Grain Valley High School senior Evan Patrick was looking forward to all the final “firsts” during his senior year, including the class of 2025’s final homecoming together this weekend. But a hit-and-run accident on September 15th put his plans on hold.
Patrick went for a ride on his motorcycle last Sunday evening, and according to Evan’s mother Cassy Patrick, as he was driving in the area near 40 Highway and Noland Road, a car sideswiped him and left him on the side of the road. Witnesses reported the driver exited the vehicle to investigate, and left the scene. Thankfully, Cassy Patrick said, three witnesses went to the scene and stayed with her son, and Evan’s Life 360 app notified the family that something had gone wrong. “I didn’t have my phone in front of me to see the notifications, but my husband got them and called me, and then Life360 called me, and my daughter and I left to head to the scene,” Cassy Patrick said. Cassy Patrick said that when she arrived on scene, three witnesses were there to help him and Life360 had called an ambulance to the scene. Evan’s head hit the concrete, causing a concussion, and he suffered multiple facial fractures and a broken thumb. Cassy Patrick was he was thankfully wearing jeans, but suffered pretty serious road rash and his left leg is swollen. After a two day stay at the hospital, Evan is recovering at home. As it was nearly dark when the accident happened, Cassy Patrick said she truly believes that had the witnesses who stayed with Evan at the scene not been there or stopped to help, Evan could have suffered a much worse fate. The case has been turned over to the Kansas City Police Department who are searching for the individual who caused the accident and left the scene. Evan is facing follow up appointments with an orthopedic surgeon and orthodontist to determine if surgery will be needed on his jaw. Cassy Patrick said Evan is eager to get back to his senior year at school but faces a long road to recovery. A GoFundMe has been set up to assist with medical costs related to his recovery from the accident. For more information or to donate to the GoFundMe campaign supporting Evan’s recovery, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-evan-heal-after-hit-and-run-accident.
Editor's Note: As we head toward the November election, we will take a look weekly at the issues voters will see on the ballot. We'll begin with a look at the state amendments on the November 5th ballot.
Missouri Amendment 5: Voters can OK or reject a new casino at the Lake of the Ozarks on Nov. 5by Meg Cunningham, Beacon: Missouri Missourians, long restricted to sites along the Missouri or Mississippi rivers for casino gambling, will decide whether to add another river to that list during the Nov. 5 election. Amendment 5 will ask Missouri voters if they want to allow an additional casino on the Osage River, near the Bagnell Dam at the Lake of the Ozarks, on the south side of U.S. 54.
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The plan is spearheaded by Bally’s, which operates a casino in Kansas City, and RIS Inc., a developer based in Eldon. The amendment is the result of a 10-year effort to build a casino and entertainment center at the lake. The site is part of the Eagles’ Landing development, which sits on both sides of U.S. 54. The proposal would amend the Missouri Constitution to allow an additional casino on the Osage River. The plan also includes a hotel, a convention center, restaurants and other attractions. It would override a state law that only allows 13 casino licenses by adding a 14th dedicated to the Osage River proposal. The proposal needs a simple majority statewide to pass. The revenue from the state’s gaming tax, estimated to be $14.4 million annually, will be allocated toward early childhood literacy efforts. Official Ballot Title:
The details of Amendment 5’s casino planMembers of the Osage River Gaming and Convention Committee are the main backers of the proposal. The group has been eyeing a casino at the lake for years, toggling between pursuing the effort through the legislature or via a citizen-led initiative petition. Since lawmakers have the power to place questions on the ballot for voter approval, that was one path the committee started pursuing in 2020, after it announced its plan for the Lake of the Ozarks development. Former state Rep. Rocky Miller, a Republican from Osage Beach, initially spearheaded the legislative path to changing the constitution. After the bill failed in 2022 and 2023, the committee announced it would pursue the change through the initiative petition process. Backers of the proposal say the destination will create 500 construction jobs and create 700 to 800 permanent jobs. To read the full text of the amendment, click here. The city of Lake Ozark gave its backing to the plan in December. Local governments are estimated to receive around $2.1 million annually in admission and other fee revenue. The state estimates it will take in $14.3 million in gaming tax revenue annually, which will be dedicated to supporting early childhood literacy efforts. The amendment comes amid an effort from Osage Nation to build a casino at the Lake of the Ozarks. Osage Nation acquired land at the Lake of the Ozarks in 2021 and officially launched a plan to build a casino, which requires coordination with the federal government and clearance from the governor. The years-long effort to get Amendment 5 on the ballotAfter a 2009 fire destroyed a gambling riverboat, the backers of Amendment 5 saw an opportunity to launch a casino at the Lake of the Ozarks, the Springfield News-Leader reported. The group of investors huddled with the intention of pursuing an additional license and getting voter approval to build on a new river. By 2018, the investor group was ready to launch a citizen-led initiative petition effort to get voter approval for gambling on an additional river. But Miller suggested the legislative route because it would cost less. After legislation struggled to get off the ground for a number of years, in part due to heavy opposition from Osage Nation, investors turned back to the initiative petition route, which was successful in 2024. This article first appeared on Beacon: Missouri and is republished here under a Creative Commons license. Jackson County Parks + Rec is pleased to present “Food on the Missouri Frontier” on Saturday, September 21st at Fort Osage National Historic Landmark. Attendees will be able to take in the sights and smells of history in the making from 9:00am - 4:00pm at Fort Osage National Historic Landmark, 105 Osage ST, Sibley MO 64088.
