Vol. 4 No. 43 | October 21, 2021 | www.grainvalleynews.com
Good News: Drug Take Back and Shredding Event Saturday, October 23rd Grain Valley residents may safely dispose of prescription and over-thecounter medications as well as unwanted documents in a free community drug take back and shredding event on Saturday at Grain Valley Police Department (GVPD), 711 Main Street. The drug take back event, a part of a nationwide effort by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), will be held Saturday, October 23rd from 10:00am—2:00pm. All prescription and over -the-counter medications are accepted, but no syringes will be allowed. According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 9.7 million
people misused prescription pain relievers, 4.9 million people misused prescription stimulants, and 5.9 million people misused prescription tranquilizers or sedatives in 2019. The survey also showed that a majority of misused prescription drugs were obtained by family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet. In addition to the drug take back event, GVPD is hosting a shredding event from 10:00am—1:00pm for resident businesses or individuals (proof of residency required). Participants may bring up to three bags or boxes for secure disposal.
FREE
October brimming with fun fall family activities With the temperatures finally coming down a bit and the leaves starting to change color, the search for fall family fun begins. There are a number of opportunities to get your fill of fall festivities in the area as we countdown to Halloween. Local high school students raising funds for Women for Afghan Women will present a movie in the park event at 6:30pm on Saturday, October 23rd at Faith United Methodist Church. Tickets
are $3 and the Tim Burton classic, The Nightmare Before Christmas, will be featured. Powell Gardens is partnering with Quixotic to present Dark Forest, an immersive, multimedia walk-through installation in the woods. Dark Forest will be held October 22-24th and 28th – 31st from 7:00pm – 11:00pm. Gates open at 5:00pm for refreshments. Dark Forest invites you to journey
see FALL on page 12
South Middle School receives top ranking by U.S. News and World Report Grain Valley South Middle School has been listed as being among the best middle schools by U.S. News and World Report. In the publisher’s first year of reporting on the nation’s middle schools, South Middle School ranked #122 in Missouri middle schools, placing it in the top 30% of middle schools in the state. For each state, schools were assessed on their students’ math and
reading proficiency as measured on state assessment tests. According to U.S. News and World Report, half of the ranking formula are the results themselves; the other half was the results in the context of socioeconomic demographics. Grain Valley South Middle School Data is based on the 2018-19 and 201920 school years.
The City’s Trail or Treat event will be held Friday, October 29th at Butterfly Trail. Photo credit: City of Grain Valley
In This Edition: Looking Back: 8th Grade Graduation
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Business: September Jobs Report, WPL Mortgage Solutions
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Technology: Create an anonymous email to keep identity safe
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Sports: Williams standout performance helps Eagles finish unbeaten in Conf.
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Cover Image: Good luck and safe travels to the Marching Eagles, heading to St. Louis this weekend to compete in the Bands of America Super Regional Championships. Photo credit: Valley News staff
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2 Police Blotter The following information is derived from the Grain Valley Police Department daily calls for service log for the week of October 6-12 , 2021.
October 10, 2021 1200 Block of Ashley Lindenwood & Rosewood 400 Block of SW Hamilton LN 4500 Block of S Rust RD Ryan & Cross Creek 800 Block of San Kar
October 6, 2021 700 Block of Main Hannah CT Ryan & Cross Creek 700 Block of Harvest CR 1800 Block of NW Nicolas DR 700 Block of Foxtail DR 200 Block of NW Jefferson EB 40 HWY & OOIDA 700 Block of Main
Citizen Contact Suspicious Vehicle Area Check Suspicious Activity Alarm Stolen Vehicles Welfare Check Suspicious Activity Citizen Contact
October 7, 2021 1200 Block of Long 1100 Blk of S Bckner Tarsney Rosewood 600 Block of NW Walnut 400 Block of Foodhill DR 700 Block of Main 900 Block of SW Sandy Lane 1200 Blk of NW Eagles Rdg DR Seymour & McQuerry 700 Block of Main
Agency Assist-DFS Welfare Check Suspicious Vehicle Area Check Citizen Contact Fingerprinting Refusal to Leave Dog Bite Suspicious Person Civil Matter
400 Block SW Joseph Ln
October 8, 2021 600 Block of Jefferson 1900 Block fo Hedgewood 200 Block of NE Kim CT EE Kirby & Eagles PKWY Cedar & Burr Oak 800 Block of San Kar 1200 Block of SW Lone Star CT 300 Block of Cannon 1000 Block of Scenic DR 100 Block of N Lee ST
Motorist Assist Stolen Vehicle Prowlers C & I Driver Suspicious Vehicle Agency Assist- CJC Parking Complaint Missing Property Citizen Contact Agency Assist
700 Block Main St 200 Block Cypress
October 9, 2021 700 Block of Main Phone 1200 Block of Persimmon 600 Block of Yennie 1200 Block of Phelps CT 1200 Block of NW Long DR Sni A Bar & Stoney Brooke 700 Block of Main
Citizen Contact-Via
Area Check Noise Complaint Agency Assist-DFS Disturbance Suspicious Auto Citizen ContactVia Phone 1300 Block of Broadway Stolen Auto 1400 Block of S Clinton Agency Assist-OGPD 700 Block of Main Motor Vehicle Accident 600 Block of Brome ST Suspicious Vehicle 1300 Blk of NW High View DR Motor Vehicle Accident
