by Michael Smith
 
The sport of tennis is growing at Grain Valley.
 
That was evident at this week’s annual tennis camp as 87 students participated in some drills and scrimmages at the high school.
 
Children who also play tennis in leagues managed by the Parks & Recreation of the City of Grain Valley came to the camp organized by veteran head coach Randy Draper.
 
The camp included girls and boys who are in youth leagues as well as those playing at the high school level.
 
“We get some players who play in the Parks and Rec League and those who play there, also send people over here, so we feed each other,” Draper said. “We’ve also been pretty successful and the kids want to be a part of that.”
 
“It’s fun to watch how tennis has exploded here.”
 
It also helps that those who participate in the camp help recruit their friends to join.
 
“Especially during track season, I talk to my friends and say, ‘Hey! You should join us for tennis camp this year,’” Grain Valley senior Brooklyn Spencer said. “And most of them think it sounds fun.”
 
Senior John Cassidy helped in that effort, as well.
 
“Coach Draper does a great job getting people to come for this,” Cassidy said. “I also talked to some of the eighth graders I know to come to the tennis camp. They were reluctant at first but now they enjoy it.”
 
Draper said he had about 35 people who are in youth leagues and the rest are on the high school teams. With so many people at the camp, Draper and the rest of his staff have to figure out ways to get everyone involved in the drills.
 
On Thursday, players rotated on and off the court and took turns striking the ball and playing in scrimmages on the eight courts that were available.
 
“You have to think about your drill work and get more kids involved so there is not as much time standing,” Draper said. “We want to give everyone a chance to get better. We want to keep them moving. We also have a lot of games that we play where you can have a lot of people on the court.”
 
On Thursday, recent graduates FInley LaForge and Emma Thiessen helped run the camp. Draper’s current players, like Spencer, also stick around to help with the youth camp.
 
“We work with them on forehands and backhands,” Spencer said of the youth camp. “Some of them are pretty good and get to play in matches.”
 
Draper said that those typically get better at the sport are at the offseason camps and play in tournaments throughout the summer. Cassidy can attest to that fact.
 
“This gives us a chance to hit against some people at our skill level over the summer,” Cassidy said.
 
Following the camp, five open hit sessions in June with the first one being on the third from 9 to 10:30 a.m. The summer schedule for tennis can be found at https://gvhs.grainvalleyschools.org/activities/summer_2024_information/summer_2024_sports_and_activities_calendars.
 

by Michael Smith
 

Oftentimes, it is difficult for any high school sports team to replace seniors who have graduated.
 
For the 2024 Grain Valley football team, it could be a challenge to replace the 23 seniors it lost to graduation from the 2023 Class 5 state quarterfinals run.
 
Allie noted he does have some players coming back with varsity experience, so the cupboard is not bare, but replacing some key players such as Simone Award finalist Ty Williams at running back could be challenging.
 
This week, head coach David Allie and the rest of his coaching staff hosted mini camps this week, which will help some players who will play varsity football for the first time get up to speed on the playbook and get into shape for the upcoming season this fall.
 
“It’s going to be a growing year,” senior running back DJ Harris said. “I am not worried about it. We have guys out here who can compete and we have a good group of seniors. We had some underclassmen ready to get in there and compete.”
 
The Eagles are also using it to get the varsity team ready to participate in the Pittsburg State University camp next week. There, Grain Valley will get to scrimmage against other teams in the Midwest, such as squads from Arkansas, Oklahoma and Kansas.
 
“It’s a neat place to get away,” Allie said. “Our team gets to stay together in dorms. We get to face opponents we don’t know much about. It’s a really good time.”
 
At the mini camp, Allie said he had about 130 people there, with about 47 freshmen, so the veteran coach will have plenty of options to fill in the vacant spots last year’s seniors left behind.
 
During the mini camp, the team goes three days without helmets and shoulder pads. During the final two days, the players can put on helmets and pads. The team worked on drills and plays this week, but there is no tackling.
 
“This is more of a get the freshmen up to speed type of thing and get them to know the playbook,” Grain Valley offensive lineman Korbyn Goodwin said. “And if there was anything someone forgot from last season, it can be a refresher.
 
Added senior linebacker Toby Inman: “The mini camp also helps you see who plays best with who. And what formation is the best for us defensively.”
 
For those on defense, they’ve been working on tackling by hitting the pads.
 
“We are working on our physicality and we want to drive the running back backward,” Inman said.
 
After the Pittsburg State camp, the Eagles will continue to participate in camps at other college campuses such as the University of Missouri and Central Missouri University and will have three organized team activity sessions in June before the dead period from June 29 to July 7.
 
