Artists Wanted for Inflatable Soccer Ball Art

Go North KC is now accepting applications for a Call for Artists to design original artwork for a 20-foot diameter inflatable soccer ball that will be featured at community events and public gatherings in the region.

Bold in scale and designed to be experienced from every angle, the inflatable soccer ball will serve as a highly visible, photo-friendly centerpiece—inviting residents and visitors to engage with art in a fun, accessible format inspired by the global spirit of the game.

This project is an opportunity to spotlight creative talent and bring something truly eye-catching to our community events. We’re excited to see artists’ styles and ideas come to life on a unique three-dimensional canvas.

The selected artist will create a full-surface design for the inflatable soccer ball. Like a traditional soccer ball, the piece is constructed from stitched pentagonal and hexagonal panels, allowing the classic soccer aesthetic to remain visible while still offering artists an expansive spherical surface to design. Artists may choose to reference the panel structure—or design as if the ball were a continuous, uninterrupted surface.

This Call for Artists will be conducted in two phases:

• Phase One (Initial Application): Artists submit references of existing work and a brief statement of interest. No original concept is required at this stage.

• Phase Two (Finalist Concepts): Five (5) finalists will be invited to create and submit design concepts for the inflatable soccer ball. Each finalist will receive a $100 honorarium.

From the finalists, one artist will be selected and awarded a $2,000 contract to complete the final artwork for production.

• Artists will be asked to submit:

• 3–5 examples of existing work

• A brief statement of interest

A current résumé or artist bio

Full details, submission instructions, and the application link are available at:

https://gonorthkc.com/callforartists. Submissions are due: January 4th, 2026 at 11:59 pm.

KPGZ News – Megan Sahlfeld contributed to this story.

K-9 Havoc Assists in Arrest on 92 Highway

Over the weekend, a traffic stop conducted by a day-shift officer on 92 Highway near McDonald's led to the arrest of a 28-year-old Camden, MO man.

Photo by Kearney Police Department.

During the investigation, it was discovered that the driver had a suspended license and active warrants for his arrest. K-9 Havoc was called to the scene and alerted officers to the presence of contraband in the vehicle.

A search revealed approximately 13 grams of packaged methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and a loaded handgun. The driver, a convicted felon, is prohibited from possessing firearms.

Officers safely took the suspect into custody, and Kearney Detectives with the Criminal Investigations Unit filed in-custody charges for felony possession of a controlled substance and felony unlawful possession of a firearm.

Bond was set at $50,000, and the suspect was booked into the Clay County Detention Center on the new felony charges.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

AutoZone Site Plan Approved in Shoppes at Kearney

The City of Kearney approved a site plan for a new AutoZone store at 780 Watson Dr., making an exciting addition to the Shoppes at Kearney Shopping Center. The project brings enhanced retail services, new investment, and additional job opportunities to the community.

AutoZone, a national retailer and distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories, operates thousands of locations across the Americas and continues an aggressive expansion strategy, according to the company's website. AutoZone also notes that with each new location, they aim to offer a wide selection of parts and accessories for cars, SUVs, vans, and light trucks, supporting both everyday drivers and local service providers.

"We're excited to welcome AutoZone as the newest addition to our community," said Mayor Randy Pogue. "This project reflects the momentum we're seeing in local investment and represents a strong vote of confidence in our city's future. Our residents will benefit from added services, and this new store will help stimulate further commercial growth and opportunity."

AutoZone's 2024 Annual Report highlights the company's pride in "going the Extra Mile" for customers and communities, bringing both retail convenience and a commitment to corporate responsibility to every location.

Construction of the new store is expected to begin by Q2 2026. Further details, including the opening date, will be announced once finalized.

KPGZ News – Carolyn Yatsook contributed to this story.

Clay County Parks Launches Master Planning Initiative

Clay County Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites has begun the development of a comprehensive Master Plan designed to set clear goals, objectives, and strategies for the future management and growth of its parks system. The plan aims to provide direction for the department by forecasting community needs and outlining an actionable path forward.

To execute this initiative, the county has engaged CHM Government Services, PROS Consulting, RDG Planning & Design, and ETC Institute, bringing together expertise in government services, planning, and public engagement. The resulting Master Plan will serve as the guiding vision for the agency, including recommendations backed by research and data, as well as measurable actions that are straightforward for staff and stakeholders to interpret and implement.

