by Michael Smith


Friday’s Senior Night game against Belton could not have gone much better for the Grain Valley football team.

At least one senior was involved in every touchdown scored and two seniors made a huge impact for a surging Eagles defense.

Seniors like Gabe Storment, Braylon Harden, Ty Williams, Sal Caldarella, and Tyler Wyzard were among those who contributed in the team’s 43-7 blowout of Pirates at Moody Murray Memorial Field.

Friday was the first time the Eagles got to play their backups in the fourth quarter all season because the seniors helped build such a big lead.

Head coach David Allie credited a much improved defense that started the season giving up 33.3 points per game in the first three contests. As of late, that unit is starting to stymie opposing offense, holding them to just 16.3 per game.

The Eagles are getting better at stopping the run game as of late and that was apparent against Belton. They held Belton senior running back Javon Minor to just 66 yards on 24 carries. They only allowed 73 on the ground and 165 yards total to the Pirates.

“That’s their bread and butter, they like to run the ball,” Gabe Storment said. “Everyone on defense just honed in. When we stopped the run, we made them throw the ball. When they threw it, we forced them into mistakes.

“It was an overall dominant performance from the defense.”

Grain Valley (5-1) not only limited the yards allowed, but it forced four turnovers.

Senior cornerback Braylon Harden had a ball thrown right to him from Belton quarterback Cooper Shrum for an interception late in the first, Storment picked off Shrum twice and sophomore recovered a fumble forced by junior DJ Harris late in the contest on a run from Kyron Tharp.

Storment nearly had his first career pick-six when he caught a wobbler from Shrum at the Grain Valley 31-yard line and took it all the way to the Belton 5 before getting tackled.

“I saw everyone running and I was just trying to make some cuts,” Storment said. “I got inside the 4 and I thought I was going to get there but their quarterback was just sitting there squatting.”

While the Eagles defense dominated, their offense continued to hum. Through the first five games, Williams, a running back, has been the key cog to the engine of the Eagles offense.

Coming into Friday’s Suburban White Conference against Belton, the senior running back had 1,102 yards rushing and 16 TDs with an average of 220.4 yards per game. He also had eight catches for 243 yards and three touchdowns through the air.

He still had a sparkling performance against the Pirates as he rushed for 191 yards on 18 carries and a score, but there were other Eagles who joined in on the fun.

Caldarella led the offense by completing 7 of 9 passes for 143 yards and two scores and he also ran the ball five times for 29 yards and two more TDs. He connected with five different receivers and threw accurate passes from all ranges Friday night.

He hit tight end Eli Monrian for an 11-yard TD pass in the back of the end on a play action pass at the 5:33 mark in the first. With 6:40 left in the first half he scored on a 2-yard run on a run-pass option play to put Grain Valley up 14-0.

Belton scored with 1:14 remaining in the first half on a 1-yard scoring run from senior running back Javon Minor to narrow the gap to 14-7.

But after that, it was all Eagles as Caldarella continued his stellar night by throwing a deep pass to junior wide receiver Aaron Barr, who made a leaping TD grab from 27 yards out with a defensive back all over him to put the Eagles (5-1) up 21-7 going into halftime.

“It was awesome to see that,” Caldarella said of Barr’s TD grab. “I have been putting more trust into my non go-to guys over the week. He came down and made a great play on the ball.”

Caldarella capped his special senior night with a 5-yard TD run on another run-pass option play with 11:27 left in the game.

Williams did his thing earlier in the third period when he scored on a 71-yard jaunt after breaking a tackle, making one cut, and outrunning the Belton defense. But he wasn’t the only running back to shine as Wyzard had eight carries for 36 yards and had a 3-yard scamper into the end zone as he earned a season-high in touches.

​“It felt great,” Wyzard said. “I am glad I am getting more reps. I have definitely been working really hard.” 

by Cole Arndorfer
 
​
The Grain Valley Board of Education met on Thursday, September 21. The board began the meeting with a public hearing on the proposed tax rate for the year, led by Assistant Superintendent Dr. Nick Gooch. The board also heard Superintendent Dr. Brad Welle’s report, took action on two items of unfinished business and three items of new business, and took action on two board policies discussed in the previous month’s meeting.
 
In his presentation, Gooch said that the total assessed valuation for the city was $567,445,737, up over $107 million from last years assessed valuation. The proposed rate for this year is 4.4882. This number is comprised of the operating levy, which is proposed to be decreased to 2.7882, and the debt service levy, which would stay the same at 1.70. After no discussion from the board and no public comments, the public hearing was closed and the meeting was called to order.
 
