Valley News www.grainvalleynews.com
November 8, 2018
Vol. 1, No. 21
FREE
High Turnout Locally for Midterm Election The Jackson County Election Board reported a voter turnout in Jackson County of 67.3% with 151,947 out of 225,775 registered voters casting ballots. This is nearly 28% higher than the previous midterm election in November 2014. Each of the precincts within Grain Valley reported voter turnout in excess of 50% of registered voters. Statewide, voters elected current Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley to the U.S. Senate, defeating incumbent Claire McCaskill. U.S. House Representative for District 5 Emanuel Cleaver II, representing portions of Grain Valley south of 1-70, and District 6 U.S. House Representative Sam Graves,
representing portions of Grain Valley north of 1-70, were both easily reelected. Missouri Senator Mike Cierpiot, Republican, was re-elected, defeating Democrat Hillary Shields. Republican Jeff Coleman won the District 32 Missouri House of Representatives seat, replacing current Representative Jeanie Lauer who is leaving the position due to term limits. Lauer ran unopposed for the 5th District Jackson County Legislator seat and won with nearly 95% of the vote. The 5th District includes Grain Valley, Blue Springs, areas north to Sibley and east to Oak Grove. Frank White, Jr. was reelected County Executive.
Grain Valley voters lined up outside the Community Center around 5:00pm on November 6th . Photo credit: Valley News staff
Good News
Santa Bus is Coming To Town Santa is known to travel by sleigh on Christmas Eve, but on the weekends leading up to his big night, Santa travels around Grain Valley in his own custom bus. Grain Valley resident Chuck Johnston has organized the annual Santa Bus which travels throughout Grain Valley, bringing Santa right to area childrens’ front doors for a visit, photo, and a special gift. According to Johnston, the tradition was started a few years before he became involved around 1995. “In my beginning with the project, we would travel the entire city in one day. It has grown to four 12-hour Saturdays and two 10-hour Sundays. We currently see about 4,000 kids a year and give out about 2,000 donated stuffed toys along with candy and small toys we purchase for the kids too old for stuffed toys,” Johnston said. The schedule for this year’s Santa Bus is provided at right. The bus tour begins the first Saturday after Thanksgiving in the Rosewood Hills
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and Woodbury neighborhoods and finishes on December 16th, covering any areas missed in previous weeks. There is no cost to visit Santa on the bus. If a child is unable to visit the bus, parents are asked to notify Santa and he will visit them inside. The Santa Bus is operated entirely by volunteers and supported through donations from local businesses and friends of the project. Donations of gently used stuffed toys or like new toys of any kind are welcome. Toy donations can be dropped off at the Grain Valley Community Center, Grain Valley Police Department, OOIDA, or Santa’s summer home at 611 Cross Creek Drive. Monetary donations are welcome and may be mailed to GV Santa, 611 Cross Creek Drive, Grain Valley, MO 64029, or given to Santa’s helpers on the bus as they make their rounds. For more information on the Grain Valley Santa Bus, visit www.gvsanta.com.
Send your story ideas, photos, and letters to news@grainvalleynews.com.
Santa Bus Schedule: Nov. 24th | 9:00 AM until approx. 7 PM (First Saturday after Thanksgiving) Rosewood and Woodbury subdivisions Nov. 25th | Noon until approx. 7 PM (First Sunday after Thanksgiving) Areas north of I-70 other than Rosewood and Woodbury subdivisions Dec. 1st | 9:00 AM until approx. 7 PM (Second Saturday after Thanksgiving) Areas between 40Hwy and Eagles Pkwy including Cross Creek Subdivision, Rock Creek Ln. and Winding Creek subdivision Dec. 2nd | Noon until approx. 7 PM (Second Sunday after Thanksgiving) Areas between 40 Hwy and I-70 Dec. 8th | 9:00 AM until approx. 7 PM (Third Saturday after Thanksgiving ) Areas south of Sni-A-Bar Blvd bordered on the east by Buckner-Tarsney Rd and on the west by Foxtail Dr including Tisha Ln Dec. 15th | 9:00 AM until approx. 7 PM (Last Saturday before Christmas) Areas between Brome DR on the east and Eagles Pkwy on the west Dec. 16th | Noon until approx. 7 PM (Last Sunday before Christmas) *if needed* Any areas that were missed due to time constraints Specific times in your neighborhood should be similar to times of previous years. If you have very young babies, please let Santa know if it’ it’s too cold to bring them to the Bus. Santa will come inside for them.
