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Tuesday morning, Grain Valley Fair volunteer Justin Tyson dropped off a load of donations from the August First Fridays event downtown, where attendees were asked to drop off donations for the BackSnack program. Denna Coulson, a volunteer with the BackSnack program, said the donations go a long way toward getting them prepared to begin packaging snacks when the program kicks off again in early September. With more than 230 BackSnack packages to be packed weekly by volunteers, it takes a pantry full of snacks each week to get it done. "It takes a lot. The more donations we can get, the better," Coulson said. Volunteers from the Grain Valley High School Life Skills class come to the church each week to package the BackSnacks, and then deliver them to counselors at each school. Students enrolled in the program receive a selection of snacks to take home with them over the weekend. All snacks are kid-friendly and able to be easily accessed and prepared. Cans must be pop-top, and meals must be easily prepared in the microwave with limited ingredients. "We try to make it kid-friendly because we serve students from preschool to high school, and we don't know how much help they are getting from mom and dad at home or if they are just doing this on their own," Coulson said. Coulson said donations are always welcome. Donations of snacks can be delivered to Faith United Methodist Church, 1950 SW Eagles Parkway, and online donations can be made easily at www.valleyfaith.church, selecting the BackSnack program on the online donation form.   The pantry at Faith United Methodist Church where snacks are stored for the BackSnack program is ready for the first week of distribution in September thanks to donations from local efforts, including the August First Fridays event. Photo credit: Valley News staff  by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society With the 2024-25 school year beginning this week, students and faculty were able to see the beautiful new fieldhouse that’s ready for the first volleyball match next Thursday, September 5. I do not know if I’m more excited to see the match or the new facilities. Both should be exciting! Twenty-five years ago, the Grain Valley football faithful were greeted by an award-winning football field. That’s right, in 1999, Grain Valley’s field was recognize as one of the 10 best playing fields in the nation by Pioneer Manufacturing of Cleveland, a nationally known company that makes and sells field- and turf-maintenance equipment and supplies to some of the largest football organizations in the United States. The district received a certificate and a large banner claiming its’ field a “Field of Excellence.” Twenty-five years ago Randy Anderson was the school district groundskeeper. He, along with five volunteers; Sam Packham, Joe Cornell, Al Hager, Duane Nay and Chip Toma, spent about ten hours per week during the football season beautifying the grass field. I think it would have been much more work maintaining a grass field. It took nearly four hours just to paint the Eagle! Grain Valley received the prestigious honor because Sam Packham, the school district director of buildings and grounds at that time applied for the award after seeing an advertisement in a trade magazine.  Grain Valley’s Moody Murry Field, circa 1999. Al Hager and Randy Anderson ready the field for Friday Night, under the lights! Photo credit: Grain Valley Historical Society  The following information is derived from Grain Valley Police Department daily calls service log for the week of August 14 – August 20, 2024. August 14, 2024 MAIN ST / 40 Pedestrian Check PHQ Walk In Report 100 BLK S BUCKNER TARSNEY RD Vehicle Check 1400 BLK NW HIGH VIEW DR Check Well Being WB 70 AT 23 MM Agency Assist EMS PHQ Walk In Report PHQ Public Service GRAIN VALLEY CITY HALL Meeting PHQ Citizen Contact 1400 BLK NW HIGH VIEW DR Citizen Contact SW LEE ANN DR / CREEKWOOD Information MAIN / FRONT Vehicle Check 1700 BLK NW WOODBURY DR Animal At Large 202 VALLEY DR Agency Assist EMS August 15, 2024 1700 BLK NW NICHOLAS DR Suspicious Vehicle 35TH AND NOLAND Training 1300 BLK NW JEFFERSON ST Alarm-Commerical PHQ Walk In Report PHQ Walk In Report 1100 BLK NE MCQUERRY RD Animal Neglect 500 BLK SW EAGLES PARKWAY Traffic Complaint PHQ Public Service PHQ Walk In Report 1900 BLK NW ROSEWOOD DR Public Service 1100 BLK N BUCKNER TARSNEY RD Assault 31600 BLK NE PINK HILL RD Meeting 400 BLK NW WALNUT ST Stealing Vehicle 200 BLK NE KIM CT Disturbance-Verbal WB 70/M 29.4 Agency Assist LE August 16, 2024 1100 BLK NW BUCKNER TARSNEY RD Suspicious Person NW SNI-A-BAR BLVD / NW SNI-A-BAR PKWY 911 Hang Up 1000 BLK ROCK CREEK LN Alarm-Residential PHQ Public Service PHQ Walk In Report 1100 BLK EAGLE RIDGE DR Alarm-Commerical 700 BLK N MAIN Crash Non-Injury PHQ Walk In Report MAIN/U 70 Crash Non-Injury PHQ Walk In Report PHQ Public Service ROSEWOOD/PERSIMMON Area Check 1200 BLK NW PAMELA BLVD Noise PHQ Public Service 200 BLK SW EAGLES PKWY unit 2103 Stealing Vehicle August 17, 2024 1900 BLK NW ROSEWOOD DR Noise 1500 BLK NW NICHOLAS DR Noise 100 BLK SUNNY LN Disturbance-Physical 1200 BLK NW PHELPS DR Disturbance-Physical SNI-A-BAR DR/SNI-A-BAR PKWY Suspicious Vehicle 1700 BKJ NW HEDGEWOOD DR Nature Unknown PHQ Public Service DUNCAN RD / RUST RD Crash Injury PHQ Public Service 1600 BLK NE JACLYN DR Check Well Being PHQ Public Service PHQ Public Service 300 BLK E OLD 40 HWY Recovered Stolen Property; Agency Assist LE 1100 BLK NW BUCKNER TARSNEY RD Harrassment 100 BLK NW SNI A BAR