Valley News: November 4, 2021 by grainvalleynews

Vol. 4 No. 45 | November 4, 2021 | www.grainvalleynews.com

Grain Valley Assistance Council ready to help residents this holiday season With the holiday season fast approaching, the Grain Valley Assistance Council (GVAC) is prepped and ready to assist residents in need. Donna Compton, Site Coordinator, said residents who have signed up for assistance this Thanksgiving will receive food boxes before the holiday. Prairie Branch Elementary is holding a food drive to help ﬁll these Thanksgiving food boxes

GVAC will assist families in need this Christmas through their Adopt-A-Child program. Compton reports they have plenty of people willing to adopt a child, and additional assistance is not needed at this time. Compton said a devoted crew of nine volunteers keep the pantry running and events such as the Thanksgiving boxes and Adopt-A-Child organized. The most needed items in the pantry

see GVAC on page 8

County extends indoor mask mandate to November 22nd The Jackson County Legislature voted November 1st to extend the indoor mask mandate until November 22nd, with five voting for the extension, two members absent, and members Dan Tarwater III and Jeanie Lauer voting against the resolution. In a release, County Executive Frank White, Jr., stated, “Over the past several weeks we have made significant progress in reducing the spread of coronavirus by wearing masks. However, we have not yet reached the CDC threshold that would no longer categorize our community as a high or substantial area of virus transmission. Thanks to the community’s continued sacrifice and resilience, we are very close to where we need to be. But until then, it is

important for everyone to keep wearing their masks in public indoor places to provide the most protection for our children, who will soon have the opportunity to get vaccinated.” White continued, “From the beginning, I have said I will trust and follow the science, as well as the CDC and health ofﬁcials’ recommendations to determine how we move forward safely. These decisions have never been easy for me or the County Legislature and today, a majority of the members did what they believe is in the best interest of our community’s well-being. We will continue to analyze the data and provide the Legislature with all information necessary to ensure we can make informed, life-saving decisions together.”

FREE

Police remind residents to be alert, report tips to stop vehicle theft and vandalism The Grain Valley Police Department (GVPD) is asking residents to get involved in an effort to stem an increase in theft of vehicles and theft from vehicles in the metro area. The majority of these types of thefts in Grain Valley occur in the overnight hours.

GVPD is utilizing WeTip for residents to anonymously report information regarding the person(s) involved in these incidents. Residents may call 1800-78-7463 or report online at www.wetip.com.

see POLICE on page 8

Good News: Cross Country Team to host Turkey Tracks 5K & Kids Run on Thanksgiving Day

Work up an appetite on Thanksgiving morning and support the Grain Valley Cross Country program by registering to run or walk in the Turkey Tracks 5K on Thursday, November 25th. The run/walk begins at Grain Valley High School at 9:00am and participants will receive a race shirt and ﬁnishers medal. To register for the run/walk and Kid’s Run, visit www.runsignup.comRace/Events/KS/ OverlandPark/TurkeyTracksThanksgivingDay5K10K. Image credit: KC Running Company

In This Edition: Business: Have a high-tech Thanksgiving dinner

Your Health: The Diet Lowdown: Dietitians’ Most Popular Questions

Sports: Forkner steps up to lead Grain Valley’s strong defense

Cover Image: The Eagles Swim & Dive team ﬁnished second at their Conference meet. See page 6 for story. Photo credit: Michael Smith

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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 20-26 , 2021.

