News Staff

Two juveniles were injured in a crash in Randolph County on Friday evening. The Missouri State Highway Patrol says a 16 year old female was driving a 2000 Ford Ranger on U.S. 63 in Moberly, when the vehicle went off the roadway, overturned, and hit the guardrail, ejecting the 7-year-old male passenger of the vehicle. The 7-year-old, from Moberly, was taken by air evac to University Hospital. The 16 year old driver was taken by Randolph County Ambulance to University Hospital. Neither the driver or passenger was wearing a seat belt.

MoDot says a conceptual study of U.S. 63 corridor improvements in Adair and Schuyler counties, between Kirksville and the Iowa state line, is underway after being added to the Missouri Department of Transportation’s (MoDOT’s) Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP). MoDOT has contracted with Hg Consult, Inc. as the lead consultant, and Bartlett & West, GFT and Single Wing are sub-consultants. The first meeting has been held to determine scope of the study. To help progress with the scope, the surveying and engineering analysis along the corridor is currently underway. The project team will look at the 33-mile section of the corridor to evaluate opportunities for passing lanes and/or shared four-lane and other roadway improvements.

The City of Kirksville’s proposed 2026 budget is available for residents to view online at Kirksville.gov or in person at City Hall. This document is preliminary and is not finalized until the City Council gives final approval. If you would like additional explanations on the process and each department’s plans for next year, the November 10 Study Session goes in depth on those subjects. That meeting can be watched at a link on their Facebook page. There are chapter breaks for each subject to make viewing easier. A public hearing will be held for the first public reading of the proposed budget on December 1

The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control (DDCC) announces criminal charges against Lois Armour, 78, and Patty Armour, 51, both of Paris, MO, for Murder in the Second Degree-Felony Murder. The charges were filed after an investigation conducted by Troop B DDCC investigators and are in connection to the October 12, 2025, officer involved shooting incident in Paris, MO. During the October 12, 2025, incident, an Operation Relentless Pursuit (ORP) task force officer, along with DDCC investigators, responded to an address in Paris, MO, to conduct a follow-up investigative lead regarding a Ralls County murder investigation. Investigators contacted Lois and Patty Armour at the residence. While conversing with authorities, both Lois and Patty Armour misled law enforcement on the whereabouts of a fugitive and murder suspect, Charles Armour, 57, of Paris, MO. Authorities were allowed access to the residence, and during their search, Charles Armour was located. He was killed during an exchange of gunfire with law enforcement. The ORP task force officer was also shot during the incident and transported to an area hospital for treatment of their injuries. The task force officer has since been released from the hospital. Troop B troopers assigned to Monroe County had previously arrested Lois Armour, 78, and Patty Armour, 51, both of Paris, for felony hindering prosecution charges. The charges stemmed after Lois and Patty Armour hindered law enforcements’ efforts to contact/arrest Charles Armour, 57, in reference to an arrest warrant with $50,000.00 bond. Lois and Patty Armour have since been held at the Randolph County Jail on a $100,000.00 cash-only bond. On November 7, 2025, the Monroe County Prosecuting Attorney, Nicole Volkert, formally charged both Lois and Patty Armour with one count each for Murder in the Second Degree – Felony Murder. Both are being held at the Randolph County Jail without bond.

MoDot has announced road work. In Adair County… U.S. Route 63 Northbound – November 12, CLOSED for environmental clean-up at the eastbound turn lane at Route P (Fairview Drive) off of U.S. 63 North between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. In Macon County… U.S. Route 36 – November 17 – 21, LANE RESTRICTION for bridge maintenance from Eagle Avenue to 0.75 mile east of Eagle Avenue over Chariton River between 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. A 12-foot width restriction will be in place where crews are actively working.

This fall, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) encourages landowners to keep an eye out for invasive plant species on their property. Invasive plant species often keep their green leaves into late fall and even early winter, making them easier to spot amongst native vegetation. This adaptation allows invasive plants to outcompete native plants but offers landowners an additional window of time for treatment. Bush Honeysuckle and Autumn Olive are the two most prevalent shrubby invasives in central Missouri that are easily spotted during this time of year. Both Bush Honeysuckle and Autumn Olive retain their green leaves among dormant vegetation making them easy to target with foliar, basal bark, and cut stump treatments during the fall.

MoDot says Signs indicating a weight limit changes for three bridges in Montgomery County have been installed at the following locations:
Route K over the Loutre River: 20 tons for single-unit vehicles and 35 tons for combination tractor-trailers. This bridge, built in 1960, is scheduled to be replaced next year.
Route K over Dry Fork Creek: 20 tons for single-unit vehicles and 40 tons for combination tractor-trailers. This bridge, built in 1960. Currently, no timeframe has been set for replacing the bridge.
Missouri Route 161 over Coon Creek: 20 tons for single-unit vehicles and 35 tons for combination tractor-trailers. This bridge was built in 1963, with major rehabilitations done in 2014. Currently, no timeframe has been set for replacing the bridge.
The department is currently analyzing load ratings to stay in compliance with Federal Highway Administration Guidance. Be on the lookout for more load posting updates.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has received several reports of a fish kill at Beuth Park Lake in Moberly. After investigating, MDC determined the incident was likely a natural fish kill, and there is no cause for public concern. MDC thanks the members of the public who reported the issue. Fish kills can occur naturally in Missouri and refer to the sudden death of fish in a lake or stream. Each year, MDC handles around 100 fish kills and other water quality events that pose a threat to fish, wildlife, and recreation. Of these events, 75 to 80 percent are caused by natural events, as is the case at Beuth Park Lake. The remaining events typically are the result of pollution, chlorinated water, or chemical spills that contaminate waterways.

The City of Kirksville says portable space heaters have become a popular way to heat single rooms or areas in a home. With colder temperatures arriving, the Kirksville Fire Department wants to remind residents of some simple ways to use these devices safely. Each year, the department responds to fires caused by the misuse of these heaters. Follow these recommendations to remain warm and safe this season:
Only buy a heater with the seal of a qualified testing laboratory.
Plug the heater directly into a wall outlet and never into an extension cord.
Keep the heater at least three feet away from anything that can burn, including people.
Choose a heater with a thermostat and overheat protection.
Place the heater on a solid, flat surface.
Make sure your heater has an auto shut-off function if it tips over.
Keep heaters out of the way of foot traffic and never block an exit.
Heaters should be turned off and unplugged when you leave the room or go to sleep.

In observance of Veterans Day, all Kirksville City offices will be closed on Tuesday, November 11, 2025. The Kirksville Aquatic Center will be open for regular hours that day. The City of Kirksville would like to express its gratitude to the men and women who have served. We encourage residents to attend the Adair County Veterans Organizations’ Veterans Day Ceremony at 11:00 am on November 11 at the VFW Adair Post 2508, located at 21464 Parallel Road.