Think Safety This Memorial Day Weekend

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reminds everyone to include safety when they plan their holiday weekend. Everyone should expect more travelers on Missouri’s roadways and an increase in boating traffic on the state’s lakes and rivers. Drivers and boat operators are reminded to follow all of Missouri’s laws and be courteous. Always wear a seat belt when traveling in a vehicle, and wear a life jacket when near, on, or in the water.

This year's Memorial Day holiday counting period begins at 6 p.m., Friday, May 23, and ends at 11:59 p.m., Monday, May 26, 2025. Every available trooper will be on the road or on the water, enforcing Missouri laws and assisting people. Troopers on our roadways will focus their attention on hazardous moving violations, speed violations, and impaired drivers. The Patrol will be participating in Operation C.A.R.E. (Crash Awareness Reduction Effort) during Memorial Day weekend.

Over the 2024 Memorial Day holiday weekend, there were 1046 vehicle crashes statewide which injured 486 people and killed 10 (Troopers worked 275 traffic crashes involving seven fatalities and 161 injuries). The Memorial Day weekend is also an unofficial start to the boating season. During the 2024 Memorial Day weekend, there were seven boating crashes which included no fatalities and seven injuries. No one drowned over last year’s Memorial Day weekend. Last year, troopers made 128 driving while intoxicated and six boating while intoxicated arrests.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reminds drivers to always be courteous and pay attention whether you're operating a vehicle or a vessel and choose to be a sober driver on land and on the water. A safe, fun weekend is the result of planning and making good decisions.

Motorists or boaters in need of assistance or who want to report a crime should use the Highway Patrol's Emergency Assistance number 1-800-525-5555 (or *55 on a cellular phone). For road condition reports, travelers can visit the MoDOT website to view their traveler map, download the MoDOT app, or call 1-888-275-6636.

Motorists are encouraged to do their part to make Missouri’s roadways safer. Speed, inattention, and impaired driving are leading causes of traffic crashes. Please obey all traffic laws and make sure everyone in the vehicle is properly restrained in a seat belt or child restraint.

When you’re on the water, please be courteous to others enjoying Missouri’s lakes and rivers, wear a life jacket, and obey the law regarding the safe operation of a vessel. Always observe no wake zones.

Always treat other boaters and property owners as you want to be treated. Never operate a boat while you are impaired; never ride with an impaired operator. Remember: Life jackets save lives. Wear It!!

KPGZ News – Missouri Highway Patrol contributed to this story.

Bulldog Boys Score Conference Golf Titles

The Kearney High School Boys Golf team earned 2025 Suburban Blue Conference tournament championships on May 5.

The team’s success marks the first boys’ varsity conference golf since 2018. The Bulldogs finished with a team score of 335.

Carter Smith was the Varsity conference champion, shooting a 78. Will Staab finished 4th with an 84, Carter Brock placed 6th shooting an 85, and Tucker Shinneman rounded out the top scorers in 9th place with an 88.

The Junior Varsity team captured the title with a team score of 355. All five JV golfers earned medals.

Cannon Cholak led the way as the JV conference champion, shooting an impressive 81. Casey Collins finished 2nd with a score of 87, Kevin Brock placed 4th with a 90, Parker Mendel came in 6th shooting a 97, and Brad Doll secured 7th place with a 101.

KPGZ News – Ray Weikal contributed to this story.

Kearney High School Celebrates Class of 2025 Graduation

Kearney High School proudly celebrated the graduation of 248 seniors on Sunday, May 18, 2025, marking a significant milestone for the Class of 2025. The commencement ceremony took place at 2:00 pm at Kearney High School.

The event was a culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and perseverance by the students, faculty, and families. Principal Andrew Gustafson addressed the graduates, commending them for their achievements and encouraging them to pursue their future endeavors with passion and integrity.

“To all of the Kearney High School Class of 2025, take the knowledge and skills you have learned and create your own path. Step up to adversity along the way and step up to life. Make yourself proud.”

Kearney High School now classifies graduates with the Latin system which means 19 students graduated summa cum laude, with a GPA of 4.0 or above. 68 students were classified magna cum laude with a GPA of 3.75 – 3.99. 38 students graduated cum laude with a GPA of 3.5 – 3.74.

