|
The City of Grain Valley invites residents to an Open House meeting on Tuesday, February 4th from 5:30 to 7:30pm located at the Grain Valley Police Department, 719 R.D. Mize Road. This community-driven event, led by a citizen study group, will provide an in-depth look at the proposed Community Center and City Hall project. Community members are encouraged to drop in at any time during the event.
The Open House aims to engage the public by sharing project details and gathering community feedback. Attendees will have the opportunity to review plans, ask questions, and voice their thoughts on this significant initiative designed to meet the growing needs of the Grain Valley community. “As Grain Valley continues to grow, so does the need to invest in spaces that support our community's business growth and recreational needs,” City Administrator Ken Murphy said. “This citizen-led study group has worked diligently to assess those needs, and the open house is an opportunity for residents to review their findings, ask questions, and provide input. We encourage everyone to attend and be part of the conversation about our city’s future.” Missouri House speaker says ‘bounty hunter’ immigration bill has little chance of passingby Jason Hancock, Missouri Independent There is no appetite among House Republicans for a bill that would put a bounty on undocumented immigrants, Speaker Jon Patterson told reporters Thursday. The legislation, which was debated Tuesday in a Missouri Senate committee, would award a $1,000 bounty for tips that result in the arrest of a person present in the United States without authorization. The sponsor of the bill also wants to to authorize bounty hunters to track down people identified in tips. No one in the House has filed a similar bill, and Patterson said it stands little chance of getting any traction in the chamber even if it does clear the Senate. “We are committed to making sure that we have legal immigration but that we don’t tolerate illegal immigration,” said Patterson, a Lee’s Summit Republican. “I have not heard any enthusiasm from our members about doing any sort of bounty. I don’t think that’s something that you’re going to see on this side.”
Patterson said the issue is being handled by the federal government, noting that President Donald Trump recently signed legislation that requires the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to detain certain non-U.S. nationals who have been arrested for burglary, theft, larceny or shoplifting. It also authorizes states to sue the federal government for “decisions or alleged failures related to immigration enforcement.” Gov. Mike Kehoe signed executive orders on his first day in office earlier this month designed to prepare Missouri to assist the federal government in immigration enforcement. “A lot of it’s being addressed at the federal level,” Patterson said. State Rep. Bridget Walsh Moore, a St. Louis Democrat, called the Senate bill authorizing bounty hunters “fear mongering” and “a very bold step towards fascism.” “Any talk of rounding up and getting your papers,” she said, “especially during the same week as Holocaust Remembrance Day, is incredibly disrespectful, and honestly, should terrify anyone who calls himself a patriot.” 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 Bill Althaus
DALLAS, Texas - Kansas City Comets forward Zach Reget, who has been playing with a high ankle sprain this season, appreciated his team's 7-6 come-from-behind victory over the Dallas Sidekicks Thursday night at the Credit Union of Texas Event Center. But a lackluster team performance over the first three quarters left both Reget and coach Stefan Stokic wondering what happened. The 7-1-2 Comets scored three goals in the final 2:35 of the fourth quarter to top the 3-9-0 Sidekicks, who entered the game undefeated at home. Nacho Flores scored two of the three goals, including the game-winner with 31 seconds left to play. Reget scored the game-tying goal. "We have set a high standard for ourselves this season, and we didn't reach it tonight," Reget said. "We had plenty of chances, but we weren't able to put the ball in the back of the net and that's frustrating and irritating. "But something clicked late in the game and we're coming home with three points. It's hard to win on the road in this league, but we need to put four good quarters together." After a scoreless first quarter, the Sidekicks opened the scoring just 25 seconds into the second frame. Colin O’Keefe found a loose ball on the doorstep of the goal and tapped it in for his third goal of the season. The Sidekicks led 1-0 with 14:35 to play in the first half.Less than a minute later, Dallas’ Renato Torquato redirected a pass intended for Comets keeper Phillip Ejimadu for a 2-0 Sidekicks lead with 13:41 on the clock. Kansas City’s first opportunity to score was a Rian Marques shootout attempt which was turned away following a blue card to Sidekicks keeper Parker Lackland. Dallas was not able to stop a Comets power play though, as Leo Acosta rifled a shot just under the crossbar to cut the Sidekicks lead to 2-1 with 11:50 remaining. In the final minute of the half, Junior Kazeem capitalized on a Dallas turnover to tie the game at 2-2 with 11:27 on the clock. Then David Texeira scored for the Sidekicks giving Dallas a 3-2 lead at the break. The third quarter was a story of official reviews and Nathan Durdle goals for the Comets. With 8:10 to play in the third, Durdle scored an apparent goal which held up under an extended review to tie the game at 3-3.The second occurrence came with 2:50 to go when a Durdle shot went in under the crossbar but was not called a goal during play. The Comets challenged and Durdle was awarded his second goal of the game and Kansas City took a 4-3 lead into the final 15 minutes of play. The Comets and Sidekicks used runs and rallies to make the final 15 minutes unforgettable. The Sidekicks scored the first three goals of the final frame and held a 6-4 lead with 3:22 to play in the game. That's when Flores scored twice and Reget once give Stokic a little