G R A I N VA L L E Y N E W S LOCALLY FOCUSED. FAMILY OWNED. PUBLISHED WEEKLY.
Local News
Page 2
CJC Fire Protection District Receives ISO Class 1 Rating Central Jackson County Fire Protection District (CJCFPD) achieved two goals recently that directly impacts citizens, visitors, and businesses. In August, CJCFPD received their third accreditation from the Commission on Fire Service Accreditation, To achieve this five-year accreditation, CJCFPD undergoes an extensive evaluation of all programs and divisions. The process looks at finances, response, public education, and training, along with other functions and compares those to recognized standard. A site team consisting of fire
chiefs from across the country then visit CJCFPD and confirms all the information presented is accurate and factual. Following the site visit, the team makes a recommendation to the commission to award the 5-year accreditation. During the October 2018 CJCFPD Board of Directors meeting, the Insurance Service Office (ISO) presented an ISO Public Protection Class I rating, the highest rating possible, to the department. The rating is based on evaluation of response, water supplies, training, fire prevention, and other
capabilities to determine a risk class for residential and commercial properties, which can affect insurance costs. CJCFPD Deputy Chief Eddie Saffell explains that while the rating reflects well on CJCFPD, it can also positively affect residents and businesses in the area. “Most insurance companies base our rates on an ISO rating or some hybrid of their formula. Typically, residential rates are only affected by an ISO rating of 4 and above but are occasionally changed with a lower rating. Ratings below a 4 can directly impact
commercial properties by as much as 20% rate decrease, again, depending on the company. This actually means more to economic development in that, a lot of companies look at community benefits when choosing a site: schools, ISO rating, police protection, etc. This can bring new business in and help us retain existing business,� Saffell said. CJCFPD is one of only 90 departments out of 259 agencies worldwide that carry both an ISO Class I rating and are accredited.
Police Blotter The following information is derived from the Grain Valley Police Department daily calls for service log for the week of October 24-30, 2018. October 24, 2018 1200 Block Valley Ridge BB Hwy/Rust Rd 1900 Block SW Eagles Pkwy 1700 Block Creekland Dr 800 Block Valley Woods Dr
Abandoned Vehicle Check the Area for Smoke Traffic Control Disturbance Check The Well Being
October 25, 2018 900 Block Long Dr 400 Block Orion 700 Block Harvest Cir 1700 Block Creekland Dr 1100 Block Pamela Blvd 1200 Block Eagles Pkwy 1500 Block Highview Dr 700 Block Main St Pamela & KC Industrial 1100 Block Ephraim 500 Block Broadway
Suspicious Person Alarm Property Damage Standby to Prevent Fraud Stealing Suspicious Person Citizen Contact Area Check Pedestrian Check Check The Well Being
October 26, 2018 800 Block Montana Ridge 700 Block Main St 700 Block Main St 1200 Block Willow Dr US 40 Hwy & Sni-A-Bar 1100 Block Main St 1300 Block Minter Rd 200 Block Dogwood Dr
Disturbance Fingerprints Citizen Contact Area Check Area Check Area Check Agency Assist (CJC) Agency Assist (OGPD)
October 27, 2018 US 40 Hwy 1100 Block Casey Blvd 600 Block Tisha Ln 1000 Block Cross Creek 900 Block Redbud 2700 Block Dillingham Rd 1200 Block Scenic Dr
Area Check Recovered Vehicle Disturbance Suspicious Activity Disturbance Suspicious Vehicle Civil Standby
2000 Block Hedgewood 1200 Block Scenic Dr 700 Block Main St 200 Block Sni-A-Bar Pkwy
Disturbance Disturbance Citizen Contact Disturbance
October 28, 2018 700 Block Sibley 700 Block Main St 1200 Block Honeylocust McQuerry & Bknr Tarsney 1200 Block Pamela Blvd 600 Block Creek Ridge Dr Minter Rd & Addie 1200 Block Hillsboro Dr
Agency Assist (BPD) Warrant Confirmation Open Door Motor Vehicle Accident Suspicious Vehicle Agency Assist (CJC) Careless and Imprudent Driver Disturbance
October 29, 2018 1100 Block Casey Blvd 700 Block Main St 700 Block Misty Glen I-70 & BB Hwy 600 Block Yennie 700 Block Main St 100 Block Sunny Ln 1600 Block Woodbury 300 Block Woodbury
Suspicious Vehicle Stealing Suspicious Vehicle Motor Vehicle Accident Disorderly Conduct Prisoner Transport Unattended Death Disturbance Disturbance
