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The Grain Valley Partnership has launched a new campaign—Local First Grain Valley—to promote local businesses to residents.
The year-round campaign will kick off during the holiday season with a 12 Days of Christmas event from November 29th—December 10th, including a shopping passport program, raffle tickets for every $10 spent at participating businesses, and a window decorating contest for local businesses. Follow Local First Grain Valley on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter: @localfirstgv. Central Jackson County Fire Protection District (CJCFPD) has been recognized by Missouri EMS for Children as being Pediatric Ready. To gain this recognition, the agency was required to confirm with Missouri EMS for Children that they carry all essential pediatric-specific equipment and have an appointed Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinator. This care coordinator acts as a pediatric champion within the agency and ensures all pediatric-specific transport needs remain a top priority within their service.
Missouri EMS for Children is a federally funded grant program whose mission is to reduce child and youth mortality and morbidity resulting from severe illness or trauma. Missouri non-farm payroll employment increased from September 2021 to October 2021, and the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased by one-tenth of a percentage point.
Employment, seasonally adjusted, increased by 3,500 jobs over the month, with job gains in both goods-producing and service-providing industries. The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.7 percent in October 2021, down from 3.8 percent in September 2021. Recovery from COVID-19-related layoffs continued with an increase of 72,300 jobs from October 2020 to October 2021. Missouri’s smoothed seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased by one-tenth of a percentage point in October 2021, dropping to 3.7 percent from the September 2021 rate of 3.8 percent. The October 2021 rate was 1.3 percentage points lower than the October 2020 rate. The national unemployment rate decreased from 4.8 percent in September 2021 to 4.6 percent in October 2021. The estimated number of unemployed Missourians was 114,556 in October 2021, down by 3,495 from September’s 118,051. The state’s not-seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate also decreased in October 2021, dropping by one-tenth of a percentage point to 2.8 percent from the September 2021 not-seasonally-adjusted rate of 2.9 percent. The corresponding not-seasonally-adjusted national rate for October 2021 was 4.3 percent. A year ago, the state’s seasonally adjusted rate was 5.0 percent, and the not-adjusted rate was 4.0 percent. Missouri’s smoothed seasonally adjusted unemployment rate had reached a low of 3.1 percent starting in August 2018, before gradually edging up to 3.5 percent by the end of 2019, and then to 3.7 percent in March 2020. The COVID-19 effect hit in April 2020, spiking the rate to 12.5 percent for that month. The rate decreased monthly for the rest of 2020, reaching 4.4 percent in December, and continued gradually downward through the first four months of 2021. The increase of two-tenths of a percentage point from April 2021 to June 2021 appeared to be related to a temporary shortage in the supply of semiconductor chips, which caused production slowdowns in some manufacturing industries. Due to benchmark revisions, Missouri’s unemployment rate rose a tenth of a percentage point higher than the national rate in January and February of 2020, but has been below the national rate for every month since February 2020. Life is busy. Sometimes we have an unpredictable week full of work, family and personal events that we didn’t plan for. We tend to put our meals on the back burner to get our tasks accomplished first.
However, we need to keep ourselves full and focused throughout the day. This is where snacks come into play! Snacks on hand can keep our blood sugar stable, our cravings down, and fill in our nutritional gaps. Snacks can help you in many ways throughout the day. They can stabilize your blood sugar, carve out your cravings, and satisfy your nutrition with the right snack pairings. When you pair a carbohydrate or fiber filled snack along with a protein-packed snack, then you create a hunger-fighting duo that is sure to keep you stable and satisfied until your next meal. Even with these snacks, portion control is still our main goal. Once we find the right balance and pairing, then our snack game can rise to fame. Now let’s make some snacks! We need our carbohydrate or fiber friend to match with our protein pal. Here are a few duos to start you off: apple and nut butter, banana with nuts and seeds, and berries with Greek yogurt. If you want more snack ideas – visit hy-vee.com for recipes, join our carb-swap cooking class, or schedule a Discovery Session with your local Hy-Vee dietitian. For an on-the-go treat, check out this Maple-Cinnamon Trail Mix to satisfy your sweet tooth. The following information is derived from the Grain Valley Police Department daily calls for service log for the week of November 3-9, 2021.
