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Grain Valley Mayor Mike Todd announced Wednesday evening that he intends to run for the Missouri House District 32 seat in 2026. Current District 32 Representative Jeff Coleman is completing his final term due to term limits.
Todd served as mayor of Grain Valley from 2010 - 2020, and returned for a 7th term as mayor in 2024. Todd is a retired teacher and life long resident of Grain Valley. "I feel that there is more the state can be doing to help local cities and if i have the opportunity to serve in the Missouri House of Representatives I look forward to being a voice for Eastern Jackson County. All of our communities are impacted by MODOT controlled roadways and the state and local governments need to be working better together to make them safer and easier to travel. There are many other issues such as crime that I want to tackle as well such as improving our foster care system in the state and making it more affordable for families seeking to adopt to be able to do so," Todd said in an interview with Grain Valley News.
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In commemoration of Veterans Day, the National WWI Museum and Memorial serves as a fitting place to honor those who have served — and continue to serve — our country. To recognize these men and women, admission to the Museum and Memorial is free for veterans and active duty military personnel (as well as spouses and dependents with ID) from Friday, Nov. 7 through Tuesday, Nov. 11.
General admission for the public is half-price. In addition, furloughed Federal workers receive free admission until the end of the furlough (ID required). Visitors for Veterans Day Weekend will be among the first to see two new exhibitions at the Museum and Memorial. Paris at War examines the city’s dramatic shift from the flourishing days of the French empire to the uncertainty and hardship brought on by World War I. In L ving Memory: Dean Cross, Artist-in-Residence is the inaugural Museum and Memorial Artist-in-Residence installation. Worimi artist Dean Cross draws on his ancestor George Moss's sacrifice at Gallipoli and the Worimi tradition of Scar Trees. Both exhibitions open the public on Thursday, Nov. 6. VETERANS DAY ACTIVITIES WORLD WAR I RESEARCH STATIONS When: Friday-Tuesday, Nov. 7-11 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Where: Outside Auditorium Lobby inside the Museum and Memorial What: Find your connection to World War I during Veterans Day weekend through research stations at the Museum. With access to multiple databases – including Fold3.com, Ancestry.com, the Museum and Memorial’s online collections database, the American Battlefield Monuments Commission and the National Archives – discover how the Great War affected your family through records, photographs and much more. FREE to the Public. VIETNAM ERA BELL UH-1 IROQUOIS “HUEY” HELICOPTER DISPLAY When: Saturday-Tuesday, Nov. 8-11 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Where: U-shaped drive outside the Museum and Memorial What: The Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter #243 will provide an iconic Bell UH-1 Iroquois “Huey” helicopter for people to climb aboard and inspect. FREE to the Public. WARRIOR POSE: YOGA WITH VETERANS When: Saturday, Nov. 8 | 8:45 a.m. Where: Glass Bridge What: Founded in 2010, the Veterans Yoga Project offers restorative self-regulating practices to help veterans, service members and military families recover from PTS(D). Bring a mat and a friend for a low-impact regimen that quiets the mind and develops flexibility for any level of fitness. Regardless of military service status or yoga knowledge, all are welcome. Free with RSVP. USAF SHADES OF BLUE JAZZ ENSEMBLE CONCERT When: Saturday, Nov. 8 | 2 p.m. Where: Auditorium Lobby What: Join us for a live, patriotic music concert from the United States Air Force Band of Mid-America's Blue Jazz Ensemble! This jazzy musical revue celebrates the service of American veterans, who have been honored each year on Nov. 11 since 1919. FREE to the Public. VETERANS DAY CEREMONY When: Tuesday, Nov. 11 | 10 a.m. Where: Auditorium and Lobby What: Join us for a moving ceremony honoring our nation’s veterans. The formal public program will include remarks from dignitaries and a keynote address, as well as special music. ASL interpretation will be provided for the ceremony. FREE to the Public. MAKE YOUR OWN POPPY PIN When: Tuesday, Nov. 11 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Where: Near the Paul Sunderland Glass Bridge What: Create your own poppy craft to keep for yourself or give to a friend! If you miss the craft table before it closes, you can make your own poppy at home with this Cut-Out Poppy or the instructions for this 3D Poppy. FREE to the Public. To learn more, visit theworldwar.org. As the federal government remains shut down, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) — the main federal food-aid program — will not issue new benefits on November 1, 2025, according