See live demonstrations of hearth cooking and food preparation techniques from the early 1800s. Walk through our heirloom garden on one of our garden tours to see how fruits and vegetables have changed over time. Learn how the soldiers and civilians of Fort Osage preserved food for the long winter, and take home recipe cards for some of our favorite historic foods. Food and refreshments will be available on the grounds. Admission is $8/adults, $4/youth and seniors. Fort Osage National Historic Landmark is open year-round, Tuesday through Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Missouri tax revenues declining in first months of fiscal year, raising concernsby Rudi Keller, Missouri Independent Missouri’s general revenue has lagged behind inflation for two years in a row. And with that gap widening, the next few months could determine whether state revenue will see a year-over-year decline for the first time in more than a decade. “September is a good sort of bellwether one for us, because that’s where we get quarterly payments from both individuals and corporations,” Dan Haug, Gov. Mike Parson’s budget director, said in an interview with The Independent last week. “There’s not a lot of significant due dates in July and August, so we try not to even really look at what trends are until we get through the end of September.” Through Friday, general revenue receipts are down more than 3% compared to the same period in fiscal 2024. Need to get in touch?Have a news tip?Revenue grew 2.74% in fiscal 2023, while inflation was calculated at 3% by the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. In fiscal 2024, which ended June 30, revenue grew 1.47%, while inflation was again pegged at 3%. Missouri isn’t the only state suffering from sluggish revenue growth, according to a recent report from Pew Charitable Trusts. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many states — including Missouri — enjoyed a surge of revenue that drove new spending and tax cuts. Missouri enjoyed double-digit revenue growth for two years, a trend that ended in early 2023. Nationally since the start of fiscal 2023, the report states, state government revenues have fallen below inflation rates and below the growth trend seen before the pandemic. That is the first time in 40 years that has happened outside of an economic recession. “There’s less fiscal flexibility, but it’s unclear whether states will be really under strain or not, but it’s going to be more difficult than before,” said Alexandre Fall, a senior associate with Pew who was the main author of the report. As they wrote this year’s budget in the spring, the Republican-led legislature tried to limit ongoing general revenue spending to the anticipated revenue of $13.2 billion. But even after Gov. Mike Parson vetoed $1 billion, the budget anticipates spending $15.1 billion in general revenue, dipping into surpluses accumulated during the surge in 2021 and 2022. House Budget Committee Vice Chairman Dirk Deaton, a Republican from Noel, said lawmakers must continue to limit ongoing spending to new revenue. “If revenue is lower in the future we will have to look carefully at core spending items to make sure the state budget is on a sustainable path and Missouri is well positioned to balance the budget year after year,” Deaton said. State revenue was down in the early part of fiscal 2024 but ended up with modest growth, Deaton noted. State Rep. Peter Merideth of St. Louis, the ranking Democrat on the Budget Committee, said future legislatures should commit to meeting state needs instead of hanging on to surpluses. Merideth is not returning to the House due to term limits. Any spending cuts tied to the flow of revenue, rather than to the state’s total available resources, will fall heavily on education programs, Merideth predicted. “We will cut education further,” he said. “Maybe it’s on the transportation line, or maybe it’s somewhere else, and we will cut higher education because those are about the only two slightly discretionary places that the legislature has to cut with large sums of money.”
Sitting on a surplus
On June 30, the general revenue fund held $4.8 billion, down $960 million from the balance a year earlier. That is still the third-highest year-end balance in state history. Some of that money is committed to multi-year building projects, such as a $300 million mental health hospital in Kansas City, but most of it is unencumbered. Other surplus money was stashed elsewhere. The state is holding $2.4 billion transferred from general revenue for major projects including rebuilding Interstate 70 and expanding the state Capitol Building. Another $1.8 billion was held in accounts that can be spent like general revenue. The question for lawmakers and state officials is how to spend from surplus funds without exhausting them, said Liz Farmer, a fiscal policy writer at Pew. “States are spending down balance dollars at a rapid rate,” Farmer said. The budget presented by Parson in January anticipated an unencumbered general revenue balance of $1.9 billion on June 30, 2025. Along with major projects, in the past two years lawmakers have used the surplus to fund smaller items in their districts. Parson has vetoed many of those items as he cut $550 million from the budget in 2023 and $1 billion approved this year. Future lawmakers need to resist the urge to earmark funds for their district, Merideth said. Stagnant or declining state revenue should mean extra funds are reserved for filling shortfalls in important programs. “We have a surplus to work with in the short term but we haven’t hit an economic crash, which at some point will happen in the future,” Merideth said. “That’s when we’re going to be in real trouble.” GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
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During the recession that began in 2008, revenues fell from about $8 billion annual to $6.7 billion a few years later. Haug, who has worked for both the legislature and the executive branch, said the state is in good shape in case of a recession. “We’ve got a very healthy fund balance to help us get through a minor downturn, if there is one, although I’m not sure that there even will be one,” Haug said. “We’re in a lot better spot to weather this kind of stuff than we’ve been probably in any of the time I’ve been here.” There are structural changes in the cost of state government that are permanent, thanks to the surge of revenue. The pay of every state worker hired before the beginning of 2022 has increased at least 20.7% under pay raise plans proposed by Parson. Some workers have received much larger percentage boosts, from a longevity pay plan approved this year, increases in night pay for workers in prisons, mental health hospitals and other custodial institutions and approval of a minimum salary of $15 an hour for all state jobs. With state agency staff vacancy rates averaging more than 10%, the cost of running the state will go up as workers are added. “Increased state employee pay and salaries, as well as permanent tax cuts, were two very popular policy choices that were made across states and were made in Missouri,” Fall said. “But now that we’re seeing all this excess revenue kind of pull back, and states are seeing decreased flexibility, it’s unclear what comes next.” Missouri has passed two large permanent tax cuts, with income tax rate cuts enacted in a special session in 2022, and a bill exempting Social Security benefits from state income tax in 2023. Together, that legislation will reduce state revenue by $1 billion or more annually. The next step in the phased-in tax cut passed in 2022 will take effect on Jan. 1, cutting the top income tax rate to 4.7%. Those cuts will generate economic activity that will sustain revenues, Deaton said. “Missouri has made very clear through our tax policy we are more interested in growing the bank accounts of the people as opposed to growing the amount of monies coming to Jefferson City,” he said. With a new governor coming into office in January and new legislative leadership, tapping the surplus could be a temptation. “Whoever is sitting in that governor’s mansion and whoever is sitting in the budget committee chair will make a significant difference and it’s hard to predict,” Merideth said.
