COLUMBIA – Grain Valley senior Sevreign Aumua has said throughout her wrestling career, her success hinges on her confidence.
     She said she felt more mentally prepared than she did her sophomore year going into the Missouri State High School Girls Wrestling Championships this weekend at Mizzou Arena.
     She needed that confidence going in against Rockwood Summit sophomore Madeline Haynes, who had a 40-1 record coming into the 140-pound championship match.
     Aumua was ahead by one going into the third period, and when Haynes chose the bottom position, the junior had to make sure her opponent did not escape or else the match would be tied.
     She did just that when she used a half nelson to turn Haynes and pin her in 5 minutes and 20 seconds to earn her second consecutive state individual title.
     After getting the pin, Aumua flexed her muscles and turned toward the Grain Valley fans who were sitting in the upper level. After greeting her coaches and leaving the mat, she jumped into the arms of boys’ wrestler Justin Deweese in the tunnel.
     The junior is now the only wrestler in Grain Valley history with two state championships.
     “I feel like I was more prepared mentally,” Aumua said. “I had a lot of support and a lot of my family members came and I had new coaches come. It was a really good moment for me. I felt like I actually deserved this one.”    
     “(The Grain Valley wrestling team) is like my second family. I cannot thank them enough. They got me where I am today. My youth coaches helped me a lot, too, everyone helped me a lot.”
     Aumua pinned her two opponents on Friday to advance to Saturday’s semifinal match. She defeated Holt’s Maria Slaughter 10-3 to advance to the title bout against Haynes. In the final match, she led 2-1 at the end of the first period after getting a takedown and Haynes getting an escape.
     She chose the bottom position in the second period but was unable to escape from Haynes’ grasp, keeping the score the game going into the final period. Haynes needed an escape to tie the match, but Aumua kept her grounded. The junior turned Haynes to get a 3-point near fall before getting the pin on her second turn.
     “She’s a good opponent and I am really glad I faced her,” Aumua said of Haynes. “I am really glad I got the competition. It made me a better wrestler and helped me learn what I need to focus on. She was strong and had good technique.”
     For the first time in her career, Aumua had company at the state tournament. Freshman Jayden Moehle had an excellent debut in her first state tournament. In the 235-pound bracket she finished fourth to earn a medal.
     The freshman lost in the first round to eventual state champion Catherine Dutton of Willard by pin but she bounced back and went 4-1 in the consolation bracket. She earned falls in all of her wins, including one in 2:06 against Lebanon’s Makenna Lewis in the bubble match, the one Moehle needed to win to qualify for a medal.
     In her third place match, she was pinned by William Chrisman’s Kiara Boldridge.
     “I am really proud of myself,” Moehle said. “I was super proud of myself in my third match because I hadn’t beat her. Then I finally got my revenge on her. I got her on my outside single and pinned her.”
 
Boys
 
     Of the seven boys wrestlers that qualified for the state tournament, four ended up with medals.
     Senior Tanner Barker closed out his high school career with the highest place he’s ever received at state as he finished third in the 165-pound bracket.
     He won his first two matches, including a 4-3 victory against Davion King of Carthage in the quarterfinals, in which he got a clutch takedown in the third period.
     Barker fell 3-0 in the semifinals to eventual state champion Aidan Hernandez of Francis Howell Central but rebounded for a 5-1 victory against Jackson Jones and met King again and won 3-1 in overtime. Barker avenged a loss earlier in the season to King.
     “I have just been keeping my head down all season and grinding,” Barker said. “I came out with third place. Only two losses this season, so I will take it.”
     His fellow senior, Dru Azcona (132), mirrored the placement he had last season at state, once again taking fourth place to close out his career. Azcona finished his career with three state medals, including a fifth-place finish his freshman season.
     Azcona made it to the semifinals after a pair of wins, which included a pin in 2:43 in the semifinals of Eureka’s Andrew Stubblefield. However, he ran into eventual state champion Zan Fugitt in the semifinals and put up a strong fight and fell 7-3.
     The senior then went 1-1 in the consolation bracket, which ended with a 5-3 loss to Oak Park senior Jamieson Tunstill.
     “I am extremely excited about how my career went,” Azcona said. “I definitely learned a lot. It’s not about the medals, I am more happy with what I learned and the life lessons I learned.”
     Grain Valley junior Gavin Parks earned his first state medal on Saturday as he took fourth at 12- pounds. During his freshman season, he fell in the bubble match at state and as a sophomore, he had to miss state because of a concussion.
     This time, he was 4-2 at the state tournament. He won his first two matches to make it to the semifinals, which included a big 11-8 victory against Seckman’s Matthew Cook. Parks fell to Lee’s Summit North junior Charlie Dykes 4-1 to move to the consolation bracket.
     Parks defeated Liberty North’s Michael Domino 4-0 in the consolation semifinals before falling to Staley’s Miller Sipes 3-2 in the third-place bout.
     “Overall, I am proud of what I did and getting my first medal,” Parks said. “There are some things I could work on and I could’ve done better. Next year, I will do better. I think I did good overall, especially with the amount of hammers in this bracket.”
     Freshman Zac Bleess made a stellar debut at the state tournament as he took sixth place in the 113-pound bracket. He went 3-3 and qualified for a medal after beating Staley’s Craig Omozeje 2-1 in overtime in the bubble match.
     “It feels great, this has been the goal since the start of the season,” Bleess said of getting a state medal. “I had a couple of hard matches. I wish I could have gotten a little higher on the podium but not too bad for my freshman year.”
     Brock Smith (120), Justin Dewees (157) and Tyler Groves (144) competed in the tournament but were eliminated.

