Santa Tracked by NORAD Christmas Eve

For 364 days of the year, kids can be sure that Santa Claus is at the North Pole. But for one day, Christmas Eve, Santa is on a world tour in his sleigh. Thanks to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), parents and kids can track Santa’s progress around the globe as he delivers presents to all the good boys and girls.

NORAD is ready to track Santa on Dec. 24, for the program’s 68th year. NORAD monitors and defends North American airspace 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. On Dec. 24, NORAD has one additional mission: tracking Santa Claus as he makes his way across the globe, delivering presents to children.

The NORAD Tracks Santa website, NoradSanta.org, launched on Dec. 1. It features Santa’s North Pole Village, which includes a holiday countdown, games, movie theater, holiday music, web store, and more.

The official NORAD Tracks Santa app is also in the Apple App and Google Play stores, to count down the days until Santa’s journey on mobile devices. NORAD Tracks Santa will also be available on digital media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X, and on contributor platforms, Amazon Alexa, Bing, SiriusXM, and OnStar.

On Dec. 24, trackers worldwide can call 1-877-HI-NORAD to ask live operators about Santa’s location from 6 a.m. to midnight MST. Also on Dec. 24, website visitors will see Santa’s flight beginning at 3 am.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Bulldogs Rack Up Post-Season Football Honors

Even weeks after their final snap of the 2024 season, Kearney High School’s Football players continue to earn accolades.

The Bulldogs have accumulated an impressive array of honors at every level following their phenomenal 12-1 season. Starting with the most prominent, seven KHS Football players were recently selected for the All-State Class 4 First Team by the Missouri Football Coaches Association:

• OL Tyrus Smith

• OL Joe Schranz

• DL Isaac Beaver

• DL Mason Beaver

• LB Theo Grace

• DB Grant Noland

• K Jacob Dillon

DISTRICT HONORS

First Team All-District:

• OL Tyrus Smith

• OL Joe Schranz

• DL Isaac Beaver

• DL Mason Beaver

• LB Theo Grace

• DB Grant Noland

• K Jacob Dillon

Second Team All-District:

• QB Carter Temple

• RB Corbin Emmons

• WR Trent Dostal

• OL Ace Biddix

• LB Aiden Arellano

CONFERENCE HONORS

Conference Defensive Player of the Year:

• Theo Grace

Conference Offensive Player of the Year:

• Grant Noland

First Team All-Conference:

• QB Carter Temple

• RB Corbin Emmons

• OL Joe Schranz

• OL Tyrus Smith

• TE Drew Nelson

• WR Trent Dostal

• ATH Grant Noland

• DL Isaac Beaver

• DL Mason Beaver

• DL Clayton Cowan

• LB Theo Grace

• LB Aiden Arellano

• DB Grant Noland

• DB Trent Dostal

• K Jacob Dillon

Second Team All-Conference:

• RB Tristan Williams

• OL Ace Biddix

• OL Kalan Bomar

Honorable Mention All-Conference:

• OL Nyk Belabre

• WR Hudson Best

• WR Tre Smith

• LB Jacob Dillon

• DB Trent Fritz

KPGZ News –Kearney School District Release

Travel Safely This Christmas Season

The Missouri State Highway Patrol wishes everyone a merry and safe Christmas. One way for it to be merry is for everyone to arrive at their holiday celebrations safely. Wear your seat belt, obey all traffic laws, pay attention, and please, don’t drive impaired. Remember: Missouri is now a hands-free state.

Over the 2023 Christmas holiday, there were 1,034 traffic crashes statewide. In those crashes, three people were killed and another 346 were injured. Last year, the 78-hour counting period began at 6 p.m. Friday, December 22, 2023, and ended at 11:59 p.m. Monday, December 25, 2023. The 2024 counting period begins at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, December 24, and ends at 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, December 25, 2024.

