Kearney Fall Bulky Item Pickup and Free HHW Collection

The City of Kearney has rolled out its Fall Bulky Item Pickup during the week of October 6–10, aligning with residents' usual trash collection schedules. Just ahead of this, on Saturday, October 4, a free Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) drop-off event will be held at Mack Porter Park from 8 a.m. to noon.

What You Need to Know: Bulky Item Pickup

• Curbside by 7 a.m. on your regular trash day or items won’t be collected.

• Placement: Leave items at the end of your driveway, arranged efficiently—but keep personal belongings like bikes or toys away from the pile.

• Limit: Up to 4 cubic yards per residence (equivalent to two full-size pickup truck beds measuring about 8 ft × 5.3 ft × 1.5 ft)

Accepted Items Include:

• Furniture

• Lawnmowers (must be free of fuel and oil)

• Barbecue grills (without propane tanks)

• Rolled carpet (no longer than four feet, securely tied, under 40 lbs)

• Mattresses and box springs

• Bundled wood (in 4-foot sections, each under 40 lbs)

• Miscellaneous debris (in 39-gal bags or smaller, ≤ 40 lbs each)

What’s Not Allowed:

• Appliances or white goods (e.g. refrigerators, washers/dryers, stoves—these are prohibited in Missouri landfills)

• Hazardous waste (such as paint, fluorescent bulbs, automotive fluids, solvents, pesticides, fertilizer, etc.)

• Tires, automotive batteries, compressed gas cylinders

• Riding lawnmowers

• Large glass panels, yard waste, tree limbs, bricks, rocks, concrete, larger construction materials, roofing, or railroad ties

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Drop-Off – October 4

The HHW collection event at Mack Porter Park offers nearby residents a free and convenient way to safely dispose of hazardous materials.

Accepted Materials:

• Automotive fluids (motor oil, antifreeze, etc.)

• Batteries

• Light bulbs (CFL, fluorescent tubes, halogens)

• Cooking oil

• Corrosive cleaners and other hazardous liquids

• Household cleaners, lawn and garden products

• Mercury and mercury-containing items

• Paint, pesticides/insecticides

• Photographic and pool chemicals

• Used oil filters

Not Accepted:

• Appliances

• Asbestos

• Containers over 5 gallons

• Explosives, ammunition, fireworks

• Smoke detectors

• Fire extinguishers (contact manufacturer for disposal)

• Medical waste and needles (check pharmaceutical take-back locations)

• Prescription drugs (see recommended disposal sites)

• Larger propane tanks, butane, freon-containing items

• Tires (at correct recycling centers)

• Yard waste—accepted separately at the Kearney Recycling Center

Recycling Center Drop-Off

Need more disposal options? The City Recycling Center at 504 E. 19th Street is open for drop-offs on:

• Friday: 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.

• Saturday: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Residents can drop off recyclables, leaf, brush, and yard waste during these hours.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Local Woman Killed over Labor Day Holiday

The Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) has released preliminary statistics for the 2025 Labor Day holiday weekend, revealing that five people lost their lives in traffic crashes and one person drowned during the holiday period. The counting period for the Labor Day holiday began at 6 p.m. on Friday, August 29, and ended at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, September 1.

During this time, MSHP troopers responded to 222 traffic crashes across the state, resulting in 104 injuries and five fatalities. Additionally, troopers made 100 arrests for driving while intoxicated (DWI) and 14 for drug-related offenses.

On Missouri’s waterways, troopers investigated three boating crashes, which resulted in four injuries and no fatalities. Nine individuals were arrested for boating while intoxicated (BWI). However, one drowning was recorded during the holiday. The drowning incident occurred on Saturday, August 30, at Lake of the Ozarks.

Among the fatal incidents was the death of a 48-year-old female pedestrian from Excelsior Springs, Missouri. She was struck while walking on southbound Missouri 291, north of Middlebrook Drive in Clay County. The driver, a 22-year-old who was wearing a seat belt and was not injured, was unable to avoid the collision. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene by Paramedic Cameron Conrad. The Liberty Police Department assisted MSHP at the scene.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Clay and Platte Counties Launch Unified Tourism Initiative

Clay and Platte Counties are joining forces to boost tourism in the Northland through a new partnership under the Go North KC brand. The Clay County Commission’s recent approval of a contract with Platte County marks a significant step toward presenting the region as a single, vibrant destination. Officials from both counties emphasize that the initiative is designed to highlight the Northland’s unique blend of history, culture, recreation, and hospitality.

Megan Sahlfeld, Clay County Marketing and Tourism Manager, said the new brand represents more than just a marketing effort—it’s about building a movement. “By working together, we can shine a brighter spotlight on all that the Northland has to offer, from our festivals and parks to our local businesses and hidden gems,” Sahlfeld noted.

