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by Cole Arndorfer The Grain Valley Board of Aldermen met on Monday, February 26, for their second meeting in the month of February. This meeting included a presentation from Grain Valley Schools Superintendent, Dr. Brad Welle, over the district’s tax levy ballot measure, one new resolution, and two ordinances. Welle said that the district is asking for a 25-cent increase to the overall tax levy in order to improve pay for teachers and staff, as well as positions such as a new school resource officer and paraprofessionals. Welle explained that in the ballot language, voters will see that they are voting on whether or not to increase the districts’ operating levy by 65-cents. He said that the district is in a position currently where it can decrease its debt service levy by 40-cents in order to get to that 25-cent total increase. One of the main reasons, Welle explained, the district is asking for this levy increase is due to a drop in applicant numbers. He said that applicants for teaching positions across all subjects are half of where they were just four years ago. The impact of this new levy on a household with a home worth $250,000 would be about $119 per year. Even with this increase, Welle said that Grain Valley would still have one of the three lowest school tax levy rates in Jackson County. After Dr. Welle’s presentation, the board moved onto resolutions. This resolution allows the city to engage with Crawford, Murphy and Tilly Inc. to design intersection improvements at Eagles Parkway and Kirby Road. Some improvements would include adding turn lanes at the intersection and new trail/sidewalk construction. This resolution was approved. Next, the board moved to ordinances. The first bill was the second reading of a bill to amend city code in order to update the Board of Aldermen meeting procedures. Alderman Arnold noted a provision in the bill that would automatically cancel meetings that fall on observed holidays and made a motion to postpone any action on the bill until the board gets more information regarding how many meetings this would affect and the protocol regarding that. Alderman Arnold’s motion was approved and action on this bill was postponed until the next meeting. The second and final bill discussed was the first read of a bill that would amend the city code in order to include vehicles without ignition interlock devices in the city’s alcohol-related traffic offenses. Chief Turner said that the state recognizes this practice and other local agencies already participate in it as well, this would be mirroring their practices. The board passed the first read and it will be brought back for its second read at the next meeting. The board then moved into city staff reports. First, Parks and Recreation Director Shannon Davies, gave an update on construction at Armstrong Park. The work on the all-inclusive playground has started and is ongoing. The new playground will be named “Kiki’s Playground” in memory of Christina “Kiki” Claphan, who worked for the parks department for over ten years and Grain Valley Schools for nearly ten years before passing away unexpectedly in February of 2020. The next Board of Aldermen meeting will be held at 7:00pm on March 11 in City Hall.  by Cole Arndorfer The Board of Education met on Thursday, February 22nd for its February business meeting. The board recognized three groups, took action on two items of new business and heard two more, and discussed an update to board policies. First, the board recognized the Sni-A-Bar STEM club. This club received third place in the Burns & McDonnell STEM Battle of the Brains competition and was awarded a $20,000 grant to be used on STEM materials. Next, the board honored four present members of the MMEA All-State Children’s Honor Choir that was held on January 24. For their final recognition, the board honored two present members of the High School All-State Band. After the three group recognitions, Grain Valley South Middle School principal, Jim Myers, along with staff and students, took time to recognize the school board ahead of School Board Recognition Month in March. Eighth grade students passed out origami eagles, thank you notes, cookies, showed off a thank you painting made in an art class, as well as a thank you video put together by students and staff. Following the recognitions, Superintendent Dr. Brad Welle gave his monthly report. Welle first talked about the tax levy campaign by the district. The district has put information regarding the ballot measure, as well as frequently asked questions on their website as well as on YouTube. Welle also said that construction is still on track at the high school. The new weight room is still on track to be ready by April, with the rest of the construction slated to be completed by the first day of school next fall. Next, the board moved into new business. The first item under this was amendments to the 2023-24 budget. Dr. Welle said these amendments account for different grants that the district received that affect its income and expenditures. This item was passed. The next item of new business was the approval of three new certified full-time positions for next school year. While this is a bit earlier than normal, Welle said that the reason to bring these positions up now is to gain a competitive edge on other school districts in the hiring process. This item was also passed. Following the approval of three certified full-time positions, the board discussed next school year’s pay schedules. Assistant Superintendent Dr. Nick Gooch said that the new pay schedules drafted are based on if the levy passes and they would ensure that each district employee will receive a raise. For the final item of new business, the board discussed the board scholarship for the year. Dr. Julie Taylor, Eddie Saffell, and Sarah Swartz volunteered to review the record 48 student applications. Next, the board moved onto board policies where they discussed updates to a set of policies. Many of the updates are related to new laws regarding marijuana set forth by the state. Welle explained updates ensure the language of the policies make clear that just because marijuana is legal, it is not okay for students or faculty to come to school under the influence. The only other update would be changing language in student discipline policies to include the use of A.I. under academic dishonesty. The board then adjourned into executive session. The next school board meeting will be held at 6:00pm on March 14th in the Leadership Center.  Good People Café is a new 501c3 non-profit café in Grain Valley focusing on providing equal employment opportunities for individuals in the disability community.
