Halloween Blast returns to downtown Kearney Oct. 30

Costumed trick-or-treaters will take over Downtown Kearney later this month when the annual Halloween Blast returns Friday, Oct. 30.

The Kearney Enrichment Council is hosting the event and is inviting families, neighborhood trick-or-treaters and area organizations to join in.

The free event runs from 4 to 6 p.m. and is open to the public. Families can make the rounds of downtown storefronts, stop by decorated trunks handing out candy and enjoy entertainment along the way.

The Halloween Blast began as a downtown business trick-or-treat started by local citizens, community activists and UPS Store owners Bob and Sharon Tate. Since then, it has grown into a citywide fall celebration that many in town look forward to each year.

The Kearney Enrichment Council now carries on that tradition, bringing downtown storefronts together with local businesses, civic groups, neighborhood organizations and individual families from across the community.

Along with traditional storefront trick-or-treating, organizers are encouraging businesses outside downtown, civic groups and residents of neighborhoods that don't see much foot traffic on Halloween to get involved by registering a decorated trunk space to hand out candy.

To sign up for a trunk space, review event guidelines or learn more about the Kearney Enrichment Council, visit www.kearneyenrichmentcouncil.org/halloween-blast.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Slow-Speed Chase Through Kearney Ends in Felony DWI Arrest

A Kansas City man is facing a felony DWI charge after leading Kearney police on a slow-moving chase down 92 Highway this afternoon, a pursuit that ended only when his car broke down in the middle of an intersection.

It started with a call from a concerned community member. Kearney Police were sent to the area of 92 Highway and Nation Road on a report of a dangerous driver in an orange Dodge Charger. According to police, the car had been swerving across the road and had already gone off the roadway and hit a tree.

An officer caught up with the Charger near 92 Highway and North Country Avenue, just in time to see the driver run a red light and nearly hit another vehicle. The officer tried to pull the car over, but the driver kept going.

What followed was hardly a high-speed chase. Police say the driver continued east on 92 Highway through town at about 30 miles per hour, still weaving from one side of the road to the other. The pursuit came to an end when the Charger became disabled and rolled to a stop in the intersection of 92 Highway and Platte Clay Way, near Sonic.

With help from a Clay County Sheriff's Office traffic deputy, officers safely took the driver into custody.

Because he has two previous DWI convictions, he was arrested for felony DWI as a persistent offender. He also faces charges of resisting arrest and careless driving, along with several other traffic violations. His name has not been released.

Kearney Police credited the person who called in the report, saying the tip helped officers get another impaired driver off the road.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Bulldogs Blast Bears in District Quarterfinal, 15-0

The Bulldogs gave their fans plenty to cheer about Wednesday, combining a relentless 14-hit attack with dominant pitching to shut out the Chrisman Bears, 15-0.

Reese Narron led the charge in the Class-4, District-8 quarterfinal game with a perfect 3-for-3 performance and finished a triple shy of the cycle. She doubled in the first inning, launched a solo home run to center field in the second and singled home a run during Kearney’s nine-run third.

Kearney wasted no time taking control. In the bottom of the first, Kate Stumpenhaus singled to left, the Bears committed an error, Ellie Switzer singled to center and Bailey Sharp lined a single down the right-field line. Each play brought home a run, giving the Bulldogs a 4-0 lead.

The Bulldogs added two more runs in the second. Narron’s blast to center made it 5-0, and another Chrisman error pushed the advantage to six.

Then came the third-inning avalanche. Avery Campbell and Narron each delivered an RBI single, Payton McLean drove in two with a double, Stumpenhaus added another run-scoring single and Ava Peterson cleared the bases with a three-run triple. By the time the inning ended, Kearney had scored nine runs and put the game firmly out of reach.

Reghan Lueken was just as impressive in the circle. The right-hander did not allow a hit or a run in three innings, striking out eight while issuing only one walk. Ashlyn Dillard took the loss for Chrisman after allowing 15 runs, 13 earned, on 14 hits over two innings. She struck out two and walked one.

Peterson finished with a team-high three RBIs, while Switzer, Stumpenhaus and Sharp joined Narron with multiple hits. Sharp also stole two bases. Kearney was flawless in the field, committing no errors, and Stumpenhaus handled a team-high eight defensive chances.

The Bulldogs face the Smithville Warriors on Saturday, October 17, for the district semifinal game.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

KFF Seeks Community Support for Annual Christmas Program

The Kearney Family Foundation is preparing to provide Christmas assistance to about 300 children in the Kearney School District this holiday season, and organizers are asking the community to help make the effort possible.

Each year, local residents help by “adopting” children and purchasing and wrapping clothing, shoes and gifts. The foundation also raises more than $40,000 for Price Chopper gift cards, which are distributed to participating families so they can purchase a Christmas meal.

The nonprofit has provided holiday assistance to Kearney School District children in need since 2003. The program is supported in several ways across the community: donors adopt families and contribute money, a local supporter purchases coats for every participating child, and the school district and area beauty salons collect toiletries during Red Ribbon Week.

Organizers said the most immediate needs are financial contributions for the grocery gift cards and a confirmed location where donated items can be stored for one week. Gift cards may also be purchased directly, typically in amounts of $300, $400 or $500 depending on family size, and coordinated with the foundation for collection.

Families will be assigned to donors in November. Financial donations are being accepted now through early December. The foundation is also developing a more user-friendly website for assigning families during the 2026 Christmas season; organizers expect it to be ready when enrollment opens at the end of October.

Supporters may adopt a family, make a financial contribution online at www.kearneyfamilyfoundation.org/donate, arrange for a check to be picked up, or mail a check to Kearney Family Foundation, P.O. Box 391, Kearney, MO 64060.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Kearney Officers Arrest Felony Warrant Suspect After Struggle

Kearney police arrested a 21-year-old Cameron man Tuesday, October 6, after authorities said he tried to flee in a vehicle and fought with officers attempting to serve multiple felony warrants.

Officers located the man in the parking lot of a local travel center, according to police. As they attempted to take him into custody, he allegedly put the vehicle in drive and drove toward the officers in an effort to escape.

An officer grabbed the suspect and pulled him from the vehicle, police said. The man then fought with officers and resisted arrest before officers were able to take him into custody safely.

Police said the suspect was wanted on full U.S. extradition felony warrants for second-degree terroristic threats, possession of dangerous drugs and resisting arrest.

He now faces an additional felony resisting-arrest charge in connection with the encounter. The man was taken to the Clay County Jail, where he was being held without bond.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.