Vol. 4 No. 34 | August 19, 2021 | www.grainvalleynews.com
Grain Valley surpasses 15,000 residents, a 22% gain According to 2020 Census figures released last week, Grain Valley has surpassed the 15,000 residents with an official count of 15,627. This represents at 22% increase from the last census count in 2010. City Administrator Ken Murphy said City staff was anxiously awaiting the figures after data had been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Prior to the release of the data, we estimated that Grain Valley’s population was almost 15,000. We were excited to see that we were underestimating the number a bit. Keeping in mind that the census number is from April of last year and taking into account the number of new houses going up, we are probably closer to 16,000 residents as we speak,” Murphy said.
The census data shows an educated and connected population, with 94.2% of adults with at least a high school diploma (higher than the national average of 88%) and 25.4% with at least a bachelor degree. 95.6% of households have a computer and 91.5% have broadband internet access. The positive picture painted by the census data is one way city and economic development leaders sell the community to prospective businesses. “With respect to business attraction, one of the many factors that businesses and site selectors take into account is population within a certain radius of where they are looking to locate. The higher that population number, the more attractive an area is to them. The other positive factor is the continued growth. If you invest in Grain Valley, you
see CENSUS on page 2
First year teachers prepare for their first day with students Students are not the only people feeling first-day jitters as school begins next Monday. Teachers, whether they are first-year teachers or veterans, are filled with nervous excitement as well. For first-year teachers Rachel Stewart and Olivia Riley, a summer of planning and preparation have kept them busy, and both are anxiously awaiting the first day on August 23rd. Rachel Stewart is a first-year teacher and new science teacher at Grain Valley High School. Stewart will be teaching freshman physical science and sophomore biology. A native of Jefferson City and graduate of Southeast Missouri State University, Stewart is new to the area and the district. “I am so excited to be in a district that really cares about its students, and I’m excited to build relationships with my students,” Stewart said. Stewart explains her path to the science classroom was pretty much a foregone conclusion. “I had phenomenal science teachers and each of my siblings went into science fields. My mom worked for DESE (Department of Elementary and
see TEACHERS on page 7
FREE
Coffee shop planned for Old Towne Marketplace The Planning & Zoning Commission approved a site plan submitted by Ward Development for a drive-thru coffee shop to be located at Old Town Marketplace during its August 11th meeting. Joe Shmoe Coffee is planned for the southwest corner of Eagles Parkway and Buckner Tarsney Road in a 16,063 square foot lot near the corner. The north portion of the property is scheduled for development at a later date. City staff are working with Ward Development to reserve the north lot for a sit-down restaurant with patio seating. Bryan Rahn with Ward Development indicated a BBQ restaurant is being considered at the site.
Image credit: City of Grain Valley
Good News: Church delivers for district Kindergarteners Valley Community Church has once again delivered for Grain Valley kindergarteners, supplying each district classroom with all the supplies each student needs for the school year. Church members gathered on
Tuesday, August 17th (pictured below) to organize supplies for each of Grain Valley’s elementary schools. Delivery of supplies took place on Wednesday, August 19th.
Image credit: Valley News staff
In This Edition:
Olivia Riley is a first-year music teacher at Matthews Elementary. Photo credit: Valley News staff
Looking Back: Fifty Years Ago
3
Your Health: Dietitian tips to maximize muscle recovery
8
Sports: Grain Valley Football preview
10
Cover Image: Construction has begun on the Club Car Wash location to be located at Main and US 40 Highway. Photo credit: Valley News staff
2 Lake City Shooting Range closed until August 25th The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will close the Lake City Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center to the public starting Wednesday, Aug. 18. MDC is closing the range as a precaution against COVID-19. The range will reopen to the public on Wednesday, Aug. 25.
MDC’s Parma Woods Shooting Range near Parkville remains open for use. MDC also offers a variety of unstaffed shooting ranges in the Kansas City and northwest regions. To find a range near you, visit https://short.mdc.mo.gov/Z9W.
CENSUS continued from page 1 aren’t investing in a stagnant community, you are investing in future growth potential which is always a nice selling point. When looking at the numbers around the metropolitan area, we are growing faster than the majority of cities in the immediate area which will be a great thing for us to share with developers moving forward,” Murphy said. Census data is also used to determine if current and planned City services are adequate for current and future growth. “When looking at what services are required for our citizens in a growing community, a lot of the focus is on making sure we are in good shape from a capacity standpoint for infrastructure
(water, sewer, streets). In addition to maintaining the infrastructure we currently have in place we must plan for the needs that come with future growth,” Murphy said. In addition to the traditional infrastructure needs, there is also the need to invest in staffing, equipment and facilities to ensure we can continue to provide the services requested by our citizens. This is all encompassing and includes the needs of police, public works, utility billing, community development and administration.” Murphy said the City’s CIP (Capital Improvements Plan) is one of the tools used by staff to ensure a long term approach is in place to address needs.
Police Blotter The following information is derived from the Grain Valley Police Department daily calls for service log for the week of August 4-10, 2021.
