KIRX News

Two people were taken to the hosptal after a crash in Northeast Missouri. According to the Highway Patrol, the crash happened yesterday as the two vehicles were west of Edina on Highway 6. The driver of one of the vehicles, 76-year-old James Browning, of Edina, slowed to make a left turn. His vehicle was struck from behind by a vehicle driven by 32-year-old Darrell Shepard of Labelle. Both drivers were sent to Northeast Regional for treatment of moderate and minor injuries. Neither driver was wearing their seatbelt at the time of the crash.

Police are asking for the public’s help in locating a man wanted on warrants. According to the Kirksville Police Department, Jerry E. Wear is wanted in reference to an active warrant through Adair County for passing bad checks. Wear is a white male, 5’10”, 280 lbs. See a photo on the Kirksville Police Department’s Facebook page. This warrant was issued on October 2nd, and has a $25,000.00 cash only bond. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Kirksville Police Department, Central Dispatch, Adair County Sheriff’s Office or leave a tip anonymously at 660-627-BUST. You can also email police@kirksvillecity.com.

Well over 500,000 Missourians will join millions in participating in the world’s largest earthquake drill this morning at 10:18AM. The New Madrid Seismic Zone, which is centered in southeast Missouri, is one of the most active earthquake zones in the country. It averages over 200 small earthquakes per year. The purpose of the annual Great Shakeout is to get better prepared for major earthquakes, and practice how to protect yourself when they happen. The Missouri Emergency Management Agency says you should use the Drop, Cover, and Hold On technique. DROP where you are, onto your hands and knees to protect you from being knocked down. COVER your head and neck with one arm and hand – get under a table or desk. And HOLD ON until shaking stops. Learn more about the drill online by visiting shakeout.org/

Missouri vehicle owners will be getting new red, white and blue license plates to commemorate the state’s upcoming bicentennial.The new plates will be distributed as you renew your license over the next couple of years. The goal is to have them all in place before the state’s 200th anniversary in 2021.The new design has a white background with dark blue letters and numbers. Missouri’s prominent rivers are represented by red wavy lines on top and blue wavy lines on bottom. The state seal is in the middle.It replaces a bluebird design that has been used since 2008.The new plates cost the state about $17 million. That cost will be recouped by charging some extra fees of $3.36 for regular plates and $7.54 for personalized plates.

You and your family can join the Kirksville Parks and Recreation Department on Saturday, October 27th, at 7:00 pm, for the second annual Halloween Flashlight EGGstravaganza! Thousands of Halloween eggs – stuffed with candy and toys – will be scattered on the ball fields at the North Park Complex, so bring a flashlight and a bag: the egg hunt starts promptly at 7:00 pm! Children in grades 3rd through 8th will hunt eggs on the Orange Field and children in grades Pre-K through 2nd will hunt eggs on the Yellow Field. This fun event is FREE! For more information, just contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 660.627.1485.

The Kirksville Downtown Improvement Committee will hold a town hall meeting Nov. 1 to discuss its plans for a grant it received from the organization Missouri Main Street.The meeting will be held in A.T. Still University’s Interprofessional Building from 6-8 p.m. Participants at the meeting will break up into small groups to discuss the Missouri Main Street grant and what types of changes community members would like to see in Kirksville’s downtown area. Missouri Main Street is an organization that aims to enhance and revitalize the historic downtown districts of Missouri cities and towns. The organization offers grants in addition to training and consultation for communities hoping to improve their downtown areas. Missouri Main Street’s approach to revitalization involves a four-point approach that includes organizing business and property owners, economic restructuring, enhancing visual design and promoting a positive image.

Kirksville City Council voted this week to support Proposition D. Kirksville’s economic development organization recently voted in support the Missouri ballot measure that would increase gasoline taxes to fund infrastructure. Proposition D would raise Missouri’s fuel tax by 10 cents per gallon through gradual increases of 2.5 cents per gallon every year for four years beginning July 1, 2019. It’s estimated that the measure will generate at least $288 million annually to the State Road Fund to provide for the funding of Missouri state law enforcement and $123 million annually to local governments for road construction and maintenance. According to K-REDI’s Executive Director, it’s estimated that the increased revenue if the measure passes in Adair County would be just over $353,000; and for the city of Kirksville just over $275,000. Local leaders say the funds would increase safety and quality of our roads. The the Adair County Commission has also voted to support the measure.

Brookfield police have released information about a recent drug arrest. On Saturday, officers conducted a traffic stop on Missouri Rout 11. K-9 Nitro was deployed for an exterior sniff of the vehicle, and gave a positive alert for the presence of an odor of narcotics emitting from the vehicle. During a subsequent search of the vehicle, officers recovered 82 plastic baggies, a scale, 82 grams of marijuana, 10.5 grams of methamphetamine and multiple pieces of drug paraphernalia. 38-year-old Paul Buckner, of Marceline was arrested on several charges.

The NE Coalition for Roadway Safety will hold a buckle up phone down event in Shelbina tomorrow from 8:15 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. in the American Legion parking lot near Hawkins Theater. The Missouri State Highway Patrol will be there with the seat belt convincer ride, along with a crashed car on display as representation of the 32 fatalities on northeast Missouri roads. The Shelbina Police Department will be distributing candy and BUPD clings to those who drive in to the event, and those attending will be able to sign a pledge to take the BUPD Challenge, in addition to getting their picture taken with the BUPD sign. At 8:30 a.m., several mayors from northeast Missouri will issue a challenge to their colleagues and communities to take the Buckle Up/Phone Down pledge during a press conference.

The General John J. Pershing Boyhood Home and Locust Creek Covered Bridge State Historic sites invite the public to an informational meeting this evening. to share comments about the historic sites and their operations. Historic site staff will be on hand to provide information and to answer questions. The Genenral John J. Pershing Boyhood Home State Historic Site is located at 1100 Pershing Drive, Laclede. For more information about the meeting, call the park at (660) 963-2525.