January 28, 2021 Vol. 4 No. 4
O n l i n e w e e k l y a t w w w. g r a i n v a l l e y n e w s . c o m
Board considers CID for Mercado Plaza The Board of Aldermen unanimously passed the first reading of an ordinance to establish the Grain Valley Mercado Community Improvement District (CID) during its January 25th meeting. Following a public hearing on the matter, the board approved the first reading of the ordinance which allows for the establishment of the CID located west of S. Buckner Tarsney Road and abuts the north side of NE McQuerry Road. The district covers approximately 12 acres with properties assessed at a value of $131,849. STAR Acquisitions, Inc. and the City worked on the development incentive program which is expected to provide 85,000 square feet of fast food, retail,
office, and industrial use. Construction is expected to begin by December 2021 and be completed by December 2024. If approved, the district will establish a district sales tax of up to 1 percent (1.0%) for the funding of improvements and services that serve the property within the district. The board also approved a contract with Midwest Pool Management to continue to provide management of the aquatic center through the 2023 season. The board will meet for a workshop session on Tuesday, February 2nd at 6:00pm prior to the next regularly scheduled board meeting on February 8th at 7:00pm.
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Parson defends Missouri COVID response, lays out agenda in State of the State address by Jason Hancock, Missouri Independent Despite a COVID-19 outbreak scuttling his plans to address a joint session of the Missouri General Assembly, Gov. Mike Parson laid out his policy priorities and defended his administration’s response to the ongoing pandemic during his annual State of the State address on Wednesday. Instead of delivering his speech in the House, Parson was forced to break from tradition and speak to a sparse gathering in the Missouri Senate. Unsurprisingly, the pandemic that’s infected more than 450,000 Missourians and resulted in 6,700 deaths around the state took center stage. “This past year has brought many challenges,” Parson said, “with a worldwide pandemic that has stressed our healthcare system like never before, caused many deaths and much sickness, left thousands of Missourians out of work, devastated small business and many more impacts we will likely be dealing with for years to come.” The governor ticked through a litany
of actions his administration took in response to the virus’ spread, from waiving nearly 600 statutes and regulations to helping secure over $11 billion in low-interest loans for Missouri small businesses to ramping up testing to more than 100,000 a week. “The bottom line is that we have been working day in and day out to fight COVID-19 while also dealing with civil unrest, violent crime and a difficult budget,” Parson said. The last-minute change of venue stemmed from a recent spike in positive cases among lawmakers and staff that caused the House to cancel session last week. At least two Senators — Republican Bill Eigel and Democrat John Rizzo — are in quarantine after Republican Sen. Andrew Koenig and a staffer for the conservative caucus tested positive in recent days. The governor has vehemently defended his administration’s record on COVID-19, and most recently he’s publicly
see PARSON on page 2
Grain Valley Police Department (GVPD) welcomed Elgin Thrower and Brett Thompson on January 25th, swearing both in as Grain Valley Police Officers. Reached for comment, GVPD Police Chief James Beale welcomed the officers to the department. “Each of the officers are of high moral character, and they are a great asset to the department,” Beale said. Left photo: Chief James Beale, Officer Thrower and Captain Palecek. Right photo: Chief Beale, Officer Thompson and Captain Palecek. Photo credit: City of Grain Valley
In This Edition: Looking Back: Grain Valley News in The Banner
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Business: December Jobs Report
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Your Health: Super healthy strategies for the Super Bowl
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Sports: Lady Eagles open tournament on a successful note
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Cover Photo: Senior guard Jordyn Weems steals the basketball. Photo credit: Valley News staff
Missouri Governor Mike Parson delivered his State of the State address on January 27, 2021. Photo courtesy of Missouri Governor's Office.
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PARSON continued from page 1
Police Blotter The following information is derived from the Grain Valley Police Department
bristled at recent reports citing Centers for Disease Control data showing Missouri ranks last in the nation in terms of the percentage of its residents who have received the initial shot of a COVID vaccine. On Tuesday night, the state launched a dashboard that for the first time detailed demographic data and a county -by-county breakdown of where COVID vaccines have been given to residents. According to Missouri’s dashboard, an estimated 4.7 percent of the state’s residents have received at least their first dose. In the hopes of increasing the number of Missourians who receive the vaccine, the governor’s office told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch it was hoping to divert 25,000 doses away from CVS and Walgreens for distribution at mass vaccination sites run by the Missouri National Guard. Parson noted in his speech that Missouri was “one of the first states in the nation to submit our COVID-19 vaccine plan, and have now administered nearly 400,000 doses to Missourians.” Democrats were less than impressed with the governor’s record, especially in light of the coronavirus cases within the legislature. “Republican leaders, from Donald Trump to Mike Parson, have mishandled this pandemic from the beginning,” said Rizzo, the Senate Democratic leader. “The governor is continuing to fail with his last-in-the-nation vaccine distribution. Now, his gross mismanagement of this crisis has resulted in the House not allowing him to give his speech in their chamber.” Rizzo said the governor should have delivered his speech remotely. “The governor’s desire to give a big speech in-person is about vanity and optics,” he said. “He could easily give this address online from his office without putting anyone else’s health at risk.” While his administration’s response to COVID-19 was a key piece of his speech, Parson also laid out his priorities moving forward. “It is important that we continue to follow through on key investments in workforce development and infrastructure,” Parson said. “We must also continue finding ways to strengthen public safety, improve health care, and make state government more accountable.” Among his top priorities is early childhood education, and he announced the consolidation of several different programs and divisions across three state agencies into a new Office of Childhood. “I have said many times that our children are the workforce of tomorrow, and if we are to truly make a difference in their lives, it starts with early childhood development,” he said. He also proposed other investments in K-12 education, including a fully
funded foundation formula and the expansion of the WorkKeys curriculum to all 57 existing career centers in Missouri. He called for an increase of more than $13 million for the A+ scholarship program as well as the continued funding for the Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant program. Parson also returned to a familiar theme of his time as governor — investment in the state’s infrastructure. In addition to additional funding for roads and bridges, he wants lawmakers to approve $5 million to expand and improve broadband services across the state and $100 million to clear the backlog of maintenance projects from every part of the state. The governor also threw his fullthroated support behind legislation that would shield businesses from certain lawsuits stemming from the pandemic, saying “I hope the first piece of legislation to hit my desk this year is a clean COVID-19 liability protection bill.” “Missouri businesses, manufacturers, health care providers, schools, churches, and many other entities across the state did not hesitate to step up and help their communities in the fight against COVID-19,” he said. “None of these groups should be penalized for their efforts to help.” He implored lawmakers to approve legislation allowing state and local governments to collect taxes on online sales, decrying the “unfair advantage online retailers have over small businesses in Missouri. “I am a strong supporter of lower taxes – in fact, I have signed several tax cuts into law,” he said. “However, our small businesses, especially in smaller communities, are getting crushed right now because they cannot compete with huge online retailers. We must level that playing field and consider ways to responsibly invest those revenues and provide new opportunities for our state.” Parson sad that he sometimes jokes about his gray hair, but to be very honest, this gray hair was earned through thick and thin, ups and downs, successes and failures. “And the last challenge I have left as governor of this state is how I can make Missouri a better place,” he said. “A better place to raise a family. A better place to find a job. A better place to open a business. And a better place for our children and grandchildren to achieve the American Dream.”
