Missouri Christmas Holiday Traffic Claims 10 Lives

The Missouri State Highway Patrol announced that 10 people lost their lives in traffic crashes over the 2025 Christmas holiday period. The counting period began at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, and concluded at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, December 28, 2025. In addition to the fatalities, troopers responded to 258 crashes resulting in 94 injuries and made 93 arrests for driving while intoxicated.

Compared to the previous year, the 2025 holiday period saw an increase in fatalities. During the 2024 Christmas holiday, troopers investigated 81 crashes, with four fatalities and 44 injuries reported. Statewide, five people died and 133 were injured in 295 traffic crashes last year. There were 18 arrests for driving while intoxicated during the 2024 holiday.

No boating crashes, fatalities, drownings, or boating while intoxicated arrests were reported by the Patrol during the 2025 Christmas holiday period.

Additional details about the incidents and arrests are available on the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s website.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

County Extends Tax Payment Deadline Amid Senior Tax Relief

Clay County officials have announced an extension to the payment deadline for real estate and personal property tax bills, moving the due date to January 30, 2026. This decision comes in response to delays caused by the implementation of the Senior Real Estate Property Tax Relief Program (SB190), which led to many residents receiving their tax bills later than expected.

The extension aims to reduce confusion and ease the burden on taxpayers. Residents who pay their taxes by the new deadline will not face any penalties or interest. “We are working to implement tax relief for seniors. As with any impactful change, there are challenges. As a result, we are extending the deadline to January 30, 2026, for both Real Estate and Personal Property tax payments,” said Commissioner Jerry Nolte.

Tax bills for parcels enrolled in the Senior Real Estate Property Tax Relief program are now available online. Payments for these parcels can be made by check, cashier’s check, or money order. However, electronic payments and cash are not currently accepted for SB190-enrolled parcels. County officials acknowledge that some taxpayers have expressed concerns about the lack of online payment options for SB190 bills and emphasize that providing this service remains a high priority as they continue to explore solutions.

Meanwhile, all other tax bills not covered by the Senior Tax Relief Program—including commercial, personal property, and standard real estate bills—have already been mailed and are also accessible online. These bills may be paid electronically through the county’s online bill pay portal.

Any pre-payments made on parcels enrolled in SB190 will be reflected on the mailed paper bill. Taxpayers who do not see adjustments for pre-payments are advised to contact the Collector’s office. County officials recognize the rollout of the new program has been stressful and frustrating for many residents and express their appreciation for the community’s patience. For further updates, residents are encouraged to visit claycountymo.gov or follow Clay County on Facebook, Instagram, and Nextdoor.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story

Eagle Days Returns for 30th Annual Celebration

The 30th annual Eagle Days event is set to take place at Smithville Lake on Saturday and Sunday, January 3 and 4, with festivities centered at the Paradise Pointe Golf Course Clubhouse. Activities will run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, and from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, offering visitors a variety of opportunities to learn about local wildlife and the majestic eagles that call the area home.

This annual event is hosted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Missouri Department of Conservation, and the Clay County Parks and Recreation Department. Attendees can look forward to a live raptor program presented by Operation Wildlife, featuring birds that have been rehabilitated after injuries. Inside the clubhouse, exhibits and information booths will be set up by organizations such as the Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary, Friends of Lakeside Nature Center, Wings of Love, and Clay County Parks and Recreation Department. Many of these displays will include live raptors or terrestrial wildlife, including turtles.

Operation Wildlife will also present captive eagle shows, scheduled for 9:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 6, and at 11:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 7. Seating for the live eagle shows is limited, so attendees are encouraged to arrive early to secure a spot.

Throughout the weekend, officials will announce eagle viewing stations at the lake as they identify areas where waterfowl and eagles are congregating. Eagles are frequently seen catching fish at Smithville Lake, but they also follow and feed on waterfowl in the area.

The Paradise Pointe Golf Course Clubhouse, located at 18212 Golf Course Drive on the west side of Smithville Lake, will serve as the main hub for this popular wildlife event.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts Contributed to this story.

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