Clay County Voters to Decide Constitution Amendments

Clay County voters will decide in less than a month whether to amend the county’s constitution, considering a package of changes that addresses election procedures, benefits for county commissioners, salary formulas for certain elected offices, appointments and other county responsibilities.

The amendments will appear on the Tuesday, Nov. 3, ballot as a single yes-or-no question: “Shall Clay County adopt the proposed amendments to the Clay County Constitution?”

Because the proposal combines the amendments into one ballot measure, voters will not cast separate votes on the individual changes. A yes vote would adopt the amendments as a package, while a no vote would leave the current constitution in place.

County information about the proposal includes a frequently asked questions document and a side-by-side comparison of the existing and proposed language. The materials outline what would change and what would remain the same, allowing residents to review the full proposal before Election Day.

The 2026 review was required under the existing county constitution, which calls for a Constitution Review Commission to be appointed this year. The commission is directed to consider possible amendments and submit proposed changes to voters.

The first review was scheduled five years after the constitution was changed in 2021. Another review is set for five years after 2026; after that, the review cycle is scheduled to shift from every five years to every 10 years.

Proposed changes can be found on the county’s website at ClayCountyMO.gov/constitution.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Kearney Cheer Earns State Berth With Third-Place Regional Finish

The Kearney Cheer team is headed to the state competition after placing third on Saturday, October 3rd,at the Regional Cheerleading Competition at Liberty North High School.

The Bulldogs entered the regional meet with an unconventional preparation schedule. After spending the summer and fall emphasizing sideline presence, Kearney traditions and individual skill development, the team waited until the week of the competition to assemble its routine.

The approach was designed to reduce pressure and allow the athletes to rely on the skills and technique they had developed throughout the season. With less than a week to complete the routine, Kearney hoped to finish among the top five and secure a state-qualifying spot.

Despite a stunt that did not go as planned and cost the team 4.7 points in raw score, the Bulldogs completed the rest of the routine and finished third overall, just 1.7 points behind the first-place team.

Kearney posted some of the session’s highest marks in dance, creativity, performance and pyramids. The Bulldogs also “hit zero,” a competitive cheerleading term for completing a routine without deductions or penalties. Kearney was one of only three teams in the session to accomplish that Saturday.

The performance secured Kearney a place among the region’s top three teams and a trip to the state championship.

Kearney Cheer will compete for a state title Oct. 24 at the University of Missouri in Columbia.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Chamber Celebrates Golden Anniversary, Business Leaders at Harvest Gala

The Kearney Chamber of Commerce presented five prestigious awards at its sixth annual Harvest Gala on Thursday, October 1. Local business owners and community leaders gathered at Tobacco Barn Farm in Holt to honor the premier institutions and individuals driving Kearney's economic and community success.

The theme for the evening was Golden Jubilee, and  annual event recognized exceptional dedication, community service, and outstanding leadership across several major categories.

The first award presented was the Rising Star award. This award recognizes a new business or a business that reignited, rebranded, or reinvented itself over the last year. The winner of the Rising Star Award was Precision Athletics & Wellness.

The next award was the Chamber Dedication award. This award celebrates a person, business, or organization who has exhibited dedication to the Chamber through service, support, and/or tenure of membership. The Chamber Dedication award went to Brian Watts of 102.7FM.

The third award was the Biggest Community Impact award. This honor recognizes a person, business or organization that has had the biggest impact on our community in the last year. The winner of this award was Kearney Senior Center/Kearney Enrichment Council.

The next award was the Business of the Year award. The Business of the Year award was introduced by the Ambassador Committee. Business of the Year nominees are former Business of the Month recipients, who are nominated by that committee. This honor went to T7 Custom Sports and T7 Let’s Play.

The final award of the evening was the Citizen of the Year award. This award is given to recognize an outstanding member of the chamber community who, through their personal involvement, leadership abilities, and selfless giving of their time and talent, has positively affected Kearney and the lives of its citizens. The Citizen of the Year Award honors those whose contributions to Kearney have been both a recent effort resulting in a substantial benefit to the community, and a steady, reliable long-term history of service to Kearney. This award was presented to Jason Hoyt of HNB Bank (formerly Kearney Trust Company).

