Kearney Oktoberfest Celebrates 15 Years of Community Tradition

One of Kearney’s favorite fall traditions will return Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, as the Kearney Enrichment Council hosts the 15th Annual Jim Bach Memorial Oktoberfest at Lion’s Park.

The public event, presented by the Kearney Enrichment Council and the City of Kearney, will run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is open to residents, visitors and families looking for live entertainment, local food, shopping and community activities.

Organizers say this year’s festival marks 15 years of bringing neighbors, local businesses and visitors together for a day centered on hometown pride and support for programs that improve the quality of life in Kearney.

Festivalgoers can expect live music throughout the day, a beer garden for guests 21 and older, local food trucks, vendors, an artisan market, family-friendly activities and Oktoberfest-themed contests and games. The Family Fun Zone will include free activities for children and families.

Vendor and food truck applications are now open at tinyurl.com/KECOktoberfest. Space is limited, and organizers said the event is juried, so early applications are encouraged.

The Jim Bach Memorial Oktoberfest is designed as more than a seasonal festival, organizers said. Proceeds and participation help support the Kearney Enrichment Council’s mission to create programs and events that enrich the community.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Sheriff’s Deputies Search for Smithville Lake Robbery Suspect

***UPDATE: 08/01/26**** Thanks the Blue Springs Police Department, Matthew Williams is now in custody.

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a 21-year-old man charged in connection with an alleged robbery and assault at Smithville Lake earlier this month.

Authorities said Matthew R. Williams is charged with first-degree robbery for an incident that occurred late July 17 into the early morning hours of July 18. Investigators said Williams was one of several suspects involved in an attack in which the victim was held against his will, pistol-whipped and robbed of his belongings.

Williams is described as 6 feet, 7 inches tall and weighing about 220 pounds. The sheriff’s office said he has ties to Lee’s Summit, Blue Springs and Raytown.

Anyone with information about Williams’ whereabouts is asked to call 911 or the Clay County Sheriff’s Office at 816-407-3700.

Three other suspects in the case are in custody and have been charged, according to the sheriff’s office. They are 18-year-old Haeli Smith, 21-year-old Georgio M. Sparks and 18-year-old Mason X. Card.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Curry Real Estate Services Transfers Ownership

Curry Real Estate Services has completed a transaction transferring ownership of the company and a majority of its real estate interests to a family partnership led by Vice President Matt Pepper, company leaders announced today.

President Ellen Todd and Pepper said details of the July transaction were not disclosed. The change preserves Curry’s long-standing tradition of local ownership and stewardship, a defining feature of the company for more than a century.

“Much like the Curry family did with my father, Ray Brock, when they entrusted him with the company’s future in 1980, we are pleased to accomplish this and keep it ‘in the family,’ so to speak,” Todd said. “This transition keeps Curry locally owned and preserves the values and commitment to service that have guided the company for generations. Matt has demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication to Curry’s employees, clients and communities, and I am confident the company is well-positioned for continued success.”

Pepper joined Curry Real Estate Services in 2022 and currently oversees the company’s commercial property management, leasing and advisory operations. He brings nearly two decades of commercial real estate experience and holds the Certified Commercial Investment Member designation and Certified Property Manager credential.

He has also served in leadership roles with the Institute of Real Estate Management and is involved with the Park Hill School District, Northland Community Foundation and Northland Neighborhoods, Inc.

Matt Pepper will lead the ownership group alongside his brother, Ben Pepper. As eighth-generation Northlanders, the brothers said the transaction represents an opportunity to invest in the community their family has called home for many years.

Ben Pepper, most recently with Country Club Bank, has been one of the Kansas City region’s leading commercial real estate lenders, with extensive experience financing commercial, multifamily and development projects throughout the Midwest.

“Ben and I are deeply honored by the trust Ellen has placed in us,” Matt Pepper said. “For more than 25 years as president, Ellen has led Curry Real Estate Services with an unwavering commitment to our employees, tenants, clients and community. Her leadership, work ethic and genuine care for people have earned the respect of everyone who has had the opportunity to work with her. We’re excited for the opportunity to lead the next chapter of this legacy organization.”