The ceremony featured the senior speech by Drew Wilson, musical performances by the school's choir, and the traditional turning of the tassels. Families and friends gathered to celebrate the graduates' accomplishments and to wish them well as they embark on the next chapter of their lives.

Kearney High School's Class of 2025 has demonstrated resilience and adaptability, qualities that will serve them well in their future academic and professional pursuits. The school community extends its heartfelt congratulations to all the graduates and their families.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Bulldogs Garner Recognitions for Biliteracy

Kearney School District is proud to recognize the Kearney High School students who have earned the Missouri Seal of Biliteracy for 2025, demonstrating impressive proficiency in English and a second language.

Kearney High School students Abbi McQuillen (left) and Emily Stauffer earned the Missouri Seal of Biliteracy this year.

The Seal of Biliteracy is awarded to graduating high school students who exhibit high levels of academic proficiency in English and another world language, either through school study or as heritage/native speakers. This prestigious honor certifies to universities, employers, and community members that these students are fully bilingual, opening doors for their future education and careers.

“The Seal of Biliteracy is more than just an academic achievement,” KHS Foreign Language Teacher Stacey Getz said. “It highlights the hard work, cultural knowledge, and communication skills that these students have developed. It also reflects our district’s commitment to valuing diversity, preparing our students for success in a global economy, and honoring the many cultures that enrich our community.”

Students qualify for the Seal by demonstrating proficiency in English through performance on the English II End-of-Course exam or ACT reading score, and proficiency in another language by achieving minimum scores on a language proficiency exam. They must also complete a socio-cultural project, showing understanding of the relationship between language learning and cultural awareness.

The 2025 KHS Seal of Biliteracy honorees are:

Seal of Biliteracy – Abbi McQuillen (Spanish), Taryn Salinetro (Spanish), Emily Stauffer (Spanish) and Drew Wilson (Spanish)

Exemplary Proficiency – Dani Morgan (Spanish), Caroline Jury (Spanish), Josephine Quick (Spanish), Vanesa Tiscareno (Spanish) and Grace Thurston (Spanish)

Emerging Proficiency – Avery Janiak (Spanish), Joley Leach (Spanish), Carter Lydick (German) and Lily Rinehart (Spanish)

Developing Proficiency – Brodyn Baragary (German), Casey Collins (German), Charlie Dollar (Spanish), Connor Ethen (German), Patrick McNellis (German), Scout Pimblott (German), Savanah Jaromin (Spanish), Nova Roberts (German), Katelyn Robinson (Spanish), Katie Shaw (Spanish), Makayla Tryon (German), John Vasquez (German) and Challen Tidwell (German)

Visit www.ksdr1.net/seal-of-biliteracy for more information about the Missouri Seal of Biliteracy program.

KPGZ News – Ray Weikal contributed to this story.

Club Car Wash Asks for Support of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals

Club Car Wash in Kearney is teaming up with locations across the country this May to raise funds for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMN), continuing a long-standing commitment to improving the lives of children in need.

Throughout the month, every Club Car Wash location — including those in Kearney and the Kansas City metro area — will be collecting donations to support their local CMN Hospital. For the KC area, that means all proceeds raised will go directly to benefit the children’s hospital at the University of Kansas Medical Center.

Remarkably, 100% of the funds collected go to the hospital to support pediatric treatment, research, and care. Since the start of this partnership, Club Car Wash has raised over $3.5 million for CMN Hospitals, helping transform the lives of countless children.

Each year, CMN Hospitals selects a “CMN Champion” to represent the spirit and strength of the children they serve. This year, that champion is Briella, a 12-year-old girl whose journey has touched hearts across the community.

Briella's journey began as she was born four months early, weighing just over a pound. The neonatal intensive care unit became her first home, filled with challenges as she fought to grow stronger. A diagnosis of cerebral palsy added another hurdle, but Briella's determination never wavered. With support from KU Medical Center and Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, she embraced therapies and defied expectations, walking at 16 months and conquering swallowing difficulties. Today Briella is a vibrant 12-year-old, traveling the world and dreaming of becoming a doctor.

“We’re going above and beyond this year,” Club Car Wash General Manager Alex Fischer added. “Our team is more dedicated than ever to making a difference for these kids.”

Local residents are encouraged to stop by Club Car Wash in Kearney throughout May to support the cause. Every wash helps make a difference.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.