KIRX News

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.

The City of Kirksville invites you to attend the State of the City Address, to be held Monday, February 24, 2025, at 5:30 pm, at the Economic Development Alliance Building, located at 315 S. Franklin St. The State of the City Address will be delivered by Kirksville Mayor Zac Burden. Hear about key projects that will happen or begin this year, along with other priorities for the City in 2025. If you can’t make it, the address will be recorded and available to watch on the City’s YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/kirksvillecity.

The City of Milan is canceling the 2025 swimming season at the Milan Municipal Swimming Poll. The decision was made because of the urgent repairs needed to address the facility’s aged infrastructure. A thorough inspection and assessment determined that the current infrastructure conditions pose major financial obligations to address the necessary repairs, which are extensive, and imperative to ensure the pool meets the highest safety standards. The City of Milan is in the early planning stages of evaluating the extent of necessary repairs and the financial cost to do that work.

The 42nd annual Truman Piano Festival and Piano Fellowship Competition will take place Feb. 14-15. Performances will begin with a guest recital by Dr. Oliver Jia, a piano faculty member from Bilkent University in Turkey. With a repertoire of dozens of concertos and more than two hundred solo and chamber works, Jia has performed for audiences worldwide. He made his official debut at the Isaac Stern Auditorium in Carnegie Hall, playing Sergey Prokofiev’s “Piano Concerto No. 5” with the Juilliard Orchestra. Jia’s recital will take place at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 14 in the Ophelia Parrish Performance Hall. A live stream will be available at outube.com/@trumanmusicconcerts/streams. As part of the festival, Jia will present master classes and serve as a judge for students participating in the fellowship competition, Feb. 15. The top three competition participants will perform on Truman’s newly refurbished Steinway D and be professionally recorded during the winners’ recital at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 15 in the Ophelia Parrish Performance Hall. Both recitals are free and open to the public.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol would like to remind the public that driver examination stations throughout the state will be closed on the following dates:
Wednesday, February 12, 2025, in observance of Lincoln’s birthday. Normal operations will resume on Thursday, February 13, 2025.
Monday, February 17, 2025, in observance of Washington’s birthday. Normal operations will resume on Tuesday, February 18, 2025.