KIRX News

Weather permitting, as early as February 24, a resurfacing project is scheduled to begin on five disconnected sections of the northbound and southbound lanes of U.S. Route 63, from 0.6 mile south of Route YY in Macon County to 1.8 miles north of U.S. Route 24 near Moberly in Randolph County. The beginning phase of work will include concrete repairs, culvert work and diamond grinding. Asphalt operations are scheduled to begin in early summer. Traffic will be reduced to one lane with a 10-foot width restriction at the location where crews are actively working. Signs, including message boards, will be utilized for traffic control and alerts, such as schedule changes.

The 56th Upsilon Phi Jazz Festival will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2025 in Baldwin Auditorium at Truman State University in #Kirksville . This year’s festival will feature Matt Wilson’s Good Trouble. A New York-based drummer, Wilson combines buoyant zeal, idiosyncratic style, infectious humor, joyous swing and an indomitable spirit of surprise, making him one of the most in-demand players and educators in jazz today. He has appeared on more than 500 albums and has released 20 acclaimed recordings as a leader. He was named 2018 Musician of the Year by the Jazz Journalists Association, and his album “Honey and Salt” won 2018 Album of the Year.

The Missouri Department of Transportation has contracted Capital Paving & Construction, LLC to replace the decks of two bridges in Andrew County and one in Buchanan County. The Jenkins Creek Bridge on Buchanan County Route DD is the first bridge scheduled to have its deck replaced beginning Monday, March 3. Traffic Impacts: During construction, Route DD will be closed at the Jenkins Creek Bridge. Motorists will need to seek an alternate route. The Jenkins Creek Bridge is expected to reopen by mid-May 2025. Once construction is complete, crews will begin work on Upper Neely Bridge on Andrew County Route B then Lincoln Creek Bridge on Andrew County Route H.

All Kirksville City offices will be closed on Monday, February 17, 2025, in observance of Presidents Day. However, the Kirksville Aquatic Center will be open for regular hours. Trash collection is not affected by this holiday. All City offices will reopen on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, for regular business hours.

The City of Kirksville is under a snow emergency. All vehicles parked on designated Snow Emergency Routes, including streets in the Downtown, had to be moved by midnight. Vehicles not moved by then are subject to being ticketed and/or towed. The Snow Emergency will remain in place until terminated. Forecasts for this storm indicate the potential for heavy snow over the course of the day today. The City of Kirksville encourages drivers to stay off the roads as much as possible if these conditions occur. That helps you stay safe and helps snowplows work as efficiently as possible. The City asks residents to monitor its communication channels for further details as the weather develops. Additionally, the City will announce the termination of the Snow Emergency.

The Missouri Emergency Management Agency says each February, Missouri observes Earthquake Awareness Month to emphasize preparedness for the risk of another major earthquake occurring in the New Madrid Seismic Zone. While no one can predict when an earthquake will occur, scientists agree that large earthquakes in this zone still pose a risk. Experts estimate a 25% to 40% chance of a large earthquake occurring in the next 50 years. When shaking starts, the best way to stay safe and protect yourself from falling debris is the “Drop, Cover and Hold On” technique. Drop to your knees, cover your head, get under a desk or table if possible and hold on until the shaking stops. Experts say that in developed countries with modern structures, falling debris is the most common source of injury.

The City of Kirksville says they appreciate the interest residents have shown in Prop B: Purpose-Built thus far. We look forward to continued engagement with our residents leading up to April 8.
We’d like to address some misinformation out there that may confuse those trying to learn about this project.
– City Hall wouldn’t be demolished. An addition that connects to the current building would be constructed.
– The proposed sales tax wouldn’t amount to 38 cents per dollar. It is 3/8 of one cent per dollar. It would amount to approximately one cent for every $3 spent.
– The tax would be in place for 20 years, though it could sunset sooner if the needed amount is reached before then. The ballot language specifically states it would be in place: “until the earlier of September 30, 2045, or when the financing of such improvements has been paid in full.” So, whichever comes first, that will end the tax.
– The Adair County Courthouse is not a City of Kirksville building. The courthouse is the base of operations for the County. The City and County are separate entities.
We encourage curious residents to visit kirksville.gov/p/purposebuilt to learn about this project.

The Macon County Sheriff’s Office says it has been reported to them that someone is calling local businesses saying they are an employee of our agency. They are requesting emergency call backs. The Sheriff’s Office is not contacting anyone or requesting call backs. This is a scam.

Emergency crews responded to a fatal wreck in Macon County on Saturday afternoon. The Missouri State Highway Patrol says a 45-year-old man from Macon was driving a Chevy on Highway PP, three miles east of Macon, when the vehicle went off the right side of the road, and the driver overcorrected. The vehicle slid off the left side of the roadway, and then hit a fence, slid into a pond, and became submerged. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

City of Kirksville says as a way of thanking the Kirksville community, Truman State University students, alumni, faculty, and staff are participating in the 24th annual BIG Event. On Saturday, March 29th, 2025, hundreds of Truman volunteers will provide service to community residents by raking leaves, washing windows, painting, and more. Residents may register for service by filling out the form. We also have a dropbox at City Hall for forms that were in this month’s newsletter. Make sure you’re signed up before 5:00 pm on March 21.