The Café is hiring individuals looking to make a positive difference while having fun and working in a fast-paced environment all while learning new skills. “Our café believes that everyone should be given a fair opportunity when it comes to learning new skills and the ability to make money regardless of our differences,” Pastor Michael Cassidy, Founder of Good People Café said. “We are pleased to now offer this opportunity to people in Grain Valley who may have been overlooked while trying to find a job elsewhere, and we look forward to this community helping us support this initiative.” Even though the café is not open to the public, applications can be picked up and dropped off at the Café Monday-Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM or Saturday from 11-3 PM. The Café will foster an inclusive environment where all individuals always feel welcome. Located at 101 SW Eagles Parkway, Grain Valley, MO. The Café is expected to open for business by the end of March. Central Jackson County Fire Protection District (CJCFPD) will host a safe sitter babysitting class for students interested in babysitting on March 20th from 9:00am - 4:00pm at the Fire/EMS Training Center, 4715 S US 40 Hwy, Blue Springs. Students will learn life and safety skills for staying home alone or while babysitting. The cost of the class is $75, which includes a student textbook and course completion certificate. All students will receive instruction in American Heart Association Heartsaver CPR/First Aid and have the option to purchase a CPR certification card for an additional $20. Call 816-229-9118 or email [email protected] to register.  The Grain Valley Chamber of Commerce celebrated the honorees selected for the 2024 Heart of Grain Valley Awards during a dinner at the Grain Valley Community Center on Saturday, February 24th. Eighteen nominees in six categories were celebrated, and the following honorees were announced: Businessperson of the Year: Jason Fenstermaker, Iron Kettle Brewing Business of the Year: Grain Valley Chiropractic Emerging Business of the Year: Baking with a Bass Nonprofit/Community Group of the Year: Faith United Methodist Church Volunteer of the Year: Marcia Napier Unsung Hero of the Year: Theresa Osenbaugh A recap of each of the nominees can be found at: https://youtu.be/9myTMXxuPGg For more information on the Grain Valley Chamber of Commerce, visit www.growgrainvalley.org.  Missouri nonfarm payroll employment decreased by 800 jobs in January 2024, and the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained unchanged from December at 3.3 percent. Private industry employment decreased by 300 jobs and government employment decreased by 500 jobs. Over the year, there was an increase of 42,100 jobs from January 2023 to January 2024, and the unemployment rate increased by half of a percentage point, from 2.8 percent in January 2023 to 3.3 percent in January 2024. ANNUAL REVISIONS FOR 2023 DATA With the release of January 2024 data, previously released employment and unemployment estimates for Missouri statewide and sub-state areas from both Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) and Current Employment Statistics (CES) programs have been revised through the annual revision and benchmarking process. Revised estimates reflect additional data and estimation methods developed over the year, including new population controls from the Census Bureau, updated input data, and reestimation. The revision process resulted in Missouri’s seasonally adjusted unemployment in 2023 being adjusted upwards for every month except December. December’s revised unemployment went down by 1,000 people. Missouri’s unemployment increased over the year by between 502 to 11,634 people per month. During 2023, Missouri’s total unemployment increased from a revised 86,079 people in January 2023 to 100,920 people in December. The unemployment rate in 2023 increased for most months of the year by 0.1 to 0.4 percentage points. December’s revised unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.3 percent. During 2023, Missouri's unemployment rate increased from a revised 2.8 percent in January 2023 to 3.3 percent in December. Missouri’s unemployment rate was below the national rate for the year. Revised data for 2023 show that seasonally adjusted total nonfarm payroll employment averaged lower than reported in the original release for every month. On net from January 2023 to December 2023, Missouri gained over 2,000 fewer jobs than reported in the original estimates. Revised estimates reported fewer job gains over the year primarily due to the revised May, June, July, and August being lower than the original estimates by 13,100 jobs, 17,700 jobs, 19,200 jobs, and 15,200 jobs, respectively. The original estimates for October, November, and December were within 5,000 jobs of the final estimates. UNEMPLOYMENT Missouri's smoothed seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained unchanged in January 2024 at 3.3 percent from the revised December 2023 rate. The January 2024 rate was half of a percentage point higher than the January 2023 rate of 2.8 percent. The estimated number of unemployed Missourians was 101,652 