Archives for January 2018

A Kirksville man is facing several drug charges. Last week authorities conducted a search warrant at the residence of 39-year-old Russell Lee Penick in the 500 block of West Hamilton Street. Law enforcement officers with the North Missouri Drug Task Force, Adair County Sheriff’s Office, Kirksville Police Department and Missouri State Highway Patrol executed the search. Initially they found a glass smoking pipe with white residue in Penick’s pocket. The substance field tested positive as methamphetamine. Upon further seraching, law enforcement found numerous prescription drugs, marijuana and methamphetamine.

Penick has been charged with a class D felony of possession of methamphetamine, a class D misdemeanor of possession of marijuana, and a class D misdemeanor of possession of drug paraphernalia. He was being held in the Adair County Detention Center on a $10,000 cash-only bond.

An Adair County grand jury indicted 18-year-old David A. Woods, of Kirksville, on the charge of rape in the first degree. The indictment statement says Woods is accused of having sexual intercourse with an individual who was incapable of consent because of a lack of mental capacity and this mental capacity was known to the defendant. If convicted, Woods could face five years to life in prison for the crime.

The Putnam County Public Water Supply District Number 1 has issued a boil advisory. The advisory affects customers north of the junction of Highway 5 North and 113th Street on 133rd Street, 120th Street, 295th Road, 305th Road, and Route UU as well as customers on 110th Street going three-quarters of a mile west of the Highway 5 North and 110th Street junction. The advisory will expire today at 4PM.

A Missouri House bill designed to increased police presence in Missouri is making its way through the legislature. Karen Johnson explains.

The bill, proposed in early January, requires Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission, or POST, to “implement a system that gives members of the National Guard and active duty or reserve members of the Armed Forces credit for completing basic training when applying for peace officer licensure. “This point system will be paired with a minimized training program for military members, which will expedite the process in giving them police licensing. Members of the military will receive advanced credit when applying to become an officer through POST, and will quickly receive the extra training required to become civilian police officers. The condensed training program could take anywhere from one-to-two weeks to complete. The purpose of the bill is to potentially relieve communities in Missouri with police departments staff shortages, and give some veterans job security upon returning home from duty. I’m Karen Johnson.

A Kirksville group is encouraging people to make blankets for children in need during an annual event next month. Karen Johnson has more.

The 19th annual National Project Linus “Make a Blanket Day” will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 17 at the Kirksville Moose Lodge. “The mission of Project Linus is to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly crafted by volunteer ‘Blanketeers,'” according to a press release from the North Central Missouri Chapter of Project Linus stated. No sewing experience is needed for those looking to participate in the event. People may also bring a completed blanket or a sewing machine to make their own. Precut kits will be available during the event. The North Central Missouri Chapter of Project Linus will also be accepting donations of cotton fabric, acrylic yarn, fleece and other blanket-making supplies. For more information visit www.projectlinus.org

Governor Greitens visited Northeast Missouri and revealed more about his tax cut plan…The Governor is touring the state to share his tax plan proposal, which he revealed more of during a stop in Macon yesterday morning. Greitens is proposing to cut the state’s top individual income tax rate by 10 percent and to reduce the corporate income tax rate by nearly one-third. He calls his plan the “boldest state tax reform in America.” Under his plan, the top individual income tax rate would drop from 5.9 percent to 5.3 percent and create a nonrefundable state tax credit for low-income workers which he says would essentially eliminate income taxes for 380,000 people. The corporate tax rate would decrease from 6.25 percent to 4.25 percent. Greitens says the plan would remain revenue-neutral by eliminating incentives for businesses to pay sales taxes quickly and by scaling back state income tax deductions based on federal tax payments.

A teenager was injured in a two-car crash Sunday afternoon in Chariton County. The Highway Patrol responded to State Highway 5, after a vehicle driven by 17-year-old Garett A. Green crossed the center line and hit another vehicle, operated by 44-year-old Vida-Jane N. DeWolfe head-on. DeWolfe was uninjured. Green suffered moderate injuries. He was taken by ambulance to University Medical Center for treatment.

There’s a blood shortage and the American Red Cross as set up several blood drives for donors to give…

Ongoing severe weather this winter has caused several blood drives to be canceled, resulting in a blood and platelet donation shortfall since earlier this month. The Red Cross is now calling the situation critical and is putting out an urgent call for blood and platelet donors. The following blood drives will be held in Kirksvillle:

Today from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.at the Preferred Family Health Care.
Tomorrow and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Truman’s Student Union Building.
February 4th from 10 a. m. to 2 p.m. at Mary Immaculate Catholic Church.
February 9th from 1 to 6 p.m. at Faith Lutheran School.
February 13th from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
February 15th from 1 to 6 p.m at the Walmart Supercenter in Kirksville.

It’s tax filing season but, you aren’t alone in the process. Karen Johnson reports.

The IRS tax filing season starts today, but Kirksville residents don’t have to go it alone. Truman State University will host Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sessions in February and March.
The VITA program provides free income tax assistance to students and the community. Beta Alpha Psi, Truman’s international honors organization for financial information professionals, will conduct these sessions. All volunteers are IRS certified, and most returns qualify for electronic filing for a faster return.
This year VITA sessions will be by appointment only. Appointments can be scheduled beginning Feb. 2. To schedule an appointment or receive more information, email VITA@truman.edu, call (660) 785-6064 or visit vita.truman.edu. Sessions will take place from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 17, Feb. 24, March 3 and March 24 in Violette Hall. I’m Karen Johnson

Mother arrested in death of a Kirksville infant. Karen Johnson has details.

A two month investigation has resulted in the arrest of Kirksville woman 19 year old Stephanie Cox responsible for the death of her 9 month old child in November. According to the Boone County Medical Examiner’s office an autopsy showed the baby’s cause of death as blunt force injuries of the head consistent with shaken baby syndrome. The injuries are identified as physical abuse and non-accidental. Cox is currently being held at Adair County Detention Center on 100-thousand cash bond. Anyone with information about this crime, or any suspicious activity is encouraged to contact the Kirksville Police Department at 660.785.6945. I’m Karen Johnson.