For his report, Welle shared a few highlights from around the district. He talked about the Signs of Suicide program that high school and middle school students participated in on September 13. This program teaches students about the possible signs of suicide in their friends and classmates, as well as when to get help for themselves or others. This has been used by the district for 13 years.
 
Welle also said that the district is finalizing their K-8 fall benchmark assessments, consistent with the CSIP priority on literacy.
 
The final piece of Welle’s report was an update on construction at the high school. Welle said that walls are beginning to go up around the new gymnasium and he is excited to see it starting to take its form.
 
Next in the meeting was unfinished business. The first item on that list was the annual CSIP priorities. There have been no changes to these since the September workshop meeting.
 
“The priorities this year emphasize improving our early literacy skills, assessing the needs of our facilities throughout the district, implementing character education to address student behavior in each of our schools, developing a revised safety and security plan for each of our schools in our district, and provide competitive pay for all employees,” Welle said.
 
The annual priorities were passed unanimously by the board.
 
The last piece of unfinished business was naming the press box at the high school. Welle said that with it being the 100th season of Grain Valley football, the press box will be named after Grain Valley’s most successful head coach, Forrest Rovello. This item was also unanimously passed.
Under new business, the board took action to set the tax levy rate for 2023. The board approved the tax rate and it will be set at 4.4882 for the next year. Changes from assessed valuation appeals was a concern that was brought up by the board. The state has a process set in place in order to recoup any tax dollars that may be lost due to any appeals.
 
The second item was to add two additional full-time paraprofessionals. Welle said that the district does still have a few openings for paraprofessionals but there is still a need to add these extra positions. This item was approved and the budget will be amended in October to reflect these additions.
 
The final item was to live broadcast school board workshops. This item was put on the agenda to set the record straight and clear any confusion by board members. Some of the board members believed that when they voted to allow live broadcasts of board meetings that it also included workshops so they wanted to take a vote on specifically the workshop events.
 
Board Vice President, Jeff Porter, said that he thinks broadcasting the workshops is just as important, if not more important than broadcasting the monthly business meetings. He said that in order for the public to understand what the board is voting on, they must be able to see what is discussed in the workshops. This item was approved 6-1 with the lone “no” vote being from Board President Eddie Saffell.
 
Board policy review was the last item on the agenda. The first policy on the list was on the topic of resignation of professional staff members. This policy was amended slightly to allow the board to waive the fee the staff member must pay to resign late, and the staff member may request in writing to the board to have the fee waived. This policy was approved.
 
The last series of policies the board took action on was the 2023B series policies from the MSBA. No changes have been made to these policies from the previous workshop. These policies were approved.
 
The next board meeting will take place on October 19, at 6 pm in the Leadership Center. 

Fall is in the air! Usher in the season by spending the day with your family at Jackson County Parks + Rec’s 47th Annual Fall Festival of Arts, Crafts and Music at the Missouri Town Living History Museum, Saturday and Sunday, October 7-8, 2023.
 
The wildly popular open-air event takes place on the grounds of Jackson County Parks + Rec’s Missouri Town, a living history museum on 30 acres that delights visitors with glimpses of life from a mid-19th century farming community.

The 47th Annual Fall Festival of Arts, Crafts and Music will be held Saturday, Oct. 7 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 8 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Missouri Town Living History Museum is located at 8010 East Park Rd, Lee’s Summit, MO 64064.  The event cost is $15 per car/van and $25 per school/commercial bus. 
 
At the Missouri Town Fall Festival, the entire village comes alive with the authentic music and dance of the 1850s. Start your holiday shopping with unique gifts, handcrafted by talented artisans. Knowledgeable interpreters will share their passion for bygone skills such as cooking over a wood fire, wood working, blacksmithing, the art of tinsmith and a variety of fiber crafts. Witness the preparation of homemade apple butter and cider. Children will find fun and excitement with the time-honored games that were popular with kids over 150 years ago! 
 
Whether ending your visit with a hay wagon ride or simply strolling through the authentic antebellum architecture, families will enjoy a special day of the sights, sounds and smells of a simpler time in this reconstructed mid-1900s farming community! For more information, visit www.makeyourdayhere.com/missouritown.
​

Surrounded by industrial violence and death, servicemembers of World War I found renewed faith, discovered magic and witnessed miracles in everyday and extraordinary objects. Charmed Soldiers, the new online exhibition from the National WWI Museum and Memorial features a collection of 22 small, personal belongings that helped fighting forces and war workers hold on to hope, whether in the muddy trenches of the Western Front, on the waves of the South China Sea or flying high above the clouds.
 
