Kearney Opens Door to Short-Term Rentals for World Cup

The City of Kearney has adopted an ordinance allowing short-term rentals within city limits, expanding local lodging options as the Kansas City region prepares for increased visitor demand tied to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Kansas City will host multiple World Cup matches in June and July 2026, and communities throughout the region are planning to accommodate thousands of visitors.

The ordinance permits short-term rentals as an accessory residential use and defines them as stays of fewer than 30 consecutive days. Both owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied properties may be eligible, subject to city standards.

"This ordinance provides flexibility for property owners while maintaining clear standards to protect our neighborhoods," said Mayor Pogue. "As the region prepares for a major international event this summer, we want Kearney residents to have the ability to welcome visitors safely and responsibly."

Operators of short-term rentals must obtain a city-issued permit, comply with occupancy limits, meet parking and nuisance standards, designate a local contact, and renew permits annually.

Permits are non-transferable and may only be held by property owners.

The ordinance follows public hearings and a review by the Planning and Zoning Commission and reflects broader regional planning efforts related to housing and lodging demand associated with the 2026 World Cup.

Additional information, including business licensing and permitting requirements, is available at KearneyMO.us.

KPGZ News – City of Kearney

Precision Athletics & Wellness Opens New Sports Facility

A brand new destination for athletes and families has officially opened its doors in Kearney. Precision Athletics & Wellness, a multi-sport training and community facility, began welcoming the public on February 1, 2026.

Located at 815 Premier Drive just off Innovation Drive, the complex is designed to be more than just a place to work out — organizers say it’s a gathering place where people of all ages can play, train, and build connections.

The facility features courts and training areas for basketball, pickleball, volleyball, and baseball, as well as strength and conditioning spaces. Whether someone’s looking to sharpen athletic skills, stay active with friends, or spend quality time with family, Precision Athletics & Wellness aims to serve the whole community.

Officials are also hosting an open house on Saturday, February 7 from 4 to 8 p.m. The event invites residents to tour the facility, try out the spaces, and meet staff.

Organizers describe the new complex as “precisely where you belong,” emphasizing a welcoming environment for athletes of all levels and neighbors alike.

For more information, visit their precisionathletics-kc.com or check out their social media pages for upcoming events and membership details.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Nolte Clarifies Royals Ballot Misunderstanding

Clay County Presiding Commissioner Jerry Nolte has addressed recent confusion following a press release regarding the county’s involvement in a proposal with the Kansas City Royals. Nolte clarified that while the county missed the deadline to secure a measure on the April ballot, the proposal to bring the Royals to Clay County remains robust and active.

Nolte appeared on Mundo in the Morning on KCMO Talk Radio to clarify the press release that went out on January 28.

“The deadline was not met and that was largely an electoral deadline. Part of the reasoning behind that [press release] was we didn’t want people to think just that, that we were out of the picture. We wanted to make sure people understand that there is a strong and competitive proposal that the county has made.”

Nolte emphasized the significance of holding a public vote, stating that it is essential for the residents of Clay County to have a direct say in such a major decision. “The people of Clay County deserve the opportunity to be heard on this important matter,” Nolte said, reinforcing the county’s commitment to transparency and civic engagement.

The next potential ballot the Royals proposal for public vote could be in August, but as Nolte explained, the Royals have to decide where they want to locate the stadium.

“The Royals need to decide what their way forward is, whether they want to go with an option downtown in Kansas City, which quite frankly is a smaller footprint, or if they want to take advantage of the opportunity of approximately 100 acres in Clay County.”

Mundo also pressed Nolte on a post from Commissioner Withington where Withington said he was “done negotiating with the Royals.” Mundo asked Nolte if the commission is done or not.

“No, the commission is not done. Neither myself nor Commissioner Withington are members of our negotiation team. They [the team] still continue their work. I was talking with a member of the team, and I believe the door is still open.”