     The February 16, 2023 Grain Valley school board meeting began with an update from Nicole Young, hollis + miller architects, who provided an update on plans for the new fieldhouse at Grain Valley High School. The scope of work includes a new student and activities entrance, attendance office, restroom and concessions area, weight room, fieldhouse gymnasium, batting cages, renovation to the existing gymnasium, and renovation to PE and varsity locker rooms.
     As previously reported, the original plans included a second level track and seating area in the new gymnasium. This feature was removed due to budget constraints and a desire to focus on renovation of other areas. 
     Demolition begins summer 2023, with weight room renovations, and continue through August 2024. 
     Next on the agenda was the review of the district's culture & climate program evaluation. All students (grades 3-12), staff, and family members were surveyed during the month of November 2022. The strengths identified in the report included 97% of students in grades 3-5 and 92% of students in grades 6-12 believe their teachers care for them. 94% of parent/guardians reported believing adults at their child's school cares about students, and 87% believe their child's school has a great school culture. 97% of team members believe students are treated with dignity and respect by employees.
     Among the challenges identified in the report, 27% of parents disagreed/strongly disagreed with the statement that the school system provides school culture and climate data and reports periodically to all stakeholders. In addition, survey data suggested students struggle with conflict resolution (36% of students in grades 3-5 and 52% of students in grades 6-12 reported students at their schools do not stop and think before doing anything when they get angry). 28% of students in grades 6-12 report students do not respect one another, and 40% of students in grades 3-5 report students are teased or picked on about their race or ethnicity, 33% on cultural background or religion, and 35% based on a disability.
      In terms of educational and career goals, 23% of parents/guardians disagreed or strongly disagreed with the statement that their school has helped students establish educational and career goals.
     The district identified several goals to address areas of concern, including developing a scope and sequence for advisory lessons in conflict resolution for all students in grades K-12. The district will also survey teachers by May 2023, with the goal of an increase in satisfaction level for the ability to address negative behavior and support provided by administration. A welcome program at each grade span (K-5, 6-8, 9-12) will be created by May 2023, and a report to all families on the outcome of culture and climate survey data will be completed spring 2023.
     Assistant Superintendent Dr. Nick Gooch reported the district has seen a marked increase in breakfast and lunch debt, totaling approximately $19,000. Calls to parents and guardians over the previous two weeks resulted in a $1,000 decrease in the debt balance. 
     The Board approved four new certified positions for the 2023-24 school year: a high school special education teacher, a high school math teacher, an elementary life skills special education teacher, and a District 504 coordinator. Superintendent Brad Welle also reported that the position to be vacated by Assistant Superintendent Dr. Beth Mulvey upon her retirement will not be filled. Instead, work will be distributed among existing Assistant Superintendents and a Director of Communications position will be added in the 2023-24 school year to coordinate the district's communications program. 
     Under Board Policies, board member Jeff Porter continued to raise concerns around IF-AP(1) Curriculum Development. Porter has expressed concerns that the board does not currently have a say in the composition of curriculum development committees. The superintendent currently appoints members as outlined in the administrative procedure, and once work is completed, the board receives a report. Porter is seeking a change which would give the board more say in how the committee is structured on the front end.
     "I think the board should be part of that process in saying we agree that this committee is going to be a level playing field and the community is going to have some type of a voice. The board needs to approve the committee members that are part of the review of all the curriculum," Porter said.
     "My recommendation would be if the board decides to take that on that that is captured in policy language rather than procedural language. The board will create a community committee, or the board will approve a committee. And then we'll probably need a separate process for what criteria the board would set for who they wanted on that committee so that the administration had more expectation of what we would be looking for," Welle said.
     Porter asked about the process of drafting such language, and Welle said he could have language drafted for review if that were the will of the board. President Jared English said he was fine with language being drafted for review, but stated he had no intention of bringing it up for a vote within weeks. 
     "I think that it's ok to have some language drafted. I don't intend to vote on it or bring it to a vote in two weeks. I think this is something we would really need to chew on for awhile. But I am ok with having the language drafted and presented," English said.
     The rest of the board voiced no support or opposition, and Welle stated he would have language drafted for review.
     To view the current procedure, visit View Administrative Procedure IF-AP(1): CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT (eboardsolutions.com)
     In other business, the Board approved the 2023-24 school year calendar (PDF and image file provided below). The first day of school will be August 22, 2023.

     A volleyball clinic for 2nd - 6th graders will be held Saturday, March 11th from 2:00pm - 4:00pm at Grain Valley High School. National Honor Society member Haylie Jennings is heading the effort, which will raise funds for the high school volleyball program.
     The head GVHS volleyball coach and club volleyball players with years of experience will be coaching 2nd-6th graders to learn the skills of volleyball. The clinic is $20 per participant, paid at the door (cash or check). 
     To register for the event, email [email protected].

