Winter Weather Preparedness for Drivers in Kearney

As winter weather approaches in Kearney, MO, drivers are urged to take proactive steps to ensure their safety on the road. Cold temperatures, icy roads, and sudden snowstorms can quickly turn a routine trip into a dangerous situation. That’s why local safety officials recommend assembling a comprehensive emergency kit for your vehicle before winter weather hits.

“It's always a good idea to keep an emergency kit in the back of your car, but during the winter months, it's even more important to be prepared,” explains Corporal Phil Lamanna from the Kearney Police Department. “A properly supplied safety kit can help you deal with most situations in your car breaks down or you get stuck.”

A properly supplied safety kit can make all the difference if you find yourself stranded or facing unexpected delays. Key items to include are necessary medications, blankets, sleeping bags, extra mittens or gloves, warm socks, caps, and a small shovel for digging out snow.

Booster cables and a basic toolkit with pliers and screwdrivers are invaluable in case of minor breakdowns. Don’t forget a brightly colored cloth to signal for help, non-perishable foods such as bottled water, and a cell phone charger to maintain communication.

It's easy to overlook preparedness until you’re already stuck, but taking a few minutes now to stock your vehicle can help you solve problems and reach out for assistance when needed. While you can’t prepare for every scenario, having these essentials on hand increases your chances of staying safe until help arrives. For more tips and updates on winter weather preparedness, visit the City of Kearney’s official website at KearneyMO.us.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Swift Action Alerts Staff to Firearm on School Property

An 18-year-old student from Kearney is now behind bars and facing felony charges after bringing a loaded handgun onto the grounds of Kearney Junior High School.

The situation unfolded quickly when students spotted a male with a firearm in the school parking lot and immediately notified staff members. Acting swiftly, the staff alerted the Kearney Police School Resource Officer, setting off a rapid response from local law enforcement.

Within just two minutes, both Kearney Police Officers and Clay County Sheriff Deputies arrived at the scene near the Junior High School. Officers detained two individuals believed to be involved in the incident.

The investigation moved forward with Kearney Police Detectives submitting felony charges, and the Clay County Prosecutor’s Office filing charges of Unlawful Use of a Weapon against the 18-year-old suspect. He is currently being held at the Clay County Detention Center, with bond set at $5,000.

The second suspect, a juvenile, has not been named. Authorities say the case will be handed over to the Clay County Juvenile Authorities for further review and possible charges.

Officials are crediting students and staff for their quick thinking and decisive action, which helped prevent a potentially dangerous situation at the school. Community leaders emphasize that safety starts with awareness and teamwork, praising everyone who played a role in keeping the school safe today.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

KCK Woman Arrested After Attempting to Evade Felony Warrant

A 41-year-old woman from Kansas City, Kansas, was arrested last Saturday, October 11, following a traffic stop in which she tried to conceal her identity from police officers.

According to Kearney Police, the incident began when officers pulled over a vehicle whose registered owner was wanted on a felony warrant out of Johnson County, Kansas. The female passenger closely resembled the wanted individual but repeatedly denied being her, even providing officers with a fake name and a Social Security number that did not match her identity. The number she gave was registered to a man, raising further suspicion among the officers.

Despite her persistent denials, the officers presented her with a booking photo from the Johnson County Jail taken just two months earlier. The photo clearly showed the woman's real name and confirmed her identity as the person sought in connection with a felony warrant.

Confronted with this evidence, the woman admitted to being the wanted individual. She was subsequently taken into custody without incident.

The felony warrant stemmed from her failure to appear in court for her third DUI offense, and she was being held on a $20,000 bond. Following her arrest, she was booked into the Clay County Detention Center, where she awaits extradition back to Kansas to face charges.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Kearney Police Arrest Two Involved with Stolen Vehicle

On Sunday, September 14, Kearney Police officers conducted a traffic stop on 92 Highway near QuikTrip after noticing a vehicle displaying a license plate reported stolen from Leawood, Kansas. All occupants of the vehicle were detained during the investigation.

The female passenger repeatedly provided police with false names and Social Security numbers. Deputies from the Clay County Sheriff's Office responded to assist and used a fingerprint scanner to confirm her identity. The passenger, identified as a 29-year-old woman from Kansas City, was wanted in Nebraska for felony possession of dangerous drugs and in Colorado for possession of a stolen vehicle, both with no bond allowed.

After being identified, she admitted to possessing drugs. Officers recovered methamphetamine, fentanyl, and several syringes loaded with a mixture of both substances. She was arrested and transported to jail on her outstanding warrants and now faces additional felony charges for possession of a controlled substance in Clay County.

The driver of the vehicle was also taken into custody for possession of stolen property. Both individuals were booked into jail following the incident.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Traffic Stop in Kearney Leads to Drug Arrest

Just before midnight on Wednesday, August 20, a routine traffic stop conducted by a Kearney Police night-shift officer resulted in the arrest of a Kansas City woman on multiple drug and traffic charges.

The incident began when officers noticed a vehicle displaying license plates registered to another car, prompting them to pull the vehicle over. Upon approaching the driver, a 26-year-old woman from Kansas City, Missouri, police quickly discovered a series of violations. She was unable to produce a driver’s license, possessed no valid registration for the vehicle, and displayed a fake registration sticker. Further investigation revealed that the car was also uninsured.

Given the circumstances, officers proceeded with a probable cause search of the vehicle. During the search, they uncovered baggies and several loaded needles containing a substance believed to be methamphetamine. In addition to the suspected methamphetamine, officers found multiple containers of illegal Psilocybin Mushrooms, as well as assorted drug paraphernalia inside the car.

The driver was promptly taken into custody and now faces charges including possession of a controlled substance, possession of narcotic paraphernalia, and a series of related traffic offenses. The police department emphasized that their officers remain committed to proactive enforcement, working diligently to keep illegal drugs and unsafe drivers out of the community.

No further information regarding the identity of the suspect has been released at this time. The case stands as a reminder of the continued risks posed by drug-related activity and the importance of community-focused policing.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.