55th Jesse James Festival brings two weekends of Entertainment to Kearney

The 55th Jesse James Festival will return to Kearney for two weekends of community entertainment Sept. 12 and Sept. 18–20, with most activities centered at Jesse James Park. The schedule features a demolition derby, barbecue cookoff, downtown parade, arts and crafts, tournaments, live music and two rodeo performances.

Opening night: Demolition derby

The festival begins at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, with a demolition derby and Kids Power Wheels presented by Grandstand Attractions Inc. Robinson Chainsaw Carvings will be displayed ahead of an evening auction. Admission is free for children 6 and younger and $15 for ages 7 and older. Pit passes cost an additional $25, and no one younger than 13 will be allowed in the pits.

Friday: Barbecue registration and dancing

Activities resume Friday, Sept. 18, when registration for the 38th annual Jesse James BBQ Cookoff and 35th State Championship runs from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. At 6:30 p.m., Tami Davis will lead free line-dancing instruction at the Jesse James Park Pavilion. Food and drinks will be available for purchase, and DJ D’Gatsby will keep the music going from 8 to 10 p.m.

Saturday: Parade, contests, rodeo and dance

Saturday, Sept. 19, opens with the E. Howard Porter Post 5717 VFW country breakfast from 7:30 to 10 a.m. at the VFW Hall. Parade lineup staging and Little Mr. and Miss registration begin at 8 a.m., followed by Little Mr. and Miss judging at 8:30 a.m. in front of Kearney Feed Supply. Parade entries will be judged at 9 a.m. in float, non-motorized, motorized, equestrian and crowd-pleaser categories, with plaques for first place and ribbons for second and third. A traveling trophy will honor the entry that best represents the parade theme.

The barbecue competition runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with winners announced at 4 p.m. A disc golf tournament begins at 9:30 a.m. at Jesse James Park, and the downtown Kearney parade steps off at 10 a.m. Arts & Crafts Alley will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. A free, eight-class garden tractor pull starts at 11 a.m. in the demolition derby arena.

Mud volleyball registration begins at noon, followed by a captains meeting at 12:30 p.m. and tournament play at 1 p.m. Mutton busting registration for children 6 and younger begins at 4 p.m.; riders will be selected at 5 p.m., when a $10 registration fee is due, and the ride begins at 5:30 p.m.

The URA/MRCA Rodeo, presented by C.R. McKellips Rodeo Co. Inc., begins at 6 p.m. and includes a Kids Boot Scramble and Robinson Chainsaw Carvings display and auction. Admission is free for children 6 and younger and $15 for ages 7 and older. Rodeo contestants may register by phone from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9, at 417-876-2353.

The evening closes with a free festival dance featuring Pistol Creek from 8 to 11:30 p.m. Attendees younger than 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The dance is presented by the Kearney St. Michael’s Knights of Columbus.

Sunday: Car show, fishing and final rodeo

Sunday, Sept. 20, begins at 9 a.m. with on-site registration for the Jesse James Open Car Show at $20 per vehicle. The top 30 cars will receive plaques, and drawings are planned for a 50/50 prize, a cooler and half of a hog. The Vincents will perform live from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The car show opens to the public at 10 a.m., with winners and the hog-drawing recipient announced at 2 p.m.

A free kids fishing tournament runs from 9 to 11 a.m. at Jesse James Park, with divisions for ages 0–6 and 7–12. High Point Cowboy Church will present a cowboy worship service at 10 a.m. near the rodeo arena. Arts & Crafts Alley will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the free Jesse James Open Tractor Show begins at 11 a.m.

Sunday’s mutton busting registration starts at 12:30 p.m. for children 6 and younger. Riders will be selected at 1:30 p.m., when the $10 fee is due, and the ride begins at 2 p.m. The festival concludes with a URA/MRCA Rodeo at 2:30 p.m., featuring another Kids Boot Scramble. Rodeo admission is free for children 6 and younger and $15 for ages 7 and older.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Eight Killed in Missouri Traffic Crashes Over Labor Day Weekend

Eight people were killed and 82 others were injured in traffic crashes across Missouri during the Labor Day holiday weekend, according to preliminary figures released Tuesday by the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

The Patrol recorded 213 traffic crashes during the counting period, which ran from 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, through 11:59 p.m. Monday, Sept. 7. Troopers also reported 123 arrests for driving while intoxicated.

Although the number of crashes and injuries fell from the previous year, the number of fatalities doubled. During the comparable 2025 holiday period, the Patrol investigated 252 crashes that left 123 people injured and four dead. Statewide totals for that period, including crashes handled by other agencies, were six deaths and 423 injuries in 931 crashes.

On Missouri waterways, authorities investigated nine boating crashes, the same number reported for the 2025 holiday period. One person was injured this year, while no boating fatalities or drownings were reported. Troopers made five arrests for boating while intoxicated.

The Patrol cautioned that the fatality count remains preliminary and could change if people later die from their injuries or if other law enforcement agencies report additional fatal crashes.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Bulldogs Turn up the Heat on Grain Valley

The Kearney Bulldogs were red-hot from start to finish in a dominant 49-2 win over the class-5 Grain Valley Eagles.

Kearney initiated the scoring on the opening kickoff as Cade Holder forced a Grain Valley fumble setting up a scoop-and-score by Luke Tucking, who ran untouched to the end zone. The extra point was blocked giving Kearney a 6-0 lead.

Two minutes later, Bulldog quarterback Carter Temple threw a swing pass to Kale Tucking who threw a perfect pass to a wide-open Luke Denston who outran two Grain Valley defenders for a 58-yard touchdown. The extra point was blocked and the Bulldogs led 12-0.