October 11, 2021 1000 Block NE Deer Creek 700 Block Main St
800 Block SW Highland Ave 1000 Block & 1400 Block of Willow Dr 900 Block NE Deer Creek 900 Block SW Sandy Ln 900 Block NW Baytree Dr Unknown - NW Phelps Dr
Abuse of 911 Area Check Stealing Stealing Civil Standby Area Check
Disturbance Warrant Confirmation Barking Dog complaint Barking Dog complaint Theft from Motor Vehicle Suspicious Activity Citizen Contact Unattended Death Possible Animal Abuse Citizen Contact Harassment
October 12, 2021 200 Block NW Jackie Ave 1200 Block SW Hillsboro Dr 700 Block Main St
Check the Wellfare Agency Assist / Tow Prisoner Transport Lee's Summit PD 1600 Block NW Eagle Ridge Dr Citizen Contact (Dog vs. Dog attack) 100 Block NW Parker Dr Check the Wellfare 200 Block NW Jackie Ave Check the Wellfare 600 Block Main St Suspicious Person 400 Block SW Creek Ridge Dr Alarm 1300 Block Cherry St, KCMO Prisoner Transport 700 Block Main St Citizen Contact 700 Block Main St Disturbance 900 Block SW Sandy Ln Check the Wellfare 1400 Block NW Willow Dr Motor Vehicle Theft 1400 Block NW Willow Dr Theft from Motor Vehicle 1000 Block NW Willow Dr Theft from Motor Vehicle 600 Block Yennie Ave Check the Wellfare Additional calls for the week: Suicidal Subject 4 Domestic Violence 1 Order of Protection 1
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
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Looking Back: 8th Grade Graduation by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society Recently I went through a box of “family treasures” to find memorabilia for Coffee with Classmates. I ran across my mother’s 8th grade Certificate of Attainment. As always, I attempted to find more information about the certificate issued locally, but signed by the State Superintendent of Schools. My Google search revealed no helpful information on this historic document. Currently the state-endorsed credential is to provide school committees with the option of providing a certificate of attainment, based on specified criteria, to students who have completed local requirements but who do not yet qualify for the high school diploma. In 1928, the certificate was issued to students who had successfully complete the eight elementary grades. Since many students attended rural, oneroom schools, the certificate allowed them to attend any four-year high school within the State of Missouri. The document left me with many more questions than answers. First, did my mother have an 8th Grade Graduation ceremony? When did 8th grade graduation begin? I remember my own 8th Grade Graduation in 1960. Our teacher was Mrs. Juanita Grayum. We spent weeks preparing and rehearsing for the big event. As the program demonstrates all
Left: 1960 8th Grade graduation program. Right: An 8th Grade Certificate of Attainment presented to Mildred Maxine Rumbo in May 1928. Photo credit: Grain Valley Historical Society 30 members of my class had a role in the ceremony. The boys wore suits, their own or a borrowed one. I remember buying a new white dress for the occasion. I also remember that for the girls in my class it was our first pair of high heels and probably our first time to wear nylon hose! We decorated the stage in the old auditorium/gym to resemble a rose
garden. We put homemade red paper roses, our class flower, on the stage curtains and in the pots across the front of the stage. Naturally, we thought it was beautiful! When did Grain Valley stop having 8th Grade Graduations? Do families today recognize their daughter/son’s “graduation?” I do know the internet provides plenty of gifts to mark the
milestone! Are you curious about events from Grain Valley’s past? Drop by the Historical Society Museum any Wednesday (10:00am – 3:00pm). If we don’t have the answer, we will try and help you find out.
Business
4 WPL Mortgage Solutions puts their experience to work for home buyers Securing a mortgage to buy a home can be a daunting process, whether it is a first-time purchase, a family seeking more space, or a couple looking to downsize. WPL Mortgage Solutions, located at 115 S. Main in Grain Valley, has the experience and connections to make the process smooth for home buyers. President & CEO Will Lowen has more than 30 years experience in the industry, and started WPL Mortgage Solutions two years ago, in what has been an unprecedented time for the industry. “The last two years have been really good to us. We’ve grown, we’ve got a great team. We’ve got a great processing team, and each one of them have 20+ years of experience,” Lowen said. “We’re a broker, so we work with lenders all the way from local to worldwide lenders. We are a one stop shop. Tell me your hopes and dreams, and we tell you how to reach those hopes and dreams.” Lowen said one of the aspects of the process he and his team most enjoy is educating buyers on their options and steps they can take to ensure they are in the best position to complete the buying process. WPL Mortgage Solutions is hosting a seminar for First Time Buyers at Keller Williams Platinum Partners, 3751 Ralph
Powell Road, Lee’s Summit, on Wednesday, November 3rd from 6:00pm—8:00pm. This in person seminar will address topics such as where to start, how much you can afford, down payment assistance options, and more (scan QR code below to register). For more information on WPL Mortgage Solutions, call 816-396-6001 or visit www.wplmortgagesolutions.com. Sponsored article.
