Three Kearney Teens Involved in Fatality Crash

Three people are dead, and three others went to the hospital after a Sunday morning crash in Atchison County on November 17. The crash involved three teens from Kearney.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports the crash occurred around 7:22 am on I-29 North, six miles north of Watson, Missouri.

A 29-year-old Bellevue, Nebraska man drove south into northbound traffic and struck a car head-on driven by 18-year-old Kole Cunningham of Kearney. The car continued south after the collision, traveled off the road, hit a bridge, and caught fire. Cunningham's vehicle traveled off the road as well, and flipped upside-down.

The drivers of both vehicles were pronounced dead at the scene. 18-year-old Lucy Yeates of Kearney was also pronounced dead at the scene. The Missouri State Highway Patrol report indicates she was not wearing a seatbelt.

A second passenger in Cunningham's vehicle, 18-year-old Aubrey Yeates from Kearney, suffered serious injuries and was flown to Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. She was wearing a seatbelt.

A one-year-old boy in the Nebraska man's car suffered moderate injuries and was taken to Grape Hospital in Hamburg, Iowa.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Bulldogs Clinch District Title Over Savannah

For the second straight year, the Kearney Bulldogs are Class 4 District 8 champions. Kearney ran the ball 29 times for 277 yards in a 34-7 district championship win over the Savannah Savages.

Senior Grant Noland scored on a second-quarter 14-yard pass reception from Carter Temple, and a 42-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter. He also led the Kearney defense with six solo tackles, four assists, and two tackles for loss.

The Kearney Bulldog defense held Savannah quarterback Aiden Knechtenhofer to only 73 yards passing until a late fourth quarter, 67-yard pass and run to Max Howe for the Savages’ only score. Kearney’s defense slammed the door on any hope of a meaningful Savannah running attack, holding the Savages to only 54 total rushing yards, 41 of which were Knechtenhofer scrambles.

Corbin Emmons dashes in the endzone for a bulldog touchdown. Photo by Eric Stevens.

“Anytime our defense is playing the way they’ve been playing, it doesn't take a ton of points to get to where we need to be,” said Head Coach Logan Minnick.

Bulldog dual-threat quarterback, Carter Temple was 8 of 13 for 85 yards passing and one touchdown. Temple led the Bulldogs in rushing with 95 yards and a touchdown. Senior running back Tristan Williams had 66 yards and a touchdown, Noland had 58 yards on 3 carries and a touchdown, and Corbin Emmons rushed for 49 yards on 10 carries and a touchdown.

“Coming into this game, we knew Savannah was pretty physical,” said Kearney senior lineman, Nyk Belabre. “We had to be just as physical up front. Our running backs ran hard, and Carter had some great plays.”

“The big guys up front have been good all year and had a great night,” said Minnick. “We challenged them all week. That is a very good defense over there.”

Kearney forced two Savannah turnovers in the first half of play: A Trent Dostal pass interception; and a blocked punt by Jacob Dillon recovered by Conner Reid. Kearney’s offense capitalized on both, scoring 14 points in the second quarter.

Kearney punted the ball once. The defense had six tackles for loss and a sack against a prolific offense led by a talented, athletic quarterback in Aiden Knechtenhofer. The Bulldogs would score three final touchdowns in the fourth quarter for the 34-7 win over Savannah, a team that averaged 34.5 points per game this season.

“You know as we talk about our goals for the year and putting banners up in the gym, this is banner number two this year,” said Minnick. “You win the conference, you win the district and now, we're going to try to make a run at this thing.”

Kearney will face the Warrensburg Tigers in Warrensburg for the state quarterfinal game on Friday, November 22 at 7:00 pm. The Bulldog Radio Network will carry the live broadcast. Pregame begins at 6:40.

Mike Davis contributed to this story.

Watch for Increased Deer Along Roadways this Fall

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Missouri has consistently ranked within the top 15 states nationally for collisions involving deer. The Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance (DCI) warns drivers to be mindful of deer and other wild animals that commonly cross the roadways as temperatures drop and nights become longer.

In 2023, Missouri drivers experienced 3,591 crashes involving deer, equating to one deer strike occurring approximately every 2 hours and 30 minutes in the state. In these crashes, there were four fatalities, and 420 people were injured.

“Dawn and dusk are the most susceptible times to experience deer collisions,” said Chlora Lindley-Myers, Director of the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance. “Always be cautious and regularly scan both sides of the roadway. Keep in mind some accidents are unavoidable, so it’s always best to be prepared by contacting your agent or carrier to discuss appropriate insurance coverage.”

Deer are often in groups, even in populated areas. Be extra cautious at night when animals tend to be more active and watch for the reflection of their eyes from your vehicle headlights. Stay focused while driving and be ready to react by reducing your speed if you encounter deer. Never swerve to avoid animals in the road, as it can cause loss of vehicle control, resulting in serious injury or death.

Damage to a vehicle from an accident with an animal is covered under an auto policy’s optional comprehensive coverage. If you only have collision or liability coverage, your insurance carrier will not cover vehicle damage from an animal collision.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates damage caused by deer accidents alone results in about $1 billion of uninsured losses annually. If you experience an animal collision accident, ensure your personal safety before promptly reporting the incident to your insurance carrier. Take photos to document the on-scene damage if you can do so safely. Filing a claim for an accident covered by your comprehensive coverage means you’ll still need to pay a deductible. After that, your insurer typically covers the costs of the claim up to your policy limits.

MO DCI Press Release

Light up Jesse James Park this Christmas

It’s time to light up Jesse James Park for Christmas. Individuals, families, businesses, and other groups are encouraged to decorate a tree in the park for Christmas.

The City of Kearney will have electricity available along the trail for people to decorate trees. People and organizations are responsible for lights, extension cords, decorations, and creativity.

There is no reservation system for the event. People may pick out their tree and begin decorating it after Thanksgiving. The city would like the people or organizations to put a sign near the tree so viewers will know who decorated it. The city will turn on the electricity after Thanksgiving.

Tree decorators are asked to take down decorations promptly after January 1. Decorations left up after January 12 will be discarded.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Junior High Bulldogs Honor Veterans

Kearney Junior High students and staff recognized and celebrated those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces during a special Veterans Day breakfast and assembly this morning.

Dozens of veterans who are also junior high parents/guardians or other family members were guests of students and staff members at the breakfast, which was held in the school library. This was the first Veterans Day event of its type at the school in recent memory, according to Principal John Goodin.

Junior high social studies teacher Alan King delivered a keynote address about his 22-year career in the Marines.

“We wanted to do something special for all of our veterans and their families. That’s important for all of us at Kearney Junior High,” Mr. Goodin said. “We also saw this as an opportunity for our students to learn more about these veterans and their selfless service.”

Immediately following the breakfast, the veterans and their families were ushered into the school gym for a special assembly with the entire student body and staff. The program started with a ninth-grade band performance of the song, “Salute to the Armed Forces,” the Presentation of the Colors by members of Boy Scout Troop #397, and a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem by the school Chamber Choir.

Several students recited names as part of the Missing Man table presentation. Junior high teacher Daniel Roberts read a list recognizing the veterans who were guests at the event.

Junior high social studies teacher Alan King delivered a keynote address about his 22-year career in the Marines, which included deployment to Iraq and service in the Defense Intelligence Agency. He talked about why it’s important to honor veterans and encouraged all students to consider public service in the military as a career option.

Ray Weikal contributed to this story.