Valley News: September 2, 2021 by grainvalleynews

Vol. 4 No. 36 | September 2, 2021 | www.grainvalleynews.com

City seeks citizen input for place branding study The City has launched a Place Branding Study to identify ways to attract more businesses, amenities, residents and travelers. This initiative is an outcome of the City’s 2021 – 2025 Strategic Plan. The public is invited to take a survey by visiting brandgrainvalley.com or text Survey to 844-203-2238. candid marketing will guide the City

FREE

County extends mask mandate until October 7th

through the development of the community brand by facilitating research and implementing the rebrand once the “personality” of Grain Valley is adequately identiﬁed. The survey will close on December 3, 2021, and the Place Branding Project is scheduled to be completed by March 2022.

Good News: Community Center pool goes to the dogs on September 7th

A majority of the Jackson County Legislature voted to extend the County’s public health order requiring maskwearing 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.”

Grain Valley Fair and parade return September 10-11

File photo The Grain Valley Aquatic Center will go to the dogs on Tuesday, September 7th from 6:00pm—8:00pm. The pool is open once a year for dogs, the night before the pool is drained, for only $5/ dog.

Only one dog per person is allowed, and dogs must be current on all vaccinations. Dogs may not be left unattended and must be under voice control at all times.

In This Edition: Looking Back: The Storms Family

Your Health: Plants on your plate

Sports: Grain Valley takes down Pleasant Hill in ﬁve sets

Cover Image: Grain Valley Eagles football looks to week two vs. Oak Park after a ﬁrst week loss against Smithville. Photo credit: John Overstreet

After having to cancel almost all events in 2020 due to COVID-19, the Grain Valley Fair committee is thrilled to open its fair next weekend. The Fair will be held at Armstrong Park on September 10th and 11th, with the community parade held downtown on Saturday, September 11th at 2:00pm. It feels great and a little overwhelming to be back at it full blown. After being off a year from the Fair we are a bit rusty. You forget a lot of the little stuff that it takes to make it all happen and all the people that have to work together to pull it off. You never know how much goes into it until you are involved,” Fair committee chair Mike Todd said. The committee has planned a full weekend of entertainment for the entire family. “Bob Jovi and KCDC will deﬁnitely be something you won't want to miss. They are a couple of the top bands in KC. We have more vendors this year than we had in 2019, so people will want to put some time aside to do some shopping. There are numerous boutiques, crafters, and direct sales booths. We also have a new carnival this year coming to us from Iowa so new rides and new inflatables that we

haven't had before at the Fair. Plus the parade is always one of the largest events in Grain Valley for the year so having it back is great.” The community parade will be held Saturday, September 11th at 2:00pm, with the parade beginning at the high school, heading north on Main Street, west on Walnut, and south on Kirby on the way back to the high school. Volunteers are the backbone of the event, and additional volunteers are needed throughout the fair. “We are always looking for volunteers. With the number of vendors we have coming in we could deﬁnitely use help during vendor set up starting at 10:00am on September 10th. We can also use volunteers during the fair hours for things such as vendor hospitality, ﬁrst aid, helping us keep an eye on restrooms, and keeping an eye on trash,” Todd said. Volunteers may reach out via email at gvfair@gmail.com. For more information, visit www.grainvalleyfair.org and follow the Grain Valley Fair page on Facebook. “We also have a few other surprises we are working on right now that we will announce on Facebook so that is the best place to keep updated,” Todd said.

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Gඋൺංඇ Vൺඅඅൾඒ Fൺංඋ 2021 Friday, September 10th and Saturday, September 11, 2021

Presented to you by City of Grain Valley, Kohl’s Distribution Center, KC Cannabis, T-Mobile, and CenterPoint Hospital

Schedule brought to you by Valley News and Metropolitan Community College

Friday September 10th 4:00-10:00 4:00-10:00 5:00-11:00 4:00-11:00 6:00-7:30 8:00-9:00 9:30-11:00

Saturday September 11th 11:00-10:00

11:00-10:00

11:00-11:00 11:30-12:00 12:00-12:20 1:00-1:30 2:00-4:00 4:00-11:30 4:00-4:20 4:30-6:30 6:00-Finish 6:30-6:50 7:00-8:30 9:00-11:00

