 by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society It has been 50 years since the west side of Main Street looked like the photo above. Beginning at Front Street, the Bank of Grain Valley was OPEN! The second floor still welcomed the Eastern Star for their monthly meetings and special events. The Grain Valley Drug Store still had a soda fountain where you could enjoy an ice cream cone or sundae. Other businesses included a restaurant, an upholstery shop, and a barber shop. At the far right of the photograph we can see the old Sni-A-Bar Bank (often rented as one or two apartments) and finally the Christian Church. While many businesses disappeared from Downtown Grain Valley, the population actually grew. In fact, between 1970 and 1980, the population nearly doubled from 709 to 1327. Most of the new housing was built in the Cannon addition, south of the railroad to AA Highway and west of Main St. to E. E. Kirby Road. In 1978, Matthew’s Elementary, north of I-70 on McQuerry Road became the second K-6 school in Grain Valley. While many remember the 1970s as a decade of soaring inflation, political upheaval, and the erosion of the United States’ prestige worldwide (some things don’t seem to change), there was also Title IX (June 8, 1972), equal rights gains for women and minorities and big gas-guzzling cars with a shortage of gasoline that caused rationing in 1973. Global events included the massacre at the Munich Olympics, the Iran hostage crisis, and in 1975 the end of the Vietnam War with the Fall of Saigon. Because the Apple II debuted in 1977, I went to my own PC (personal computer) to find the "big events of the 1970s.” One source listed:
So while Grain Valley was growing, we were working in Independence and Kansas City. And on the weekends we also went west to shop for bell-bottoms, tie dyes, jump suits and hot pants, plus the newest handbags by Dooney & Bourke. At the many multiplex movie theaters we enjoyed the new candy hit, Reese’s Pieces, while watching everything from Taxi Driver and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, to The Godfather, and The Way We Were. And that’s The Way We Were in the 1970s!  by Michael Smith, Grain Valley News Brothers Tyler and Tristan Hoyt are playing organized high school volleyball for the first time in their careers in the 2024-25 season. Before this season, the duo played sand volleyball in recreational leagues over the summer. Their father and junior classmate Jordan Jackson convinced them to try out for the high school team, and both have been an integral part of the Grain Valley boys volleyball team. They combined for 10 aces and seven kills to help the Eagles cruise to a 25-8, 25-13, 25-9 victory at home. Tristan said staying active has been the key to them being good in their first year playing the sport. They were both on the junior varsity basketball team this past winter. Grain Valley head coach Tori Squiers said the brothers have exceeded expectations in their first season playing organized volleyball. “It really speaks to their athletic ability and how fast they picked up the game,” said Squiers, whose team improved to 17-7-1. “At the beginning of the season we were unsure where (Tristan) could fill in on our team, with some of the holes we had. He has taken over as a huge middle blocker and an offensive threat for our team.” Tyler has been the go-to server for Squiers and has been one of the team’s setters, while Tristan has been a solid middle hitter. Tyler credited his work in practice for his development into the team’s top server. He had five aces against Raytown on Tuesday. “We quickly saw how good his hands were,” Squiers said. “We have been working with him on setting and how to read the court. To come in and having never played before, he has been phenomenal. He’s our leader in aces.” Tristan showed he was a good server himself as he earned 11 straight service points, including four aces to help his team go on a run to win the second set. “That was pretty good. It was unexpected,” Tristan said. “I am usually not the one to serve that many times. It’s usually my brother.” Both have been a strong presence at the net, too. Tristan had five kills against the Blue Jays and Tyler added. “Playing basketball has helped with our leaping ability,” Tyler said. Senior Maddox Dresslaer, who leads the team in kills, joined the Hoyts in scoring as he had a team-high seven kills. Senior Ryan Rohr also has been strong at the net. On Tuesday, he added five kills. “He brings all the energy,” Tyler said of Rohr. “He’s a good player, who always keeps it in. I can trust him when I am setting.” Added Squiers: “Ryan is one of those guys who are hard to take off the court. He’s a six rotational player for us and brings a lot of energy.”  The Eagles cruised to a victory at home against Raytown in three sets. Photo credit: David Rainey, Grain Valley News Photo credit: David Rainey, Grain Valley News 