August 4, 2021 1100 Buckner Tarsney IPD 1400 Block of Valley Woods CT Main & Jefferson 100 Block of Royer LN 700 Block of Main 100 Block of SW Nelson DR 1000 Block of Christie LN 700 Block of Main 700 Block of Main Main & 3RD 400 Block of SW Joseph LN 500 Block of SW Hawthorn 1200 Block of Phelps 800 Block of Lee Ann DR 500 Block of SW Oakwood LN 500 Block of Shorthorn 700 Block of Main
Citizen Contact Prisoner Transport Citizen Contact Motor Vehicle Accident Suspicious Motor Vehicle Citizen Contact-Via Phone Civil Standby Stealing Stealing Stealing Area Check Stealing Citizen Contact Trespassing Area Check Found Property Citizen Contact Stealing
August 5, 2021 Jefferson 500 Block of SW Graystone DR Argo & Dillingham 700 Block of Squire CT 700 Block of Main
Abandoned Auto Found Property Area Check Suspicious Activity Citizen Contact-Civil Matter Dillingham RD Agency Assist-JCSD 900 Block of SW Cross Creek DR Disturbance August 6, 2021 1100 Block of Main 1100 Block of Main 1100 Block of NW Meadow CT 600 Block of NW Eagles 1300 Block of Blue Branch
Assault Alarm Noise Complaint Agency Assist-CJC Alarm
300 Block of Yennie 1100 Block NE McQuerry 500 Block of Montana Ridge
Disturbance Agency Assist-Animal Control Area Check
August 7, 2021 1300 Block of Broadway 500 Block of Woodbury 400 Block of S Outer Road BB & Rock Creek 1800 Block of Madi CT 500 Block of Woodbury
Civil Standby Area Check Verbal Disturbance Area Check Alarm Fireworks
August 8, 2021 1000 Block of Deer Creek 700 Block of Joseph Circle 700 Block of Main 1400 Block of Red Oak CT 3300 Block of S Outer
Lost Property Alarm Citizen Contact Stolen Property Alarm
August 9, 2021 800 Block of Valley Woods DR Tisha & Sni A Bar Tisha LN & Crestview 700 Block of Main 1200 Block of Foxtail 700 Block of Main ST
Civil Standby Suspicious Auto Area Check Citizen Contact Civil Matter Stealing
August 10, 2021 300 Block of Yennie 1200 Block of RD Mize RD 600 Block of Theime ST 100 Block of E Harris ST 400 Block of Woodbury
Verbal Disturbance Stolen Motorcycle Area Check Citizen Contact Citizen Contact
Grain Valley News is a free community paper, published weekly on Thursdays online at www.grainvalleynews.com and on the 1st and 3rd weeks of the month in print.
Cory Unrein | Co-Owner/Publisher John Unrein | Co-Owner/Production Manager Cathy Allie | Staff Writer, Proofreader John Overstreet | Contributing Photographer Michael Smith | Staff Writer, Sports Mail: PO Box 2972 Grain Valley MO 64029 Phone: 816.809.7984 Email: news@grainvalleynews.com
Join us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: @grainvalleynews Sign up at www.grainvalleynews.com to have Valley News delivered weekly to your inbox.
Looking Back
3
Looking Back: Fifty Years Ago by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society Some weeks I know exactly what I want to write about in this column. This week, I had no clue. When that happens, I get in my car, drive to the Historical Society Museum and start looking. Upon entering the building, I first remembered the group of 20 or more people gathered around the old Grain Valley School yearbooks on display. They came for the ice cream social but ended up staying to look at the yearbooks, laugh at the old pictures with crazy clothes and even crazier hair, and reminisce about “the good old days!” I also thought about how COVID-19 had prevented the Grain Valley Alumni Banquet from being held the past two years; another opportunity for graduates to reminisce. Next, I saw the stack of yearbooks that were recently donated to the society by Vickie Officer’s sister. And that is how I arrived at this week’s column. From the 1971 Treasure Chest, I share the following bits of history. In the first three pages I learned Sandie (Brown) Doty was editor and Melinda (Murry) Henson was assistant editor of the yearbook. It was dedicated to Don Kalthoff, “friend, teacher, and coach” of the I-70 Conference Championship Football Team. In the fall of 1970 students began their first full year in the new high school building. Turning the pages, I further learned Marvin Headley was superintendent and Harvey Wright was the principal. The high school had only 14 teachers. There were 6 school bus drivers, 5 cafeteria workers, and 4 custodians. Forty-two graduates were led by Valerie Beecher, class president; Paul
Willard, vice-president; Debbie Rogers, secretary and Terri Tracy, treasurer. Ron Affolter was the Student Council President. The trip to Lake View Beach capped off the year for the Class of 1971. Fifty years ago, GVHS had only three competitive sports; football, boys’ basketball, and track. The yearbook also has two girls’ volleyball photographs; the junior-senior team and the freshmansophomore team. Since neither team has numbers, they must have been league teams. There was also a concert and marching band, varsity and JV cheerleaders and queens, lots of queens! Up the Down Staircase was the theatrical production for 1970-71. Mary Harper (drama teacher) and Barbara Murry (music teacher ) co-directed G.V. Hee Haw. It was a variety show presented to showcase the talents of their students. Near the end of the yearbook there are 12 pages of advertisements. Of the nearly 75 ads, only 7 were for businesses in Grain Valley. Looking back fifty years the town did not offer much in the way of commerce. We had the Bank of Grain Valley, 4 gas stations, a convenience grocery, a beauty shop, a barber shop, a couple of restaurants, car repair shops and some light manufacturing. We did not have a supermarket, a laundry, a pharmacy, a library, a movie theater, etc., etc., etc. But what Grain Valley has had since 1909 is a school system dedicated to the education of our children. That tradition has not changed.
Taken from the 1971 Treasure Chest: “Work started on our new high school building in September, 1969. After waiting anxiously, we began to hold classes in it during the second quarter of 1970. We have pride in this new facility and we are grateful for it.” Photo credit: Grain Valley Historical Society Visit the Historical Society any Wednesday, check out our yearbook collection, and reminisce about “the good old days!”
We have over 50 yearbooks for your perusal.
