Visit the KHS Haunted Wonderland If You Dare

The Kearney High School Theatre program is hosting a Halloween-themed "Haunted Wonderland" from 5 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18, at the school. There will also be traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating through the high school hallways from 5 to 7 p.m. that same evening.

Both events are open to the public and appropriate for children of all ages. Entry for the haunted house will be $4 for the first entry and $1 for every re-entry. Both cash and cards will be accepted for payment at the door. The trick-or-treating is free for students.

The "Haunted Wonderland" was organized by the cast of the upcoming KHS fall production of the musical "Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" as a way to both create a fun community event for Halloween and help raise money for the Theatre program.

About three dozen KHS students will be involved in planning, preparing and performing in the haunted house. Program Director Haley Kernes also observed that this was a Real World Learning experience for her students.

"This is a great way to support the fall musical," Ms. Kernes said. "It's also an opportunity for the kids to learn new skills while providing a fun, seasonal activity for families in our community."

The haunted house will wind its way from the main KHS entrance, around the recently renovated auditorium and through the performing arts wing of the school. Kernes emphasized that the event will be family-friendly, with absolutely no contact from the performers.

"Roald Dahl's Charlie And The Chocolate Factory" will be performed on Nov. 4-6 and Nov. 8 at the high school. Information and tickets are available through the Theatre Department's online box office.

The KHS FFA will be handing out candy in the KHS hallways during the traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating. Club Advisor Erica Hart organized this as both a fun and free community event.

"We want this to be something that all of our families can enjoy as a community service," Mrs. Hart said. "We're also excited to spark some interest in our future KHS Bulldogs!"

KPGZ News – Ray Wiekal contributed to this story.

Potential School Board Candidates Invited to Nov 11 Info Session

The Kearney School District Board of Education (BOE) will be hosting an informational session for individuals interested in filing as Board candidates on the April 7, 2026, election ballot.

The KSD BOE Candidate Info Session will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 11, at the  KSD central office, which is located at 425 W. Washington St. All members of the public are welcome to attend.

Please inform BOE Secretary Becky Burkemper by emailing burkemperb@ksdr1.net or calling (816) 628-4116 before the close of business on Monday, Nov. 10, if you plan to attend.

This session is designed to provide useful guidance for those who may want to serve on the school board. Topics will include information about board elections and the roles and responsibilities of the school board members.

In Missouri, school boards are composed of seven non-partisan, volunteer elected officials who each serve three-year terms. The primary job of the school board is to employ the superintendent and set the strategic goals and policies for the district, according to the Missouri School Board Association (MSBA). The board's other roles include:

Facilitate public engagement in order to help meet stakeholder expectations

Oversee the Superintendent of Schools, who, in turn, is solely responsible for district management and operations

Monitor district progress toward meeting the Board goals

Govern itself effectively, efficiently and with transparency

Three KSD school board seats will be open for next spring's municipal election. Under Missouri statute, school board candidate filing for the April election will begin at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 9, and will close at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 30. Candidates must be:

A U.S. citizen

A resident taxpayer of the district

A resident of Missouri for at least one year

At least 24 years old

Candidates must also be current on state and local taxes and have filed required campaign documents for all previous campaigns, if any. Individuals cannot file as candidates if they have been found guilty of or pleaded guilty to a felony under Missouri or federal law, and/or are registered or required to register as a sex offender.

KPGZ News – Ray Weikal contributed to this story.

Upcoming Medicare Open Enrollment Starts October 15

The Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance (DCI) is reminding residents that Medicare open enrollment runs from October 15 to December 7 this year. During this period, Missourians eligible for Medicare have the opportunity to review their existing coverage, switch Part D drug plans, or change Medicare Advantage plans.

To support individuals and caregivers in making informed choices, the DCI provides free guidance through Missouri’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Missouri SHIP’s trained counselors help people understand their plan options, determine eligibility for low-income subsidies, and navigate Medicare Savings Programs that may offset prescription drug costs. The department emphasizes that plans can change annually, making it crucial for beneficiaries to ensure their coverage still fits their needs.

Missourians can access unbiased help from Missouri SHIP by calling 1-800-390-3330 or visiting missouriship.org, with one-on-one counseling available. Last year, consumers who used Missouri SHIP’s services reported average savings of $2,000, and nearly all indicated they would return for future assistance and recommend the service to others. Counselors aim to help residents find the most suitable plan without any sales pressure.

As open enrollment approaches, officials warn that fraudsters often target seniors and vulnerable individuals with deceptive sales tactics. The department advises residents to never share Medicare or Social Security numbers with strangers and to stay vigilant against potential scams.

