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by Michael Smith, Grain Valley News Two former Grain Valley players said they wanted to give back to the program that helped shape who they are today. Grain Valley 2020 graduate Seth Dankenbring and 2021 graduate Jack Bailey have returned to serve as assistant coaches. Dankenbring will help coach the linebackers while Bailey will focus on helping the offensive line. “(Head) Coach (David) Allie and the staff are so welcoming,” said Dankenbring. “To have the opportunity to coach with my previous coaches is such an honor. Being back in Grain Valley is all I could ask for. I love the town, and I love the people.” Added Bailey: “I wanted to give back to the program that gave me so much. I just love the culture here and I love Grain Valley.” Dankenbring said growing up he always wanted to be a teacher and a coach and is getting his start with the Eagles. He said he enjoys teaching young players how to play football and to encourage them to be active in the gym. He said he is still getting used to being a coach and is adjusting his style depending on the situation and the players he works with. “I am looking forward to the opportunity,” Dankenbring said. “I still finding my groove. I am still fresh to it. I think there are some days I am a little high strung and some days I am a little more relaxed. I am here for the kids.” He will work with a deep linebacker group that includes seven varsity level players, including first-team, all-Suburban White Conference linebacker Hunter Nally. “I am looking forward to it,” Dankenbring said. “They are a super talented group with a lot of potential. We just got to put some things together.” Bailey will work with Tarrants to coach the offensive line. He said he viewed Tarrants as a mentor and looks forward to working with him. “It is an adjustment to work alongside someone you have looked up to for so long,” said Bailey, who is currently a student at Baker University. “He taught me that there is so much with football that translates to normal life. That pretty much sums it up for me. Football is life.” Bailey said he has a passion for working with the offensive line and will be working with an experienced group that returns four starters from the 2024 team. “The brotherhood of the offensive line brought me back here in the first place,” Bailey said. “I loved it when I was a player. Enjoying it from the other side is nice, too. “It makes it easier talking to those guys because it’s like having extra coaches on the field. I think the offensive line looks good. We’ll be ready to go and ready to win some football games.”  Front Grain Valley football player Seth Dankenbring returns to the program as a linebacker coach. Photo credit: Michael Smith  Former Grain Valley player Jack Bailey will return to the Eagles as an assistant coach as he will help with the offensive line. Photo credit: Michael Smith  by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society If you think the train slows traffic in Grain Valley, just imagine 40,000 people descending on Grain Valley on a single day. Now, imaging 40,000 people in our town in 1932. Well that is exactly what occurred. For a single day, on October 12, 1932, thousands of people came to Grain Valley for the Jackson County Celebration of Roads. But rather than write about the event, let me share a couple of excerpts from the Kansas City Star and Times. The Kansas City Times, Tuesday, September 27. 1932 Road Fete at Sni-A-Bar County will celebrate its highway system October 12 Accessibility by Paved Roads, Accommodations for Parking Cars Decide Location Sni-A-Bar Farms, near Grain Valley will be the scene of Jackson County’s highway celebration October 12. The natural amphitheater at the farms surrounded by beautiful landscapes and wooded hills, has been the scene of many large picnics on occasions of farm demonstrations and cattle sales. The choice was announced late yesterday by Arthur W. McKim, Independence, after a tour of the various places that had been promoted for the celebration. It’s accessibility by paved roads from every direction and the accommodations for parking cars and handling the large crowd decided the location. Sni-A-Bar Farms attained fame through the plan conceived by William Rockhill Nelson for breeding up shorthorn grade cattle there. The results were so gratifying that stock raisers gathered from all over the cattle section to study the methods used. Accommodations for large crowds then became necessary, Plans for the celebration will be carried forward rapidly now by other subcommittees. Jackson County hopes to have a celebration of the completion of its highway system worthy of the system, which has been said to rank second only to one other county in the United States. And after the celebration - - - The Kansas City Star, October 12, 1932 40,000 at Fete Citizens Gather at Sni-A-Bar Farms to Rejoice with Jackson County Over Highways Other States Have Wide Representation in the Event Being Held Today Between 40,000 and 45,000 men, women and children moved in on Sni-A-Bar Farms today from every part of Jackson County to celebrate a monumental achievement of progress—the completion of a 10-milion-dollar highway system that is equaled only by the great system of Westchester County, New York. All the highways leading towards the Farms carried a slow-moving parade, so heavy were the streams of motor cars from every direction. From the hillsides overlooking the Valley which shelters the farms, a mass of humanity could be seen in the light, crisp October day milling around the points of interest and showing an additional dash of color by the many bright hues of the women’s dresses. The second article in The Kansas City Star was continued for at least 2 columns on the next page. And the following Sunday the entire Rotogravure in The Star was a pictorial account of the day’s activities.  Visit the Grain Valley Historical to read the entire article and see the photographs. The Historical Society also has copies of the “coffee table” book that was published in 1932, Results of County Planning. You can learn more about WHY more than 40,000 people all came to Grain Valley on the very same day! Photo credit: Grain Valley Historical Society  (StatePoint) There is an epidemic of loneliness affecting boys and young men in America. The fascination with recent shows like Netflix’s “Adolescence,” Jonathan Haidt’s “The Anxious Generation,” and the return of the online “Ice Bucket Challenge” spotlight this youth mental health crisis in important ways that have reached millions. It is no secret how the mental health crisis has impacted boys and young men, making the conversation more important than ever. Meanwhile, statistics show that large numbers of boys and young men are feeling driftless and alienated; and so-called AI “aggro-rithms” are filling the void by increasingly driving them toward misogynistic and anti-democratic content online. Traditional gender roles have resulted in boys and young men often being left out of the mental health conversation and care, despite being at particularly high risk for poor mental health outcomes. They are the least likely to seek mental health support and are four times more likely to die by suicide than women in the United States. “Supporting boys in addressing mental