in January 2024, up by 732 from the revised December total of 100,920. The state's not-seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate increased in January 2024 by nine-tenths of a percentage point to 3.8 percent, compared to the December 2023 not-seasonally-adjusted rate of 2.9 percent. A year ago, the not-seasonally-adjusted rate was 3.2 percent. The corresponding not-seasonally-adjusted national rate for January 2024 was 4.1 percent. Missouri's labor force participation rate was 63.1 percent in January 2024, six-tenths of a percentage point higher than the national rate of 62.5 percent. Missouri's employment-population ratio was 61 percent in January 2024, eight-tenths of a percentage point higher than the national rate of 60.2 percent. Missouri's unemployment rate was 3.3 percent in January 2024, four-tenths of a percentage point lower than the national rate of 3.7 percent. Missouri's unemployment rate has been at or below the national rate for more than eight years. EMPLOYMENT Missouri's nonfarm payroll employment was 2,999,800 in January 2024, down by 800 from the revised December 2023 figure. The December 2023 total was revised downward by 4,500 jobs from the preliminary estimate. Goods-producing industries decreased by 2,600 jobs over the month, with mining, logging, and construction gaining 100 jobs. Private service-providing industries increased by 2,300 jobs between December 2023 and January 2024. Employment in private service-providing industries increased in professional and business services (4,300 jobs), financial activities (1,400 jobs), leisure and hospitality (900 jobs), and information (100 jobs). Employment decreased in trade, transportation, and utilities (-3,400 jobs); other services (-600 jobs); and private education and health services (-400 jobs). Total government employment decreased by 500 jobs over the month, with a decrease in local government (-700 jobs) and small increases in federal (100 jobs) and state (100 jobs) government. Over the year, total payroll employment increased by 42,100 jobs from January 2023 to January 2024. The largest gain was in private education and health services (16,600 jobs); followed by leisure and hospitality (14,100 jobs); financial activities (5,500 jobs); trade, transportation, and utilities (4,400 jobs); mining, logging, and construction (2,400 jobs); other services (300 jobs); and information (200 jobs). Employment decreased in professional and business services (-5,400 jobs) and manufacturing (-3,300 jobs). Government employment increased by 7,300 jobs over the year, with increases in state (3,600 jobs), local (2,400 jobs), and federal government (1,300 jobs).  by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society You know what people say about hindsight. Looking back, I certainly wish we had some old calendars from previous Leap Years. Throughout history, various events have occurred on February 29, the actual day marking leap year. For example, George Armstrong Custer fought the Battle of the Little Bighorn (1876), the Titanic sank (1912), Benjamin Franklin proved that lightning is electricity (1752), and gold was discovered in California (1848). By inserting ("intercalculating") an additional day, a leap day, or month, a leap month, into some years, the drift between a civilization's dating system and the physical properties of the solar system can be corrected. We do have a 2024 Leap Year Calendar and the historic photographs for the year featuring Downtown Grain Valley. The February photo was given to the Historical Society by Alan Lefko and Mr. Lefko told me it was given to him by someone who noted it was the year he was born! (I hope he doesn’t mind that his age has been revealed.)  Downtown Grain Valley, circa 1933 The photographer was probably standing on the east side of Main Street a block south of the railroad. It is difficult to determine what was in each of the buildings. In the foreground on the left we can see what must have been an auto repair shop. At least we can be sure they sold Goodyear tires. Across the tracks we clearly see the Bank of Grain Valley which still had a corner entrance. Beyond the bank was Storm’s Pharmacy and in the distance the Sni-A-Bar Bank building and the Christian Church. On the right side of the of the photograph is the old lumber yard. It is impossible to see the remaining buildings which would have been Loring Hardware, a hotel, the Ryan Building, and the grocery store which was owned by Edward and Otis Williams in the early 1930s. While there are few cars parked along the street, this shows our peaceful little town during The Great Depression (1929-1939) and just prior to World War II. It certainly makes one wonder how many families were still using horses or walking? Electricity was not in every home, certainly not water, and just out of view on the right there was an icehouse. Many homes got 25# blocks for their ice box. My grandfather would tell you that refrigerators were a luxury in most Grain Valley homes in the 1930s! If you have a leap year calendar you are will to part with, please bring it to the Historical Society Museum. It is open on Wednesdays from 10 AM – 3 PM.  