Fireworks Stands Opening in Kearney

Fireworks stands are popping up around Kearney, but consumers will have to wait a few more days before they are legally allowed to shoot off their noisemakers.

Fireworks vendors are allowed to be open from 9 am to midnight every day from June 20 until July 5.

The Kearney Police Department reminds residents that fireworks may only be discharged from June 28 to July 3, between the hours of 9 am to 10 pm. On July 4, fireworks may be discharged between the hours of 9 am to 11 pm. Fireworks may not be fired or discharged except on the individual’s own property or with the permission of the property owners.

People should not fire any fireworks in a way that would threaten or injure another person. Fireworks may be discharged at other times and places with the permission of the City. Bottle Rockets are ILLEGAL in Kearney City Limits.

Fireworks vendors are allowed to be open from 9 am to midnight every day from June 20 until July 5.

This year Kearney’s fireworks celebration will be on Friday, July 3. The fireworks display will be at Jesse James Park and the city will have inflatables for the kids and a free concert featuring Shipwrecked. The concert starts at 7:30 pm, and the fireworks start at 9:30 pm.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Clay County 4-H Invites Community to Celebrate Local Youth

The public is invited to celebrate the creativity, leadership and hard work of local youth at the 2026 Clay County 4-H Fair on Saturday, July 11, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Northern Hills Christian Academy, 17211 NE 180th Street in Holt.

The annual fair will showcase the talents, skills and accomplishments of Clay County 4-H members through project exhibits, demonstrations, public speaking, fashion presentations and youth entrepreneurial activities.

Visitors will be able to view a wide variety of projects completed by 4-H youth and learn more about the hands-on educational experiences offered through the University of Missouri Extension 4-H program. According to MU Extension, Clay County 4-H helps young people build life skills, contribute to their communities and prepare for college and careers through clubs, camps, contests, conferences and other learning opportunities.

Fair activities will include youth demonstrations from 9:30 a.m. to noon and again from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.; Show-Me-Wares youth artisan booths; Speech and Style Revue presentations from 3 to 4 p.m.; a Coin Challenge fundraiser ending at 3 p.m.; and project viewing throughout the day.

Concessions will be available during the event, and admission is free.

The Clay County 4-H Fair is open to families, community members and anyone interested in seeing the accomplishments of local youth. The event provides an opportunity for residents to support young people as they share what they have learned through months of project work and participation.

4-H is the youth development program of the University of Missouri Extension. Open to youth ages 5 to 18, 4-H helps young people build confidence, leadership, citizenship and life skills through hands-on learning experiences in areas such as science, shooting sports, public speaking, healthy living, civic engagement and the arts.

For more information about Clay County 4-H, contact the University of Missouri Extension Office serving Clay County at 816-407-3490 or Clayco@missouri.edu.

KPGZ News – Katy Wright contributed to this story.

Kearney Food Pantry Hosts Cereal Drive-By to Feed Local Kids

This summer, you can be a hero—with just a box of cereal. The Kearney Food Pantry is inviting the community to step up and help children in need by donating cereal during its 3rd annual Cereal Drive-By event on Wednesday, July 15 from 9 am to 1 pm at 108 W. Washington Street.

With school out for summer, many children who rely on school meals are left without a steady breakfast. The cereal drive aims to fill that gap—one box at a time.

Community members are encouraged to “drive by and drop off” boxes of cereal at the pantry. Every donor will receive a FREE drink token from Sonic as a thank-you for their support.

"Help us fill the pantry, because no kid should ever start the day on an empty bowl," said organizers from the Kearney Food Pantry.

Invite your friends, family, and coworkers to participate. Whether it’s one box or a whole trunkful, every donation helps fill empty bowls—and brings hope to local families.

Fill the shelves. Fill hearts. Be breakfast heroes.

For more information, visit KearneyFoodPantry.com or contact the pantry directly.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Gladstone Man Arrested for Possession of Child Pornography

A four-month-investigation culminated with the arrest of a Gladstone man yesterday for possession of child sexual abuse material.

Sheriff’s Office deputies and Special Victims Unit detectives served a search warrant yesterday at the residence of 51-year-old Cecil Cameron, Jr. He has been charged with two felony counts of possession of child sexual abuse material. The Court set his bond at $50,000. The investigation is ongoing, and more charges may be warranted based on analysis of evidence seized from the home, which included electronic devices and apparent narcotics.

Special Victims Unit investigators received an Internet Crimes Against Children tip in this case in March 2026. They have worked through several legal processes over the last several months to gather evidence, culminating yesterday in Cameron’s arrest and the search warrant of his house in the 200 block of NE 77th Street, Gladstone, Mo.

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office is part of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program. It is a network of 61 coordinated task forces, representing more than 5,400 federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, dedicated to investigating, prosecuting and developing effective responses to internet crimes against children.

This case was a result of a tip to the Cyber Tipline, the nation’s centralized reporting system for the online exploitation of children. It is operated by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Those tips are routed to local law enforcement like the Clay County Sheriff’s Office for investigation.

KPGZ News – Sarah Boyd contributed to this story.

Pursuit Results in Felony Charge for Aggravated Fleeing

Clay County prosecutors charged Raquel M. Tapia on June 12 after an alleged high-speed pursuit that began on northbound Interstate 35 and ended after a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper used a Tactical Vehicle Intervention.

Tapia is charged with aggravated fleeing, a Class D felony under Valentine’s Law, and driving while intoxicated, a Class B misdemeanor. The felony charge is punishable by up to seven years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. The misdemeanor charge is punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.

According to police reports, the incident began when a silver Chevrolet sedan allegedly bypassed a traffic stop while traveling 93 mph in a 55-mph zone. After a trooper activated emergency lights, the vehicle allegedly accelerated and continued for several miles, reaching speeds of up to 114 mph while failing to maintain its lane and nearly striking several vehicles.

Investigators said the driver, later identified as Tapia, drove through a red light while turning eastbound onto 152 Highway, then turned southbound onto 291 Highway and reached speeds of up to 113 mph. The pursuit ended near 291 Highway and Leonard Street after a trooper conducted the intervention maneuver.

Police reports state that Tapia allegedly resisted arrest and repeatedly broke free from standard handcuffs, requiring officers to secure her with plastic flex handcuffs. Officers also reported observing multiple physical signs of intoxication and finding several open and empty alcohol containers inside the vehicle.

The court issued an arrest warrant and set Tapia’s bond at $75,000.

“An impaired driver who attempts to evade police creates an unpredictable and potentially deadly situation for innocent members of the public, other drivers, and law enforcement officers. The charges reflect the seriousness of that alleged risk,” Clay County Prosecutor Zach Thompson said.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.