September Jobs Report Missouri non-farm payroll employment increased from August 2021 to September 2021, and the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased by a two-tenths of a percentage point. Employment, seasonally adjusted, increased by 7,500 jobs over the month, with job gains in service-providing industries. The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.8 percent in September 2021, down from 4.0 percent in August 2021. Recovery from COVID-19-related layoffs continued with an increase of 70,800 jobs from September 2020 to September 2021. UNEMPLOYMENT Missouri’s smoothed seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased by a two-tenths of a percentage point in September 2021, dropping to 3.8 percent from the August 2021 rate of 4.0 percent. With the start of the COVID-19 pandemic now more than a year in the past, the September 2021 rate was 1.6 percentage points lower than the September 2020 rate. The rate had reached a low of 3.1 percent starting in August 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 2021 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 5.2 percent in August 2021 to 4.8 percent in September 2021. The estimated number of unemployed Missourians was 118,110 in September 2021, down by 4,992 from August’s 123,102. The state’s not-seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate also decreased in September 2021, dropping by 0.6
percentage points to 2.9 percent from the August 2021 not-seasonally-adjusted rate of 3.5 percent. The corresponding not-seasonally-adjusted national rate for September 2021 was 4.6 percent. A year ago, the state's seasonally adjusted rate was 5.4 percent, and the not-adjusted rate was 4.8 percent. EMPLOYMENT Missouri’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment was 2,846,000 in September 2021, up by 7,500 from the revised August 2021 figure. However, the August 2021 total was revised downward by 900 from the preliminary estimate, producing a revised increase of 6,400 jobs from July 2021 to August 2021 and a revised increase of 72,500 jobs from August 2020 to August 2021. Goods-producing industries lost 3,500 jobs over the month, with declines in both construction and manufacturing. In manufacturing, losses were concentrated in durable goods. Meanwhile, service-providing industries gained 11,000 jobs between August and September 2021, with increases in professional & business services (+4,500 jobs), trade, transportation and utilities (+4,500 jobs), leisure & hospitality (+3,100 jobs), and education and health services (+1,500 jobs). Government employment showed a decrease of 1,100 jobs over the month. Total payroll employment increased by 70,800 jobs from September 2020 to September 2021, reflecting the recovery from COVID-19 related job cuts last year. Most of the major private-sector industry groups shared in the increase, with the largest gain in leisure & hospitality (+29,300 jobs), followed by professional & business services (+23,500 jobs), trade, transportation & utilities (+12,000 jobs), educational & health services (+11,100 jobs), manufacturing (+5,200 jobs), and mining, logging and construction (+1,300 jobs). Declines in private-sector employment were in financial activities (-7,900 jobs) and information (-2,500 jobs). Government employment decreased over the year, with a loss of 2,300 jobs concentrated in federal government.
Technology
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Create an anonymous email to keep your identity safe by Burton Kelso, The Technology Expert By now, I hope you've figured out social media, search engines, and everyone, in general, is trying to collect as much information as they can about you. Privacy online is a hard thing to have in this digital world. Having a separate, anonymous email address is one of the best ways to keep a low profile online. When you have an anonymous email, it helps reduce the amount of spam you get in your inbox. It also allows you to shop online with electronic and brick-and-mortar stores and sign up for digital membership services without them collecting information about you or trying to sell you things you don't need. Also if you're dating online, it's best to have an email that can't be traced back to you. Check out these quick and easy tips to stay anonymous online. 1. Setup a Fake Account with a Free Email Service. When people consider setting up a fake or anonymous email account, they usually turn to a free email service such
as Yahoo, Outlook.com, Gmail, or one provided by their Internet service provider and why wouldn't you? You can create countless email addresses with these services, but are you doing it right? Check out these steps to make sure you're keeping your identity safe. Use fake details. For starters, create an email address that isn't tied to you in any way. Avoid using your real first name or last name. Also, avoid using an email address that can be tied to your hobbies or interests. All free email account services require you to put in personal information like your name, date of birth, and sometimes address. You're probably thinking since your email name isn't tied to you, no one can find out who you are. Well, if you're entering your home address, it won't take someone long to put two and two together. Finally, don’t use any details in your password or security questions that someone could link to you either. Create an anonymous phone number. Some free email services, like Gmail, also ask for a phone number to set up 2 step verification for your new account. You can't just enter in a set of numbers, because your free email account service will call the number to verify it is real. Your best option is a virtual number
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when you set up new, anonymous email accounts. Services like Google Voice and WhatsApp let you set up free virtual numbers that can be used to keep your smartphone number safe. Enable Your browser's private mode for added protection. Many of the websites you visit track your cookies and keep a note of which IP address you're located. All browsers have an "incognito" or "InPrivate" mode that you can enable to keep them from tracking your cookies. As far as a VPN, consider switching to Opera (www.opera.com) or Tor (www.torproject.org). These excellent browsers allow you to block your cookies as well as use the built-in VPN to keep your location safe.
you've sent. ProtonMail. ProtonMail is based out of Switzerland which means your email is protected by its privacy laws. This means your email is protected even if law enforcement or a government agency wants access to it ProtonMail is usually the popular choice because it's available from any web browser or smart device. Using anonymous email is a great way to keep your identity safe online as well as to cut down that annoying spam that you get in your inbox. If you don't want to take the time to create a new email, you can keep your email safe by making sure you don't share your email with everyone and don't sign up for any online services that require your email.
