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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.  Grain Valley senior Brooklyn Spencer works on her forehand. Photo credit: Michael Smith  Grain Valley senior John Cassidy works on his serve return during the Grain Valley tennis camp Thursday. Photo credit: Michael Smith  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.  Grain Valley senior running back DJ Harris totes the ball going over a trap run play. Photo credit: Michael Smith  The Grain Valley football team goes over come base plays during its mini camp Thursday at Moody Murray Memorial Stadium. Photo credit: Michael Smith  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:
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.  Good News: Smithsonian traveling exhibition examining democracy in America coming to Grain Valley5/30/2024
Smithsonian traveling exhibition examining democracy in America coming to Grain Valley The Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street, in cooperation with Missouri Humanities Council, presents “Voices and Votes: Democracy in American.” The exhibition examines the nearly 250-year-old American experiment of a government “of, by and for the people,” and how each generation since continues to question how to form “a more perfect union.” Opening at the Grain Valley Historical Society, “Voices and Votes” will be on view through November 1 - December 13, 2025. Grain Valley Historical Society and the surrounding community has been chosen by the Missouri Humanities Council to host “Voices and Votes” as part of the Museum on Main Street program—a national/state/local partnership to bring exhibitions and programs to rural cultural organizations. “Voices and Votes” explores the action, reaction, vision and revision that democracy demands as Americans continue to question how to shape the country. From the revolution and suffrage, to civil rights and casting ballots, everyone in every community is part of this ever-evolving story—the story of democracy in America. Exhibition sections explore the origins of American democracy, the struggles to obtain and keep the vote, the machinery of democracy, the right to petition and protest beyond the ballot and the rights and responsibilities of citizens. “Voices and Votes” features historical and contemporary photos; educational and archival video; engaging multimedia interactives with short games; and historical objects like campaign souvenirs, voter memorabilia, and protest material. Designed for small-town museums, libraries and cultural organizations, “Voices and Votes” will serve as a community meeting place for conversations about democracy, the freedoms and responsibilities of citizens, participating in government, and more. With the support and guidance of state humanities councils, these towns will develop complementary exhibits, host public programs and facilitate educational initiatives to raise people’s understanding about their own history, the joys and challenges of living rural, how change has impacted their community, and prompt discussion of goals for the future. “Voices and Votes” is based on an exhibition currently on display at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History called American Democracy: A Great Leap of Faith. 
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’.
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:
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.  Photo credit: MDC
Missouri governor sets vote on tax exemption for child care centers, Kansas City police fundingby Rudi Keller, Missouri Independent Missouri will have two constitutional amendments on the Aug. 6 primary ballot, one to grant tax exemptions for child care facilities and another to rerun a 2022 election result on police funding thrown out by the state Supreme Court. Gov. Mike Parson said Tuesday that he would put the two proposals from the General Assembly on the primary ballot. The first, passed last year, would exempt property, aside from the child’s home, from taxation. Most of the income loss would be to local governments, the ballot summary estimates, with a loss to the state Blind Pension fund of about $400,000 annually. The second measure on the ballot, originally passed by lawmakers in 2022 and approved that year by voters with a 63% majority, gives lawmakers the power to force Kansas City to spend 25% of its city budget on policing. The Supreme Court in April ruled that the summary of the financial cost of the police amendment was misleading and ignored estimates from the city that it would cost about $38 million to add that much to the police budget. The court ordered a new election. Kansas City has the only police department in the state that is run by a Board of Police Commissioners appointed by the governor. There are two other constitutional amendments proposed by lawmakers awaiting a ballot and the lack of action Tuesday means voters will see those proposals in November. One of those measures would ban ranked-choice voting and restate the ban, in place since 1924, on voting by non-citizens. The other would allow the courts to add costs and fees to cases and use the money to support sheriffs’ and prosecutors’ retirement funds. Three initiative petitions proposing constitutional amendment are undergoing signature verification and could also put abortion rights, sports wagering and a new casino license before voters. 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. 
