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The City of Kirksville recognizes National Public Works Week from May 18 to May 24, 2025. The City of Kirksville’s Public Works Department comprises six divisions: Wastewater Treatment, Water Treatment, Utility Maintenance, Central Garage, Street Maintenance, and Administration. Public Works professionals ensure drinkable water comes out of your faucet, your toilet flushes waste away, there are streets for residents to commute on, and that City vehicles can continue being of service. They focus on infrastructure, facilities, and services vital to the well-being of the people of Kirksville.

MoDot says weather permitting, a seal coat project is scheduled to begin on two disconnected sections of Missouri Route 94 in Montgomery and Warren Counties, from Route 19 near McKittrick in Montgomery County to the Warren and St. Charles County line. The length of the improvement is 29.3 miles. The initial phase of the project will include guardrail work, which is scheduled to begin as early as June 2.

Macon Police Department will be joining with statewide law enforcement May 19 – June 1, 2025, for a statewide “Click It or Ticket” mobilization to step up enforcement on Missouri’s seat belt law. More than 6 out of 10 people killed in 2024 Missouri traffic crashes were unbuckled. Even with all the advancements in automobile safety, a seat belt remains a person’s single greatest defense in the event of a crash. Missouri’s seat belt use has shown improvement in the last five years, but the state remains just below the national average in usage. Missouri has an 88.3 percent seat belt use while the national average is 91.2 percent. Teens and pick-up truck drivers are among those least likely to buckle up at 74.0 percent and 75.3 percent, respectively. “Nearly every day someone dies in a Missouri traffic crash because they weren’t buckled up,” said Chief Joey Roberts. “We will be pulling out all the stops to help ensure motorists are making the smart decision to buckle up.” Buckle Up and Arrive Alive. For information on Missouri seat belt usage, visit www.saveMOlives.com

You are invited to the State Special Olympics Opening Ceremony on Friday, May 30, at Stokes Stadium. Activities begin around 6:30 pm with the schedule to include performances from Kirksville community dance teams, a drumline, the traditional parade of athletes and lighting of the torch. A highlight of the evening will also be a drone show in the sky over the stadium. Seating will be available in Stokes Stadium, with chairs and blankets acceptable on lawn areas to the east and west of the grandstands. Attendees can also bring noise makers and coolers. Concession stands will not be open, but water stations are available. Pets are welcome in the lawn sections. Parking on the Truman State University campus will be open throughout the Special Olympics. Visitors coming for the opening ceremony can park in the lots to the north or south of Stokes Stadium.

On May 13, 2025, the Macon County Sheriff’s Office located a stolen vehicle driving on Highway T in south Macon County that had previously fled Macon County Deputies earlier in the week. Macon County Deputies attempted to stop the vehicle and the vehicle fled at a high rate of speed. A vehicle pursuit ensued and continued south on Highway 63 until it reached Boone County. After entering Boone County the vehicle ran out of fuel. The driver of the vehicle fled on foot and was apprehended by a Trooper with the Missouri State Highway Patrol after a taser deployment. The passenger of the vehicle was also taken into custody after it was learned she had warrants for her arrest. The driver was identified as Melinda Vandeventer and the passenger was identified as Lacey Silkwood. Vandeventer has been charged with tampering 1st degree, forgery, and resisting arrest.

The Kirksville Police Department is releasing information regarding a concern at Moberly Area Community College’s Kirksville campus. On May 16, 2025, at approximately 12:00 pm, an unknown male who sounded intoxicated called MACC. The unknown male became belligerent and made threats against law enforcement during this call. The phone number used was traced back to a small town in Michigan. A Grand Traverse County Deputy in Michigan conducted a follow-up and was unable to locate any owner of that number or any related reports in the area associated with that number. It appears this was a spoofed phone number generated through one of several methods. At no time did the caller make a threat against any Kirksville schools. The Kirksville Police Department increased patrols of the area and will continue to monitor. Anyone with information about this incident, or any suspicious activity, is encouraged to contact the Kirksville Police Department at 660.785.6945, Central Dispatch at 660.665.5621, Adair County Sheriff’s Office at 660.665.4600, anonymously at 660.627.BUST (2878), or email police@kirksville.gov.

The City of Milan says as a reminder, please return your trash bins from the curb! Not only will it improve the look of your yard, and your entire neighborhood, it’s also an ordinance of the City of Milan.

MoDot says weather permitting, as early as May 18, a bridge painting project will begin on Missouri Route 11, over North Fork South Fabius River, 1.4 miles west of Missouri Route 15, near Baring, in Knox County. Work is anticipated to be completed by mid-June. Missouri Route 11 will be reduced to one lane with a 10-foot width restriction on the bridge and temporary signals utilized for traffic control. All work is weather dependent and schedules are subject to change. Signs and message boards will be in place to alert motorists, as schedule changes occur.

Governor Mike Kehoe announced the memorial services honoring former U.S. Senator and Governor Christopher S. “Kit” Bond. A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, whose life’s work was dedicated to serving Missouri, Kit Bond died on May 13, 2025, in St. Louis at 86 years old. On Tuesday, May 20, a State Memorial Service honoring the life and legacy of Governor Kit Bond will be held in the Rotunda of the Missouri State Capitol at noon. The public is invited to attend. Governor Bond will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda for a 24-hour period immediately following the State Memorial Service, allowing members of the public to pay their respects. On Thursday, May 22, a celebration of Kit’s life will be held at Ladue Chapel Presbyterian Church. All who knew and loved Kit are welcome to attend.

The Kirksville R-III school district says summer school runs June 2-27, 2025 and we still have some spots open! You can enroll your children who will be in Kindergarten through 9th for the 2025-26 school year at a link up on their FB page. Enroll through this Friday, May 16, 2025 to guarantee bus transportation on the first day. Students who have 100% attendance for all 20 days of Summer Journey earn a $100 Visa gift card and are entered into a drawing to win a new iPad.