The Jackson County Legislature voted Monday, October 4th to extend the indoor mask mandate through November 6th.
     Ron Finley, Jalen Anderson, Crystal Williams, Tony Miller, Scott Burnett, and Charlie Franklin voted in favor; Jeanie Lauer and Teresa Galvin voted against. Legislator Dan Tarwater III was absent.
 

​     Four-legged friends and their owners are invited to gather for fun, games, and competition at Dogtober Fest 2021, Sunday, October 17th from 10:00am—4:00pm at the Kemper Outdoor Education Center in Jackson County’s Fleming Park.
     This is the 27th year for the popular annual event presented by Jackson County Parks + Rec. Admission is free with the donation of dog food to benefit the Lee’s Summit Animal Shelter and other small, local shelters and rescues participating in the event.
     Masks are encouraged at the outdoor event when social distancing cannot be maintained.
     Dogtober Fest 2021 is full of free contests and games throughout the day, such as Bobbing for Biscuits, Musical Discs and Roll-Over Races. Don’t miss the beloved Halloween Costume Contest at 1:00pm featuring three categories: Frightful, Delightful and another for groups with three or more dogs.
     Visitors can also participate in the favorite “Tails for Trails Dog-Walk for Parks,” a one-mile walk on the nature trail at Kemper Outdoor Education Center. Registration is $20 in advance or $25 at the registration booth.      
     Participants will receive an event t-shirt and a goodie bag. There are also small entry fees for dog sport competitions, clinics, good canine citizen testing, and trick dog title evaluations.
     Back by popular demand is the non-competitive Canine Adventure Challenge. This 20-plus course features obstacles designed to intrigue and build teamwork among dogs and owners. The Canine Adventure Challenge is an on-leash experience. All dogs are welcome to join, whether they have advanced training or no training at all!
     Guests will enjoy a variety of new activities this year including:
     Teacup Agility Clinics and Teacup Agility Fun Runs that are specifically for dogs of smaller stature who are no more than 20" at the shoulders.  The teacup agility obstacles are a scaled down version more appropriate for their size. 
     A Nose Work Clinic that capitalizes on your dog’s natural ability to hunt for and locate high value food or toys.
     Nose Work Outdoor Search for those already proficient in K9 Nose Work who want to practice their skills.
     Trick Dog Title Evaluations for dogs that know a lot of tricks and what to earn  a Trick Dog Title. We will be evaluating both AKC and ‘Do More with Your Dog’ Trick Dog Titles.
      In addition to great activities, guests will enjoy exploring vendor booths featuring pet products, services, breed education and demonstrations for pet owners. Area animal shelters and rescue groups will also be on hand showcasing dogs available for adoption.
     Workshop and activity registration is available online for $5 per event. The deadline for online registration is October 14th. Event-day registration is available on-site at a cost of $7 per event.
     For a complete list of activities and event schedule, visit https://www.makeyourdayhere.com/Events-Attractions/Outdoor-Education/Dogtober-Fest.
 

​     Jackson County Parks + Rec is excited to announce Fort Osage National Historic Landmark’s Paranormal Investigation on Saturday, October 9th from 5:00pm—6:30pm or 7:00pm—8:30pm.              
     Professional paranormal investigators will use state-of-the-art technology to explore the historic Fort in Sibley, Missouri and learn more about its former residents.                 
     Fort Osage historians and members of the paranormal team will lead two tours of the Fort after dark and give visitors an opportunity to investigate activity. Jackson County’s health order will be enforced and masks are required for indoor exhibits.
     Tickets for adults 13 and older are $20 per person.
     The Fort Osage National Historic Landmark is located at 105 Osage Street, Sibley.
     Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance online by visiting the Jackson County Parks + Rec website: https://www.makeyourdayhere.com/Event-Calendar/Paranormal-Investigation-at-Fort-Osage.
 
 
 

     A majority of the Jackson County Legislature voted to extend the County’s public health order requiring mask-wearing in indoor public places for those 5 and older. The health order remains in effect until 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, October 7.
     The Jackson County Health Department supports extending the order, which aligns with current recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The County currently meets the CDC’s definition of High Transmission designation. Before the extension, the health order was set to expire at 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, September 7.
     “As elected officials, it is our job to make tough decisions regardless of how unpopular they are,” said Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. “Today, the Legislature faced that challenge and ultimately, based on the science and data presented to them, acted in the best interest of public safety, not politics. We will continue relying on our public health and medical professionals to guide us through this deadly pandemic since it began nearly 18 months ago. Wearing a mask indoors along with getting more people vaccinated will offer more protection to all of our residents, including children under 12 who are not able to get vaccinated. I commend my colleagues today for standing up for what’s right.”
 
