers looks like this:

Pre-K: 2

1stGrade: 1

4thGrade: 2

5thGrade: 2

Middle School Math: 1

High School English: 1

High School Business: 1

High School Counselor/Social Justice: 1

Special Education: 4

The break down by school for new teachers is:

EES: 3

LES: 4

RES: 2

WES: 6

MMS: 5

MHS: 5

The new teachers will get a mentor to help them for two years, with getting acquainted with the job, and also somebody to go to with any questions.

Even with 28 new faces working in the district, the district is still not fully staffed. There will be a couple of long term subs in the English/Language Arts department, but they hope to be able to fill those jobs at the semester break with a December graduate.

Swedish genealogy workshop coming to Lindsborg

Genealogist experts from Sweden will be in Lindsborg for a Swedish genealogy weekend on Oct. 7 and 8. Anna-Lena Hultman from Västergötland, Anneli Andersson from Dalsland, and Charlotte Börjesson of Gothenburg will present informative sessions for both beginners and experienced family researchers.  The Swedish team will be joined by American Swedish genealogy experts, Geoff Morris of Salt Lake City, and Kathy Meade, North American representative for the companyArkivDigital.

Sessions include: Where Do I Start?,Research in Church Records,Searching for Place Names, Benefits of Databases, Swedish Records on ArkivDigital, Swedish Military Records,  Emigration from Sweden and Reading & Meaning in Swedish Records.

The two-day workshop includes time on computers to research your own projects. Participants will have access to numerous online resources free of charge. The Swedish experts will help in the computer lab, providing translations and answering questions.

"It is so fun to see the happy faces when we are able to solve something," states Anneli Andersson a genealogist from Dalsland. "We also learn a lot about the U.S. through the pioneer stories that we are told. Some true, some not! Coming to Lindsborg is amazing for us Swedes. They know more about the Swedish culture then we do! It is a well organized workshop and our local hosts put in a lot of effort to make it so successful. That is one of the reasons we come back so often."

You can attend one or two days.  There will also be a free welcome reception for attendees on Friday evening at the Birger Sandzén Art Gallery. Discounts offered for early registration. The workshop is sponsored by ArkivDigital, the premier provider of Swedish records online with newly photographed color images. 

Find the full details atwww.oldmillmuseum.org, by emailing [email protected] or calling (785) 227-3595.  

McPherson Police to crack down through Labor Day

Be warned that during the period, August 17 through Labor Day, September 4, the McPherson Police Department will join 150 other local and state police agencies across the state in a crackdown aimed at removing drunk, drugged, and other dangerous drivers from the roadways. Titled, You Drink. You Drive. You Lose., the enforcement campaign is sponsored by the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT).

Kansas averages three persons injured every day, and one person killed every three days, in crashes where at least one of the drivers involved is impaired by alcohol and/or another drug. According to KDOT, over the past eight years the yearly proportion of fatality crashes attributable to alcohol/drug impairment has fluctuated between 22% and 35%. The agency also reports that crashes involving impaired drivers are likely to be more severe than are other crashes. For example, drivers and passengers who are involved in such crashes are more than twice as likely to be non-fatally injured, four times as likely to suffer serious injury, and eight times more likely to die from their injuries, than if impairment is not a factor.

According to Lt Neufeld, this campaign is intended to remind drivers of several things:

If you’re going to drink while away from home, do it responsibly by looking ahead and lining up a designated driver before leaving home. Don’t make the mistake of waiting until it’s time to go home to start asking around. Chances are, if you do that you’ll wind up with someone who may just be “more sober” than yourself, but not sober enough.


Think of a family you know – maybe your own. Now, consider how it would be to wake up every day to the memory of your decision to drive after drinking – a decision which unintentionally brought injury or death to one of them. If you’re driving impaired, you are not 
only more likely to crash, but you are much more likely to cause serious injury or death to yourself and others when you do crash.

Even if you appear to be driving well enough to get by, you may still be pulled over for another traffic offence. If this happens and the officer detects alcohol you will be tested. If you fail the testing process you’re looking at a fine of $500-$2,500; up to one year in jail; the suspension of your driver’s license; increased insurance premiums; and the purchase and installation of an ignition interlock device in your car. Imagine not being able to start your car without blowing into the interlock’s alcohol sensor several times during an afternoon’s errands. How do you explain to your boss why you cannot drive a company vehicle? Add in an attorney’s fees and you can tie up $13,000 or more before all is said and done. Don’t take the chance; it’s not worth it. 


We are asking all citizens on the roadways – drivers and passengers – to watch for suspicious driving behaviors. Note the location, a description of the suspect vehicle, along with its direction of travel, and call 911 as soon as it’s safe to do so. You may save a life. 


You can count on the Officers of the McPherson Police Department to vigorously enforce impaired driving and other traffic laws, not just during this campaign, but through the year. 