     Ward II alderman Darren Mills is seeking a second term in the April 4, 2023 municipal election and is running unopposed. Mills said he is pleased with the progress the Board and City has made over the past two years and looks forward to seeing several projects through in his next term.
     “I’m looking forward to seeing the police station completed. We’ve made a lot of progress in the last two years with several improvement projects, including the water tower, street repairs, and looking at adding additional parks and trails on the north side of town. I’ve enjoyed the last two years, and I think I have made a difference on the Board,” Mills said.
     Mills is also pleased with the selection of the newly hired police chief, Ed Turner.
     “I think the City handled the process really well, and I am excited to see what he is going to do.”
     Mills is also excited about the City’s recent branding process, and the efforts to revitalize downtown.
     “The census figures showed us how much our population has grown over the past 10 years. We experienced a bigger population growth than our neighbors in Blue Springs and Lees Summit. The challenge is to provide the growth residents need and want and keep our small town feel.”
     One of the challenges with a growing population is housing, and Mills said he is also focused on making sure there are options for all residents.
     “We need to provide affordable housing for the next generation. We don’t want to shoo them out of city if we have no options for them. Having apartment and multi-family options is going to benefit the city and bring in more tax dollars. This way we can keep tax dollars here and continue to grow the city.”
     As far as goals in his own ward, Mills is still focused on providing more sidewalks, particularly in Winding Creek where he said they are lacking.
     Mills enjoys representing the city at business events, including the Grain Valley Partnership luncheons and ribbon cuttings, and said he has enjoyed working with the board to do what they can to promote business development in the area.
     Mills is the Sales Manager with Blue Compass RV (previously Lifestyle RVs) in Grain Valley, is a past President of the Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS), and is an active member of First Baptist Grain Valley, where he leads the Kids Connect program.     


   Valley News will profile each candidate on the ballot in the weeks leading up to the election, provide a voter guide, and plans a candidate forum on March 21st at Grain Valley South Middle School. To search for all election related articles, click on “Elections” under the categories on our News page. For voter information and links to resources, visit our Voter Resource page. 

     Grain Valley News is pleased to once again host a candidate forum for residents to learn more about the Board of Aldermen and Board of Education candidates on the April 4, 2023 ballot.
     The Candidate Forum will be held Tuesday, March 21st from 6:30pm - 8:00pm at Grain Valley South Middle School, 901 E Ryan Road, Grain Valley. There is no cost to attend and all are welcome. 
     All Board of Education and Board of Aldermen candidates were contacted in advance regarding their availability, and as of press time, all candidates indicated they plan to attend. 
     Grain Valley News will also public a candidate guide in addition to our ongoing candidate profile articles in the weeks leading up to the election. For voter information and resources, visit our Voter Resources page. 

     Missouri Department of Transportation (MODOT) crews will begin bridge replacement work along Interstate 70 at Route AA/BB in Grain Valley beginning on Friday, Feb. 24. This work will require the following traffic pattern changes. All work is weather permitting.
Friday, Feb. 24

• Beginning at 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 24, crews will CLOSE the right lane of westbound I-70 at approximately mile marker 24 near Grain Valley until approximately 5 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 27. This closure is for shoulder work in the area. Motorists will be able to access the exit ramps in this area during this time.
• Beginning at 10 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 24, crews will CLOSE the left turn lanes of northbound and southbound Route AA/BB (Main Street) at I-70, until approximately winter 2023 for bridge work. There will be one thru lane and one left turn lane onto the ramps in each direction and traffic will still be able to enter the eastbound and westbound ramps throughout the project. There could be occasional short-term closures.

Saturday, Feb. 25

• Beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25, crews will CLOSE the right lane of eastbound I-70 at approximately mile marker 24 near Grain Valley until approximately 5 a.m. until Monday, Feb. 27. This closure is for pavement marking work.

     MODOT states this project will be constructed over the course of three phases in the next year. Phase 1 includes bridge work and work within the median, and is scheduled to be completed by early summer 2023. Phase 2 will address the westbound side of the project and Phase 3 will address the eastbound side. The project is anticipated to be complete by winter 2023.
     Motorists are reminded to slow down and pay attention while driving in work zones. Not all work zones look alike. Work zones can be moving operations, such as striping, patching or mowing. They can also be short term, temporary lane closures to make quick repairs or remove debris from the roadway.