Jason Hancock has been writing about Missouri since 2011, most recently as lead political reporter for The Kansas City Star. He has spent nearly two decades covering politics and policy for news organizations across the Midwest, and has a track record of exposing government wrongdoing and holding elected officials accountable. www.missouriindependent.com
daily calls for service log for the week of January 13-19, 2021. January 13, 2021 1100 Block McQuerry Rosewood/Hedgewood Drs 700 Block Main St 700 Block Main St 600 Block Yennie 700 Block Main St 700 Block Main St January 14, 2021 3300 Block Outer Rd BB Hwy and Sni-A-Bar 700 Block Main St US 40 Hwy from 7 Hwy EB BB Hwy and Ryan Rd 600 Block Lakeview Dr 700 Block Main St 600 Block Westview 1300 Block of Jefferson 700 Block Main St 1300 Block RD Mize Rd 200 Block Broadway
Motor Vehicle Accident Animal At Large Citizen Contact Fraud Alarm Recovered Stolen Auto Citizen Contact
Alarm Area Check Civil Matter Careless and Imprudent Driver Suspicious Activity Citizen Contact Citizen Contact Disturbance Alarm Citizen Contact Disturbance Alarm
January 15, 2021 BB Hwy and Duncan Rd 1000 Block Ryan Rd 100 Block Eagles 800 Block Brome Dillingham and Duncan Rd 100 Block Sunny Ln
Motor Vehicle Accident Alarm Alarm Agency Assist (BSPD) Area Check Suspicious Activity
January 16, 2021 1100 Block Willow Dr 700 Block Main St 1300 Block RD Mize Rd 700 Block Main St 1200 Block Eagles Parkway
Harassment Forgery Citizen Contact Suspicious Activity Alarm
500 Block Main St 700 Block Main St 500 Block Main St 1400 Block Buckner Tarsney 500 Block Main St 500 Block Montana Ridge 700 Block Parr 1100 Block RD Mize Rd Nelson and Shorthorn 500 Block Lakeview Dr 1400 Block Mary Ct 1200 Block Lone Star
Alarm Citizen Contact Alarm Alarm Suspicious Vehicle Area Check Suspicious Vehicle Citizen Contact Suspicious Vehicle Noise Complaint Missing Juvenile Suspicious Vehicle
January 17, 2021 Whitney Ct and Rust Rd 700 Block Main St 200 Block Concorde Cir 600 Block Brome Dr Crestview and Ridgeview 100 Block Pebblebrook 800 Block Brome
Area Check Citizen Contact Suspicious Vehicle Stand By to Prevent Shots Fired Suspicious Vehicle Agency Assist (BSPD)
January 18, 2021 200 Block Barr Rd 1200 Block RD Mize Rd 1600 Block Eagles 1200 Block Phelps Dr
Parking Complaint Suspicious Activity Civil Matter Property Damage
January 19, 2021 I-70 and OOIDA Sni-A-Bar and Meadow 1400 Block Broadway 1300 Block Eagles 1700 Block Pond 700 Block Main St
Area Check Agency Assist (IPD) Stolen Vehicle Suspicious Activity Disturbance Citizen Contact
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Looking Back
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Looking Back: Grain Valley News in The Banner by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society The Grain Valley Herald went out of business in December, 1918. The owner, R. C. Hague sold his subscription list to The Oak Grove Banner. At that time, he agreed to edit a “Grain Valley page” in the Banner. From Volume 37, Number 35 published on April 30, 1926, available at the Grain Valley Historical Society, I found they were still including our news in their paper. By 1926, Mrs. A. M. White was the news correspondent. Like most news of the day, it was mostly “society” news – who ate dinner with whom and who was visiting from out of town. There was one birth announcement and several reports of illness. Well over half of the page was advertisements. I did learn that the Grain Valley baseball team had played on Sunday afternoon at the diamond north of Grain Valley High School. They defeated the Beacon Hill team of Kansas City by a score of 132! On another page under the title, “It Happened Ten Years Ago,” I read the following announcement: A marriage license was issued in Kansas City last Saturday to Byrl Baumgardner, of Grain Valley, and Miss Ona Stephenson, southwest of Oak Grove. Miss Stephenson is the daughter
of Mr. & Mrs. Charles Stephenson. From the advertisements I learned you could buy a Ford battery for $12.95 at Edgar Huff’s garage and Dr. A. L. Dwyer was in town on Wednesday with offices in the Sni-A-Bar bank building. He was prepared to furnish modern reliable dentistry at reasonable prices. In the 1920s many newspapers carried advertisement for “Bull” Durham tobacco. Will Rogers, Ziegfeld Follies, screen star and American humorist, was a spokesperson for the American Tobacco Company which marketed the Durham brand. He became well known for his column, The Bull’s Eye. His comments in this particular issue of The Oak Grove Banner might be considered somewhat timely today. He writes, “Congress, No 2: Statistics have proven that only one-half of one per cent of the speeches made in Congress are listened to. A great many Congressmen speak IN, but not TO, Congress. But every speech is published in the record. They send the records back home to show ‘What they told ‘em up there in Washington.’ Now the people back home think Congress heard their ‘Lem’ tell ‘em this.” Will Rogers continued, telling folks how to resolve the situation, but the important message came at the end
Missouri Trivia by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society Missouri is known as the "Show Me State," but maybe we should call it the "Read Me State." Famous Missourian writers include T.
