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by Michael Smith There is one attribute that may be key to a successful season for the 2023 Grain Valley volleyball team – depth. The Eagles return five players that were a part of the 6-person rotation in 2022. But after Wednesday’s jamboree against Fort Osage and Truman, it appears head coach Tori Squiers will have plenty of options outside of the returning starters to see minutes on the court. Newcomers like Chesnie King, Kyleigh Casey, and Piper Jackson made their case for being a part of the rotation with strong performances as they helped Grain Valley win all four sets. In the jamboree, the Eagles played two sets against Truman and a pair vs. Fort Osage. The first team to 21 points won the set. Junior Kayla Gallagher returns as an outside hitter and showed her experience Wednesday. Senior Izabella West is another outside hitter with varsity experience as she saw time at the net, as well. Those two should be getting plenty of assistance at the net throughout the season from players like King and Casey showing they can be a force at putting up points. “She’s an outstanding offensive player,” Squiers said. “We have had a lot of chats about working on defense, but offensively she is strong for our team. Since she’s a lefty, that helps her when she’s hitting from (the right) side.” King looked like one of the best ball strikers on the Eagles as she was tied with Gallagher with the second most kills at seven. She had a strong left-handed swing and her strikes proved to be difficult for Fort Osage and Truman to defend. One of her kills came on a well-placed fingertip strike that landed just inside the boundary lines in the back right corner of the opponent’s floor. She appeared to be a strong defender at the net, as well as the sophomore totaled three blocks. “This is definitely different than (junior varsity),” King said. “The competition is a lot better. It was fun. I am excited for this year.” Casey could also be an option at the net for Squiers as she showed she can score, too, as she totaled five kills and two blocks which resulted in points. “She had a small injury that took her out for a few weeks,” Squiers said of Casey. “She’s trying to earn a six-rotational spot and she’s been a stud for us offensively. She also puts up a big block defensively and so does Chesnie.” Jackson, a freshman, impressed with her two kills, two blocks and an ace. “Defensively, she’s such a strong player,” Squiers said of Jackson. The returning starters also looked sharp. Davies led the team with eight kills and she added two blocks. West displayed her prowess for serving as she had a team-high four aces. Allison Koepkey, the setter, looked strong as she had two saves and multiple assists as the team’s primary setter. Senior libero Kaylie Jennings provided the team a strong punch on defense as she protected the back line well with several digs. “I feel like we have a really good connection with our defense and offense,” Davies said. “When we are putting balls away, we have a lot of good setters we can use.” “We have been running a lot of different combinations for kills and we have been running a lot of sets. We are working on perfecting them.” Overall, the Eagles looked strong as they never trailed in any set. They defeated Truman 21-19, 21-14 and topped Fort Osage 21-16, 21-9. While there were some mistakes here and there for Grain Valley, the team looked like a cohesive unit for the most part and could be in for a strong 2023 campaign. “I am glad we were able to get some nerves out during the jamboree,” Squiers said. “We want to teach them some little things during this that they haven’t seen in practice. They’re pumped, we have a great group of kids that just want to play.” Grain Valley senior Allison Koepkey prepares to serve the call during the preseason jamboree Wednesday at Truman High School. Photo credit: Michael Smith Grain Valley senior Megan Davies led the Eagles with eight kills against Fort Osage and Truman. Photo credit: Michael Smith
by Cole Arndorfer
The Grain Valley Schools Board of Education met on Thursday, August 17, for their brief monthly meeting. The meeting included a report on prepaying the district’s series 2019A bonds, a couple new business items, and discussion of three board policies. Under reports, the Board heard a presentation from Wesley Townsend and Brad Wegman of L.J. Hart and Company. The two presented an option to the board to prepay the district’s series 2019A bonds in order to save money in interest. Prepaying the full $3 million amount of the bonds would equal a savings of $225,000 over time. The board elected to go through with the bond prepayment and will pay the full amount on September 1. During the superintendent’s report, Dr. Brad Welle made note that the district is in need of paraprofessionals and custodians as the district is down nine paraprofessionals and eight custodial workers. If the positions go unfilled for the start of the year, paraprofessional positions will be run on a substitute basis with subs filling in to meet the state requirements. Custodians will run on a skeleton crew at night in order to make up their shortage to start and there will be a higher emphasis on daytime cleaning to not overwork that small crew. Following a question from Sarah Swartz on the outcome of the district’s inaugural Back to School Fair, Dr. Amanda Allen said the number of sign-ups was great but the number of attendees was a bit lacking. Allen said that there were over 90 kids that signed up for the fair but just half of those turned out at the event. Overall, Allen called the event a success and hopes that it will gain more traction in the future. For now, the district will hold supplies for the kids that signed up but were unable to come at their respective schools to be sure all kids get what they need. Under new business, the Board reviewed annual CSIP (Comprehensive School Improvement Plan) priorities for the upcoming school year. This was a list of five priorities for the upcoming year. The first priority was to improve early literacy instruction. Dr. Welle said that this is something the district has been trying to hit hard the last few years. Second, was to develop a comprehensive facilities audit and use it to create a long-range facilities plan for the future. The third priority was to