Kearney Powers Past Liberty North Eagles 12-3

Kate Landewee delivered a standout performance for Kearney, earning the win after four hitless, scoreless innings with nine strikeouts and three walks. Photo by David Haggart.

The Kearney softball team took home a decisive 12-3 victory over the Liberty North Varsity Eagles on Monday, October 13, fueled by an explosive third inning that saw the Bulldogs score seven runs. This brings the end of the regular season for the Bulldogs who netted their 4th straight Suburban Blue Conference Championship which makes it a perfect 4 for 4 for 9 senior bulldog players.

Liberty North struck first in the second inning when Avary Sharpnack hit a two-run shot to center field, putting the Eagles on the board early. The Eagles added another run in the third after Alex Couch singled to center field, but Kearney was quick to respond and seize the momentum.

Kearney answered in the third inning with Brooke Paalhar blasting a home run to center field, driving in three runs. Moments later, Kate Stumpenhaus sent a homer to left field, adding two more to the tally, and Ellie Switzer capped the rally with another home run to center, scoring two more for Kearney.

The action didn’t stop there. In the bottom of the fifth, Alyssa Quick launched a solo home run to center, further extending Kearney’s lead and energizing the home crowd.

On the mound, Kate Landewee delivered a standout performance for Kearney, earning the win after four hitless, scoreless innings with nine strikeouts and three walks. Reghan Lueken started for the Bulldogs, pitching three innings and allowing two hits and three runs while striking out four. Liberty North’s Endsley Lierman took the loss, giving up seven runs—four earned—on five hits across two and two-thirds innings.

The Bulldogs finished the game with 10 hits. Brooke Paalhar was a key contributor, going 2-for-4 and driving in three runs. Quick, Paalhar, and Kennedi Casey each collected two hits for the Bulldogs. Kearney’s defense was flawless, with no errors committed, and Caroline Jury led the team with 13 chances in the field.

For Liberty North, Sharpnack was a bright spot in the lineup, going 1-for-3 with two RBIs, while Couch added a hit and Addie Schneider drew two walks. The Eagles showed patience at the plate, working five walks over the course of the game.

The Bulldogs move past the first round of District Postseason play with a bye but will play the winner of the William Chrisman/Winnetonka Quarterfinal game on Saturday, October 18, at noon at William Chrisman High School, 1223 N Noland Rd, Independence, MO. Live coverage will begin on 102.7FM KPGZ at approximately 11:30 am, weather permitting.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Bulldogs Roll to 7-0

The Kearney Bulldogs celebrated homecoming by scoring 49 points in the first half and holding Raytown South scoreless in a 57-0 conference win. The number one, state-ranked, class-4 Bulldogs sit at the top of the Suburban Blue conference with a perfect 7-0 season.

Kearney Running Back Dryden Hendrix (5) breaks free from two Raytown south defenders – Photo by Ray Weikal.

“What we really wanted to do this week was put a three-phase game together where we played really well in all three phases,” said head coach Logan Minnick.

“When you put up over 50 and you keep a shutout – our first shutout of the year – and have huge special teams plays; we scored on special teams and then had a blocked punt as well. So, it was a complete game in all three phases and exactly what we were looking for.”

Bulldog quarterback Carter Temple was 7 of 9 for 99 yards passing with four touchdowns and carried the ball three times for 55 yards and a touchdown – all of that in just the first half of play against a struggling 0-7 Raytown South team.

Two of Temple’s touchdown passes went to tight end, Drew Nelson, one for 29 yards, the other for 13. “It’s really easy when Carter is throwing to me,” said Nelson. “He already knows exactly when I'm going to be open and where I'm going to be open. It's a blast knowing that I'm going to get the ball, especially on homecoming.”

The second team Bulldogs played nearly all of the second half, scoring once on a Conon Cholak 1-yard touchdown run while the defense held Raytown South scoreless, protecting the shutout.

“We told those guys, ‘boys we're going full twos across the board’ (in the second half). The expectation was that we keep the shutout on the board, and we continue to put points on it,” said Minnick

Two games remain on the Bulldogs’ regular season schedule: at Winnetonka (5-2) and a home game against Excelsior Springs (2-5).

Minnick cautioned against looking ahead. “As a coach you get a little nervous when you get a team on your schedule that on paper looks like it's going to be a blowout. You've got to keep your kids focused when everybody's patting them on the back.”

“I've even heard, ‘Oh, a third undefeated season in four years.’  Don't say that around me. I don't want to hear that. I think our kids understand that,” Minnick added.

Senior team captain, Drew Nelson understands it. “It doesn't matter who we're playing. We're just going to bring the hammer every single time. We'll be well-prepared for every single game and just keep it going every single week.”

KPGZ News – Mike Davis contributed to this story.

