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by Michael Smith Grain Valley senior Wes Moon isn’t someone who typically gets a lot of playing time for the boys volleyball team. He got his chance in Thursday’s matchup with Winnetonka on Senior Night at home. Moon took advantage of his opportunity by rattling off 11 consecutive service points in the first set and he notched a team-high five aces as his performance highlighted a 25-10, 25-11, 25-15 victory against the Griffins. Each time Moon got an ace, he drew loud cheers and excitement from his teammates. His success fueled the Eagles’ excitement as head coach Tori Squiers noted the team had an overall fun night. “That’s what Senior Night is all about, having fun,” Squiers said. “At one point, we had all five seniors on the court. It was a lot of fun to watch.” “That just shows the talent that is on this team. Someone who is on the bench a little bit more can still go out there and score five aces. It was fun to watch everyone celebrate his success.” Moon’s performance took fellow senior Lane Olivarez by surprise. “I didn’t know he had that in him,” Olivarez said. “I think he has more aces than me now.” Moon said he was thankful for the opportunity. “I normally don’t get to play that much, so getting to start was a different experience,” Moon said. “I have been getting a lot better at practice with serving.” Olivarez joined in on the fun as he led the team in assists as the setter on Thursday. He even used an unorthodox move in the third set when he used the top of his head to hit the volleyball over the net, which eventually led to a point for Grain Valley (15-7). He got the idea from a TikTok video that he watched. Squiers subbed him out of the game afterward. “I thought it was funny and I tried to do it,” Olivarez said. “I always do it during our peppering sessions.” Seniors Nolan Hessenius, Will Lindley and Josiah Oehlke were a part of the senior festivities, as well. Hessenius, the team’s libero, had multiple digs and even got to play at the net for the first time against the Griffins. Oehlke was second on the team with five kills and the 6-foot-6 Lindley had a game-high 15 kills. Lindley is currently second on the team in kills on the season. He provides a strong presence for the Eagles (15-7) as a blocker and a striker at the net. He said he has turned up his intensity after the Missouri State High School Activities Association sanctioned boys volleyball. “There has definitely been a lot of improvement and I have taken it a lot more seriously,” Lindley said. “Before we were playing as a club team. With this year being official, it’s a big difference and I love it.” Having Lindley at the net has made the job of Grain Valley’s setters easier, Olivarez said. “He can hit any ball because he has such long arms,” Olivarez said. “He is just insane.”  From left, seniors will Will Lindley, Nolan Hessenius and Wes Moon all made major contributions in a 25-10, 25-11, 25-15 win over Winnetonka Thursday on Senior Night. Photo credit: Michael Smith  by Cole Arndorfer The Grain Valley Schools Board of Education met on Thursday, April 18th for their April business meeting. The meeting included three recognitions, discussion on the new safety priorities plan, three reports, three items of unfinished business, and two items of new business. The first recognition was for the high school color guard team. The team won its second consecutive MCCGA state championship this year, competing against over 20 teams at the competition held in Springfield, Missouri. Next, the board recognized Kourtney Michael as the 2023-2024 Grain Valley Schools Teacher of the Year. Michael teaches English Language Arts at Grain Valley High School, as well as being a National Honor Society sponsor. Michael was recognized for the way in which she builds relationships with her students, getting to know each one and the ways in which they best learn. For the final recognition, the board recognized Matt Wilson as the 2023-2024 Support Staff Employee of the Year. Wilson is a paraprofessional for the essential skills and resource classrooms at Matthews Elementary School. “Mr. Wilson works hard each day, helping students to reach their full potential by finding solutions to many challenges that they face,” Superintendent Dr. Brad Welle said. Moving on from recognitions, the board discussed the draft of the new safety priorities plan. In the interest of privacy, the board voted to enter into a temporary executive session to discuss specific details of the plan. After spending nearly an hour in executive session, the board returned and moved onto the curriculum report. The curriculum review committee reported that most of the curriculum, with a few tweaks, is ready for approval from the board. Just two content areas need some additional time to continue working. The board will have time to look over the curriculum before it is brought back at a later date for approval. Following this, Dr. Welle gave the board his monthly report. Welle began with thanking the community for their support, expressing his appreciation for the passing of the new tax levy. New this school year, Welle highlighted, is a “Senior Walk” for high school graduates. Seniors will have the opportunity to walk the halls of their former elementary school, dressed in caps and gowns for a full circle moment of their academic careers. The board also discussed possible solutions for school lunch debt such as text messages to parents and holding students back from some non-mandatory privileges. Next, the board moved into unfinished business, starting with discussion on progress made with the annual priorities. According to Assistant Superintendent Dr. Amanda Allen, the district has made good progress with most of its literacy priorities. The only piece that is lacking is the updated comprehensive literacy plan. The district had a rough draft prepared in October with the understanding that the state would put out guidelines but they have not yet been released. Allen says she sees that being rolled into next year. Assistant Superintdent Dr. Nick