October 30, 2018 200 Block James Rollo 1200 Block RD Mize Rd 1100 Block McQuerry Rd 1000 Block Scenic 700 Block Harvest Cir 700 Block Main St 700 Block Main St EB I-70 & Lefholz
Stealing Check The Well Being Stealing Citizen Contact Area Check Citizen Contact Check The Well Being Agency Assist (MSHP)
Page 3
MDC Reminders for Deer Hunters The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds deer hunters that it is conducting mandatory sampling and voluntary sampling of harvested deer to help find cases of chronic wasting disease (CWD). MDC encourages hunters to properly dispose of deer carcasses to help limit the spread of the disease. MDC also encourages hunters to Share the Harvest and to follow special guidelines if sharing a harvested deer from a county where CWD has been found. CWD is an infectious and deadly illness for white-tailed deer and other members of the deer family, called cervids. There have been no known cases of CWD infecting people, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) strongly recommends having deer tested for CWD if harvested in an area known to have cases of the disease. The CDC also recommends not eating meat from animals that test positive for CWD. Cases of CWD are relatively rare in Missouri with 76 confirmed cases in free-ranging deer since the disease was first found in free-ranging deer in 2012. MDC will be conducting mandatory CWD sampling of deer harvested in 31 of the 48 counties of its CWD Management Zone during the opening weekend of the fall firearms deer season, Nov. 10 and 11. The counties are: Adair, Barry, Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Cedar, Cole, Crawford, Franklin, Grundy, Hickory, Jefferson, Knox, Linn, Macon, Madison, McDonald, Mercer, Moniteau, Ozark, Perry, Polk, Putnam, St. Charles, St. Clair, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, Stone,
Sullivan, Taney, Warren, and Washington. Hunters who harvest deer from these counties Nov. 10 or 11 must take their deer -- or the head with at least 6 inches of the neck in place -- on the day of harvest to one of MDC’s 61 CWD mandatory sampling stations. Stations will be open from 7:30 a.m. to at least 8 p.m. Deer may be presented at any mandatory sampling station and hunters can get free test results of their sampled deer. Find locations and more information at mdc.mo.gov/cwd under Mandatory CWD Sampling Nov. 10-11, or in MDC’s
2018 Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet,
available where permits are sold. MDC also continues to offer free voluntary CWD sampling and testing of deer harvested anywhere in the state throughout the entire deer hunting season. Carcass parts from infected deer can spread CWD. Deer may be infected even if they appear healthy. To help reduce the risks of spreading CWD, MDC encourages hunters to dispose of deer carcass parts by bagging them and placing in trash containers destined for a landfill, by burying them at or near the site of harvest, or by leaving them on the immediate area where the deer was harvested and field dressed. Learn more at mdc.mo.gov/cwd under Carcass Disposal. MDC and the Conservation Federation of Missouri (CFM) encourage deer hunters around the state to share their harvests through the state’s Share the Harvest program (STH). Administered by MDC and CFM, Share
the Harvest coordinates the efforts of thousands of deer hunters, numerous participating meat processors, many local supporting organizations, and statewide sponsors to help feed hungry Missourians. The program works by deer hunters donating their extra venison -- from several pounds to whole deer -- to participating meat processors throughout the state who grind and package the deer meat. The packaged venison is then given to local food banks and food pantries for distribution to Missourians in need
of food assistance. Processing fees are covered entirely or in part by numerous program sponsors. Deer donated to Share the Harvest must be tested for CWD if harvested from any of the 12 counties where CWD has been found. These deer can only be donated through processors participating in the Share the Harvest CWD Testing Program and located in or near any of the 12 CWD-positive counties. Learn more at mdc.mo.gov/ cwd under Share the Harvest.
