Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday Returns for Missouri

Missouri's annual Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday will officially return from Friday, August 7, through Sunday, August 9, 2026.

According to the Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR), the three-day tax-free weekend will begin at 12:01 a.m. on Friday and run until midnight on Sunday. During this window, all state and local sales taxes are waived on qualifying school supplies, clothing, and computers.

A state law implemented in 2023 mandates that all cities, counties, and special tax districts participate. This means shoppers will see a sales tax rate of exactly zero percent on eligible purchases across the entire state.

Qualifying Items and Price Limits

The tax exemption only applies to items falling under specific statutory price thresholds:

• School Supplies: Must not exceed $50 per purchase. This includes textbooks, notebooks, paper, pens, crayons, backpacks, and handheld calculators.

• Clothing and Footwear: Must be valued at $100 or less per item. This includes school uniforms and diapers, but explicitly excludes accessories like jewelry, watches, handbags, and ties.

• Personal Computers and Peripherals: Laptops, desktops, monitors, and hard drives are tax-free up to $1,500 per item.

• Software: Computer software with a taxable value of $350 or less per item qualifies.

• Graphing Calculators: Eligible up to $150 per item.

The timing of the holiday offers financial relief to parents navigating tight household budgets. Regional business organizations, including the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), are leveraging the weekend to encourage residents to shop small.

"The sales tax holiday is a great opportunity for Missourians to make the most of their budgets while investing in the local businesses that serve our communities," said Brad Jones, NFIB Missouri State Director.

The holiday is open to anyone. Shoppers do not have to be Missouri residents or students to qualify for the savings, making it a popular attraction for border-state travelers. Additionally, the DOR confirmed that qualifying online purchases will also be tax-free, provided the items are ordered and paid for in full during the three-day window, regardless of when they are shipped.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Kearney Oktoberfest Celebrates 15 Years of Community Tradition

One of Kearney’s favorite fall traditions will return Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, as the Kearney Enrichment Council hosts the 15th Annual Jim Bach Memorial Oktoberfest at Lion’s Park.

The public event, presented by the Kearney Enrichment Council and the City of Kearney, will run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is open to residents, visitors and families looking for live entertainment, local food, shopping and community activities.

Organizers say this year’s festival marks 15 years of bringing neighbors, local businesses and visitors together for a day centered on hometown pride and support for programs that improve the quality of life in Kearney.

Festivalgoers can expect live music throughout the day, a beer garden for guests 21 and older, local food trucks, vendors, an artisan market, family-friendly activities and Oktoberfest-themed contests and games. The Family Fun Zone will include free activities for children and families.

Vendor and food truck applications are now open at tinyurl.com/KECOktoberfest. Space is limited, and organizers said the event is juried, so early applications are encouraged.

The Jim Bach Memorial Oktoberfest is designed as more than a seasonal festival, organizers said. Proceeds and participation help support the Kearney Enrichment Council’s mission to create programs and events that enrich the community.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Sheriff’s Deputies Search for Smithville Lake Robbery Suspect

***UPDATE: 08/01/26**** Thanks the Blue Springs Police Department, Matthew Williams is now in custody.

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a 21-year-old man charged in connection with an alleged robbery and assault at Smithville Lake earlier this month.

Authorities said Matthew R. Williams is charged with first-degree robbery for an incident that occurred late July 17 into the early morning hours of July 18. Investigators said Williams was one of several suspects involved in an attack in which the victim was held against his will, pistol-whipped and robbed of his belongings.

Williams is described as 6 feet, 7 inches tall and weighing about 220 pounds. The sheriff’s office said he has ties to Lee’s Summit, Blue Springs and Raytown.

Anyone with information about Williams’ whereabouts is asked to call 911 or the Clay County Sheriff’s Office at 816-407-3700.