to a memo from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Donna Compton, Community Services League's Grain Valley Site Coordinator, said they have seen a slight increase in residents seeking assistance with food. Compton said they anticipate the need will continue to increase as the impact of the federal shutdown continues to ripple through the economy. Food donations for CSL's pantry are always needed to support their work for Grain Valley residents. Some of the most needed items at Grain Valley's CSL location include: Canned Vegetables Canned Beans Mac & Cheese Canned Fruit Box Potatoes Rice or Noodles Side Dishes Hamburger/Chicken/Tuna Helper Instant Pudding Mix Jell-O Peanut Butter Jelly Toilet Paper Spaghetti Sauce Spaghetti Noodles Canned Meat Pancake Mix Pancake Syrup Muffin Mix The Community Services League's (CSL) Grain Valley location, 513 Gregg ST, is open on Wednesdays from 9:00am - Noon and 1:00pm - 4:00pm. For more information, call 816-355-0328. Donations can be delivered to CSL on Wednesdays or to their donation bin located at the Grain Valley Community Center. An additional donation bin located at the Grain Valley Price Chopper benefits Harvesters. A little free pantry is located in the parking lot of Faith United Methodist Church, 1950 SW Eagles Parkway. Residents are welcome to donate or take what they need. For additional resources, call the United Way's 211 Resource Line by dialing 211 or visit www.211kc.org.  JEFFERSON CITY – October and November are peak months for deer to be on the move, and the Missouri Department of Transportation is reminding drivers to be prepared and not drive distracted.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Missouri consistently ranks 10th to 15th in the country in deer-vehicle collisions each year. In 2024, there were 2,952 crashes with deer, with four deaths and 420 injuries reported. Deer are most active at dawn and dusk, and do unpredictable things, such as stopping in the middle of the road when crossing. A deer that is calmly standing on the side of the road may suddenly leap into traffic. MoDOT offers the following safety tips for avoiding collisions with deer:
MoDOT maintenance crews address any animal or debris that poses a safety hazard, meaning the item is in the driving lanes. Individuals can report an animal carcass in the roadway to MoDOT by calling 888-ASK-MODOT (275-6636) or by visiting www.modot.org/report-road-concern. The Missouri Department of Transportation Kansas City (MoDOT KC) will hold an open house style meeting to discuss intersection improvements on U.S. Route 40 in Grain Valley, at Sni-A-Bar Blvd, Barr Rd, and Kirby Rd.
The meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 22 from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm at Mid-Continent Public Library (Grain Valley Branch), 400 SW Buckner Tarsney Road, Grain Valley, MO 64029. The meeting will provide the opportunity for attendees to ask questions, learn more about the project, and leave a comment. The meeting will be an open house meeting with no formal presentation. In addition to the public meeting on Oct. 22, there will also be an opportunity to view project displays and exhibits and leave comments on the project webpage beginning at 4 p.m. on Weds., Oct. 22 until 4 p.m. on Weds., Nov. 5. Please visit the project webpage for more information to view project displays and exhibits or to leave a comment: U.S. Route 40 Intersection Improvements in Jackson County | Missouri Department of Transportation. For those unable to attend the meeting or access the project information online, project materials are available by request at the MoDOT district office located at 600 NE Colbern Rd. in Lee’s Summit, MO. Customers may contact Project Manager Thankam Mathew at [email protected]. The Grain Valley Fair committee will present the final First Fridays event for the year this Friday, October 3rd in downtown Grain Valley. The event will feature food trucks, a performance by Releve Performing Arts, and a community table on Main Street, hosted by the Grain Valley Chamber of Commerce as a part of its celebration of Missouri Good Neighbor Week. The event begins at 5:00pm in downtown Grain Valley; road closures along Main Street will begin approximately 4:30pm. Additional details and updates leading up to the event can be found via the Grain Valley Fair's Facebook page: (1) Facebook.  Autumn in Missouri begins with one of the region’s most beloved traditions with the 49th Annual Fall Festival of Arts, Crafts & Music. The event, planned for October 4th and 5th, transforms Missouri Town Living History Museum into a bustling 19th-century village filled with music, food, family fun, and timeless traditions. Each year, thousands of visitors step back in time to experience the sights, sounds, and flavors of the 1850s. This year’s festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, featuring:
