Community Covenant Church Hosts Bed Build

The Kearney Community Covenant Church is asking Kearney residents to help with a “Sleep in Heavenly Peace” bed build this fall.

The bed build idea was started in Kimberly, ID, with the idea to provide handmade beds to children who don’t have beds of their own. This build is for kids in the Platte and Clay County area.

Volunteers from the Kansas City North Chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace will build, deliver, and set up a minimum of 80 beds complete with bedding and a stuffed toy for area children.

To accomplish this build, volunteers need at least $20,000. The Kearney Covenant Church is accepting donations in any amount for this event. Residents can send money to Community Covenant Church P.O. Box 318, Kearney, MO 64060. People can also donate online at KearneyCovenant.com/giving.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Updike Receives Citizen of the Year Award

The Kearney Chamber of Commerce presented five prestigious awards at its fourth annual Harvest Gala on Thursday, September 26. The Citizen of the Year Bob Tate Memorial award was presented to Lyle Updike of Updike BBQ.

Matthew Hoyt, Lyle Updike, Jason Hoyt, Shawn Barber

Members of the Kearney area business community came dressed in their best Cuban attire to the Chamber’s “Hot Havana Nights” themed gala event at the Tobacco Barn Farm. The event celebrated area businesses with food, entertainment, and Business Excellence Awards.

The first award presented was the Rising Star award. This award recognizes a new business or a business that reignited, rebranded, or reinvented itself over the last year. The winner of the Rising Star Award was T7 Custom Sports & T7 Lets Play.

The next award was the Chamber Dedication award. This award celebrates a person, business, or organization who has exhibited dedication to the Chamber through service, support, and/or tenure of membership. The Chamber Dedication award went to Shawn Barber of Conrad's Kitchen and Patio.

The third award was the Biggest Community Impact award. This honor recognizes a person, business or organization that has had the biggest impact on our community in the last year. The winner of this award was Jason Hoyt and Kearney Trust Company.

The next award was the Business of the Year award. The Business of the Year award was introduced by the Ambassador Committee. Business of the Year nominees are former Business of the Month recipients, who are nominated by that committee. This honor went to Farm Fresh Meats.

Kristen Atwell, Lyle Updike, Stacie Bratcher

The final award of the evening was the Citizen of the Year award. This award is given to recognize an outstanding member of the chamber community who, through their personal involvement, leadership abilities, and selfless giving of their time and talent, has positively affected Kearney and the lives of its citizens. The Citizen of the Year Award honors those who’s contributions to Kearney have been both a recent effort resulting in a substantial benefit to the community, and a steady, reliable long-term history of service to Kearney. This award was presented to Lyle Updike of Updike BBQ.

"Lyle does a phenomenal job of recognizing those who deserve it most – our military, veterans and first responders,” reads a Chamber of Commerce announcement. “He volunteers his time and talent to serve those who deserve it most, not just in Kearney, but all around the northland."

Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Kearney Asks for Help with Transportation Comments

The City of Kearney is asking residents for assistance with three transportation grants through the Mid America Regional Council. Comments through MARC’s grant portal will help Kearney’s rankings for grant awards for infrastructure projects.

Kearney is competing with other cities the Kansas City metro area for federal grant dollars that will fund over 150 transportation projects. The city has applied for grants to fund three city projects: the 19th St. Complete Street Project, the Kearney Pathways Project, and the Nation Rd. Complete Street Project.

“Your comments will positively affect the rankings of Kearney’s applications, and we need your support,” reads the city’s social media post. “It only takes a few minutes to increase Kearney’s chances of being selected for grants for these projects.”

MARC is now seeking public comments on those applications. To read the project details and make comments on each project visit gis2.marc2.org/suballocated/publiccomment.html. Comments are accepted until October 4.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Bulldogs 5-0 in Homecoming Win over NKC

For the second consecutive week, the Kearney Bulldogs roughed up a Class 6 opponent with unmistakably dominant play at the line of scrimmage – offensive and defensive.

Kearney senior running back Tristan Williams and junior running back Corbin Emmons both scored two rushing touchdowns before halftime. Kicker Jacob Dillon connected on the point-after kicks following three of those touchdowns and ran for a 2-point conversion on the other, taking the Bulldogs to halftime with a 29-0 lead. 

Kearney’s opening possession in the second half was an 84-yard kickoff return for touchdown by senior Grant Noland.

Kearney’s opening possession in the second half was an 84-yard kickoff return for touchdown by senior Grant Noland. North Kansas City hadn’t touched the football, and Kearney’s third quarter advantage loomed large for the Hornets at 36-0.

Junior quarterback Brad Doll stepped in for the starter, Carter Temple in the fourth quarter and scored on a 3-yard keeper to effectively ice the game at 43-0 following the Jacob Dillon PAT.

Late in the fourth quarter, North Kansas City junior quarterback Stephen Thomas broke a tackle on a sweep to the left and ran 80 yards untouched to the end zone for the Hornets’ only score. A missed 2-point conversion left the final score at 43-6.

“We’re getting better every week I think that's pretty evident,” said Bulldog head coach Logan Minnick. “We thought we could win the line of scrimmage this week which was going to be huge in this game with (North Kansas City) wanting to run the ball and us being able to keep it away from them at times.”

Kearney’s defense continues to play fast and physical, pressuring opposing quarterbacks, stopping the run, and neutralizing the passing game in the secondary. Senior Linebacker Theo Grace had 12 tackles, Grant Noland had six and sophomore defensive back Aidan Arellano finished with 4.

Kearney had 56 total plays to the Hornets’ 29, and Kearney had 23 first downs to North Kansas City’s 4.

“I'm so proud of how our kids came out and executed a game plan almost to perfection on a week which I call distraction week and others call homecoming week,” added Minnick. “I’m so excited for our fans, our community; what an awesome day today. It’s the biggest parade I think I've seen here in a long time.”

The 5-0 Kearney Bulldogs are on the road next week. They’ll play at Grain Valley on Friday, October 5. Kickoff is at 7:00 PM.

Mike Davis contributed to this story.

Go 'Into the Woods' with Bulldog Theatre

The Kearney High School Theatre program will explore the potential pitfalls of pursuing your wishes during its upcoming fall production of the hit Broadway musical, "In the Woods."

The curtain will rise at 7 p.m. on Nov. 6-7 and Nov. 9-10 in the recently refurbished Kearney High School Auditorium for the "Into the Woods" production. There will also be 2 p.m. matinees on Saturday, Nov. 9, and Sunday, Nov. 10.

Visit the Kearney High School Theatre online box office at www.our.show/into-the-woods to purchase tickets today. Tickets can also be purchased at the door.

"Into the Woods" was composed and written by Stephen Sondheim in 1986. It retells and remixes traditional folk tales as the characters face challenges while pursuing their wishes.

This production is another great opportunity for the entire Bulldog community to be entertained by the talented actors, musicians and tech crew members in Kearney School District. The musical is being led by KHS Theatre Director Haley Kernes and Music Director Dustin McKinney.

The production team is excited to put on a show that will be fun for your entire family, according to Ms. Kernes.

"Our high school and junior high students have been working very hard this past month in rehearsals," Kernes said. "I am super happy with our progress, and I know the students cannot wait to share this production with the community!"

Ray Weikal contributed to this story.