look at redefining K-12 processes for assessing behavior. Fourth, developing school and district safety plans that highlights any needed improvements. The last priority was to evaluate local funding options and to propose a levy increase, and timeline for a vote by the district’s patrons. “The last time our levy went to a vote of the people in our community was 2004,” Welle said. “If you think about how our district and our community has changed in the last 20 years, that is a long time.” The board will take these priorities under consideration and bring them back for further discussion at the September meeting. The second item of new business was adding a new bus aide position for this school year. This is a position that was not budgeted for but was rather found to be a need due to the number of students that need a bus aide and how they fall along the bus routes. The board approved this item and is expected to come back in the coming months with an amendment to the budget reflecting this position. The last portion of the meeting was covering board policies. The first item discussed under board policies was discussed at length in the previous meeting. There were no changes to the policy referring to the acceptance of gifts by staff other than making note that, if offered a gift, Welle would have to speak with board president, Eddie Saffell, before accepting said gift rather than calling a board meeting. Dr. Welle made sure to point out that he is seldom offered gifts, receiving a chuckle from the board and audience, before saying that this policy is mostly a formality. This policy passed 7-0. The second policy the board discussed was options for professional staff members wishing to resign over the summer months. The specific section of the policy the board discussed was liquidated damages. As the policy states right now, a professional staff member wishing to resign from their contract between June 1 and July 1 is subject to board approval and payment of a $1,000 processing fee. The later a staff member wishes to resign, the higher the fee. Between July 1 and August 1, the fee jumps to $3,000 and for after August 1 the fee is currently $5,000. Welle said that he would have a hard time removing this section from the policy given the teacher shortage at the moment but would be open to any revisions the board may want to discuss. The board discussed adding a clause that would allow the board to waive the fee at their discretion or possibly taking away the tier system that is in place currently or taking it from three tiers to just two. The board will continue to discuss this item further. The final item in policies is the new MSBA Series 2023B policies. Main changes have to do with instructional practices, interventions, promotion/acceleration, retention, and assessment, as well as adding Holocaust Education Week to the ceremonies and observances calendar. Welle said the board will take time to go through these changes and discuss them the next time they meet. The next school board meeting will take place on September 23 at 6 pm at the Leadership Center. Grain Valley students returned to school Tuesday, August 22nd, and hundreds of proud parents shared their first day memories in our annual call for photos on Facebook. Below are just a few of the smiling faces we enjoyed seeing on Tuesday. Visit our Facebook page to view all of the submitted photos - and thanks, parents, for sharing your photos with us. by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society
August 5, 1998; The Examiner On Tuesday the voters of Grain Valley eased the stresses and strains of growth by approving four bond issues, for a total of more than $4 million, that will help the city move ahead and won’t even raise taxes. The city plans to refinance some debt, taking advantage of lower interest rates. At the same time it can now issue bonds for a new water tower, a new city hall complex with a community center and police headquarters, street and sewer work and work on a park. It’s history, but it sounds like we could write the same article today; a new water tower, a new police station, work on streets and new handicap accessible equipment for Armstrong Park. August 19, 1998; The Examiner Grain Valley city officials agree that the city’s population will pass the 5,000 mark this year and that growth—both homes and businesses – will probably continue. Some of the new businesses that opened in the past year included Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, which put its $3.2 million expanded national headquarters near the Interstate 70 Grain Valley exit. Groundbreaking on a Comfort Inn motel is expected to take place later this year. Growth--both homes and businesses--will probably continue. Boy that “ain’t no joke.” While more than 45 new businesses came to our town in 1998, only a relative few have survived. They include American Family Insurance, Farmers Insurance, State Bank of Missouri, Brass Armadillo, Sonic Drive-In, K & M Office Products, Marsh Screw Machine Products and GV Truck Sales. Obviously, these few have been joined by many, many more. September 1, 1998; The Examiner A big change was expected this afternoon for Buckner Tarsney Road drivers in the vicinity of Pink Hill Road north of Grain Valley. Signs were to go up to make the intersection a four-way stop and an overhead flashing light there will blink red in all four directions. (Weather conditions delayed the installation a few days.) Now if we could just resolve the situation on Buckner Tarsney at Duncan Road! November, 1998, The Pointe In November, 1998 Volume 1, Issue I of The Pointe newspaper was launched from 514 Main Street in Grain Valley. The paper was mailed free to patrons of the Grain Valley School District. The first edition included the following information, Matt Farlin, Editor; Monique Church, Advertising Director, Vickie Officer, Administration Director; Chris Fischer, Associate Editor; Gina Farlin & Brent Ince, Staff. The paper was printed for about 6 years. Grain Valley has changed “just a bit” in the past twenty-five years. It’s always interesting to look back and learn where we started, be it 150 years ago or 25! When it comes to estate planning, many people focus solely on legal documents, such as wills and trusts. However, there is another key component that is often overlooked: the family letter.
