Man Threatens Deputies with 85,000-Pound Crane

A Kearney business owner was arrested for threatening deputies with a crane on Thursday, January 16th. Clay County deputies were originally at the business at 6 am to seize business assets.

Deputies were executing a court order at LPG Ventures, a storage, tanking, and equipment company located at 971 N Jefferson St in Kearney. Seven levy orders were issued by the Clay County Circuit Court for all businesses under the LPG company, owned by August J. Baanders and his wife.

Seized assets in the case were to be sold to pay an $800,000 judgement. Evidence, including footprints in the snow, showed the Baanders, 64 of Kansas City, parked a distance away and snuck onto the property. Baanders threatened deputies by driving an 85,000-pound crane at them and their patrol cars, coming within about 6 inches of flattening a patrol vehicle.

Baanders was climbing down the ladder, then, changing his mind, stayed on the crane, refusing to come down. Deputies had to go up and pull him off the ladder to finally arrest him. No injuries were reported.

The sheriff’s office reports Baanders is charged with interference with a legal process. He is being held on a $2,500 bond on top of the $800,000 that he owes. Baanders is currently in the Clay County detention center with more charges likely to come.

KPGZ News - Blake Magnusson contributed to this story.

Enrichment Council Brings Back Wine and Chocolate Tour

The Kearney Enrichment Council is partnering with Kearney businesses to bring small-production, boutique wines from around the world, with chocolates to match to Kearney. The Kearney Enrichment Council’s annual Wine & Chocolate Tour is returning on Saturday, February 8.

It's that time again to enjoy the annual Wine & Chocolate Tour. There are two options for tickets this year: General Admission gives event goers a 2025 wine glass. VIP Admission gives people a 2025 wine glass, plus an exclusive Wine and Chocolate Bag, 2 Extra Raffle Tickets, and a stainless-steel wine tumbler. Optional tickets on the trolley to travel around town in style are available.

“It's a great time to have a date night with your partner or spend time with your friends,” states the Enrichment Council’s Facebook invitation.

There are only 100 VIP tickets available. Tourists will have a punch card to take to each location. At the end of the night event, tourists turn in their card to try their luck at winning the raffle basket.

The Wine & Chocolate Tour is happening on Saturday, February 8. Registration opens at 3:30 pm, and trolleys depart at 4:30 pm. The tour begins and ends at the Old Firehouse Community Center, 106 S. Jefferson Street Kearney.

Wine and Chocolate tourists can find tickets at KearneyEnrichmentCouncil.org/wine-chocolate

KPGZ News - Blake Magnusson contributed to this story.

Mike Kehoe Sworn in as Governor of Missouri

On Monday, January 13, Mike Kehoe was sworn in as the 58th Governor of Missouri, at a ceremony at the Missouri State Capitol, marking a new chapter of leadership for the state.

Building on his distinguished record of public service, successful business career, and an unwavering commitment to Missouri’s communities, Governor Kehoe vowed to honor the state’s rich legacy while forging an ambitious path toward a brighter future. With a focus on public safety, education, economic development, and agriculture, he outlined his administration’s goal to tackle the most pressing challenges and seize the opportunities for growth.

“My life—growing up in the inner city, moving to a small town, building businesses, operating a ranch—these experiences have taught me one thing: Missourian’s are more alike than we are different,” said Governor Kehoe. "It will take each of us, working together, to secure an even safer, stronger, and more prosperous Missouri.”

For his first official act in office, Governor Mike Kehoe took decisive action to prioritize public safety by signing six executive orders and officially launching his comprehensive Safer Missouri public safety initiative.

Developed in close collaboration with law enforcement partners and representatives across all levels of law enforcement within the state, the Safer Missouri plan sets the stage for immediate and impactful action. The measures introduced today represent the first steps in a comprehensive, multi-phase plan that focuses on reducing crime, supporting law enforcement, and fostering community partnerships to achieve lasting change.

Further steps requiring General Assembly action are slated for implementation in the coming weeks, with additional details to be unveiled during Governor Kehoe’s 2025 State of the State address.

"By standing with the brave officers who protect us every day and implementing strategic, forward-thinking measures, we are working to make Missouri a safer place to live, work and raise a family," said Governor Kehoe. "In the coming weeks, months, and years, my administration will be relentless in our pursuit to make Missouri a place where it’s easier to be a cop than a criminal."

Other Executive Orders have been posted HERE.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Kearney Recreation Spring Sports Leagues Now Open

Spring sports leagues are now open at the Kearney Parks and Recreation Department. These programs emphasize safe, fun, and instructional recreation. Four leagues and one clinic are now available to the public.

Youth Recreation Baseball League

The Parks and Recreation Department offers a recreational baseball league that is open to boys ages 8-14 of all skill levels. The league will provide a jersey, hat, and end of the season medals. Players will need their own glove and helmet.

Kearney Parks and Recreation partners with Smithville Parks and Recreation and Platte City Parks and Recreation for games. The location and day of games for each division will be based on the number of teams that make up the division. Some travel to Smithville and Platte City will be involved.

Youth Recreation Softball League

Kearney Parks and Recreation also offers a recreational softball league open to girls ages 8-14 of all skill levels.

Like youth baseball, the league will provide a jersey, hat, and end of the season medals. Players will need their own glove and helmet.

Kearney also partners with Smithville and Platte City Parks and Recreation for games.

Youth Recreation T-Ball League

This recreational T-Ball league is open to children aged ages 8-14 of all skill levels. Kearney Parks and Recreation will provide a jersey, hat, and end of the season medals; parents will provide a glove and recommended helmet.

Youth Soccer League

Kearney Parks and Recreation is offering a Recreation Youth Soccer League. This league is designed to get kids familiarized and involved in soccer through fun and engaging activities and games. This league is a great way for kids to develop motor and social skills while having a blast.

To find more information, enroll kids in leagues or be a volunteer coach, go to KearneyParks.com. Scholarships available for those in need. Complete confidentiality is maintained throughout the process. Contact Ryan Marcotte at 816-903-4730 for more information.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story

Kearney Parks, Challenger Sports offer Soccer Camps

Kearney Parks and Recreation is partnering with Challenger Sports to offer Soccer Skills Camps. With coaches from all over the world, kids get international camp experience without leaving Kearney! The camp will run July 14-18 at Jesse James Park.

Tiny Tykes: Ages 2-5

This is a fun introduction to soccer influenced by the very popular year-round Tiny Tykes curriculum. Camp includes games, activities, and adventures to introduce and develop coordination, balance, running, stopping, turning, kicking, dribbling, throwing & catching. Camp also includes access to an online library of at home videos, motivating young players to continue learning after the session.

Half Day: Ages 6-14

This camp is held Monday to Friday for three hours per day, delivered by professional and international staff. Complete technical player development featuring practices from around the world is part of the international camp curriculum. Players will enjoy the World Cup small-sided game element added to the daily camp session. This camp includes access to a virtual coaching world, motivating young players to continue learning after the session.

Full Day: Ages 8-14

This camp includes personal skill development, character development, and cultural education 6 hour per day. This full day program builds on the half day experience, and has a perfect balance of those just for fun activities, larger sided games for more tactical knowledge, and individual skill elements such as freestyle. Emphasis is placed upon improving dribbling, passing, control and shooting. This camp includes access to a virtual coaching world, motivating young players to continue learning after the session.

To find more information or enroll kids in camps, go to KearneyParks.com.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story.