Carnival Midway Open Fair Grounds Brought to you by Truman Medical Centers/University Health and MO Country Vendor Booths Open Fair Grounds Brought to you by Casey’s General Stores and Grain Valley State Farm Baby Contest Voting Open Information Tent Brought to you by the Grain Valley Partnership HITT Dance Class Demonstration East Stage of the Pavilion Brought to you Beyond Fitness Reptile Show: Inspiring Scales Snakes: East Stage of the Pavilion Brought to you by Why Not Reptiles/EpicStyle LLC Pilates Class Demonstration East Stage of the Pavilion Brought to you Beyond Fitness Grain Valley Community Parade Starts at High School Brought to you by Valley News Beer Garden Open Large Pavilion Brought to you by the Grain Valley Partnership Reptile Show: Inspiring Scales Lizards: East Stage of the Pavilion Brought to you by Why Not Reptiles/EpicStyle LLC Misty River Band Main Stage of the Pavilion Brought to you by Edward Jones of Grain Valley Cornhole Tournament Fair Grounds Brought to you by Wild Souls Wildlife Rescue and Rehab Reptile Show: Inspiring Scales Tortoise/Alligator: East Stage of the Pavilion Brought to you by Why Not Reptiles/EpicStyle LLC Bob Jovi Main Stage of the Pavilion Brought to you by Sheet Metal Workers Local NO. 2 KCDC Main Stage of the Pavilion Brought to you by Dell’s Powersports

Thank you to our Partner Sponsors St. Mary’s Hospital, Star Development, and Grain Valley Price Chopper Info Tent brought to you by Blue Springs Ford, Derek’s Painting, Valley Baptist Church, and MOD Pizza. Make sure to grab a Can Koozie from the Beer Garden sponsored by KAT Excavation, Boot Barn, Casey’s General Stores, OOIDA, State Bank, Dell’s Powersports, Drew’s Diesel Repair, Blue Moon Lounge, beHome, Big O’s Rentals. Show-Me Hydro, Broadway Smiles Dentist, and Associated Services in Insurance. Parade Handouts sponsored by EKC Cross Baseball and Broadway Smiles Dentist For more information on vendors and sponsors, visit www.grainvalleyfair.org. Follow the Grain Valley Fair on Facebook for live broadcasts and updates throughout the fair.

3 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.

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Police Blotter The following information is derived from the Grain Valley Police Department daily calls for service log for the week of August 18-24, 2021. August 18, 2021 400 Block of SW Cross Creek DR 600 Block of Scenic DR 700 Block of SW Cross Creek DR 200 Block of Cross Creek LN 700 Block of Main 200 Block of Cypress 700 Block of Cross Creek 1400 Block of NE Mary Court 700 Block of SW Lee Ann Cir Main St & Harris ST 800 Block of SW Lee Ann DR 400 Block of SW Cross Creek DR Front ST & Elizabeth ST 700 Block of Spire CT 1400 Block of SW Blue Branch 700 Block of Squire Ct Main & Outer RD August 19, 2021 1100 Block of Buckner Tarsney 900 Block of NE Deercreek 700 Block of N Main ST 100 Block of Main 1100 Block of Ephraim 100 Block of Buckner Tarsney 1100 Block of N Buckner Tarsney

700 Block of Main Suspicious Vehicle Residence Check Suspicious Activity Citizen Contact Citizen Contact Via Phone Stolen Property Suspicious Activity Residence Check Follow Up on Property Damage Welfare Check Citizen Contact Area Check Motor Vehicle Accident Harassment Welfare Check Verbal Disturbance Motor Vehicle Accident

200 Block of Cypress

Motor Vehicle Accident Trespassing Motor Vehicle Accident Physical Disturbance Suspicious Activity Citizen Contact Citizen Requesting Medical Assistance Follow Up on Burglary

August 20, 2021 100 Block of N Main 700 Block of Squire CT Duncan East of Rust 1300 Block of Eagles Parkway 700 Block of Man ST 1200 Block S BT Road 900 Block of Deer Creek 1400 Block of Amanda Jean Way 600 Block of Yennie Duncan & Hedgewood 2100 Block of Sweetgum CT

Area Check Alarm Downed Tree Alarm Suspicious Activity Alarm Leaving the Scene Citizen Contact Civil Standby Citizen Contact Alarm

August 21, 2021 Sweetgum CT Area

Suspicious Person

Lakeview & Ginger Hill 500 Block of Centurion CT 300 Block of Yennie 800 Block of San Karr 800 Block of SW Montana Ridge 700 Block of N Main ST 700 Block of N Main ST 1100 Block of Main Clear Creek & Coldwater Creek 100 Block of Royer LN