“When I rejoined my men at the northern edge of the woods, I learned that no one had been hurt during my absence, but that a few minutes after I had left a sharp fragment, like a railroad spike, had riven itself deep into the bank just where my chest had been. Call it Luck or call it Providence, it was with me on the Eleventh of October, or I would not be alive today.” —Lieutenant Edward C. Lukens, 320th Infantry
 
The objects featured in Charmed Soldiers were carried closely through war, including items such as saint medallions, Rin Tin Tin and Nenette dolls and protective folk magic charms that were believed to spiritually protect the carrier or bring good luck.
 
“Everyone can relate to the stories behind Charmed Soldiers. Even today, most people have a cherished item that represents devout faith or pure luck in their life,” said Dr. Matthew Naylor, President and CEO of the National WWI Museum and Memorial. “During WWI, these tangible items helped many people through the dark moments of their service. Charmed Soldiers is a fascinating examination of objects that tell the very human experience of the Great War.”

Charmed Soldiers is the third online exhibition from the Museum and Memorial in 2023. Learners from around the world visit the Museum and Memorial’s website from over 200 countries. Online exhibitions, as well as the Museum and Memorial’s robust Online Collections Database, enable a global audience to interact with the Museum and Memorial from anywhere in the world.

Charmed Soldiers is made possible through generous support from Lilly Endowment Inc. and donors to the National WWI Museum and Memorial.

Park University announces its graduates from the 2022-23 academic year. The list of graduates includes those from the University’s flagship campus in Parkville as well as its 38 additional campuses across the country and online worldwide.

The University had 2,007 students eligible to graduate — 469 students earned a master’s degree, specialist degree and/or graduate certificate, and 1,538 students received a bachelor’s degree, associate degree and/or undergraduate certificate.
 
Grain Valley graduates (reside in Grain Valley or attended Grain Valley schools):
 
LIST OF GRADUATE DEGREES CONFERRED
(Name, Degree Concentration [if applicable], Hometown and High School Attended [if provided])
 
Master of Business Administration

• Addison M. Stuart, Quality and Innovation Management, Grain Valley, Mo.

 
 
LIST OF UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES CONFERRED
(Honors designation key ([at least 30 earned credit hours prior to the last term of enrollment at Park University]):

• @ — Summa Cum Laude (3.9 to 4.0 grade point average)
• # — Magna Cum Laude (3.7 to 3.899 GPA)
• $ — Cum Laude (3.5 to 3.699 GPA)

(Name, Degree Concentration [if applicable], Hometown and High School Attended [if provided])

Bachelor of Fine Arts

• @ McKenzie Blaire Robinson, Interior Design, Kansas City, Mo. (attended Grain Valley [Mo.] High School)

 
Bachelor of Science

• Rebecca Marie Drabik, Business Administration/Human Resource Management, Grain Valley, Mo. (attended Shawnee Mission Northwest High School, Shawnee, Kan.)
• Kunda M. Harris, Management/Computer Information Systems, Grain Valley, Mo.
• Michael B. Lang, Business Administration/Logistics, Grain Valley, Mo. (attended Van Horn High School, Independence, Mo.)
• $ Valentina Yasmin Romo, Business Administration/Marketing, Blue Springs, Mo. (attended Grain Valley [Mo.] High School)

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

• Courtney N. Seal, Grain Valley, Mo. (attended Grain Valley High School)

by Joe Jerek, Missouri Department of Conservation

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is seeking input from turkey hunters and others on possible changes to spring and fall wild turkey hunting seasons, including all-day spring hunting and reduced harvest limits for fall seasons.
“In the nearly 20 years since the last significant regulations change for turkey hunting, much has changed for both hunters and wild turkeys,” explained MDC Wild Turkey Biologist Nick Oakley. “Turkey populations across the country and in Missouri have declined, predictably, after a post-restoration boom. Turkey hunting participation, over time, has also declined.”
According to MDC, Missouri’s spring turkey hunting season, specifically the start date, was designed to take place after the peak in turkey breeding had occurred. Additionally, MDC research indicates that the current season structure, combined with the reproductive ecology of turkeys, has resulted in relatively low harvest rates on juvenile and adult gobblers over the years.
“This means that a small increase in the total number of the males harvested each spring would be sustainable,” explained Oakley. “Extending shooting hours during the spring season may expand the opportunity for individuals to take up turkey hunting or offer more time for others to return to the field while maintaining a healthy turkey population.”
Oakley added that MDC is considering changes to fall turkey hunting regulations that aim to balance the wellbeing of the turkey population while trying to maximize hunting opportunities.
“Considering the increase in stakeholder concern over hen harvest in the fall, we are considering several possibilities that may reduce hen harvest while maintaining as much of the fall hunting tradition as possible,” he said. “Information gathered during this input period will be used by MDC as we consider ways to reverse declining hunter participation.”
MDC encourages turkey hunters and others to go online to mdc.mo.gov/turkey-regs for more information on potential regulation changes and to provide comment. The comment period closes Oct. 6. The webpage also has information on the history and structure of Missouri turkey hunting and possible effects of regulation changes on turkey numbers and hunter opportunities.  