Gooch said the priority relating to facility updates will evolve in the next six to twelve months as the district keeps getting new data from its upcoming demography study as well as information from the district’s architecture firm. For the priority regarding constructing a district safety plan, Gooch said that the district is in a good spot, mentioning how the board was able to look over a draft earlier in the meeting. Next steps involve receiving input from community and family members on what is most important to them. The final priority has been completed, and that was the passing of the new tax levy. Next, the board discussed the first look of the 2024-2025 budget. Director of Finance Aaron Hooper presented the draft to the board. Hooper said that the budget is still a work in progress as he is still waiting on numbers from a few departments but will have a final version of the budget ready to go in June. Following this, the board moved into new business. The board began with discussing contract language for administrators for 2024-2025. Welle said that there is not a lot of new information being put into contracts but more rewording certain sections and making sure certain policies are in writing. Next, the board discussed a letter from the board to be included in the next issue of the district’s magazine. The letter from the board president will thank the community for their support on the tax levy vote. It will also highlight some important things that the board has focused on in the past year. Topics such as community engagement, addition of a new school resource officer, the broadcast of meetings, and implementation of engagement committees will all be discussed. The board then moved onto two items of new business that were added via an agenda amendment. The first item related to the purchase of new serving equipment for the cafeteria in the high school. Any revenue generated by the food service department must go back into the purchase of items or upgrades within the food service department. Though there is a large amount of school lunch debt, the rules prohibit using any of this money to offset that debt. Because of this, the purchase of this serving equipment would be funded directly from the excess revenue from the food service department that must be spent on upgrades within that department. The next item was the response from Newkirk Novak on the possibility of these upgrades. Since Newkirk Novak is already in the high school working on the other pieces of construction and remodel, the district reached out to them on their thoughts on the possibility of adding the upgrades to the construction. Newkirk Novak responded with confidence that it would in no way delay the completion date of the project as a whole, Gooch said. Both of the items were passed. Gooch said that the new equipment will be installed and ready before the first day of school in the fall. The next Board of Education meeting will take place at 5:30pm on May 16th in the Jan Reding Community Room at Grain Valley High School.  Good News: Totta Tough 5K Saturday, April 27th to support Grain Valley student with bone cancer4/25/2024
A 5K run and kid's run will be held Saturday, April 27th to support GVHS senior Annabelle Totta, who was recently diagnosed with bone cancer. Funds raised will support medical expenses related to her care. The run begins at Grain Valley High School at 8:00am, with a kid's run following at 9:00am. A pancake breakfast will follow. Pre-Race packet pick up will be available Thursday, April 25th at First Baptist Church of Grain Valley from 4-6pm. 207 W. Walnut St. Grain Valley, MO 64029 Participants may register through race day at Totta Tough 5k (runsignup.com). For more information, visit First Baptist Grain Valley - Totta Tough 5k (grainvalleyfirst.com).   Image credit: Totta Tough 5K  by Michael Smith The Grain Valley girls soccer team was shorthanded. The Eagles came into Tuesday’s non-conference game with Blue Springs missing center back Taylor Nicholson due to an illness. Junior Mia Cole and sophomore Radleigh Childers also didn’t play as many minutes as normal due to injuries suffered during the contest. This could have been problematic for an Eagles squad that lacks depth. However, Grain Valley managed to score a goal against a strong Blue Springs defense and switched to a defense-heavy scheme in the second half, which resulted the team hanging on to a 1-0 win on the road. “With Mia coming off because of her blood issue, we had to make some tactical adjustments,” Grain Valley head coach Brett Lewis said. “We didn’t attack nearly as much as I wanted to in the second half. We did what we had to do to get a goal and we defended well enough to win.” The Wildcats (6-5) came into the game on a four-game winning streak, all shutouts, including a 1-0 win against then No. 1-ranked Blue Springs South. So, Grain Valley had a tough challenge to score. The Eagles (12-3) got their lone goal in the 23rd minute when sophomore defender Avery Stumpenhaus sent a perfect cross in front of the Blue Springs goal line, and senior midfielder Meghan Knust made a sliding tap in shot. “That was definitely a great ball by Avery,” Knust said. “She had a couple of good, dangerous balls for us.” After seeing his Eagles were struggling to generate chances following the score, Lewis elected to have his team focus more on defense in the second half. “It was a gritty game,” Knust said. “We tried to play defense as much as we could. We were focusing on clearing the ball out.” They appeared to have a bend but don’t break mentality in the final 40 minutes as Blue Springs generated multiple shot attempts but were unable to get one to go into the back of the net. Following Knust’s goal, Blue Springs freshman midfielder Adelyn Karst had an open shot from the left side of the 18-yard box, but Grain Valley goalkeeper Alayna Maybell ranged over to make the save. Later in the first half, senior Brooke Alsup had an open shot right in front of the Grain Valley goal, but she barely nicked the ball, and it resulted in a slow rolling shot and an easy save for