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All City offices will be closed on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, for New Year’s Day. The Kirksville Aquatic Center will also be closed that day and will close at 5:00 pm on New Year’s Eve.

The Missouri State Highway patrol says on December 20, 2024, at approximately 2:54 p.m., the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the Missouri State Highway Patrol regarding a barricaded subject at a residence in LaBelle, Missouri. The preliminary investigation revealed a female was allegedly assaulted and held against her will at the residence by Chadwick H. Kelly, 33, of Qunicy, Illinois. It was also determined that Kelly was wanted by Illinois authorities for a felony probation warrant and reportedly armed with a gun. The female victim was able to escape from the residence and had visible injuries. Negotiators and Special Weapons and Tactical Teams (SWAT) from Troop F (Jefferson City), and Troop C (Weldon Spring) responded to assist with the incident. During the negotiations, Kelly fired numerous rounds from inside the residence, toward officers. Kelly later ran from the residence armed with a gun and members of the Patrol fired their weapons. The Lewis County Coroner responded to the scene and pronounced Kelly deceased.

One person was seriously injured in a crash Friday evening in Macon County. The Missouri State Highway Patrol says a Cadillac was northbound on U.S. Highway 63 and Lantern Street at the North LaPlata Junction, while a Jeep was southbound. The driver of the Cadillac turned into the path of the Jeep. The driver of the Cadillac, a 66 year old man from Kahoka, Missouri, was taken to Northeast Regional Hospital. He was not wearing a seat belt.

Crews from the Missouri Department of Transportation will close Mercer County Route M, east of Mercer, for a culvert replacement this Thursday, Dec. 19. Route M will be closed from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. between Coral Avenue and Route W. Motorists will need to use an alternate route during the closure. All work is weather-permitting, and schedules are subject to change.

In observance of Christmas Eve and Christmas, City offices will be closed on Tuesday, December 24, and Wednesday, December 25, 2024. The Kirksville Aquatic Center will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. City offices will also be closed on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, for New Year’s Day. The Aquatic Center will be closed that day and will close at 5:00 pm on New Year’s Eve.

TG Missouri, a division of Toyoda Gosei, has announced that it will expand in Perryville, investing approximately $97 million over the next three years. The announcement comes following Governor Mike Parson’s Trade Mission to Japan last year. The company’s expansion includes a commitment to maintain at least 1,600 full-time jobs, with benefits, in Perryville. TG Missouri’s expansion will install new equipment, allow for further automation, and provide new business for its Perryville facility, which serves as TG North America’s main location.

The City of Kirksville is pleased to announce that the bridge on North Lincoln Street has reopened. Thanks to quick action and hard work from the City’s Street Department, repairs were completed ahead of schedule.

Did you get a letter from the City of Kirksville regarding your water service line? If so, please complete a short survey on our website at www.kirksville.gov/p/lead to add yours to our inventory. That link includes additional information on this project that may be helpful. Those who own multiple properties should submit entries for each property. If someone is unable to complete the form online, one can be filled out in the Administration Office on the second floor of City Hall.

The Kirksville R-III School Board is very pleased to announce the appointment of Tricia Reger as the next Superintendent of the Kirksville R-III School District. After thoughtful deliberation, we are confident Mrs. Reger’s strong character, professional excellence, and extensive experience will guide our district forward. In the coming days, we will implement our comprehensive process to select Mrs. Reger’s replacement as Assistant Superintendent. We are proud of our dedicated staff and look forward to advancing our strategic priorities under Mrs. Reger’s leadership. Mrs. Reger will take over her new role effective July 1, 2025.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol wishes everyone a merry and safe Christmas. One way for it to be merry is for everyone to arrive at their holiday celebrations safely. Wear your seat belt, obey all traffic laws, pay attention, and please, don’t drive impaired. Remember: Missouri is now a hands-free state. Over the 2023 Christmas holiday, there were 1,034 traffic crashes statewide. In those crashes, three people were killed and another 346 were injured. Last year, the 78-hour counting period began at 6 p.m. Friday, December 22, 2023, and ended at 11:59 p.m. Monday, December 25, 2023. The 2024 counting period begins at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, December 24, and ends at 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, December 25, 2024. Travelers are reminded that holiday drivers will affect traffic patterns. If you’re planning a trip during the holiday, please keep this in mind. Drivers are encouraged to make sure they are well rested, no matter how short their driving distance. Check the weather forecast and plan accordingly. Downloading the MoDOT Traveler Information app to your smart phone allows you to check road conditions before you travel. Be proactive: Make sure your vehicle is in good condition and allow enough time to reach your destination safely. Winterize your vehicle before bad weather arrives, but realize that sometimes, it’s safest to stay home.