Valley Community Church volunteers loaded up trailers and headed out on August 16th for the sixth year of a project to provide school supplies for every kindergarten student in Grain Valley. The church purchased supplies for 340 students this year.
     "It's always a lot of fun for us and we are honored to do it. We look forward to another awesome school year," Valley Community Church Pastor Jason Williams said.

     Missouri non-farm payroll employment increased by 24,800 jobs from June 2022 to July 2022, and the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased by three-tenths of a percentage point. Private industry employment increased by 10,500 jobs and government employment increased by 14,300 jobs. The state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 2.5 percent in July 2022, down from 2.8 percent in June 2022.
     Over the year, there was an increase of 52,500 jobs from July 2021 to July 2022, and the unemployment rate decreased by 1.8 percentage points, from 4.3 percent in July 2021 to 2.5 percent in July 2022. While the data is preliminary and subject to revision, the preliminary July 2022 unemployment rate of 2.5 percent is the lowest recorded seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Missouri since the data series began in 1976. The previous low was 2.8 percent in June 2022. The decrease is due to a decline of more than 18,000 in the civilian labor force, with both the number of employed and the number of unemployed down over the month. The labor force participation rate and employment-to-population ratios declined as well.     
  
UNEMPLOYMENT       
     Missouri's smoothed seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased by three-tenths of a percentage point in July 2022, declining to 2.5 percent from the revised June 2022 rate of 2.8 percent. The July 2022 rate was 1.8 percent lower than the July 2021 rate. A year ago, the state's seasonally adjusted rate was 4.3 percent. The estimated number of unemployed Missourians was 77,925 in July 2022, down by 6,986 from June's 84,911.        
     The national unemployment rate decreased from 3.6 in June 2022 to 3.5 in July 2022. Missouri's unemployment rate has been at or below the national rate for the last five years.         
     The state's not-seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate increased in July 2022, rising by six-tenths of a percentage point to 2.9 percent from the June 2022 not-seasonally-adjusted rate of 2.3 percent. A year ago, the not-seasonally-adjusted rate was 4.5 percent. The corresponding not-seasonally-adjusted national rate for July 2022 was 3.8 percent.        
     Missouri's labor force participation rate was 62.5 percent in July 2022, down 0.5 points compared to June, but four-tenths of a percentage point higher than the national rate of 62.1 percent. Missouri's employment-population ratio was 60.9 percent in July 2022, down from 61.2 percent in June, and nine-tenths of a percentage point higher than the national rate of 60.0 percent. Missouri's unemployment rate was 2.5 percent in July 2022, one percent lower than the national rate of 3.5 percent. Missouri's unemployment rate has been at or below the national rate for the last five years.       
​
EMPLOYMENT      
     Missouri's non-farm payroll employment was 2,927,200 in July 2022, up by 24,800 from the revised June 2022 figure. The June 2022 total was revised downward from the preliminary estimate by 2,000 jobs.       
     Goods-producing industries increased by 4,900 jobs over the month, with manufacturing gaining 3,600 jobs while mining, logging, and construction gained 1,300 jobs. Private service-providing industries increased by 5,600 jobs between June 2022 and July 2022. Employment in private service-providing industries increased in leisure and hospitality (3,400 jobs); professional and business services (2,200 jobs); other services (2,200 jobs); and trade, transportation, and utilities (600 jobs).  Employment decreased in educational and health services (-1,700 jobs); financial activities (-1,000 jobs); and information (-100 jobs).  Government employment increased by 14,300 jobs over the month with gains in local government (14,800 jobs) and federal government (400 jobs).       
    Over the year, total payroll employment increased by 52,500 jobs from July 2021 to July 2022. The  largest gain was in professional and business services (20,400 jobs); followed by leisure and hospitality (12,500 jobs); mining, logging, and construction (8,500 jobs); other services (6,600 jobs); manufacturing (6,000 jobs); trade, transportation, and utilities (2,300 jobs); and information (300 jobs). Employment decreased in financial activities (-1,900 jobs) and educational and health services (-1,500 jobs).  Government employment decreased over the year, with a loss of 700 jobs. The largest governmental employment decrease was in federal government (-1,900 jobs). Employment increased over the year in state government (1,000 jobs) and local government (200 jobs).
     Read the full report at https://meric.mo.gov/missouri-monthly-jobs-report. 

