Kirksville Connection for April 2023
Kirk’s Capital Improvement Tournament
The City of Kirksville needs the public’s help identifying projects to spend federal funds on. To do that, a bracket with 16 projects was organized. Every resident may submit a bracket to voice support.
For each round a project advances to, it will get a point. Every bracket will be tallied and the projects will be ranked by how many total points each received. Each project has been assigned a budget allocation that either represents the full cost of the project or seed money.
The City will start with the project that received the most total points, then work down the list until all funds have been exhausted. The plan is to spend money on multiple projects.
To submit a bracket online, or find more information on the plan or the projects, visit www.kirksvillecity.com/capitaltournament.
Don’t forget to vote on April 4
Make sure you take the time to go vote on Tuesday, April 4. There are two spots available on the Kirksville City Council and three on the Kirksville R-III School Board. There is also a marijuana sales tax proposal, which, for Kirksville voters, will be on the back side of their ballot.
The above video is a candidate forum that features candidates running for the City Council and School Board.
Below is a fact sheet regarding the City’s sales tax proposal.
Take advantage of Renew Active at the Kirksville Aquatic Center
Have you heard the exciting news? Renew Active is now partnering with the Kirksville Aquatic Center!
Access to the Aquatic Center is available at no additional cost with UnitedHealthcare Medicare and adult Medicaid plans. This also includes your ability to attend water aerobics classes at no charge. Setting up your pool pass is easy; simply bring your UnitedHealthcare Medicare or Medicaid card to the Kirksville Aquatic Center any weekday between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm.
Assistant Parks and Recreation Director, Robin Harden, will be happy to assist you.
Celebrate Earth Day
Head out to Thousand Hills State Park for a fun and educational event. Local organizations will have stations and activities set up around the beach parking lot and the paved trail. Come connect with the Earth and nature through unique opportunities facilitated by community members! There will be activities and educational booths for all ages at this free event!
SB40, a local nonprofit, will be selling snacks and drinks as a fundraiser during the event. The Missouri Department of Conservation will be providing fishing opportunities along the shore just past the beach showerhouse and at the ADA accessible fishing dock.
Help out with a downtown cleanup
Main Street Kirksville is hosting a downtown cleanup earlier in the morning on April 22. That will run from 9:00 am to 11:00 am, so there’s time to do a little work in downtown Kirksville before heading out to the Earth Day event at the state park.
Everyone will meet at Sip, located on the corner of North Elson Street and West Harrison Street. Bags and other supplies will be available there. For more info, stay tuned to the Main Street Kirksville Facebook page.
The Diversity Festival returns
The Kirksville Diversity Festival will celebrate the breadth and depth of our community diversity through food, performances, and activities. Cultural activities will be led by members of the Kirksville community including representatives from the City of Kirksville, ATSU and Truman.
Stay tuned to the social media channels for those entities as the event gets closer.
Local E911 services celebrate 50 years of service
April 9 through 15, 2023, marks the annual National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, honoring men and women who respond to emergency calls, dispatch emergency professionals and equipment, and render life-saving assistance to the citizens and visitors of Kirksville and Adair County.
This year also marks 50 years of 911 service in our community, with the first basic 911 system installed in 1973, only five years after the first 911 call was made in 1968. This was a significant achievement for the community, as only 17% of the country had access to 911 in 1973. Our local implementation predates larger communities like Chicago, which didn't receive 911 service until 1976.
In 2022, the Adair County 911 Center fielded over 13,000 911 phone calls, nearly 60,000 administrative and non-emergency phone calls, and tracked 62,108 incidents for their customer agencies including Kirksville Police and Fire Departments, Adair County Sheriff's Office, Adair County Ambulance District, Adair County Fire Department, and Truman State University Police.
Let the City know of a problem by submitting a Citizen Service Request
Got a pothole in your street? Have you had an issue with trash or recycling pickup? Make sure you let us know by submitting a Citizen Service Request. Head over to www.kirksvillecity.com/311/request/add and follow along with the instructions. After entering a location, you'll have a large number of categories to choose from, that way your concern gets sent to the correct department.
April events schedule
ATSU Spring Wellness Run. April 1, 9:00 am @ Thompson Campus Center.
Register at the TCC, before the race, or online at active.com. Proceeds benefit the ATSU Student Emergency Fund and Smiles For Veterans.
Foolin’ Around Downtown. April 1.
Support local downtown shops with in-store specials and refreshments available at several businesses.
Fairyland Princess Tea Party. April 1, 11:00 am to 2:00 pm @ the Kirksville Masonic Temple.
Crafts, games, food and drinks will be available. For more info, call 660-341-4042.
United Way Charity Trivia Night. April 1, 7:00 pm @ the Kirksville Moose Lodge.
Grab your smartest friends and compete for a chance to win $500, all while supporting the United Way. For more info and to register, email uwnemo@gmail.com.
Area Junior High Student Art Showcase. April 3 through 15 at the Sue Ross Arts Center.
45th Annual Easter Egg Hunt. April 8, 10:00 am @ Truman State Quad.
Let your kids hunt for eggs, meet the Easter Bunny, and have plenty of fun at this annual event.
Kirk’s Capital Improvement Tournament Public Meeting. April 12, 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm @ Rieger Armory.
Need help submitting a bracket or have questions about the project? Stop by and take care of both of those items.
United Way Charity Poker Tournament. April 19, 5:30 pm @ Dukum Inn.
International Dark Sky Week Night Sky Program. April 20, 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm @ Thousand Hills State Park.
Come on out to Thousand Hills State Park to learn about the night sky above you and take part in celebrating International Dark Sky Week. There will be telescopes but everybody is welcome to bring their own telescopes, chairs, and binoculars. Meet at the Point Shelter at Thousand Hills State Park.
Children’s Literature Festival. April 21 @ Truman State.
Eleven authors from across the country will be on campus to share their books with fourth, fifth and sixth grade students. The public is invited but online registration is due by April 10. Visit https://childrensliteraturefestival.truman.edu for more info or to register.
23rd Annual Daddy Daughter Dance. April 21, 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm @ the NEMO Fair Building.
Head to https://visitkirksville.com/events/month/2023-04/ to see a full list of events.
April meeting schedule
April 3: City Council, 6:00 pm @ City Hall.
April 4: Tourism Advisory Board, 8:00 am @ the Economic Development Alliance Building.
April 4: Lakes, Parks and Recreation, 12:00 pm @ the Kirksville Aquatic Center.
April 10: City Council Special Session and Study Session, 5:30 pm @ City Hall.
April 11: Airport and Transportation Commission, 12:00 pm @ City Hall.
April 12: E911 Joint Services Board, 1:30 pm @ City Hall.
April 12: Planning and Zoning, 6:00 pm @ City Hall.
April 17: City Council, 6:00 pm @ City Hall.
April 27: Friends of Forest-Llewellyn Cemetery, 4:00 pm @ City Hall.