PKWY Suspicious Activity SW RYAN RD / SW CROSS CREEK DR Area Check 300 BLK NE OLD US 40 HWY Noise 1300 BLK NW R D MIZE RD Disturbance-Physical; Agency Assist LE 1000 BLK STONEBROOK LN Check Well Being August 18, 2024 1300 BLK NW HIGH VIEW DR Agency Assist EMS 700 BLK N MAIN ST Crash Non-Injury 400 BLK SW ROCK CREEK LN Recovered Stolen Auto 400 BLK SW CRESTVIEW DR Disturbance-Verbal 700 BLK SW EAGLES PARKWAY (AA HWY) Recovered Stolen Property 800 BLK NW THIEME ST Citizen Contact 600 BLK NELSON DR Dead Body PHQ Public Service 400 BLK SW CRESTVIEW DR Standby to Prevent DUNCAN/ROSEWOOD Extra Patrol 1300 BLK NW CRESTWOOD DR Follow Up Investigation 1300 BLK R D MIZE RD Follow Up Investigation 1100 BLK N BUCKNER TARSNEY RD Follow Up Investigation; Citizen Contact August 19, 2024 EB 70/LITTLE BLUE PKWY Agency Assist LE 900 BLK SW CROSS CREEK DR Citizen Contact 300 BLK SW EAGLES PKWY Check Well Being PHQ Area Check 100 BLK SUNNY LN Trespass PHQ Harassment 100 BLK E FRONT ST Abandoned Vehicle PHQ Fraud 1100 BLK NW GOLFVIEW DR Suspicious Activity 900 BLK NW PERSIMMON CT Missing Person-Juvenile 1000 BLK NW DOGWOOD DR 911 Hang Up 200 BLK NW WILLOW CT Disturbance-Verbal 1500 BLK NE JACLYN DR Check Well Being 300 BLK SW EAGLES PKWY Agency Assist EMS 500 BLK SW EAGLES PARKWAY Security Check 700 BLK BROME DR Disturbance-Verbal August 20, 2024 1100 BLK R D MIZE RD Agency Assist EMS 600 BLK NE OLD US 40 HWY Misc-All Other Offences 200 BLK NE CYPRESS ST Area Check 900 BLK SW RYAN RD Administrative 31600 BLK NE PINK HILL RD Administrative 500 BLK SW EAGLES PARKWAY Administrative 700 BLK SW EAGLES PKWY Administrative 2100 BLK S DILLINGHAM RD Administrative 900 BLK SW RYAN RD Administrative OLYMPIC / CASEY Suspicious Person 31600 BLK NE PINK HILL RD Administrative NW OOIDA DR Threats 100 BLK E ROCK CREEK LN Abandoned Vehicle PHQ Administrative 200 BLK SW EAGLES PKWY Citizen Contact 1300 BLK CHERRY ST Property Damage 200 BLK N MAIN ST Suspicious Person 1300 BLK CHERRY ST Prisoner Transport 
Have you ever craved something sweet, but unsure about natural sugars vs. sugar substitutes? With so much information online, it can be hard to decide what is ‘good’ or ‘bad’ for you and your health. Today, our Hy-Vee dietitians will explain the differences between some of the sugar substitutes, the science behind them, and ways to use these sugars (and substitutes) in recipes! Natural Sugars Natural sugars, like sucrose, glucose, and fructose, give us energy throughout the day and are found in foods like grains, fruit and sweet snacks. However, consuming excess amounts these sugars over time may raise our blood sugar and lead to pre-diabetes or diabetes. We recommend pairing these types of food with protein or fat to help balance your blood sugar. Fairlife milk is one of our favorites because it contains 50% more protein and 50% less sugar (compared to regular milk). It’s important to point out that we want our sugar intake at a manageable level, so we aren’t addicted to it. But we don’t necessarily need to cut it out completely! For a snack, our Dietitian Pick of the Month is Perfect Bars. They are a delicious blend of creamy and crunchy with a cookie-dough-like texture. These bars are high in protein and fiber, helping you feel fuller for longer. Pair them with your favorite fresh fruit for a delicious and nutritious snack. Stevia Stevia is a plant that makes things taste sweet without adding sugar or calories. In fact, it’s 200-300 times sweeter than sugar. This sweetener is one of the more well-known sugar substitutes. Science shows that stevia may be beneficial to our bodies as it may reduce blood pressure and may positively impact the gut microbiome.1 Our favorite way to use stevia is by adding it to tea or baked goods for sweetness without the calories. Monk Fruit Monk fruit is like a magic fruit that tastes sweet but does not impact our blood sugars. Just a little bit of this ‘sugar’ can make foods sweet as it’s over 100 times sweeter than sugar. Studies show that monk fruit has anti-hyperglycemic, anti-hyperlipidemic, and anti-diabetic properties.2 In layman’s terms, monk fruit can help our blood sugar and help reduce the fat stores in our bodies. One way to use monk fruit is in a homemade salad dressing for a touch of sweetness. Allulose Allulose is another non-nutritive sweetener that’s about 70% as sweet as sugar. It looks and tastes like sugar, but it comes from dates, raisins and prunes. Studies using allulose are similar to those using monk fruit and stevia; when using allulose instead of glucose, we tend to notice lower blood sugar levels tested after we eat.3 We enjoy using allulose sprinkled on fruit, like strawberries, for some extra sweetness. Give allulose (or one of the other sugar substitutes) a try in the recipe below if you prefer your smoothies on the sweeter side! Want more guidance on sugar substitutes or managing blood sugars? Consider our Balancing Your Blood Sugar Program. During this action-based group program, learn how to lower inflammation, reduce sugar intake and control cravings. Intended for those living with prediabetes, diabetes or gestational diabetes, these virtual sessions are designed to facilitate positive lifestyle changes. Program includes (4) 60-minute virtual group sessions with your Hy-Vee dietitian, and A1C screenings are completed at the beginning and end of the program at select Hy-Vee stores to track progress. Register online now Strawberry Walnut Date Smoothie Serves 2 All you need: 1 ½ cups hulled, quartered Basket & Bushel strawberries ½ cup California walnuts ½ cup Hy-Vee plain Greek yogurt ½ cup Fairlife milk 3 pitted dates, coarsely chopped Chopped California walnuts, for garnish All you do:
