Magical things happen when a group of dedicated nonprofits come together to address an issue like underemployment in our Eastern Jackson County communities. Last year, nearly 100 people improved their economic status by completing an in-demand certification program through the Truman Heartland Community Foundation Job Skills for New Careers initiative. Our strong partners in this initiative are crucial to its success. Community Services League is our lead partner in this work. 
     Building on their Bridges to Careers program, we have also engaged as partners the University of Central Missouri, Mid-Continent Public Library, and Kansas City Scholars. The EDCs of Independence and Lee’s Summit also support our work and provide employer connections.
     Our committed team of collaborative partners offers a uniquely personalized approach to adult education, helping adult learners develop competitive employment skills and overcome barriers to success. With their desire to create better lives for themselves and their families and quality training and exceptional wrap-around support, nearly 80 percent of last year’s Job Skills for New Careers graduates have remained employed in their field of study.
     Cost is often the #1 barrier for adults to get industry-recognized training, certifications, and higher education. Tuition costs can be more than $3,000, depending on the course of study. But building one’s personal assets through training is also the #1 way to get ahead and build personal wealth and savings. Tuition assistance was made available by KC Scholars, while the University of Central Missouri, Metropolitan Community Colleges, and other providers offer high-quality, industry-recognized education. Job Skills for New Careers provides adult students an affordable way to open doors to new and exciting career options.
     In 2022, 38 generous THCF fundholders made grants from their Donor Advised Fund at the foundation to our Job Skills for New Careers Initiative so we can provide more than $200,000 to Community Services League for both tuition payments and wrap-around services. When you are living paycheck to paycheck, it’s a challenge to put life on hold to acquire additional skills when you are trying to keep your family housed and fed.
     Wrap-around services provided by CSL include things like a gas card, auto repair, a rent or utility payment, or training supplies. They also include employment and financial coaching and a personal career assessment. The goal is to work with each person’s unique situation and remove barriers to successfully completing the training. THCF support made possible by our fundholders is by design flexible and not restricted to any one aspect of the program. And because the personal support doesn’t end with graduation, our Job Skills students have a better chance of remaining employed in their chosen field.
     Job Skills for New Careers offers professional certifications in Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), Medical Coding and Billing, Phlebotomy, Warehouse Materials Handling, Forklift Operations, and Welding. The key to the program is to offer coursework in areas of high demand, stackable certifications so people can continue to improve their skills, and a living wage of at least $16 an hour to start. The idea is to help people get into good-paying jobs that will create a more financially stable future for themselves and their families.
     A recent graduate of the program, LaToya Surry, shared with us “All my life growing up, I watched my mom work as a phlebotomist, and I always dreamed of becoming one too. I didn’t have the funds … and my life has had a lot of bumps in the road. But now, at the age of 41, I’m ready to make my dreams come true … I want to show my children that you’re never too old to go back to school and follow your dreams. Now that I am a Phlebotomist, I got a job working at Community Blood Center; I make much more than I ever have in a warehouse job”. LaToya’s story is familiar among the Job Skills grads—they dream of something more for themselves and their family, and Job Skills for New Careers helps them turn their dreams into reality.
      I would be happy to share more about what we are accomplishing if you want to reach out to me at hanson@thcf.org. If you are an employer or employment partner, please reach out to Adam Kisler, Vice-President of Career Services at Community Services League (kislera@cslcares.org). You can also visit www.cslcares.org/newskills for more information, to register for services, or to see when the next classes start.   

     Missouri non-farm payroll employment decreased by 5,700 jobs from July 2022 to August 2022, and the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained unchanged at 2.5 percent. Private industry employment decreased by 3,800 jobs and government employment decreased by 1,900 jobs. The state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 2.5 percent in August 2022, remaining unchanged from July 2022. Over the year, there was an increase of 55,600 jobs from August 2021 to August 2022, and the unemployment rate decreased by 1.6 percentage points, from 4.1 percent in August 2021 to 2.5 percent in August 2022.       
     While the data is preliminary and subject to revision, the preliminary August 2022 unemployment rate of 2.5 percent is the lowest recorded seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Missouri since the data series began in 1976. This matches the previous low of 2.5 percent in July 2022. There was a decrease of more than 4,100 in the civilian labor force, with both the number of employed and the number of unemployed down over the month. The labor force participation rate and employment-to-population ratios declined by one-tenth of a percentage point each as well.

