News Staff

The Kirksville Parks and Recreation Department is inviting residents to a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new North Park trail at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, near the skate park. Come celebrate the completion of this great new amenity at North Park. This one-mile walking path loops around the park, providing easy access to the various fields, and a relaxing opportunity to get some steps in. The department is also hosting a walking challenge on the trail in July. QR codes are posted at various checkpoints, so scan them when you start your walk and again as you pass each one. These scans will track your mileage over the course of the month. Prizes will be available for participants. More details about the walking challenge will be shared soon.

The City of Moberly and the Randolph County Commission are proud to announce the implementation of a joint SWAT team between the Randolph County Sheriff’s Department, Moberly Police Department, and the North Missouri Drug Task Force. This joint effort has proven to be effective in maintaining a well-staffed and expertly trained team of law enforcement professionals ready to deploy across the city/county and local region with minimal time constraints. The joint SWAT team is a major advancement for both agencies towards successful interagency cooperation and a shared goal of reducing crime for the citizens of Randolph County.

A reminder from the city of Kirksville about fireworks. Firework sales may have begun, but fireworks may only be used within the City from June 30 to July 5, between the hours of 9:00 am and 11:00 pm, on your own property. However, if a complaint is received and verified by the Kirksville Police Department as a disturbance of the peace, discharging shall immediately cease. Those complaints can be made on the non-emergency line at 660.665.5621. During this time of year, the City receives messages from residents who either want the window of selling and using fireworks extended, or residents who want fireworks to be prohibited. The City Council has decided to keep the current regulations in place.

MoDot says weather permitting, as early as June 25, seal coat operations are scheduled to begin on U.S. Route 136 in Schuyler, Scotland and Clark counties. Contractor crews will start on U.S. 136 in Clark County, beginning at 0.5 mile west of the BNSF Railroad crossing near Medill and move west to the Scotland County line near Downing. Once complete, crews will continue west on U.S. 136 to finish at U.S. Route 63 at Lancaster in Schuyler County. Traffic will be reduced to one lane with a 10-foot width restriction in place at the location where crews are actively working for the duration of the project. Flaggers and a pilot car will be utilized to direct motorists through the work zone. Signs and message boards will be in place to alert motorists, as schedule changes occur. All work is weather dependent and schedules are subject to change. The $2.7M contract, awarded this last year to W. L. Miller Company of Hamilton, Illinois, includes an additional resurfacing project located on U.S. Route 136 from U.S. Route 63 in Schuyler County to 0.3 mile west of Route N near Livonia in Putnam County, tentatively scheduled to be begin in mid-July.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol would like to remind the public that driver examination stations throughout the state will be closed on the following date: Friday, July 4, 2025, in observance of Independence Day. Normal operations will resume on Monday, July 7, 2025.

The City of Milan says exciting things are happening at Forest Grove Park! ???? New playground equipment is on the way and will be installed this week to enhance the play experience for our community’s youth!
To ensure the safety of all residents and allow crews the space to complete the installation, Forest Grove Park will be CLOSED beginning Monday, June 23. Tentative Reopening: Monday, June 30

Colonel Michael A. Turner, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, reminds Missouri’s travelers to make smart choices for a safe Independence Day holiday. Whether planning to visit one of Missouri’s recreational opportunities or hosting a backyard barbecue, everyone should make safety part of their plans. No matter how you decide to celebrate, your smartest choice is to follow all Missouri traffic and boating laws. During the 2024 counting period, 14 people were killed and 560 were injured in Missouri over the holiday in 1,366 traffic crashes. Last year during the counting period, troopers arrested 149 people for driving while intoxicated. In 2024, there were 10 boating crashes, which included seven injuries and no fatalities. No one drowned during last year’s July Fourth holiday. Troopers made 12 boating while intoxicated arrests over last year’s July Fourth holiday weekend.

The City’s of Kirksville’s Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program is designed for low- and moderate-income homeowners to address safety and public health code violations, as well as provide funds for necessary house repairs, at a reduced rate. The program covers the upfront cost of the repair, with the applicant reimbursing a percentage of that cost based on their income level. If this program would help you or someone you know, visit Kirksville.gov/p/community-and-economic-development.

The Kirksville School District says Building Resource Studio has released their most recent exterior design images for the upcoming construction at Ray Miller Elementary School, set to begin later this year. The project includes a secure vestibule entrance and an expanded main office space.

Kirksville Parks and Recreation is excited to announce the 2025 Little Sluggers League! Little Sluggers is a co-ed tee-ball program for kids ages 3 to 5 years old. All practices and games will be held at North Park in Kirksville. Practices will begin the week of August 11, 2025, and games will take place from August 25 through September 26. Little Sluggers costs $40 per child through July 14 and $50 after. Registration includes a shirt, hat, and end-of-season award. The registration deadline for the Little Sluggers League is Monday, August 4. Sign up online at kirksville.gov/p/rec-login or visit us in person at the Kirksville Aquatic Center, located at 801 E. Mill St.