Adapted from: https://walnuts.org/recipe/strawberry-walnut-date-smoothie/ Shop all of these ingredients at Hy-Vee Aisles Online. 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: Perfect Snacks, Fairlife, and Foundation for Fresh Produce Cited Sources:
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017 resulted in significant changes to the U.S. tax code. Many of these changes will expire after 2025 unless renewed by Congress. I find it interesting that one provision that will not expire is the lowering of the Corporate Tax Rate from 35% to 21%. It was made a permanent change, at least until Congress votes to change it again. A major change that impacted charitable contributions was the doubling of the standard deduction and indexing of this amount for inflation. In 2024, the standard deduction for a married couple filing jointly is $29,200 and $14,600 for an individual. Before this change, 30% of households were itemizing their taxes, but only 10% after the change. A recent study by the National Bureau of Economic Research estimates a decrease of $20 billion in charitable giving in 2018. And the study estimates that $16 billion of that charitable giving loss was permanent and did not return in subsequent years, due to having fewer incentives for charitable gifts for tax purposes. Now, I don’t believe anyone makes a charitable gift solely for tax purposes, but I do believe it can impact the size of that gift. Truman Heartland Community Foundation (THCF) can help you make an even greater impact through a strategic giving technique called “charitable bunching.” By leveraging this strategy, you can maximize your charitable giving and achieve significant tax benefits. Here’s how. Charitable bunching involves consolidating several years' worth of donations into a single tax year to surpass the standard tax deduction and receive a more substantial tax benefit. While this approach requires some careful financial planning, the rewards are well worth it. For instance, if you typically donate around $5,000 annually to your favorite charities, even with other deductions, you may not meet the current standard deduction of $29,200 for married couples. However, by bunching at three years of donations together in a donor advised fund (DAF), you can itemize your $15,000 in donations in the current tax year, leading to a larger tax benefit than if you were to make smaller annual donations. Then, you simply support your favorite charities over the next three years through grants from your DAF. When you make this gift to your DAF by utilizing appreciated securities, you avoid paying the capital gains tax and have 15-20% more to give away, depending on your tax bracket. THCF has served as a central hub for philanthropy in suburban Eastern Jackson County for more than 40 years. We enable donors of all kinds to contribute to their favorite causes and organizations. Now is a good time to think about year-end tax planning, so ask your tax professional or financial advisor if charitable bunching could help you maximize your giving. Or call (816-836-8189), click (www.THCF.org), or come by our Independence office, and we’ll help you make a lasting difference in your community.  Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center hosts Small Wonders: Insects in Focus through Sept. 218/22/2024
by Maddie Fennewald, Missouri Department of Conservation In the air, water, and even under foot, insects inhabit every domain of our daily lives, performing essential functions that balance our fragile ecosystem on earth. By using cutting-edge technology and custom methods, artist Bob Sober created Small Wonders: Insects in Focus, an exhibition of breathtaking beauty that allows viewers to see this hidden world of insects like they’ve never seen it before. Small Wonders aims to inspire, in an artistic way, our natural curiosity to understand the form, function, and diversity of nature. The exhibition runs through Sept. 21 at the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center. Bob Sober, a visual artist as well as technological pioneer whose photographic techniques are the subject of educational tutorials, offers a series of thirty images that bring the natural world to a scale rarely experienced until now. Small Wonders finds viewers at the intersection of art and science and brings together the two fields of thought in a provocative and inspiring way. This exhibition is toured by ExhibitsUSA, a national program of Mid-America Arts Alliance. ExhibitsUSA sends more than 25 exhibitions on tour to over 100 small and mid-sized communities each year. These exhibitions create access to an array of arts and humanities experiences, nurture the understanding of diverse cultures and art forms, and encourage the expanding depth and breadth of cultural life in local communities. This exhibit is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center located at 4750 Troost Avenue in Kansas City. For questions about this free exhibit, call (816) 759-7300, and MDC staff will be available to provide answers.  