Maybell. In the second half, junior Hazel Trotman had a wide-open shot from the right wing in the penalty box, but it hit the crossbar. Her team created other chances, as well, but Maybell seemed to consistently be in the right place at the right time, totaling seven saves. “I am really working on reading (shots) more,” Maybell said. “The coaches have been working with me to become a goalie again.” Added Lewis: “She is good at reading the ball and seeing where it’s going to go. I thought she played well. She keeps getting better and better at the saves she should make.” Grain Valley is now on a seven-game winning streak and the key for this current run, according to Lewis, has been the defense. The Eagles have allowed just six goals in that span and have five shutouts. “We’re getting more defensively disciplined in this final stretch of the season,” Lewis said. “We’re not giving up goals and we are making the other teams earn everything.”  Grain Valley senior Meghan Knust, left, scored her team's only goal while goalkeeper Alayna Maybell had seven saves during a 1-0 victory over Blue Springs Tuesday on the road. Photo credit: Michael Smith by Cole Arndorfer The Grain Valley Board of Aldermen met on Monday, April 22nd for their second regular meeting in the month of April. This meeting included acknowledging the certified results of the previous election, a recognition for Alderman Ward, oaths of office for elected officials, and six new resolutions. The board discussed the ordinance regarding peace disturbance related to construction projects. Alderman Skinner made a motion to include verbiage in the code to make it clear that this ordinance is for permitted work. The motion was passed and the verbiage will be added. The board then passed an ordinance acknowledging the results of the election held on April 2, 2024. Following the ordinance, the board recognized Alderman Arnold for his service as Ward I Alderman. The board then moved into oaths of office for elected officials. Four elected officials, Mayor Mike Todd, Ward I Alderman Kyle Sole, Ward II Alderman Rick Knox, and Ward III Alderman Ryan Skinner, took the oath of office at the meeting. The board then moved to resolutions. Six resolutions were passed by the board at this meeting. The first resolution allows the city to make a payment to Vance Brothers Inc. for work done on Argo Road. Vance Brothers provided surface treatment and pavement markings on Argo Road under the Jackson County 2024 pavement maintenance program. The second resolution allows the city to execute an agreement with Valbridge Property Advisors for easement appraisals and acquisition on the Front Street project. The Front Street project is a continuation of the downtown improvement effort. This agreement allows Valbridge to go out and negotiate on the city’s behalf to acquire easements for this project. The third resolution allows the city to enter into a contract with Midwest Pool Management for lifeguard services at the Grain Valley Aquatic Center. The city has been using Midwest Pool Management since 2009 to get the Aquatic Center up and running for the year as well as for lifeguard services. The next resolution allows the city to enter into an agreement with Utility Service Company Inc. to provide maintenance for city owned water tanks and towers. This maintenance allows the city to continue providing safe and clean water. The fifth resolution allows the city to purchase four 2024 Dodge Durangos for use by the police department. This adds to the two that were purchased a couple months ago. The last resolution allows the city to sign an agreement with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office to provide detention service for people arrested by the police department. This allows the city to send prisoners to the Johnson County Missouri Sheriff’s Detention Unit. Previously, Grain Valley sent prisoners to Ray County. Police Chief Ed Turner announced the ribbon cutting for the new police department will be held on May 8, at 4 pm. For the mayor’s report, Mayor Todd discussed a proposition brought forth by Blue Springs with the board. Todd said that Blue Springs is looking to relieve some of the truck traffic off Adams Dairy, and they were looking at putting an interchange at Tyer Road. Todd said that he was discussing it with the board to see if they were at all interested in this project. Todd indicated he did not have interest in the project. The board was not interested in the project at this time. The next Board of Aldermen meeting will take place at City Hall on May 13th at 6:30pm. 
I know many of you are losing sleep worrying if some cyber crook is snooping around your Wi-Fi network, looking for information that will help them gain access to your username and passwords that will allow them to hack into your social media accounts, email and financial websites. Fear not, in our digital world it's nearly impossible for hackers to gain access to your home or business network. Seriously. 99% of cybercrime requires user interaction, which means as long as you're not clicking on links in emails and text messages as well as not using weak passwords for your Wi-Fi router, you're safe. However, there's nothing wrong with checking your wireless router now and then to see if any unknown devices are connected. Follow these tips to keep the bad guys from connecting to your wifi and avoid being the free neighborhood hotspot. Download and use your router app. Every router manufactured in the past five years has an app that allows you to change your settings as well as see how many devices are connected to your Wi-Fi network. Your router app can remove unknown devices giving you peace of mind when you see a strange device show up on your network. You can also log directly from your router from your computer or smartphone to see what devices are connected. You would need your router's IP (Internet Protocol) address. If you're not familiar on how to achieve this, you would be better off using the app. Additionally, if you're using a router from your Internet Service Provider (ISP), you