News Staff

The Kirksville Arts Association says, have you stopped by the Sue Ross Arts Center and viewed the Kirksville High School Art Exhibit? This community has many very talented young artists. The exhibit will be closing his Thursday. A reception will be held at the arts center from 5:30 to 6:30 this Thursday, it is open to the public. There is no charge to visit the exhibit. Opening next Tuesday is the Regional High School Showcase. The arts center is open weekdays 11am to 4 pm.

With residents beginning yard work this spring, the City of Kirksville wants to remind everyone to call or click before you dig. Missouri law requires that any person making or beginning any excavation must notify Missouri 811 at least three but no more than 10 working days in advance, except in the case of an emergency, so utility lines underground can be identified and marked. Striking or damaging private or public utility lines can create costly repairs or potential injuries. You can contact Missouri 811 by simply calling 811 or visiting Missouri-811.org. They will then contact utility providers to locate and mark their lines. Outlining your project site before calling 811 is a great way to show clearly where you plan to dig. By marking your dig site with white paint or flags, you give utility locators the exact area to focus on. White flags can be requested free of charge from Missouri 811.

The Kirksville Police Department has arrested a 26-year-old Kirksville man following a shots fired incident that occurred the evening of April 1, 2025. This incident is separate and not connected to the shooting that occurred the day before. On April 1, at approximately 11:41 pm, KPD responded to the area of North Luther and West Burton streets regarding a report of shots fired. Police arrived and contacted a male resident of the 700 block of West Burton Street. The resident reported that a male known to him drove near his house in a silver passenger car and fired multiple rounds from a handgun. The resident stated he was outside his house at the time and was not struck by any of the rounds, however, the gunshots did strike his house. Police located evidence at the scene indicating rounds had been fired in the area and struck the resident’s home. At approximately 12:43 am on April 2, 2025, KPD located the suspect. The suspect was taken into custody and is being held at the Adair County Detention Facility pending formal charges.

Kirksville Police arrested a 24-year-old Kirksville man following an assault on Tuesday. On April 1, 2025, at approximately 12:55 pm, KPD responded to Kentucky Fried Chicken at 2401 N. Baltimore St. regarding an assault. Police arrived and were informed a male, later identified as Zyan E. Sumerix, assaulted a KFC employee by punching him in the face and head before leaving the area on a bicycle. A responding KPD officer observed Sumerix riding a bicycle near Baltimore and Overbrook streets. When the officer contacted Sumerix, Sumerix resisted and assaulted the officer, including biting the officer on the arm. The officer subdued Sumerix until additional officers arrived, at which time Sumerix was taken into custody. Sumerix was transported to the Adair County Detention Facility. While at the jail, Sumerix assaulted a corrections officer by punching and kicking him before being restrained again. Sumerix has been charged in Adair County with Third-Degree Assault-Special Victim, Attempted Third-Degree Assault-Special Victim, Resisting/Interfering with Arrest, and Fourth-Degree Assault.

The Kirksville RIII School District says Enrollment is now open for our summer school program, Summer Journey! Enrollment must be completed before Friday, April 25, 2025! It is open to incoming Kindergarten through 9th graders for the 2025-26 school year. Paper enrollment packets have been sent home. You can return completed paper forms to school or complete the online version. Summer Journey will be held June 2-27, 2025. Bus Transportation is Available. Breakfast and Lunch Served, at No Cost to Families. There will be Academic and Enrichment Learning Activities. Summer Journey runs for four weeks, five days a week, with full school days.

The Kirksville Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred Monday night. On March 31, 2025, at approximately 9:03 pm, KPD, the Kirksville Fire Department and the Adair County Ambulance District responded to the 1100 block of North Franklin Street about a report of shots fired with one subject down on the ground. Police arrived and located an 18-year-old male from Kirksville with serious gunshot wounds. This male was taken by ambulance to Northeast Regional Medical Center and later transferred to another hospital. While police were investigating, a second gunshot victim arrived at NRMC by private vehicle. This victim was identified as a 15-year-old male from Columbia, Missouri. This victim was also transferred to another medical facility with serious gunshot wounds. Both victims suffered what appeared to be serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Police located the 2019 Kia Optima from this incident. The vehicle was located in rural Macon County after police received a tip from a citizen. This incident was originally reported as a possible “drive-by shooting.” Kirksville Police would like the public to know that, based on the investigation thus far, this incident does not appear to be a random act of violence and that the subjects were known to each other. There is no known ongoing threat to the public.

Three people were injured in a two-vehicle crash that happened on Veterans Road in Hannibal yesterday evening. The Highway Patrol says the driver of a Rav 4 failed to yield and was hit by a Buick Encore. One adult in the Encore, and two adults in the Rav 4, were taken to Hannibal Regional Hospital.

The City of Kirksville says are you starting to plan remodeling work for your home this year? If so, it’s important to remember that a permit is required for several remodeling tasks. Permits aren’t required for cosmetic changes such as painting or replacing carpet. However, a permit is needed for work that can affect the structure of your home, such as removing a wall or building a deck, or if there are modifications to the electrical, plumbing, or gas systems in the building. The permit process works to protect you as a homeowner. Doing work without a permit or the necessary inspections could put you, your family, your neighbors, and possibly the general public at risk. Staff in the Community and Economic Development Department can help determine if you need a permit and answer any questions to help you. Stop by City Hall to see them, contact them at 660.627.1272, or visit Kirksville.gov/p/remodeling-permit.

MoDot says Weather permitting, as early as April 7, a 45-mile resurfacing project is scheduled to begin near Clarence and move south toward Centralia through Shelby, Monroe, Audrain, and Boone counties. This work will occur on the following routes with an anticipated completion by late-May. Missouri Route 151 – from 0.3 miles north of U.S. Route 36 in Shelby County to Missouri Route 22 near Centralia in Boone County (3 disconnected sections). Business Route 36 – 0.03 mile east of Grand Street to Missouri Route 151 in Clarence in Shelby County

Beta Alpha Psi will host a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) session from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. March 29 in Violette Hall 1424. Clients who come to VITA should bring: social security cards for spouses and dependents; bank routing numbers and bank account numbers for direct deposit; wage and earnings statements such as W-2, 1098T and 1099; and a copy of last year’s federal and state tax returns if available. VITA services will be completed by IRS-certified volunteers and will also offer free electronic filing to receive a faster return. Appointments are required. Truman students can make appointments online. Truman staff and community members should call 660.785.6064 to schedule an appointment. For more information, visit bap.truman.edu/vita.