Revenue picture
In the last full fiscal year before the pandemic, the Missouri general revenue fund took in $9.6 billion. In the fiscal year that ended June 30, the total was $13.4 billion, 1.47% more than in the previous year. Two of the main sources of state revenue — personal and corporate income taxes — saw a decline in collections in fiscal 2024. So far this year, the decline in revenue received so far has extended to sales tax collections. The surge in revenue coincided with the highest inflation rates in 40 years and sales tax growth led the way, thanks to consumers spending federal pandemic relief aid along with higher wages and prices. There is no evidence in the Missouri economy that would show the current decline in sales tax collections is anything but temporary, Haug said. “People may be pulling back a little bit temporarily to pay off debt and things like that, but eventually the fundamentals are what’s going to drive it,” Haug said. Missouri added 62,400 jobs from July 2023 to July 2024 and personal income grew at an annual rate of 6.7% in the first quarter of the year. State GDP is up 1.6% on an annual basis and inflation, while slowing, continues, with prices nationally about 2.5% higher than a year ago. “Long term, that’s what’s going to drive our revenues, and I think that’s still what’s going to drive our revenues,” Haug said. With the end of pandemic restrictions, consumers are spending more on non-taxed services and travel, Farmer said, as well as substituting cheaper goods when they make purchases. Missouri estimates its revenue each December for the remainder of the fiscal year and the coming year. A longer horizon for budget outlooks would make the state better prepared for possible trouble, she said. “That is one of our key benchmarks for state fiscal health, and something that could be really helpful for assessing what these impacts on personal income tax and those cuts look like for the state down the line for revenue,” she said. A longer-term outlook may be helpful, Deaton said, but experience shows that the short-term estimates aren’t particularly accurate. “There have been times they were very close and other years when estimates missed badly,” Deaton said. “The further you extend out, the greater the margin of error.” 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. Jackson County is hosting a career fair on Saturday, September 21st aimed at attracting professionals to join its team. The event will be held from 9:30am - 1:30pm at the Jackson County Parks Ranger Recreation Building, 3310 Rennau Drive, Lee's Summit, MO 64064. Job seekers are invited to attend, bringing their resumes for the chance to explore a wide range of career opportunities within county government.
Attendees will have the opportunity to engage directly with county government representatives, gaining insights into the essential work they do and the career paths available within the public sector. The list of open positions, which include full time, part time, and seasonal opportunities, can be found at www.jacksongov.org/jobs. by Jill Pritchard, Missouri Department of Conservation Temperatures are cooling down and trees are beginning to change color – a sure sign fall has arrived. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) encourages the public to enjoy fall foliage through camping, driving tours, hiking, or even floating. To help, MDC offers weekly online fall color updates from agency foresters all over the state at mdc.mo.gov/fallcolor. “Our fall color reports are a convenient resource for the public,” said MDC Forestry Field Programs Supervisor Russell Hinnah. “The reports begin in mid-September and are updated weekly. They show users where trees are beginning to turn and also suggest best places to see the changing leaves.” Predicting the peak of fall color can be difficult, but much depends on the weather. “Much of the state is still very dry and we are also still feeling the effects of last year’s drought,” noted Hinnah. “With this pattern we could see an earlier fall with less color. It’s also possible some trees may shut down earlier with no color at all.” Chilly, fall evenings are critical for leaves to change color. “Sugars produced by photosynthesis are trapped inside leaves by the cool autumn nights,” Hinnah explained. “Those sugars are the building blocks for the rich red, yellow, orange, and purple pigments. Cooler temperatures cause the breakdown of green pigments in leaves, allowing fall colors to show.” Missouri trees first begin changing color in the northern part of the state, then move southward. Sassafras, sumac, and Virginia creeper are some of the earliest to change in mid-September. In late September, black gum, bittersweet, and dogwood are turning. The peak of fall color usually hits around mid-October. “Trees like maple, ash, oak, and hickory are at the peak of their fall display by the middle of October,” Hinnah noted. “Normally by the end of the month, colors are fading and leaves are falling.” Missouri’s fall color can be enjoyed from almost anywhere. For spectacular vistas, choose routes along rivers with views of forested bluffs, and along ridges with sweeping scenes of forested landscapes. “MDC conservation areas or Missouri state parks are wonderful places to take in the fall color,” suggested Hinnah. And fall color isn’t just limited to trees. Prairies and roadsides display beautiful shades of gold, purple, olive, and auburn with autumn wildflowers, shrubs, and grasses. In cities and towns, enjoy places with mature trees such as older neighborhoods, parks, and even cemeteries. MDC provides its annual fall color update at mdc.mo.gov/fallcolor. The weekly reports include what species of trees are turning and suggestions on best places to see them. The updates run September through November. Enjoy the colors of fall, including this sunrise view over the lower Ozarks, through MDC's fall color updates. Photo credit: MDC
In today’s digital age, your Facebook account is more than a platform for sharing what's trending in your life. Facebook has become an extension of your personal and professional lives. So, when your Facebook account gets hacked, it can feel like an invasion of your privacy as well as a reminder of how vulnerable you are in this age of cybercrime.