S. Elliot, Maya Angelou, Mark Twain, Laura Ingalls Wilder,Tennessee Williams, and Sara Teasdale. Or maybe with more than 6,000 known caves, Missouri should be "The Cave State."
Grain Valley News published in the Oak Grove Banner. Photo credit: Grain Valley Historical Society when he stated why “ …they won’t listen to anybody up there? They have gone out to smoke, that’s why, and you know why they’ve gone out to smoke? Why, ‘Bull’ Durham, of course. It’s better than any speech ever made.” Visit the Grain Valley Historical Society and take a look at our collection.
I think you would enjoy both the history and the humor found in these old newspapers. Visit the Grain Valley Historical Society at 506 S. Main on Wednesdays or visit us online at ww.grainvalleyhistory.com and Facebook (@grainvalleyhistory).
Business
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A plan to invest in community by Phil Hanson, President and CEO, Truman Heartland Community Foundation The new year is underway, and whether you were just happy to put 2020 behind you or approached 2021 with a laundry list of new year’s resolutions, I am certain we all are hopeful that things will get better this year. Many of us know from experience that you are more likely to bridge the gap between where you are and the hope you have for the future by making a plan for how to get there. That is exactly how Willa Fancher and Martha Taggart approached life and why their estate plan is set to have a transformational impact on the future of our community. Longtime friends and Kansas City residents, Fancher and Taggart were inspired to leave a lasting legacy and provide support that would help nonprofits address the ever-changing needs of the community. Working with their trusted financial advisor, they included a generous $2.8 million unrestricted gift to Truman Heartland Community Foundation in their estate plans. The new Willa L. Fancher and Martha A. Taggart Endowment Fund, an
endowed grantmaking fund, will benefit nonprofits serving our region. More than $65,000 in additional funding will be available this year for our competitive grants program, thanks to the Willa L. Fancher and Martha A. Taggart Endowment Fund. That means this year more than $320,000 will be available in community grants through the Community Foundation’s competitive grants program. As an endowed fund, their legacy will make a positive impact in the Eastern Jackson County community into perpetuity and is projected to make cumulative grants of more than $9.1 million in the next 50 years. That is the power of an endowment. For many, a planned legacy gift is a way to honor loved ones, establish a scholarship fund or by naming a child successor, make charitable giving a family tradition. Our community is blessed with many generous individuals and families who have a vision for the future of our community and have established plans to ensure that the causes they care about continue to receive the funding they need year, after year, after year.
December Jobs Report Missouri non-farm payroll employment increased again in December 2020, but a large increase in the civilian labor force sent unemployment higher. Employment, seasonally adjusted, increased by 10,400 jobs over the month, and over-the year job losses from COVID-19 shutdowns fell below 100,000. The labor market still showed substantial losses from 2019 levels, and ongoing COVID infections pose a threat of continued economic challenges. Missouri’s smoothed seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased by 1.3 percentage points in December 2020, jumping to 5.8 percent from a revised November 2020 rate of 4.5 percent. The estimated number of unemployed Missourians was 180,137 in December 2020, up by 45,701 from November’s 134,436. Despite the increase, Missouri’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate has now been either below or equal to the national rate for 69 consecutive
months. The national unemployment rate was 6.7 percent in December 2020. Due to lingering layoffs from COVID-19 shutdowns, Missouri’s December 2020 rate was also 2.4 percentage points higher than the December 2019 rate. After record lows in 2018 and slow increases in 2019, the rate spiked beginning in March 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The rate peaked at 10.2 percent in April 2020 before decreasing slightly in May 2020, then moving strongly lower in June and July of 2020 as COVID-19 restrictions were eased. After a growing number of COVID-19 cases in August 2020 caused a small setback for the labor market, unemployment again decreased sharply in September 2020, followed by smaller decreases in October 2020 and November 2020, before an increase of 70,532 in the statewide civilian labor force in December 2020 caused a substantial jump in unemployment.
Our grants are an investment in our community and an important part of our plan to strengthen our region for the future. As nonprofits continue to navigate the financial and operational strains of the pandemic, this year’s competitive grants program offers critical funding for program and general operating support. We are hosting a free Competitive Grants Application Webinar on Thursday, February 4 at 1 p.m. to help area nonprofits learn about our grants programs, including deadlines and requirements. Visit www.thcf.org for more information about the competitive
grants program and upcoming webinar.
Phil Hanson is the president and CEO of Truman Heartland Community Foundation. Truman Heartland Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity committed to improving the communities in and around Eastern Jackson County through partnerships with donors and community members. For more information on charitable giving, visit www.thcf.org or call Truman Heartland at 816-836-8189.
Technology
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Tips for remote employees to stay productive and sane in 2021 by Burton Kelso, The Technology Expert Last year was interesting, to say the least. Before the pandemic, businesses were running normally. Then overnight, many companies transitioned their workforce to work remotely. When you're working from home, you may not be able to use the same equipment and support you enjoyed when working at your office. Maybe your home computer or Internet service isn't as robust as it was in your office. Also, cyber-criminals are aware that as a remote worker, you don't have the same protection as you did in the office, so they have increased their attacks. Hopefully, with the vaccines, we all will be able to return to a normal life, but in the meantime, here are some tips to make you more productive and sane as a remote worker in 2021. 1. Make Sure your Internet is Working at Warp Speed. When was the last time you replaced your modem/router? Do you know these devices should be replaced at least every 5 years? If you're leasing your modem/router from your ISP (Internet Service Provider), you can call them and ask for a replacement ... free of charge, well not free since you are paying for it. Most Internet service companies introduce new models of modem/routers every few years, but they don't always inform their subscribers that they've switched to newer, better equipment. If you've been with your service company for a while, it's time for a switch. Take the time or have your favorite computer guru call your ISP to inquire if you can upgrade that modem/ router. Chances are newer equipment will help improve your speeds and might even give a boost to your Wi-Fi. If you're struggling with slow Internet or no Internet, get with your tech buddies to help you find a good solution. It could be as simple as a low Wi-Fi signal in your home office or just a lack of good Internet providers in your area. It's worth the investment to have someone check out what your options are.