peace of mind. "Right now, I am exhausted," Stokic said. "But why did we play so poorly for so long? Was it my preparation? That is something I am going to have to reevaluate. We were coming off our biggest win of the season (5-2 against a back-to-back league championship Chihuahua team that had never lost to Kansas City) and we come out and play like we did tonight? "Unacceptable." He was thrilled with the play of Durdle, a rookie who also had a goal in the victory against Chihuahua. "I asked him, 'How do you do it?'" Stokic said. "He's locked in. He does not look like a rookie out there. He's focused and ready for any challenge." Stokic also praised Flores and goalkeeper Nicolau Neto, who played the final three minutes of the game when Ejimadu was given a yellow card, which placed him in the penalty box. Neto, an MASL all-star, has not played much this season because of a nagging lower body injury. "Nacho and Neto are veteran leaders who proved tonight why they are so valuable to our team," Stokic said. "Nacho's goals were huge and Neto, who has been sidelined much of the season, went into the game and didn't allow a goal. In those last few minutes I saw our mentality shift, and we got the win."  Bill Althaus sat down recently with GVHS boys basketball player Aaron Barr for his 5 Questions series:
Favorite snack? Flavor Blasted Cheetos Hero? My dad Chris Favorite vacation? Beach - Bahamas or Puerto Rico Favorite athlete? Michael Jordan Why is basketball your sport? I love to play defense. And I love shooting when my shot is going in the net like it did tonight. by Bill Althaus Kevin Johnson was more than a bit nervous before Grain Valley's semifinal matchup with his former team, KC East Christian, in the Grain Valley Invitational. Johnson had a big game, scoring 14 points off the bench, while blocking four shots and grabbing five rebounds as the Eagles defeated the Lions 76-36. The win sets up a Grain Valley vs. Blue Springs South matchup in the 8:30 p.m. Friday championship game in the school's main field house. "Kevin had a great game," Eagles coach Andy Herbert said after his team improved to 8-6. "You could tell early on that he was a bit nervous. I'm sure he knew all the guys on East because he'd played with them, and I'm sure they weren't that excited to leave the team to play here. But he handled it well and made us proud of his performance." Johnson, a lifetime resident of Grain Valley played on East's home schooled team for three years, before making the decision to attend school and play basketball in his own back yard. "It was a tough decision to no longer play with my former team, but I got really serious about basketball and wanted the chance to play some better competition to see if I could get a scholarship," Johnson said. Ironically, a coach from Central Methodist was waiting to visit with the senior center after the victory. "I wanted to play well tonight, and it took me a while to play my kind of game," Johnson added. We didn't play well the first half, we heard about it at halftime, and we had a great second half. All I wanted to do was attack and help my team win." Eagles leading scorer Eli Herbert said that's exactly what his teammate accomplished. "You could tell he was worried during warmups and then he plays a great game - especially in the second half (scoring 12 of his 14 points). He has been a big part of our success this season. This is the first time he's played with us, but he fit right in and makes an impact when he comes off the bench." Eli scored 23 points in just three quarters. "I got a lot of offensive help tonight," said Eli, who was coming off a school-record 44-point performance in a win against Fort Osage. "Our third quarter might have been the best quarter we've played all season." The Eagles had a 31-20 lead at the half. Following a "butt chewing," from Coach Herbert at the half, they scored 34 points coming out of the halftime locker room. "Coach really gave us a butt chewing - which we deserved," said guard Aaron Barr, who finished with 13 points. "We were like a new team in the third quarter. We hadn't played that well, and Coach let us know that he expected more from us. And it made an impact." Eli scored 11 third-quarter points, Barr added 11 and Johnson 6. "We all know we're going to have to play a lot better than we did tonight," Coach Herbert added. "There is going to be a great environment with a lot of fans from Grain Valley and South coming to the game. We're all excited to play Friday night in the championship game."  Members of the Grain Valley boys basket team, from left, Owen Hames, Tucker Hughes, Evan Colson, Kevin Johnson and Bennett Omstead go after a rebound in the Eagles' 76-36 semifinal win over KC East Christian in a semifinal game of the Grain Valley Invitational. The Eagles and Blue Springs South Jaguars will play in the title game at 8:30 p.m. Friday in the high school's main field house. Photo credit: Bill Althaus  Grain Valley coach Andy Herbert talks with his Eagles during a time out of Thursday night's 76-36 victory over KC East Christian in a semifinal game at the Grain Valley Invitational. In what promises to be a marquee matchup Grain Valley will play Blue Springs South in the 8:30 p.m. championship game Friday night. Photo credit: Bill Althaus
Culver’s restaurants in Independence, Blue Springs, and Grain Valley are rallying together to support families who were displaced by a recent apartment building fire in the Independence area. On Thursday, January 30th, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., 20% of all sales from these three locations will be donated directly to aid the affected families, providing them with much-needed resources as they recover from the devastation. The tragic fire, which occurred earlier this month, left several families without homes, and the community has been working to provide them with support. The fundraiser aims to not only raise financial assistance but also bring awareness to the ongoing needs of the displaced families as they rebuild their lives. The participating Culver’s locations are: Culver’s of Independence – 4220 S Little Blue Pkwy, Independence, MO Culver’s of Blue Springs – 1301 MO-7, Blue Springs, MO Culver’s of Grain Valley – 1180 NW Buckner Tarsney, Grain Valley, MO  by Cole Arndorfer