State News: DOJ asks court to block Missouri’s ‘Second Amendment Preservation Act’ by Jason Hancock, Missouri Independent (www.missouriindependent.com) A Missouri law prohibiting state and local police from enforcing certain federal gun laws has already undermined drug and weapons investigations, the U.S. Department of Justice argued in documents filed Wednesday in Cole County Circuit Court. As part of an ongoing lawsuit set for a hearing Thursday afternoon, the Justice Department is asking Cole County Judge Daniel Green to block the “Second Amendment Preservation Act,” a law approved by the state legislature in May and signed by Gov. Mike Parson. Among its provisions, the law says law enforcement agencies will face $50,000 fines if they “infringe” on Missourians’ Second Amendment rights. Some of those laws would include imposing certain taxes on firearms, requiring gun owners to register their
weapons and laws prohibiting “lawabiding” residents from possessing or transferring their guns. Brian M. Boynton, the acting head of the Justice Department’s civil division, wrote that the law violates the U.S. Constitution and “has caused, and will continue to cause, significant harms to law enforcement within the State of Missouri.” Frederic Winston, special agent in charge of the Kansas City Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), said in an affidavit submitted to the court that a dozen state and local officers have withdrawn from participating in ATF task forces at least in part because of the law. That includes members of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Columbia
Police Department, Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, O’Fallon Police Department and Sedalia Police Department. Additionally, Winston wrote, the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s information analysis center informed ATF it would no longer provide any investigative support, including background information on investigative targets. Missouri’s law, he wrote, “will cause a strain on law enforcement relationships due to the inability to communicate as effectively and to efficiently share information and investigative resources. This, in turn, will prevent law enforcement at all levels from effectively serving and protecting the citizens of Missouri and other states.” Winston noted that in 2020, the highway patrol reported more than
13,800 firearms offenses in Missouri. That number, he said, is more than 8,000 in 2021. The city and county of St. Louis filed a joint lawsuit in June seeking to block the law from going into effect. The suit argues the law violates the Constitution’s supremacy clause and will hinder law enforcement’s ability to deter crime. When he signed the bill earlier this year, Parson said it was intended to push back against any effort by the federal government to tighten gun laws, saying he will “oppose government overreach and any unlawful efforts to limit our access to firearms.” Both Parson and Attorney General Eric Schmitt have publicly vowed to defend the law.
Business
4 July Jobs Report Missouri non-farm payroll employment increased from June 2021 to July 2021, and the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased by a tenth of a percentage point. Employment, seasonally adjusted, increased by 15,000 jobs over the month, with job gains in both goods-producing and service-providing industries. The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.2 percent in July 2021, down from 4.3 percent in June 2021. Recovery from COVID-19-related layoffs continued with an increase of more than 83,900 jobs from July 2020 to July 2021. Short-term shortages of semiconductor chips may hold down employment in manufacturing in the next few months and the emergence of the delta variant of COVID-19 may impact longer-term growth. UNEMPLOYMENT Missouri’s smoothed seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased by a tenth of a percentage point in July 2021, dropping to 4.2 percent from the June 2021 rate of 4.3 percent. With the start of the COVID-19 pandemic now more than a year in the past, the July 2021 rate was 2.6 percentage points lower than the July 2020 rate. The rate had reached a low of 3.1 percent starting in July 2018, before gradually edging up to 3.5 percent by the end of 2019, and then to 3.7 percent in March 2020. The COVID-19 effect hit in April 2020, spiking the rate to 12.5 percent for that month. The rate decreased monthly for the rest of 2020, reaching 4.4 percent in December, and continued gradually downward through the first four months of 2021. The increase of two-tenths of a percentage point from April 2021 to June 2021over the last two months appeared to be related to a temporary shortage in the supply of semiconductor chips, which caused production slowdowns in some manufacturing industries. Due to benchmark revisions, Missouri’s unemployment rate rose a tenth of a percentage point higher than the national rate in January and February of 2020, but has been below the national rate for every month since February 2020. The national unemployment rate decreased from 5.9 percent in June 2021 to 5.4 percent in July 2021. The estimated number of unemployed Missourians was 128,685 in July 2021, down by 4,639 from June’s 133,324. The state’s not-seasonally-adjusted
unemployment rate also decreased in July 2021, dropping by 1.2 percentage points to 3.9 percent from the June 2021 not-seasonally-adjusted rate of 5.1 percent. The decrease resulted from the recall of manufacturing workers from shortterm layoff. The corresponding notseasonally-adjusted national rate for July 2021 was 5.7 percent. A year ago, the state’s seasonally adjusted rate was 6.8 percent, and the not-adjusted rate was 7.3 percent. EMPLOYMENT Missouri’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment was 2,835,700 in July 2021, up by 15,000 from the revised June 2021 figure. However, the June 2021 total was revised downward by 2,700 from the preliminary estimate, producing a revised increase of 1,500 jobs from May 2021 to June 2021 and a revised increase of 131,100 jobs from June 2020 to June 2021. Goods-producing industries gained 800 jobs over the month, in manufacturing, with gains in both durable and non-durable goods and electronics manufacturing. These gains were enough to offset an employment loss in motor vehicle manufacturing, which was hampered by a shortage of semiconductor chips for on-board computers. Meanwhile, serviceproviding industries gained 14,200 jobs between June and July 2021, with increases in leisure & hospitality (+3,500 jobs) and professional & business services (+3,100 jobs). Government employment showed an increase of 6,700 jobs over the month. Total payroll employment increased by 83,900 jobs from July 2020 to July 2021, reflecting the recovery from job cuts brought on by the initial wave of COVID-19 infections. All but one of the major private-sector industry groups shared in the increases, with the largest gain in leisure & hospitality (+29,400 jobs), followed by professional and business services (+20,200 jobs), educational & health services (+18,000 jobs), and trade, transportation & utilities (+9,400 jobs). The sole privatesector exception was financial activities, which lost 3,800 jobs. Government employment decreased over the year, with a loss of 100 jobs concentrated in federal and local government.