There are many products on the market such as range extenders, Powerline adapters, and stronger routers that can help you get better Internet. 2. Are You Cyber Secure? Hopefully, your company (this means you if you're self-employed) is doing a good job keep you safe from all of the threats out there. Cybercriminals have changed their tactics because of the work at home situation many of you are facing. A few years ago, you had to worry about the threat of someone hacking into your computer. In our current digital world, cybercriminals have resorted to scams that trick you into letting them in your computer and giving up your and your companies valuable information. Phishing schemes such as Smishing (text scams) , Whaling and Spearing (email scams that look like they came from your fellow employee), and Vishing (think about all of those scammy phone calls) have increased. Keep in mind that 99% of cybercrime requires user interaction. As long as you don't click on suspicious email links, or give out your information to strangers, you will stay safe. Trust your gut. If you get a phone call from the office or an email from the boss asking for sensitive information, don't hand it out unless you verify it. Remember that Twitter hack from last summer? It was because a remote employee gave out sensitive information to a criminal. Make sure you're following the usual cybersecurity tips such as using antivirus software, working behind a VPN, or setting up a VPN for your mobile workforce to work from behind. Also, it's vital that you're not working on devices that have outdated operating systems and that passwords are kept private ... like your underwater to strangers. 3. Set Boundaries Between Work and Home. Going to work is easy if you're just rolling out of bed. It should also be that easy when you stop working for the day. In recent years, 'grinding' and 'hustling' have become popular as a way to show people how hard they are
working. How many of you have seen the quote "We all have the same 24 hours" which is to imply if you're not putting in 12-14 hour workdays, you aren't going to be successful. This way of thinking has to stop with solo businesses, small businesses, and large businesses. Like your laptops, smartphones, and tablets, you need to recharge. It's okay to step away and enjoy life. Trust me, no one on their deathbed is making regrets that they wished they would have worked longer hours. Dealing with this pandemic has caused a lot of strain on many of us as we have to isolate to stay safe. Hopefully, we can all return to a more social society soon, but in the meantime, a healthy balance of working smarter and relaxing will help you stay productive and sane as you work remotely from home in 2021. Looking for More Useful Tech Tips? Our Tuesday Tech Tips Blog is released every Tuesday. If you like video
tips, we live stream new episodes of 'Computer and Tech Tips for Non-Tech People' every Wednesday at 6:00 pm CST on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Technology product reviews are posted every Thursday. You can view previous episodes on our YouTube channel. 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.
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Outdoors & Recreation
MDC offers free native landscape chat on February 5th by Bill Graham, Missouri Department of Conservation Native wildflowers and grasses make attractive and hardy landscaping plants in home gardens. But they do require some planning and maintenance. The landscape specialists at the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center in Kansas City will host a Native Landscape Chat on the first Friday of each month. Experts will answer questions and provide tips on using native plants to
enhance outdoor greenery at homes and businesses. The next chat will be from 1 to 2 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 5, in Discovery Center’s native plant garden at 4750 Troost Ave. Late winter months are a good time to plan for spring planting and to address concerns in existing gardens. The sessions will be led by Alix Daniel, MDC native landscape specialist. Native plant gardens are friendly to butterflies and
songbirds. They often require less watering and maintenance than gardens with non-native plants. These sessions will help participants learn what plants work best in sites according to soil, sunlight, and the gardener’s goals. The Feb. 5 session will also give attendees a chance to see how native growth can also provide texture and color to gardens during winter. This program for those 14 and older
will be held outdoors, and participants should dress for the weather. All COVID19 precautions will be followed including physical distancing and face masks. Registration is required. To register, visit https:// short.mdc.mo.gov/ZXo. For more information on the Gorman Discovery Center, visit https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ Z6s.
MDC offers virtual class on the Mysteries of Owls by Bill Graham, Missouri Department of Conservation Owls are mysterious raptors of the night, in the wild and in the urban forest. The Missouri Department of Conservation will offer a free virtual class about owls from 10:30 to 11:30am on Saturday, February 6th. Participants will learn about the life histories and unusual traits that owls possess. “The behavior and specialized structures of these birds of prey are different compared to other birds,” said Susan Harris, an MDC naturalist at the Gorman Discovery Center who will teach the class. “One fun fact about owls is that their eyes function differently than other birds. They cannot turn their eyes. Instead, owls rotate their heads up to 270 degrees. Some owls do this so quickly it gives the illusion they can turn their heads completely around.” Eight species of owls can be seen in Missouri, some commonly and others rarely. The barred owl and great horned owls are the largest, their calls often
heard by people who venture outdoors after dark. Eastern screech owls are smallish but lovely whether in a rustyorange or a grayish-black plumage pattern. Short-eared owls visit Missouri grasslands from northern states in the winter. Snowy owls, like Harry Potter’s white owl, only visit from the far north when lemming populations crash, and they fly south seeking food. Harris also works with live owls as a volunteer at Lakeside Nature Center, a raptor rehabilitation site operated by Kansas City Parks and Recreation. “I enjoy working with owls as education ambassadors because they are so highly intelligent, they appear almost regal,” Harris said. “Owls are an important part of our ecosystem food chains in Missouri. Many owls help to keep down the rodent population in various areas.” MDC’s virtual owl program is for ages 8 and older. Registration is required. To
Owls can be large or small, such as this captive eastern screech owl in the care of raptor rehabilitators. Photo credit: MDC register, visit https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ Zaf. To learn more about owls in
Missouri, visit https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ ZaY.