 

    Local officials, in an effort to combat a  significant rise in virus cases and hospitalizations in the region, have begun instituting mask mandates and vaccination efforts. In Eastern Jackson County, the 14-day percent positive has tripled since June 6 and case counts have quadrupled.
     Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas announced July 28th the City will reinstate its indoor mask mandate regardless of vaccination status, effective 12:01am on Monday, August 2nd.
     Attorney General Eric Schmitt, who is running for the open U.S. Senate seat, was quick to announce he would sue to block the mandate. Schmitt filed a lawsuit Monday to block St. Louis area mask mandates.
     Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. announced a new health care mandate that requires all full-time and part-time County staff to show proof of full vaccination or receive weekly COVID-19 testing. The new policy takes effect on September 30.
     “The delta variant we’re fighting now is much more contagious and requires us to act with a sense of urgency,” White said.
     “Science and facts show the vaccine is the absolute best way protect ourselves and others from serious illness or death. Our new policy will help us ensure staff and guests to our facilities remain safe, while also improving our chances of defeating this virus once and for all.”
     Masks will continue to be a requirement in all county buildings and facilities for staff and visitors regardless of vaccination status.
     The City of Grain Valley has not implemented its own mask mandate, but is watching for news from Jackson County, according to Deputy City Administrator Theresa Osenbaugh.
     “As in the past, the City will watch closely for any health orders released by Jackson County as we fall under their jurisdiction. The City has not implemented our own mask or vaccine requirements. We have ensured all employees have been made aware of how they can obtain the vaccine but have not surveyed staff to identify who has been vaccinated,” Osenbaugh said.
 

​     An Independence police spokesperson, Officer John Syme, confirmed human remains have been recovered from a residence at the 4000 block of South Buckner Tarsney Road in unincorporated Grain Valley. The remains are connected to a missing person case out of Independence. Officials have been in contact with the family of the missing person and are not releasing the name of the victim at this time.
     A large police presence, including the Independence Police Department, FBI, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, and Grandview Police Department, searched the residential property in the morning hours of July 14th. Grain Valley Police Chief James Beale confirmed they were not involved in assisting in today’s search. The property is owned by Michael J. Hendricks and his spouse.
     Hendricks was charged in May with a series of felonies, including two counts of enticement of a child less than 15 years old, two charges of first-degree sexual misconduct, a third degree count of child molestation involving a child less than 14 years old, one count of tampering with physical evidence and three counts of tampering with a victim in a felony prosecution.
     Syme indicated updates would be posted to the Independence Police Department’s social media channels as information becomes available. 

 Jackson County Public Works Environmental Health Division inspects all restaurants, grocery stores, schools, mobile food and temporary food establishments in the City of Grain Valley. The following violations were reported in the last 30 days::
 
Sonic Drive-In
706 N. Main
Door gasket torn on the reach in freezer near the fryer.
Water build up next to the ice machine and bags in a boxes. Food debris underneath food equipment. Corrected on site. Manager sweep the floor. Walk in cooler walls has a brown build up on the walls. The vent hood on the flat top grill is broken. Correct by 7/31/2021.

Essex of Grain Valley
401 Southwest Rock Creek Lane
Failed to secure valid Food Handler Cards for two new staff members. Correct by 7/3/2021. Noticed meat thawing out inside the basin in the handwashing sink. Correct on site. Employee placed the meat in the reach in cooler. Noticed that the utensils in the kitchen around the oven were stored with the handles downward. Corrected on site; employee washed the utensils and placed the handles upright.

Comfort Inn
210 NW Jefferson
No violations recorded.

Grain Valley Aquatic Center
713 S. Main
No violations recorded.

Valley Speedway Food Service/Impact Motor Sports
348 E. Old US Hwy 40
There is an air gap on the exit door. There is a hole in the wall near exit door. The floor has a buildup of debris especially underneath the shelving and equipment. Correct by 8/20/2021.
​
El Maguey Restaurant
102 Buckner Tarsney Road
Multiple food containers in the walk in cooler did not have dates. Corrected on site. Food Containers were immediately discarded. Can opener had old food debris built up on the blade. Corrected on site. Can opener was immediately cleaned. Ice machine had a buildup of black grime on the plastic divider. Corrected on site. Ice machine was immediately cleaned. Dishes on the drying rack were stacked wet. Correct by 7/20/2021.

