Kirksville Connection for April 2024
2024 Kirksville Diversity Festival
Come out for the 3rd Annual Kirksville Diversity Festival at the Rieger Armory in Kirksville on April 27, 2024, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. There will be terrific food, fantastic performances, and tons of family-friendly activities. It is free of charge and a great time. Come celebrate the breadth and depth of diversity in Kirksville and Northeast Missouri.
Week of the Young Child 2024
The City of Kirksville’s Parks and Recreation Department invites you to sing, play, and learn during the Week of the Young Child, April 22 through April 27, 2024. Hosted in partnership with the Kirksville Child Development Center, Adair County Public Library, Adair County Family YMCA and Kirksville R-III Parents as Teachers, the week will be packed with events and activities that celebrate young children and their families to promote early learning.
Keep furniture and appliances indoors
Now that the weather is warming up, and grilling season is here, please remember to keep your furniture and appliances indoors! Not your patio furniture, or your outdoor grill, of course. Just the old couch, kitchen chairs, fridge, or stove that might be on your lawn.
If you need to dispose of old furniture, each household may place one large household item at the curb each week alongside your RTS Waste Services trash tote container. The item must not be saturated. Additionally, a SEPARATE used appliance pick-up will be held the week of April 22 through 26, 2024, courtesy of our local recycling company, Victory Metals & Recycling. To schedule a pick-up, call Victory Metals & Recycling at 660.665.8000.
Infrastructure by the numbers
While there are many parts of infrastructure you can see with your own eyes, there are many underground, or some you might not have ever considered.
For example, did you know there are more than 155 miles of water lines and more than 100 miles of sewer mains beneath the city? In total, that’s close to the distance between Kirksville and Branson.
The City’s Utility Maintenance Division maintains those pipes to ensure clean water is supplied to nearly 7,000 customers in Kirksville, and that wastewater is safely taken away to the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Mowing season is here
As some have likely started mowing this spring, we want to remind residents and landscapers to keep grass clippings off the streets and out of storm drains. Blowing grass and other yard debris onto the sidewalk, street, or stormwater system is a violation of the Municipal Code and a danger to others.
Grass clippings, leaves, and other lawn debris can clog stormwater drains, resulting in flooding, and adding unnecessary biological matter to our stormwater system. In addition to environmental harm, you may be creating a safety hazard. Clippings can create a slippery and dangerous surface for traveling motorcyclists and bicyclists when blown into the street.
When you finish mowing, be sure to use a blower, broom, or rake to clean up any grass clippings or debris back into your yard where it will do the most good.
No FOG, no clog
The City of Kirksville would like to remind citizens to not pour fats, oils and grease down drains.
Those materials (FOG) enter the sewer system after someone has poured or flushed them down a sink, drain, or toilet. They cool and harden, sticking to sewer pipes. As time passes and more FOG enters the system, blockages build up and the sewer pipes can get completely clogged. Those substances can also mix with other items not supposed to be in the sewer, such as wipes, paper towels and hygiene products, and cause more trouble.
Those blockages can lead to sewer backup into your home, sewage overflow, and increased maintenance costs for the City to clean and repair damaged pipes.
So, what should you do instead?
If you have a small amount of grease after a meal, let it cool and harden. Then, wipe it away with a paper towel or newspaper and throw that in the trash.
If you have a large amount of oil or grease, let it cool, pour it into a covered disposable container like a coffee can or glass jar, then throw it away.
Keep FOG out of pipes to keep your home and the local sewer system safe.
Stream clean-up happening
The Truman Stream Team is hosting a stream clean-up for Earth Day on April 20. If you would like to learn more, or sign up to participate, message their Instagram account @TruStreamTeam.
April events schedule
For even more events this month, head to visitkirksville.com/t/upcoming-events.
Kirksville High School Art Exhibit. April 1 through 11 @ Sue Ross Arts Center.
See works of art produced by local students. There is a reception on April 11 from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm.
Stars Up, Lights Down Astronomy Program. April 5. 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm @ Thousand Hills State Park.
Head out for a celebration of International Dark Sky Week. Join others in learning about light pollution and exploring the sky above. Telescopes will be available but feel free to bring your own.
28th annual Spring Arts and Crafts Show. April 6. 9:00 am to 3:00 pm @ William Matthew Middle School.
Weave a Butterfly Basket. April 6. 9:00 am to 3:00 pm @ Sue Ross Arts Center.
Learn to weave a beautiful butterfly basket with Linda Colton. Register by stopping by the arts center or calling 660-665-0500.
ATSU Wellness Run/Walk. April 6. 9:00 am @ Thompson Campus Center.
The ATSU Wellness Run is a wonderful way to become active while supporting the mission and programs of Behavioral Health & Wellness under the Department of Student Affairs to assist in providing personalized support to ATSU students. All registered runners and walkers receive a T-shirt and post-race refreshments, and are entered to win door prizes. After the race enjoy a soft tissue massage by the SAAO stretch clinic.
Special Olympics Missouri North Area Spring Games. April 6. 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm @ Truman State University.
For more info, head to https://somo.org/calendar/north-area-spring-games-kirksville/.
“The Rocky Horror Show.” April 11, 12, 13, 19 and 20. @ James G. Severns Theatre.
Get ready to do the Time Warp again during several showings of the iconic production. See showtimes and purchase tickets at https://trumanstateuniversity.tixtrack.com/tickets/series/TheRockyHorrorShow.
Hoo Is Making That Noise? April 12. 7:00 pm @ Thousand Hills State Park.
Have you heard whistles, yelps, and tapping in the forest or near the shore and wondered who was making those sounds? Join park staff to get some answers as you explore animal calls. Meet at the Campground 1 amphitheater.
Mainstreet Kirksville Downtown Spruce Up. April 20. 9:00 am to 11:30 @ SIP Downtown.
Join members of Mainstreet Kirksville for a downtown cleanup as part of Earth Day. Help make a difference in the community with this great opportunity.
Earth Day. April 20. 10:00 am to 1:00 pm @ Thousand Hills State Park.
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. The Missouri Department of Conservation will be providing fishing opportunities during this event (there will be directional signs up in the park).
“Charlotte’s Web.” April 25, 26, 27. 7:30 pm @ Ophelia Parrish.
Go see a stage production of the classic children’s tale. Seating is limited, so make sure you grab tickets at boxoffice.truman.edu.
April meeting schedule
April 1: City Council Special Study Session. 6:00 pm @ City Hall
April 2: Lakes, Parks and Recreation Commission. 12:00 pm @ Kirksville Aquatic Center.
April 3: Tourism Advisory Board. 8:00 am @ Economic Development Alliance Building.
April 3: Kirksville Historic Preservation Commission. 4:00 pm @ City Hall.
April 8: City Council Swearing In and Study Session. 5:30 pm @ City Hall.
April 9: Airport and Transportation Commission. 12:00 pm @ Kirksville Aquatic Center.
April 15: City Council Meeting. 6:00 pm @ City Hall.
April 25: Friends of Forest-Llewellyn Cemetery Committee. 4:00 pm @ City Hall.