UNEMPLOYMENT       
     Missouri's smoothed seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was unchanged in August 2022 at 2.5 percent. The August 2022 rate was 1.6 percent lower than the August 2021 rate of 4.1 percent. The estimated number of unemployed Missourians was 76,134 in August 2022, down by 1,789 from July. 
     The national unemployment rate increased from 3.5 in July 2022 to 3.7 in August 2022. Missouri's unemployment rate has been at or below the national rate for the last five years.        
The state's not-seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate increased in August 2022, rising by one-tenth of a percentage point to 3.0 percent from the July 2022 not-seasonally-adjusted rate of 2.9 percent. A year ago, the not-seasonally-adjusted rate was 4.4 percent. The corresponding not-seasonally-adjusted national rate for August 2022 was 3.8 percent.        
     Missouri's labor force participation rate was 62.4 percent in August 2022, down one-tenth of a percentage point compared to July, and tied with the national rate. Missouri's employment-population ratio was 60.8 percent in August 2022, down one-tenth of a percentage point from July, and seven-tenths of a percentage point higher than the national rate of 60.1 percent.   

EMPLOYMENT      
     Missouri's non-farm payroll employment was 2,922,200 in August 2022, down by 5,700 from the revised July 2022 figure. The July 2022 total was revised upward from the preliminary estimate with an increase of 700 jobs.        
     Goods-producing industries decreased by 2,600 jobs over the month, with manufacturing losing 1,200 jobs and mining, logging, & construction losing 1,400 jobs. Private service-providing industries decreased by 1,200 jobs between July 2022 and August 2022. Employment in private service-providing industries decreased in leisure & hospitality (-1,700 jobs); other services (-1,600 jobs); information (-600 jobs); professional & business services (-200 jobs); and financial activities (-100 jobs). Employment increased in educational & health services (1,900 jobs) and trade, transportation, & utilities (1,100 jobs).  Government employment decreased by 1,900 jobs over the month with losses in local government (-2,000 jobs) and federal government (-300 jobs).        
     Over the year, total payroll employment increased by 55,600 jobs from August 2021 to August 2022. The major private-sector industry groups that shared in the increase were professional & business services (20,600 jobs); leisure & hospitality (11,100 jobs); mining, logging, & construction (7,800 jobs); other services (5,600 jobs); educational & health services (4,100 jobs); manufacturing (4,000 jobs); trade, transportation, & utilities (3,700 jobs); and information (100 jobs). Employment decreased in financial activities (-2,200 jobs). Government employment increased over the year, with a gain of 800 jobs. The largest governmental employment increase was in state government (2,200 jobs) and local government (1,300 jobs). Employment decreased over the year in federal government (-2,700 jobs).

     Matthew Killday, of Grain Valley, has been appointed to serve as chief marketing officer for Park University, effective Sept. 1.
     In his role as CMO, Killday will provide leadership in developing, presenting, achieving and monitoring the University’s strategic enrollment plan, and implementing a comprehensive, integrated marketing approach in support of enrollment goals. He will have direct oversight of the University’s digital and brand marketing functions, as well as virtual enrollment and customer relations management.
     Killday comes to Park University after serving as managing director at Thruline Marketing in Lenexa, Kan., since May 2018, and as chief operating officer for Premier Nursing Academy, which Thruline acquired in 2019. Killday also spent nearly eight years at Pinnacle Career Institute in Kansas City, Mo., in a variety of roles, including two years as its president and chief operating officer. In addition, he served as assistant director of admissions at DeVry University for five-plus years.
     Killday, a resident of Grain Valley, earned a Master of Business Administration degree from DeVry’s Keller Graduate School of Management and a Bachelor of Science degree in hotel/restaurant management from the University of Central Missouri.