By POWRi (Grain Valley, MO)

     Kory Schudy would use low-line precision through late-race dramatics to earn the throne as King of Kansas City with the Lucas Oil POWRi Wingless Auto Racing Sprint League at Valley Speedway to notch his ninth career league feature victory in thrilling fashion.
     Early on track accomplishments would witness Kory Schudy clock fast-time in hot laps with a 13.793-second lap as Anthony Nicholson and Cody Baker would each earn a heat racing victory.
     Soaring into the initial start would see the high-point qualifier and pole-sitting Cody Baker combat front-row companion Jack Wagner into the first pair of corners with Wagner gaining the early race lead in the first few laps as Baker, Kory Schudy, Wesley Smith, and Anthony Nicholson all battled in close contention for the front.
     Slicing and dicing through the field with multiple lines of racing would witness Wagner leading until the mid-race point when Kory Schudy would use inside momentum to grab first as Jack would spin trying to retake the lead in turn one.
     Holding the pack of hungry WAR drivers at bay, Kory Schudy would be the driver to beat as a late-developing high-line would nearly alter the outcome with Wesley Smith and Cody Baker each going to the top in hopes of finding speed.
     “When you're leading like that it’s almost like you are a sitting duck up-front, I didn’t know that the top would come in as it did. I didn’t hear Wesley up there until it was almost too late, I knew it was close, feels good to win fun races like that.” stated the newly crowned King of Kansas City Kory Schudy in the Valley Speedway victory lane.
     Finding the fastest running line, Kory Schudy would hold the front of the field to notch his league-leading third win this season within POWRi WAR as Wesley Smith would wheel his way to very close runner-up placement by a .02-second margin with Xavier Doney placing in the final podium position.
     Maintaining a solid showing all night pole-sitter Cody Baker would hold steady to finish fourth as Anthony Nicholson rounded out the top-five finishers for the Lucas Oil POWRi Wingless Auto Racing Sprint League feature event for King of Kansas City at Valley Speedway.
POWRi WAR Sprint League | Valley Speedway | 8/13/22:
Hoosier Racing Tire Top Time: 28-Kory Schudy (13.793)
Advanced Racing Suspension Heat Race 1 Winner: 16-Anthony Nicholson
Auto Meter Heat Race 2 Winner: 38-Cody Baker
MVT Services High Point Qualifier: 38-Cody Baker
Toyota Racing Development Hard Charger: 1JR-Steven Russell (+8)
Lucas Oil Feature Winner: 28-Kory Schudy
Lucas Oil A Feature (25 Laps): 1. 28-Kory Schudy[5]; 2. 12-Wesley Smith[4]; 3. 74-Xavier Doney[10]; 4. 38-Cody Baker[1]; 5. 16-Anthony Nicholson[3]; 6. 77-Jack Wagner[2]; 7. 2-Luke Howard[7]; 8. 1JR-Steven Russell[16]; 9. 73-Samuel Wagner[9]; 10. 33-Bryson Smith[15]; 11. 88-Chad Tye[6]; 12. 41-Brad Wyatt[8]; 13. 45-Jesse Bebee[14]; 14. 88G-Garrett Hulsey[12]; 15. 52-Dean Bowers[13]; 16. B52-Blake Bowers[11]; 17. 26-Zach Clark[17].
Advanced Racing Suspension Heat 1 (8 Laps): 1. 16-Anthony Nicholson[3]; 2. 28-Kory Schudy[4]; 3. 2-Luke Howard[1]; 4. 12-Wesley Smith[9]; 5. 73-Samuel Wagner[6]; 6. 74-Xavier Doney[8]; 7. 52-Dean Bowers[5]; 8. 1JR-Steven Russell[7]; 9. (DNS) 26-Zach Clark.
Auto Meter Heat 2 (8 Laps): 1. 38-Cody Baker[6]; 2. 77-Jack Wagner[7]; 3. 88-Chad Tye[5]; 4. 41-Brad Wyatt[4]; 5. B52-Blake Bowers[1]; 6. 88G-Garrett Hulsey[3]; 7. 33-Bryson Smith[2]; 8. 45-Jesse Bebee[8].
Next, for the Lucas Oil POWRi Wingless Auto Racing Sprint League will be Central Missouri Speedway in Warrensburg, Missouri on Saturday, August 27th.

Results:

