News Staff

Governor Mike Parson announced that he has selected the Honorable Ginger Gooch to be a Judge on the Supreme Court of Missouri. She will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Patricia Breckenridge. Judge Gooch was one of three nominees who were submitted to Governor Parson by the Appellate Judicial Commission for consideration. Judge Gooch’s swearing-in date has not yet been set; however, Missouri law requires her to be sworn in within 30 days of her appointment. Judge Gooch’s appointment cements a female majority on Missouri’s highest court for the first time in state history.

Quick reminder that the City of Kirksville is hosting an accessibility open house on Thursday, November 2. This is an opportunity to let the City know of any accessibility issues that exist in services, programs or facilities. It runs from 2 until 6 p.m. at the Economic Development Alliance Building. If you can’t attend, you can still get info to the City by calling or emailing the number and address listed on the flyer.

A 53-year-old man from Palmyra was hurt while driving a Suzuki motorcycle on private property in Marion County on Friday morning. The Highway Patrol says Nathan Herold was on a private driveway on Highway C, and lost control, ran off the side of the road, and overturned. He was not wearing a safety device. He was taken to Hannibal Regional Hospital.

Two vehicles were involved in a crash that happend in Chariton County on Sunday morning. The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the driver of a 2000 GMC Yukon was trying to make a left turn and pulled into the path of a Volkswagon Golf. This was on Missouri 129. There were minor injuries to the driver and occupant of the Golf. They were both taken to Moberly Regional. The driver of the Yukon was not injured.

MoDot says the last of 31 bridges in a bundled replacement project opened in northern Missouri this month, marking the completion of the Fixing Access to Rural Missouri (FARM) Bridge Program. The program replaced 31 bridges across northern Missouri that were weight-restricted, supported by timber piles, in poor condition, and were one lane but carried two-way traffic. The replacements were funded by a $20.8 million Competitive Highway Bridge Program grant from the Federal Highway Administration in 2018, as well as $5.2 million from the Missouri Department of Transportation. When the Route T bridge over Fitzgerald Branch in Gentry County opened this month, it marked the program’s completion – one month ahead of schedule.

The City of Kirksville’s parks system has benefited from several grant awards in recent months. Recently, the City used two Non-Playground Scrap Tire Grants administered by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to fund the purchase of 24 benches and four picnic tables. Twenty of the benches were installed in City parks, including Patryla Park, North Park and Rotary Park. The Kirksville Police Department secured the remaining four benches and picnic tables, which are being used at the City’s Shooting Range. The benches and tables are constructed in part from recycled tire material. The installation of these pieces of public seating have diverted approximately 3,100 pounds of rubber from landfills. Additionally, new play features were installed at McKinney Bark Park in early October. These features were funded in part by a grant through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Region “C” Northeast Missouri Solid Waste Management District. The dog play features are constructed of recycled plastic materials and include ramps, agility features, an adjustable height jump, a slide and two benches.

A former Kirksville Police officer has been arrested on multiple sex charges. Kirksville Police say In July of 2022, a report was made to the Kirksville Police Department alleging serious criminal activity by a former officer and City employee during their tenure several years ago. The individual has not been an officer with the Kirksville Police Department since 2013. In an effort to ensure transparency and an unbiased investigation, the Kirksville Police Department requested the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control conduct the investigation in its entirety. Throughout the investigation, the Kirksville Police Department fully cooperated with the Highway Patrol’s investigators and provided them with any and all requested records or information. The Highway Patrol says investigators learned 46-year-old Faren Lindsey, now of Shelbyville, had allegedly sexually assaulted the underage female victim several times over a two-year period beginning in July 1999. On October 25, 2023, an arrest warrant was issued and Faren J. Lindsey was taken into custody by the Highway Patrol. The Highway Patrol says Lindsey was indicted on three counts of statutory sodomy, one count of statutory rape, and one count of forcible rape.

Governor Mike Parson ordered all U.S. and Missouri flags to fly at half-staff at Northeast Correctional Center, the Missouri Department of Corrections’ headquarters in Jefferson City, and all government buildings in Pike County from sunrise to sunset on October 26, 2023, as a mark of respect for Missouri Correctional Officer Kelly Bernard Rolando. The flags will be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Thursday, October 26, 2023.

The Macon County Health Department says today is the drive-thru flu clinic in La Plata. They will be on the east side of the La Plata park from 1:30-4 pm. They will have flu vaccines for adults, including high-dose available for those who are 65 and older. We will also have the updated fall COVID-19 vaccine. You can get them at the same time if you want to! Please bring your insurance card. If you have Medicare, be sure to bring your red, white, and blue Medicare card and any advantage plan or supplement plan card you may have. We have Fluarix flu vaccine and Moderna COVID vaccine available at no cost for those who are uninsured and underinsured (meaning your insurance will not pay for this service).

In Kirksville, a new mural went up yesterday on the Princess Emporium building in the downtown. A great partnership between the Kirksville Tourism Department (Visit Kirksville), the Kirksville Arts Association and the Princess Emporium reinvigorated this piece of art.