A family letter is a personal document that allows you to communicate your wishes, thoughts, and feelings to your loved ones. It can be a valuable tool for your family members during a difficult time, as it provides important information and guidance on a variety of topics that are important to both you and your loved ones. One of the main benefits of a family letter is that it allows you to express your gratitude and appreciation to your family members. This can be especially meaningful for those who may not have heard those words from you before. Additionally, a family letter can provide comfort and reassurance to your loved ones during the grieving process. It is your opportunity to say “I love you” one last time. In terms of practical information, a family letter can cover a wide range of topics. For example, it can include details about your estate planning choices, such as who your attorney and financial advisors are and where your important documents are located. It can also let them know where they can find information on all of your assets and financial information, as well as any online accounts and passwords. Another important aspect of a family letter is the inclusion of family history. This can provide valuable context for your loved ones and help them understand their own place within the family. Additionally, a family letter can include information about your wishes for the care of children, grandchildren, or pets, as well as any memberships or other obligations you may have. Your family letter can also include your final words of wisdom or a blessing for your family members. This is a powerful way to leave a lasting impression on those you care about most. A family letter is an important part of every estate plan, regardless of the size of the estate. It allows you to fully communicate your wishes and feelings to your loved ones, while also providing practical information and guidance. If you still need to create a family letter, now is the time. Your family will thank you for it. (StatePoint) With cold and flu season upon us, it’s time to protect yourself, not only from those seasonal threats, but also from other health risks.
“During the holidays, our lives get very busy with family and friends,” said Dr. J.B. Sobel, chief medical officer for Cigna Healthcare’s Medicare business. “Before then, please take time to ensure you get the preventive care you need to stay healthy.” Preventive care is critical for everybody, but particularly for older adults, and especially in fall when risks can increase, Sobel said. Recommendations vary based on age, gender and health status, but the following are some of the most common for seniors, according to Sobel. Vaccinations There are a number of vaccines older adults need to consider to protect themselves. Flu and pneumonia, for example, are among some of the most common causes of senior deaths. There is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to vaccination. Timing and frequency vary, depending on your health history. Ask your health care provider which vaccines are appropriate for you. • Flu. This vaccine is administered annually, generally before the end of October, and is designed to match the latest circulating flu strains. • Pneumonia. Administration varies based on health history. If you’re 65 or older and you’ve never had the vaccine before, then you’ll likely need two shots, which are administered a year apart. • Shingles. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends two doses of the shingles vaccine for healthy adults aged 50 and older, spaced two to six months apart, to prevent shingles and related complications. • COVID-19. Ask your doctors about current recommendations for prevention of COVID-19 infections. • RSV. Earlier this year, the Federal Drug Administration approved two separate vaccines to address respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in older adults. RSV, a common respiratory infection, usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms, but can be more severe in older adults and children. Talk to your doctor about whether you should get an RSV vaccine. Health Screenings The following health screenings are commonly recommended for older adults. • Mammogram. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women in the United States, according to the CDC. Every woman is at risk, and risk increases with age. Fortunately, breast cancer can often be treated successfully when found early. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends women 50 to 74-years-old at average risk get a mammogram every two years. • Colorectal screening. Colorectal cancer risk increases with age. Screenings can find precancerous polyps early, so they can be removed before they turn into cancer. The USPSTF recommends colorectal cancer screening for adults age 45 to 75. Though colonoscopy is the most comprehensive test, there are other options you may consider with the help of your provider. • Bone density scan. USPSTF recommends women aged 65 and older, and women 60 and older at increased risk, be routinely screened for osteoporosis, a disease in which bones become weak and brittle. Screening may facilitate treatment that helps prevent fractures. • Eye exam. Routine eye exams can identify early signs of eye disease that are more likely as people age. People with diabetes in particular are prone to retinopathy, which leads to vision loss. It’s recommended that people with diabetes have annual retinal screenings. • Mental health checkup. Many people experience seasonal depression during fall. Mental health is strongly linked to physical health. Talk to your health care provider about both, including your personal and family history. They can connect you with additional mental health resources. To prevent unpleasant surprises, Sobel suggests talking with your health care provider, pharmacist or insurer about preventive care costs. Fortunately, costs are often covered fully by Medicare or Medicare Advantage, he said. The information contained in this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen. With scorching summer temps in the forecast, it’s time to break out the hats and sunscreen to protect ourselves. 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, but 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 your device. 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. MDC opens pre-registration for Nature Venture Squad programs Sept. 6 to Sept. 30 at Blue Springs8/24/2023
by Bill Graham, Missouri Department of Conservation The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will offer the Nature Venture Squad, a special series of nature and outdoor skills programs for youths from Sept. 6 to Sept. 30 at the Burr Oak Woods Nature Center in Blue Springs. Nature Venture Squad is for youths ages 10-18. This is an immersive program about conservation, captive animal care, wildlife science, and outdoor activities.
