From October 7 – 12, Governor Mike Parson and First Lady Teresa Parson will travel to Japan for an international Trade Mission. Japan is a top source of foreign direct investment and key trade partner for Missouri, with more than $455 million in exports in 2022. Consistent with Governor Parson’s infrastructure and economic development priorities, the goal of the Trade Mission is to build relationships with key international figures to promote Missouri’s strong capacity for trade. Meetings are scheduled with company representatives that have existing relationships in Missouri to thank them for their investments in the state and companies without a presence in Missouri to encourage them to consider Missouri for future investments. The $455 million in goods exported to Japan in 2022 show the importance of international trade to the state’s economic success. Among the goods exported, processed foods, chemicals, and electronic products were among those in highest demand.
Adopt a Child Christmas Program begins
The annual Adopt-A-Child Christmas Program is designed to provide a special Christmas gift for more than 400 children in Adair County, ages newborn to 16, who otherwise might not receive a gift.
Sign up for Adopt-A-Child begins TODAY, October 2, 2023, and lasts through December 8, 2023. Sign up can be done at the Community Action Partnership of Northeast Missouri (215 S. Elson St.) on Tuesday and Wednesday, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, or by calling 660.665.9855 between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm from Monday through Thursday. Only the child’s legal guardian may apply. Please provide proof of guardianship, SNAP benefits and number, names and ages of children in the household (can be obtained through the Adair County Family Services Office in Kirksville).
Adopt-A-Child is sponsored by the Kirksville Firefighters Local 2952, 93.7 FM KTUF, and the Community Action Partnership of Northeast Missouri! For more information, contact Teresa at the Kirksville Fire Department at 660.665.3734!
Driver examination stations closed on Columbus Day
The Missouri State Highway Patrol would like to remind the public that driver examination stations throughout the state will be closed on Monday, October 9, 2023, in observance of Columbus Day. Normal operations will resume on Tuesday, October 10, 2023.
Kirksville girl hurt in wreck
A four-year-old girl from Kirksville was seriously injured in a crash that happened early Monday morning on US 36, two miles east of Monroe City. The Highway patrol says 31 year old James Fisher was driving a Freighliner Cascadia and ran off the right side of the roadway and overturned. Fisher was not wearing a seat belt and suffered minor injuries. The child was transported by air services to University medical center. The Freightliner was totaled.
Police say public helped ID suspect in felony case
The Kirksville Police Department would like to make residents aware that their help identifying a suspect regarding several reports of vehicle damage last year has led to a felony charge. On April 12 and 13, 2022, Kirksville Police received reports of slashed tires on seven vehicles in the 400, 500 and 800 blocks of North Franklin Street. The damage to these vehicles totaled just under $2,200 to repair. Police were able to identify a suspect with the aid of the public after releasing the suspect’s photo. The suspect was identified as Michael Douglas Thomas, a 50-year-old male, formerly of Shelby County, Missouri. Kirksville Police applied for an arrest warrant for Michael Douglas Thomas in May 2022, however, he had already fled the area. Michael Douglas Thomas was since charged in Adair County Court with one felony count of property damage. His first court appearance in Adair County was September 27, 2023.
Section of East LaHarpe Street closed this morning
City crews will be striping East LaHarpe Street, from South Franklin Street to South Baltimore Street, beginning at 9:00 am on Thursday, September 28. The new striping adds bike lanes on both sides of the street. The center turn lane will be eliminated for most of the roadway. With sidewalk already present on the north side of the street, this area can accommodate pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. These changes were a recommendation from a Traffic Engineering Assistance Program study performed by engineering firm and were approved by the Kirksville City Council. The changes are also in accordance with the Kirksville Active Mobility Plan, which guides the development of bike lanes, trails and sidewalks by emphasizing safety, health and interconnectivity. This work will last for approximately two hours. No lane closures are anticipated but drivers could experience delays during the painting and are encouraged to utilize alternate routes.
Truman Theater puts on “12 Angry Jurors”
Truman Theatre’s first production of the year will be “12 Angry Jurors” and will run nightly at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 28-30 and at 2 p.m. Oct. 1 in the Severns Theater. When a person’s life is at stake, what constitutes reasonable doubt becomes the most important question. In “12 Angry Jurors,” adapted by Sherman L. Sergel, personalities clash, tempers flare and the clock ticks as 12 people try to come to a unanimous verdict in a murder trial. This tense and enlightening story pits reason against passion, bigotry against fact, and callousness against caring until the very end. Is a young man guilty of murder and deserving of death, or is there a reasonable doubt? Tickets for this play, directed by Jonathan Wehmeyer, can be purchased by visiting boxoffice.truman.edu.
Milan Chamber of Commerce sets special presentation
The Milan Chamber of Commerce says Join them for a Special Presentation with Missouri Main Street and Missouri Main Street Connection!. The will unveil their branding and rendering ideas for the betterment of our community. There are two days available: October 9, 6:15 PM – 8:15 PM or October 10, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
United Way kicks off campaign
Today is the kickoff for the United Way of Northeast Missouri’s 2024 Capital Campaign. The event takes place between 6 and 8 p.m. at White Oaks Wedding Barn in Kirksville. Activities scheduled for the kickoff include: A Wine Cork Pull, children’s games and the Illusion Danz Team from Truman State University. Representatives of all eleven agencies that United Way supports will be set up at tables to answer questions and talk about how they use the monies they receive from the proceeds of the Campaign.
Lyceum tickets available for October 6th show
The Kirksville Arts Association says Lyceum tickets for the Liverpool Legends are now available at the Sue Ross Arts Center, 215 S. Franklin. Truman has again made the tickets available to the public at no cost. The Lyceum performance will be October 6th at 7 pm at Baldwin Hall. The Sue Ross Arts Center is open Monday through Friday 11 am to 4 pm. We will be closed this Saturday, September 30th for a private event. We will reopen Monday, October 2nd at 11 am.