by Bill Althaus, Grain Valley News Blue Springs South High School graduate David Cook attracted the national spotlight and performed around the world after winning the 2008 American Idol competition. And none of those concerts meant more to Cook than a Saturday night benefit event at the Blue Springs South performing Arts Center. The 2001 South graduate was the singer everyone in Eastern Jackson County voted for when he starred on American Idol, and now, he's giving back to a friend, and a community that gave so much to him during his historic run on the popular singing/songwriting television series. When Cook learned that his fourth-grade football teammate and former South classmate Brandon Claxton, a lieutenant on the Blue Springs Police Department who now lives in Grain Valley, was diagnosed with cancer he asked how he could help. What makes Claxton's diagnosis even more heartbreaking is that his wife recently died of cancer, leaving him with four young children to raise. He has Mantle Cell Lymphoma, a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which is a group of cancers that affect the lymphatic system. The Blue Springs Citizen's Police Academy Alumni Association began a series of fundraisers to help defray Claxton's medical and travel expenses to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. And one of the first individuals who asked how he could help was Cook. “David is an amazing young man who has always cared about his community and his friends, like Brandon,” said BSCPAAA representative Paula Pickett. “This is a benefit event – all the money will go to Brandon and his family. We worked with David and his representatives and were able to make this happen – God bless him.” Cook and his crew were among the first to arrive at South late Saturday afternoon, on the same stage where he performed in “Singing in the Rain,” “The Music Man” and “West Side Story” while at student at South. As he sat in the empty auditorium, the memories began to wash over him like waves. “I am a huge ball of anxiety and excitement right now,” Cook said, when asked about his return to Blue Springs. “When I heard about what Brandon, who is a pillar in the community, I wanted to help. “I played fourth grade little league football with Brandon and his dad was our coach. Brandon's story is heartbreaking, when you think about a husband who lost his wife to cancer. He has four young kids, and now they are here to love and support their dad. “I know Brandon's mother Linda has been an inspiration for her son and so many people in this loving community are doing all they can to support him.” Claxton and several members of his family arrived at the high school and were overwhelmed by the items in the silent auction and the number of volunteers who this magical night happen. “I've known David since we were in fourth grade,” Claxton said, while he held his 6-year-old daughter Brylie. “It's amazing he's coming back to do this benefit concert. But that's the type of guy David is – he cares about everyone and has a big heart.” Claxton's mother, Linda, said she watched every episode of “American Idol,” during the 2008 season. “I watched David, all my friends and family voted for David, and now he's back in Blue Springs to help my son and his family,” Linda said. “We've all been blown away by the love and support of our community, and we're so thankful to everyone who has helped us get through this.” While Claxton did his best to avoid the spotlight, his 12-year-old son Benson, who attends Grain Valley North Middle School, handled questions like a veteran of the music industry. “When we got here, I looked around and saw all the volunteers and everyone setting up for the concert and I was like, 'They're doing all this for my dad,'” Benson said. “And that is so cool. My dad has helped so many people (over the past 20 years) with the police department and now, they're helping him.” The silent auction – that included many Kansas City Chiefs and Royals signed items and tickets, along with an array of gift baskets – and the concert raised $22,000, all of which will go to Claxton.” Pickett added that more than $2,000 in donations was raised during the event. “We also had a Bingo Night at Sandy's Restaurant in Blue Springs,” Pickett said, “and that raised $20,000. So we just want to thank everyone for being so generous and showing up for Brandon and his family.” If anyone would like to make a contribution to the Claxton fund please go to: bscpa.org/claxtons-shield. Blue Springs South High School graduate and American Idol winner David Cook, left, visits with his longtime friend and former classmate Brandon Claxton, a lieutenant in the Blue Springs Police Department who is battling cancer. Cook returned home to headline a benefit concert Saturday night at Blue Springs South that raised $22,000 for Claxton, a Grain Valley resident. Photo credit: Bill Althaus
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by Bill Althaus, Grain Valley News As parents, family members, friends and teammates gathered in the new Grain Valley High School field house Friday morning, activities director Brandon Hart paid tribute to four members of the Eagles 2025 Spring National Signing Day. Cate Barnes, who will play tennis at Southwestern Illinois University; Kevin Johnson, basketball at Central Methodist University; Colston Parks, wrestling at Ottawa University; and Adalia Del Real, wrestling at Pella College all signed their letters to continue their academic and athletic careers at the collegiate level. “I am very proud of all our students who are signing this morning,” Hart said, “and I am proud of their parents and family members who made financial and time commitments to help them take part in the signing ceremony. “Their families have made a commitment to these student/athletes much like they have made to achieve success in the classroom and in their respective sports, and I believe that should be recognized.” Barnes, who started playing tennis as a youngster in coach Randy Draper's Parks and Recreation classes, has been a part of four conference championship teams, three district title winners and has played for the Eagles fourth, third and second-place state teams. She was 23-1 this season in doubles and shared The Examiner's Player of the Year award with doubles teammate Brooklyn Spencer. “We made a trip to Southern Illinois and I felt at home,” Barnes said. “There was a family feel to the team and I really liked the coaches and players. Being a senior, I experienced a lot of emotions this season and this morning – signing my letter – makes it all seem real. “I may never love another tennis team and coach like Coach (Randy) Draper, I am looking forward to new challenges.” Johnson, who will take his basketball talent to Central Methodist played just one season for the Eagles because he was a home-schooled student. “I came to school on the fourth block every day this season and that allowed me to play basketball,” Johnson said. “This has been one of the best experiences of my life and I'm looking forward to attending Central Methodist.” Assistant coach Ryan Adams praised Johnson, as head