The following information is derived from Grain Valley Police Department daily calls service log for the week of February 21-27, 2024. February 21, 2024 100 Blk SW Rock Creek Ln Follow up from DWI Main/40 Motor Vehicle Accident Duncan/Dillingham Area Check 1000 Blk Pamela Alarm Jefferson Well Check 3000 Blk Outer Belt Disturbance 70/Main Motor assist 100 Blk NE McQuery Alarm 100 Blk SW Cross Creek Animal Complaint February 22, 2024 1000 Blk Hilltop Harassment 1000 Blk Eagle Ridge Disturbance PHQ Agency Assist 700 BLK SWMisty Glenn Ct Verbal Disturbance PHQ Citizen Contact 400 Blk NW Whitney Open Door February 23, 2024 PHQ Citizen Contact 1000 Blk Persimmon Well Check Jefferson/Buckner Tarsney Rd Agency Assist 300 Blk Old 40 Hwy Citizen Contact 1000 Blk Eagles Fraud 300 Blk Yennie St Agency Assist 900 Blk NW Barr Rd Citizen Assist 600 Blk NW Yennie Ave Animal Complaint 900 Blk NW Barr Rd Missing Juvenile Buckner Tarsney Rd/ Duncan Rd Agency Assist PHQ Citizen Contact 800 Blk San Kar Physical Disturbance February 24, 2024 200 Blk Eagles Pkwy Follow up missing Juvenile 100 Blk Sunny Ln Citizen Contact 700 Blk Cross Creek Peace Disturbance SW Eagles Pkwy/Sni-a-bar Blvd Motor Vehicle Accident 1000 Blk NW Scenic Dr Citizen Contact 1000 Blk NE Mcquerry rd Out of control Juvenile 1000 Blk Stonebrook Ln Agency Assist 1000 Blk NW Nicholas Dr Citizen Contact February 25, 2024 2000 Blk Hedgewood Dr Alarm 600 Blk Capelle St Stand by 1000 Blk Jaclyn Disturbance PHQ Citizen Contact 600 Blk Capelle St Citizen Assist 100 Blk Sunny Ln Citizen Assist 1000 Blk NW Persimmon Dr Agency Assist PHQ Citizen Contact PHQ Confirmed stolen auto Buckner Tarsney/South city limits Rolling Disturbance February 26, 2024 700 Blk Lakeview Missing Juvenille Barr/RD Mize Citizen Contact 1000 Blk Crestwood Residence check Main St Courtesy ride PHQ Citizen Contact 100 Blk S Buckner Tarsney Area Check 100 Blk EPW Citizen Contact February 27, 2024 RD Mize/Barr Follow-up Additional calls for service: Suicidal Subject: 1 Domestic Violence: 1 Order of Protection: 1  Missouri House and Senate OK two plans making it harder for voters to amend the state constitution2/29/2024
Missouri House and Senate OK two plans making it harder for voters to amend the state constitutionThe Republican-controlled Missouri House and Senate advanced two different proposals Thursday that would make it harder for voters to change the state constitution using a constitutional amendment. The Senate passed a bill on a party-line vote that would dramaticallycrank up the difficulty of passing a constitutional amendment proposed by voters using an initiative petition process. The resolution would require a statewide majority — that’s already the rule — but also require majority support from five of Missouri’s eight congressional districts. That bill now awaits action from the House. Meanwhile, the House passed a bill backed by Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft that would add restrictions onto the signature gathering process for initiative petitions. That bill is now in the Senate for consideration. Both moves come as the effort to place a constitutional amendment allowing abortions in Missouri ramps up. Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, the group spearheading the effort, says it’s raised more than $3 million since launching the campaign. At least 13 states could vote on constitutional amendments regarding abortion in 2024. Ohio saw a similar effort unfold last year: Lawmakers there placed a question on an August 2023 ballot that asked voters to raise the voting threshold required for a constitutional amendment. Voters rejected that proposal and went on to pass a constitutional amendment enshrining the right to an abortion in the state’s constitution. Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose said that the effort to raise the threshold was “100% about … abortion,” though he later walked his statement back and said the effort was about any effort looking to amend the Ohio Constitution. Senate backs tougher standard for passing constitutional amendmentsMissouri has two ways to amend its state constitution. Legislators can propose a change subject to a statewide vote. Or voters can collect signatures to put a change up for a statewide vote. On Thursday, senators passed a resolution that would require more voter support for constitutional amendments. The approval came after an overnight filibuster from Senate Democrats. They were blocking a vote on a version of the bill that coupled popular ideas with the effort to raise the amount of voter support needed to pass an amendment, known as “ballot candy.” The resolution, sponsored by Republican Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman of Jefferson County, who recently announced a bid for Missouri’s 3rd Congressional District, originally included language that would bar non-Missouri residents or U.S. citizens from voting on constitutional amendments, something that is already illegal under Missouri law. It would have also prohibited foreign governments from financially supporting initiative petition efforts and placed a ban on constitutional amendments allowing lobbyist gifts to lawmakers. 
