KFF Seeks Community Support for Annual Christmas Program

The Kearney Family Foundation is preparing to provide Christmas assistance to about 300 children in the Kearney School District this holiday season, and organizers are asking the community to help make the effort possible.

Each year, local residents help by “adopting” children and purchasing and wrapping clothing, shoes and gifts. The foundation also raises more than $40,000 for Price Chopper gift cards, which are distributed to participating families so they can purchase a Christmas meal.

The nonprofit has provided holiday assistance to Kearney School District children in need since 2003. The program is supported in several ways across the community: donors adopt families and contribute money, a local supporter purchases coats for every participating child, and the school district and area beauty salons collect toiletries during Red Ribbon Week.

Organizers said the most immediate needs are financial contributions for the grocery gift cards and a confirmed location where donated items can be stored for one week. Gift cards may also be purchased directly, typically in amounts of $300, $400 or $500 depending on family size, and coordinated with the foundation for collection.

Families will be assigned to donors in November. Financial donations are being accepted now through early December. The foundation is also developing a more user-friendly website for assigning families during the 2026 Christmas season; organizers expect it to be ready when enrollment opens at the end of October.

Supporters may adopt a family, make a financial contribution online at www.kearneyfamilyfoundation.org/donate, arrange for a check to be picked up, or mail a check to Kearney Family Foundation, P.O. Box 391, Kearney, MO 64060.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Kearney Officers Arrest Felony Warrant Suspect After Struggle

Kearney police arrested a 21-year-old Cameron man Tuesday, October 6, after authorities said he tried to flee in a vehicle and fought with officers attempting to serve multiple felony warrants.

Officers located the man in the parking lot of a local travel center, according to police. As they attempted to take him into custody, he allegedly put the vehicle in drive and drove toward the officers in an effort to escape.

An officer grabbed the suspect and pulled him from the vehicle, police said. The man then fought with officers and resisted arrest before officers were able to take him into custody safely.

Police said the suspect was wanted on full U.S. extradition felony warrants for second-degree terroristic threats, possession of dangerous drugs and resisting arrest.

He now faces an additional felony resisting-arrest charge in connection with the encounter. The man was taken to the Clay County Jail, where he was being held without bond.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Warrant Sweep Leads to Multiple Felony Charges

An operation led by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office on October 8, resulted in the arrest of 15 people and the recovery of two teenagers who had been reported missing.

The Sheriff’s Office coordinated the warrant sweep that involved more than 50 law enforcement officers. In addition to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, eight additional agencies assisted: Missouri State Highway Patrol, Platte County Sheriff’s Office, and police departments from Gladstone, Kansas City, Kearney, Liberty, North Kansas City and Pleasant Valley.

During the operation, law enforcement discovered two teenagers who had been reported missing from Stone County, Mo. They were safe and turned over to juvenile authorities.

While trying to make another arrest, they came to an apartment in Gladstone with illegal drugs and paraphernalia in plain view. They were granted a search warrant, which led to the recovery of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, which could lead to additional criminal charges.

Below are the following individuals arrested and their felony charges:

Benjamin K. Barnes – aggravated driving while intoxicated (DWI)
William R. Braxdale, Jr. – resisting arrest by fleeing and DWI
Shelly R. Cassels - failure to appear in court on narcotic possession charge
William D. Christeson – chronic DWI
Terance R. Goodface – failure to appear in court on narcotic possession charge
William A. Greene – narcotic possession (PENDING)
Ryan D. Hatfield – failure to appear in court on narcotic possession charge
Steven Jarvis – failure to appear in court on charges of burglary, stealing and property damage
David J. Keech – probation violation for narcotic possession
Beverly A. McCormack – failure to appear in court on forgery charge
William Page – narcotic possession (PENDING)
Kenneth J.T. Painter – parole violation
Ann Marie Vrab – resisting arrest by fleeing
Kevin S. Walter – statutory sodomy
Kimberly Wroten – domestic assault

KPGZ News - Clay County Sheriff’s Office.

Undefeated Bulldogs too Much for Raytown South

Kearney scored early and often in a 63-6 conference thrashing of the Raytown South Cardinals. Bulldog senior quarterback Carter Temple (197 yards passing) led Kearney’s air attack, tying former Bulldog quarterback Anthony Pritzel (2016) for a share of the Kearney High School record of six touchdown passes in one half of play.

