Residents may dispose of unwanted items and household hazardous waste during the City Wide Clean Up event and Jackson County's Household Hazardous Waste mobile event, both scheduled for Saturday, June 3rd.

On Saturday, June 3rd, the City of Grain Valley will be hosting a City-Wide Clean Up Event from 8:00am - 2:00pm at the Public Works Facility on James Rollo Drive.
Grain Valley residents may drop off:
- Mattresses
- Old/unwanted furniture
- Metal
- Lawn Mowers (all fluids must be drained)
- Home decor
- Mirrors
- Scrap wood & similar items
All loose items must be bagged up.

Residents may also drop off household hazardous waste at a separate event hosted from 8:00am - Noon (or until trucks are full) on Saturday, June 3rd at Jackson County Public Works, 34900 E. Old Highway 40. 

For more information on the Household Hazardous Waste event and items accepted, visit Household Hazardous Waste Mobile Collection – Eastern Jackson County – RecycleSpot. 

by Cole Arndorfer


After serving nearly 25 years with the Independence Police Department, Ed Turner returned to Grain Valley at the end of February to serve as the new Chief of Police.

Turner got his start in law enforcement as an officer at the Grain Valley Police Department in 1995.

“For me, I felt like it was a calling,” Turner said of the law enforcement field. “I found myself in situations growing up, trying to keep the peace between friends in different situations. I didn’t even know I was doing it at the time but eventually I was drawn to the work after having exposure to it.”

After a couple years in Grain Valley, Turner took a job with the Independence Police Department. While in Independence, Turner gained a wide variety of knowledge of many different aspects of the department from administrative management and community outreach to hands on police work.

While with the Independence Police Department, Turner worked his way up to the rank of Major. In this role, he established various community groups that were able to communicate with him any time they needed to help keep up a positive connection with the community.

As Turner got more involved with the community, he found himself being drawn more and more to the community interaction aspect than the tactical side of police work.

In Turner’s eyes, he believes that having a relationship with the community is one of the most important functions of police work.

“The baseline for policing is having a relationship to build on with the community,” said Turner. “We’re not able to accomplish much of anything without the community trusting us, feeling like they can reach out to us, and connecting with us.”

Some of his biggest accomplishments as a law enforcement officer has been building strong relationships with those who did not have a favorable view of police or had bad experiences with them. Turner says that he welcomes those people with unfavorable thoughts and views so he can grow, learn, and understand where they might be coming from.

Grain Valley is a unique place, according to Turner. He said though Grain Valley is a quickly growing city, it still has a small-town feel. With the city being a suburb of Kansas City and situated right along I-70, Turner said the department not only handles the normal smaller occurrences that are to be expected but also some situations that one would expect in a bigger city.

Chief Turner said that one of his biggest goals is to partner with the community members and different groups in order to create an open dialogue and focus on community-oriented policing to help foster a safe and welcoming community. Another one of his goals is to use technology to improve their ability to solve problems in the city. Turner said that departments across the state and country are increasing their uses of technology in order increase their effectiveness in the communities they serve and that Grain Valley is going to follow that trend.

Chief Turner expressed gratitude over his role as Chief of Police and said that he feels blessed that he is able to serve the Grain Valley community once again.

“It’s a great community, a great school district, and there’s a lot of people that want to be here. When you have people desiring to be in a community, there’s an interest to be involved in it so I feel blessed,” Turner said.

by Cole Arndorfer, Staff Writer
 
The Board of Aldermen met on May 22nd for their regularly scheduled bi-weekly meeting. The meeting included approvals of six resolutions, approval of four bills to amend city code with the approval of the first reading of two more, as well as staff reports and a report from Mayor Todd.

In the resolutions portion of the meeting, the aldermen heard, and approved six resolutions. 

Resolution R23-37 was approved by the aldermen for the city administrator, Ken Murphy, to buy out the remaining balance on a skid loader the Public Works Division had on lease. Murphy said that the plan for Public Works had been to buy out the lease on the skid loader when the money was right and now is that time.

Resolution R23-38 was approved for Murphy to renew the annual software maintenance and support agreement with Brightly Software. This renews the contract with Brightly Software which has been used for asset management software and accurate recordkeeping by Public Works.

Resolution R23-39 was approved to reappoint Becky Gray to the Grain Valley Parks and Recreation Board for another three-year term.

Resolution R23-40 was approved to allow Murphy to enter into a contract with the Fagan Company for HVAC maintenance and services on city buildings and equipment.

Resolution R23-41 was approved to allow Murphy to enter into a contract with A&A Electrical Inc. to provide electrical services as needed on city buildings and equipment.

The final resolution was R23-42. It was approved to allow Murphy to enter into a contract with Summit General Contracting LLC for building maintenance as needed on city buildings.

Under ordinances, the aldermen heard and approved four bills to amend city code on their second reads.

