Poverty Simulation Fundraiser Coming to Kearney

The Kearney Family Foundation and the Kearney Food Pantry are teaming up to host a unique community event designed to raise awareness and support for families facing financial hardship.

The Poverty Simulation, titled “Living on the Edge: Step Into Their Shoes, Help Change Their Future,” will give participants a firsthand look at the challenges many individuals and families experience when living with limited resources.

The event will take place Monday, February 23, from 6 to 8 p.m. and will serve as a fundraiser for both nonprofit organizations. Through interactive scenarios, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the difficult choices and obstacles faced by those living on the edge of poverty, while also helping support vital local services.

Organizers are currently seeking volunteers and sponsors to help make the event a success. Those interested in participating, volunteering, or sponsoring can find more information online at kearneyfoodpantry.com/living-on-the-edge.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Deputies to brighten Christmas for 39 children

Clay County Sheriff’s Office deputies will help 39 deserving children have a fantastic holiday during their annual Shop with a Sheriff event Sunday.

Deputies will shop with the children Dec. 14 at the Wal-Mart at 8301 N. Church Rd., Kansas City, Mo. One half of the children will shop at 9 a.m., with the second half at 9:45 a.m. Families were identified to participate through counselors and social workers in North Kansas City Schools, where the Sheriff’s Office provides school resource deputies.

Each child will get $250 to purchase gifts for themselves and their loved ones. This is a $50 increase over last year, thanks to generous donors. Sheriff’s Office volunteers will be on hand to wrap the gifts. Shop with a Sheriff is funded by grants, public donations and donations that Sheriff’s Office employees make to be able to sport beards or small nose rings throughout the year. 

KPGZ News - Sarah Boyd contributed to this story.

Stolen Car Pursuit Leads to Arrest of Juvenile Suspect

Another late-night patrol by the Kearney Police Department turned into a high-stakes chase on Thursday, December 10. Shortly after 10:00 p.m., an officer patrolling the south end of Kearney spotted a vehicle that matched the description of a recently reported stolen car. The individuals inside the car were also suspected of prowling through other vehicles in the neighborhood.

When the officer attempted to pull the vehicle over, the driver sped away, initiating a pursuit that wove through the city. The chase continued near 19th Street and Highway 33, where police successfully deployed stop sticks. Although the suspect ran over the devices, which slowed the vehicle, the driver continued heading south on Highway 33 into the county, approaching the Riverbend Estates neighborhood.

At that point, the suspect abandoned the still-moving car and fled on foot. Officers pursued and quickly located the individual hiding behind a building. The suspect, identified as a juvenile male from Kansas City, Missouri, was taken into custody without further incident and transported to the Clay County Juvenile Detention Center. The stolen vehicle was recovered and returned to its rightful owner.

The suspect is now facing multiple felony charges, including aggravated fleeing a detention/stop under Valentine’s Law, resisting arrest, tampering (stealing) with a motor vehicle, endangering the welfare of a child, and reckless or careless driving.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Bulldog Standouts Earn Top Honors at Simone Awards

Two Kearney High School football players have been recognized among the elite athletes in the Kansas City metro area. At the 2025 Thomas A. Simone Memorial Football Awards ceremony, held Tuesday, December 9, junior quarterback Carter Temple was honored with the Frank Fontana Memorial Award, while senior defensive end Isaac Beaver received the Bobby Bell Award. These distinctions are presented to the top high school football players in the region, as determined by a vote of local coaches and select media members.

junior quarterback Carter Temple was honored with the Frank Fontana Memorial Award, while senior defensive end Isaac Beaver received the Bobby Bell Award. Photo by Ray Weikal.

The Simone Awards were established to celebrate athletes who not only excel on the field, but also embody the values of love, courage, and friendship. The Frank Fontana Memorial Award is given to the most outstanding player from smaller high schools in the metro area. Carter Temple earned this accolade after guiding Kearney to a perfect 14–0 season and capturing a state championship as a dynamic dual-threat quarterback. Temple carried the ball 146 times for 1,037 yards and 22 touchdowns, and completed 100 of 150 passes for 1,456 yards and 18 touchdowns, throwing just two interceptions. He also contributed on special teams, averaging 44 yards per punt.

