Platte-Clay Hosts Annual Blood Donation Event

The Community Blood Center has declared a blood emergency in our area. The Community Blood Center says our region is experiencing a blood shortage with dangerously low levels of O+, O-, B- blood types and platelets. Low levels are due to an increase in transfusion needs at local hospitals. The Community Blood Center is asking for donors’ help.

Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative in Kearney will be hosting a Community Blood Center donation event on Wednesday, October 2, from noon to 6 pm. The event will be held in their meeting room at 1000 W Highway 92 in Kearney.

Presenting donors will receive a free paring knife when they donate. Donors can book their appointment at SaveALifeNow.org/group and enter a group code EF2R.

For additional details contact Amanda McQuerrey at 816-903-7355 or amandam@pcec.coop.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story.

New KC Roadway Safety Coalition Launches

The Kansas City Region of the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety recently kicked off its new partnership of safety advocates who come together for a common purpose: to end traffic fatalities and serious injuries on Missouri public roadways.

More than 60 partners from various organizations in the nine counties of Cass, Clay, Jackson, Johnson, Lafayette, Pettis, Platte, Ray, and Saline gathered on Wednesday, Sept. 4, at the Missouri Department of Transportation Kansas City District office in Lees Summit for the first meeting of the regional coalition.

“We were so encouraged and excited to see the support from across the region for improving highway safety,” said MoDOT District Engineer Chris Redline. “Focusing on reducing highway injuries and fatalities is something we can all play a role in and make a personal difference.”

Topics covered at the meeting included local traffic issues, the Missouri Hands-Free Law, working together as partners, and the state’s Buckle-Up Phone-Down campaign. Speakers included representatives from agencies like MoDOT, MSHP, MCRS-KC board members, and a testimony from Jo Higgins-Hines whose son, Jomari Hines, passed away tragically in a car crash just 10 days after graduating from high school this past summer.

“I have a deep-seated passion for improving safety standards and achieving measurable goals for safety enhancements, with a commitment to safeguarding lives and futures,” said Ashley Stark, Director of Safety & Security at the Sedalia School District and one of the KC MCRS board members. “I am driven to serve on our coalition to promote a culture of safety in our district, ensuring every journey is a step toward a safer, more secure environment.”

The focus of the coalition is education, community outreach, enforcement, leadership, and partnerships that advance Missouri’s strategic highway safety plan. Safety campaign focuses include occupant protection, distracted driving, speed and aggressive driving, impaired driving, teen driving, older driving, pedestrians, and other road users.

Membership in the coalition is open to any person or organization in the nine counties of the Kansas City Region wishing to participate in developing and implementing traffic safety strategies. Meetings are held quarterly across the district with both in-person and virtual options. The next meeting is in January.

Get more info on the website at www.savemolives.com/mcrs/Kansas-City-Region.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Bulldog Softball Smashes Lee’s Summit West

The varsity softball team took on the Lee's Summit West Titans on Monday, September 17. The Bulldogs smashed through the Titan defense in the bottom of the sixth inning to finish the game, 17-7.

Morgan Pennington went 3-5 with 4 RBIs for the Kearney Bulldogs.

The Kearney girls were able to score in the bottom of the first on a wild pitch, but the Titans struck back in the top of the 2nd with 3 runs. The score was going back and forth with both teams hitting the ball well. The Bulldogs found themselves winning in the bottom of the 6th inning with a score of 9-7.

The Bulldogs decided they didn't want to play defense again and scored 8 runs to win the game.

Macy Morrow went 1-2 with 1 RBI and Kennedi Casey went 1-4 with 1 RBI. Brooke Paalhar and Morgan Pennington each went 3-5. Paalhar had 3 RBIs and Pennington knocked in 4 RBIs.

Alyssa Quick went 3-5 with 2 RBIs, Kate Stumpenhaus went 1-4 with 2 RBIs, Caroline Jury went 1-3 with 1 RBI, and Ryleigh Van Emmerik went 2-4

Kate Landewee was on the mound for 5 innings and pitched six strikeouts. Reghan Lueken came in and pitched the last inning. She made two strikeouts.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Bulldogs Dominant in 38-14 Win over Smithville

Two Missouri Class 4 rivals fought it out in a game that had multiple late-season implications. Second-ranked Kearney’s victory over third-ranked Smithville gives the Bulldogs a head-to-head advantage in both the Suburban Blue Conference and the Missouri Class 4, District 8 standings.

