October 12–18, 2026

Get ready for early voting and Clay County’s ballot questions, celebrate KHS yearbook honors, and plan ahead for the Northland Shepherd’s Center closure. We also have the Bulldogs’ 63–6 win, cheer’s state berth, and free Kids Fest fun on Saturday.

City service note: City Hall is closed Monday, Oct. 12, and reopens Tuesday, Oct. 13. Trash service stays on its regular schedule. Source: City of Kearney.

Five local stories to help you plan, stay informed and celebrate Kearney’s students. Read the full stories and verified sources below.

No-excuse early voting begins Oct. 20 at the Kearney Annunciation Center, 705 N. Jefferson St.

Prepare for Nov. 3 by reviewing Clay County’s Constitution amendment package, four statewide constitutional amendments, statewide Proposition A and absentee deadlines.

Kearney won 63–6 at Raytown South on Oct. 9 and improved to 7–0.

Carter Temple passed for 197 yards and six first-half touchdowns, tying a school record, as the Bulldogs built a 42–0 halftime lead.

Caleb Stevens caught two scoring passes, Luke Denston added a 70-yard kickoff-return touchdown, and Cruise Emmons rushed for 96 yards.

Kearney hosts Grandview on Friday, Oct. 16, at 7 p.m.

KHS Varsity Cheer placed third at regionals on Oct. 3 at Liberty North, finishing 1.7 points behind first place.

The team qualified for the Oct. 24 state competition at Mizzou in Columbia, after earning strong marks in dance, creativity, performance and pyramids.

The Bulldogs completed the routine without deductions or penalties.

KHS’s 2025–2026 yearbook earned All-Missouri honors and a 494-of-500 evaluation.

Writing and editing, design, and photography each received perfect scores—the school’s first top rating since the 2021–2022 yearbook.

Northland Shepherd’s Center will end day-to-day operations Oct. 31 after 35 years serving older adults in Clay and Platte counties.

Families relying on meals, transportation or caregiver support can use this week to ask about transitions and check other local resources.

Free family fun at Kids Fest this Saturday, plus Halloween Blast on Oct. 30 as a date to save.

1–4 p.m. · Jesse James Park · Free admission

Head to 3001 N. Highway 33 for inflatable play, games, community booths and creative activities. The city’s event notice also lists free popcorn balls, hotdogs and soft drinks.

Source: City of Kearney’s official Kids Fest notice.

Friday, Oct. 30 · 4–6 p.m. · Downtown Kearney · Free

This event falls after our Oct. 12–18 window. Save the date for downtown trick-or-treat fun, trunk-or-treat activities and entertainment.

Source: City of Kearney’s Halloween Blast notice. Organizer: Kearney Enrichment Council.

A seasonal Kearney destination for an autumn outing.

Fall Festival · Sept. 18–Nov. 1 · Kearney

Fun Farm’s seasonal lineup includes a pumpkin patch, corn maze, barnyard animals, family attractions and treats such as cider donuts. The farm is at 650 N. Jefferson St.

The current October schedule is Wednesday through Monday, with Tuesday closed. Check the official page for current hours, admission and tickets before visiting.

Source: Fun Farm’s official Fall Festival page.