B MODIFIEDS
A Feature 1 (20 Laps): 1. 81-Austin Charles[1]; 2. 73T-Truman Asher[3]; 3. 36-Travis Alexander[2]; 4. 14-Zach Nitsch[4]; 5. 12H-Drew Hilt[6]; 6. 13U-Dylan Bruhn[5]; 7. (DNS) 55-Lance Dixon
Heat 1 (8 Laps): 1. 81-Austin Charles[2]; 2. 36-Travis Alexander[4]; 3. 73T-Truman Asher[6]; 4. 14-Zach Nitsch[5]; 5. 13U-Dylan Bruhn[7]; 6. 12H-Drew Hilt[3]; 7. (DNF) 55-Lance Dixon[1]
PURE STOCKMOKAN
A Feature 1 (20 Laps): 1. 0-Chase Galvan[2]; 2. 90-Terry Moss[3]; 3. C7-Josh Marshall[1]; 4. 69R-RIchard Jameson[4]; 5. 3B-Darrin Christy[5]; 6. 17-Ray Lindgren[6]; 7. (DNF) 14-Cody Ohrenberg[7]
Heat 1 (8 Laps): 1. 0-Chase Galvan[1]; 2. C7-Josh Marshall[5]; 3. 69R-RIchard Jameson[2]; 4. 90-Terry Moss[6]; 5. 3B-Darrin Christy[3]; 6. (DNF) 17-Ray Lindgren[7]; 7. (DNF) 14-Cody Ohrenberg[4]
MOD LITES
A Feature 1 (20 Laps): 1. 46-Dillon Raffurty[8]; 2. 1JR-Justin Kinderknecht[9]; 3. 75-Justin Raffurty[7]; 4. 4K-Garrett Stonum[4]; 5. 41-Michael Raffurty[6]; 6. 3-Nathan Wolfe[3]; 7. 98-Jeff Raffurty[5]; 8. 84-Joe Gunn[1]; 9. (DNF) 34-Tyler Furrell[2]
Heat 1 (8 Laps): 1. 75-Justin Raffurty[4]; 2. 3-Nathan Wolfe[2]; 3. 98-Jeff Raffurty[3]; 4. 1JR-Justin Kinderknecht[5]; 5. 84-Joe Gunn[1]
Heat 2 (8 Laps): 1. 46-Dillon Raffurty[4]; 2. 4K-Garrett Stonum[2]; 3. 41-Michael Raffurty[3]; 4. 34-Tyler Furrell[1]
E MODS MOKAN.
A Feature 1 (20 Laps): 1. 33-Jeremy Curless[2]; 2. 86-Doug Brisbin[1]; 3. 33W-Kevin White[3]; 4. 27-Lee Kenney[4]; 5. (DNF) 00W-Nick Whalen[5]
Heat 1 (8 Laps): 1. 86-Doug Brisbin[5]; 2. 33-Jeremy Curless[4]; 3. 33W-Kevin White[2]; 4. 27-Lee Kenney[3]; 5. 00W-Nick Whalen[1]
3 entries
DIRT DEMONS
A Feature 1 (15 Laps): 1. 121-Eric Schmidt[1]; 2. 13JR-Nick Dangerfield[2]; 3. 26-Roman Stump[3]
Heat 1 (6 Laps): 1. 121-Eric Schmidt[1]; 2. 13JR-Nick Dangerfield[2]; 3. 26-Roman Stump[3]

     Last week’s article included the names of several old roads in Jackson County, specifically in the Grain Valley area. Because I’ve lived in Grain Valley for nearly three quarters of a century, I know how most of these roads got their name.  I’m so old, I even remember many of the families for whom the roads were named!
     Some roads in the newer subdivisions are still being named for family members; some of those individuals have never lived in our community. In fifty or a hundred years will anyone wonder who they were? Will they even care?
     While I remember Bob Majors, several of the Nebgen brothers, Cleve and Shelton Fristoe, Levi Potts, Elmer Duncan, Lee Seymour and a few others, I ponder over how roads like Hardsaw, Howell, Sweeney, Rust and James Rollo Drive got their names.
     What does one do to have a road, a park, a stadium, a building, a school, or even a room named in their honor? And how have others, who made a significant contribution to our town, been left out?
     In the past, I have given a brief history of some of the roads, the football stadium and Matthews Elementary School, but over the next few weeks I hope to learn more history about the people behind other names we see in our community. If you know any history behind the name of any of our streets or roads, I hope you will pass it along to the Grain Valley Historical Society.  I’ll let you know what I find out!
     This week, I’ll tell you about Major Road, 2 ½ miles south of town. Although the road now goes straight West from Buckner Tarsney to Cook Road, the original dirt road wound through the countryside, taking a much less direct route toward the Blue Springs Tarsney Road, now State Highway 7. I would also note that it is called “Major”, but the family name was Majors. 
     Luther Majors came to Grain Valley from Kentucky, via Cass County, in 1872 and remained until his death on April 30, 1938. He and his wife Eva raised three children; Cora, Robert and Jennie. While I could find no record of any schooling, they would most likely have completed some elementary years at Stony Point.
​     Cora and Jennie married and moved away; Cora to Oklahoma and Jennie to California. Robert, however, remained single and worked the family farm until his death in 1964 at age 86.  At the time of his death, Bob had only one living relative, a nephew, Richard Vernon Vosburgh.  I will need to do further research to discover what happened to the land.
 