Bill B23-15 was approved to authorize a grant from the Department of Transportation to construct a 10-foot-wide trail along Buckner-Tarsney Road from the Blue Branch Creek Trail north to Nelson Drive.

Bill B23-16 was approved to authorize a grant from the Department of Transportation to construct a 10-foot-wide trail along Eagles Parkway from the Blue Branch Creek Trail to Main Street/Buckner-Tarsney Road.

Bill B23-17 was approved to amend the 2023 budget in order to fulfill the requirements for the grants received by the city for the construction of the trails.

Bill B23-18 was approved to add stop sign locations to the Code of Ordinances. Community Development Director, Mark Trosen, said that the city will get to work adding those stop signs as quickly as they can.

Two other bills were heard by the aldermen and approved to come back for a second read.

Bill B23-19 was approved to be brought back for a second read at the next scheduled meeting on the condition that the language was amended to allow for the agenda for aldermen meetings to be printed and posted on the bulletin board in City Hall. This bill is to add a chapter to the Code of Ordinances and set in stone practices already in place and being used by the city relating to Sunshine Laws and public records requests.

Bill B23-20 was approved to be brought back for a second read at the next scheduled meeting. This bill would annex property for Grain Valley Safety Storage LLC into the corporate limits of the city.

In staff reports, Community Development Director Mark Trosen, said that the city will be hosting the city-wide cleanout event from 8 am to 2 pm on June 3rd at the public works facility. Trosen also said the Public Works Division is also extending the pickup for senior residents on June 1st and 2nd.

Seniors must request this service before May 26th by contacting Public Works Assistant, Stefanie Ambrose, at 816-847-6274. The Household Hazardous Waste collection event will also occur on June 3rd at the Jackson County Public Works facility from 8 am to 12 pm.

Parks and Recreation Director Shannon Davies said, “park staff has been busy getting the Grain Valley Aquatic Center ready for opening,” and that the aquatic center will open Saturday, May 27th at 12 pm for the summer season.

Lastly, in the Mayor’s Report, Mayor Todd brought up concerns from businesses on Walnut Street such as Scout Coffee and Iron Courtyard that they were not getting the crowds from First Friday’s like expected. The aldermen approved an amendment to the First Fridays map to close down half a block of Walnut Street between the alleyway and Gregg Street to allow for a couple food trucks to be down that street and encourage crowds to flow that way.

Mayor Todd also brought up concerns over the City View publication, noting that many copies go unread which means that there may be better ways for the city to spend that money. After brainstorming ideas for how to change the ways of getting that information out, Mayor Todd and the aldermen settled on exploring the ideas of using postcards with QR codes that linked to an online version of the publication, podcasts, email subscriptions, and advertising in the publication for the future.
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The next Board of Aldermen meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 12th at 7 pm at City Hall. 

​     The Board of Aldermen met Monday, April 24th, certifying the results of the April election, installing recently elected aldermen, recognizing outgoing alderman Shea Bass and standout GVHS basketball player Grace Slaughter, and approving the first reading of several ordinances related to amendments to municipal code.
     Mayor Todd presented a proclamation to GVHS senior Grace Slaughter for her outstanding achievements on the basketball court and the classroom.
     Todd also presented a proclamation to outgoing aldermen Shea Bass for his four years of service to the board.
     Re-elected aldermen Tom Cleaver and Darren Mills and newly elected alderman Brian Bray took the oath of office.
     Under ordinances, the board approved the first reading of three ordinances related to amendments to municipal code including abuse of a child and endangering the welfare of a child.
     Police Chief Ed Turner said the recent passage of recreational marijuana in Missouri necessitates changes, as they have encountered cases of children exposed to the point that they had to seek medical care due to exposure.
     The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Aldermen will be held at 7:00pm on Monday, May 8th at City Hall.

     The May Senior Citizens Luncheon will be held Wednesday, May 3rd from 11:30am - 1:00pm at the Grain Valley Community Center, 713 Main Street. 
     The May menu includes fried chicken leg, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, biscuit, and strawberry poke cake. 
     Bingo follows each luncheon, starting at 1:00pm for $1/card.
     Please RSVP by calling 816-847-6230 or email to jroot@cityofgrainvalley.org. 