“There absolutely is ballot candy in the substitute,” Coleman said on the floor. After the filibuster and debate, Lee’s Summit Republican Sen. Mike Cierpiot offered an amendment that removed the extra language from the resolution. “This amendment is taking out all the things that we’re calling ballot candy today and just going back to this straight underlying amendment,” he said. The amendment passed 18-12, with support from moderate Republicans. 
In a press conference Thursday, House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, a Springfield Democrat, predicted House Republicans will work to get the ballot-candy language added back into the resolution. “It’s also finally nice that they’re saying it out loud of what they’re trying to do,” she said. “To deceive voters and put language in there that they specifically call candy because they know its intent.” Missouri House passes its own measure to restrict processes on signature gathering for constitutional amendmentsThe House on Thursday finalized a measure that would place a number of restrictions on signature-gathering efforts for constitutional amendments. The proposal, sponsored by Pleasant Hill Republican Rep. Mike Haffner, would require the pages that voters sign to support a constitutional amendment to be issued by the secretary of state’s office. The bill would also require signatures to be recorded in black or dark ink. Signature gatherers would also be required to be residents of Missouri or physically present in Missouri for at least 30 consecutive days before collecting signatures. It would also ban paying people based on how many signatures they collect. Haffner’s bill would also give the secretary of state and attorney general power to assess whether initiative petition efforts comply with the Missouri Constitution. Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, a Republican running for governor, backs the measure. “These changes to statute will establish safeguards and enhance clarity and transparency in the process making it more efficient for Missourians,” Ashcroft said in a press release Thursday, adding that he will work closely with the General Assembly to finalize the bill. The Senate proposal is SJR 74. The House bill is HB 1749. This article first appeared on The Beacon and is republished here under a Creative Commons license. 
by Bill Graham, Missouri Department of Conservation Walk beside a river, lake, or pond on a warmer day in late winter and you can see turtles sunning themselves on a log. They’re anxious for spring. Learn all about these fascinating reptiles when the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) hosts a free Totally Turtles class from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 2, at the Burr Oak Woods Nature Center in Blue Springs. Join experts Cindy McManis and Crystal Parson, the Turtle Ladies, as they discuss the variety of land and aquatic turtles found in Missouri. They will give insights into the habitats, life cycles, survival skills, and specialized structures such as the protective shells. Participants will get a chance to see 10 different live turtles from the smallest ones to big ones like the eastern snapping turtle. This class is open to all ages. Registration is required. To register, visit http://short.mdc.mo.gov/47n. For information about MDC’s Burr Oak Woods Nature Center, visit https://mdc.mo.gov/burroakwoods.  (StatePoint) Most people have a foot or ankle problem at one time or another. So how do you know when to seek help? Many symptoms—even those you can tolerate—require the professional attention of a foot and ankle surgeon to keep the underlying condition from worsening. According to Danielle Butto, DPM, FACFAS, a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon and a Fellow Member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS), “It’s important to remember that foot health is an important part of your overall health. You need to take care of your feet, which includes going to the doctor when you have pain, sustain an injury or develop a condition needing professional evaluation and treatment.” Here are five examples of when you should make an appointment with your foot and ankle surgeon. 1. When you have diabetes: Living with diabetes means being more prone to a variety of conditions that affect the feet, including foot sores and ulcers. At the same time, diabetic nerve damage makes it harder to detect when there’s a problem. Regular visits to a foot and ankle surgeon should be part of your holistic diabetes treatment plan. The doctor can screen for the loss of protective sensations in the feet, as well as diagnose and treat any structural issues leading to ulcers and wounds. Swelling, temperature and color changes in the feet, and calluses, are all telltale signs an ulcer may be around the corner and warrant a trip to a foot and ankle surgeon. 