Cathy Bylinowski, M.S. Horticulture
Horticulture Instructor
University of Missouri Extension- Jackson County, MO
​written by Bethany Bachmann



Description
Apples are in season from July-November in Missouri. Apples contain a significant amount of vitamin C which is an antioxidant that may play a key role in helping to reduce the risk of heart disease and certain cancers. Vitamin C also aids in the body’s healing process. Consuming foods that contain a significant amount of vitamin C can also help the body to absorb iron. Apples are also a good source of fiber and potassium.

Selection
A ripe and ready-to-pick apple should be firm and easily detach from the tree when harvesting. Choose apples that are free of blemishes and bruises when purchasing from the farmers market or grocery store.

Storing
Apples prefer cool, dark places for storage. Consider a cellar, cold basement, or temperature-controlled garage. Apples can be stored in the refrigerator. Spoilage will happen more quickly in areas above 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

Preparing
Apples should be rinsed under cool, running water to remove surface bacteria and dirt. A scrub brush or cloth can be used as well. Apples are most commonly consumed raw, but can be baked, roasted, grilled, or sauteed. There are wide variety of recipes that call for apples. Here is one that may be new to you.

Fall Fruit Compote
2 medium apples
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
3 medium pears
¼ cups apple juice or cider
1 cup seedless grapes
¼ cup water
1 cup raisins
2 Tbsp cornstarch
1 tsp ground cinnamon
 
1. Rinse pears, apples, and grapes. Do not peel fruit. Remove core from pears and apples. Cut fruit into 1-inch pieces.
2. In a medium pot, add pears, apples, grapes, raisins, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Add apple juice and water to pot to barely cover the fruit. Bring fruit and juice to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat.
3. In a colander, strain the fruit over a small bowl, reserving the liquid. Return liquid to the pot and bring to a simmer. Add a small amount of water or apple juice to the cornstarch and mix. Add cornstarch mixture to simmering liquid. Cook on low to thicken slightly. Remove from stove and let cool.
4. Pour thickened juice mixture over fruit and stir. Cool and serve or store in an air-tight container for up to one week.

Written by Bethany Bachmann 321 N. Main Street, Suite 1 | Perryville, MO 63775 O: 573-547-4504 | E: bachmannb@missouri.edu

For more information on growing apples in Missouri, check the following MU Extension Publications, available as free downloads:
https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g6022  Apple Cultivars and Their Uses
https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g6021  Home Fruit Production: Apples
https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g6026  Disease-Resistant Apple Cultivars
​

by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society
 

Looking at the original owner of Lots 22 through 38, many familiar names could be seen; Keshler & Young, Frank Gregg, Elisha Moore, Ed Williams, and D. M. Majors. One name, I do not recognize is that of H. H. Dean.

​After spending, perhaps wasting, too much time, let me just say I have no idea who the man was or whether he ever lived in our town. Because he owned lots 36, 37, and 38 on the eastern most edge of the original town, I think we might assume he was merely a land speculator who never actually lived here.

That being said, lots 22 through 25 were filled with various businesses during the early years of the last century. Early photos suggest that lot 24 was at one time a tonsorial and bath house and lot 23 was the millinery shop where my grandmother once made hats before she was married in 1906. 

The Tonsorial
 
Lot 25 was purchased by Ed Williams in January of 1919.  About 1930, he and his son, Otis , opened a meat market and grocery store. It remained a grocery store with several proprietors, the last being Roland Frantz who closed the store in 1973 (Valley News, April 16, 2020).

The Last Grocery Store on Main Street
 
For approximately 16 years in the 1970s and 1980s lots 22, 23, and 24 were occupied by Model Engineering a company that manufactured plastic items, among them, souvenir cups. It was also a hotel in the 1930s and a marina (for weekenders at Tarsney Lakes) in the late 1940s/early 1950s.

Lots 22 and 23 are now the tattoo shop and Lot 24 is Slinger’s Bar and Restaurant. If you need an old car restored, visit Lot 25. The dog trainer on Lot 26 is in the old U. S. Post Office building/Chamber of Commerce Office. I remember an ice house on that lot in the 1950s.

