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by John Unrein “Never mess with a streak,” Lady Eagles Assistant Basketball Coach Pete Carpino said when asked if it was consecutive games he had worn a sweater vest. In fact, the whole Grain Valley Lady Eagles Basketball Coaching Staff were clad in sweater vests during their 36-27 Class 4 Playoff win on March 10th against the Nevada Lady Tigers. The fashion trend started when the Eagles won the District Championship against the Center Yellowjackets the week prior. The first quarter got off to a slow start for both teams. Grain Valley came away empty from their first four offensive possessions before Head Coach Randy Draper called a timeout and encouraged his team to relax. Nevada was slow to score as well, due to Draper starting the game defensively in a 1-3-1 zone that stymied his opponent’s ability to swing the ball and shoot from behind the arc. Tough defense displayed by both teams allowed for meager scoring early in the game. Grain Valley managed just one basket and trailed by a score of 4-2 after the opening period. Nevada opened the second quarter attacking the bottom and baselines of Grain Valley’s 1-3-1 zone with success. Their momentum was halted with 5:31 left in the period when Freshman Grace Slaughter blocked a shot on the wing and went coast to coast for a layup. The basket gave the Eagles an 8-6 lead. Grain Valley would go into halftime ahead by the score of 14-10. Draper discussed his strategy and team’s effort. “Our zone is a little bit different in the rules we play it under. We were fearful the whole time. I will tell you I had my hand on the button to go man the whole night. They (Nevada) had three players that concerned us with how well they shoot the basketball,” Draper said. “We are able to cover so much ground with our zone due to the way that (Malia) Guttierrez, (Jordyn) Weems, and (Keely) Hill run. We needed to find out if playing our zone would limit their ability to shoot from behind the arc, and it held true for us.” Draper concluded, “Offensively, we were patient in moving the ball and making them guard us. Grace (Slaughter) is known for her ability to pass, shoot, and dribble the basketball. She can also play defense, and her length allows her to be disruptive. Her steal and block tonight gave us sparks when we needed them.” Grain Valley went on an 8-0 run during the first three minutes of the third quarter. Juniors Weems and Guttierrez each sunk three pointers during that span. They benefited from an adjustment made by Draper and his staff due to how Nevada was collapsing on Slaughter as she moved through the lane. The Eagles would set screens along the baseline and key to allow players to move across the lane and overload a side. This often left an open shooter on the wing or took defensive pressure off Slaughter in the middle to where she had a favorable matchup. Guttierrez also contributed in other ways. Her made free throw with 2:04 left in the game gave her team a 9 point lead. “It’s all about chemistry. I knew that if I didn’t make my free throws, my team would have my back. We went out and put it all on the line because every play matters. I’m proud of the energy we displayed,” Guttierrez said. Weems added, “I wanted to do my best for my team out there. Winning this game is our reward.” Slaughter was the Eagle’s leading scorer with 18 points, and had 2 rebounds, and 2 steals. Her biggest steal would come with 2:53 left in the fourth quarter. The result was a coast to coast transition basket by Slaughter that helped cement Grain Valley’s late lead. “Our defense is what kept us in the game. The two three pointers coming right out of the half were key moments in the game as well. The ball movement and patience we displayed helped us overcome nerves we were feeling,” Slaughter said. “All of this allowed us to have fun, which is what this game is about. I’ve never got to celebrate like that before. Jumping up and down was a natural reaction to having fun and playing with these girls.” The Lady Eagles record improves to 20-7 with their victory. Grain Valley will next face Lincoln College Prep at the Silverstein Eye Centers Arena at 6:00 pm on March 14th. Draper noted that the next venue his team plays in will have an impact. When asked if it would be worthwhile to measure the height of the basket and the length of the free throw stripe as was done in the movie Hoosiers, Draper was honest with his answer. “I don’t care what you measure, it’s going to affect us. It’s a big deal, we are about to play in a huge game. That’s awesome. I encouraged the team tonight before the game to not be so nervous that you can’t enjoy this opportunity. This is a game and games are meant to be fun. You want to soak this in and be glad you’re there,” Draper said. Don’t be surprised if you see the Lady Eagles coaching staff on the bench dressed in dapper sweater vests. Senior Savannah Scott fights for a loose ball. Photo credit: John Overstreet Junior Malia Guttierrez sinks a three point shot from the wing.
