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MoDot has announced road work. In Adair County… U.S. Route 63 Northbound – November 12, CLOSED for environmental clean-up at the eastbound turn lane at Route P (Fairview Drive) off of U.S. 63 North between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. In Macon County… U.S. Route 36 – November 17 – 21, LANE RESTRICTION for bridge maintenance from Eagle Avenue to 0.75 mile east of Eagle Avenue over Chariton River between 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. A 12-foot width restriction will be in place where crews are actively working.

This fall, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) encourages landowners to keep an eye out for invasive plant species on their property. Invasive plant species often keep their green leaves into late fall and even early winter, making them easier to spot amongst native vegetation. This adaptation allows invasive plants to outcompete native plants but offers landowners an additional window of time for treatment. Bush Honeysuckle and Autumn Olive are the two most prevalent shrubby invasives in central Missouri that are easily spotted during this time of year. Both Bush Honeysuckle and Autumn Olive retain their green leaves among dormant vegetation making them easy to target with foliar, basal bark, and cut stump treatments during the fall.

MoDot says Signs indicating a weight limit changes for three bridges in Montgomery County have been installed at the following locations:
Route K over the Loutre River: 20 tons for single-unit vehicles and 35 tons for combination tractor-trailers. This bridge, built in 1960, is scheduled to be replaced next year.
Route K over Dry Fork Creek: 20 tons for single-unit vehicles and 40 tons for combination tractor-trailers. This bridge, built in 1960. Currently, no timeframe has been set for replacing the bridge.
Missouri Route 161 over Coon Creek: 20 tons for single-unit vehicles and 35 tons for combination tractor-trailers. This bridge was built in 1963, with major rehabilitations done in 2014. Currently, no timeframe has been set for replacing the bridge.
The department is currently analyzing load ratings to stay in compliance with Federal Highway Administration Guidance. Be on the lookout for more load posting updates.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has received several reports of a fish kill at Beuth Park Lake in Moberly. After investigating, MDC determined the incident was likely a natural fish kill, and there is no cause for public concern. MDC thanks the members of the public who reported the issue. Fish kills can occur naturally in Missouri and refer to the sudden death of fish in a lake or stream. Each year, MDC handles around 100 fish kills and other water quality events that pose a threat to fish, wildlife, and recreation. Of these events, 75 to 80 percent are caused by natural events, as is the case at Beuth Park Lake. The remaining events typically are the result of pollution, chlorinated water, or chemical spills that contaminate waterways.

The City of Kirksville says portable space heaters have become a popular way to heat single rooms or areas in a home. With colder temperatures arriving, the Kirksville Fire Department wants to remind residents of some simple ways to use these devices safely. Each year, the department responds to fires caused by the misuse of these heaters. Follow these recommendations to remain warm and safe this season:
Only buy a heater with the seal of a qualified testing laboratory.
Plug the heater directly into a wall outlet and never into an extension cord.
Keep the heater at least three feet away from anything that can burn, including people.
Choose a heater with a thermostat and overheat protection.
Place the heater on a solid, flat surface.
Make sure your heater has an auto shut-off function if it tips over.
Keep heaters out of the way of foot traffic and never block an exit.
Heaters should be turned off and unplugged when you leave the room or go to sleep.

In observance of Veterans Day, all Kirksville City offices will be closed on Tuesday, November 11, 2025. The Kirksville Aquatic Center will be open for regular hours that day. The City of Kirksville would like to express its gratitude to the men and women who have served. We encourage residents to attend the Adair County Veterans Organizations’ Veterans Day Ceremony at 11:00 am on November 11 at the VFW Adair Post 2508, located at 21464 Parallel Road.

Kirksville Mayor Zac Burden has signed a proclamation recognizing November as National Hospice and Palliative Care Month. Beyond providing physical treatment, hospice attends to the patient’s emotional, spiritual, and family needs, and provides family services like respite care and bereavement counseling. Hospice of Northeast Missouri provides quality and dignified end-of-life care to local residents, serving Adair, Clark, Knox, Lewis, Macon, Putnam, Schuyler, Scotland, Shelby, and Sullivan counties. Staff at Hospice of Northeast Missouri go wherever the patient and their loved ones need care, whether that is in their home, the home of a family member, a nursing home, or an assisted living facility.

MoDot says the next bridge replacement project included in the Northwest Bridge Bundle project is scheduled to begin this month. The Chariton County Route PP Chariton River Overflow Bridge, near Salisbury, is scheduled to begin Monday, Nov. 17. Route PP is already closed for the replacement of the Mid Fork Chariton River Bridge to the east. The roadway is expected to reopen in early March 2026 following completion of the Chariton River Overflow Bridge project. During construction, motorists should seek an alternate route around the closure. The Chariton River Overflow Bridge was built in 1959 and has a traffic volume of approximately 426 vehicles per day.

Weather permitting, as early as October 27, resurfacing repair work is scheduled to begin on Route F in Marion County, from Route E at Woodland to 0.2 mile west of U.S. Route 61 near Palmyra. Traffic will be reduced to one lane with a 10-foot width restriction at the location where crews are actively working. Flaggers and a pilot car will be utilized for traffic control to guide traffic through the work zone. All work is weather dependent and schedules are subject to change.

Kirksville Mayor Zac Burden has issued a proclamation recognizing Red Ribbon Week from October 23 to October 31, 2025. Red Ribbon Week offers citizens the opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to drug-free lifestyles. Businesses, government, law enforcement, media, health care providers, religious institutions, schools, and other community-based organizations will demonstrate their commitment to drug-free lifestyles by wearing red ribbons and participating in drug prevention activities. Visible, unified efforts by community members can help prevent drug abuse.