health challenges begins with ensuring that they have the role models to learn how to build healthy relationships, ultimately leading them to take healthier actions, and create safer communities for all,” says Brian O’Connor, vice president at Futures Without Violence, a national non-profit. For nearly 40 years, Futures Without Violence has pioneered programs and resources for advocates, policymakers and other professionals to foster safe, healthy communities. Through its Engaging Men programming, the organization is working to mitigate online dangers for boys and men, addressing the mental health crisis among them by connecting them with trusted mentors, and is supporting them to engage in healthier relationships. One of their efforts is a program called Team: Changing Minds (T:CM), which launched three years ago after a $5 million grant through Harry’s Open Mind Initiative. Training already-embedded adults in the lives of kids, like sports coaches, teachers, mentors and community leaders, to recognize early signs of mental health challenges, the program leverages existing relationships and trust to connect boys and young men to necessary support. With the support of founding investor Harry’s, and partners FUTURES, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, and the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, T:CM has trained over 80,000 adults to-date and is on track to reach over 1 million youth within the next year. Anyone can be a mental health support for the boys and men in their life. Here are four simple, everyday actions family members, friends and coaches can take right away: 1. Ask questions. Don’t be afraid to ask simple questions that show concern. If there are specific changes you’ve noticed, mention them. This can be as simple as, “You’ve been less talkative lately, is there anything you’d like to talk about?” 2. Listen to understand (not to respond) with empathy. If you’ve shown the young people in your life that you’re someone who really hears them, they may be more likely to talk to you when they are having a rough time. 3. Ask for help. You're not a therapist, and you aren’t expected to have all the answers. Lean on experts (such as school counselors or your child’s pediatrician) and brainstorm others you can call in to be part of the support team. You’re an important piece of this puzzle, but you never have to do this alone. 4. If you or someone you know needs help, call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by just dialing 988. To become a Team Changing Minds responder, visit teamchangingminds.org. To learn more about the mental health crisis affecting men and boys, visit futureswithoutviolence.org. “Focusing on everyday actions to empower boys and young men to step into the simple things they can do as leaders, allies and change-makers is the goal, ” says O’Connor.  by Bill Althaus, Grain Valley News Cool, calm and collected Brandon Hart sits at his desk in the new activities office at Grain Valley High School, where he's putting the finishing touches on one of his many duties heading into the 2025 school year. The reason he's cool, calm and collected? “We had this year's schedule completed three years ago,” Hart said with a chuckle. “Being an AD means you're always working on something. “There are always small changes and tweaks; we have to line up our officials, workers and travel plans way in advance. We want it all done long before that school year starts.” Hart has raised the bar high wherever he has been an activities director. He has been in education for 27 years, serving as the AD at Fort Osage for 13 years and spending the last 10 with the Eagles. Fort Osage won its lone football state championship (2015) in Hart's last year with the Indians. Since arriving from Fort Osage, he has been a part of many changes, including the renovation of the football/soccer complex and the addition of a new state-of-the-art multipurpose building and gymnasium. Last year the Eagles added girls flag football, and like so many other sports at the school, they enjoyed immediate success. And like everyone else in the community he enjoys watching Grace Slaughter star for the women's basket team at Missouri and Jacob Misiorowski's meteoric ride in the major leagues as he made the national league all-star roster after just five starts for the Milwaukee Brewers. “We've all enjoyed watching Grace the past few years,” Hart said of the three-time all-state and Missouri Basketball Player of the Year. “It's kind of funny, she was the Player of the Year a couple of years ago, and with the new gym, we wanted to make sure and put up her banner when everything was finished. The banner was placed in the gym a few weeks ago. Hart has contacted the Brewers and is receiving one of the Grain Valley grad's all-star game jerseys which will find a new home in the Eagles trophy case. “Jacob – now that's quite a story,” Hart said. “We're all cheering for him. He's such a great kid and we're proud of him for the young man he's become and all his success this season.” Hart is now taking a confident and laid-back approach as the fall season begins when football, girls volleyball, boys swim and dive, boys soccer, softball girls tennis and boys and girls cross country start practicing. "We're all looking forward to it."  Brandon Hart has his I's dotted and T's crossed as he settles into his 10th year as the Activities Director at Grain Valley High School. He and the members of his coaching staff are anticipating another strong year in each sports and activities program. Photo credit: Bill Althaus  Missouri GOP leader says lawmakers will start with a congressional map drawn in D.C.by Rudi Keller, Missouri Independent There’s a new congressional district map for Missouri circulating that was produced in Washington, D.C. But a top Republican said Wednesday that she’s been unable to get a look at it. Jennifer Bukowsky of Columbia, vice chair of the Republican State Committee, said she expects a special session of the Legislature to be called after there is agreement between the Trump White House and the Republican National Committee on how to revise current boundaries. President Donald Trump and his political advisers are pushing Missouri to join Texas in redrawing districts to favor the GOP. Any proposal is likely to split the 5th District, which is mainly in Kansas City, by adding Republican voters in sufficient numbers to take it away from incumbent U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver. That would give Republicans seven of the state’s eight seats in the U.S. House instead of the current six. “I’ve tried to get a hold of the map that I’ve heard about,” Bukowsky said. “I guess I’m not important enough to be consulted.” The push for redistricting in Republican-led states is an effort to shore up the thin Republican majority in Congress. With a 219-212 majority — four seats are vacant, including three previously held by Democrats — Republicans are worried that a small shift in voter sentiment could put them again in the minority. Redistricting is usually done in the first legislative session after census data is released and the districts remain in place for 10 years. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Gov. Mike Kehoe said the biggest consideration for him is maintaining the Republican majority in Congress. “Our goal, if we move forward — and there’s no decision to move forward — is to make sure Missouri’s values are reflected in Washington, D.C.,” Kehoe said. “And I’ve said many times that I think our current speaker does a very good job of matching the values of Missourians.” Republican members of the Missouri House have been told there will be two caucus meetings scheduled to coincide with the annual veto session, which starts Sept. 10, state Rep. Barry Hovis, a Republican from Cape Girardeau said Wednesday in an interview with The Independent. One meeting, he said, is presumably to discuss whether there are any vetoes the House wants to override. In the other, Hovis expects an in-depth discussion of redistricting. For Hovis, one consideration on whether to redraw Missouri’s map will be if Democratic states California, Illinois or New York revise their maps in response to the action in Texas. Gerrymandered districts that give one party far more representation than their share of the overall vote can be seen in every state dominated by a single party, he said. Illinois has a district that looks like a snake, he said, while Massachusetts — where Republicans get about the same share of the vote as Democrats in Missouri — has no GOP congressional seats. Democrats will complain they are being denied representation, Hovis said. “If they’re going to bring (Texas) up, I’m going to say, well, ‘we’re just doing what you guys taught us to do’,” Hovis said. Until Kehoe makes the call, Hovis said, the whole discussion is speculation. “For me to tell you that I know exactly what we’re going to do here, I truly don’t,” he said. Missouri’s current congressional map was approved by lawmakers in 2022 after a bitter GOP factional dispute that centered on efforts to draw seven Republican-controlled districts. And with Democrats promising to filibuster any redistricting bill in the Senate, getting a new map approved will also be difficult. The biggest challenge for Republicans, Hovis said, will be to draw a map that doesn’t put districts the party currently holds at risk with large numbers of new Democratic votes. “If we go to the Kansas City model, the one that I saw when we did this several years ago, we’re going to have some districts that could be more purple than red, and we could end up being 5-3, real easy, or worst case scenario, 4-4.” The people most interested in redistricting, Bukowsky said, are incumbents. They want a map that retains the voters who have come to know their name, while potential opponents want a map that includes voters who share their ideology. “Whenever they’re doing redistricting,” Bukowsky said, “it’s like the two parties are incumbents and challengers.” Support Local JournalismAs a nonprofit newsroom, our articles are free for everyone to access. Readers like you make that possible. Can you help sustain our watchdog reporting today?
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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]. 
by Bill Althaus, Special to Grain Valley News This past Saturday morning was like a whirlwind for No. 1 Kansas City Comets fan Caffrey Courter, a freshman at Grain Valley High School. Her father Flip led the Eagles softball team in the annual Blue and White game and then had a parents' meeting. Soon, they were off to Perkins American Food Co., in Independence, where coach Stefan Stock and players were participating in a meet and greet at the restaurant. “I was so afraid I was going to miss all the players,” said Caffrey, who is her dad's manager at most softball events. “Dad promised we would get there in time to meet the players, and he lived up to that promise.” A few players were still mingling with the fans when Caffrey and her father arrived. “We missed a lot of them, but it so cool to get to meet any of the players,” she said. “I don't think any other team does meet and greets. And they are so much fun for the fans.” And Sousa is quick to add, “We love them too. We wouldn't have jobs if it weren't for our fans, and we have much fun as these meet and greets as they do” Flip made a point of thanking the Comets front office staff and the players for making Caffrey's morning complete. “Tuesday is her first day of school as a freshman at the high school, so she has a lot going on,” Flip said. “But all she's been talking about was the meet and greet, and I know she had a great time.” Stockic was revived and ready to head into the upcoming season at the meet and greet after spending seven weeks with his family in his native homeland, Serbia. “We were there seven weeks, and that didn't seem like enough time to do everything we wanted,” Stokic said. “We hadn't been back since 2019, and it was wonderful. And now, that we are back home, I can't even begin to explain how excited I am about the upcoming season.” The way the Comets battled through injuries and found a way to make the playoffs was a plus, but they received a brutal first playoff game losing to longtime rival Milwaukee 11-7. “We've all been thinking about last season,” the veteran coach said. “And our priorities for the upcoming season are – stay healthy and to never lose that mental toughness that comes with competing.” Stokic did have some good news when asked about the upcoming season. “We are going to miss (midfielder) Nacho Flores, who retired because of an injury (torn meniscus). “He is going to have surgery and we wish him the best. “Other than Nacho, we are expecting everyone back from last year's team – (forward Zach) Reget, (MASL Defender of the Year Chad) Vandegriffe, (goalkeeper Phillip) Ojimadu – everyone.” And midfielder Lucas Sousa agrees with his coach. “And if we stay healthy, we have the chance to have a great season.” Midfielder Lucas Sousa agrees with his coach. “I am going to miss Nacho,” Sousa said. “He was a leader, a great teammate and a good friend. But we all understand why he made the decision and we look forward to seeing him at our games. “The off-season has been long. The end of last season, all the injuries, left a bad taste in our mouths – and we want to get rid of that taste and give our fans reason to celebrate this season. “When we are healthy, we are an elite team in the MASL. And believe me, we are working in the off-season to make sure we are healthy and ready to go once the season starts.” The Comets finished in fourth place during the regular season with a 15-7-2 record. And key players like forward Rian Marques, goalie Nicholas Neto, Ejimadu, Sousa – and the list goes on. “Nothing is worse than sitting, watching your teammates compete when you cannot play,” said Sousa, who had two MCL injuries. “Then it ended, and we're like what do we do now?” Stokic had a ready answer: “Get healthy and work hard.” And that's what Sousa has done. “We are all working hard. We are two days where we have kick arounds and practice will start before you know it,” Sousa said. "And we love the opportunity to thank our fans."  Kansas City Comets defender Chase Peterson, left, and midfielder Lucas Sousa visit with their No. 1 Grain Valley fan Caffrey Courter, at a Saturday morning meet and greet at Perkins American Food Co., in Independence. Photo credit: Bill Althaus
The following information is derived from Grain Valley Police Department daily calls service log for the week of August 13-19, 2025.