Area Check Noise Complaint Suspicious Activity Verbal Disturbance Residence Check Armed Disturbance Physical Disturbance Physical Disturbance Citizen Contact Agency Assist-CJC Parking Complaint Disturbance

August 22, 2021 1200 Block of RD Mize RD 600 Block of SW Gateway CT 100 Block of Cross Creek 1200 Blcok of Phelps 900 Block of Birch

Citizen Contact Past Stealing Agency Assist-CJC Welfare Check Welfare Check

August 23, 2021 1000 Block of Dean 400 Block of SW Joseph LN 1300 Block of Eagles Ridge DR 900 Block of NE Deer Creek 1100 Block of Ephraim 600 Block of Yennie 1100 Block of Casey Blvd Hillsboro Drive & Whitestone 400 Block of Joseph Court Coronado & Brass Armadillo

Agency Assist-CJC Citizen Contact Dog Bite Disturbance Verbal Disturbance Shots Fired Verbal Disturbance Suspicious Activity Welfare Check Rolling Disturbance

August 24, 2021 400 Block of Orion 600 Block of Yennie 1200 Block of Ashley 200 Block of Cross Creek LN 400 Block of SW Joseph LN 100 Block of NE McQuerry 700 Block of Main 1000 Block of Shorthorn

Area Check Civil Standby Civil Matter Disturbance Civil Standby Dealer Application Motor Vehicle Accident Alarm

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

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Looking Back

4 Looking Back: The Storms Family by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society A couple of weeks ago Janice Butler brought to the Historical Society Museum a wonderful old family photo album along with a framed photo of her grandparents. New “old stuff” always motivates me to learn more about the people in the photos. Over the years, the Storms family and their descendants had an influence on our community. Logan’s father, his ﬁrst wife and their 11 children came from Garrand County, Kentucky, to Missouri in the 1860s. After Elizabeth died, he married Mary E. Stillwell and they had two sons, Logan Isaac in 1870 and Edward E. in 1871. Logan and Edward grew up in the Strasburg/ Pleasant Hill area of Cass County. The 1900 U. S. Census shows both were living

in Sni-A-Bar Township, Jackson County, Missouri. I believe the rest of the family stayed behind in Cass County. Logan Storms married Cora R. Scott on February 5, 1891. From my research I learned they had 7 children; Lottie, 1892; Luther, 1895; Laurette, 1898; Gilbert “Asa”, 1900; Herbert, 1903; Mildred, 1909 and Ama, 1915. Asa, named for his grandfather, work on Sni-A-Bar Farms until it was sold in 1945. Mildred married Felix Thompson and she lived in Grain Valley until her death in 1995. They had three children; all graduates of Grain Valley High School. Betty Joan (Thompson) Turner (19302010) served as the Postmaster in Grain Valley for many years. James “Jimmy” Thompson (1942-2011) graduated in 1960.

I remember him as a three-sport athlete who played a trumpet in the high school band. I remember Janice (Thompson) Butler as one of the pretty cheerleaders I admired and looked up to when I was in elementary school. And, by the way, all of their children are GVHS graduates as well! Thanks to Janice Butler who donated these family treasurers to the Historical Society.

Next week: I will tell you more about Edward E. Storms and his family. At right: Logan and Cora (Scott) Storms on the occasion of their 50th Wedding Anniversary February 5, 1941.

Celebrations: Stephen and Rose Brashears celebrate 50th anniversary Stephen and Rose Brashears of Grain Valley will celebrate their 50th anniversary on September 4th. They were married at North Cross United Methodist Church on September 4, 1971, and raised a family in Blue Springs. Stephen is retired from General Motors; Rose is retired from American

Family Insurance. They’ve provided unconditional love and support to their children Cory and Colin, son-in-law John, and granddaughters Sara and Kate (even when they didn’t deserve it). Wishing you both a very happy anniversary!

