News Staff

We’re approaching Missouri’s tax-free weekend. The sales tax holiday starts at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, August 4th, and goes through Sunday, August 6th. During that time, a lot of back-to-school items will be exempt from the state sales tax. The holiday applies to items like clothing, school supplies, computers, and other items. The state says an article of clothing cannot exceed a taxable value of $100. School supplies are not to exceed $50 per purchase and graphing calculators are not to exceed $150. Computer software cannot exceed a taxable value of $350 and personal computers or computer peripheral devices cannot exceed $1,500.

The 79-year-old pilot of a small plane died after the plane crashed in a soybean field near Kearney. Fox 4 says the pilot of the plane landed at the Midwest Regional Air Center to refuel, and the plane went down in the field shortly after the pilot flew out of the airport. Emergency responders said the plane carried 140 gallons of fuel at the time of the crash, and the plane burst into flames went it crashed. The pilot has been identified as Alan “Doug” Moler of Valley Center, Kansas. The man was reportedly headed to an airport in Wichita.

The Department of Economic Development (DED) is proud to have partnered with four companies throughout Fiscal Year 2023 to assist them with expansion and job creation that is helping Missourians prosper in the state’s northern region. In total, the companies are investing nearly $6 million and creating up to 31 jobs. AAIM Datacenters, Inc., a company that builds custom-suited data centers matching organizations’ needs, is establishing in Moberly, investing $4 million and creating 10 new jobs. New positions will pay an average salary higher than the county average. MTM Analytics, a data processing company, is establishing in Moberly, investing $637,000 and creating 2 new jobs. New positions will pay an average salary higher than the county average.

The Missouri School Boards’ Association says Julie Sneddon, a member of the Kirksville R-III Schools Board of Education, has achieved Advanced Board Member Certfication from the Missouri School Boards’ Association. The board member certification program establed by the MSBA recognizes school board members who choose to complete additional professional development requirements beyond the 18 1/2 hours of training required by the Outstanding Schools Act of 1993 for new school board members. To achieve Advanced Certification, board members must earn at least 12 additional training credits, complete annual Refresher training requirement through MSBA, read two books related to school board service, attend at least two MSBA regional or statewide events and write an essay relating to their study.

Governor Mike Parson announced he has selected Michael Leara as the next State Supervisor for the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control within the Missouri Department of Public Safety. Mr. Leara, of St. Louis, has served as the Chairman of the Missouri Gaming Commission since August 2019. He has also owned and operated Gateway Advisors, LLC, in St. Louis since 1999. He has grown his business from a financial consulting firm offering public and private pension services to a now corporate and governmental retirement and pension plan consulting firm. Mr. Leara also served as a State Representative for the 96th District from 2009-2017. During his time as a State Representative, he served as Vice Chair on the Board of Trustees for the Missouri State Employee Retirement System. Mr. Leara attended Saint Louis University.

The Annual Wooden Nickel 4 Person Golf Tournament held July 14 th raised $16,730 for the United Way of Northeast Missouri. Winners of the Champ Flight included Lefty’s Barbershop 1 st Place, Lovegreen Ford 2 nd , and Team
Williams got 3 rd . A Flight winners were Team Snyder 1 st . Place, Team Mills 2 nd Place, and Kirksville Motors placed 3 rd . B Flight winners were Team Mallett 1 st Place, Coy’s Boatworks 2 nd , and Edward Jones came in
third. The United Way of Northeast Missouri provides funding for 11 not for profit agencies. Agencies funded include Adair County 4-H, Adair County YMCA, Boy Scouts of America/Great River Council, Community Opportunities Workshop, Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri, Hospice of Northeast Missouri, Macon Diversified Industries, NEMO Senior Citizens Services, RSVP/Senior Adult Services, Salvation Army and the Community Child Development Center.

The indoor pool at the Kirksville Aquatic Center will be closed July 23 through July 30, 2023, for routine annual maintenance. This includes deep cleaning, paint touch ups and water replacement. During this time, lap swimming will be available at the outdoor pool Monday through Friday from 6:00 am to 9:30 am, and 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm. Water walking will be available in the outdoor current channel on those same days and times. The arthritis class will meet at its usual time, Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 9:00 am, in the outdoor pool. The Friends Aerobics class will move to 11:00 am to 12:00 pm on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.

The City of Kirksville says The Street Maintenance Division of the City of Kirksville’s Public Works Department will begin mill and overlay work on East Hamilton Street, from Jamison Street to South Cottage Grove Avenue, starting Monday, July 24, 2023. The street will have alternating traffic lanes during construction. This project is expected to be completed by August 4, depending on the weather.

The Kirksville Arts Association says Summer on the Square is taking a break this week, because of the fair. Matt Kennedy and the Busted String Band will be performing on July 28th at the courthouse lawn.

The NEMO Drug-Free Communities Taskforce is working to raise awareness about the dangers of underage alcohol consumption and what people can do to help reduce it. The Taskforce is taking advantage of the number of teens and adults who attend the NEMO Fair in Kirksville to spread the word about how to “Summer Responsibly.” The Taskforce works to reduce youth alcohol, marijuana, and prescription drug use in Adair and surrounding counties. This week, members of the Taskforce will be getting the word out using banners and signs placed throughout the NEMO Fairgrounds, including at the gates, show barns, and campground. Research shows the earlier kids try alcohol or another substance, the more likely they are to become addicted. The goal of “Summer Responsibly” is to encourage community members and parents to do their part by not providing alcohol or other substances to minors.