The Grain Valley Board of Aldermen met on Monday, January 27 for its second meeting of the month. This meeting included the second presentation regarding a liquor license for The Local, a recognition for officer Nicholas Jeffries, two resolutions, and one ordinance. Following the opening of the meeting, the board heard the second presentation over a new liquor license for The Local. The city is still waiting on state and county licenses for the business but the board approved the liquor license on the condition that the business receives those with no problem. Grain Valley police officer Nicholas Jeffries was recognized by the board and Mothers Against Drunk Driving for his service protecting the community against intoxicated drivers. The board then moved into resolutions. The first resolution the board approved is to lend support to the enforcement and prosecution efforts in cases of harassment and stalking as well as recognize and reduce the impact of bullying and cyberbullying on children in the community. The second and final resolution the board approved allows the city to execute a task agreement with Lamp Rynearson for construction administration services on the South Buckner Tarsney Trail extension. The board then passed the second read of an ordinance calling for an election on April 8, 2025. This confirms the addition of a ballot question over the use of general obligation bonds in order to fund a new city hall and community center. The next Board of Aldermen meeting will take place at 6:30pm on February 10th at City Hall. by Bill Althaus The crack of the bat, the sound of a fastball exploding into a catcher's mitt and the heartfelt instruction to a youngster who dreams of being a high school softball player. Welcome to Jeff Abbott's The Sandlot KC, 1211 SW Eagles Parkway in Grain Valley, a sports complex that offers turf-covered hitting, pitching and fielding areas along with a gymnasium and commons area for parties. On a recent afternoon, The Sandlot KC was brimming with activity, including a first-ever batting lesson for 11-year-old Ava Schooley, a fifth grader at Sni-Bar-Elementary School. "I want to be a better hitter and a better softball player," said Schooley, who was working with Blue Springs High School's Kam Waters, a former Grain Valley resident who has won a state championship with the Jaguars. "This is my first lesson, but I'm having fun and Kam is easy to talk to. "I think I'm going to learn a lot here." That's music to Abbott's ears, as he hopes to create the perfect atmosphere for softball and baseball players and other athletes. "When kids come here I want them to have fun, I want them to learn from our coaches and I want their parents to feel safe," said Abbott, a former Blue Springs South quarterback who is making a name for himself in the world of club softball. "We want to offer everything for our members. It was a big deal to add Kam to our staff, which also includes Lindsey Wrobleski (who many area softball fans might remember by her maiden name - Lindsey Major, one of the greatest softball pitchers in the history of Missouri prep sports). "I watch Lindsey and Kam coach and they do such a great job. They make it fun, and informative. When parents want to know what to expect, I just ask them to talk to the kids who come here and our coaches. I'm so proud it's here in Grain Valley and I think the sky's the limit for what we want to accomplish." It's difficult to tell who is having more fun as Waters and Ava are both enjoying their instructional session. "This is the perfect place for me," Waters said. "I was looking for a job, and if I'm not playing softball, I want to teach kids about the game. Ava is really taking it all in, and we're both having fun - and I hope she feels like she's learning about hitting." As if on cue, Ava nods her head yes. For more information on the 10,000 foot facility go to [email protected] or call 816-838-3497.  Kam Waters works with 11-year-old Ava Schooley, a fifth grader at Sni-A-Bar Elementary School in Grain Valley at The Sandlot KC hitting, pitching and fielding complex located at 1211 SW Eagles Parkway. Waters, a senior at Blue Springs South High School, won a state championship with the Jaguars and has signed with the University of Central Florida. Photo credit: Bill Althaus  Jeff Abbott brings his unique softball and baseball practice site to Grain Valley with The Sandlot KC, 1211 SW Eagles Parkway in Grain Valley. The new sports site offers turf fields for hitting, pitching and fielding, a recreation area for parties and a full gymnasium. For information call 816-838-3497 or go to [email protected]. Photo credit: Bill Althaus  by Michael Smith Grain Valley grad Cole Keller had a tumultuous start to his college football career. After redshirting his first season at Washburn University in 2021, he played eight games in 2022 before he tore his patellar tendon in his right knee, which caused him to have surgery in February 2023. He attempted to return for Washburn’s fall camp, and he tore the same ligament in August. He had a platelet-rich plasma injection in that knee in in, which occurred a few months after another surgery. Keller was then able to start lifting weights about a month before the season started on Aug. 29. He didn’t get a lot of playing time, Keller said, and while he was originally supposed to play tight end for the Ichabods, he was moved to slot receiver because he was coming off an injury and didn’t have enough time to build enough strength to block linemen. During the 2024 season, he caught 15 passes for 188 yards and one touchdown. “I was fine with my knee, but I only lifted for a month before the start of the season,” Keller said. “I came off a year and eight months of rehab essentially. I didn’t squat, deadlift nothing. I just felt weak. Not being able to prepare and be a football player is