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

Business

Department awards $17.7 million through NAP and YOP special cycle The Department of Economic Development announced today that it will award $17.7 million in 50% and 70% tax credits through its Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) and Youth Opportunities Program (YOP) Special Cycle to 104 nonprofits across Missouri. “Missouri nonprofits have gone above and beyond to provide critical services to Missourians throughout the past year,” Governor Mike Parson said. “This program provides support to these organizations as they continue their great work to serve Missouri’s at-risk youth and cultivate strong, productive communities.” The NAP and YOP Special Cycle was created to assist nonprofits and other entities providing services to at-risk populations, prioritizing those serving opportunity youth. COVID-19 has had a massive impact on mental health for all citizens, including children. Anxiety, stress, and other negative conditions have been on the rise, and these organizations provide resources and

services that help children deal with these issues. Up to $8 million of NAP tax credits and $6 million of YOP tax credits were reserved for nonprofit organizations and other entities providing critical services to at-risk youth. Additional NAP and YOP credits were made available for nonprofits addressing other pressing community needs with priority for job training programs and services directly resulting in crime prevention. “Having a thriving economy requires having thriving communities,” Missouri Department of Economic Development Director Rob Dixon said. “That begins with dedicated organizations like these that provide vital services for our citizens and communities. Strong communities help bring more opportunities for our citizens, and we all benefit from the great work of these nonprofit organizations.”

Upcoming Partnership Events

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

State News

6 Capitol Report Representative Jeff Coleman, District 32 Numerous Bills Approved by the General Assembly Set to Become Law on August 28 The Missouri General Assembly had a highly productive legislative session and now the bulk of the bills passed by lawmakers and signed by the governor are set to become law on August 28. The bills that are now set to become law address some of the state’s most pressing issues such as the protection of children and vulnerable Missourians, as well as support for veterans and law enforcement. In total, the Missouri House and Senate approved 69 pieces of legislation during the 2021 legislative session. That number is up from the 2020 legislative session when the General Assembly gave final approval to 51 bills, but down from 2019 when 92 bills made it across the legislative finish line. Forty pieces of legislation originating in the House received final legislative approval. Eighteen of the bills are appropriations bills that make up the state operating budget. The Senate saw 29 of its bills

cross the ﬁnish line before session ended on May 14. Of the bills he received, Gov. Parson vetoed three House Bills, and one Senate Bill. He also made line-item vetoes in 12 of the 18 appropriations bills. The legislature will return on September 15 for its annual Veto Session. During Veto Session, legislators have a ﬁnal opportunity to enact their ideas into law despite the governor’s objections. In both chambers, a two-thirds vote is required to override a veto. In the House that amounts to 109 votes. Twentythree votes are needed in the Senate to successfully complete an override motion. To view a complete list of bills going into law by effective date, please visit: https://house.mo.gov/ newbillreport.aspx? year=2021&code=R&select=evergroupcod e:1&sortoptions=effectivedate Missouri Continues to Make Broadband Expansion a Top Priority This summer the Missouri House Special Interim Committee on Broadband Development has held public

hearings to discuss ways to improve broadband internet access across the state. Efforts to increase access received a boost recently as Gov. Mike Parson announced plans to utilize more than $400 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to increase broadband internet access statewide. The plan was developed through a multi-agency effort designed to address a diverse range of broadband connectivity challenges and is expected to impact hundreds of thousands of Missouri families. The plan requires the approval of the General Assembly, which will have to appropriate the funds when it returns for the 2022 regular session in January. According to the Federal Communications Commission, more than 147,000 households or almost 400,000 Missourians don’t have access to high-speed Internet (25mpbs/3mbps). The majority of those citizens reside in rural communities. Gov. Parson said, “Investing in our broadband infrastructure is critical to unlocking our full economic potential in this state and will serve Missourians for generations to come. We expect this investment to increase broadband internet connectivity and access in every corner of the state for hundreds of thousands of Missourians. Quality internet supports learning, health care, business, and agriculture in today’s economy, and we are excited to capitalize on this opportunity to truly make a difference and improve lives.” In addition to the $400 million plan, the Department of Economic Development also submitted an application to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Broadband Infrastructure Program requesting an additional $56 million for broadband deployment. If approved by NTIA, this funding could support up to 19 projects, connecting more than 17,000 households, businesses, and other institutions. Missouri Attorney General Files Lawsuit to Stop School Mask Mandates The Missouri Attorney General has ﬁled a class action lawsuit against school districts that are forcing a mask