View images of insects like the Scarab Beetle (pictured above) at the Small Wonders Insects in Focus exhibit at the Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center in Kansas City through Sept. 21. Image credit: MDC  Missourians average 1 year in jail waiting for court-ordered mental health treatmentby Clara Bates, Missouri Independent The number of people languishing in Missouri jails in need of court-ordered mental health treatment currently stands at 344 — and the wait time for a hospital bed averages one year. That’s up from 254 people this time last year, according to Missouri Department of Mental Health data provided to The Independent. A spokeswoman for the department said that because the agency’s inpatient beds are at capacity, the number of people waiting in jails for treatment will continue to rise. Debra Walker, the department’s spokeswoman, said February was the first month the number of individuals waiting ever exceeded 300. None of the people on the waitlist have been convicted of a crime. They were arrested, found incompetent to stand trial and ordered by the court into mental health treatment, designed to allow them to stand trial, a process called competency restoration that generally includes therapy and medication. “We do want to increase the number of individuals who are getting competency restoration,†said Jeanette Simmons, deputy division director of the Missouri Department of Mental Health’s Division of Behavioral Health, during a mental health commission meeting earlier this month. “We have a growing number of individuals who are waiting for those services.†Missouri has faced a years-long struggle with this issue, due to increasing numbers of court referrals for competency restoration, staffing issues and limited psychiatric hospital capacity. It’s worsened over the last year. The legislature appropriated $300 million this year for Department of Mental Health to open a new hospital in Kansas City, but it could be around five years before construction is complete. State officials are also working to implement the “jail-based competency restoration†program approved by the legislature this year in response to the issue. This year’s budget set aside $2.5 million for the jail-based competency programs to be established in jails in St. Louis, St. Louis County, Jackson County, Clay County and Greene County. Services in jail-based competency restoration will include room and board, along with medical care for 10 slots at each jail, contracted staff from a local behavioral health organization, and psychiatric care from “mobile team practitioners.†The department is currently training two agencies in Kansas City that will be going into county jails to provide jail-based treatment. Clay County has a “tentative go live date†for September, Simmons said. “So we're really looking forward to that and getting that launched, because we do believe that it's going to take a multifaceted approach to target those numbers,†she said. Simmons said the agency has mobile teams of doctors going into county jails prescribing medications “to try and get folks started on those medications that they need to stabilize their mental illness.†The department is working with community behavioral health liaisons as well as jail mental health or medical staff, she said, to get people services. The Department of Mental Health is also working on trying to get information to the courts about outpatient restoration, for those who can be safely treated in the community and don't require hospital-level care. A law passed this year gives the agency the authority to treat certain arrested people on an outpatient basis. “Sometimes I think the courts don’t really consider that as an option,†Simmons said of outpatient treatment. “It’s something very new.†SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST.
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In other states, including some bordering Missouri, lawsuits have been filed over similar wait times, alleging they violate individuals’ rights to due process and the Americans with Disabilities Act. A federal lawsuit filed last year in Oklahoma alleged jails are holding patients for three months to one year. A proposed settlement set a benchmark of a 60 day maximum wait and ultimately a goal of 21 days, but it has faced opposition from the governor. A lawsuit filed in Kansas in 2022 alleged that individuals are detained for longer waiting for a psychiatric bed than they would be if they had been convicted. Many of the charges are for low-level crimes, national investigations have found. County sheriffs and jail administrators in Missouri have raised the alarm about challenges caring for individuals who are being detained pretrial. And state officials have acknowledged the long waits contribute to mental deterioration. The Missouri Sheriffs’ Association recently published an issue of their ‘Missouri Jails’ magazine focused on managing mental health challenges in county jails, which shared several examples of local issues, including that one county spent $30,000 to provide around-the-clock guarding over a suspect for two months, because the secure medical centers didn’t have any openings. Some county sheriffs are looking to build or expand jails to combat the issue, according to the magazine, including by increasing the number of solitary cells to keep those with mental health diagnoses out of the general population. Others have contracted with private health provider Turn Key Health Clinics to provide increased mental health care while people are awaiting transfer. “As mental health professionals and legislators struggle to find solutions to the crisis,†magazine contributor Michael Feeback wrote, “sheriffs and other agencies are looking for answers on their own.†SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST.
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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 X. 