August 13, 2025 100 BLK E HARRIS ST Extra Patrol 1100 BLK NW BUSH DR Extra Patrol 500 BLK SW EAGLES PARKWAY Administrative 1400 BLK S NOLAN RD Follow Up Investigation 2200 BLK S NORTON AVE Follow Up Investigation 1400 BLK S BUCKNER TARSNEY RD Abandoned Vehicle 40/MAIN ST Crash Non-Injury 1500 BLK NW HILLTOP LN Residence Check 1100 BLK NW BUCKNER TARSNEY RD Follow Up Investigation 200 BLK SW EAGLES PKWY Alarm-Commercial 1100 BLK NE MCQUERRY RD Crash Left Scene August 14, 2025 E HARRIS ST Extra Patrol 1200 BLK NW BUSH DR Extra Patrol 70/BB Disturbance-Verbal 700 BLK N MAIN ST Alarm-Commercial 31600 BLK E PINKHILL RD Citizen Contact 700 BLK NE MAIN ST Training 2900 BLK MAIN ST KC, MO Follow Up Investigation 1100 BLK EPHRAIM DR Citizen Contact 500 BLK N MAIN ST Crash Left Scene 100 BLK W WALNUT Crash Non-Injury 1300 BLK NW HIGH VIEW DR Burglary PHQ Public Service 719 R D MIZE RD Walk In Report 100 BLK SUNNY LN Agency Assist LE 1400 BLK GOLFVIEW DR Suspicious Person 900 BLK NW HIGH VIEW DR Citizen Contact JEFFERSON / VALLEY RIDGE Check Well Being August 15, 2025 1100 BLK NW BUSH DR Extra Patrol E HARRIS ST Extra Patrol PHQ Administrative 100 BLK EAGLES PKWY Security Check 900 BLK NW HIGH VIEW DR Follow Up Investigation 1900 BLK NW EAGLES PKWY Extra Patrol 1300 BLK SW SANDY LN Open Door-Vehicle 1100 BLK VALLEY RIDGE DR Parking Complaint/Viol 100 BLK NW JACKIE AVE Warrant Arrest 700 BLK MAIN ST Shots Fired 100 BLK NW JACKIE AVE Public Service PHQ Public Service BUCKNER TARSNY / NELSON DR Area Check EE KIRBY / 40 Motorist Assist 300 BLK NW JEFFERSON ST Alarm-Commercial 900 BLK NW HIGH VIEW DR Assault 1100 BLK CHRISTIE LN Property Damage PHQ Public Service 200 BLK YOUNG ST Standby to Prevent 1000 BLK DEAN DR Disturbance-Verbal August 16, 2025 400 BLK FRONT ST Agency Assist EMS 1100 BLK NW BUSH DR Extra Patrol 1200 BLK DEAN DR Noise 1200 BLK SW MINTER WAY Noise 1000 BLK DEAN DR Nature Unknown; Disturbance-Verbal BLUE BRANCH / MINTER RD Suspicious Activity 11000 BLK NW BUSH DR Alarm-Commercial 1100 BLK NW BUSH DR Extra Patrol 1000 BLK DEAN DR Standby to Prevent 1400 BLK NW EAGLES PKWY Extra Patrol OLD 40 E US OLD 40 HWY Agency Assist EMS 100 BLK NW FRONT ST Special Assignment-Other 1100 BLK NW SYCAMORE DR Threats PHQ Walk In Report 1600 BLK NW POND AVE Public Service 900 BLK NE DEER CREEK RD Check Well Being PHQ Follow Up Investigation; Public Service 1300 BLK NW BRENTWOOD DR Animal At Large 100 BLK E ROCK CREEK LN Stealing Under 100 BLK S BUCKNER TARSNEY RD Area Check DUNCAN / ROSEWOOD Area Check MAIN / CANNON ST Administrative 1100 BLK NW BUSH DR Extra Patrol 1300 BLK SW ADDIE LN Burglary August 17, 2025 600 BLK NW JEFFERSON ST Neglect of Child 30000 BLK E 38TH ST Disturbance-Verbal 700 BLK N MAIN ST Check Well Being 1300 BLK SW ADDIE LN Burglary BB / WOODBURY EAST DWI PHQ Public Service NELSON / BUCKNER TARSNEY Area Check 1100 BLK NW BUSH DR Extra Patrol 100 BLK EAGLES PKWY Security Check NW PAMELA BLVD Extra Patrol 1400 BLK SW EAGLES PKWY Security Check NW OLYMPIC DR Extra Patrol 1200 BLK NW LONG DR Fire-Vehicle PHQ Training 70 / MAIN ST Motorist Assist 1100 BLK NW BUCKNER TARSNEY Area Check 900 BLK NW MAGNOLIA LN Disturbance-Verbal 1600 BLK NW EAGLE RIDGE DR Suspicious Activity 900 BLK NE DEER CREEK Burglary 1700 BLK BUCKNER TARSNEY Follow Up Investigation 1100 BLK NW BUSH DR Extra Patrol 700 BLK NW WILLOW DR Area Check August 18, 2025 1100 BLK NW BUSH DR Extra Patrol WOODBURY / BUCKNER TARSNEY Crash Non-Injury PHQ Public Service PHQ Walk In Report 40 / OOIDA Agency Assist Fire 100 BLK ROCK CREEK DR Area Check 1100 BLK SW SMITH ST Property Seizure SNI A BAR AND 40 HWY Crash Injury 500 BLK SW WHITESTONE DR Check Well Being PHQ Walk In Report PHQ Administrative 1600 BLK NW HIGH VIEW DR Disturbance-Physical PHQ Walk In Report PHQ Public Service PHQ Public Service 1200 BLK R D MIZE RD Disturbance-Verbal 900 BLK SW SHORTHORN RD Disturbance-Verbal PHQ Standby to Prevent August 19, 2025 PHQ Administrative 300 BLK N MAIN ST Alarm-Commercial PHQ Administrative 1100 BLK NW BUSH DR Extra Patrol; Security Check 500 BLK GREGG ST Alarm-Commercial