Kearney Pickleball Courts Earn National Silver Honor

The Kearney Pickleball Complex is being celebrated on a national level after earning a Silver Award from the American Sports Builders Association, a prestigious honor that recognizes excellence in athletic facility design and construction.

The award shines a spotlight on what local players have known all along — Kearney’s courts are among the best around. The facility features 12 dedicated outdoor pickleball courts with permanent lines and nets, LED lighting for evening play, restrooms, and a fully ADA-accessible design that welcomes players of all ages and abilities.

Built by McConnell & Associates Corporation, the complex was made possible through the Kearney Use Tax, demonstrating how forward-thinking local investments can create top-tier recreation spaces for the community.

The American Sports Builders Association’s awards program evaluates projects from across the country and honors facilities that exemplify superior design, site work, amenities, innovation and construction quality — making this Silver Award a significant accomplishment for a community of Kearney’s size.

Whether it’s leagues, pickup games, or family play, Kearney’s pickleball courts have quickly become a hub for one of America’s fastest-growing sports. This national recognition not only honors the hard work behind the courts’ creation but also cements Kearney’s reputation as a destination for quality pickleball experiences.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Drive Safe this Christmas

The Missouri State Highway Patrol wishes everyone a merry and safe Christmas and holiday. When traveling during the holidays, remember to wear your seat belt and obey traffic laws.

Over the 2024 Christmas holiday, there were 295 traffic crashes statewide during the 30-hour counting period. In those crashes, five people were killed and another 133 were injured. The 2025 Christmas Day holiday period runs from 6 p.m. Wednesday, December 24, through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, December 28.

If you plan to travel during the holiday, be aware of work zones, obey all traffic laws, adjust driving speeds to the weather, and make sure everyone in your vehicle is wearing a seat belt or secured in the appropriate child safety seat for their size and age. Remember: Missouri is a hands-free state, so put the phone down and buckle up. There is never a reason to speed, drive aggressively, or drive impaired.

Due to ongoing road construction throughout the state, the Patrol suggests that travelers use the MoDOT Traveler Information Map to plan their travel days. The map provides up-to-date information such as road closures, delays, construction zones, and alternative routes. You can download the app for free to your smart device or access it here.

The public is encouraged to call the Patrol's Emergency Report Line 800-525-5555 or *55 on your cellular phone if they witness criminal activity, observe driving behavior that could cause a crash, or experience an emergency. If your holiday festivities include intoxicants, designate someone else to drive. Don't become a statistic.

KPGZ News - Missouri State Highway Patrol

NORAD Unveils New Santa Tracker for 70th Anniversary

For 70 years, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) has been a holiday staple, tracking Santa Claus as he makes his annual journey delivering gifts around the world. This Christmas marks a milestone for the joint United States and Canadian operation, which began monitoring Santa’s travels during the Cold War era when the skies were watched for threats, not for sleighs. Despite Santa posing no danger, NORAD has continued the festive tradition, delighting families across generations.

This year, NORAD has introduced a new way to follow Santa’s path. In addition to the usual phone hotline, the program’s website now allows users to make calls online, making it easier for people without access to a phone or those outside North America to join in the fun. The call center, staffed by hundreds of volunteers, operates every Christmas Eve from 4 am to midnight Mountain Standard Time, answering calls to 1-877-HI-NORAD. For callers after midnight, an Interactive Voice Response system provides updates on Santa’s progress. To make the experience accessible worldwide, virtual translation services now support over 200 languages.

NORAD's website, already active for the holiday season at NoradSanta.org, offers more than just tracking. Families can listen to holiday music, watch videos about Santa and NORAD on YouTube, shop for merchandise, and play games while keeping tabs on Santa’s journey.

The beloved tradition began in 1955, reportedly by accident. NORAD’s predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD), was originally set up to detect possible nuclear attacks. One December, a child mistakenly called the command center asking to speak with Santa Claus after dialing a misprinted number from a Sears advertisement. Air Force Col. Harry Shoup, the commander on duty, decided to play along, instructing his staff to track Santa and answer calls from children. The story goes that the first call may have reached a public line rather than the secret hotline, but Col. Shoup’s enthusiasm ensured the tradition stuck. In a 1999 interview, he recalled greeting the first caller with a hearty “Ho, ho, ho, I am Santa,” much to his crew’s surprise, and encouraged everyone to join in the fun.

By December 23 of that first year, news reports confirmed that CONAD was tracking Santa. The organization evolved into NORAD, moving its operations inside Cheyenne Mountain, with its officers protected by tunnels carved from solid granite—a reminder of its serious origins even as it continues to spread holiday cheer.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Retired K-9 Officer Joran Remembered for Dedicated Service

Retired K-9 Officer Joran, who served alongside Corporal Parton for six years, has passed away at the age of 12.

Joran’s distinguished career included assignments with both the Clinton County Missouri Sheriff's Office and the City of Kearney Police Department. During his years of service, Joran was credited with hundreds of successful person tracks, drug discoveries, and firearm recoveries, playing a vital role in keeping the community safe.

After retiring in 2023, Joran spent his remaining time as a cherished companion to Corporal Parton and his family. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones.

The departments and community members who worked with Joran remember him not only as an exceptional police dog but also as a loyal and beloved friend. His dedication and contributions will be forever appreciated by those he served and protected.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Girls Wrestling Team Shines at National Tournament

The Kearney High School girls wrestling team traveled to Akron, Ohio to compete in the prestigious Women of the Ironman Tournament, a competition widely recognized as one of the nation’s toughest high school wrestling events. Seven Bulldogs represented Kearney, demonstrating exceptional class and competitiveness in a tournament featuring more than 120 teams, many of which included nationally ranked programs and individual athletes.

Despite contending with illness throughout the week, the Bulldogs put forth an impressive performance, securing a 6th-place finish overall. Four Kearney wrestlers reached the Top-8 podium, underscoring the team’s remarkable resilience and skill on the mat.

Individual highlights included Zolah Williams, who advanced to the semifinals and ultimately claimed 3rd place. Williams lost only to the eventual champion and did not surrender a single point for the remainder of the tournament. Myla Woolridge, competing while sick and unseeded, delivered a standout performance by upsetting a nationally ranked opponent and last year’s Ironman runner-up, earning 6th place. Carli Vargas continued her success on the national stage, pinning her way to the championship finals and finishing as runner-up after facing a familiar opponent from Bixby, Oklahoma. Ella Chavez also reached the podium, securing 6th place after multiple hard-fought victories over state medalists in a challenging bracket.

All seven athletes displayed tremendous grit and sportsmanship in one of the country’s most demanding tournaments. The Bulldogs will return to action on December 18–19 at the KC Stampede, held at Hale Arena.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.