US credit card debt continues to rise as housing and other costs remain high for the lowest earnersby Casey Quinlan, Missouri Independent Americans are racking up credit card debt as they struggle to keep up with the cost of living, and experts say those who earn the least are the hardest hit. Total credit card balances rose 5.8% from a year ago, to $1.14 trillion, according to a recent New York Fed report. Equifax credit files through June show that credit card delinquency is still rising but that delinquency on consumer finance loans and retail cards fell and auto loan delinquency was flat. People use credit cards for all kinds of purchases, and despite the stereotype of consumers getting themselves into too much credit card debt so that they could buy a few extra flashy clothes or vacations, many of them are for necessities. So what does it mean for the economy that the average rate for people with a credit card balance was 22.76% in May, that there is an expansion of financial tech products like “buy now, pay later,” and that many Americans find themselves unable to pay off that debt? It depends on your role in the economy, financial experts and economists say. “If you’re in that half who’s paying your cards in full and taking full advantage of rewards and buyer protections, life is great for you. That’s a very different story from someone who’s trapped in that expensive cycle of 20 to 25 to 30% interest month after month,” said Ted Rossman, Bankrate senior industry analyst. Still, the rate of growth in credit card debt has accelerated, which Rossman calls “potentially troublesome.” It’s impossible to look at rising credit card debt without acknowledging the high cost of living, such as housing prices. The Consumer Price Index, a measure of inflation, showed that in July, shelter increased 0.4% and made up 90% of that month’s rise in the all items index. “Inflation is definitely contributing to higher balances. Even if it’s a category like rent, which most people are not putting on a credit card, if you’re getting squeezed on rent, you have less money to go around for groceries and gas and other things that maybe you are putting on a credit card now,” he said. The Federal Reserve’s campaign to raise interest rates to bring down inflation also affects credit card debt and some economists say it is fueling economic inequality. Although the Fed paused rates last year, they are still fairly high and influence credit card rates. The Fed may cut rates in its September meeting if it continues to see cooling inflation data. “People who rely on credit cards and other forms of borrowing to finance all sorts of things in their lives, whether that’s food or purchases for investments in their education or purchases for their home or their children, disproportionately folks who are poor – they’re really hurting because interest rates are really high,” said Rakeen Mabud, chief economist and a senior fellow at Groundwork Collaborative, a progressive think tank. “These interest rates are really taking a toll on people’s day-to-day ability to live and finance their lives. It looks to me that the high interest rates at this point are actually causing more pain than the inflation that it is trying to combat.” In addition to the impact of the federal funds rate on credit cards, consumers are facing high annual percentage rate margins, or APR margins, which the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said were an all-time high in a February report. The agency said rising APR margins are driving people into persistent debt and delinquency. “Credit card companies are gouging consumers with record high APR margins, which sit on top of the Fed’s already high interest rates. Profiteering by credit card companies cost people an extra $25 billion last year and is yet another example of corporations using inflation as a cover to rip people off,” Mabud said. A lack of competition in the credit industry doesn’t help matters for those struggling with credit card debt, added Mark Zandi, chief economist of Moody’s Analytics, which provides financial intelligence products. “There is some evidence that there’s less competition in that market and that’s allowing credit card lenders to enjoy wide margins,” he said. Mitria Wilson-Spotser, vice president and federal policy director at the Center for Responsible Lending, said she partly attributes the rise in credit card debt to some major credit card companies not reporting payment data, which does not make it to their credit reports, hurting their credit score and leaving them with higher credit card rates or extending credit without basing it on an ability to repay. Consumers also have access to more financial tech products, like earned wage access programs, which let employees access their pay earlier for a fee, and buy now pay later products, said Wilson-Spotser. These products are not regulated in the same way as credit cards. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued a rule in May to apply the same regulations to “buy now pay later” lenders as traditional credit cards. “There’s no obligation to ensure an ability to repay for the consumer, so that debt, which is kind of this phantom in the room, is combining with credit card debt, which I think is probably one of the reasons why we’re seeing an increase in delinquency among some consumers,” she said. Zandi said the people most likely to suffer financially from their credit card debt, lower-income people, only account for a sliver of the consumer spending driving the economy. “[High interest rates] is adding to the pressure on households who have revolving debt, that aren’t paying off their cards and are using the card as a way to borrow money and have outstanding debt. So that’s a real problem for those households,” he said. “… The economy can move forward and be just fine even if the folks in the bottom third are struggling. The economy can’t flourish but it can do what it’s doing.” That doesn’t mean the impact of the harms of high credit card rates and inflation, which is cooling but has done damage to households, will go unnoticed, however, Zandi said, alluding to building political pressure to improve people’s economic well-being. “But the political and social implications are enormous. You can see it in our fracture of politics and what’s going on in terms of the presidential election,” he said. “… Politics has been affected by the fact that lower-income households have seen their share of the economic pie decline from where it was when it was at its peak back in the late 70s, early 80s.” 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 X. 
