Two Killed in Crash Near Kearney

Two people died and three others were transported to a local hospital with injuries after being involved in a traffic crash on Wednesday outside of Kearney.

Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers and emergency crews responded to a call at about 3:05 pm on Wednesday, July 3 to Missouri 92 Highway and County Road A, west of Kearney.

Troopers report that a four-vehicle collision had occurred when a Toyota Scion heading west bound on 92 Highway failed to yield to a Ford Fusion, that was stopped to make a left turn onto A Highway. The Scion hit the Fusion from behind.

After the Scion hit the Fusion, it veered into oncoming traffic and hit a Gallatin school bus which was traveling east on 92 Highway carrying students from a conference. The car then continued to spin around and hit a Ford Explorer.

Iris Vallares Barahona, 35, of Kansas City, Mo., was riding in the backseat of the Scion and was ejected from the vehicle. She died at the scene. 26 year-old driver Delmy Vasquez Perez and her other passenger, Griselda Rodriguez Apolinar, 32, of Kansas City, Mo., were both taken to Liberty Hospital. Rodriguez Apolinar was pronounced deceased at the hospital. Vasquez Perez’s injuries are considered serious.

Alex M. Morse, 18, of Kearney was driving the Ford Fusion. He was not listed as needing medical attention by the Highway Patrol’s report.

A 15-year-old male and a 15-year-old female were also taken to Liberty Hospital with minor injuries. Everyone besides Vallares Barahona had been wearing a seatbelt at the time of the collision.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Clay County Sample Ballots Now Available

The Clay County Board of Election Commissioners has announced that sample ballots can now be viewed for the August 6 election. Sample ballots and other election information can be accessed through VoteClayCountyMo.gov.

The ballot that residents will see in August will have a variety of candidates running in the primary election as well as issues for voters to decide on. Residents will be voting on who will be in the November general election for the office of U.S. Senator, U.S Representative, MO Governor, MO Lt. Governor, MO Secretary of State, MO Treasurer, MO Attorney General. State Senator, and State Representative.

Issues on the ballot for the Kearney area include Constitutional Amendment number 1 which involves the access of childcare, and Constitutional Amendment number 4 which would establish minimum funding for the Kansas City, MO Police Department.

The Kearney Fire District also has two questions for voters to answer. Question number 1 involves acquiring a general obligation bond to fund a new fire station, equipment, and vehicles. Question number 2 asks voters for a half-cent sales tax for the operation of the district including a new fire station. Both questions must be approved by voters for the initiative to go forward.

Official language of issues and a list of candidates on the ballot can be seen under the Voting Information tab at VoteClayCountyMo.gov.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Kearney Police Announces New K9 Officer

The Kearney Police Department announced the newest addition to the K9 unit on Monday, July 1. K9 Havoc will be joining the department in a few weeks.

“K9 Havoc has completed two and a half weeks of pre training at the Boone County Sheriff's Department and finished his first day of an eight-week handler class,” reads a post the police department’s Facebook Page.

Havoc is in a training class with Roman and Blitz, two other K9’s that will serve the Howell County Sheriff's Office, and the Buchanan County Missouri Sheriff’s Office.

Officer Parton and K9 Havoc have begin their journey to become certified in multiple areas of patrol work through Sheriff’s Department training at Boone County. Once certified, Parton and Havoc will be teaming up with Sgt. Garton and K9 Krash.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.

July 3 Fireworks Show News Released

***UPDATE***

The City of Kearney Fireworks Celebration scheduled for Wednesday, July 3, at Jesse James Park will be postponed to Friday, July 5th. Friday night beginning at 5 pm there will be inflatable air toys, cotton candy and concessions, culminating with the Fireworks show at 9:30 pm.

Unfortunately, concert is cancelled. All other events will take place.

The order of events are similar to last year. Free inflatable air toys for the children to play in take place from 5 pm to 8:30 pm. Funk/Soul band Funk Syndicate will play on the amphitheater stage at 7:30 pm. The fireworks show begins at 9:30 pm.

Admission and Parking are free and spectators are encouraged bring lawn chairs and blankets to sit on and to park their vehicles prior to 9 pm.

In the event of a postponement, the fireworks will be moved to Friday, July 5th.

Kearney police will have two exit lanes for cars leaving Jesse James Park.

“The right exit lane will take drivers north on Missouri 33 Highway toward 184th Street,” states a Kearney Police Department social media post. “The left exit lane will take drivers south on Missouri 33 Highway. We would ask that drivers do not switch lanes as that will cause more traffic delays.”

The police department also notes that 33 Highway will be closed at 162nd street to all southbound traffic and all traffic will be diverted west onto 162nd street towards nation road then back onto 92 highway. This is going to help stop the congestion from the traffic leaving the churches.

City staff are expecting a large turnout this year. Please allow extra time as and patience leaving parking areas.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.

July is Vehicle Theft Prevention Month

This July, the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance (DCI) joins the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in observing Vehicle Theft Prevention Month.

Vehicle theft is a multi-billion-dollar industry in the United States, costing vehicle owners more than $8 billion annually. According to NHTSA, more than one million vehicles were stolen in 2023, which accounts for a 25% increase in vehicle theft totals over the previous few years. Estimates show that approximately one vehicle is stolen every 31 seconds.

“Most Missourians depend on their personal vehicles for essential transportation needs, such as commuting, attending appointments, and carrying out daily errands,” said Chlora Lindley-Myers, Director of the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance. “Losing a vehicle to theft not only causes a substantial financial setback but also creates a deep sense of vulnerability and disruption. It’s always important to take precautionary measures to reduce your risk of vehicle theft – wherever you may be.”

Vehicle theft can happen anytime, anywhere, to anyone. Remember these tips to keep your vehicle safe:

- Park in well-lit areas.

- Close and lock all windows and doors when you park.

- Hide your valuables.

- Do not leave your keys in your vehicle.

- Do not leave the area while your vehicle is running.

- Consider purchasing extra layers of protection for your vehicle if your manufacturer does not provide an anti-theft system. These can easily be bought in-store or online.

- If your vehicle has electronic transmission technology, consider turning this on or keeping the subscription, as this technology can assist law enforcement in revealing the location of the stolen vehicle.

If your vehicle has been stolen, contact local law enforcement to provide the license plate number, year, make, model, and color of your vehicle and the VIN. Then contact your insurance carrier. If the vehicle was taken by someone in the same household, review your policy before filing a claim. Many insurance policies will not treat vehicles taken by someone with regular access to it as a theft, regardless of whether they have driven the vehicle before.

It is also a common misconception that in the event of theft, all items in the vehicle are covered by your auto policy. Most auto policies only cover items typically required for vehicle use, such as car seats, jumper cables, or spare tires. Personal belongings such as cellphones, laptops, purses and wallets would need to be filed as a separate claim under your homeowners or renters policy, which may have limited coverage for personal property away from home.

Some policies have a waiting period before payout for a theft claim, in case the vehicle is recovered. If mechanical issues occur after a vehicle is stolen and recovered, they will generally need to be diagnosed before an insurance carrier reviews them for consideration as part of a theft loss. If inoperable or awaiting repairs, the policyholder should ensure their vehicle is moved to a free storage location to avoid incurring extra out-of-pocket expenses.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.