Ed Williams also owned Lots 27 through 30 and for many years, their home was “on the corner of Main Street, across from the old Christian Church.” Mr. Williams, quite the entrepreneur, owned a slaughter house  which occupied Lots 31 & 32.

Over the years Mr. Wm. Loring purchased all of the remaining lots; 33, 34, 36, 37,and 38, which comprised the original town. Lot 35 was and is today owned by the railroad. William and Ada Loring  built their home around 1920 on Lots 33 & 34 and it still stands. Today it is a cabinet shop.

So, next time you are Downtown Grain Valley, perhaps this will help you visualize the vibrant town of the 1950s.
 
Next week learn about the first Graves and Ashcraft Addition, the West side of Main Street.
​

The following information is derived from Grain Valley Police Department daily calls service log for the week of September 18-26, 2023.
 
September 18, 2023
PHQ
Citizen contact

PHQ
Citizen contact

200 Blk Cross Creek
Welfare check

Main St/40 Hwy
Motorist assist

300 Blk Coldwater Creek
Residence check

1300 Blk Cherry St
Warrant arrest

 
September 19, 2023
I-70 WB/Lefhotz Bridge
Motorist assist

600 Blk NW Albatross Dr
Agency assist

600 Blk Yennie Ave
Animal control

 
September 20, 2023
Main St/Yennie
Motor vehicle accident

2300 Blk Hedgewood
Alarm

200 Blk Walnut
Suspicious person

Eagles/Cross Creek
Motorist assist

1400 Blk Red Oak Ct
Disturbance

North Middle School
Escort

Woodbury/Woodbury
Suspicious person

Eagles/Sni-A-Barr
Area check

200 Blk Cross Creek
Harassment

1500 Blk Nicholas
Suspicious person

Sni-A-Barr/Eagles
Motor vehicle accident

700 Blk Main St
Parking complaint

I70/Main St
Agency assist

1100 Blk Buckner Tarsney Rd
Pedestrian check

1700 Blk NW Hill Top Ct
Harassment

PHQ
Public service

 
September 21, 2023
1200 Blk SW Duster
Missing juvenile

900 Blk NE Deer Creek
Property damage

1200 Blk SW Stockman Ct
Juvenile returned home

PHQ
Citizen contact

IPD
Prisoner transport

100 Blk SW Rock Creek
Alarm

600 Blk SW Whitestone Dr
Verbal disturbance

1400 Blk SW Blue Branch Dr
Suspicious vehicle

300 Blk Crestview
Welfare check

1200 Blk Duster Ct
Runaway juvenile

1400 Blk Mary Ct
Disturbance

500 Blk James Rollo
Citizen contact

1400 Blk Jaclyn
Welfare check

PHQ
Citizen contact

PHQ
Welfare check

700 Blk Albatros
Property damage

1200 Blk Stockman Ct
Runaway juvenile

700 Blk Green
Trespass

 
September 22, 2023
700 Blk Green Dr
Trespass

800 Blk San Karr
Citizen contact

300 Blk NE Coldwater Creek Rd
Animal control

1100 Blk NW Woodbury
Alarm

BB N/B
Suspicious vehicle

 
September 23, 2023
1200 Blk Phelps Ct
Harassment

PHQ
Citizen contact

500 Blk Main St
Stealing

700 Blk Squire Ct
Alarm

600 Blk Yennie Ave
Suspicious person

800 Blk SW Highland Ave
Physical disturbance

300 Blk SW Eagles Pkwy
Alarm

PHQ
Citizen contact

BB Hwy/Woodbury
Motor vehicle accident

300 Blk NE Coldwater Creek Rd
Alarm

 
September 24, 2023
1100 Blk SW Sandy Ln
Suspicious activity

Unknown
Disturbance

800 Blk SW Highland Ave
Noise complaint

 
September 25, 2023
Woodbury
Suspicious person

1300 Blk Sni-A-Barr
Property damage

900 Blk Willow
Animal control

1100 Blk Foxtail
Welfare check

300 Blk Coldwater Creek Rd
Animal control

200 Blk Cross Creek
Noise complaint

 
September 26, 2023
1100 Blk Long
Residence check

PHQ
Fingerprints

200 Blk Eagles Pkwy
Welfare check

PHQ
Standby request

PHQ
Citizen contact

PHQ
Property damage report

PHQ
Stealing report

PHQ
Citizen contact

1400 Blk Eagles Pkwy
Residence check

900 Blk NE Deer Creek
Suspicious person

PHQ
Citizen contact

GVHS
Physical disturbance

1500 Blk NE Erin Court
Stolen auto

 
Additional calls for service:
Order of protection: 5