coach Randy Draper was out of town with his tennis team. “When Kevin started going to school here, me made an immediate impact in the paint,” Adams said of the towering center. “He loved to be coached and deserves a chance to play college basketball.” Wrestling coach Donnie Horner lauded the success of Del Real and Parks. “Colton's time in our program has been amazing,” the coach said, “and he has grown in so many ways. The springs of his freshman year he stood 5-foot-1 and weighed 105 pounds. “Now, he towers over me and weighs about 150 pounds. But, he has grown in more than physical stature. “He has gone from a kid that some may have overlooked to an incredible leader.” Horner praised Parks' leadership skills and his love of coaching young wrestlers. “Colston spent countless hours with our Grain Valley Youth Wrestling team. He has given our young wrestlers a great example of what it means to be an Eagle.” Parks, who now stands 5-11, praised the Eagles program after signing his national letter. “Coach Horner always believed in me,” Parks said, “and I'm happy that I was able to grow and become a part of our team. I have great memories and am looking forward to wrestling in college.” Horner said Del Real made an immediate impact when she moved to Grain Valley from Indiana. “She didn't just join the wrestling team, she redefined it,” Horner said. “She joined a team with very few ladies on it and through her hard work and dedication to our team, she played a big role in getting our team where it is now.” Del Real praised Horner and her teammates for much of her success, as she is one of only three multiple-time state qualifiers. “When I came here from Indiana we had two girls in the program, now we have a team with double digits and we're all so proud of Coach Horner and the success we've had the past four years. “Coach Horner is a great coach, and he believes in all of us. I will miss this program, which is more like a family to me, and I am excited to see how I do at Ottawa.” Grain Valley High School seniors, from left, Cate Barnes, tennis at Southwestern Illinois University; Kevin Johnson, basketball at Central Methodist University; Colston Parks, wrestling at Ottawa University; and Adalia Del Real, wrestling at Pella College signed their national letters of intent Friday morning in the Eagles new field house. Photo credit: Bill Althaus by Bill Althaus, Grain Valley News When goaltender Jack LaFontaine and forward Cade Borchardt are on their A Game, the Kansas City Mavericks are a tough team to handle. Just ask the Tulsa Oilers. LaFontaine stood tall in the net Saturday night as the Mavericks needed an overtime period to beat the Tulsa Oilers 3-2 Saturday night at Cable Dahmer Arena. The Oilers defeated Kansas City 4-2 in Friday night's opening round of postseason play, which magnified the importance of Saturday night's come-from-behind victory. Borchardt, who led the ECHL with 40 goals during the regular season, scored both goals in regulation with the game-tying goal coming with just 1:13 left in the third period. Marcus Crawford scored the game winner at 2:51 of the 20-minute overtime period that featured five vs. five skaters on the ice. “Jack can go unappreciated sometimes because he is such a great goaltender,” said Borchardt, who scored his first goal at 14:18 of the first period. “You expect great things from him, and he delivers game in and game out. We lost that tough (4-2) game Friday night (with the fourth goal coming after LaFontaine left the ice for a sixth attacker), and Laffer comes back and inspires all of us with the way he played tonight. “He's been the best goalie in the league (during the regular season) and he's the best in the playoffs. We wouldn't be here tonight without Laffer.” LaFontaine stopped 29 of 31 shots on goal and drew praise from coach Tad O'Had. “The guys played great in front of Laffer because he plays great every night,” O'Had said. “We lost a tough game Friday night, and Jack was part of the solution tonight. You know what you're going to get from Jack every night and he just got stronger as the game went on.” The score was 1-1 after the first period and Tulsa took a 2-1 lead at 15:47 of the second period when the puck kicked off Jimmy Mazza's skate and caromed to Drew Elliott, who scored his third goal of the series. “We knew we were going to win this game,” Borchardt said. “It was 2-1 for a while, but we tied it up late and we knew we were going to win in overtime. Borchardt's game-tying goal came off a shot by Casey Carreau, with Borchardt standing in front of the net. “It was head's up for Casey to get that shot off,” Borchardt added. “I was in the right place at the right time.” The Mavericks now head to Oklahoma, where they will play three games against the Oilers April 22, 24 and 25. If a sixth game is necessary, the two teams return to Cable Dahmer Arena April 28. “We would have liked to have won both games, but this is not a first-team-to-win two game series,” the coach said. “It's a best-of-seven series and we need to go to Tulsa and play like we did on the road during the regular season – where we were very successful.” And LaFontaine will be ready to go Tuesday. “We get a few days off, we play well on the road, so we're all excited,” LaFontaine said. “The playoffs are like a mosaic – some parts aren't pretty and some parts are beautiful. “Tonight was beautiful! The guys did a great job, our defense was oustanding and Borch and Crawford got those big goals. We're excited about hitting the road and going to Tulsa. Tulsa 4, Kansas City 2 The Mavericks took a 2-0 lead into Friday night's opening playoff game, only to see the Oilers score four goals in the third period to take a 1-0 lead in the series. Nate Knoepke opened the scoring with a slap shot at 1:16, finishing off a clean setup from Borchardt and Carreau. Less than four minutes later, Kansas City extended the lead. Damien Giroux redirected a bouncing puck at 5:08, with Landon McCallum and Knoepke assisting on the play. The Mavericks carried a 2-0 lead into the third period. Tulsa, however, flipped the momentum just 15 seconds into the final frame. Elliott scored to make it 2-1, and the Oilers kept pushing. Goals from Reid Petryk and Alec Butcher in a 31-second span midway through the period gave Tulsa a 3-2 advantage. Elliott added an empty-net goal at 19:44 to close it out. LaFontaine had 23 saves in the game. The Kansas City Mavericks mob goaltender Jack LaFontaine after he starred in the net of Saturday night's 3-2 overtime win over the Tulsa Oilers to even the their Mountain Division semifinal series 1-1. The series moves to Tulsa for three games, beginning Tuesday night. Photo courtesy the Kansas City Mavericks Damien Giroux, left, congratulates Marcus Crawford after he scored the game-winning goal to give the Kansas City Mavericks at 3-2 overtime win over the Tulsa Oilers Saturday night at Cable Dahmer Arena. Photo courtesy the Kansas City Mavericks
De'Shawn R. Hunley, Grandview, faces two charges, armed criminal action and first-degree assault in connection to a shooting on Monday, April 14th at the Dollar General Store, 1701 NE Main.