Your Money The sun is setting on swiping at the pump (BPT) - Among its downfalls, 2020 was a fraud-heavy year. However, there is one type of fraud that can be thwarted in 2021: pay-at-the-pump fraud using cloned payment cards, also known as counterfeit fraud. This happens when cybercriminals skim cards and steal payment card data at fuel pumps or buy them from the dark web, print them onto counterfeit payment cards, and use them at older fuel pumps that do not have an EMV® chip or contactless card reader. And pay-at-the-pump fraud is rampant. Analysis from Mercator Advisory Group and Transaction Network Services shows that fraud losses on automatic fuel dispensers (AFDs) this year is estimated to be $17,315 per site. This type of fraud is prevalent because most gas stations still use outdated fuel pumps with point of sale (POS) systems that read the magnetic stripe on the back of a card instead of POS systems that use more secure chip and contactless card readers. It is time for station owners to upgrade their fuel pumps to protect themselves and their customers. Upgrading these fuel pumps has been a long time coming. Awareness about the intent to shift to chip cards for secure payments started in 2011 and the date for fraud liability to shift from financial institutions to fuel merchants has been pushed back multiple times since then. Visa is trying to stop fraudsters from taking advantage of consumers and merchants this way, and is encouraging fuel merchants to upgrade to EMV chip
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Solution to last week’s puzzle.
card and contactless readers at the pump - the most efficient way to prevent criminals from successfully using counterfeit payment cards before the liability shift date of April 17, 2021. "In addition to consumers having an extra layer of protection, these upgrades benefit gas station owners by removing fraud dollars that impact their bottom line," said Julie Creevy Scharff, vice president of consumer products at Visa. "Based on Visa data, counterfeit fraud dollars decreased 87 percent among chip-enabled non-fuel merchants in the U.S. in March 2020 compared to September 2015, when the liability shift occurred for that community." Visa believes a similar reduction in counterfeit fraud perpetrated at fuel pumps can be experienced by fuel merchants if they embrace chip card and contactless card readers at the pump. Fortunately, there is still time to upgrade. Merchants should contact their payment or fuel pump provider so consumers can take advantage of a chip card reader with their chip card or use contactless payment when they fuel up.
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Your Health
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Super healthy strategies for the Super Bowl by Tracey Shaffer, RDN, LD The Chiefs are going to the Super Bowl! Although COVID-19 may have put a halt to large parties, you can still have a small family gathering at home and enjoy the festivities. But what if you’ve been trying to eat healthier and you’re afraid the game time snacks may derail your plan? Especially when the top foods for Super Bowl Sunday are cookies, cheese and crackers, nachos, pizza, chicken wings and chips and dip. Don’t just sit on the sidelines and avoid food altogether—just keep from overdoing it with these simple tips.
Seeking New Voices! We welcome guest columns, editorials, articles by experts in their field, and partnering with local organizations to share the work they are doing in the community. Email us at news@grainvalleynews.com for more information.
Don’t Save Up Space One of the worst things you can do before a party or any food occasion is to starve yourself during the day so you can binge at the party. A better solution is to have something light and semi-filling before the party so that you are able to make better choices and have better portion control when you’re around all of those tempting foods. Make Something Healthy Healthy food doesn’t have to be boring and tasteless. Make something
that you truly enjoy that isn’t super high in calories, sugar or fat. And you don’t even have to tell anyone that it’s healthy. You will be surprised to find out that your guests will love the food you make. Need an idea? Try the healthy, yet delicious appetizer in this column. Don’t Drink Your Calories Alcohol has calories and at parties we tend to overindulge. Not only do you need to be concerned about the calories in the alcohol itself, but studies have shown that drinking alcohol makes you consume more food. Try alternating alcohol with water, or some of the new flavored sparkling waters, to decrease your intake and to stay hydrated which will also prevent that awful hangover the next morning. Be Active If you know you may eat more than usual during the evening game, make sure you are a little more active earlier in the day. Take a walk or do a workout burn some extra calories.
Crispy Oven Chicken Fingers Ingredients: 2 cups buttermilk 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 tablespoon hot-pepper sauce 1 teaspoon Kosher salt 1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast tenders 1 package sesame crispbread 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted Combine the buttermilk, garlic, hotpepper sauce, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Add the chicken, cover, and refrigerate for 2 hours or up to 12 hours. Heat the oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly coat 2 baking pans with oil and set aside. Crush the crispbread into coarse crumbs and place the crumbs in a large, shallow baking dish, toss in the melted butter and set aside. Remove the chicken from the marinade and coat with the crumbs. Place on the prepared pans and bake, turning once, until golden and crisp – about 25 minutes. Recipe from Country Living
Tips to make this the year you quit smoking for good (StatePoint) Is “quitting smoking” on the top of your list of goals for the year? Was it last year too? Here are some insights from those in the know into kicking this habit to the curb for good. “They say old habits are hard to break, and when it comes to my dad’s addictive smoking habits, I couldn’t agree more,” says Linh Nguyen, the Houston style, fitness and mom blogger behind A Beautiful RAWR. “He knows smoking is detrimental to his health, but the thought of not having it be part of his daily routine has been a challenging, intimidating, and in some ways, scary idea for him to grasp.” Nguyen’s family has resolved to help her father make this the year he quits smoking for good. For those 18 and older, consider these tips and insights
she is sharing into the process. Identify your motivations: Quitting a smoking habit can be very difficult, but knowing why you want to quit can help you stick with it when things get tough. “I think the biggest motivator for my dad to quit this year is our growing family. His grandkids are his world and I know he wants to be around to watch them grow up. To do that, we’re all making better choices for a healthier, longer life,” says Nguyen. Get Help: Quitting is often associated with challenging physical symptoms. However, products that deliver controlled, therapeutic doses of nicotine can relieve cravings and help with difficult physical withdrawal symptoms. “One of the biggest ways I’m supporting my dad is stocking him up
on effective, pharmacist-recommended smoking cessation products from Walgreens, which are much more affordable compared to similar products,” says Nguyen. Before getting started, anticipate which products might work best for your needs. While patches are a great choice for many people who like to “set it and forget it,” those who prefer to keep their mouth busy might prefer using a product like Walgreens Nicotine Gum. Available in 2 mg or 4 mg strengths, each piece lasts about 30 minutes and you can chew up to 20 pieces per day. Similarly, Walgreens Lozenges also come in 2 mg and 4 mg strengths and are a good choice for people who may avoid gum due to TMJ problems.