October 20, 2021 700 Block of Main

Citizen Contact-Via Phone Cass County Warrant Conﬁrmation Area Check ODID Check Prisoner Transport t o Ray County Motor Vehicle Accident Disturbance Past Motor Vehicle Accident-Leaving the Scene

700 Block of Main 1400 Block of Willow DR 100 Block of McQuerry 700 Block of Main 7200 Block of Dillingham 600 Block of Shorthorn 1400 Block of Olympic

October 21, 2021 1200 Block of NW Granite 600 Block of SW Shorthorn 600 Block of S Main ST 1200 Block of Eagles 1000 Block of Sandy LN 700 Block of Main 1300 Block of Crestwood DR October 22, 2021 1400 Block of NW Red Oak CT 1000 Block of NE Clear Creek 400 Block of Orion 200 Block of SW Creek Ridge DR 600 Block of Yennie ST BB & I 70 1000 Block of NE Clear Creek 700 Block of Main Main & Walnut Sni A Bar & 40 HWY 1500 Block of NW Nicholas 100 Block of NE McQuerry Buckner Tarsney & Ryan 300 Block of SW Eagles PKWY Sni A Bar & Meadowood

October 23, 2021 600 Block of NW Valley Ridge CT 700 Block of Main 200 Block of N Cypress ST 700 Block of Main 100 Block of E US Old 40 HWY 700 Block of Main

Alarm Civil Standby Suspicious Activity Suspicious Person Disturbance Past Noise Complaint Disturbance Past

Alarm Area Check Suspicious Activity Area Check Citizen Contact Area Check Noise Complaint Walk In- Harassment Motor Vehicle Accident Motor Vehicle Accident Verbal Disturbance Dealer App Citizen Contact Property Damage Motor Vehicle Accident

Alarm Citizen Contact Burglary Citizen Contact Suspicious Persons Citizen Contact-DEA Drug Takeback

200 Block of NW Barr RD 700 Block of Main 1100 Block of NW Baytree DR 1300 Block of Blue Branch 1300 Block of RD Mize 500 Block of Rust October 24, 2021 1600 Block of NW Hilltop 200 Block of Hannah CT 800 Block of SW Woodlawn DR 29000 Block of E 24 HWY 1200 Block of Long DR 800 Block of NE 3rd ST 700 Block of Main

Citizen Contact Citizen Contact Via Email Stealing Fraud Trafﬁc Control Alarm

700 Block of Main 200 Block of Kirby

Welfare Check Suspicious Parties Citizen Contact Agency Assist-JCSD Physical Disturbance Agency Assist-OGPD Citizen Contact Via Phone Follow Up Stealing Citizen Contact

October 25, 2021 1300 Block of Stoneybrooke LN 1200 Block of NW Scenic DR 400 Block of SW Laura LN 600 Block of Shorthorn 700 Block of Main 700 Block of Main 600 Block of Yennie ST 1000 Block of Rock Creek LN 1300 Block of Valley Woods 100 Block of Garden 1300 Block of Sycamore

Suspicious Auto Extra Patrol Agency Assist-CJC Alarm Walk In- Harassment Noise Complaint Trespassing Trespassing 911 Open Line Stolen Auto Area Check

October 26, 2021 Sni-A-Bar and Cross Creek 600 Block Cross Creek 300 Block Main Street 300 Block Valley Drive 300 Block Crestview 800 Block Ridgeview 700 Block Main 200 Block Old 40 Hwy 400 Block Ryan Road RD Mize Road

Motor Vehicle Accident Noise Complaint Dealer Application Parking Complaint Suspicious Activity Trespassing Warrant Service Alarm Area Check Suspicious Activity

Additional calls for service: Suicidal Subject Domestic Violence Order of Protection

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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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Business

Have a high tech Thanksgiving dinner by Burton Kelso, The Technology Expert

It’s that time of year again: turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, the presence of friends and family, and a reason to give thanks for all of our good fortunes in the last year. If there’s one thing most of us want to NOT think about on Thanksgiving, it’s technology. Put the smartphones away, pack up the laptop, and disconnect for one day, right? Well, technology can actually help to bring us together on this most American of holidays, provided it’s put to good use instead of as a distraction from family time. Here are 5 ways to put technology to work for you this Thanksgiving, all of which will hopefully result in a more relaxing holiday: 1. Allrecipes. There are hundreds of cooking apps out there, but what makes this app so great is the fact that every recipe comes from a community of more than 50 million people. This gives it more of a social feel and that you're getting special recipes, not just generic ones. This app can recommend recipes when you walk into certain stores and comes with all the usual features, like the ability to create shopping lists, save your favorite recipes, and ﬁlter your search results by diet and cooking time ... which is handy when you have guests that have different dietary needs. 2. Meater/Meater Block. Wireless thermometers have increased in popularity over the years, but one of the best out there is the

