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The Missouri State Highway Patrol would like to remind travelers to practice safe driving behaviors during winter weather. Before traveling, pay attention to weather conditions and make smart decisions regarding travel. Motorists may check road conditions on MoDOT’s Road Condition Map. The MoDOT Traveler Information Map app can be downloaded for free to your smart devices. If conditions dictate, avoid driving on Missouri’s roadways.

If you are traveling, make sure you follow the safety behaviors below:

· Make sure your vehicle is completely clean of snow

· Lower your driving speed if it is snowing or raining and roads are wet or icy

· Do not use cruise control if rain or snow is present

· Be aware of elevated roadways such as bridges or ramps that may freeze faster

· Leave at least five seconds between you and the vehicle in front of you

· Use your headlights to increase visibility

Remember: Missouri law states if you’re using your windshield wipers, your headlights must be turned on.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports three people died in traffic crashes during this year’s Thanksgiving holiday counting period–from 6 p.m. Wednesday, November 26, 2025, through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, November 30, 2025. There were no boating crashes or drownings. During the Thanksgiving holiday counting period, troopers report the following traffic statistics for 2025 (preliminary):

Crashes ─ 304
Injuries ─ 82
Fatalities ─ 3
DWI Arrests ─ 87

Filing for Kirksville City Council candidates begins Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at 8:00 am and continues through Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at 5:00 pm. You may file in the City Clerk’s office on the second floor at City Hall, 201 S. Franklin St., Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. City Hall will be closed on December 24 and 25.
The Municipal Election for City Council will be held on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. There are two full, three-year terms available in the election.
To qualify, you must be 21 before taking office; a US citizen; a resident of Kirksville for one year preceding the election; and a registered voter. Anyone found guilty of, or pleaded guilty to, a felony does not qualify. Before filing, each person must complete a “Candidate’s Affidavit, Form 5120, with the Missouri Department of Revenue, affirming that all state income taxes, personal property taxes, municipal taxes, and real property taxes on their place of residence have been paid.

The Missouri Veterans Commission will host Wreaths Across America, a holiday wreath-laying event, to honor and remember our nation’s Veterans at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at each of the six Missouri Veterans cemeteries. The Missouri Veterans Commission has partnered with Wreaths Across America since 2009. Wreaths Across America started in 1992 when the Worcester Wreath Company began donating wreaths to be placed at the headstones in Arlington National Cemetery. Building on that tradition, in 2006, the company began donating seven ceremonial wreaths to each state and national Veterans cemetery in the country. Today, many individuals and organizations hold campaigns to purchase additional wreaths to be placed at headstones in these cemeteries. To learn more about Wreaths Across America, visit wreathsacrossamerica.org/.

The CIty of Memphis says an annual election will be held in the City of Memphis, Missouri, on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at which election all registered voters residing within the City of Memphis, Missouri, will be given the opportunity to vote. The election will be held for the purpose of electing the following Officers of the City of Memphis, Missouri:

• An Alderman to represent the East Ward of the City of Memphis, Missouri, to serve in such capacity for a term of two years.
• An Alderman to represent the West Ward of the City of Memphis, Missouri, to serve in such capacity for a term of two years.
• A Mayor to represent the City of Memphis, Missouri, to serve in such capacity for a term of two years.
  All qualified persons who wish that their names shall appear on the ballot as a candidate of said election shall file a Declaration of Candidacy in writing with the City Clerk no earlier than on December 9, 2025, at 8:00 a.m., and no later than December 30, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Candidates shall file for their Declaration of Candidacy with the City Clerk at Memphis City Hall, 125 W Jefferson Street, Memphis, Missouri, during regular business hours, excluding holidays.

Quick note that Kirksville City offices will be closed on Friday, December 5, 2025, for an employee meeting. Offices will resume regular business hours on Monday, December 8.

The Kirksville RIII school district says Ray Miller’s Garden Classes need some help. They are hoping to make pollinator boxes for their outdoor classroom garden. But they need very specific cardboard tubes–ones that come from the inside of a roll of dog waste bags. If you have any of these, please don’t throw them out. You can drop them off at the Ray Miller Elementary office, the students and the pollinators will appreciate it!

The City of Kirksville says make sure to cook your turkey, not your home, this Thanksgiving. While the holiday is a time for food, family and friends, there are some important items to consider when preparing your feast. If you bought a frozen turkey and plan to fry it, now is the time to start arranging your thawing technique. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, it takes 24 hours to thaw every four to five pounds of bird. So, if you have a 16-pound turkey, it will take four days to properly thaw. Frying a turkey that hasn’t been adequately thawed is a major fire risk. Water and oil don’t mix, so any moisture or ice in your bird can cause a violent explosion.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol would like to remind the public that driver examination stations throughout the state will be closed on the following dates:
Thursday, November 27, 2025, and Friday, November 28, 2025.
Normal operations will resume Monday, December 1, 2025.

Colonel Michael A. Turner, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, reminds everyone there will be an increase in traffic over the Thanksgiving holiday. The Thanksgiving holiday is one of the busiest travel periods of the year, with Wednesday and Sunday afternoon/evenings being the most heavily traveled times. Drivers should expect more traffic and the possibility of delays throughout the weekend. Regardless of traffic patterns, safety should remain a priority. The counting period for the 2025 Thanksgiving holiday weekend is from 6 p.m. Wednesday, November 26, 2025, to 11:59 p.m. Sunday, November 30, 2025. Troopers will be participating in Operation C.A.R.E. (Crash Awareness & Reduction Effort), enforcing all traffic laws, and available to assist the public. Over the 2024 Thanksgiving holiday counting period, 11 people were killed and 571 injured in 1,664 traffic crashes. If you plan to travel over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend be aware of work zones, obey all traffic laws, and make sure everyone in your vehicle is wearing a seat belt or secured in the appropriate child safety seat for their size and age. Remember: Missouri is a hands-free state, so put the phone down and buckle up. There is never a reason to speed, drive aggressively, or drive impaired.