KIRX News

Visit Kirksville says Saturday, March 1 is the 16th Annual Community Engagement Conference at the William Matthew Middle School in #Kirksville! You don’t want to miss this year’s FREE conference with Keynote Speaker Letisha Wexstten. To register visit https://www.communityengagementconference.org/

The Kirksville Police Department would like to update residents after seeking their help to locate a missing person. On December 30, 2024, KPD was advised of a missing person identified as Luciano Trujillo. During the subsequent investigation, police gathered information that Trujillo left the Kirksville area on his own accord and was in no physical danger. KPD is no longer considering Trujillo a missing person.

The City of Kirksville realizes that success emanates from citizen involvement. The City is eager to involve community-minded citizens in local government through one of our many Citizen Advisory Commissions. The City Council is currently accepting citizen applications for one opening on the Airport and Transportation Commission. This commission recommends policies, rules, legislative initiatives and other actions to enhance the aviation, rail, highway, local street, public transportation, traffic control and other transportation resources, facilities, systems and networks that serve Kirksville. Visit kirksville.gov/p/boards-commissions and submit your application before Monday, January 27, 2025, at 5:00 pm, to be considered for the opportunity to serve.

Yesterday, at a ceremony at the Missouri State Capitol, Mike Kehoe was sworn in as the 58th Governor of Missouri, marking a new chapter of leadership for the state. Governor Kehoe was sworn in by former U.S. Senator Roy Blunt, using a Bible that belonged to his mother, Lorriane Kehoe. Lieutenant Governor David Wasinger, Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, State Treasurer Vivek Malek, and Attorney General Andrew Bailey were also sworn in during today’s inauguration ceremony.

Did you get a letter from the City of Kirksville regarding your water service line? If so, please complete a short survey on our website at kirksville.gov/p/lead to add yours to our inventory. That link includes additional information on this project that may be helpful. Those who own multiple properties should submit entries for each property. If someone is unable to complete the form online, one can be filled out in the Administration Office on the second floor of City Hall.

Kirksville Police say an investigation is underway following an officer-involved shooting earlier yesterday. On Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at approximately 4:05 pm, Kirksville Police officers responded to a call of a person making threats with a knife inside a residence in the 1900 block of Canvasback Drive. As officers knocked on the door, they were confronted by an adult male, who produced a large knife, and an adult female who was screaming. Officers attempted to deescalate but the male charged the officers with the knife and one officer discharged their service weapon, striking the male. Officers immediately rendered first aid to the male, who was transported to Northeast Regional Medical Center and later pronounced deceased. The female in the residence and the two involved officers were unharmed. The Kirksville Police Department contacted the Missouri State Highway Patrol Division of Drug and Crime Control to take over the investigation.

Looking for something warm, fun and FREE to do on Friday night? Join Curtain Call Theatre Co. at their showing of Alfred Hitchcock’s classic movie thriller ” Rear Window,” starring Jimmy Stewart. Friday, January 10, 512 W Elizabeth St. Kirksville. Doors open at 6:30, showtime 7pm. Admission is free, but donations are greatly appreciated! Concessions available.

The United States Department of Justice has recognized the Kirksville Police Department’s contribution to the prosecution of Emily Nicole Yeary, resulting in a 40-year sentence in federal prison for the exploitation of minors in multiple states. KPD was part of a multistate investigation that revealed Yeary offended multiple victims, all minors, from Mississippi, Kentucky, Florida and Missouri. In February of 2018, KPD detained Yeary, and one of her juvenile victims was returned to family. In total, Yeary pleaded guilty to seven counts, including Enticement to Travel for Illegal Sexual Activity, Travel with Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Activity, Possession of Child Pornography, Obstruction of Justice, Tampering with a Witness, and Transfer of Obscene Material to a Minor. The sentencing took place on January 3, 2025. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice.

The Missouri Veterans Commission (MVC) has announced the launch of the new electronic Pre-Certification Application for Burial. The new digital application allows Veterans and their eligible dependents to electronically pre-certify for burial benefits, submit documents, and receive real-time notifications on the status of their application. Veterans and their eligible dependents interested in burial in one of the five state Veterans Cemeteries can access the Electronic Pre-Certification Application for Burial by visiting the Missouri Citizens portal. Users will need to create an account before completing the application. More information on burial eligibility can be found at mvc.dps.mo.gov/cemeteries/. Paper applications will still be accepted, and Veterans Service Officers will continue to assist Veterans in need.

An update from the Kirksville School District on construction work. JT Holman and crew have started the concrete paving of the new parking lot. The first section of paving was completed during Christmas week, before temperatures dropped. The next section is set to be poured on a warmer day. Just in time for school to start after break, the parking lot between the middle and high schools is fully back in use. Student drop-off and pick-up at William Matthew Middle School is back to normal starting Tuesday, January 7, 2025. The contractor crew had installed drainage lines below the south end of this lot in December.