KIRX News

The Missouri Emergency Management Agency says the state will observe Severe Weather Preparedness Week from March 3rd to 7th. Missouri’s annual statewide tornado drill will also be held on Wednesday, March 5 at 11 a.m. as part of the week’s preparedness activities. Some Missouri communities may choose to conduct the drill on a different day due to conflicting local events. At 11 a.m. on the day of the tornado drill, NOAA weather radios set to receive the Routine Weekly Tests (RWTs) will alert listeners that the tornado drill has begun. Outdoor warning sirens will also sound across participating Missouri communities. At that time, participants should practice taking cover in a designated shelter area or an interior room on the lowest level of a secure structure.

The United Way of Northeast Missouri will hold its annual meeting and awards ceremony on Thursday, February 27th, at 5:30 p.m. in the Dukum Inn side room. The special event will celebrate the organization’s 70th Anniversary in Kirksville.

The Kirksville Police Department says the Missouri State Highway Patrol maintains a website covering crime statistics throughout the state. Showmecrime.mo.gov is a publicly available site where anyone can access the most current crime statistics for most cities and counties in Missouri, including Kirksville. You can explore several crime categories and see how they have changed over the last few years. For example, in the City of Kirksville since 2021, burglaries have decreased by more than 55 percent, larceny (theft) has decreased by more than 45 percent, motor vehicle thefts have decreased by 60 percent, and total violent crimes have decreased by 20 percent.

Visit Kirksville says support your local downtown businesses and join #DowntownKirksville for the Annual Spring Shop Hop – Saturday, March 29! Stop by each participating business to get your Downtown Kirksville Passport stamped and experience what each unique business has to offer. Once your passport is stamped by at least 5 businesses, turn it in for an entry to win 1 of 2 $30 gift cards to the participating business of your choice. To make it easy, passports can be picked up and returned to any of the participating businesses during the event.

After completing the selection process, the hiring committee and school board are pleased to announce that Lindsey Fraser has been chosen as the next Principal of Kirksville High School for the 2025-26 school year. Mrs. Fraser currently serves as Assistant Principal at KHS and will officially assume her new role on July 1, 2025.

The City of Milan says due to the harsh weather conditions, disconnect day for non-payment of utility bills, which typically occurs on the 20th of the month, will be extended to MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2025. Customers with an outstanding balance are encouraged to settle their delinquent account prior to Monday, 2/24, to avoid service interruptions, reconnection fees, or addional charges. If customers have questions or need to make special arrangements, please call City Hall at 660-265-4411.

Kirksville Police have made a third arrest in connection with what is believed to be a staged armed robbery that occurred in January. On February 15, 2025, KPD arrested 40-year-old Anthony Lloyd Williams, of Kirksville, for his involvement in the robbery of New Star Mart on January 8, 2025. He has been charged in Adair County with First-Degree Robbery, a Class A felony. Kaydyn Aldridge and James Findling Jr. have previously been charged in connection to this investigation. Aldridge was identified as the suspect who entered the store, threatened to shoot the clerk, then left with an undisclosed amount of cash. Police determined the clerk working at the time of the incident, Findling Jr., was a willing participant in the robbery and is accused of planning the robbery. The continued investigation discovered Williams provided transportation for Aldridge to and from the store. The investigation into the robbery is still active.

Governor Mike Kehoe signed Executive Order 25-18, directing all Missouri state agencies to eliminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives and ensure compliance with the constitutional principle of equal protection under the law. The order bars the use of state funds for DEI and prevents agencies from considering DEI in their hiring decisions. While this order directs the removal of DEI-based programs, it does not apply to any requirements in federal or state statute that uphold the rights and freedoms of Missouri citizens. State agencies will continue to enforce all laws that prohibit discrimination and ensure fairness for all citizens.

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.