Three other suspects in the case are in custody and have been charged, according to the sheriff’s office. They are 18-year-old Haeli Smith, 21-year-old Georgio M. Sparks and 18-year-old Mason X. Card.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Curry Real Estate Services Transfers Ownership

Curry Real Estate Services has completed a transaction transferring ownership of the company and a majority of its real estate interests to a family partnership led by Vice President Matt Pepper, company leaders announced today.

President Ellen Todd and Pepper said details of the July transaction were not disclosed. The change preserves Curry’s long-standing tradition of local ownership and stewardship, a defining feature of the company for more than a century.

“Much like the Curry family did with my father, Ray Brock, when they entrusted him with the company’s future in 1980, we are pleased to accomplish this and keep it ‘in the family,’ so to speak,” Todd said. “This transition keeps Curry locally owned and preserves the values and commitment to service that have guided the company for generations. Matt has demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication to Curry’s employees, clients and communities, and I am confident the company is well-positioned for continued success.”

Pepper joined Curry Real Estate Services in 2022 and currently oversees the company’s commercial property management, leasing and advisory operations. He brings nearly two decades of commercial real estate experience and holds the Certified Commercial Investment Member designation and Certified Property Manager credential.

He has also served in leadership roles with the Institute of Real Estate Management and is involved with the Park Hill School District, Northland Community Foundation and Northland Neighborhoods, Inc.

Matt Pepper will lead the ownership group alongside his brother, Ben Pepper. As eighth-generation Northlanders, the brothers said the transaction represents an opportunity to invest in the community their family has called home for many years.

Ben Pepper, most recently with Country Club Bank, has been one of the Kansas City region’s leading commercial real estate lenders, with extensive experience financing commercial, multifamily and development projects throughout the Midwest.

“Ben and I are deeply honored by the trust Ellen has placed in us,” Matt Pepper said. “For more than 25 years as president, Ellen has led Curry Real Estate Services with an unwavering commitment to our employees, tenants, clients and community. Her leadership, work ethic and genuine care for people have earned the respect of everyone who has had the opportunity to work with her. We’re excited for the opportunity to lead the next chapter of this legacy organization.”

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Food Establishments, Pools Honored for Safety Efforts

Clay County Public Health Center recognized nearly 140 food establishments and recreational water facilities for outstanding safety performance in 2025, highlighting businesses and organizations that met high standards for inspections, sanitation and public health protection.

The health center announced 97 recipients of its Food Safety Excellence Award and 39 recipients of its Pool Safety Excellence Award. The honors recognize facilities that consistently followed Clay County safety rules, avoided repeated violations and achieved strong inspection results throughout the year.

“All of our licensed food and pool facilities play an important role in helping keep people safe,” said Robert Gilliland, Section Chief of Environmental Health. “These award winners stood out because they consistently went the extra mile. We appreciate the care they put into their work in 2025, and we’re proud to recognize what they’ve accomplished.”

The Food Safety Excellence Award is given to establishments that successfully follow the Clay County Food Code, demonstrate strong sanitation practices and earn exceptional inspection results during the calendar year. To qualify, establishments must have been open and operating for the full year, had no repeated violations, required no follow-up inspections and had no confirmed cases of foodborne illness.

This year’s 97 winners represent the top 12.5% of food establishments overseen by the health center. Of those, 26 earned “Gold Standard” recognition for receiving the safety award three or more consecutive years.

Food establishments regulated by Clay County include restaurants as well as school cafeterias, hospitals, nursing homes, food trucks, churches, caterers, bars, convenience stores, concession stands, event vendors and other locations that serve food.

In 2025, CCPHC’s 11-member environmental health team conducted 1,556 routine food establishment inspections, 272 temporary food event inspections and investigated 166 food-related complaints.

Food establishments in Kearney receiving the Food Safety Excellence Award include: Club At MariMack, Dogwood Elementary, Fair Share Farm, Hawthorne Elementary, Kearney Early Education Center, Kearney Elementary, Kearney Middle School, QuikTrip #198, and Southview Elementary.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.