KIRX News

Missouri Department of Social Services says from January to November 2025, the Missouri Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline received 325 calls leading to investigations for human trafficking. Human trafficking can happen closer to home than many realize. Warning signs may include:

• Sudden changes in behavior or appearance
• Fear, anxiety, or withdrawal
• Unexplained gifts, money, or a controlling relationship
• Missing school or frequent runaways
• Limited freedom or someone speaking for them
  If you see something that doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts. Reporting concerns can help protect a child and connect them to safety and support.

At 12:42pm, on January 25, 2026, the Boles Fire Protection District was dispatched to a motor vehicle accident involving several tractor trailers on Interstate 44. As the first fire unit arrived on scene to assess for injuries and hazards, the 2nd arriving fire apparatus was directed to establish advanced warning, which provides a safety buffer between the accident scene and first responders who are focused on and mitigating the incident.
As the 2nd arriving apparatus was slowing to complete its stop, the fire truck was struck in the passenger rear of the fire truck. The two firefighters who were in the fire truck were seated with their seatbelts fastened. The single occupant in the tractor trailer was uninjured. The parties involved in the initial accident were also uninjured. The fire apparatus, which is a 2022 Pierce Impel Rescue-Pumper, sustained heavy damage and will be out of service for a minimum of 6-8 months while repairs are made. This is another stark reminder of the dangers of our profession and that it is imperative that when driving with adverse road conditions, drivers utilize extreme caution and increase their following distance. Additionally, drivers should adhere to Missouri’s Move Over Law which requires drivers to change lanes, if safe to do so, when approaching MoDOT vehicles, law enforcement vehicles, and any other emergency vehicle with lights flashing. If drivers can’t change lanes safely, they must slow down as they pass the emergency vehicles.

The City of Kirksville realizes that success emanates from citizen involvement. The City is eager to involve community-minded citizens in local government through one of our many Citizen Advisory Commissions.
The City Council is currently accepting citizen applications for:

• One opening on the Lakes, Parks and Recreation Commission
  This commission recommends policies, rules, legislative initiatives, development plans and other actions to the City Council to preserve and protect Kirksville’s lakes, park lands and conservation areas, which enhance active and passive recreational activities for the residents of Kirksville.
  Visit Kirksville.gov/p/boards-commissions and submit your application before Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at 5:00 pm, to be considered for the opportunity to serve.
  For more information, please contact Diane Albrecht, City Clerk, at 660.627.1225.

Macon County Sheriff Kevin Shoemaker says at about 5:45 p.m. Sunday, deputies were sent to an address in Ethel, Missouri, in reference to a gunshot victim. Authorities found a deceased male in the residence with a gunshot wound to the chest. He was identified as 51 year old Lawrence Jackson, who lived in the home. The Sheriff’s Office, along with the State Highway Patrol, are investigating.

The Internal Revenue Service today opened the 2026 tax filing season and began accepting and processing federal individual income tax returns for tax year 2025. The IRS expects about 164 million individual tax returns for tax year 2025 to be filed ahead of the Wednesday, April 15, federal deadline. Taxpayers can find a range of tools and filing options on IRS.gov to help them prepare and file their returns.

The Missouri Department of Social Services says Winter weather is upon us. Open bodies of water become ice covered and enticing to curious minds!
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2021), drowning kills more children aged 1-4 than any other unintentional cause and of ages 5-14 is second only to motor vehicle accidents. In Missouri, ten of the twelve children who drowned in 2024 were in swimming pools, hot tubs, or spas, and two occurred in open bodies of water. Supervision is important around any body of water, even in the winter months!

The City of Kirksville says We hope to see you at the State of the City Address on Monday, February 2, 2026, at 5:30 pm, inside the Kirk Memorial on the campus of Truman State University. Mayor Zac Burden will deliver the annual address, highlighting key projects to happen or begin this year, along with other priorities for the City in 2026. If you can’t make it, the address will be recorded and available to watch on the City’s YouTube channel

MoDOT Northeast District says Weather permitting, bridge rehabilitation work is scheduled to begin as early as Feb. 2 in the EB and WB lanes of U.S. 36 and at the U.S. 63/36 interchange in Macon Co. Traffic will be reduced to one lane with a 10-foot width restrictions at the following locations:
· U.S. 36 (EB and WB)
○ Bridge over Gantz St. in Macon
○ Bridge over Long Branch Lake Rd., just west of Macon
○ Underneath U.S. 63/36 interchange bridge in Macon
· U.S. 63 (NB and SB) – at the U.S. 63/36 interchange bridge in Macon
See link for details: www.modot.org/node/82434

The City of Kirksville says are you someone looking for ways to help your community through volunteering? Join us for the JustServe Kirksville Kick-Off Event, which will take place on Thursday, February 19, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at Sip Downtown. This free, come-and-go event is designed to connect individuals with meaningful local volunteer opportunities while introducing the JustServe.org platform-a free, easy-to-use tool that helps people find ways to serve in their community. The event is open to all ages and backgrounds, whether participants are seasoned volunteers or simply looking for new ways to give back. Complimentary JustServe t-shirts will be available while supplies last.

Governor Mike Kehoe delivered the 2026 State of the State Address to the Missouri General Assembly, outlining his legislative priorities and budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2027. The Governor’s address centered on delivering a responsible, conservative budget recommendation. As state finances normalize following the influx of unprecedented federal funds and elevated general revenue spending, the Governor’s budget starts to align ongoing spending with ongoing revenues in an effort to return state finances to a sustainable, pre-pandemic framework. Governor Kehoe’s recommendation reduces more than $600 million from the general revenue core operating budget, beginning to address a projected future imbalance exceeding $2 billion. These reductions prioritize fiscal discipline while continuing to meet mandatory and high-priority obligations, including Medicaid matching requirements, child care subsidies, and disaster relief, without cutting core funding for higher education or the K-12 foundation formula. While emphasizing smaller government and fiscal discipline, Governor Kehoe highlighted his support for modernizing Missouri’s tax code by eliminating Missouri’s individual income tax through a responsible, sustainable plan.