by Michael Smith The Grain Valley football team’s offense struggled. In a game in which the Eagles wanted to feature the run during the Class 5 District 7 championship against Raytown, they didn’t have much success in that regard. A pair of turnovers and the offense sputtering allowed Raytown to hold a 17-10 lead with 52 seconds left in regulation. Up to that point, junior quarterback Caleb Larson had only thrown the ball three times. But in this situation. He had to throw it and he came up clutch. On a final drive in regulation that started at the Grain Valley 45-yard line, Larson connected on 5 of 7 of his passes, with the biggest one coming on a 11-yard strike to junior wide receiver Keagan Hart with no time remaining to tie the game at 17-all sending it to overtime. He connected with Hart again on Grain Valley’s third overtime possession on a 10-yard TD pass, and after Raytown scored on a touchdown, the defense got a crucial stop on a 2-point conversion attempt by the Blue Jays for a thrilling 38-37 overtime win Friday at Moody Murray Memorial Field. For the second year in a row, Grain Valley advances to the Class 5 quarterfinals where it will meet Suburban White Conference foe Fort Osage next Friday. “It’s been a long road,” said Larson, who is in his first year as the starting varsity quarterback. “In my first game, I was nervous and couldn’t focus. But as the season has gone along, I have grown and have been able to handle pressure.” In the overtime period, freshman running back DJ Harris scored on runs of 15 and 9 to help set up the game-winner between Larson and Hart. Raytown senior running back Zahmari Gary scored on runs of 6, 7 and 6. Raytown decided to go for the two-point conversion and the win. Gary, who had found a lot of success on the outside run, tried one more. Sophomore linebacker Cole Elliott read the play and wrapped Gary up to slow him down. That allowed three other Eagles to come in and finish the tackle at the 3-yard line. “I looked ahead of me and their guy was looking at me,” Elliott said. “I knew he was going to come and block me. I knew it was coming outside, so I just got my keys, read it and made the play.” The defense was strong all game, only allowing 10 points in regulation. During that time the offense struggled, but Larson and Co. came up clutch when they needed to. The junior was 8 of 13 passing for 137 yards and two scores. He also ran the ball 18 times for 66 yards. “Our game plan was to hammer the run,” Larson said. “We saw some weaknesses in their run defense. We needed to execute in the first half and we just couldn’t do it. We came out in the second half with a different plan and just really handled the pressure.” So did Hart. He missed the last two games with a broken finger, fought through the pain and had his hand wrapped up. He has mostly been featured as a safety throughout the season and played receiver a few times early in the season. He got more snaps at the position due to an ankle injury that sidelined Grain Valley’s No. 1 receiver Logan Pratt. “I knew what I could do from practice,” Hart said. “If it wasn’t for our people up front, I wouldn’t have been able to do it." “I fought through the pain but it has had time to heal with the bye week and playing against … no offense … a not as good team last week. It helped my hand get better.” Grain Valley head coach David Allie praised Hart for stepping in for Pratt and thriving as a receiver despite not having played the position in many weeks. “That’s just the kind of athlete he is,” Hart said. “He knows what to do. We even put him in at tight end, too. We got him on the post corner in overtime and Larson got it to him to send it to overtime. He’s a great competitor.” The junior came up huge with 93 yards on four catches for two touchdowns. “He was our weapon,” Larson said. “He was under the radar because I don’t think Raytown knew if he was going to play or not and that worked in our favor there.” A Grain Valley turnover led to Raytown’s first score. Tamarian Cashier recovered an Eagle fumble at the Grain Valley 26. That eventually led to a 31-yard field goal from Maziah Hamchsoui to make it 3-0. Grain Valley’s defense held strong in the first quarter, forcing two turnover on downs when Raytown had the ball on the Eagles’ side of the field. The latter stop came on a fourth-and-1 from the Grain Valley 39. After Grain Valley failed to get a first down on its first three possessions, Larson hit Hart on a 5-yard out, and he outran the defense along the left sideline for a 61-yard catch-and-run to put