     The Board of Aldermen met briefly April 10th, approving resolutions related to employee benefits, emergency management, and authorizing the City to opt into the national settlements related to the opioid pandemic. 
     The Board voted to continue its participation in the Central Jackson County Emergency Management Agency (CJCEMA), which is a cooperative effort between the cities of Grain Valley, Blue Springs and Lake Tapawingo in conjunction with the Central Jackson County Fire Protection District. The budgeted cost is $14,333.
     The Board also approved a resolution to allow Food Truck Fridays on the first Fridays of May, June, July, and August. Trucks will be located in the Grain Valley First Baptist Church parking lot, as well as Front and Gregg streets. A few trucks will also be located along Main Street. 
     Fireworks permit requests for the Grain Valley Band Parent Association and Grain Valley Partnership were both approved.
     During aldermen and mayor comments, Alderman Skinner continued to push for additional school resource officers. Alderman Arnold mentioned that several districts provide their own security service rather than partnering with a police department.
     Skinner referenced events such as community fairs that require security and questioned why similar coverage in schools is not mandated.
     "We're going to put hundreds of kids who cannot defend themselves in a building and not require some sort of security for these kids," Skinner asked.
     Skinner pushed back on the school district's response to his concerns in previous reporting by Grain Valley News, in which the school stated they believed the three officers currently assigned provide adequate coverage. 
     "My constituents don't believe that three SRO's are adequate for our schools," Skinner said. "I think the city needs to lead on this issue."
     Skinner challenged the City to address the issue in the short term by allowing an increase in overtime to serve both the road and also serve as a deterrent at the schools. 
     The next scheduled board meeting will be held at City Hall on Monday, April 24th at 7:00pm. 

     August P. Gildehaus, a former Grain Valley police officer facing nine felony charges for sex acts with a juvenile, posted $20,000 bond on April 12th and is scheduled for an initial arraignment on April 20th. The conditions of the bond include GPS monitoring, no weapons, no contact with anyone under the age of 17, and no contact with the victim or victim's family.
    Gildehaus, DOB 2/17/1996, faces nine felony charges: Sodomy or Attempted Sodomy 1st Degree, Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, four counts of Statutory Sodomy 2nd Degree, and three counts of Statutory Rape 2nd Degree. Gildehaus is being represented by attorney John O'Connor of Wagstaff & Cartmell LLP. Judge Jeffrey Bushur has been assigned the case in Jackson County Circuit Court. 
     According to court records, on March 6, 2023, the Grain Valley Police Chief asked the Missouri Highway Patrol to investigate the allegations that a Grain Valley police officer had engaged in sex acts in 2022 and early 2023 with a juvenile. The day before, Grain Valley police officers were dispatched on a report of a juvenile (under the age of 17) who was missing. The missing teen returned home and informed parents of sexual activity with adult men. The victim identified one of the men as a police officer. When police detectives showed the victim the Grain Valley Police Department Facebook page, the victim identified the defendant. The Victim also identified during a forensic interview other identifying details of the defendant. Detectives reviewed the victim's diary and social media for evidence of the sexual activity of the defendant with the juvenile victim.
     The City of Grain Valley confirmed Gildehaus was employed by the department from March 21, 2022 - April 12, 2023.
     Reached for comment regarding the case on April 12th, the City of Grain Valley provided the following statement:
     "The Grain Valley Police Department holds our officers and civilian staff to the highest standards of ethics and integrity. We expect that the actions of our staff in their professional and personal lives do not discredit the public trust put in the agency. Our department was made aware of allegations involving a department member and we turned the investigation over to a separate and independent agency, the Missouri State Highway Patrol. We are thankful for their assistance in conducting a full and impartial investigation into the matter. We take any criminal activity seriously and therefore cooperated fully in the investigation. There are rules and processes in place through the Police Officers Bill of Rights that we have an obligation to follow to determine the status of an employee. The officer charged with the offenses has been placed on paid administrative leave. We are committed to the oaths of office for law enforcement officers as well as the standards the citizens of Grian Valley expect from our department. We recognize the alleged crime is sensitive in nature and acknowledge the pain this can bring to individual families as well as the community as a whole. As we embark on the future, we encourage the community to bring forth concerns as we enhance professionalism at the Grain Valley Police Department. Any further inquiries regarding this specific investigation should be directed to the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office."
     To view the charging documents, visit AGildehaus_redacted (jacksoncountyprosecutor.com). ​

(Updated 4/12/23 at 10:20am with City of Grain Valley statement. Headline clarified, removing "former" from the description of the officer as originally indicated in the Jackson County Prosecutor office's release. Per the City of Grain Valley, the officer is on paid administrative leave as required by the Police Officer Bill of Rights.)