     We always hear the claim that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Why is this? It turns out that people who eat breakfast are actually able to make better food decisions throughout the day and tend to be a healthier weight than non-breakfast eaters. Starting the day with a good source of protein and fiber helps balance blood sugars for the remainder of the day, which provides for more stable energy and fewer cravings. Try this out for yourself, and see how you feel!
     Breakfast really is an ideal opportunity to start your day fueled and energized! Guarantee a good start to your day by prepping quick, energy-boosting breakfasts filled with good-for-you ingredients. Look for breakfast options that include:

• Protein
  • Sources: eggs, meat and seafood, nuts, beans, dairy
  • Benefits: provides lasting energy, repairs muscle, helps balance blood sugar, keeps you full longer
• Fiber
  • Sources: whole grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds, beans
  • Benefits: helps keep you full, results in more balanced blood sugars, can help promote healthy cholesterol levels
• Healthy Fats
  • Sources: avocados, nuts and nut butters, seeds, olive oil or avocado oil, full-fat yogurt
  • Benefits: provides satiating energy, helps body absorb other nutrients

 
     To get started, try meal-prepping this dietitian-approved prep-ahead smoothie pack recipe! It would be a wonderful on-the-go breakfast paired with 1 or 2 hard-boiled eggs.
 
Green Good-Morning Smoothie
Serves 2 (12 oz each)
 
All you need:
Freezer ingredients:
½ cup Hy-Vee frozen broccoli florets, cooked and cooled
½ cup Hy-Vee frozen unsweetened pineapple chunks
½ cup Hy-Vee frozen unsweetened sliced peaches
½ cup Hy-Vee frozen avocado chunks
½ cup lightly packed Full Circle Market organic baby spinach
½ cup lightly packed Full Circle Market organic baby kale
½ cup green seedless grapes
½ cup sliced zucchini
2 tbsp hulled hemp seed hearts
​
Additional ingredients:
1 cup Hy-Vee original unsweetened almond milk
1 cup water
 
All you do:

1. Place freezer ingredients in a 1 quart resealable plastic freezer bag; seal bag and freeze up to 3 months.
2. To serve, place freezer ingredients in a high-powered blender. Slightly break up frozen mixture; add the almond milk to blender. Cover and blend until smooth while slowly adding enough water to reach desired consistency.

 
Recipe source: August 2022 Hy-Vee Seasons magazine
 
 
     For more ideas from Hy-Vee dietitians, visit hy-vee.com for additional nutrition services including Freezer Meal Prep Workshops and our Healthy Habits Menu Plan Program.
 
The information is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional for individual advice.
​

​August 10, 2022
1100 Block NW Golfview Dr                      Missing Juvenile (Located)
1100 Block NW Burr Oak                           Suspicious Activity
1300 Block SW Graystone Dr                     Verbal Disturbance
1100 Block NW Golfview Dr                      Verbal Disturbance
1100 Block NW Bush Dr                              Fraud
600 Block SW Lakeview Dr                        Parking Complaint
 
August 11, 2022
Buckner Tarsney / Duncan Rd                    Motor Vehicle Accident
Buckner Tarsney / NW Woodbury Dr        Motor Vehicle Accident
200 Block EE Kirby                                       Animal Bite
1200 Block NW Sawgrass                            Motor Vehicle Accident
PHQ                                                                  Citizen Contact
1200 Block SW Stockman Ct                     Open Door
1400 Block Minter Way                               Alarm
2300 Block NW Megan Dr                           Abandoned Auto
500 Block NW Yennie Ave                         Stealing
PHQ                                                                  Citizen Contact
E Old 40 Hwy                                                 Vagrancy
 
August 12, 2022
1000 Block of E Ryan RD                            Alarm
700 Block of Main                                         Public Service
1600 Block of Nolan                                     Disturbance
1400 Block of NE Mary CT                         Physical Disturbance
500 Block of SW Meadowood DR             Suspicious Person
700 Block of Cross Creek DR                     Physical Disturbance
100 Block of Rock Creek LN                      Welfare Check
400 Block of Wolf Creek                             Citizen Contact
1200 Block of NW Ashley                           Harassment
700 Block of N Main ST                              Physical Disturbance
700 Block of Main                                         Walk In- Scam Report
400 Block of NW Whitney                          Verbal Disturbance
700 Block of Main                                         Stand By To Prevent
Jefferson & Casey                                          Motor Vehicle Accident
Main & 40 HWY                                            Motor Vehicle Accident
Montana Ridge & Graystone                       Sound of Shots-Unfounded
 
August 13, 2022
200 Block of NW Hannah CT                     Agency Assist-CJC
Woodbury & Duncan                                    Area Check
700 Block of Main                                         Citizen Contact-Referred to BSPD
600 Block of Lakeview DR                         Verbal Disturbance - Past
400 Block of NE Coldwater Creek             Area Check
Main & Harris                                                Citizen Contact
700 Block of Main                                         Walk In - Verbal Threats
700 Block of Main                                         Walk In - Hit And Run
 