The Bobby Bell Award, named for Pro Football Hall of Famer and former Kansas City Chief Bobby Bell, is awarded to the area’s top linebacker or lineman. Isaac Beaver anchored the Bulldogs’ defense, making crucial plays throughout the season, including a standout performance in Kearney’s Class 4 state title win over Hannibal. Beaver finished the season as the team’s sack leader with three, and also contributed offensively with a rushing touchdown. His influence extended beyond individual statistics, helping the Kearney defense limit opponents to just 154 points over the course of the season.

This recognition celebrates not only the individual achievements of Isaac Beaver and Carter Temple, but also the collective effort of their teammates, coaches, and supporters. These prestigious awards highlight the dedication, resilience, and character of the players, and shine a spotlight on the strength and unity of the entire Kearney Bulldog community.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Kearney Bulldogs are State Champions

The emotions of football are not so much a spectrum as they are a contrast. Winning is the highest of highs. Losing is agony.

Senior Defensive Back Brad Doll Holds the State Champion trophy high after Kearney’s 21-14 win over Hannibal in the state final – Photo by Chrystan Ferrell

The Kearney Bulldogs won their sixth, class-4, Missouri state title Saturday afternoon at Spratt Memorial Stadium on the campus of Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.

The Hannibal Pirates didn’t make the long bus trip across northern Missouri to lose 21-14 to the Kearney Bulldogs. With Saturday’s loss, the Pirates are 0-3 in state championship games. The ride home from St. Joseph back to Hannibal was surely agonizing.

In the week leading up to the Show Me Bowl, Kearney head coach Logan Minnick said, “You’ve got the two best teams in class-4 going at it for the whole thing. Their run/option quarterback (Wyeth Dorsey) is probably the most elusive quarterback we've played. He keeps you honest because he can pull that football at any time and go the distance.”

The Bulldogs scored in the first quarter on quarterback Carter Temple’s 57-yard run. Matthew Lindsey carried 17 yards to the endzone in the second quarter. Drew Nelson was perfect on extra-point kicks, giving Kearney a 14-0 advantage.

Hannibal got right back in the game on the ensuing kickoff with an 85-yard return for touchdown by Darrion Washington. A blocked extra point by Kearney linebacker Aidan Arellano held the score to 14-6 into halftime.

In the third quarter, Hannibal sustained a long drive, setting up a 1-yard touchdown run by Tre Hoskins, who carried his own 2-point conversion to even the score 14-14.

Kearney battled back on offense with a 13-play, 65-yard drive capped by a 3-yard touchdown run by Dryden Hendrix giving the Bulldogs a 21-14 advantage with 6:24 remaining in the fourth quarter.

With 4:45 to go in the game and Hannibal down 21-14, the Pirates had possession and a chance to at least tie the game. Quarterback Wyeth Dorsey fired a perfect pass toward his wide-open receiver, Reid Holliday.

Kearney Bulldog senior cornerback Brad Doll, in perhaps the most gloriously athletic move of his life, superman-leaped skyward and stole Dorsey’s pass. Doll’s interception assured the Bulldogs a late possession and an opportunity to put the game away.

“I know they've been running comeback routes all year and they scored on a comeback last week against Saint Mary’s South Side, so I knew he was going to break down,” said Doll. “I just had to make a play for my team.”

“Our kids are resilient,” said Kearney defensive coordinator Marcus Brinkley. “There’s no moment that’s too big, no light that’s too bright. Our kids executed when it came down to that situation, knowing it was going to be on our shoulders to put the game away for good.”

The Bulldog offense drove inside the 10-yard line only to fumble on a running play near the endzone where Hannibal would take over possession.

The Bulldog defense shut down Hannibal’s comeback attempt, forcing the Pirates into turning the ball over on downs.

2025 Kearney Bulldog Class 4 State Champions – Photo by Ray Weikal

The Kearney Bulldogs finished the season with a perfect 14-0 record and a state championship. Coach Minnick said it all begins with attitude. 

“Attitude and effort. Those are the two pillars of our program. As coaches, we're going to build this program around those two things,” said Minnick.

“For a lot of these kids, this was their last time ever playing football, and we hope we've instilled those things to turn them into great young men wherever they go.”

KPGZ News – Mike Davis contributed to this story.