PHQ Public Service CROSS CREEK DR Traffic Enforcement 28900 BLK E ARGO RD Training DUNCAN / BUCKNER TARSNEY Suspicious Vehicle PHQ Walk In Report 1400 BLK S NOLAN, INDEPENDENCE Follow Up Investigation 700 BLK BROADWAY ST Suspicious Person 400 BLK JAMES ROLLO Vehicle Maintenance 500 BLK SW EAGLES PKWY Traffic Enforcement WHITNEY AND WOODBURY Traffic Enforcement 100 BLK E ROCK CREEK LN Agency Assist EMS 200 BLK NE CYPRESS ST UNIT B Check Well Being 200 BLK CYPRESS ST Area Check 600 BLK W WALNUT ST APT B Check Well Being 700 BLK SW HARVEST CIR Suspicious Vehicle 1200 BLK SW INDIAN CREEK CT Follow Up Investigation 2700 BLK S DILLINGHAM RD Alarm-Commercial 100 BLK NW SNI A BAR Suspicious Activity 2300 BLK NW MEGAN DR Citizen Contact 300 BLK FRONT ST Noise Additional calls for service: Suicidal Subject: 1 CIT/Mental Health Welfare Check: 3 Order of Protection: 2 Editor’s Note: As we head into the hectic and exciting back-to-school season, we wanted to take a moment to highlight the many ways teachers impact our lives. We reached out to local residents and asked them to share their stories. Thank you to those who took the time to highlight a teacher who made a difference in their lives. Let’s keep the conversation going - we’d love to hear your stories as well on our social media channels. “My 3rd grade teacher, Mary Baldus, had a significant impact on me. Looking back, she had her work cut out for her, given the group of boys that were in her class that year. Yet, I remember her only as patient and kind. She invested in each of us and encouraged my singing and writing, including entering my writing in a contest, which I did, earning a ribbon. She was the first person outside my family who showed they believed in me, and it made a difference.”
“Mr. Bertum Cowley, who was the band instructor at Van-Far High School for decades. I had classes with him from the 6th grade through my senior year. His passion for his craft helped foster an appreciation of music in my soul, and I can’t help but think of him every time I see a marching band take the field. He hounded us daily about “practice makes perfect” and had a way of exposing you when you had not followed his directive. It took me years to realize that adage would not only apply to mastering a musical instrument, but in so many other things in life as well. Unfortunately, he passed away shortly after he retired, and I never got the chance to tell him thanks for sharing that life lesson with me.”
“Mrs. Young was my middle school homeroom and high school drama teacher. She taught me to embrace my strengths and walk in them proudly - but also to not be afraid of my weaknesses. That we don't have to be perfect, but we can get a little better every day!”
“My high school English teacher saw my love for storytelling before I even recognized it myself. She encouraged me to join Speech and Debate and the drama club my senior year, even though I was a shy student. That encouragement set me on a path to earn a communications degree in college, become a radio news anchor and sports reporter before moving on to something else.”
”A teacher that had a huge impact on me was Randy Littrell, my high school science teacher and basketball coach at North Davies’s High School in Jameson, MO. My junior year, I had an injury that took me out of basketball for 3 months. He told me I was going to be back for the end of the season so he wanted me to sit on the bench & help at practice like an assistant coach because he didn’t have one. He also started having me help him in the classroom like a TA even though I wasn’t really his TA. It was then that I started thinking about becoming a teacher and coach which had never crossed my mind before. I was pretty upset after the injury, but he went out of his way to keep me involved and in doing so, opened new doors and set me on the path that I’m on now. I owe so much of who I am, where I am, and with who I am today to Coach Littrell and kindness. I hope as a teacher and coach that I’ve done the same for some of my students in the past and into the future.”