Build a plan: Quitting is highly personal. For a greater chance of success, look for resources that help you build a personalized plan. “If they can help my dad quit after 50 -plus years, they can definitely help you or a loved one,” says Nguyen. For additional support and information, visit cancer.org or call the American Cancer Society 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-800-227-2345. When you quit smoking, you can lower your risk for a number of health problems including lung disease, lung cancer and heart disease. If you are attempting to go smoke-free, be sure you have all the support and tools you need.
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Eagles win nail biter against Indians by John Unrein The Grain Valley Eagles boys basketball team pulled off a win in dramatic fashion against the Fort Osage Indians on January 22nd by a score of 45 -43. Eagle forward Cole Keller would block the final shot of the game as time expired, doing so with four fouls and timing the rejection so that his follow through would not put the shooter on the foul line. Joining Keller in late game heroics was Grain Valley guard Owen Herbert. The sophomore sank 2 three pointers late in the game along with making the back end of a two shot trip to the charity stripe to help seal the victory for the Eagles. “Ice Man” was a nickname being bounced around Herbert as he emerged from the visitor’s locker room after the game. “I continue to work hard on my shot in getting my timing and rhythm down. I knew someone had to step up and took advantage of the open looks (at the basket). We’ve been working hard in practice on things that will help us win on the court,” Herbert said. “I knew after I missed the front end of the two free throws late in the game that I let it go too hard on the first one and that I needed to take a deep breath and regroup. The second one went down. This was a big win for us on the road with our Sonic Showdown coming up.” Herbert would finish the contest with 13 points. Keller led all scorers during the game and produced a double-double that consisted of 19 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 4 blocks. At no point during the game did Keller let his foul trouble affect his aggressive play. The senior was not bashful about the mindset leading to his determination. “I got frustrated tonight because
we’ve been in this situation before multiple times in the past and it has melted in our hands. When we slow down our focus and take it one possession at a time, things go so much better for us like they did in the first half tonight,” Keller said. “They (Fort Osage) grabbed the rebound prior to the shot I blocked at the end. Someone needed to step up to make a play and it was my time. I am glad it ended that way.” Keller’s frustration stemmed from Grain Valley struggling to keep the fifteen point lead they secured at the end of the first quarter. It was precipitated by the Eagles starting the game on an 11-2 run that forced Fort Osage to burn a timeout at the 3:30 mark of the opening period. Senior guard Jayden Yung has transitioned to running the point for the Eagles. Yung’s handling of the basketball and the Eagles push in the transition game accounted for the early scoring that permitted the Grain Valley lead to hold. Fort Osage under the direction of head coach Josh Wilson made valuable half time adjustments. The Indians came out of the locker room at the start of the 3rd quarter applying pressure to Yung on the inbound pass and denying outlet passes to the center and corners of the court as Grain Valley worked to defeat the press. The Indians also spread the floor during the final two quarters to get open three point looks at the basket. Junior Trent Hogland would reward Wilson’s adjustment by scoring all 14 of his points in the second half, including 4 three pointers. The stamina and determination
Sophomore Keagan Hart looks to pass the ball to the post. Photo credit: Valley News staff
Pictured left to right: Sophomore guard Owen Herbert, head coach Andy Herbert, senior Cole Keller. Photo credit: Valley News staff displayed by the Eagles allowed them to turn back the momentum gained by the Indians in the second half. Grain Valley head basketball coach Andy Herbert conducted substitution by possession as the game progressed to keep the best matchup on the floor possible for his team. The reward for Herbert was his team scoring 28 of their 45 overall points in the second half. “We had taken turns panicking. Owen (Herbert) was the right guy in the right place and his teammates found him late in the game. It was good for us to win tonight. We needed that,” Herbert said. “We warned our guys at halftime that they were going to turn the heat up on us and that they would at some point start making more shots. We rode out their momentum and it was great for
the youth of this team to get the victory.” Herbert finished, “Jayden (Yung) was tremendous tonight attacking downhill and getting to the basket. That allowed us to be the aggressor. The mindset switched in the second half with us trying to hold on and prevent them from taking the lead. You rely on your seniors to step up and make plays in that moment. Yung has been our ‘X Factor,’ and as he goes, we go. Keller’s block was huge as well.” “I am proud of our team. I have taught more in practice this season then I have in ten seasons probably. The hard work put in by this team has led to progress that does not always show up with wins and losses. Our team deserved this win tonight.”