     One of the key components of heart health is blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure, or hypertension, you are at higher risk of developing other health problems, such as heart disease, heart attack and stroke. The good news is that there are some diet and lifestyle modifications you can make to help reduce your risk.
     What is high blood pressure? As blood circulates, it presses against artery walls, creating pressure. Too much pressure forces the heart to work harder, potentially straining it. A blood pressure reading consists of two numbers: systolic pressure, measured as the heart pumps, and diastolic pressure, recorded between heartbeats. A resting blood pressure below 120/80 mmHg is considered normal. Prehypertension is 120-139/80-89 mmHg and 140/90 mmHg or higher is hypertension.
     Blood pressure fluctuates throughout the day; it tends to increase with exercise and strong emotions. But consistently high blood pressure is affected by many factors, including genetics, some medical     conditions, diet, heavy alcohol use, tobacco use, stress and limited exercise.
    When it comes to diet, high intake of sodium and low intake of fruits and vegetables may increase your risk for high blood pressure. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Dietary Guidelines recommend limiting sodium to no more than 2,300 mg per day and eating at least 1½ cups of fruit and 2 to 3 cups of vegetables every day. Fruits and vegetables are naturally low in sodium and contain potassium, which helps control blood pressure. Also try to eat lean sources of protein, such as chicken, turkey, fish and beans. Consider whole-grain breads and pastas and look for lower-sodium versions of packaged foods.
      Diet alone can’t completely cure or prevent high blood pressure, but it can help. Some factors are out of your control, such as a family history of high blood pressure or pre-existing medical conditions, including diabetes and some autoimmune diseases. People over 40 should be tested annually – while those under 40 should get tested every 2 to 5 years. If you’re diagnosed with hypertension, work with a doctor to help manage it.
     During the month of February 2023, you can get a free biometric screening at select Hy-Vee locations. A Hy-Vee dietitian will collect a blood sample from a finger prick to determine cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose levels. Resting blood pressure, weight, body fat percentage and waist and hip circumference are also measured. Appointments are on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. Fasting for a period of 10 to 12 hours in advance is required. These screenings are made possible by these generous sponsors: RxSugar®, Perfect Bars, Sweet Loren’s Less Sugar Cookie Dough, Belgioioso Ricotta and Parmesan Cheese, and the National Peanut Board. Request your free screening by speaking with your Hy-Vee dietitian or follow this link.
 
     Try out this twist on corn chowder the whole family will love. We made some ingredient swaps from the original recipe, such as using unsalted vegetable stock and frozen corn and reducing the amount of other higher-sodium ingredients, to help keep the sodium level under control.  
 
Thai Corn Chowder
Serves 6 (1½ cups each)
 
All you need:
1 (13.66-oz) can unsweetened coconut cream, divided
2 tbsp unseasoned rice vinegar, divided
1 (11-oz) can Hy-Vee Mexican style corn, drained; divided
½ cup chopped red onion
3 tbsp green curry paste
2 tbsp refrigerated lemongrass paste
2 tbsp fresh lime juice
1 tbsp sambal oelek chili paste
¼ tsp Hy-Vee salt
1 (32-oz) container unsalted vegetable stock 
3½ cups frozen corn
Sliced green onions, for garnish
Lime wedges, for serving
 
All you do:

1. Cook ½ cup coconut cream and 1 tablespoon rice vinegar in a 5- to 6-quart Dutch oven over medium heat until heated. Add ½ can drained Mexican-style corn and red onion; cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until onion is softened.
2. Add curry paste, lemongrass paste, lime juice, chili paste, remaining 1 tablespoon vinegar and salt; cook for 3 to 4 minutes or until fragrant, stirring frequently. Stir in vegetable stock.
3. Blend soup mixture with an immersion blender until completely smooth. Stir in frozen corn and remaining ½ can Mexican-style corn and coconut cream. Cook, uncovered, for 45 to 60 minutes or until soup is thickened, stirring occasionally.
4. To serve, ladle soup into serving bowls. Garnish with green onions and serve with lime wedges, if desired.

 
Per serving: 290 calories, 16g fat, 13g saturated fat, 0g trans fat, 0mg cholesterol, 920mg sodium, 32g carbohydrates, 5g fiber, 13g sugar (0g added sugar), 4g protein. Daily Values: vitamin D 0%, calcium 0%, iron 6%, potassium 8%.
Recipe source: adapted from February 2023 Hy-Vee Seasons magazine

Hy-Vee dietitians are available to help with your heart health all year long! Get started today with our complimentary On-Demand Heart Health Virtual Nutrition Store Tour where you will learn the basics of a heart-healthy meal plan! Plus, get shopping tips and product recommendations to help add more nutrition to your cart. Register for your on-demand tour today at https://www.hy-vee.com/health/hy-vee-dietitians/default.aspx.
 
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 February 15-21, 2023.