tough.” Following the season, Keller entered the transfer portal and originally committed to the University of Central Oklahoma in early December before switching his commitment and signing to play for Division I FCS East Tennessee State University on Dec. 29. Now, the former Eagle will get a chance to start his college career after an injury-plagued tenure at Washburn. Keller was a three-year starter at quarterback for the Grain Valley and totaled 2,700 all-purpose yards and scoring 36 touchdowns during his senior season. He was a four-sport athlete with the Eagles, excelling at basketball, track and field and baseball, too. He then committed to Washburn University, and after four years there, Keller said it was time to move on. “I got enough on film,” Keller said. “I was scared when going into the transfer portal as you know, it’s a pretty tough landscape at the moment. Some coaches were interested. I had a few colleges that wanted me. “I couldn’t lift weights but not enough to play the tight end position (before his sophomore season at Washburn). They started me at receiver. I didn’t play very much for a lot of reasons.” Keller originally committed to the NCAA Division II University of Central Oklahoma Bronchos because he was guaranteed a starting spot at tight end by the coaches. A couple weeks afterward, ETSU had to talk Keller into take a visit of the campus at Johnson City, Tenn. He eventually accepted and liked what he saw. At the time, the Buccaneers didn’t have any tight ends on scholarship. Keller was looking for a team in which he would get guaranteed playing time but would also have other tight ends challenge him for snaps. After he committed to ETSU, the team signed three other tight ends, but Keller said he expects to play at least 50 percent of the offensive snaps for the Buccs. “That was one thing I talked to them about was I let them know I already has a spot somewhere else and playing time was important to me. I was saying, ‘Don’t waste my time if you’re not going to play me.’ They were very adamant that I was going to see the field a lot and that I was going to be one of their guys.” “At Central Oklahoma, the big thing with them, I was going to be their guy. They didn’t have anybody else. They had one other dude, but I was the starter without having to step on the field. But I don’t think that’s necessarily healthy. I want competition. I want people there to push me.” His decision was aided by the atmosphere on campus at ETSU and Johnson City itself. “I went there and liked it a lot,” Keller said. “Johnson City is a mountain city of about 80,000 to 100,000 and everyone there supports the football program. They average 8,000 to 10,000 fans per home game.” Keller, who currently weighs 230 pounds, said his goal is to put on 15 pounds of muscle before the start of his junior season, so he will be big and strong enough to block defensive ends. “This the first season I have had that I’ve been 100 percent healthy, and I have been able to do intense workout with zero pain,” Keller said. “I feel like I am going to make a big jump this season. “I need to put on that extra 15 pounds and be able to block in the box every single play. Route running and catching the ball will come naturally to me.” Keller, who will be working under offensive coordinator Cam Aiken and head coach Will Healy, anticipates that he will be utilized in one- and two-tight end sets in the offense. The Buccaneers run a fast-paced offense, which Keller said he will be a good fit for. “I think if I put on the right amount of weight and do everything that I think I can, I think I can do anything for the team. Since they run a high-tempo offense, and they don’t stop a whole lot, I think I can step in there and be (an all-around tight end). “They really liked what I had to offer. So hopefully I can get in there work hard and do what they ask of me.” Playing Division I football is not the end goal for Keller. Part of the reason he went to ETSU was so the coaching staff with the program would develop him into a professional-level football player by the end of his career. Keller’s dream is to play in the National Football League. “The goal is to get to the next level,” Keller said. “I have been injured for such a long time; I am taking it one day at a time. Making a pro league would be sick. Playing at ETSU is the first step in achieving that. “That was one of the first things I talked about with the coaches. I need to be developed. I told them, ‘You guys need to have same goals for me that I have for myself.’ They have no doubts I can get to the next level as long as I put the work in.”    1904 Map, Original Town. 4 acres, more or less. Photo credit: Grain Valley Historical Society by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society The City of Grain Valley is currently 6.17 Square miles. My quick calculation revealed that it is approximately 3,948.8 acres or 987 times larger than the original town in 1878. According to city records the population of Grain Valley in 1880 was 80 people. In 2020, the official population was 15,627 or about 196 times larger than 140 years earlier. That kind of puts things in prospective! The Original town was platted to include 38 lots of varying sizes and stretched North to South from Walnut Street to Harris Street and East to West from Cypress Street to Broadway (now Main Street). According to early records from the County Recorder of Deeds at the Jackson County Courthouse in Independence, the early lots were sold to W. B. Bishop, G. C. Browne, R. D. Wood, L M. Harris, J. A, Spindle, J. O. George, Dr. Keener, J. Keshlear, Mell Hulse, M. Bokin, Elisha Moore, Jacob F. Gregg, E. F. Williams, D. M. Majors, H. H. Dean, and the Chicago & Alton Railroad. The railroad property included Lot 35 plus the “right of way” and the land where the original depot was built. That depot burned in 1920, and the new depot was built further west in the Graves ad Ashcraft Addition. This group included shop owners, a doctor and a few homeowners. (Visit the Historical Society to learn more about Grain Valley’s first