News Staff

A total of four people, including two children, were killed in a three-vehicle crash in Macon County on Friday morning. The Highway Patrol says it happened at U.S. 36 at Macon, at 9:15 a.m. Friday. The driver of a Toyota Camry failed to yield and hit a Chevy Equinox, causing the Equinox to lose control and travel into the path of a Freightliner. The driver of the Equinox, 56-year-old Julie Alspaugh of Hannibal, was killed, along with three of her passengers, all from Quincy: 30-year-old Kailen Ritter Quigley, a seven-year-old boy, and a four-year-old girl. They were all wearing seat belts.

Memorial Day weekend brings Missouri to life with busy state parks, lakes, and attractions, along with sporting events, barbecues, and gatherings of friends and family. Our state has a lot to offer, especially when the weather is nice. A little planning will go a long way to making your Memorial Day weekend activities a success. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reminds everyone to include safety when they plan their holiday weekend. Everyone should expect more travelers on Missouri’s roadways and an increase in boating traffic on the state’s lakes and rivers. Drivers and boat operators are reminded to follow all Missouri’s laws and be courteous. Always wear a seat belt when traveling in a vehicle, and wear a life jacket when near, on, or in the water. This year’s Memorial Day holiday counting period begins at 6 p.m., Friday, May 24, and ends at 11:59 p.m., Monday, May 27, 2024. Every available trooper will be on the road or on the water, enforcing Missouri laws and assisting people. Troopers on our roadways will focus their attention on hazardous moving violations, speed violations, and impaired drivers. The Patrol will be participating in Operation C.A.R.E. (Crash Awareness Reduction Effort) during Memorial Day weekend.

The City of Kirksville will hold a special meeting this afternoon at 5:30 p.m. The agenda shows the group will consider waiving the second bond requirement outlined in the city ordinance for the removal of trailers from Dogwood Trailer Court.

Recent unusually heavy rainfall and higher than normal water flow resulted in the April 28 collapse of the Adair County Route A bridge over the North Fork South Fabius River. Route A remains closed approximately 0.3 miles west of Route J near Willmathsville. The one-lane timber pile bridge, built in 1941, was scheduled to be bid for a contract to replace it in January 2025, but the Missouri Department of Transportation has accelerated the design and the bidding process to be ready for contract in July 2024 with hopes for completion by the end of the year, pending action by the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission. An additional contract will be let to complete the removal of the existing structure. Out of an abundance of caution, while the route is closed at this location, MoDOT asks onlookers to please avoid the vicinity and do not enter past the road closed barricades on Route A. Debris from the collapse could still shift, causing further damage or injury.

Young anglers will have opportunities to fish for free at Kids’ Fishing Day, May 18 at Roaring River State Park. This event is co-sponsored by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, and Roaring River Adventures. Kids’ Fishing Day will be held from 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 p.m. At this event, an area of the park will be designated as a fishing area for youths ages 15 and under. Children in that age range can pick up free trout tags at the Roaring River Hatchery any time on May 17 and all day on the day of the event at the large tent across from the falls.

As the weather warms up, there is typically more foot traffic and people outdoors. With this, the Kirksville Police Department receives more reports of thefts of and from motor vehicles. This year has been no different and the police department has seen an increase in the number of reported thefts. Common factors in most of these thefts were that the victim’s vehicle was unlocked and the items stolen were in plain view from outside the vehicle. KPD would like to offer a few tips to minimize your chances of becoming a victim of these crimes.
– Always lock your car, even when parked in your driveway.
– Do not leave your keys inside your vehicle.
– Do not leave anything of value on display in your car.
– Take high-value items with you such as your wallet, phone, backpack, laptops, etc.

From May 18 – 25, Governor Mike Parson and First Lady Teresa Parson will travel to Italy for an international Trade Mission. Italy is a top source of foreign direct investment and a key trade partner for Missouri, with more than $169 million in exports in 2023. Consistent with Governor Parson’s infrastructure and economic development priorities, the goal of the Trade Mission is to build relationships with key international figures to promote Missouri’s strong capacity for trade. Governor Parson will meet with various government officials, diplomats, and business leaders to promote Missouri as a prime destination for business investment and expansion.

One person is recovering from serious injuries after a two-vehicle crash that happened in Putnam County on Friday night. The Missouri State Highway Patrol says this was on Highway 129, four miles northeast of Unionville. They say while attempting to enter a private drive, 38-year-old Kamron Mendenhall, in a Dodge Durango, pulled into the path of a Subaru Cross Trek. The driver of the Subaru, 33-year-old Stacia McGaughey of Unionville, was taken by air to University Hospital in Columbia. Neither driver was wearing a seat belt.

Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) shows turkey hunters checked 43,380 birds during Missouri’s 2024 regular spring turkey season, April 15 through May 5. Top harvest counties for the regular season were Franklin with 940 birds harvested, Callaway with 822, and Texas with 780. Young turkey hunters also harvested 3,739 turkeys over the youth weekend, April 6 and 7, bringing the overall 2024 spring turkey harvest to 47,119. According to MDC, that is a 6-percent increase in total harvest from 2023 and a 20-percent increase in total harvest compared to the previous five-year average.

Join members of the Kirksville Police Department and Kirksville Fire Department in a friendly competition as the 2024 Kirksville Battle of the Badges Blood Drive happens on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at the Multi-Purpose Building at the NEMO Fairgrounds. Help support the American Red Cross to maintain blood donations for those in need. The blood drive will run from 12:00 pm to 5:30 pm. To schedule an appointment, visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter KirksMasonicLodge in the Make An Appointment box. You may also call 1-800-733-2767.