​
February 15, 2023
900 Blk NW Magnolia
Suspicious activity

1400 Blk NE Mary Ct
Suspicious activity

PHQ
Public service

NE Erin/NE Greystone
Area check for shots fired

1200 Blk MW Hill Top Ln
Found property

 
February 16, 2023
200 Blk NE Cypress St
Residence check

300 Blk SW Eagles
Harassment

200 Blk NW Michael
Citizen contact

PHQ
Citizen contact

600 Blk NW Valley Ridge Cir
Agency assist

PHQ
Citizen contact

900 Blk Lindenwood
Stealing

100 Blk NW Barr Rd
Motor vehicle accident

700 Blk NW Joseph Cir
Residence check

PHQ
Citizen contact

NW Meadow Rd
Suspicious vehicle

200 Blk NW Barr Rd
Physical disturbance

100 Blk SW Pebblebrook Ln
Suspicious activity

200 Blk NW Gregg St
Suspicious activity

PHQ
Public service

1300 Blk NW Valley Woods Ct
Physical disturbance

1200 Blk Eagles Pkwy
Suspicious vehicle

500 Blk Main
Agency assist

70 EB/Independence
Pursuit

1300 Blk NW Sycamore Dr
Physical disturbance

 
February 17, 2023
1200 Blk NW Hill Top Ln
Residence check

2300 Blk NW Hedgewood Dr
Residence check

100 Blk E Walnut
Abandoned vehicle

1100 Blk NW Pamela Blvd
Commercial alarm

300 Blk SW Crestview Dr
Property damage

900 Blk NW Persimmon Ct
Citizen contact

800 Blk SW Lee Ann
Suspicious person

SW August Ln/SW Tisha Ln
Suspicious person

700 Blk SW Tish Ln
Suspicious person

1100 Blk SW Ephraim Dr
Noise complaint

400 Blk SW Cross Creek
Suspicious person

 
February 18, 2023
PHQ
Citizen contact

PHQ
Citizen contact

400 Blk NW Woodbury
Missing person

800 Blk NE San Karr Dr
Suspicious vehicle

700 Blk Main
Suspicious person

 
February 19, 2023
400 Blk SW Cross Creek
Area check

NW Crestwood/ NW Rymeg
Citizen contact

2200 Blk NW Hedgewood Dr
Citizen contact

100 Blk NW Woodbury
Suspicious vehicle

PHQ
Citizen contact

700 Blk Main St
Area check

1100 Blk S BT Rd
Motor vehicle accident

Ryan Rd
Public service

1300 Blk W Ryan Rd
Disturbance

SW Sandy/SW Laura
Area check

700 Blk N Main
Area check

 
February 20, 2023
SW Cross Creek/SW August
Area check

1100 Blk NW Baytree
Suspicious subject

PHQ
Citizen contact

PHQ
Citizen contact

700 Blk NW Green Dr
Citizen contact

 
February 21, 2023
900 Blk SW Shorthorn
Alarm

400 Blk SW Foothill
Fraud

900 Blk NW Eagle Ridge Dr
Stealing

PHQ
Citizen Contact

PHQ
Assault

100 Blk Sunny Lane
Disturbance

 
Additional calls for service:
Suicidal subject: 2
Domestic assault: 1

     As promised in January, the last article of each month will feature information about the photograph in the 2023 Grain Valley Historical Society calendar. 

     The 2023 calendar may look a bit like a “school” calendar as half of the photographs are school related. It only speaks about the role of the school in our community. Academics, sports, drama, and music were the one constant in Grain Valley, particularly during the depression and the war years.
     The photo above was in the 1946 Treasure Chest yearbook. Mr. Phil Turner, far right, organized the band in 1941 or 42 (Valley News, June 3, 2021). Mr. Turner was the owner of Turner Music Company, just off the square in Independence. He was not a “full time” teacher but came to Grain Valley a few hours each day to teach music.
     The 1943 Treasure Chest (yearbook) featured a story about raising money for band uniforms and the discovery of “several very talented girls who have organized a Majorette Corps to perform in front of our band.” As you can see by message on the bass drum, he got them off to a rousing start. The were Western Missouri Conference Contest Winner in 1943, 1944 and 1945.
     Since the photo was taken before I was born, I can only identify one student in the photo. The cute little boy on the front row, far right and holding his clarinet, is my 12-year-old cousin, Donald Fristoe!

     The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) staff at the Lake City Shooting Range near Blue Springs will offer two free programs during March for newcomers and experienced firearms owners. The shotgun, rifle, and pistol target ranges offer a variety of target shooting opportunities. But MDC staff also teaches classes about firearms, ammunition, and the outdoors. Registration is required for many programs.

• A class on casting bullets for rifle and pistol ammunition will be offered from 8 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 4. Many hunters and target shooters like to reload their own ammunition. This class will teach the basics of bullet casting. MDC will provide all materials, equipment, and personal protective gear. The class is open to participants ages 18 and older. To register, visit https://short.mdc.mo.gov/4gU.
• A Handgun: Basic Pistol class will be offered from 8 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 11. This class if for novice or new handgun owners. Instructors will discuss types of handguns, calibers, ammunition, safe handling, and marksmanship. The class will include target shooting on the range. MDC can provide demonstration handguns and ammunition, or participants may bring their own. Participants must be ages 18 or older. To register, visit https://short.mdc.mo.gov/4gw.

     MDC’s Lake City Shooting Range is at 28505 E. Truman Road, east of Independence and near Blue Springs. The target ranges are accessible for those with mobility issues. COVID-19 safety precautions are observed at all programs. For more information about the range, visit https://short.mdc.mo.gov/4k9.