Kearney sophomore quarterback Carter Temple was 8 of 14 for 98 yards passing. Temple showcased his running ability with 4 carries for 71 yards and a touchdown.

“I couldn’t do it without my guys upfront who block for me,” said Temple. “I'm so thankful for everybody up there. I mean, they gave me so much time and you know my wide receivers, those fast guys, they go up there and get it. I trust them and I know they can get open.”

Kearney sophomore defensive back, Aidan Arellano picked off a pass from Smithville quarterback Peyton Steffen and ran it back for a touchdown midway through the first quarter.

“I was doing my drop back and I see the ball coming,” said Arellano. “Once I had it in my hands, I knew it was (going to) the end zone.” It was Arellano’s second pick-6 and Kearney’s third defensive score this season.

Grant Noland takes the snap for the Bulldogs - Photo by Eric Stevens

Senior running back Grant Noland ran two yards for the Bulldogs’ second, first quarter touchdown. Kicker Jacob Dillon added the respective point-after kicks giving Kearney an early two-touchdown lead. Dillon would manufacture an impressive score of his own early in the second quarter. After an earlier missed field goal attempt, Dillon punched a 45-yard field goal between the uprights, giving Kearney a 17-0 lead.

Kearney special teams continue to dazzle as senior wide receiver Tre Smith returned 2 punts averaging 42 yards and two kickoff returns for a 33-yard average.

Smithville scored once in the second quarter on a 5-yard run. Carter Temple responded with a 44-yard touchdown run on a fake handoff to Tristan Williams that fooled everyone in the stadium, giving the Bulldogs a 24-7 halftime lead.

Grant Noland scored his second and third touchdowns of the evening on 1- and 5-yard blasts from the heavy formation in the second half, giving Kearney a 38-7 lead. Smithville scored a late touchdown against the Kearney second-unit defense for the final 38-14 Bulldog win.

“That’s a great program over here,” said Bulldog head coach, Logan Minnick. “It’s been a long, long time since Kearney’s come over here and put a complete game together like that against these guys.”

“I’m fired up. Anytime you can come over here and get a win, like I said, it’s a statement win for our program tonight,” Minnick added.

The Kearney Bulldogs are 3-0 on the season and their schedule doesn’t get any easier over the next 3 weeks. Kearney hosts Class 6, Park Hill on Friday, September 20. KPGZ 102.7FM will broadcast the game. The pregame show begins at 6:40 PM. Kickoff is at 7:00 PM.

Mike Davis contributed to this story.

Kearney Schools Receive Unfounded Threats

The Kearney School District was among many in the metro area that received threats or anonymous tips of threats this week. An investigation by Kearney Police and school officials determined any threat made to schools this week to be unfounded.

The Kearney School District received an anonymous tip on Wednesday, September 11, through the state’s Courage2Report system. The threat concerned a possible threat involving one of the schools.

School Resource Officer Adam Kirkland, law enforcement and administrators conducted a thorough investigation after the tip was reported. They determined the threat to be unfounded. Classes at Kearney schools were held as usual, but with a heightened police presence.

In an unrelated incident, a man who had multiple warrants was stopped and arrested by the Clay County Sheriff's Office at Dogwood Elementary School on Thursday, September 12.

A deputy ran the man's plates and was alerted he had outstanding warrants. The deputy stopped the man, and he pulled into the parking lot of Dogwood Elementary. The man said he had a student at the school but quickly admitted he lied.

The man had warrants for non-violent offenses.

The Kearney School District encourages parents and guardians to speak with their students about the seriousness of school safety. If parents or students become aware of information about a concern or threat, the best course of action is to report that directly to the school or the district. Anonymous tips can be shared using the Scholastic Crime Stoppers program by calling (816) 474-TIPS or visiting KCCrimeStoppers.com.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.