Photo credit: Valley News staff by John Unrein A custody battle broke out over the Show-Me Missouri shaped Class 4, District 14 Girls Basketball trophy after the Lady Eagles 58-39 victory over the Center Yellowjackets on March 6th. Seniors Keely Hill and Savannah Scott took turns removing the prize from one another’s arms before embracing it as the team celebrated the victory with family and friends at Oak Grove High School. The scene was jovial and well deserved as the Grain Valley Lady Eagles fought hard for their come from behind victory. Hill’s 8 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 blocks were just icing on the cake for someone who was most concerned about her team continuing to advance in the playoffs. “There were some nerves at the beginning. I didn’t want this to be my last game. I played my heart out, and it turned out well for us. We played the best we’ve played all year tonight,” Hill said. “Center is a very good rebounding team. Their post players are strong, and I felt it was my duty to influence shots and get as many rebounds as I could.” Freshman Grace Slaughter also used the court as a stage to turn in an impressive performance in helping her team to victory. Slaughter would collect 35 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal. Lady Eagles Head Basketball Coach Randy Draper shared a hug with Slaughter after the game as both smiled from ear to ear. “Tonight, was so much fun. We were all shaking before the game with nerves. That pushed us to want to win even more. At halftime, we were down by one point (22-21). We felt better than the score as a group,” Slaughter said. “The second half we came out on fire. We moved the basketball and made a couple of important three point baskets. This win is so enjoyable after a great night of basketball.” Grain Valley indeed did have a strong start to the second half. They went on an 8-3 run during the first four minutes of the third quarter that allowed them to capture a lead they would not relinquish. One of the key ingredients to the Eagles second half success was finding an answer to slow down Center Guard Lisa Thomas. The senior for the Yellowjackets was her team’s leading scorer with 25 points. Center’s scoring momentum was halted at the 7:30 mark of the fourth quarter by Eagles Guard Cameryn Bown who drew a charge against Thomas under the Center basket. Bown would go on to make three important plays across the next three minutes of the fourth quarter that would keep the Yellowjackets off the scoreboard. Bown followed her defensive stop against Thomas with an assist to Slaughter under the basket with six minutes left in the game that continued to stretch the Eagles lead. The 5’ 6” freshman would also force a jump ball and secure a rebound on a strong box out at the 3:00 minute mark of the fourth quarter prior to fouling out. Bown’s physical play was an inspiration to her teammates and head coach. “In the second half, we did what we do best. Our defense was great. Grace (Slaughter) is hard to guard. We thought too much in the first half and played hard instead in the second half,” Draper said. “Cameryn’s (Bown) effort was big for us tonight as well. We’ve been working with her in practice on how to handle to pressure and double teams. Our hope has been that her athletic ability would take over and the stress would go away for her.” Draper concluded, “Bown’s three pointer early in the game helped our scoring. That charge she took in the fourth quarter though was huge. The box out for the rebound was a physical effort as well.” Bown was pleased with her efforts and what they yielded in helping her team advance. “I knew we didn’t want this to be our last game and I wanted the seniors to keep playing. I wanted to give my best effort so this team could win,” Bown said. The District title win for the Eagles pushed their record to 19-7 for the season. The senior leadership of Hill and Scott combined with the youth on Grain Valley’s roster continue to be a recipe for success. The Grain Valley Lady Eagles Basketball team celebrates Class 4, District 14 Championship. Photo credit: John Overstreet Freshman Grace Slaughter drives to the basket. Photo credit: John Overstreet Freshman Cameryn Bown sinks a three point shot from beyond the arc.
