KIRX News

Glen Moritz wil not be reappointed to the City of Kirksville’s Planning and Zoning Commission. Moritz, who was defeated by Phillip Biston in a bid to run for City Council in April, was appointed to the commission in July 2017. During a vote this week, City Council member Rick Steele voted in favor of reappointing Mortiz, while Kirksville Mayor Jerry Mills and Council members Phillip Biston and Chuck Long voted against reappointing Moritz. Mills cited a sense that Moritz was not in support of recent city actions as the reason for his vote.

A Wyaconda man is facing multiple felony counts after being arrested this week in Illinois. Clark County Sheriff Shawn Webster says 33-year-old Adam Christopher Tucker was taken into custody Tuesday night during a traffic stop. An arrest warrant was issued June 26 by the Clark County Circuit Court against Tucker, who faces charges of first-degree rape or attempted rape, first-degree sodomy or attempted sodomy, armed criminal action, unlawful use of a weapon, and tampering with a motor vehicle. Webster said multiple law enforcement agencies assisted in the investigation and search for Tucker, including the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

If you’re looking to honor a special occasion in a unique way the city’s revamped Tribute Tree and Memorial Bench program as an option.Kirksville City Council members approved its Tribute Tree and Memorial Bench program during their meeting on Monday at City Hall. The redesigned program allows people to purchase a tree or bench to commemorate special occasions. According to city documents, interested donors must fill out an application and return it with a payment to the Kirksville Parks and Recreation Department. The cost per tree is $300 and the cost per bench is $1,500.The city will then look at the parks master and tree plans to determine the location for the tree or bench. Commemorative plaques will be placed next to the tree or on the bench after they’re installed. I’m Karen Johnson

A Milan man accused in a beating death has been sentenced. 26-year-old Aaron Thomas Tucker willl spend a year in jail on a misdemeanor charge of assault in the third degree. The execution of the sentence was suspended, and he was placed on probation for a period of two years. There are other conditions for his parole including that he attend Alcoholics Anonymous, and is prohibited from consuming alcohol. In November 2016, Michael Chad Estabrook died after Tucker struck him in the jaw during an incident in Lock Springs.

The Kirksville Community Band, sponsored by the City of Kirksville, will be performing at Summer on the Square this evening at 7 PM on the Adair County Courthouse lawn. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy some great music performed by your friends and neightbors.

A statewide awareness campaign launched recently reminds Missouri motorists to drive safely around commercial motor vehicles. And, commercial motor vehicle drivers are reminded to obey traffic laws, use their seat belts, slow down and pay attention. Commercial motor vehicles make up 20 percent of Missouri’s interstate traffic, carry goods from coast to coast and are a vital part of our nation’s economy. When crashes involving tractor trailers happen, the disproportionate size of the large truck versus a car means those crashes can often involve serious injuries, or worse. Research shows that in the majority of these crashes, drivers of passenger cars unnecessarily endanger themselves by not paying attention and driving recklessly around big rigs. That’s why it’s so important for all motorists to drive safely around big trucks. Respect the load. Share the road. I’m Karen Johnson

Adair County is one of 47 in Missouri that have been placed on drought alert. The Governor signed an executive order to have the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to activate the Drought Assessment Committee and the associated drought impact teams.

The order directs all Missouri agencies to examine how the state can assist affected communities and identify communities that could be affected. At this time, impacts include those to livestock forage and water. There are also at least three public water supplies impacted in northern Missouri.

In addition to Adair, other northeast Missouri counties include: Chariton, Clark, Knox, Lewis, Linn, Macon, Monroe, Putnam, Schuyler, Scotland, and Sullivan counties. More information and the Drought Monitor map can be found online at: dnr.mo.gov/drought

The Kirksville R-III School Distict is partnering with two local agencies to be able to provide additional mental health services to students this upcoming school year. Mark Twain Behavioral Health will have a dedicated counselor for the school district who will serve Kirksville Primary and Ray Miller Elementary schools to provide early intervention services. The counselor will be available during school hours and after school until 5PM. In addition, a counselor from Preferred Family for behavioral health services will have a counselor available full time during the school week at the high school, with the goal of expanding services to the William Matthew Middle School later in the year. Under the agreement, the high school will refer students to Preferred Family for behavioral health services. The school district says providing these services is important, as they see a direct link between a student’s mental health stability and their ability to learn.

U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill announced Tuesday that the Macon Electric Cooperative received a $300,000 grant from the Department of Agriculture Rural Development Program to install a new heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system for the Macon R-1 School District-reducing the district’s energy costs and helping save 200 jobs. McCaskill said the school district’s faculty, staff and students will benefit from this investment. She added that “Ensuring rural schools are funded and up-to-date is essential – Missouri students to thrive when given the chance to focus on their education in a safe and supportive environment.” I’m Karen Johnson

The Kirksville Police Department has announced another person who is wanted on a warrant. They are looking for Blair N. Bascio in reference to an active warrant through Adair County for felony delivery of a controlled substance. Bascio is a white female, 5’03”, 190 lbs. See a photo at: facebook.com/kirksvillepolicedepartment. Anyone with information regarding Bascio’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact the Kirksville Police Department at 660-785-6945, Central Dispatch at 660-665-5621, Adair County Sheriff’s Office at 660-665-4600 or anonymously at 660-627-BUST (2878) or email police@kirksvillecity.com.