2. Use an Anonymous Email Service. It might take a little more effort, but the best way to keep your online identity safe is to use an anonymous email service. Most of these free services allow you to create an account that is separate from you. As an added bonus, email services encrypt your mail so no one can snoop with what's in your messages. Mailfence. Mailfence is based out of Belgian which puts your email under the protection of their privacy laws and not the laws of the US. This service allows you to send and receive emails anonymously. There are no third-party trackers or ads like you see in other free email services. Your emails are encrypted so no one can read what
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.
State News
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Democrats say Missouri governor inflating cost of fixing website flaw found by reporters by Rudi Keller, Missouri Independent When Gov. Mike Parson last week angrily called for the St. Louis PostDispatch to be prosecuted for uncovering security flaws on a state agency website, he said the newspaper’s actions could “cost Missouri taxpayers up to $50 million.” That amount, two Democrats on the House Budget Committee said Tuesday, is an estimate for providing credit monitoring to protect against misuse of personal data and a call center to answer questions from educators whose private data may have been exposed. And, state Rep. Peter Merideth said, the estimate is not a very good one. “He pulled it straight out of his ass,” Merideth said in an interview with The Independent Tuesday. Merideth, the ranking Democrat on the committee, and Rep. Kevin Windham, D-Hillsdale, said in a news release that
they asked nonpartisan appropriations staff to find out what Parson, a Republican, intended to do with the money. They were informed, Meridith said, that the governor’s statement was “a very rough and preliminary estimate,” the funds that would be tapped have not been identified and the timeline for doing anything was unclear. In the release, Meridith and Windham said the Post-Dispatch protected the state by holding the story until the data issue was fixed. If the person who found the data had bad intent, Windham said, the price could have escalated. “I remain concerned about potential costs to the state resulting from lawsuits and the like, however I’m far more concerned about the 100,000 educators whose sensitive information was handled with such negligence,”
Windham said. “Our state is incredibly fortunate that the person who found this vulnerability reported it to the state as soon as they did.” The reason the estimate is questionable, Meridith said, is that it may duplicate something the state has already been forced to do to protect the data of educators. The state purchased 24 months of credit monitoring for potential victims of a data security problem at the Public School and Education Employees Retirement System, the Post-Dispatch reported Tuesday. The system notified its more than 128,000 active members and 100,000 beneficiaries of the Sept. 11 breach the same day that Parson lashed out at the story about teacher data. The data for about 100,000 active educators was accessible through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education website.
“I doubt it costs $50 million for 100,000 people to have credit monitoring,” Meridith said. In the story that enraged Parson, the Post-Dispatch reported a website set up for the public to search the credentials of individual educators exposed Social Security numbers. The numbers were visible embedded in the code that tells the computer how to display a page, which can be viewed by pressing the F12 key on both Apple and Microsoft operating systems. The reporter viewed three Social Security numbers, the newspaper reported. The Post-Dispatch informed the department and refrained from publishing a story about the issue until the data was no longer available. In the statement Parson read to reporters without taking questions, he said the reporter who found the issue was a hacker and that viewing the data
see GOVERNOR on page 12
Home & Garden
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Plant Fall Flower Bulbs Now! by Cathy Bylinowski, MU Extension Jackson County Horticulture Instructor Spring bulbs add a splash of color to our spring gardens and to the beginning of the new gardening season. They can be planted among groundcovers and perennials. As these plants grow in the spring, they will hide the fading bulb foliage. Spring flowering bulbs need to be planted in the fall, in well-drained soil in areas that receive part shade to full sun. Planting the bulbs about 2-3 times the height of the bulb is a general rule for planting depth. The bulbs need exposure to cold winter temperatures in order to bloom next spring. You should have plenty of time to purchase and plant spring bulbs this month. Here’s a list of some of our favorite bulbs and tips for success: Daffodils Narcissus spp.- Ranging from yellow, to white, to orange, daffodils’ unusual and variable flower shape and wonderful scent made them a good addition to our gardens. Daffodils last a long time and can be used to naturalize in flower beds and lawns. They need full sun and well-drained soil. A fertilizer high in phosphorus such as bone meal, helps the bulb develop a healthy root system. Plant bulbs 6-8 inches deep. Trim the old flower stems off. Daffodil foliage needs to photosynthesis to store food for next year’s growth. Do not cut off or bundle up the foliage. Tulips Tulipa spp- Some tulips bloom well for one year and gradually lose vigor in subsequent years. Sometimes landscape managers use them like an annual. If you want beautiful perennial tulips, select a variety such as Darwin hybrids or a species tulip; they live and bloom for many years. Crocus Crocus vernus- Crocus are diminutive and brightly colored flowers that surprise us with their blooms as early as February and March. Full sun and well-drained soil are essential for good performance.
