Clay County Completes Nation Road Infrastructure Improvements

Clay County, Missouri, is celebrating the completion of two significant infrastructure projects on Nation Road, marking a major milestone in the county’s ongoing efforts to improve public safety and transportation. The projects involved stabilizing the streambank and realigning the roadway, as well as constructing a new bridge over Rock Creek.

Motivated by severe rains in 2022 that led to streambank erosion and the closure of Nation Road, county officials acted quickly to address the damage and prevent future issues. The improvements included reshaping and reinforcing the embankment, enhancing stormwater drainage systems, and relocating the roadway approximately 30 feet north to increase safety and durability for drivers.

The new bridge over Rock Creek replaces a nearly century-old structure originally built in 1925. The replacement is a modern steel girder bridge that is wider, longer, and sits higher than the previous span, making it more capable of handling current traffic volumes and better prepared to withstand extreme weather conditions.

Clay County Commissioner Jerry Nolte highlighted the long-term benefits of the projects, stating, “These improvements represent an investment in safety, resilience, and the long-term reliability of our county infrastructure. We truly appreciate the patience of residents during this project. Thanks to the careful planning and cooperation of our partners, we’ve rebuilt stronger and safer for the future.”

The design work was completed by Veenstra & Kimm, Inc., and construction was carried out by Decker Construction. Funding was made possible through $2 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Stormwater Grants. County officials expressed gratitude to community members, staff, and project partners for their dedication and teamwork in bringing these improvements to fruition.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Kearney Girls Golf Team Earns Conference Title and State Qualifiers

The Kearney High School Girls Golf team wrapped up their season in spectacular fashion last week, securing championship honors and sending three players to the state tournament.

On Wednesday, October 8, the Bulldogs took center stage at the Suburban Blue Conference Tournament held at Excelsior Springs Golf Course. Demonstrating depth and consistency throughout their lineup, Kearney posted a team score of 390 to clinch first place and the 2025 conference crown.

Leading the charge was Kindell Owen, who carded an impressive 77 to claim the individual gold medal. Teammate Jessi Kutch followed closely with a 94, earning third place, while Amina Jardak finished sixth with a 109. Brennan Judkins and Makenna Sallee rounded out the top eight with scores of 110 and 111, respectively. All five Kearney golfers received All-Conference honors, underscoring the team’s depth across the board.

The team’s momentum carried into the next day at the Class 3 District 4 Tournament at Hodge Park Golf Course. Facing tough competition, the Bulldogs posted a team score of 380, securing a bronze medal. Owen led once again with an 82 to finish second overall, with Kutch’s 88 good for sixth and Jardak’s 96 earning 12th place. Their performances not only brought home medals, but also earned Owen, Kutch, and Jardak All-District recognition and qualification for the upcoming state tournament.

The trio will represent Kearney at the MSHSAA Class 3 State Tournament, scheduled for October 20–21 at Twin Hills Golf Course in Joplin. Coach Troy Resler and the entire team celebrated a championship week, as the Bulldogs look ahead to making their mark on the state’s biggest stage.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

KCK Woman Arrested After Attempting to Evade Felony Warrant

A 41-year-old woman from Kansas City, Kansas, was arrested last Saturday, October 11, following a traffic stop in which she tried to conceal her identity from police officers.

According to Kearney Police, the incident began when officers pulled over a vehicle whose registered owner was wanted on a felony warrant out of Johnson County, Kansas. The female passenger closely resembled the wanted individual but repeatedly denied being her, even providing officers with a fake name and a Social Security number that did not match her identity. The number she gave was registered to a man, raising further suspicion among the officers.

Despite her persistent denials, the officers presented her with a booking photo from the Johnson County Jail taken just two months earlier. The photo clearly showed the woman's real name and confirmed her identity as the person sought in connection with a felony warrant.

Confronted with this evidence, the woman admitted to being the wanted individual. She was subsequently taken into custody without incident.

The felony warrant stemmed from her failure to appear in court for her third DUI offense, and she was being held on a $20,000 bond. Following her arrest, she was booked into the Clay County Detention Center, where she awaits extradition back to Kansas to face charges.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Kearney Powers Past Liberty North Eagles 12-3

Kate Landewee delivered a standout performance for Kearney, earning the win after four hitless, scoreless innings with nine strikeouts and three walks. Photo by David Haggart.

