PCEC 2026 Membership Election Opens May 1

Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative consumer-members are invited to participate in the 2026 Membership Election by casting their votes online or by mail.

Voting opens May 1 and continues through May 26. To vote online, visit www.PCEC.coop/Vote and view each candidate’s full profile. All members who vote will automatically be entered into a drawing for free energy bill credits, applied to the member's electric account. Ten winners will receive $200 each in energy credits and one grand prize winner will take home $1,000 in energy credits.

Three of the nine board seats are up for election each year—one from each of the three service districts. This year, the South District will be the only contested district as directors Kelly Parkhurst and David Edwards are running unopposed in their respective districts. There are no other voting measures on the ballot.

General Manager/CEO Dave Deihl recognizes that it’s easy to skip an election when things are good, but notes voting is just as important when things are going well. “One of the things I often remind people is that participation matters just as much when you’re satisfied as when you’re not,” says Deihl in the Northland Connection. “A healthy cooperative depends on a wide range of voices, including those who feel good about where we’re headed. Voting is one of the simplest and most important ways to stay involved.”

Online voting is secure and managed by a third party to ensure fairness. To access the ballot, members will need their last name or business name, member number, and location number, all of which can be found on PCEC bills or the online billing portal. Alternatively, members can call (816) 343-4847 to request a mail-in ballot. Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by May 19 and sent to P.O. Box 1648, Jefferson City, MO 65102.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

NSA and FBI Warn Americans of Russian Router Hacks

The National Security Agency (NSA) has joined forces with the FBI to alert Americans about a significant threat posed by Russian military intelligence hackers. According to the agencies, these cybercriminals have been exploiting vulnerable home and small office routers to steal sensitive information from users across the United States and around the globe.

The FBI explained that the hackers, identified as Russian GRU cyber actors known as APT28, Fancy Bear, and Forest Blizzard, have targeted routers worldwide. Their sophisticated operation allows them to compromise routers by changing critical internet settings, redirecting web traffic through systems they control. This enables attackers to intercept passwords, authentication tokens, emails, and browsing activity that would usually be protected.

Authorities warn that the campaign has affected victims in the U.S. and other countries, and that the group has been exploiting known router vulnerabilities, including a flaw in certain TP-Link devices. Their focus has narrowed to information tied to military, government, and critical infrastructure networks, raising concerns about national security.

Because devices like phones and laptops depend on router settings to connect to the internet, a compromised router can expose much more than just the router itself. The FBI and NSA strongly urge users to take action: change default usernames and passwords, install the latest firmware updates, disable remote management from the internet, and replace any unsupported devices no longer receiving security updates.

The agencies also advise users to heed browser and email certificate warnings, as these can signal attempts to intercept secure online traffic. Employers that permit remote work are encouraged to review how workers connect to sensitive systems, including the use of virtual private networks and more secure application settings.

For those who suspect they may have been targeted, the FBI recommends contacting a local field office or filing a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center. This warning comes on the heels of a recent disruption by the Justice Department and FBI of a GRU network of compromised routers used in malicious DNS hijacking operations.

The advisory was issued with the participation of multiple U.S. and international cyber and intelligence partners, underscoring the urgency and global scope of the threat.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Early Morning Chase Ends with Arrests and Unexpected Revelations

In the quiet hours just after 1 am on Monday, April 13, what began as a routine patrol on 210 Highway quickly escalated into a dramatic pursuit involving two stolen vehicles traveling together. Deputies spotted the cars and attempted to intervene, prompting both drivers to take off in different directions.

The first car sped into Avondale, where it struck a curb and suffered a flat tire. Undeterred, the driver fled into a nearby field near the 3400 block of N. Bellefontaine. As the vehicle came to a halt, both occupants jumped out and sprinted away. While one suspect surrendered, the other tried to outrun law enforcement.

K9 Argos, however, proved to be faster, tracking down and apprehending the fleeing suspect. After being treated for minor bite wounds at the hospital, the suspect joined his accomplice at the Detention Center.