should be able to call them and they can give you an idea of what devices are connected. Use an IP Scanner. An IP scanner is a tool you can use to find out what devices are connected to your Wi-Fi network. One of my favorites is Angry IP and it works on Windows and Mac devices. If you prefer to use your smartphone, try Fing. Both apps will scan your wireless (and wired) network to let you see what devices are connected. Other Tips to follow: Set up a Guest Network. If you have family members and neighborhood kids who insist on using wifi when you visit or have an office and you want your customers to be able to use Wi-Fi, setup a guest network access with your router. This will allow those guest to connect to the Internet without risking them access to your main network. Guest network access is great because you can turn off the guest network which prevents anyone from connecting whenever they want. Hide your Service Set Identifier (SSID). An SSID is the identifier for your wireless network. Its purpose is to let your devices know which network to connect to to join a home or business network. Under normal circumstances, your SSID is visible to help you easily connect to your wireless network. To keep your wifi network secure, you should go into your router settings and make it invisible. When it's invisible your home and business neighbors are well as criminals can't see your wifi name to connect. Only you will know and only the people you share with will know. Going Through a Breakup, remove your partner's access. If you're breaking up with someone, make sure you remove their devices from your wireless network. There's no reason someone you're no longer involved with should have access to your wifi. Same thing with employees you've let go. When you continue to allow them access, you increase the chances they can log into your network and conduct some malicious access. Change your Wi-Fi password from time to time. You know the drill, treat passwords like underwear. Change them frequently. Replace your router every five years. Internet technology changes frequently which means if you want those speeds your internet provider promised you, you need to switch out that router. When you change out your router, you also remove access to anyone who connected to your old one. Hopefully, this will help you keep an eye out for anyone who manages to get access to your Wi-Fi. If you have any questions, please reach out. I'm always available. Need computer repair service near you? My company Integral offers the highest quality computer repair service nationwide. If you need on-site or remote tech support for your Windows\Macintosh, computers, laptops, Android/Apple smartphone, tablets, printers, routers, smart home devices, and anything that connects to the Internet, please feel free to contact my team. Our team of friendly tech experts organization can help you with any IT needs you might have. Reach out to us a www.callintegralnow.com or phone at 888.256.0829.  Missouri Independent: Attorneys for embattled Missouri House speaker criticize ethics investigation4/25/2024
Attorneys for embattled Missouri House speaker criticize ethics investigationby Jason Hancock, Missouri Independent Private attorneys hired by the top Republican in the Missouri House demanded on Tuesday that the ethics investigation into their client be formally dismissed. House Speaker Dean Plocher has still not publicly commented on the allegations of ethical misconduct that have hung over his final year in the legislature, or the later accusations that he pressured witnesses and obstructed the House Ethics Committee investigation. On Tuesday, he dispatched his attorneys — Lowell Pearson and David Steelman — to discredit the inquiry and criticize the Republican lawmaker appointed by Plocher to lead the ethics committee, state Rep. Hannah Kelly of Mountain View. In a letter to Kelly, and later at a hastily called press conference in the Capitol basement, Plocher’s defenders argued the investigation should have never occurred in the first place. The letter included affidavits from some of the key players in the scandals that have swirled around Plocher arguing in his defense. “This investigation was mishandled from the start,” Pearson and Steelman’s letter read. Since late last year, Plocher has faced an investigation, as well as calls for his resignation, over his unsuccessful push for the House to sign an $800,000 contract with a private software company outside the normal bidding process; alleged threats of retaliation against nonpartisan legislative staff who raised red flags about that contract; purportedly firing a potential whistleblower; and filing years of false expense reports for travel already paid for by his campaign. Last week, the ethics committee voted 6-2 to reject a report recommending a formal letter of disapproval for Plocher, that he hire an accounting professional to manage his expense reports moving forward and that he refrain from retaliation against any legislator or House employee who cooperated with the committee. After the report was defeated, it became a public document. Kelly has subsequently said the investigation was severely hindered because of Plocher’s efforts to undermine the committee’s work. Specifically, Plocher refused to speak to an attorney hired by the committee to gather evidence and would not sign subpoenas to compel witnesses to testify. In addition to the delays, Kelly also accused Plocher of making efforts to “threaten witnesses, block our investigation and prevent this process from reaching its natural conclusion.”