2. When children experience pain: When it comes to pediatric foot problems, early intervention is key to long-term successful treatment. As a parent, you may find distinguishing between growing pains and injuries or deformities difficult. But foot and ankle surgeons stress that pain isn’t normal and if it lasts more than a few days or is severe enough to limit your child’s walking, it should be evaluated. Foot problems commonly experienced by children include flat feet, ingrown toenails, calcaneal apophysitis and plantar warts. 3. When you’re at risk for falling: Falls have become the leading cause of injury deaths among Americans 65 and older, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While the reasons falls occur are numerous, painful foot conditions are a contributing factor, as they make it difficult to maintain balance and coordination. Fortunately, many such conditions are treatable. See a foot and ankle surgeon to alleviate pain and reduce your risk of a life-changing fall. 4. When you can benefit from medical advances: A loss of cartilage once meant a loss of functionality. Today, joint reconstruction surgery with cartilage regeneration offers real hope for long-term functionality, nurturing the body’s own ability to heal itself—with a little boost from technology and a knowledgeable surgeon. Likewise, new surgical techniques for ankle arthritis, including arthroscopic ankle surgery, total ankle joint replacements and bone or cartilage replacement, are helping people stay active. Finally, platelet-rich plasma therapy can promote the healing of bones, cartilage, blood vessels, tendons and tissue for many patients, and is associated with easier recovery than traditional treatments. If you suffer from a foot and ankle ailment, ask your healthcare provider about game-changing medical advances. 5. When pain is sidelining you: It’s important for athletes and fitness enthusiasts to rest and recover rather than push through foot and ankle pain caused by an overuse injury. If the pain doesn’t improve in three to seven days however, it’s time to see a foot and ankle surgeon for evaluation and treatment. With the highest level of education, training and board certification, foot and ankle surgeons are the leaders in surgical and non-surgical foot and ankle care. For more information, or to find a foot and ankle surgeon near you, visit FootHealthFacts.org, the patient education website of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.  by Michael Smith COLUMBIA, Mo. -- It was an emotional ending to the stellar high school wrestling career for Grain Valley senior Sevreign Aumua. Once again, she was in the finals of the 140-pound weight division and faced off against Washington senior Annalise Obermark in the Class 2 Girls Missouri State High School Wrestling Championships Saturday at Mizzou Arena. Aumua was going through her third straight state championship had a little bit of a challenge on her hands. At one point, Aumua and Obermark were tied at 2-all in the first period after Obermark got a reversal in the first period. However, the Eagle senior took the lead for good when she got an escape with 7 seconds left in the first to go up 3-2. She then put it away in the second period after benefitting from a stalling call on Obermark for a point and a takedown to put herself up by four. In the third period, she rode out Obermark until the final 16 seconds in which her opponent got an escape. She hung on for the win and her third consecutive individual state championship. Grain Valley ended up in 10th place as a team with 53 points. After the match, Aumua formed the shape of a heart with both of her hands and held it up in the air as she faced the Grain Valley section of the crowd. “I just wanted to show that I love all my supporters and all of my past coaches,” Aumua said. “My family, my teammates, and my friends … I wanted to show my appreciation for them.” Back in the tunnel area of the arena, Aumua let the tears flow as she was speaking with head coach Donald Horner and senior Justin Deweese. It had just hit her that it was her final match as a Grain Valley Eagle and she ended her career on top. “It hit me at the end,” Aumua said. “It doesn’t feel real until it’s your last match. It’s hard to take in and hard to realize I won state. I think this year was the toughest one (to win).” Aumua said she plans on wrestling in college but does not know where yet. She’s has spoken with recruiters of some universities but is still weighing her options. “I plan on visiting more colleges to see which one fits me,” Aumua said. Her teammate, sophomore Jayden Moehle (235 pounds) made it to the finals of her bracket to face off against Northwest’s Abby Chandler. To get to that match, Moehle dominated by pinning her first three opponents in the first period, including previously unbeaten Clara Rathmann of Camdenton. Moehle matched up with Northwest senior Abby Chandler in the finals. Moehle went for a shot, which was stopped and defended. Chandler floated over the top of Moehle for a takedown and used a power half nelson