Commissioner Nolte also discussed the collaborative nature of the process, highlighting the roles of the state and other partners in making the proposal a reality. Nolte assured the public that Clay County remains dedicated to working together with all stakeholders to bring the Royals to the area and to ensure the best possible outcome for the community.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

KJH Boys Basketball Caps a Great Season

It was a memorable championship week to cap off an outstanding season for our Kearney Junior High Boys Basketball program!

"All three teams delivered remarkable performances and achieved significant milestones," Head Coach Kelly Gentry said. "I am very proud of our players, student assistants, coaches, staff, school, community, parents and fans."

KJH A Team

The A Team brought home the hardware in a major way, winning three games in three days to capture the Greater Kansas City Championship title in the top (Gold) bracket and finish as the overall GKC Champions. 

In the championship game, the Bulldogs defeated Paul Kinder (Blue Springs) 40–26, led by scoring from Jackson Paalhar (12), Brady Willis (10), Jonas Palmer (10), Ben Bolek (5) and Ethan Linneman (3), with strong contributions from Chase Raimo, Maddox Pierce and Davis Spiking. 

The A Team finished 14–1 overall (best record in the GKC Metro), earning both the Regular Season and Postseason Tournament Championships. They also posted an 11–1 regular season record, secured the Suburban North Conference title, earned the #2 seed in the top GKC bracket (out of 40 A teams), and were the last undefeated team in GKC regular season play.

KJH B Team

The B Team also qualified for the top (Gold) bracket, placing them among the top eight B teams in the region. 

Despite battling injuries and illness, they finished the championship week strong with a 43–33 win over Congress to close out the season 11–4 overall. In that final win, Brayson Cox (11) and Beckham Lindeman (8) led the way, with points added by Colt Collins, Cooper Wernimont, Roy Thomas, Bayne Whiford and Asher Beiring. 

The B Team also went 10–2 in the regular season, won the Suburban North Conference title, and earned a spot in the top GKC bracket with one of the best records among 40 B teams.

KJH C Team

In their inaugural season, the KJH C Team made a statement by winning their first two tournament games to reach the championship, then falling to Summit Lakes in overtime by just two points. Top scorers in the title game included Dylan Ferrell (10), Bryce Campbell (7), Lucas Chenoweth (5), and August Frates (4). 

The C Team wrapped up their first season together with an 8–6 overall record, including a 6–5 regular season mark. This was an impressive accomplishment for a brand-new group.

Mr. Gentry is supported by KJH Boys Basketball Assistant Coaches Derek Dixon, Sydney Williamson and Aaron Jury.

The future of Bulldog basketball looks bright indeed after seeing these players in action this season! Congrats to everyone involved in a fantastic season, and thank you again for supporting KJH Boys Basketball. Best of luck to our other winter sports teams as they finish strong!

KPGZ News – Ray Weikal contributed to this story.

Kearney School District Opens Kindergarten Enrollment

Kearney School District will begin kindergarten enrollment for the 2026-2027 academic year on Monday, February 2. Families with children who will be five years old on or before July 31, 2026, are invited to enroll their child in kindergarten during this period.

Detailed instructions on how to enroll will be shared via email, posted online, and made available on the district’s website starting February 2. During the enrollment process, parents or guardians must provide a government-issued ID, the child’s birth certificate, proof of required immunizations, and proof of residence. To determine which elementary school their child will attend, families can use the district’s online boundary map. For further questions, inquiries can be directed to reghelp@ksdr1.net.

Once enrollment is complete, a Parent Educator from the district’s Parents As Teachers program will reach out to schedule a kindergarten screening. These screenings help Kearney School District plan for class needs and provide valuable information and activities to families, including details about summer programs. Parent Educators are also available to answer any other questions parents or guardians may have about the transition to kindergarten.

All families are encouraged to complete the Online Meal Application Form. By doing so, families may qualify for free or reduced-price meals, and the district could become eligible for additional academic resources and funding.

Kindergarten Orientation events are scheduled for Thursday, May 7, from 6 to 7 p.m. at each of Kearney School District’s elementary schools. These events offer families a chance to learn more about the district, tour the school, and meet teachers and the building principal.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.