Recovering your hacked Facebook account is almost impossible with criminals turning account security tools against you such as changing your password and enabling 2-factor authentication to block account access. Even further, there's no one to contact at Facebook leaving you with limited options to reclaim your account. Here's what you need to know. Why do criminals attack Facebook Accounts? Criminals target Facebook accounts to steal your personal data, commit financial fraud, spread malware, and conduct phishing scams. They exploit accounts to impersonate you, potentially damage your reputation, and access your friends' sensitive information. The wealth of personal information that can be obtained from the 3 billion people on Facebook makes accounts like yours an attractive target. Has Your Facebook Account Been Hacked or Cloned? First, identify if your account has been hacked. Cyber crooks attack Facebook accounts in two ways. First, they will just clone your account by copying your name, some of your details, and a few of your posts. Next, looking at your account, they will see who you are connected to and send friend requests from the cloned account to your friends to see if they will fall for malicious phishing scams by posting to their wall or from a message sent to Facebook Messenger. If one of your friends contacts you about a strange message they received from you and you still can log into Facebook, chances are your account has just been cloned. Finally, if a criminal gains access to your Facebook login credentials from a data breach that leaked your information to the dark web, they will log into your account, change your password locking you out of your account. They will also enable 2 step authentication to prevent you from accessing your account with one of the Facebook recovery methods. Report Your Account. Hacked or Cloned. If you suspect your Facebook account has been tampered with, do the following:
If you no longer have access to your Facebook account, email or phone number, you may need to verify your identity by submitting a government-issued ID to Facebook. This process is completely safe. Simply follow the instructions provided by Facebook to complete this process. Criminals sometimes will neglect to turn on 2-factor authentication on your account. You may be able to use your Facebook verification methods to log back into your account. If you can do this, make sure you change your password immediately to deny criminals to your account. Inform Your Family and Friends. Let your friends and family know your account was tampered with. Warn them not to click on any suspicious links or messages they might have received from your account during the hack. If your account was If your account was cloned, then your friends can help you report the account. Criminals will block you from your cloned account which only makes it possible for your friends to see the account. If your account has been hacked, you may need to contact another Facebook friend to notify your network to let others know you've lost your account. If you think your someone has taken over your account, NEVER post on your feed that your account has been hacked. This will attract the attention of scammers who will send you messages claiming they can get your account back for you. This scammer will trick you into paying large sums of money with the promise of gaining access to your account. The only people who can get your account back is Facebook. Who can I contact at Facebook? Facebook does have a couple of phone numbers you can try, but they only play pre-recorded messages and direct you to their online help resources. Here are the numbers: +1 650-543-4800 +1 650-308-730012 If you have a Facebook-verified account, your chances of contacting a Facebook representative increases. You can also contact Facebook Support via email. You can drop an email to the relevant email addresses, although most people complain that they rarely hear back. For general support, use [email protected]. If you've lost access to your Facebook Business account, you can visit the Facebook for Business Help page by navigating to https://www.facebook.com/business/help. Never attempt to use Google to attempt to find a number for Facebook. Criminals and scammers have setup multiple bogus websites designed to trick you into calling these numbers. Once you have contacted the fake Facebook tech support, they will attempt to get you to pay for the retrieval of your account. Facebook will never charge you to regain access to your account. I recommend only using Facebook’s Help Center at facebook.com/help. You can also report issues directly through their support page if your account has been hacked. I won't lie to you, regaining access to your Facebook account is nearly imposible as AI almost entirely runs Facebook and often, you won't receive correspondence back if you call or email Facebook. The best way to get access to your hacked is to not allow it to get hacked at all. Simple steps such as change your Facebook password on a regular basis, using passphrases rather than passwords and enabling 2 factor authentication on your account are easier to do rather than trying to get access to your Facebook account. Hopefully, this will give you tips to help you gain access to your Facebook account. If you enjoyed this posts, let me know in the comments below. If you have any questions, please reach out via email or on social media. I'm always available. Looking for More Useful Tech Tips? Our Tuesday Tech Tips Blog is released every Tuesday. If you like video tips, we LIVE STREAM new episodes of 'Computer and Tech Tips for Non-Tech People' every Wednesday at 1:00 pm CST on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Technology product reviews are posted every Thursday. You can view previous episodes on our YouTube channel. Sign Up for Our Newsletter! Click this link to sign-up and subscribe and you will receive every tip directly in your inbox each week. Want to ask me a tech question? Send it to [email protected]. I love technology. I've read all of the manuals and I'm serious about making technology fun and easy to use for everyone. The above content is provided for information purposes only. All information included therein is subject to change without notice. by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society Since moving to the Southside, I have decided to look more closely at the area and thus look more closely at the roads southwest of Grain Valley. I planned to begin with Ryan Road, however, I found nothing. I had always assumed (you know what they say about “assume”) the road was named for Charles Ottis Ryan, a businessman in Grain Valley during most of the 1920s thru 1950. However, I find no evidence that he, his wife Ida (Minter), or his son, Charles O Ryan, Jr. ever lived anywhere other than their homes on Walnut Street and later on Capelle. So this week I will begin with Arnett Road. I know little about where Jacob and Lucy Arnett lived along the road, however it is less than 2 miles long, stretching from Ryan Road on the south end to Majors Road on the north end. Since their address, according to the 1900 and 1910 U. S. Census was Van Buren Township, Jackson County, Missouri, I will again “assume” it was closer to the south end of the road.