The gala marks a major milestone for the Chamber of Commerce, looking back at a half-century legacy while spotlighting the active leaders setting the standard for Kearney’s business landscape moving forward.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story.

School District Continues to Gather Survey Opinions

Kearney School District is continuing the Great Schools = Great Community public engagement initiative.

This work focuses on two important areas: long-term financial stability and long-range facility planning. No final decisions have been made. KSD is sharing information, listening to stakeholders and gathering feedback before next steps are considered.

As part of this process, KSD is conducting a random telephone survey of district households through ExcellenceK12 and Market Research Associates. If your household is selected for the random telephone survey, please answer and share your honest feedback. Calls will generally be placed on weekday evenings and Saturdays. Caller ID may show Market Research Associates or an 816 or 913 area code.

Because not everyone will be called, KSD is also offering online surveys for three key audiences. Before taking the survey, community members are encouraged to review the information, tools and FAQ available on the Great Schools = Great Community landing page: ksdr1.net/greatschools

Once you have reviewed that information, please choose the survey that best fits your primary relationship with KSD: Community Survey, Parent/Guardian Survey, Staff Survey, or KSD employees

Each survey should take about 5 to 7 minutes and will close Tuesday, Oct. 13. The survey can only be taken once per device. Also, if you begin the survey and exit before completing it, the system will not allow you to return later from that device.

Responses are being collected by ExcellenceK12. KSD will receive summary findings, not individual survey responses.

KPGZ News – Ray Weikal contributed to this story.

Bulldogs Undefeated after 31-6 Win over St. Pius

Offensive linemen JD Romero (70) and Sawyer Ritter (58) clear the way ahead. Photo: Kale Davis, Backroads Designs.

A three-touchdown fourth quarter by Kearney Bulldog senior quarterback Carter Temple slammed the door on the St. Pius Warriors 31-6 in a highly anticipated matchup between two Missouri powerhouses.

Bulldog senior linebacker and kick returner Kale Tucking ran back the opening kickoff 92 yards for a lead Kearney would never relinquish. A Grant Bogert point after and 33-yard field goal gave Kearney a short-lived 10-0 lead, until St. Pius quarterback Jake Nichols threw a quick pass to his reliable target, Chase Brookings in the endzone for the first and only points the Warriors would score. The second and third quarters remained locked at 10-6.

“That's one of the best teams in the state regardless of class,” said Kearney head coach, Logan Minnick. “So proud of our kids. We told them it was going to be a heavyweight punch –  they were going to land some punches, and we were going to land some punches.”

Both teams had captured early-season wins over class 6 Rockhurst. This matchup was dead-even, and while the rankings coming into the game might have given Kearney a slight edge, the way in which both defenses slugged it out for four quarters left no doubt these were two of the best teams in the state.

A late first half interception in the endzone by Kearney linebacker Luke Tucking halted a lengthy drive and potential score going into halftime by a talented St. Pius offense. Kearney linebacker Jackson Lager made his presence felt in pass coverage with multiple pass breakups, a fumble recovery and a critical fourth quarter redzone interception.

“Proud of the whole overall defensive effort. That team is averaging over 40 points a game. You hold them to the six they scored on their second drive, then nothing from that point on, that's what we do here,” said Minnick.

Kearney Bulldog offense on the move to another score. Photo: Kale Davis, Backroads Designs.

Carter Temple ran through St. Pius linebacker, Thomas Dickerson and flew by two more Warrior defenders to the corner of the endzone on a 31-yard keeper at the top of the fourth quarter. Kearney’s momentum surged as the senior team captain led the Bulldog charge to victory with two final scores, a 27-yard pass to tight end Caleb Stevens, and a goal line carry behind a fired-up Kearney Bulldog offensive line with 1:48 remaining.

The Bulldogs (6-0) remain undefeated and return to conference play at Raytown South (3-3) next Friday, October 9.

KPGZ News – Mike Davis and Kelly Gentry contributed to this story.