Meater and Meater block. This high-tech thermometer allows you to know the temperature of Tom Turkey or any other food you're cooking. Wireless means that you don't have to hang out in the kitchen all Thanksgiving Day. The Meater app allows you to spend time with company and get alerts when you're dish reaches optimum temperature. The Meater Block allows you to monitor several dishes from your smartphone at once. 3. Amazon Alexa Show /Google Home Show. It seems once a month, especially during the holiday season, I mention these smart home hubs. There are so many things these devices can do, the list is almost endless. You can use these devices to look up recipes, set timers multiple timers for food you're preparing. You can also stream music from your favorite music service such as Amazon Music, Spotify, and Pandora for your guest to listen to as well as allowing to watch Netflix on the devices before, during, and after dinner. Connected to your smart home, you can unlock and lock your doors with a smart lock system as well as monitor who is at the door if you have a wireless doorbell installed. 4. TCL Roku Smart TV. If you're reading this, it's probably time for a new TV and there's nothing better than this Smart TV which is Alexa, Google, and Apple Ready. Use your voice to activate this TV and quickly get to the shows you want. Roku software in the TV means you have access to all of the popular streaming services.

This ULTA HD TV means if your family members want to watch Thanksgiving sports, the picture quality will be so good it will be as if they are there in person. 5.RetailMeNot. If you're making your Christmas shopping list and checking it twice on Thanksgiving to see if you get the best deals, then check out RetailMeNot. This app has thousands of stores in its database which means you can ﬁnd that perfect gift and make sure you get the best deal. As an added bonus, if you can't ﬁnd that gift for your loved one, you can purchase gift cards directly from the app. This Thanksgiving, don’t let technology ruin your day. Instead, use the best technology products to work to make your gathering even more meaningful. Most of all, remember to

give thanks for the friends beside us, the food before us, and the love between us.

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.

Your Health

4 The Diet Lowdown: Dietitians’ Most Popular Questions by Tara Sallee, MS, RD, LD, Hy-Vee Corporate Dietitian You asked… and asked, and asked. Therefore, it only felt right to compile Hy-Vee dietitians’ most frequently asked questions (and answers) about diet, food choices, healthy eating and more. Dive in and get the lowdown. Which is best - fresh or frozen veggies? Would you ﬁnd it surprising to know that the bagged produce found behind the frozen doors is just as nutritious as the fresh varieties? That’s right – a veggie in any form is packed full of vitamins, minerals, ﬁber and antioxidants. Think of the frozen options as a safe way to increase their shelf life. Plus, they can be a convenient side-item staple to any meal you make. Should I avoid fruit? Absolutely not! But what about the sugar content, you ask. The sugar found in fruit is not the same thing as added sugar, which is found in sodas, candy and other ultra-processed foods. A

serving of whole fruit provides your body with nutritious vitamins and filling fiber, and can be a great alternative to sweets. Bananas, apples, berries – they’re all great options and should never be banned. Is vegetarian, keto, or the Mediterranean diet (etc.) the best way to eat? Honestly, the best way to eat is one that meets all of your nutritional needs and a plan that you can stick with longterm. If you’re unsure what that looks like for you – a Hy-Vee dietitian can help! Do I need to drink 8 glasses of water per day? This age-old advice is just that – old! The magical 8 glasses of water was an easy number to remember, yet your water intake should be modified to fit your lifestyle and activities. A good rule of thumb? Check your urine and ensure it’s a light yellow hue.

