Bulldogs Shut Down Park Hill Air Attack

During the previous two weeks, Park Hill scored 74 points on the prolific arm of quarterback Zane Thomas and his favorite target, Dante Dixon. The Kearney Bulldogs allowed only one touchdown as homecoming spoilers in a 14-7 win over the Trojans.

Coach Minnick and the Bulldogs put on a clock-management clinic as they ran time off the board and finished in the victory formation for a 14-7 win. Photo by Eric Stevens.

Thomas opened the Park Hill scoring early with a 45-yard strike to Dante Dixon. On Kearney’s follow-up drive, Bulldog quarterback Carter Temple powered his way behind the offensive line for two yards into the endzone. Drew Nelson tied the score at 7-7 with the PAT.

With 5:39 to go before the half, on 4th-down and eight, Kearney’s defense pressured Zane Thomas into an overthrown endzone pass intended for Dante Dixon. The Bulldogs took over on downs, eventually going to halftime with a 7-7 tie.

Park Hill couldn’t score on their first possession of the second half. The Bulldog defense held them to a missed field goal attempt, giving the Kearney Bulldogs the opportunity to capitalize on their ball-control, running offense.

Kearney’s offensive line became their best defense by keeping the explosive Park Hill offense on the sideline. Carter Temple and company drained the game clock by running over the left side of the offensive line for almost nine minutes in the third quarter and into the fourth when Temple broke free to the endzone for his second score of the evening.

With Kearney leading 14-7, Park Hill had a chance to score in the fourth quarter with a first-and-goal at the Kearney 8-yard line. Dante Dixon caught a Zane Thomas pass at the 3-yard line. On fourth down, Kearney cornerback Conner Reid batted down the scrambling Zane Thomas pass attempt and the Bulldogs took over on downs.

“I want to give a huge shout out to the offense on that touchdown drive there in the third quarter, when we took almost nine minutes off the clock,” said head coach Logan Minnick.

“We're always going to play really good defense. They're gonna keep us in every game we play. They gave up one touchdown early and then locked in when we made a couple little adjustments. Then it just comes down to physicality,” Minnick added. 

Coach Minnick and the Bulldogs put on a clock-management clinic as they ran time off the board and finished in the victory formation for a 14-7 win.

The Bulldogs are 4-0 for the season. They’ll face another Class-6 opponent next week at North Kansas City.

KPGZ News – Mike Davis contributed to this story.

Highway Patrol Launches STORM Team to Enhance Safety

The Missouri State Highway Patrol has announced the creation of a new initiative aimed at improving public safety throughout the state. Colonel Michael A. Turner, superintendent of the Patrol, unveiled the Strategic Traffic Operations and Rapid Mobilization (STORM) team, a specialized group designed to proactively target criminal activity and dangerous driving on Missouri roadways.

The newly formed STORM team consists of 23 troopers with a wide range of expertise, including canine units, officers trained in impaired driving enforcement, hazardous moving specialists, interdiction officers, and motorcycle officers. The Patrol’s Aircraft Division will collaborate closely, providing aerial support during STORM operations.

Operational since September 1, 2025, the STORM team has already begun deployments across the state. The first major operation took place on September 16, 2025, when ten STORM team members and the Aircraft Division conducted a focused enforcement effort throughout Jackson County.

Their primary targets were hazardous driving behaviors and drug-related activity. The operation led to 72 traffic stops, 89 warnings, 5 citations for speeding, 14 citations for hazardous moving violations, and 27 citations for non-moving violations. Additionally, officers made 18 misdemeanor arrests and 12 felony arrests and seized one firearm.

The STORM team is expected to be deployed as needed across Missouri, concentrating on areas with high crash rates and significant criminal activity. According to the Patrol, STORM will also assist other law enforcement agencies in tackling issues like street takeover events and related criminal conduct. The initiative reflects a broader commitment by the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Department of Public Safety to make Missouri safer for residents and visitors alike.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Platte-Clay Hosts Annual Blood Donation Event

The Community Blood Center and Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative is asking for donors’ help.

Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative is inviting the community to participate in a blood drive on Wednesday, October 8th, from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM. The event will take place in the meeting room at 1000 W. Highway 92.

As a token of appreciation, all donors will receive a free pizza cutter. Those interested in donating can sign up at savealifenow.org/group using the group code EF2R.

Most people donate whole blood—approximately 1 pint. After donation, your blood is separated into its components (red blood cells, platelets, and plasma) for distribution to local hospitals.

It usually takes about one hour from registration through refreshments to donate and people can donate whole blood every 56 days.

For more information, contact Amanda McQuerrey at (816) 903-7355 or via email at amandam@pcec.coop. Don’t miss this opportunity to make a difference and save lives!

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story.

14th Annual Oktoberfest Returns this Fall

Mark your calendar for Saturday, October 4th, when Kearney downtown transforms into a lively festival for its 14th Annual Oktoberfest. From noon until 6 pm, the heart of Kearney will be filled with the sounds of live music, laughter, and the cheers of friendly competition.

Make plans to join friends and neighbors for a day packed with entertainment and excitement, all while supporting local charities such as the Kearney Chamber of Commerce and the Kearney Enrichment Council.

The festivities begin early with the Oktoberfest 5K—Das Bier Run!—from 9 am to noon, inviting runners and walkers to kick off the day with energy. The celebration officially starts at noon, when the Mayor taps the first beer on the Main Stage, followed by a performance from the Studio 320 Dance Team. Throughout the afternoon, enjoy demonstrations from Limitless Karate and KHS Robotics, performances by the KHS Band & Cheer team, and music by The Brian McCarty Band from 1 to 3 pm. Later in the afternoon, The Craftsmen keep the momentum going with live tunes from 3 to 6 pm.

Meanwhile, Washington Street buzzes with activity. From 1 to 5 pm, compete in the Cornhole Tournament hosted by Dunns Guns and Dunns Flooring & Blinds, while 102.7FM KPGZ delivers classic hits throughout the day. Various Oktoberfest competitions—Barmaid Stein Carrying, Keg Toss, and Stein Holding—invite participants to showcase their strength and skills, with sign-ups available at the KEC vendor booth and the Old Firehouse.

All day long, enjoy the Knight's of Columbus Beer Tent offering beer, wine, and seltzers, along with delicious options from food trucks, local vendor booths, and kid-friendly activities like face painting and inflatables spread across Lion's Park and Washington Street. Oktoberfest 2025 in Kearney promises a memorable day of fun, camaraderie, and community spirit. This event is free to the public.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Kearney Police Arrest Two Involved with Stolen Vehicle

On Sunday, September 14, Kearney Police officers conducted a traffic stop on 92 Highway near QuikTrip after noticing a vehicle displaying a license plate reported stolen from Leawood, Kansas. All occupants of the vehicle were detained during the investigation.

The female passenger repeatedly provided police with false names and Social Security numbers. Deputies from the Clay County Sheriff's Office responded to assist and used a fingerprint scanner to confirm her identity. The passenger, identified as a 29-year-old woman from Kansas City, was wanted in Nebraska for felony possession of dangerous drugs and in Colorado for possession of a stolen vehicle, both with no bond allowed.

After being identified, she admitted to possessing drugs. Officers recovered methamphetamine, fentanyl, and several syringes loaded with a mixture of both substances. She was arrested and transported to jail on her outstanding warrants and now faces additional felony charges for possession of a controlled substance in Clay County.

The driver of the vehicle was also taken into custody for possession of stolen property. Both individuals were booked into jail following the incident.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.