Grand Jury Indicts Hit-and-Run Suspect

A grand jury indicted a Clay County resident with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, in connection with a hit-and-run crash that killed a man on April 13, 2026.  

Deputies took 35-year-old Matthew R. Lavigne into custody yesterday. He is being held on a $250,000 bond.

He is accused of striking and killing 37-year-old pedestrian Steven C. Notari on Petty Road with his vehicle and leaving the scene. Lavigne denied knowing that he struck a person. 

In addition to conducting interviews, investigators gathered evidence including vehicle parts at the scene, the victim’s blood on the suspect’s vehicle, license plate reader camera photos, cell phone data, and footage from business surveillance cameras.

With the Clay County Prosecutor’s Office, they presented this evidence to a Clay County grand jury, which determined Lavigne should be charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death. 

Lavigne’s first court appearance will be at 9 a.m. Sept. 4 in Clay County Circuit Court Division 4. His booking photo is attached. 

KPGZ News – Sarah Boyd contributed to this story.

Kearney Runs over Belton 42-0

Kearney all-state, senior quarterback, Carter Temple scored on an early first quarter 3-yard burst – his first touchdown of the season, and the first of six Kearney touchdowns in a 42-0 drubbing of the Belton Pirates.

The Missouri Class-4 state champions showcased their senior-laden roster scoring 35 points in the first half. Temple was 11 of 16 for 164 yards passing which included a 14-yard touchdown pass to senior running back Matthew Lindsey. Lindsey rushed for 104 yards and two touchdowns.

Matthew Lindsey charges into the endzone for a touchdown. Photo by Ray Weikal.

Temple ran for two more touchdowns in the second quarter helping stack Kearney’s comfortable 35-0 halftime lead. Lindsey scored again on a 13-yard run late in the third quarter giving Kearney a 42-0 lead going into a scoreless fourth quarter.

Junior running back Cruise Emmons added 45 yards on eight carries to the Bulldogs’ 251 total rushing yards.

Grant Bogert was accurate in kicking five point-after attempts. A failed 2-point attempt midway through the second quarter was remedied before halftime with senior Kale Tucking running successfully for the two-point conversion following a Carter Temple touchdown.

“Super proud of our effort,” said Kearney Head Coach Logan Minnick. “You know, this is the way we needed this game to go. Get the nerves out, hit somebody else, and hats off to our JV defense for holding the shutout.”

Kearney’s defense locked down Belton’s prolific rushing attack – which includes senior running backs Aaden Hall, Caleb Campbell, and junior quarterback Robert Rucker – holding Belton to 119 yards total offense. Belton was 0-5 in passing.

“Our linebacking corps is one of the fastest in the state,” said Kearney senior linebacker, Kale Tucking. “We may not be the biggest out there, so we try to use that speed to our advantage using our leverage.”

“Week one is always a battle to see who can adjust the fastest,” said Kearney defensive coordinator Marcus Brinkley. “We knew we were going to get some sets that we weren't prepared for, adjusting the tight end off and doing some things with their wings, knowing at any moment, they can go 80 yards. So, hats off to our kids. They did a phenomenal job adjusting to the flow of the game as it went on.”

Minnick put the win in perspective during his post-game, on-field gathering.

“Is that the best game we can play? No. And if you're winning 42-nothing and can play better we're really excited about that,” he told the team. “You know teams get so much better from week one to week two. So, we're really excited – and need to be because you’ve got a really good Grain Valley team coming in here next week.”

KPGZ News – Mike Davis contributed to this story.

KSD Hosting Public Sharing and Listening Events

Kearney School District is hosting several Public Sharing and Listening Events this September as part of our Great Schools = Great Community initiative.

These events are designed to help families, staff members, residents and community partners learn more about KSD’s school finance, long-range facilities planning and community engagement efforts. They are also an opportunity to ask questions, share priorities and provide feedback before final decisions are made later this year.

The same information will be shared at each session, with details related to all district buildings. Please choose the date or location that works best with your schedule.

Friday, Sept. 4

8:15 to 9:30 a.m.

Kearney Elementary

Wednesday, Sept. 9

8:15 to 9:30 a.m.

Southview Elementary

Thursday, Sept. 10

8:15 to 9:30 a.m.

Hawthorne Elementary

Friday, Sept. 11

8:15 to 9:30 a.m.

Dogwood Elementary

Tuesday, Sept. 15

6 to 7:30 p.m.

KSD Central Office

Wednesday, Sept. 16

11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Kearney Senior Center

Wednesday, Sept. 16

6 to 7:30 p.m.

Kearney High School

Thursday, Sept. 17

6 to 7:30 p.m.

Kearney Middle School

A separate online survey will be available for residents who are not able to attend in person.

Learn more at www.ksdr1.net/GreatSchools.

Kearney Parks Opens Registration for Fall Pickleball Leagues

Kearney Parks and Recreation is bringing pickleball back to the courts this fall with league options for both youth and adult players, including the department’s first youth pickleball league.

The new youth league is open to players ages 11 to 18 and will run Saturday mornings from 9 am to noon, Sept. 12 through Oct. 10. The five-week session is designed for individual players, meaning participants do not need to sign up with a partner. Instead, players will be matched with a different partner each week, earning points based on their weekly match results.

Participants can expect two to three matches each week, with the final Saturday reserved for tournament play.

Registration for the youth league is open through Sunday, Sept. 6, and the cost is $40 for the full session.

The fall adult league also returns this season, with play beginning the week of Sept. 7. Adult league matches will be held on weeknights from 6 to 11 pm at the Kearney Pickleball Complex, 619 E. 19th Street. The season will include six weeks of league play followed by a seventh-week double-elimination tournament.

Competitive divisions will play three matches per night, with all divisions scheduled on courts 1 through 8 at the complex. League options include beginner, advanced beginner, social and advanced social divisions, giving players a range of choices based on experience and playing style.

The beginner league is intended for true beginners looking to learn the game through play, while advanced beginners are geared toward players who pick up movement skills quickly. Social divisions are designed for beginner to intermediate players seeking a fun, lightly competitive setting, and advanced social divisions are for skilled players who want a relaxed league atmosphere.

Adult league registration is open through Sunday, Aug. 30, with a $50 registration fee. The minimum age is 18 for most divisions and 12 for social divisions. In mixed divisions, teams may include two female players or one male and one female player.

Additional division days and times are available under the “More Info” tab on the registration page at KearneyParks.com.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Kearney to Break Ground on New Hall Park Project Sept. 8

The City of Kearney will mark the start of construction on its new Hall Park project with a public groundbreaking ceremony at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8, at 507 S. Prospect St.

The planned park is being developed with seniors in mind, while also offering an accessible outdoor gathering space for residents of all ages. City officials say the project is intended to expand recreational opportunities and create a place where community members can stay active, connected and engaged.

Mayor Randy Pogue said the project reflects the city’s continued focus on quality of life.

“Hall Park is an investment in quality of life and in creating more opportunities for our seniors to stay active and connected,” Pogue said. “We’re excited to begin construction and look forward to seeing residents of all ages enjoy the park.”

The ceremony will include brief remarks from city officials and community leaders before the ceremonial groundbreaking. Those attending will also be able to view project renderings showing the park’s planned design.

Community members, local leaders and park supporters are invited to attend the event. The groundbreaking will take place at the Hall Park site, located at 507 S. Prospect St. in Kearney.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.