KPGZ Radio Adds Softball to Bulldog Sports Coverage

102.7FM KPGZ is excited to announce it is adding radio coverage of Kearney High School home softball games to the Bulldog Radio Network this fall. This will be the first season the radio station has covered softball games.

Bulldog radio network announcers Kelly Gentry and Eric Stevens will be calling the home softball games beginning at 5 pm on Tuesday, September 10, when the Bulldogs face Staley High School.

“WE ARE EXCITED TO BE ABLE BRING BULLDOG SOFTBALL TO 102.7, AND THAT OUR LISTENERS ARE ENTHUSIASTIC TO HAVE THE SOFTBALL GAMES ON THE RADIO.” - BRIAN WATTS. PHOTO BY RAY WEIKAL.

“We had great success announcing Bulldog baseball games this spring,” said 102.7FM general manager Brian Watts. “We are excited to be able bring Bulldog softball to KPGZ, and that our listeners are enthusiastic to have the softball games on the radio.”

Parents and fans requested softball and baseball games to be broadcast on the radio station last year, but logistics and the time frame of getting the broadcast setup were obstacles for the station. With more time, KPGZ was able to work on the details and can now produce quality game broadcasts for fans.

Bulldog sports game broadcasts bring a vast audience to the radio station. Broadcasts of high school sports bring double or triple the listening audience to 102.7FM. The station now broadcasts football, boys and girls basketball, baseball and softball to a wide audience around the world on the radio, their website 1027KearneyMO.com and the KPGZ mobile app.

Sponsorship spaces are available at all levels and can be reserved now by calling Brian Watts at 816-826-1111.

Jim Dickerson contributed to this story.

Allen Graduates Police Command Program

The Kearney Missouri Police Department announced on Friday, June 28, tha Captain Brian Allen is a new graduate from the School of Police Staff and Command (SPSC) at Northwestern University, Class #580. Captain Allen is the first ever from the department to graduate from this course.

Allen and his fellow graduates completed the 10-week Staff and Command program held at the Clay County Sheriff's Office.

Their class consisted of 18 students from multiple agencies across the country including: Clay County Missouri Sheriff's Office, Gladstone Missouri PD, Lee Summit Missouri PD, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Quincy Illinois PD, Clinton County Missouri Sheriff's Office, St. Joseph Missouri PD., Platte County Missouri Sheriff's Office, Kearney Missouri PD., Prairie Village Kansas PD, Polk County Florida Sheriff's Office, and Overland Park Kansas PD.

The Northwestern School of Police Staff & Command is the most academically rigorous program available for experienced mid- and upper-level supervisory personnel. Through an innovative combination of academic principles blended with practical applications, this intensive curriculum focuses on areas critical to successful senior law enforcement leadership and management.

Since 1983, SPSC has graduated more than 565 classes, and more than 21,000 students consisting of some of the best and brightest professionals in the field. Through an innovative combination of academic principles with practical applications, the

The 10-week SPSC curriculum zeroes in on such critical command-level content as planning and policies, media relations, organizational behavior, budgeting and resource allocation, human resources, statistics, project management, traffic, and more. Students are academically challenged through written examinations, projects, presentations, quizzes, and a staff study paper which are required parts of the curriculum.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.

MoDOT Continues Work on Route 92

The Missouri Department of Transportation is conducting resurfacing operations and ADA improvements on Missouri Route 92 between the Nation Road Roundabout and Missouri Route 33 in Kearney. Work will continue starting daily at 7:30 a.m. on Monday, June 10 until Monday, July 15 at 4 p.m.

All MO Route 92 and I-35 ramps will be closed during weekend work. Motorists should expect delays. All work is weather permitting.

Motorists are reminded to slow down and pay attention while driving in work zones. Not all work zones look alike. Work zones can be moving operations, such as striping, patching or mowing. They can also be short term, temporary lane closures to make quick repairs or remove debris from the roadway.

For more information about MoDOT news, projects or events, please visit our website at www.modot.org/kansascity.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Rabid Bat Confirmed in Clay County

A bat found in Clay County recently tested positive for rabies, according to confirmation from the Missouri State Public Health Laboratory. Clay County Public Health Center would like to remind the community of the risk of exposure to rabies due to contact with bats.

Rabies is an acute viral infection of the central nervous system that can be spread through saliva from the bite or scratch of an infected animal. It is nearly always fatal if left untreated. In 2023, 33 animals tested positive for rabies in Missouri.

“It is important to remember to avoid contact with wild animals, especially bats and skunks. They can carry rabies even if they do not appear sick,” says Deputy Director Ashley Wegner. “If you believe you have been exposed to a rabid animal, seek immediate medical attention from a health care provider.”

To keep your family safe, make sure all indoor and outdoor pets are up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations and do not allow pets to run loose. Keep a safe distance from all wild animals but wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water if you do touch a wild animal. Citizens can report wild animals exhibiting unusual behavior to animal control officials in your community.

When it comes to bats, their small teeth may not always leave an obvious bite mark. It is best for anyone who may have come into contact with a bat to seek medical advice. Prevent bats from coming into your home by covering or filling holes larger than a quarter inch that would allow them access to spaces like an attic.

For more information about rabies, please visit the websites of Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services or the Centers for Disease Control.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Several Chances for Fireworks Next Week

Several major Fourth of July fireworks displays are on tap next week:

Kearney will have fireworks on Wednesday, July 3 in Jesse James Park, 3001 Highway 33. The event begins at 5 p.m. with air toys for children and a concert featuring Funk Syndicate at 7:30 p.m. Fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m. The free event includes parking, but spectators are encouraged to park before 9 p.m. Concessions will be available to purchase.

Kearney will have fireworks on Wednesday, July 3 in Jesse James Park, 3001 Highway 33.

The annual Smithville Fireworks Show sponsored by the City of Smithville and Clay County will start at Smith's Fork Park (North side of the Spillway) at dusk, roughly 9 p.m. on July 4. Great spots to watch this free show are at Smith's Fork Park, on the Lake near the dam, Smith's Fork Campground, and surrounding areas around the park. Parking is available throughout Smith's Fork Park. Activities for this free event start at 6 p.m. in the park. Check out this Facebook page for more events and info on rainouts.

The Gladstone Independence Day Celebration is July 4 and kicks off at 7 p.m. in Oak Grove Park. Fireworks will begin at dusk and concessions will be available. Activities include a concert by Flashback, presentation of the Colors, and magnificent fireworks display at dusk. Concessions available for purchase from the Gladstone Rotary. Parking will be available at Oak Park High School. To ensure your safety, Gladstone Public Safety Officers will be directing traffic.

Liberty will light up the sky again with LibertyFest at Capitol Federal® Sports Complex (2200 Old State Highway 210) from 6 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 3. However, to manage the event's capacity, parking passes are required and the deadline for purchase was June 24.

Worlds of fun will host its annual Star-Spangled Night on July 4. The Fireworks Spectacular is an unforgettable fireworks display synchronized to the stirring tunes of patriotic music.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.