Voters Decide Commission Seats, Local Questions

Challenger Jennifer Justus defeated incumbent Jerry Nolte for the Presiding Commissioner seat.

Clay County residents went to the polls on Tuesday, November 3, to decide on two county commission seats and Clay County Proposition A, which primarily focuses on increasing salaries and benefits for elected officials, including linking the Sheriff and Prosecuting Attorney salaries to state judge pay scales and offering health and retirement benefits to part-time County Commissioners.

In Kearney, residents also decided on Proposition P, a half-cent sales tax designed strictly to improve public safety and law enforcement. The revenue would primarily fund the recruitment and retention of qualified police officers, maintain minimum shift coverage, provide officer backup, and reduce the police department's reliance on overtime.

Clay County Commission Seats

Challenger Jennifer Justus defeated incumbent Jerry Nolte for the Presiding Commissioner seat. Justus received 55.65% of the vote in the race, compared with 43.37% for Jerry Nolte, a difference of twelve percentage points.

In the Eastern Commissioner contest, incumbent Jay Johnson won by a narrower margin, receiving 52.85% of the vote to Mark McAuliffe’s 46.41%, putting Johnson ahead by six percentage points.

Local Ballot Measures

The two ballot measures faced slightly wider margins. Clay County Proposition A drew 42.38% support, with 57.62% voting no, out of 94,035 votes. Kearney Proposition P finished an opposite split: out of 4,457 votes, 56.63% in were favor and 43.37% opposed.

Mayor Pogue thanked the residents of Kearney who participated in the election saying, “I want to thank everyone who took the time to vote and participate in the conversation about public safety in Kearney.  We appreciate the trust our community has placed in us and recognize our responsibility to use these funds wisely.  Our police officers work hard every day to keep Kearney safe, and this funding will help us continue supporting the people who serve and protect our community.”

Results in this report have not been officially certified by the Clay County Election Commissioners.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Boys Swimming and Diving wins Blue Conference Championship

The boys swimming and diving team won the Blue Conference championship on Saturday October 31, taking first in all three relays and earning six individual victories at the Blue/Red Varsity Conference Meet.

Eli Clayton opened the meet with a win in 1-meter diving Thursday. Swimming preliminaries followed Friday night, with finals held Saturday.

Braeden Mallonee won the 100 butterfly and 100 backstroke and joined Bennett Freeman, Hayden Wright and Isaac Jensen on the winning 200 medley and 200 freestyle relay teams. Jensen also won the 200 freestyle, while Freeman took first in the 100 breaststroke.

Clayton, Peter Jensen, Wyatt Smith and Konnor Spring capped the meet with a victory in the 400 freestyle relay.

The team added several runner-up finishes. Kaulten King placed second in the 50 freestyle, Isaac Jensen finished second in the 100 freestyle, and Peter Jensen took second in the 500 freestyle.

In the 200 freestyle, Peter Jensen finished sixth and Spring seventh. Wright placed third in the 200 individual medley. Freeman finished third in the 50 freestyle, with Kaidan Miller seventh.

Clayton took fourth in the 100 freestyle, followed by King in fifth and Smith in seventh. Spring added a fourth-place finish in the 500 freestyle.

Wright finished third in the 100 backstroke, while Smith placed sixth and Miller ninth.

The team has one more opportunity to qualify for state at the Last Chance Meet on Nov. 4 before heading to the state meet next week.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Kearney Police Carry Baby Supplies for Families in Need

Kearney police officers are now carrying diapers and other baby supplies in their patrol vehicles to help local families in need.

The Kearney Police Department is working with the Kearney School District’s Early Education Center and Parents as Teachers program to stock patrol vehicles with care packages officers can give to parents who need extra support.

Police say the goal is to offer immediate help while connecting families with child development resources and programs that can provide support beyond an officer’s initial visit.

One of those programs, Happy Bottoms, provides free diapers each month to eligible families. Families with children from birth through age 3 may qualify for 75 diapers or 50 pull-ups per month. Children who are 4 years old and have documented developmental disabilities may also be eligible.

