KIRX News

The Kirksville Police Department has arrested a juvenile suspect in a sexual assault case. The alleged assalt was reported on Saturday afternoon. The victim is a 21-year-old woman. The identity of the person being accused is not being released because the suspect is under 17 years of age. According to the police department, the case has been referred to the Bruce Normile Juvenile Justice Center instead of the Adair County prosecutor’s office because of the suspect’s age. The charge against the suspect is second degree rape, a class D felony, and one of the offenses for which juveniles of any age in the state can be tried as an adult.

Missouri Department of Conservation are urging safety as Firearms Deer Hunting continues. Last weekend was the opening of Firearms Deer Hunting and there were three hunting accidents with fatalities reported. The Macon County Sheriff’s Office is investigating what was believed to be an accidental discharge of a rifle that killed 70-year-old Charles Bark on Sunday as he and other hunters were preparing to go hunting. Another death reported as a hunting accident, happened in a cabin near Lewistown. Lewis County Police say Fifty-two-year-old Randell Reising was suffered a fatal gunshot wound when his friend’s rifle went off as they were preparing to leave for the morning hunt. Another incident in southwest Missouri claimed the life of a High School coach. Police say he likely stumbled and fell on the ground and accidentally shot himself.

The American Red Cross is hosting a blood drive in Kirksville today at the Social Security Administration at 1305 Crown Drive. The event runs from noon to 5 p.m. The Red Cross reports they are facing a severe blood shortage after a significant shortfall in donations in September and October. With the holidays right around the corner, which historically bring a further decline in donations, blood and platelet donors and volunteer blood drive hosts are urgently needed to avoid delays in medical treatments now and throughout winter. Donors can make an appointment by calling 1-800-733-2767, visiting redcrossblood.org or downloading the free American Red Cross Blood Donor App.

Operation Christmas Child’s National Collection week is underway and runsthrough Nov. 19, giving local residents an opportunity to donate shoeboxes filled with gifts at Rehoboth Baptist Church.The project is affiliated with the Christian organization Samaritan’s Purse. Donors choose from toys,school supplies, clothing and accessories, and personal care items to fill their gift boxes, which are sent, along with a Christian message, to children in need around the world. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 157 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 160 countries and territories.This year, the organizers for northeast Missouri have a goal to collect around 8,000 boxes. Find out more about the project and what to include in a donation box at samaritanspurse.org /occ.

Details have been released about the recent arrest of Kirksville man after a shooting. According to a press release, just before midnight on Tuesday, the Kirksville Police Department was dispatched to the area of Haliburton and Pierce in reference to an argument with possible shots fired. Upon arrival officers identified witnesses that reported hearing two gunshots. On scene officers collected one spent shell casing. Witnesses identified 51-year-old Johnnie Adams as firing a gun at the victim. The victim was not hit and is uninjured. Adams was arrested and was being held on a 24 hour hold pending formal charges. Anyone with information about this crime, or any suspicious activity is encouraged to contact the Kirksville Police Department, Central Dispatch, Adair County Sheriff’s Office, or leave a tip anonymously at 660.627.BUST.

The Kirksville EconomicDevelopment, Inc recieved a check yesterday for their economic development work. Each year, the U.S. Bank Foundation provides cash contributions to nonprofit organizations in the grant priority areas such as Work. Executive Director, Carolyn Chrisman says US Bank has been a great partner and member of K-REDI for many years. The organization appreciates their continued support each year and all they do for the community. Wayne Blackman, Community Bank President for US Bank in Kirksville, said they are pleased to be financial supporters of K-REDI, and wish them continued success. Funding has been used to support youth job skills and career readiness, workforce support for the Kraft Heinz expansion, and soft skills training for adults.

Kirksville High School students will transport audiences to a world of fairy tales in their annual musical, “Into the Woods.” The popular Sondheim musical combines the stories of fairy tales like “Jack and the Beanstalk,” “Cinderella,” “Little Red Riding Hood” and more. Searching for answers to disparate problems, all the characters are led to the woods, where wishes begin to come true — but the granting of wishes has consequences. “Into the Woods” features memorable songs such as “Children will Listen,” “Agony” and “Giants in the Sky.” The musical is directed by drama teacher Denise Clark and choir teacher Rebecca Murphy. Performances are at 7 p.m. tonight through Sunday at KHS, with a Saturday matinee at 2 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the Kirksville High School Office or at the door beginning approximately one hour before showtime.

The University of Missouri Extension will offer a free farm tax workshop at various locations in Northeast Missouri next week. This workshop explains major tax changes affecting farms and ranches that went into effect in December 2017.

The workshop will be from 6:15-8:45 p.m. on Nov. 19. Extension specialists will present the workshop remotely through interactive distance learning technology.

Topics include tax brackets, deductions, charitable contributions, estate, and gift tax exemptions, depreciation, bonus depreciation, farm lease income, QBI deduction, Section 199A, and drought issues.

Locations include: Brookfield, and Kirksville, Preregister by tomorrow. Call your local extension center or visit online: extension.missouri.edu/adair

A crash north of Kirksville left several people injured. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports that a 2004 Ford Ranger driven by 58-year-old Michael L. Steeples, of Memphis, was southbound and a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado driven by 57-year-old Robert J. Whitson, of St. Louis, was northbound on U.S. 63, 1.3 miles north of Kirksville, at 12:20 p.m. Monday. The patrol said the Ford slid into the path of the Chevrolet, striking it head-on. Steeples and a passenger, 60-year-old Edwin D. Hogarth, of Queen City, along with a passenger in the Chevrolet, 38-year-old Ashley D. Whitson, of Barnhart, were taken by Adair County Ambulance to Northeast Regional Medical Center with moderate injuries. Whitson, suffered serious injuries and was taken by Adair County Ambulance to Northeast Regional Medical Center. The patrol was assisted by the Adair County Sheriff’s Department, Kirksville Fire Department and Adair County First Responders.

Work is underway on U.S. Rout 63 and Adair County Route T. A road closure from Normandy Way to Bowtie Way begins today for a culvert replacement. For the closure, motorists will need to use alternate routes. Please always use caution and obey all work zone signs and personnel. In Shelby County, the driving lane at Shelby CRD 486 to Monroe CRD 381 is closed for concrete work and will reopen at 1:00 p.m. on Friday.