Kearney Hosts World Cup Watch Party and Concert

The City of Kearney is thrilled to announce Cleats & Beats, a premier community FanFest, watch party, and concert event set for Friday, June 19, 2026, at Jesse James Park beginning at 11 am. This high-energy celebration brings together the excitement of the world’s biggest sporting event with the best in local entertainment, offering a unique experience for soccer fans and neighbors alike.

As soccer fever sweeps the nation, Kearney proudly invites the community to a special public screening of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ match between the USA and Australia. One of seven Northland locations participating in a live viewing partnership with GONorthKC, the city is bringing the global game to its own backyard on a massive outdoor screen.

 “Cleats & Beats is designed to bring that stadium-sized energy right here to our local park,” said Mayor Randy Pogue. “Whether you’re a die-hard soccer fan or just looking for a great once-in-a-lifetime event out with your neighbors, this event has something for everyone. We are honored to partner with GONorthKC to ensure Kearney is a destination for fans across the region.”

Following the match, the celebration continues with the "Beats" portion of the event. High-energy party band The Bangerz will take the stage, performing a non-stop set of fan favorites, while a live DJ keeps the atmosphere electric well into the afternoon and evening.

Attendees can look forward to an array of activities and amenities, including:

• Food Trucks & Concessions: Enjoy a variety of local flavors and game-day snacks.

• Selfie Stations: Capture memories with custom-designed photo ops for friends and family.

• Fan Zone: Participate in interactive activities and concessions for fans of all ages, including a drop-in soccer camp with international coaches from Challenger Sports from 11:30 am – 1 pm.

Admission to Cleats & Beats is free to the public. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets for seating. Gates at Jesse James Park will open early to allow fans to secure their spots before kickoff.

For more information and a full schedule of the day’s events, visit kearneymo.us or follow the City of Kearney on social media.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

High-Speed Chase Leads to Felony Charge

Clay County Prosecutor Zach Thompson

Clay County Prosecutors filed charges on April 20, against Reginald Lampkin Jr. for the Class D Felony of Aggravated Fleeing. This charge carries a possible sentence of up to seven years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

The incident began in Liberty, MO, when Lampkin allegedly ran a red light at high speed and nearly hit another vehicle while driving a white Mazda CX9. After officers tried to stop him, Lampkin reportedly slowed down but then sped away, leading police on a 13-minute chase that stretched across Liberty, Kansas City, and Riverside. The pursuit covered 23 miles and reached speeds of 102 MPH.

Police reports indicate that Lampkin drove recklessly, weaving through traffic and ignoring red lights. The chase ended on Interstate 635 near the Kansas state line, where Lampkin allegedly abandoned his car and ran across busy highway lanes. Officers say he ignored commands to stop but was taken into custody after an officer used a Taser.

The Court has set Lampkin’s bond at $100,000. Authorities thanked the Liberty, Riverside, and Missouri State Highway Patrol departments for their teamwork during the investigation.

Officials emphasized the importance of stopping when signaled by law enforcement to keep everyone safe. The Clay County Prosecutor’s Office says it is committed to seeking justice through legal proceedings.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

PCEC 2026 Membership Election Opens May 1

Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative consumer-members are invited to participate in the 2026 Membership Election by casting their votes online or by mail.

Voting opens May 1 and continues through May 26. To vote online, visit www.PCEC.coop/Vote and view each candidate’s full profile. All members who vote will automatically be entered into a drawing for free energy bill credits, applied to the member's electric account. Ten winners will receive $200 each in energy credits and one grand prize winner will take home $1,000 in energy credits.

Three of the nine board seats are up for election each year—one from each of the three service districts. This year, the South District will be the only contested district as directors Kelly Parkhurst and David Edwards are running unopposed in their respective districts. There are no other voting measures on the ballot.

General Manager/CEO Dave Deihl recognizes that it’s easy to skip an election when things are good, but notes voting is just as important when things are going well. “One of the things I often remind people is that participation matters just as much when you’re satisfied as when you’re not,” says Deihl in the Northland Connection. “A healthy cooperative depends on a wide range of voices, including those who feel good about where we’re headed. Voting is one of the simplest and most important ways to stay involved.”

Online voting is secure and managed by a third party to ensure fairness. To access the ballot, members will need their last name or business name, member number, and location number, all of which can be found on PCEC bills or the online billing portal. Alternatively, members can call (816) 343-4847 to request a mail-in ballot. Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by May 19 and sent to P.O. Box 1648, Jefferson City, MO 65102.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

NSA and FBI Warn Americans of Russian Router Hacks

The National Security Agency (NSA) has joined forces with the FBI to alert Americans about a significant threat posed by Russian military intelligence hackers. According to the agencies, these cybercriminals have been exploiting vulnerable home and small office routers to steal sensitive information from users across the United States and around the globe.

The FBI explained that the hackers, identified as Russian GRU cyber actors known as APT28, Fancy Bear, and Forest Blizzard, have targeted routers worldwide. Their sophisticated operation allows them to compromise routers by changing critical internet settings, redirecting web traffic through systems they control. This enables attackers to intercept passwords, authentication tokens, emails, and browsing activity that would usually be protected.

Authorities warn that the campaign has affected victims in the U.S. and other countries, and that the group has been exploiting known router vulnerabilities, including a flaw in certain TP-Link devices. Their focus has narrowed to information tied to military, government, and critical infrastructure networks, raising concerns about national security.

Because devices like phones and laptops depend on router settings to connect to the internet, a compromised router can expose much more than just the router itself. The FBI and NSA strongly urge users to take action: change default usernames and passwords, install the latest firmware updates, disable remote management from the internet, and replace any unsupported devices no longer receiving security updates.

The agencies also advise users to heed browser and email certificate warnings, as these can signal attempts to intercept secure online traffic. Employers that permit remote work are encouraged to review how workers connect to sensitive systems, including the use of virtual private networks and more secure application settings.

For those who suspect they may have been targeted, the FBI recommends contacting a local field office or filing a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center. This warning comes on the heels of a recent disruption by the Justice Department and FBI of a GRU network of compromised routers used in malicious DNS hijacking operations.

The advisory was issued with the participation of multiple U.S. and international cyber and intelligence partners, underscoring the urgency and global scope of the threat.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Early Morning Chase Ends with Arrests and Unexpected Revelations

In the quiet hours just after 1 am on Monday, April 13, what began as a routine patrol on 210 Highway quickly escalated into a dramatic pursuit involving two stolen vehicles traveling together. Deputies spotted the cars and attempted to intervene, prompting both drivers to take off in different directions.

The first car sped into Avondale, where it struck a curb and suffered a flat tire. Undeterred, the driver fled into a nearby field near the 3400 block of N. Bellefontaine. As the vehicle came to a halt, both occupants jumped out and sprinted away. While one suspect surrendered, the other tried to outrun law enforcement.

K9 Argos, however, proved to be faster, tracking down and apprehending the fleeing suspect. After being treated for minor bite wounds at the hospital, the suspect joined his accomplice at the Detention Center.

Meanwhile, a separate deputy tracked the second stolen car to Antioch Road near Russell Road. This vehicle also attempted to escape, weaving across medians before finally becoming disabled near Randolph Road.

When deputies approached, they discovered the driver was a 13-year-old boy. In a candid admission, the teenager remarked that if people didn’t want their cars stolen, they shouldn’t leave them unlocked with the keys inside.

Authorities have charged 21-year-old Kayden Nolen and 21-year-old Kevante White—occupants of the first vehicle—with resisting arrest and tampering with a motor vehicle. The young driver from the second car was handed over to the Clay County Juvenile Office, where he remains in custody.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.