by Michael Smith When it comes to the defensive line, the Grain Valley football team will have to hit the reset button in 2024. The Eagles entire defensive line from 2023 graduated, including Camden Nelson, Collin Burd, Stylz Blackmon, and Jayveon Ervin. Head coach David Allie said this year’s defensive line will feature all newcomers. He said they have gained some experience in scrimmages and camps during the summer, but it will be a whole new ballgame once the regular season starts. “We got them a lot of experience this summer, but it’s not the same as playing on a Friday night,” Allie said. “When you go into a season or a game, you just want to be fundamentally sound and focus on your technique and work hard every day. These guys do that. They have been working hard all summer.” Two of those guys include senior defensive ends Matice Poke and Alex Osborn. Those two are tabbed to begin the season as starters in the season opener on Aug. 30 at Raytown High School. Osborn played for the varsity team on special teams some last season and will get a chance to show what he can do in the trenches. Allie said his experience with the varsity team last year should help him going into the season. “He’s got a great attitude and he’s got a great motor,” Allie said of Osborn. “He’s been around some successful defensive lineman and a successful program. He wants to be that next guy up.” Osborn is confident in his abilities and has some big goals coming in. “I say I am pretty quick and I have a little bit of strength to my ability,” he said. “I would love to become an all-conference player, as well, but I definitely want to get over that hump and get past that quarterfinal game.” Like Osborn, Poke has some potential to become a solid defensive end, Allie said. “Matice is one of those guys who worked and he has a chance to play to play some meaningful reps,” Allie said. “He’s grown and continues to grow and he’s coachable.” Added Poke: “I have some speed to the ball, and I have quick hands to the man in front of me. I am working on my moves and getting off blocks. “We have had an all-conference D line the last few years. That is a tradition for us. We want to produce a powerhouse for the D line.” At defensive tackle, Allie said he expects junior Titus Jennings to get some reps at the position while also starting on the offensive line. “He’s done a good job playing defensive line for us,” Allie said. “We have been having him work on his conditioning because he’s going to play on both sides of the ball for us on Fridays.” Sophomore Miles Smith is someone who will likely get some time at tackle, also. Allie said he has a great motor and is one of the strongest players on the team. Allie noted other underclassmen could join the rotation on the defensive line as the season progresses, but Smith, Jennings, Poke and Osborn are currently the frontrunners to get the bulk of the playing time up front. The defensive line unit as a whole will not have as much size as the 2023 group, and will likely be undersized compared to some other teams, but the newcomers bring a lot of speed to the table, which could work in their favor in terms of getting of blocks and getting to the quarterback on the pass rush. “We have pretty big shoes to fill compared to last year’s offensive line, but we are ready for the challenge,” Osborn said. We are undersized but we are fast and violent. “We all have speed of the ball. We are working on it in practice, and we are getting better. I am very confident with our speed that we will get a lot of sacks.”  Seniors Matice Poke, left, and Alex Osborne are likely to start at the varsity level for the first time on the defensive line. Photo credit: Michael Smith  by Michael Smith The Grain Valley football team was strong in many areas of the game in 2023. On defense, the secondary was one of the areas it excelled. The Eagles allowed 15 passing touchdowns and had 15 interceptions, while only giving up 136 yards through the air per game. So, it is safe to say that unit was one of the better secondaries in the Kansas City area a year ago, but can they repeat that success in 2024? Well, they have three players coming back, including senior cornerback Jordan Fuller, senior safety Aaron Barr and junior safety Brody Jones, so the secondary will have some players who have played on Friday nights before. “They are one of the more experienced groups coming back,” Grain Valley head coach David Allie said. “That’s something you can’t teach. They can do the little things right.” Grain Valley won’t have second-team, all-state safety Gabe Storment or Suburban All-White Conference cornerback Braylon Mckinley-Harden, both of whom graduated, but it still has plenty of talent in the secondary. Fuller has the prototypical build college teams look for in a cornerback as he is 6-foot-3. In 2023, he had 27 tackles, two for a loss, two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. There is still some things Allie would like to see the senior improve on for the 2024 season, but he has a chance to have a breakout campaign. “Jordan is really long and lean and strong kind of kid,” Allie said. “I found some things he needed to improve on from last season, and he’s done a good job working on those things this spring and summer. “We are working with Jordan on his man coverage skills. When he gets his hands on you, it’s hard for you to get off the line of scrimmage. We are going to help him improve. He has worked hard in the weight room and has gotten stronger for us. He’s going to be a complete package for us. He’s going to be playing man for us and be able to drop off in the zone.” For Fuller, his goals are simple. “I want to be aggressive with the receiver and mirror what he does, be on top of it and get a pick,” Fuller said. He and Barr could form a nice one-two tandem in the defensive backfield. Barr said he can play as a free or strong safety but is at his best in the free safety spot. He had a team-high six interceptions in 2023 and added 54 tackles (three for a loss). “Aaron’s game is back deep. He’s a ball hawk and he can read plays well,” Allie said. This season, he has a big goal in mind. “I am trying to get a lot of picks,” Barr said. “I want to find out what the picks record is and break it.” Jones will likely be Grain Valley’s strong safety this season. He’s 5-foot-9 and 140 pounds, so he won’t be the biggest guy out on the field, but his teammates have said he’s the best tackler in the Eagles’ secondary. Last season, he played in 11 of 12 games, notching 56 tackles, seven tackles for loss and three sacks. “Brody Jones is not the biggest cat out there, but he has the heart of the lion,” Allie said. “He’s going to be a good football player. Brody is better on the run toward the football. He’s a physical kid who likes contact. He was not blessed with great height, but he will come up and smack you.” Grain Valley still has a vacant spot at the other cornerback position which will need to be filled. Those competing for the spot include junior Ahmad Herring, senior TaRon King and junior Jack Fuller, who made one appearance in a varsity game a year ago. Senior Joseph Ripley and Braden Storment could also see some time at safety, as well. Communication and being physical at the line of scrimmage are two key things the secondary will need to do, Jordan Fuller said. The best attribute for the group, is their mentality, which could help it have a successful 2024 season. “Our best attribute is our next-play mentality,” Fuller said. “If something goes wrong, everyone is there to help the person that got beat.”  