You click buttons when you visit websites daily – to share, buy, interact. But what if those clicks weren't going where you thought they were? Welcome to clickjacking, the latest cyber scam that allows attackers to manipulate your online actions without you even realizing it. This guide shows various ways to protect yourself from clickjacking. Here's what you need to know. What Is Clickjacking? Clickjacking works when criminals hijack links, buttons, and clickable parts of a website. Attackers place transparent layers over a website, which causes you to click a malicious link instead of the one you thought you were clicking. For example, let's say I visit a website to download a free e-book. Instead of clicking on the link to download the e-book, there is an overlay on that link that downloads malware or a keylogger instead. Instead, the links you click give attackers access to your accounts, personal data, and even your entire computer or device. What makes clickjacking such a serious threat is that the overlays occur on the actual website and not a spoofed version that a scammer would setup. Criminals have figured out if you’re on a reputable site, you’re likely to let your guard down and expect to be safe. How does Clickjacking occur? There are a variety of ways criminals can trick you with clickjacking, such as: Transparent or hidden overlays Click event dropping (clicking appears to not work, but you’re actually clicking an invisible malicious link) Scrolling with a malicious pop-up Cropping (only attacks specific controls on the page) What makes clickjacking so dangerous is that it can bypass antivirus software. Since these attacks happen on reputable sites and may not always download anything, traditional antivirus may not detect them. How to Protect Yourself from Clickjacking One of the easiest ways to protect yourself from clickjacking attacks is to simply keep your web browsers up to date. Despite clickjacking being fairly new, browser developers are actively working on security fixes to help protect users. It’s also important to keep any browser plugins/extensions updated as well. Attackers often use plugins that already make changes to how a site functions to overlay their own malicious code. Pay attention to your clicks and website prompts. Does your favorite site suddenly have a prompt to confirm an action when it never has before? It could be clickjacking. While confirmations are common on websites, it should be a red flag if a site never had them before. Test things out by clicking other buttons or links to see if there are confirmations on all of them. While clickjacking can occur on legitimate websites, it’s an issue on spoofed or fake websites. Make sure you’re correctly typing in the URL or web address. A single typo could cost you. Hopefully, this will give you tips to help you stay safe from clickjacking scams. By staying informed and taking these precautions, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to clickjacking scams. If you have any questions, please reach out. I'm always available.  by Phil Hanson, CEO, Truman Heartland Community Foundation This is always a fun time of year when we have the privilege of announcing our honorees for the Truman Heartland Community Foundation (THCF Toast to Our Towns Gala. This year, our 30th Annual Gala will be held Saturday, September 20, 2025, at the Westin Kansas City at Crown Center. Each year, the Foundation recognizes outstanding individuals, businesses, and organizations whose generosity, leadership, and commitment have made a significant difference across Eastern Jackson County and the surrounding region. Our 2025 honorees embody the spirit of philanthropy, service, and resilience that strengthens our communities. We are proud to celebrate their remarkable contributions and the positive impact they continue to make in our region. The 2025 Toast to Our Towns Gala Honorees are: Humanitarian of the Year – Michele Shanahan DeMoss After the tragic loss of her 11-year-old daughter, Blair, who was killed by a stray bullet from celebratory gunfire on the Fourth of July, Michele became a tireless advocate for public safety. She successfully championed "Blair’s Law," which criminalizes reckless celebratory gunfire in Missouri. Michele is also the founder of Blair’s Foster Socks, a nonprofit supporting children in foster care, and operates a small business in Independence. Her work is a powerful example of transforming personal loss into lasting impact for others. Corporate Citizen of the Year – Cornell Roofing & Sheet Metal With nearly a century of service in the Kansas City area, Cornell Roofing exemplifies community leadership through its support of local nonprofits, educational scholarships, and initiatives like Englewood Arts and Habitat for Humanity. Under the leadership of Mary McNamara, an industry trailblazer, Cornell continues to make a lasting difference. Heartland Service Award – Metropolitan Community College (MCC) For over 100 years, MCC has provided accessible education while leading workforce development and civic engagement efforts throughout the region. The college has empowered tens of thousands of students—many of them first-generation college attendees—to achieve academic success and secure meaningful employment. Through initiatives like the Job Skills Initiative, the Path Forward Capital Campaign, and the Civic Action Plan, MCC’s commitment to students, community growth, and regional leadership has left a transformative legacy. In addition to celebrating these exceptional