     I am pleased to share some great news regarding the generosity of our community in 2022. Last year grants and scholarship payments from all funds at your Community Foundation totaled $6.3 Million an increase of 7% compared to 2021. With some new scholarship funds added we granted scholarships totaling $740,000 an increase of 38% compared to 2021. And our 300 families who have Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) also achieved a new record with grants totaling $3.2 Million, an increase of 20% compared to 2021.
     The 20% increase in grants made from Donor Advised Funds to hundreds of nonprofits in our community is the most gratifying number for me. As you are aware the stock market in 2022 had one of its worst years with the S&P 500 down 19.4%.  The contributions that our Donor Advised Fund families make into their fund are invested in the stock market. So even while they saw the balance in their Donor Advised Fund decline because of the market losses they continued to generously make grants from their fund to their favorite nonprofits, increasing those grants by 20%. While some families may need to decrease their giving in a volatile market, people with Donor Advised Funds have already committed these funds to support charities and continue to make their grants regardless of the market’s ups and downs.
     DAFs have gained popularity over the last ten years. In past economic downturns, we have seen declines in giving, and these are the times when charities are usually in the most need of funding. However, as the popularity of DAFs grew over the years, people have begun to realize that having a DAF available when the markets are a bit topsy-turvy can be a real benefit. When you establish a Donor Advised Fund or make a donation into your fund, you receive a tax benefit in that year. Donors can then choose when to pay out those funds; they have complete flexibility in timing.
     A DAF allows donors to put money into their fund, grow it over time, and make donations to the charities and causes that are important to them at times that makes sense. Some donors choose to grant only the gains from their DAF to build their DAF to an endowment, creating a legacy for the future. Others choose to issue grants nearly equal to what they put into their DAF each year. When charities need immediate support DAF fundholders can respond quickly.
     DAFs are also flexible in the types of assets that can be contributed. Not every nonprofit is equipped to accept complex assets such as appreciated stock, or real estate. By establishing your Donor Advise Fund with your Community Foundation, you can lessen your tax burden, and have more money the giveaway to support your favorite charities and causes.
     I have now been with Truman Heartland Community Foundation for 13 years. We have seen many changes over those years, but one thing that we can always count on is the generosity of our fundholders and their commitment to making an impact in our community. 

by Michael Smith
 
​
     Grain Valley senior Grace Slaughter didn’t even know about it when it happened.
     Early in the fourth period, she was fouled on a layup that went in and she went to the free-throw line for an and-one attempt.
     She missed the free throw but got her own rebound and made a putback layup. Head coach Randy Draper called a timeout and the Eagles cheerleaders displayed a banner with the number 2,500 on it.
     The senior accomplished the incredible feat of scoring her 2,500th point during a 81-47 rout of William Chrisman in the regular-season finale at home.
     “I remember getting 2,000 awhile back,” Slaughter said. “It was super neat. I was surprised Draper left (the starters) in. He usually lets some other girls get some minutes and get a feel for the game.”
     “I didn’t know about it. Once the girls started celebrating I was thinking, ‘What’s going on?’”
     Her teammate, sophomore Camryn Kelly, didn’t know Slaughter was close to the milestone before the game either.
     “I think we had heard rumors about it, but we didn’t know until she was four points away, so it was exciting,” Kelly said.
     Added Draper: “We didn’t discuss it with the team before the game because we just have to play. Grace scores a lot when we just play (like normal). I was really happy with our offense.”
     Grain Valley, now on an 11-game winning streak, used a full court press to fluster Chrisman. It scored 10 points on the fast break and forced eight turnovers to jump out to a 34-10 lead at the end of the first period.
     Slaughter scored 12 points in the quarter and throughout the game scored points on layups using both her left and right hand.
     “I really enjoy going up on the left side,” Slaughter said. “I guess you can say I am ambidextrous. I write with my left hand but I shoot threes with my right.
     “I broke my right collarbone in sixth grade. I had six weeks of just shooting with my left hand, so I was able to work on that for a while.”
     The Eagles (21-4) went to a halfcourt defense the rest of the way and extended the lead to 49-23 going into halftime and cruised into the fourth period with a 70-39 lead. While Slaughter exploded for a big game, she got some help from her teammates.
     Sophomore guard Camryn Kelly had one of her best games of the season as she was in double figures with 10 points, which included a pair of 3-pointers off the bench.
     “The past couple of games, I haven’t shot the best,” Kelly said. “When important players like Annabelle (Totta) and Finley (LaForge) aren’t scoring, it’s important for me to score. It’s a secret weapon that we have so many people that can shoot.”
     Totta chipped in with nine points and Meghan Knust brought energy off the bench with five points and five steals.
     “She is so scrapy,” Slaughter said of Knust. “She is the sixth man on the bench and brings a burst of energy. She’s a great all-around player.”
     The Eagles now head into the Class 6 District 7 Tournament as the No. 2 seed and they will take on Fort Osage on March 2. They may have the toughest district in the state as three teams aside from the No. 5-ranked Eagles are ranked in the top 10 of the Missouri High School Basketball Coaches Association poll, including Columbia Rock Bridge, Columbia Battle and Columbia Hickman.
     “All those teams are really good, but so are we,” Draper said. “It will be great. We have eight days, It wasn’t that long ago when we had 10 days off and we haven’t been beat since. So we’ll take the eight days and use them wisely.”

