Looking Back: Yesterday is history—Valley News

by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society    
 

     I always say “Yesterday is history.” This week will mark the end of a series of articles I have written to tell the story of the newspapers that have served Grain Valley since the early 1900s.
     The final and current newspaper is, of course, Valley News , Grain Valley’s Community Newspaper. What you are reading in the paper today will be history tomorrow.
     John and Cory Unrein published the first issue of Valley News on June 21, 2018. Since the first 8-page edition, readers have been  given the opportunity to learn about our city,  parks and recreation, business news, school news, health and wellness, and opportunities for youth and senior citizens. And I have been privileged to write this column, Looking Back. 
     Looking back in history, it was just three short years ago that Grain Valley welcomed OATS Transit to assist our senior citizens. Scott Overfield represented GVHS at the National Speech and Debate Tournament where he placed in the top 10% of 255 competitors in Original Oratory. A photograph in Volume 1, No. 5 of the Valley News  was titled “Construction Underway at the High School.” We know the 30,000+ square foot addition is history when we drive by today and see construction currently  underway on the new Fine Arts addition.
     2018 was also the year Grain Valley moved to the Suburban Conference where they joined Grandview, Kearney, Platte County, Raytown South, Smithville, and Winnetonka in the Blue Division. Swimming and diving were added to the sports program. 
     Three year’s ago we didn’t have a Taco Bell, a Captain’s Lounge, or a Quiktrip. However,  Pilot,
     The Apple Market, and Posh are history!
     While we don’t have every edition, we have many copies of the Valley News in the archives along with copies of the other newspapers I have written about over the past few week.  We hope you will visit the Historical Society at 506 Main Street and enjoys our history of yesterday!