honorees, the Gala will also recognize Citizens of the Year selected by the mayors of Eastern Jackson County municipalities—highlighting individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary service and leadership at the local level. Stay tuned this summer for more information about the Citizen’s honored by our Mayors. With the Presenting Sponsor of Blue Ridge Bank and Trust, proceeds from the Toast to Our Towns Gala support Truman Heartland Community Foundation’s work in promoting private giving for the public good, including initiatives in education, workforce development, and community betterment. Sponsorships, tables, and individual tickets are available now. For more information about the Gala or to make reservations, please visit www.thcf.org/gala.  by Jill Pritchard, Missouri Department of Conservation Motorists may see some reptilian friends on the roads this spring season. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) urges drivers to be cautious and give turtles a brake! These reptiles are often hit by cars during warmer months but are at special risk this time of year because they are more active. Common turtles spotted on roads include three-toed box turtles, ornate box turtles, red-eared sliders, painted turtles, Mississippi mud turtles, and even snapping turtles. Turtles emerge from their winter burrows and begin to hunt for food and mates during warm and wet conditions, which can lead them to cross roadways, oftentimes resulting in their death. Thousands of box turtles are killed each year by vehicles. Young males make up most of the travelers. They sometimes wander as many as six-miles searching for territories and mates. Females are also crossing the roads in search of nesting areas. Turtles are ectothermic, or cold-blooded, and depend on external sources of heat to determine their body temperatures. This is why they are seen on warm asphalt during cool, spring days. Vehicles are one of the leading threats box turtles face in Missouri, and MDC encourages motorists to be cautious and slow down if they see a turtle in the road. If helping a turtle make it safely across, check for traffic and always move the turtle in the direction it is traveling. MDC also urges the public to leave turtles in the wild. Taking a wild animal, whether a turtle of other species, and keeping it as a pet normally ends in a slow death. Turtles have an extremely low survival rate if taken from their original habitat. Leave turtles in the wild, follow the speed limit, and keep your eyes on the road.  Vehicles are one of the leading threats box turtles face in Missouri, and MDC encourages motorists to be cautious and slow down if they see a turtle in the road. If helping a turtle make it safely across, check for traffic and always move the turtle in the direction it is traveling. Photo credit: MDC  Missouri Supreme Court upholds voter-approved paid sick leave lawby Clara Bates, Missouri Independent Missouri’s Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld Proposition A, the voter-approved law expanding paid sick leave set to go into effect Thursday. It was a unanimous opinion but one judge dissented on the reasoning. “This court finds there was no election irregularity and the election results are valid,” Chief Justice Mary Russell wrote in the opinion. Business groups have been fighting on two fronts to gut the law since it passed in November. Tuesday’s decision marks the failure of one front, but efforts to convince Republican lawmakers to overturn the law remain in play. A bill that cleared the House and awaits action in the Senate would repeal the sick leave provisions. Negotiations between Senate Democrats and Republicans on that legislation appear to have stalled. “In light of today’s decision, it is now imperative that the Missouri General Assembly pass HB 567,” Kara Corches, president and CEO of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said in a press release, referring to the bill to seeking to void the paid sick leave law. The Missouri Supreme Court heard arguments last month seeking to strike down the law, filed by a coalition of business groups and individuals. The lawsuit argued the law should be thrown out for violating constitutional rules on ballot initiatives, including violations of the state constitution’s single-subject requirement and a lack of a clear title, which the court ruled it lacks jurisdiction over. “Workers like me have spent over a decade fighting across race and place to strengthen our rights, and the Supreme Court decision today proves that when we fight, we win,” said Terrence Wise, a Stand Up KC and Missouri Workers Center leader who has worked in the fast food industry for two decades, in a press release. “…We will continue to stand up for our right to the dignified benefits and wages we deserve — from the shop floor to the halls of government.” Prop A passed with nearly 58% of the vote and had the support of numerous unions, workers’ advocacy groups, social justice and civil rights organizations, as well as over 500 business owners. Senate Democrats have spent two nights this month blocking Republican efforts to overturn the law. They have worked on reaching a compromise regarding implementation details.