mandate on schoolchildren and teachers. The reverse class action lawsuit names Columbia Public Schools, the Board of Education for the School District of Columbia and their board members, and the Superintendent for Columbia Public Schools as defendants. However, the lawsuit is in effect filed against all school districts in the state that have a mask mandate. If the class is certified, the ruling will bind other districts that have mandates. The lawsuit claims the mask mandate is arbitrary and capricious, and argues that children are at an extremely low risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19, that children are at a low risk for spreading COVID-19, that masks fail to provide adequate protection against COVID-19 in children, and that masks are detrimental to the development of young children. Citing Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services data, the lawsuit notes that zero children under the age of 10 have died from COVID-19. Further, the lawsuit notes that children make up less than 1 out of every 100,000 people who are hospitalized in Missouri. The lawsuit also cites numerous medical studies stating that children have a low risk of transmitting the virus to other children. Additionally, the lawsuit cites a study that surveyed 25,930 schoolchildren and noted that 68% “complained about impairments caused by wearing the masks.” The Missouri Attorney General said, “Forcing schoolchildren to mask all day in school flies in the face of science, especially given children’s low risk of severe illness and death and their low risk of transmission. Additionally, forcing schoolchildren to mask all day could hinder critical development by eliminating facial cues and expressions. We filed this suit today because we fundamentally don’t believe in forced masking; rather that parents and families should have the power to make decisions on masks, based on science and facts.” Please let me know If you have other concerns and suggestions. If you would like to schedule a specific time to meet locally, please call my office at 573-7511487, or email my office at jeff.coleman@house.mo.gov.

State News

COVID cases among children rising as Missouri Delta variant wave enters fifth month by Rudi Keller, Missouri Independent Clay LaRue, superintendent of the Van Buren R-1 School District, made a tough decision Sunday. With COVID-19 cases spiking in Carter County in southeast Missouri, and many of those infections among very young children, LaRue shut down the district’s pre-kindergarten program for two weeks. He had previously directed faculty, staff and students to wear masks as of Friday. There were 35 active cases among students and staff and 133 in quarantine as of Tuesday morning. Attendance in elementary grades, he said, is about 66 to 68 percent. LaRue is worried that if cases continue to increase, he will have to stop in-person instruction for other students as well. “We are very concerned,” LaRue said in an interview Tuesday with The Independent. “That was an email I sent to my board yesterday, that if this continues…today is our third day in masks, and hopefully that has slowed down spread and mitigated some of the spread.” One effect of the Delta variant wave is that children are a much larger share of recent COVID-19 cases. The highest vaccination rates are among older, more vulnerable people, resulting in case rates among that age group declining. Meanwhile, the vaccine remains unavailable to those under 12. Over the past six days, almost 1 in 5 of the confirmed cases in Missouri have been among children under 18. During the winter, it was fewer than 1 in 9. Of 10,147 cases in that period where the Department of Health and Senior Services has reported age data, 1,871 have been among school-age children — and more than half that number have been children under 10. No age data is available for the 3,014 antigen-tested cases reported in the same period. A similar share would result in about 550 more sick children. For a second week, COVID-19 cases are forcing high schools to cancel football games. Battle High School in Columbia announced Tuesday it would not play its Friday game, the Columbia Daily Tribune reported. Cases among people under 19 are as much as 30 percent of recent new cases from the five most populous counties of the St. Louis region, said Clay Dunagan, BJC HealthCare’s chief clinical officer and leader of the St. Louis Metropolitan Pandemic Task Force, in an interview with The Independent. “We have just got so many districts where parents and school boards are resistant to the idea of restrictions like masks,” Dunagan said. “We are seeing transmission in schools. We are already seeing cases pop up.” The 25 children hospitalized with COVID-19 in task force hospitals is three