In my research, I did learn some rather interesting facts about the Arnetts, especially Jacob. He was born in Scott (Van Buren County), Indiana on May 11, 1857. Jacob Eldridge Washington Arnett was the son of David and Isabel (Pointer) Arnett. A census record of the deaf population revealed that his father was deaf, but his mother was hearing. Three of their five children, including Jacob, were born deaf. Another interesting fact is that the 1870 U. S. Census revealed that Jacob was still living in Scott, Indiana; but he was living with Thomas and Susan Armstrong. After Susan’s death, Thomas remarried and moved with some of his children to Grain Valley. There was no further mention of Jacob Arnett living with the Armstrongs, but it is interesting that they were both from Scott, Indiana and moved to Grain Valley. In 1879, Jacob married Lucy Ellen Stokes from Missouri. They had five children; Lula, Maud, LeRoy, Jasper and Mary. None were deaf. And none of their five children remained in Grain Valley after the death of their parents; but they didn’t go far. Four moved to Lee’s Summit and the fifth, Jasper, moved to Oak Grove. Lucy died on January 30, 1934, and Jacob died on January 11, 1937. They are buried in Historic Lee’s Summit Cemetery. On a personal note: Their grandson Clifford (Jasper’s son) was married to Betty (Gibson) Arnett and she drove a school bus for my parents in Oak Grove for 23 years (1960 until 1983). I only realized this relationship today while doing my research. Small world! Missouri nonfarm payroll employment increased by 7,900 jobs in August 2024, and the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased by one-tenth of a percentage point to 3.9 percent. Private industry employment increased by 5,800 jobs and government employment increased by 2,100 jobs. Over the year, there was an increase of 98,500 jobs from August 2023 to August 2024, and the unemployment rate increased by seven-tenths of a percentage point, from 3.2 percent in August 2023 to 3.9 percent in August 2024.
EMPLOYMENT Missouri's nonfarm payroll employment was 3,066,800 in August 2024, up by 7,900 from the revised July 2024 figure. The July 2024 total was revised upward by 13,300 jobs from the preliminary estimate. Goods-producing industries increased by 2,900 jobs over the month, with manufacturing gaining 3,400 jobs. Private service-providing industries increased by 2,900 jobs between July 2024 and August 2024. Employment in private service-providing industries increased in private education and health services (1,800 jobs); professional and business services (1,300 jobs); trade, transportation, and utilities (900 jobs); other services (700 jobs); and information (300 jobs). Employment decreased in leisure and hospitality (-1,900 jobs) and financial activities (-200 jobs). Total government employment increased by 2,100 jobs over the month, with increases in state (1,100 jobs) and local government (1,000 jobs). Over the year, total payroll employment increased by 98,500 jobs from August 2023 to August 2024. Employment increased in private education and health services (25,700 jobs); leisure and hospitality (22,300 jobs); trade, transportation, and utilities (10,500 jobs); mining, logging, and construction (8,000 jobs); manufacturing (7,900 jobs); financial activities (6,200 jobs); professional and business services (2,900 jobs); other services (2,200 jobs); and information (100 jobs). Government employment increased by 12,700 jobs over the year, with increases in local (6,100 jobs), state (5,600 jobs), and federal government (1,000 jobs). UNEMPLOYMENT Missouri's smoothed seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased by one-tenth of a percentage point in August 2024 to 3.9 percent. The August 2024 rate was seven-tenths of a percentage point higher than the August 2023 rate of 3.2 percent. The estimated number of unemployed Missourians was 122,293 in August 2024, up by 1,445 from the revised July total of 120,848. The state's not-seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate decreased in August 2024, declining by seven-tenths of a percentage point to 3.9 percent from the July 2024 not-seasonally-adjusted rate of 4.6 percent. A year ago, the not-seasonally-adjusted rate was 3.3 percent. The corresponding not-seasonally-adjusted national rate for August 2024 was 4.4 percent. Missouri's labor force participation rate was 63.9 percent in August 2024, 1.2 percentage points higher than the national rate of 62.7 percent. Missouri's employment-population ratio was 61.4 percent in August 2024, 1.4 percentage points higher than the national rate of 60 percent. Missouri's unemployment rate was 3.9 percent in August 2024, three-tenths 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 nine years. by Tara Sallee, MS, RD, LD
Tomatoes are the quintessential summer fruit. Yes, in the botanical world, they are fruit (flowers and seeds), but they are commonly known as vegetables. Beyond the identity crisis, tomatoes are packed with good nutrition— a vital choice to include in a healthy eating pattern. Fresh Versus Canned Late summer is the time for harvesting local tomatoes, but when you need a fast, convenient ingredient, reach for the pantry for canned tomatoes. Harvested at their flavor and nutrition peak and processed within just a few hours, canned tomatoes are budget-friendly and speedy—with no washing or chopping required. Canned tomatoes also provide a bigger bonus when it comes to certain nutrients. Nutrition Bonus – Lycopene Activation Tomatoes are nutrient-rich, with vitamins A and C, potassium, folic acid and fiber. When heated in the canning process, lycopene is activated, which is a powerful antioxidant. Tomato products account for more than 80% of the lycopene in the American diet and studies suggest that high lycopene intake is associated with lower rates of heart disease. 1 More Lycopene Benefits According to the American Cancer Society, lycopene helps prevent gene damage. Eating abundant lycopene-rich foods, like tomato products (canned tomatoes, marinara sauce, salsa and tomato soup), may lower the risk of lung cancer and aggressive prostate cancer. Studies also show that people who eat plenty of plant foods rich in carotenoid antioxidants like lycopene have a lower risk of heart disease. 2 Tips for More Tomato Wellness