Holiday Craft Fair November 10th at Faith UMC The United Methodist Women (UMW), of Faith United Methodist Church in Grain Valley will be holding a Fall Holiday Craft Fair on Saturday, November 10th, from 10:00am to 4:00pm at the church, located at 950 SW Eagles Parkway. The event is open to the public and will feature local and surrounding community craftsmen and
direct sales individuals. Craft/Vendor booth fees will used to support the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), specifically the purchase of “Flood Buckets”, which provide supplies to enable victims of floods and hurricanes to begin the overwhelming tasks of cleanup. Each 5-gallon bucket is valued
at $75 and includes a number of crucial supplies for those attempting to clean up after such natural disasters, including: respirator dust masks, work gloves, heavy duty trash bags, household cleaners, scrub brushes, insect repellent, and clothesline/ clothespins. Over 30 crafters and vendors are
scheduled to attend this event, including crafters selling handmade quilts, crocheted items, jewelry, toys, and cards. Direct sales vendors include Scentsy, Thirty-One Accessories, The Cocoa Exchange, Paparazzi, and Color Street.
Valley News
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 Diana Luppens, Switch Focus Studios | Contributing Photographer Mail: PO Box 2972 Grain Valley MO 64029 Phone: 816.809.7984 Email: news@grainvalleynews.com
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Business News
Page 4
Partner Spotlight: SERC Physical Therapy SERC Physical Therapy, located at 103 SW Eagles Parkway, is celebrating its 4th year in business in Grain Valley on November 10th. SERC Physical Therapy is a part of BenchMark Rehab Partners, a family of physical therapy brands that operate over 350 clinics in 15 states. The Grain Valley clinic focuses mainly on outpatient physical therapy. Trisha Krska, is the Area Director for SERC and Clinic Director for the Grain Valley location. “I specialize in working with performing artists and dancers. I danced through high school, and after tearing my ACL, I became interested in physical therapy (PT). When I was in school for PT, I was able to do a clinical with the New York City Ballet and enjoyed that experience,” Krska said. One of the clinicians in Grain Valley is certified in Sports Metrics and specializes in sports rehabilitation. According to Krska, patients range in age from youth to a 90-year old patient who comes in to work on balance issues. The majority of the patients arrive at SERC following an injury or after experiencing pain, but the clinic also offers a variety of services for those experiencing conditions that could be improved through PT. “Patients do not always realize they have a choice when a physician orders physical therapy. Likewise, patients are not always aware that they can visit a physical therapist prior to visiting their primary care physician to request a referral,” Krska said. Following a screening, a PT can contact a patient’s primary care physician to discuss with the doctor If physical therapy is a good option. SERC Physical Therapy can be reached at 816-443-2375.
Business News is provided weekly by the Grain Valley Partnership, whose mission is to be a leader in the growth of Grain Valley. The Grain Valley Partnership is located at 1450 SW Eagles Parkway, and can be reached by phone, 816-443-5162 or via email at info@growgrainvalley.org.
Learn more about the Partnership at www.growgrainvalley.org
Welcome To Our New Partner: Trisha Krska, PT, DPT, OCS, is Area Director for SERC Physical Therapy.
Margie Andrist, Agent Margie Andrist Farmers Insurance Agency Our location has moved from 203C South Main Street to 203A South Main Street, just two doors down in the same building.
Please join us at our new office on Wednesday, November 14, 2018 beginning at
Noon. Lunch will be provided by AAS Restoration and will be served from Noon –
2 PM.
We are looking forward to the opportunity to see as many of our customers as possible as well as to meet new people. Please feel free to bring friends!
We would also like to invite Veterans and First Responders (Fire Fighters, Police Officers and EMT’s) to bring us a 4x6 photo to present on our Wall of Honor. We appreciate all you do for our community and beyond.”