In a probable cause statement, Grain Valley Police Department outlined a marijuana deal gone awry, with Hunley allegedly firing several rounds and shooting the victim who was allegedly attempting to sell marijuana to Hunley in the face. Hunley's bond review is scheduled for April 22nd in Jackson County Circuit Court. Prior reporting: Quick News - Grain Valley News Armed Criminal Action by Cole Arndorfer, Grain Valley News
The Grain Valley Board of Aldermen met on Monday, April 14th for its first April meeting. In new business, the Board approved two fireworks permits, one for the Grain Valley Band Parent Association and the other for the Grain Valley Economic Development Corporation. Both permits were approved on the condition of one form still needed from the Economic Development Corporation. The board then moved into resolutions. The board approved eight resolutions with the intents ranging from entering an agreement for water tower and tank maintenance, to approving Midwest Public Risk for city employee insurance plans, and entering an agreement with Crawford, Murphy, and Tilly, Inc. for surveying and testing. After resolutions, the board moved into ordinances. First, the board approved an ordinance amending the 2025 budget to execute a task order with Crawford, Murphy, and Tilly, Inc. for surveying services and easement allocation for the Southwest Eagles Parkway Trail. The first read was approved and the ordinance was brought back by title only and approved once again. The board then approved the first reading of an ordinance approving a conditional use permit for a vehicle tow yard. This ordinance will be brought back by title only at the board’s next meeting. Following this, the board adjourned into executive session. The next Board of Aldermen meeting will take place on April 28th at 6:30pm inside City Hall. When Grain Valley senior Carson Shellito's name was called for second place in the SkillsUSA State Mobile Electronics Installation competition, the students cheered. When senior Isaac Pittman's name was called for first place, the cheers grew louder. And when 2023 graduate Tanner Todd was named as the gold medalist for the post-secondary Mobile Electronics contest, the crowd went wild. "It's incredible," Automotive Technology instructor Bill Lieb said. "Our students are building a legacy in that competition, and to hear the entire school cheering them on was just incredible." SkillsUSA is a national workforce development organization for nearly 400,000 students across the United States, ranging from middle school to college. Emphasis is placed on being career-ready, from training and competing in industry competitions to becoming proficient in skills like professional communication, public speaking and customer service. Over 60 CTC students traveled to this year's state competition at State Technical College in Linn, Missouri. Students achieved a total of 23 medals, with four medalists qualifying to compete at SkillsUSA Nationals this summer. The contests are rigorous. Students are graded on performances in everything from administering CPR during an emergency and setting up ladders for a fire to handling multiple clients in a tense customer service scenario. In the case of Mobile Electronics, students are graded on multiple stations, including a written exam, installing consumer electronic equipment in a mobile environment, and a job interview. Isaac will have the chance to compete in the secondary category at Nationals in June, while CTC and Grain Valley graduate Tanner Todd will compete in the post-secondary category. Todd achieved the gold medal in 2023 in the secondary competition and the gold medal in 2024 in the post-secondary competition, making him number one in the nation. "They worked so hard and we couldn't be prouder of them," shares SkillsUSA CTC Lead Advisor Jamie Bergsieker. "Not just the work they put into the contests, but the way they helped each practice, offered words of encouragement when their peers were stressed or disappointed, cheering each other on. We truly have a fantastic group of students." Grain Valley CTC Medalists
Tanner Todd (second from left), Isaac Pittman (middle), and Carson Shellito (second from right). Photo credit: CTC Benjamin Page (pictured right) received a bronze medal in Masonry Tech Info. Photo credit: CTC Criminal Justice Quiz Bowl medalists. Photo credit: CTC
Recognized for their academic excellence and strong community involvement, University of Central Missouri (UCM) seniors Marie Hall and Alyssa Robertson are the recipients of the 2025 Charno Award, the most prestigious honor given to UCM students. The Charno Award is presented annually to the top citizens at UCM. It honors George Charno Sr., a Kansas City attorney who established the award in 1940, followed by a second award in 1941, to recognize the two outstanding members of the senior class. Hall and Robertson were recognized at the 85th annual Who’s Who at UCM and Charno Awards ceremony on April 10 in the Elliott Student Union. Awards were announced by Shari Bax, Ph.D., vice president of Student Experience and Engagement, and presented by Roger Best, Ph.D., university president. The recipients will also be recognized during the Spring 2025 Commencement ceremonies on May 9-10 in the Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center in Warrensburg. Hall, an Anthropology major from Grain Valley, Missouri, has excelled in leadership, academia and community involvement. She took full advantage of every opportunity presented to her while studying at the University of Central Missouri. She served as president of Central Missouri Academic Collegiate Scholars, communications officer of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, and a Blue Springs City Theatre board member. She has also been actively involved in numerous other organizations throughout her college career, including the Honors College, Clay Club, Symphonic Band, and Marching Mules. She is an engaged member of her department, with membership in the Anthropology Club, Lambda Alpha, the American Anthropological Association, and the Society for East Asian Anthropology, to name just a few. Hall participated in almost 200 activities on and off campus and took every Anthropology course offered at UCM in an effort to