citizens.) Over the years these lots housed a livery stable, a couple of gasoline stations, a small hotel, a lumber yard, a farm supply and feed store, a hardware store, a millinery shop, a tonsorial (barber and bath), a plastics manufacturing company, grocery stores, a marina, restaurants, an ice house, a slaughter house, the depot, and two homes of very prominent residents: the Williams Family and Mr. & Mrs. Loring. These lots are currently occupied by two beauty shops, the muffler shop, the car wash, the tattoo parlor, a pet shop, J & M Auto Repair shop, EMIG Racing, and soon to open, a restaurant on Lot 26. I’ve read that the U. S. Post Office was housed in one of the businesses and by 1915, another business housed the telephone office. Of course, the telegraph office was at the depot. From the beginning, the town had a mayor and council members who came together to vote and voice their opinions. In 1881, they voted to annex the Graves and Ashcroft Addition and the first City Directory was printed. (Grain Valley News, May 23, 2022). Next week I will write about the “west side” of Main Street.  by Michael Smith Going into Wednesday’s Suburban White Conference tri dual against Truman and Ruskin, the Grain Valley boys wrestling team had some of their best wrestlers out of the lineup. Zac Bleess, Colston Parks, Gavin Barker, Brody Braa, Kobe Hughes, and Sjoeren Aumua were all held out of the lineup, but that didn’t stop the Eagles from dominating. Some junior varsity wrestlers like freshmen Jett Parks, Dalton Burch and Aiden Schaaf; and juniors Aidan Larson and Timmy Harris had their chance to show what they could do at the varsity level. And they didn’t disappoint as all of them won at least one match as Grain Valley didn’t miss a beat. Defeating Ruskin 66-18 and Truman 60-21 at Truman High School. Harris (215 pounds) went 2-0 on the day as he pinned Truman’s Nate Reece and won by forfeit against Ruskin. He said it was a valuable experience to go against varsity wrestlers as it will prepare him to go against that kind of competition next season. In the match against Reece, he said he surprised himself with how well he did. “I thought that match was going to go way worse,” Harris said. “I was nervous. I didn’t really know what to do. I was like ‘I will work through what I usually do and do that.’ The kid tried to hip toss me, but I sunk under it and pinned him.” Burch (157), like Harris, also went 2-0 on the day as he pinned Truman’s Jonathan Ruiz and won by forfeit against Ruskin. Parks (132) finished the day unbeaten as he had two forfeit wins. Schaaf (144) and Larson (138) each finished 1-1, with both getting a pin against Ruskin’s Quadarrius Williams and Elijah Clark, respectively. Those normally in the lineup stepped up for Grain Valley to ensure victory. Junior Tyler Jones (120), who missed making weight in a dual against Platte County the week before. He made sure he was able to wrestle at 120 this time around as he worked with his mother to get his weight down. “For me, it was just about getting my water down and being smart with what I am eating,” Jones said. “I had to take a salt bath for the first time. My mom put me in a hot tub for 30 minutes. It drained all the water out of me and shocked me.” He made that hard work count as he pinned Ruskin’s Roshan Khan and won by forfeit against the Patriots. “I got to my ties pretty easily,” Jones said. “I need some work on top. I kind of struggled to turn him, but I ended up getting him.” Junior Chase Brenner (150), who is a first-year varsity wrestler, also had a big day for his squad. He pinned Ruskin’s Elias Medina and got an upset win over Truman senior Caden Deeney by fall. While he had a good day result wise, he said there is still plenty of room for improvement. “I wrestled pretty good in neutral, but I just need to work on my conditioning,” Brenner said. “I wrestle a little bit differently than I used to. I am getting used to it.” Others to finish 2-0 for the Eagles were Justin King (126), Brady Jones (113) and Kaeler Byrd (106). Girls The Grain Valley girls wrestling team split a pair of duals, defeating Ruskin 48-30 but fell to Truman 42-39. Junior Jayden Moehle (235) pinned Truman’s Majesty Harrison and won by forfeit over Ruskin. Senior Evie Wyatt (170) won two matches due to opens and freshman Ella Hay (190) pinned Truman’s A’Nyla Davis and won by forfeit against Ruskin. Sophomore Valerie Bleess (120) had a productive day as she won by fall in the third period over Ruskin’s Cali Vaughn and she edged Truman’s Liliana Buri Trou 12-9. Junior Addison Cross (145), sophomore Lucy Dampf (140) and senior Makenzie Davis (125) finished 2-0, as well.  Grain Valley junior Justin King, left, looks for a takedown against Ruskin's Asad Shakeeb during a trip dual against Ruskin and Truman. King finished the day 2-0 including a pin over Shakeeb. Grain Valley defeated Truman 60-21 and beat Ruskin 66-18. Photo credit: Michael Smith  by Bill Althaus The Grain Valley High School girls basketball team ran off to a 16-2 lead against Blue Springs South in a Wednesday night Grain Valley Invitational semifinal game. The Eagles closed with a 17-3 advantage and finished with a 47-28 victory that displayed opportunistic scoring and solid defense by the winners. The Eagles will take a 15-1 record into Friday's 7 p.m. championship with an opponent yet to be determined. Two young ladies who made an impact in the game - along with usual suspects like Madison Rust (12 points), Addy Seyfert (10) and Cam Kelly (6) - were sophomore guard Bella Bollinger and junior guard/forward Aspen Reed, who did all the little things that result in big wins. Bollinger was part of the 16-point first quarter as she scored four of her six points and Reed scored six consecutive points in the fourth quarter on two layups and two free throws, to give the Eagles a 39-25 lead with 4:04 left in the game. "Bella and Aspen have improved every game this season," coach Randy Draper said after his team improved to 15-1. "They have made some great strides this season, and have earned their spots in the starting