Taco Bell® is celebrating the opening of its Grain Valley location with a ribbon cutting and grand opening event on Tuesday, February 25 from 11:00am - 1:00pm. Members of the Grain Valley Partnership will be in attendance and will have the chance to enjoy the same mouth-watering flavors guests have come to know and love, but in a brand new, contemporary atmosphere. Taco Bell is located at 1101 South Buckner Tarsney Road. All area residents are invited to attend the grand opening event.

     A public hearing is scheduled for March 9th to allow for public comment related to a proposed zoning change at the current Old Towne Marketplace off of SW Eagles Parkway.           
     Old Towne Marketplace LLC has submitted an application requesting a change of zoning on approximately 1.2 acres from Downtown Transition Zone to R-3p (Multi-Family Residential District—Planned Overlay District) and approximately 1.9 acres from C-1 (Central Business District) to R-3p (Multi-Family Residential District—Planned Overlay District).
     The proposed development, Lofts at Old Towne, includes 154 apartments on the site and a mixed-use indoor amenity center. The development will repurpose the former Patricia’s Foods site into the mixed-use indoor amenity center and 64 rental units. Three three-story apartment buildings containing a total of 90 rental units are planned for the vacant tract to the west.
     The proposed 154 rental units will consist of 10% one-bedroom units, 80% two-bedroom units, and 10% three-bedroom units. The mixed-use amenity center will consist of an indoor pool, pickle ball courts, exercise room, media/theatre room, tenant co-op workspace and Wi-Fi café, leasing office and tenant storage units.
     City zoning regulations require two parking spaces for a 1 or 2-bedroom unit and 3 parking spaces for a 3 or more bedroom unit. Using the Old Towne Marketplace parking area and the proposed rental units and existing commercial spaces, the required number of parking spaces would be 537; post development parking will be 541 spaces.
     According to a City staff report, the development would be completed in two phases. The three apartment buildings planned for the tract west of the current Marketplace will be completed in phase 1. Phase 2 will consist of the demolition and then construction of Building A, located where the vacant Patricia’s Foods is located.
     The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval on the rezoning and preliminary development plan during its February 12th meeting to the Board of Aldermen. A public hearing is required and is scheduled for 7:00pm on Monday, March 9, 2020 during the Board of Aldermen’s regularly scheduled meeting.
 

     The Grain Valley School Board has placed a $14.5 million school bond issue on the ballot for the April 7, 2020 election for the purpose of completing Phase 5 of the district’s long-range plan of additions and renovation to Grain Valley High School.            

Phase 5 includes:
Band Room
Percussion Room
Choir Room
Stagecraft Room
Drama Classroom
Black Box Theater
Additional Parking
Renovation of Jerry Mueller Performing Arts Center
     Long-range planning for the growth of the student population at Grain Valley High School began in 2012 and  Phases 1 thru 4 of additions and renovations to the school have been completed.
     The high school currently serves nearly 1,300 students.
     Renderings of the planned additions are printed on page 7 of this edition.
 

