KIRX News

Ed Lewis has announced his candidacy for State Representative for House District 6 in 2020, which serves Macon and Randolph Counties and part of Linn County. The seat is currently held by Tim Remole, who is term-limited and cannot run again. Lewis, who has been an educator for over 30 years, says as a state representative, his voting record on issues will be very similar to that of Rep. Remole. Lewis says there is need for education reform, investment in infrastructure, and economic development. [REM-uh-lee]

The Kirksville City Council this week voted to change the city’s trash and recycling provider. For the first time in at least twenty years, the city received more than one bid for residential trash service. Current provider Advanced Disposal lost the bid to RTS. In addition to the bid pricing, the City Council members liked the fact that RTS plans to use lighter trucks, which will do less damage to the roads. RTS will charge a fee of $11.55 per month for residential trash and recycling service in year 1. It will increase gradually each year to $13.13 by year 5. There is no discount rate for senior citizens. Advanced Disposal’s last service day will be Sept. 30. The company will collect its trash and recycling bins whenever it makes its final pickups leading up to the end of the month. RTS will begin service on Oct. 1.

Weather permitting, MoDOT will be doing work on routes in Adair County this week. Adair County Route D will be closed from Missouri Route 149 to Missouri Route 6 for sealing operations.  Work will be completed between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Tomorrow, Adair County Route AA will be closed from U.S. Route 63 to Morgan Way for sealing operations.  Work will be completed between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. For the closures, motorists will need to use alternate routes during these times. All roadwork is posted on the traveler information map. You can also visit online at www.modot.org/northeast.

Truman State University will welcome parents, siblings and other family members to campus this Saturday for Family Day. Events for the weekend range from open houses at the observatory, theatre productions, planetarium shows, a barbecue on the quad and various sporting events. The Bulldog football team will take on Valparaiso University at 7 p.m. in Stokes Stadium. See more at truman.edu/parents-families/family-day.

The Kirksville Police Department has announced the promotion of Master Police Officer Juan Chairez to Sergeant. Chairez began his career with the Kirksville Police Department in 2009, and was promoted to Master Police Officer in 2014. He is a current member of the Department’s SWAT Team, a Certified Hostage Negotiator, Type II Breath Alcohol Instrument Supervisor, and Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) Instructor. Chief of Police Steve Farnsworth says Chairez’s years of experience, and dedication to the City of Kirksville, will be an asset in his new position. Deputy Chief of Police Justin Jones said he looks forward to using Sergeant Chairez’ knowledge and experience to shape the future of the Police Department. Chairez will begin his duties as Sergeant on September 22nd. [chir-ez]

More accolades for Truman State University. Truman is one of 10 public schools chosen in the “Fiske Guide to Colleges Best Buys of 2020.” For 36 years, the Fiske Guide to Colleges has chosen a select group of schools noted for quality academic offerings and affordable cost for its annual best buy list. Truman has been included in the “Fiske Guide to Colleges” for five consecutive years and 11 times total.

UNITE’s Arrive Alive Tour visits North Shelby High School today. The program uses a high-tech simulator, impact video, and a number of other resources to educate the public about the dangers of impaired and distracted driving. Nearly one-third of all traffic deaths involve alcohol-impaired drivers. Every two minutes, a person is injured in a drunk driving crash. As for distracted driving, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that drivers under 20 have the highest proportion of distraction-related fatal crashes and text more than any other age group. Students will experience the potential consequences of impaired and distracted driving driving in a controlled environment through UNITE’s virtual reality impaired driving and texting simulator.

Details about a fatal crash in Schuyler County have been released. The Missouri Highway Patrol reports the accident happened before noon Thursday. Investigators say 70-year-old Larry P. Bonefas, of Greenwood, was southbound on Highway 202, two miles South of Greenwood, when his vehicle drifted across the center line, and side-swiped a vehicle driven by a 76-year-old man from Iowa, then traveled off the roadway. Bonefas was killed when his pickup hit a tree.

A man from Paris was killed in a crash in Monroe County this weekend. The Missouri State Highway Patrol says it happened around 3:45 a.m on Saturday., one mile south of Paris. The report states that 59-year-old Gary Johannaber was driving a Chevy Camaro on Highway 15, when he went off the ride side of the road then came back and over the center and off the left side. The car hit the ground, overturned and hit a fence. The Monroe County Coroner pronounced Johannaber dead at the scene.

Last week United Way of Northeast Missouri kicked off their 2020 Campaign – and this year’s goal is to raise $175,000 – a $5,000 increase from last year. The money goes to the organization’s local partner agencies, including: Adair County 4-H Council, Adair County Family YMCA, Boy Scouts of America, Community Opportunities/Sheltered Workshop, Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri, Hospice of Northeast Missouri, Kirk-Tran, Macon Diversified Industries, American Red Cross, NEMO Senior Services, Inc., RSVP/Senior Adult Services, Inc., and Salvation Army.