the Eagles ahead 7-3. Late in the first half, Grain Valley still led by four, but a muffed exchange on a handoff between Larson and running back Jaxon Wyatt led to a fumble. It was recovered by Raytown senior linebacker Derrick Buycks and he took it into the end zone from 24 yards out to give Blue Jays a 9-7 lead with 31 seconds left in the first half after a missed extra point. Later in the third period, Austin Schmitt punted after a three-and-out, but Hart was able to recover a muff from the Raytown returner to set up Grain Valley at the Raytown 25. Grain Valley kicker Austin Schmitt later made a 36-yard field goal to put his team up 10-9 with 11:21 left. The Eagles lost the lead after Gary’s 77-yard TD run at the 11:01 mark in the fourth before Larson’s, Hart’s and the defense’s heroics unfolded. On a final drive in regulation that started at the Grain Valley 45-yard line, quarterback Caleb Larson connected on 5 of 7 of his passes, with the biggest one coming on a 11-yard strike to junior wide receiver Keagan Hart with no time remaining to tie the game at 17-all sending it to overtime. Photo credit: John Overstreet Junior wide receiver Keagan Hart celebrates a last second score. Photo credit: John Overstreet Scenes from the District Championship game. Photo credit: John Overstreet Today, the Jackson County Legislature voted 5-4 to rescind the mask mandate for Jackson County, effective immediately.
In a press release, Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. expressed his disappointment in the vote. “From the very beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, I have committed myself to empowering and supporting public health officials and medical experts. This morning, Jackson County’s public health officials, citing CDC guidance, recommended that our universal masking requirements remain in place due to our high level of community transmission. I supported their recommendation because I trust them to keep us safe and I believe science and facts matter,” White said. “Unfortunately, a majority of the legislature voted to rescind the county’s masking requirement for everyone, including our school children. I would encourage all residents of Jackson County to do everything they can to protect themselves and each other.” In an email this afternoon, Grain Valley Schools stated they would revert to previously adopted protocols. Essentially, mask use is strongly recommended, yet optional, in schools and facilities. Students will continue to be required to wear a mask when on a school bus. During its November 8th board meeting, the Board of Aldermen approved an ordinance calling an election in the City of Grain Valley on April 5, 2022.
The first day for candidates to file for the general municipal election will be Tuesday, December 7th beginning at 8:00am and the last day for candidate filing will be Tuesday, December 28th at 5:00pm. Candidates date and time of filing will be recorded and shall appear on the ballot in that order. In addition to a potential bond issue for a proposed police building, residents will vote for Mayor, and aldermen positions in each of the City’s three wards. Mayor Chuck Johnston stated he planned to run for re-election, highlighting the work completed during his first term and goals for another term. “I look forward to continuing the street improvements we have already completed. We have made great strides in the year and a half I have been in office and I don't want to see a step backwards in the future,” Johnston said. “I also look forward for plans to build a new Police Station and renovate the current City Hall. We have continued our commercial growth and I want to continue our efforts going forward.” Former mayor Michael Todd stated he has not ruled out a run for another term. In Ward I, Jayci Stratton’s term expires in April 2022. Stratton stated she is undecided at this point regarding her plans to run for another term. In Ward II, Rick Knox stated he planned to run again. “I would like to see the new police station through,” Knox said. In Ward III, Bob Headley’s term expires in April. Headley did not reply to a request for comment regarding his plans by deadline. The next regularly scheduled board meeting will be held November 22nd at 7:00pm at City Hall. Your magical 4.5 mile bike ride through the hundreds of lighted, animated displays at Jackson County's Christmas in the Park begins on Sunday, November 21st from 6:00pm – 7:00pm at the Frank White, Jr., Softball Complex, continues along County Park Road and through Christmas in the Park.
