Sheriff’s Office Hosts Bike Rodeo and Safety Fair

The Clay County Sheriff's Office, with help from Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, Liberty Fire Department and Bike Walk KC, is holding a bike rodeo and safety fair in April. The event will have safety information for young riders plus refreshments, displays, and giveaways.

Event participants will have a chance to meet and visit with Clay County Sheriff's Office deputies and Liberty Fire Department personnel, as well as learn the ABC's of bicycle riding and rules of the road.

The bike rodeo will also have an obstacle course, bicycle inspections. drug awareness trailer and Hidden in Plain Sight walk through display. Kids can bring their own bike or borrow one of Bike Walk KC's bikes (for grades 3 to 6).

Free helmets and free donuts and bottled water will be available while supplies last. New bikes will be raffled off for those present at the event

The bike rodeo and safety fair will take place on Saturday, April 5, from 10 am to noon at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, 1600 N. State 291, Liberty, Mo. This event is free to the public.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Knights of Columbus Fish Fry Return

The annual Knights of Columbus/Church of Annunciation Fish Fry returns on Friday, March 21 and April 4, from 5 to 7 pm. This popular community event will be serving up a delicious variety of fish, shrimp, and sides that are sure to please.

The meal features your choice of hand-breaded fried fish (swai), baked fish (cod) with a secret recipe, or fried shrimp. The dinner also includes savory sides such as cornbread, fried taters, cole slaw, and the cheesiest homemade baked macaroni and cheese.

Amazing homemade desserts are also available for a $1 donation, making for a sweet end to your meal.

The cost for this feast is just $12.00, which includes coffee, iced tea, and water. Adult beverages are also available for purchase.

The fish fry will take place at the Annunciation Community Center, located at 701 N. Jefferson in Kearney, on Friday, March 21 and April 4, from 5 to 7 pm.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

College Association Taps Teacher as Top Talent

Kearney High School math teacher Rachel Heili's combination of experience, skills and attitude add up to one of the best public educators in the state.

Ms. Heili was recently selected as one of Missouri's Outstanding Beginning Teachers by the Missouri Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (MACTE). She is in her second year of teaching at Kearney High School.

Every two years, MACTE honors exemplary first- and second-year teachers across the state for their work with Missouri's PK-12 students. Heili was selected to receive this award by Dr. Barri Tinkler at Missouri State University.

"Rachel is an exceptional educator who exemplifies excellence and dedication to teaching," Dr. Tinkler said. "She utilizes innovative teaching practices and creates a collaborative, student-centered learning environment."

Beyond academics, Heili's compassion and commitment to her students shine through her engagement in their lives and her ability to inspire and support them. She has already established a strong record of excellence.

"I'm thrilled that Rachel is being recognized for her outstanding work here at KHS," Principal Andy Gustafson said. "She's become a vital member of our team and has had a huge positive impact on our students. This honor is well deserved."

Heili is committed to continually improving both her teaching and her students' understanding of the subject. As a dedicated educator, she will remain a passionate ambassador for her profession and for mathematics.

The Outstanding Beginning Teacher awardees were celebrated during the MACTE Spring Conference on Feb. 17 in Columbia. A representative from the association visited Kearney High School on Friday, Feb. 7 to present Heili with a certificate.

KPGZ News – Ray Weikal contributed to this story.

Bulldog Earns State Honor from Secondary School Principals

Parker Mendel - Photo by KHS Junior Kaeden Rothwell

Kearney School District is proud to announce that Kearney High School senior Parker Mendel has been selected for an "Honorable Mention" recognition in the prestigious 2025 Missouri Scholars 100 program.

This statewide initiative recognizes outstanding academic achievement, honoring Missouri's top 100 graduating students. The announcement was made by KHS Principal Andy Gustafson, recognizing Mr. Mendel's exceptional commitment to academic excellence.

"Parker is a great example of what it means to be a Bulldog," Dr. Gustafson said. "He works hard, supports his classmates and cares about making things better. We could not be more proud of him in Team KSD!"

Sponsored by the Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals, the Missouri Scholars 100 Program invites nominations from schools statewide. The program has been around for 31 years.

"The Missouri Scholars 100 Program stands as one of the premier academic recognition programs in the country, celebrating the dedication and success of students who have upheld the highest academic standards," Clark Mershon, Executive Director of the Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals, remarked. "It is a true celebration of learning."

Selection is determined by a comprehensive formula incorporating the student's grade point average, ACT or SAT scores, and participation in an "Academic Decathlon" encompassing ten events that assess the student's academic prowess.

To qualify, students must meet stringent criteria, including a minimum GPA of 3.750, a minimum ACT score of 29 (or a minimum SAT score of 1,280), ranking in the upper ten percent of their class, and enrollment in high-level courses in mathematics, science, English, and foreign language. Exemplary attendance, outstanding citizenship, and active participation in school activities are also essential.

KPGZ News – Ray Weikal contributed to this story.

Baseball Returns on the Bulldog Radio Network

102.7FM KPGZ is excited to announce Bulldog baseball is returning to the airwaves this spring. KPGZ will continue to cover Kearney High School home and select away baseball games this spring.

Bulldog radio network announcers Jim Dickerson, Kelly Gentry, Eric Stevens and Dan Helberg will be calling baseball games beginning at 5:30 pm on Friday, March 28, when the Bulldogs face Fort Osage High School.

“We had great success announcing Bulldog baseball games this spring,” said 102.7FM general manager Brian Watts. “We are excited to be able bring it back to KPGZ for another season. We’re thrilled to have the team’s and community’s support!”

Parents and fans requested softball and baseball games to be broadcast on the radio station last year, and KPGZ was able to work though logistics to accommodate the demand. The station had great success and produced quality game broadcasts for fans.

Bulldog sports game broadcasts bring a vast audience to the radio station. Broadcasts of high school sports bring double or triple the listening audience to 102.7FM. The station now broadcasts football, boys and girls basketball, baseball and softball to a wide audience around the world on the radio, their website 1027KearneyMO.com and the KPGZ mobile app.

In addition to broadcasting games on 102.7FM streams, games will also be heard on KearneyCountry.com and the Kearney Country channel of the KPGZ mobile app.

The 2025 baseball season broadcasts are presented by CARSTAR Porter’s Kearney Body Shop as the title sponsor. Other sponsors include Penrod’s Greenhouse, Tracy Tucker State Farm, Porter’s Ace Hardware, Green Seasons Lawn and Tree Service, Berserk Athletics, Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative, Kearney Family Chiropractic Center, Jana Stevens of Missouri Farm Bureau, Kearney Chamber of Commerce, Mike Davis Creative Services and Prime Broadcast Group.

Sponsorship spaces are available at all levels and can be reserved now by calling Brian Watts at 816-826-1111.

KPGZ News Press Release