On Tuesday, Steelman pushed back on that narrative, claiming the hiring of the attorney was “unlawful” and that it was the committee — not the speaker — who chose to drag out the process. “It was a drummed-up exercise trying to get rid of a speaker,” Steelman said of the investigation. Steelman, an ex-state lawmaker and former member of the University of Missouri Board of Curators, told reporters the reason Plocher refused to sign subpoenas was because they were designed to compel both him and his chief of staff, Rod Jetton, to testify. Both were willing to testify without a subpoena, Steelman said. That wasn’t the reason cited in rejecting the supboenas in the three letters from the speaker’s office to the committee in March and April. And in one of those letters, Plocher’s general counsel noted the committee initially sought five subpoenas. Asked Tuesday why Plocher didn’t recuse himself from the start, or at least when subpoena requests started showing up to his office, Steelman said the speaker recused himself “when it mattered.” Steelman accused the ethics committee of failing to follow its own rules, including in how it hired an outside attorney. He suggested that it’s possible the speaker’s office could refuse to pay the attorney for her work if she was hired unlawfully. A spokesman for the speaker’s office did not respond to a request for comment on whether the roughly $14,700 in legal fees will be paid. Ultimately, Steelman said the ethics committee must reconvene and finish its work — which he believes means dismissing the complaint and declaring Plocher exonerated. No ethics committee hearings have been held since the report was released to the public. Kelly has not commented publicly, beyond a post on social media declaring that “because of the efforts by the speaker to threaten witnesses, block our investigation and prevent this process from reaching its natural conclusion, there is nothing more that can be done.” “The report speaks for itself,” Kelly wrote last week, “as do the votes of the committee members.” Plocher is running for the GOP nomination for Missouri secretary of state. He currently leads his seven Republican opponents by a wide margin in fundraising, with more than $1.3 million cash on hand between his campaign account and allied political action committee. But nearly all of that was raised before the litany of scandals became public last fall that have dominated his last year as speaker of the Missouri House. After taking in nearly $400,000 for his campaign and PAC in 2023, he raised just $15,000 this year. Missouri Independent is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Missouri Independent maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jason Hancock for questions: [email protected]. Follow Missouri Independent on Facebook and Twitter. by Bill Graham, Missouri Department of Conservation The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will offer a hybrid course on surveying butterfly populations that is both virtual and in-person. The course is on butterflies, their ecology, and how to survey for them. The program is being hosted by the Burr Oak Woods Nature Center staff. The in-person class is from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 4. The virtual course is from 2:30 to 3:15 p.m. on the same day. Participants may choose to put their knowledge into action by becoming a Missouri Butterfly Monitoring Network volunteer. The class will include a slide show about 25 common butterflies and instruction on how surveys are done. There will be a Wild About Pollinators Booklet trivia game. The in-person course will include a mock butterfly survey using the Burr Oak Woods garden and natural areas. Instructors will also cover how to enter data on a website and they will help participants choose a monitoring route on a public natural area. This is the sixth annual training in the Kansas City area for the Missouri Butterfly Monitoring Network. The network is hosted by Georgetown University with grants from the National Science Foundation. Some butterfly species such as the venerable monarch have been in decline due to habitat loss and environmental problems. Science-based conservation is working to boost pollinators such as butterflies. People simply interested in learning more about butterflies are also invited to take the course. The in-person class is open to participants ages 14 and older. Registration is required. To register, visit http://short.mdc.mo.gov/42m. The virtual class is open to participants ages 10 and older. To register, visit http://short.mdc.mo.gov/42e. For more information about butterflies in Missouri, https://short.mdc.mo.gov/4Qt.  The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will offer a hybrid course on surveying butterfly populations that is both virtual and in-person. The course is on butterflies, their ecology, and how to survey for them. The program is being hosted by the Burr Oak Woods Nature Center staff. The in-person class is from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 4. The virtual course is from 2:30 to 3:15 p.m. on the same day. Photo credit: MDC  The following information is derived from Grain Valley Police Department daily calls service log for the week of April 12-22, 2024. April 12, 2024 700 Blk Foxtail Dr Animal complaint PHQ Citizen contact PHQ Motor vehicle accident report 1000 Blk Ryan Rd Civil standby April 13, 2024 PHQ VIN verification 200 Blk Gregg St Verbal disturbance 200 Blk E Broadway Vehicle fire 400 Blk SW Laura Ln Physical disturbance PHQ Citizen contact 1400 Blk NW Willow Dr Parking Complaint April 14, 2024 US 40/Sni-A-Bar Motor vehicle accident 200 Blk Cross Creek Ln Citizen contact 1200 Blk Pavilion Area check April 15, 2024 PHQ Citizen contact EE Kirby/40 Missing juvenile 1700 Blk Hill Top Suspicious person PHQ Citizen contact PHQ Citizen contact PHQ Citizen contact 100 Blk NW Valley Ct Citizen contact April 16, 2024 PHQ Citizen contact 600 Blk Yennie Agency assist I-70/26 MM Motorist assist AA Hwy/Sni-A-Bar Tree in roadway PHQ Citizen contact 1100 Blk NW Buckner-Tarsney Rd Parking complaint 800 Blk Valley Woods Dr Suspicious activity 1400 Blk NW Olympic De Alarm 100 Blk SW Ealges Pkwy Civil standby 800 Blk NW Green Accidental 911 hang up April 17, 2024 1100 Blk NW Buckner-Tarsney Rd Suspicious activity 40 Hwy Area check Lefohz/McQuerry Motorist assist PHQ Citizen contact 400 Blk SW Cross Creek Area check 800 Blk Woodland Ave Verbal disturbance 600 Blk E Kirby Rd Public service PHQ Citizen contact 800 Blk Harvest Leaving the scene of accident 700 Blk Main Welfare check 1300 