April and May in glades, prairies, and savannas in many parts of Missouri. They need part sun to full sun to thrive. Many nurseries that supply native plants grow and sell this species. Did you enjoy summer flowering bulbs and ornamentals this year? Cannas and caladiums were especially attractive this year. If you want to save money, try digging up cannas, caladiums, calla lilies, elephant ear caladiums, gladiolus, and dahlias after a light frost for next year. Let the roots or bulbs dry and then overwinter them in a cool, dark place, with good air circulation. A basement or room that does not get below freezing is a good place to store them. Trim off the foliage. Replant in late April or early May after the danger of frosts and freezes has passed. Plant in well-drained soil. Cannas- Cannas are tall and vigorous, with attractive foliage and vivid flowers all summer long. There are tall varieties that work well in the background and shorter varieties that can be planted towards the front of a bed. Cannas flower colors range from deep red to pink, to yellow. In zones 7-10, cannas are left outside all year, but in the Kansas City region, it is safer to lift them up for overwintering in a dry medium such as vermiculite or peat.
Clockwise from top left: Daffodil Image by Capri23auto from Pixabay, Crocus flowers Image by Michael Gaida from Pixabay, Canna flowers on a variety named “Tenerife”. Image by Thomas G. from Pixabay, Wild Hyacinth Camassia scilloides, photo credit Dr. Thomas G. Barnes, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Below: Wide variety of Caladiums. Image by Jan Haerer from Pixabay
Caladiums- Grown for their beautiful foliage, caladiums thrive in shade and part shade. They like moist, well-drained soil. They can be grown in containers or in flower beds. For more information on a wide range of herbaceous ornamental plants, check out this publication from the Master Gardener Core Manual- https:// extension.missouri.edu/publications/ mg9 If you need more gardening information, contact Extension Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City Hotline, 816-833TREE (8733) or email mggkc.hotline@gmail.com.
Wild hyacinth- Camassia scilloidesLooking for a Missouri native flowering bulb? Wild hyacinth is a good choice. The pale blue spike of flowers blooms in
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Your Health
8 Become friends with fiber by Tara Sallee, MS, RD, LD, Hy-Vee Corporate Dietitian Fiber comes from plants like fruits, vegetables, legumes and grains. We use fiber for energy as it is not digested in our bodies. There are two types of fiber: insoluble and soluble fiber. Think of insoluble fiber as the janitor picking up our body’s waste, putting it into a pile, and pushing it out the door. Soluble fiber, on the other hand, is the slowrolling fiber that keeps us full and our blood sugar from rising. Consumption of a fiber-rich diet can show benefits of weight management, diabetes control and bowel function. Fibrous foods can positively affect weight management by keeping you fuller for longer, making you less likely to overeat. Individuals with diabetes can find an ally among fiber-packed foods since they have been shown to lower blood sugars by slowing the release of sugar from foods into the bloodstream. Once the meal is over, fiber gets to work in the gut by increasing the bulk of our stools, helping it move through the
body and pass with ease. Everybody and every body may need different amounts of fiber. According to the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI), adults and children over the age of 4 are recommended to have around 25 to 38 grams per day. It is recommended that young children ages 1-3 have around 19 grams per day. Here’s an easy label-reading tip for finding fiber sources: A high-fiber item will have 5g or more per serving and an item that is a good source of fiber will have between 2.5g and 4.9g per serving. If you are looking for more fiberrich ideas, check out Hy-Vee.com for more recipes. Look into our Healthy Habits meal planning program or our monthly themed events for even more ideas. This recipe packs a heavy fiber punch of 21g in just 2 tacos. Take a look and try this fiber-rich Squash and Black Bean Soft Shell Tacos recipe.
The information is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional for individual advice.
Squash and Black Bean Soft Shell Tacos Serves 6 All you need: 2 tbsp Gustare Vita olive oil 1 tbsp Hy-Vee sriracha sauce 1 tbsp lime juice 3 cups cubed butternut squash (½-inch cubes) 1 large red bell pepper, seeded and cut into strips 12 (8-inch) Hy-Vee whole-wheat flour tortillas 2 (15-oz. each) cans Hy-Vee black beans, rinsed and drained cup Hy-Vee salsa 3 tbsp hot pepper peach spread, optional ¾ cup crumbled queso fresco cheese Fresh cilantro, chopped, to garnish All you do: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a 9-by-13-inch baking dish, combine olive oil, sriracha and lime juice. Add squash cubes and pepper strips; toss to coat. Roast 30 to 35 minutes or until tender and lightly browned, stirring after 15 minutes. In a medium skillet over medium heat, toast tortillas for 30 to 60 seconds per side or just until light brown spots appear. Fold in half and cool on platter. In a medium microwave-safe bowl, heat beans and salsa, covered, in the microwave on HIGH for 2 minutes. Heat hot pepper peach spread, if desired, in a small microwave -proof bowl on HIGH for about 15 seconds or until melted. To assemble, spoon ¼ cup black bean mixture, ¼ cup squash mixture and 1 tablespoon cheese into each tortilla. Drizzle with melted peach spread, if desired. Garnish with cilantro, if desired.