Senior Aaron Barr, left, and Jordan Fuller are two of the three returning starters for the Grain Valley football team's defensive backfield. The duo combined for eight interceptions in 2023. Photo credit: Michael Smith To assist Kansas City area customers who may be struggling with inflation and rising costs, Spire is hosting an energy assistance event ahead of winter heating season. The event – Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, from 10:00am - 3:00pm at the Truman Heritage Habitat for Humanity, 505 N. Dodgion Street, Independence – provides customers an opportunity to connect one on one with members of Spire’s customer experience team to discuss options. Spire has multiple assistance programs available to customers who qualify, including the Payment Partner Program and DollarHelp. “We invite anybody who is struggling to make ends meet to come learn about assistance that could be available,” said Vonda Cotton, community outreach specialist at Spire. “Don’t wait until colder weather moves in. Take action now so you can rest assured you have the energy you need this fall and winter.” The event will include information on energy assistance programs, free weatherization services, local food pantries and other family resources. Spire’s dedicated team of customer support specialists and representatives from LIHEAP, Evergy, The Salvation Army, Independence Power & Light and others will be available to guide customers through assistance and programs. Attendees should bring the following documents to apply for assistance:
Pre-registration is required. To register, visit SpireEnergy.com/AssistanceEvent. by Addie Rainbolt
The Grain Valley Planning and Zoning Commission met at City Hall on Wednesday, August 14th. Commissioners Bob Headley, Scott Shafer, Chris Bamman, Criag Shelton and Justin Tyson were in attendance, as well as Alderman Rick Knox and Mark Trosen, Community Development Director. This commission meeting was held to cover three action items: The first was “recommending to the Board of Aldermen that Title IV (Land Use) of the Code of Ordinances be amended in Section 400.190 (Off-Street Parking and Loading Regulations) limiting the number of items (boat, unloaded utility trailer, all-terrain vehicle, non-motorized camper and lawnmower) to no more than two (2) that could be parked in the rear yard in certain zoning districts),” as stated in the meeting agenda. The second and third action items related to a proposed multi-family development just south of Duncan Road and west of Buckner Tarsney Road on the north side of town. The second agenda item requested “a change of zoning from District A (Agricultural) and District C-1 (Central Business District) to District R-3P (Multi-Family Residential Planned Overlay District) on 15.76 acres from District A (Agricultural) and District C-1 (Central Business District) to District C-2P (General Business Planned Overlay District) on 1.69 acres,”. The final action item was “requesting approval of the Preliminary Development Plan/Preliminary Plat known as Greystone Crossings which will consist of six (6) multi-family residential buildings containing a total of 187 units, one restaurant pad site and two retail pad sits. The property is located less than ¼ quarter of mile south of Duncan Road on the west side of Buckner Tarsney Road, lying in the northwest quarter and southwest quarter of Section 26, Township 49 North, Range 30 West in the city of Grain Valley,” as stated in the meeting agenda. The first action item was opened to a public hearing where four Grain Valley residents spoke. One of the residents to speak at the hearing was Brian Schowengerdt who opposed the amendment because he claimed it would limit the residents’ liberty to use their own land, making it “unjust.” Madison Touchstone, a city attorney, explained the amendment would be “more for future use,” instead of the current residents. Most current residents would not be affected by the amendment because their currently parked items would be “grandfathered” in, Touchstone said. In other words, if residents had items parked in their rear yard prior to the passing of the amendment, those items would not have to be moved. The two exceptions to this would be if the residents moved those items for 12 months or more, or if the residents sell the property. If the residents sell the property, the new residents would have to park according to the amendment, Touchstone said. The amendment was recommended to the Board of Aldermen, only being opposed by Commissioner Bob Headley. Bryan Rahn, representing Country Club Homes/Ward Development, presented on the second and third action items before they were opened to a public hearing. The Greystone Crossings project would meet community needs, goals and regulations, Rahn said. “It’s not just more housing.” However, the thirteen residents who spoke, all opposed the rezoning and development plan. Some of these residents included: Andrew Unrein, Lance Pollard, Clay Collins, and Lora Casey. Most residents who spoke during the hearing were concerned about how the rezoning and development plan would impact the Grain Valley School District, the flood plain, traffic on Buckner Tarsney Road and the city’s infrastructure including emergency services and the police department. Concerning an increase in traffic caused by the development plan, Richard Tuttle, city engineer, said the road would be widened to a three-lane road throughout the area; adding one right-hand turn lane into the southern entrance and left-hand turn lanes into both entrances. Unrein said he was opposed to the rezoning and development plan for several