For sponsorship opportuni es and to register, call Tasha at 816‐443‐5162 or email info@growgrainvalley.org. Silent auc on item dona ons are also welcomed. Please contact Tasha (816‐443‐5162) to do‐ nate an item for the silent auc on.
www.growgrainvalley.org
Technology
5
How can I keep my banking accounts safe from hackers? by Burton Kelso, The Technology Expert If you're reading this, you probably bank online. It's so darned convenient to be able to sit on a computer or pull out your smartphone to check your balance, transfer funds, and deposit checks. While online banking has made life easier for you to stay on top of your finances, it also makes it easier for thieves to see what's going on with your money, and even help themselves to your hard-earned cash. Banks do their job to make sure your accounts are safe, but you need to make sure you're doing your part as well. Here are some quick and easy tips to help you keep your online accounts safe and secure from cybercriminals. 1. Choose a financial institution that uses industry-standard security. If you're like most people you want to use credit unions or banks that can offer you minimum fees and great interest rates. You also need to add robust security to your wish list. Industry-standard security with financial institutions includes multifactor authentication which includes, your user name and password as well, another means of proof that you're the account holder such as sending a passcode or text message to your smartphone. Another practice they employ is to automatically log you out of your account after periods of inactivity. Most of the larger banks and financial institutions employ these methods for all of their account holders. If your bank doesn't offer multifactor authentication, you need to move to another bank. 2. Don't trust links to visit your bank or financial institution. Criminals love to send out phishing emails and with all of the information they can gather about you from the dark web, it's easy for them to impersonate a representative from your bank. Most phishing emails claim there is a problem with an account with a link to make it convenient to log into your account to fix the problem. Behind the link, thieves are waiting to steal your banking credentials.
To avoid this, always open your favorite web browser and enter the URL to your bank. This will help you avoid one of the favorite tricks crooks use to get access to your data. 3. Connecting to Public Wi-Fi to Access Your Bank Is a No-No. Not all public WiFi is bad, but why should you take a risk? Using your computer and devices on public Wi-Fi puts you at risk to have criminals steal your information. If you're out and about and you need to log into one of your financial accounts, use your smartphone or tablet connected only to your cell phone network. Your cellular connection is a secure connection and will allow you to check on your finances without risking leaking your information. 4. Monitor your accounts on a regular basis. One of the best ways to keep your accounts safe is to check your transactions regularly. I know most of you probably log into your financial accounts to see if there is money in your accounts, but you also need to make sure there aren't any irregular transactions occurring The only way to make absolutely sure is to check your account balances and transaction history regularly and make sure your money isn't going anywhere it isn't supposed to. If you see strange suspicious activity, change your account password, and contact your bank immediately. 5. Change Your Passwords Like your Underwear. Most banks and financial institutions require you to create strong passwords, but you need to change them every few months. Doing so will protect you if your bank gets breached and your login information is leaked to the dark web. Criminals will sit on passwords for months before attempting to use them to log into accounts. If you get into the habit of changing yours every few months, you will stay ahead of cyber thieves. 6. Enable text alerts. If your financial institutions allow you to enable text alerts for your accounts to notify you of low balances and large
transactions, do it immediately. These alerts allow you to contact the bank immediately if you see strange activity on your account. 7. Keep your devices updated. Hackers love outdated smartphones, tablets, and computers. It makes it easier for them or their software to get access to your devices. Updating doesn't mean you have to go out and purchase new technology every 18 months, but it does mean downloading the latest operating systems and updates to keep your gadgets secure from cyber threats. Whenever a new update comes out for your device, download it immediately. I know most of the tips I've shared are common sense, but it is always a good idea to stay on top of your financial accounts. If your money disappears, it's gone forever. If for some reason you are a victim of fraudulent activity on your accounts, you can dispute unauthorized charges for 60 days after the date of your bank statement. Looking for More Useful Tech Tips? Our Tuesday Tech Tips Blog is
released every Tuesday. If you like video tips, we livestream new episodes of 'Computer and Tech Tips for Non-Tech People' every Wednesday at 6:00 pm CST on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Technology product reviews are posted every Thursday. You can view previous episodes on our YouTube
Want to ask me a tech question? Send it to burton@callintegralnow.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.
Community Voices
6
Guest Column: Dr. Marc Snow, Superintendent of Schools Grain Valley Schools Community, We are excited for the start of a new school year! Last year brought many challenges to our community, as it did to communities across the country, and many difficult decisions were required of us throughout the school year. I wish to thank our entire school community for your involvement, your patience, and your trust, as we have worked to overcome the challenges of the pandemic, including trying to keep students engaged with their teachers as much as possible, and to keep families informed on the latest updates. Our staff members have worked so
hard and so creatively to support the learning and emotional needs of students. They truly rose to the challenge and I am so proud of their excellent work! This summer, our School Board looked to the future, approving a new five-year strategic plan for continuous improvement. We appreciate the involvement of more than 60 community stakeholders, including parents, guardians, students, and staff, who answered our call for volunteers to develop this new plan. We are eager to meet these ambitious expectations. You can check out our new plan on our website at GrainValleySchools.org. Grain Valley Schools continues to have one of the longest-running patterns of year-over-year growth in
Letters to the editor and guest columns are welcome. This is YOUR community news source. Send your letters, comments, and story ideas by email, mail, or send us a message on social media (@grainvalleynews). Email: news@grainvalleynews.com Mail: Grain Valley News: PO Box 2972, Grain Valley MO 64029
Fall Internship Opportunity Gain valuable experience working with a community newspaper. This paid internship opportunity is open to college students pursuing a career in journalism, or for high school seniors intending to study journalism. The successful candidate must be deadline oriented, producing quality news stories on a weekly basis. Internships are approximately 5-8 hours per week, with at least one evening commitment per week, covering government or education related meetings. Most work can be done remotely, working around school and work schedules. Submit cover letter, resume, and at least three references to news@grainvalleynews.com.