Senate President Pro Tem Cindy O’Laughlin, a Republican from Shelbina, has been an especially loud voice urging full repeal. She has said that even though requirements go into effect May 1, the Senate could continue working to weaken the law until the end of session on May 16. The bill sponsored by state Sen. Mike Bernskoetter, a Republican from Jefferson City, and state Rep. Sherri Gallick, a Republican from Belton, would overturn the law requiring most employers to provide paid sick time off for hundreds of thousands of qualifying workers. It would also modify the minimum wage law by removing the requirement that it be indexed to inflation. State Sen. Brian Williams, a Democrat from University City, spent over two hours blocking action in the chamber with a filibuster Tuesday morning, saying some had been acting in bad faith during negotiations. “This year, there’s been again, people going back on negotiation, bad faith efforts, distrust, people feeling deceived and members of the body feeling disrespected,” he said. “But most importantly, all in the name of disregarding voters. The very same voters that have sent us here.” Under the law, beginning May 1 employers with business receipts greater than $500,000 a year must provide at least one hour of paid leave for every 30 hours worked. Employers with fewer than 15 workers must allow workers to earn at least 40 hours per year, with larger employers mandated to allow at least 56 hours. The law also gradually increases the minimum wage. “It is financially burdensome, just short of devastating, and its regulatory requirements are extremely difficult for single unit operators,” Buddy Lahl, CEO of the Missouri Restaurant Association, told The Independent Tuesday. The bill would allow the minimum wage to increase to $15 per hour in 2026, as voters approved, but it would not be adjusted for inflation thereafter — a policy that has been in place since 2007. The sick leave provisions would be repealed entirely. Prop A would make sick leave guaranteed for around 728,000 workers who currently lack it statewide, or over 1 in 3 Missouri workers, according to an analysis from the progressive nonprofit the Missouri Budget Project. This story may be updated. The Independent’s Rudi Keller contributed reporting. 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]. 
Mavericks Road to ECHL Mountain Division Semifinal series victory
by Bill Althaus, Grain Valley News Jack LaFontaine's performance in the ECHL Mountain Division playoff series is the stuff legends are made of. He stopped all 24 shots in a 4-0 victory over the Tulsa Oilers Monday night at Cable Dahmer Arena to help the Mavericks defeat their longtime rival 4-2 in a best-of-seven series. LaFontaine lowered his postseason goals against average to a microscopic 1.45 and has a .949 save percentage. "Laffer (LaFontaine) has been incredible in this season,” coach Tad O'Had said. “This is his second shutout, and he came close to another shutout (in a 5-1 victory at Tulsa). "He plays with so much passion and heart and the guys did a great job tonight. This was a complete-team victory with everyone playing a role in the win." After LaFontaine took a game puck to his father John, who has attended all the home playoff games, he lavished praise on his teammates. "A good win, a complete-game win, our guys were amazing tonight," LaFontaine said. "It's so cool to win the fourth game at home. Getting that fourth win in a best-of-seven series is tough. We did it, and we did it at home, which made it even more special. Now, we turn all our attention to Tahoe." The win sets the stage for the Mountain Division championship series that will begin at 4:05 p.m. Sunday at Cable Dahmer Arena against the Tahoe Lake Monsters. The two teams will then play Game 2 at 7:05 p.m. Monday, before the series moves to Tahoe for three games. Moments after the 4-0 victory, O'Had walked off the ice and gave president Mike Cukyne a hug. They are the architects of a team that made it to the ECHL championship series last season. And this postseason, the Mavericks have carried all their regular-season momentum into the postseason. "Every team wants to sweep a best-of-seven series," O'Had said, "but that didn't happen. So it's great that we were win the series at home. That doesn't happen too often in the postseason and we're all happy that we were able to give our fans something to cheer about tonight." LaFontaine's brilliance in the net matched the play of his teammates as Cade Borchardt scored a short-handed goal at 9:45 of the first period to give the Mavericks goaltender all the offensive support he needed. "It's always great to score first - especially at home to get our fans into the game," said Borchardt, who has four goals in the playoffs. "I got a great pass (from Justin McPherson) and was able to slip the puck past (Vyacheslav) Buteyets to open the game with a goal. "I think it's my first short-handed goal ever! Even back in the juniors I don't think I scored a shortie, so that was exciting." Jackson Berezowski then scored a greasy goal in front of the net, deflecting a pass from captain David Cotton past Buteyets for 2-0 first-period lead. Damien Giroux made it 3-0 at 17:59 of the second period on a slick back-handed goal and Nolan Sullivan put the cherry on top of the victory sundae with a goal at 13:07 of the third period. "You know, before Game 5 (4-1 loss at Tulsa) I had this nervous feeling and I will be honest with you, I didn't play my best game," said Giroux, who scored his third goal of the series. "I came into tonight's game with a lot of confidence. "Laffer has been incredible in the series and when Borch scored that shortie in the first period I felt like this was our night. We got a lot of energy from our fans and played a complete game - the type of game you want in the playoffs."  