Participants must complete and submit a qualification form to pre-register by Aug. 30. During the three-week program, they must commit to attending a minimum of one weeknight per week and at least one of the two Saturday sessions. Activities will include:
For more information about Burr Oak Woods Nature Center, visit https://mdc.mo.gov/burroakwoods. The following information is derived from Grain Valley Police Department daily calls service log for the week of August 16-22, 2023.
August 16, 2023 1200 Blk NW Phelps Ct Welfare check 1000 Blk SW Sandy Ln Disturbance PHQ Public service 1100 Blk N Buckner Tarsney Trespass 1500 Blk NE Jaclyn Dr Citizen contact WB I-70 E of GV Exit Agency assist 500 Blk Gregg St Alarm RD Mize Rd/Ooida Suspicious vehicle August 17, 2023 1100 Blk NE Mcquerry Rd Motor vehicle accident 1100 Blk Bush Alarm 1500 Blk Hilltop Ln Motor vehicle accident PHQ Fingerprints PHQ Public service Eagles/Minter Suspicious vehicle 200 Blk SW Eagles Pkwy Suspicious person NW Valley Ridge Ct Alarm EE Kirby/SW Eagles Parkway Motor vehicle accident PHQ Citizen contact 200 Blk Gregg St Missing person Sni-A-Barr/Shorthorn Area check 300 Blk SW Eagles Pkwy Noise complaint 31 St/Stark Ave Agency assist PHQ Citizen contact 200 Blk Cross Creek Ln Area check PHQ Warrant surrender PHQ Citizen contact Blue Branch Pond Suspicious person August 18, 2023 PHQ Agency assist PHQ Citizen contact PHQ Citizen contact - Fraud report PHQ Citizen contact - Stolen auto report 200 Blk Concord Cir Area check 700 Blk NW Green Dr Physical disturbance 1300 Blk SW Stoney Brook Dr Harassment 100 Blk NW Sni-A-Barr Verbal disturbance August 19, 2023 1200 Blk NW Long Assault 400 Blk NW Woodbury Dr Area check 700 Blk NW RD Mize Rd Citizen contact BB/Ryan Rd Area check August 20, 2023 800 Blk SW Country Hill Dr Missing juvenile PHQ Citizen contact 600 Blk Woodbury Welfare check 1100 Blk Hickory Ct Area check 600 Blk Yennie Parking complaint 1100 Blk Buckner Tarsney Rd Motor vehicle accident August 21, 2023 100 Blk McQuerry Property damage 100 Blk SW Eagles Pkwy Business license 600 Blk SW Tisha Ln Property damage 5300 Blk NW Barr Rd Parking complaint 600 Blk NW Scenic Ln Animal control August 22, 2023 Ashley/Barr Rd Area check PHQ Citizen contact 600 Blk Westview Agency assist 600 Blk Valley Ridge Ct Alarm PHQ Citizen contact PHQ Citizen contact - stealing report PHQ Citizen contact Additional calls for service: CIT/Mental Health welfare check: 3 by Bill Graham, Missouri Department of Conservation Ponds can be managed to improve fishing and to reduce problems from nuisance aquatic vegetation. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will host a pond management workshop from 10 to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 9, at Powell Gardens. The botanical gardens are east of Kansas City and west of Warrensburg off U.S. 50 in Johnson County.
Austin Worth, MDC private land conservationist, will provide information on managing fish populations and aquatic vegetation in ponds. Controlling nuisance aquatic plants will be among the topics covered. Pond owners can ask questions and get specific information about dealing with problems at their pond. Participants are also asked to bring plant samples or photographs of any plants causing problems in their pond. Biologists can identify the plants and recommend options for control. Participants will also learn about aquatic plant identification. Some native aquatic plants are beneficial. But ponds can also become infested with non-native, invasive plant species that can harm fishing and aesthetics. Solutions are available. The MDC workshop is free. But Powell Gardens does have a $12 admission fee. Participants are encouraged to tour the garden’s rich floral displays and scenic ponds before and after the workshop. Registration is required. To register, visit the Powell Gardens webpage at https://short.mdc.mo.gov/4s5. For MDC’s online information about pond management, visit https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZNa. |
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