Election Candidates, Fire District Questions Decided

Voters went to the polls on Tuesday, August 2, to choose who would run for open positions in the November General Election and if Kearney Fire District residents would fund a new fire station location, new equipment and personnel. Here are the unofficial results of how Clay County residents voted from the Clay County Board of Elections:

- Republican for U.S. Senate: Josh Hawley – 19,220 votes

- Democrat for U.S. Senate: Lucas Kunce – 11,792 votes

- Republican for Governor: Mike Kehoe – 8036 votes

- Democrat for Governor: Crystal Quade – 8245 votes

- Republican for Lieutenant Governor: Dave Wasinger – 6190 votes

- Democrat for Lieutenant Governor: Richard Brown – 9793 votes

- Republican for Secretary of State: Denny Hoskins – 4826 votes

- Democrat for Secretary of State: Barbara Phifer – 6032 votes

- Republican for State Treasurer: Vivek Malek – 9719 votes

- Democrat for State Treasurer: Mark Osmack – 15,364 votes

- Republican for Attorney General: Andrew Bailey – 12,422 votes

- Democrat for Attorney General: Elad Jonathan Gross – 15,388 votes

- Republican for U.S. Representative District 6: Sam Graves – 9462 votes

- Democrat for U.S. Representative District 6: Pam May – 4755 votes

- Republican for State Senate District 21: Doug Richey – 5406 votes

- Democrat for State Senate District 21: Jim Bates – 4464 votes

- Republican for State Representative District 8: Josh Hurlbert – 2854 votes

- Democrat for State Representative District 8: Sandy Van Wagner – 1254 votes

Artist rendering of new fire station

Kearney Fire District Question 1 and 2

Residents of the Kearney Fire District voted on Question 1 and Question 2 on the August ballot. Question 1 asked for an extension of the current bond that passed in 2010.

Funding from the no tax increase bond extension will provide funds for capital expenditures which include building a second station on the west side of I-35, immediate purchase of a new pumper for the new station, immediate replacement of a 2001 pumper, purchase a third ambulance in 2027, and replace the 2013 aerial in 2028.

Question 2 asks for a half-cent sales tax increase. Funding from the sales tax will be used for funding new staff positions at the second station, funding the increased operating costs of the second station including utilities, personal protective gear, and building maintenance, funding other equipment replacement projects including heart monitors, radios, self-contained breathing apparatus, and vehicle extraction tools, and reduce the need for future property tax increases.

Both questions needed to be approved to move the project forward.

Question 1

[X] Yes – 3316 votes

No – 1021 votes

Question 2

[X] Yes – 2875 votes

No – 1368 votes

Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Search Warrant yields Large Amount of Explosives

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office Drug Task Force received several tips that led it to a large amount of illegal explosives and drugs at a Northland Kansas City house.

The STAR (Special Tactics and Response) Team recieved several tips and was able to serve a search warrant Friday morning.The team arrested three people in the 6500 block of North Hickory Street, Kansas City, Mo., shortly after 7 am, on August 2. A search of the home turned up:

  *   107 pounds of explosive powder

  *   Two pipe bombs

  *   15 grenades

  *   20 grams of fentanyl paste

  *   15 grams of meth

  *   Psychedelic mushrooms

  *   Seven guns, including an Uzi

  *   A large amount of ammunition.

Tammie L. Bindel Cole, Cory D. Young, Erika Lahr

An elementary school-aged child also was in the home. The child is now staying with relatives.

Cory D. Young, 46, is charged with delivery of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of a firearm and child endangerment. He is being held on a bond of $350,000 cash only.

Erika Lahr, 32, is charged with distribution of a controlled substance, unlawful use of a firearm and child endangerment. She is being held on a bond of $250,000 cash only.

Tammie L. Bindel Cole, 52, is charged with possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of a firearm. She is being held on a bond of $150,000 cash only.

Additional federal charges could be forthcoming related to the explosives and weapons.

This was a joint investigation by the Clay County Drug Task Force and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. The Kansas City Missouri Police Department’s Bomb Squad assisted with the removal and processing of the explosives. The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is assisting with the investigation.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Parson Announces Historic Fifth Tax Cut

During the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce's annual State of the State on Tuesday, July 30, Governor Mike Parson announced that Missouri's robust economy and continued revenue strength has triggered an additional income tax cut under Senate Bills (SB) 3 & 5, approved by Governor Parson in 2022. This income tax cut lowers Missouri's top income tax rate to 4.7 percent and marks a more than 20 percent decrease in Missourians' income tax burdens during the Parson Administration.