Meanwhile, a separate deputy tracked the second stolen car to Antioch Road near Russell Road. This vehicle also attempted to escape, weaving across medians before finally becoming disabled near Randolph Road.

When deputies approached, they discovered the driver was a 13-year-old boy. In a candid admission, the teenager remarked that if people didn’t want their cars stolen, they shouldn’t leave them unlocked with the keys inside.

Authorities have charged 21-year-old Kayden Nolen and 21-year-old Kevante White—occupants of the first vehicle—with resisting arrest and tampering with a motor vehicle. The young driver from the second car was handed over to the Clay County Juvenile Office, where he remains in custody.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Bulldogs Excel at Kearney Classic

Kearney High School’s track and field teams turned in a strong showing Friday, April 10, at the Kearney Classic, their only home meet of the 2026 season.

Competing against a very competitive field, the Bulldog boys finished second as a team, just seven points behind Liberty North, while the Lady Bulldogs placed fourth and scored in the majority of events. It was an impressive day all around, with multiple season-best and personal-best performances, standout relay results and a chance to recognize seniors competing in their final home invitational.

For the boys, Sam Way led the way with a first-place finish in the 300-meter hurdles. Reid Perkins placed second in the 400-meter dash and first in the triple jump, while Braxton Byrom added a third-place finish in the 400.

Kearney also had a big night in the relays, with the 4x400 team of Braxton Byrom, Sam Way, Connor Reid and Reid Perkins taking first place, the 4x200 team of Braxton Byrom, Lucas Denston, Reid Perkins and Sam Way finishing second, and the 4x800 team of Connor Reid, Atlas Owen, Cameron Fowler and Milo Griffith placing third. 

In the boys' field events, Henry Hoover was second in discus, Cruise Emmons was second in javelin, Hudson Best was third in javelin, Damien Carter was fourth in javelin, and Aiden Arellano was second in pole vault. Coach Scott Crall also highlighted the performances of freshmen Tristan Barton and Hunter Phipps, both of whom broke the five-minute mark in the 1600-meter run.

The Lady Bulldogs also delivered an outstanding performance on their home track. Drew Gustafson earned a first-place finish in the 300 hurdles, and Daisy Burnam won the 1600 while also taking second in the 3200. The 4x800 relay team of Abbi McQuillen, Jordin Vaughn, Daisy Burnam and Izzy Fowler placed second, and Maya Sosoatu added another runner-up finish in discus.

The meet also served as a special moment to honor KHS seniors Abbi McQuillen, Camille Hermon, Jordin Vaughn, Daisy Burnam, Josie Masters, Maya Sosoatu and Tristen Holt as they competed in their final Kearney Classic.

KPGZ News – Ray Weikal contributed to this story.

Sheriff’s Office Investigates Fatal Hit-and-Run

***UPDATE 2 - 04/15, 10:50 AM***

The victim in this case is 37-year-old Steven C. Notari of Wisconsin. 

***UPDATE 5:43 PM***

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office has a person of interest in custody. Investigation is ongoing. 

INITIAL STORY:

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal hit-and-run incident involving a pedestrian. At 7:10 am, Monday, April 13, a semitruck driver traveling on Interstate 35 reported seeing a person lying on Edgar Petty Road, just north of NE 116th Street. Deputies responded within four minutes and discovered a deceased man on the roadway, believed to have been struck by an unknown vehicle that fled the scene.

Edgar Petty Road was closed for several hours as investigators collected evidence, with assistance from the Platte County Sheriff’s Office in surveying the crash site. Detectives are working to confirm the victim’s identity and will notify his next of kin before releasing his name to the public.

Authorities suspect the vehicle involved is a 2013-2018 Ford Focus, which likely sustained fresh damage. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Clay County Sheriff’s Investigations Unit at 816-407-3728 or the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477) to remain anonymous.

Officials continue to encourage the public to come forward with any details that could aid the investigation.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.