Missouri SHIP is funded by a grant from the Administration for Community Living and operated by Missouri Connections for Health. The DCI oversees insurance, banking, utilities, and other industries to protect Missouri consumers. More information is available at dci.mo.gov.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Jury Delivers Death Sentence in Vasquez Case

North Kansas City Police Officer Daniel Vasquez.

A Clay County jury has sentenced Joshua T. Rocha to death for the 2022 murder of North Kansas City Police Officer Daniel Vasquez. The verdict was delivered Thursday, October 2, 2025, following Rocha’s conviction for first-degree murder and armed criminal action in one of the most disturbing cases to ever impact the community.

The penalty phase began shortly after the guilty verdict, as jurors weighed whether Rocha should face life in prison without parole or the death penalty. “We are grateful to the jury for seeing through any attempts to justify the unjustifiable,” said Clay County Prosecuting Attorney Zachary Thompson. “Officer Vasquez’s family, his fellow officers, and our entire community deserve nothing less than complete justice.”

The tragedy occurred on July 19, 2022, when Officer Vasquez began what should have been a routine patrol shift. During a traffic stop at 21st Avenue and Clay Street, Rocha ambushed the officer with an AR-style rifle. Dashcam footage presented during the trial showed Rocha waiting in his vehicle before opening the door and firing point-blank into Officer Vasquez’s head. As the wounded officer lay in the street, Rocha stood over him and fired additional rounds.

When questioned by investigators, Rocha showed no remorse. Asked why he didn’t flee, he replied, “Cause I know I couldn’t outrun him in that car. I knew that car was way too slow.” When pressed about his plan, he coldly answered, “Basically yeah.”

During sentencing, prosecutors revealed Rocha’s deep involvement in illegal firearms activity. He had taught himself to build untraceable guns using 3D printers and knew how to convert semi-automatic weapons into fully automatic firearms. He even created instructional videos teaching others to do the same. Investigators recovered videos of Rocha firing weapons from moving vehicles toward populated areas.

Prosecutors argued that Rocha killed Officer Vasquez to escape the consequences of his actions, describing his behavior as “pure evil.” Even in jail, Rocha continued to display violent tendencies, fashioning a shank while in Clay County custody and later being caught concealing metal in his armpit in St. Charles County.

“Officer Daniel Vasquez represented the very best of law enforcement,” said Thompson. “He was a dedicated public servant with a heart as big as his smile. This wasn’t just a crime against Officer Vasquez and his family—it was a crime against the entire community.”

Vasquez was remembered as a kind and selfless man who often brought food to share with others while working security. His death leaves a lasting void among his family, fellow officers, and the community he served.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Quick Leads Bulldogs to 20-0 Victory Over Grandview

Alyssa Quick made history, surpassing the previous home run record with her 33rd career blast.

The Kearney Bulldogs softball team dominated the Grandview Bulldogs with a commanding 20-0 win on Monday, powered by an outstanding performance from senior Alyssa Quick. Quick launched two home runs and drove in four runs, helping set the pace for the Bulldogs’ explosive offense.

The game was decided early, with Kearney erupting for 16 runs in the first inning. Kennedi Casey started the rally with a run-scoring single, followed by a triple from Brooke Paalhar that brought another run home. Quick contributed a sacrifice fly and then homered to left field, while Caroline Jury hit a three-run shot. Ellie Switzer doubled, Reese Narron tripled, and Paalhar hit another home run, each adding to the tally. Quick’s solo homer and run-scoring hits by Kate Stumpenhaus, Bailey Sharp, Switzer, and Bailey Barnes capped off the inning.

Brooke Paalhar broke the school’s career hits record, raising the mark to 210 hits.

Kearney kept up the momentum in the second, adding four more runs on six hits. Paalhar doubled in a run, Quick homered to center for two more, and Bentley Thorne singled to drive in the game’s final run.

On the mound, Reghan Lueken earned the win for Kearney, pitching three shutout innings without allowing a hit. Lueken struck out seven and walked just one batter. Grandview’s Morgan Hampton took the loss, giving up 10 runs (seven earned) on eight hits in less than an inning of work.

Kearney finished the game with 20 hits, led by Paalhar and Sharp, who each collected three. Multiple hits also came from Morgan Pennington, Switzer, Jury, and Casey. Pennington showed her speed by stealing two bases, and the Bulldogs played error-free defense, with Jury making eight plays.

This victory was more than just a win for Kearney—it was a record-setting night. Brooke Paalhar broke the school’s career hits record, raising the mark to 210 hits. Alyssa Quick also made history, surpassing the previous home run record with her 33rd career blast, a milestone for Kearney softball.

The Bulldogs’ combination of powerful hitting, strong pitching, and flawless defense made for a night to remember, as they continue to build on their season’s successes. They are currently 23-5 this season.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story.