August 14, 2022
1500 Block of Erin                                        Possible Sound of Shots
300 Block of Minter                                      Water Leaking From Meter- Public Works Contacted
100 Block of S Sibley                                   Agency Assist-BPD
700 Block of N Main ST                              Citizen Contact
1300 Block of NW Willow DR                   Alarm
 
August 15, 2022
1300 Block of NW Cottonwood                 Alarm
700 Block of Main                                         Citizen Contact Via Phone
700 Block of Main                                         Walk In- Stealing
800 Block of Meadow                                   Welfare Check
 
August 16, 2022
800 Block of Lakeview                                 Noise Complaint
700 Block of Main                                         Citizen Contact
2300 Block of NW Hedgewood DR           Verbal Disturbance 
1600 Block of NE Crumley                         Possible Break In
900 Block of NE Deer Creek                       Peace Disturbance
700 Block of Main                                         Agency Assist-DFS Via Phone
700 Block of Main                                         Walk In-Stealing
700 Block of Main                                         Walk In-Fraud

     The Grain Valley boys and girls swimming and diving programs had a void to fill.
     After four years leading both programs since their inception, Kara Liddle stepped down as head coach, leaving an opening for a program that is entering its fifth year.
     So who was going to step in? Enter veteran head coach Julie Reilly.
     She will take over as head coach for the Eagles and brings a wealth of experience to a program that is still relatively new. Reilly has been coaching for more than 27 years as she’s led local club teams and was also a U.S. Paralympic Swim coach and the USA National Down Syndrome Swim team head coach of the in the past.
         While Reilly has coached high school athletes on club teams, this will be her first time leading a high school program.
     “Kara was leaving and nobody was stepping up to the job,” Reilly said. “There’s a lot of great talent in Grain Valley. They’re a sleeping dog and if we can get them started again and have a coach, I will step up to that.”
     She will try to help rebuild an Eagles boys program this fall that lost a handful of seniors from last year’s team. So far, Reilly has about eight swimmers and divers that have been working out over the summer, but she is still working on getting more athletes to join.
     “We are still recruiting. A lot of people still don’t know that we have a swim team,” Reilly said.
     Last season, Grain Valley saw a diver qualify for the Missouri State High School Boys Swimming and Diving Championships. Then-sophomore Kollin Hansuld became the second Eagles diver to make it to state in program history.
     Hansuld will be a key piece of last season’s team to return to the Eagles as he has set some big goals for himself.
     “I want to get the school record for the six dive and 11 dive scores,” Hansuld said. “I think I have a pretty good chance of doing that this year.”
     Senior Even Reich also returns as the team’s most experienced swimmer as he will compete in the relay and 200 freestyle events.
     “Our relays were super close to making it to state last year and I would have been the next up to swim in the 200,” Reich said. “I want to make it to state. I am on all three relays for the school record, but I want to be on the record board for an individual event. The 200 free is the one where I feel like I will be able to make it.”
     There will also be some newcomers entering the fold as senior Riley Strickland will be trying diving for the first time. Freshman Gage Wright will join the program and will both swim and dive for the Eagles. Hayden Harshman is another freshman who will also see time in the pool.
     Reilly will try and help her experienced and new swimmers reach their goals. In preseason practices, she has put the main focus on her swimmers perfecting their technique.
     “I do work on a lot of technique, because if I can get that down and have them grab that concept, then stroke will be faster, cleaner and better,” Reilly said. 
     Reich added that there is a stark contrast in the coaching styles of Liddle and Reilly, and he is hopeful that he and his team can have a good season in 2022.
     “Each practice feels a whole lot different,” Reich said. “We have a lot of young leadership on the team to show what we have. It’s a really positive change for everyone.”
     “A big difference is we are focusing our sets on getting our form correct instead of building endurance. The practices are different, and we are getting better in different ways. The coaches are doing a good job of getting us better and I am excited about the season moving forward.”
 

Mid-Continent Public Library’s Board of Trustees unanimously approved plans las week for the replacement of the Library’s existing Grain Valley Branch, currently located at 101 SW Eagles Pkwy. in Grain Valley. The new branch will be built on a 3.6-acre property that MCPL acquired last year on the west side of Buckner-Tarsney Road, approximately one mile south of the current location.
     “We’re thrilled for the opportunity to better serve our community with the modern amenities that will be available in this beautiful new building,” Grain Valley Branch Manager Sarah Gamble said.
     The new Grain Valley Branch will span approximately 12,500 square feet—about 4,000 square feet larger than the current branch—and will include a community program room, two meeting rooms, a dedicated children’s area, and outdoor seating. Construction is slated to begin later this year with a groundbreaking in late fall.
     The project is targeted to be complete by late fall 2023. The current Grain Valley Branch, a storefront location leased since 2014, will remain open until construction of the new building is complete.
     Replacement of the Grain Valley Branch is part of the Library’s ongoing Capital Improvement Plan, made possible by an increase to Library funding through the passage of Proposition L by voters in 2016. Design work for the Capital Plan is being completed by Sapp Design Architects and Helix Architecture + Design, with JE Dunn assuming responsibility for construction contractor management.