The Bulldogs hold the eagles back as senior running back Matt Lindsey trots in for a touchdown. Photo by Kale Davis, Backroads Designs.

At the top of the second quarter, a 4-yard touchdown run by Kearney senior running back Matthew Lindsey set up a Carter Temple to Luke Denston 2-point conversion for a 20-0 Kearney Bulldog lead.

At the 7:50 mark in the second quarter, Senior linebacker and running back, Aidan Arellano blasted four yards behind the Kearney offensive line for a touchdown. Caleb Stevens made a rolling catch from Temple in the back of the end zone for the 2-point conversion and a 28-0 lead.

Grain Valley fumbled the snap on a punt attempt from their end zone, and the ball was recovered for a touchdown by Bulldog linebacker Aidan Arellano, giving Kearney a 35-0 lead at the halftime.

Kearney’s Kale Tucking scored twice in the third quarter – on a 1-yard touchdown run, and a 53-yard punt return for touchdown.

The Bulldogs led 49-0 in the third quarter and for the second straight week, Kearney’s defense prevented their opponent from establishing any meaningful rushing yardage, holding Grain Valley to 35 yards on 22 attempts – less than two yards per carry.

A mauling Bulldog defensive line and relentless blitz pressure held Grain Valley quarterback Cohen Morris to 6 pass completions for 47 yards, and forced one interception  by Kearney junior defensive back, Max Parker.

“Hats off to both sides of the line of scrimmage, especially on that defensive side,” said Kearney Head Coach, Logan Minnick. “That's a really good division one tailback they’re handing it to, an athletic quarterback, and they ran a different offense we had to make some adjustments to.”

Kearney averaged 5.25 yards per carry on 184 yards rushing. “Up front, on the offensive line, we ran the ball at will,” Minnick added. “Number 52 (Grain Valley senior defensive tackle, Maui Sua) is one of the best defensive lineman in the city, and we doubled him and tripled him and just wore him down. I think the heat definitely helped us too because he had to fight off a double team every snap.”

Kearney’s second unit offense was backed up against their own goal line with less than two minutes to play. A high snap from center sailed through the end zone, giving Grain Valley two points for the safety and giving Kearney the 49-2 victory.

The 2-0 Bulldogs face district rival, Smithville Warriors at Smithville next Friday, September 11.

KPGZ News – Mike Davis contributed to this story.

Phone Scammer Attempts to Steal Cash from Local Business

A local business narrowly avoided losing money after an employee was targeted in a phone scam by someone claiming to be a law enforcement officer.

According to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, the caller said he was a lieutenant with a local police department and told the employee the business was under investigation for counterfeit bills. The scammer instructed the employee to collect all of the cash from the register and take it to a store in Smithville, where he said it would be turned over as evidence.

Investigators said it is not yet clear whether the suspect intended to meet the employee in person or direct her to deposit the money into a cryptocurrency ATM.

The caller also asked the employee for her name and date of birth. After she provided the information, he repeated back details including her parents’ names and home address, making the call appear legitimate.

Authorities warned that scammers can obtain personal information from public records, data breaches and other sources, then use those details to gain a victim’s trust. They emphasized that a caller knowing personal information does not mean the person is actually a police officer.

The employee had already taken the cash and was driving to the location provided by the scammer when the business owner learned what was happening. The owner contacted the employee, told her it was a scam and instructed her to return to the business. The quick action prevented any financial loss.

The investigation is ongoing. Authorities are urging small businesses to remain alert and remind employees that if law enforcement needs to speak with them, officers will make contact in person.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story

Rallying Around One of Our Own: Bruce Thoman

Courtesy of the Missouri State Troopers Association / Thoman family fundraiser.

Missouri State Highway Patrol Corporal Bruce Thoman was seriously injured on August 26, 2026, after being struck by a vehicle during a late-night traffic stop in North Kansas City. The incident has sparked a massive community response, including criminal charges against two drivers and a widespread fundraising effort.

Around midnight on Wednesday, August 26, Cpl. Thoman conducted a traffic stop on the left shoulder of northbound Interstates 29 and 35 near Missouri 210. He pulled over Erika Guerrero-Chavez, 24, on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. According to charging documents, Guerrero-Chavez resisted arrest and attempted to flee back to her car, forcing Thoman to spend a prolonged period in a highly dangerous position on the side of the highway.

While Thoman was attempting to secure Guerrero-Chavez, a passing Ford Focus driven by Ashton Berry, 25, struck him. Investigators noted that Thoman's emergency lights were fully activated, and traffic was minimal, meaning Berry had ample opportunity to move over into an open lane. Following the crash, authorities found methamphetamine in Berry's vehicle, while Guerrero-Chavez reportedly admitted to consuming alcohol and "shooters" before driving.

Both women are being held at the Clay County Detention Center on $200,000 cash bonds.

Cpl. Thoman was rushed to a local hospital with severe, life-threatening injuries and underwent immediate surgery. The Missouri State Troopers' Association (MOSTA) stated that the crash has permanently altered Thoman’s life and mobility, leaving his wife, Jennifer, and their two daughters facing a "future of unknowns."

In response to the tragedy, MOSTA has organized several official fundraising avenues to support the family long-term, with 100% of the proceeds going directly to the Thoman family.

Official fundraiser: GoFundMe — Support Missouri State Trooper Bruce Thoman

Official benefit page: Missouri State Troopers Association — Bruce Thoman Fund

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.