Event Details: Saturday & Sunday, October 4–5 | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Missouri Town Living History Museum, 8010 East Park Rd, Lee’s Summit, MO 64064 Admission: $15 per car/van | $25 per bus From the clang of the blacksmith’s hammer to the laughter of children racing through historic streets, the Fall Festival offers media outlets endless photo, video, and interview opportunities. Whether your audience is looking for fall fun, family outings, or a deeper appreciation of Missouri history, this is a can’t-miss story. For more information, visit www.makeyourdayhere.com/missouritown.  KANSAS CITY, MO. – On Friday, Oct. 3 and Saturday, Oct. 4, the National WWI Museum and Memorial will be open from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and is offering a special all-access discount admission rate of $10. Access to the grounds on Oct. 3 and 4 is limited due to a large event rental/concert. Museum and Memorial guests should plan to park offsite or take the KC Streetcar to Union Station. Guests should use the checkpoint at the intersection of Kessler and Pershing to walk up Kessler to the Museum and Memorial entrance. A Golf Cart relay will take place at the corner of Kessler and Pershing with priority given to visitors of the Museum and Memorial needing ADA access. This past May, the Museum and Memorial completed a multi-year upgrade, the most expansive changes to the buildings and grounds since opening in 2006. Guests will be able to see these changes, that not only involve upgrades in technology to tell new and interesting narratives from WWI, but create a richer and more immersive visitor experience. More information about the Museum and Memorial can be found at theworldwar.org. FOR CONCERT ATTENDEES: Guests seeking information about access to the grounds for the Chappell Roan concerts should visit chappellroankc.com.   Local Teacher Turns Storyteller: Grain Valley’s Mendi Spencer Releases Fourth Children’s Book9/25/2025
Grain Valley News caught up with Grain Valley High School (GVHS) science teacher and local children's book author Mendi Spencer this week to discuss her newest book, A Tale of Two Swifties. Spencer, known at school for guiding students through the complexities of biology, added author to her résumé a few years ago — and her newest children’s book, A Tale of Two Swifties, is now available for readers of all ages. A Tale of Two Swifties tells the story of a football-loving dad who plans to teach his daughter about the game — only to find himself sharing in her passion in unexpected ways. Spencer's first book, The Adventures of a Robot Vacuum: The Ransom, was the result of a real-life ransom caper involving another GVHS teacher's runaway Roomba vacuum providing inspiration. Additional books quickly followed, including The Sleep Squad, and When A Snore is Something More, which brings awareness of improper tongue placement with children in an engaging way. The book has been lauded by dentists, speech therapists, and other professionals working with children with snoring and other issues related to tongue placement. Spencer plans to release her next book, The Teachers Lounge, this fall. Spencer shared that the experience of watching children engage with her books as the most rewarding part of being a writer. Spencer's books can be found locally at Owl Creek Market in Odessa and Tami Sue’s in Buckner. All of Spencer's titles can also be found on Amazon at Amazon.com: Mendi Spencer: books, biography, latest update.  GVHS teacher and local children's book author Mendi Spencer has released her fourth book, A Tale of Two Swifties, which tells the story of a football-loving dad who plans to teach his daughter about the game — only to find himself sharing in her passion in unexpected ways. Photo credit: Grain Valley News staff The Community Services League Grain Valley office is in desperate need of food donations to serve those in need in the community. The Grain Valley Assistance Council transitioned control of the center to Community Services League (CSL) at the end of 2024 (prior reporting: Quick News - Grain Valley News). While CSL provide staffing support and access to commodities for their satellite locations, each location must depend on local support to stock their pantries. Grain Valley site volunteer and former Grain Valley Assistance Council board member Kim Compton is working to spread the word that they need the community's support to stock their shelves. Donations may be dropped off at collection bins located at the Grain Valley Price Chopper and Grain Valley Community Center, as well as delivered to the Grain Valley CSL Office on Wednesdays. The Grain Valley CSL office is located at 513 Gregg ST in Grain Valley. Businesses, schools, and community groups are also encouraged to host food drives to support the local pantry. Compton said that the Grain Valley office is also working to communicate they remain open to serve Grain Valley residents in need through their food pantry and clothes closet. A fund from the former Grain Valley Assistance Council also exists to assist residents with utility assistance and other emergency assistance needs. The pantry, 513 Gregg ST, is open from 9:00am - Noon and 1:00pm - 4:00pm on Wednesdays. For more information, call 816-355-0328.  