Photo credit: Valley News staff The 2020 Census is getting underway and is ready for America to respond as the first invitations begin to arrive at the nation’s estimated 140 million households March 12-20. For the first time, nearly everyone will be invited to respond online, by phone or by mail. “Invitations are arriving in mailboxes across the country, and everyone will receive an invitation to respond through the mail or from a census worker soon,” Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham said. “We are encouraging everyone to respond once they receive their 2020 Census invitation.” A sample of the 2020 Census questionnaire is available on 2020census.gov along with more information about when most people will receive their invitations in the mail. The invitation mailings are addressed to “Resident” at the household address and do not include an individual’s name. In areas more likely to respond online, mailings contain information on how to respond online. Households in areas of the country that are less likely to respond via the internet will also receive a paper questionnaire in their first mailing, along with information on how to respond online. All nonresponding households will receive a paper questionnaire after two more reminder mailings. Along with the invitations, people can expect to find an overview of the census, a description of language assistance in English plus 12 non-English languages and a census ID number linked to their address. About 13 million households across the nation will receive bilingual English/Spanish invitations and questionnaires. For a small portion of the country, in areas where mail is generally not delivered to the physical location of residences (e.g., small towns with P.O. box-only delivery), census enumerators will visit households to either hand-deliver invitations and paper questionnaires or to conduct interviews with households to collect their census data. The 2020 Type of Enumeration Area Viewer, an interactive map application, shows how different geographic areas will be invited to respond to the 2020 Census and which areas will not receive an invitation. “Responding to the 2020 Census is easy, safe and important, and it’s key to shaping the future of your community,” Dillingham said. “The 2020 Census will determine the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives, and influences how hundreds of billions of dollars in public funds are allocated for critical public services like emergency response, schools, hospitals, roads and bridges over the next 10 years.” The Census Bureau has created an interactive response rates map at 2020census.gov/response-rates so America can keep track of how they’re doing. Beginning on March 20, the map will be updated daily to reflect current response rates from communities around the country. For comparison, the map also displays the final response rate from the 2010 Census. Invitations to complete the US Census will be mailed to households March 12-20th. For the first time, nearly everyone will be invited to respond online, by phone or by mail.
Photo credit: US Census Bureau The Missouri Department of Economic Development released its January Jobs Report, indicating that while the unemployment rate increased slightly, the rate remains at record lows.
Employment increased by 9,000 jobs in January while the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased slightly to 3.5 percent over the month. The unemployment rate had reached a record low of 3.0 percent starting in July 2018, before edging up a tenth of a point in November 2018 and again in December 2018. The rate had remained at 3.2 percent through April 2019 before decreasing by a tenth of a point in May 2019. It then began a slow increase, reaching 3.4 percent in October 2019, where it remained for the remainder of 2019. A new multi-year partnership was announced March 9th between Spectra, the providers of venue management to Silverstein Eye Centers Arena, and the City of Independence with Cable Dahmer Automotive Group, renaming the arena Cable Dahmer Arena.
The deal, approved by Independence Events Center Management Corporation, includes major exterior and interior signage and brand recognition in all advertising for the facility. New signage is expected to be in place by April 1st. The arena’s website domain as well as social media will change to reflect the arena’s new name on March 31st. “We, at Cable Dahmer, are honored to take on the sponsorship of Silverstein Eye Centers Arena. We look forward to sponsoring several community events and supporting the home of the beloved Mavericks and Comets,” Carlos Ledezma, Owner/CEO of Cable Dahmer Automotive Group said. by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society This is the first of many photographs which I will be sharing with you over the next several weeks. It was taken between 1910 and 1925. I have been unsuccessful in determining the exact date, but I will share what I do know. Any help you can provide in determining a more precise date would be appreciated.