Our advertisers support your local news. Support Small Business. Shop Local.
w w w. g ra i n va l l e y n e w s . c o m
the state. Our community has consistently stepped up to support the addition of classrooms, schools, and other facility needs over the years. Work on the latest addition to our high school will be completed for the start of this school year and was made possible with the passage of a bond issue in June of 2020. The completion of this phase brings us just over halfway through our planned additions and renovations to the high school campus, which, when completed, will provide all students a modern high school facility. We have delayed major renovations or additions to our district office facility located on our Pink Hill Road campus for several years as we prioritized classroom and student activity space
needs. Now we are looking into ways to address the needs of district-level operations as well. We will share updates with our school community as we work on possible solutions. It is a pleasure to serve this community and I look forward to working with you to ensure continued success for our students as we begin a new school year. Again, thank you for your support as we seek to do our very best for “every student, every day.” Sincerely, Dr. Marc A. Snow Superintendent of Schools (816) 847-5006 msnow@gvr5.net
Grain Valley Fair Parade Entries Due Sept. 3rd The 2021 Grain Valley Fair Parade returns on Saturday, September 11th and will be presented by Grain Valley News. This year’s theme will be “Looking Back. Moving Forward.” As our state celebrates its bicentennial this year, we thought it was a fitting theme to look back at where we have been as a community and look forward to a bright future. Our honorary Grand Marshals, the Grain Valley Historical Society, will receive 100% of the entry fees from this year’s event.
To guarantee you are judged and announced, entry forms (and payment, if required) must be received by Friday, September 3, 2021. The parade will begin at 2:00pm with lineup at the high school beginning approximately 12:30pm. Judging will occur on the parade route. There is no fee for school or nonprofit organizations. For entry forms and more information, visit www.grainvalleynews.com/parade, or email news@grainvalleynews.com.
7 TEACHERS
continued from page 1
Secondary Education) and my dad was a supervising operator at the nuclear power plant where I lived, so you put those two things together and you get a science teacher,” Stewart quipped. “I’ve always had a passion for science and I’m such a social person, teaching was just the right fit for me.” Olivia Riley lives in Grain Valley and grew up in Lee’s Summit. Riley graduated from UMKC’s Conservatory of Music and is starting her first year of teaching as a music teacher at Matthews Elementary. A lifelong love of music paved the way for Riley to pursue a career in teaching music. “I really want to be that teacher that plants the idea that music is for everyone,” Riley said. Riley said the expansiveness of the elementary music curriculum is what she loves most. “The inclusivity of it is wonderful. We get to experience a full tour of music.” Meetings for first-year teachers began two weeks ago, and their schedules have included a flurry of professional development sessions, meetings, and classroom preparation. “It’s a lot of stress, but we have such a great team in this department. They’ve really taken care of me,” Stewart said. “I don’t have any family up here, so it’s been a challenge. Having this community that is so open and welcoming really makes a difference.” During an August 10th meeting for first-year teachers, the Grain Valley Education Foundation presented each teacher with a $100 check to help with supplies and classroom set-up. Stewart and Riley said the contributions are incredibly helpful as they prepare for their first year. “That $100 means the world to me. If you look around my classroom at the decorations and supplies, almost all of it
has been purchased by me, given to me by my parents, or given to me as graduation gifts. It’s very expensive, and that $100 can help me when I’m teaching, and I realize that a poster or model might help me get more hands on with my students or better explain a difficult concept. That $100 can be stretched so far. I had chills when they presented them to us,” Stewart said. Riley agreed that the $100 gift helped relieve some of the stress of preparing a classroom as a first-year teacher. “I knew as a teacher that most of the supplies and decorations were going to have to be purchased by me. It wasn’t even a question. Instruments are so expensive, so I knew my classroom budget would go for most of those items. After we received the gift from the Foundation, my mind was immediately racing, thinking of all the things I could purchase that could be used immediately by students,” Riley said. Now that all of the prep work is coming to an end, Riley and Stewart are working through their first day of school jitters and focusing on the year ahead. “I’m most looking forward to getting to meet my students. All of this preparation we do before hand is stressful, but once all the prep work is done and the students are in the classroom, I won’t be thinking about that. I am so excited to have that first moment of actual music making. After more than a year of not having those experiences (due to pandemic related mitigation efforts), I’m really excited to safely get back to some of those small musical moments,” Riley said. “Our freshman will be having the same first-day jitters that I will be having. It’s the first day of high school for all of us. But it will be a great year,” Stewart said.
Parents: Send us your first day of school photos! It’s one of our favorite times of year! Parents—send us your kids’ first day of school photos and we’ll publish as many as we can in next week’s online edition. Send your photos to us at news@grainvalleynews.com or look for our post on Facebook on the first day of school. Wishing everyone a great school year!
Your Health
8
Dietitian tips to maximize muscle recovery by Tara Sallee, MS, RD, LD, Hy-Vee Corporate Dietitian Training is a stressor on the body. During weightlifting and resistance training, our muscle fibers are broken down and weakened at a microscopic level. A proper diet, rest and recovery allow our bodies to adapt to this stimulus and rebuild the muscle fibers to be bigger, faster and stronger. After exercise, our muscle cells are like a dry sponge, ready to absorb nutrients and start the recovery process. To maximize recovery, aim for the four R’s of post-exercise fueling: Refuel with carbohydrates. We need carbohydrates to replenish our muscle glycogen or our stored carbohydrate in our muscles. This is especially important if you are training multiple times in a day. Glycogen is what we tap into during intense exercise, and we need to replenish it with carbohydrates. Repair with high-quality protein. Protein provides the building blocks for new muscle, and high-quality protein after a workout jumpstarts the muscle repair process.
