KIRX News

The Kirksville Police Department has released the names of the drivers involved in a fatal crash between a SUV and a tractor trailer Monday afternoon. According to police, the semi, driven by 49-year-old, John Blenz, of Kingman, Kansas, was southbound on Highway 63 when it turned into the path of a northbound SUV driven by a 28-year-old Monica Steele, of Kirksville. Steele was transported to Northeast Regional Medical Center where she died of her injuries. Blenz was treated for minor injuries. Charges have not been filed in crash. The investigation is ongoing. KPD extends thier condolences to those involved and their families.

The Missouri Public Corruption and Fraud Division within the State Auditor’s Office is reviewing a whistleblower complaint concerning the City of Macon. The only information about the complaint that has been released is that it has to do with the operations in the City of Macon. The state’s Public Corruption and Fraud Division will complete an initial review to determine if the allegations are credible. If not deemed credible or if insufficient documentation is provided, the case is closed. If deemed credible, there are a variety of potential next steps that include working towards a resolution, to performing an audit.

The Missouri Department of Conservation and the Conservation Federation of Missouri thank the thousands of Missouri deer hunters who donated over 348,500 pounds of venison to the state’s Share the Harvest program this past deer season, including 6,795 whole deer. MDC and CFM also thank the many sponsors who financially support the program.The donated deer meat goes to local food banks and food pantries to help feed hungry Missourians all around the state. Since the program was started in 1992, Share the Harvest has provided more than 4.3 million pounds of lean, healthy venison to help feed hungry Missourians, including this past season’s donations.

Kirksville Police are investigating a fatal motor vehicle accident. Yesterday at approximately 12:44 PM, Kirksville Police and first responders were dispatched to the intersection of US Hwy 63 (bypass) and Missouri Hwy 6 East (Shephard Avenue) in reference to a motor vehicle accident involving a tractor-trailer and a sport utility vehicle. During the investigating, officers learned the tractor-trailer was southbound on US Hwy 63, attempting to turn left (east) onto MO Hwy 6 East. The sport utility vehicle was traveling northbound in US Hwy 63 at MO Hwy 6 East. The tractor-trailer began a left turn into the path of the SUV and the two vehicles struck head-on. The driver of the SUV, a 28-year-old female from Kirksville, was transported from the scene by ambulance with serious injuries and was later pronounced dead at Northeast Regional Medical Center. The driver of the tractor-trailer, a 49-year-old male from Kingman, Kansas, was not injured.

A Winter Weather Advisory will be in effect Northeast Missouri from 3 this afternoon until 6 tomorrow morning. Forecasters are calling for 2 inches of snow total with this storm system. Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute. Slow down and use caution while traveling. Get the latest road conditions by visiting traveler.modot.org

While snow falls the next couple of days in the area, the State Emergency Management Agency is gearing up for Severe Weather Preparedness Week and the Statewide Tornado Drill next week. From March 2 to 6, the National Weather Service, State Emergency Management Agency and local emergency managers urge Missourians to learn about severe weather and how to protect themselves from severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding, which are all deadly threats. Missouri’s annual Statewide Tornado Drill will be held on Tuesday, March 3 at 10 a.m. Find preparedness tips on the State Emergency Management Agency’s website.

More details have been released about the charges against a Kirksville man. The Linn County Sheriff’s Office reports that 21-year-old Ameal D. Sturgeon was arrested last week after he’d fled from a wrecked truck that was stolen. Sturgeon, who is a convicted felon, was found to be in possession of drugs and a 9 mm handgun when arrested. Sturgeon is facing seven felonies, including auto-theft, unlawful use of a weapon, possession of a controlled substance, and driving while revoked. Sturgeon is being held in Adair County Jail and has a bond hearing scheduled for this Thursday.

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office with the assistance of the Northeast Missouri Drug Task Force recovered a stolen vehicle Friday afternoon. The vehicle was stolen from the West Quincy Auto Auction, and was located at a residence in Maywood. The suspect, 45-year-old Brandon Geiser, was taken into custody on Friday by the Northeast Missouri Drug Task Force. The vehicle was recovered by Marion County Deputies.

The Kirksville Police Department recently participated in a speed enforcement campaign, and have released the results. The campaign conducted by KPD in partnership with the Missouri Department of Transportation happened on February 14th. During the “Change Your Speed, Change The Ending” campaign, the Police Department dedicated one officer throughout the day to speed enforcement, and the following statistics were reported:

29 traffic stops
5 speed citations
1 stop sign citation
1 no insurance citation
2 no seat belt citations
1 driving while suspended arrest
22 speed warnings
2 license plate violation warnings
1 vision obstruction warning.

Speed is the most commonly cited contributing factor to fatal crashes in Missouri. Chief of Police Steve Farnsworth says “Traffic enforcement is a key component in reducing traffic accidents in Kirksville.” He added that “the Police Department will continue to partner with MoDOT throughout the year on traffic enforcement campaigns.”

The Knox County Sheriff’s Office has released details about a recent theft. On February 14, deputies were called to a hunting lodge burglary south of Hurdland. The investigation revealed several thousand dollars of property stolen from the lodge and nearby shop on February 12th, 2020. Items included shoulder mount deer heads, a full body turkey mount, pelts, antique shotgun, 50 inch television, Lincoln arc welder and other miscellaneous tools. Anybody with information about suspects in possession of items matching this description is asked to contact the Knox County Sheriff’s Office at (660) 397-2186. Sheriff Gudehus is also reminding residents to photograph their property as a way to identify it in the event it Is recovered after a theft.