Month: May 2021

The Kirksville City Council made its selection to fill a vacant seat. According to a press release, Jennifer Walston was selected, through an application process, to fill the vacancy left by Chuck Long, who resigned on April 5 because he was moving out of the area.

Council members are responsible for filling vacancies that exist on the City Council, selecting someone to serve until the next municipal election in April 2022 when the voters will have a chance to select someone to serve the balance of this council seat.
Mayor Burden expressed appreciation to the four applicants, encouraging the remaining three to consider applying for any future vacancies that occur on any one of the City’s boards and commissions. In her application, Walston noted that she believes the City Council’s job description is first and foremost a call to listen, learn, discern, and act. In response to being selected for the seat, Walston said she is humbled and honored to be chosen to serve the city in this capacity during the coming year.

Walston will be sworn in this coming Monday. The City Council will hold a Special Council Meeting, followed by the regular Council Study Session, starting at 5:30 pm

Use of the Missouri National Guard will be sacaled back for COVID-19 vaccine support. Governor Mike Parson said the move comes as demand for the COVID-19 vaccine has significantly decreased. Parson added that Missouri is in a good place on the vaccine front, and that is thanks in large part to the tireless efforts of our National Guard members to get vaccines into the arms of Missourians. In addition, data shows that 80 percent of Missourians have access to a COVID-19 vaccine within a five mile radius of where they reside.The drawdown of National Guard involvement at mass vaccination site locations is set to be completed by June 1st.

Baltimore Street reopened to two-way traffic between Illinois and Jefferson after being closed for crossroad drainage work. At the same time, Jefferson Street is now closed to the east between Baltimore and Ely St. for work. This closure could last up to several days. There will be no east access to Baltimore from Jefferson Street. This side road closure is subject to the contractor’s progress. MoDOT advises that while Baltimore is opened up to traffic, there will continue to be intermittent closures for crossroad drainage work over the next few weeks. To stay up to date on this project, visit our Traveler Information Map at www.modot.org.

This week is Missouri Local Government Week, and during the May 3 City Council Meeting, Kirksville Mayor Zac Burden signed a proclamation declaring May 2 through 8, 2021 “Local Government Week” in the City of Kirksville. It states: “Local governments are the level of government closest to the people, and . . . are the ultimate expression of grassroots democracy, and . . . play an essential role in the quality of life in Missouri communities.”

The Kirksville Driver Examination Station is relocating. Captain Erik Gottman, commanding officer of Troop B, Macon, announced that effective May 14th, the local station will relocate from 1612 Osteopathy Avenue to 1702 East La Harpe Street. Driver’s license testing will take place at the new location in Kiksville starting that day, and will be conducted every first, third, and fifth Tuesday of the month and every Friday. Hours are 9 a.m. to noon, and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The month of May is National Preservation Month, and to celebrate, the City of Kirksville is partnering with the Office of Tourism to host Historic Walking Tours of local buildings designed by local architect Irwin Dunbar. The tours are scheduled for today, and next Thursday. Learn more on the City of Kirksville’s Facebook page.

The Kirksville R-III School District issued a statement following a situation involving a substitute teacher. Yesterday around 2:15PM, the District Administration was made aware of a situation involving a substitute teacher at Kirksville High School taking pictures during a class. During the course of the investigation, which included local law enforcement, the District took steps to remove the substitute and has banned all future opportunities for the individual to work anywhere in the District. Law enforcement will remain in charge of any further legal actions. Details about what photos were taken were not released.

A Kirksville woman was flown to a hospital with serious injuries following a crash in Macon County. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol report, 23-year-old Sara Plank was driving on Missouri Route 156, a few miles west of La Plata, around 3:30 p.m. Monday. Her vehicle traveled off the right side of the road and returned to the roadway. Plank overcorrected and the vehicle traveled off the left side of the road and overturned, ejecting her. Plank was transported by helicopter to University of Missouri Hospital.

Utility autopay customers will be transitioning to a new online gateway. The City of Kirksville is completing a transition to a new Online Gateway for utility customers currently using recurring ACH payments / autopay to improve security and transaction efficiency. If you are enrolled in autopay for City utilities, you will receive an email with important information regarding updating your City utility billing account profile and payment information. For more information, you can contact the Finance Department at 660.627.1251.

Missouri State Parks campgrounds are now accepting same-day reservations up to 7 p.m. on the day of your planned arrival. Check out availability and make a reservation at www.icampmo.com or call 877-422-6766.