     Before the season started, first-year head coach Donald Horner and his team set a goal to earn a team trophy at the Missouri State High School Wrestling Championships in 2023.
     To do that, the Eagles will have to finish in the top four as a team to take home a plaque for the first time since 2017.
     They will have a chance to do that next Saturday after qualifying seven wrestlers for state during the Class 4 District 4 Tournament Saturday at Liberty North High School.
     Dru Azcona (132), Tanner Barker (165), Justin Deweese (157), Gavin Parks (120), Zac Bleess (113), Brock Smith (126) and Tyler Groves (144) will all represent Grain Valley at the state tournament.
     Barker and Azcona, who were the Eagles state medalists in 2022, led the way with first-place finishes on Saturday. Azcona pinned his first three opponents to earn a matchup with Oak Park senior Jamiseon Tunstill in the finals in which he earned a 5-0 decision.
     The Grain Valley senior faced Tunstill earlier in the season in the finals of the Suburban Conference Championships, which resulted in a 4-3 victory.
     “It feels good, but the job is not done,” said Azcona, who improved to 27-1. “I got to go to state and win some more matches.”
     “It’s a battle when you wrestle the same guy over and over again. We start to learn each other's moves. It’s about getting your mind right beforehand and finishing the job.”
     Barker will try to finish the job at state, as well, as he will go into the tournament with a 33-2 record.  He faced one of the top wrestlers in his bracket, Staley sophomore Merrick Murray and used a pair of takedowns for a 5-3 decision.
     “My feet were in motion for most of the match and I was able to use my fakes to get some takedowns,” Barker said. “It feels good to get a No. 1 seed. It makes my chance better at state.”
     Parks, a junior, will make his first state appearance since his freshman season. Last year, Parks couldn’t compete at districts because of a concussion. He was able to make it back to Columbia after taking third place.
     He fell to defending state champion Hunter Taylor of Liberty in the semifinals but rebounded with a pin of Blue Springs sophomore Travis Birkenmaier and a 5-1 win against Liberty North senior Michael Domino.
     “I feel like we have the toughest district in the state,” Parks said. “To be able to punch my ticket to state here is a really good deal. There’s a lot of great wrestlers in my bracket like Hunter Taylor, Miller Sipes and Michael Domino, they are all dogs.”
     “They are all really good. It felt amazing (to qualify).”
     It felt that way for Groves, too, who had to overcome a pair of deficits to take third place and qualify for his first state appearance. He lost to Oak Park senior Kaleb Peterson 11-7 in the semifinals but rebounded for a 11-9 decision in the bubble match vs. Shad Hassan of Park Hill and a pin of Fort Osage’s Grayson Moore in the third-place bout.
     Groves had a pin reversed by the match official and had to continue his back-and-forth affair with Hassan. He trailed for much of the match but used a near fall and escape in the third period to send the match into overtime where he got a takedown for the win.
     In his match with Moore, he trailed 7-3 before he was able to work a pin in 3:48.
     “In my third-place match, I got him in a Turk, which was pretty good,” Groves said. “I got a leg in there and was able to turn him and get some back points and get the pin. My high C to a double worked out really well. That’s what I specialized in.”
     Smith took fourth after getting a 6-1 victory in the consolation semifinals against Truman’s Ian Chapin. He fell in the third-place match 1-0 against Liberty North junior James Lovelady.
     Deweese was third following a 5-2 victory against Park Hill’s Will Tetu in the bubble match and a pin of Liberty North senior Alex Craig in the third place bout.
     Bleess took second after defeating Fort Osage freshman Antonio Martinez 7-1 in the semifinals and falling to Liberty sophomore Devon Harrison 11-3 in the finals.

"Remember, there's no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end." - Scott Adams

by Cory Unrein, Grain Valley News Co-Owner/Publisher

     This week is National Random Acts of Kindness Week, and in the weeks l​eading up to this celebration, we were planning stories and promotions to highlight kindness in Grain Valley. Last week, a message from our website's contact page would unknowingly create the feature for this week's focus on kindness. 
     Brent Fligg sent us a message, stating that he was looking for a woman who had one of our Sustaining Member stickers on the back of her car. 
     "I met a lady the day before Thanksgiving at Temp Stop. She had one of your stickers on her back window. She bought me a lottery ticket and told me 'she wanted me to win big'. I need your help in finding this lady! Give me a call and I will tell you the rest of the story."
     As I read the message to a fellow writer, our imaginations led immediately to a large jackpot. As it turned out, there was no jackpot - not in the traditional sense.
     The next morning, I connected with Fligg by phone. Fligg shared that the day before Thanksgiving, he made his usual stop at Temp Stop in Grain Valley to pick up a drink and chat with staff. As he entered the store, he opened the door for a woman, told her "good morning", and they exchanged a few pleasantries. She went one way to get a drink, he went another to get his drink, and she ended up at the counter first.
     As she headed out, the woman he had held the door for and greeted stopped for another chat. Fligg said she mentioned that she had just received a cancer diagnosis and Fligg was the first person she'd talked to since and she appreciated his kindness. She handed him a lottery ticket, and told him she "wanted him to win big". They exchanged a hug, and she left.
     As Fligg paid for his drink, he grabbed a coin and scratched off the lottery ticket, which revealed he had won a free ticket. Fligg headed quickly out to the parking lot to see if he could catch the woman, but she had already left. Fligg has held the free ticket in his wallet since, and has been on a search for the mystery woman for months.
     "I can't tell you why, but I needed to check in and make sure she was ok."
     I let him know I would reach out to our Sustaining Members and see if the person in question could be identified. Not long after I sent an email to our members, Pamela Lindsay replied that she was the women Fligg had encountered last November and she would love to see him again. A bit of scheduling back and forth, and the three of us had a date for Saturday morning at Temp Stop. 
     The night before Fligg and Lindsay met up again at Temp Stop, Lindsay sent me an email.
​     "I have never told anyone what I do for fellow human beings.  Seeing them smile is what makes me happy. A simple one dollar lottery ticket could make a difference in their lives but not just monetary. It is always my hope that it lets them know someone truly cares about them.  So many times, a stranger's smile, with or without conversation, cheers me up more than they could ever imagine. I firmly believe good deeds from the heart should be kept within.  Brent looking for me after all this time is truly one of the sweetest things that has ever happened to me. It was not an easy decision to meet, but I'm fine with it because I want to make sure Brent is ok and thank him personally for his concern for me."
     The next morning, I headed to Temp Stop to meet Fligg and Lindsay. A few minutes early, I grabbed a drink and spotted two folks chatting quietly at a booth, and I knew in an instant they were Fligg and Lindsay. They were already deep in conversation, but indulged my picture taking and questions. 
     I won't recount much of the conversation, but I will tell you about the lottery ticket. Fligg pulled the ticket from his wallet, told Lindsay about his search to find her, and said he wanted to cash it in for another ticket to scratch with her. He explained to Lindsay that the ticket in his wallet had brought him more good luck than he could have ever imagined.
     "Well, you have to keep it," Lindsay exclaimed. "You keep it in your wallet, or pass it on." 
     Fligg obliged, and put the ticket back in his wallet as a reminder of a kind gesture.
    The pair continued their conversation and reveled in their common connections around town. I know when I'm a third wheel, so I left them to continue catching up and went about my day, grateful for the opportunity to be a part of a community in which kindness is the norm, rather than the exception. 
     This week, we are proud to highlight the stories of those who brighten our community through their acts of kindness. Be sure to check out our Kindness Award honorees and follow us on social media to read some of the other nominations that we received. 

