Girls Are Swim & Dive Conference Champs

The Kearney High School Girls Swim & Dive team earned its second-consecutive Suburban Blue Conference championship during the 2025 meet Feb. 6-8 at the Gladstone Community Center.

The girls won the meet by 80 points. They earned six event championships, swept all four top spots in the 500 freestyle, improved across the board and had numerous personal records.

“There were incredible performances throughout the three-day meet!” Head Coach Trevor Woehrman said. “If you know any of the girls on the team, please congratulate them on an incredible season.”

Conference Meet Highlights:

Diving:

• Anna Williams – CONFERENCE CHAMP

200 Medley Relay:

• Braylon Stegall, Ava Gablek, Kaylie Gerber & Eva Cox – 2nd-place finish

200 Freestyle:

• Jaycie Davis – A new Personal Record (PR) and CONFERENCE CHAMP

• Alex Kinstler – A new PR and a 2nd-place finish

• Elizabeth Demers – A new PR and a 3rd-place finish

200 IM:

• Eva Cox – 2nd-place finish

• Eden Roling – A new PR and a 4th-place finish

• Halle Wright – A new PR and a 5th-place finish

50 Freestyle:

• Olivia Burgard – A new PR and a 2nd-place finish

• Adelynn McCourt – A new PR and a 4th-place finish

• Avreigh James – A new PR

• Braylon Stegall – A new PR

100 Butterfly:

• Kaylie Gerber – CONFERENCE CHAMP

• Eva Cox – A 4th-place finish

• Brienne Bonderer – A new PR and a 5th-place finish

• Olivia Burgard – A new PR and a 6th-place finish

100 Freestyle:

• Ava Gable – A new PR and CONFERENCE CHAMP

• Adelynn McCourt – A new PR and a 2nd-place finish

• Halle Wright – A new PR

500 Freestyle:

• Eden Roling – A new PR and CONFERENCE CHAMP

• Jaycie Davis – A 2nd-place finish

• Alex Kinstler – A new PR and a 3rd-place finish

• Elizabeth Demers – A new PR and a 4th-place finish

100 Backstroke:

• Braylon Stegall – A new PR and a 3rd-place finish

• Avreigh James – A new PR and a 4th-place finish

• Emelyn Kane – A new PR

100 Breaststroke:

• Brienne Bonderer – A new PR and a 3rd-place finish

• Brylee Stegall – A 6th-place finish

400 Freestyle Relay:

• Alex Kinstler, Jaycie Davis, Eden Roling & Olivia Burgard – CONFERENCE CHAMPS

KPGZ News – Ray Weikal contributed to this story.

Winter Storm Watch Issued This Week

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for northwest, north central and west central Missouri this week. Although snow totals expected are less than the January storm a few weeks ago, accumulating snow is still likely this week.

Light snow is likely to fall on Monday into Monday night with minor accumulations. Less than 2 inches of snow is expected in the Kansas City area.

A heavier snow system is likely late Tuesday night through Wednesday night, including the potential for widespread snow amounts in excess of 4 inches. However, the National Weather Service says widespread amounts over 6 inches is possible in the region. Wednesday morning and evening commutes will likely be affected.

Temperatures will also fall this week. Wind chills between 10 above zero and 10 below zero are expected Wednesday through Friday mornings.

Looking further ahead, there's a chance for a wintry mix on Friday and Saturday.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Girls Wrestling Pins Down Third-Straight Conference Title

The Bulldog girls secured their third consecutive conference title after defeating the Smithville High School Warriors on the road 48-36 on Wednesday, Feb. 5.

Beating their Highway 92 rivals made winning the conference title even sweeter, according to Head Coach Nick Ward.

“This dual is always a back-and-forth scrap where every single point matters,” Coach Ward said. “I’m so proud of the work our girls put in this season and am looking forward to what they accomplish in the postseason.”

The following Bulldogs earned wins against Smithville:

• Myla Woolridge

• Ella Herndon

• Bailey Martin

• Riley Walker

• Bella Wenzel

• Emma Schaetz

• Carli Vargas

• Ella Chavez

The girls finish this regular season with a 5-0 record in the Greater Kansas City Suburban Blue Conference. They host the Class 1-District 4 tournament on Feb. 14-15.

KPGZ News – Ray Weikal contributed to this story.

Fourth Suspect Charged in Counter-Human Trafficking Operation

Clay County Sheriff's deputies were able to arrest a fourth suspect in their counter-human trafficking operation that occurred in January.

Samuel J. Weisse, 34, of Leavenworth, Kan.

Samuel J. Weisse, 34, of Leavenworth, Kan., has been charged with one count of felony attempted child enticement. Weisse was allegedly trying to meet a 13-year-old girl for sex after deputies arrested him in a sting operation Wednesday night.

Weisse was allegedly messaging with under-cover detectives during the Sheriff’s Office original counter-human trafficking operation Jan. 23 and 24. He continued communication until Wednesday night, Feb. 5, when he made arrangements to meet whom he believed to be the 13-year-old. Instead, deputies took him into custody at the meet-up location. He is being held on a $25,000 bond.

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office has already arrested and charged three other men in this operation: Jose Trinidad-Diaz, 33, of Kansas City, Mo., Dominic Shelby, 34, of Kansas City, Kan., and Josue Rivera, 27, of Kansas City, Kan.

Enticement of a child or an attempt to commit enticement of a child is a felony which carries a penalty of up to thirty years in prison.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

City Holds Informational Meeting for 19th Street Improvements

The City of Kearney is holding an open house public informational meeting to inform residents about a safety and mobility improvement project planned for 19th Street.

The informational meeting will take place at the Kearney Senior Center, 600 N Jefferson St. in Kearney from 4 – 6 pm on Thursday, Feb 27.

The project includes operational and safety improvements from approximately Paddock Drive to Meadowlane Street for motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists. Project highlights include right turn lanes and pedestrian crossings, railroad crossing enhancements for improved safety, and new bike lanes, sidewalks, and a shared use path for better mobility.

City leaders encourage residents to stop by the Senior Center anytime between 4 and 6 pm on Feb. 27. to ask questions and share their input. No formal presentation is planned but residents can meet with officials to discuss the project.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.