Technology is definitely a blessing when you're traveling during the summer months.  How else would you be able to share those family vacation photos on social media, pull up your trip itinerary, and save all of those memories to the cloud? Along with the perks of technology, you need to make sure you're keeping your devices safe, connected to the internet, and your information secure. Fortunately for you, there are several great ways to minimize your risks and stay safe and secure during summer travel. Check out these quick and easy tips to reduce the tech stress in your life when you're traveling.

1. Before You Travel, make sure your data is backed up regularly, remotely, and redundantly. You never know what dangers your tech devices can face when you're on the road which is why you need to make sure you have automatic backups of all of your devices.  Doesn't matter if you own a laptop, tablet, or smartphone it should perform a backup every time you turn it on and connect to the Internet. If you own a MacBook, iPhone, or iPad you need to enable (and pay for) iCloud backup to save your data.  If you're an Android smartphone or tablet user, use (and pay for) Google Drive.  If you have a Windows laptop computer, purchase and use Carbonite for automatic backups.  If you own a Macbook, you should consider this an option because iCloud will only backup documents created by Apple.  This means if you use Office 365, your stuff won't be saved to the cloud.

2. Activate two-step verification on all accounts before you travel.  Two-step or two-factor authentication works by making your online accounts have two ways of verifying you are who you say you are.  If you log into a website or online account with your password, you will get a notification via email or text verifying you're the account holder.  This way, if criminals get your password, they can't just log into your accounts.  Without that 2nd form of verification, it's a dead-end for online crooks.

3. Enable 'find my device' to track your tech.  When my family and I were in Chicago last winter, I left my iPhone behind at a restaurant.  When our Uber was a short distance away, I got an alert on my Apple Watch that my iPhone was still at the restaurant.  Luckily, I was able to retrieve my iPhone, but this scenario happens to many people every year when they travel.  All tech devices have a 'find my device' feature that allows you to be alerted when your devices are misplaced or if a device is stolen.  This feature users GPS location services and can locate your device within a few feet.  If you value your tech, turn this feature on before you drive or fly to your vacation destination.

4. Extend your battery life with a reliable portable charger.  You never know if you will be near a power supply when on the road or in the air, so make sure you carry a portable charger.  Most are small enough to fit in your pocket and can charge most devices to at least half a charge.  You know how important power is if you need to make a call or look up something on the internet.

5. Only use secure, password-protected Wi-Fi connections. Not all wifi connections are bad, but you should take caution if you have to connect to one.  If you have to use public Wi-Fi, make sure it’s only for general web browsing. You never want to use one to transmit important data, log in to financial accounts, or access shared cloud drives. If you need to access more secure information, use your personal hotspot on your mobile device or virtual private network (VPN) on your devices to add a second layer of security to your Internet connection.

6. Keep your important travel documents in the cloud. This is by no means a way of backing up your documents, but you need to add this to the list of tasks that should be completed before you leave town for summer vacation or board a plane for a work trip. so you can have peace of mind everything you need is at your fingertips. Your documents can be stored in free versions of popular cloud providers like Dropbox, Google, and Microsoft. This means if you lose a device, you still have access to all of your data.

I hope you can use these tips to help you stay safe, connected, and secure when you travel. If you need further assistance, please reach out to me with any questions you might have. I am always happy to help!


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Want to ask me a tech question? Send it to burton@burtonkelso.com. I love technology. I've read all of the manuals and I'm serious about making technology fun and easy to use for everyone. 

Need computer repair services for your home or business?  If you need on-site or remote tech support for your Windows\Macintosh, computers, laptops, Android/Apple smartphone, tablets, printers, routers, smart home devices, and anything that connects to the Internet, please feel free to contact my team at Integral. Our team of friendly tech experts organization can help you with any IT needs you might have.  Reach out to us a www.callintegralnow.com or phone at 888.256.0829. ​