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Lady Eagles open tournament on a successful note by John Unrein The Grain Valley Lady Eagles basketball team took care of business during the opening round of the Sonic Showdown basketball tournament on January 25th. Sophomore point guard Grace Slaughter led all scorers during the contest with 32 points as her 2nd seeded Grain Valley team dispatched the 7th seeded Oak Park Lady Oakies by a score of 63-33. Lady Eagles head basketball coach Randy Draper used a carousel of defenses that included full court press, man to man, and the 1-3-1 zone to stymy the Lady Oakies offense. The formula worked as Oak Park was held scoreless during the first quarter. Sophomore guard Maddie Moore got her shot going as the game progressed and was Oak Park’s leading scorer with 10 points. Grain Valley found success attacking their opponents 2-3 zone defense by consistent movement without the basketball, driving the lane, and passing to open shooters behind the arc. Finley LaForge, Jordyn Weems, and Emma Thiessen were among the Lady Eagles who joined Slaughter in finding success behind the three point line. Another attribute of Grain Valley’s success was the rebounding and post scoring of Gabbi Keim and Ella Clyman. Both used box out positioning under the boards to arrive at successful outcomes in retrieving missed shots. Clyman would pull down 9 boards to go with her 6 points, 2 assists, and 2 steals. Keim would add 5 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals as well. “Our goal as a team is to get after it from the start of the game. We followed
our plan on defense and pushed the ball on offense (in transition). This was fun tonight,” Weems said. Clyman added, “Our intensity was apparent tonight. We were quick moving the ball and that led to open looks.” Slaughter concluded, “My parents always remind me that if one thing is not working, you have to go to something else. My three point shot came on after I got my drive going to the lane. Open looks outside then allowed for entry passes to the post. All those things led to our success.” The all-around solid team effort permitted Draper to empty his bench with 5:42 left in the 4th quarter. Varsity starters for the Lady Eagles turned into a raucous bunch on the bench cheering on their teammates. The reward of rest and getting to be vocal was well received in a showing of team unity. “Our teammates are awesome for us and we enjoyed cheering for them late in the game. They give their all in practice to make us better,” Weems said. Clyman continued, “We are all family. Those on the court towards the end of the game work their butts off in practice. It is cool to see them have success.” Slaughter finished, “I am super proud of them. We are not nice to each other in practice. It is in an effort to make us all better. We love each other and watching them (my teammates) grow is fun.” Among those smiling from the bench was Draper. Smacking his knee and jovial head nodding were among the dead giveaways demonstrating Draper’s approval of his team’s effort. The maturation of his young varsity
Pictured left to right: Jordyn Weems, Grace Slaughter, Ella Clyman. Photo credit: Valley News staff
Sophomore point guard Grace Slaughter sinks a free throw. Photo credit: Valley News staff basketball team could not come at a better time as February basketball is fast approaching. “Our press defense got us off to a good start in getting us some easy baskets and disrupting them (Oak Park). We were able to play at the pace we prefer. The movement of the basketball continues to improve for us as well. It is making our zone offense better,” Draper said. “We got some kids in at the end of the game that are good basketball players. That last group played like they need to and had fun doing it. There was a point tonight I looked at the bench behind me and asked if they were alright due to the noise they were
making for us on the floor. This team gets it. They have fun being together and it makes my job great.” “It is hard to keep Grace (Slaughter) from scoring. I like her mindset. She knew she was going to get going. Some players miss two straight shots, and they stop. Grace went and got some shots close to the basket. That turned around her shot from deep.” The Lady Eagles improve to a 9-3 record on the season with the victory. Competition in the Grain Valley Sonic Showdown basketball tournament will continue the week of January 25th.
Senior guard Jordyn Weems steals the basketball. Photo credit: Valley News staff
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Keller headed west with verbal commitment to Washburn by John Unrein Rare is it in high school football to have the physical attributes and leadership skills necessary to be a starter at varsity quarterback for three seasons. Finding a head coach that possesses the trust and patience to put a sophomore at 15 to 16 years of age in that position is rare, especially in Class 4 and 5 Missouri high school football. The relationship between Senior Cole Keller and Grain Valley Eagle head football coach David Allie was one of those unique instances. Sideline conversations between the two have evolved since the 2018 season. Keller has become more vocal and stubborn over the years due to his competitive nature. Allie has shifted from being a “take a deep breath” coach to engaging in direct and honest dialogue with Keller as his maturation process continued. Both Keller and Allie have benefited from their “thick skin” in the figurative marriage between quarterback and head coach. Evidence of this is provided in the dual threat Keller became as he harnessed the concepts of Allie’s spread offense. One that is “heavy” on the quarterback making the correct option reads running the football as well as recognizing coverage and where to deliver the football through the air. “Cole has always seemed mature beyond his age. Even as a freshman, being thrown into varsity competition, there was never any hesitation to go in
or outward nervousness displayed by Cole. Much of that maturity stemmed from the confidence he had in his abilities,” Allie said. “As early as his sophomore year, there was no doubt who was in charge of the huddle, or the offense on the field. He had the proverbial ‘moxie,’ and could back it up with his athleticism and physical abilities. But, he was also mature enough to understand there was always room for growth. As much as he grew physically, he actually grew more mentally.” Allie continued, “Cole drastically improved his grasp of the offensive schemes and took ownership in watching film of the opponent to best prepare himself and his team. Though his belief in himself and his teammates helped Cole mature, his intense desire as a competitor also played an important part in that development.” “It did not matter if it was a group activity in our teambuilding off-season program or a play being ran in practice, Cole was always wanted to win.” Keller’s career numbers are eye popping to say the least. Furthermore, the Eagles record has progressed positively each season that Keller was under center and Allie was at the helm. Grain Valley went from 5-5 during 2018, to 9-4 during 2019, and 10-2 during the 2020 season, including back to back district championships in the final two
Senior Cole Keller has verbally committed to Washburn University. Photo credit: John Overstreet years of that stretch. Grain Valley assistant football coach Ryan Adams is the team’s statistician and provides local media with excellent support in getting the story correct by the numbers. His expertise was used in compiling Keller’s high school football career stats.
