Teen Missing After Boarding School Bus in Glenaire

*** 8:30 pm Update: Thanks to alert residents who contacted law enforcement when they saw her this afternoon, Cheyanne McCaslin has been located in Glenaire and is safe.

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a missing 15-year-old girl who was last seen Monday morning.

Cheyanne McCaslin was spotted getting on her school bus in the 100 block of Johnson Road in Glenaire, but never arrived at any of her classes at Discovery Middle School in Liberty, authorities said. Investigators noted that McCaslin also left her phone at home.

Cheyanne was last seen on a school bus Monday, April 28. Cheyanne did NOT get on the school bus Tuesday morning and did not attend school that day, nor did she go to school Wednesday. Residents in a nearby neighborhood, however, did have video of her walking about the same time many of the school’s students were boarding buses yesterday morning.

She was wearing black shorts with a gray hooded sweatshirt with a Liberty Blue Jay logo on it, and she was carrying a backpack with sunflowers.

Cheyanne is described as 4 feet 11 inches tall, weighing approximately 115 pounds. She has long, light brown hair, wears glasses, and was last seen Tuesday morning.

Anyone with information on her whereabouts is urged to contact the Clay County Sheriff’s Office at 816-407-3700.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Vigilant Citizen, Traffic Stop Lead to Arrest of Fugitive

A routine act of community vigilance and a simple traffic stop led to the arrest of a fugitive who had evaded justice for more than 18 years.

On Sunday, April 27, a concerned Greenfield neighborhood resident noticed a suspicious vehicle that didn’t appear to belong in the area. The citizen promptly contacted authorities, and officers from the Kearney Police Department responded to investigate.

After locating the vehicle, a Kearney patrol officer observed the driver commit a traffic violation. During the stop, the driver was unable to provide a driver's license, any form of identification, or even a Social Security number.

Due to the suspicious circumstances, the Clay County Sheriff's Office was called to the scene with a mobile fingerprint scanner. Once the suspect’s fingerprints were analyzed, officers discovered the man’s true identity — a 38-year-old from Kansas City, Kansas, wanted in connection with two violent felony offenses in Johnson County, Kansas.

The man had been on the run from both state and federal authorities for over 18 years. He was taken into custody by Kearney Police and transported to the Clay County Detention Center, where he is being held without bond.

Further investigation revealed the man had also been living in the United States illegally for several years. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been notified, and federal authorities are expected to pursue additional charges after the resolution of his felony cases.

Kearney Police praised the alert citizen for their quick action, which ultimately led to the capture of a long-sought fugitive. The Police Department also reminds residents that if you see something suspicious to say something.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Kansas City Firefighter Dies After Being Stabbed by Patient

Graham Hoffman - Kansas City Fire Dept.

A Kansas City firefighter-paramedic has died after being stabbed by a patient he was transporting to the hospital early Sunday morning, according to the Kansas City Fire Department (KCFD).

Authorities say that just before 1 am on Sunday, April 27, KCFD crews were dispatched to North Oak Trafficway and Highway 152 for what was described as a routine medical call. The Kansas City Police Department (KCPD) reported that the call originated as a welfare check after a woman was seen walking along the westbound lanes of the highway.

When emergency responders arrived, they placed the woman into an ambulance for transport to a hospital. During the ride, the woman allegedly attacked and stabbed firefighter-paramedic Graham Hoffman in the chest with a sharp object. Hoffman's partner pulled over to assist and attempted to subdue the patient but was also assaulted in the process.

Both firefighters were rushed to the hospital. Hoffman, 29, initially suffered life-threatening injuries, while his partner was reported to have non-life-threatening injuries. Despite medical efforts, city officials confirmed around 3 pm Sunday that Hoffman had died from his injuries. During a press conference later that afternoon, KCFD officials said Hoffman had been stabbed in the heart.

Hoffman had been with KCFD since 2022 and typically served out of Station #42. He was working overtime when the fatal incident occurred.

Shanetta Bossell - Clay County Sheriff’s Office photo

The suspect, identified as Shanetta Bossell, is now in custody and faces charges of first-degree murder, armed criminal action, assault, and resisting arrest. She is being held on a $1 million bond. Records show that Bossell had recently been held at the Clay County Detention Center on April 23 and 24 for assaulting an officer and had been released on bond shortly before the deadly incident.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Student Earns Leadership Opportunity PCEC Essay Contest

Kearney High School junior Alex Walter has been selected to represent Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative (PCEC) at the Cooperative Youth Conference and Leadership Experience (CYCLE) this summer after earning runner-up honors in the cooperative’s annual Youth Tour essay competition.

Walter’s accomplishment comes after submitting an outstanding essay that competed against entries from students throughout the Platte-Clay service area. As a result, Walter has earned an all-expenses-paid trip to Jefferson City from July 15-18 to participate in CYCLE, a highly regarded leadership conference that brings together some of the brightest high school students from across Missouri.

Kearney High School government teacher Zachary Smith, who encouraged Walter to enter the competition, praised his student’s hard work and initiative.

“Alex took on this challenge, and the effort has absolutely paid off,” Smith said. “I am very proud of Alex for taking this opportunity seriously and achieving such a remarkable honor.”

During the three-day leadership experience, Walter will join fellow student leaders to learn about electric cooperatives, explore the workings of Missouri state government, hear from dynamic speakers, and participate in leadership development activities. The program, coordinated by the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives (AMEC), is designed to build leadership skills and introduce students to new ideas, cultures and lifelong connections.

In a message to Walter and her family, Amanda McQuerrey, Marketing and Community Relations Coordinator for Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative, congratulated her on being selected for the program.

“You will learn more about electric cooperatives, Missouri state government, hear great speakers, have fun, and meet lots of new friends,” McQuerrey said. “Congratulations again, Alex. We are proud to have you represent Platte-Clay Electric at CYCLE!”

As part of the recognition, Walter was invited to the Platte-Clay Electric office to receive a prize and participate in a photo opportunity.

Kearney School District is proud to celebrate the achievements of students like Walter who demonstrate a commitment to leadership, excellence and personal growth. Opportunities like the CYCLE program support the district’s strategic focus on preparing students for success beyond the classroom by providing real-world learning experiences that matter most.

KPGZ News – Ray Weikal contributed to this story.

Murder, Mayhem, and Laughs at Kearney High School

Get ready for an evening of laughter, mayhem, and theatrical disaster as Kearney High School Theatre presents The Play That Goes Wrong at the KHS Auditorium.

This hilarious production kicks off even before the curtain rises, as the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society scrambles to prepare their latest show — the 1920s murder mystery Murder at Haversham Manor. With an unfinished set, missing props, and a series of escalating disasters, the cast soldiers on in a performance where everything that can go wrong, does.

From collapsing scenery to disappearing actors — and even a few moving corpses — the chaos builds with each passing scene. As the calamities mount and the acting becomes increasingly absurd, audiences are left wondering: will anyone make it to the final curtain still standing?

Don't miss this side-splitting theatrical experience that's sure to leave you in stitches! Performances of The Play That Goes Wrong are scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday, May 2; 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 3; and 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 4.

Tickets are available now at https://our.show/the-play-that-goes-wrong.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.