First of all, note that you are looking north on Broadway Street from just south of the railroad tracks. Today, this is Main Street. The first building on the left is the Bank of Grain Valley which was established in 1905. When built, the door was on the corner. I wonder when that was changed? Beyond the vacant lot is a small white frame building located at or near where the Historical Society is today. I wonder when the current brick structure was built? Beyond the frame building, one can recognize the roof line of the Christian Church which was built in 1910 (destroyed by fire in 1978). And, in the far distance, with enlargement or a magnifying glass, one can recognize the roof line of the first brick school built in 1909 and destroyed by fire in 1925. I wonder what house is in between the church and school? On the right, nearest the railroad is Warren Webb Hardware, circa 1900, and the brick building behind it was originally a hotel, one of three in Grain Valley during the early 1900s. Both were destroyed by fire in 1959. Just to the north of the hotel is a building with an old telephone sign attached to the front of the building, just above the door. Yes, those are telephone poles. I have attempted to learn exactly when Grain Valley got telephones but have thus far been unsuccessful. I wonder when Grain Valley got electricity? So, I’m left with more questions than answers for this week’s photograph. Are those car tire tracks or buggy tracks on the muddy street? Was the photograph “staged,” or were there only four people in town. Finally, are you as curious as me? Who are those men? And where are the ladies? Learn more about the Grain Valley Historical Society at www.grainvalleyhistory.com. Follow Grain Valley Historical Society on Facebook (@grainvalleyhistory). The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved a conditional use permit for a medical marijuana cultivation facility during its March 11th meeting. The proposed site will encompass 6 acres zoned District M-1 (Light Industrial) located at the east end of South Outer Belt Road on the south side of Interstate 70 in Grain Valley. Missouri Made Marijuana, LLC, plans to build a medical marijuana cultivation facility which will include three separate buildings when completed. Phase 1 will include a 28,000 square foot facility capable of producing 600 pounds of medical marijuana per month. Phase 2 includes the construction of two additional buildings and additional parking. Applicant Randy Black was in attendance to answer Commission members’ questions, and indicated that demand from dispensaries would dictate how quickly the buildings planned in phase two would be needed. Commissioners had a number of questions for Black, his attorney, and engineer, including concerns about security and water usage. Steven Lucas, attorney for Missouri Made Marijuana, LLC, addressed concerns regarding the security of the facility. An 8 foot fence will surround the facility, which will bear discreet signage and be protected by cement ballasts. The facility will feature a network of 4-way video monitoring, door contacts, motion sensors to detect intrusion, and unauthorized access is prevented with biometric scanners and card readers to record entries and limit access to authorized persons. “I can assure you that this facility is going to be one of the most secure facilities ever approved by the City,” Lucas said. Black detailed his background for the Commission, stating he has been in the cultivation business over 6 years, following a career in real estate development and the casino industry. Black owns similar facilities in Nevada. The fully hydroponic facility will be staffed by approximately 15 employees per shift. The facility will run three shifts daily. “It’s really important for us as applicants to find a place where we fit, where we can be good neighbors, and also where we can be granted a license,” Black said. Dan Nelson, a Grain Valley resident and a pending dispensary owner in the Blue Springs area, stepped forward to voice his support for the facility. The proposal will move to the Board of Aldermen for approval, and the owner’s attorney indicated construction at the site would move quickly following approval. In other business, AvidAir International, a business that overhauls and repairs compressor case assemblies in aircraft helicopters, received approval for a request of zoning change from District C-2 (General Business) to District M-1 (Light Industrial) on a 3 acre tract of land located north of RD Mize Road near the Brass Armadillo Antique Mall. Rendering provided in the application illustrates the layout of the proposed cultivation facility. Image credit: City of Grain Valley
Truman Heartland Community Foundation (THCF) was recently awarded a $60,000 grant from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation in support of their new community initiative, Job Skills for New Careers.