problem in our diets? We can’t point ﬁngers at one single nutrient or ingredient behind a poor diet. The major problem? Eating too much ultra-processed foods and not enough produce, whole grains, lean meats and healthy fats over a long period. Balance is key, and using the 80/20 rule (80% wholesome foods and 20% treats) can help keep you healthy and happy, too. Should I go gluten-free? If you’ve been diagnosed with celiac disease or have a gluten sensitivity, then a gluten-free diet is an absolute must for you. Otherwise, a gluten-free lifestyle isn’t needed, nor healthier, than one that includes gluten-containing ingredients.

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

Is sugar (or salt or fat) the biggest

5 tips to prevent common holiday foot problems (StatePoint) The holiday season is one of the most joyful times of year, but it can also lead to aching feet. One source of seasonal foot pain is gout, a type of arthritis exacerbated by consuming too much of certain holiday foods and beverages. As you celebrate, prevent gout flareups and other painful afflictions with these five tips for healthy holiday feet from the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS). 1. Don’t overindulge in holiday cheer. Your feet can sometimes feel the effects of too much holiday cheer. Foods and beverages high in purines, such as shellfish, red meat, red wine and beer, can trigger extremely painful gout attacks, a condition when uric acid builds up and crystallizes in and around your joints. According to foot and ankle surgeon and Associate Member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, Josh Sebag, DPM, AACFAS, “Often, it’s the big toe that’s affected first since it’s the coolest part of the body and uric acid is

sensitive to temperature changes, but this may also occur in other parts of the foot and ankle.” If you do experience pain in your big toe or other parts of your foot or ankle, drink appropriate fluids, elevate your foot and immobilize it. Frequently, nonaspirin equivalents of non-steroidal anti -inflammatory medications are used to treat gout. In severe cases, contact your foot and ankle surgeon. 2. If the shoe ﬁts, wear it. When hitting the dance floor or shopping malls, don’t compromise comfort and safety when picking shoes. Narrow or overly high-heeled shoes or shoes that aren’t worn often, such as dress shoes, can irritate feet, leading to blisters, calluses, swelling and even severe ankle injuries. “Choose lowheeled shoes that ﬁt your foot in length, width and depth while you’re standing,” says Dr. Sebag 3. Be pedicure-safety conscious. Heading out for your holiday pedicure? Nail salons can be a breeding

ground for bacteria, including MRSA, a type of staph infection that causes fever and painful red bumps, and can be lifethreatening if left untreated. Reduce your risk of infection. Choose a salon that follows proper sanitation practices and is licensed by the state. You may also want to consider bringing your own pedicure instruments for safety. 4. Watch for ice and snow. Though winter wonderlands are beautiful, they can also be dangerous. Use caution outdoors, watching for ice or snow patches. The ankle joint can be more vulnerable to serious injury from falling on ice. “Ice accelerates the fall and often causes more severe trauma because the foot can move in any direction after slipping,” Dr. Sebag explains. If you fall, take a break from activities until you can be seen by a foot and ankle surgeon. Use RICE therapy (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation) to reduce pain and control swelling around the injury.

5. Listen to your feet. Don’t let foot pain ruin holiday fun; inspect your feet regularly for evidence of injury, ingrown toenails, bruising, swelling, blisters, dry skin or calluses. “If you experience foot pain (while at rest or with activity), swelling or notice signs of problems, make an appointment with your foot and ankle surgeon,” Dr. Sebag says. “Often, especially for people living with diabetes, and those with altered foot sensation, what may seem like a simple issue can turn into a larger problem if medical care is delayed.” For more resources or to ﬁnd a foot and ankle surgeon near you, visit FootHealthFacts.org, the patient education website of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. Treat your feet right. Being proactive, protective and preventive can mean a healthier holiday season for your feet -and your whole body.