times higher than in earlier waves of infection, he said. There were eight children in task force ICU beds in with COVID-19, the highest total of the pandemic, he said in an online briefing. Cases among children could halt the slow decline in recent weeks from the peak of the Delta variant wave, Dunagan said. “Given Delta, and if you are in a school district where they do not insist on masks, I think we will see this spread like wildfire,” he said. Missouri is now starting the fifth month of the Delta variant wave. It is possible September will be the first month since May when overall cases decline statewide. University of Missouri professor of immunology Marc Johnson, who analyzes wastewater samples for the Department of Health and Senior Services, said recent results have “plateaued at a high level.” The department reported 78,084 COVID-19 infections in August, up 28 percent from July and the most since January. While every week of August had higher average daily case numbers than July as a whole, daily case numbers peaked in the first week of the month. The department reported 943 COVID-19 deaths in August, with 355 occurring in July or earlier. The 588 deaths reported for the month so far make it the deadliest month of the pandemic since January. The total of 10,610 deaths among people with labconfirmed cases does not include more than 1,000 deaths recognized by local health departments across the state. Only five of the state’s 117 local health jurisdictions reported declining infection rates in July. That number increased to 32 in August, with the biggest drops in southwest Missouri. A spike in viral loads in wastewater is a very strong indicator that cases will escalate in a community. Johnson, who first found the Delta variant in wastewater from Branson in early May, correctly predicted in late June that cases would triple in July rates and, at the end of July, that the crest would be in mid-August. The latest samples show increasing viral levels in eight communities, declining levels in five and little change in the rest that are sampled. “The places that are spiking now are the places where the Delta variant arrived late,” Johnson said. The highest infection rates for the month were in the Kansas City metropolitan region and southeast Missouri. In the past week, cases have continued to increase rapidly in southeast Missouri. The St. Louis metropolitan area has the lowest regional infection rate in the state over the past month. There was a regional decline in mid-August but has seen little additional decrease. Only St. Louis and St. Louis County,

however, are below the regional average for cases. “I think that both the city and the county jumped on very early the need to return to masks and social distancing,” Dunagan told The Independent. “What I observe out in the community is a complete change in behavior. People are being much more cautious. I think we have flattened the curve compared to what we would have seen if we had just ignored it.” In other parts of the metropolitan region, there is active resistance to masks and quarantine, Dunagan said. “I was on the phone to Jefferson County, where they only have two school districts willing to have mask requirements, and they have parents who are refusing to quarantine their kids who are infected with COVID,” he said. “They are dropping them off at school.” The ﬁght over whether masks should be required by local governments and schools is playing out in the courts and is also playing out in clinical results. On Monday, the City of Independence warned people who attended a meeting two weeks ago where the city council rejected a mask order that they may have been exposed to COVID-19 at the meeting, the Kansas City Star reported. The newspaper also reported that the Jackson County Legislature voted 63 to extend its mask order. In other COVID-19 related court action, on Tuesday, a Cole County judge rejected an attempt to restore pandemic unemployment beneﬁts that Gov. Mike Parson stopped in June. Parson ended the state’s participation in the $300 per week federal pandemic increase in regular unemployment and programs that supported long-term unemployed and those not covered by the regular unemployment system. Circuit Judge Jon Beetem wrote in his ruling that the plaintiffs didn’t have legal grounds for their lawsuit and he was being asked to rule on the wisdom of a policy decision. The case cited sections of unemployment law that were last amended in the 1950s, Beetem wrote. He noted that the federal programs

expire on Monday. “Yet, Plaintiffs believe that a legislature from seventy years ago intended to confer a civil remedy on a class that only came into existence in the last year — and will only be around until next week — for benefits wholly unrelated to the law that legislature enacted,” Beetem wrote. “The court is unpersuaded.” The increase in cases among children will have two major effects, Dunagan said. The first is the risks for children who are hospitalized, usually children who have other underlying conditions that makes them vulnerable. The other effect will be on families, Dunagan said, “honestly as a threat to society, in that now they seem to be able to very easily spread it to families and in those families will be people who are much more vulnerable.” That matches what LaRue is seeing in Carter County. “We’ve seen these numbers in quarantine, more than 100 students in quarantine,” he said. “We are used to that.” But in the earlier waves, children generally ended their quarantine without contracting COVID-19, he said. “Now we are seeing those students test positive,” he said. “And most of those students who are developing symptoms as positive are in our upper elementary, so third, fourth, fifth and sixth grades.” The mask rule will remain in place for as long as needed, LaRue said. He said he has the backing of the Board of Education and the community. Schmitt wants to take away that local control that is so important to communities, he said, adding that no one wants to be wearing masks. The year opened without masks, he noted. “Everybody,” LaRue said, “wants to get back to normal as soon as possible.” www.missouriindependent.com

