Two More Suspects on Most Wanted List Captured

Clay County officials announced the arrests of two more suspects who had been featured on the county’s Top 10 Most Wanted list, marking the second and third apprehensions since the initiative launched last week.

Authorities said Michelle Essig and David Santia were both taken into custody in separate arrests over the past several days. Essig, who faces charges of resisting arrest and first-degree robbery was arrested May 29 by members of the Kansas City Police Department’s East Zone Proactive Squad without incident. Santia, charged with first-degree burglary and first-degree tampering was arrested May 31 by officers with the Mill Creek Township Police Department in Pennsylvania.

Officials credited the arrests to continued investigative work and cooperation among Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and local law enforcement partners. The county’s Most Wanted initiative, announced last week, also offers a $3,000 anonymous reward for information leading to an arrest.

Essig is being held at the Clay County Detention Center pending further court proceedings, while Santia is being held at the Erie County Prison awaiting extradition. Authorities also thanked community members for sharing information tied to the cases, saying public cooperation remains essential to locating and apprehending wanted offenders.

“Creating safer communities is a joint effort, and I am proud of our dedicated law enforcement partners and citizens stepping up to make sure justice is delivered in these cases,” Prosecutor Zach Thompson said.

Officials said the full Top 10 Most Wanted list and reward details are available on the Clay County Prosecutor’s website. https://www.claycountyprosecutor.com/

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Residents Asked to Shape Kearney’s Future with Online Survey

The City of Kearney is asking residents to share their views on quality of life, city services, and future priorities through the National Community Survey, now open through June 17.

City officials said the survey covers topics including public safety, infrastructure, growth, and overall quality of life. Results will help guide the Mayor and Board of Aldermen as they set the city’s priorities and initiatives each year.

The city’s social media announcement about the survey has already garnered several comments suggesting the city look at items like streets, parking lots, police needs, animal control shelters, a community center, a pool, water prices, among other issues.

The survey takes about 15 to 20 minutes to complete. Participants will be asked to provide their ZIP code and email address at the end of the survey to help ensure one response per person. The City of Kearney said all feedback will remain anonymous to the city, while personal information will be securely stored by Polco.

Take the survey HERE.

Residents with questions can contact City Hall by email at CityHall@KearneyMO.us or by phone at 816-628-4142.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

First Top 10 Most Wanted Suspect Arrested in Kearney

The Clay County Prosecutor’s Office announced the arrest of Kristen Hailee Wood, who had been featured on Clay County’s Top 10 Most Wanted list. Wood is with delivery of a controlled substance.

On May 28, Clay County Sheriff’s deputies, assisted by the Kearney Police Department, took her into custody without incident in Kearney, Missouri. Sheriff’s Office Officials said the arrest came just one day after the Clay County Prosecutor’s Office publicized its Top 10 Most Wanted list.

The Sheriff’s Office said an anonymous tip helped investigators locate Wood outside a Kearney hotel, underscoring the role of community information in locating wanted suspects. The case also reflects cooperation among the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, the Kearney Police Department, Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and the Clay County Prosecutor’s Office.

The anonymous tipster in the case is expected to receive a $3,000 reward from the Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers. Authorities thanked community members who shared information and said public cooperation remains a critical part of helping law enforcement locate and apprehend alleged offenders.

Law enforcement agencies involved in the arrest said the coordinated effort helped safely take a wanted suspect into custody and reinforced the value of regional partnerships in keeping local communities safe.

Wood is currently being held at the Clay County Detention Center pending further court proceedings.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Back to School Resource Fair Seeks Community Support

Kearney School District is preparing for its annual Back to School Resource Fair with one clear goal: to make sure every student has what they need on the very first day of school.

The fair will provide essential school supplies, hygiene kits, food, gently used clothing, underwear, socks, haircuts—new this year—and information about community resources for any Kearney student in need. Last year, the event helped 285 students get ready for the start of school, an effort district leaders say was made possible by the generosity of local community partners.

As planning begins for the 2026 fair, the district is inviting businesses, civic groups and community organizations to get involved by sharing information about the event, organizing supply drives, making monetary donations, contributing gently used clothing, or volunteering their time. Groups willing to spread the word can share the fair flyer with their networks, request printed copies for distribution, or include details in newsletters.

Those interested in collecting supplies can coordinate with the district on high-priority items, while monetary donations will allow organizers to shop for needed materials directly. The district’s social workers are also asking for donations of gently used clothing in all sizes, from 3T to adult XXL, to be distributed during the event.

Clothing and shoes may be dropped off at Kearney Junior High from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 10 through 12 for the resource fair, which will take place Aug. 13 and 14. Organizers say volunteers are especially needed to help sort and prepare school supplies and clothing ahead of the event, and they encourage local organizations to mobilize their members in support of students and families across the district.

Individuals and groups can sign up online to volunteer HERE.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Prosecutor’s Office Announces Ten Most Wanted List

The Clay County Prosecutor’s Office has launched a new “Top Ten Most Wanted” initiative designed to help authorities locate and arrest 10 people with outstanding warrants in the county, an effort officials say is intended to move pending criminal cases forward while prioritizing public safety.

According to the prosecutor’s office, the people named through the initiative are wanted in connection with a range of alleged offenses, including violent and repeat felony crimes, gun-related crimes and narcotics delivery. Officials said the individuals are not targets of ongoing investigations; instead, charges have already been filed based on available evidence, and courts have issued warrants for their arrests.

The stated goal of the initiative is to bring defendants before the court so their cases can proceed. Prosecutors also emphasized that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty, while underscoring that community safety remains the office’s top priority.

The effort is being carried out in partnership with local police departments, state agencies and community organizations, which officials said is intended to ensure arrests are made safely and lawfully.

Officials urged anyone who recognizes someone on the list not to approach them. Instead, they are asking the public to contact law enforcement directly or submit an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers. The prosecutor’s office said tipsters may be eligible for a $3,000 reward if information is submitted through Crime Stoppers’ hotline at 816-474-8477, the P3 TIPS mobile app or the organization’s website.

The office said the “Top Ten Most Wanted” list will be updated as arrests are made, individuals surrender or circumstances change. Public information from the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and Clay County Crime Stoppers also directs residents to submit anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers rather than confronting wanted individuals themselves.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.