reasons, one of which being the importance of community, which he believes this plan would not prioritize. Unrein said he was not against development, but “against making rushed decisions that put the rest of the community at risk.” Pollard said he was not against the development, but “in opposition to its current proposed location.” The rezoning and development plan is “too high-density,” Collins said, considering that Grain Valley is in a growing stage. “Growth isn’t always progress,” Casey said, and the growth the rezoning and development plan proposes “isn’t sustainable.” After the public hearing was closed, the Commission discussed the action items. Headley asked if the units would be held by Ward Development after they were built. Rahn said they intended to, but could not give a guarantee. Headley also asked Rahn how different city entities had responded to the proposed rezoning and development plan. Rahn said he contacted the Central Jackson County Fire Protection District and the Grain Valley School District. The Fire Protection District did not respond, Rahn said, but the Grain Valley School District “did not have a concern with this project.” Tyson said he had been in contact with the police department about the impact of the recent apartment complex development at Eagles Parkway and Buckner Tarsney Road on the forces’ workload. According to Tyson, the complex increased the number of calls to the police department, including calls related to firearms. Headley’s last question was about which roads would be worked on and when. Rahn said the development plan only addressed the roads surrounding the proposed location. Ward Development would complete the widening of these roads and the addition of turn lanes. Rahn could not speak on any road improvements outside of the proposed project. Before the final vote was taken on action items two and three, Tyson said, the current issues, specifically the increase in crime at the newest apartment complexes should be sorted out before building any more. This statement received a round of applause from the residents in attendance. “We don’t need to develop every single piece of grass within the four corners of the city,” Tyson continued, “we’re running out of land.” After the Commission finished discussing the second and third action items, they voted on whether to recommend the rezoning and development plan to the Board of Aldermen. The Commission unanimously voted against recommending both items. All three action items will go to the Board of Aldermen. The first item will be recommended by the Commission. The second and third items will not be recommended, but the Board of Aldermen may override this recommendation. The next Planning and Zoning Commission regular meeting will held at 6:30pm on Wednesday, October 9th at City Hall. Sponsored content. by Addie Rainbolt, Grain Valley Chamber of Commerce Marketing Intern Royer Funeral Home has three locations: Grain Valley, Oak Grove and Royer’s New Salem in Independence. Ashley Fulford, Royer Funeral Home’s after care specialist, community engagement liaison and funeral director apprentice, said Royer Funeral Home has been offering a tradition of caring for 65 years. Royer Funeral Home is family owned, Fulford said, which helps assure clients their loved ones are being cared for like family. The funeral director staff travel between the three locations, Fulford said, depending on the family’s needs. Royer Funeral Home also offers cremation services, Fulford said, which is “really nice because we can provide all that care in-house with our own crematory that we run and operate.” All care Royer Funeral Home provides is done with sincerity. Fulford explains, “there’s just so much purpose around being able to care for someone’s loved ones in those last moments so they can say goodbye the way they need to.” Although everyone is going to need funeral services at some point, Fulford said, Royer Funeral Home wants to begin and continue their relationship with the community outside of these services. Royer Funeral Home initiates these relationships with the aftercare program and intentional community involvement. Some of Royer's recent community outreach events include The Memorial Rock Garden Picnic, a “Don’t Dread, Plan Ahead” Q and A panel, the Remembrance Tree Lighting Ceremony, and a graveside wreath making workshop. This year, Royer Funeral Home will host two Remembrance Tree Lighting Ceremonies, one in Grain Valley and one in Oak Grove. Royer Funeral Home will also host another “Don’t Dread, Plan Ahead” Q and A panel and Memorial Rock Garden Picnic next year. Royer Funeral Home also wants to carry on the legacies of loved ones, Fulford said. “When someone passes away, you don’t want that to be the end. You want their legacy to continue.” Intentionally creating and maintaining a relationship with the community helps accomplish this, too, Fulford said, because “your loved one lives on through you.” For more information, visit: http://royerfuneralhome.com/  Ashley Fulford, after care specialist, community engagement liaison and funeral director apprentice, and Funeral Director Chris Reynolds are committed to providing dignified, respectful, and compassionate assistance to families in their time of need. Photo credit: GVCC
by Cole Arndorfer The Grain Valley Board of Aldermen met on Monday, August 12th, for a particularly short virtual meeting. The meeting lasted a total of five minutes, in which the board was able to approve one item of previous business and one item under resolutions. The board jumped straight into approving the consent agenda, deciding the forgo the Pledge of Allegiance due to internet lag and differing settings on individual computers. Following the approval of the consent agenda, the board brought back an item of previous business. Following confirmation that the new Dollar General store has all its documents in order, the board approved its application for a liquor license. The board then jumped into the last item on the agenda under resolutions. The board approved a resolution that allows the city to enter into an agreement with Heartland Traffic Services, Inc. for pavement markings on Sni-A-Bar Parkway, EE Kirby Road, and Old US 40 Highway. City Administrator Ken Murphy explained that the resolution is a continuance with the 2024 pavement project plan from the city. With no staff reports, no mayor’s report, and minimal comments from the aldermen, the meeting was adjourned. The next Board of Aldermen meeting will take place at City Hall on Monday, August 26, at 6:30pm. |
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