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The City of Kirksville’s parks system has benefited from several grant awards in recent months. Recently, the City used two Non-Playground Scrap Tire Grants administered by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to fund the purchase of 24 benches and four picnic tables. Twenty of the benches were installed in City parks, including Patryla Park, North Park and Rotary Park. The Kirksville Police Department secured the remaining four benches and picnic tables, which are being used at the City’s Shooting Range. The benches and tables are constructed in part from recycled tire material. The installation of these pieces of public seating have diverted approximately 3,100 pounds of rubber from landfills. Additionally, new play features were installed at McKinney Bark Park in early October. These features were funded in part by a grant through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Region “C” Northeast Missouri Solid Waste Management District. The dog play features are constructed of recycled plastic materials and include ramps, agility features, an adjustable height jump, a slide and two benches.

A former Kirksville Police officer has been arrested on multiple sex charges. Kirksville Police say In July of 2022, a report was made to the Kirksville Police Department alleging serious criminal activity by a former officer and City employee during their tenure several years ago. The individual has not been an officer with the Kirksville Police Department since 2013. In an effort to ensure transparency and an unbiased investigation, the Kirksville Police Department requested the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control conduct the investigation in its entirety. Throughout the investigation, the Kirksville Police Department fully cooperated with the Highway Patrol’s investigators and provided them with any and all requested records or information. The Highway Patrol says investigators learned 46-year-old Faren Lindsey, now of Shelbyville, had allegedly sexually assaulted the underage female victim several times over a two-year period beginning in July 1999. On October 25, 2023, an arrest warrant was issued and Faren J. Lindsey was taken into custody by the Highway Patrol. The Highway Patrol says Lindsey was indicted on three counts of statutory sodomy, one count of statutory rape, and one count of forcible rape.

Governor Mike Parson ordered all U.S. and Missouri flags to fly at half-staff at Northeast Correctional Center, the Missouri Department of Corrections’ headquarters in Jefferson City, and all government buildings in Pike County from sunrise to sunset on October 26, 2023, as a mark of respect for Missouri Correctional Officer Kelly Bernard Rolando. The flags will be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Thursday, October 26, 2023.

The Macon County Health Department says today is the drive-thru flu clinic in La Plata. They will be on the east side of the La Plata park from 1:30-4 pm. They will have flu vaccines for adults, including high-dose available for those who are 65 and older. We will also have the updated fall COVID-19 vaccine. You can get them at the same time if you want to! Please bring your insurance card. If you have Medicare, be sure to bring your red, white, and blue Medicare card and any advantage plan or supplement plan card you may have. We have Fluarix flu vaccine and Moderna COVID vaccine available at no cost for those who are uninsured and underinsured (meaning your insurance will not pay for this service).

In Kirksville, a new mural went up yesterday on the Princess Emporium building in the downtown. A great partnership between the Kirksville Tourism Department (Visit Kirksville), the Kirksville Arts Association and the Princess Emporium reinvigorated this piece of art.

For the first time in its seven-year history, Buckle Up Phone Down is the law in Missouri. The Missouri Department of Transportation and the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety, along with various safety partners across the state, are marking this milestone during the seventh annual Buckle Up Phone Down Day challenge on Oct. 25. In August, the Siddens-Bening Hands-Free Law took effect in Missouri, prohibiting all drivers from using a handheld electronic communication device while driving. The law aims to address distracted driving, which contributed to crashes that claimed the lives of more than 800 people across the state from 2012-2021. Paired with the requirement to wear a seat belt, the enactment of the hands-free legislation means BUPD is officially law in Missouri. Under this law, drivers are prohibited from physically holding or supporting a cell phone with any part of their body; manually typing, writing, sending, or reading text-based messages; recording, posting, sending or broadcasting video, including video calls and social media posts; and watching a video or movie.

One person suffered serious injuries in a single-vehicle crash in Monroe County on Tuesday afternoon. The Missouri State Highway Patrol says 71-year-old Gale Wilkerson was driving a dump truck on Route M, eight miles southwest of Paris, when he went off the right side of the road, overcorrected, went off the left side of the road, and overturned. He was taken to University Hospital in Columbia. He was not wearing a seat belt.

Effective immediately and until further notice, usage of the City of Milan’s roll-off dumpster has been discontinued. At this time, residents are encouraged to seek alternative methods to dispose of debris and bulk waste. As a reminder, Bulk Collection is offered through RTS Waste. Residents are reminded that any lot or land that has the presence of debris of any kind will be declared a public nuisance, per City Ordinance.

A note from the city of Milan, crews will be milling & asphalting on S. Main Street & Spring Street over the next few days, weather permitting. Please use caution when traveling in these areas.

One person suffered serious injuries in a crash in Caldwell County yesterday. The Missouri State Highway Patrol says 29-year-old Danielle Dunning of Maysville was in a Ford F150, headed northbound, crossing U.S. 36 at Business 36 a mile west of Hamilton, when she failed to stop at a stop sign and traveled into the path of a Chevy Traverse that was headed westbound. Dunning was seriously hurt, and was taken to Liberty Hospital. Both vehicles were totaled.