SERC Physical Therapy is located at 103 SW Eagles Parkway.
Upcoming Partnership Events:
www.growgrainvalley.org
Education & Youth
Page 5
GVHS Theatre Presents Sister Act November 15-17 High energy musical and dance gospel numbers and a comedic story about the power of friendship will entertain audiences next weekend when Grain Valley High School (GVHS) Theatre presents Sister Act as its fall musical November 15th – 17th at the Jerry Mueller Performing Arts Center. The show begins each evening at 7:00pm. Tickets will be sold at the door and are $5 for students and $8 for adults. Based on the popular comedy film starring Whoopi Goldberg, Sister Act introduces the audience to disco diva Deloris Van Cartier. Deloris witnesses a murder and is placed in protective custody in one place where the cops know she will not be found – a convent. Deloris is disguised as a nun and finds herself at odds with the Mother Superior and her new lifestyle. Seeing an opportunity to breathe new life into the convent’s choir by incorporating her singing talent and dance moves, Deloris endears herself to the sisters and the community, but blows her cover. John O’Neil, Theatre teacher and Show Director is impressed with his students’ work on this complicated
production. “We have been in rehearsals for almost 2 months and the students have a done a really stellar job. I have had a couple of kids take charge of some of the choreography of the show, and they’ve come up with some really creative movement for our actors. In addition to the actors, everything you see on stage has been created by the students. We have over 30 in cast, and another 30 backstage creating costumes, sets, running lights, and creating our publicity materials,” O’Neil said. In addition to the usual challenges of creating sets, obtaining costumes, and mastering the script, O’Neil said this musical has been particularly challenging in that the full chorus is involved and on stage in a good portion of the show. “There are five pretty intense dance numbers in this show. Making sure all the choreography is really polished and crisp has probably been the most challenging part of the production,” O’Neil said. Breunna Franklin, a senior at GVHS, is playing the lead role of Deloris Van Cartier in the production. Franklin, who has acted in several GVHS
musicals and plays, has enjoyed playing a character much different than those she has played in the past. “In all the productions I’ve been in, I’ve always played a sweet, innocent character. And in this performance, I get to play a sassy character, and it’s a really big challenge. I love being challenged, so it has been a lot of fun to play this role,” Franklin said. As Franklin looks beyond graduation, she is hoping to study acting and is looking at opportunities in Chicago and St. Louis. Her goal is to be a film actor for television and Breunna Franklin, a senior at GVHS, is playing the lead commercials. GVHS’’s production of role of Deloris Van Cartier in GVHS Jarrett Dietz, a junior Sister Act, which opens November 15th. at GVHS, plays Joey, one of the thugs after Deloris. This is his school and said he would encourage fourth show as an actor and his fifth younger students to audition and working on the tech crew. Dietz has become involved when the time put his artistic talents to use in comes. developing the show’s publicity “I would tell them to go for it. I’m materials, including the show’s really into it because of the people. poster, t-shirt, and programs. You meet a lot of great people in Dietz said he has enjoyed theatre and get to share a lot of stepping into the bad-guy role of inside jokes,” Dietz said. Joey. Dietz said the ensemble is excited “Joey is kind of a sleazeball. He to perform for an audience. flirts with a lot of girls. It’s fun to play “We have a lot of fun rehearsing, someone who is kind of sleazy. He but it’s a whole other thing having an puts on this tough persona, but he’s audience. I want to thank my mom really meek. There’s also a lot of and dad for always supporting me by physical comedy, which is fun to do,” coming to our shows,” Dietz said. Dietz said. Tickets for each performance will Dietz is interested in studying art, be sold in the lobby of the theatre music, or theatre after high school prior to each performance and all and has recently been thinking about seats are general admission. Doors teaching as a career. He has been open approximately 30 minutes prior involved in theatre since middle to the performance.
