News Staff

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.

There are several opportunities to get a COVID-19 vaccine in Northeast Missouri this week.

A.T. Still University’s Kirksville Family Medicine is hosting a vaccine clinic today from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be provided at no cost and by appointment only. Email covidvaccinesignup@atsu.edu or call 660-626-2191. Anyone age 18 and older is eligible.

The Adair County Health Department has scheduled another curbside vaccine clinic tomorrow, May 5, from 2-4 p.m. at the Health Department facility in Kirksville. The clinic is open to all individuals age 18 and older who live or work in Missouri and who have not yet completed their COVID-19 vaccine series. The Moderna vaccine will be administered. If you receive your first dose tomorrow, the second dose will be administered June 2nd at the same scheduled time. Register with the Sign-Up Genius
link on the Adair County Health Department website or Facebook page.

The Sullivan County Health Department will also be hosting a vaccination clinic tomorrow from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at North Central Missouri Electric CO-OP in Milan The Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine will be administered. The clinic is open to anyone age 18 and over. See their Facebook page for the numbers to call to pre-register.

A new officer has been hired by the Kirksville Police Department. Officer Dale Broadwell began his duties with KPD on April 26th. He is a graduate of Adair County R-1 High School, and a 2021 graduate of the Law Enforcement Training Institute police academy in Columbia.