Bill designed to lower suicide rate of Missouri veterans awaits action by governorby Rebecca Rivas, Missouri Independent State lawmakers tasked the Missouri Veterans Commission with a new mission. They’ve mandated the commission to make it a top priority to understand why the suicide rate among Missouri’s veterans is nearly double the state rate and one of the highest in the country. After three years of trying, Republican state Rep. Dave Griffith of Jefferson City said he was grateful to finally get the bill passed earlier this month, receiving unanimous approval from both the House and Senate. It awaits the governor’s signature. “We’ve accomplished a first step,” Griffith told The Independent, “and that is to try and get to the core of why veterans are committing suicide at such an alarming rate, especially in Missouri.”
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
The bill mandates the commission take a deep dive into procedures, treatment options and any other necessary assistance to reduce the veteran suicide rate. In separate budget bills, lawmakers approved $120,000 for the commission to hire one or more people dedicated to the mission. Retired Col. Paul Kirchhoff, the commission’s executive director, told the House Veterans Commission in January that he embraces the new task, particularly because he’s lost several close military friends to suicide. “This is near and dear to my heart,” Kirchhoff said. “We’re losing veterans every day to this. And whatever we can do to curb that, we’re all in.” The Missouri Veterans Commission has long had three core missions of managing the veterans’ homes, cemeteries and service officers who help veterans with their benefits, Kirchhoff said. The bill would add a fourth. Many people can guess, he said, the reason Missouri has a higher rate than the national average. “But I’d like to know through facts,” he said. “And without having an emphasis on this, we just won’t know.” According to the legislation, the commission must file a report every year on July 1 with the Department of Public Safety and the General Assembly on the recommendations and implementation of its efforts. In 2021, Gov. Mike Parson established an interagency team to collaborate on suicide prevention, so Griffith expects to receive the governor’s full support on the measure, he said.
‘Magic mushroom’ stalled out
But Griffith didn’t see all of his legislative wish list make it over the finish line this session. He strongly supported a bill to conduct a clinical study on using psilocybin, more commonly referred to as “magic mushrooms,” to treat PTSD and depression among veterans. Last year, the House overwhelmingly approved the measure. But it never made it to a final House vote during the session that ended earlier this month. “Many of our veterans experience high amounts of PTSD due to serving their country – due to protecting us,” Republican state Sen. Holly Thompson Rehder, who carried the Senate bill, said in January. “There should be no limits for them when it comes to access to mental health treatment, including non-pharmacological treatments.” The legislation would have required the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services to provide grants totaling $2 million for the research, subject to lawmakers approving the appropriation. The state would collaborate on the study with a Missouri university hospital or medical center operated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Missouri. The focus of the treatment is on patients suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, substance use disorders or for those who require end-of-life care. Psychiatry researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis were the first in Missouri to give a legal dose of psilocybin in 2019. They have been using a brain-imaging technique to learn how psilocybin affects certain networks in the brain. Psilocybin helps people break harmful habits and ways of thinking, which applies to PTSD and psychosis as well, said researcher Joshua Siegel, an instructor of psychiatry at Washington University. All antidepressants make the brain’s emotion circuits more “plastic and adaptable,” he said, which makes them more open to change. “Psilocybin just happens to do that very rapidly,” he said in January. Combined with preparation and help from therapists processing the experience afterwards, he said psilocybin successfully helps people choose new patterns of behavior and thinking. “At this point, there’s a critical mass of studies of clinical trials that have shown positive responses,” Siegel said. “So I think that’s hard to deny.” Griffith said the House Veterans Committee, which he chairs, has been closely following the research on how psilocybin can be “a useful tool” to deal with veterans’ PTSD and depression. But he’s not sure the rest of his colleagues in the General Assembly “get the full picture.” “I think when they hear ‘magic mushrooms,’ they think back to the 60s and 70s to what the hippies were taking to go on a trip,” he said. “They don’t fully realize how a lot of these medicines, under controlled circumstances, can be used to treat some serious mental health issues.” 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. 