Community Voices
Page 6
So What Exactly is an Endowment? by Phil Hanson, President and CEO Truman Heartland Community Foundation Our annual Community Grants Luncheon for the Foundation is coming up this month on Friday November 16th. At this luncheon we will be awarding 63 grants to local nonprofits totaling more than $340,000. These grants where made possible in part by 16 endowed funds at the Foundation that have been entrusted to our board of directors and grants committee to oversee. Many of them where created by generous individuals in our community who made provisions in their estate plan to leave a portion of their assets for charitable purposes utilizing a fund they created at the Foundation.
So, it is very appropriate at this luncheon that we honor our new members of our Heartland Legacy Society who are including a fund at the foundation in their estate plans. This year we will honor 9 new members and now have 141 Heartland Legacy Society Members. Many people ask “Exactly what is an endowed fund and how does it work”? An endowed fund is designed to last forever. The plan is for the balance in the endowed fund to continue to grow over time even as it is making grants to charities. Let’s take a simple example of an endowed fund created with $100,000. With a 5% spending policy this fund would grant out $5,000 in the first year. So, assuming the fund has an 8% annual rate of return, it will be able to
Looking Back: From the Sentinel by Marcia Napier Grain Valley Historical Society
From The Sentinel, December 20, 1890 Grain Valley
AN OLD PIONEER Grain Valley has within her limits the oldest settler in Jackson County in the person of Jacob Gregg, who is in his 89th year. Mr. Gregg was born in Tennessee in 1802, and in 1812 came with his father to the Territory of Missouri and settled near Bone's Lick in Howard County. He accompanied the first wagon train across the plains from Missouri to what is now New Mexico. In 1825 he moved to a point four miles northeast of the present site of independence, where he lived for three
grant out more than $5,000 in succeeding years since the balance in the fund will continue to grow. By the 25th year of the fund it will be making annual grants of $9,500 and will have made cumulative grants since year one of $186,000. And the balance in the fund at year 25 will have grown to $190,000. That’s a big impact from a $100,000 charitable investment. Most spending policies compute the amount using an average balance over several years to factor in the ups and downs of the investment market. So for example, our current spending policy is 5% of the average balance of the fund at year end over the last 3 years. One objective is to even out the grants from the fund so they are not dramatically cut if we have a down year in the market. And then if there is a large increase in the following year, the 3 year average calculation enables the fund to recover growth lost the
previous year. Again the goal is to enable the endowed fund to last forever and provide stable support for the charitable purposes established by the donor. When properly managed, endowments can be a very powerful charitable giving tool. At our Community Grants luncheon in November, that power will be on display and we are thankful for the generous individuals in our community who made these grants possible.
Phil Hanson is the President and CEO of Truman Heartland Community Foundation. Truman Heartland Community Foundation (THCF) is a 501 (c)(3) public charity committed to improving the communities in and around Eastern Jackson County through cooperation with community members and donors. THCF serves the region with assets of more than $47 million and annual grants surpassing $3 million.
Share Your Favorite Holiday Recipes Do you have a treasured holiday recipe? Submit your favorite recipes to news@grainvalleynews.com and we will publish a selection
years and then returned to independence. In 1926 he was appointed constable of Blue township by the authority of Lafayette country. In 1827, J. R. Walker was sheriff and he was appointed as deputy, which position he held for three years. In the meantime, he was appointed county surveyor and served until he was elected sheriff in 1829. Mr. Gregg was elected to the legislature of Missouri in 1850 and served one term. He was postmaster at Stony Point, this county, for a number of years. The old gentleman remembers many incidents that occurred in the dim past, which if written up would make an interesting volume.
Historical Society Potluck and Membership Meeting Nov. 15th The next membership meeting of the Grain Valley Historical Society will be held at the Museum on November 15, 2018 beginning with a potluck at 6:00pm. Marcia Napier will present on the history of Grain Valley. The Grain Valley Historical Society Museum, located at 510 Main Street, 10am— is open Wednesdays from 10am —3pm and by appointment. Society’’s website, www.grainvalleyhistory.com, and follow Visit the Historical Society the Society on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (@grainvalleyhistory).
Everyone has a story—we want to hear yours!