“Mrs. Ina Hire, my fourth grade teacher made learning a game. When she called roll each day (even though she could just look up and see who was absent) she didn't have you say "here." Your answer was a multiplication number or a verb conjugation, or a state capitol. We were constantly made to reinforce our learning, but as 9 year olds, it was a game!”
“Miss McClure taught English in my Kansas high school, in a community similar in many ways to Grain Valley. She made a lasting impression. She expected order in the classroom, but also was committed to seeing that each student made progress in appreciating and learning language skills, particularly when applied to our written work. I have marveled over the many years that have followed how fortunate I was to have a strong foundation in English when it came time for more advanced course work in college and when these skills were needed in the workplace. Miss McClure — Hazel Dean "Deana" McClure — at one time was named as Kansas Teacher of the Year. She lived to be 104. She died last year at a retirement home in Olathe. And I learned something I had not known — she loved to dance, starting at an early age, and left a generous estate gift to the Kansas City Ballet. This reminds me that our teachers contribute greatly in the classroom, but often they have even more to offer if we take the time to know them as a person.”
Grain Valley News writer Bill Althaus shared a special tribute to Truman High School journalism teacher Ron Clemons. “For more than 50 years, I have been a sports writer in the metro area. I started as a weekend sports anchor at KQTV-2 in St. Joseph, Mo., for three years, the worked at the Kansas City Kansan for another three years before joining the sports staff at the Examiner, where I worked 43 years as a sports writer/columnist. I owe my passion to the profession to my Truman High School journalism teacher Ron Clemons. My junior year I was part of the class that would make up the journalism staff my senior year. I was co-sports editor and our paper was named the outstanding high school news paper in the nation - an award that was presented by late Sen. Robert Kennedy's widow Eunice. Mr. Clemons was simply the best - the best teacher I ever worked with an one of the best teaching journalists in the nation. When I was an intimidated junior, he terrified me. He wore the finest in clothing - his shoes cost more than my entire wardrobe. And he was a master of his craft. I loved sports, was probably the most un-athletic student in the high school, and being a part of the newspaper staff meant two things: It helped me break out of my fear of talking to strangers along with being able to attend every sporting event at our high school, without having to pay for a ticket. And that was a big deal to a kid with very little money is his billfold. I attended Northwest Missouri State University and was the sports editor my freshman year. I went on to earn many other positions on the staff, but when I graduated in 1976, there were no journalism jobs available. So I took the news/sports anchor role at KQTV-2, waiting for my chance to follow my real dream. While I lost contact with Mr. Clemons for many decades, we re-united when I was covering Kansas City Mavericks hockey games and Comets indoor soccer games. Like with all true friendships, it was like I'd just stepped out of his class into the real world. We are now great friends and I always visit with him at the games I am covering. I've told him many times, but I hope he reads this note and realizes the impact he made on my life. Mr. Clemons, you're the best of the best - both in the classroom and in your favorite seats at Mavericks and Comets game. I am blessed to have you as a part of my life.”  A familiar and welcomed crew of visitors pulled up to Matthews Elementary Wednesday morning. Volunteers from Valley Community Church arrived at their first stop of the day with a trailer filled with school supplies for each of the district's kindergarten classrooms. Around 350 students throughout the district's four elementary schools are supplied through this drive. Pastor Jason Williams with Valley Community Church said the church has embraced the mission as a way to support local families and the teachers who serve them. "This is one way that we can tangibly help many families in the community and do something for each family that really impacts them. School supplies are getting more and more expensive every single year. We'd love to be able to do it for every grade, but we just see it as our mission to be able to make a difference in the lives of those families who are sending their kids off to school for the first time," Williams said.   Top photo: Volunteers from Valley Community Church begin to unload supplies for kindergarten classrooms at Matthews Elementary School on Wednesday morning. Bottom photo: A determined volunteer carries supplies into Prairie Branch Elementary School. Photo credit: Grain Valley News  by Cole Arndorfer, Grain Valley News
The Grain Valley Board of Aldermen met on Monday, August 11 for its first meeting of the month. Following the meeting’s open, the board immediately adjourned into closed session citing legal actions and causes of action of litigation. After 38 minutes in closed session, the board returned and resumed the meeting. The board approved the only resolution item of the meeting, allowing the city to renew its cooperative agreement with the Grain Valley Chamber of Commerce. The board approved the first reading of an ordinance that would establish a procedure to disclose potential conflicts of interest for certain municipal courts. This would be to remain in compliance with rules compiled by the Missouri Ethics Commission. This ordinance will be brought back for its second reading at the next board meeting. The next Board of Aldermen meeting will be held at City Hall on August 25th at 6:30pm. The Smithsonian is coming! At the Grain Valley Historical Society, we are preparing our local exhibit, “Grain Valley’s Transportation Story.” Thus far, you’ve heard about coming to the area by horseback, wagons and boats along the river; by rail; and via R. D. Mize Road. Grain Valley really got “on the map” in 1926 when US Highway 40 was completed in Missouri. Stretching from Atlantic City, New Jersey to San Francisco, California, it was the first major East-West Highway across America. Known as Main Street America, US 40 Highway was of historical significance because it is deeply intertwined with the National Road, the first federally funded interstate highway in the United States. When the U. S. Highway system was established in 1926, US 40 was designated as a transcontinental route. Of all the towns in America, Grain Valley was