For the safety of all, there will not be a pre-gathering area or announcements before the event. Riders may simply park in the Lee's Summit Community Center parking lot and make their way onto the course. Adult cyclist ride at 6:00pm; families with children ride at 6:15pm. The route is dark and hilly, and may not be suitable for children under the age of 10. by Michael Smith Grain Valley head football coach David Allie noted that it’s hard to beat a team twice.
That’s exactly what his team will have to do if they want to advance to the Class 5 quarterfinals for the second consecutive year as the Eagles will take on Raytown in the District 7 final at 7 p.m. Friday at Moody Murray Memorial Field. “It’s going to be a war,” Allie said. “Both teams are going to go after each other. We got them in the regular season, and they are going to have that in the back of their minds. This will be the fourth time we’ve played each other in two years. We are familiar with each other.” Grain Valley comes into the contest with a 7-3 record as it dispatched of Sedalia Smith-Cotton 47-3 in the semifinals last week. The Blue Jays defeated Belton in the other semifinal 52-23 to set up the matchup. The offense has been solid overall for the Eagles as they have averaged 24.9 points per game. Their defense has been the bread and butter of the team and has been a big part of the team’s successful season, holding opponents to just 17.3 points per game. For Raytown, the offense has been explosive for the most part, averaging 34.3 points per game. Like Grain Valley, its defense has also been very good, limiting opponents to 16.1 points per contest. The Blue Jays second lowest point total of the season came against Grain Valley in a 21-14 loss at Moody Murray Memorial Field. In that one, Grain Valley held Raytown to just 219 yards of total offense and forced one turnover. Quarterback Nate Whitebear leads the offense for Raytown. He is a mobile quarterback who can also throw the ball well. Against the Eagles, he completed 12 of 22 passes for 105 yards and a touchdown. He’s a dual threat that will make the Grain Valley defense have to account for him in the running game. Running back Zhamari Gary has been really good for Raytown. Against Belton, he exploded for 300 yards on 24 carries and had five touchdowns. Against Grain Valley, he was limited to just 65 yards on 25 carries. He’s someone the Eagles will have to focus on stopping, but as well as they have played on that side of the ball this season, they seem more than capable. “They are really good athletes and they are a run heavy team,” Grain Valley senior cornerback Tristin Pouncil said. “We know how they like to play and we have a gameplan.” Added Allie: “(Gary) is a dude. He runs the ball hard and he’s fast. He’s a physical kid and he can get you with his speed. We have to stop the run and that will be a monumental task to stop (Gary and Whitebear).” Pouncil has been a key player for Grain Valley and likes taking on the challenge of covering the other team’s best receiver. On Friday, he will match up often with Raytown’s No. 1 receiver Jordyn Robinson. “I personally love matchups like that,” Pouncil said. “I like going against the best receiver. I just want to prove I am better than you. I have to let my game talk.” On offense, Allie said it will be important to get the run game going, which is led by quarterback Caleb Larson, who has thrived in running run-pass option plays. Raytown is a team with a lot of speed on defense, so running downhill will be pivotal for the Eagles. “Raytown is very quick laterally, so we won’t have many opportunities to move east to west,” Grain Valley sophomore wide receiver Anthony Greco said. “We have to get vertical almost every play.” “Their secondary is really solid and their linemen are good, too. They are physical and they don’t have very many weak spots. We have to play physically and fast.” “The Blue Jays have some size up front,” Allie said. That will present a challenge for an Eagles offensive line that has been hampered by injuries for most of the season. “Our offense has been consistent, especially more recently,” Allie said. “We’ve been able to sustain drives and keep our defense off the field. Our offensive line has had some challenges with some injuries. The coaching staff has done a good job getting those kids in the right position. We haven’t had our starting offensive line four the last four to five weeks.” The winner of the district will advance to the quarterfinals to play the winner of Fort Osage and Platte County. “Those are two teams that we have a lot of history with,” Allie said. “Playing either one of those teams would be great. We have to take care of business Friday.” |
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