by Bill Graham, Missouri Department of Conservation

​
Learn how to clean and prepare rainbow trout for cooking at a free class offered by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC). The Pond to Plate class will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 7, at the Burr Oak Woods Nature Center in Blue Springs.

MDC has stocked rainbow trout in several Kansas City area lakes to provide anglers with an additional winter fishing opportunity. Trout are not native to Missouri. But cold winter water temperatures enable trout raised in MDC fish hatcheries to be stocked in ponds and lakes.

The Pond to Plate class will help newcomers to trout fishing learn how to easily clean and prepare their catch for cooking. Participants will get a chance to clean a trout. Instructors will cook the fish using favored recipes in the Burr Oak Woods kitchen for participants to sample.

This class is open to participants ages 8 and older. Registration is required. To register, visit http://short.mdc.mo.gov/Z7f. To find a lake near you stocked for winter trout fishing, visit http://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZF3.

The following information is derived from Grain Valley Police Department daily calls service log for the week of November 22-28, 2023.
 
November 22, 2023
600 Blk NW Jefferson
Alarm

700 Blk Main
Motor Vehicle Accident

1000 Blk Ryan Rd
Alarm

Valley Speed way
Civil Matter

700 Blk Scenic Ln
Disturbance

US 40/OOIDA Dr
Area Check

700 Blk SW Nelson Dr
Disturbance

 
November 23, 2023
 
200 Blk NW Barr Rd
Disturbance

1000 Blk NW Persimmon Dr
Verbal Disturbance

24 HWY/Dover
Agency Assist

3000 S R.D Mize Rd
Agency Assist

1000 Blk S Buckner Tarsney
Motor Vehicle Accident

800 Blk Harvest Dr
Agency Assist

 
November 24, 2023
1000 Blk Olympic
Alarm

900 Blk Sycamore
Citizen Assist

500 Blk Hamilton
Parking complaint

PHQ
Citizen Contact

100 Blk Barr
Harassment

100 Blk Eagles Pkwy
Leaving the scene

400 Blk SW Rock Creek Ln
Disturbance

700 Blk Main St/Oak Grove
Warrant Arrest

1000 Blk NW Valley Woods Ct
Panic Alarm

 
November 25, 2023
700 Blk Main
Agency Assist

Argo/Dillingham
Agency Assist

1000 Blk High View
Stealing

Meadow/Long
Area Check

1500 Blk Erin Ct
Suspicious vehicle

1000 Blk Pamela
Alarm

Argo/Dillingham
Agency Assist

1000 Main
Motorist Assist

 
November 27, 2023
PHQ
Citizen Contact

1000 Blk Ephraim
welfare check

1000 Blk S Buckner Tarsney Rd
welfare check

PHQ
Citizen Contact

PHQ
Public Service

1000 Blk Granite
Citizen Contact

1000 Blk Scenic
Parking Complaint

600 Blk NW Yennie
stolen auto

 
November 28, 2023
600 Blk
citizen contact

800 Blk SW Hilltop
alarm

PHQ
citizen contact

PHQ
citizen contact

600 Blk Thiem
welfare check

 
Additional calls for service:
Domestic Violence: 1

CIT/Mental Health Welfare Check: 1

 

by Cole Arndorfer

 
The Grain Valley Schools Board of Education met on Thursday, November 16th with a full agenda for their monthly meeting. The board held recognitions for athletes of three high school athletics teams and one for school resource officer Danny Iams, seven items under reports, three items of new business, and two policy discussions. 
 
First, the board recognized the state runner-up girl’s tennis team led by coach Randy Draper. The team went 24-3 this season and earned a trip to State as a team for the third time in as many years.
 
Following the girl’s tennis team, the board recognized two girl’s golf state qualifiers, led by coach Randy Hughes. Junior Mallory Crane was recognized first. Crane is a three-time state qualifier, placing 12th and earning All-State honors this year. The second state qualifier was senior Seena Tyler. Tyler is also a three-time state qualifier, finishing 49th this year.
 