Cruise Emmons (6) cuts to the outside. Emmons ran for 96 yards and two touchdowns. Photo: Kale Davis, Backroads, designs.

On Kearney’s first play from scrimmage, Temple tossed a strike to a wide-open Caleb Stevens for a 38-yard touchdown reception. Landen Carkeek drove the extra point between the uprights – effectively planting Kearney’s stake in the ground for their next dominant-in-all-phases victory.

“Great effort again,” Head Coach Logan Minnick said. “Some of these games could be games where they kind of start looking ahead and I didn't feel like we did that all week. We thought we had a good week. There is still plenty to clean up. At the same time you know, you're talking about some little things in a 63 to 6 game.”  

With a minute left in the first quarter, senior wide receiver Ian Sheller caught a 10-yard Temple pass for touchdown. “We've been practicing that one all week, so when he called it, I was prepared for it,” said Sheller. “I knew where to go, which gaps to read – so yeah, I kind of just walked on in.”

Stevens scored again on a Carter Temple 28-yard pass with 45 seconds remaining in the first half, pushing Kearney’s halftime lead to 42-0. Sophomore place kicker Landon Carkeek was a perfect 9 of 9 on extra-point kicks with junior quarterback Caden Webster holding.

The Bulldogs balanced their game plan grinding out 216 yards on the ground including a Luke Denston 70-yard kickoff return for touchdown in the second half. Denston also scored on a 5-yard push pass from Temple in the first quarter and a 36-yard pass in the second quarter.

Cruise Emmons (96 yards rushing) scored midway through the second quarter on a 13-yard screen pass and later in the third quarter on a 34-yard run.

The Kearney defensive front three (Lane Cook, Ryker Bruto, Grant Bogert) and linebackers (Kale Tucking, Aidan Arellano, Luke Tucking) brought the heat, forcing Cardinals quarterback Amir Shelton to choose between throwing into tight windows or into the turf as the Bulldog secondary kept his receivers locked down; ultimately, holding Raytown South to 23 yards passing on 2 receptions.

“Our goal every week is to get a goose egg and make sure they get zero points every time,” said senior defensive back Kyle Pritzel, who came up with a red zone interception inside the 10-yardline. “Part of that is our game plan, making sure that we know what we're doing and going hard in the weight room. Coverage wise, we're doing our team drills and our indie drills every week so it’s all about preparation.”

On special teams, Grant Bogert had a successful onside kick from a short field, resulting from a personal foul against Raytown South on Kearney’s prior touchdown play.

Raytown South got on the board in the third quarter when kick returner Laurence Heath ran back a Kearney kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown. The 2-point conversion attempt failed.

Kearney senior running back Brandon Johnson scored the final touchdown of the night, crashing three yards through the Raytown South defense for the 63-6 win.

“The kids played pretty well, but definitely, we've been telling them all week, it doesn't matter who we play over this next month. We’ve got to get better and that's what we’re going to do next week,” said Minnick.

Kearney (7-0) hosts Grandview (3-4) next Friday, October 16.

KPGZ News – Mike Davis, Kelly Gentry and Eric Stevens contributed to this story.

Wisdom Dental Seeks Nominations for Free Smile Makeover

Wisdom Dental Group in Excelsior Springs is asking Northland residents to nominate a community hero for a complimentary smile makeover valued at up to about $50,000.

Nominations for the latest recipient of the Wisdom Smile Project are due Oct. 31. The quarterly program recognizes an adult who routinely puts others first—such as a volunteer coach, dependable neighbor or other local helper—and may have postponed caring for their own dental health.

“We want to find the people in our community who are just doing really great things,” said Sophia Foutz, owner and chief operating officer of Wisdom Dental Group. “They spend so much time thinking of others that they might not have the time to think of themselves. This is our chance to do something for them.”

Friends, relatives, coworkers, teammates and neighbors may submit nominations. Self-nominations are not accepted. Nominees must be at least 18 years old and live in the Northland, including Kearney. Dental insurance does not affect a candidate’s chances.

The dental team reviews each submission and invites finalists for an examination before selecting a recipient. Treatment is tailored to the winner’s needs and may include crowns, bridges, dental implants, veneers, whitening or clear aligners.

To nominate someone, visit wisdomdentalgroup.com/smile by Oct. 31 and explain why the person deserves a healthy smile.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.