Make Tomato Time Your Routine Tomatoes are the perfect healthy addition to any recipe. Remember to select bright-red fresh tomatoes and store them at room temperature away from direct sunlight. Never refrigerate fresh tomatoes, as it diminishes the flavor. Stock up on a variety of canned tomato products, from sauces to purees, paste and diced. Enjoy the tomato season while incorporating canned products all year round. For a full-of-flavor tomato treat, use fresh or canned diced tomatoes in this summer salad recipe featuring two seasonal favorites—corn and tomatoes. This tasty spin on traditional salsa can be served with crispy tortilla or pita chips. Tomato Tip: Use drained, diced canned tomatoes for convenience and a boost of the antioxidant lycopene. Tomato Avocado Corn Salsa Serves 4 (1 cup each) All you need: 1 (14.5-ounce) can Hy-Vee diced tomatoes, drained 1 cup whole-kernel yellow corn 1 avocado, peeled, seeded, chopped ½ cup red onion, diced ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice ½ teaspoon Hy-Vee ground cumin ½ teaspoon Hy-Vee garlic powder ½ teaspoon Hy-Vee black pepper Salt to taste (optional) All you do:
Note: This recipe can be prepared up to one hour in advance. Cover tightly and stir gently before serving. To further reduce sodium levels, use canned tomatoes without salt added. Nutrition Facts per serving: 118 calories, 15 g carbohydrate, 5 g fiber, 67 g total sugar, 0 g added sugar, 6 g fat, 1 g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 2 g protein, 309 mg sodium Source: Healthy & Delicious Cookbook from the Tomato Products Wellness Council (Recipe by Andrea Mathis, RD). Photo credit: Tomato Wellness.com Free Cookbook – Healthy & Delicious from TomatoWellness.com Download the free Tomato Wellness Cookbook with 17 wholesome recipes developed by registered dietitians that represent many cultures and food traditions. Register with the QR code or click here: https://tomatowellness.com/cookbook/ The information is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional for individual advice. This content was made possible with the sponsored support of our sponsors (Tomato Wellness and Good Foods). Cited Sources:
The following information is derived from Grain Valley Police Department daily calls service log for the week of September 11-17, 2024.
September 11, 2024 800 BLK NW HICKORY RIDGE DR Open Door-Structure JEFFERSON/MAIN Motorist Assist 1100 BLK NW CEDAR LN Crash Injury 200 BLK SW EAGLES PKWY apt 1413 Disturbance-Physical 100 BLK SUNNY LN Follow Up Investigation 1200 BLK NW WILLOW DR Standby to Prevent PHQ Public Service 1700 BLK NW HILLTOP CT Check Well Being MAIN/ 40 Crash Unknown 200 BLK SW EAGLES PKWY Citizen Assist 600 BLK SW NELSON DR Animal Neglect 714 SW GREYSTONE DR Citizen Contact 1400 BLK NW WILLOW DR Check Well Being 200 BLK NE HARRIS ST Suspicious Vehicle OOIDA/R D MIZE RD Animal Control 1100 BLK N BUCKNER TARSNEY RD Citizen Contact 100 BLK SUNNY LN Trespass September 12, 2024 SB MAIN ST Fail To Yield 100 BLK SUNNY LN Follow Up Investigation 700 BLK N MAIN ST Follow Up Investigation BLUE BRANCH / SNI BAR Area Check 100 BLK NW GARDEN ST Warrant Attempt 1300 BLK NW JEFFERSON Citizen Contact 1200 BLK WILLOW DR Public Service 100 BLK SUNNY LN Public Service 500 BLK NE JAMES ROLLO DR Citizen Contact 700 BLK E RD MIZE RD Citizen Contact 1000 BLK R D MIZE RD Traffic Stop 900 BLK NW PERSIMMON CT Alarm-Residential PHQ Walk In Report 1100 BLK NE MCQUERRY RD Stealing Over HICKORYWOOD / ROSEWOOD Area Check PHQ Public Service PHQ Walk In Report PHQ Training 1000 BLK STONEBROOK LN Standby to Prevent 1200 BLK R D MIZE RD Disturbance-Physical 1500 BLK SCHALE CT Area Check 200 BLK E 23RD ST S Agency Assist K9 Request 100 BLK SUNNY LN Warrant Attempt 1200 BLK R D MIZE RD Public Service 100 BLK SUNNY LN Trespass September 13, 2024 1400 BLK NW OLYMPIC DR Open Door-Structure 12200 BLK N AMBASSADOR DR Training 900 BLK SW SANDY LN Follow Up Investigation 1100 BLK NE MCQUERRY RD Trespass PHQ Walk In Report 300 BLK NW JEFFERSON ST Stealing Over PHQ Walk In Report NW HICKORYWOOD CT/NW ROSEWOOD DR Extra Patrol 1400 BLK NW WILLOW DR Harassment 1100 BLK DEAN DR Citizen Contact 200 BLK E HARRIS ST Area Check September 14, 2024 PHQ Walk In Report 100 BLK SW 14TH ST Property Damage 1100 BLK NW BUCKNER TARSNEY RD Pedestrian Check NW SNI-A-BAR BLVD / NW SNI-A-BAR PKWY Security Check 900 BLK NW PERSIMMON CT Stealing Vehicle 200 BLK SW EAGLES PKWY Security Check 1100 BLK NW BUCKNER TARSNEY RD Suspicious Vehicle PHQ Public Service 1100 BLK SEYMOUR RD Stealing Over 3100 BLK NW DUNCAN RD Citizen Contact PHQ Public Service LAKEVIEW DR Animal Bite 500 BLK SW EAGLES PARKWAY Off Duty Assignment EAGLES PKWY / ROYERS LN Crash Unknown 1100 BLK N BUCKNER TARSNEY RD Area Check BROADWAY ST / LINDSEY LN Sound of Shots 900 BLK SW FOXTAIL DR Crash Non-Injury 100 BLK S MAIN (BUCKNER TARSNEY) Crash Non-Injury PHQ Public Service 500 BLK NW WILLOW