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Food Establishments, Pools Honored for Safety Efforts

Clay County Public Health Center recognized nearly 140 food establishments and recreational water facilities for outstanding safety performance in 2025, highlighting businesses and organizations that met high standards for inspections, sanitation and public health protection.

The health center announced 97 recipients of its Food Safety Excellence Award and 39 recipients of its Pool Safety Excellence Award. The honors recognize facilities that consistently followed Clay County safety rules, avoided repeated violations and achieved strong inspection results throughout the year.

“All of our licensed food and pool facilities play an important role in helping keep people safe,” said Robert Gilliland, Section Chief of Environmental Health. “These award winners stood out because they consistently went the extra mile. We appreciate the care they put into their work in 2025, and we’re proud to recognize what they’ve accomplished.”

The Food Safety Excellence Award is given to establishments that successfully follow the Clay County Food Code, demonstrate strong sanitation practices and earn exceptional inspection results during the calendar year. To qualify, establishments must have been open and operating for the full year, had no repeated violations, required no follow-up inspections and had no confirmed cases of foodborne illness.

This year’s 97 winners represent the top 12.5% of food establishments overseen by the health center. Of those, 26 earned “Gold Standard” recognition for receiving the safety award three or more consecutive years.

Food establishments regulated by Clay County include restaurants as well as school cafeterias, hospitals, nursing homes, food trucks, churches, caterers, bars, convenience stores, concession stands, event vendors and other locations that serve food.

In 2025, CCPHC’s 11-member environmental health team conducted 1,556 routine food establishment inspections, 272 temporary food event inspections and investigated 166 food-related complaints.

Food establishments in Kearney receiving the Food Safety Excellence Award include: Club At MariMack, Dogwood Elementary, Fair Share Farm, Hawthorne Elementary, Kearney Early Education Center, Kearney Elementary, Kearney Middle School, QuikTrip #198, and Southview Elementary.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Irish Festival Returns to Shamrock Hills This Fall

The sights and sounds of Ireland will return to the rolling hills of Missouri this fall when the 3rd Annual Irish Festival comes back to Shamrock Hills Vineyard & Winery and The Shamrock Ranch on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026.

The one-day, family- and pet-friendly celebration will run from noon to 7 p.m., with gates opening at 11 a.m. Festival activities will be held in the property’s amphitheater area, where guests can enjoy live Celtic entertainment, local craft beverages, food trucks and regional artisan vendors. Leashed pets are welcome.

The entertainment lineup will feature The Elders, a world-renowned Irish rock band, as the festival headliner. Other performers scheduled to appear include Dublin-born singer-songwriter Eddie Delahunt, regional favorites Into the Sun and Stolen Apples, traditional Irish band Amadán, and dancers from the O’Riáda-Manning School of Irish Dance.

In addition to the main-stage performances, visitors can browse craft vendors, sample food from area food trucks and stop by dedicated beverage areas. Adults will be able to visit the Wine Tent for regional estate labels, the Beer Tent for signature brews and the Whiskey Tent for specialty pours. Non-alcoholic options will also be available at the wine tent and through participating food trucks.

Festival organizers noted that although the winery and event space share the same property address, guests should use the winery gate at the top of the hill and park in the main winery parking lot, which provides direct access to the amphitheater grounds.

The indoor winery tasting room will remain open during the festival from noon to 5 p.m. for guests who want to step inside. The outdoor winery patio will be closed to the public for the day.

Admission is $20 per person, and children 10 and under are admitted free. The festival will be held at Shamrock Hills Vineyard & Winery and The Shamrock Ranch, 12300 Shoemaker Road, Excelsior Springs, MO 64024.

Shamrock Hills Vineyard & Winery and The Shamrock Ranch are located on a historic 323-acre farm owned and operated by Mike and Denise Riley. The property includes a renovated 100-year-old Quonset barn, hiking trails, a spring-fed fishing pond, 11 acres of estate vineyards and an outdoor amphitheater.

Tickets, vendor applications and event updates are available through the official Shamrock Hills Events Page.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.