learn everything she could from department faculty. Her schedule has been busy the last four years because Hall is passionate about being involved, meeting new people and trying new things. “I feel like that's really important to the college experience that you are learning from new people and learning about yourself through the things that you're trying and exposing yourself to,” Hall said. “UCM does such an amazing job of putting on different events for students, I just wanted to be a part of that. I didn't want to leave here feeling that I hadn't seen the heart of UCM and seeing what it was about, and I definitely feel that my involvement has allowed me to develop such a deep connection to UCM.” Hall has been employed at the McClure Archives and University Museum, as a Housing Community Advisor, and a substitute teacher in the Grain Valley School District. Remarkably, she has accomplished all of this while achieving a perfect 4.0 cumulative and departmental grade point average. Robertson, an Agricultural Science major from Clinton, Missouri, is an incredibly accomplished student who has been actively involved in the campus and community in numerous ways. She has served in several leadership positions during her time at the University of Central Missouri, including president and public relations officer of Collegiate Farm Bureau, vice president of Delta Tau Alpha, and secretary of the Collegiate Cattlemen’s Club. She has been a member of numerous clubs and organizations both on and off campus, including The Ellis Foundation, Agriculture Future of America, and the National FFA Organization. During her time with these organizations, she participated in several activities that benefited the community. Embracing leadership roles and participating in valuable experiences in and out of the classroom have helped Robertson grow during her time at UCM. She’s passionate about helping people, whether through encouraging other club officers and members, serving the community or talking to legislators about challenges facing the agriculture industry. “Coming into college is a little bit scary. You don’t know what clubs you’re going to be involved in, you don’t know what college life looks like,” Robertson said. “So coming in and getting involved, it’s been amazing. I love the opportunity to get to travel. It’s really grown me as a person, and I’m kind of sad to graduate after all the opportunities I’ve gotten.” She has been employed at the Mule Post and completed internships at the Missouri Department of Agriculture and Dairy Farmers of America. While balancing all of these commitments, she has consistently maintained an excellent grade point average. Four Charno Award finalists were selected from the 2025 Who’s Who recipients. Each year, the university recognizes a small number of students from the senior class for their outstanding achievements. Faculty, staff, and student organizations submit nominations. From these nominations, the Awards Selection Committee selects those to be honored. Selection is based on leadership, scholarship, character, involvement in campus organizations and extra-curricular activities, service to the university, and involvement in one's academic department. This year’s Who’s Who recipients are Hall; Robertson; Zoey Carpenter, Art Education, Salt Lake City, Utah; Karlie Franklin, Speech-Language Pathology, Sedalia, Missouri; Wesley Freeman, Theatre, Belton, Missouri; Mary Frerking, Marketing, Concordia, Missouri; Cameron Graves, Elementary Education, Camdenton, Missouri; Donavan Hoyes, Accountancy, Sweet Springs, Missouri; Ashley Robinson, Kinesiology, Kansas City, Kansas; Rylee Simmons, Marketing, Excelsior Springs, Missouri; Aka'Ne Tinsley, Kinesiology, Blue Springs, Missouri; Nora Van Asten, Management, Louisburg, Kansas; Alyssa Warnecke, Elementary Education, Washington, Missouri; and Dylan White, Mathematics and Secondary Education, Wildwood, Missouri. Charno finalists were Hall, Robertson, Hoyes and Robinson. UCM student Marie Hall of Grain Valley, left, poses for a photo with UCM President Roger Best, Ph.D., at the 2025 Charno Award reception and awards ceremony. Photo credit: UCM Fourteen students were selected for the 2025 Who’s Who at UCM honor. Not pictured is Aka'Ne Tinsley. Photo credit: UCM
Missouri governor’s plan for $50 million for private schools axed by Senate committeeby Rudi Keller, Missouri Independent Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe’s plan to rapidly enlarge a scholarship program for private and religious schools with an infusion of state tax funds was cut out of the budget Wednesday as the Senate Appropriations Committee finished revising spending plans for the coming year. The $50 million request for the MoScholars program, which is supposed to be funded from donations and tax credits, was approved in the Missouri House as part of its budget proposal. But state Sen. Lincoln Hough, a Republican from Springfield and chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, stripped it out after boosting the foundation formula for public schools by $300 million the day before. “I want to make sure that we’re fully funding our obligation to public schools before we start spending 10s of millions of general revenue dollars on private schools,” Hough told reporters after making the cut. In his State of the State speech to lawmakers in January, Kehoe said he was not funding the foundation formula to the level directed by state law because it no longer fairly distributes the money. The extra money for the scholarship program, he said, would give parents more educational choices. Public schools come first, Hough said Wednesday. Kehoe “admitted we’re not funding K-12 to the level that it’s supposed to be funded.” Hough said. “And I think that’s an obligation that we have, especially when we have the money in the bank.” Missouri has a healthy general revenue surplus, with $3.7 billion in the fund on March 31. There is another $1.5 billion that, like general revenue, is unrestricted. But revenue is declining in the current fiscal year and, while modest growth is projected for the future, the budget being prepared now will use at least $1.6 billion from the surplus. The budget is based on a projection of $13.6 billion in general revenue. Kehoe proposed