DR Suspicious Activity 900 BLK NW HIGH VIEW DR Area Check MQCUERRY / BUCKNER TARSNEY RD Motorist Assist September 15, 2024 300 BLK SW EAGLES PKWY Noise CASEY BLVD/OLYMPIC DR Extra Patrol 800 BLK SW MISTY GLEN CT Open Door-Structure S MAIN / SW EAGLES PKWY Agency Assist LE 700 BLK SW CROSS CREEK DR Open Door-Structure 300 BLK W FRONT ST Disturbance-Physical 500 BLK GREGG ST Open Door-Structure; Vehicle Check 500 BLK GREGG ST Follow Up Investigation 800 BLK SW HARVEST DR Alarm-Residential 100 BLK SW EAGLES PKWY Security Check 1100 BLK NE SEYMOUR RD Follow Up Investigation 700 BLK N MAIN ST Vehicle Maintenance 1300 BLK NW BROADWAY ST Parking Complaint/Viol SNI-A-BAR BLVD / SNI-A-BAR PKWY Residence Check 100 BLK SW EAGLES PKWY Alarm-Commerical 200 BLK YENNIE AVE Fire-Structure 100 BLK N MAIN ST Repossession 900 BLK NW LINDENWOOD DR Burglary; Trespass PHQ Walk In Report 1000 BLK S BUCKNER TARSNEY RD Citizen Contact September 16, 2024 MAIN/40 Agency Assist LE NW OLYMPIC DR / NW GRANITE DR Extra Patrol 1200 BLK EAGLES PARKWAY Vehicle Check 200 BLK CYPRESS ST Citizen Contact 1100 BLK NW SYCAMORE DR Disturbance-Physical PHQ Walk In Report PHQ Public Service PHQ Walk In Report 1300 BLK NW HICKORYWOOD CT Abandoned Vehicle DUNCAN/BUCKNER TARSNEY Crash Non-Injury 1200 BLK SW EAGLES PKWY Citizen Contact AA/ADAMS DAIRY Area Check PHQ Walk In Report PHQ Walk In Report PHQ Fraud 1600 BLK NE JACLYN DR Public Service SAWGRASS AND BAR RD Area Check PHQ Walk In Report PHQ Walk In Report PHQ Walk In Report WB 70 E OF 23 MM Agency Assist LE 40 / MEADOW RD Area Check ROSEWOOD HILLS Area Check September 17, 2024 31600 BLK NE PINK HILL RD Security Check 1100 BLK N BUCKNER TARSNEY RD Citizen Contact BSPD DETENTION Follow Up Investigation 500 BLK NW WOODBURY DR Stealing Vehicle 700 BLK N MAIN ST Alarm-Commerical 1200 BLK NW PAMELA BLVD Stealing Vehicle; Property Damage 400 BLK SW EAGLES PKWY Repossession 900 BLK SW RYAN RD Suspicious Vehicle PAMELA AND JEFFERSON Crash Non-Injury 400 BLK SW LAURA LN Public Service 100 BLK S WATER Prisoner Transport PHQ Prisoner Transport PHQ Walk In Report 700 BLK N MAIN ST Special Assignment-Other 1300 BLK CHERRY ST Prisoner Transport PHQ Public Service 1200 BLK NW ASHLEY DR Fraud EB AA/ GV CITY Check Well Being JACKIE LN Motorist Assist SNI-A-BAR/BB Area Check 1300 BLK VALLEY WOODS CT Area Check Additional calls for service: Suicidal subject: 3 Domestic violence: 1 by Michael Smith Grain Valley head boys soccer coach Brett Lewis was not pleased with how his team played. His Eagles had a Suburban White Conference matchup against Fort Osage Monday on the road, and while they were creating chances at the opponent’s goal, there were issues with their first touch, finishing shots, and connecting on passes in the attacking third of the field. In fact, Grain Valley trailed the Indians 1-0 going into the final 10 minutes of the game. Lewis moved junior defender Cohen Hackworth up top as a forward and the move paid off as he scored the equalizer late. After two scoreless overtime periods, Grain Valley won a shootout 4-3 with senior forward Alexander Luna making the game winner to help his team take a 2-1 victory. Lewis scolded his players after the match deeming what he said was sloppy play. Because of the Eagles’ struggled in the final third, Hackworth had a chance to score some goals when he was moved to forward and he did just that. After Fort Osage knocked the ball out of bounds, Eagles senior Jackson Bieri rushed over to the sideline and immediately threw the ball in play. Hackworth chased it down and had a one-on-one opportunity with Indians goalkeeper Logan Kaeding. He made a run at the goal and pushed a shot past Kaeding to tie the score at 1-all in the 72nd minute. “Our forwards were not great, so that’s why we had to put Cohen up to the final third,” Lewis said. “Cohen is not a forward, he’s a defender. He made some mistakes, but he adds an element to our attack with his aggressiveness and he’s really athletic. “I threw him up there hoping it would change the game.” Hackworth, who’s natural position is at defender, was pleased to get an opportunity to play up top again as he did the latter half of last season. “I feel like I made a big difference up there,” Hackworth said. “I loved playing with my forwards again. We still had that chemistry from last year. That goal gave us a boost to keep going.” The Eagles (3-3, 2-0 conference) had a chance to end it late. Junior forward Lukas Gutauskas fired a shot from the right sideline toward the Fort goal and it went just wide left of the goal. Hackworth had an open shot deep in Fort’s penalty box but his attempt sailed over the net. However, the Eagles got four made penalty kicks from Hackworth, sophomore Cooper Bousselot, Bieri and Luna to win it. Luna’s spot in the shootout normally would have gone to Gutauskas, but he sustained a lower-body injury in overtime. “I was going inside the left post the entire time, I am just glad it went in,” Luna said. Grain Valley goalkeeper Alex Tuttle made two huge diving stops on Fort’s final two attempts from Austin Sinclair and Blake Overbeck to give Luna a chance to win it. Tuttle dove to his right on all five save attempts during the shootout and the strategy panned out. “I was scared because I thought they were going to pick up on Alex diving right every time,” Hackworth said. “But he does what he does best. I am proud of him.” Fort Osage only had two shots on goal the entire game, but senior forward Beck Snowden put one of those away. Sophomore midfielder Bogan Weikel stole the ball form a Grain Valley player and started a counterattack. He sent a through ball to a wide-open Snowden to punched a breakaway shot past Tuttle in the 34th minute. However, Fort couldn’t get another one to go in the rest of the way. Junior defender Cohen Hackworth, left, made a goal in the 72nd minute and senior Alexander Luna made the game winning penalty kick in a shootout to help the Grain Valley boys soccer team defeat Fort Osage 2-1 Monday at Fort Osage High School. Photo credit: Michael Smith