     The Grain Valley Eagles Boys Basketball team demonstrated toughness in their 65-50 loss to the Grandview Bulldogs on Friday, February 14th. The Eagles did not let their height disadvantage or the full court pressure they faced the entire game hinder their will to compete.
     Grain Valley consistently broke Grandview’s press by advancing the ball with good floor spacing and sound judgment in passing. The result of this work often left Grain Valley winded at the start of their half-court offense. The Eagles met the challenge with their starters turning in an abundance of minutes played and points scored.
     Seniors Caden Matlon and Josh Kilpatick along with Junior Jaden Yung were the top scorers for the Eagles. Matlon sunk a trio of three pointers on his way to scoring 20 points. Kilpatrick and Yung backed Matlon’s effort by scoring 10 points each themselves.
     Grandview’s high octane offense was fueled by Sophomore Taj Manning in the post and Senior Reggie Morris Jr. in the frontcourt. Manning led all scorers with 23 points. Morris Jr.’s 19 points came from sound shooting judgment and efficiency at the free throw line.
     The opening sequence of the second half demonstrated the story line of the game. Manning came down from the top of the key on a set screen to dunk the received alley-oop pass for the Bulldogs. Both Yung and Matlon responded for the Eagles with back to back three pointers that cut the Grandview lead to 35-24 with 7:01 left in the 3rd quarter.
     The Eagles would go on to cut the lead to below double digits twice more in the second half. However, they were unable to chip away at Grandview’s lead any further. Grandview’s bench depth and player substitution rotation kept fresh bodies on the court as they pulled away at the end of the contest.
     Grain Valley Head Basketball Coach Andy Herbert was disappointed in the outcome, but not with his team’s effort.
     “I thought our kids did a really good job against their press. We talked and prepped for this before the game in that the press will not only physically exhaust you, it will mentally exhaust you was well in that you have to make thousands of decisions.,” Herbert said.
     “Our team was able to handle that and have three to four possessions of good basketball in a row before we got silly with some things. That’s a credit to them (Grandview) and their defense.”
     “We really competed. The effort was there tonight by us. When you play someone as physically demanding as Grandview, you can get your feelings hurt when they alley-oop or make an exciting play. I am proud that those things didn’t bother us tonight as we played with a straight face.”
     Herbert continued, “Jaden (Yung) belongs. He’s subtlety improving. He’s always had ability. It’s been the little things though that he’s worked on regarding his footwork and defense that’s making the difference for him right now.”
     Yung’s stat line for the game also included 2 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals. Yung seemed to enjoy the pressure and the competition that occurred on the court with the comments he shared after the game.
     “Definitely, we passed the ball well tonight and hustled to get open. They (Grandview) run up and down the court a lot. It’s fun to face a team with their talent. It gives you a chance to step up and do your best in giving your team a chance,” Yung said.
     Kilpatrick echoed Yung’s remarks and felt the Eagles had worked hard in practice to prepare for their Suburban Conference opponent.
     “We worked a lot in preparing for their press. Our JV guys worked hard in making sure we were ready for this by what they did in practice. Grandview is a great team. The tough shots that didn’t go for us tonight led to them getting fast break points and pulling away,” Kilpatrick said.
     “Something I’ve learned over the years is that having height comes with the responsibility to crash the boards. Everyone of us has the obligation to get position, regardless of whether we are at a height disadvantage.
     They have a great player in Manning that gets rebounds and is a handful in the paint. We did our best. I was very pleased with how we played for three quarters. The fourth quarter we were in foul trouble and they made their free throws.”
     Herbert shared his thoughts as his team prepares for late February basketball that lies ahead. The Eagles will move into Class 4, District 14 Tournament play with a 15-8 record.
     “Tonight, was a game we can build on. There are bits and pieces we can take away that are positives. We also must get better at avoiding clusters of negative offensive possessions.
     It can’t be turnover, bad shot, turnover. It becomes hard to withstand those things against the good teams we are going to face in district play,” Herbert said.
 