The Mavericks celebrate following a 4-0 victory over the Tulsa Oilers Monday night at Cable Dahmer Arena. Photo credit: Bill Althaus  The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued warnings for severe weather potential Monday afternoon/evening into the overnight hours. There is uncertainty whether conditions will allow for storms to develop Monday afternoon/evening, but if storms develop, they will have a high likelihood of becoming severe. Additionally, the NWS is warning of heavy rain and potential flooding Tuesday evening into Wednesday, with the greatest risk near and south of the Missouri River.   by Bill Althaus, Grain Valley News I want to thank my wife Stacy, my son Sean and so many valued friends for attending Thanks a Million Bill – a celebration of my 43-year career as a sportswriter and columnist at The Examiner. My buddy Tony Wrisinger did all the leg work, Grain Valley High School activities director Brandon Hart graciously allowed us to have the celebration in the school's auditorium, and I am still overwhelmed by the number of friends – old and new – who spent a part of their Friday night with me and my family. One reason for the celebration's success was the participation of Grain Valley legend and University of Missouri basketball standout – and all-around great person – Grace Slaughter. She made a special trip from Columbia to join the fun. It's always great to see Grace and her mom, Becky, who has rebounded more than 20,000 basketballs over the years during a practice routine that made Grace the best at what she does. Two gentlemen were there in spirit, but could not make the event. Allen Lefko, Chairman of the Board of the Bank of Grain Valley, who has become a father figure and mentor to me since my family moved to Grain Valley 26 years ago. And my high school journalism teacher Ron Clemons, who has been a friend and mentor the past 53 years. I love each of you with all my heart and I could feel your spirit in the auditorium. It surprised me, and meant so much to me, that Grain Valley Mayor Mike Todd attended the event with his daughter Harper, to present a plaque on Bill Althaus Celebration Day and to State Representative Jeff Coleman, for a resolution honoring me for my work at The Examiner, Sonic Locker Room, and Grain Valley News. We talked about some great memories from my days at The Examiner, thanked Cory and John Unrein, for allowing to me still do what I enjoy – write about student/athletes and events in Grain Valley for the Grain Valley News – and let folks know what type of impact our radio program, The Sonic Locker Room, has made over the past 17 years. And that's all because of Tony and his daughter, Olivia, the brightest and best young producer I've worked with. I will admit, there were a few tears, a ton of smiles and memories to last a lifetime. Thank you so much! Here are a few comments from some people who were unable to attend the event: "I can't ever thank you enough Bill for everything that you have done for me, our family, our school, our athletic programs and for our kids. Congratulations on an incredible career that has had such a positive impact on so many." - Andy Herbert, Eagles Head Basketball Coach "Bill Althaus is a respected writer, but to me he is also a friend. I appreciate his approach to coaches and to athletes, and the way he tells important stories. I wish every time I talked with him was following a win, but we had conversations after tough losses as well, and all those conversations happen through his knowledgeable sports eye, with the compassion and interest they deserve. He asks questions that help me frame my emotions in those big and sometimes small moments. That's his professionalism coming through. I am also grateful for the way he honors student athletes with his writing. He details their accomplishments, but he also captures their character, something so important to me and our program. I think of Bill as a neighbor--his Grain Valley roots are evident, as he continues to support our community and school. I would guess that perhaps thousands of teams and athletes have felt Bill's presence in journalism and maybe hundreds of thousands of readers have shared a moment when reading his accounts. We have a rare gem among us and I am grateful to call Bill a friend." - David Allie, Eagles Head Football Coach "Former Chicago Bears National Football League Hall of Famer Mike Ditka has been quoted as saying, 'class is hard to define.' Bill Althaus exudes class in everything he does. More importantly, he has done it consistently through a journalism career that has lasted over forty