fortunate to be on the route! Those early coast-to-coast travelers would have driven along the southern edge of Grain Valley, passing the famous Sni-A-Bar Farms which was also making a name for itself, both nationally and world-wide.  1928 O’Connell’s Place Located on U. S. 40 Highway (Eagles Parkway) ½ mile west of Main Street and across from Sni-A-Bar Farms by Michael Smith, Grain Valley News The Grain Valley boys and girls cross country teams will be going through a rebuilding phase in 2025. On the boys side, the Eagles graduated three runners, including state qualifier Landon Barnes, who finished in 20th place in the Class 5 District 4 meet. The girls side also saw three graduates depart the team, including Amyah Graybill, who also was a state qualifier as she finished in 26th at districts. Head cross country coach Nick Small said a good number of new runners will be competing in varsity meets this season. So far through the summer, there have been about 20 boys and 20 girls participating in workouts, which gives Small plenty of options to place in the top five spots for varsity meets. “With the number of runners we lost from last year, we have a solid number of kids coming out,” Small said. “We got a couple of kids from the middle school level, and we recruited some kids who played other sports. We’re excited about those kids. There are a lot of new faces. We have a lot of exciting young and new talent.” Senior Landon Blew will be one of the main returners on the boys side as he was just five places away from qualifying for the state meet last season. At the Class 5 District 4 meet, he finished 35th with a time of 16:58.11. Small said Blew has embraced the role of being the leader of the boys team and has showed up to every practice and has worked hard over the summer. “He’s always here and does what he needs to.,” Small said. “Even when he goes on a family vacation, I know he’s going to get his stuff in. He’s bought in. He does all the little things.” Blew said qualifying for state will be his primary goal coming into 2025. “I am not fixated on a time,” Blew said. “This year, I have been building up mileage a bit more and have been hitting faster paces on workouts.” Other boys that are likely to be a part of the varsity lineup throughout the season include freshman Andrew Mueller and sophomores Colby Sinn and Jackson Edwards. “We got sophomores on the team and they are looking really strong,” Blew said. “I think the team is going to be good this year. Colby and Andrew have been having a good offseason. They have been killing it.” On the girls side, it will mostly be new faces entering the lineup, including junior Emily Hooper and freshman Evelyn Hay. Hay said she was a runner for the middle school team and has enjoyed competing in the sport and is looking forward to the high school season. “I just like running, and I think it’s good exercise,” Hay said. “And I like the community and team building in cross country. My goal this year run my best and keep pushing myself.” Hooper is a soccer player and also runs in sprint events for the track and field team. She said it has been a big adjustment going from short- to long-distance running, but she has recently started getting the hang of it. “I had to get used to running longer distances,” Hooper said. “At the beginning, it felt like I could barely run a mile. Now I run four to five miles a day.” Junior Emma Blew should also be a part of the top five for the girls and there will be others competing for the two vacant varsity sports. “We’re bringing in a lot of fresh talent on the girls’ side,” Small said. “It’s a fun team. We are filled with a lot of cool kids. The girls are a very cohesive group. Since there are so many new girls, there is a progression level that needs to be made, and they bought into that.”  Grain Valley senior Landon Blew will be aiming to qualify for the Missouri State High School Cross Country Championships in 2025. Photo credit: Michael Smith  Junior Emily Hooper, left, and freshman Evelyn Hay are two newcomers who are likely to crack the varsity lineup you the Grain Valley cross country team. Photo credit: Michael Smith  by Bill Althaus, Grain Valley News Following an intense and sun-soaked practice Wednesday afternoon at Grain Valley High School, Eagles soccer standouts Cohen Hackworth and Cooper Bousselot talked about the excitement surrounding this year's team. Or, should I say family? "We're a family and we're playing a game we all love," said Bousselot, a junior midfielder. "Did it get hot out there? Yes it did (smiling). But it's going to be even hotter when we start playing games in a few weeks. To me, there is nothing better than practicing or playing with my brothers. "And Coach (Brett) Phillips has done an amazing job creating a great soccer culture at the school, we went to add to that culture, and the team's success, this season." Senior striker Cohen Hackworth agreed. "We all know about the legacy of our program and the great success the team has had for many years," Hackworth said. "I know guys who have been to state, I know guys who were a part of many of Coach Lewis' great teams. "And we're so excited about this season, we can't wait. And yes, it's hot today, but you saw how hard we were working. We want to be in the best shape possible once the season begins." The Eagles were 14-8 overall last season and won their first Suburban White Conference title in many years. "I've been coaching at Grain Valley the past six years, and I look back at our teams' success, the way our program has continued to grow, and it amazes me," Lewis said. "We had 200 kids in our summer camp, and that was amazing. "We won conference last year for the first time in many seasons and look at the number of players and the talent we have on the field today. "Our freshman class is loaded with talent and I think a couple of them are going to get some playing time on varsity. "And I love it when our guys talk about having fun. And you have more fun the more games you win. A lot of our guys were on that conference championship team last season and they want to have that type of success this fall." The Eagles travel to Blue Springs High School Aug. 27 for their annual Soccer Jamboree. The Wildcats, Platte County and Raymore-Peculiar will all scrimmage against Lewis' team. "I love coaching in the fall," Lewis said. "We're getting back to school, the weather is going to get cooler and it's so exciting to get that first win and hope that it's the first of many this season."  