​     As Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline could be heard blaring down the hall from the Grain Valley Lady Eagles Basketball locker room, Head Coach Randy Draper couldn’t contain his smile. There was no doubt a boisterous celebration taking place behind closed doors by his players. The Eagles had just capped a thrilling overtime victory against the visiting Grandview Bulldogs by a score of 67-57.
     “Our kids focused well tonight. The band was loud, and the crowd was awesome. It was a great atmosphere for a high school basketball game. It’s funny that the louder things got, the better we played in the last quarter and overtime,” Draper said.
     “I appreciated our toughness. (Jordyn) Weems and (Malia) Guttierrez did a excellent job against Cierra Smith for them (Grandview). She still managed to score an abundance of points. However, there were a few things we tweaked and tightened up at the end that made a difference defensively for us.”
     Smith was a handful much of the game for the Eagles. The Sophomore Guard for the Bulldogs would lead all scorers with 41 points. Much of Smith’s success came from making good decisions at the top of the pick and roll offense deployed by Grandview.
     Draper and his staff made a defensive change with 3:00 left in the 4th quarter that paid dividends in stopping Smith. Both Weems and Guttierrez started coming underneath the pick and anticipating the side in which Smith would dribble.
     This permitted the Eagles to stop her advance and get a hand in her face when she shot. The adjustment limited Smith’s ability to score for the remainder of the contest.
     Freshmen Grace Slaughter and Ella Clyman led the Eagles offense. Slaughter was Grain Valley’s top scorer with 33 points and 4 rebounds. She was backed by Clyman, who contributed 15 points and 10 rebounds in their team’s winning effort.
     Slaughter was dominant during overtime as she would tally 10 of the 12 points scored by the Eagles in the extra period. The memory of the first time Grain Valley played Grandview was still fresh in Slaughter’s mind and spurred her efforts.
     “I kept replaying the first time we played them (Grandview) in my head. It was not a pretty game against a conference opponent. We knew coming out tonight that they were going to be physical and aggressive. I knew we could perform better and wanted to play full throttle,” Slaughter said.
     Slaughter was also impressed by the defensive efforts of her teammate, 5’2” Senior Guard Savannah Scott. The Eagles Court Warming Queen, who was honored at halftime, would go on to make 3 key steals during the game. Two of those steals occurred by Scott during overtime and helped the Eagles stretch their lead late.
     “Everyone on this team has a role. Savannah (Scott) plays hers very well. She came up big tonight with the two steals in overtime. People may underestimate her because of her size, but that doesn’t tell the whole story of the type of player she is,” Slaughter said.
     Clyman was equally as happy with what her team was able to accomplish. The young post player for the Eagles was not intimidated by the physical play occurring under the basket.
     “I’m glad I could help my team win. I tried my best. It was fun watching us overcome and win late. I will give a lot of credit to Keely (Hill). Her boxing out (for rebound positioning) helped me secure some boards. We worked our butts off tonight,” Clyman said.
     The Grain Valley Lady Eagles Basketball team improves to a 15-7 record as they move closer to Missouri Class 4, District 14 Tournament competition.
 

     Senior Savannah Scott was crowned Court Warming Queen and Senior Josh Kilpatrick was crowned King during a halftime presentation on Friday, February 14th at Grain Valley High School.
​
Photo credit: Valley News staff
 

     Six Grain Valley High School wrestlers will head to the 90th Boys MSHSAA Wrestling Championships at Mizzou Arena in Columbia February 20th-22nd:
​
Freshman Dru Azcona (113)
Junior Donovan McBride (285)
Cameron Mickelson (152)
Junior Hunter Newsom (182)
Senior Trenton Starr (126)
Senior Drake Tipton (170)

​The following information is derived from the Grain Valley Police Department daily calls for service log for the week of February 5-11, 2020.
 