“We’ve had some really good numbers. Hopefully we will find the next crop to come through to help continue the winning ways,” Allie said.

On the evening of May 27th, the Valley Wagon, a local produce stand that has expanded in recent years to include flowers, ice cream, and a variety of home décor and gift items, announced via Facebook that it would be closing immediately. The social media announcement stated:

“After some very hard conversations and some long nights a decision has been made. We are closing The Valley Wagon in Grain Valley. The city of Grain Valley has put some pressure on us after 4 years of business to bring our site up to the city standard codes. Those standards and codes are to build permanent structures and pave our site. Those improvements cost more than the business can withstand. This is not the only reason the decision was made we also have the rising cost of goods, shipping, produce production, labor, and a host of all the expenses of running a business that has cut our margins. Stack all of this on a family life trying to raise kids keep the family intact and have happiness has put strain on our life. We love all of our customers and will miss everyone dearly and we know you will miss us just as much but we have to make hard decisions to protect our well being. We would like to thank each and every one of you for your support and kindness while we were in business we could not have built the business we had without you. This decision is effective immediately we are officially closed. Thank you again for all the great years.”

Predictably, the announcement created a series of online conversations among citizens and pulled Mayor Mike Todd into the fray online.

The produce stand and additional structures are located at 1451 S Buckner Tarsney Road and owned by Vince and Melissa Moehle. The Moehles began the business as a mobile produce wagon where customers could pick up fresh produce and pay on the honor system via a box on the wagon. The Moehles expanded in 2020, purchasing the approximate 3-acre lot at 1451 S Buckner Tarsney. The property is located along a floodway line.

“We were fully aware of floodway line, and we did get permission from the city to operate at that location as long as everything was mobile,” Melissa Moehle said.

In 2021, the Moehles added a portable shed in addition to the produce wagon, and in 2022, added a second portable shed where they sold ice cream and other packaged dessert and snack items. Electricity was added to the structure and permitted by the City in 2022.

The Moehles also added fencing and gravel to the area, and Melissa Moehle stated city officials who permitted the electrical did not raise concern about these additions at the time.

Mayor Mike Todd said the business is permitted as a produce wagon and one building temporarily.

“They are supposed to remove them at the end of every season and bring them back. That is what their permit is for. I know it is hard to believe that the city is nice sometimes, and we were just letting it go. We let the unpermitted building go for at least a year. That is where issues started coming in because we were not making them meet requirements that other retail businesses meet. They have a port-a-potty, there is no water on site, no sewer, they have gravel dow, and these are all things that other retail sites would not be able to do,” Todd said.

On January 2, 2024, Community Development Director Mark Trosen sent an email to the Moehles stating that “We have had a few inquiries regarding the number of buildings, signage and the businesses being operated from the Valley Wagon location. Our Building Official, Mike Russell, and I would like to meet and discuss these items with you.”

Melissa Moehle said she did not see this initial email as they do not regularly check their email in the off-season. Moehle said her first notification of an issue came in April, when Trosen called Moehle to inquire if they had seen his email requesting a meeting. Moehle said she told Trosen she had not seen the email, and this is the first time she was aware of any concerns. A meeting was scheduled for April 12th, where Trosen and Russell met with the Moehles at the Valley Wagon premises.

Moehle said Trosen stated they had received a number of call and complaints about the number of buildings on the property and expansion plans that appeared to violate city code. Moehle said she asked for details regarding the number and nature of the complaints and Trosen said they were undocumented and could not provide detail regarding how many complaints had been received. Moehle said they were provided three options, and that all options provided would lead to a hardship for their business:  

1. Scale back the business to the produce wagon and the original shed;
2. Complete hydrologic and hydraulic studies to submit to FEMA. Moehle states the estimated costs to complete these studies range between $15,000 and $20,000.
3. Do nothing and face daily fines.

Moehle stated plans for 2024 also included a bargain barn in the original shed structure as well as patio furniture for sale, and the couple was informed these would not be permitted as it falls outside the scope of a farmers’ market or produce stand.

Plans to add a food truck on site were also discussed and city staff explained that this feature could not be added without proper licensing, and the truck could not remain on site overnight.
Moehle said the couple left the meeting feeling blindsided.

“It reduced me to tears and that takes me a lot. This is our livelihood,” Moehle said.

Moehle said the couple began researching their options and found information on filing a variance application, which they completed and turned into City Hall. Moehle stated while they waited for a reply, she and her husband reached out to Missouri State Representative Jeff Coleman via email, as well as the mayor and aldermen representing the area where they business is located. Additionally, Vince Moehle reached out to FEMA for clarification of the rules. Moehle said they contacted an engineer who began exploring options and costs to complete the studies required.

