KIRX News

A Kirksville man was seriously injured in a crash on Friday. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol report, the crash happened just before 5 a.m. on Highway 6, two miles west of Novinger. A car traveled off the right side of the highway, struck an embankment and a tree and then overturned. The driver was taken to the hospital by ambulance.

A Milan woman was arrested for firing several rounds at a vehicle. According to Milan police, the suspect had allegedly been involved in an altercation with three people while in the 200 block of South Main Street. The woman has been charged in Sullivan County Circuit Court with assault in the first degree or attempt as well as armed criminal action.

Truman State University held multiple graduation ceremonies on Friday and Saturday, The University said that while the 2020-21 school year was affected by the pandemic, Truman was never in a position that necessitated pausing instruction or sending the entire student body home. As of April 27, Truman had a total of 521 cases among students and employees since July 2020. To accommodate in-person guests for graduation, Truman hosted seven separate ceremonies over two days, this weekend
Graduates were allowed two guests each, and Pershing Arena was socially distanced for each event and sanitized in between ceremonies.

The grand opening of the new Kirksville Aquatic Center will be on Saturday, June 19th, and pool passes for both the water park and indoor pool are now on sale. Swimmers can choose from a variety of pass options. Registration is now open for swim lessons with many different sessions and times to choose from. Visit www.kirksvillecity.com/KAC fo rmore details. You can register online, or by visiting the Parks and Recreation Office on the first floor of City Hall.

The Kirksville City Council made its selection to fill a vacant seat. According to a press release, Jennifer Walston was selected, through an application process, to fill the vacancy left by Chuck Long, who resigned on April 5 because he was moving out of the area.

Council members are responsible for filling vacancies that exist on the City Council, selecting someone to serve until the next municipal election in April 2022 when the voters will have a chance to select someone to serve the balance of this council seat.
Mayor Burden expressed appreciation to the four applicants, encouraging the remaining three to consider applying for any future vacancies that occur on any one of the City’s boards and commissions. In her application, Walston noted that she believes the City Council’s job description is first and foremost a call to listen, learn, discern, and act. In response to being selected for the seat, Walston said she is humbled and honored to be chosen to serve the city in this capacity during the coming year.

Walston will be sworn in this coming Monday. The City Council will hold a Special Council Meeting, followed by the regular Council Study Session, starting at 5:30 pm

Use of the Missouri National Guard will be sacaled back for COVID-19 vaccine support. Governor Mike Parson said the move comes as demand for the COVID-19 vaccine has significantly decreased. Parson added that Missouri is in a good place on the vaccine front, and that is thanks in large part to the tireless efforts of our National Guard members to get vaccines into the arms of Missourians. In addition, data shows that 80 percent of Missourians have access to a COVID-19 vaccine within a five mile radius of where they reside.The drawdown of National Guard involvement at mass vaccination site locations is set to be completed by June 1st.

Baltimore Street reopened to two-way traffic between Illinois and Jefferson after being closed for crossroad drainage work. At the same time, Jefferson Street is now closed to the east between Baltimore and Ely St. for work. This closure could last up to several days. There will be no east access to Baltimore from Jefferson Street. This side road closure is subject to the contractor’s progress. MoDOT advises that while Baltimore is opened up to traffic, there will continue to be intermittent closures for crossroad drainage work over the next few weeks. To stay up to date on this project, visit our Traveler Information Map at www.modot.org.

This week is Missouri Local Government Week, and during the May 3 City Council Meeting, Kirksville Mayor Zac Burden signed a proclamation declaring May 2 through 8, 2021 “Local Government Week” in the City of Kirksville. It states: “Local governments are the level of government closest to the people, and . . . are the ultimate expression of grassroots democracy, and . . . play an essential role in the quality of life in Missouri communities.”

The Kirksville Driver Examination Station is relocating. Captain Erik Gottman, commanding officer of Troop B, Macon, announced that effective May 14th, the local station will relocate from 1612 Osteopathy Avenue to 1702 East La Harpe Street. Driver’s license testing will take place at the new location in Kiksville starting that day, and will be conducted every first, third, and fifth Tuesday of the month and every Friday. Hours are 9 a.m. to noon, and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The month of May is National Preservation Month, and to celebrate, the City of Kirksville is partnering with the Office of Tourism to host Historic Walking Tours of local buildings designed by local architect Irwin Dunbar. The tours are scheduled for today, and next Thursday. Learn more on the City of Kirksville’s Facebook page.