Sheriff’s Office to Break Ground on New Resource Center

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office is set to break ground on its first major construction project in 25 years—the Clay County Law Enforcement Resource Center. This state-of-the-art facility will enhance training opportunities for law enforcement personnel, featuring an indoor shooting range, a 60-person classroom, and dedicated spaces for defensive tactics and decision-making training. The center will also incorporate cutting-edge virtual and augmented reality training technology.

Designed to meet the evolving training needs of the Sheriff’s Office, the new facility will ensure deputies are well-equipped to serve the growing Clay County community. The project is funded through federal grants, with Piper-Wind Architects, Inc. leading the design and Straub Construction serving as the general contractor.

Groundbreaking Ceremony Details:
When: 2 p.m., Friday, March 7, 2025
Where: 16414 N.E. 116th St., Kearney, Mo.

Media and community members are invited to attend.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Kearney Greenhouse Manager Charged with Stealing

The former manager of a Kearney greenhouse is facing charges related to a multi-year embezzlement scheme that allegedly amounted to $150,000.

Court records from the Clay County, Missouri Circuit Court, filed on February 26, reveal that 55-year-old Matthew J. Nelson, of Olathe, Kansas, has been charged with theft in connection to the scheme while managing the nursery in Kearney.

According to a probable cause statement from the Kearney Police Department, authorities were called to Marshall Trees and Nursery, located at 1100 N. Jefferson St., around 11 am on November 20, after reports of a theft. Upon arriving, the business owner claimed that Nelson had stolen over $150,000 between September 9, 2018, and September 13, 2024. Nelson allegedly wrote unauthorized checks to himself from the nursery's account and deposited them into his personal accounts.

Investigators discovered that Nelson manipulated the business’s bookkeeping system to make it appear as if the checks were paid to vendors. A subpoena revealed that a total of 71 checks had been cashed since 2018.

Nelson was arrested on January 7. During questioning, he confessed to the theft, explaining that he felt unappreciated by his employers and expressed guilt over his actions. He admitted to the crime in full.

Nelson now faces charges of stealing over $25,000. If convicted, he could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison and face a $10,000 fine. A criminal summons was issued on Friday, and an initial court appearance is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on April 3. No additional details have been released at this time.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Board President Earns Distinguished Certification

Kearney School District Board of Education President Darlene Bailey was honored on Feb. 19 for earning a Distinguished Certification from the Missouri School Boards’ Association.

Dr. Bailey garnered this recognition by satisfactorily completing 64 Certified Board Member Credits and other professional development requirements. She previously earned her Essential, Advanced and Master certifications.

She also engaged in a variety of leadership, advocacy and presentation activities. This work included:

• Attending two MSBA core meetings, with at least one in the current year

• Reading one book from the MSBA Booklist for Reading Requirement and submitting a Reading Reflection

• Observing a school board meeting in two other districts and submitting a Board Meeting Observation form

• Completing eight activities involving leadership, advocacy and presentations in her most recent three years of board service

KPGZ News – Ray Weikal contributed to this story.

Teacher Earns Invite to Innovative Classroom Training

Kearney School District is pleased to announce that Hawthorne Elementary kindergarten teacher Ashlyn Mansil is one of only 93 educators across Missouri selected to participate in the inaugural class of the Personalized Competency-Based Master Teacher Cadre program.

This professional learning opportunity is hosted by the Success-Ready Students Network (SRSN) in partnership with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. It is designed to equip educators with the knowledge and skills to master personalized competency-based learning (PCBL) through a dynamic blend of in-person and virtual experiences.

“I know everyone in Team KSD joins me in congratulating Ms. Mansil for being chosen to represent our school system in this cutting-edge program,” Superintendent Emily Miller said. “Her work with the cohort aligns perfectly with our focus on fostering innovative teaching and learning in every classroom.”

Mansil was picked for the program after a rigorous application process that included strong recommendations from district administrators. She’s in her second year at Hawthorne and eighth overall as a teacher.

The program will be divided into cohorts across the state led by seasoned educators with vast experience and knowledge in this area. In total, approximately 40 hours of learning will be completed between February and June through a combination of pre-work/self-study, four in-person sessions and a series of virtual sessions.

On a recent Tuesday afternoon, Ms. Mansil quietly and purposefully read a children’s book to her assembled students dutifully arrayed on the carpet at the front of her classroom. She then walked through the basic elements of fiction and had the students disperse to locate and read works that fit those criteria.

“I was really surprised and grateful to be chosen for this program,” Mansil said during a break from providing individual attention for various students. “I’m looking forward to working with a group of outstanding educators to learn how we can create even better classroom experiences for our students.”

Program participants will deepen their understanding of personalized competency-based learning and learn how to enhance classroom practices to design powerful, student-centered learning environments. As they engage with the content, they will build a collaborative network of educators dedicated to refining their craft.

By the end of the program, participants will have developed the expertise and leadership skills of a “master teacher” who not only excels in their own classroom but also serves as a mentor and resource to colleagues, guiding them in the effective implementation of PCBL. These educators will be prepared to take on supportive professional development roles within their districts and across others, expanding the impact of PCBL and benefiting both teachers and students across their schools.

“Ms. Mansil is a great choice for this program,” Hawthorne Elementary Principal Chauncey Rardon said. “Of course, I’m happy for her, but I’m also happy for our team at Hawthorne and the whole district because she’s going to help all of us learn how to implement these techniques in our classrooms.”

Visit www.srsnmo.org to learn more about the Success-Ready Students Network.

KPGZ News – Ray Weikal contributed to this story.

Kearney Police Arrest Impaired Driver After Pursuit

A 28-year-old male from unincorporated Clay County was arrested on Monday, February 24, following a physical altercation and a brief vehicle pursuit that resulted in property damage and a DWI arrest.

Earlier in the day, Kearney Police were alerted by Clay County Dispatch about a disturbance between two individuals, which escalated to a vehicle chase heading eastbound on Highway 92 toward the City of Kearney. Officers spotted the vehicles entering the city at 92 Hwy and Nation Road. While one of the vehicles pulled over to speak with officers, the other, a UTV, fled the scene.

The UTV, occupied by a single male driver, veered off the highway and began driving through yards on the south side of the roundabout, causing significant damage to property. After driving through several yards, the UTV returned to Nation Road, continuing south while attempting to evade officers.

A short vehicle pursuit followed until the UTV broke down near NE 140th Terrace. Officers were able to safely apprehend the driver. Clay County Sheriff’s deputies arrived to assist with the investigation of the earlier assault, which had occurred in the county.

During the investigation, a Clay County Traffic Unit Deputy conducted a DWI investigation, leading to the driver’s arrest on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. In addition to DWI, the man faces charges for fleeing from arrest, careless driving, and property damage.

The driver was arrested and transported to the Clay County Detention Center.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.