News Staff July 4th is two weeks away and the state patrol is out with an early reminder that troopers will be on the roads and on the waterways — in force — looking for speeders, drunk drivers and other dangerous behavior that can cause accidents.
During last year’s July 4th holiday, four people died and 220 were injured in 437 wrecks
Gas prices keep climbing. The national average is $5 a gallon…statewide $4.63 and in Adair county, it’s $4.59. President Biden now blaming oil companies, asking that they produce more gas. Previously he blamed Vladamir Putin for high gas prices.
Major work starts Monday in Kirksville. Crews will add a new center turn lane to North Baltimore Street that runs to the junction in front of the Walmart.
And the project calls for widening lanes as well as installing new signs. It’s a $2-million dollar job that will take just over four months.
Some young Kirksville cowboys will be on a big stage next week, at the National Junior High Finals Rodeo in Georgia.
Cade McCarty an eighth-grade student from Kirksville has a spot on the Iowa National Junior High team. Steele Sanchez, a seventh-grade student from Kirksville is on the Missouri Rodeo team. And Kannan Wood, a sixth-grader from Kirksville has also qualified for the Missouri team.
In Moberly, no more cellphones or smart watches for kids at school.
The Moberly school board decided to ban the devices. They will have to be either in a locker or a car. And if a student is caught with a phone or smart watch — the school can take them.
If parents need to contact a student, they will have to call the office.
Many school systems allow kids to have their phones, and in some school shootings, it’s been students who call 911. But in Moberly the school board believes they’re just too much of a distraction from learning.
Kraft Heinz — the city’s largest employer — is expanding and the city of Kirksville will provide financing.
It’s a 33 million dollar deal to improve storage at the factory and add high tech equipment.
Under the financing plan — which is a bit complex — the city will basically act as a bank — borrowing the money for the new equipment. Kraft Heinz will then lease the equipment from the city, while getting a break on property taxes for the expansion project.
So it’s considered a win-win to help with industrial growth. The project will create about 50 new jobs.
Fatal wreck Friday evening on U.S. 61 in Rawls county. The Patrol says it was a case of driving under the influence.
The driver of an SUV, 27 year old Ian Smith of Vandalia, ran off the right side of the road and his vehicle flipped over. A passenger, 24 year old Shawn Wise was killed.
Neither wore a seat belt and the Patrol charged Ian Smith with DWI.
More summertime roadwork in Kirksville. Part of West Illinois Street will close from Elson to Main. The shutdown starts Monday the 13th and runs through June 27th. Use caution in the area, and find an alternate route.
A Moberly woman was arrested for felony animal abuse. 29 year old Brianna Lingo arrested about 4am Thursday. Police were called about a dead dog, and Longo reportedly told police that she killed it, then set the dog’s body on fire.
Police say that Lingo said it was some type of sacrifice ritual.
Finally ready to open. he Kirksville Aquatic Center Water Park. It opens at noon this Saturday. So, all of the outdoor features are ready. You can get pricing information at the city’s website. The Aquatic Center will also have its first Dollar Swim Night from 6-9pm.