 

     Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr., announced his intention to run for re-election in 2022. County Executive White has served in this role since he was unanimously appointed to the position in 2016 by the Jackson County Legislature. 
     Upon taking office, Executive White became the first African-American to serve as chief executive in the 190 year-history of Jackson County.   
“I could not be more excited to make this announcement,” Executive White said. 
     “I am proud of all that we have been able to accomplish and as we approach next year’s election, I look forward to discussing not only our accomplishments, but also my vision for the future of Jackson County.”
     Since his appointment, County Executive White has run for re-election twice and won both times. In the 2016 and 2018 general elections, Executive White received 82.21% and 77.3% of the respective vote totals for County Executive. 
     Prior to being elected to the County Legislature in 2014, Executive White is best known for his 18-year professional baseball career with the Kansas City Royals. 
     According to a campaign release,  Executive White plans to make announcements about his campaign team and upcoming events in the coming weeks.
 

     The Jackson County Assessment Department in conjunction with Tyler Technologies will be completing a parcel-by-parcel review of all properties in Jackson County to be completed in time for the 2023 reassessment.
     Representatives from the Assessment will be visible in neighborhoods in Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Lone Jack, and Greenwood on June 10th, and will last several weeks. Staff will have Jackson County identification on their vehicles, wear masks, and maintain social distance.
     The purpose of the review is to update county information on all parcels. Staff will photograph and confirm exterior measurements. They will knock to alert owners of their presence. For those who are not home, a door hanger will be left on the door. We ask that you complete the information on the card and return the postage paid post card to the Assessment Department or complete the form online. The website for the online process will be provided on the door hanger.
 

​     Jackson County Public Works Environmental Health Division inspects all restaurants, grocery stores, schools, mobile food and temporary food establishments in the City of Grain Valley. The following violations were reported in the last 30 days::
 
Lin’s Kitchen
111 SW Eagles Parkway
1.) There is an air gap on the bottom and the side of the back door. 2.) The screen on the back door has tears in it.  Correct by 6/22/2021.
Observed bowls being used as scoops in the flour, sugar, and rice, bowls were removed. Corrected on site. 1.) There is a significant buildup of food debris and trash underneath all equipment in the kitchen especially under the shelving where flour/sugar/rice is stored, three compartment sink, near hand sink, the corners, the utility closet, near back exit door, and the metal racks. 2.) The wall where the knives are stored has a buildup of food debris. 3.) All metal shelving and underneath equipment sitting on shelving has a buildup of food debris. Correct by 6/22/2021.
The outside of the mixer has a buildup of food debris. Correct by 6/22/2021.
 
Porky’s Blazin Bar-B-Q
9512 S Buckner Tarsney Rd
There was cardboard on the shelving in the reach in cooler, cardboard was removed. Corrected on site.
 
Price Chopper #325-Grocery/Dairy/Produce
1191 NE McQuerry Rd.
No violations recorded.
 
Three Pigs BBQ
35406 E Truman Rd
Temperature device was not located onsite to check internal temperatures of food.  Correct by 6/27/2021.
Floors had accumulation of build up under equipment. Repeat. Correct by 6/27/2021.
Food handler was not provided. Correct by 5/28/2021.
 
The Pub and Patio
640 Yennie St
Noticed a small plastic cup without a handle in the shrimp cocktail sauce. Corrected on site.
Noticed that the clean utensils handled were not upright. Employee washed the utensils and turn the handles upright. Corrected on site.
 
McDonald’s
712 N Main St
Noticed empty boxes on the walk-in cooler and freezer floor. Trash bins in the kitchen area were overflowing. Correct by 7/3/2021.
 
Papa Murphy’s
1203 Buckner Tarsney Rd
Observed a bowl being used as a scoop, bowl was removed and replaced with scoop with handle. Corrected on site.
Failure to Secure Food Handler Permit. Correct by 6/10/2021.
 
El Tequilazo Cocina Y Cantina LLC
522 S Main St
Multiple foods in the make ready bottom cooler were out of temperature compliance. Food was immediately discarded, and a re-inspection will be conducted on 5-17-21 to make sure cooler is holding food at proper temperature. Raw sliced beef 47*F, Raw chicken breast 49*F, Shrimp 51*F. Correct by 7/11/2021.
 
Price Chopper #325 -Kitchen/Deli/Salad Bar
1191 NE McQuerry Rd
Handwashing sign missing on one of the hand sinks in the kitchen area. Corrected on site.
 
Price Chopper #325 – Bakery
1191 NE McQuerry Rd
No violations recorded.
 
Price Chopper #325 -Meat/Seafood
1191 NE McQuerry Rd
Both paper towel dispensers were empty. Corrected on site. Employee placed towels in the dispensers.
 
Sushi Avenue
1191 NE McQuerry Rd
No violations recorded.