Rehydrate with fluids and electrolytes. We lose water and electrolytes in sweat. That’s why it’s important to include both to fully rehydrate our body. Water will quench your thirst, but it will not provide electrolytes like sodium and potassium, which are lost in sweat. Reinforce with color and/or healthy fats. Exercise is a stressor on the body and creates a low level of inflammation in the body. We can fight inflammation in the body by consuming essential fats like omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants found in colorful fruits or vegetables. Post workout is the best time to include these key nutrients. While protein food sources are always preferred, it’s not always the most convenient food group to have on hand. A high-quality protein drink or powder can be a terrific solution. Whey protein is a classic choice for a convenient and versatile protein source. Whey is derived from milk and is known for its high amounts of essential amino acids to support muscle recovery and growth. A well-formulated whey protein, such as Performance Inspired Isolate Whey or Ready 2Go Protein, is a perfect option for a recovery snack on-
the-go, or to complement any meal to provide high-quality protein. Connect with your Hy-Vee dietitian for sports nutrition services on our new virtual nutrition services platform. To learn more, visit hy-vee.com/health and schedule a complimentary Discovery Session. Our Food & Fitness Virtual Nutrition Store Tour is all about developing healthy habits in and out of the gym. Join a Hy-Vee registered dietitian on this virtual tour to learn shopping tips and product recommendations to support an active lifestyle. Other services are available to help you meet your health and wellness goals, including one-on-one consultation packages, other virtual nutrition store tours and more! Check out this smoothie recipe from hy-vee.com for your next workout recovery snack.
Strawberry-Mango BCAA Smoothie Serves 1 All you need: 1 scoop Performance Inspired BCAA Tropical Mango Delight Flavor ½ cup Hy-Vee frozen mango chunks ½ cup Hy-Vee frozen strawberries 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk, or milk of choice ½ cup ice All you do: Add BCAA powder, frozen mangoes, frozen strawberries, coconut milk and ice to a high powered blender. Blend until smooth. Serve immediately. Source: https://www.hy-vee.com/recipesideas/recipes/strawberry-mango-bcaasmoothie
The information is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional for individual advice.
Why now is the time to schedule that check-up or screening (StatePoint) If you haven’t visited your physician since the start of the pandemic, medical experts say that the time is now to book check-ups and screenings for the entire family. “The pandemic has had wide-scale negative health consequences beyond COVID-19. Many Americans have delayed important routine health services critical to keeping them healthy, including vital pediatric immunizations and preventive
cancer screenings. Prevention is the best cure, so it’s important to get your health back on track today,” says Gerald E. Harmon, M.D., American Medical Association (AMA) president. With school beginning and the cool weather months ahead, the AMA urges Americans to call their physician’s office to learn if they are due for preventive care or screenings.
Outdoors & Recreation
9
MDC urges early sign ups for hunter education by Bill Graham, Missouri Department of Conservation The autumn hunting seasons are approaching, and the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) urges new hunters to start early on obtaining the hunter education certificates needed to legally hunt. Online and inperson options are available. Hunter education teaches and tests participants about safe firearms handling and basic hunting skills and regulations. The certification course can be completed online by hunters age 16 and older for a paid fee to an online provider. But for hunters age 11 to 15, or those of any age seeking in-person instruction, they must take the free skills class in person. The skills classes are for students
age 11 and older. They will need to complete the knowledge portion of the class prior to the skills session. That can be done by filling out the chapter review questions in the student manual, or youths ages 11 to 15 can complete the knowledge portion online for a fee paid to the provider. Printed student manuals are available at MDC offices, or they can be ordered online for free at https:// short.mdc.mo.gov/Zox. Several in-person skills sessions are scheduled in weeks ahead in both the northwest and Kansas City regions. Additional sessions will be schedule in the future. The Kansas City region has a session scheduled from 5:30 to 9:30pm on
Wednesday, September 15th, at MDC’s Parma Woods Shooting Range at Parkville. A session will be offered from 5:30 to 9:30pm on Thursday, September 16th, at the Cass County Career Center in Harrisonville. A session is scheduled from 5 to 9:00pm on Thursday, September 23rd, at the MDC Discovery Room at the Missouri State Fairgrounds in Sedalia. Registration is required for these classes. COVID-19 precautions will be followed. Some in-person hunter education skills classes offered by MDC in August and September are already full. So new hunters seeking an inperson skills class are urged to register for a session early. New hunters can register for an in-
Photo credit: MDC person class or check to see the complete schedule of classes offered by visiting https://short.mdc.mo.gov/Zof. For more information about Missouri’s hunter education program, visit https:// short.mdc.mo.gov/Z9Y.
Theme: Back to School ACROSS 1. *____ mater 5. *Graduate degree, acr. 8. Opposite of stereo 12. Defense ditch 13. Fishing rod attachment 14. More sure 15. One's final notice 16. Dutch cheese 17. Golfer's traction aid 18. *Half-year terms 20. At the summit of 21. Water nymph 22. Actor ____ Mahershala 23. Be a busybody 26. Metrical foot in poetry 30. Earlier in time, archaic 31. Become bony 34. Shakespeare's tragic monarch 35. Labanotation founder 37. Theodor Geisel, ____ Dr. Seuss 38. Threshold 39. Relating to the ear 40. Weather advisories, e.g. 42. + or - atom 43. Widely esteemed 45. Most mature, as in fruit 47. Indian dish 48. Dashboard window 50. Female sheep, pl. 52. *"The Breakfast Club" punishment 56. Flower holders 57. Singles 58. High school breakout 59. Acoustic output 60. Overwhelming defeat 61. *Gym class test? 62. Catchall abbr. 63. *Geography class staple 64. Not talker?