     We all know someone who is an amazing citizen—someone who serves on civic boards and planning committees, volunteers for special projects on evenings and weekends, and uses their position to make big changes in communities throughout the region. It’s not often that these community rock stars are recognized. Many prefer just to do their work quietly in the background, making their mark without any accolades or admiration. But Truman Heartland Community Foundation (THCF) deeply admires the efforts of these amazing citizens, and we strive to sing their praises throughout Eastern Jackson County and beyond.
      I am pleased to present this year’s Citizen of the Year honorees. Area Mayors have selected a slate of impressive individuals to receive this prestigious award, individuals who have made a significant impact on their local communities. Honorees will be recognized at the 27th Annual Toast to Our Towns Gala, presented by Blue Ridge Bank and Trust Company, on Saturday, September 24, 2022, at the Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center. Although their areas of impact are varied, all the Citizens of the Year are united by a common goal, improving and enriching their local communities.
 
2022 Truman Heartland Citizens of the Year

Keith Hannaman
Blue Springs – Nominated by Mayor Carson Ross
     Keith is a retired schoolteacher who spent 40 years in education working for the Kansas City and Blue Springs School Districts. Keith’s work with the Blue Springs School District (BSSD), Blue Springs Parks and Recreation, students, the community, and the Missouri Department of Conservation helped to establish an Outdoor Classroom in Wilbur Young Park, complete with a stocked fishing pond. Various student-driven projects resulted in him being awarded the Presidential Environmental Youth Award from the EPA. In 2017, Keith was part of the committee which developed the first Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan and worked to pass the five-year dedicated Parks Sales Tax successfully. Keith has been on the Blue Springs Park Commission for 19 years and is currently the commission’s Chair.
 
Bob Headley
Grain Valley – Nominated by Mayor Mike Todd
     Robert (Bob) Headley selflessly served the City of Grain Valley in many volunteer capacities over his sixteen years as an elected official. His time as an Alderman for Ward 3 consisted of eight terms ending in April 2022. He was part of the board that steered and provided input that pushed the I-70 interchange project to completion, including securing funding for nearly $20 million in improvements. In 2022, before his final term expired, a $14 million bond issue for a new Police Station was approved, which was ultimately approved by voters. Bob believed in growth and preparing the city for future needs. Bob has been a big proponent of Parks and Recreation and has served as the Parks Board liaison for the Board of Aldermen for numerous years. Bob’s presence and thoughtful decisions will forever be a part of Grain Valley’s story.
 
Karen DeLuccie (posthumous)
Independence – Nominated by Mayor Rory Rowland
     Karen graduated in 1982 from the Juris Doctorate program at the University of Missouri–Kansas City and would later return as an adjunct professor at the UMKC School of Law. Karen spent her 40-year legal career on The Independence Square, practicing law as a Family Law specialist. She was a member and past president of the Eastern Jackson County Bar Association, a fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, and co-founder of the Independence Youth Court. As an AV-rated lawyer, Karen was a mentor to numerous young lawyers. Perhaps the greatest achievement of her legal career occurred when she helped author and pass the law that created the Family Court of Missouri, signed by then-Governor Mel Carnahan. The law completely transformed the Family Law Court system for the benefit of all parties by streamlining divorce and child custody cases. Karen also served 17 years on the City of Independence Planning Commission before her election to the City Council. She was a member of the Independence Square Tax Board, a trustee of Gold Bank, and the Advanced Reading Program director for eight years at her children’s school. Those who knew Karen know that every day with her was a true gift. 
 
Jayme Dean
Lake Tapawingo – Nominated by John Sellars
     Jayme Dean has lived a life of service. In addition to being an elementary school teacher, Jayme, and her husband, David, are foster parents. She volunteers at her church, Harvesters Food Bank, and has served five years as the President of the Lake Tapawingo Country Club (LTCC) Board of Directors. Other service to the City of Lake Tapawingo includes serving on the Board of Aldermen, Strategic Planning Committee, Election and Nomination Committee, Municipal Committee, Budget Committee, Lake Dredging Committee, and volunteering at numerous functions. Jayme was also named teacher of the year at Southwind Elementary School in the Raytown School District.
 
