Missouri Corn Scholarship Application Deadline Approaching

The deadline is quickly approaching for Missouri agriculture students interested in applying for a 2025 Missouri Corn Scholarship. High school and college students pursuing a career in an agriculture-related field must submit the necessary forms no later than Feb. 14 to be eligible for one of seven $1,000 scholarships awarded by the Missouri Corn Growers Association, the Missouri Corn Merchandising Council, and the Missouri Corn Foundation.

Missouri Corn Scholarship applications are available at www.mocorn.org. Documents, including an application form, official high school or college transcript, and at least one letter of recommendation, must be submitted online by Feb. 14 to be eligible.

High school senior applicants must be Missouri residents from a farm or rural area. They must plan to attend a two- or four-year college or university and major in an agriculture-related field. The scholarship funds will apply toward the freshman year of college expenses for high school winners.

College applicants must also be Missouri residents from a farm or rural area and currently a junior enrolled in a four-year college or university majoring in an agriculture-related field. The scholarship funds will apply toward the senior year of expenses for college winners. Upon selection, all recipients must assist in staffing a Missouri Corn event to complete the scholarship requirements.

Applications will be reviewed by the Missouri Corn Scholarship Committee and recipients will be notified by mail before April 15, 2025. To learn more about Missouri Corn programs, please visit www.mocorn.org.

KPGZ News – Missouri Corn Growers Association contributed to this story.

Kearney Police Nab Alleged Wanted Felon

Kearney police officers were able to arrest a man wanted by the United States Marshals Service on Sunday, February 2. After a brief pursuit, the man was taken into custody without further incident.

Officers attempted to stop a driver for a traffic violation at about 6 am on Sunday on 92 Hwy. near QuikTrip, but instead of stopping, the male suspect tried to flee in his vehicle. Officers pursued the vehicle to the Holiday Inn on Watson Drive.

“The speeds were under 40 mph as the vehicle fled, headed towards the Holiday Inn Hotel on Watson Drive.,” reads a Kearney Police Facebook post. “Officers pursued the vehicle a few blocks where it pulled into a parking spot at the hotel.”

When officers identified the driver, a 47-year-old male from Independence, MO, they found he was wanted for weapons offenses by the U.S. Marshals Service and had warrants by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office. As officers searched the vehicle, they found multiple bags of suspected methamphetamine, cocaine and prescription drugs. Officers also found a loaded firearm which officers say is illegal for the suspect to possess.

The suspect was taken into custody and additional felony charges for the illegal narcotics and firearm were filed through the Clay County Prosecutor’s Office. He is currently being held in the Clay County Detention Center.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Additional Suspect Charge in Human Trafficking Case

An additional man has been charged for trying to meet a 14-year-old girl for sex after deputies arrested him in a sting operation on Thursday, Jan. 30.

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with other law enforcement agencies and advocacy organizations, led a counter-human trafficking operation Jan. 23 and 24 that resulted in the arrest of two men who sought to have sex with a child, as well as services provided to more than a dozen potential trafficking victims.

Josue Rivera, 27, of Kansas City, Kan. has been charged with one count of felony attempted child enticement.

Jose Trinidad-Diaz, 33, of Kansas City, Mo. / Mexico and Dominic Shelby, 34, of Kansas City, Kan. were charged with felony attempted child enticement after they tried to meet whom they believed to be a 14-year-old girl for sex. It was actually under-cover detectives who had been chatting with them online and by text message

Josue Rivera, 27, of Kansas City, Kan. has been charged with one count of felony attempted child enticement.

Rivera was messaging with under-cover detectives during the original operation last week and continued communication until Jan. 30, when he made arrangements to meet whom he believed to be the 14-year-old. Instead, deputies took him into custody at the meet-up location. He is being held on a $25,000 bond.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Kearney Man Faces Charges after Pellet Gun Shooting

Kearney police officers responded to a shots fired call in the James Pointe neighborhood last weekend. One man was arrested and criminal charges were filed.

The victim told police that when he arrived home, the suspect exited his residence and began shooting at him, shattering the window of his vehicle. The suspect then retreated inside his own residence.

Kearney police officers requested assistance from Excelsior Springs Police and the Clay County Sheriff’s Office due to the nature of the call. Officers later determined that the weapon used by the suspect was a rifle-style pellet gun.

Police made several announcements over their vehicle PA system to get the suspect to come out of his house. When he did finally exit the home, officers safely took him into custody. Criminal charges were filed in this case.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

KHS Stars at FCCLA Regional Competition

Kearney High School FCCLA students demonstrated their expertise during the organization’s Region 14 STAR Events yesterday.

FCCLA stands for Family, Career and Community Leaders of America. The organization has been promoting family and consumer science education around the nation for approximately 80 years, according to the FCCLA website.

The STAR Events are FCCLA’s student competition to qualify for the state conference. Several Bulldogs had outstanding results and will be moving on to the next level, including:

• Janie Mendel qualified for state with her Professional Presentation project titled “Dyslexia in Education: Educating Educators”

• Josie Quick qualified for state with her “Teach or Train” project

• Sami Marlott and Luke Zurliene qualified for state with their Repurpose & Redesign project titled “Cans for Kearney”

• Adi Graham & Maddie Whitten did not qualify their project for state, however, they were up against three other fantastic projects and still received a high silver rating

KHS also sent a few additional students to serve in other organizational roles during the event:

• Lexie Barton served in her role as Region 14 State Officer for the last time at the regional level

• Ava Mayse served as the voting delegate for KHS, helping to elect the next regional council

• Olivia Kinstler served as a Youth Room Consultant, where she had an active role in the competitive events

KHS teacher Kassidy Robertson is the school’s FCCLA sponsor. . “We’re very proud of all our members and our growing FCCLA chapter,” Mrs. Roberston said. “These students are becoming outstanding leaders for our entire community.”

KPGZ News – Ray Weikal contributed to this story.