Anyone who needs diapers or pull-ups, or knows a family who does, can use the Happy Bottoms sign-up form to apply.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Kearney Chamber Invites Community to Celebrate Small Business Season

“It’s the Thought That Counts” encourages residents to support local businesses from November 1 through December 31, 2026.

The Kearney Chamber of Commerce invites residents, businesses, and community organizations to support local entrepreneurs during Small Business Season, which runs from November 1 through December 31, 2026. This year’s theme, “It’s the Thought That Counts,” celebrates the care local business owners put into serving the community and highlights how thoughtful actions can connect them with new customers and opportunities.

Local businesses help make the holiday season special. They prepare meals, offer meaningful gifts, and provide services that make busy days easier. They also create jobs, contribute to Kearney’s character, and support the organizations and causes that matter to local residents.

“Kearney is special because of the people behind our local businesses—the friends and neighbors who invest in our community and show up for one another,” said Stacie Bratcher, executive director of the Kearney Chamber of Commerce. “A recommendation, a positive review, or choosing a local business first can make a real difference. Small Business Season reminds us that every thoughtful action matters.”

Supporting local businesses can take many forms, including sharing a local business’s social media post, recommending a favorite business to a friend or neighbor, writing an honest review based on your experience, thanking a local owner or employee, or considering a local option when planning a purchase or looking for a service that fits your needs and budget

Throughout Small Business Season, the Chamber will highlight members’ holiday events, promotions, gift ideas, and other ways to support local businesses through Shop Local Kearney, Visit Kearney, and Chamber communications.

As part of the celebration, the Chamber’s December 2 luncheon will feature Kearney’s Favorite Things. The program will showcase holiday gift ideas, products, and special offerings from local businesses while introducing Chamber members and area business professionals to shopping opportunities available right here in Kearney.

Businesses interested in having their holiday events, special offers, or gift ideas featured can email details, dates, photos, graphics, and links to execdirector@kearneychamber.org throughout November and December.

For more information, visit www.kearneychamber.org or contact Stacie Bratcher at 816-628-4229.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Insurance Company Celebrates 15 Years and Welcomes the Next Generation

Spectrum Weather & Specialty Insurance, Inc. is celebrating 15 years in business and an exciting new chapter as Brian Holmes and Catherine Holmes join the family-owned brokerage.

Celebrating 15 years of Spectrum Weather & Specialty Insurance! Founders Robert and Theresa Holmes welcome the next generation to their family-owned brokerage. Pictured from left to right: Catherine Holmes, Robert Holmes, Theresa Holmes, and Brian Holmes.

Founded in 2011 by Robert and Theresa Holmes, Spectrum has grown from a small family business into a nationally recognized provider of weather and specialty insurance, serving fairs, festivals, concerts, motorsports, snow contractors, and special events across the country. The company's success has been built on industry expertise, personal relationships, and a commitment to helping clients protect their financial investments.

Catherine Holmes joins Spectrum with a background in education and a Specialist degree in Educational Leadership from Northwest Missouri State University. She brings strong communication, organizational, and instructional skills to her new role.

“I'm grateful to be part of our family business and look forward to building relationships and continuing the personalized service Spectrum is known for,” said Catherine.

Brian Holmes brings years of automotive industry experience and a strong background in customer service and hands-on problem-solving. He earned an Associate of Arts degree with an emphasis in welding from Maple Woods Community College. His passion for cars and racing also gives him a special appreciation for the motorsports industry.

“I'm excited to join the business my parents have worked so hard to build and look forward to helping clients protect their businesses and events,” said Brian.

“When Theresa and I started Spectrum 15 years ago, we never imagined how many wonderful people we would meet or the relationships we would build along the way,” said Robert Holmes, President of Spectrum. “Reaching this milestone is something we're incredibly proud of, but having Brian and Catherine join us makes it even more special.”

As Spectrum looks toward the future, the Holmes family remains committed to the values that have guided the business since 2011 while continuing to grow and serve clients nationwide.

“We're extremely thankful to our clients, industry friends, and partners who have supported us over the past 15 years,” added Robert. “We're excited for this next chapter and look forward to continuing those relationships for many years to come.”

KPGZ News – Submitted story.