Your Health

5 reasons to try Smart Chicken bone broth by Tara Sallee, MS, RD, LD, Hy-Vee Corporate Dietitian Bone broth has become a staple in the health-food category for a number of reasons. Bones are full of vitamins and minerals such as calcium, phosphorous and magnesium. Bones also contain the most abundant form of protein in the body called collagen. To make a bone broth, simply add animal bones to a pot of boiling water and simmer them for a length of time to allow as many nutrients as possible to seep into the water. When collagen is boiled it becomes gelatin, containing essential amino acids that provide building blocks for more collagen production in the body and support for maintaining muscle mass. By drinking the protein-ﬁlled gelatin

collagen development to support tissues and joints in the body. Slow-simmered with organic ingredients. The process and ingredients matter when it comes to choosing what to feed your body. No preservatives or powders — only fresh vegetables are used for additional seasoning in the broth. Fresh is simply the best. Use in recipes and cooking as a replacement for water or stock to boost nutrition and add flavor. Give your recipes a nutritious boost by using bone broth in place of water. Enjoy the nutrition beneﬁts of incorporating Smart Chicken bone broth into your recipes or by supplementing your cup of joe with a steaming cup of savory bone broth. Could drinking 1 cup of Smart Chicken bone broth each day be the beginning of improving your

in bone broth, consumers ﬁnd that it helps with gut health and joint pain for starters, and may also address other ailments. It is important to consider the quality of the animal bones being used to make bone broth. I was elated to try bone broth made by the trusted brand Smart Chicken. Here are ﬁve reasons to try Smart Chicken bone broth, the Hy-Vee dietitians’ pick of the month. The only chicken bone broth made from pure air-chilled chickens. Made from free-range chickens fed an organic, non-GMO diet. Smart Chicken takes no short cuts to provide high-quality chicken, from quality feed to a freerange environment. Contains 10 grams of protein per serving. This is equivalent to about 1.5 ounces of meat. A perfect addition to any meal plan, providing protein for

Plants on your plate: Eggplant by Denise Sullivan, University of Missouri Extension Eggplant is another one of those vegetables that I didn’t discover until well into adulthood. While it may not be a vegetable found in our family garden, it is a favorite of mine to choose at the local farmer’s market. While the bulbous purple variety is the most common, some eggplant varieties can also be long and slender with a purple, pink, white or black hue, as well as small white globe shapes that indeed resembles an egg. While we refer to eggplant as a vegetable, they are botanically a fruit since they grow from a flowering plant and contain seeds. Eggplants are a member of the Solanaceae family, along with tomatoes, potatoes, and peppers. This family, also known as nightshade, may get a bad reputation due to a natural chemical called solanine, which is considered by some to contribute to inflammation. While there is not a consistent body of evidence that supports this theory, those with inflammatory conditions such as arthritis should monitor their symptoms after eating vegetables in this family. Eggplant has a bit of an uncertain

origin, but historical consensus indicates that eggplant originated in India and China, who are still the top producing countries. As trade routes opened, it was transported to Europe, Africa and eventually to the United States by Spaniards in the 1800’s. According to the USDA Agriculture Marketing Research Center, the top producing states of eggplant are Georgia, Florida, California, New Jersey, and New York. When selecting eggplant, choose a product that is free from blemish with a smooth glossy skin that is firm and heavy for its size. Eggplant is temperature sensitive and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to five to seven days. Once cut, the flesh will turn brown very quickly. Eggplant can also be frozen for later use, most commonly in slices, for grilling or frying. While some may have concerns about the potential inflammatory nature of eggplant, it is a good source of vitamins A and C, as well as folate, potassium, manganese, and dietary fiber, all at a very low calorie per serving. The deep purple color also makes it rich in anthocyanins, a phytonutrient showing promise in prevention of heart

disease. Because eggplant can be bitter, especially if over-mature, a key ﬁrst step in preparation is salting to draw out the bitterness. After cubing or slicing, sprinkle pieces with salt and set on paper towels for at least 30 minutes. After the standing time, rinse with water and pat dry with paper towels before moving to the next step of preparation. I have learned to enjoy many preparations of eggplant, such as eggplant parmesan, rollatini and grilled slices with olive oil and herbs. One of my favorites, however, allows me to enjoy eggplant with squash, peppers and tomatoes that are bursting from my garden. If you’ve never tried eggplant, ratatouille is a great way to combine it with vegetables that you might be more familiar with. Enjoy!

Denise Sullivan is a Nutrition and Health Education Specialist for MU Extension in the Urban West Region, serving Jackson and Platte Counties. For research-based nutrition and food safety information and programs, visit https://extension.missouri.edu/ counties/urban-west-region

nutrition habits? Reach out to your Hy-Vee dietitian to learn about classes and programs available. This month we’re offering free biometric screenings at participating locations across eight states. Our class offering this month is Freezer Friendly Family Meals. Go to hy-vee.com/health to ﬁnd more details and take the steps to sign up. We’re here to help make your life easier, healthier and happier.