spending almost $16 billion, including construction and maintenance funding, and the House budget plan uses $15.2 billion. The exact totals for the 13 budget bills funding state operations approved by the committee were not available Wednesday. But with the extra money for public schools, plus $107 million for child care subsidies and dozens of new earmarks, the total is sure to be substantially higher than the $47.9 billion from all funds approved in the House and could exceed the $50.1 billion total in Kehoe’s proposal. Three more bills spending another $3.7 billion for construction and maintenance are awaiting a final House vote before the Senate committee can make its changes. The greatest uncertainty for the upcoming year is whether substantial cuts will be made to federal spending. The largest single shared program is Medicaid, with Missouri paying 10- to 35% of the cost for each person enrolled and the federal treasury covering the rest. The group made eligible by a 2020 constitutional amendment costs the state the least, only 10% of the expense. So far, Missouri has not spent any general revenue on the expanded group, using other sources of money, including federal aid banked during the COVID pandemic. If Missouri were required to pay 20% of the cost, it would have to find $300 million to keep it in place for the 350,000 enrollees. Hough has been warning that federal cuts could upset Missouri’s budget. But on Wednesday, he said the committee can only write a budget based on what is currently in place. “To the extent that we can, we plan for this kind of stuff,” Hough said. “But how do you plan for a Medicaid reimbursement on an expanded population that goes down by, say, say, 20% and costs us $600 million?” The $50 million cut to the scholarship line was the largest cut of the day but not the only one. The Senate committee took out $10 million the House included to hire an architect to prepare plans for expanding the Capitol. Another set of cuts targeted some of the earmarked items approved in the House. And cuts were used to express lingering resentment for the factionalism that fractured Republicans in the state Senate for four years. State Sen. Mike Cierpiot of Lee’s Summit cut 25 employees and $684,000 from Secretary of State Denny Hoskins’ budget, noting that the positions had been open for a long time and the office seems to function acceptably without them. Hoskins was a member of the Freedom Caucus, which repeatedly tied the Senate up in filibusters to push its brand of Republicanism. And as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, he argued often against retaining employee authorizations that departments were unable to fill within six to 12 months. Hoskins, inaugurated in January, is authorized to employ 267 full time staff. During the fiscal year that ended June 30, his predecessor, Jay Ashcroft, used 205 of that amount. Hoskins said he needs to study each position in his to determine if it is needed if the cut is made. “I will comply with whatever they do,” he said. Hough said he had no objections to cutting the unfilled positions. “Sen. Hoskins, when he was on this committee with us,” Hough said, “was always kind of a hawk on that stuff.” YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE.
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Missouri Independent is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Missouri Independent maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jason Hancock for questions: [email protected]. by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society As I continue this series on Grain Valley thru the years, I have finally reached a decade I can remember. I could probably walk up and down the streets of “Old Grain Valley” today and tell you who lived in most of the old houses. It was the town of my youth! I actually lived in town for a couple of years between the spring of 1949 and early 1952. Our house had a two-car garage and a breezeway. My parents had the blueprint for the rest of the house that never got built on Thieme Street. Shortly after we moved into our “temporary” house, my dad came home from the hardware store one day and said, “Mildred, I bought a farm!” For the next year and a half, the old farmhouse on Buckner Tarsney Road was remodeled, we moved in, and I grew up there. Today I tell people our house is where Casey’s gasoline station is now located. Our barn was where the movie theater is located and Price Chopper is “in the pond.” That was home until 1965 when I-70 was built. During the decade of the 1950s, Grain Valley grew from 348 people (1950) to 552 people (1960). That was due in part to the two new additions for town. On the west end of town, we gained the Storms Addition (houses along the south side of Walnut Street from Thieme to EE Kirby Road) and the Minter Addition (houses on both sides of Minter Avenue and NW Capelle, behind the old football field of the 1940s, 50s & 60s).Those two additions plus a few stray houses here and there added just over 200 people to our population. Unfortunately, while the population grew, the businesses shrank. Two of the three grocery stores closed when 40 & 7 United Super was built in Blue Springs. About this same time, K-Mart opened on Noland Road. Up and down Highway 40, drive-in restaurants like Mugs-Up and McDonald’s were making their debut. And by the end of the decade the Blue Ridge Mall sprang up on 40 Highway at Blue Ridge Cutoff. Even The Square in downtown Independence did not survive The Mall. What I remember most about the 50's were the school and community events. We had Easter Egg hunts at all of the churches on Easter morning. The Easter Bunny came while the combined churches had an Easter Sunrise Service on Monkey Mountain. The summertime featured two weeks of Bible School, again at all three churches. But the highlight of summer was the Free Shows! Everyone took their blankets and lawn chairs, and gathered in the “park” by the depot on Front Street. The Grain Valley merchants paid for a man in a Studebaker station wagon to bring a movie to town each week. As I recall, it was usually a Western preceded by a newsreel and comics like Bugs Bunny or the Road Runner. At intermission everyone headed to Casey’s Drug Store for a malt or soda! Activities