Blk Highview Parking complaint PHQ Citizen contact PHQ Citizen contact 100 Blk NW Jackie Agency assist 1100 Blk McQuerry Property damage Woodbury/Woodbury Area check April 18, 2024 1300 Blk Golfview Sound of Shots 800 Blk SW Leann Dr Area check 1100 Blk Bush Property damage 1300 Blk Highview Parking complaint PHQ Citizen contact April 19, 2024 600 Blk Crestview Dr Citizen Contact 600 Blk Crestview Dr Public Service 800 Blk S Harvest Fraud Shell Ct/ Greystone Missing Juvenile 600 Blk Yennie Area check PHQ Theft Essex Agency Assist 6300 Blk S Minter Rd Public Service Broadway/Garden Agency Assist Crosetti Health & Wellness Past property damage Yennie/ Main Motor vehicle accident April 20, 2024 500 Blk Woodbury Well check 500 Blk Lakeview Water leak 200 Blk Barr rd Parking Complaint 1400 Blk NW Willow Abandoned Auto 200 Blk SW Eagles Pkwy Sound of gunshots April 21, 2024 900 Blk SW Montana Ridge Civil Stand by 600 Blk Creekridge Alarm Secured April 22, 2024 PHQ Citizen contact 200 Blk Eagles Citizen contact 300 Blk Concord Disturbance Additional calls for service: Suicidal Subject: 2 Order of Protection: 1  by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society A few years ago, I was able to establish that this photograph was taken after 1912. Each time I look at it, I try to find other clues as to the exact year. So far, the “exact” year still eludes me. However, here’s what I do know. These two building are on Lot 10 and Lot 11 of the Graves and Ashcraft Addition. They were built in 1912 by Edward Williams. Mr. Williams owned several lots in the original town, on the east side of Broadway (now Main Street). They included his home on the southeast corner of Broadway and Walnut Street.  The Williams Building, Circa 1912 The buildings originally housed a car dealership, which probably sold the latest style Model T, or was it Model A (I don’t know much about cars), as well as buggy parts and wheels. I only wish I could read the sign over the door of the building on Lot 10. Was the photo taken in April? Probably not, but it is the April photograph in the 2024 Grain Valley Historical Society calendar. I further believe the photo was taken prior to 1920 because the Grain Valley property tax records that year tell us the building on the left was them owned by Edward E. Storms. An old medicine bottle on exhibit at the Historical Society is from Storms Pharmacy. I remember these two building from the early 1950s. The old pharmacy was then Casey’s Drug Store. They sold over the counter medicines and first aid supplies; however, there were no prescription drugs. I especially remember the soda fountain that had hand dipped ice cream cones! The building on the right housed the U. S. Post Office in a small room at the front and the rear portion was a restaurant with a number of different proprietors over the years. When Grace Mickel ran it they had a yummy chicken dinner special every Sunday. (Valley News , June 4, 2020 and May 9. 2022) Today, both buildings are owned by The Bank of Grain Valley. The old drug store is an annex and storage space for the bank. The building on the left is now The Pottery Palace.  by Michael Smith At one point, senior Sevreign Aumua was the only girl wrestler in the Grain Valley program. When she was a freshman during the 2020-21 season, she had to practice against the boys. During her sophomore season, she had one other teammate. In 2022-23, the Eagles had multiple girls on the team; and for the first time, Aumua had a teammate, Jayden Moehle, join her in qualifying for the Missouri State High School Wrestling Championships. At the time, Aumua said she was excited to have a teammate join her at state for the first time in three years. Moehle and Aumua have developed a special bond and are good friends on and off the mat. On Friday, they got to compete on the same team at the Rogue Dual at the Mabee Fieldhouse on the Campus of Avila University. It’s an event that features some of the best wrestlers in the Kansas City metro area on the Kansas and Missouri side. The Grain Valley duo represented Team Missouri and were integral in their team’s 57-27 victory over Team Kansas. “I am really happy I got to have one of my actual teammates here, Aumua said. “I am glad I could spend my last high school event with her.” Moehle echoed similar sentiments about their final dual together. “This means a lot to me. I love my teammates. This was a great experience. It’s sad that this was my last event with Sevi, but she is always going to be my teammate and I am always going to have her back.” The sophomore had a tough battle with Maize senior Meya Howell, who won a state championship this year. With the match tied at 4-all, Moehle (235 pounds) nearly got taken down. But she reversed the attempt from Howell into a fat man roll and got the takedown herself. She then used an armbar to turn Howell for the pin in the second period. “I did that move in youth and I just kind of remembered it,” Moehle said of the fat man roll. “It’s just kind of a last-minute move but I am glad it worked.” Aumua (140), a three-time state champion, used her signature chicken wing to turn Goodland senior Destiny Gonzalez for a pin in the second period after being up 8-1. The Grain Valley senior will move on and wrestle for Missouri Valley College after this school year. “That is a move I have been working on since the beginning of my high wrestling career,” Aumua said. “I just ended up really liking it and if it’s there, I am going to use it. If it’s not, I know some other moves.”  