​August 3, 2022
1400 Block Red Oak Ct
Alarm

SW Eagles Pkwy / Main St
Motor Vehicle Accident

1400 Block NE Mary Ct
Stealing From Auto

SW Eagles Pkwy / Royer
Area Check - Disabled Vehicle

Oak St / South St
Animal At Large

Sni-A-Bar / SW Cross Creek Dr
Property Damage

1800 Block NW Nicholas Dr
Check the Well Being

2100 Block NW Hedgewood Dr
Peace Disturbance

PHQ
Citizen Contact

 
August 4, 2022
1200 Block NW Walnut Ct
Attempt to Contact

200 Block Walnut St
Property Damage

1400 Block SW Eagles Pkwy
Motor Vehicle Accident

2300 Block NW Hedgewood Dr
Check the Well Being

PHQ
Agency Assist - DFS

RD Mize Rd / Barr Rd
Agency Assist - BSPD

900 Block NE Deer Creek Rd
Stealing From Auto

PHQ
Citizen Contact

700 Block Main St
Citizen Contact

1100 Block NW Golfview Dr
Past Disturbance

1500 Block NW Eagle Ridge Dr
Agency Assist - CJC Fire

600 Block Walnut St
Check the Well Being

400 Block SW Laura Ln
Peace Disturbance

400 Block SW Montana Ridge Dr
Verbal Disturbance

200 Block SW Eagles Pkwy
Suspicious Activity

Whitney Subdivision
Suspicious Activity

 
August 5, 2022
PHQ
Follow-up - Leaving the Scene of an Accident

100 Block NE McQuerry Rd
Alarm

700 Block SW Lakeview Dr
Parking Complaint

Buckner Tarsney / NW Jefferson St
Motorist Assist

1300 Block SW Stoney Brook Dr
Extra Patrol

SW Creek Ridge Dr / SW Ridgeview Dr
Suspicious Person

Main St / Front St
Motor Vehicle Accident

PHQ
Citizen Contact

1100 Block NW Pamela Blvd
Alarm

Main St / US 40 Hwy
Careless Driver

1200 Block SW Eagles Pkwy
Check the Well Being

100 Block N Broadway
Agency Assist - OGPD

 
August 6, 2022
600 Block Yennie Ave
Disturbance

100 Block NW Garden
Agency Assist - KCPD

1800 Block NW Hilltop Ln
Stealing  

1900 Block NE McQuerry Dr
Area Check - Possible Drunk Driver

100 Block Main St
Check the Well Being

800 Block San Karr
Agency Assist - EMS

700 Block Main St
Property Damage

PHQ
Citizen Contact

400 Block NW Europa Dr
Verbal Disturbance

200 Block SW Pebble Brook
Attempt to Contact

SW Hillsboro / SW Montana Ridge Dr
Suspicious Activity

 
August 7, 2022
400 Block SW Laura Ln
Disturbance

200 Block Royer Ln
Disturbance

PHQ
Civil Issue - Parenting Plan

PHQ
Citizen Contact

1100 Block Buckner Tarsney Rd
Motor Vehicle Accident

PHQ
Citizen Contact

200 Block Royer Ln
Disturbance

1400 Block NE Mary Ct
Verbal Disturbance

Sni-A-Bar / SW Logan
Area Check - Road Rage incident

 
August 8, 2022
NW Rosewood Dr / NW Hickory Ct
Area Check - Reckless Driver

NW Woodbury / NW Pecan Dr
Area Check - Juvenile on ATV

PHQ
Citizen Contact

1300 Block NW Willow Dr
Alarm

PHQ
Animal At Large

Sni-A-Bar / SW Graystone Dr
Citizen Contact

700 Block SW Foxtail Dr
Agency Assist - Runaway Juvenile

PHQ
Agency Assist - DFS

PHQ
Walk-in Report - Stealing

PHQ
Follow-up - False Reports to Police

800 Block SW Stoney Brooke
Parking Complaint

600 Block SW Shorthorn Dr
Solicitors

2100 Block NW Cherry Ct
Juveniles on Golf Cart

1000 Block SW Sandy Ln
Agency Assist - EMS

 
August 9, 2022
PHQ
Citizen Contact

400 Block NW Orion Dr
Suspicious Vehicle

1100 Block NW Baytree
Area Check - Juveniles on ATVs

PHQ
Citizen Contact

EE Kirby
Suspicious Person

700 Block SW Foxtail Dr
Missing Person Located

Butterfly Trail
Assist Parks and Rec

BB Hwy / Ryan Rd
Agency Assist - Jackson County Sheriff

PHQ
Follow-up for DFS

PHQ
Citizen Contact

Buckner Tarsney / Duncan Rd
Disabled Vehicle

 
Additional calls for service:
Suicidal Subject : 1

Domestic Violence: 3

Order of Protection: 1

 

