Kirksville Mayor Zac Burden has signed a proclamation recognizing November as National Hospice and Palliative Care Month. Beyond providing physical treatment, hospice attends to the patient’s emotional, spiritual, and family needs, and provides family services like respite care and bereavement counseling. Hospice of Northeast Missouri provides quality and dignified end-of-life care to local residents, serving Adair, Clark, Knox, Lewis, Macon, Putnam, Schuyler, Scotland, Shelby, and Sullivan counties. Staff at Hospice of Northeast Missouri go wherever the patient and their loved ones need care, whether that is in their home, the home of a family member, a nursing home, or an assisted living facility.
Chariton County bridge to be replaced
MoDot says the next bridge replacement project included in the Northwest Bridge Bundle project is scheduled to begin this month. The Chariton County Route PP Chariton River Overflow Bridge, near Salisbury, is scheduled to begin Monday, Nov. 17. Route PP is already closed for the replacement of the Mid Fork Chariton River Bridge to the east. The roadway is expected to reopen in early March 2026 following completion of the Chariton River Overflow Bridge project. During construction, motorists should seek an alternate route around the closure. The Chariton River Overflow Bridge was built in 1959 and has a traffic volume of approximately 426 vehicles per day.
Work set to begin on Route F
Weather permitting, as early as October 27, resurfacing repair work is scheduled to begin on Route F in Marion County, from Route E at Woodland to 0.2 mile west of U.S. Route 61 near Palmyra. Traffic will be reduced to one lane with a 10-foot width restriction at the location where crews are actively working. Flaggers and a pilot car will be utilized for traffic control to guide traffic through the work zone. All work is weather dependent and schedules are subject to change.
Kirksville Mayor proclaims Red Ribbon Week
Kirksville Mayor Zac Burden has issued a proclamation recognizing Red Ribbon Week from October 23 to October 31, 2025. Red Ribbon Week offers citizens the opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to drug-free lifestyles. Businesses, government, law enforcement, media, health care providers, religious institutions, schools, and other community-based organizations will demonstrate their commitment to drug-free lifestyles by wearing red ribbons and participating in drug prevention activities. Visible, unified efforts by community members can help prevent drug abuse.
Deal made for conservation easement
Last week at Sullivan County Title, Harve Rhodes, Chairman of the North Central Missouri Regional Water Commission (NCMRWC), and Tricia Burkhardt, Executive Director of the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation (MCHF) finalized agreements to establish a perpetual conservation easement around the Roy Blunt Reservoir (RBR). The conservation easement is established to mitigate for the 1,236 acres of Indiana Bat and Northern Long-eared bat habitat impacted by the construction of the RBR. Under the Endangered Species Act, adverse impacts to the habitat of endangered species warrants compensation. Because of this, the NCMRWC established a 1,644-acre conservation easement. The goals and restrictions within the easement align with the NCMRWC’s plan to preserve clean water.
Federal benefits in question
From the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Missouri WIC families should continue to attend appointments and shop with their WIC cards until further notice. Missouri WIC is still working with USDA to determine the status of November WIC benefits. Last week, Governor Kehoe’s office said the Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS) announced that, due to the federal government shutdown, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (USDA-FNS) has informed state agencies that November 2025 SNAP benefits cannot be issued. SNAP benefits are 100 percent federally funded, with each recipient receiving benefits from the federal government via their Electronic Benefit Transfer card. There is no mechanism for state appropriations to be transferred to cover this funding.
Check for Unclaimed Property
The City of Kirksville says, did you know one in 10 Missourians has unclaimed property with the Missouri State Treasurer’s Office, with the average return being $300? There are more than $3.1 million in unclaimed assets in Adair County. Unclaimed property or assets usually come from:
- Cash from bank accounts
- Stocks and bonds
- Contents of abandoned safe deposit boxes
- Uncollected insurance policy proceeds
- Government refunds
- Utility deposits and wages from past jobs
To find if you have unclaimed property, visit ShowMeMoney.com, click on the “Search for Unclaimed Property” box, and enter your information. If you have any unclaimed property, it will then guide you on claiming it.
To learn more or contact the State Treasurer’s Office, visit Treasurer.mo.gov.
Watch out for deer
The Missouri State Highway Patrol says drivers are reminded to watch for deer, which are more active this time of year, especially during evening and nighttime hours. Deer behavioral changes will be occurring due to mating season, which may cause an increase in roadway crossings. Hunting and crop harvesting may result in these animals being in places they aren’t usually seen. Drivers are urged to remain alert. When deer are seen, slow down and proceed with caution. Deer often travel in groups–stay on guard after a close call or when you see one deer. Natural features also affect deer movement. In areas where there are streams or wooded corridors surrounded by farmland, more deer may be present to cross roadways. Remember: Rural areas are not the only place where deer/vehicle strikes occur. In 2024 21.1 percent of the traffic crashes involving deer happened in urban areas. Last year, Missouri had 2,951 traffic crashes where deer-vehicle strikes occurred. One deer strike occurred every 2.98 hours in the state. In these crashes, four people were killed and 420 injured.
Update on Kirksville airport work
THe City of Kirksville says construction on the terminal isn’t all that’s happening at Kirksville Regional Airport. Runway markings received some fresh paint last week, and sections of built-up rubber were removed. The runway markings usually receive a touch-up every four years to maintain visibility, ensuring safety for takeoffs, landings and taxiing.
Ralls County homicide under investigation
The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the Division of Drug and Crime Control continues to investigate the October 12th Ralls County Homicide. The victim who was fatally shot during the incident has been identified as 55 year old Jonathan Floyd of Perry, Missouri. If anyone has information about the shooting, they are asked to contact Troop B Headquarters at 660-385-2132.