Always remember that the best protection against a drunk driver (even when it’s yourself) is the use of seat belts and appropriate child restraints – every trip, every time. Restraints save lives and reduce injury severity across a wide range of driving mistakes and mishaps. 


North High Drive closes Aug. 9

Starting Wednesday, Aug. 9, North High Drive will be closed, to allow for improvements to the lift station located on the west side of McPherson High School. Specifically, North High Drive will be closed between First Street and Anna Street. Motorists will only have access to the west parking lot when coming from the north on North High Drive. 

City officials apologize for the inconvenience as the school year begins but stress the need to complete the work when contractors are available. The project is expected to last no later than September 1. For more information, contact the Public Works Department at 620.245.2545

Newton Police investigating double homicide

Newton Police officers are investigating a double homicide in Newton on Tuesday Aug. 8.

Alyssa Runyon (24) and her daughter Zaylynn Paz (4) were found on Tuesday morning around 11 a.m. by Runyon's ex-boyfriend. 

The suspect has been identified and is in custody after being arrested in Texas. 19-year old Keith Lane Hawkins was taken into custody in Taylor, Texas around 5:25 p.m. on Tuesday. Police said Hawkins was in a relationship with Runyon. He was also driving Runyon's vehicle when he was found in Texas. 

The daughter had stab wounds and police believe Runyon was strangled. 

Newton Police Chief Eric Murphy addressed the media Tuesday afternoon.

“We do not believe the public is in danger in any way,” Murphy said. “Like I said before, this was a targeted incident and not necessarily a random act that someone broke into someone’s house and committed this. There’s some sort of relationship between the suspect and the victims.”

These were the first two homicides in Newton in 2017.

We will continue to update this story as it comes in. You can also follow along with the Newton Police Department on Facebook.

McPherson USD 418 Accepted as Kansans Can School Redesign Participant

On Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2017, the Kansas State Board of Education named McPherson USD 418 as one of the seven Kansas school districts participating in the Kansans Can School Redesign Project.  School and community leaders were present at the state board meeting for official recognition of this designation.  

At the meeting on Tuesday morning, USD 418 Superintendent Gordon Mohn briefly addressed the board regarding reasons why the school district is joining this effort.  This recognition was followed by a press conference and luncheon for the participating schools.

According to Superintendent Mohn, “It is a distinct honor to join the efforts of other Kansas schools that are willing to look differently at how we prepare students to be successful adults.  McPherson has a long tradition of designing our schools to meet the needs of students and the community.  For us, this is the ‘next step’ in the district’s Citizenship, College and Career Readiness (C3) efforts.”

Each district selected was required to name an elementary and secondary school in the district to participate in the effort.  Eisenhower Elementary and McPherson Middle School are representing USD 418.  According to Mohn, “Other schools in the district will benefit from the redesign efforts at Eisenhower and the Middle School.  While EES and MMS will be taking the lead, our work will have an impact on all buildings.”

City of McPherson holds 2018 budget hearing

For the 2018 proposed budget, the City of McPherson was able to hold the mill levy to the same as the 2017 adjusted mill levy level by examining and holding down expenditures wherever it could. The public hearing notice for the 2018 Budget Hearing was published on July 25, 2017. The Budget Hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday August 7, 2017 at the Municipal Center. Anyone who is interested may speak at that time. By law, once the budget has been published in legal form, the budget cannot be increased. However, after taking input at the public hearing, the commission could choose to decrease the budget.

The 2017 budget authority was $43,627,339, with a mill levy of 51.608. This budget authority includes expenditures for all funds that derive their source from various user fees, ad valorem taxes, sales taxes, reserves, and other revenue sources. During the 2018 budget process, the city commissioners revised the 2017 expenditures to actual spending level of $24,230,300. They are looking at a 2018 budget authority of $55,478,287. Though this appears to be significant increase over 2017 budget authority, most of that increase is due to an anticipated heavy year of projects in non-ad valorem funds including large projects in sales tax funded streets, storm water utility funded projects, and sales tax funded community building improvements. The 2018 budget will be funded by an estimated mill levy of 51.618 which is slightly higher than the 51.337 average of the last ten years, but is the same as the adjusted mill levy for 2017 (51.618). This mill levy still allows for anticipated increased costs of a fully staffed police department, three (3) new fire department positions (partially grant funded for three years), KPERS and KP&F retirement, health care insurance costs as well as other various expenditures. All general fund departments with the exception of law enforcement and fire departments as well as all other levied funds were in compliance with the Kansas Tax Lid requirement for limiting growth to a 1.4% of the preceding five-year average change in the consumer price index as published by the US Department of Labor (K.S.A. 79-2925c).