Grain Valley senior Sevreign Aumua looks to turn Goodland senior Destiny Gonzalez during the Rogue Dual Friday at the Mabee Fieldhouse on the campus of Avila University. She pinned Gonzalez to help Team Missouri beat Team Kansas 57-27. Photo credit: Michael Smith  Grain Valley sophomore Jayden Moehle, right, prepares for her next move in her match with Maize senior Meya Howell. Moehle pinned Howell in the second period. Photo credit: Michael Smith by Michael Smith The Grain Valley girls track and field team was cruising. It was leading all 12 teams in team points for most of the Marc Cleveland Grain Valley Invitational Thursday at Moody Murry Memorial Field. Blue Springs South made a late surge during the final four events, but the Eagles managed to hang on to win their home meet with 99 points. South was a close second place with 95. The Eagles accomplished this despite holding out some of their athletes to get ready for the Kansas Relays that take place this weekend at the University of Kansas. “We had some girls step up in some different roles today,” Grain Valley girls track head coach Nick Small said. “We had a couple of girls get varsity medals that typically don’t get the opportunity to. All around it was cool to watch that for sure.” Freshman Madison Rust was one of those who stepped up as she was the primary javelin thrower with senior McKenah Sears not competing. Sears is one of the favorites to win the state champion in the javelin this season, so Rust had some big shoes to fill. Rust broke out and took first place in the javelin event with a throw of 119, 2 inches. She was also a part of the thrower 4x100 relay team along with sophomore Addison Wright, freshman Eva Oehlke and junior Bailey Mason that won with a time of 56.71 seconds. “I just started javelin and I thought it would be fun,” said Rust, who is ranked No. 5 in the javelin in the United States among freshmen. “I am decent at it. I came out and didn’t know anything about javelin. I watched McKenah and she plays all the sports I play like softball, basketball, and track. She has taught me everything I know along with Coach (Flip) Courter.” Rust was one of four girls to in field events, which seemed to be the biggest strength for the girls team. Junior Alyssa Carver showed why she could be a contender for a state title this year on Thursday. Last season, she finished in fourth place in the pole vault at the Missouri State High School Track and Field Championships. At the Grain Valley Invitational, she took first with a height of 10 feet, 10 inches. The second-place finisher, Grain Valley’s Megan Prestia, had a height of 9 feet, 10 inches. “I don’t think I jumped the best I ever have,” Carver said. “It’s still always cool to come out on top and learn from my experiences. I have the KU Relays this weekend, so I can always come back and do better then.” “I hope I can at least match my (personal record) there and win for myself.” Other Eagles girls to win were junior Izzie Salsman in the high jump with a height of 4 feet, 11.75 inches and senior Izabella West in the long jump with a distance of 17 feet, 6 inches. “I feel like I did pretty well despite how cold it is out here,” said Salsman, who competed in temperatures in the low 50s. “This time, I tried to envision myself making it over the bar and that pushed me from the beginning.” Boys The Grain Valley boys track and field team came on strong late. The Eagles finished third in the 4x400-meter relay race and took first in the 4x100 throwers’ relay, which helped them rack up 16 points in the final two events, and it was enough for them to finish second with 82 points. Lee’s Summit finished third with 80.25 points and Blue Springs South won with 126.5 points. “The 4x400 relay team was huge,” Grain Valley head boys coach Erik Stone said. “They finished high enough to help us overtake Lee’s Summit for second place.” Aside from the throwers’ relay, the Grain Valley boys team finished first in two other events. The 4x200 relay team of Ty Williams, Anthony Greco, Noah Olah and Terrell King took first with a time of 1:33.45. It is a team Stone could make some noise this season. “This team keeps getting better,” Stone said. “There is one stick we can get better with that didn’t do too well tonight, but they keep improving and working hard. That is one of the relays we feel like we have a chance with.” Senior Stylz Blackmon is someone who could earn an all-state honor this season. He broke the school record for the shotput at another meet on Tuesday with a throw of 52 feet, 11.8 inches. He is currently ranked fifth in Class 5 and 11th in Missouri in the event. On Tuesday, he took first with a throw of 50 feet, 5.5 inches. He was also a part of the throwers’ relay team that took first. “I am really blessed to be able to compete against such great talent,” Blackmon said. “Although I have thrown well at previous meets, I am still looking to grow and get better. I want to get back to where I was last year and make it to state. I didn’t do too well and state last year. I want to go there and make a name for myself this time.”  Grain Valley junior Izzie Salesman finished third in the high jump with a height of 4 feet, 11.75 inches. Photo credit: Michael Smith  0202: Grain Valley freshman Madison Rust filled in for McKenah Sears in the javelin event Thursday at the Marc Cleveland Grain Valley Invitational. She took first with a distance of 119 feet, 2 inches. Photo credit: Michael Smith  Grain Valley junior Alyssa Carver took first place in the pole vault with a height of 10 feet, 10 inches. Photo credit: Michael Smith  The Grain Valley School Board met April 11th for a workshop meeting, accepting April 2nd election results, installing one new member and electing board officers, and approving the 2024-25 salary schedule following successful passage of a levy to increase salaries in an effort to remain competitive with area districts. Newly elected board member Aaron Scully took the oath of office, and the following officers were elected: Jeff Porter, President; Jared English, Vice-President; Dr. Julie Taylor, Secretary. Voters approved a levy issue April 2nd to support increases in teacher and staff pay. In a comparison of 2024-25 Grain Valley salaries to peer districts 2023-24 salary levels, the increases generally maintain Grain Valley salaries in the middle of area districts. A starting teacher with a bachelor’s degree will make $41,900 in Grain Valley starting in the 2024-25 school year, an increase of $1,900. This places Grain Valley 5th in a comparison of local districts (when compared to other districts’ 2023-24 salaries). North Kansas City tops the list, with a 