In an April 25th email to Melissa Moehle, Trosen stated he had reviewed the application and addressed why a variance could not be granted:

“I have reviewed your variance application.  In the application, you stated that I did not provide the variance process as an option during our meeting on April 12, 2024.  The reason is the City cannot grant a variance within a designated Floodway unless there have been hydrologic and hydraulic analyses prepared by Missouri Registered Engineer using Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) guidelines that the proposed encroachment would not result in any increase in flood levels or FEMA issues a Letter of Map Amendment Revision (LOMAR) removing the property from the floodway. 
 
The City participates in the National Flood Insurance Program which offers flood insurance to homeowners, renters, and business owners. To be a participating community, the city has agreed to adopt and enforce floodplain management ordinances. If ordinances are not enforced, we could jeopardize our residents no longer being eligible for flood insurance.
 
The City Code of Ordinances contains Chapter 415 that pertains to the adoption of floodplain management regulations. I believe you are familiar with these regulations since you provided a copy from one of the sections.
 
In Section 415.050 under paragraph D (see attachment), it states that:
 
2. The community shall prohibit any encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial improvements, and other development within the adopted regulatory floodway unless it has been demonstrated through hydrologic and hydraulic analyses performed in accordance with standard engineering practice that the proposed encroachment would not result in any increase in flood levels within the community during the occurrence of the base flood discharge.
 
Therefore, the items referenced in the application that are on-site or requesting to be on-site: fencing, gravel, portable shed(s), portable storage container, food trailer, port-a-potty, water storage on-site, solar pole lights and shade cloth are in violation of this code section.
 
Referring to Section 415.060, Floodplain Management Variance Procedures, under paragraph E, item 3 (see attachment), it states the following:
 
3. Variances shall not be issued within any designated floodway if any increase in flood levels during the base flood discharge would result.
 
As stated above, we are unable to process your variance application because of Section 415.060 E. 3. The application is incomplete because it does not contain the necessary hydrologic and hydraulic studies that need to be reviewed and approved by FEMA to determine that the existing encroachment(s) would not result in any increase in flood levels.
 
You can pick up your application and check at the Water Utility Billing counter in City Hall where you dropped it off last week.
 
The violation noted above regarding Section 415.050 D.2 is being referred to the Code Enforcement Section who will be in touch with you in writing.”
 
Moehle said the couple felt they were faced with a “no win situation. We are still going to have to move all the structures and downsize our business. We are way behind on sales from last year, and it became not feasible to stay open.”

Todd said the announcement of their closure came as a surprise to the city as well.

“As of last week, their engineer came into city hall and pulled all of our flood management stuff that we had, so we thought that was the way they were going. No one at City Hall had any indication they were closing. No one said anything to us, and no one from the city said we were going to close them. We were going to renew their business license even though they were not meeting requirements because they were working toward a solution, we thought,” Todd said.

​Mayor Mike Todd and the Moehles have a meeting scheduled for Thursday afternoon, May 30th to discuss the issues and options available to the Valley Wagon.

The City of Grain Valley will host its annual City-Wide Clean Up event from 8:00am - 2:00pm on Saturday, June 1st. Residents may bring their old/unwanted mattresses and furniture to the Public Works Facility, 405 James Rollo Drive at no cost. 

Other accepted items include:
- Metal
- Lawn Mowers (all fluids must be drained)
- Home Decor
- Mirrors
- Refrigerators (also must be drained)
- Scrap wood & similar items

Residents needing to dispose of storm debris may do so Saturday, June 1st from 8:00am - 4:00pm at the Jackson County Yard Waste facility, 37910 Pink Hill Road, Oak Grove MO 64075. Natural debris (tree limbs, yard waste) only. 

Father figures deserve tremendous credit for the countless contributions to their families. Their health and lifestyle choices notably impact the overall well-being of their families. They also play a significant role in modeling healthy behaviors for their children. These behaviors encompass fitness activities, dietary habits, and even digital etiquette, such as staying off the phone at the dinner table.

Parents' lifestyles significantly influence their children's susceptibility to chronic diseases like cardiovascular issues. This risk can be influenced by genetics in addition to factors such as environment, diet, education and socioeconomic factors. Studies indicate that a parent's lifestyle can shape their offspring's health even decades later.

Consider these men’s health values and how you could model them to improve your health and your families’.

