KIRX News

Law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty were honored during a memorial service at the State Capitol Saturday. Eight officers who died in the line of duty during 2020 were added to Law Enforcement Wall of Honor. Recently Confirmed Historical Line-of-Duty Deaths include S. Dent Owen – On Jan. 3, 1929, Monroe City Marshal S. Dent Owen died from injuries suffered in a head-on collision on Highway 36 while driving a vehicle that had been stolen and that he had recovered during an investigation. The families of the fallen and representatives of law enforcement agencies from across Missouri participated in Saturday’s ceremony, with Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe and Attorney General Eric Schmitt delivering remarks.

Friday was Arbor Day, and the City of Kirksville announced that they recently planted forty-nine new trees at P.C. Mills Park, Memorial Park, McKinney Bark Park, and Spur Pond, which were funded in part through the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Tree Resource Improvement and Maintenance grant program. As a Tree City USA community, the TRIM grant has assisted the City with the planting of trees throughout parks and public spaces, while also educating citizens about tree planting and continued maintenance.

A bridge replacement project is set to begin today on Missouri Route 149 in Adair County. Crews will close Missouri Route 149 at Shuteye Creek, located three miles south of Adair County Route D near Connelsville, for bridge replacement. The project could take up to 90 days of work. Once complete, Shuteye Creek will be 24 feet wide and have two-foot shoulders, while allowing two-lane traffic to cross.

The Restaurant Revitalization Fund application portal opens on Monday, May 3 at 11:00 a.m. However, you can register for an account starting today. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, online application will remain open to any eligible establishment until all funds are exhausted. Register for an account at restaurants.sba.gov. This program provides emergency assistance for eligible restaurants, bars, and other qualifying businesses impacted by COVID-19.

The Adair County Health Department’s Mask Order, which applies to all of Adair County, including the City of Kirksville, is scheduled to expire tomorrow, May 1st. The City of Kirksville would like to remind residents that while the Mask Order is scheduled to expire, private entities, including local businesses and workplaces, are not prohibited from establishing and enforcing their own rules regarding masks / face coverings, social distancing, etc. The City asks that residents and visitors be respectful of these rules.

The Schuyler County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help regarding a theft. At approximately 1150 pm on Wedneday, a white 98 Ford Ranger was stolen around the area of US Highway 63 and US Highway 136 by Tri County Electric. The vehicle was recovered yesterday morning at Caboose Ave and Rt P which is north of Queen City. Anyone with information about the theft is asked to contact the Schuyler County Sheriffs Office.

The number of COVID-19 vaccination doses that have been administered is up 5% this week compared to last week’s numbers. According to the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services dashboard, there have been 14,314 doses administered in Adair County. As of Tuesday, 27% of residents are fully vaccinated. 31% of people in Adair County have received at least one dose of the vaccine, for a total of 7,877 people 27% of people in Adair County are fully vaccinated, for a total of 6,816 people.

The City Council is still accepting applications from qualified individuals who would like to be considered by the City Council to fill a vacant seat on the City Council. Applications will be accepted in the Office of the City Clerk until 5:00 pm, Monday, May 3rd. The seat became vacant with the resignation of Chuck Long. By law, the City Council is required to appoint someone to fill this vacancy until someone is elected in the next April election. The selected applicant will begin their duties on the City Council sometime in May 2021. Find applications on the City’s website at kirksvillecity.com/CouncilApp, or by visiting the City Clerk’s Office in City Hall. In addition to the application, applicants are to complete a Statement of Interest, and must execute this Statement in the presence of the City Clerk or Deputy City Clerk.

Governor Mike Parson announced this week that the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program Energy Assistance Program is extending one-time primary heating bill payments through May 31st. In addition, eligibility for both the heating and cooling programs are expanding will now allow a family of four with an annual income of up to $51,021 to receive benefits compared to an annual income of $35,364. Find more information online at MyDSS.mo.gov.

Missouri State Troopers responded to multiple crashes in Northeast Missouri on Monday. One crash in Scotland County involved a teenager. The 16-year-old male driver, from Lancaster, was on US-136, one mile west of Memphis, when his Ford Ranger ran off the road and struck a utility pole. He had minor injuries and sought treatment on his own. The Ford Ranger had extensive damage.

A Brookfield man suffered moderate injuries in a one-vehicle Linn County Monday afternoon. 35-year-old John Thompson was driving on US-36, five miles east of Brookfield, when he ran off the road and struck a ditch. Thompson was taken to Pershing Memorial Hospital in Brookfield for treatment.