Looking Back

Looking Back: A Grain Valley Original by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) was an educational program that was founded in Los Angeles in 1983 as a joint initiative of then-LAPD chief Daryl Gatesand and the Los Angeles Uniﬁed School District as a drug control strategy of the American War on Drugs. Did you know that by 1994 the D.A.R.E. program included over 25 million kids in 25 countries, but the only ball team authorized to have D.A.R.E. on their uniform as a sponsor was located in Grain Valley, Missouri? Chris Pratt was the volunteer coordinator of the local program. At that time he was also actively involved in support of the summer baseball programs in Grain Valley. He approached D.A.R.E. National, for permission to use

the logo. Their only requirement was that the city relieve them of any liabilities and the city cooperated. Chris Pratt, his wife Beth, and Scott Hedger were the coaches. The Grain Valley Team Row 1: Jeremy Bowling, Chris Steele, Tim Dorman. Row 2: Ryan Wilfong, Matt Richard, Nathan Meyer, Alec Driscoll, Row 3: Coach Chris Pratt, Michael Pratt, Aaron Veatch, Brandon Smith, Cody Montgomery, Coach Beth Pratt, Coach Scott Hedger.

Photo courtesy Grain Valley Historical Society

THEME: BASKETBALL ACROSS 1. Repeating word on South Paciﬁc map 5. Bro's sibling 8. Dashboard abbr. 11. Fusses 12. *Basketball slam 13. Go "Boo!" 15. Boisterous play 16. Upper hand 17. Part of mortise joint 18. *Unopposed attempt to score (2 words) 20. "The Famous Five" children's writer Blyton 21. *Basketball player Bojan Bogdanovic or Drazen Petrovic 22. "Mares eat ____" or "does eat ____," sing. 23. One who covers in silver, e.g. 26. Figure 30. Be ill 31. Part of "panther" 34. Capital of Latvia 35. Like helium 37. Quilting party 38. Analyze 39. Dehydrated 40. Litter of piglets 42. Down Under bird 43. a.k.a. aardvark 45. Provincial governor in ancient Persia 47. Argo propeller 48. Subway in Paris 50. Conclusion starter 52. *Made basket (2 words) 56. Not a soul 57. Like animal near extinction 58. Greek sandwich 59. Bandages 60. Arabian bigwig 61. Answer to "Shall we?" 62. Bar offering 63. *It sends a basketball game to overtime 64. Highland tongue

DOWN 1. Vomit 2. Sensory input 3. It wasn't built in a day 4. Characteristic to consider 5. Traditional scarf/headdress 6. Brick of precious metal 7. Place at an angle 8. Indian princess 9. Circus trainer's poker 10. '80s band "____ At Work" 12. Remove antlers 13. Titanic propeller 14. *Shaquille O'Neal and Wilt Chamberlain, e.g. 19. Halloween option 22. Not their 23. 1/100th of a rupee 24. Wrinkle-prone natural fabric 25. Warning 26. ____-do-well 27. Part of a stair 28. Old World lizard 29. *Fast-break ____ 32. Skier's aid 33. Part of H.M.S. 36. *Reward after missed shot 38. *Larry O'Brien NBA Championship Trophy, e.g. 40. Away's partner 41. Stable worker 44. Relieves 46. On/off type of switch 48. *____ Hurricanes 49. Creepy 50. Work very hard 51. Use a whetstone 52. Worry without necessity 53. Deed hearing 54. A in A&E Network 55. *The Phoenix Suns did it in the 2021 NBA Finals 56. *Professional basketball league