Public participation is a key component of the planning process, with opportunities for engagement from county staff, key stakeholders, elected officials, and community members. A notable opportunity to share input will be at the 30th annual Eagle Days event at Smithville Lake, which features live eagle programs presented by Operation Wildlife.

Residents are invited to visit the project booth to offer ideas and feedback. Eagle Days will be held Saturday, January 3 at the Paradies Pointe Golf Course Clubhouse, located at 18212 Golf Course Drive in Smithville, Missouri.

For further details about the Master Plan and opportunities to participate, visit the Clay County Parks and Historical Sites Master Plan project website at Engage RDG.

Clay County Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites manages over 6,000 acres of parkland, including two championship golf courses, 80.5 miles of trails, 752 campsites, two marinas, swim beaches, docks, shelters at Smithville Lake, two museums, historic sites, and parks such as Rocky Hollow and Tryst Falls located between Kearney and Excelsior Springs. For questions, contact John Davis, Parks Director at parks@claycountymo.gov.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Eleven Bulldogs Named to All-State Roster

Missouri Football Coaches Association announced the All-State 2025 roster this week and of the 11 Kearney Bulldog players honored, six are returning juniors.

Class-4 top honors go to Head Coach Logan Minnick who was named Coach of the Year; Carter Temple, Offensive Player of the Year; and Isaac Beaver, Defensive Player of the year.

Carter Temple with the Quarterback Keeper in the Class 4 State Final on Dec. 6, 2025. Photo by Ray Weikal.

First-team all-state, team captain, Carter Temple, junior quarterback of the 14-0 state championship team capped the Bulldogs’ season with 1,456 passing yards, 18 touchdowns and a quarterback rating of 135.6 with only two interceptions.

In an offense spilling over with talented running backs, Temple led the team in rushing with 1,037 yards (7.1 YPC) and 22 touchdowns.

Senior running back, Corbin Emmons was named second-team all-state. In an injury-shortened season, Emmons ran for 606 yards (6.5 YPC) with 8 touchdowns. Dryden Hendrix, a junior, earned third-team all-state honors at running back finishing the season with 846 yards (7.2 YPC) and 12 touchdowns. Junior Matthew Lindsey carried for 329 yards (6 YPC) and 7 touchdowns and was named first-team, all-state returner with 199 yards on six returns (33.1 YPR).

Junior, first-team all-state defensive back Kale Tucking led the Bulldogs in punt returns with 264 yards on 17 returns (15.5 YPR). He and his twin brother, Luke Tucking, second-team all-state linebacker, return to the Bulldog defense in 2026.

Aidan Arellano, junior first-team all-state linebacker is a tough-as-nails tackler with lightning-quick speed. Arellano doesn’t miss tackles. He will be back, running people down and stopping them cold.

Isaac Beaver, senior first-team all-state defensive lineman and his twin brother Mason will be impossible to replace. Kearney, in all likelihood will never find another pair of six-foot-two-inch, 285-pound, monsters with the speed, athletic ability and raw, weight room strength of these exceptional football players. 

Nyk Belabre, senior offensive lineman was named first-team all-state and will likely move on to the next level. College recruiters are sure to like his 6’-3” 285-pound athletic frame and toughness.

First-team all-state tight end, Drew Nelson, a senior who by-the-way delivered on 57 of 58 extra point kicks during his senior season is a weight room guy with offensive lineman blocking skills, and well-capable of catching the football, recording 222 yards on 13 catches and four touchdowns.   

Senior Brad Doll, first-team defensive back made possibly the best play in the state championship game with an athletic leap for a game changing interception. Doll is listed as the Bulldogs backup quarterback and is well capable of playing as a starter.

It’s hard say good-bye to a senior class who went 49-4, won two state titles and made a semifinal appearance in Coach Minnick’s first full class of players, but that’s the nature of high school football.

With Minnick as Class-4 Head Coach of the year, Marcus Brinkley as Assistant Coach of the Year, and six returning all-state players that includes quarterback Carter Temple, the 2025 Offensive Player of the Year, the 2026 season looks bright for the Kearney Bulldogs.

KPGZ News – Mike Davis contributed to this story.