1. Integrate more of your values into daily life: Amidst responsibilities and work demands, it is essential to design a life that reflects your values each day. For example, cooking balanced meals and eating together as a family, fitting in physical activity throughout the week, or exploring nature.
2. Regularly see your primary care physician: One simple but crucial step is to find a primary care physician and visit them regularly.
3. Take initiative with health screenings: Keep updated with health screenings, such as the Hy-Vee Healthy You Omega-3 Index Screening Tour. During the month of June, Hy-Vee dietitians will be offering FREE Omega-3 Index Screenings thanks to our generous sponsors Nordic Naturals and GOED. Request your free screening appointment here.

When it comes to men’s health, let’s not forget about key nutrients in your diet such as omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, sodium and potassium. Omega-3 fatty acids significantly reduce the risk for sudden death caused by cardiac arrhythmias and all-cause mortality in patients with known coronary heart disease. They are also used to treat hyperlipidemia and hypertension.

If you are looking to increase your omega-3 intake but aren’t a fan of seafood, consider Nordic Naturals supplements available in your Hy-Vee HealthMarket. Vitamin D plays several roles in men's health, including maintaining testosterone levels, keeping bones strong, and helping with mental health. It can be found in salmon, fortified dairy and breakfast cereals in addition to supplements. Minerals such as sodium and potassium also play a critical role in men’s health. A diet balanced with low-sodium and potassium-rich foods promotes heart health benefits such as lowered blood pressure and reduced risk of heart disease and stroke.

Men's health matters significantly, affecting not only their individual well-being but also shaping their families' health and the generations to come. Fathers play a crucial role in modeling healthy behaviors and habits, emphasizing the importance of proactive health management in men's lives. Try this recipe idea in celebration of Men’s Health Month for a delicious home cooked meal that contains all the flavor without the sodium. Plus, melons contain potassium which is helpful in maintaining healthy blood pressure.


Tandoori Chicken with Spicy Melon Salad
Serves 4
 
All you need:
2 teaspoons lime zest, divided
½ cup fresh lime juice, divided
¼ cup Hy-Vee vegetable oil
¼ cup plain Hy-Vee Greek yogurt
3 tablespoons salt-free tandoori spice blend
3 tablespoons fresh gingerroot, peeled and chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 (6 ounce) Hy-Vee boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 cups Hy-Vee Short Cuts honeydew melon, cut into ¼-inch pieces
2 cups Hy-Vee Short Cuts cantaloupe, cut into ¼-inch pieces
1 cup English cucumber, peeled and cut into ¼-inch pieces
1 cup Hy-Vee Short Cuts chopped red onions
1 large jalapeño pepper, seeded and sliced
3 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
1 tablespoon Hy-Vee honey
Lime wedges, for serving
 
All you do:

1. Stir together 1 teaspoon lime zest, 1/4 cup lime juice, oil, yogurt, tandoori spice, ginger and garlic in a small bowl. Season with salt.
2. Place chicken in a large resealable plastic bag. Pour yogurt mixture over chicken; seal bag. Turn bag to evenly coat chicken with yogurt mixture. Marinate in refrigerator 1 hour or overnight, turning bag occasionally.
3. For salad, combine honeydew, cantaloupe, cucumber, red onions, jalapeño, 3 tablespoons parsley, honey, remaining 1 teaspoon lime zest, and 1/4 cup lime juice. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour or overnight.
4. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a large, rimmed baking pan with foil. Place wire rack in pan; lightly spray rack with nonstick spray.
5. Remove chicken from marinade; discard marinade. Place chicken on prepared rack in pan. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until the chicken reaches 165 degrees, turning once halfway through.
6. To serve, top chicken with melon salsa. Garnish with additional parsley and serve with lime wedges, if desired.

 
Recipe Source: https://www.hy-vee.com/recipes-ideas/recipes/tandoori-chicken-with-spicy-melon-salad
 
 
The information is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional for individual advice. This content was made possible with the paid support of our sponsors Nordic Naturals and GOED.

The 2024 Historical Society calendar featured this photograph, the West side of Main Street in Downtown Grain Valley. It deserves a lot more research than I have been able to accomplish. Hopefully, when it’s winter and there is snow on the ground, I’ll find time to check out a few more details.

First, does anyone recognize the car or the two ladies walking West on Front Street? Does anyone know the year the Bank of Grain Valley was renovated and the windows were covered? Does anyone recollect what year the Drug Store closed? Does anyone recall when the Sni-A-Bar Bank building was demolished? At this point, all I can say for sure is the Christian Church burned in 1978.

Here’s what I do know. (Left to right) The Bank of Grain Valley opened in 1905 with 10 local citizens investing $1,000 each. The group was led by the Warren, Webb, and Cannon families. It is the oldest building in town at 119 years! Next is the Grain Valley Drug Store housed in the original Williams building. It was built around 1910 with bricks made right here in Grain Valley.