in the fall included football and the annual PTA Carnival. Then came Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. In the “good old days” every elementary class had Room Mothers and I recall there was a party for every holiday and once a month there were birthday parties. No packaged Twinkies, HoHos, or Ding Dongs were served. We had homemade treats and they were the best! As for the town, I recently read the minutes from several town council meeting in the 1950's. Some things never change as the main topic was often potholes in the streets, broken sidewalks, noise violations, and dogs! It seems there were always complaints about barking and biting dogs. And, like today, there was a shortage of people willing to serve on the town council, a sometimes-thankless job even in the 1950's. Last week's article in “Looking Back” was about the 1959 the fire in downtown Grain Valley. Next week, read about the 1960s and the Voices and Votes of the citizens! A 1950's Homecoming parade. Photo credit: Grain Valley Historical Society
by Tara Sallee MS, RD, LD Easter baskets filled with chocolate bunnies, marshmallow chicks, and jelly beans may be the tradition, but let’s face it—too much sugar can leave kids (and adults) bouncing around like the Easter Bunny! The good news? You don’t have to cut out sweets completely. Instead, balance the basket with fun and flavorful options that bring joy without the sugar overload. Rather than using candy as filler (that’s what Easter grass is for!) and try these dietitian-approved swaps to make this year’s basket egg-stra special: Better-For-You Treats:
Non-Food Fun:
Dietitian-Inspired Easter Basket (Kid-friendly) All you need:
Dietitian-Inspired Easter Basket (Teen/adult-friendly)
by Michael Smith The Grain Valley girls soccer team needed someone to step up. The Eagles were down 1-0 to Blue Springs in a non-conference matchup Tuesday at Vesper Field in Blue Springs and struggled to get clean looks throughout. With about 34 seconds left in regulation, Wildcat goalkeeper Mary Cates had to come out of the game after getting a minor injury following a collision with a Grain Valley player. That forced Wildcats head coach Aleana Balistreri to insert backup goalkeeper Harper Lisk. With little time left, the Eagles desperately needed a goal. Junior Taylor Nicholson was up to the task. Grain Valley junior Radleigh Childers had a throw in toward the Wildcats 18-yard box. After the ball bounced around between players, Nicholson ripped a shot with her left foot from 25 yards out inside the right post and just out of the reach of Lisk to tie it up with just 5 seconds left in regulation. After two scoreless overtime periods, Nicholson made the winning penalty kick in a shootout to give her Eagles a 2-1 victory. As a defender, Nicholson hasn’t had a lot of opportunities to score in the past. She came through when it mattered most and accomplished an uncommon feat of scoring with 5 seconds left. She admitted that she didn’t know there was 5 seconds left when she took the shot. “That was 100 percent, the only thing I had left,” Nicholson said of the tying shot. “I thought that might be the last shot we were going to get, so I just took it. I have never taken a shot with my left foot before.” Grain Valley head coach Brett Lewis said he felt the momentum shift after the improbable goal. “That was definitely insane,” Lewis said. “That was one of those once-in-a-lifetime type of shots,” Lewis said. “She struck it so well. She shoots all the time and every once in a while, she will get one over the goalie’s head. I think she was riding on pure adrenaline.” In the shootout, Grain Valley had its first penalty kick from sophomore Josie Larry, which saved by Cates. Childers, senior Ally Gilbert, junior Mia Cole and junior goalkeeper Alayna Maybell all made their attempts before Nicholson made the winning PK. “I set the ball down and looked left,” Nicholson said. “(Cates) dove right every time, so I figured, ‘You know what? If I position myself like I am going to go left, she will go left, so I hit it to the opposite side and kick it as hard as I could.” Blue Springs senior Kara Karst, sophomore Adelyn Karst, senior Ana Poli, senior Samantha Davis all made their attempts. Sophomore Adley Short hit her shot over the goal and Maybell made a diving stop on an attempt from sophomore Tori Straub to set up Nicholson’s game winner. Maybell said she has been splitting time with Sarah Hays as Grain Valley’s goalkeeper, while also playing in the midfield when Hays is in goal. She said her back line has made it easier on her switching back and forth between goalkeeper and midfielder. “It’s exciting but I have to make adjustments going from the midfield to goalkeeper and back to the midfield,” Maybell said. “Everyone, including Izzy (Isabel Lopez) and Taylor worked really well together and off of each other.” The Wildcats (2-9) controlled possession for most of the match but were only able to get one shot to go in regulation. In the 55th minute senior midfielder Hazel Trotman sent a cross in front of the Grain Valley goal line and junior Mia Goodwin made the tap in to put Blue Springs up 1-0. Throughout, Blue Springs limited opportunities for Childers, who is an elite-level scorer and an all-state, honorable mention selection in 2024. The Wildcats were physical with everyone on the Eagles, but were especially physical with Childers. The Wildcat defense made it tough for her to get a clean shot in the final third. Blue Springs also had at least three or four players in front of the Eagles junior when she took a shot attempt. “We have to make an adjustment,” Lewis said. “Against Platte County, Fort Osage and Blue Springs, we came out a little flat when those teams were physical with us. We might need to make our practices more physical and intense to mimic that environment.” Grain Valley junior goalkeeper Alayna Maybell, left, can't up with a key save in the shootout, and Taylor Nicholson made a big shot with 5 seconds left in regulation and made the winning penalty much to help Grain Valley defeat Blue Springs 2-1 Tuesday at Vesper Field in Blue Springs. Photo credit: Michael Smith
The following information is derived from Grain Valley Police Department daily calls service log for the week of April 9-15, 2025.