years. Bill loves to write, and more importantly he brings to life the stories of those who call Grain Valley home. Bill is respectful, kind, empathetic, caring, and thoughtful to those he meets on his journey through life. Even if you don't have the joy of getting to call him your friend, you will experience these traits in your interactions with Mr. Althaus. Grain Valley High School and the community of Grain Valley could have no better ambassador than Bill Althaus. A class act." - John Unrein, Grain Valley News "Bill is an All-Star in his field. Thanks for your friendship over the years." - George Brett, Kansas City Royals Hall of Famer Grain Valley High School - thank you! Thank you for hosting a celebration of 43 years of excellence. Congrats to my good friend Bill Althaus on a JOB WELL DONE! Whenever I see Bill, or see his byline, it always makes me smile. You're the best. - Rick Sutcliffe, Cy Young Award Winner It doesn't matter if Bill is covering an event or game with George Brett or a nine-hole high school golf match in the middle of the week, Bill puts the same effort and attention to detail into every story. That's what makes him great and loved by so many. Thank you for all you do for the Mavericks. I feel that very few people truly understand what goes in to creating a winning culture. It’s been a very long and difficult road to get to where we are, and it’s people like you that stand by this team. You are a valued member of our media base and will always have a seat with this team. - Mike Cukyne, Kansas City Mavericks Team President "Congratulations to Bill on his retirement. Bill has done a tremendous job covering the Mavericks throughout his tenure and has become a true friend along the way. His professionalism and authenticity are second to none. Bill's thorough reporting and attention to detail, and strong work ethic have left a lasting impact. I am incredibly grateful for all he has done to cover the Mavericks and sports across the city. We are lucky to have him in our corner and I'm honored to call him a friend." - Tad O'Had, Kansas City Mavericks Head Coach and General Manager  Grain Valley High School basketball coach Randy Draper and Grain Valley graduate and all-time leader in scoring for the Eagles basketball team Grace Slaughter were part of the Thanks A Million Bill Celebration Friday night at Grain Valley High School. Photo credit: Danny Stickley.  I was able to celebrate my 43-year career at The Examiner with my wife Stacy (from left), Becky Slaughter and her daughter Grace, the greatest high school basketball player I ever covered. Grace and her family are an important part of my and Stacy's lives. We are so blessed for everyone who attended. Photo credit: Tony Wrisinger  by Bill Althaus, Grain Valley News TULSA, Okla. - Welcome to the tense, exciting roller-coaster-ride that is the ECHL Mountain Division semifinal series between the Kansas City Mavericks and Tulsa Oilers. The Oilers won Game 1, before the Mavericks won the next three games, to take a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. The Mavericks had all the momentum they needed following a 2-0 victory over the Oilers Thursday night at BOK Center, but the never-say-die Oilers rebounded from that shutout to down the Mavericks 4-1 Friday night at home. The Mavericks hold a 3-2 lead heading into the 7:05 p.m. Monday series that returns to Cable Dahmer Arena. As coach Tad O'Had warned early in the series, following his Mavericks Game 1 loss, "It's a best-of-seven series, not a best-of-one series, and we're anticipating a challenging series." Jack LaFontaine has been in the net for each game for the Mavericks. He recorded his first-ever postseason shutout and is 3-2 with a 1.73 goals against average and a .933 save percentage. "In a series like this, you just take them one game at a time," LaFontaine said. "You don't want to get too high, or too low. I know the guys playing in front of me are the best, and we're looking for a big win back in Kansas City." Last Thursday, Marcus Crawford put Kansas City on the board in the first period at 8:54, scoring off assists from Jackson Berezowski and David Cotton.After a scoreless second frame, Justin MacPherson gave LaFontaine some breathing room with a goal at 8:36, assisted by Max Andreev. LaFontaine stopped all 29 shots he faced in earning the milestone victory. Despite out-shooting Tulsa 42-26 Friday night, the Mavericks couldn’t overcome a strong night from goaltender Vyacheslav Buteyets, who made 41 saves in the win.After a scoreless first period, Tyler Poulson opened the scoring at 8:21 of the second period to give Tulsa a 1-0 lead. The Oilers struck again just 1:31 into the third with a goal from Conner Roulette, followed by tallies from Drew Elliott (11:38)and Poulson (19:21) to seal the win. Captain David Cotton scored the lone Mavericks goal at 16:59 of the third period, assisted by Casey Carreau and Marcus Crawford. LaFontaine made 22 saves for the Mavericks. "LaFontaine has been outstanding in this series, we just need to give him a little more (offensive) support," O'Had said. "The hardest thing to do in the playoffs is win that close out game, and we have a chance to get that done Monday at home."  