DOWN 1. ____ of cookie fame 2. Stud site 3. Cripple 4. *Go to class 5. Mythological princess of Colchis 6. TV cooking show pioneer James ____ 7. Contributions to the poor 8. *Kind of choice 9. Black and white treat 10. Less than average tide 11. Table scrap 13. Laces again 14. Milan's La ____ 19. Manicurist's office 22. Is it ____ wonder? 23. Hard on outside, juicy on inside 24. One of the Muses 25. Payment option 26. From a great distance 27. Chill-inducing 28. Type of palm tree, pl. 29. Council of _____, city in Italy 32. *Back-to-School retail event 33. WWII general who became President 36. *Faculty member 38. "Peace" with fingers 40. TV classic "____ in the Family" 41. Superlative of true 44. Lowest male singing voice 46. Small bomb 48. Christopher Columbus' birthplace 49. Consumed (2 words) 50. Small ladies' handbag 51. What one does at the altar 52. *College freshman's new digs 53. International Civil Aviation Organization 54. Half as much as twice 55. ____-do-well 56. Every American's uncle?
Sports
10 Grain Valley Football Preview by Michael Smith
The Grain Valley football team lost 22 seniors from its 2020 team that made the Class 5 state quarterfinals. Oftentimes losing that many players from a successful team could lead to a down year the following season. Some outside the team are thinking that according to some of the Eagles players and coaches. But if you ask starting quarterback Caleb Larson, the Eagles are poised to prove the doubters wrong in 2021. “Our goal is to win state,” Larson said. “We could be the smallest team or we could be the biggest team. We’re coming out and working hard every day. We are coming to win that ring. We have some critics out there, but we are getting past that.” The Eagles will be led by Larson, a first-year quarterback who has looked good in summer camps, according to head coach David Allie. He is a signal caller who mostly likes to throw from the pocket, but has enough speed to take off running with the ball when needed. Most importantly, he works hard, Allie said. “We’re still working on reads and hitting the right guy, but he wants to make this position his, and he’s done a great job,” Allie said. “I really appreciated his work ethic. He wants to be better, he wants to work at it, he wants to watch film. “I would not call him a great runner, but he’s a deceptive runner. He makes the read, he pulls it and he’s gone. He’s not only a deceptive runner, he hasn’t been afraid to be physical with it either.” Larson will have a huge help in the backfield from Jaxon Wyatt, who is a returning starter at running back. He rushed for 959 yards and eight touchdowns on 150 carries and has also made some huge strides in the offseason on catching the ball out of the backfield. He will get the bulk of the carries but will be aided by fellow running backs junior Christian Lanear, freshman DJ Harris and senior Dalton Larry, all of whom could see some carries this season. “When we need him to get the hard yards, he will get them,” Larson said of Wyatt. “He can also get on the outside and get up the field.” At wide receiver, Logan Pratt will
likely be the No. 1 receiver. He is a speedy receiver that provides Larson with a deep threat who can also catch the ball on shorter routes, as well. Eric Rhymes, a senior, will likely be on the opposite side of the field from Pratt and also provides some speed on the outside. Sophomore Anthony Greco, Ty Williams and junior Keagan Hart will also see some time at receiver, too. “We have some pretty good receivers,” Larson said. “Greco is more of the first down, possession type receiver and Rhymes is the explosive player like Pratt. Keegan is just a freak of nature. He does a little bit of everything.” On the offensive line is where the Eagles have the least amount of experience with two returns coming back from the 2020 team. Cooper Terry and Connor Heitman come back with some varsity experience at the tackle positions. The other three offensive line spots will be filled by newcomers. Those fighting for the remaining three spots are Stylz Blackmon, Brycen Crandall, Easton Knight and Sheldon Croan. At tight end, senior tight end Trent Weber will assist with blocking. “Those guys are starting to communicate better,” Allie said of his offensive line. “It’s all about angles and technique and knowing who you are supposed to go get, and those guys talk well. We run a gap (blocking) scheme. We mix it up.” On defense, the Eagles have two returning starters in the secondary and one with varsity experience as a backup. Senior cornerback Tristan Pouncil and Hart, a safety, are both who were starters and senior cornerback Jordan Jones started some games last season. Junior Vincent Wilkins and sophomore Gabe Storment are candidates to fill out a secondary that will likely be the strength of the Grain Valley defense. “Our secondary is definitely a strength and I think we can live up to the potential that we have,” Pouncil said. The Eagles also have three returning players with varsity experience on the defensive line including senior Sawyer Farris, senior Ethan Schaaf and junior Jake Allen will battle in the trenches up front. Junior Rhylan Alcanter is a newcomer who could make an impact on the defensive line, as well.