April 9, 2025 E HARRIS ST Extra Patrol PHQ Public Service 200 BLK EAGLES PKWY Extra Patrol WOODBURY/ROSEWOOD Extra Patrol 700 BLK FOXTAIL Open Door-Vehicle 1100 BLK NW PAMELA BLVD Extra Patrol E HARRIS ST Extra Patrol PHQ Training PHQ Stealing Under PHQ Walk In Report 1100 BLK R D MIZE RD Citizen Contact PHQ Walk In Report 1000 BLK E RYAN RD Special Assignment-Event/Demo 700 BLK N MAIN ST Meeting ROSEWOOD DR/LINDENWOOD DR Check Well Being 200 BLK CROSS CREEK LN Check Well Being April 10, 2025 200 BLK SW EAGLES PKWY Investigation PHQ Meeting 200 BLK GREGG ST Agency Assist EMS HEDGEWOOD AND SYCAMORE Area Check 1300 BLK NW SYCAMORE DR Disturbance-Physical April 11, 2025 1200 BLK PAMELA LN Alarm-Commercial DILLINHAM / POND Traffic Enforcement PHQ Public Service PHQ Walk In Report PHQ Walk In Report 9500 BLK NE DEER CREEK RD Check Well Being 700 BLK N MAIN ST Vehicle Maintenance WOODBURY / BB Motorist Assist RD MIZE/LONG DR NATURE UNKNOWN 500 BLK SW EAGLES PARKWAY Missing Person-Juvenile; Area Check 100 BLK E HARRIS ST Extra Patrol 100 BLK WOODBURY Extra Patrol 100 BLK SW EAGLES PKWY Security Check NW HILLTOP LN / NW CHRISMAN Extra Patrol April 12, 2025 CHRISMAN FARM RD Extra Patrol 100 BLK E HARRIS ST Extra Patrol 1100 BLK NW PAMELA BLVD Extra Patrol 200 BLK SW EAGLES PKWY Extra Patrol 1100 BLK NW BUSH DR Extra Patrol GRAIN VALLEY SOUTH MIDDLE SCHOOL Administrative PRAIRIE BRANCH ELEMENTARY Administrative 700 BLK N MAIN ST Stealing Under 1600 BLK NW PIN OAK CT Agency Assist DFS BUCKNER TARSNEY / MCQUERRY RD Crash Non-Injury 1400 BLK NW WILLOW DR Fraud 700 BLK SW HARVEST CIR Agency Assist EMS E HARRIS ST Extra Patrol NW WOODBURY DR / NW PECAN DR Extra Patrol 100 BLK E HARRIS ST Extra Patrol April 13, 2025 WOODBURY/MAIN Extra Patrol 100 BLK OAK ST Disturbance-Verbal PHQ Citizen Contact E HARRIS ST Extra Patrol 40 / KIRBY Motorist Assist 1100 BLK NW BUSH DR Extra Patrol 800 BLK NE SAN KAR DR Disturbance-Physical 1200 BLK PAMELA Security Check 1400 BLK NW EAGLES PKWY Security Check 1108 BLK NW BUSH DR Extra Patrol 600 BLK SW CREEK RIDGE DR Alarm-Residential 1400 BLK NW EAGLE RIDGE DR Trespass 1100 BLK BUSH DR Alarm-Commercial 500 BLK NW ORION DR Noise 1200 BLK NW SCENIC DR Threats E HARRIS ST Extra Patrol April 14, 2025 E HARRIS ST Extra Patrol 1100 BLK BUSH Vehicle Check 2100 BLK NW CHERRY CT Repossession 40/KIRBY Extra Patrol 1400 BLK EAGLES PKWY Security Check R D MIZE RD / MEADOW Noise 1100 BLK NW PAMELA BLVD Extra Patrol 600 BLK YENNIE AVE Property Damage 2100 BLK NW SWEETGUM CT Citizen Contact 500 BLK GREGG ST Alarm-Commercial 1000 BLK NW SYCAMORE CT Area Check 1700 BLK S BUCKNER TARSNEY R Shooting BUCKNER TARSNEY / POST OFFICE Suspicious Vehicle DUNCAN RD / E OF WOODBURY Crash Left Scene April 15, 2025 1100 BLK VALLEY RIDGE DR Crash Non-Injury 200 BLK GREGG ST Check Well Being DUNCAN / JE BUCKNER TARSENY Check Well Being EAGLES PKWY / KIRBY Crash Left Scene PHQ Walk In Report BUCKNER TARSNEY AND 70 Area Check 1300 BLK STONEYBROOKE DR Area Check NW SHORT ST / NW HILLTOP LN Abandoned Vehicle 1300 BLK STONEYBROOKE DR Suspicious Person PHQ Public Service 700 BLK N MAIN ST Suspicious Person 1100 BLK SW SMITH ST Prisoner Transport 600 BLK NW YENNIE AVE APT 306 Burglary 1200 BLK NW PAMELA BLVD Suspicious Person 100 BLK W JEFFERSON ST Harassment 1100 BLK EPHRAIM DR Public Service Additional calls for service: Suicidal subject: 2 Missouri nonfarm payroll employment increased by 13,900 jobs in March 2025, and the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased by one-tenth of a percentage point. Private industry employment increased by 12,600 jobs and government employment increased by 1,300 jobs. Over the year, there was an increase of 20,200 jobs from March 2024 to March 2025, and the unemployment rate increased by two-tenths of a percentage point, from 3.6 percent in March 2024 to 3.8 percent in March 2025.
