Five Fatalities Reported During 2026 New Year Holiday

Colonel Michael A. Turner, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, released preliminary statistics for the 2026 New Year’s holiday traffic period, revealing a sobering start to the year on Missouri roads. Between 6 p.m. on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, and 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, January 4, 2026, law enforcement responded to 187 traffic crashes statewide. These incidents resulted in 87 injuries and claimed five lives.

Highway Patrol troopers arrested 112 individuals for driving while intoxicated (DWI) during the same period. Notably, there were no boating crashes or drownings reported over the holiday, marking a safer outcome for Missouri’s waterways.

Comparing these figures to the previous New Year’s holiday period in 2024-2025, there was one fatality and 118 injuries in 264 reported traffic crashes. The reduction in total crashes and injuries this year comes with a concerning increase in fatalities.

The statistics provided are preliminary and may change if additional fatalities are reported or if other law enforcement agencies submit late information. Further details regarding specific crashes and arrests can be found on the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s official website.

It is important to note that the New Year’s holiday counting period varies each year, lasting between 1.25 and 4.25 days depending on which day of the week the holiday falls.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Kearney Candidate Filing Window Closes

The filing window has closed for candidates running for leadership in the City of Kearney, and the Kearney School Board this April. No challengers stepped forward in either election.  

For Kearney Board of Alderman, Ashton King is running unopposed for Ward 1 Alderman and David Lehman is running unopposed for Ward 2 Alderman.

For the two Kearney School Board seats, the only filers were the three incumbents. The three incumbents are Jake Klingensmith, Bree Switzer, and Nic Vasquez and will be re-elected automatically.

The Kearney School Board will not have any other items on the ballot, so it will not have an election this season.

Election Day is April 7, 2026.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Youth Recreation Leagues Registration Now Open

Kearney Parks and Recreation (KPR), in partnership with Smithville Parks and Recreation and Platte City Parks and Recreation, has announced open registration for its Youth Recreation Baseball, Softball, and T-Ball Leagues for the Spring 2026 season. These programs offer inclusive opportunities for children of all skill levels, providing a fun and supportive environment for boys and girls ages 4-14.

All leagues operate under standard Baseball, Softball, and T-Ball rules. The programs rely heavily on volunteer coaches. Interested parents can volunteer by clicking the "Volunteer" tab on the registration site. Volunteer coaches receive free registration for their child (credited for future use after practices start) and have the flexibility to set practice schedules around their availability. Volunteering as a coach is also the best way to guarantee preferred practice days and times for your child.

Scholarships are available for families in need, with complete confidentiality assured. For more information about scholarships, families can contact Ryan Marcotte at 816-903-4730.

Baseball League

The Youth Recreation Baseball League is open to boys ages 7-14. Each team will play six games throughout the season, and teams are assigned through a random computer draw to ensure fairness. The age division for each child is determined by their age as of April 1, 2026. Practices will start the week of April 6, and games begin the week of April 29. Participants will receive a jersey, hat, and an end-of-season medal from KPR, while parents are asked to provide a glove and a recommended helmet.

Softball League

Girls ages 7-14 can join the Youth Recreation Softball League. Like the baseball league, teams are assigned randomly, and each team will play six games per season. Practices begin the week of April 6, with games tentatively starting the week of April 27. KPR will provide a jersey, hat, and medal, and parents supply a glove and suggested helmet. The age division is determined by the child's age on April 1, 2026.

T-Ball League

The T-Ball League welcomes children ages 4-6. All games are scheduled for Friday evenings at Mack Porter Park, with start times at 5:30 PM and 6:30 PM. As with the other leagues, teams are assigned via random computer draw. Practices begin the week of April 6, and games tentatively start the week of April 27. Each child receives a jersey, hat, and medal, while parents provide a glove and recommended helmet.

Registration for all leagues is now open. Parents can sign up online for regular registration between January 2 and March 31, 2026, or opt for late registration from April 1 to April 5, 2026. The full program duration runs from April 6 through June 29, 2026.

The Spring 2026 Youth Recreation Leagues offer a welcoming environment for children to learn teamwork, develop their skills, and make new friends.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Kearney Food Pantry Launches Community Cookbook

The Kearney Food Pantry is delighted to announce the release of its first-ever community cookbook, now available for purchase on Amazon. This special edition brings together a vibrant collection of more than 220 recipes, contributed and inspired by the meals most cherished by local families. Each page is filled with family-friendly dishes, pantry-smart tips, and delicious ideas that reflect the heart and flavors of the Kearney community.

From tempting appetizers like smoked salmon canapés and chicken jalapeño dip to hearty soups, fresh salads, and comforting sides such as autumn soup and champagne salad, the cookbook offers recipes for every course and occasion. The main dishes feature home-style favorites like roast beef and fried chicken, alongside flavorful additions such as dill shrimp, Buffalo Wild Wings pasta, and General Tso’s chicken. No meal is complete without dessert, and this cookbook delivers with indulgent treats like flourless chocolate cake with chocolate ganache and old-fashioned cowboy cookies.

More than just a recipe collection, every cookbook purchased directly supports the Kearney Food Pantry’s mission to provide nutritious food to families in the local area. Whether you’re searching for a meaningful gift, a new kitchen staple, or a fun and delicious way to give back, this cookbook is the perfect choice. The Kearney Food Pantry expresses heartfelt thanks to the community for their continued support, making it possible to turn shared recipes into shared hope for neighbors in need.

Find your copy on Amazon at https://a.co/d/3R6nIaB and help them nourish our community one recipe at a time!

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

2026 Senior Property Tax Relief Enrollment Period Open

The application and renewal period for the Clay County Senior Real Estate Property Tax Relief Program is now open for 2026, with applications accepted from January 1, 2026, through March 31, 2026. The program, implemented under Missouri Senate Bill 190 (SB190), aims to help eligible seniors manage rising property tax costs by "freezing" the real estate tax amount based on a "base year".

The Senior Property Tax Relief program provides a property tax credit that essentially freezes the real estate tax at a base year level, so participants do not pay increases in future years as long as they remain eligible. It is important to note that while the real estate tax credit covers increases due to rising property values, homeowners are still responsible for any new taxes or rate increases added by various taxing entities, such as debt service and the state blind pension levy.

Eligibility requirements include:

Being a Clay County citizen aged 62 or older, or turning 62 during the calendar year of application.

Owning and occupying the home as their primary residence.

Being responsible for paying real estate taxes on the property.

The program does not have a household income limit.

Seniors can apply or renew their enrollment online or in person. An annual affidavit is required to confirm continued eligibility:

Online: Visit the dedicated county website at https://www.claycountymo.gov/sb190 to find application and renewal forms.

In-Person: Paper forms are available, and staff are available at the Liberty or Gladstone offices to assist. The website also lists off-site application events.

Required documentation for the initial application includes a valid US government-issued photo ID and proof of all taxes paid.

Due to initial delays in the program's first year, the payment deadline for all Clay County real estate and personal property tax bills for enrolled participants was recently extended to January 30, 2026. No penalties or interest will be assessed for payments made by this extended deadline.

For parcels enrolled in the SB190 program, payments must currently be made by check, cashier's check, or money order; online payment options are not yet available for these specific bills. All other tax bills, including commercial and personal property, can be paid online.

County officials have emphasized their commitment to residents' patience as they navigate the implementation of this new program. For the latest updates, residents are encouraged to monitor the official county website or their social media channels.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.