Sports

6 Eagles finish second at conference meet by Michael Smith Grain Valley boys swimming coach Kara Liddle was elated at how far her program has come since it started in 2018. That was apparent at Saturday’s Suburban White Conference Meet at Belton High School. The Eagles had their best finish at the meet in their four-year history, taking second with 349 points. Raytown took first with 570 points. The highlight for Grain Valley was its 400 and 200 freestyle relay teams. The foursome of Evan Reich, Riley Fangman, Tom Fligg and Issac Burd broke the school record in both events. In the 200 free relay, the Eagles took second with a time of 1:40.07. In the 400 free, the quartet also took second at 3:38.17, a team that may be good enough to qualify them for state. “I am so proud of them.” Liddle said. “As of right now it looks like we are going to state this year. Everyone had a drop in time, and everyone made it to finals. They have worked so hard this year. They accomplished everything I thought they could.” Fangman noted that the relay teams have taken a big leap since the program first started. “Our drive to win has only gotten more and more powerful,” Fangman said. “We’ve been working on that. “We’re optimistic that we are going to make it (to state).” Added Reich: “We set those records my freshman year. Our team has changed and grown, and we are all faster individually as a team. It’s been really awesome.” The Eagles also fared well in their individual events. Fangman took second in the 100 butterfly at 1:02.21, and was third in the

Left to Right: Riley Fangman, Issac Burd, head boys swimming coach Kara Liddle, Evan Reich and Tom Fligg pose for a photo after Grain Valley took second at the Suburban White Conference meet Saturday at Belton High School. Photo credit: Michael Smith 200 individual medley with a time of 2:29.79. “I swam the best I could. I swam with all my strength. I am very pleased,” Fangman said. “I got some personal records tonight.” Reich was third in the 200 free (1:59.37) and third in the 100 free (53.59

seconds). “I got state consideration times in both events for the ﬁrst time in my career,” Reich said. “It’s my junior year, I have another year to get state times.” Burd ﬁnished third in the 50 free (23.02 seconds) and second in the 100 free (51.31 seconds). Kollin Hansuld won

the diving competition the Saturday prior with a score of 392.65. “Every year, the program keeps getting better and better,” Liddle said. It’s been more than I could dream for. I am so happy for them.”

Valley Speedway Results: October 30, 2021 B Modiﬁeds A Feature 1 (25 Laps): 1. 96-Cody Brill[2]; 2. 27Jarret Beach[11]; 3. 8-Terry Bruner[4]; 4. 15AAllen Anders[5]; 5. R33-Austen Raybourn[7]; 6. 36-Brian Andrews[6]; 7. 8C-Cami Bruner [8]; 8. 23-Danny Thompson[9]; 9. 81JR-Dan Charles[3]; 10. (DNF) 25S-Shannon Bardwell Sr [12]; 11. (DNF) 81-Austin Charles[1]; 12. (DNF) 11John Murray[10] Heat 1 (8 Laps): 1. 81JR-Dan Charles[2]; 2. 8Terry Bruner[1]; 3. 15A-Allen Anders[3]; 4. R33Austen Raybourn[4]; 5. 23-Danny Thompson [5]; 6. (DNF) 27-Jarret Beach[6] Heat 2 (8 Laps): 1. 96-Cody Brill[3]; 2. 81Austin Charles[6]; 3. 36-Brian Andrews[2]; 4.

8C-Cami Bruner[4]; 5. 11-John Murray[5]; 6. (DNF) 25S-Shannon Bardwell Sr[1] Dirt Demons A Feature 1 (15 Laps): 1. 68-Darrick Brisbin[3]; 2. 121-Eric Schmidt[1]; 3. 32T-Taylor Harp[4]; 4. (DNS) 13-Jason McCaulley; 5. (DNS) 15-Roman Stump Heat 1 (6 Laps): 1. 121-Eric Schmidt[3]; 2. 13Jason McCaulley[5]; 3. 68-Darrick Brisbin[4]; 4. 32T-Taylor Harp[1]; 5. (DNF) 15-Roman Stump[2] E Mods A Feature 1 (20 Laps): 1. 14D-Darren Bennett[1]; 2. 33-Jeremy Curless[2]; 3. 1M-Mike Ryun[3]; 4. 86-Doug Brisbin[7]; 5. 41-Ashlyn Piburn[5];