How to ensure social media doesn’t harm your teen’s self-esteem (StatePoint) Recently made public internal research from Facebook reveals that its photo-sharing app Instagram can have harmful impacts on young users, particularly girls. Many in the U.S. and U.K. study say they feel “addicted” to these apps, while at the same time, attributing depression and anxiety to their use of them. While the research is still evolving, one thing is certain. Adolescence can be a time period for many young people that’s already rife with body image issues, insecurities and emotional and mental health challenges. However, experts say that for parents looking to better protect their teens from the negative impacts of social media that can exacerbate these issues, the key is not to prohibit teens’ use of these tools, but to strike a healthy balance. “Of course, not everything about social media is harmful. Many young people are using such apps to
communicate with friends and share art, music and information,” says Michele Havner, director of marketing at Eturi Corp., a company with a mission to empower parents to guide their children through a balanced use of technology. “That’s why we encourage parents to help their teens develop healthier relationships with their devices and the apps they use most frequently.” Here are a few strategies to consider: • Alternatives: When it comes to the way young people pass their time outside of school, there are limitless alternatives to social media. Whether it’s sports, playing in a band or taking a pottery class, you can encourage your child to both embrace hobbies and interests outside the world of their screens, as well as to spend more time with friends in person. • Real talk: One of the major aspects of social media is that what people choose to share publicly is not always a
reflection of reality. Have a conversation with your kids about the many ways that influencers and other social media users apply filters, photo editing software and other tools to create impossible goals for their followers. This might also be a good time to discuss what sort of content they’re engaging with so you can try to steer them in a more positive direction. • New tools: Attempts to set social media boundaries can be easier said than done both for the primary user (your teen) and you. Apps designed for this purpose can help. For example, the parental guidance app OurPact allows you to install a profile on your child’s device. Then, you can remotely set up automated schedules for when internet and apps are unavailable, or block access manually to the device for a specified period of time. Features like
URL whitelisting and blacklisting and daily screen time allowances can help you stay engaged with how your child uses their device. Available at the iOS App Store and Google Play Store, parents can also sign up for an account at www.ourpact.com. “While social media apps are not going away any time soon, parents can take concrete steps to help ensure teens are using them in ways that make them happy,” says Havner.
9 Make Halloween less scary by avoiding financial tricks (StatePoint) Make the season of spooks a little less scary for the older people in your life by brushing up on ways to stay safe and secure off and online. “I wish scary characters were only make believe, but unfortunately, there are real ones lurking in the digital realm and sometimes in our lives. All too often, we hear of elder financial abuse cases where these bad actors manipulate unsuspecting souls out of their savings and possessions,” says Lauree PetersonSakai, strategy leader for Wells Fargo Aging Client Services. Imposter scams use a variety of
THEME: ON AN OLD MAP ACROSS 1. *Core of Persia today 5. *Belgian village where Roman soldiers enjoyed warm mineral springs 8. Pitch symbol 12. More luminous star 13. Abbott and Costello or Rocky and Bullwinkle 14. Eurasian goat-like antelope 15. Team's ranking 16. Make someone angry 17. Mix in 18. *Formerly Ceylon (2 words) 20. What tide does half the time 21. Reggae subgenre 22. Back then 23. ____ profundo 25. Depleted (2 words) 28. Wet firecracker 29. Catch in a net 32. Hip bones 34. Dormer without D 36. Schiller's poem 37. "It is silent" in sheet music 38. Discharge 39. Admirer 41. Earlier in time than, archaic 42. Not out (2 words) 44. Pinocchio and his kind 46. Evergreen creeper 47. "A League of Their Own" member, e.g. 49. Command to a fly 51. *Formerly Siam 54. Rain forest ruminant 55. Irish for Ireland 56. It's under a fig leaf? 58. Shockingly graphic 59. Impersonator 60. Manlike man-eater of fairy tales 61. Crunchable information 62. Popular '60s drug 63. A ____ ____ move
tricks to gain a person’s trust and steal their sensitive information, but they often start with a simple call, email or message impersonating a person or company they know to trick them into giving away their money. This Halloween, avoid tricks. Instead, treat yourself and those you love to five tips that may help thwart tricky fraudsters: 1. Beware of Trick or Treat callers. Don’t pick up calls from unknown numbers. The IRS and other government or financial institutions rarely make outbound calls and never ask you to provide personal information. 2. Don’t be ghosted by a money mule scam. Avoid helping strangers with DOWN 1. Opposite of outs 2. Fish eggs, pl. 3. Affirm solemnly 4. Lowest points 5. Seeking damages 6. Kenosha Kickers' music 7. On the sea 8. *Once named Kampuchea 9. Trunk appendage 10. Shining armor 11. Facsimile machine 13. Fire-starter in fairy tales 14. Trojan War military action 19. Red-dot pointer, e.g. 22. Cigar residue 23. *Myanmar, formerly 24. "____ One" on a ticket 25. Consumer 26. Stomach sore 27. Boat stops 28. John's and Jane's last name? 30. Pie a la ____ 31. *Tokyo, formerly 33. Absorbed, as in a cost 35. *Abyssinia, now 37. Jury duty event 39. Comedian Schumer 40. Has more elm trees 43. Roundish 45. Not digital 47. Ox prod, pl. 48. Propelled like Argo 49. Arctic jaeger 50. '80 TV series "____ to ____" (1 word) 51. Bluish green 52. Canceled 53. "American ____," Jeanine Cummins' bestseller 54. Like one of the Testaments 57. Modern, prefix
cashing checks, delivering packages or receiving goods. 3. Beware of calls from tricksters claiming to be your grandchild in urgent need of money. Hang up immediately to avoid falling for this common trick. 4. Family skeletons may bring out the worst. Speak to another family member or trusted person in your life before lending large sums of money to family members or new acquaintances. 5. Ghoulish actors are everywhere today, including in internet searches, emails and texts. Don’t be tempted to click on something that could hurt you or expose your personal information and log-in credentials.