The information is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional for individual advice.

Ratatouille (Makes 6 servings) 1 medium eggplant, cubed 1 teaspoon salt 1 medium zucchini, cubed 1 medium yellow squash, cubed 1 medium onion, diced 1 medium red bell pepper, diced 6 mushrooms, sliced 1 teaspoon minced garlic 1 tablespoon olive oil ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped 1 teaspoon fresh thyme 1 teaspoon fresh oregano 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar Wash hands, work surfaces and all vegetables prior to preparation. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Sprinkle salt over eggplant in bowl and toss to combine. Set stand in colander for at least 30 minutes, then rinse with water and drain well on paper towels. Combine eggplant, squash, onions, peppers, mushrooms, and garlic in a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and toss to combine. Cover a large sheet pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil and spread vegetables into a single layer. Roast in oven for 15 minutes, stir vegetables and add cherry tomatoes and return to oven for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and top with herbs and balsamic vinegar and stir gently to combine. Nutrition information: Calories: 96, Total Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: .7g, Sodium: 400mg, Carbohydrates: 12g, Fiber: 5g, Protein: 3gRecipe adapted from Seasonal and Simple, analyzed by verywellﬁt.com

Sports

Eagles earn signature wins, take third at GKC tournament by Michael Smith The Grain Valley softball team spent more than nine hours at Adair Park Saturday as it was competing in the gold bracket of the Greater Kansas City Softball Tournament Saturday. The Eagles made it in the gold bracket after defeating Chillicothe and Pleasant Hill on Friday. They did not win the tournament, but Grain Valley picked up two signature wins on its way to a third-place ﬁnish. Grain Valley opened the gold bracket with an impressive 4-2 victory in 11 innings against last year’s Class 5 state runner-up Lee’s Summit North in a game that lasted longer than 2 ½ hours. Head coach Garrett Ogle admitted his team went into the semiﬁnal game against Liberty fatigued. In that game, the Eagles fell 6-3 in six innings as the time limit expired. “We just came out flat and lost a lot of energy from the previous game,” Ogle said. “We just didn’t have it. That’s no

excuse to not do what we are capable of doing.” In the third-place game, the time limit aided the Eagles as they held off a furious comeback from Lee’s Summit West, a team that made the Class 5 sectional round in 2020, during a 10-7 win in ﬁve innings. “I think our girls played great,” Ogle said. “We had girls step up and play in new roles they may not have before.” The difference maker was an eightrun top of the second inning for Grain Valley (4-1). The Eagles almost came away with no runs as they had the bases loaded with two outs. No. 9 hitter Camryn Bown had arguably the biggest hit of the game when she hit a soft line drive down the right-ﬁeld line to clear the bases and give her team a 3-0 lead. “We put her (in the No. 9 spot in the lineup) for a reason because she can do a lot of damage there,” Ogle said of Bown.

The Grain Valley softball team took third at the GKC tournament last weekend. Photo credit: Grain Valley Softball Right fielder Mikayla Chairez followed with an RBI single on a sharp ground ball through the right side. After Lauren Parker singled and BriLeigh Sims was hit by a pitch from Titan starter Taylor Parnell, designated player and 2020 allstate selection Avery Huffman blasted a grand slam over the center-field fence to blow it open and make it 8-0. “I really needed it, I did really bad the rest of the day,” Huffman said of her grand slam. “We needed a win like this and needed to just hit.” Huffman finished the game 3-for-3 from the dish. “It was nice to see her get hot at the plate,” Ogle said of Huffman. “We know she can be explosive at the plate and know she has the potential to do that at any time.” West scored one run in the bottom of

the third before Grain Valley tacked one more on in the fourth when Sims scored on a double steal after Huffman was purposely caught in a run down between first and second base. Grain Valley’s last run came in the fifth on an RBI single from Parker, who had two hits in the contest. West scored three runs each in the fourth and fifth but it wasn’t enough to knock off the Eagles. Mackenzie Keller was the winning pitcher as she gave up seven runs (six earned) on 10 hits and struck out three. “She’s got great stuff and she’s an awesome competitor and an even better person,” Ogle said of Keller. “She earned her start today. She did a great job pitching.”