     The Board of Aldermen met August 8th for a brief regularly scheduled meeting. Up first on the agenda, the Board approved a resolution to allow for roof repairs to the Public Works maintenance building. The Board also approved the establishment of a policy for public comment during meetings, including a 3-minute time limit, which can be extended for an additional 3-minutes through a motion by a board member. 
     The Board also approved the sale of Series 2022A General Obligation Bonds for the site development and construction of a new police facility approved by voters. Representatives from Baker Tilly, the City's financial advisor, and law firm Gilmore Bell, PC, who facilitated the sale, reported the sale went well, resulting in a 2.43% interest rate and sale to JP Morgan Securities. 
     The next meeting of the Board of Aldermen will be held at City Hall on Monday, August 22, 2022 at 7:00pm. 

     With summer in full swing, it’s time to break out the hats and sunscreen to prepare ourselves for scorching temperatures. And make sure you don't forget your favorite tech devices… they need protection from the heat too!
     The summer heat can cause damage to your mobile devices when left out in the sun. Don't worry! Your favorite tech expert is here to drop some knowledge and help you prevent your smart devices from melting down. Check out these quick and easy tips to help keep your devices cooler in the summer heat.
 
1. Know the "safe range" for temperatures.
     Most tech devices are good to go in temperatures of 50° to 90°. Anything warmer than this is asking for trouble. Laptop, smartphone, and tablet batteries are notoriously not heat-friendly and the components of your delicate hard drive or internal storage might expand—sometimes causing permanent damage which puts you at risk of losing documents, photos, and music stored on your devices.
 
2. NEVER leave your tech devices in a hot car.
     Treat your tech like a baby and don't ever leave it in a warm car—not even in the trunk. The temperatures in your car on a warm day are almost always going to reach outside the safe range of your device. If you must leave your tech in a car, make sure it's been turned off completely.
 
3. Avoid high humidity. 
     Many laptops, tablets, and smartphones can experience electrical problems when the humidity is very high. Don't work outside with your device on days like this, or you could fry it.
 
4. Stay out of direct sun, if you can.
     Yes, heat usually comes with lots of direct sunlight. We've heard all the urban legends about your device's screen becoming damaged from sun exposure, but we can't find anything to support it. Either way, it's better to be safe than sorry.
 
5. Don't put your devices on ice if they start to overheat.
     If your smartphone, tablet, or laptop starts to show signs of overheating, place it under the shade to gradually cool off. Remember, do not put your device in the refrigerator or freezer; the rapid temperature change can cause condensation buildup that could damage the circuit.

     I hope you can use these tips to help you stay safe when you're using your devices this summer. If you need further assistance, please reach out to me with any questions you might have. I am always happy to help!


Want to ask me a tech question? Send it to burton@burtonkelso.com. I love technology. I've read all of the manuals and I'm serious about making technology fun and easy to use for everyone. 

Need computer or technology help? If you need on-site or remote tech support for your Windows\Macintosh, computers, laptops, Android/Apple smartphone, tablets, printers, routers, smart home devices, and anything that connects to the Internet, please feel free to contact my team at Integral. Our team of friendly tech experts organization can help you with any IT needs you might have.  Reach out to us a www.callintegralnow.com or phone at 888.256.0829. 