Kansas City Mavericks goaltender Jack LaFontaine recorded his first postseason shutout last Thursday in a 2-0 victory over the Tulsa Oilers. The Oilers rebounded with a 4-1 victory at BOK Center Friday night to bring the Mountain Division semifinals back to Cable Dahmer Arena, where the Mavericks will host Tulsa at 7:05 p.m. Monday. The Mavericks hold a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series. Photo credit: The Kansas City Mavericks  by Michael Smith, Grain Valley News The Grain Valley girls soccer team was red hot. It came into Thursday’s matchup with Blue Springs South on an eight-game winning streak and coming in had at least one goal in every game. That changed against a Jaguar squad that is ranked No. 3 in Class 4 according to the Missouri High School Soccer Coaches Association. South’s defense made it difficult for Grain Valley to get any clean looks inside the 18-yard box. Most of their shot attempts came from 25-plus yards out and the Eagles couldn’t find the back of the net in a 4-0 loss at South. Grain Valley’s best shot attempts came from senior forward Ally Gilbert from just outside of the penalty box. Her first one went just wide of the net in the 35th minute and the other was a slow roller that was easily saved by South goalkeeper Des Stone. A lot of attempts from junior Radleigh Childers, who is the Eagles’ top goal scorer, came from about 25 to 30 yards away from the net. Her final attempt late in the game from the right wing was partially blocked by junior Lailah Smith and collected by Stone. She also had a shot from the left wing that just went wide right of the goal midway through the first half. “Offensively, we were settling for far shots,” Grain Valley head coach Brett Lewis said. “I feel like our girls could have combined a little bit better.” Lewis added defensive mistakes led to some of the goals South made. Jaguar senior Lilly Gibler got the scoring going as she received a cross from Alyssa Guadagnano and she floated a shot from the left corner of the penalty box and inside the far post for a 1-0 lead in the 20th minute. With 8 minutes and 52 seconds left in the first half, a direct free kick from junior Mary Hoffman was headed toward the Eagles’ goal, and sophomore Kenley Hooks raced toward the net and blasted in a header to push South’s led to 2-0. In the 36th minute, South continued its strong attack when sophomore Lexi Edwards sent a long through ball to Guadagnano, who slipped a shot inside the left post and past the diving Alayna Maybell to put her team up by three scores. Junior Haley Cramer completed the scoring for South received a cross from a teammate and nailed a perfectly placed shot inside the left post in the 49th minute. “We just need to clean up some things,” Lewis said. “I thought a lot of the goals we gave up were off our mistakes. They capitalized. (South) is very athletic and they will just press you. It’s a credit to them.” Despite the loss, there were some bright spots to take away from the game for Lewis. “I was proud of our effort,” Lewis said. “I thought Mia Cole played really well in the middle. She defended Haley (Cramer) really well. She held her own.” Photo credit: David Rainey, Grain Valley News Grain Valley High School junior Ellie Martin recently completed the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest honor that can be achieved by a Girl Scout. For her project, Martin spent over 80 hours creating a website designed to help parents and guardians teach those around them how to swim. The site includes instructional videos, assessment sheets, drills, and structured lesson plans. Martin said her goal was to eliminate as many barriers as possible that might prevent members of her community from feeling safe in or around water. "I was able to partner with several Girl Scouts of Northeast Kansas and Northwest Missouri (GSKSMO) platforms, as well as other local organizations, to share my project directly with scouts and families across Missouri and Kansas. In total, it’s estimated that the project reached over 2,500 families—giving them access to swim instruction materials ahead of the summer," Martin said. Martin has participated in Girl Scouts since she was in kindergarten, starting her journey as a Daisy with a small group of other Girl Scouts who are still participating together today. Martin said her troop has saved their cookie money for the past several years as they plan to take a capstone trip together, either to Savannah, Georgia (the birthplace of Girl Scouts) or to a location where none of the four girls have visited before. Martin said the most rewarding part is not only developing their own leadership skills, "but being able to teach these skills to younger girls". "It's very rewarding to work with girls from 6th to 12th grade at day camp and serve as a role model." Martin explained that the Gold Award is often compared to the Boy Scout's Eagle Scout honor but explains one main difference. "They both have their benefits, but what is unique about the Girl Scouts Gold Award is that it must be sustainable. That's something we work hard on, making sure they can last past our involvement." Martin's Accessible Swim Lessons site can found at: Accessible Swim Lessons.