EMPLOYMENT Missouri's nonfarm payroll employment was 3,006,300 in March 2025, up by 13,900 from the revised February 2025 figure. The February 2025 total was revised downward by 1,500 jobs from the preliminary estimate. Goods-producing industries increased by 1,600 jobs over the month, with all of that increase occurring in mining, logging, and construction. Private service-providing industries increased by 11,000 jobs between February 2025 and March 2025. Employment increased in leisure and hospitality (5,800 jobs); private education and health services (1,800 jobs); trade, transportation, and utilities (1,500 jobs); other services (1,500 jobs); and financial activities (700 jobs). Employment decreased in professional and business services (-200 jobs) and information (-100 jobs). Total government employment increased by 1,300 jobs over the month, with an increase in local government (1,600 jobs) and decreases in both in federal (-200 jobs) and state government (-100 jobs). Over the year, total payroll employment increased by 20,200 jobs from March 2024 to March 2025. Employment gains were in private education and health services (20,400 jobs), other services (2,600 jobs), and financial activities (1,900 jobs). Employment decreased in leisure and hospitality (-4,200 jobs); professional and business services (-2,500 jobs); information (-1,800 jobs); trade, transportation, and utilities (-1,800 jobs); mining, logging, and construction (-1,000 jobs); and manufacturing (-900 jobs). Government employment increased by 7,500 jobs over the year, with increases in local (4,200 jobs) and state (4,100 jobs) government and a decrease in federal government (-800 jobs). UNEMPLOYMENT Missouri's smoothed seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased by one-tenth of a percentage point in March 2025, rising to 3.8 percent from the revised February 2025 rate of 3.7 percent. The March 2025 rate was two-tenths of a percentage point higher than the March 2024 rate. The estimated number of unemployed Missourians was 120,849 in March 2025, up by 3,182 from the revised February total of 117,667. The state's not-seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate remained at 4.4 percent in March 2025. A year ago, the not-seasonally-adjusted rate was 3.9 percent. The corresponding not-seasonally-adjusted national rate for March 2025 was 4.2 percent. Missouri's labor force participation rate was 63.4 percent in March 2025, nine-tenths of a percentage point higher than the national rate of 62.5 percent. Missouri's employment-population ratio was 60.9 percent in March 2025, one point higher than the national rate of 59.9 percent. Missouri's unemployment rate was 3.8 percent in March 2025, four-tenths of a percentage point lower than the national rate of 4.2 percent. Missouri's unemployment rate has been at or below the national rate for more than nine years. Metropolitan Community College (Kansas City) and Missouri Southern State University (Joplin) will sign an articulation agreement at on Wednesday, April 23, creating high-quality, low-cost avenues to obtaining a bachelor’s degree.
Embracing the principle that transfer students should not be required to repeat competencies and coursework already achieved, the agreement allows students to transfer credits seamlessly between MCC and MSSU to obtain a bachelor’s degree in as few credit hours as possible. “MCC strives to establish partnerships and pathways to make the transfer process easier, meaning students need fewer courses to graduate and can get there carrying little or no debt,” MCC Chancellor Kimberly Beatty said. “We are proud to partner with Missouri Southern, which — like MCC — has a longstanding tradition of extending higher-education access to first-generation college students and other underserved populations.” “Missouri Southern is grateful for our expanded partnership with MCC,” MSSU President Dr. Dean Van Galen said. “Both institutions prioritize student success and are committed to providing a supportive learning environment — we look forward to welcoming more MCC students to our campus in Joplin.” In most cases, students who bring an associate degree from MCC will enter MSSU as juniors, and the first 60 MCC credit hours will be applied toward an MSSU bachelor’s degree. Other features of the agreement include:
Jackson County is pleased to host an in-person Career Fair on Saturday, April 26th from 9:30am - 1:30pm, welcoming job seekers from all backgrounds to explore meaningful and rewarding careers in local government. The job fair will be held at the Jackson County Parks Ranger Recreation Building, 3310 Rennau DR, Lee's Summit, MO 64064.
The county encourages motivated professionals, including federal employees impacted by job loss, to consider bringing their talents to a new home in public service. This event is an ideal opportunity for professionals who are seeking meaningful, mission-driven work and want to contribute their skills to the local community. From public safety and park operations to administrative services and the courts, the Career Fair will highlight a wide variety of full-time, part-time and seasonal roles available throughout the county government. Attendees will have the chance to connect one-on-one with department representatives, learn about daily operations, and discover how their skills and experience can lead to fulfilling careers in public service. A full list of open positions can be found at www.jacksongov.org/jobs. |
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