News Staff

After completing the selection process, the hiring committee and school board are pleased to announce that Lindsey Fraser has been chosen as the next Principal of Kirksville High School for the 2025-26 school year. Mrs. Fraser currently serves as Assistant Principal at KHS and will officially assume her new role on July 1, 2025.

The City of Milan says due to the harsh weather conditions, disconnect day for non-payment of utility bills, which typically occurs on the 20th of the month, will be extended to MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2025. Customers with an outstanding balance are encouraged to settle their delinquent account prior to Monday, 2/24, to avoid service interruptions, reconnection fees, or addional charges. If customers have questions or need to make special arrangements, please call City Hall at 660-265-4411.

Kirksville Police have made a third arrest in connection with what is believed to be a staged armed robbery that occurred in January. On February 15, 2025, KPD arrested 40-year-old Anthony Lloyd Williams, of Kirksville, for his involvement in the robbery of New Star Mart on January 8, 2025. He has been charged in Adair County with First-Degree Robbery, a Class A felony. Kaydyn Aldridge and James Findling Jr. have previously been charged in connection to this investigation. Aldridge was identified as the suspect who entered the store, threatened to shoot the clerk, then left with an undisclosed amount of cash. Police determined the clerk working at the time of the incident, Findling Jr., was a willing participant in the robbery and is accused of planning the robbery. The continued investigation discovered Williams provided transportation for Aldridge to and from the store. The investigation into the robbery is still active.

Governor Mike Kehoe signed Executive Order 25-18, directing all Missouri state agencies to eliminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives and ensure compliance with the constitutional principle of equal protection under the law. The order bars the use of state funds for DEI and prevents agencies from considering DEI in their hiring decisions. While this order directs the removal of DEI-based programs, it does not apply to any requirements in federal or state statute that uphold the rights and freedoms of Missouri citizens. State agencies will continue to enforce all laws that prohibit discrimination and ensure fairness for all citizens.

Weather permitting, as early as February 24, a resurfacing project is scheduled to begin on five disconnected sections of the northbound and southbound lanes of U.S. Route 63, from 0.6 mile south of Route YY in Macon County to 1.8 miles north of U.S. Route 24 near Moberly in Randolph County. The beginning phase of work will include concrete repairs, culvert work and diamond grinding. Asphalt operations are scheduled to begin in early summer. Traffic will be reduced to one lane with a 10-foot width restriction at the location where crews are actively working. Signs, including message boards, will be utilized for traffic control and alerts, such as schedule changes.

The 56th Upsilon Phi Jazz Festival will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2025 in Baldwin Auditorium at Truman State University in #Kirksville . This year’s festival will feature Matt Wilson’s Good Trouble. A New York-based drummer, Wilson combines buoyant zeal, idiosyncratic style, infectious humor, joyous swing and an indomitable spirit of surprise, making him one of the most in-demand players and educators in jazz today. He has appeared on more than 500 albums and has released 20 acclaimed recordings as a leader. He was named 2018 Musician of the Year by the Jazz Journalists Association, and his album “Honey and Salt” won 2018 Album of the Year.

The Missouri Department of Transportation has contracted Capital Paving & Construction, LLC to replace the decks of two bridges in Andrew County and one in Buchanan County. The Jenkins Creek Bridge on Buchanan County Route DD is the first bridge scheduled to have its deck replaced beginning Monday, March 3. Traffic Impacts: During construction, Route DD will be closed at the Jenkins Creek Bridge. Motorists will need to seek an alternate route. The Jenkins Creek Bridge is expected to reopen by mid-May 2025. Once construction is complete, crews will begin work on Upper Neely Bridge on Andrew County Route B then Lincoln Creek Bridge on Andrew County Route H.

All Kirksville City offices will be closed on Monday, February 17, 2025, in observance of Presidents Day. However, the Kirksville Aquatic Center will be open for regular hours. Trash collection is not affected by this holiday. All City offices will reopen on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, for regular business hours.

The City of Kirksville is under a snow emergency. All vehicles parked on designated Snow Emergency Routes, including streets in the Downtown, had to be moved by midnight. Vehicles not moved by then are subject to being ticketed and/or towed. The Snow Emergency will remain in place until terminated. Forecasts for this storm indicate the potential for heavy snow over the course of the day today. The City of Kirksville encourages drivers to stay off the roads as much as possible if these conditions occur. That helps you stay safe and helps snowplows work as efficiently as possible. The City asks residents to monitor its communication channels for further details as the weather develops. Additionally, the City will announce the termination of the Snow Emergency.

The Missouri Emergency Management Agency says each February, Missouri observes Earthquake Awareness Month to emphasize preparedness for the risk of another major earthquake occurring in the New Madrid Seismic Zone. While no one can predict when an earthquake will occur, scientists agree that large earthquakes in this zone still pose a risk. Experts estimate a 25% to 40% chance of a large earthquake occurring in the next 50 years. When shaking starts, the best way to stay safe and protect yourself from falling debris is the “Drop, Cover and Hold On” technique. Drop to your knees, cover your head, get under a desk or table if possible and hold on until the shaking stops. Experts say that in developed countries with modern structures, falling debris is the most common source of injury.