“The best things you can do for yourself are know how to recognize potential scams and keep an open dialogue with your family and loved ones. Encourage each other to share if something sounds suspect,” says Peterson-Sakai. “What we’ve found to be really protective against scams is running a situation by someone you trust before making a decision that could impact you financially.” For a guide to identifying and preventing elder abuse, visit wellsfargoadvisors.com.
Sports
11
Logan Pratt’s big day helps Eagles net important 21-14 win over Raytown by Michael Smith Grain Valley senior wide receiver Logan Pratt was expected to be one of the football team's biggest weapons this season. However, an ankle injury against Truman in Week 4 has slowed him down some the past few games and caused him to miss a Week 5 game against Kearney entirely. In Friday’s Suburban White Conference contest against Raytown, the ankle didn’t appear to be bothering Pratt that much. He caught six passes from quarterback Caleb Larson for 120 yards and two touchdowns to help Grain Valley earn a 21-14 victory at Moody Murray Memorial Field. “It feels good to finally connect with the QB and feel healthy again,” Pratt said. “After the game last Friday, the pain started to go away and I was thinking, ‘Alright, I can push through this.’ This week, it felt good.” Larson, who completed 6 of 7 passes for 120 yards, targeted Pratt on all of his attempts. There was a reason for that. The senior runs a 40-yard dash time of 4.4 seconds and is a threat to beat any defense deep. With the Eagles trailing Raytown 14-13 midway through the fourth period, Pratt beat a Raytown cornerback by a step and caught a 41-yard TD pass from Larson, which ended up being the game -winner. Wide receiver Brek Sloan ran it in on a reverse for a two-point conversion to make it 21-14. “The struggle he has been through the last few weeks with his ankle being hurt, and not being able to play the full season last year, this game was one where he showed out,” Larson said. “He came in here with heart and passion even with his ankle hurting a little bit.” Pratt also got wide open on a 25-yard TD pass in the second quarter, which was sandwiched between field goals of 40 and 47 yards from kicker Austin Schmitt, which helped the Eagles take a 13-0 lead in the first half. A healthy Pratt is a game changer for the Eagles, said head coach David Allie. On Friday, he accounted for 120 of the Eagles 179 yards of offense. “It’s good to have him back close to 100 percent,” Allie said. “That outside threat is very hard to cover. Teams are going to have to account for that and they might have to double team him. That takes one of the guys who try to stop the run, to help out on Logan. That can open up some running lanes or
Senior wide receiver Logan Pratt caught six passes from quarterback Caleb Larson for 120 yards and two touchdowns to help Grain Valley earn a 21-14 victory. Photo credit: John Overstreet passing lanes for us.” Meanwhile, the defense continued to play well. This was the sixth time in eight games that Grain Valley (5-3, 3-1 conference) held an opponent to 14 points or less. It also held the Blue Jays to just 219 total yards. “Coming into the season, we knew we had some experience coming back up front and in the secondary,” Allie said, “but the linebackers were inexperienced. “They’ve really shined and helped put our defense in the right position. They got some big tackles for loss when we needed them.” Forkner is one of those linebackers as he led the defense with 8.5 tackles, two for a loss and one sack. His sack came at a big time in the game when Raytown was ahead 14-13 early in the fourth period. The Blue Jays had a chance to extend the lead as it got a first down on third-and-18 and got the ball to the Grain Valley 32-yard line. The Eagles defense tightened up and was aided by a pair of Raytown penalties. Forkner sacked quarterback
Nate Whitebear for a 12-yard loss. On third-and-30, defensive end Rhylan Alcanter brought down Whitebear in the backfield for another 7-yard loss, forcing a punt of fourth down. “We had a heck of a night and played smash mouth football,” junior defensive end Jake Allen said, who had 6.5 tackles, two of which went for a loss. ”It’s not about the size of the dog but the size of the fight in the dog.” After Grain Valley got the touchdown and two-point conversion on the ensuing drive, the defense got its most important stop of the game. Raytown had fourth-and-2 at its own 30-yard line and Allen and linebacker Brody Baker read the option run by Whitebear and stopped him before he could reach the first-down marker to get a turnover on downs with 2 minutes left. “I saw their back roll out and I read the guard,” said Baker, who had five tackles. “The defensive tackles did a great job up front which allowed us linebackers to roam free.” “Jake has a lot of energy. In the locker
room, he’s a different animal.” The Grain Valley offense ran the clock down to 55 seconds on offense before punting the ball back to the Blue Jays. Raytown didn’t cross midfield as time expired. Raytown got a touchdown with 26 seconds left on an 18-yard screen pass from Whitebear to running back Zhamari Gary. The Blue Jays took the lead with 1:30 left in the third period following a 1yard run from Gary out of the Wildcat formation. Grain Valley will have a chance to clinch the No. 1 seed in the Class 5 District 7 tournament with a win over Belton, which is currently the two-seed, next Friday. That would assure the Eagles home field advantage throughout the district bracket and a first-round bye. “The last four games have been really physical for us, so that bye is really important for us,” Grain Valley head coach David Allie said. “Having that No. 1 seed is important, but we have to take care of business against Belton.”
