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As part of Missouri Severe Weather Preparedness Week, the Kirksville Fire Department and Adair County Emergency Communications Center would like to answer some frequently asked questions about storm sirens.
Why I can’t hear the sirens in my house?
Storm sirens are meant to be heard by people who are outside. The sirens are not designed to reach people inside buildings.
Then how will I know when there is a weather emergency?
Smartphones should receive emergency weather alerts without you needing to sign up for them. You should also pay attention to a NOAA weather radio or local media (TV, radio, mobile device, etc.) for local weather alerts.
When will the sirens go off?
Sirens can be activated due to a warning from the National Weather Service or if something credible has been seen by local authorities or spotters.
Are the sirens only for tornadoes?
Most people assume storm sirens only activate for tornadoes, but they can also activate for other dangerous weather situations such as extreme winds or large hail.

The City of Kirksville’s Parks and Recreation Department is now hiring seasonal staff for the summer of 2025. Apply at kirksville.gov/p/parks-recreation in the Join Our Team tab. Positions are available for admission desk attendants, concession stand workers, park maintenance workers, lifeguards, swimming lesson instructors and umpires. Positions are also available for the Public Works Department, including water treatment maintenance, wastewater maintenance, utility maintenance and streets maintenance. All applicants must be at least 15 years old (16 years old for maintenance applicants) by their first day of work. Selected applicants will receive free training and certifications, including the American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification.

One of Kirksville’s finest traditions returns to the Sue Ross Arts Center on Sunday, April 27th from 2-4 pm. A Tea to Remember is a fundraiser for the arts association and over the past nineteen years has become an event people enjoy and look forward to attending. Tickets are available at the Sue Ross Arts Center. The cost is $25 for KAA members and $30 for non-members attending. All proceeds benefit the Kirksville Arts Association. Purchase your ticket early and support Kirksville Arts while attending a lovely event.

Traffic on the Cook Road Bridge will be narrowed to one lane for roadside work that is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, March 5. The Missouri Department of Transportation will secure rocks at the east end of the bridge that were originally placed as an erosion-control measure during the bridge replacement project in 2024. Flaggers will guide motorists through the work zone. Motorists should expect delays. The work is scheduled from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day and is expected to be completed by Thursday, March 6. MoDOT asks drivers to work with us by always buckling up, keeping your phone down, slowing down and moving over in work zones. Know before you go and check what work zones you might encounter at traveler.modot.org.

The Macon County Sheriff’s Office says earlier Friday morning money was turned into the Sheriff’s Office. It was located at the ATM inside of Breaktime. If this is yours please come to the Sheriff’s Office knowing the amount of money you are missing and a transaction slip to confirm it is yours.

The Missouri Department of Transportation has contracted Capital Paving & Construction, LLC to replace the decks of two bridges in Andrew County and one in Buchanan County. The Jenkins Creek Bridge on Buchanan County Route DD is the first bridge scheduled to have its deck replaced beginning today. During construction, Route DD will be closed at the Jenkins Creek Bridge. Motorists will need to seek an alternate route. The Jenkins Creek Bridge is expected to reopen by mid-May 2025. Once construction is complete, crews will begin work on Upper Neely Bridge on Andrew County Route B then Lincoln Creek Bridge on Andrew County Route H.

February is the peak of breeding season for coyotes and continues into March. This means we typically see a spike in coyote activity this time of year. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) says it’s important to be vigilant of pets right now in areas where coyotes are known to live. Unlike many other kinds of wildlife, coyotes adapt particularly well around human development and coexist with people in many places. These areas can include municipal parks and other urban green space, golf courses, cemeteries, suburban wooded common areas, and even within subdivisions themselves.

The City of Kirksville invites residents to join City staff for multiple informational public events in March regarding Proposition B: Purpose-Built. Presentations will happen at 5:30 pm on March 26, 31 and April 1 at City Hall. These sessions will examine each piece of the proposal and offer residents a chance to ask questions and learn more about the project. Additionally, there will be public tours of City Hall and the Kirksville Police Station throughout the month. Tours will occur at 11:30 am, 12:00 pm, 12:30 pm and 5:15 pm every Tuesday and Wednesday in March. Tours will last roughly 30 minutes. Space is limited for each Police Station tour, so we ask that you register for your desired date and time by calling the station at 660.785.6945. Both buildings will also be open for tours from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm on Saturday, March 29, 2025.

The City of Kirksville says if you own or manage a Kirksville business, it’s time to complete your business license renewal for 2025. Business license renewals were mailed the first week of January on pink paper to valid business license holders. Business license renewals are due back to the City on or before February 28, 2025. Return the completed renewal form, along with all required documents and fees, to the Finance Department at City Hall. If you have not received your renewal notice, please contact the Finance Department at 660.627.1251. If not renewed by February 28, your business license is delinquent and subject to a $100 late fee.

The Prosecuting Attorney of Adair County, David Goring, says Brendon Lene of LaPlata recently pleaded guilty to second degree murder and armed criminal action, in connection to the death of Jared Newman. Lene killed Newman on April 1st of 2021. Lene was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the murder charge, and ten years for the armed criminal action offense. Those sentences will be served consecutively.