Next, three cross country state qualifiers, led by coach Nick Small, were recognized. David Roberson and Landon Barnes were recognized first, followed by Rylan Smith. This was both Barnes and Smith’s second year in a row qualifying for state. Small said that he is thankful for the team and he looks forward to seeing what they will accomplish next season.
 
The final recognition from the board was for school resource officer Danny Iams’ tenth year of service. Officer Iams has served at all eight of the districts’ schools over the past ten years, as well as serving as the districts’ DARE officer. Assistant Superintendent Dr. Nick Gooch described Iams as a valuable part of the districts’ team and that they are very thankful for his service to Grain Valley Schools.
 
Following recognitions, the board moved onto reports. The first report was an evaluation of the Grain Valley Education Foundation program, delivered by Jerry Vaughan.
 
Vaughan said that just last year, the Education Foundation was able to award 92 scholarships to graduating seniors totaling $104,650. Vaughan reported the Foundation is always looking for new ways to maximize the amount of scholarship money the foundation is able to help students receive because, “a $500 scholarship or $400 scholarship that we gave 14 years ago, doesn’t have near the impact now,” Vaughan said.
 
One option for helping students get more scholarship money, Vaughan said, is to use a program called VU Scholarships. In this program, students input their criteria and that is sent to over 50 colleges in the region. Those schools then send the student a list of scholarships they would qualify for based on the information they input.
 
Another priority for the program is to allow students to save their scholarship money in order to use their A+ award for their first two years. Vaughan explained that the foundation could put the scholarship money in a bank for the student in order for them to be able to use it once they complete their A+ program, that way students would not have to choose between using their A+ award for two free years of community college or using the scholarship money they have been awarded.
 
The board then heard a summary of the community survey results from Rick Nobles, from Excellence K-12. Nobles said that in the category of college preparedness, Grain Valley Schools received the highest score that they have ever seen from any school district. As for strengths, strong academics as well as good and caring teachers topped the list. Nobles also said that the overwhelming consensus of respondents said that they were in support of the district and back their mission.
 
Dr. Amanda Allen then provided a recap of the state assessment report. In each grade level and in each content area, students scored above or significantly above the state average.
 
The second part of the report is the district’s cohort comparison. In this section, the students continue to exceed the state averages. Allen said that the data the district is seeing shows a trend back toward pre-pandemic levels, though there are still a few challenges. Students are returning to those pre-pandemic levels a bit quicker in math than they are in reading, so the district will continue to focus on literacy, according to Allen.
 
Allen continued with the next report over curriculum. Allen said that on October 30, they held their curriculum review committee meeting. The group was prepped by choosing their curriculum group and reading through related materials. On the night of the meeting, the teachers that wrote the curriculum came to present the curriculum, explain it, and answer any questions committee members may have.
 
No major concerns were recommended, just minor tweaks such as bolding priorities in order for them to stand out. Other than small changes, most of the other feedback was praise and support for what was presented. The board was then presented with post curriculum review, revised curriculum standards.
 
In his superintendent report, Dr. Brad Welle highlighted the recent college and trade school fair hosted at the high school on November 2. The school hosted over 60 colleges and trade schools in attendance to give students information about their programs.
 
Welle also commended the team for their actions and support in response to the recent tragedy that occurred in the parking lot of Milestone Academy. He said that counselors were made available the first day they were back in school and that he appreciates everyone’s leadership in a time of need.
 
Moving to new business, the board discussed a potential tax levy ballot issue for the upcoming April election. One of the district’s priorities is to make sure teacher pay is on par with other high quality metro area school districts. In order to do this the district needs to generate more revenue, Welle explained. One way to do that would be increasing the tax levy, which those polled in the community survey showed they would support.
 
The district is seeking more information from L.J. Hart and Co. and hopes to have a report from them at next month’s meeting. The deadline for the board to decide whether or not to make an increased tax levy a ballot measure would come in January.
 
The second piece of new business was over the filing for school board candidates, also for the upcoming April election. That period will open on December 5, at 8 am, and run through December 26, at 5 pm.
 
