Chiropractor Celebrates Military, First Responders

The Kearney Family Chiropractic Center is hosting its 9th Annual 9/11 Memorial lunch to recognize and thank military personnel and first responders for their public service.

“Let us honor you for your tremendous effort in keeping our community safe,” said Chiropractic Center owner Dr. Mark Strathman.

Mike Davis Talks with Dr. Mark Strathman at his 911 Celebration

This free celebration lunch will take place on Wednesday, September 11, from 11 am to 1:30 pm at the Kearney Family Chiropractic Center parking lot. All active military personnel and veterans, as well as first responders including police officers, firefighters, and EMS staff, are invited to attend.

The event is sponsored by Kearney Family Chiropractic Center, Tracy Tucker State Farm, Stella Spiking State Farm, 102.7FM KPGZ, Hometown Pediatric Dentistry, Bennett Eyecare, Summit Media Solutions, Amy’s Healing Hands, and Updike BBQ. Lyle Updike will be preparing the food for the event.

Kearney Family Chiropractic Center is located at 301 South Platte Clay Way, Suite B in Kearney. For more information you can call the Chiropractic Center at 816-628-6738.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.

MSHP Releases Labor Day Holiday Statistics

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports that seven people died in traffic crashes, two people died in a boating crash, and one person drowned during the 2024 Labor Day holiday weekend.

The Highway Patrol also reports there were 233 traffic crashes with 115 injuries over the holiday weekend. Troopers also made 108 DWI arrests and five drug arrests.

On Missouri waterways troopers also worked three boating crashes with eight injuries and two fatalities. Troopers also worked eight BWI arrests and one drowning.

The 2024 counting period for the Labor Day holiday was from 6 p.m., Friday, August 30, through 11:59 p.m., Monday, September 2.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Teen Charged After Shooting into Homes

18-year-old Connor Landie of Riverside is in the Clay County Detention Center after allegedly shooting into two Kearney homes on Monday.

Kearney police officers arrested after Landie became a person of interest in the investigation of shots fired in the 1200 block of Geneva Circle.

Officers were initially called to the homes just after 9 am on Monday, September 2 on a report of property damage. Police discovered the homes had been hit multiple times.

Police reports were submitted to the Clay County Prosecutor’s Office and Landie was charged with unlawful use of a weapon by firing into an occupied dwelling, a Class B felony.

Landie was taken into custody without incident on Tuesday, September 3, and is currently being held in the Clay County Detention Center on a $100,000 bond.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Jesse James Festival Returns for 53rd Year

Next week, the annual Jesse James Festival returns to Kearney with new events and familiar favorites. This is the 53rd year for Kearney’s biggest event.

The two-weekend festival has several events and activities that every family member will enjoy. The festival begins Friday evening, September 13, when the carnival opens at Jesse James Park in Kearney.

On Saturday, September 14, activities include the Bill James 5k/10k Classic Run at 8 am and the Demolition Derby & Power Wheels event beginning at 7 pm.

On Thursday, September 20, the carnival opens again at the park. Carnival hours are 6 – 10 pm and entrance armbands are $25.

Friday brings in the main festival and has biggest events and activities including the thirty-sixth annual Jesse James Barbeque Cook-Out, free festival dance, and catfish tournament.

On Saturday, the annual Jesse James Festival Parade is the big event of the day. The parade begins at 10 am in downtown Kearney. Other events of the day include the carnival, rodeo, vendors, disc golf, axe throwing, petting zoo, large kite show, and more at Jesse James Park.

On Sunday the festival is open all day with the carnival, vendors, car and motorcycle shows, and more. For more information about the Jesse James Festival and a schedule of events go to jessejamesfestival.com.

Kearney is the birthplace and boyhood home of Jesse James, as well as his final resting place. The city hosts this festival that brings a large collection of people from all walks of life together. Each year, during the 3rd weekend of September, the festival is in full swing at the Jesse James Park, just north of Kearney on Highway 33.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Bulldogs Shine in GKC Softball Tournament

The Kearney Bulldogs softball team traveled to Adair Field in Independence, MO, to play in the Greater Kansas City Suburban Softball Invitational on Friday and Saturday, August 30 and 31. The players’ bats were hungry as the Bulldogs took four of five games in the tournament.

Game one was against the Grain Valley Eagles and was the Bulldogs’ only loss of the tournament. Alyssa Quick pitched at the start of the game, giving up two runs on two hits. Kate Landewee relieved Quick in the third inning and gave up an additional run but struck out five and walked one. Ryleigh Van Emmerik and Kennedi Casey each collected one hit for Kearney, but the Eagles shut out the Bulldogs, 3-0.

Photo by Vanessa Lincoln

Game two was played against the Odessa Bulldogs. Kearney started strong in the first inning after Kennedi Casey singled, scoring one run. They added to their early lead in the top of the third inning with Jocelyn Lincoln scoring a run. Odessa took the lead, 4-3, in the bottom of the third, but Ryleigh Van Emmerik singled, which helped Kearney Varsity Bulldogs tie the game in the fourth, and Casey singled, and Brooke Paalhar doubled, each scoring one run. Reghan Lueken earned the 6-4 win for Kearney.

Van Emmerik, Macy Morrow, and Casey each racked up two hits for Kearney Varsity Bulldogs. Casey went 2-for-2 at the plate and led the team with two runs batted in.

Photo by Vanessa Lincoln

The Bulldogs came away victorious in Game 3 against the Pleasant Hill Chicks 8-4. Brooke Paalhar singled, scoring one run, Kate Stumpenhaus singled, scoring one run, Jocelyn Lincoln homered to right field, scoring three runs, and Reese Narron grounded out, scoring one run, all in the first inning. In the second inning Brooke homered to center field, scoring two runs.

The Bulldogs accumulated 11 hits in the game. Ryleigh Van Emmerik, Lincoln, Paalhar, and Kennedi Casey each collected two hits for Kearney Varsity Bulldogs. Lincoln and Paalhar each drove in three runs.

Kearney earns a walk-off victory over the Platte County Pirates in Game 4 by a score of 7-5. The Bulldogs were down 5-4 in the bottom of the fifth inning when Jocelyn Lincoln homered to center field, scoring three runs. Lincoln drove in six runners in the win.

Kearney piled up 10 hits in the game. Lincoln and Paalhar each collected three hits for Kearney and Landewee collected two hits in two at bats.

The Bulldogs came away with another walk off win in Game 5 against the Lee’s Summit West Titans, 5-4. Kearney tied the game at three in the bottom of the fifth when Brooke Paalhar doubled. A walk in the top of the seventh gave the Titans the lead but Kennedi Casey singled, and Stumpenhaus hit into a fielder's choice, each scoring one run in the bottom of the seventh to win the game.

Kearney will travel to Blue Springs for their next game on Wednesday.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.