Tracy Tucker State Farm Collects School Supplies

We’re almost half-way through July, and people are already thinking about back-to-school events. Tracy Tucker at State Farm has announced that her office is now accepting school supplies and clothes for the Kearney School District’s Back to School Resource Fair this fall.

The Kearney School District’s annual Back to School Resource Fair features school supplies, backpacks, gently used clothing and other community resources for students in need. The event is designed to ensure that every child in the district has the support they need to thrive in the upcoming school year.

Tracy Tucker has volunteered her office as a drop-off location for new and gently used items for years, and this year is no exception. Tracy's State Farm Office will be available as a drop off site for donations between 9 am and 5 pm from July 15 through August 2. The address is 751 Watson Drive, Suite D in Kearney.

SCHOOL SUPPLY DONATIONS – All students who attend the resource fair get brand new school supplies to help start their school year off just like any other student.

CLOTHING DONATIONS – New and gently used clothes are needed for families. Items for school-age children are particularly important. Kearney High School spirit gear is always appreciated. It is requested that donations of underwear, socks and shoes be new items only.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Shanks to Give Air Conditioner to a Needy Home

Shanks Heating and Cooling in Kearney, Missouri has announced they will be helping a needy household with a new air conditioning system this July. Residents can nominate a household directly to Shanks through July 31.

Part one of Shanks’ Climate of Caring program kicked off on Wednesday, July 10. The program lets people nominate a person or family who they think needs air conditioning at their home.

“We’re excited to introduce part one of our ‘Climate of Caring’ program,” said Shanks owner Scotty Walker. “We’re asking for your help to find one deserving person in our community who could really use a free air conditioning unit. Whether they’re facing health challenges, job loss, or other tough situations, we want to give back.”

To nominate someone, email Shanks Heating and Cooling at givingback@shankskc.com with the nominee’s name, where they live, and why you think they need assistance. Nominations are open until July 31, 2024.

The chosen recipient will receive a reliable and efficient air conditioning unit from American Standard, complete with a 10-year warranty.

“Our expert team will install it using top-notch practices, tools, and equipment, ensuring the highest quality,” said Walker. “Most importantly, it will be installed by people who truly care.”

Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Parks Department Now Hosting Pickleball Camps

Now Kearney area youth can get in on the pickleball mania. The Kearney Parks and Recreation Department is now offering pickleball camps this summer.

Kearney Parks and Recreation is offering youth pickleball camps this summer. The camps are designed to teach the fundamentals of pickleball, including the rules of the game, the different parts of the court, serving, scoring and basic shots used in a game.

Participants will need to supply their own paddle, a water bottle, and proper court shoes. Water will be available at the courts to fill bottles as needed and there is also a restroom onsite. For paddle and shoe recommendations along with other questions, contact Joe Landewee at KearneyPickleball@gmail.com

There will be two daily sessions per age group and daily sessions will run 1 hour in length for 5 days. The cost for the camp is $125 per participant.

Camp 1: (6-8yrs): Monday, July 22 - Friday, July 26

Camp 2: (9-11yrs): Monday, July 29 - Friday, August 2

Camp 3: (12-14yrs): Monday, August 5 - Friday, August 9

Camp 4: (15-18yrs): Monday, August 12 - Friday, August 16

Daily Sessions:

8:00 am - 9:00 am

9:30 am - 10:30 am

To register for youth pickleball camp, visit KearneyParks.com.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Commission Approves Transportation Improvement Program

The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission approved the FY 2025-2029 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, which lists transportation projects planned by state and regional planning agencies from July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2029.

The five-year program is the largest to date with $14.6 billion for transportation needs and includes additional funding from General Revenue. The STIP was passed by the Missouri General Assembly and signed by Gov. Mike Parson. Funding is allocated for the improvement of interstates 70 and 44, the fixing of low-volume minor roads, and improvements to bridges, airports, and rail crossings.

The STIP makes available $14.6 billion of federal and state revenues for all modes of transportation over the next five years. Of the $14.6 billion, the STIP details $10.7 billion in road and bridge construction contractor awards, averaging approximately $2.1 billion per year.

“The available state road and bridge funds along with the work of the General Assembly and Gov. Parson continue to result in historic investments in transportation infrastructure that benefit Missourians across the state,” said Missouri Department of Transportation Director Patrick McKenna. “We thank our regional planning partners who helped develop this plan. Delivering this high level of investment in projects is only possible because of the partnership between the MoDOT team and the private sector in design engineering and construction contractors. We are asking the public to work with us and slow down to protect the workers in work zones.”

The STIP details maintenance improvements to Missouri’s 33,811 miles of roads and 10,392 bridges and culverts. The draft STIP was released in May for public review, with MoDOT receiving 107 comments.

The STIP also includes detailed project information for non-highway modes of transportation and a section detailing planned operations and maintenance activities for the next three years. This additional information is provided to allow Missourians to more easily see how their transportation funding is invested. The Final STIP is available online HERE.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Excelsior Springs Man Indicted on Multiple Charges

Clay County Prosecutor Zachary Thompson

Clay County Prosecutor Zachary Thompson announced an additional criminal charge in the Timothy Haslett, Jr. case on Tuesday, July 9, 2024. Haslett, who has already been charged with rape and kidnapping, was charged with first-degree murder by a grand jury.

Haslett is now charged with murder for the death of Jaynie Crosdale, whose remains were found in a barrel along the river in Saline County in 2023.

Excelsior Springs Police had identified Crosdale as a possible witness in Haslett’s case because the investigation shows she was in Haslett’s home before he allegedly kidnapped another woman.

Timothy Haslett, Jr.

Previous documents state that Haslett picked the other woman up ne Prospect Ave. in Kansas City. He allegedly held her captive and restrained her in his basement. The woman also alleged that Haslett had killed two other women.

Haslett continues to be held on $5 million bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for September 10.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.