to turn Moehle and get a pin in 1:34. After finishing fourth last season, Moehle was a runner-up. “Overall, I thought I had a pretty good tournament,” Moehle said. “I was happy with how I wrestled up until the finals match. I wish I would have been more patient with my shots.” With the graduation of Aumua following this season, Moehle said she hopes to be a part of the successful season for the 2024-25 Eagles. “I really want more girls to join this program,” Moehle said. “I am really going to miss Sevi and Keya (Butler) because they were my biggest supporters. I want a bigger team and I want to kick it up this summer.” Boys Grain Valley sophomore Zac Bleess (120) was close to making the finals of his bracket as he held a 4-1 lead over Parkway South freshman Camron Duffield. Bleess, however, was unable to get out from the bottom position in the second and third periods and Duffield made a comeback, with the sophomore Eagle falling 5-4. In the consolation bracket, Bleess fell to Ft. Zumwalt North junior Nathaniel Provost 4-2, but bounced back to beat Columbia Hickman freshman Hogan Benter 96 to take fifth place. “We are here to wrestle the best in the state, or what’s even the point?” Bleess said. “I am really glad to have that kind of competition. I think I am capable of more, but it is what it is. “My neutral, I was fine, but on top and bottom – the mat wrestling – I am not quite there yet, but that’s OK.” Senior Gavin Parks (126) finished his career with his second state medal of his career. He had to exit out of the fifth-place match with Jackson senior Landon Vassalli. He injured his should and had to be escorted to the tunnels with coaches and trainers after having to drop the match due to injury forfeit as he took sixth. Photo credit: Clara Jaques
by Michael Smith Grain Valley sophomore Jayden Moehle admitted she didn’t wrestler her best. She said she was nervous because of the big event feel at the Class 2 Missouri State High School Girls Wrestling Championship Friday at Mizzou Arena in Columbia. She didn’t appear to have any nerves in her matches as she pinned Eureka junior Addison Neumann in the first round and won by fall over Jefferson City freshman Samara Nyatanga in the quarterfinals of the 235-pound weight division to advance to Saturday’s semifinals. “I didn’t wrestle sloppy, but I didn’t wrestle like myself,” Moehle said. “I think all the lights in the atmosphere made it tough, but tomorrow I am going to kick it into gear.” In that match, she will take on undefeated Clara Rathmann of Camdenton. “I feel very good about getting to the finals,” Moehle said. “Anything can happen at any time.” Joining her in the semifinal will be Grain Valley senior Sevreign Aumua (140 pounds), who pinned Camden senior Lucinda Baker and Ritnour sophomore Julian Smith. Aumua will be looking for her third state championship Saturday and she will have to get past Belton junior Louise Juitt in the semifinals, an opponent she has already pinned twice this season. Aumua said she used to go through the same nerves as Moehle and lacked confidence at times, but that aspect as since improved as a senior. “I feel good with where I am at with my confidence,” Aumua said. “I just wrestle my match and listen to the coaches. My confidence has progressed over time and I feel good going into tomorrow.” Junior Adalia Del Real (155) and senior Keya Butler (145) were eliminated from the tournament. Boys Grain Valley sophomore Zac Bleess (120) will have a chance to win a state championship on Saturday as he is the lone member of the boys team to make it to the semifinals. He took an 11-4 decision over Ozark sophomore Logan Luder and edged Columbia Hickman freshman Hogan Benter 5-3 in the quarterfinals. Bleess nearly gave up a takedown late in the third period against Benter, but he used a savvy moved hung on to the thigh of his opponent and eventually forced a breakup and stalemate call from the official to preserve his two-point advantage. “All year, I have been focusing on knowing what the situation is and knowing what you need to do,” Bleess said. “Sometimes that just means you need to hang on. I would have loved to get more points obviously, but sometimes you just have to be aware of where you are. Bleess will take on Parkway South freshman Camron Duffield in the semifinals and he feels good going in. “I just need to stick with what I am good at and take advantage of my opportunities as I have them,” Bleess said. Grain Valley senior Gavin Parks (126) is still alive to earn a state medal as he went 2-1 on Friday. He nearly upset Lafayette Wildwood senior Dylan Roth in the first round as he held a 5-2 lead at one point. But Roth staged a comeback and won 6-5 to send Parks to the consolation bracket. From there, Parks won 10-1 over Ft. Zumwalt North freshman Carsten Burkemper and pinned Ozark junior Keaton Hurst to advance to the third round of wrestle backs. Parks will need to win one more match to be guaranteed a state medal. He will face Hickman sophomore Andrew Wisner in the bubble match. “Going into districts, I knew I was going to battling the toughest kids in the state,” Parks said. “It didn’t go how I wanted and I took fourth. I knew whoever the one-seed was, they were going to have trouble with me. I didn’t quite execute it, but I hope I get to see him in (the consolation) semifinals.” Seniors Justin Deweese (165) and Jace Worthington (175) and freshman Sjoeren Aumua (144) were eliminated from the tournament. Scenes from day 1 of the MSHSAA State Wrestling Championships. Photo credit: Clara Jaques
