News Staff

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office says earlier yesterday evening, shortly after 5:00 PM, deputies responded to a serious incident involving a male subject dressed in full camouflage, who allegedly menaced a neighbor with what appeared to be a firearm. The subject then barricaded himself inside his residence and alluded to having an explosive device. The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team (SRT) and Hostage Negotiations Team responded to the scene. At approximately 9:30 PM, the subject was taken into custody. Shortly after the subject was secured, a fire was discovered inside the apartment. At this time it is unclear if the fire was accidental or started intentionally. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
There is no ongoing threat to the public, and the area remains secured.

Distracted driving resulted in a single-vehicle crash in Macon County yesterday. The Highway Patrol says a 33 year old man from Moberly was distracted by his cell phone while he was on highway 63, four miles south of Excello, when he familed to negotiate a curve, went off the left side of the road, and overturned. He went to Moberty Regional Medical Center for treatment of moderate injuries.

Kirksville Mayor Zac Burden signed a proclamation recognizing Fire Prevention Week from October 5 to 11, 2025. This annual observance is organized by the National Fire Protection Association to inform about life-saving topics. This year’s theme is “Charge into Fire Safety: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home.” Most of the electronics used in homes daily – including smartphones, tablets, laptops, power tools, and toys – are powered by lithium-ion batteries, which, if misused, damaged, or improperly charged, can overheat, start a fire, or explode.

in honor of United States Army Chief Warrant Officer Three Andrew “Drew” Gunnison Cully, Governor Mike Kehoe ordered U.S. and Missouri flags be flown at half-staff at government buildings in the State of Missouri for one full day on Saturday, October 11, 2025, from sunrise to sunset. On September 17, Chief Warrant Officer Andrew Cully tragically died in the line of duty alongside three other courageous Night Stalkers from the 4th Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), while conducting an aviation training exercise near Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol would like to remind the public that driver examination stations throughout the state will be closed on the following date:
Monday, October 13, 2025, in observance of Columbus Day. Normal operations will resume on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.

Serious injuries in a single-vehicle crash in Linn County yesterday afternoon. The Highway patrol says a 30 year old woman was driving a Mercury Mountaineer on Highway B, when she ran off the left side of the roadway, hit an embankment, and overturned. She was not wearing a seatbelt, and was taken to Pershing Memorial Hospital.

The Kirksville High School Homecoming Parade is happening at 4:00 pm this Friday, October 10. Please be advised of downtown street closures for this event. Franklin Street, between Missouri Street and Normal Street, will be closed to vehicle traffic and parking. Signage has been posted in these areas.
Officers will tow any vehicles parked in these areas after 2:00 pm on Friday.
Franklin Street north of Missouri Street, as well as portions of Illinois, Buchanan, Hickory and Cottonwood streets, will also be affected as parade participants will be lining up on those streets.

Governor Mike Kehoe signed House Bill (HB) 1 of the One Hundred Third General Assembly’s Second Extraordinary Session of the First Regular Session into law. HB 1, sponsored by Representative Dirk Deaton and Senator Rusty Black, creates provisions for redistricting federal congressional seats. On August 29, Governor Kehoe convened the General Assembly for a special session to enact legislation establishing updated congressional districts for the State of Missouri and amending the state’s initiative petition process. Governor Kehoe worked with the General Assembly to pass the Missouri First Map in HB 1, a more compact, contiguous map that was created by Governor Kehoe’s team.

Highlights of the Missouri First Map:

Splits fewer counties and municipalities than the current map.
Preserves two congressional districts as currently drawn.
Retains every current member of Missouri’s congressional delegation in their current districts.
On September 12, the General Assembly truly agreed to and finally passed the Missouri First Map in House Bill 1 and the “Protect Missouri Voters” amendment in House Joint Resolution 3, which will be placed on the ballot for voter approval.

Milan is getting ready for Trunk or Treat. it’s set for october 30th, 5:30 until 7:30pm, at Milan Square.

Governor Mike Kehoe and the Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS) announced that the State of Missouri has submitted a waiver request to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to alter Missouri’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to refocus the program and support the purchase of healthy foods. Governor Mike Kehoe signed Executive Order 25-30, ordering the Director of DSS to prepare and submit a waiver to FNS to alter Missouri’s SNAP program in a manner that prioritizes healthy foods and nutritional value, discourages foods that are high in added sugar and ultra processed, and supports Missouri agriculture.