by Michael Smith Grain Valley head coach David Allie decided to try something new. His Eagles took on Suburban White Conference rival William Chrisman Friday at Norman James Field, and on the second drive of the game, he lined up freshman wide receiver Dawson Head in the Wildcat formation. Head broke off a 53-yard run, which set up his 1-yard touchdown run, the first of his varsity career, to put the Eagles ahead 14-0. He was one of multiple Eagles to accomplish a first-time varsity feat as Grain Valley steamrolled the Bears 63-6. Head is a transfer from Knoxville, Tenn., and had played at the running back position in middle school. He also was a state track champion, so Allie wanted to utilize his speed at the wide receiver position. That was on display on only on the 54-yard run, but on a 17-yard touchdown pass in which he caught from quarterback Chase Neer as he beat a Chrisman cornerback on a waggle route late in the second period. “We had that wildcat package and have been working on it in practice for the last couple of weeks,” Allie said. “I thought we needed to try it in this game, and he did a great job running the ball. He’s explosive.” Neer and senior running back Robert Palmer said they were impressed with the freshman. “Dawson is probably the fastest player on the team, so we have to find a way to get him the ball,” Neer said. Added Palmer: “We need to see him back there some more. I can’t wait to see him grow.” Head said he was excited to get his first varsity score. “It’s pretty awesome,” Head said. “It was a long process but I am happy to be here.” That wasn’t the only first-time accomplishment for an Eagle during the contest. Sophomore Carter Cygan, the backup place kicker for Grain Valley, made three extra points late; and freshman Brodie Davis and senior Jacob Moore scored their first varsity touchdowns, on a 2-yard and 3-yard run, respectively. “(Moore) is a senior that is behind our varsity running backs on the depth chart, but we’ve tried him at other positions like defensive line to get him some playing time. Brody is a freshman who plays up at the junior varsity level some and plays on the freshman team, too.” Palmer continued his spectacular season as he rushed for 223 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries. He scored on runs of 7 and 9 as he went into the end zone untouched both times. Through three games, he has 659 yards on the ground and five TDs. Last season, Simone Award finalist and first-team all-state running back Ty Williams had 571 yards and eight touchdowns through his first three games. So far, Palmer is on pace to have a similar season as Grain Valley’s previous star running back. “This has been crazy,” Palmer said. “I never would have thought this would happen. The offensive line was amazing. They provided great blocking.” Added Neer: “(Palmer has) been amazing. He really started standing out in that first game. Throughout the summer and preseason, we thought it was going to be a three-headed monster at running back, but he took over that No. 1 spot.” Neer added a 63-yard touchdown pass on third-and-21 on a screen to running back DJ Harris and also had a 5-yard scoring run on his team’s opening drive. Harris ran the ball five times for 89 yards and another TD from 1 yard out. William Chrisman had its only score on a 79-yard TD run from sophomore Stefan Castorena with 1:08 left in the contest. On defense, senior safety Aaron Barr had an interception of Chrisman quarterback Declan Watson and as a team, the Eagles had eight tackles for a loss and one sack from senior defensive end Alex Osborn. Senior running back Robert Palmer, left, and freshman wide receiver Dawson Head each had two touchdowns to help Grain Valley blow out William Chrisman Friday at Norman James Field. Photo credit: Michael Smith The Eagles had eight tackles for a loss and one sack from senior defensive end Alex Osborn. Photo credit: Addie Kennedy On defense, senior safety Aaron Barr had an interception of Chrisman quarterback Declan Watson. Photo credit: John Overstreet
Downtown Grain Valley, in partnership with Grain Valley High School student government and Central Jackson County Fire Protection District, has revived the Community Pep Rally and Bonfire just in time for homecoming.
The community is invited on Wednesday, September 18th from 6:30pm - 7:30pm to the Grain Valley Community Gardens downtown for a spirit-packed rally. Cheer on GVHS sports teams, enjoy the pep band, and meet the Eagles mascot. GVHS high school students will then have the space reserved for them from 7:30-9:00pm to gather around the bonfire and make some memories. Join the Grain Valley Police Department on Tuesday, September 17th from 6:00pm - 8:00pm, for their annual National Night Out Against Crime event at Armstrong Park.
Families can enjoy free food and drinks, K9 demonstrations, explore bomb squad equipment, watch a helicopter landing, and participate in security raffle prizes. National Night Out will be held in the field behind the Community Center. This is a free event, and no registration is required. For more information, call (816) 847-6250 or email [email protected]. |
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