The Grain Valley Community Services League location is in desperate need of food donations to stock its pantry shelves. Donations may be dropped off at collection bins located at the Grain Valley Price Chopper and Grain Valley Community Center, as well as delivered to the Grain Valley CSL Office on Wednesdays. The Grain Valley CSL office is located at 513 Gregg ST in Grain Valley.  by Phil Hanson, President and CEO, Truman Heartland Community Foundation The Truman Heartland Community Foundation is pleased to support the group of Independence community leaders leading the initiative to redevelop the Englewood Theater, which has been closed for 18 years. Our Board of Directors agreed to the Foundation serving as a fiscal sponsor for this project in September 2024, while the newly formed Friends of Englewood Theater obtained its 501(c)(3) designation from the IRS. Brent Schondelmeyer is leading the charge on this project. Brent and his wife, Lee Williams, were recognized at our 2020 Toast to Our Towns Gala as Humanitarians of the Year and have continued their community service through this project and numerous other initiatives. Great progress has been made. The property is now under contract, and they will soon close on a loan to purchase the theater for $600,000. A feasibility study paid for by the City of Independence estimates that the renovation costs will be $3.5 million, bringing the total cost to $4.1 million. The process for obtaining historic tax credits is well underway, which could provide $1.4 million of the renovation costs. The Friends of Englewood Theater are making plans to launch a capital campaign to raise the $2.7 million in community support needed to make this dream a reality. This campaign will require a lot of effort, but I have no doubt that it will be successful. The community is very excited about this project, and I anticipate that a significant number of the Foundation's Fundholders will be interested in making a grant from their donor-advised fund to support this project. Brent Schondelmeyer and the Board have been extremely transparent with the community regarding this project. Their website, www.englewoodtheater.org, provides all the information about the project, their plans, and the history of the theater, which was the home of the Kansas City Opry for over a decade. You can sign up on the website to receive their newsletter and stay updated. The reopening of the Englewood Theater will be another boost for this community, adding to the energy and excitement brought by the Englewood Arts Center. The Friends of Englewood Theater is a separate nonprofit organization from Englewood Arts; however, the two organizations work closely together to support each other's missions. The Truman Heartland Community Foundation is pleased to be playing a supporting role assisting the Friends of Englewood Theater in making the dream of reopening this historic theater a reality. I hope you also will consider supporting the Friends of Englewood Theater.  Re.Use.Full will host their 14th Un-Dumpster Day to help people rehome their still-good stuff to benefit participating nonprofit organizations on Saturday, September 27, from 9:00am - 1:00pm at St. Sabina Parish, 700 Trevis Ave, Belton, MO. Some of the items to be accepted include gently used working appliances, bikes, books, clothing, linens, toys, games and puzzles, stain-free mattresses, furniture, pet supplies and other household goods that will be distributed to help people and pets in the Kansas City area. In addition to the donation collection, Re.Use.Full will also offer free paper-shredding services and electronics and tire recycling. There is no residency requirement for any of the services. Participating organizations include:
For a full list of the items, guidelines for giving and recycling information, visit reusefull.org/un-dumpster-day-belton-september-2025/. Re.Use.Full is a sustainability-focused nonprofit organization that has been connecting people with still-good stuff with the nonprofit organizations, schools and churches that can put it to good use since 2020. They began hosting Un-Dumpster Day events in 2022 to provide convenient, one-stop drop donation collections and recycling services and Repair Cafés in 2024 to help people repair instead of replace their household items to keep them out of the landfill.  Re.Use.Full will host their 14th Un-Dumpster Day to help people rehome their still-good stuff to benefit participating nonprofit organizations on Saturday, September 27, from 9:00am - 1:00pm at St. Sabina Parish, 700 Trevis Ave, Belton, MO. Photo credit: Re.Use.Full.  In a September 19th press release, The Missouri Department of Transportation Kansas City (MoDOT KC) announced it will hold an open house style meeting to discuss intersection improvements on U.S. Route 40 in Grain Valley, at Sni-A-Bar Blvd, Barr Rd, and Kirby Rd.