The last section of the meeting was board policies. First up was the third reading of three policies regarding prohibition against illegal discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, school board member ethics, and food service management. These policies passed unanimously.
 
The last policy discussed was the first read of a policy regarding board member qualifications. Dr. Welle pointed out a change in this policy. A potential board member now must have lived within the district for at least one year prior to them being elected to the board. This policy will be brought back as an action item at the next meeting.
 
Following this, the board moved into executive session. The next school board meeting will be held at the Leadership Center on December 7 at 6 pm. 

The Grain Valley Board of Aldermen met briefly November 13th for its regularly scheduled meeting.

A public hearing was held regarding a Change of Zoning request from District R-3 (Multifamily Residential District) to District C-2 (General Business District) for the former Pub & Patio restaurant/bar space at 640 NW Yennie Avenue. 

Jarett Primm, owner of Aspire Apartments where the restaurant space is located indicated they are looking to secure a restaurant that serves liquor vs. a bar that serves food with some limitations on the kitchen size. Community Development Director Mark Trosen stated this public hearing relates to an area on the comprehensive plan that shows mixed use.

This property had a 2009 CUP to allow a bar and grill in this space with four conditions. These conditions have not been followed and voided the CUP. The owners are now trying to bring this property into proper zoning regulations to allow a new restaurant/bar in this location. No residents commented during the public hearing, and the first reading of a bill to change zoning was approved unanimously later in the meeting. 

In other business, the board approved the first reading of the 2024 budget, which includes merit pay and salary schedule increases as well as the cost to demolish the old farmhouse located at the old Sni-A-Bar Farms property. These items were previously approved by the Board during its October 16th budget workshop. 

A resolution approving the purchase of two SUVs for police department use and an ordinance calling for an election on April 2, 2024 were both unanimously approved.

The next meeting of the Board of Aldermen will be held Monday, November 27th at 7:00pm. 

Grain Valley Police Department (GVPD) is now accepting child nominations for its annual Shop with a Cop event.  This program is an opportunity for local children to be matched with an officer during a shopping event at Target. After shopping, children can wrap gifts for family members with officers at City Hall/Police Department.

Nomination forms open on November 6th and will close on Friday, December 8th. Forms can be turned in at the police department or to the child's school counselor. Parents/guardians of the selected children will be contacted after the application process closes. GVPD says the shopping is scheduled to take place around 6 p.m. on Wednesday, December 20.

If you would like to support Shop with a Cop, cash/check donations can be made in person at City Hall, located at 711 Main Street. Checks must be made payable to City of Grain Valley - with the memo line dedicated to Shop with a Cop. 
​
If you have any questions,  contact the Grain Valley Police Department at (816) 847-6250.


Nomination Forms can be accessed at this link.

by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society


Sixty-eight years ago, the most sought-after toy in Grain Valley and indeed the nation was the famous coonskin cap, an exact replica of the one worn by Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier. Of course, my brother got one for Christmas, along with several of his classmates. I am not sure what became of that hat. I am guessing it got tossed decades ago. But his Davy Crockett guns –they are still around.

I typically go on the internet for some background information on my weekly topic. Just let me say, there is tons of information about David “Davy” Crockett, both the real David and the folklore Davy. It would take me days, maybe weeks to read it all. 

I will tell you that indeed, Davy Crockett was “…born on a mountain top in (East) Tennessee” on August 17, 1786. He grew up there and gained a reputation for hunting and storytelling. He was elected to the Tennessee state legislature in 1821. In 1827, he was elected to the U.S. Congress where his opposition to President Andrew Jackson, especially the Indian Removal Act led to his defeat in 1831. He was elected again in 1833, then narrowly lost in 1835, prompting his angry departure to Texas shortly thereafter. In early 1836, he took part in the Texas Revolution and died at The Alamo on March 6, 1836.

David Crockett was an American folk hero, frontiersman, soldier, and politician. He is often referred to in popular culture as the "King of the Wild Frontier".  He was popularized by Walt Disney in 1955 when three episodes appeared on the hour long, Sunday evening television show, The Magical World of Disney (later renamed The Wonderful World of Disney).

