Blog entries tagged The Hurried Courier

Traffic congestion

Kevin Smith — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 16:11:53 +0100

There has been heavy traffic congestion in Kearney since about 3 p.m. Monday, Aug. 16.

First, a power line down on Interstate 35 near Missouri Route PP at Holt redirected traffic via Missouri Highway 33 through Holt and Kearney.

Then, an accident south of Highway 92 on I-35 caused more problems about 3:45 p.m.

The northbound ramp to I-35 at Highway 92 is closed. Much of I-35 traffic is being direc...

Don't forget to vote

Kevin Smith — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 08:19:50 +0100

Polls are open until 7 p.m. for primary elections today (Tuesday, Aug. 3). There are a slew of county positions on the ballot in addition to state representatives. The winners today will go on to vie for those seats in the Nov. 2 general election.

Check back with www.kearneycourier.com tomorrow for election results.

Possible Pilot fix

Kevin Smith — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 15:25:45 +0100

Sabin Yanez and Dallas Joplin of Cook Flatt Strobel engineering are on the July 19 Kearney Board of Aldermen. The Kansas City engineering firm was hired to study the traffic problem at Pilot Travel Center on the west side of I-35 and offer short-term and long-term, preferably affordable, solutions.

Also on the agenda, the board will discuss bike path trail and pavilion bids, which were re-bid after the cost was over budget for both projects.

Bill Shull is also on the age...

Hot off the fax (6/18)

Kevin Smith — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0100

It could be a fairly quiet night Monday, despite meetings.

The Kearney Board of Aldermen agenda for 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 21, came via fax earlier. There are just three items on the agenda: deciding whether the board wants to meet on July 5 or 6, a site plan review for Long Veterinary Clinic and liquor ordinance amendments.

The Kearney Fire & Rescue Protection District Board of Directors will also meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 21. Rhonda Fort from the fire station dr...

Busy times around Kearney

Kevin Smith — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0100

It’s been a while since I posted a blog. It’s easy to get so busy that this online feature becomes an after thought.

It’s taken my brain a lot of convincing that today — after the three-day holiday weekend — that today is Tuesday. It also seems surreal that it is June 1. May seemed to fly by in a flurry of activity. And May in Kearney went out with a bang.

Friday, May 28, was anything but routine. On Friday morning I learned there were still many people — including City Hall — ...

It’s only a test

Kevin Smith — Wed, 05 May 2010 01:00:00 +0100

You probably heard sirens in Kearney earlier today (Wednesday, May 5).

Kearney tests its emergency sirens, primarily used for tornado warnings, at 11 a.m. the first Wednesday each month unless there is inclement weather at that time.

If you’re like me and jumped for a second, that’s good. Usually hearing those sirens should cause some alarm, unless it’s during the test.

Another monthly occurrence on a Wednesday in Kearney is the Chamber of Commerce luncheon. Today wil...

Hot off the fax – 4/30

Kevin Smith — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 01:00:00 +0100

The Kearney Board of Aldermen has several projects to address at the meeting Monday, May 3. The agenda came via fax earlier today.

The mayor’s remarks include pavilion at Kearney Amphitheater and building permit program.

Under the city administrator’s report is an item about a crosswalk on 19th Street.

The board will also hear from Steve McDonald about the “put a lid on it” indoor arena project.

The board will consider a maintenance contract for the water towe...

Hot off the fax – 4/16

Kevin Smith — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Monday’s agenda for the Kearney Board of Aldermen is loaded. It just came via fax a couple hours ago.

The board will take a moment to recognized outgoing member Dan Holt. He was defeated by Tom Patterson in the April 6 election by a mere 10 votes. Patterson will be sworn in during the meeting. The board will then elect a board present, park board representative and planning & zoning commission representative.

City Administrator Jim Eldridge will report on the UV disinfectio...

The Pilot problem

Kevin Smith — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +0100

In this week’s edition (April 15) of The Kearney Courier, you can find a story about the problems and possible solutions to the traffic congestion problem around Pilot Travel Center at Missouri Highway 92 and Shanks Avenue, just west of I-35.

I spent a day watching the intersection, taking an informal traffic count, to see what it’s really like over there. I’ve heard horror stories of close calls and found a few frustrations of my own.

The following is a sort of a log I took du...

And the thunder rolls...

Kevin Smith — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +0100

We had a big thunderstorm roll through Kearney and Holt just before polls closed for the election Tuesday, April 6.

I watched the storm roll in from Jesse James Park, then sat in my car through the deafening sound of hail hurled against my car.

Back at the office, I found pea-sized hail in piles and saw more aro...

Primary ballot set for Ervin's seat

Kevin Smith — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Three will be vying for the republican spot on the November ballot for Missouri House of Representatives in District 35 – including much of northern Clay County.