Dr. Elaine Metcalf
Lee’s Summit – Nominated by Mayor Bill Baird
     Dr. Elaine Metcalf deserves recognition for her work educating, supporting, and mentoring the youth in the Lee’s Summit community.  She has dedicated more than 34 years to inspiring and educating youth in the City of Lee’s Summit. After retiring from teaching, Elaine joined the Pro Deo Youth Center as executive director, continuing to create opportunities and positive outcomes for youth. She spends her free time volunteering for various organizations in Lee’s Summit, including the Sunrise Sunset Rotary Club, where she serves as president, and the Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce. When so many teens find themselves disconnected, Elaine is stepping up to provide a safe, healthy environment where teens are encouraged to be their best selves.
 
The Fidler Family
Oak Grove – Nominated by Mayor Dana Webb
     The Fidler family has positively impacted the Oak Grove community in many ways. At four separate locations in Oak Grove, the family has taken abandoned and derelict buildings and transformed them into thriving businesses that bolster the local economy. Fidler on the Roof, The Den, and Diakonos Counseling are Fidler family businesses. The family happily participates in the National Night Out each year, provides event sponsorships and other charitable donations, and are members of the Oak Grove Chamber of Commerce. Currently, they are working with the city to develop Trade Days for local youth to encourage young people to learn more about a career in the skilled trades as an alternative to a traditional college or university education.  
 
Dr. Allan Markley
Raytown – Nominated by Mayor Mike McDonough
     Dr. Allan Markley has been the Superintendent of Raytown C-2 School District for 14 years. Because of his belief that education starts early in children’s lives, he established Three Trails Preschool, open to all district children, ages 4-5. Allan headed the development of a community wellness center, led two bond campaigns for district-wide improvements, and was named the 2018 recipient of The Missouri Association of School Administrators Robert L. Award. He has led many educational groups in the Greater Kansas City area, most recently as Chair of the Board of the Greater KC Suburban Conference and Missouri Securities Investment Program. Allan has also been continually active in the Raytown Area Chamber of Commerce, Raytown Kiwanis, Raytown Rotary clubs (past president), and the Raytown Educational Foundation.
 
Jeff Shawhan
Sugar Creek – Nominated by Mayor Mike Larson
     Jeff Shawhan is the type of business leader anyone would want on their team. Jeff was instrumental in designing the metal canopy roof for the Mike Onka Hall and proposed a design for the Sugar Creek Welcome Center. From the restoration of the facilities at Harris Park to a new gazebo design for Wells Park to replace the old traffic circle, Jeff uses his time and energy to make Sugar Creek a better place for everyone. He is passionate about community development, serving as Vice President of the Sugar Creek CDC and an active member of the economic development subcommittee. He is one of the brilliant minds on the CDC team developing the Sugar Creek Master Plan.
 
      These days when we only seem to hear bad news, we encourage everyone to take a moment and celebrate these Citizen’s passionate dedication to the towns they love. Please join us at the Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center on September 24 to honor all our outstanding honorees during our annual celebration of philanthropy.
 
     The 2022 Toast to Our Towns Cocktail Reception Sponsor is Truckmovers, and Community America Credit Union is the sponsor of the Mix, Mingle, and Music after party. Centerpoint is the sponsor of the private Citizen’s Reception which will take place a few weeks before the gala at the Swan Dive at Vivilore. Table sponsorships and individual tickets are still available for this year’s Toast to Our Towns gala. Last year we sold out two weeks before the event, so get your tickets now before they’re gone! www.thcf.org/toast-to-our-towns-gala or 816.836.8189. 

     The Missouri Rural Water Association (MRWA) Apprenticeship Program is proud to recognize that Zachary Rios with Tri-County Water Authority has successfully completed all requirements to become a Journeyman Water Systems Operation Specialist. The MRWA Apprenticeship Program is a 2-year utility-based curriculum this is registered with the Department of Labor.  The Apprenticeship Graduation was held on Friday, August 12, 2022, in Lebanon, MO. 
     A large crowd was on hand including family and friends to witness the accomplishments that concluded with awards given by the US Department of Labor (US DOL) Apprenticeship and Training Representative Tracy Laughery, along with Dave Waller MRWA President, Howard Baker MRWA Executive Director, Billy Everett MRWA Apprenticeship Coordinator and Donald Jones MRWA Apprenticeship Trainer. 

