KIRX News

On May 13, 2025, the Macon County Sheriff’s Office located a stolen vehicle driving on Highway T in south Macon County that had previously fled Macon County Deputies earlier in the week. Macon County Deputies attempted to stop the vehicle and the vehicle fled at a high rate of speed. A vehicle pursuit ensued and continued south on Highway 63 until it reached Boone County. After entering Boone County the vehicle ran out of fuel. The driver of the vehicle fled on foot and was apprehended by a Trooper with the Missouri State Highway Patrol after a taser deployment. The passenger of the vehicle was also taken into custody after it was learned she had warrants for her arrest. The driver was identified as Melinda Vandeventer and the passenger was identified as Lacey Silkwood. Vandeventer has been charged with tampering 1st degree, forgery, and resisting arrest.

The Kirksville Police Department is releasing information regarding a concern at Moberly Area Community College’s Kirksville campus. On May 16, 2025, at approximately 12:00 pm, an unknown male who sounded intoxicated called MACC. The unknown male became belligerent and made threats against law enforcement during this call. The phone number used was traced back to a small town in Michigan. A Grand Traverse County Deputy in Michigan conducted a follow-up and was unable to locate any owner of that number or any related reports in the area associated with that number. It appears this was a spoofed phone number generated through one of several methods. At no time did the caller make a threat against any Kirksville schools. The Kirksville Police Department increased patrols of the area and will continue to monitor. Anyone with information about this incident, or any suspicious activity, 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, anonymously at 660.627.BUST (2878), or email police@kirksville.gov.

The City of Milan says as a reminder, please return your trash bins from the curb! Not only will it improve the look of your yard, and your entire neighborhood, it’s also an ordinance of the City of Milan.

MoDot says weather permitting, as early as May 18, a bridge painting project will begin on Missouri Route 11, over North Fork South Fabius River, 1.4 miles west of Missouri Route 15, near Baring, in Knox County. Work is anticipated to be completed by mid-June. Missouri Route 11 will be reduced to one lane with a 10-foot width restriction on the bridge and temporary signals utilized for traffic control. All work is weather dependent and schedules are subject to change. Signs and message boards will be in place to alert motorists, as schedule changes occur.

Governor Mike Kehoe announced the memorial services honoring former U.S. Senator and Governor Christopher S. “Kit” Bond. A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, whose life’s work was dedicated to serving Missouri, Kit Bond died on May 13, 2025, in St. Louis at 86 years old. On Tuesday, May 20, a State Memorial Service honoring the life and legacy of Governor Kit Bond will be held in the Rotunda of the Missouri State Capitol at noon. The public is invited to attend. Governor Bond will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda for a 24-hour period immediately following the State Memorial Service, allowing members of the public to pay their respects. On Thursday, May 22, a celebration of Kit’s life will be held at Ladue Chapel Presbyterian Church. All who knew and loved Kit are welcome to attend.

The Kirksville R-III school district says summer school runs June 2-27, 2025 and we still have some spots open! You can enroll your children who will be in Kindergarten through 9th for the 2025-26 school year at a link up on their FB page. Enroll through this Friday, May 16, 2025 to guarantee bus transportation on the first day. Students who have 100% attendance for all 20 days of Summer Journey earn a $100 Visa gift card and are entered into a drawing to win a new iPad.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control (DDCC) announces the arrest of Cameron J. Hunter, 18, of Bevier, MO. Hunter was arrested on May 12, 2025, for 1st Degree Rape or Attempted Rape, 2nd Degree Sexual Abuse, and 3rd Degree Kidnapping, after an investigation by DDCC. On May 10, 2025, the Macon County Sheriff requested that the Missouri State Highway Patrol investigate allegations of a sexual assault in Bevier, MO. During the investigation by the Troop B Criminal Investigations Unit, probable cause was established for arrest, and Hunter was taken into custody. On May 13, 2025, the Macon County Prosecuting Attorney charged Hunter with one count of 1st Degree Rape or Attempted Rape, 2nd Degree Sexual Abuse, and 3rd Degree Kidnapping. Hunter is being held in the Macon County Jail with a $250,000.00 bond.

The City of Kirksville wants to inform residents of street construction that will soon begin. Work on West Elizabeth Street, from North Osteopathy Street to North Franklin Street, will begin on Thursday, May 15, 2025. The street will have alternating traffic lanes during construction. This project should be completed by May 22, depending on the weather. Please pay attention to signage and personnel in construction zones. Residents are encouraged to use alternate routes.

Coming to Kirksville community theatre this summer – Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical! Mark your calendars now for July 11 – 13 to make sure you don’t miss this heartfelt and humorous adaptation of the popular middle grade novels.
Middle school, ugh. It’s the worst. But Greg is determined not to be at the bottom of the popularity chart. He’ll leave that to his weird neighbor, Fregley. Or maybe Greg’s best friend Rowley Jefferson. But it’s not going to be Greg… no way. Jeff Kinney’s popular character takes center stage as Greg’s cartoon diary becomes a hilarious and heartfelt musical. Will Greg’s plans to become popular lead him to sacrifice his one true friend? Can anyone avoid the dreaded Cheese Touch? Grab a hall pass and don’t be late for an adventure familiar to anyone who actually survived middle school. Roles are available for community member adults and teens ages 13+. More audition information can be found here: https://kirksville.gov/p/summer-theatre. Kids 8-12 should plan to attend kids theatre camp June 30 – July 10 where they will learn production numbers to perform in the show with the teen and adult cast.

The Kirksville R-III school district says the new parking lot in front of the middle school and high school is now open! Pedestrian access will remain open along the north side of the middle school, as well as the sidewalk connecting the west side of the high school to the middle school. Bus traffic will continue as usual. However, parents dropping off and picking up middle school students will be affected. Parent drop-off and pick-up of middle school students will take place within the new parking lot. Vehicles should enter the north end of the new lot (using the driveway that connects the front of the high school to Cottage Grove.) Traffic will move south through the parking lot to a concrete pedestrian pad located on the south end that will serve as the new WMMS student drop-off and pick-up location. Vehicles will exit from the south end of the new parking lot (using the driveway in front of the middle school–back onto Cottage Grove.)