Jennifer Goering, Director of the Platte County Convention & Visitors Bureau, echoed this sentiment, adding that the Northland is stronger through collaboration. She said the partnership aims to foster growth, welcome new visitors, and celebrate the distinct character of the area.

The agreement is supported by grants from the Missouri Division of Tourism as well as local municipalities, chambers of commerce, and community stakeholders. Plans include launching a regional tourism website, enhancing digital resources, and coordinating joint promotional campaigns to connect residents and visitors with attractions throughout the area.

This collaboration arrives as Northland communities prepare for major opportunities, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is expected to bring global attention to the region. The Go North KC brand encapsulates the welcoming spirit and growing ambition of the Northland, positioning it as a must-visit Midwest destination with a unified message and revitalized sense of identity.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Big Bats and Sharp Defense Deliver Victory for Bulldogs

The Kearney Bulldog softball team secured an impressive victory Thursday night, defeating the Raymore-Peculiar Varsity Panthers 8-4 in a game marked by standout performances both at the plate and in the field.

Alyssa Quick launched a three-run homer to right field, hitting the scoreboard, in the very first inning. Photo by David Haggart.

Kearney wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, as Alyssa Quick launched a three-run homer to right field, hitting the scoreboard, in the very first inning, electrifying the home crowd and giving the Bulldogs an early edge. The Panthers responded in the top of the second with a solo shot to right field by Zariya Mabion, narrowing the gap.

The Bulldogs broke the game open in the third inning, erupting for five runs on four hits. Caroline Jury delivered a clutch double to bring in two runs, while Bailey Sharp’s fielder’s choice and a subsequent error both plated runners. Brooke Paalhar capped the inning with a sharp single, driving in another run and giving Kearney a comfortable lead.

On the mound, Quick earned the win for Kearney, pitching five and two-thirds innings while allowing just four runs on seven hits. She struck out six and walked five. Reghan Lueken came in to close out the game, earning the save. For Raymore-Peculiar, Reygan Ackley took the loss after giving up eight runs—six of them earned—on six hits over three innings.

Quick also led the Bulldogs with three RBIs. She was supported offensively by Kate Stumpenhaus and Brooke Paalhar, who each collected two hits. The Kearney defense was flawless, going error-free for the game, with Jury leading the way with six defensive plays.

With this victory, the Kearney Bulldogs are 5-2 on the season and continue to build momentum as they move deeper into the season.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Bulldogs Storm Back in Thrilling Victory Over Blue Springs

The Kearney Bulldogs delivered an electrifying performance Wednesday, September 3, rallying from a six-run deficit to topple the Blue Springs Wildcats, 9-6. The home crowd was treated to a display of resilience and power that epitomizes the Bulldog spirit.

On the mound, right-hander Reghan Lueken battled through adversity, pitching a complete game.

Things looked uncertain in the early innings as Blue Springs surged ahead, capitalizing on timely hits and Kearney miscues to build a 6-0 advantage by the middle of the third. The Wildcats’ Raygan Misenhelter sparked the scoring in the second with an RBI single, followed by a costly error that brought three more runners across the plate. Camryn Hoehns added an RBI double, and Mackenzie Turney launched a solo homer in the third, putting the Bulldogs in a deep hole.

But Kearney’s bats refused to stay silent. The Bulldogs began chipping away at the deficit in the bottom of the fourth, ignited by Morgan Pennington’s towering solo homerun to left. Moments later, Ellie Switzer electrified the ballpark with a two-run blast to center, narrowing the gap to 6-4 and shifting the game’s momentum.

With the Bulldogs’ confidence building, Brooke Paalhar delivered a standout performance at the plate, going 3 for 4 and spearheading the comeback. In the fifth inning, Paalhar crushed a solo homer to left, tying the game at 6-6 after a clutch double from Caroline Jury. The Bulldogs smelled victory.

The decisive blow came in the sixth, as Paalhar doubled again to set the table, and Alyssa Quick followed with another double, driving in the go-ahead runs. Before the inning was over, Kearney had stormed ahead, 9-6, and the dugout erupted in cheers.

On the mound, right-hander Reghan Lueken battled through adversity, pitching a complete game. Lueken scattered 11 hits across seven innings, allowing six runs (four earned), striking out two, and walking two. Her determination kept the Wildcats at bay when it mattered most.

Offensively, Kearney racked up 13 hits on the night. Paalhar, Switzer, and Quick each drove in two runs, while Pennington, Jury, and Kennedi Casey joined the multi-hit parade. The Bulldogs also flashed their defensive skills, turning a key double play to thwart a potential Blue Springs rally.

With the comeback win, the Kearney Bulldogs demonstrated tenacity, depth, and heart. The Bulldogs are now 4-2 on the season.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.