     Last season, the Grain Valley football team suffered some injuries in the secondary, which opened the door for some backups to get some playing time.
     Players like Braylon Harden, Jackson Stewart and Mason Morris got some valuable varsity playing time when the senior cornerbacks were injured.
     That experience may prove vital for the secondary this season as they trio could see more playing time as they will join experienced safeties Keegan Hart and Gabe Storment.
     Hart will be a starter at free safety for the third consecutive season. In 2021, he recorded 36 tackles, four interceptions and four pass breakups in a season in which he earned all-conference and all-district honors.
     “He’s a ball hawk,” Grain Valley head football coach David Allie said. “It’s pretty nice to have a kid with his experience back there. He’s progressed every year. He is truly the leader of that secondary for sure.”
     The senior will be playing on both sides of the ball this season as he will also be lining up as a wide receiver on offense.
     “I don’t think I have to change a whole lot,” Hart said of playing both sides of the ball full time. “Obviously I have to stay in shape but the biggest thing is drinking water and staying hydrated.”
     Storment also returns with a year of varsity experience. He can play either safety position but plays more like a strong safety as he likes to make tackles and hits near the line of scrimmage. Last season he was third on the team in tackles with 46.
     (Hart’s) buddy, Gabe, is a very similar player,” Allie said. “He was a kid who kind of surprised us last year as a sophomore. We knew he was a good athlete, but with his hard-hitting and hard-working style, he pressed and did a great job back there and he and Keegan really solidified the back of our defense.”
     In 2021, Tristan Pouncil and Jordan Jones were the Eagles’ top two corners but now Stewart, Harden and Morris like to fill the void left by last year’s seniors. Anthony Greco and Vincent Wilkins also could see some time in the secondary.”
     “Braylon is what everyone is looking for in a corner now,” Allie said. “He’s long and he’s pretty tall at 6-foot-1. He’s a long jumper for the track team. That gives you an idea what his athleticism is like.
     “Jackson is not too slow himself. He’s not as big as Braylon but maybe a little quicker. He’s an aggressive kid. He doesn’t mind the contact. With the playing time they got last year, hopefully that will pay dividends.”
     Hart praised the work ethic of the cornerbacks.
     “Those guys have been working hard and showing up every day,” Hart said. “They have stepped up and have improved every day.”
     Added Storment: (Harden and Stewart) are both pretty fast guys. They run under 4.5 (seconds) (40-yard dash time). They are both pretty good.”
     Another thing that could pay dividends is the group’s athleticism, an attribute that Allie said is the secondary’s biggest strength.
     “The guys are really athletic, so that will allow us to play up if we need to or drop back into a zone,” Allie said. “It’s also great that we have two guys back there that have played a lot of games for us.”
     Hart said he believes the secondary this season can be just as good if not better than the 2021 version.
     “Everybody that we lost, we can replace, I feel like,” Hart said. “We have had some guys that have been able to step up and fill out some shoes.”
 
 

     Over the past few weeks, I have reviewed several topics in Marjorie Tate’s Rural Sociology notebook about Grain Valley and Jackson County. If you visit the Historical Society Museum, there are many more pages you would probably finding interesting.  After all, Miss Tate did a very thorough report on rural Jackson County 100 years ago. 
     I will conclude my writing this week by sharing a portion of the 1922 Jackson County Map which she included in her notebook. Beginning up North (at the top of the map) you will see that many of the “old towns” of Jackson County are no longer “on our maps.”
     Those towns include Atherton, Courtney, Cement City, Ripley and Lake City. Yes, there was a town at Lake City which once had nearly 1,000 people living there. I don’t wish to insult anyone, but you could almost include Sibley and Levasy in that list. Sibley is and probably always will be alive because of Fort Osage and it is also the home of Jackson County Public Water District # 16, the Evergy Power Plant and the Sibley Orchard. I think there is still one farm store in Levasy. Both towns lack today’s essentials - food and gasoline!
     Further south on the 1922 map are the other now defunct towns which include Little Blue, Knobtown, Tarsney, Cockrell and Sni Mills. In those days, each of these towns had a U. S. Post Office, along with a general store. While some were larger than others, I believe most had a livery stable, a small hotel, a restaurant and a saloon! And the Missouri Pacific Railroad crossed through Levasy, Lake City, and Ripley.
     Over the years, many of the roads have received new names. Did you know that one hundred years ago, Buckner Tarsney Road was known as Buckner-Grain Valley Road? When Spring Branch Road was resurfaced and straightened (I remember all of those curves and sharp turns from my youth) in the early 1960s, it was renamed Truman Road after the hometown boy and 33rd President of the United States.
     In 1922, Highway 24 was known as the Harry B. Hawes State Highway. While Mr. Hawes had many years of public service including the Missouri House and Senate, the U. S. Senate and Ambassador to Spain, between 1917-1920 he was president of the Missouri Good Roads Federation and of the Federated Roads Council of St. Louis.
     Before U. S. 40 Highway was created in 1926, Sni-a-Bar Road was the main route from Grain Valley to Kansas City. Other important roads in Jackson County 100 years ago included R. D. Mize, Colborn and Woods Chapel. Many roads simply got their names because of the towns they connected; Lee’s Summit-Lone Jack Road, Courtney-Atherton Road and Blue Springs-Tarsney Road (now part of 7 Highway) to name a few.
     I’m sure there are many more changes of which I am unaware. I welcome you to visit the Grain Valley Historical Society Museum and fill us in on your early knowledge of Grain Valley and Jackson County. Add to our historical records; let us know what you know!
     During the fall and winter months the Historical Society is opened on Wednesday from 10 AM – 3 PM, or by appointment. Check us out on our web site – www.grainvalleyhistory.com
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