A mostly fictionalized account of a real American adventurer, "Davy Crockett: King of the Wild Frontier" became a movie comprised of edited portions of the three episodes of Disney's VERY popular television series. It is a highly fictionalized version of the exploits of the frontier scout and adventurer. When the film begins there is a statement reading 'The characters and events in this photoplay are fiction....'.

Well, this isn't completely true...quite a bit of the movie is truth. Crockett DID exist, as did many others in the film, such as General Andrew Jackson. And, some of the events happened...but the Disney writers decided that the real story of the man's life was too dull and so they just made stuff up. It's a shame, as Crockett was a very interesting and unusual character from 19th century American history.
 
 
The Grain Valley Historical Society will be open on Wednesday, December 6, 13, & 20, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Come see the Davy Crockett guns, along with many other Vintage Toys! We will be serving Coffee, Tea, Punch and Homemade Christmas Cookies! All are welcome!

by Tara Sallee MS, RD, LD, Hy-Vee Corporate Dietitian

 
In the age of viral internet trends and social media sensations, it’s all too easy to get swept up in the latest nutrition fads that promise extraordinary health benefits and miraculous transformations. But do some of these “superfoods” hold up to the hype? I will help you navigate the maze of two prominent nutrition trends. We’ll explore the health benefits and how to incorporate these foods into your meal plan. Let’s separate nutrition fact from fiction so that you can make informed choices to meet your health and wellness goals.
 
First up – cottage cheese! From ice cream to omelets, cottage cheese has been enjoying the spotlight. While some people don’t appreciate its texture, others are adding it to their diet every chance they get. One reason for incorporating cottage cheese in a diet is its protein content. Protein is essential for muscle growth. It also helps you feel full and satisfied to support weight management goals. And protein isn’t the only nutrient in cottage cheese. It contains several B vitamins, including B12, riboflavin (B2) and niacin (B3), which are important for energy metabolism, nerve function and maintaining healthy skin.
 
But one nutrient present in cottage cheese to be aware of is sodium. If you are concerned about blood pressure management, compare brands of cottage cheese and find a brand that is lower in sodium. Or focus on adhering to the serving size and pay attention to the frequency at which you consume cottage cheese if you are monitoring your sodium intake.
 
Last, but certainly not least: Cottage cheese is incredibly versatile. It can be used in savory dishes like salads and omelets as well as in sweet treats like smoothies and desserts. This versatility makes it easy to incorporate into your diet. In summary, cottage cheese meets the mark and can be part of a balanced diet.
 
Now let’s explore chia seeds. Chia seeds have gained popularity in recent years for their impressive nutritient profile and versatility. Let’s break down why these tiny seeds are being touted for their health benefits – specifically digestive and heart health. Chia seeds contain soluble fiber, which can help promote regular bowel movements, prevent constipation, and support a healthy digestive system.

Of course, when increasing fiber in your diet, it is important to increase fluid intake. As you increase your fiber intake you may notice bloating or constipation if you are not consuming enough water. Chia seeds are also associated with heart health benefits due to their ALA omega-3 fatty acid content. Omega-3 fatty acids support heart health by reducing inflammation and improving cholesterol levels.

Just like cottage cheese, chia seeds are incredibly versatile and can be added to various foods and beverages. While you can simply mix with water and drink, I recommend adding a tablespoon to your yogurt or oatmeal or even blending in a smoothie. You can boost the fiber intake of your weekend brunch by adding chia seeds to muffins, pancakes or waffle batter. Love eating leafy greens? Try mixing chia seeds into your favorite salad dressing and drizzling on your salad for an extra dose of fiber. To conclude: Chia seeds meet the mark and can be incorporated in a balanced diet.

Balance is key to supporting a healthy lifestyle. I recommend speaking to a registered dietitian to help you create a meal plan to support your health and wellness goals. And try making this fabulous Cottage Cheese Breakfast Bowl at home to fuel your day and enjoy the health benefits!