2023-24 starting salary of $44,000. Neighboring district Lee’s Summit ranks third, with a 2023-24 starting salary of $42,370. A $1.50 increase in the bus driver starting pay (from $17.33 to $18.83) places Grain Valley in the middle of area districts, taking it from the lowest paid in 2023-24. Smithville and Kearney top the list, paying starting bus drivers $20/hour. Grandview is at the bottom, with a 2023-24 starting salary of $17.78/hour. The district also made strides in improving paraprofessional pay compared to peer districts, raising tier 1 paraprofessional starting pay from $11.87 (the lowest compared to area districts) to $15.47 in 2024-25. This places Grain Valley near the middle when compared to area districts 2023-24 starting salaries. The next meeting of the school board will be held Thursday, April 18th at 6:00pm at the district Leadership Center. The Truman Heartland Community Foundation (THCF) Youth Advisory Council (YAC) will host a family-friendly fundraiser at Lunar Bowl, located at 2001 NW MO-7 Highway, in Blue Springs, Missouri. Strike in the Night – Cosmic Caring-Changing the Universe will take place on April 27, 2024, from 6:30pm - 9:30pm. All proceeds will be directed to the YAC Endowment Fund. The earnings from this fund are used to support nonprofits serving individuals, children, and families in suburban Eastern Jackson County. "Through the YAC program, we are creating the next generation of philanthropists who will make a lasting impact on their communities," Diana Castillo, Director of Grants and Donor Services for THCF said. "It's an opportunity for high school students to learn about the power of giving back and become leaders in their own right. Watching them work together to make a difference is inspiring and gives me hope for the future." Strike in the Night attendees will experience three hours of cosmic bowling, games, music, and trivia. This event is open to the public, but tickets are required and very limited. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $15 or at the door for $18. Advanced tickets are available at https://tinyurl.com/StrikeInTheNight2024 or by calling the THCF office at (816) 836-8189.  The Truman Heartland Community Foundation (THCF) Youth Advisory Council (YAC) will host a family-friendly fundraiser at Lunar Bowl, located at 2001 NW MO-7 Highway, in Blue Springs, Missouri. Strike in the Night – Cosmic Caring-Changing the Universe will take place on April 27, 2024, from 6:30pm - 9:30pm. Photo credit: THCF  by Michael Smith Grain Valley head boys tennis coach Randy Draper made a change to his singles line up this week. He made senior Campbell Childers his new No. 6 singles player. Before, Childers exclusively played in No. 3 doubles matches with sophomore Riley Spencer. So far, it’s been a move that has paid off for the Eagles and that showed in Tuesday’s nonconference matchup with Blue Springs South at home. Childers won at both doubles and singles and the Eagles also got a big win from junior Trace Compton near the end of the tennis match as they edged the Jaguars 5-4. The senior defeated South junior Peyton O’Donnell 8-1 in singles; and he and Spencer battled for a 8-6 victory against Tommy Nesbitt and Will Griffel at No. 2 doubles to give Grain Valley two much needed wins. So far, Childers has enjoyed taking on the challenge of playing an additional match. “It’s fun to get to play two matches instead of just doubles.” Childers said. “I hit some more shots than I have in the past. I just kept the ball in play and made the other person mess up.” Draper noted that Childers technique could use improvement, but his athleticism is what helps him be successful on the court. “I tell him that some of his tennis strokes are not something we would teach other people,” Draper said, “but when you’re an athlete, you cover some stuff.” After the Eagles won four games, Compton got the fifth and deciding win following his 8-6 victory against South freshman Zavier Broyles. Compton noted that he and others had to contend with strong winds blowing toward the south end of the school. That caused him to have to adjust according to which side he was on. When he was on the north side, he had to put more touch on his shots, but on the south side, he had to hit it harder to get it over the net. “I figured out toward the end that I had to be more aggressive than I was in the beginning,” Compton said. “I simply just had to keep the ball in play. I had to put more on my shots to make it harder for my opponent to control it.” While Compton and Childers came up with some critical wins for the Eagles, junior John Cassidy had a significant hand in the team victory, as well. Cassidy won 8-1 against Tommy Nesbitt at No. 4 singles. He said he played better once he got fully adjusted to the wind. That was also a big factor in him and senior Carter Williams overcoming a 6-3 deficit to take down Broyles and junior Landon Wickham 9-7 in the No. 2 doubles contest. “The wind blew to the side toward the fence, so when you were on the side closest to the fence, you could get away with hitting it softer and the wind would push the ball for you,” Cassidy said. “When you were on the other side, you really had to drive the ball to get it past the service line.” Following the match, Draper, who had previously said his team struggled with singles matches this season, was impressed with how well Compton, Cassidy and Childers played on their own. “Cassidy played the best I have seen him play all season,” Draper said. “Compton also played the best I’ve seen him play. We needed both of those wins. There is a lot of reasons to be happy even in matches we didn’t win.”  Grain Valley senior Campbell Childers won his singles match 8-1 and teamed up with sophomore Riley Spencer to capture an 8-6 win in the No. 3 double contest. Photo credit: Michael Smith  Grain Valley junior Trace Compton got a big 8-6 win over Zavier Broyles in the No. 3 singles match to help the Eagles capture a 5-4 win over Blue Springs South Tuesday at home. Photo credit: Michael Smith  |
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