6. (DNF) 22-Dustin Dillon[4]; 7. (DNF) 32MMarcus Feuerstein[8]; 8. (DNF) 65-Jason Smith[6] Heat 1 (8 Laps): 1. 14D-Darren Bennett[3]; 2. 1M -Mike Ryun[2]; 3. 33-Jeremy Curless[5]; 4. 22Dustin Dillon[1]; 5. 41-Ashlyn Piburn[4]; 6. 65Jason Smith[7]; 7. 32M-Marcus Feuerstein[8]; 8. (DNF) 86-Doug Brisbin[6] Mod Lites A Feature 1 (20 Laps): 1. 46-Dillon Raffurty[1]; 2. 4X-Austin Charles[5]; 3. 41-Michael Raffurty [3]; 4. 3-Nathan Wolfe[4]; 5. 64-David Raffurty[2]; 6. 34-Tyler Furrell[7]; 7. 414-John Spitler[8]; 8. (DNF) 19DD-Derek Foster[9]; 9. (DNF) 75-Justin Raffurty[6]; 10. (DNF) 84-Joe

Gunn[10]; 11. (DNS) 17-Kyle Guy; 12. (DNS) 98Jeff Raffurty Heat 1 (8 Laps): 1. 46-Dillon Raffurty[3]; 2. 4XAustin Charles[1]; 3. 34-Tyler Furrell[2]; 4. 75Justin Raffurty[6]; 5. 19DD-Derek Foster[5]; 6. (DNF) 17-Kyle Guy[4] Heat 2 (8 Laps): 1. 64-David Raffurty[3]; 2. 3Nathan Wolfe[2]; 3. 41-Michael Raffurty[5]; 4. 414-John Spitler[1]; 5. 84-Joe Gunn[4]; 6. (DNF) 98-Jeff Raffurty[6] Valley non wing Sprint car A Feature 1 (15 Laps): 1. 57-Cole Bodine[1]; 2. 93 -Buddy Parker[2] Heat 1 (8 Laps): 1. 57-Cole Bodine[2]; 2. 93Buddy Parker[1]

Sports

Forkner steps up to lead Grain Valley’s strong defense by Michael Smith Grain Valley football coach David Allie noted at the beginning of the season that his defense had the most varsity experience at defensive line and in the secondary. But the one area the Eagles would have inexperience was with the linebacker core. The one steadying presence was expected to be senior Gage Forkner, who played as an outside linebacker for the 2020 Eagles. This season, Forkner has not only lived up to expectations, he has exceeded them as the leader of a Grain Valley defense that has allowed just 18.8 points per game. He has excelled as the defensive captain as he has played at middle linebacker and on the outside. So far this season, Forkner leads the team with 55 tackles, with 9.5 of them being for a loss. “I worked on playing inside backer all offseason,” Forkner said. “I played outside linebacker all last year, so I am able to play both. When you’re outside, you’re mostly reading the tackles. When you are inside, you are reading the guards to the back.” Through nine games, Allie has been pleased with how Forkner has adjusted to his new role. “He’s adapted well to it,” Allie said. ”He’s fast and is aggressive to the ball. He’s done just as well in an interior position as he has on the outside. He’s got a tremendous attitude and he’s extremely coachable. He makes the defense go.” He’s also been the main player to call audibles and make sure his defense mates are in the right spot. “He’s done a great job with it as you have seen with how well our defense has played,” Allie said. “That goes back to him having varsity experience and knowing the game plan. He studies ﬁlm and makes sure we are in a good position.”