To nominate yourself or someone else for our Community Profile section, email news@grainvalleynews.com.
of community recipes in next week’s edition. Mom’ Mom’s Heavenly Hash by Marcia Napier
• Juice of a small can of pineapple and enough water to make 1 cup. • Add
2/3 cup of sugar and let come to boil • Remove from heat and add 1 T gelatin that has been soaked in water • Let cool and have ready 1 c. marshmallows, ½ cup nuts, and the drained grated pineapple. • Fold in 1 pt. heavy cream, whipped. Color if desired. • Great with cookies or fruitcake!
Sports
Page 7
Royals Starting Pitching Rotation Options for 2019 by John Unrein
General Manager Dayton Moore is on record that he wants to get 1,000 innings out of his five-man starting pitching rotation in a season. That’s an average of 200 innings per starter. The Royals find themselves in a unique situation in that they have a plethora of starting pitching candidates heading into the 2019 season. These players have been acquired through a variety of transactions: trades, Rule 5 Draft, free agent signings, and home-grown talent that the team has drafted and developed. To get 1,000 innings out of a starting rotation would reduce stain on the team’s bullpen. Moore has indicated the bullpen will be an area of focus this offseason. The Royals will look at both internal options within the organization as well as players on the free agent market and available via trade. They can make this pursuit because the Royals feel good about their position player and starting pitching depth. There are many statistics teams can use to predict a starting pitching rotation for a major league team. The only true measure that determines who makes the final five is competition. That will occur this coming spring in Arizona. It will be an exciting time for Royals fans to see how one part of the roster will take shape. You could hold a lengthy debate on what statistics to use to predict future success for a starting pitcher. The chart provided with this article highlights some key things to consider. Some considerations are a pitcher’s earned run average (how many runs
you give up per nine innings), walks and hits per innings pitched (it’s harder for a team to score if they are not on base), innings (have you shown the ability to shoulder some load previously), quality starts (pitch six innings a game and give up no more than three runs), previous time on the disabled list (the ability to stay healthy despite the wear and tear that pitching does to the body). A pitcher’s ability to grow and mature are also variables to consider in the equation. Will Jakob Junis develop better command of his fastball and grow confidence in throwing his changeup more, so he’s not essentially a two-pitch pitcher? He flirted with a no-hitter last year. Can Ian Kennedy and Danny Duffy stay healthy or are they starting to show their age? Let’s hope they can stay healthy with the money they are due and have earned as consistent pitchers who take the ball off the mound every fifth day for their team. Will Jorge Lopez be able to tame his command that almost led to a perfect game late in the 2018 season? He always teased with the Brewers, no doubt one of the reasons Dayton Moore acquired him in the Mike Moustakas trade. Will 22-year-old Scott Blewett be able to continue the hot start he’s made in the Arizona Fall League? He’s been lights out so far. How can Brad Keller improve on his game? He surprised a lot of people last year with what he accomplished with the Royals as a Rule 5 draft pick out of the Diamondbacks organization. Will Eric Skoglund continue to
Pitcher Danny Duffy
2018 ERA 4.88
2018 WHIP 1.49
2018 Innings 155
2018 Quality Starts 10
2018 Time on Disabled List Yes
Ian Kennedy
4.66
1.38
119.2
9
Yes
Free Agent
Brad Keller
3.08
1.30
140.1
10
No
Rule 5 Draft
Jakob Junis
4.37
1.27
177
14
Yes
2011 Draft
Eric Skoglund
5.14
1.21
70
4
Yes
2014 Draft
Heath Fillmyer
4.26
1.34
82.1
6
No
Trade
Jorge Lopez
6.35
1.47
34
2
No
Trade
Glenn Sparkman
4.46
1.62
38.1
0
No
2013 Draft
Scott Barlow
3.60
1.27
15
0
Yes
Free Agent
Trevor Oaks
7.24
1.98
13.2
0
No
Trade
Scott Blewett
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
No
2014 Draft
Ben Lively
1.35
1.80
6.2
0
Yes
Waivers
Jesse Hahn
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Yes
Trade
Josh Staumont
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
No
2015 Draft
Burch Smith
6.92
1.67
78
1
No
Rule 5 Draft
How Acquired 2007 Draft
The Royals find themselves in a unique situation in that they have a plethora of starting pitching candidates heading into the 2019 season. rebound from a UCL strain that sidelined him during much of 2018. He would provide a nice southpaw option for the starting rotation. Can Heath Fillmyer’s ascent continue? He impressed the organization with his numbers and bulldog mentality when he was allowed to start in 2018. All these thoughts point out that they Royals still have more questions
than answers when it comes to their starting rotation for the 2019 season. However, the Royals have an abundance of options within their organization currently. It’s a luxury to not have to find players that could lead to more questions like they have in past off seasons. The figurative shelf might already be stocked with talent.