     As a part of our celebration of National Random Acts of Kindness Week, Grain Valley News partnered with Scout Coffee to solicit your nominations of individuals who deserve a shout-out for their kindness. We selected four individuals to highlight, and each will receive a $25 gift card to Scout Coffee as our thank you for being beacons of kindness. 
     We received many nominations, and we will highlight additional folks throughout the rest of the week. But, without further ado, we share the four individuals who help exemplify what it means to be kind.

Carl Condra
nominated by Tisha Homfeld and Jerry Vaughan
     Tisha Homfeld shared in her nomination, "He is an active community member and has a heart of gold. I first meet Carl when my husband and I stopped by his house to see if he might be interested in selling some of his acreage. When he answered the door, I knew he was one of a kind. He smiled after I asked him and said nope it's all going to the kids. Then I asked him if he knew anyone that might be willing to sell just 3 acres as we were personally looking to build us a new home. After talking on his porch for some time he said come in and I will get you a number of a friend. It was like going back in time. He still had a home phone hooked to the wall and the address book on the little table under the phone. When I looked around, he had an old black and white TV in the kitchen with the TV show MASH on. That's when I just fell for Carl. He reminded me of my grandpa. One I barely remember since he had passed when I was a little girl. He is one you could just sit on the porch and listen to old stories all day. Fast forward a couple years and I meet a young lady that is wanting to buy a home. When I show her the first one her grandpa comes with her. It's Carl. His granddaughter was buying her first home and I was her Realtor. Since then, my husband and I ended up finding some land. We hadn't bought a tractor to mow it yet and Carl finds out where it is and loads up his tractor and goes to mow it for us. Refuses to take any money or be compensated. He is honestly a very sweet person with a kind heart. He still asked if we need anything for the land or if we need to borrow any farm equipment to this day. He is one of a kind."

Jerry Vaughan shared his thoughts on Carl in his nomination.
     "Carl is a longtime member of the Grain Valley Assistance Council board. He picks up the food donations from the various GVAC food barrels, and is the keeper of the aluminum can recycling bin located at Old Town Marketplace for the GVAC. And he has been doing all this and more for decades! Carl is one of those people who helps make Grain Valley a great place to live!"


Nancy Craddock
nominated by Lydia Wolfe
     "Nancy exudes kindness. She has worked in the SPED (special education) department at Grain Valley for years, and has helped so many kids succeed. When she isn’t at work, she’s usually either helping out her elderly mother, or helping watch the grandkids. She deserves this award!"



Jeff and Grace Flowers
nominated by Dustin Downing
     "Jeff and Grace have won the lights contest several years running, their willingness to share the joy of Christmas in ever growing radiance is amazing. They always have a smile and a wave for their neighbors and have even called when our AC unit was frozen over or when we've left our garage door open. People like Jeff and Grace are what truly make our town such a joy to live in!"



Ken Tuttle, ACO
nominated by Sherri Rusch
     "As a new person in the community and a dog lover, I noticed the many positive comments about Ken Tuttle, Grain Valley's ACO (animal control officer) on social media. Everyone who encounters him always speaks highly of him. I met him in person one day when a large stray wandered into my yard. Ken responded promptly and meeting the dog, immediately knew the dog's owner. As soon as Ken had the dog loaded, he was on his way to reunite the dog with its owners. Ken is very deserving. Thank you for helping us honor others!"

     Thank you, Grain Valley, for sharing your nominations, and thank you to Scout Coffee for partnering with​ us in this effort!