July 30, 2024

Lifelong Bulldog Takes Assistant Principal Post at Dogwood

July 30, 2024/ Brian Watts

As the next academic year nears, Kearney School District's Dogwood Elementary School is welcoming a new member to its leadership team.

Sydney Johnson is joining Dogwood Elementary as the school's new Assistant Principal. Ms. Johnson is filling the job recently opened when former Dogwood Assistant Principal Kathleen Bahan moved up to Dogwood Principal.

Johnson is a lifelong Bulldog and a member of Team KSD who is taking on a new role. She grew up in Kearney, has children in the district, and taught fourth grade at Kearney Elementary during the 2023-2024 academic year.

Her path toward school administration began in 2019 as a member of the Liberty Public Schools' Leadership Academy and the Building Leadership Team at Ridgeview Elementary, where she taught fifth grade. She was also part of the district's English Language Arts collaboration committee for kindergarten through fifth grade.

Johnson is looking forward to continuing to contribute to the community she's proud to call her home.

"In pursuing the Assistant Principal role at Dogwood Elementary, I was driven by a deep-rooted commitment to serve the vibrant community that made me who I am today," she said. "With a passion for fostering academic excellence, nurturing student growth, and collaborating with dedicated educators, I am eager to contribute my skills and experience toward enhancing the educational experience for all students at Dogwood!"

As an elementary school assistant principal in Kearney School District, Johnson will take the lead in supporting, supervising and disciplining students in a way that promotes their growth and reinforces positive classroom outcomes. She will also coordinate with Bahan to address a wide array of daily operational needs across the campus.

During the search process for the Assistant Principal position, Ms. Bahan was impressed with Johnson's combination of classroom experience, leadership skills and passion for serving students, their families and her colleagues.

"We are excited to welcome Mrs. Johnson to the Dogwood community," Bahan said. "I am confident she will bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas that will benefit our students, staff, and families. As a KSD graduate, Ms. Johnson has a deep knowledge of the Kearney School District and is committed to fostering a positive school culture. Her passion for education, dedication to student success, and collaborative spirit make her a perfect fit for Dogwood Elementary."

Before joining Kearney School District last year, Johnson taught at Ridgeview Elementary starting in 2016. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, a Master of Science in Education Leadership and a Specialists in Superintendency degree, all from Northwest Missouri State University.

Ray Weikal contributed to this story.

July 30, 2024

A Year Later, Scheidecker Family Still Seeks Answers

July 30, 2024/ Brian Watts

The family of John Paul Scheidecker is calling on the community to come forward with information that could help them determine who struck and killed him, then left the scene a year ago today.

John Paul, 30, was located deceased about 4 a.m. July 30, 2023, on NE 120th Street between A Highway and Fishing River Road, northeast of Liberty. He had pulled over and was outside of his vehicle when he was hit.

“Our world has been turned upside down,” his brother Luke Scheidecker said of his brother’s loss.

General Investigations Sergeant Chris Johnson said detectives have completed 95 supplemental reports in the case and were busy just yesterday working new leads that have been developed, including one that is out of state.

“This remains a very high-priority case for us,” Sergeant Johnson said.

Sergeant Johnson and Luke Scheidecker said the incident could have been a tragic accident, and they urge anyone who could have been involved or know who was involved not to be scared to come forward.

Luke described his brother John Paul as an entrepreneur who was living his dream and was always quietly helping others.

A $5,000 reward is available through the Crime Stoppers TIPS Hotline in this case. Anyone with information can contact them online or at 816-474-TIPS (8477). Sheriff’s Office investigators also can be reached directly at 816-407-3723 or 816-407-3726.

Sarah Boyd contributed to this story.

July 28, 2024

Excessive Heat Returns to Kearney This Week

July 28, 2024/ Brian Watts

After a pleasant break in the weather last week, we can expect high temperatures and humidity to return this week. The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning from Monday, July 29, at 1 pm to Thursday, August 1, at 7 pm.

The last days of July will bring in some oppressively hot days with actual air temperatures in the upper 90’s to 100 degrees. Heat index values could register at 110 to 114 degrees Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Chances of rain return on Wednesday night, but that won’t provide much cooler air temperatures. Thursday and Friday look to be dry, but temperatures will climb to the low 90s each day and continue into next week.

Those who work or spend a lot of time outdoors this week will need to take precautions to cope with the steamy weather. Have plenty of water to stay hydrated, and a place to cool down, whether that is a car that has working air conditioning or a building that is air-conditioned and shaded properly.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.

July 27, 2024

Othic to Pursue Opportunities Away from NTRC

July 27, 2024/ Brian Watts

There will be noticeable emptiness and big shoes to fill at the Northland Therapeutic Riding Center this fall. The center announced that Shaney Othic has resigned her position as Executive Director.

“It is with mixed emotions that I announce the resignation of Shaney Othic as the Executive Director of the Northland Therapeutic Riding Center,” announced Michel Ann Kaiser, President of NTRC Board of Directors. “After years of dedicated service and leadership, Shaney has decided to pursue new opportunities.”

Shaney Othic is the heart and soul of the riding center and a servant leader in Kearney. But as she once felt called to the center to help other people, she now feels called to other projects.

“All the major decisions in my life have been driven by my faith,” Shaney told KPGZ News. “I felt the nudge about a year ago but just wasn’t clear what it was about. This summer I went on a solo retreat and got quiet and listened and came to this decision.”

Kaiser said that Shaney has been an instrumental leader at the riding center.

“Her passion, vision, and unwavering commitment have helped us reach new heights, and her impact will be felt for years to come.”

As anyone who knows her would realize, this was a difficult decision for Shaney. She has a passion for the people who benefit from the program, the animals at the center and for serving others.

“I feel like God put me here for a reason and I have fulfilled that reason with a lot of blood, sweat and tears and it’s time to move on, Shaney posted on Facebook. “This place changed my life in so many ways but significantly in my journey to and through my sobriety. For that I am forever grateful.”

Brian Watts contributed to this story.

July 26, 2024

Choir Hits High Notes with Invitation to State

July 26, 2024/ Brian Watts

Kearney High School's vocal jazz ensemble, Frequency, has garnered a coveted invitation to perform at the 87th Annual Missouri Music Educators Association (MMEA) Conference.

Selection for the MMEA's annual conference is the vocal music equivalent of winning a state title, according to choir Director Dustin McKinney. The conference will be held Jan. 28-Feb. 1 at the Tan-Tar-A Conference Center.

"It's the highest honor a music ensemble can receive in the state of Missouri," Mr. McKinney said. "It's such a huge honor and it's a testament to the hard work of students and quality K-12 music education in Kearney School District."

The audition process includes submitting recordings of the ensemble to be blindly adjudicated by an out-of-state panel of music professionals. This is the first time since 2019 and the fifth time ever that an ensemble from the KHS choir program has been invited to perform at the conference. The KHS band has been invited three times.