Cottage Cheese Breakfast Bowl
Serves 2
 
All you need:
4 cups Hy-Vee large curd 4% milkfat cottage cheese
1 cup Hy-Vee Short Cuts triple berry blend
½ cup Good Graces gluten-free Oats & Honey Protein Granola
2 tbsp Hy-Vee natural sliced almonds
2 tbsp Hy-Vee honey
Fresh mint, for garnish
 
All you do:
1.Divide cottage cheese between 2 serving bowls. Arrange berries, granola and almonds on top. Drizzle with honey. Garnish with mint leaves, if desired.
 
Recipe source: https://www.hy-vee.com/recipes-ideas/recipes/cottage-cheese-breakfast-bowl  
 
Still have questions on nutrition trends or just wondering how to get started on your health and wellness journey? Speak with a Hy-Vee registered dietitian who can help you create a plan that works for you. If you’re ready to learn how a Hy-Vee dietitian can help you, schedule a complimentary Discovery Session today by contacting our Discovery Call Center via email nutritionservices@hy-vee.com or calling (515) 695-3121.
This information is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional for individual advice.

The following information is derived from Grain Valley Police Department daily calls service log for the week of November 12-21, 2023.
 
November 12, 2023
Buckner Tarsney/AA
Citizen Contact

 
November 14, 2023
200 Blk Cannon area
Dog barking

 
November 15, 2023
900 Blk Deer Creek
Suspicious person

1000 Blk NW Crestwood Dr
Missing Juvenile

1800 Blk Tayler Ct
Verbal Disturbance

700 Blk Main St
Alarm

1000 SW Eagles Pkwy
Alarm

1000 Blk Buckner Tarsney
K-9 Use

I-70/22.8 mm
agency assist

I-70/23 mm
agency assist

 
November 16, 2023
I-70/BB
Motor vehicle accident

500 Blk South
Civil Standby

Tyler/Duncan
Semi Stuck

PHQ
Walk in report Harassment

PHQ
Walk in report Stealing

600 Blk NW Eagle
welfare check

 
November 17, 2023
PHQ
citizen contact

1000 Blk Eagle Ridge Dr
Welfare check Juvenile

700 Blk SW Shorthorn
Theft

100 Blk Old 40
motor vehicle accident

400 Blk W Walnut
suspicious auto

 
November 18, 2023
Buckner Tarsney/I-70
Area Check

PHQ
Public Service

700 Blk Scenic Ln
citizen contact

100 Blk Armstrong
Suspicious party

PHQ
citizen contact

PHQ
threats

PHQ
advise and release

BB/RD Mize Rd
DWI

700 blk Harvest circle
Suspicious vehicle

300 Blk Rock Creek Ln
citizen contact

200 Blk Barr Rd
Verbal disturbance

200 Blk Cross Creek
welfare check

200 Blk Gregg
Property Damage

700 Blk Main
Missing Person

 
November 20, 2023
1000 Blk NW Sawgrass
suspicious auto

WB I-70
motor vehicle accident

1000 Blk NW Long Dr
Stolen Vehicle

I-70
Traffic control

I-70/28 mm WB
agency assist

500 Blk SW Lakeview
suspicious person

900 Blk Deer Creek
suspicious person

PHQ
Citizen contact

500 Blk Graystone
Theft

PHQ
Theft

1000 Blk Pamela
Dealer Verification

PHQ
motor vehicle accident

400 Blk Laura Ln
Theft

PHQ
Theft

 
November 21, 2023
40/Kirby
agency assist

PHQ
citizen contact

PHQ
Public Service

1000 Blk Long
citizen contact

100 Main St
suspcious auto

100 Main St
suspcious person

1000 Blk Broadway
theft

900 Blk Ryan
Disturbance

70/Main
citizen assist

Sycamore/Rosewood
citizen contact

PHQ
Identity Theft

PHQ
citizen contact

 
Additional calls for service:
Domestic Violence: 1

Order of Protection: 2

CIT/Mental Health Welfare Check: 3