While Forkner had been a strong presence at linebacker, he’s had some help in that unit from players like Brody Baker, Cole Elliott, and others. Forkner admitted that the linebacker core struggled in an offseason training camp at Pittsburg State University but have made strides since then. “We just had such a young team and we just all had to get together and go after the right goal,” Forkner said. “We were going against some really good teams like Carthage. I think they are No. 1 right now.” While the Grain Valley linebackers have done well, Forkner said the defense as a whole has been strong in 2021. “Our D line has done an amazing job. I think that’s the strength of our defense,” Forkner said. “All four of them go out there and have played to the best of their ability and our defensive backs have been killing it all year.” And Forkner and the rest of the team hopes they can continue that trend against Sedalia Smith-Cotton in the semiﬁnals of the Class 5 District 7 Tournament Friday. “We just need to keep getting better,” Forkner said. “We also got to help the young guys keep getting better, especially (in the secondary) with so many injuries there.”

So far this season, Forkner leads the team with 55 tackles, with 9.5 of them being for a loss. Photo credit: John Overstreet

After his high school career is over, Forkner hopes to continue playing in college. He said if he can’t get a good enough offer, he might try to earn a spot on a team as a walk-on or play at a junior college. “He can play at a variety of levels,” Allie said. “He’s going to make someone really happy. He will be the ﬁrst one to say he needs to put on some weight and still keep his speed. If wants to play some more, there will be a place for him.”

Left to right: Senior Gage Forkner, with junior Keegan Hart and senior Jordan Jones. Photo credit: Michael Smith

Three Eagles head to State Cross Country Championships Three Eagles advanced to State competition after successful runs in District competition on Saturday, October 30th at Lee’s Summit North. Senior Ella Casey ﬁnished 14th with a

time of 20:28.63. Junior Carson Hill ﬁnished 7th with a time of 16:34.30, and senior Mason McCain ﬁnished 11th with a time of 16:44.34.

Hill earned 1st team All-District honors, and Casey and McCain earned 2nd team All-District honors. The trio head to Gans Creek in Columbia Friday, November 5th to

participate in the MSHSAA Cross Country Championships.

GVAC continued from page 1 include: Canned meat (chicken, tuna, spam), canned meals (spaghetti-Os, chili, beef stew), boxed dinners (hamburger helper, tuna helper, chicken helper), pork and beans, canned carrots, canned mixed veggies, jelly, pancake mix, syrup, toothpaste, body wash, shaving cream, toilet paper, shampoo, and deodorant.

Collection barrels for donations are located at the Grain Valley Community Center and Grain Valley Price Chopper. For more information on the Grain Valley Assistance Council, visit www.grainvalleyassistancecouncil.org.

POLICE continued from page 1 Information that may lead to the person(s) involved may qualify for up to a $1,000 reward. Police suggest 5 things residents can do to help protect their cars from car theft:

* Be alert * Lock your doors * Close your windows * Remove keys and belongings * Park in a well-lit area

Community Calendar November 8, 2021

November 22, 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

Board of Aldermen Meeting 7:00pm Grain Valley City Hall

November 9, 2021 10 Steps to selling your food product in stores 6:00pm—7:30pm If you dream of getting your food product onto store shelves, let Xander Winkel from the Ennovation Center’s food incubator help you realize it. www.mymcpl.org/events

November 10, 2021 Create your customer avatar 2:30pm—3:30pm Having the right customer avatar is key to the success of your marketing! www.mymcpl.org/events

November 24-26, 2021 No school—Grain Valley Schools

November 25-26, 2021 City ofﬁces closed 7:00pm Grain Valley City Hall

November 25, 2021 Turkey Tracks 5K & Kids Run 9:00am Grain Valley High School www.runsignup.com

Add your community event free online at www.grainvalleynews.com.

Planning & Zoning Commission 6:30pm Grain Valley City Hall

November 11, 2021 Veterans Day—City Ofﬁces Closed

Grain Valley Community Calendar sponsored by

Crosetti Health & Wellness

PHARMACY C O V I D - 1 9 Va c c i n e — Wa l k - I n s We l c o m e R a p i d C O V I D Te s t i n g — Please call to schedule

Now Open at 510 N Main, Grain Valley 9:00am - 7:00pm Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 1:00pm Saturday

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