     The Missouri Rural Water Association (MRWA) Apprenticeship Program is proud to recognize that Alejandro Montoya with Tri-County Water Authority has successfully completed all requirements to become a Journeyman Water Systems Operation Specialist. The MRWA Apprenticeship Program is a 2-year utility-based curriculum this is registered with the Department of Labor. 
​     The Apprenticeship Graduation was held on Friday, August 12, 2022, in Lebanon, MO.  A large crowd was on hand including family and friends to witness the accomplishments that concluded with awards given by the US Department of Labor (US DOL) Apprenticeship and Training Representative Tracy Laughery, along with Dave Waller MRWA President, Howard Baker MRWA Executive Director, Billy Everett MRWA Apprenticeship Coordinator and Donald Jones MRWA Apprenticeship Trainer. 

     Missouri non-farm payroll employment increased by 24,800 jobs from June 2022 to July 2022, and the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased by three-tenths of a percentage point. Private industry employment increased by 10,500 jobs and government employment increased by 14,300 jobs. The state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 2.5 percent in July 2022, down from 2.8 percent in June 2022.
     Over the year, there was an increase of 52,500 jobs from July 2021 to July 2022, and the unemployment rate decreased by 1.8 percentage points, from 4.3 percent in July 2021 to 2.5 percent in July 2022. While the data is preliminary and subject to revision, the preliminary July 2022 unemployment rate of 2.5 percent is the lowest recorded seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Missouri since the data series began in 1976. The previous low was 2.8 percent in June 2022. The decrease is due to a decline of more than 18,000 in the civilian labor force, with both the number of employed and the number of unemployed down over the month. The labor force participation rate and employment-to-population ratios declined as well.     
  
UNEMPLOYMENT       
     Missouri's smoothed seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased by three-tenths of a percentage point in July 2022, declining to 2.5 percent from the revised June 2022 rate of 2.8 percent. The July 2022 rate was 1.8 percent lower than the July 2021 rate. A year ago, the state's seasonally adjusted rate was 4.3 percent. The estimated number of unemployed Missourians was 77,925 in July 2022, down by 6,986 from June's 84,911.        
     The national unemployment rate decreased from 3.6 in June 2022 to 3.5 in July 2022. Missouri's unemployment rate has been at or below the national rate for the last five years.         
     The state's not-seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate increased in July 2022, rising by six-tenths of a percentage point to 2.9 percent from the June 2022 not-seasonally-adjusted rate of 2.3 percent. A year ago, the not-seasonally-adjusted rate was 4.5 percent. The corresponding not-seasonally-adjusted national rate for July 2022 was 3.8 percent.        
     Missouri's labor force participation rate was 62.5 percent in July 2022, down 0.5 points compared to June, but four-tenths of a percentage point higher than the national rate of 62.1 percent. Missouri's employment-population ratio was 60.9 percent in July 2022, down from 61.2 percent in June, and nine-tenths of a percentage point higher than the national rate of 60.0 percent. Missouri's unemployment rate was 2.5 percent in July 2022, one percent lower than the national rate of 3.5 percent. Missouri's unemployment rate has been at or below the national rate for the last five years.       
​
EMPLOYMENT      
     Missouri's non-farm payroll employment was 2,927,200 in July 2022, up by 24,800 from the revised June 2022 figure. The June 2022 total was revised downward from the preliminary estimate by 2,000 jobs.       
     Goods-producing industries increased by 4,900 jobs over the month, with manufacturing gaining 3,600 jobs while mining, logging, and construction gained 1,300 jobs. Private service-providing industries increased by 5,600 jobs between June 2022 and July 2022. Employment in private service-providing industries increased in leisure and hospitality (3,400 jobs); professional and business services (2,200 jobs); other services (2,200 jobs); and trade, transportation, and utilities (600 jobs).  Employment decreased in educational and health services (-1,700 jobs); financial activities (-1,000 jobs); and information (-100 jobs).  Government employment increased by 14,300 jobs over the month with gains in local government (14,800 jobs) and federal government (400 jobs).       
    Over the year, total payroll employment increased by 52,500 jobs from July 2021 to July 2022. The  largest gain was in professional and business services (20,400 jobs); followed by leisure and hospitality (12,500 jobs); mining, logging, and construction (8,500 jobs); other services (6,600 jobs); manufacturing (6,000 jobs); trade, transportation, and utilities (2,300 jobs); and information (300 jobs). Employment decreased in financial activities (-1,900 jobs) and educational and health services (-1,500 jobs).  Government employment decreased over the year, with a loss of 700 jobs. The largest governmental employment decrease was in federal government (-1,900 jobs). Employment increased over the year in state government (1,000 jobs) and local government (200 jobs).
     Read the full report at https://meric.mo.gov/missouri-monthly-jobs-report. 