The Kearney softball team took home a decisive 12-3 victory over the Liberty North Varsity Eagles on Monday, October 13, fueled by an explosive third inning that saw the Bulldogs score seven runs. This brings the end of the regular season for the Bulldogs who netted their 4th straight Suburban Blue Conference Championship which makes it a perfect 4 for 4 for 9 senior bulldog players.

Liberty North struck first in the second inning when Avary Sharpnack hit a two-run shot to center field, putting the Eagles on the board early. The Eagles added another run in the third after Alex Couch singled to center field, but Kearney was quick to respond and seize the momentum.

Kearney answered in the third inning with Brooke Paalhar blasting a home run to center field, driving in three runs. Moments later, Kate Stumpenhaus sent a homer to left field, adding two more to the tally, and Ellie Switzer capped the rally with another home run to center, scoring two more for Kearney.

The action didn’t stop there. In the bottom of the fifth, Alyssa Quick launched a solo home run to center, further extending Kearney’s lead and energizing the home crowd.

On the mound, Kate Landewee delivered a standout performance for Kearney, earning the win after four hitless, scoreless innings with nine strikeouts and three walks. Reghan Lueken started for the Bulldogs, pitching three innings and allowing two hits and three runs while striking out four. Liberty North’s Endsley Lierman took the loss, giving up seven runs—four earned—on five hits across two and two-thirds innings.

The Bulldogs finished the game with 10 hits. Brooke Paalhar was a key contributor, going 2-for-4 and driving in three runs. Quick, Paalhar, and Kennedi Casey each collected two hits for the Bulldogs. Kearney’s defense was flawless, with no errors committed, and Caroline Jury led the team with 13 chances in the field.

For Liberty North, Sharpnack was a bright spot in the lineup, going 1-for-3 with two RBIs, while Couch added a hit and Addie Schneider drew two walks. The Eagles showed patience at the plate, working five walks over the course of the game.

The Bulldogs move past the first round of District Postseason play with a bye but will play the winner of the William Chrisman/Winnetonka Quarterfinal game on Saturday, October 18, at noon at William Chrisman High School, 1223 N Noland Rd, Independence, MO. Live coverage will begin on 102.7FM KPGZ at approximately 11:30 am, weather permitting.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Bulldogs Roll to 7-0

The Kearney Bulldogs celebrated homecoming by scoring 49 points in the first half and holding Raytown South scoreless in a 57-0 conference win. The number one, state-ranked, class-4 Bulldogs sit at the top of the Suburban Blue conference with a perfect 7-0 season.

Kearney Running Back Dryden Hendrix (5) breaks free from two Raytown south defenders – Photo by Ray Weikal.

“What we really wanted to do this week was put a three-phase game together where we played really well in all three phases,” said head coach Logan Minnick.

“When you put up over 50 and you keep a shutout – our first shutout of the year – and have huge special teams plays; we scored on special teams and then had a blocked punt as well. So, it was a complete game in all three phases and exactly what we were looking for.”

Bulldog quarterback Carter Temple was 7 of 9 for 99 yards passing with four touchdowns and carried the ball three times for 55 yards and a touchdown – all of that in just the first half of play against a struggling 0-7 Raytown South team.

Two of Temple’s touchdown passes went to tight end, Drew Nelson, one for 29 yards, the other for 13. “It’s really easy when Carter is throwing to me,” said Nelson. “He already knows exactly when I'm going to be open and where I'm going to be open. It's a blast knowing that I'm going to get the ball, especially on homecoming.”

The second team Bulldogs played nearly all of the second half, scoring once on a Conon Cholak 1-yard touchdown run while the defense held Raytown South scoreless, protecting the shutout.

“We told those guys, ‘boys we're going full twos across the board’ (in the second half). The expectation was that we keep the shutout on the board, and we continue to put points on it,” said Minnick

Two games remain on the Bulldogs’ regular season schedule: at Winnetonka (5-2) and a home game against Excelsior Springs (2-5).

Minnick cautioned against looking ahead. “As a coach you get a little nervous when you get a team on your schedule that on paper looks like it's going to be a blowout. You've got to keep your kids focused when everybody's patting them on the back.”

“I've even heard, ‘Oh, a third undefeated season in four years.’  Don't say that around me. I don't want to hear that. I think our kids understand that,” Minnick added.

Senior team captain, Drew Nelson understands it. “It doesn't matter who we're playing. We're just going to bring the hammer every single time. We'll be well-prepared for every single game and just keep it going every single week.”

KPGZ News – Mike Davis contributed to this story.