Coach Brett Lewis visits with his Grain Valley High School boys soccer team after an intense Wednesday afternoon practice session, Photo credit: Bill Althaus by Bill Althaus, Grain Valley News If you are dealing with a difficult decision, this is the type most coaches would welcome. Because of the success of her Grain Valley High School volleyball team, coach Tori Squiers has been working with the largest preseason class of Eagles players. "And that means I'm going to have to make some cuts," said Squiers, whose Eagles were 20-13 last season with a second-place finish in the Suburban White Conference. "And that is such a tough day. But on the positive side, we have four seniors and four juniors returning from last season, and we might have as much depth as any team I've coached at Grain Valley." Grain Valley activities director Brandon Hart backed that comment as he happened to come by the gymnasium to watch a few moments of team drills. "We're excited about volleyball and all our teams this season," Hart said. "This is my 10th season as the activities director and when I look back to my first year it's really unbelievable. We have great coaches who really inspire out athletes and we just continue to have more success each season." The Eagles lost two standout seniors off last year's team with outside hitter Kayla Gallagher and Bailey Dugan graduating. This year, seniors libero Chloe Hernandez, outside hitter Kyleigh Casey, setter Chesnie King and right side hitter Ava Thurston bring talent, experience and leadership to the Eagles. "We're all so excited about this season," Hernandez said. "This is my second year as a starting, and I'm going to feel comfortable in my new role as a leader on this season. "It's just preseason, and I already feel like we're a family, a group of girls who are playing for each other and our school. "We're working hard in practice and doing all the little things that will become big things once the season starts." Casey said it's great to be back in the gym with her Eagles teammates. "We're really becoming a team, becoming a family, and that's great," Casey said. "We're stressing the importance of communication, and with our four seniors and juniors, we already feel like we're ready for a real game. Gallagher said it's great to be back in the gym with her Eagles teammates. "We're really becoming a team, becoming a family, and that's great," Gallagher said. "We're stressing the importance of communication, and with our four seniors and juniors, we already feel like we're ready for a real game. "We have trust in each other and we have so much height and talent this year, I think the sky's the limit." Squiers brings the same grit and determination to her coaching role that she did 10 years ago when she played for the Eagles. "When you watch a practice, the first thing you probably notice is our height, and our talent," Squiers said. "We're going to play great defense and our offense is going to be tough to handle. "A big key is to play as a team, and I'm already seeing great communication and senior leadership. And we're all excited about our Volleyball Jamboree at Kearney on August 25th when we will compete for the first time." The Eagles will play the host school, Fort Osage, and Excelsior Springs.  Coach Tori Squiers, who graduated from Grain Valley High School in 2015, is entering her sixth season as the Eagles head volleyball coach. Photo credit: Bill Althaus  Missouri nonfarm payroll employment increased by 17,100 jobs in July 2025, and the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased by one-tenth of a percentage point. Private industry employment increased by 6,800 jobs and government employment increased by 10,300 jobs. Over the year, there was an increase of 49,300 jobs from July 2024 to July 2025, and the unemployment rate increased by four-tenths of a percentage point, from 3.7 percent in July 2024 to 4.1 percent in July 2025. EMPLOYMENT Missouri's nonfarm payroll employment was 3,029,400 in July 2025, up by 17,100 from the revised June 2025 figure. The June 2025 total was revised downward by 2,500 jobs from the preliminary estimate. Goods-producing industries decreased by 200 jobs over the month, with manufacturing gaining 1,200 jobs and mining, logging, and construction declining by 1,400 jobs. Private service-providing industries increased by 7,000 jobs between June 2025 and July 2025. Employment in private service-providing industries increased in trade, transportation, and utilities (4,000 jobs); leisure and hospitality (2,800 jobs); professional and business services (600 jobs); other services (500 jobs); and private education and health services (100 jobs). Employment decreased in information (-900 jobs) and financial activities (-100 jobs). Total government employment increased by 10,300 jobs over the month, with increases in local (10,000 jobs) and state government (400 jobs) and a decrease in federal government (-100 jobs). Over the year, total payroll employment increased by 49,300 jobs from July 2024 to July 2025. The largest gains were in private education and health services (24,800 jobs); leisure and hospitality (9,300 jobs); manufacturing (5,000 jobs); mining, logging, and construction (3,600 jobs); and other services (1,400 jobs). Employment decreased in information (-3,800 jobs); professional and business services (-3,300 jobs); financial activities (-1,300 jobs); and trade, transportation, and utilities (-700 jobs). Government employment increased by 14,300 jobs over the year, with increases in local (12,100 jobs) and state (4,100 jobs) government and a decrease in federal government (-1,900 jobs). UNEMPLOYMENT Missouri's smoothed seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased by one tenth of a percentage point in July 2025 to 4.1 percent from the revised June 2025 rate of 4 percent. The July 2025 rate was three-tenths of a percentage point higher than the July 2024 rate. The estimated number of unemployed Missourians was 129,776 in July 2025, up by 2,206 from the revised June total of 127,570. The state's not-seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate increased in July 2025 by three-tenths of a percentage point to 4.7 percent from the June 2025 not-seasonally-adjusted rate of 4.4 percent. A year ago, the not-seasonally-adjusted rate was 4.3 percent. The corresponding not-seasonally-adjusted national rate for July 2025 was 4.6 percent. Missouri's labor force participation rate was 63.5 percent in July 2025, 1.3 percentage points higher than the national rate of 62.2 percent. Missouri's employment-population ratio was 60.9 percent in July 2025, 1.3 percentage points higher than the national rate of 59.6 percent. Missouri's unemployment rate was 4.1 percent in July 2025, one-tenth of a percentage point lower than the national rate of 4.2 percent. Missouri's unemployment rate has been at or below the national rate for more than 10 years.  |
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