Light up Jesse James Park this Christmas

It’s time to light up Jesse James Park for Christmas. Individuals, families, businesses, and other groups are encouraged to decorate a tree in the park for Christmas.

The City of Kearney will have electricity available along the trail for people to decorate trees. People and organizations are responsible for lights, extension cords, decorations, and creativity.

There is no reservation system for the event. People may pick out their tree and begin decorating it after Thanksgiving. The city would like the people or organizations to put a sign near the tree so viewers will know who decorated it. The city will turn on the electricity after Thanksgiving.

Tree decorators are asked to take down decorations promptly after January 1st. Decorations left up after January 12 will be discarded.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Junior High Bulldogs Honor Veterans

Kearney Junior High students and staff recognized and celebrated those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces during a special Veterans Day breakfast and assembly this morning.

Dozens of veterans who are also junior high parents/guardians or other family members were guests of students and staff members at the breakfast, which was held in the school library. This was the first Veterans Day event of its type at the school in recent memory, according to Principal John Goodin.

Junior high social studies teacher Alan King delivered a keynote address about his 22-year career in the Marines.

“We wanted to do something special for all of our veterans and their families. That’s important for all of us at Kearney Junior High,” Mr. Goodin said. “We also saw this as an opportunity for our students to learn more about these veterans and their selfless service.”

Immediately following the breakfast, the veterans and their families were ushered into the school gym for a special assembly with the entire student body and staff. The program started with a ninth-grade band performance of the song, “Salute to the Armed Forces,” the Presentation of the Colors by members of Boy Scout Troop #397, and a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem by the school Chamber Choir.

Several students recited names as part of the Missing Man table presentation. Junior high teacher Daniel Roberts read a list recognizing the veterans who were guests at the event.

Junior high social studies teacher Alan King delivered a keynote address about his 22-year career in the Marines, which included deployment to Iraq and service in the Defense Intelligence Agency. He talked about why it’s important to honor veterans and encouraged all students to consider public service in the military as a career option.

Ray Weikal contributed to this story.

Bulldogs Overpower Van Horn 49-7

Kearney scored three touchdowns in the first half and four touchdowns in the second half in the Missouri Class 4 District 8 semifinal game. For the seventh time this season, the Bulldog defense held their opponent to one score or less.

Despite their 21-0 lead, the first half of play was uninspiring for the 10-0, defending state champion, Kearney Bulldogs.

Uncharacteristic mistakes, penalties and missed opportunities prompted Head Coach Logan Minnick to call an early timeout and refocus his team on the sideline. “At least offensively, it felt like we extended the bye week into the second quarter,” said Minnick.

“I don’t think we were mentally locked in,” said junior quarterback Brad Doll. “I don’t think everyone was taking (Van Horn) seriously and that’s a great football team over there.”

Emmons had 98 yards rushing for 3 touchdowns on Friday against Van Horn. Photo by Eric Stevens.

Within minutes from the start of the contest, Corbin Emmons scored on a 1-yard touchdown carry. Grant Noland darted 28 yards at the 5:07 mark giving the Bulldogs a 14-point lead. Jacob Dillon was 2-for-2 on the point-after kicks.

With less than a minute to go in the second quarter, Brad Doll tossed a 40-yard touchdown pass to Trent Dostal on a third-and-12 play. Jacob Dillon’s PAT gave the Bulldogs a 21-0 halftime advantage.

“We told our kids – loudly – at times, we didn’t feel like we played our best half,” said Minnick. “We (the first team varsity) hadn’t played into a second half in almost a month. We knocked off a little rust there. We have several things we can clean up. There’s plenty to fix. At this point of the season, you can’t have a bad half. But we’ll take all the bad ‘21-to zero’ halves we can get,” Minnick added.

Sophomore cornerback Aiden Arellano intercepted a pass in the end zone, derailing a sustained Van Horn offensive drive in the opening minutes of the third quarter. The Bulldogs’ offensive line and running game went into high gear on a 21-yard touchdown run by sophomore Kale Tucking. Three minutes later, Corbin Emmons scored on a 1-yard carry, giving Kearney a 42-0 third quarter lead. Dillon and Angelo Donze were on target with the point-after kicks.

Early in the fourth quarter, Van Horn sophomore running back Edarrius Scruggs sliced through the Kearney second-team defense 60 yards for the Falcons’ only score. Kearney Bulldog senior all-purpose player, Grant Noland topped off the victory with a 48-yard rushing touchdown. Donze’s point after kick was good for the 49-7 win.

“Van Horn has beaten seven other teams. They’ve got some really good players over there; they’re well coached,” said Minnick. “Give them some credit too for their game plan. We made some really good second-half adjustments. We came out and said, ‘we’re going to be the most physical football team out here,’ and I think that showed in the second half.”

The Bulldogs host Savannah for the district title next Friday, November 15. KPGZ 102.7FM will provide the live, play-by-play broadcast. Pregame starts at 6:40.

Mike Davis contributed to this story.

Family Foundation Needs People to Adopt Families

Adopting a family for Christmas is a very popular way to help less fortunate people during the holidays. The Kearney Family Foundation has families in the Kearney School District who need your help this year.

Adopting a family through the Kearney Family Foundation brings joy and relief to those who are struggling in our community. Last year, the Foundation was able to provide Christmas gifts to 107 families.

The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation founded in November 2003 as a community volunteer organization dedicated to assisting the children and families in the Kearney/Holt area. Every penny donated – 100 percent of all donations – goes directly to those children and families that the foundation helps.

To help others through the Adopt-A-Family program this year and provide gifts and clothing, please sign-up on the Kearney Family Foundation website at kearneyfamilyfoundation.org/how-to-help2. Scroll down to and complete the “Interested in Adopting a Family or Individual?” form. Please include your budget so that the Foundation can pair you with a family size that will meet your resources.

Gifts should be dropped off on November 30 (8 am - 2 pm) or December 2 (4 pm - 8 pm). All family adoption items can be dropped off at 351 W Washington St, Kearney.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Runners Earn State Invites at District

The Kearney High School Girls Cross Country team took second and the Boys team earned fifth at the 2024 District Championship meet on Saturday, Nov. 2 at Jesse James Park in Kearney.

Cross Country combines four Boys districts and four Girls districts to compete at a super district. The top four teams advance to the state meet. The top 30 in each race earn All-District honors.

The Bulldogs’ Girls and Boys teams both qualified for invitations to the state meet. Cross Country is marking its 50th anniversary this season at KHS. This is the school’s 29th Girls team to run at state and 20th Boys team.

Girls Team Results:

3rd Daisy Burnam 20:09

17th Olivia Brock 21:46

19th Alex Kinstler 21:49

20th Drew Gustafson 21:59

31st Abbi McQuillen 22:31

37th Jordin Vaughn 22:48

43rd Josie Masters 23:32

Boys Team Results:

7th Cameron Fowler 16:47

12th Isaac Smith 17:12

22nd Rylee Johnson 17:37

25th Alex Gustafson 17:38

30th Cameron Daniel 17:51

39th Carter Smith 18:27

55th Luke Vanderstel 19:41

The Bulldog community will help celebrate the 50th anniversary of the KHS Cross Country program during the Kearney School District Education Foundation’s annual Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 28.

Ray Weikal contributed to this story.