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.

KPGZ Awards Annual Pete Chaston Memorial Scholarship

This year’s recipient is senior Cooper Morgan

102.7FM KPGZ presented its annual Pete Chaston Memorial Scholarship on Thursday, May 1, during Kearney High School’s scholarship awards ceremony. This year’s recipient is senior Cooper Morgan, who was awarded the $500 scholarship in honor of KPGZ’s late Weather Director Pete Chaston.

KPGZ General Manager Brian Watts presented the scholarship, which is awarded to a graduating senior pursuing a future in meteorology or broadcast journalism. To be considered, applicants must submit an audio or video recording demonstrating their broadcast work.

“The Board of Directors have chosen Cooper Morgan as the recipient of the Pete Chaston Memorial Scholarship. Congratulations and best wishes for your future success,” said Watts during the presentation.

Morgan shared his future plans with KPGZ News, stating, “I plan to start at Maple Woods Community College and finish at a 4-year university, majoring in Journalism.”

The scholarship honors Pete Chaston, who served as KPGZ’s longtime Weather Director and hosted the station’s Sunday afternoon doo-wop show. Chaston passed away on June 15, 2022, at Liberty Hospital at the age of 78. In response to community members asking how they could contribute to a memorial, the station created the scholarship fund to support aspiring broadcasters in Chaston’s memory.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Mobile Mammography Coach Coming to Kearney

Women in the Kearney area will have a convenient opportunity to receive a mammogram when the Mobile Mammography Coach visits Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative on Wednesday, June 11, from 9 am to 5 pm. The event will take place at 1000 West State Route 92 in Kearney.

Appointments are now being scheduled by calling 913-344-9989. Be sure to mention that the appointment is for the mobile coach on June 11. Walk-ins are also welcome.

Women aged 35 to 39 are eligible for a baseline screening mammogram but should check with their insurance provider for coverage details. For those under 40, insurance generally requires that at least 12 months have passed since the last mammogram. Women 40 and older do not need a doctor's order for a screening.

On the day of your screening, please avoid wearing deodorant, lotion, or perfume above the waist and wear a two-piece outfit for convenience.

All patients should bring a photo ID, insurance card, and the name of their primary care physician. Forms, including the Breast Imaging Form and Medical Records Release Form, must be completed and presented at the time of the appointment.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Bulldogs Walk It Off in Thriller Against Excelsior Springs

Scott earned the win on the mound for Kearney, tossing a scoreless seventh inning. Photo by David Haggart.

The Kearney Bulldogs delivered a dramatic finish on Friday, May 9, against Excelsior Springs 7-6 in a come-from-behind victory that had fans on the edge of their seats.

With the game tied at six in the bottom of the seventh inning, Jett Yoakum played the hero, lacing a walk-off single that brought home the winning run and sealed a thrilling win for the Bulldogs.

Excelsior Springs opened the scoring in the first inning on a groundout by Klayton Glaspy, but Kearney responded quickly. In the bottom half, Garrett Hodge was hit by a pitch to force in a run, Grant Bogert drew a bases-loaded walk, and Brock Scott delivered an RBI double down the left field line to give Kearney an early 3-1 lead.

Defensive miscues allowed Excelsior Springs to regain the lead 4-3 in the top of the second. Kearney tied it back up in the fifth when Trent Dostal singled to left field on a six-pitch at-bat, evening the score at 4-4.

In the top of the sixth, Excelsior Springs jumped ahead once again when Spence Gibbs doubled in two runs, putting the visitors up 6-4. But Kearney wasn’t done.

The Bulldogs mounted one final rally in the bottom of the seventh. Scott singled to drive in a run, and Yoakum followed with his clutch base hit to complete the comeback and spark celebrations on the field.

Scott earned the win on the mound for Kearney, tossing a scoreless seventh inning. Starter Cale Davis went six innings, allowing four hits and six runs—three earned—while striking out five.

At the plate, Scott led the Bulldogs with a 2-for-3 performance and three RBIs. Kearney showed patience and discipline, drawing eight walks. Bogert and Hodge each walked twice. The Bulldogs also turned up the pressure on the base paths, stealing eight bases—led by Chase Porter and Scott with multiple swipes.

On defense, Kearney turned a key double play and committed no errors after the early missteps that cost them in the second inning.

Kearney will look to carry the momentum into their next game on Wednesday as they host conference rival Smithville. Hear all the play-by-play action on 102.7FM, beginning at 4:30 pm with pregame. First pitch is at 5 pm.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Deputies Honored for Heroic Rescue of Twin Toddlers

Six Clay County deputies received the Distinguished Service Medal—the Sheriff’s Office’s second-highest honor—and 16 others were awarded the Meritorious Service Award at a ceremony Friday, May 2, for their roles in rescuing twin toddlers from a hostage situation last fall.

The incident unfolded on the evening of October 28, 2024, when Pleasant Valley Police responded to a 6:18 pm call reporting a domestic disturbance in the 7100 block of Fulton Road. Officers arriving on scene spoke with a woman who said her partner had assaulted her and remained inside the home with a firearm. She had managed to get some of her children out of the house safely.

When the man refused to come out, Pleasant Valley Police called for assistance from the Clay County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies arriving on scene learned that the couple’s 1-year-old twin toddlers were still inside the house, and the man was refusing to release them.

The Sheriff’s Special Tactics and Response (STAR) Team and the Negotiations Team were activated, while nearby townhomes were evacuated as a precaution. Negotiators worked through the night to de-escalate the situation, gathering intelligence from family members, witnesses, and law enforcement databases to build a detailed profile of the suspect and the home’s layout, including the potential locations of firearms.

Shortly after midnight, following hours of failed negotiations, deputies entered the home. They encountered the suspect armed with a handgun, which they were able to wrestle away before taking him into custody. The twin toddlers were rescued unharmed and reunited with their mother. Two deputies sustained injuries entering the home through a broken window.

The suspect has been charged with felony domestic assault and remains in custody awaiting trial.

Clay County Sheriff Will Akin commended the deputies’ bravery and professionalism. “Their courage and teamwork under extreme pressure brought two innocent children to safety. These awards are a small token of the immense gratitude we feel for their dedication,” he said during the ceremony.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.