Kearney to Break Ground on New Hall Park Project Sept. 8

The City of Kearney will mark the start of construction on its new Hall Park project with a public groundbreaking ceremony at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8, at 507 S. Prospect St.

The planned park is being developed with seniors in mind, while also offering an accessible outdoor gathering space for residents of all ages. City officials say the project is intended to expand recreational opportunities and create a place where community members can stay active, connected and engaged.

Mayor Randy Pogue said the project reflects the city’s continued focus on quality of life.

“Hall Park is an investment in quality of life and in creating more opportunities for our seniors to stay active and connected,” Pogue said. “We’re excited to begin construction and look forward to seeing residents of all ages enjoy the park.”

The ceremony will include brief remarks from city officials and community leaders before the ceremonial groundbreaking. Those attending will also be able to view project renderings showing the park’s planned design.

Community members, local leaders and park supporters are invited to attend the event. The groundbreaking will take place at the Hall Park site, located at 507 S. Prospect St. in Kearney.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Deputy Uses Newly Deployed AED to Help Save Man’s Life

A new emergency response tool was put to the test almost immediately in Clay County, where sheriff’s deputies used an automated external defibrillator to help save a resident’s life just 48 hours after the devices were deployed countywide.

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office outfitted its patrol fleet and sheriff-run facilities with 63 Avive Connect AEDs in January 2026, becoming the first law enforcement agency in Missouri to deploy the devices across an entire county. The units were placed in every patrol vehicle and at county facilities including the Rooney Justice Center, Children’s Justice Center, Public Safety Building, Law Enforcement Resource Center and Transition Housing.

The rollout was designed to close a critical gap in a county that spans 410 square miles of city corridors and rural terrain, where ambulance response times can stretch to 30 or 40 minutes.

That gap became urgent on Jan. 30, when 61-year-old Donlee McIntyre collapsed in the basement of his home shortly after finishing a treadmill workout. His son called 911, his wife began chest compressions and his daughter took over CPR when she arrived.

Clay County Deputy Vicente Vargas reached the home quickly and retrieved the new AED from his patrol vehicle. It was only the second time he had handled the device, after completing training just days earlier.

Vargas placed the pads, followed the device’s visual and audio prompts, delivered two shocks and continued compressions until paramedics arrived. Before the ambulance left the scene, he scanned the AED’s incident-data QR code and sent McIntyre’s full cardiac record directly to the receiving hospital.

McIntyre made a full neurological and physical recovery. He is a father of two and grandfather of three and is set to celebrate his 39th wedding anniversary this year.

“The safety of our community is our top priority, and that can mean deputies taking literal life-saving actions, which happened in this case,” Clay County Sheriff Will Akin said. “We are very fortunate that this life-saving tool was deployed at just the right time at our agency and was in the hands of a deputy who used it flawlessly.”

Sameer Jafri, CEO of Avive, praised the county’s leaders and first responders for acting quickly throughout the emergency.

“Stories like this are at the core of why we do what we do at Avive,” Jafri said. “We cherish and celebrate these successes and look forward to our continued partnership with Clay County.”

County officials said the incident shows how placing life-saving equipment closer to first responders can improve the odds for cardiac arrest patients, especially in areas where minutes can make the difference between survival and tragedy.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Highway Patrol Urges Back-to-School Safety as Students Return to Class

As students across Missouri head back to school for the 2026-27 academic year, the Missouri State Highway Patrol is urging families and drivers to make safety part of their back-to-school routine.

The Patrol said parents should talk with children about how to get to school safely, whether they ride a bus, walk, bike or drive. Motorists, meanwhile, should prepare for heavier traffic around schools, buses, crosswalks and neighborhoods as classes resume.

In 2025, one person was killed and 284 people were injured in Missouri traffic crashes involving school buses, according to the Patrol. Statewide, 871 crashes involved school buses last year.

Students who walk to school should cross at intersections or marked crosswalks, using sidewalks whenever possible and never crossing between parked vehicles. Students should make eye contact with drivers before entering the street and should avoid running into traffic.

Students who must walk along a roadway should stay close to the left edge and step farther left when vehicles approach. Bicyclists should wear helmets, obey traffic signs and signals, ride as far to the right as safely possible, keep both hands on the handlebars except when signaling and avoid carrying passengers.

Bus riders are reminded to wait on the shoulder or sidewalk, stay in line, never try to retrieve items that fall under a bus and walk at least 10 feet in front of the bus when crossing the street. Once aboard, students should sit quietly, keep the aisle clear and follow the driver’s instructions if an incident occurs.

The Patrol also noted that many crashes involving drivers younger than 21 happen between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m., around the time school typically lets out. Young drivers are being urged to treat driving as a full-time responsibility, buckle up and put their phones down. Missouri is a hands-free state.

Parents are encouraged to review safety expectations with their children before the school year begins, including how to ride the bus, walk, bike or drive safely. Families with students who bike to school should make sure helmets are worn and traffic laws are followed.

Drivers are urged to be especially alert in school zones, near playgrounds and bicycle paths, and around crosswalks and bus stops. The Patrol said drivers should allow extra travel time as school traffic patterns return.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Second Flock Camera Missing after Earlier Vandalism

a separate Flock camera near 19th Street and Nation Road was found cut down.

City officials say another Flock safety camera has been tampered with in Kearney, this time near Jesse James Park, where a camera was reported missing.

The discovery comes only days after a separate Flock camera near 19th Street and Nation Road was found cut down. Officers with the Kearney Police Department discovered that damaged camera, according to city officials.

It remains unclear when the Jesse James Park camera was removed. The city said investigators do not currently have leads in either case.

The incidents come as communities continue to debate the use of Flock license plate reader cameras. Supporters say the technology can help police investigate crimes and locate missing people, while critics have raised concerns about privacy and the collection of license plate data.

Kearney officials said the city is still seeking bids to replace the camera damaged near Nation Road.

Anyone with information about either incident is asked to contact the Kearney Police Department.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

KSD Highlights Safety Resources for Students and Families

Creating safe, welcoming and supportive schools remains a daily priority across the Kearney School District as staff members continue working with families, law enforcement and community partners to protect students and support a positive learning environment.

The district’s safety efforts include collaboration with local law enforcement and first responders, trained school safety personnel, emergency planning and drills, threat assessment procedures, visitor management systems and ongoing education to help students and staff know what to do when concerns arise.

District leaders said families play an important role in that work, especially by staying informed about available resources and encouraging students to speak up when they see or hear something concerning.

The district’s Safety & Security webpage provides information about the School Safety & Security Team, emergency response procedures, common terminology families may hear during an emergency, reunification procedures and ways to report a safety concern.

The webpage also includes anonymous reporting resources, including Courage2Report, Missouri’s confidential school safety reporting system, and Scholastic Crime Stoppers. Students and families are encouraged to tell a trusted adult or KSD employee whenever they become aware of a potential safety issue.

In addition to campus safety, the district is also emphasizing online safety. KSD families can use the Online Safety Hub, which offers articles, videos, courses and other resources to help parents and guardians better understand the digital spaces students navigate.

Families may also access the Qustodio Parents App, which gives parents and guardians greater visibility into how their children are using district-issued devices.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.