Above: Jacari Hamilton takes off along the sideline during practice Monday. Below: Senior wide receiver Logan Pratt looks for running room after catching a pass. Photo credit: Michael Smith
Senior Grant Ward and Blackmon could also see time there, too. “He’s long and explosive and can play inside or outside for us,” Allie said of Alcanter. “He’s a kid that’s going to surprise a lot of people because they don't know anything about him.” The linebacker core will be led by Gage Forkner who will move from outside linebacker to inside linebacker. He’s a football savvy player who is a sound tackler for the Eagles. Senior Owen Perkins and sophomore Brody Baker could see time at the inside linebacker positions and on the outside
senior Elijah Moore, junior Nathan Testa and junior Cole Elliott will likely see time on the gridiron. “We moved him to the inside this year to run the defense for us,” Allie said of Forkner. “He can play either position but we hope to keep him on the inside because he’s smart and he’s vocal. He’s one of those leaders you need running your defense.” At kicker, Grain Valley has a big weapon in Austin Schmidt, an Eagles soccer player who has hit field goals from 52 yards out in practice. “We are excited about him,” Allie said. “He worked hard and worked with a
see FOOTBALL on page 12
Sports
11
Girls Golf Preview by Michael Smith Grain Valley girls golf coach Randy Hughes is optimistic heading into the 2021 season. Normally, he has eight or nine girls trying out for the varsity team. This year, he has 15 players on the team including four seniors who are trying golf for the first time, and that gives more options for Hughes to choose from when filling out the five-person varsity roster. “This is the biggest group we’ve had since I’ve been here,” Hughes said. “We have quite a few young girls which is promising for the future.” Grain Valley returns four golfers with varsity experience including Seena Tyler, who was six strokes shy of qualifying for the Missouri State Girls Golf Tournament during the Class 3, District 2 Tournament. She finished with a 107, finishing in a tie for 25th place. Also coming back with experience from last year’s team are Maya Bartlett, Charlie Dressen and Lexi Arreguin. Freshman Mallory Crane is coming in with a good amount of golf experience as she played in a handful of tournaments over the summer. Hughes said she will likely be competing with Tyler for the No. 1 spot on the varsity squad. Fellow freshman Italia Haywood is someone who could potentially contribute to the varsity team, as well. “We have had five or six other freshmen who have come out and shown some promise, too,” Hughes said. “We have quite a few seniors who are playing for the first time and are making progress. We had a senior play with us for the first time last year, too, and she was on the varsity team. “Golf is a lifelong sport. Some people don’t play until they’re 25 years old and they develop a passion for it.” Crane said she won a tournament over the summer and is hoping the momentum from her offseason carries over into high school play. She hopes to continue building on her strength, which is her tee shots. “My tee shots and my driver is pretty good,” Crane said. “I am usually able to get off to a good start. I am definitely working on my short game. Those putts
Pictured: Kylie Steele Photo credit: Michael Smith get you.” “I play in USGA Tournaments and I played in about 10 of those before this season,” Crane said. “I took first at Drumm Farm in my last tournament. I shot a 96.” Tyler is hoping to make her first state appearance as a sophomore. And a key to making that happen will be improving her short game, she said. “That’s the ultimate goal, to make it to state,” Tyler said. “I just need to take my time and focus on practice. The short game is the most important part of your game. I am definitely working on that.” Hughes said his team will have a chance to have some top finishes in some tournaments this season with four returners and some talented newcomers coming on the team. “We will have a chance depending on the teams we play and what tournament we are in,” Hughes said. With some experience returning and some upcoming prospects showing they are capable of playing well over the summer, Hughes can see 2021 as a marquee year for the program. In the program’s history, only two players have made it to the state tournament for Grain Valley. Taylor Hileman was the last person to do it during the 2019 season. “This year, we have a shot of getting a couple through,” Hughes said. “I think there’s a really good chance, depending on the district, to get two to state and maybe even more than that.”
Seena Tyler is one of the returning golfers with varsity experience. Tyler finished just six strokes shy of qualifying for last year’s State tournament. Photo credit: Michael Smith
Freshman Mallory Crane (left) and freshman Italia Haywood look to contribute to this year’s team. Photo credit: Michael Smith
G R A I N VA L L E Y N E W S Our advertisers support your local news. Support Small Business. Shop Local.
w w w. g ra i n va l l e y n e w s . c o m
FOOTBALL
continued from page 10
kicking coach over the summer and he’s booting the heck out of the ball. He’s going to be a weapon we haven’t had in the past few years.” While the Eagles lost a lot of experience from last year’s team, Allie likes what he has seen from this year’s team. It’s a squad that definitely isn’t lacking confidence.
“These kids have been around success, that’s all they know,” Allie said. “Now it’s their turn. They are a hard-working positive group. They believe. Others see all the guys we lost from last year’s team and count us out, they are going to make it tough for other teams to take Grain Valley lightly. They will take on whoever comes on.”
Community Calendar August 18, 2021
September 6, 2021
Grow a Reader Virtual Storytime 10:00am—10:30am Join library staff for Live Zoom Virtual Storytimes for your littles (and maybe for you too)! www.mymcpl.org/events
Labor Day Grain Valley Schools closed Grain Valley City Hall closed
August 20, 2021 Food Truck Fridays 4:30pm—8:00pm Behind Grain Valley Community Center www.grainvalleyfair.org
August 23, 2021 First Day of School Grain Valley Schools Board of Aldermen Meeting 7:00pm Grain Valley City Hall, 711 Main ST
August 26, 2021
Grain Valley sophomore Brek Sloan rolls to his right to try and find an open receiver during practice Monday. Photo credit: Michael Smith
Community Forum: Session Two Drug Trends Hosted by Grain Valley Police Department 6:30pm 207 W. Walnut, Grain Valley
September 8, 2021 Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting 6:30pm Grain Valley City Hall, 711 Main ST
September 10-11, 2021 Grain Valley Fair Parade: Saturday, Sept. 11th at 2pm For complete schedule of events, visit www.grainvalleyfair.org
September 28, 2021 National Night Out Event 6:00pm—8:00pm The Pavilion at Armstrong Park
Add your community event at www.grainvalleynews.com.
Grain Valley Community Calendar sponsored by
Crosetti Health & Wellness
PHARMACY C O V I D - 1 9 Va c c i n e — Wa l k - I n s We l c o m e R a p i d C O V I D Te s t i n g — Please call to schedule
Now Open at 510 N Main, Grain Valley 9:00am - 7:00pm Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 1:00pm Saturday
8 1 6 - 8 4 7 - 6 9 3 0 | w w w. c ro s e t t i s . c o m
G R A I N VA L L E Y N E W S Our advertisers support your local news. Support Small Business. Shop Local.
w w w. g ra i n va l l e y n e w s . c o m