Travelers are reminded that holiday drivers will affect traffic patterns. If you’re planning a trip during the holiday, please keep this in mind. Drivers are encouraged to make sure they are well rested, no matter how short their driving distance. Check the weather forecast and plan accordingly.

Downloading the MoDOT Traveler Information app to your smart phone allows you to check road conditions before you travel. Be proactive: Make sure your vehicle is in good condition and allow enough time to reach your destination safely. Winterize your vehicle before bad weather arrives, but realize that sometimes, it’s safest to stay home.

If faced with a traffic emergency, motorists can contact the Missouri State Highway Patrol at 1-800-525-5555 or *55 on a cellular phone. This emergency number will ring into the nearest Highway Patrol headquarters. Motorists should use this number if they are in a traffic crash, witness a crash or crime, or pass a stranded motorist in need of assistance, etc.

Troopers encourage motorists to protect themselves from all types of hazardous drivers by making sure everyone in the vehicle is properly restrained in a seat belt or child restraint. Please obey all traffic laws, and if alcohol is part of your holiday, designate a sober driver. Every driver can help make our roadways safer this holiday season.

KPGZ News –Missouri State Highway Patrol Release

Bulldog Boys Crush Smithville on the Court

The Kearney Bulldogs boys basketball ball squad took care of business on Friday, Dec. 20, as they dominated over their bitter rivals from eight miles west of Kearney. The Bulldogs started their winter break with a statement win over the Smithville Warriors, 60-35.

The Bulldog defense frustrated Smithville throughout the game starting in the first quarter where they only allowed the Warriors to score 6 points. The Kearney offense was able to rack up 17 points in a great team effort as Aden Sallee, Drew Wilson, Brad Doll, Andrew Way, Brock Scott and Angelo Donze saw bucket after bucket fall in their favor.

“Our goal going into this game too was to win each 8-minute quarter, and that was our goal after each quarter,” Head Coach Dillon Starzl said after the game. “We started as 0-0 every time and the goal was to win every quarter and if you do that, you're gonna win the game.”

Drew Wilson Scored 25 points against Smithville.

The Bulldogs were able to keep the pressure on the Warriors throughout the game and Smithville was unable to come close to catching up with Drew Wilson and the Kearney Bulldogs. Wilson was the leading scorer during the game. He scored 25 points on the night, but that wasn’t a game-high score for him.

“My career high is 27 points; I had 27 against Platte County last year, and I had 27 again against Excelsior,” Wilson said. “I don't care too much about my stats. As long as I leave the game knowing I gave it 100% and I left it all out there I'm happy.”

Other top scorers in the game were Aden Sallee who made 11 points, Brad Doll had 9, and Andrew Way scored 7 points. Other Bulldogs who made it in the scorebook were Tre Smith, Angelo Donze, Brock Scott, and Ty Smith.

You can hear the full game replay, commentary and interviews on demand at 1027kearneymo.com/podcasts.

KPGZ Sports – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Shop With a Cop Gives Christmas to 20 Children

Law enforcement officers brought Christmas to over 20 underprivileged kids on Saturday, December 14. The Shop with a Cop program brought smiles to children from Kearney and Holt.

“We have so many great local businesses and generous citizens that donated to this great cause to make it a success each year,” reads a post on the police department’s Facebook page. “The Kearney Police Department is very fortunate to have much an amazing community to serve! Thank you all!”

Police officers from Kearney and Lathrop, as well as the Missouri State Highway Patrol and members of Behind the Badge – Kearney, MO, were able to take the excited kids Christmas shopping at Wal-Mart in Liberty for presents for their families and themselves.

In addition to shopping for presents, Price Chopper in Kearney donated a holiday meal to each family, and Hess Barbershop, Total E-Clips and Henry Rose Salon donated a free haircut to each child.

“The children and their families were absolutely thrilled with all of the items they were able to get for Christmas this year, all thanks to the generous donations of our Kearney community.”

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.