lineup. And tonight was a game with a lot of different games - we played really well in the first and fourth quarters and our defense kept us in the game the second and third quarters. "There are a lot of areas where we can improve, but we're happy with the win. At this point of the season, you'll take a win any way you can get it." Seyfert, who leads the Eagles in scoring, scored seven of her 10 points in the first quarter. Blue Springs South's outstanding senior guard Eva Uhrmacher scored the lone Jaguars' bucket with a buzzer-beating jump shot as the quarter came to an end. "We need to find a way to win," Uhrmacher said, after South fell to 4-13. "We play hard, I love the girls on our team, but we need to play strong for four quarters and we didn't do that tonight." Uhrmacher added eight points in the second quarter as the Eagles went into the halftime locker room with a 24-14 lead. "Grain Valley didn't do anything different than they did last week when we played them," Jaguars coach Kory Lower said. "We just couldn't score, and when we kept them from scoring, we played them close (leading the Eagles 18-14 in the second and third quarters). The Jaguars went through a streak where they missed six layups. "They're a great team, and they proved why they are a great tonight," the coach added. "Their big scorers put some points up, but this was a team win for Randy's kids. Everyone contributed." Bollinger and Reed sported ear-to-ear grins after the semifinal victory. "Playing as a team leads to success," Bollinger said. "We've seen our confidence grow all season. And we didn't play that well in the second and third quarters but we got off to the big lead early and kept them from scoring at the end of the game." Reed added, "I loved how we came out and got that (16-2) lead. We need to find a way to keep going offensively when we have a lead like that. Even though we had the lead in the first quarter, our defense played a big role in our win. And I know everyone is talking about it, but we play so well as a team. "No one cares about their personal statistics, we just want to win." Photo credit: David Rainey, Grain Valley News  Open enrollment bill gets public hearing after winning praise from Missouri governorby Annelise Hanshaw, Missouri Independent A Republican lawmaker from Sedalia has once again begun his push to allow some students to enroll in schools outside the district where they live. For the fifth year in a row on Wednesday, the House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee debated an open enrollment bill sponsored by state Rep. Brad Pollitt. As he introduced the legislation, Pollitt called it the “only school-choice bill that allows students to make a choice and stay in the public school system.” In the previous four years that Pollitt filed the bill, state lawmakers have prioritized programs allowing families to use state funds for homeschooling and to attend private schools. The state’s K-12 tax credit program, dubbed MOScholars, passed in 2021, and it was expanded last year in a sweeping education package. Pollitt’s bill has cleared committee and made it out of the House four times. But it has never been debated by the Senate. He addressed his bill’s four-year purgatory in Wednesday’s committee hearing, saying good legislation doesn’t completely please anyone. “All four years I’ve passed this bill, neither side was happy. It didn’t go far enough or it went too far,” he said. “Sometimes Missouri does a disservice by looking for perfection and bypassing what is better.” Pollitt’s legislation has evolved through the years of deliberation. The current version has a cap of 3% on the portion of students allowed to leave a district annually. He also added language suggested by the Missouri High School Activities Association, which oversees competitive athletics in Missouri schools, that would restrict students who transfer into a new district from competing in sports for one year. The bill does not require school districts to accept students living outside the area but, instead, has an opt-in structure. Receiving districts would get state funding for the students coming in, but local funds would remain with the district of residence. Some testified Wednesday that they are concerned the legislation would become mandatory for school districts in the future. “Our worry is in the future. A lot of (laws) tend to start as voluntary and become mandatory,” said Tammy Henderson, who represents the North Kansas City School District. “We are concerned about losing some of the local control.” Steve Carroll, a former lawmaker who now lobbies for school districts, cited his experience in the Missouri House in critiquing the bill. “If this bill passes, within two or three legislative sessions, there is going to be a bill that is going to mandate this,” he said. “Mark my word.” A majority of public comments were against the bill, and 220 school districts sent in a letter opposed to the legislation. However, Pollitt’s proposal is not without its supporters — including Gov. Mike Kehoe, who included the bill in his State of the State speech Tuesday. “To expand school choice, I urge the General Assembly to pass voluntary open enrollment in public schools,” he said. Jordan Zachary, representing a national education nonprofit started by Jeb Bush called ExcelinEd, said Missouri’s neighbors already have open enrollment. “We believe open enrollment to be one of those student-centered policies,”’ he said. “We do believe in giving students an opportunity to attend a school that best fits their needs.” The bill would not require school districts to add accommodations for incoming students, and some worry the program would exclude students in special education. Pollitt said he would work with Rep. Matthew Overcast, a Republican from Ava who serves on the education committee, to revise the bill to help students requiring accommodations. Overcast is an attorney with experience assisting students in special education. The updated version would be presented to the committee before a vote. GET THE MORNING HEADLINES.