"As a lifelong conservative, I'm exceptionally proud to announce the fifth income tax cut of our administration," Governor Parson said. "We know there is a lot of noise and nonsense from candidates running for political office wanting Missourians to ignore our wins an focus on their fears, but the reality is Missouri's economy is strong. This year alone, we've nearly added 70,000 jobs to our economy, rank first in the nation for job growth, and businesses continue to grow and invest in our communities at a record pace. The simple fact remains: Missouri is on a solid foundation and Missourians are reaping the rewards by keeping more of their hard-earned money in their pockets, and we offer a special thanks to Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe, Senator Lincoln Hough, and all legislators in support for helping deliver these historic tax cuts to all Missourians."

Even before this income tax cut, Missouri was ranked 11th for the lowest tax burden in the nation, including both state and local taxes, by U.S. News.

“Throughout his time in office, Governor Parson has been consistent in cutting the state’s income tax, this being the fifth cut over the last six years,” Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe said. “I was pleased to support the legislation enabling these tax cuts and am glad to see another cut triggered. This ensures Missourians’ hard-earned dollars remain where they belong – in their own pockets, where they can spend it far better and more wisely than the government. As a state, we must continue to work together to encourage economic growth by ensuring Missourians can spend more of their own money in the state’s economy.”

SBs 3 & 5, passed by the General Assembly and signed by Governor Parson after his special session call in 2022, included additional 0.1 percentage point income tax cut triggers when general revenue increased by $200 million, adjusted for inflation, in a given fiscal year (FY). Net general revenue collections grew by $322.6 million from FY23 to FY24. As a result, Missouri's top income tax rate will be cut from 4.8 percent to 4.7 percent, effective January 1, 2025.

This action marks the fifth income tax cut Governor Parson has implemented during his time in office and a 1.2 percentage point total reduction: 0.5 in 2019, 0.1 in 2022, 0.35 in 2023, 0.15 in 2024, and 0.1 in 2025.

Missourians income tax burdens have now been reduced by more than 20 percent since Governor Parson took office. This was achieved at the same time Missouri's economy earned record wins during the Parson Administration:

• 1st in the nation for job growth in 2024.

• More than 175,000 jobs added to Missouri's economy (since June 2018).

  • Outpacing all neighboring states in manufacturing job growth.

• Lowest unemployment rate ever recorded at 2.1 percent (April 2022).

• Six consecutive years of Missouri's unemployment rate below the national average.

• 61 months of positive job growth – despite a global pandemic.

• $1.9 billion left on the bottom line thanks to conservative and balanced budgets year after year.

• AAA credit rating maintained all six years.

• 40 percent general revenue growth driven by sales tax collections (i.e. Missourians spending their own money).

“This is good news for hard-working Missouri families, and proves our historic tax cut legislation is working exactly as we knew it would," Senator Lincoln Hough said. "More money in Missourians' pockets means more money in the economy and in turn more state revenue, and thanks to our efforts, that revenue is leading to more tax cuts. Every day, I’ll fight for Missourians to keep more of their hard-earned money.”

Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Kearney Fire’s first EMS Tech Institution Established

The Kearney Fire and Rescue Protection District (KFRPD) has worked with the University of Missouri Extension to establish its first EMS program.

The two agencies established the first Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) program and it’s being provided by the EMS Education Institute in the state of Missouri.

“The establishment of this AEMT program is a testament to our commitment to enhancing the quality of emergency medical services in our community and beyond,” reads the announcement on KFRPD’s Facebook page. “The partnership aims to address the growing need for highly trained emergency medical professionals capable of providing advanced life-saving techniques.”

Six KFRPD students will graduate from the course in a few weeks the course will conclude. The students will undergo rigorous training and education which prepares them to deliver advanced levels of care in emergency medical situations.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Deputies Respond to Teen Homicide

*** UPDATE ***

The victim in this case is 17-year-old Therrell K. “TJ” Jackson of Kansas City, Mo.

***

The Clay County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a shots fired call in Avondale on Tuesday, July 30. The call turned an investigation in the death of a teenager in an apparent drive-by shooting.

The Sheriff’s Office reports that multiple 911 calls started coming in at 9 pm about the sound of shots fired in the area.

“Shortly thereafter, a caller reported someone had been shot in the 3200 block of N.E. Excelsior Street in Avondale, Clay County Public Relations Manager Sarah Boyd told KPGZ News. “The victim, a male juvenile in his teens, was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.”

Clay County investigators are interviewing witnesses and gathering evidence and the Kansas City Police Crime Scene Investigation Unit is helping process the scene. Initially, it appears a drive-by shooting took place.

Investigators have identified a suspect vehicle, a dark blue or black 1996-98 Chevy Silverado 4x4 Z71 with one of its headlights out.

This is an ongoing investigation, and more details will be shared as they become available. If anyone recognizes the suspect vehicle or has any information that can help solve this case, please contact the Crime Stoppers TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).

Brian Watts contributed to this story.