The following information is derived from Grain Valley Police Department daily calls service log for the week of May 20-28, 2024. May 20, 2024 US 40 Hwy/Main Motor vehicle accident 1100 Blk SW Sandy Suspicious activity 1500 Blk NW Eagle Ridge Suspicious vehicle May 21, 2024 200 Blk Woodbury Area check 600 Blk Thieme Public service RD Mize Area check PHQ Public service 200 Blk Valley Area check May 22, 2024 PHQ Citizen contact PHQ Citizen contact 1400 Blk S Minter Way Citizen contact PHQ Citizen contact 300 Blk Front St Citizen contact 700 Blk Main St Indecent exposure PHQ Public service 1300 Blk NW Hilltop Agency assist 1100 Blk Buckner Tarsney Rd Verbal disturbance 900 Blk Highview Dr Welfare check 1500 Blk Eagle Ridge Dr Property damage Minter/AA Road obstruction PHQ Citizen contact PHQ Citizen contact 300 Blk Front St Civil standby May 23, 2024 600 Blk Tisha Ln Theft 1600 Blk Pond Ave Theft 1600 Blk Pond Ave Theft 1400 Blk Cedar Ct Found property 1600 Blk NW Cottonwood Cir Theft 100 Blk Cross Creek Dr Citizen contact 1200 BLk NW Eagles Ridge Pkwy Stalking 1200 Blk SW Graystone Stealing PHQ Citizen contact May 24, 2024 100 Blk Parker Burglary 2100 BlkNW Hedgewood Trespass 100 Blk Cross Creek Civil standby BB/Nelson Suspicious vehicle 100 Blk NW Jackie Disturbance 1700 Blk Woodbury Dr Property damage Burr Oak Ln Citizen contact 1200 Blk Cedar Ln Burglary 1500 Blk Pond Found property PHQ Citizen contact 100 Blk S Buckner Tarsney Rd Agency assist 100 Blk Old US 40 VIN verification 1700 Blk Pond Ave Citizen contact May 25, 2024 RD Mize/Meadow Ln Area check 1400 Blk NW Nicholas Burglary 1300 Blk E Broadway Animal control 1100 Blk Valley Ridge Alarm Duncan/Hedgewood Downed tree 1100 Blk Woodbury Alarm 1000 Blk Pecan Dr Area check Dillingham/Lindenwood Downed tree May 26, 2024 PHQ Citizen contact 300 Blk SW Crestview Noise complaint 1100 Blk Ephraim Dr Peace disturbance 600 Blk Albatross Downed tree 1100 Blk Buckner Tarsney Rd Welfare check PHQ Citizen contact 500 Blk Main St Alarm 70/AA Area check May 27, 2024 PHQ Public service 200 Blk Cross Creek Area check 200 Blk E NW Harris Alarm 700 Blk Main St Citizen contact PHQ Citizen contact 700 Blk SW Eagles Pkwy Citizen contact 1800 Blk NW Broadway Suspicious vehicle 1200 Blk SW Stockman Ct Disturbance 200 Blk N Main St Disturbance May 28, 2024 1100 Blk Eagle Ridge Welfare check 1100 Blk NW Casey Verbal disturbance 1100 Blk NW Valley Ridge Alarm Main/Broadway Motor vehicle accident 1200 Blk Blue Branch Parking complaint 600 Blk Walnut Unattended death Additional calls for service: Suicidal Subject: 2 Domestic Violence: 2 CIT/Mental Health Welfare Check: 1  by Michael Smith When she joined the Grain Valley track and field team as a freshman, now-senior McKenah Sears was testing out different events to see what she was best at. Her original plan was to participate in the discus. But during a junior varsity event, she saw her name as a competitor in the javelin. “I went up to the coach and asked, ‘Hey coach, is this a mistake? I don’t normally throw javelin.’ I had never thrown one before. And he said, ‘You’re just going to try it this week.’” Little did she know that moment would change her future. She is now one of the best javelin throwers in the state and will be competing for Texas State University next spring. Sears was one of three Grain Valley girls competitors to earn all-state honors, which go to the top eight finishers in each event. At this weekend’s Missouri State High School Track and Field Championships, she took fourth in the javelin with a throw of 42.47 meters. Her effort helped Grain Valley finish 17th as a team with 12 points. She did well at that first junior varsity meet in the javelin and stuck with it. She remembers when she first started, she couldn’t get it to stick in the ground. At first, she tried to throw it like a football. Now, she knows the proper technique to become successful. “I remember getting made at the javelin,” Sears said. “I thought, ‘This sport is stupid! I hate it! I couldn’t even get it to stick in the ground.” Now, she has two all-state honors under her belt and she accomplished the feat this season while still recovering from a major injury she suffered last year. Sears said she is still trying to build up strength in her knees as she missed all last season with a torn meniscus. She still doesn’t have full strength in it, and it’s affected her performance in the javelin. But even with