Touchdowns/Interceptions: 35/20
Passing Stats Completions/Attempts: 231 completions out of 429 attempts. 53.8% Completion Rate
Rushing Touchdowns: 35
Passing Yards: 3,597
Rushing Stats Attempts: 313 Rushing Yards: 1,914 Yards Per Carry Average: 6.1
Keller’s aptitude on the gridiron raised more than a few eyebrows of NCAA football programs, including those of Craig Schurig who is the head football
see KELLER on page 12
Eagles defend home court in tournament opener by John Unrein The 6th seeded Grain Valley Eagles boys basketball team successfully defended their home court in the Sonic Showdown tournament opener against the 3rd seeded Barstow Knights. The Eagles would pull away from their opponent during the fourth quarter for a 58-47 win. Grain Valley head basketball coach Andy Herbert emerged from the locker room after the game with water spots covering his blue Under Armour pullover. “I got a shower and returned the favor. It was a celebration in the locker room that was well earned. Everyone who played in this game did something to help us win. That is why this is a team sport,” Herbert said. Among the Eagles putting forth a
stellar effort in securing the victory were Cole Keller, Keagan Hart, and Owen Herbert. Keller’s 28 points, 16 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, and 4 blocks cemented his team’s triumph, and was the second game in a row the senior would deliver a double-double. Keller found a way to stay aggressive on both ends of the court despite picking up two early fouls. Herbert did not let his occasional early misses from behind the arc halt his confidence as the game unfolded in continuing to hoist long range shots. The sophomore guard continues to display a keen understanding of floor spacing beyond his years in finding open spots on the floor after maneuvering through traffic on the court. Eleven points, including a trio of three pointers and
two made free throws late in the game capped Herbert’s successful night. Hart exploded in the fourth quarter to slow down Barstow senior point guard Connor Arment in helping to hold him to 14 points. The Eagles free safety in football did not shy away from contact defensively. Hart consistently went underneath the screens set by the Knights at the top of the key in their pick and roll offensive set to limit Arment. Adoration from his teammates was abundant for the Eagle sophomore upon exiting the locker room. Hart would finish with 6 points, 1 rebound, 4 assists, and 2 steals. “I picked up two (fouls) early, knowing that I usually play significant minutes, I understood that I would need to be
cautious. You can still be aggressive. You just have to pick and choose your moments. I continue to focus on finishing offensively in the post through both shoulders,” Keller said. Herbert added, “In the past, I would stop shooting after missing a few. I am encouraged by coaches though to keep shooting. I can tell now by feel how my shot is going. I’ve been watching these games (the Sonic Showdown) for a lot of years and it’s awesome to be on the good side of the bracket after one game.” Hart concluded, “My role is as a defensive player on this team. Coach Herbert told me in the fourth quarter to go pester the heck out of number 23 (Connor Arment). Having five fouls to do
see EAGLES on page 12
KELLER continued from page 11 coach of the Washburn Ichabods. Topeka, Kansas is the location of Washburn University that claimed a 2019 enrollment of 6,285 students. The Ichabods play NCAA Division II football and are part of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA). The entire 2020 football schedule was suspended for Washburn due to the current pandemic. Keller shared his thoughts behind his recent verbal commitment to Washburn University and what he is most excited about in continuing his academic career as a student athlete. A nod to the faith Allie bestowed in him was also offered. “I feel like Washburn is where I can fulfill my potential. They offer a good mentor for me, great facilities, and a solid coaching staff,” Keller said. “I am most excited about the vision they have for me within their offense. Playing many different places on the field will allow me to showcase my athleticism and versatility.” “Coach Allie got the ball in my hands and let me make plays. Without his trust in me, I would not be the player I am today. That trust made it special.” Allie was mutual in his admiration for what Keller has accomplished and where it may lead at the next level. “Cole’s athletic and academic prowess has secured him a significant scholarship offer to Washburn University. While he was recruited by many schools as a quarterback, and even as a linebacker by a couple of
schools, he chose to select a school closer to home that will use his athletic talents at wide receiver,” Allie said. “In talking with their coach, they plan to utilize his big frame and great speed in a variety of offensive positions, from H-back, to slot, to wideout. It also wouldn’t surprise me if they used him occasionally as a ‘Wildcat’ quarterback that can run or pass.” Keller’s cheering section and positive sphere of adult influence date back to middle school. Craig Hastings was Keller’s 7th grade science teacher and currently serves as an assistant principal at Grain Valley South Middle School. The two have stayed in touch through the years and have not stopped sharing postgame handshakes and laughs. “Cole was well mannered, a respectful kid, and an exceptional student. I really enjoyed talking football with him, coaching his dodgeball team, and watching his progress through high school,” Hastings said. “Cole will succeed at the college level, and in life, because he is such a hard worker and great leader. He has always been athletically blessed from a young age, but he is respected by his coaches and peers because of the work he puts in and his refusal to lose.” The echoes of the 2020 football campaign continue to reverberate for the Eagles. Keller is one of the latest Grain Valley student athletes to make a verbal commitment to leave the nest.
EAGLES continued from page 11 that with made it a fun assignment.” Grain Valley was strategic under Herbert’s discretion in using an eight man rotation during the game to stay fresh during the second half. The judgment paid dividends as the halftime score was knotted at 23 apiece. Herbert was vocal from the sideline in providing instruction on beating the full court press. It was the second game in a row that an adversary would try to create turnovers and instant offense through defensive intensity. Senior point guard Jayden Yung was more aggressive with the dribble in getting across the half court line then he was previously against Fort Osage. The difference was notable in permitting the Eagles to get into their offensive sets with more fluidity. “It seemed like Cole got to every
loose rebound in the second half. Keagan did a great job slowing down their offense late in the game. His intensity and confidence were special, including a back cut layup and the steal and finish he had,” Herbert said. “All we have talked about since last Friday night was defeating the press. You cannot wait to get trapped and Jayden (Yung) did a good job tonight understanding when to continue with the dribble and when to throw it. We finally got guys in the right place in the second half to catch it, which helped a lot. Grain Valley moves to a 4-9 record on the season with a win each of their last two games. The Eagles continue play in the Sonic Showdown tournament at 7:00pm on January 28th.
Senior Cole Keller makes a free throw attempt. Photo credit: Valley News staff
Community Calendar Thursday, February 4, 2021 Virtual Teen Book Club: Between Two Titles 4:00pm—5:00pm Join us for a virtual teen book group. With two titles to choose from, there are options for everyone. Monday, February 8, 2021 Board of Aldermen Meeting 7:00pm Virtual meeting via Zoom Wednesday, February 10, 2021 Business Model Canvas Workshop 6:00pm—7:00pm via Zoom Is your business model working? Join Kimberly Beer to learn how to stop the chaos and create meaningful direction in your business while ensuring your business idea is solid. www.mymcpl.org/events
Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting 6:30pm Grain Valley City Hall Friday, February 12, 2021 Grow a Reader Virtual Storytime 10:00am -10:20am Join library staff for virtual storytimes for your littles (and maybe for you too!). We will have stories and songs, brought directly to your home. www.mymcpl.org/events Monday, February 15, 2021 President’s Day City offices closed
Add your community event at www.grainvalleynews.com/ eventscalendar