Allen Appointed New Kearney Police Chief

The City of Kearney announces the appointment of Captain Brian Allen as the City's next Chief of Police.  The Board of Aldermen unanimously approved Mayor Randy Pogue's appointment during its meeting on Monday, August 3, 2026.  Allen will begin serving as Chief of Police on September 3, 2026, following the retirement of Chief Mark Thomas.

Captain Allen was selected following a competitive hiring process. Throughout the process, he demonstrated the leadership, character and commitment to public service the City was seeking in its next Chief of Police.  Allen has served the Kearney Police Department for more than two decades, advancing through the ranks while building strong relationships with fellow employees, residents, and community partners.  His experience, institutional knowledge, and commitment to professional policing position him to lead the department into its next chapter.

"Brian has earned the trust and respect of our organization through his leadership, professionalism, and commitment to serving our community," said Mayor Randy Pogue. "I am confident he is the right leader to build upon the strong foundation Chief Thomas has established while continuing to move the department forward."

The leadership transition also marks the end of an era for Chief Mark Thomas, whose dedicated service has left a lasting impact on the Police Department and the Kearney community.

"I want to express my deepest appreciation to Chief Mark Thomas for his dedicated service to our community," Mayor Randy Pogue added. "His leadership has strengthened this organization in countless ways, and his legacy will have a lasting impact on the City of Kearney."

Residents and community members are invited to attend an Open House on Monday, August 17, from 5 - 6 p.m. to thank Chief Thomas for his service and congratulate Captain Allen as he prepares to begin his new role as Chief of Police.

School District Seeks Members for Great Schools Committees

Kearney School District is asking parents, guardians, staff members, students, residents, business leaders and community partners to help shape the future of local schools through two stakeholder committees connected to its Great Schools = Great Community initiative.

The committees are intended to help the district gather community input, study future needs and plan responsibly before major decisions are made about schools, facilities and student outcomes.

One group, the Long-Range Facilities Planning Committee, will review facility needs, consider priorities and provide feedback as the district develops a plan for maintaining and improving the buildings and spaces used by students, staff and the broader community.

District officials said the facilities committee will require the larger time commitment, with several meetings and activities expected this fall. Meetings are scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Kearney School District central office unless otherwise noted. Planned dates include Sept. 3, Sept. 28, Oct. 12, Oct. 19 if needed and Nov. 2 if needed.

The second group, the Portrait of a Graduate Committee, will focus on the skills, experiences and qualities the district wants every student to develop before graduation. That committee is expected to require a lighter commitment, likely one or two two-hour meetings this winter.

Both committees are part of the district’s broader public engagement effort, which is based on the belief that strong schools reflect the hopes, needs and voices of the communities they serve.

Anyone interested in serving is invited to complete a brief Committee Interest Form by the close of business on Friday, Aug. 21. Submitting the form does not obligate a person to serve, but it will help the district identify those who are interested and available.

Kearney School District plans to use the responses to form committees that include a broad mix of voices, experiences and perspectives from across the district.

The district also plans to host public engagement opportunities this fall for families, staff members, residents and community partners who want to ask questions, review information and share feedback. Additional details will be released as those plans are finalized.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday Returns for Missouri

Missouri's annual Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday will officially return from Friday, August 7, through Sunday, August 9, 2026.

According to the Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR), the three-day tax-free weekend will begin at 12:01 a.m. on Friday and run until midnight on Sunday. During this window, all state and local sales taxes are waived on qualifying school supplies, clothing, and computers.

A state law implemented in 2023 mandates that all cities, counties, and special tax districts participate. This means shoppers will see a sales tax rate of exactly zero percent on eligible purchases across the entire state.

Qualifying Items and Price Limits

The tax exemption only applies to items falling under specific statutory price thresholds:

• School Supplies: Must not exceed $50 per purchase. This includes textbooks, notebooks, paper, pens, crayons, backpacks, and handheld calculators.

• Clothing and Footwear: Must be valued at $100 or less per item. This includes school uniforms and diapers, but explicitly excludes accessories like jewelry, watches, handbags, and ties.

• Personal Computers and Peripherals: Laptops, desktops, monitors, and hard drives are tax-free up to $1,500 per item.

• Software: Computer software with a taxable value of $350 or less per item qualifies.

• Graphing Calculators: Eligible up to $150 per item.

The timing of the holiday offers financial relief to parents navigating tight household budgets. Regional business organizations, including the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), are leveraging the weekend to encourage residents to shop small.

"The sales tax holiday is a great opportunity for Missourians to make the most of their budgets while investing in the local businesses that serve our communities," said Brad Jones, NFIB Missouri State Director.

The holiday is open to anyone. Shoppers do not have to be Missouri residents or students to qualify for the savings, making it a popular attraction for border-state travelers. Additionally, the DOR confirmed that qualifying online purchases will also be tax-free, provided the items are ordered and paid for in full during the three-day window, regardless of when they are shipped.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

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.