GOVERNOR continued from page 6 was a crime. He said he referred the case to Cole County Prosecuting Attorney Locke Thompson and that the Missouri State Highway Patrol would investigate. “This incident alone may cost Missouri taxpayers as much $50 million and divert workers and resources from other state agencies,” Parson said. “This matter is a serious matter.” By making that statement as he described the law enforcement response, Meridith said, Parson was suggesting that the investigation would cost that much. “He very clearly was trying to suggest that this was what we would
have to spend to hold this guy accountable, or this is what we have to spend because of what this journalist did,” Meridith said to The Independent. “The money is because of the exposure and the failure of the state to maintain the security of the data.” Parson defended his call for prosecution in a Facebook post the day after his public statement. “This information was not freely available and was intentionally decoded,” Parson wrote. “By the actor’s own admission, the data had to be taken through eight separate steps in order to generate a (Social Security number).” www.missouriindependent.com
FALL continued from page 1 through a magical and mysterious landscape brimming with enthralling performance, captivating music, and innovative creative technology where the channels of nature’s mortal realms are fiercely pierced by unexplainable paranormal forces and spellbinding supernatural beings. At Dark Forest, the universe’s most coveted secrets are freely revealed to all those who wander. Tickets are $28 and parking is $5. For more information on Dark Forest, visit www.powellgardens.org. The Pumpkin Pad, located at 35100 E Outer Belt Road, Lone Jack, is brimming with fall fun for all ages. Open Saturdays and Sundays through Halloween, more than 70 acres of activities welcome guests. Admission is $14 and includes unlimited rides and attractions, including the pumpkin patch, corn maze, sunflower field, in ground jumping pillows, corn pit, giant roller slide, tetherball, bounce house, kiddie barrel cow train, old-fashioned hay wagon rides, and much more. This weekend, the Pumpkin Pad will host two local clubs who are coming together to present an antique tractor show on Saturday from 10:00am – 2:00pm.
Food trucks are on site each weekend, and kettle corn, chips, sodas, and water are available at the concession stand. This Saturday, featured food trucks include KC Concoctions, Grandma’s Mini Donuts, and ATE1SIX BBQ. Every Saturday night from 7:30pm – 10:00pm, a $10 reduced rate gets fun seekers access to food trucks, a local band, bonfires, and the corn maze. The Pumpkin Pad is owned by Vince and Melissa Moehle, and their 13-year old daughter Jayden is an integral part of the business as well. Jayden designed the social media themed corn maze, and there are five SnapChat filters located around the farm for guests to use in their social media posts. For more information, visit the www.thepumpkinpad.net or The Pumpkin Pad on Facebook. And to usher in Halloween weekend in Grain Valley, the City’s Trail or Treat event will be held once again at Butterfly Trail Park from 6:30pm – 8:30pm on Friday, October 29th. Local businesses and organizations will hand out treats along the trail. Costumes and flashlights are encouraged.
Community Calendar October 22, 2021
October 29, 2021
Grow a Reader Virtual Storytime 10:00am—10:30am Join library staff for live Zoom virtual storytimes for your littles (and maybe you too!). We will bring stories and songs directly to your home. www.mymcpl.org/events
Trail or Treat 6:30pm—8:30pm Butterfly Trail Park Free event—Haunted Hayride, Gruesome Graveyard 30+ local businesses/organizations will hand out treats along the trail. Costumes and flashlights are encouraged! www.cityofgrainvalley.org
October 23, 2021 National Drug Take Back and Shredding Event Shredding: 10:00am—1:00pm Drug Take Back: 10:00am—2:00pm Grain Valley Police Department, 711 Main Grain Valley businesses or individuals may bring up to three bags or boxes for secure shredding of unwanted documents. Drug Take Back will accept all prescription and over-the-counter medications for safe disposal. No syringes will be accepted. Proof of residency is required for shredding.
October 25, 2021 Grow a Reader Storytime Shorts 10:00am—10:30am Join library staff for short and sweet storytimes. We say hello, read a story, and say goodbye. No registration required. www.mymcpl.org/events
October 29, 2021— November 2, 2021 No school Grain Valley Schools
November 1, 2021 Grow a Reader Storytime Shorts 10:00am—10:30am Join library staff for short and sweet storytimes. We say hello, read a story, and say goodbye. No registration required. www.mymcpl.org/events
Add your community event at www.grainvalleynews.com.
Board of Aldermen Meeting 7:00pm Grain Valley City Hall
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