Booster Club Gears Up for Winter Activities; Next Meeting Nov. 14th As Grain Valley High School kicked off the winter activities season November 7th with Blue & White Day, the Grain Valley Eagles Booster Club was setting up spirit wear sales and concessions as a part of their ongoing work to support students. Blue & White Day was just another event in a long list of tasks for the Booster Club. Tandra Chapman, Communication Director for the Booster Club, explained the group has been finishing up projects related to fall activities and are gearing up to support winter and spring activities and prepare for the many projects the Club supports in the spring related to graduation. The Grain Valley Eagles Booster Club raises funds and provides volunteer support for 24 activities at the middle and high school level. Concession sales are a primary source of income for the Club. In addition, the Club hosts middle school dances and other events to raise funds for scholarships, grad night, baccalaureate, and activities expenses. Recent investments have included
supplies for Robotics, Guardian Cap helmet covers for football, and the touch screen located in the cafeteria at GVHS. “Booster Club plays an integral role in our program. They help supplement our budget and purchase things that go above and beyond the basics we can provide. Just as important, the booster club helps in promoting the culture, building school spirit through projects like spirit wear sales and providing excellent service at our event concessions,” Brandon Hart, Grain Valley High School Activities Director said. The next general membership meeting will be held Wednesday, November 14th from 6:00pm—7:00pm at Grain Valley High School, 551 SW Eagles Parkway. Parents of middle or high school students involved in any of the activities supported by the Booster Club and general supporters of Grain Valley Schools activities are welcome to attend membership meetings and become involved in Booster Club activities. For more information on the Booster Club, visit www.gvebc.com.
The Grain Valley Eagles Booster Club raises funds and provides volunteer support for 24 activities at the middle and high school level. Recent investments have included supplies for Robotics, Guardian Cap helmet covers for football, and the touch screen located in the cafeteria at GVHS (pictured above). The next general membership meeting will be held Wednesday, November 14th 6:00pm— 7:00pm from 6:00pm —7:00 pm at Grain Valley High School, 551 SW Eagles Parkway.
Community Calendar November 8, 2018 Intermediate Word 6:30pm—7:30pm Mid-Continent Public Library Grain Valley Branch, 101 SW Eagles Pkwy Registration required: https://www.mymcpl.org/ events/36969/intermediate-wordr November 10, 2018 Trivia Night 6:30pm—9:30pm Doors open at 6:00pm Grain Valley High School To register a team of 8 , call 816-225-0713. Cost $100 per table. November 10, 2018 UMW Craft Fair 10:00am—4:00pm Faith United Methodist Church, 1950 SW Eagles Pkwy November 12, 2018 Board of Alderman Meeting 7:00pm Grain Valley City Hall, 711 Main November 14, 2018 Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting 6:30pm Grain Valley City Hall, 711 Main
November 1515-17, 2018 Sister Act presented by GVHS Theatre 7:00pm Jerry Mueller Performing Arts Center Grain Valley High School Tickets: $5 students, $8 adults
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November 20, 2018 Park Board Meeting 7:00pm Grain Valley Community Center, 713 S Main Street November 2121-23, 2018 No School—Thanksgiving Break Grain Valley Public Schools November 2222-23, 2018 City Hall Closed—Thanksgiving Holiday November 26, 2018 Board of Alderman Meeting 7:00pm Grain Valley City Hall, 711 Main November 29, 2018 Holiday Festival 6:00pm Grain Valley City Hall, 711 Main Lighting of Mayor’s Christmas Tree, Santa, hot chocolate and cookies.
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