Visit the KHS Haunted Wonderland If You Dare

The Kearney High School Theatre program is hosting a Halloween-themed "Haunted Wonderland" from 5 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18, at the school. There will also be traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating through the high school hallways from 5 to 7 p.m. that same evening.

Both events are open to the public and appropriate for children of all ages. Entry for the haunted house will be $4 for the first entry and $1 for every re-entry. Both cash and cards will be accepted for payment at the door. The trick-or-treating is free for students.

The "Haunted Wonderland" was organized by the cast of the upcoming KHS fall production of the musical "Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" as a way to both create a fun community event for Halloween and help raise money for the Theatre program.

About three dozen KHS students will be involved in planning, preparing and performing in the haunted house. Program Director Haley Kernes also observed that this was a Real World Learning experience for her students.

"This is a great way to support the fall musical," Ms. Kernes said. "It's also an opportunity for the kids to learn new skills while providing a fun, seasonal activity for families in our community."

The haunted house will wind its way from the main KHS entrance, around the recently renovated auditorium and through the performing arts wing of the school. Kernes emphasized that the event will be family-friendly, with absolutely no contact from the performers.

"Roald Dahl's Charlie And The Chocolate Factory" will be performed on Nov. 4-6 and Nov. 8 at the high school. Information and tickets are available through the Theatre Department's online box office.

The KHS FFA will be handing out candy in the KHS hallways during the traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating. Club Advisor Erica Hart organized this as both a fun and free community event.

"We want this to be something that all of our families can enjoy as a community service," Mrs. Hart said. "We're also excited to spark some interest in our future KHS Bulldogs!"

KPGZ News – Ray Wiekal contributed to this story.

Potential School Board Candidates Invited to Nov 11 Info Session

The Kearney School District Board of Education (BOE) will be hosting an informational session for individuals interested in filing as Board candidates on the April 7, 2026, election ballot.

The KSD BOE Candidate Info Session will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 11, at the  KSD central office, which is located at 425 W. Washington St. All members of the public are welcome to attend.

Please inform BOE Secretary Becky Burkemper by emailing burkemperb@ksdr1.net or calling (816) 628-4116 before the close of business on Monday, Nov. 10, if you plan to attend.

This session is designed to provide useful guidance for those who may want to serve on the school board. Topics will include information about board elections and the roles and responsibilities of the school board members.

In Missouri, school boards are composed of seven non-partisan, volunteer elected officials who each serve three-year terms. The primary job of the school board is to employ the superintendent and set the strategic goals and policies for the district, according to the Missouri School Board Association (MSBA). The board's other roles include:

Facilitate public engagement in order to help meet stakeholder expectations

Oversee the Superintendent of Schools, who, in turn, is solely responsible for district management and operations

Monitor district progress toward meeting the Board goals

Govern itself effectively, efficiently and with transparency

Three KSD school board seats will be open for next spring's municipal election. Under Missouri statute, school board candidate filing for the April election will begin at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 9, and will close at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 30. Candidates must be:

A U.S. citizen

A resident taxpayer of the district

A resident of Missouri for at least one year

At least 24 years old

Candidates must also be current on state and local taxes and have filed required campaign documents for all previous campaigns, if any. Individuals cannot file as candidates if they have been found guilty of or pleaded guilty to a felony under Missouri or federal law, and/or are registered or required to register as a sex offender.

KPGZ News – Ray Weikal contributed to this story.

Upcoming Medicare Open Enrollment Starts October 15

The Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance (DCI) is reminding residents that Medicare open enrollment runs from October 15 to December 7 this year. During this period, Missourians eligible for Medicare have the opportunity to review their existing coverage, switch Part D drug plans, or change Medicare Advantage plans.

To support individuals and caregivers in making informed choices, the DCI provides free guidance through Missouri’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Missouri SHIP’s trained counselors help people understand their plan options, determine eligibility for low-income subsidies, and navigate Medicare Savings Programs that may offset prescription drug costs. The department emphasizes that plans can change annually, making it crucial for beneficiaries to ensure their coverage still fits their needs.

Missourians can access unbiased help from Missouri SHIP by calling 1-800-390-3330 or visiting missouriship.org, with one-on-one counseling available. Last year, consumers who used Missouri SHIP’s services reported average savings of $2,000, and nearly all indicated they would return for future assistance and recommend the service to others. Counselors aim to help residents find the most suitable plan without any sales pressure.

As open enrollment approaches, officials warn that fraudsters often target seniors and vulnerable individuals with deceptive sales tactics. The department advises residents to never share Medicare or Social Security numbers with strangers and to stay vigilant against potential scams.

Missouri SHIP is funded by a grant from the Administration for Community Living and operated by Missouri Connections for Health. The DCI oversees insurance, banking, utilities, and other industries to protect Missouri consumers. More information is available at dci.mo.gov.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.