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Serious injuries in a wreck in Ralls County yesterday afternoon. The Missouri State Highway Patrol says 93-year-old Virginia Ogle of Center, Missouri, was driving a GMC Acadia westbound on U.S. Highway 61 at New London, and tried to make a right turn onto northbound U.S. Highway 61, and was hit by a Hyundai Elantra driven by 22-year-old Gavin Golden of Hannibal, Missouri. Golden was not wearing a seat belt. He suffered serious injuries and was taken by helicopter to University Hospital Columbia.

A reminder from Kirksville Police: Cutting across a business or private parking lot is to avoid a stoplight or stop sign at an intersection is against the law. City of Kirksville ordinance 38-236 reads: Avoiding traffic-control device or sign; penalty. It shall be unlawful for the driver of any vehicle to drive such vehicle across private or public property to avoid an official traffic-control device or an official traffic-control sign.This violation is commonly seen at busy intersections such as Baltimore and Jefferson (depicted) or Baltimore and Green, where to avoid traffic backup, drivers cut across property to avoid what is ahead. This is in violation of the city ordinance and can be very dangerous.

The City of Kirksville has received notice that it has been awarded a Safe Streets For All grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The City will receive up to $96,000, which will be used to conduct a safety audit of U.S. Highway 63. The results of this audit will be incorporated into work being done by the Northeast Regional Planning Commission and used to justify and encourage support for safety improvements identified from the audit. “Highway 63 is an important roadway for everyday transportation for the people of Kirksville that has allowed for great travel and recreation opportunities and economic growth,” said City Manager Mari Macomber. “Maintaining and maximizing safety on a critical part of infrastructure will always be crucial. This study will help continue that mission.” A grant agreement between the City and USDOT will be completed over the next few weeks. Other details are not yet known at this time. Please stay tuned to official City communications for updates regarding this project.

Join Kirksville Parks and Recreation and the Adair County Family YMCA for the 2024 Indoor Triathlon Challenge. The challenge will be held January 8 through March 10, 2024. During this nine-week challenge, participants will complete either a half triathlon, full triathlon, or ULTRA triathlon. Participants will have full access to the YMCA and the Kirksville Aquatic Center, as well as all classes offered at those facilities. Biking mileage can be earned through the use of a rowing machine, recumbent or spin bike, outdoor cycling, or participation in group aerobic classes. Swim distance can be accumulated by lap swimming, water walking, or water aerobics classes. Running mileage can be tallied while on the treadmill, elliptical machine, running outside, or participating in group aerobic classes. Those who complete their goal will receive the 2024 Indoor Triathlon sweatshirt.

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. Remember to wear your seat belt, obey all traffic laws, pay attention, and please, don’t drive impaired. Over the 2022 Christmas holiday, there were 1,017 traffic crashes statewide. In those crashes, four people were killed and another 318 were injured. This year’s traffic crash counting period begins at 6 p.m. on Friday, December 22, and ends at 11:59 p.m. Monday, December 25, 2023. 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.

First Day hikes are popular ways to kick off the new year in a healthy, outdoors-oriented fashion. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) invites people to take part in a First Day Hike Jan. 1 at MDC’s Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation Area on the west side of Branson. The 1,534-acre Henning Area is primarily forested and features a variety of wildlife viewing opportunities so participants should bring binoculars and cameras. MDC staff from MDC’s Shepherd of the Hills Conservation Center will lead the hike. This event, which is open to all ages, will be from 10 a.m.-noon. Participants will meet at the Henning Area’s main parking lot, which is located on U.S. Highway 76/376 three-fourths of a mile west of the Butterfly Palace. Hikers should wear weather-appropriate clothing and hiking shoes and should bring their own water.

Two people were moderately hurt in a crash in Ralls County early yesterday morning, on U.S. 61, two miles south of Hannibal. While crossing U.S. 61, 26-year-old Jeremy Conrad, driving a Jeep Wrangler, failed to yield to a Ford Escape and the Frd Escape was hit on the side. Conrad, and a passenger in the Wrangler, were hurt.

Serious injuries in a head-on crash in Lewis County early yesterday morning. The Missouri State Highway Patrol says 40-year-old Franklin Riley of Hannibal was driving a Chevy S10 on Missouri 6, just west of Durham, when the vehicle crossed the center line and hit an Acura RSX head-on. Riley was taken to Blessing Hospital in Quincy. The driver of the Acura, 21-year-old Bodey Perry of Ewing, was taken by air to University Hospital in Columbia. Neither driver was wearing a seat belt. Both vehicles were totaled.

The City of Kirksville is still seeking applicants for openings on the Kirksville Historic Preservation Committee. If you or someone you know has education and experience in the fields of History, Archeology, Architectural History, Architecture and Historic Architecture, head over to kirksvillecity.com/p/boards-commissions and apply. The deadline is Friday.

Not every bird migrates south in winter. Some of the species that can be found in the Ozarks at this time of year make alterations to their routines so they can survive times of colder temperatures and leaner food sources. People can learn more about how birds survive winter at the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) virtual program “Birds: Birds In Winter.” This online program, which will be from 10-10:30 a.m. on Dec. 27, is being put on by the staff of MDC’s Shepherd of the Hills Conservation Center in Branson. This program is open to all ages. At this program, MDC Naturalist Lead Eden will discuss various adaptations birds make to help them survive winter. She will also provide some tips on what people can do to help birds at this time of year.