KIRX News

Ameren Missouri filed a proposal with the Public Service Commission for a rate hike to improve its electric and natural gas systems. The new rates would take effect in 2022 to reflect major upgrades to electric and natural gas system reliability and resiliency for customers, as well as investments to support the transition to cleaner energy for the benefit of customers and local communities. If approved by regulators, the rate adjustment in 2022 would cost an average electric customer about $12 a month (based on approximately 1,029 kilowatt-hours of usage per month). For Ameren Missouri’s natural gas customers, largely located in central and southeast Missouri, the adjustment in base rates would cost about $4 a month for the average residential customer. If approved, the new electric rate request reflects a 5.4% total increase over an almost five-year period, a yearly average of approximately 1%.

Baltimore Street improvements in Kirksville set to begin this week. The project consists of resurfacing, American with Disabilities (ADA) improvements and drainage improvements. The project will run from just north of Illinois Street to just south of Patterson Street. MoDOT Area Engineer Amy Crawford says with these improvements safety will be increased for everyone.

With the completion of two additional building façade renovation projects, progress continues with the City’s Downtown Revitalization Program. The two projects recently completed by the City’s contractor – Sparks Constructors, Inc., of Kirksville – are at 107 and 119 W. Washington St. Projects currently underway include 111 and 113 W. Washington St. The Downtown Revitalization Program allows the City and property owners to share in the cost to revitalize these facades through funds generated by the Downtown Tax Increment Finance (TIF) District. These same funds will also be used for new sidewalk, pedestrian lights, street trees, benches, and trashcans in the Program’s target areas. Assistant City Manager Ashley Young says the goal is for building façade and public infrastructure improvements to work together in attracting businesses, shoppers, and events to the Downtown and help revitalize the heart of the community.

The month of April marks Missouri’s annual No MOre Trash Bash coordinated by the Missouri Department of Transportation. During the annual statewide anti-litter event, volunteers are encouraged to clean up litter adjacent to highways to help beautify Missouri. Last year, MoDOT spent $6.4 million to remove litter from more than 385,000 acres of roadsides along 34,000 state highway miles. The annual volunteer efforts to pick up litter along Missouri highways – including the Adopt-A-Highway program – have been valued at more than $1 million.

The Adair County Health Department confirmed one new case of COVID-19 on the last day of March and two additional cases on the first day of April. The total case count is now 2,387 with 29 active cases and 2,338 people who have left isolation. The case of a 20-year-old female in the higher education sector was confirmed March 31. Cases confirmed yesterday involve a 40-year-old female and a 46-year-old male. All three individuals reside at addresses with at least one other confirmed case.

Forest Lake, in Thousand Hills State Park, will be temporarily closed for all recreational activities from April 15 to 25, to allow the City to treat the invasive species known as curly-leaf pondweed. Boating, fishing, swimming, or any other activity allowed on or in Forest Lake will be prohibited during this time period. If testing indicates that additional closure time is needed to ensure effective treatment, an additional press release will be issued. Additionally, the Forest Lake boat ramp will be blocked and signs will be posted during this temporary closure.
Forest Lake is a drinking source lake that provides water for all Adair County residents. This program for treatment of curly-leaf pondweed has been approved by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. The City will draw water from Hazel Creek Lake – the City’s other drinking source lake – during this treatment process. The City says they are committed to providing quality drinking water to all of Adair County. For more information, contact the Public Works Department at 660.627.1291.

Scotland County is consolidating its voting locations for the Tuesday, April 6 election. Voters will cast their ballots at the Boyer Center, located on the northeast corner of the square in Memphis. According to the Scotland County Clerk, the consolidation will result in 10-15 percent overall savings. All voters will have access to the curbside ballot call stations, purchased with funds from the CARES Act. These stations allow voters to remain in their vehicles, press a button, and a poll worker brought the ballot to the car. Absentee voting is available through Friday, 8:30am until 4:00pm, from 8:00am until noon on Saturday, April 3, and 8:30am until 5:00pm on Monday, April 5th.

The City of Kirksville is reminding voters that the General Municipal Election is next Tuesday, April 6th. For a sample ballot, or to find your polling location, contact the County Clerk at 660.665.2552. There are 6 candidates running for the Kirksville R-III School Board, and there are 4 candidates vying for one open seat for Kirksville City Council. Voters will also decide wether or not to approve a sales tax for courthouse renovations.

Kirksville R-III School District 2021-2022 Kindergarten Enrollment is happening this week: today from 7:00 am – 3:30 pm, and tomorrow from 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm. Children MUST be 5 years old before August 11th. Parents are asked to bring the following forms: child’s birth certificate, immunization record, and proof of residency, like an electric bill. Arrangements for bussing will also be made availabe at this time. Registration packets are available online to be completed in advance. Find them on the school district’s website. Due to COVID 19 protocols the school distict asks that only one parent attends the Kindergarten Enrollment.

The Missouri Public Service Commission approved a request that will temporarily increase the qualifying federal poverty level associated with Ameren Missouri’s Keeping Current Low Income Pilot Program. Under the change approved by the Commission, the qualifying federal poverty level will increase from 150 percent to 200 percent for the Keeping Current heating program and from 150 percent to 250 percent for Ameren Missouri’s Keeping Current cooling program. These increases in the qualifying federal poverty level will take effect on April 1, and remain in effect through December 31st. Ameren Missouri sought the change so that it can provide assistance to additional customers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Keeping Current Low Income Pilot Program is designed to provide bill payment assistance to eligible low-income customers.