Fred Walter of Trimble signed up on the last day to do so as a republican for the Aug. 3 primary election. He will be running against Noel Shull of Kansas City and T.J. Berry of Kearney.

Jim Baldwin of Holt is the lone democrat who filed.

Rep. Doug Ervin, R-Kearney, is term limited thus cannot run again in the...

Last day

Kevin Smith — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Filing for the primary election for state offices closes at the end of today (Tuesday, March 30).

Rep. Doug Ervin, R-Kearney, is term limited thus cannot run again in the State House District 35 that incluces much of northern Clay County including Kearney and Smithville.

Republicans who have filed are Noel Shull of Kansas City and T.J. Berry of Kearney.

Jim Baldwin of Holt is the lone democrat on the ballot so far.

In House District 36 – to the east of Kearn...

I-35 construction update

Kevin Smith — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Most have noticed the construction starting on I-35. It is expected to last up to one year.

Construction crews are doing pavement and bridge deck rehabilitation work. The construction starts at Fishing River and goes to Missouri Route PP at Holt along I-35.

During non-peak traffic hours it’s pretty easy to get through the construction at 60 mph. At peak times however, especially during the evening rush hour, northbound traffic headed to Kearney or Holt is better off taking Missour...

More file for Ervin's seat

Kevin Smith — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Another has thrown his hat in the ring for state representative.

On Wednesday, March 24, Noel Shull of Kansas City filed for District 35’s State House Representative seat. That seat is currently occupied by Doug Ervin, R-Kearney, who is term limited.

T.J. Berry, a republican from Kearney, has also filed to run in the Aug. 3 primary election.

Jim Baldwin, Holt, is the lone democrat in the primary race thus far. The filing deadline is March 30.

Kearney is near t...

Kearney on the map

Kevin Smith — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 01:00:00 +0100

You probably saw information about the U.S. Census in the most recent edition of The Kearney Courier.

As the Kearney population approaches 9,000, there are some things to look forward to a 10,000 population. That’s what really puts you on the map – literally.

In a conversation with City Administrator Jim Eldridge about impacts of Census data, he mentioned that 10,000 population means the city gets a bigger dot on the official state map.

Actually, according to the ma...

Anonymity

Kevin Smith — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 01:00:00 +0100

You might hear on national news networks that “an inside source” gave them information. Or sometimes see in a news story by wire services or larger newspapers that “a source close to ‘x’ provided information based on anonymity.”

You’ll be hard-pressed to find such “sources” in The Kearney Courier. My own philosophy in my career has been that more often than not, the information is not that important if no one is willing to go on the record. It also hurts the credibility of the news orga...

The best

Kevin Smith — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 01:00:00 +0100

Bloomberg BusinessWeek has named Kearney as the “Best Affordable Suburb” in Missouri for 2010. The magazine named just one suburb from each state.

According to the magazine’s Web site, “…the focus is not luxury, but rather communities where families can live well for less and enjoy good schools, low crime, and reasonable commutes.”

You can read more about Kearney by clicking here and more about the magazine’s selection process by clicking here.

It was already abuzz acr...

Public input welcome in school budget talks

Kevin Smith — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 01:00:00 +0100

The first item on the agenda for the Kearney R-1 school board workshop at 6:30 p.m. March 4 is to hear comments from the public.

Ultimately, the board will discuss district patron survey results along with programs and services. This discussion will all lead to where to cut the budget.

“Please note that in an effort to use the meeting time in the most efficient way possible, each organization or ad hoc group should designate one speaker. Patron comments and questions will be l...

Two on August ballot so far

Kevin Smith — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 01:00:00 +0100

Jim Baldwin, a democrat from Holt, and T.J. Berry, a republican from Kearney, are on the “unofficial” list of candidates for Rep. Doug Ervin’s seat.

Ervin, R-Kearney, is term limited for Missouri House of Representatives District 35 in northern Clay County including Kearney, Smithville and part of Holt.

The primary election is Aug. 3. The last day to file is March 30. Both candidates listed on the Missouri Secretary of State’s Web site filed the first day – Feb. 23.

Th...

Meet the candidates

Kevin Smith — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 01:00:00 +0100

Despite not much to vote for on the ballot April 6, The Kearney Courier is having a candidate meet and greet event 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23, at The Courier office, 105 S. Jefferson St.

Ward 2 of the Kearney Board of Aldermen race is contested. Both candidates, incumbent Dan Holt and challenger Tom Patterson, are expected to be there.

Also, Fire Chief Larry Pratt will be there to talk about the Kearney Fire & Rescue Protection District's $3.5 million bond issue.

Other candid...