​     After further consideration of traffic impacts, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MODOT) has changed several details regarding the complete closure of a portion of Interstate 70 in both directions in Kansas City, MO. This closure will begin at 10:00pm on Friday, February 21st, until approximately 5:00am on Monday, February 24th and is for the demolition of the old I-435 bridges over I-70. Westbound I-70 will be closed between Route 291/I-470 and I-435. Eastbound I-70 will be closed at I-435. This is part of the new partial turbine interchange construction at I-435 and I-70. All work is weather permitting.
     Crews will begin reducing lanes on westbound I-70 between Route 291/I-470 and I-435, as well as on eastbound I-70 at I-435 at approximately 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 21. Motorists can expect various lane closures during this time.
     Crews will begin closing all on ramps along westbound I-70 between Route 291/I-470 and I-435 at 9 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 21 and they will remain closed until approximately 5 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 24.
Westbound I-70 ramp closures (Friday, Feb. 21 – Monday, Feb. 24):
Northbound and southbound I-470/Route 291 ramps to westbound I-70
Lee’s Summit Road ramp to westbound I-70.
Noland Road ramp to westbound I-70.
U.S. Highway 40 ramp to westbound I-70.
Blue Ridge Cutoff ramp to westbound I-70.
Westbound I-70 ramp to Manchester Trafficway.
     Crews will begin closing the following on ramps along eastbound I-70 at 9:00pm on Friday, February 21st and they will remain closed until approximately 5:00am on Monday, February 24th.
Eastbound I-70 ramp closures include (Friday, Feb. 21 – Monday, Feb. 24):
The southbound Route 291/I-470 ramp to eastbound I-70.
Manchester Trafficway to eastbound I-70.
     Additionally, the ramp from northbound I-435 to eastbound I-70 will be closed beginning at 5:00am on Saturday, February 22nd, until approximately 5:00pm the same evening for pavement repairs. This ramp will be accessible at all other times.
The following portions of I-70 will be closed entirely beginning at 10:00pm on Friday, February 21st until approximately 5:00am on Monday, February 24th:
Westbound I-70 will be closed beginning at Route 291/I-470 and ending at I-435. Traffic will be reduced to one lane before the Route 291/I-470 interchange. All traffic that has not already exited I-70 will be detoured off of I-70 to southbound I-470.
DETOUR: Motorists needing to continue to westbound I-70 are advised to take I-470 around the closure.
Eastbound I-70 will be CLOSED at I-435.  Traffic will be reduced to one lane at Manchester Trafficway and traffic that has not already exited I-70 will be detoured off of I-70 at the ramp to southbound I-435.
DETOUR: Motorists needing to continue to eastbound I-70 are advised to take I-470 around the closure.
 

     As I continue to peruse the bi-weekly school newspapers published during the years of World War II, I get a much clearer picture of what it must have been like to live in Grain Valley.
     With only President Roosevelt’s weekly fireside chats, and news reels, the war must have seemed surreal and yet alarming to the people of Grain Valley.
     Every issue of the paper talked about Defense Stamps and Bonds, conserving paper and scrap metal and the rationing of sugar and gasoline which would begin with in the summer of 1942.
     In our small midwestern town, the only signs of the War were the increasing number of Son in Service flags which hung in the front window of homes.
     The blue star in the center of the red-bordered white rectangle signified a family member in active service. Soon, some homes would display a gold star for a family member who was killed in action of died in service. 
     Frequently, Superintendent Jay Walker continued to give advice to students and faculty. What follows is his column as it appeared in The Broadcaster on February 6, 1942.
 
“How May the Students and Faculty Take an Active Part in the War?”
 
By cooperating with our Government
     Purchase of Defense Savings Stamps
     and Bonds
     In all matters pertaining to the
     conservation of material
     In promoting national unity,
     efficiency and security
 
By Contribution to recognized social agencies.
     Red Cross
     Salvation Army
     Special projects of school, churches,  
     etc.
 
The collection of Waste material
     Waste paper
     Metals essential to war industries
 
By participating in national, state and local programs of defense
     Red Cross work of all kinds
     Civilian Defense Programs
 
To build and maintain understanding and morale.
     To the boys in service by writing
     letters and donating books and 
     magazines.
     To our home folks by fostering 
     wholesome school and community;
     religious, cultural and physical.
 
By keep good morale and spirit in our own work.
 
By preparing for efficient service as a citizen.
     To study and plan to meet the ever-
     changing demands.
     To do better what we are already
     doing.
     By Re-evaluating personal resources
Better health and efficiency.
     By continuing the development of
     our abilities and talents.
     Our continued faith in God and Jesus
     Christ.
 
     By dedicating our all to the support of the armed forces in any other manner.
 
Learn more about the Grain Valley Historical Society at www.grainvalleyhistory.com.
 
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