SUBSCRIBE
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 Bill Althaus Eli Herbert enjoyed the greatest single-game scoring performance in Grain Valley High School basketball history Tuesday night, and the Eagles needed each of his 44 points to top Fort Osage 64-58 at the Grain Valley Invitational. "The best thing about Eli's performance tonight," said coach Andy Herbert, Eli's father, "is that we needed those points to beat Fort Osage. It was a gritty game, and both teams played well. And when we needed a big shot, someone came through for us." Eli finished with eight 3-pointers and broke the single-game scoring record that was established in 1978. "I was born in 1978," Coach Herbert quipped, "so I know that is an old record!" One of Eli's biggest baskets of the night came with 3:51 left in the fourth quarter. Grain Valley trailed 52-49 when the junior guard connected on a long-range 3-pointer and was fouled. He hit the free throw to make the score 53-52. But the Indians tank was still full as Jax Navarro hit a layup and Isaac Woodward followed with an offensive rebound and basket to give the Indians a 56-53 lead. That's when - who else? - Herbert hit his second consecutive 3-pointer and that set the tone for a roller-coaster-ride of the final two minutes of play. Fort Osage's Jon Ross hit two free throws to tie the game at 58-58. Herbert then hit a basket and two free throws and Aaron Barr hit both of his free throws at :09 to seal the win. "It was a heckuva game, two teams really going after each other," Indians coach Josh Wilson said. "Even though we lost I can appreciate all we did, and you have to take your hat off to Eli. That is one of the greatest shooting performance's I've ever seen. And I have so much respect for Andy and his kids. Win or lose, it was a great night for high school basketball." Dom Soto and Isaac Woodward finished tied for the team high with 17 points. Woodward, going against the Eagles' two-headed-monster in the paint - Sam Pendergrass and Kevin Johnson - added 14 boards. "This is the first time since I've been on the team we've played them close," Soto said. "Eli never seemed to miss tonight, and I was so proud of all our team. We'd take a lead, then they'd take it back - mostly because of Eli." Woodward added, "This was a great game. I wish we would have won, but we worked hard and made a game of it. And Eli always seemed to have a hand in his face, and he still made all his shots. He's such a great kid and a great player." Navarro added 13 points for the 7-10 Indians. "We've had this conversation many times," Coach Herbert said, "and I don't want to put added pressure on Eli or take away from all the things the rest of the guys did to help us win tonight. But there were moments when he'd hit one of those long 3-pointers and I'd look over at our student section and they'd just be looking, like, 'What did we just see?' "I kind of felt the same way." Photos by David Rainey, Grain Valley News ` The following information is derived from Grain Valley Police Department daily calls service log for the week of January 22-28, 2025. January 22, 2025 1200 BLK NW PECAN DR Open Door-Structure FOXTAIL DR Open Door-Structure WOODBURY Extra Patrol 700 BLK N MAIN ST Citizen Contact 100 BLK E HARRIS ST Extra Patrol 1400 BLK NE BUCKNER TARSNEY RD Alarm-Commercial 1100 BLK SW FOXTAIL DR Crash Left Scene 500 BLK GREGG ST Alarm-Commercial PHQ Public Service PHQ Walk In Report 10 BLK SE 16TH ST Follow Up Investigation 400 BLK E 12TH STREET Alarm-Panic 600 BLK SW MEADOWOOD DR Crash Non-Injury 1200 BLK HAMPTON CT Agency Assist LE BUSH JEFFERSON Suspicious Vehicle 100 BLK SW CROSS CREEK DR Trespass NW ROSEWOOD DR Extra Patrol PHQ Walk In Report 900 BLK NW HICKORYWOOD DR Suspicious Vehicle WOODBURY Extra Patrol 100 BLK E HARRIS Security Check 1100 BLK NW BUSH DR Extra Patrol 100 BLK E HARRIS ST Extra Patrol January 23, 2025 1100 BLK NW BUSH DR