Grain Valley High School junior Ellie Martin has completed the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award that can be earned by a Girl Scout. Martin created a website to help parents and guardians teach their child to swim. Photos courtesy Ellie Martin.  by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society Where were you when you learned John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States was assassinated? If you were alive on November 22, 1963, I’m sure you probably recall where you were and what you were doing. In all likelihood, the same can be said for 9/11. I was in Mr. (Randol) Wiggins chemistry class on the second floor, on the south end of the old (1925) high school building. Our superintendent, Mr. (Moody) Murry came into our class and told us Kennedy had been shot. A bit later, he returned to tell us he was dead. During the 1960's, I graduated from high school, I graduated from college, I got my first car (a 1966 candy apple red Mustang), and I got my first job. But when someone asks me what happened in the 1960s, Kennedy’s assassination is the first thing that comes to mind. In Grain Valley - -
So, while the Soviets put the first man in space, Martin Luther King, Jr., gave his “I have a dream” speech, Marilyn Monroe died, Mohammad Ali became the World Heavy Weight champ, Walt Disney died, and Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, Grain Valley continued to grow; slowly, very slowly. By 1970 the population was still only 702. Meanwhile James Meredith walked across the State of Mississippi and was the first African-American to attend the University of Mississippi. He later graduated from Columbia Law School. During the decade of the 1960's Thurgood Marshall became the African-American U. S. Supreme Court Justice. This all came at the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement. While some may refer to the 1960's as the era of sex, drugs, and rock n’ roll, the 1960's also saw significant advancements in technology, including the invention of the laser, the computer mouse, Kevlar, ARPANET (the precursor to the internet), and the dynamic random-access memory (RAM). Other important inventions from the decade include the ATM, compact disc technology, and basic computer language. It kind of sounds like the 60s were the beginning of Modern America! by Josh Hartwig, Missouri Department of Conservation Spring brings a variety of newborn animals that may look to be abandoned, but Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Protection Regional Supervisor Russell Duckworth says that’s rarely the case, and that it’s best to leave wildlife wild. “Young wildlife are seldom orphaned,” said Duckworth. “When we see newborn animals alone, that means the parents are likely out searching for food and will return.” A newborn wildlife species commonly encountered in the spring are young birds. “If you see a chick with feathers hopping on the ground, leave it alone because it’s a fledgling and its parents are nearby keeping watch,” said Duckworth. He said fledglings can spend up to 10 days on the ground learning to fly. If you find one that has no feathers, it likely fell out of its nest, and you can return it to the nesting area, if possible. Another species Duckworth warns against interfering with is young rabbits. He said they seldom survive in captivity and can die of fright from being handled. “It takes a lot of knowledge to care for and rehabilitate wild animals,” said Duckworth. “It’s also illegal to possess any wild animals without a valid state or federal permit.” He cautioned that wildlife could become dangerous as they mature, and can carry disease, parasites, and cause property damage. “The best thing we can do for wild animals is to leave them be,” said Duckworth. “Please remember to leave wildlife wild.”  Photo credit: MDC KANSAS CITY, Mo. – In the aftermath of World War I, the fields of northeastern France became the site of a dangerous legacy: the Iron Harvest. This Earth Day, Tuesday, April 22, 2025, the National WWI Museum and Memorial unveiled its newest exhibition examining war’s toll on the earth and its lasting environmental impact. Artillery was the primary frontline weapon in WWI and by the time fighting ended on the Western Front in 1918, shelling had torn the countryside apart – forests were splintered, craters pockmarked the fields and whole towns were wiped out. Across the globe and during the four years of the Great War, over one billion rounds of artillery were fired. Iron Harvest refers to the unearthing of vast amounts of unexploded artillery shells, bombs, grenades and mines. After the war ended, the destruction along the Western Front was so great that many people could not safely return. On April 17, 1919, the French government passed a law allowing it to buy lands considered temporarily or permanently unsafe. Much of this land had been farmland but 10 entire towns had to be abandoned entirely or reestablished away from the contaminated earth. Despite clearing efforts, danger still exists. Nearly 30 percent of all shells fired during World War I failed to explode, and since 1918, the weapons of the Great War have killed more than 900 people in northeastern France and Belgium. Countless more have been seriously injured, chemically burned or poisoned from plants and animals exposed to dangerous decomposing materials. “The devastation that armed conflict brings to the land lasts for generations beyond the fighting itself,” said Dr. Chris Juergens, Curator at the National WWI Museum and Memorial. “Iron Harvest is a chilling reminder of war’s enduring impact.” It is estimated that it will take another 300 years from now to completely clear the zone of unexploded ordnance – but this does not include the time needed to break down the poisons embedded in the soil. Iron Harvest is located in the West Lobby of the Museum and Memorial and admission is not required to visit. A variety of engaging programs will support the exhibition. Stay tuned to theworldwar.org/events for more information.  Iron Harvest explores the environmental legacy of World War I battles in the fields of northeastern France and Belgium. Photo credit: National WWI Museum and Memorial. |
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