Estimated assessed valuation for 2018 is $124,572,983, up from the $118,889,758 estimated assessed valuation in 2017. New improvements within the city limits of $1,527,447 helped to result in an increase of 4.6% of the expected 2018 assessed valuation over the prior year.

Work on the proposed 2018 budget began in April, according to City Administrator Nick Gregory. Department heads were responsible for projecting the next year’s revenues and expenses. In May, June and July, the commissioners prioritized the requests and developed the budget. “The 2018 Budget preparation as in the past years was an exercise in prioritizing the most essential needs within the city organization as well as insuring compliance with the state mandated tax lid. Department heads brought focused lists of needs, and the City Commission went through a painstaking process to consider and review all requests. In an effort to maintain a flat mill levy, only the most critical needs were funded for 2018 Budget.” Gregory also pointed out that “Everyone is striving to operate as efficiently as possible.”

“In McPherson, we have a history of holding the line on our mill levy over the years and did so again this year.” Gregory further believes that “our local elected officials have been good stewards of our taxpayer resources. As anticipated the tax lid made the 2018 Budget one of the most difficult in my tenure as City Administrator and we expect compounded difficulties as we prepare for the 2019 Budget next April. There will be even more difficult decisions and intense prioritization to be made by the City Commission in future years that may result in delayed equipment replacements and reduced overall services. All departments are being asked to evaluate during 2017 and 2018 those services, functions, and other expenses that can be adjusted if required to do so in 2019”.

In summary, the City has held a tight rein on the mill levy gain this year, as this year’s budgeted mill levy is at the same level as the 2017 adjusted mill levy and up only 0.281 of a mill (or 0.547%) over the 51.337 mill levy average of the last ten years.

Specific budget information is available at the office of the city clerk and also will be available at the budget hearing. 

Moundridge Police to host Coffee with a Cop

On Aug. 9, 2017 Sheriff Deputies and Police Officers from the McPherson County Sheriff’s Office and the Moundridge Police Department would like to come together with community members in an informal, neutral space to discuss community issues, build relationships, and drink coffee.

All community members are invited to attend. The event begins at 8 a.m. on Aug. 9 at The Moundridge Senior Center, 100 N Schmidt Ave. Please contact Deputy A.J. Elmer [email protected]

Chief Jay Kessler at (620)-345-2777 with questions.

Coffee with a Copprovides a unique opportunity for community members to ask questions and learn more about the department’s work in Moundridge’s neighborhoods.

The majority of contacts law enforcement has with the public happen during emergencies or emotional situations. These situations are not always the most effective times for relationship building with the community and some community members may feel that officers are unapproachable on the street. Coffee with a Cop breaks down barriers and allows for a relaxed, one-on-one interaction.

Coffee with a Copis a national initiative supported by The United States Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. Similar events are being held across the county, as local police departments strive to make lasting connections with the communities they serve.

The program aims to advance the practice of community policing through improving relationships between police officers and community members one cup of coffee at a time. 

Commissioner Randy Watson to Address School Staff and Community

McPherson USD 418 is proud to announce that the Kansas Commissioner of Education, Randy Watson, will address staff and the community on Friday morning, August 11th. Dr. Watson will be part of the district’s back-to-school activities scheduled for that day.

Community members are invited to join district employees for Dr. Watson’s presentation beginning at 9:30 am in the McPherson High School Theater. Watson’s presentation will be followed with a Question and Answer Session from 11:15-11:45.

Dr. Watson is beginning his third year as the state’s Commissioner of Education. Prior to moving to Topeka, Watson served as superintendent of the McPherson school district. Many of the initiatives now being actively pursued at the state level are an extension of the Citizenship, College and Career Readiness (C3) initiative created during Watson’s tenure with the district.

According to USD 418 Superintendent Gordon Mohn, “It is an honor to have Dr. Watson return to McPherson and address our staff and the community about the future of education in Kansas. Dr. Watson will speak about efforts to realize the State Board of Education’s vision thatKansas leads the world in the success of each student.”

MHS Reunion Weekend Aug. 4 and 5

McPherson High School Reunion weekend in town this weekend and the events will start Friday night throughout the city.

Friday night at the McPherson Museum, there will be a multi-class reunion with different sections of the museum for different graduating classes. Due to limited parking at the museum, the McPherson Convention & Visitors Bureau will provide free shuttle services on the McPherson Trolley. The route will include Days Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Best Western, Econo Lodge, Hampton Inn and the McPherson High School parking lot.

Then on Saturday, there will be McPherson Museum tours from 1-4 p.m. and tours of the Opera House from 1-5 p.m. There will also be the Cherokee Maidens concert at 7:30 at the Opera House, and movies in the park with the movie “Sing” at the Lakeside Park Bandshell at dark, which will be approximately 9:15 Saturday night.

For more information on Class Reunion weekend, visit McPCity.com