Next is another business that was part of the original Williams building. The U.S. Post Office was housed there until the late 1960s. Growing up, I always remember a restaurant there with various proprietors. The current Historical Society is in the building at 506 Main. In this photograph, the building was used by an upholsterer. It had previously been a general store and a grocery store.

Just past the alley there was a restaurant, and Ryan’s Locker Plant. Again, more research is required before I know what might have been there in the 1970s. Finally, we see the once stately Sni-A-Bar Bank building next to the Christian Church.

And that, my friends, is a glimpse of Downtown Grain Valley in the seventies! If you can add any information, PLEASE drop by the Historical Society on Wednesdays from 10 AM to 3 PM and record your memories! You are also invited to visit on First Fridays from 4:00pm - 8:00pm next Friday, June 7th, where we will have a train mural and some artifacts in our building to recognize the founding of our town.  Bring your phones and cameras and take photos at the Historical Society and at several participating locations in DOWNTOWN GRAIN VALLEY!
​

Saint Mary’s Medical Center, a member of Prime Healthcare, was named to the 100 Great Community Hospitals list by Becker’s Hospital Review.

“St. Mary’s Medical Center has focused on providing Eastern Jackson County with exceptional care for more than 40 years. Our providers and staff take great pride in providing our community with the care it deserves without having to go far from home. Being named a 100 Great Community Hospital by Becker’s and achieving a “Hospital Safety Grade A” from Leapfrog are wonderful acknowledgments of the high-quality care that our providers and staff deliver every day to our community," St. Mary's Medical Center Chief Executive Officer Kelly Pearce said.

Per Becker’s, the community hospitals featured on the complete list are focused on bringing clinical and academic excellence, personalized and holistic care, and overall improved health to their communities. The Becker's editorial team selected hospitals for inclusion based on nominations and considered several outside rankings and ratings organizations, including U.S. News & World Report, Healthgrades, CMS, The Leapfrog Group, the National Rural Health Association and The Chartis Center for Rural Health.
 
Saint Mary’s Medical Center also recently received an  Hospital Safety Grade “A” from The Leapfrog Group, a patient safety ratings organization. Leapfrog assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country based on over 30 measures of errors, accidents, injuries and infections as well as the systems hospitals have in place to prevent them.  
St. Mary’s Medical Center has earned this award for 7 years in a row.
 
For more information, visit www.StMarysKC.com

by Joe Jerek, Missouri Department of Conservation 


Want some free fun that gets family and friends outside in nature? Get hooked on fishing with the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Free Fishing Days June 8 and 9. During Free Fishing Days, anyone may fish in the Show-Me State without having to buy a fishing permit, trout permit, or trout park daily tag. 

Free Fishing Days is an annual MDC event that takes place statewide during the Saturday and Sunday following the first Monday in June.

Aside from not needing permits, other fishing regulations remain in effect, such as limits on size and number of fish an angler may keep. Special permits may still be required at some county, city, or private fishing areas. Trespass laws remain in effect on private property.

Conservation makes Missouri a great place to fish, and Free Fishing Days encourages people to sample Missouri’s abundant fishing opportunities. Missouri has more than a million acres of surface water, and most of it provides great fishing. More than 200 different fish species are found in Missouri, with more than 20 of them being game fish for the state's more than 1.1 million anglers.

For information on Missouri fishing regulations, fish identification, and more, get a copy of MDC’s 2024 Summary of Missouri Fishing Regulations, available where permits are sold, or online at mdc.mo.gov/about-us/about-regulations/summary-missouri-fishing-regulations.

Want to learn to fish? MDC’s Discover Nature – Fishing Program provides a series of free lessons throughout the state. All fishing gear is provided. Learn more at mdc.mo.gov/fishing/discover-nature-fishing.

Need fishing gear? MDC works with numerous libraries and other locations around the state to loan fishing gear for free. Loaner gear includes fishing poles and simple tackle box with hooks, sinkers, and bobbers. Worms, minnows, or other bait are not provided. Find MDC Rod and Reel Loaner Program locations at mdc.mo.gov/fishing/get-started-fishing/rod-reel-loaner-locations.
MDC’s free MO Fishing app can help anglers find the best places to fish in Missouri, access regulation information, identify fish by species, and more. Anglers can also buy, store, and show fishing permits right on their mobile devices. MO Fishing is available for download through Google Play for Android devices or the App Store for Apple devices. Learn more at mdc.mo.gov/contact-engage/mobile-apps/mo-fishing.