the challenges, she managed to get her second all-state finish of her high school career. “I am blessed that I was able to throw,” Sears said. “At first, we were a little nervous with my knee and everything. I am excited to have a good functioning knee. I am still working on getting it strong because it’s not nearly as strong as it used to be. “It’s pretty painful and weak. It’s mostly during practices. I don’t feel it during competitions thanks to Ibuprofen and adrenaline. That takes away most the pain.” While Sears is a talented javelin thrower, she also represented the school well with her positive and infectious attitude. “The medals are one thing, but the way she does it make me the proudest,” Grain Valley head girls track coach Nick Small said. “We had a MSHSAA media official approach us and say ‘Hey. Are you from Grain Valley?’ Any time you hear that you think, ‘Oh no. What is this about?’ “He just said, ‘I just want you to know your girl in javelin was so respectful and made our jobs so much fun.’ That’s a testament to her and the kids. You couldn’t ask for a better kid to represent our program.” Junior Izzie Salsman finished with her first all-state honor in the high jump. She took fourth with a height of 1.62 meters. In the high jump, competitors have three attempts to clear a certain height. If they can’t clear the bar in three attempts, they are eliminated from progressing to the next height. The bar is raised by .5 meters from 1.45 to 1.60. From the latter, the officials then increase the height by .02 meters until the first-place finisher cannot clear the bar. Salsman didn’t clear the bar at 1.60 meters on her first two attempts and she had one last try before she would be eliminated. She ended up clearing it on the final attempt and went on to clear the bar at 1.62 meters. “She showed some mental toughness and she came through clutch,” Small said of Salsman. “When she got over that bar, the look on her face said everything. She was so excited. She outperformed even what she thought she could do.” And that mental toughness is something she had to develop late in the season. “I am glad I was able to get here and overcome adversity,” Salsman said. “I overcame some mental blocks. On my way to meets, I usually do an athlete meditation and a breathe.” Junior Alyssa Carver joined Sears and Salsman as an all-stater. It was her second consecutive top eight finish at state in the pole vault as she took seventh with a height of 3.34 meters. Other Eagles girls to compete at state were junior Megan Prestia in the pole valut (11th, 3.19 meters) and senior Izabella West in the triple jump (13th, 10.77 meters).  Grain Valley junior Izzie Salsman attempts to clear the bar during the high jump Saturday at the Missouri State High School Track and Field Championships at Adkins Stadium in Jefferson City. She earned all-state honors in Class 5 by finishing in fourth place. Photo credit: Michael Smith by Michael Smith Ten Centimeters. That’s how close Grain Valley junior Blayden Pruett was to a state championship. He competed in the javelin event Class 5 Missouri State High School Track and Field Championships this weekend at Adkins Stadium in Jefferson City. He was the No. 1 seed coming into the event and he was just edged out by Park Hill’s Jordan Smith, who won with a throw of 55.94 meters. Pruett was one of two boys competitors to earn all-state honors for Grain Valley as he was second with a throw of 55.84 meters. Pruett helped Grain Valley finish 17th as a team with 14 points. “It definitely sucks knowing that if I would have stepped a little bit closer or thrown a little bit further, I would have been a state champion,” Pruett said. “It is what it is. It’s something I can’t control. It’s going to stick in my mind for a little bit because it was so close.” But that doesn’t take away from a stellar season that saw him ranked No. 1 in the state for the majority of it. “I am happy with how my season went,” he said. “I took first or second in all of my meets except for one, which was at the KU Relays. I got sixth there.” Pruett joined the track team last season because he had a pair of friends who recruited him. Those friends are no longer on the team and the junior still is and is getting interest from college programs around the country. When he first started throwing a javelin, Pruett threw with a sidearm motion as he came in with a baseball background as a pitcher. The