According to the project website, improvements will include intersection safety improvements along U.S. 40 in Grain Valley, at Sni-A-Bar Blvd, Barr Rd, and Kirby Rd. A concrete median will be installed at Sni-A-Bar, limiting that intersection to right-in-right-out only, a turn lane will be added at Barr, and signals will be upgraded at Kirby, along with pedestrian crossing improvements. The project is planned to begin spring 2026, with construction taking place over the summer. In terms of traffic impacts, work on Sni-a a-bar and Barr Road will be done with various lane closures and flagging operations. Work on Kirby Road will be done with temporary single lane closures. An open house meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 22nd from 4:00pm until 6:00pm at Mid-Continent Public Library (Grain Valley Branch), 400 SW Buckner Tarsney Road, Grain Valley. The meeting will provide the opportunity for attendees to ask questions, learn more about the project, and leave a comment. The meeting will be an open house meeting with no formal presentation. In addition to the public meeting on Oct. 22, there will also be an opportunity to view project displays and exhibits and leave comments on the project webpage beginning at 4 p.m. on Wed., Oct. 22 until 4 p.m. on Wed., Nov. 5. Residents may visit the project webpage for more information to view project displays and exhibits or to leave a comment: U.S. Route 40 Intersection Improvements in Jackson County | Missouri Department of Transportation. The Grain Valley Fair returns this weekend at Armstrong Park with a full slate of activities planned for Friday and Saturday. The Fair opens at 4:00pm Friday with a carnival, vendors, and food trucks, The beer garden opens at 5:00pm, with musical entertainment from bands Crazy Arms (5:30pm) and Misty River Band (8:00pm). Mike Todd with the Grain Valley Fair Committee said the fair has something for everyone to enjoy. "We are very excited again this year for our lineup of bands. Thanks to our sponsors we are able to bring in what we feel is one of the best lineups of any Fair around. We have also moved some things around, which allowed us to add more vendor spots. We have around 200 total vendor spots this year, which is up over 30 spots from last year. Make sure to check out our schedule for all the new kids things we have added such as Mr. Stinky Feet and the High Tops, an exotic petting zoo, and foam party. We listened to feedback from last year and added those things so families can make a day out of it on Saturday right after the Parade," Todd said. The Grain Valley Fair Parade will be held Saturday, September 6th at 10:00am. The parade route begins and ends at Grain Valley High School, first heading east on Eagles Parkway to Main, down Main to Walnut, heading west to Kirby, and then returning to the high school. Free bingo, hosted by the Grain Valley Chamber of Commerce, will be held at the Grain Valley Community Center starting approximately 11am. The last game will wrap up around 4:00pm. Activities on Saturday include a carnival, exotic petting zoo, a performance by the Mr. Stinky Feet Trio at 12:30pm, foam party at 4:00pm, a visit from KC Wolf at 5:00pm, and a full slate of musical and dance performances starting at 2:30pm. For more information on the Grain Valley Fair, visit GRAIN VALLEY FAIR - Home.  Jackson County, Grain Valley and Oak Grove will host a collection event at Jackson County Public Works - Grain Valley, 34900 E. Old U.S Hwy 40, Grain Valley, MO 64075, for household hazardous waste on Saturday, September 6th from 8:00am - Noon. Mobile collection events are a convenient way to dispose of household hazardous waste in a safe and responsible manner. This event is open and free of charge to members of participating communities. Proof of residency may be required at mobile events. Below is a list of accepted items:
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