     In an April 12th press release, the Jackson County Prosecutor's office announced that a Grain Valley police officer currently on paid administrative leave faces multiple felony charges after an investigation by the Missouri Highway Patrol found the officer had engaged in sex acts with a juvenile in Grain Valley.
     August P. Gildehaus, dob: 2/17/1996, faces nine felony charges: Sodomy or Attempted Sodomy 1st Degree, Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, four counts of Statutory Sodomy 2nd Degree, and three counts of Statutory Rape 2nd Degree.*
     According to court records, on March 6, 2023, the Grain Valley Police Chief asked the Missouri Highway Patrol to investigate the allegations that a Grain Valley police officer had engaged in sex acts in 2022 and early 2023 with a juvenile. The day before, Grain Valley police officers were dispatched on a report of a juvenile (under the age of 17) who was missing. The missing teen returned home and informed parents of sexual activity with adult men. The victim identified one of the men as a police officer. When police detectives showed the victim the Grain Valley Police Department Facebook page, the victim identified the defendant. The Victim also identified during a forensic interview other identifying details of the defendant. Detectives reviewed the victim's diary and social media for evidence of the sexual activity of the defendant with the juvenile victim.
     Reached for comment, the City of Grain Valley provided the following statement:
     "The Grain Valley Police Department holds our officers and civilian staff to the highest standards of ethics and integrity. We expect that the actions of our staff in their professional and personal lives do not discredit the public trust put in the agency. Our department was made aware of allegations involving a department member and we turned the investigation over to a separate and independent agency, the Missouri State Highway Patrol. We are thankful for their assistance in conducting a full and impartial investigation into the matter. We take any criminal activity seriously and therefore cooperated fully in the investigation. There are rules and processes in place through the Police Officers Bill of Rights that we have an obligation to follow to determine the status of an employee. The officer charged with the offenses has been placed on paid administrative leave. We are committed to the oaths of office for law enforcement officers as well as the standards the citizens of Grian Valley expect from our department. We recognize the alleged crime is sensitive in nature and acknowledge the pain this can bring to individual families as well as the community as a whole. As we embark on the future, we encourage the community to bring forth concerns as we enhance professionalism at the Grain Valley Police Department. Any further inquiries regarding this specific investigation should be directed to the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office."
     The investigation continues and additional reporting will be posted as it becomes available. 

     To view the charging documents, visit AGildehaus_redacted (jacksoncountyprosecutor.com). 

     With 14.6% of Jackson County voters heading to the polls, three new school board members, Lance Pollard, Sarah Swartz, and Julie Taylor, will replace current members Jeff Coleman, Tisha Homfeld, and Jan Reding. 
     Reached for comment Tuesday evening, Dr. Julie Taylor expressed her thanks to Grain Valley voters.
     "Thank you Grain Valley residents for your support throughout this election. I am humbled by all the ways you showed up to support me during this election. I have said how much I love this district, but today, I love it just a little more. Thank you for believing in what I stand for in supporting our students and staff. Thank you for believing in me. I will serve you well and make sure Grain Valley continues to be the amazing district I am proud to have taught for and now get the honor of representing. From the bottom of my heart…thank you," Taylor said.
     Additionally, the Grain Valley Schools bond issue passed with 70.84% of the vote. 
     The bond will allow the district to continue with Phase 6 of the GVHS Masterplan, which includes additions to the southwest corner of the existing building. This fieldhouse and student activities addition will include a new fieldhouse gymnasium that seats 2,000, renovation to the existing smaller gymnasium which will become the auxiliary gym, renovations to PE and varsity locker rooms, a new weight room, new student and activity entrance with student attendance office, and renovations to the existing commons/lunchroom.
     Work will begin late spring/early summer, with phase 6 expected to be completed in time for the start of school in August of 2024.
      In the Grain Valley Board of Aldermen race, Ward I Alderman Tom Cleaver retains his seat, defeating candidate Chuck Johnston. Uncontested candidates Darren Mills (Ward 2) and Brian Bray (Ward 3) were elected. Mills will begin his second term on the board; Bray will fill the seat currently held by Alderman Shea Bass.
     Sales tax measures to institute a 3% sales tax on recreational marijuana sales passed for both the city of Grain Valley and Jackson County. 

     Voters head to the polls Tuesday, April 4th. Polls are open from 6:00am - 7:00pm. For a sample ballot and polling place lookup, visit Jackson County Election Board ballot information and polling place lookup. 
     Grain Valley voters will vote on Board of Aldermen candidates in each of the City's three wards, and select three candidates out of seven candidates running to serve on the Grain Valley School Board.
     A bond issue to fund a new high school gymnasium and fieldhouse addition, and a $.03 sales tax on recreational marijuana will also be decided by voters.
     Voters are required to provide photo ID in order to vote (see JCEB graphic below). If you do not have a photo ID, a provisional ballot may be completed. 
     Visit our Voter Resources page for additional information. 

Prior reporting:

Board of Aldermen candidate Q&A 

Board of Education candidate Q&A

City, County both consider ballot measure to add sales tax on recreational marijuana

On the Ballot: School bond issue to fund new high school gymnasium/fieldhouse addition

Visit our News page and click on the "Elections" category in the sidebar or type a candidate name or issue in the search bar to view results. 
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April 4, 2023 Municipal Election
Jackson County Election Board sample ballot: Legal-Notice-of-Election-04.04.23-General-Municipal-Final.pdf (jcebmo.org)
Ballot and polling place information: Jackson County Election Board ballot information and polling place lookup