Bring in the New Year Safely

The Missouri State Highway Patrol wishes everyone a happy and safe New Year. One way for it to be happy is for everyone to arrive at their celebrations safely. Wear your seat belt, obey all traffic laws, pay attention, and please, don’t drive impaired. Remember: Missouri is now a hands-free state.

During the 2023 - 2024 New Year’s period, nine people were killed and 293 injured in 821 traffic crashes in Missouri. The 2024 - 2025 New Year’s holiday counting period begins at 6 p.m. Tuesday, December 31, 2024, and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, January 1, 2025.

If your plans to welcome the new year include alcohol, please designate a sober driver or utilize a ride share service or taxi to ensure you arrive home safely. The roadway is no place for a driver under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If you kill or injure someone, you’ll pay the price for the rest of your life.

If you plan to travel this New Year’s, remember to buckle up and make sure all your passengers do the same. Remember: Missouri is now a hands-free state. Pay attention, obey all traffic laws, and when in doubt, yield the right-of-way.

Drivers can download the MoDOT Traveler Information app to your smart phone, and check road conditions before you travel. Missouri law states if you’re using your windshield wipers, your headlights must be turned on.

The public is encouraged to call the Patrol's Emergency Assistance Number (800) 525-5555 or *55 on a cellular phone if they witness criminal activity or experience an emergency. These emergency numbers are operational for both highway and water emergencies.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Missouri Crashes and Injuries Down over Christmas

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports that preliminary statistics related to Christmas holiday traffic incidences decreased this year.

The Highway Patrol reports that three people died in traffic crashes during the 30-hour counting period, which began at 6 pm, Tuesday, December 24, and ended at 11:59 pm, Wednesday, December 25. Troopers investigated 65 traffic crashes with 38 injuries this year. They also arrested 17 people for DWI.

During the 2023 Christmas holiday, troopers investigated 124 traffic crashes which included 2 fatalities and 71 injuries. Troopers arrested 81 people for driving while impaired during the 2023 counting period.

Statewide, there were 1,034 traffic crashes last year. In those crashes, three people were killed and another 346 were injured.

There were no boating crashes or drownings over the 2024 Christmas holiday counting period.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Santa Tracked by NORAD Christmas Eve

For 364 days of the year, kids can be sure that Santa Claus is at the North Pole. But for one day, Christmas Eve, Santa is on a world tour in his sleigh. Thanks to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), parents and kids can track Santa’s progress around the globe as he delivers presents to all the good boys and girls.

NORAD is ready to track Santa on Dec. 24, for the program’s 68th year. NORAD monitors and defends North American airspace 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. On Dec. 24, NORAD has one additional mission: tracking Santa Claus as he makes his way across the globe, delivering presents to children.

The NORAD Tracks Santa website, NoradSanta.org, launched on Dec. 1. It features Santa’s North Pole Village, which includes a holiday countdown, games, movie theater, holiday music, web store, and more.

The official NORAD Tracks Santa app is also in the Apple App and Google Play stores, to count down the days until Santa’s journey on mobile devices. NORAD Tracks Santa will also be available on digital media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X, and on contributor platforms, Amazon Alexa, Bing, SiriusXM, and OnStar.

On Dec. 24, trackers worldwide can call 1-877-HI-NORAD to ask live operators about Santa’s location from 6 a.m. to midnight MST. Also on Dec. 24, website visitors will see Santa’s flight beginning at 3 am.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Bulldogs Rack Up Post-Season Football Honors

Even weeks after their final snap of the 2024 season, Kearney High School’s Football players continue to earn accolades.

The Bulldogs have accumulated an impressive array of honors at every level following their phenomenal 12-1 season. Starting with the most prominent, seven KHS Football players were recently selected for the All-State Class 4 First Team by the Missouri Football Coaches Association:

• OL Tyrus Smith

• OL Joe Schranz

• DL Isaac Beaver

• DL Mason Beaver

• LB Theo Grace

• DB Grant Noland

• K Jacob Dillon

DISTRICT HONORS

First Team All-District:

• OL Tyrus Smith

• OL Joe Schranz

• DL Isaac Beaver

• DL Mason Beaver

• LB Theo Grace

• DB Grant Noland

• K Jacob Dillon

Second Team All-District:

• QB Carter Temple

• RB Corbin Emmons

• WR Trent Dostal

• OL Ace Biddix

• LB Aiden Arellano

CONFERENCE HONORS

Conference Defensive Player of the Year:

• Theo Grace

Conference Offensive Player of the Year:

• Grant Noland

First Team All-Conference:

• QB Carter Temple

• RB Corbin Emmons

• OL Joe Schranz

• OL Tyrus Smith

• TE Drew Nelson

• WR Trent Dostal

• ATH Grant Noland

• DL Isaac Beaver

• DL Mason Beaver

• DL Clayton Cowan

• LB Theo Grace

• LB Aiden Arellano

• DB Grant Noland

• DB Trent Dostal

• K Jacob Dillon

Second Team All-Conference:

• RB Tristan Williams

• OL Ace Biddix

• OL Kalan Bomar

Honorable Mention All-Conference:

• OL Nyk Belabre

• WR Hudson Best

• WR Tre Smith

• LB Jacob Dillon

• DB Trent Fritz

KPGZ News –Kearney School District Release

Travel Safely This Christmas Season

The Missouri State Highway Patrol wishes everyone a merry and safe Christmas. One way for it to be merry is for everyone to arrive at their holiday celebrations safely. Wear your seat belt, obey all traffic laws, pay attention, and please, don’t drive impaired. Remember: Missouri is now a hands-free state.

Over the 2023 Christmas holiday, there were 1,034 traffic crashes statewide. In those crashes, three people were killed and another 346 were injured. Last year, the 78-hour counting period began at 6 p.m. Friday, December 22, 2023, and ended at 11:59 p.m. Monday, December 25, 2023. The 2024 counting period begins at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, December 24, and ends at 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, December 25, 2024.

Travelers are reminded that holiday drivers will affect traffic patterns. If you’re planning a trip during the holiday, please keep this in mind. Drivers are encouraged to make sure they are well rested, no matter how short their driving distance. Check the weather forecast and plan accordingly.

Downloading the MoDOT Traveler Information app to your smart phone allows you to check road conditions before you travel. Be proactive: Make sure your vehicle is in good condition and allow enough time to reach your destination safely. Winterize your vehicle before bad weather arrives, but realize that sometimes, it’s safest to stay home.

If faced with a traffic emergency, motorists can contact the Missouri State Highway Patrol at 1-800-525-5555 or *55 on a cellular phone. This emergency number will ring into the nearest Highway Patrol headquarters. Motorists should use this number if they are in a traffic crash, witness a crash or crime, or pass a stranded motorist in need of assistance, etc.

Troopers encourage motorists to protect themselves from all types of hazardous drivers by making sure everyone in the vehicle is properly restrained in a seat belt or child restraint. Please obey all traffic laws, and if alcohol is part of your holiday, designate a sober driver. Every driver can help make our roadways safer this holiday season.

KPGZ News –Missouri State Highway Patrol Release