News Staff

The Kirksville City Council has an Executive Session and Study Session set for 5:30 p.m. tonight. The City Council will start with an Interagency meeting in the 2nd floor Conference Room of City Hall to talk about Community Service Partners. They’ll then convene into closed Executive Session to talk about operational guidelines and response plans. Then they will move into a study session in Council Chambers. The agenda for the study session includes short-term rentals, municipal code changes, complete streets, and the capital plan.

Get ready for this year’s star-spangled spectacular as the City of Kirksville hosts the annual Red, White and Blue Festival on June 30 and July 1. Join us downtown on Friday, June 30 for performances by the Kirksville Community Band (5:00 pm) and No Apology (7:00 pm). The United Way Pie Contest and Auction will occur in between those acts. Saturday, July 1 will be a full day of events across Kirksville. The morning fun will happen downtown. The Kirksville Kiwanis Farmers Market starts at 7:00 am. The Pancake Breakfast runs from 7:00 to 10:00 am. The Red, White and Blue Classic Car Show will go from 8:00 am to noon. The 7th Annual FLATS Uncle Sam 5K begins at 8:30 am. The Red, White and Blue Parade then starts at 10:00 am. The fun moves to North Park later that evening. Kids games and concessions start at 5:00 pm. Boot Cut will perform from 7:00 to 9:30 pm. Then the grand finale, a fantastic firework show, will start at 9:30. Registration remains open for individuals, groups or organizations to participate in the Red, White and Blue Parade. Applications can be found online. This year’s Red, White and Blue Parade dignitaries are Von Abbott and Marcus Kelly. Abbott will serve as the Grand Marshal and Kelly, the Kirksville High School Class of 2023’s Tiger Award Recipient, will be the Junior Grand Marshal.

The Kirksville Arts Association says Pumptown from Ellston Iowa will be performing at Summer on the Square tonight, Friday, June 9th. This fun high-energy band has performed at SOS numerous times and are a crowd favorite. The concert begins at 7 pm on the Adair County Courthouse lawn and is sponsored by the VFW Auxiliary 2508 and the Missouri Arts Council. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy a fun evening of family entertainment. The concerts are free.

Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, announces the results of the Driver and Vehicle Safety Division’s 2023 annual school bus inspection program.

Missouri’s 2023 school bus inspection results are as follows:

School buses rated as “approved” upon initial inspection — 9,995
School buses rated as “defective” upon initial inspection — 1,088
School buses rated as “out-of-service” upon initial inspection — 381

Buses with identified defective components require repair within 10 days. Buses placed out-of-service require correction of the component(s), and reinspection and a return to service by Patrol personnel prior to further usage in transporting passengers.

The City of Kirksville’s Airport & Transportation Commission will hold a meeting at 12:00 pm on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, in the Conference Room at the Kirksville Aquatic Center. The agenda is out. It shows the group will get a street update, an airport update, and a complete street update.

Kirksville Parks and Rec says join us this Saturday night from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm for our first Dollar Swim Night of the Summer. Admission will be $1 during this time, though capacity is limited. Admission will be granted on a first come, first serve basis.

The State Emergency Management Agency says the state will observe Summer Safety Day on June 14th. SEMA and the National Weather Service (NWS) encourage all Missourians to pay attention to local forecasts and plan accordingly when activities are outside. Humidity can amplify the feeling of heat measured by a heat index, so it is especially important to keep a close eye on friends and family and know the signs of heat-related illnesses.

Governor Mike Parson yesterday signed Senate Bills 39 and 49 into law. SB 39 prohibits educational institutions from allowing biological male students from participating on sports teams designated for biological females. SB 49 establishes the Missouri Save Adolescents from Experimentation (SAFE) Act. The SAFE Act prohibits health care providers from performing gender transition surgeries or prescribing hormones or drugs for the purposes of gender transition to Missouri children under the age of 18.

The Street Maintenance Division of the City of Kirksville’s Public Works Department will begin mill and overlay work on South Adams Drive and West Adams Drive, from West Shepherd Avenue to the end of the road, starting Wednesday, June 12, 2023. The street will have alternating lane closures during construction. This project is expected to be completed by June 22, depending on the weather.

Kirksville Parks and Rec says Baseball and Softball Season is in full swing. Just a friendly reminder that “All dogs shall be prohibited from playing fields and spectator seating areas during game play except for dogs included under “service animals” as defined by and provided for in the Americans With Disabilities Act and the City of Kirksville Code of Ordinances.