A collaborative partnership with Community Services League, Herndon Career Center, Mid-Continent Public Library and University of Central Missouri (UCM), Job Skills for New Careers is aimed at helping break the cycle of poverty by providing no-charge job training for in-demand careers. This grant will help Truman Heartland and partners provide wraparound support services through Community Services League, such as public benefits counseling and financial coaching, to assist in removing barriers that may prevent program participants from successfully completing their training. “We believe that these wraparound services are the key to this program’s success,” Phil Hanson, President and CEO of Truman Heartland Community Foundation said. “Low-income workers are faced with many different challenges. Wraparound services help them navigate these hurdles and reach their goals both during the program and for the future.” Through this initiative, participants will be matched with support services through Community Services League, community resources through Mid-Continent Public Library and opportunities for trainings available through Herndon Career Center and UCM in fields that pay living wages and are in high demand in the region, including healthcare, other medical fields and skilled industrial trades. These services will all be provided at no cost to the participants. “The collaboration between several community partners will ensure more individuals have pathways to high-demand careers that require a postsecondary credential and have the support to navigate challenges along the way,” Amy Gale, Senior Program Officer in Education for the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation said. “With a focus on connecting education to regional workforce needs, the Kauffman Foundation is honored to be able to support this work.” In addition to funding from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, Truman Heartland fundholders are helping kickstart this new partnership. In late 2019, Truman Heartland set out to raise $120,000 to fund the training of 48 people in the first year. Fundholders responded generously and to date they are 90 percent to goal with $109,000. “This initiative has the potential to make a long-term impact on the entire region,” Hanson said. “We are grateful for the expertise of our partners and the support of Kauffman and so many caring individuals in our community.” Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with the first cohort planned to launch in March. Visit newskills.cslcares.org to learn more and to apply for job training and support through the Job Skills for New Careers initiative. The following information is derived from the Grain Valley Police Department daily calls for service log for the week of February 26—March 3, 2020.
The City of Grain Valley Board of Aldermen meeting on March 9th was an informative and lengthy meeting. Two ordinance votes, a public hearing, and citizen comments created items of interest for those in attendance.
Chuck Johnston and Roy Miller came forward to address the Board during citizen participation. Johnston made a sunshine request for the RFP bid submitted by Sapp Design Architects for the community campus project. Sapp Design Architects were present for the meeting and presented a timeline and update of where they were in planning dependent on how the residents of Grain Valley vote on April 7th regarding the $40 million proposed community campus project. Miller voiced concern about being stopped on Main Street at the railroad crossing in Grain Valley frequently over the last four months by trains. Miller requested the Board address his complaint with the railroads. Mayor Mike Todd deferred to Chief of Police James Beale regarding the matter. Beale indicated he would follow up with the appropriate railroads alleged. The public hearing on the Board’s agenda was for The Lofts at Old Towne Marketplace. City Community Development Director Mark Trosen provided a report to the Board on the proposed 154 multi-family units to be built on SW Eagles Parkway. The breakdown for the accommodations of the units is 10% one bedroom units, 80% two bedroom units, and 10% three bedroom units. Part of the plan is for a mixed use amenity building on the first floor of Building A that will consist of an indoor pool, pickle ball courts, exercise room, theater room, wi-fi café, and leasing office. Trosen added that the zoning of the 1.2 acres of property would have to be changed to R-3P or Multi-Family Residential District-Planned Overlay. Public notice was provided for the hearing as well as a letter to property owners within 185 feet of the proposed development cite. The City Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously voted for approval of the proposal on February 12th. Todd and the Board questioned the representative from Ward Development present at the hearing. Inquiries ranged from the estimated monthly rental cost of units to studies done on traffic analysis and the needed water and sewer capacity for the proposed development. Ward Development estimated that rental cost for a one bedroom unit would start at approximately $900 and increase to $1,200 for a three bedroom unit. The Board unanimously passed (by a 6-0 vote) the first reading of Ordinance B20-06 involving the change in zoning for The Lofts at Old Towne Marketplace. It will be brought back before the Board for a second reading and vote in the near future. In other business, the Board also unanimously approved the second reading of Ordinance B20-05 in seeking to gain final plat approval for Mercado Plaza where Papa Murphy’s and Guthrie Dental are located along Buckner Tarsney Road. The next Board of Alderman meeting is scheduled for 7:00 pm on Monday, March 23rd at City Hall. |
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