first throw he recorded went 30 meters and had a lot of curve to it. Now he’s one of the best javelin throwers in the state. “I saw that I was pretty good at it and I decided to stick to it,” Pruett said. “I definitely thought I would be pretty good, but I never imagined I would be able to say I was 10 centimeters way from being a state champion.” Head coach Erik Stone noted that Pruett has come a long way since he joined the team. “There’s been a lot of growth,” Stone said. “To have never done it before until last year, and to improve as much as he has and finish sixth last year and to be No. 1 in his class for most of the year, was really good to see.” Senior Stylz Blackmon was the other Eagle to earn all-state honors as he performed much better on the big stage than he had last season in the shot put. In 2023, he finished in 16th place. This time around he took third with a throw of 16.97 meters. “It was good to see him come down and get some redemption from last year,” Stone said. “He obviously wanted to do better than last year. His goal all year was not just to make it but to get all-state. He was hungry from the very beginning. He worked his butt off to be here.” Added Blackmon: “I came in last year thinking I didn’t belong here. I thought I was OK with where I was at finishing there I did. This year, I was under a new mindset, I thought I do belong. I deserve to be here. I am in state. God helped keep myself focused.” Part of the reason for his success was because of thrower’s coach David Allie, who had Blackmon stick with the slide technique instead of trying the spin, which is a technique that allows competitors to get more power behind the throw. The glide was easier to learn than the more advanced spin and Blackmon thrived using the former. “I wanted to spin because I saw the success other people had doing it,” Blackmon said. “I didn’t realize the amount of experience you had to have to spin. It’s not something you can just pick up and do. It’s something that takes a grind and a grit to do." “I went to the glide a week or two before districts and saw more success with it. I kept taking off from there.” Junior Jason Wilson was a state champion in the para discus (14.34 meters) and shot put events (4.61 meters) and was second in the para 100-meter race (22.43 seconds). Para events did not apply toward the team score. Other Eagles boys to compete were senior Rylan Smith in the 800-meter run (12th place, 1:57.22) and 4x800-meter relay team of Smith, Barnes, Tyler Melton and Daniel Dent (12th, 8:01.67)  Grain Valley senior Stylz Blackmon took third place in the shot put with a throw of 16.97 meters Saturday at the Missouri State High School Track and Field Championships at Adkins Stadium in Jefferson City. Photo credit: Michael Smith The Class of 2024 was celebrated at a graduation ceremony on Monday, May 20th at Cable Dahmer Arena in Independence. Class of 2024 student speaker Harper Allie shared graduate celebration traditions from around the world and mused on the 2024 GVHS class and traditions. "We have record breakers, stadium and bleacher shakers, and COVID over-takers. We are masterminds and sadly, we are mourners. We are driven, and in my opinion, delightfully funny and smart. And very importantly, we are the recipients of the incredible teaching and care of GVHS staff, those who showed us the Valley Way. The traditional and unending support of our community sees to it that we have the resources and facilities to be successful. And the love of families and extended families who have walked right alongside us on our journey," Allie said. GVHS principal Dr. Drew Smith highlighted the many accomplishments of the 309 graduates celebrated Monday evening, including 10 Bright Flight scholars, 3 students entering the armed forces, 56 National Honor Society members, 132 A+ eligible graduates, 39 athletic scholarships, and over $3.52 million awarded in first year scholarships. "The Class of 2024 has left a legacy at Grain Valley High School for which they can be very proud," Smith said prior to presenting diplomas to graduates. To view the previously published list of 2024 graduates, visit Quick News - Grain Valley News.  Class of 2024 student speaker Harper Allie addresses her class and guests at the GVHS graduation ceremony on May 20th at Cable Dahmer Arena in Independence. Photo credit: Grain Valley Schools |
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