Extra Patrol 200 BLK NW BARR RD Check Well Being 100 BLK E HARRIS ST Extra Patrol 800 BLK VALLEY WOODS DR Extra Patrol 100 BLK E HARRIS ST Extra Patrol 1100 BLK NW BUSH DR Extra Patrol NW WOODBURY DR Extra Patrol 100 BLK S BUCKNER TARSNEY RD Agency Assist Fire 1100 BLK RD MIZE RD Follow Up Investigation 1600 BLK NW EAGLE RIDGE DR Follow Up Investigation 500 BLK NW WOODBURY DR Follow Up Investigation 100 BLK S MAIN (BUCKNER TARSNEY) Citizen Contact 600 BLK JEFFERSON Burglary 800 BLK SW MEADOWOOD DR Agency Assist EMS PHQ Standby to Prevent 500 BLK SW EAGLES PARKWAY Off Duty Assignment S BUCKNER TARSNEY RD / SNI-A-BAR BLVD Area Check WOODBURY Extra Patrol 100 BLK E HARRIS ST Extra Patrol 1100 BLK NW BUSH DR Extra Patrol 1400 BLK S BUCKNER TARSNEY RD Alarm-Commercial WOODBURY Extra Patrol 1100 BLK N BUCKNER TARSNEY RD Motorist Assist January 24, 2025 100 BLK E HARRIS ST Extra Patrol 1100 BLK NW BUSH DR Extra Patrol 100 BLK E HARRIS ST Extra Patrol EB 70 NEAR THE RV DEALER Agency Assist LE 700 BLK E RD MIZE RD Follow Up Investigation 600 BLK NW WOODBURY Public Service 800 BLK VALLEY WOODS DR Check Well Being PHQ Public Service PHQ Fraud 300 BLK W WALNUT ST Disturbance-Physical IPD Prisoner Transport 500 BLK GREGG ST Alarm-Commercial JOHNSON CO JAIL Prisoner Transport 200 BLK SW EAGLES PKWY Check Well Being 1200 BLK SW EAGLES PKWY Suspicious Vehicle PHQ Public Service January 25, 2025 JOSEPH CIR Suspicious Vehicle 600 BLK NW YENNIE AVE Noise JEFFERSON CT Extra Patrol WOODBURY DR Extra Patrol 700 BLK NW WILLOW DR Open Door-Structure SW MONTANA RIDGE DR AND SW GREYSTONE DR Extra Patrol 700 BLK TALL CHIEF Trespass 100 BLK SW EAGLES PKWY Alarm-Commercial PHQ Public Service 11100 BLK RAYTOWN RD Special Assignment-Other 100 BLK SW NELSON DR Standby to Prevent 1400 BLK SW BLUE BRANCH DR Threats 300 BLK W WALNUT ST Disturbance-Physical 1200 BLK WILLOW DR Disturbance-Verbal 100 BLK SW EAGLES PKWY, UNIT 1211 Threats NB BUCKNER TARSNEY FROM RD MIZE RD Area Check PHQ Sex Offense 706 NW GREEN DR Assault 6300 BLK INDERWEISSEN RD Public Service PHQ Public Service 1600 BLK NW EAGLE RIDGE DR Agency Assist DFS 1100 BLK NW SCENIC DR Follow Up Investigation 1100 BLK NW VALLEY RIDGE DR Suspicious Activity 800 BLK NE SAN KAR DR Crash Left Scene January 26, 2025 SW JOSEPH CIR AND SW ADDIE LN Extra Patrol JEFFERSON ST Extra Patrol WOODBURY Security Check 100 BLK E HARRIS ST Extra Patrol PHQ Public Service 500 BLK SW LAKEVIEW DR Area Check 1500 BLK NW HIGH VIEW DR Fireworks 1400 BLK GOLFVIEW DR Suspicious Vehicle 800 BLK SW BROME DR Alarm-Residential SNI A BAR / 40 HIGHWAY Crash Non-Injury January 27, 2025 100 BLK E HARRIS ST Extra Patrol VALLEY RIDGE DR / JEFFERSON Vehicle Check 100 BLK E HARRIS ST Extra Patrol 1100 BLK NW SCENIC DR Assault NW WILLOW DR / NW ROYERS LN Check Well Being 1900 BLK SW EAGLES PARKWAY Recovered Stolen Auto 100 BLK BROADWAY Standby to Prevent PHQ Walk In Report 4300 BLK S BUCKNER TARSNEY RD Crash Non-Injury PHQ Walk In Report 500 BLK SW EAGLES PKWY Off Duty Assignment 200 BLK SW EAGLES PKWY Citizen Contact WOODBURY Extra Patrol 300 BLK W FRONT ST Citizen Contact PHQ Public Service 1100 BLK NW BUSH DR Extra Patrol 700 BLK N MAIN ST Disturbance-Verbal 100 BLK E HARRIS ST Extra Patrol January 28, 2025 1100 BLK NW BUSH DR Extra Patrol JEFFERSON/EAGLE RIDGE BLVD Vehicle Check 700 BLK SW RIDGEVIEW DR Agency Assist EMS PHQ Training 1500 BLK NW HILLTOP LN Disturbance-Physical 31000 BLK NE PINK HILL RD Extra Patrol 1300 BLK NW HIGH VIEW DR Area Check MEADOW / SCENIC Check Well Being NB MAIN / 40 HWY Motorist Assist MAIN / 70 Motorist Assist 500 BLK SW EAGLES PKWY Off Duty Assignment 40 / KIRBY Crash Unknown WOODBURY Extra Patrol 100 BLK E HARRIS ST Extra Patrol 1200 BLK NW PAMELA BLVD Alarm-Commercial EB I70 OFF RAMP/BUCKNER TARSNEY RD Check Well Being 1100 BLK NW BUSH DR Extra Patrol PHQ Public Service Suicidal subject: 3  |
Categories
All
Archives
May 2025
|
RSS Feed
