KIRX News

The Missouri Public Service Commission’s Cold Weather Rule is in effect through March 31. The rule is designed to protect customers, under certain conditions, from being disconnected in the winter months. Qualifying customers are placed on more lenient payment terms to help avoid possible disconnection. The rule applies to natural gas and electric utilities under PSC jurisdiction that provide heat-related service. Municipally operated systems, cooperatives, and those that provide propane delivered by truck are not under PSC jurisdiction; the rule does not apply to them. The Cold Weather Rule has been a part of the Commission’s rules and regulations since 1977.

Truman will conduct a test of the emergency notification system at 10:30 this morning. Students, faculty and staff that have signed up to receive Truman emergency alert text notifications will get a TruAlert text and email message letting them know it is a test. Those that have not signed up for emergency text messaging can do so through TruView.

Holiday Open Houses will be happening at many locations in Downtown Kirksville tomorrow. Keep an eye out and watch your favorite Downtown Business Facebook pages for more information! Main Street Kirksviille has posted a list of businesses that are participating. They encourage other Downtown Kirksville businesses that are holding open houses tomorrow to put your information in the comments.

Kirksville Police and the Adair County Sheriff’s Office have begun an investigation after a missing woman was found dead in Kirksville. Police had issued a missing person’s alert for 55-year-old Meredith Ann Water Lewis, who was last seen on October 30th. A search began Tuesday night, her body was found Wednesday afternoon. Lewis reportedly had prior health problems and her family was concerned for her well-being. Police have not released a cause of death or if medical conditions were a factor in her disappearance or death.

The City of Kirksville this week voted to approve a change to its employee health insurance plan for 2020. The city is shifting from self-funded to fully insured to mitigate cost increases, and reduce the city’s potential liability. Under the plan, employees won’t see changes in their monthly premiums. Deductibles and Prescription co-pays will increase, as well as co-pays for emergency room, specialist and urgent care visits.

Even though MODOT road crews have already been out this year battling winter weather in certain parts of the state, the department will still hold its annual winter operations drill today. Motorists may notice increased numbers of MoDOT vehicles on state routes during the drill. In rural areas, crews will deploy after 8 a.m. In urban areas, the drill will not begin until after 9 a.m. The exercise should be completed by 3 p.m.

Natalie Roark, state maintenance director, says the annual drill helps to make sure everyone knows their roles during a winter storm so employees can do their jobs successfully.

During the drill, MoDOT employees will react to a simulated forecast of significant snow for the entire state. The department’s emergency operations centers will activate and maintenance employees will be deployed to their trucks. Emergency communications systems will also be tested. In an average winter, MoDOT employees will plow about 6 million miles of snow and ice, which is enough to go to the moon and back 13 times.

Kirksville Police are investigating an armed robbery that happened at Casey’s General Store on South Franklin Street. According to employees, the robbery occurred just after 10 Monday night. They told police a man entered the store displaying a handgun and demanded money from the register. The cashier provided the suspect with an undisclosed amount of cash, and he left the business, southbound on foot. No one was injured during the course of the robbery. The suspect is described as a white male, approximately 6’ tall, skinny build, wearing a dark colored hooded jacket with blue hooded sweatshirt underneath, dark colored pants and tennis shoes. Kirksville Police have posted photos of the suspect on their Facebook page:.

Anyone with information about this crime, or any suspicious activity is encouraged to contact KPD 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@kirksvillecity.com.

As another blast of cold air is approaching, NECAC is working to keep residents warm. Through the low income home energy assistance program, eligible residents will see relief when paying their winter utility bills. NECAC encourages applicants to apply as soon as possible. Learn more at necac.org. The program is available in all twelve counties they serve including: Lewis, Macon, Marion, Monroe, and Shelby.

‘Tis the season for Breakfast with Santa! Tickets are on sale now through December 2nd. Enjoy a breakfast buffet with a special visit from Santa. Tickets are $10 per person and children 4 and under are free. This year there will be four separate opportunities for Breakfast with Santa: Saturday, December 7, 2019, at 8:30 am and at 10:30 am, and then Saturday, December 14, 2019, again at 8:30 am and at 10:30 am. Tickets are available at the Kirksville Parks and Recreation office, or online at parks.kirksvillecity.com.

The City of Kirksville’s contractor, Stanton Contracting, LLC, has started the concrete street repairs on East Jefferson Street, at the intersection with South High Street. These are the concrete street repairs originally announced on Friday, October 24, 2019. This project will require the street to be closed for approximately 3 to 5 days to allow the contractor to remove the damaged street surface and replace it with a new concrete surface. Once complete, the project will result in an improved driving surface in this area. Motorists are asked to please consider an alternate route, if possible. Be sure to use caution and drive slowly through work areas. The City apologizes for any inconvenience. If you have further questions, contact the Engineering Department at 660.627.1272.