Downtown Grain Valley is hosting a bootcamp and vendor event, tailored for students in grades 6th to 12th, which will showcase handmade goods crafted by the next generation of entrepreneurs. The Youth Marketplace is a platform for youth to become makers, creators, and business enthusiasts. 6th-12th graders living within the Grain Valley School District are encouraged to craft, design, and sell their own creations on April 6th, 2024 in Downtown Grain Valley. Participants will be required to attend the Youthpreneur Bootcamp before becoming a vendor at the Youth Marketplace. Youthpreneur Bootcamp: Participants will gain hands-on experience in business development, marketing, and sales – valuable lessons that will serve them well in the future as well as the day of at the Youth Marketplace. This event will take place on March 11 from 6-9pm. Participants will be provided a pizza dinner and will be walked through the creation of a business plan, setting and creating a price list, ideas for booth appeal, product photography, product marketing and more. Youth Marketplace: This one-day vendor event is focused on youth makers. Participants will be given space to set up a booth and sell their products to the public. The Youth Marketplace will take place on April 6th from 10am-3pm. Set up can begin at 9am. Register online at Youth Marketplace Registration (zeffy.com).  by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society The oldest Municipal Tax Book at the Grain Valley Historical Society begins with the year 1920. At that time, the houses along the north side of Yennie Street, from Broadway (now Main Street) to Thieme were known as the Johnson’s Addition to Grain Valley. There were 17 lots. In 1920, Harvey A Johnson owned the West 40 feet of lot 12 and all of lots 13, 14, 15, and 16. John W. Stephenson owned lot 17. James H. Webb owned 10 feet of the East side of lot 12 and all of lot 11, the Hard Shell Baptist Church (Valley News, January 23, 2024).  The Stillion’s House The house above sits on Lot 16. While I cannot know for sure when this house was built, I can only guess that it may have been built before 1920. At the very least, I believe there was some type of structure there because the taxes on lot 16 were $6.70 while the taxes on lots 14 and 15 were 70-cents each. Lot 13 probably had a building as well because it was taxed at $5.50. In 1922 someone wrote across the ledger, in pencil, ”not In town.” I’m not sure why they paid taxes if they were “not in town.” As always, when I research town history I’m left with more questions than answers! In the tax records we are missing between 1927 and 1933 Mr. Johnson sold his land as follows: West 40 feet lot 12 and lot 13 to B. C. Raines; lot 14 and East ½ of lot 15 to Fannie Graham; West ½ of lot 15 and lot 16 to Mary Grace and Emma Hoehn and lot 17 to Frank Anderson. As a young girl living in Grain Valley, I remember the Thompson house; the old church. I remember Mrs. Raines home. She was a widow by then. Mrs. Raines gave piano lessons. The house on lot 14/15 had been sold to Woody and Naomi Graham. Finally, the house in the photograph. It was known as the Stillions’ house but actually it was the Hoehn’s Sisters Home (No relation to the Haynes Sisters in White Christmas! It just sounds the same.) Frank Stillions came to Grain Valley to teach at the high school. He later became the superintendent. In 1946, at the age of 50 he married Grace Hoehn, a teller at the Bank of Grain Valley. The “old maid” sisters had shared the home until Emma died. It was then that Grace, also 50 years old, married Mr. Stillions. They left Grain Valley so he could teach for a year at CMSU, I believe. That was the first time that Jean and Bill Evans lived in the house. The Stillions returned for a couple of years and it was then that the garage and family room were added at the rear. Eventually, they retired or downsized as we say today. The Evans family bought the home where they lived until 1964. That was the same year that I left for Mizzou, so I do not remember the families that have lived in the home over the past 60 years. When I drive past the house today I think of the great times I had there with my good friend, Stephanie Evans. That house has stories to tell! Stop by the Grain Valley Historical Society any Wednesdays from 10:00am - 3:00pm. I can tell you a few! |
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