     With summer in full swing, it’s time to break out the hats and sunscreen to prepare ourselves for scorching temperatures. And make sure you don't forget your favorite tech devices… they need protection from the heat too!
     The summer heat can cause damage to your mobile devices when left out in the sun. Don't worry! Your favorite tech expert is here to drop some knowledge and help you prevent your smart devices from melting down. Check out these quick and easy tips to help keep your devices cooler in the summer heat.
 
1. Know the "safe range" for temperatures.
     Most tech devices are good to go in temperatures of 50° to 90°. Anything warmer than this is asking for trouble. Laptop, smartphone, and tablet batteries are notoriously not heat-friendly and the components of your delicate hard drive or internal storage might expand—sometimes causing permanent damage which puts you at risk of losing documents, photos, and music stored on your devices.
 
2. NEVER leave your tech devices in a hot car.
     Treat your tech like a baby and don't ever leave it in a warm car—not even in the trunk. The temperatures in your car on a warm day are almost always going to reach outside the safe range of your device. If you must leave your tech in a car, make sure it's been turned off completely.
 
3. Avoid high humidity. 
     Many laptops, tablets, and smartphones can experience electrical problems when the humidity is very high. Don't work outside with your device on days like this, or you could fry it.
 
4. Stay out of direct sun, if you can.
     Yes, heat usually comes with lots of direct sunlight. We've heard all the urban legends about your device's screen becoming damaged from sun exposure, but we can't find anything to support it. Either way, it's better to be safe than sorry.
 
5. Don't put your devices on ice if they start to overheat.
     If your smartphone, tablet, or laptop starts to show signs of overheating, place it under the shade to gradually cool off. Remember, do not put your device in the refrigerator or freezer; the rapid temperature change can cause condensation buildup that could damage the circuit.

     I hope you can use these tips to help you stay safe when you're using your devices this summer. If you need further assistance, please reach out to me with any questions you might have. I am always happy to help!


Want to ask me a tech question? Send it to burton@burtonkelso.com. I love technology. I've read all of the manuals and I'm serious about making technology fun and easy to use for everyone. 

Need computer or technology help? If you need on-site or remote tech support for your Windows\Macintosh, computers, laptops, Android/Apple smartphone, tablets, printers, routers, smart home devices, and anything that connects to the Internet, please feel free to contact my team at Integral. Our team of friendly tech experts organization can help you with any IT needs you might have.  Reach out to us a www.callintegralnow.com or phone at 888.256.0829. 

     Nominations are now open for the inaugural Best of Grain Valley contest.

Submit your nominations August 4th - August 11th at 5:00pm.

     Any business located within the Grain Valley School District boundaries may be nominated (brick & mortar or online businesses/organizations qualify. Sellers of MLM related products will not be considered). Self-nominations are welcome and encouraged. There is no cost to nominate or vote. 

     The top three nominees in each category will be presented for voting by Valley News readers from August 12th – August 18th at 5pm. A minimum of two nominees must be received for a category to proceed to voting.

Winners will be announced August 19th.

Winning businesses/individuals will be presented with a certificate, listed in an online and print Best of Grain Valley directory, and provided promotional tools and discounted advertising opportunities. ​