Kirksville Connection for January 2023
Kirk-Tran to become City of Kirksville service
Kirk-Tran public transportation will become a City of Kirksville service beginning in January 2023. The Kirksville City Council approved the move at its meeting on December 19, 2022.
Kirk-Tran has operated as non-profit since its inception in 2002 and provides roughly 15,000 rides each year. This move will continue to provide reliable and affordable public transportation in Kirksville.
“Kirk-Tran is in a stable place and remains the only fully accessible public transportation system in Kirksville and Adair County. It now makes sense for the City of Kirksville to take the reins of Kirk-Tran and include this service as part of the global transportation conversation for our community” said Terry Combs, Treasurer of Kirk-Tran, and long-time Board Member.
“With the City of Kirksville coming in to take over the administration of it, we have the ability to maintain its longevity and, hopefully, make it thrive even more into the future,” said Mayor Zac Burden.
Just about everything you know about Kirk-Tran will remain the same. The in-city fare is still $3.00 and $4.00 for stops outside city limits. Punch passes and coupon booklets will be available at City Hall. And anyone can still reserve a ride by calling either 1.877.666.KIRK or 660.665.8404.
Kirk-Tran will continue to offer both the deviated fixed route and the on-demand service. Kirk-Tran has operated as a partnership between the community, OATS and the Missouri Department of Transportation. These partnerships remain strong with this change.
Kraft Heinz Kardboard Boat Race scheduled for January 22, 2023
Get ready to put those leftover Christmas gift boxes to good use! Join us at the Kirksville Aquatic Center on Sunday, January 22, 2023, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, and take part in the Kraft Heinz Kardboard Boat Race.
Children ages 5 to 16 can sign up as an individual or as a team of up to four people and put their building skills to the test. Participants must construct a boat structure using cardboard, duct tape and water-based paint, and attempt to make it across the pool in the fastest time. Teams will compete in age divisions based on the average age of the team and can win in multiple categories, such as Fastest Time and Best Design.
This event is completely free for all participants and spectators thanks to our event sponsor, Kraft Heinz! Register today at parks.kirksvillecity.com.
For more information, please contact Luke Callaghan with the Parks and Recreation Department at 660.627.1485.
Participate in FCC’s challenge to map broadband gaps
To ensure federal funding reaches local communities, citizens are encouraged to check the FCC’s broadband coverage map and verify the services and speeds listed for their address.
That map can be found at https://bit.ly/3WCkyzq. For in-depth instructions on how to use the tool, visit bit.ly/3BSsy7f.
By establishing that a given location does not have the level of service listed on the map, the challenge process can open that location up to future funding opportunities and increase Missouri’s share of Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program funding. Initial estimates indicate that each additional challenge that successfully identifies a new unserved location could be worth thousands of dollars of broadband infrastructure funding to the state.
“Lack of access to broadband prevents many Missourians from taking advantage of the digital economy,” Missouri’s Office of Broadband Development Director BJ Tanksley said. “To bridge the digital divide across the state of Missouri, we need to document who in Missouri doesn’t have broadband coverage.”
January 13 is the deadline to file a challenge.
For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3v5uHZL.
2023 Indoor Triathlon Challenge begins January 9
Join Kirksville Parks and Recreation and the Adair County Family YMCA for the 2023 Indoor Triathlon Challenge!
The event will run from January 9 through March 5, 2023. During this eight-week challenge, participants will complete either a full triathlon, half triathlon, or ultra triathlon. Participants will have full access to the YMCA and the Aquatic Center, as well as all classes offered at those facilities.
Those who complete the mileage goals will receive the 2023 Indoor Triathlon sweatshirt.
Biking mileage can be earned through the use of a rowing machine, recumbent or spin bike, outdoor cycling, or participation in group aerobic classes. Swim distance can be accumulated by lap swimming, water walking, or water aerobics classes. Running mileage can be tallied while on the treadmill, elliptical machine, running outside, or participating in group aerobic classes.
Registration is $40 for members of either facility, or $80 for non-members. If you have an active membership at the YMCA or the Aquatic Center, please register at that facility. Non-members may register at either facility or online at parks.kirksvillecity.com.
For more information about this program contact the Kirksville Parks and Recreation Department at 660.627.1485.
Marijuana sales tax to be on Municipal Election ballot
The Kirksville City Council has approved a 3 percent sales tax on marijuana sales to go on the April 4, 2023, ballot. If approved by voters, that would generate an estimated $12,805 per month and $153,660 annually.
The City would split the funding 50/50 between the Kirksville Police Department and community development.
A piece of Amendment 3, which Missouri voters approved this past November to remove prohibitions on marijuana, allowed local municipalities to implement an optional 3 percent sales tax on recreational marijuana, pending the approval of voters in that area. Several Missouri municipalities have announced similar plans.
January events schedule
First Day Guided Hike. January 1, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm @ Thousand Hills State Park.
Join park staff for a leisurely hike on the Red Bud Trail, which is approximately two miles long. Make sure you wear weather-appropriate clothing, comfortable hiking shoes and a water bottle. Meetup will be at the Red Bud Trailhead. For more info, call the park office at 660.665.6995.
Regional Artists Exhibit. Runs from January 16 to February 24.
The Sue Ross Arts Center is hosting several area artists early in 2023. The center is open Monday through Friday from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, and on Saturday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. There is no charge to visit the exhibit.
Truman State University Art Gallery Exhibit. Runs from January 24 to March 3.
The Truman gallery has two exhibits to start the year. They are Exercises in Letting Go from Nirmal Raja and Home/Body from Madeleine LeMieux. The gallery is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 am to 7:00 pm, Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, and on Saturday from 12:00 pm to 4:30 pm. All exhibits are free and open to the public. The gallery is located on the first floor of the Ophelia Parrish Fine Arts Center.
The Kohlenberg Lyceum Series presents Rhonda Vincent. January 27, 7:30 pm @ Baldwin Auditorium.
Northeast Missouri’s own Rhonda Vincent will headline the next performance. Vincent and her band, The Rage, are the most awarded band in bluegrass history. She is an eight-time Grammy nominee and was inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 2020. All events will take place at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free but tickets are required and can be reserved at the Sue Ross Arts Center in downtown Kirksville, the Advancement Office in McClain Hall 205 and the SAB window in the Student Union Building. For additional information, visit lyceum.truman.edu, call 660.785.4133 or email lyceumseries@truman.edu.
January meeting schedule
January 3: Tourism Advisory Board, 8:00 am @ Economic Development Alliance Building.
January 3: Lakes, Parks and Recreation Commission, 12:00 pm @ Kirksville Aquatic Center.
January 4: Kirksville Historic Preservation Commission, 4:00 pm @ City Hall.
January 9: City Council Study Session, 6:00 pm @ City Hall.
January 11: Planning and Zoning Commission, 6:00 pm @ City Hall.
January 16: City offices closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
January 19: Watershed Management Commission, 5:30 pm @ Economic Development Alliance Building.
January 26: Friends of Forest-Llewellyn Cemetery, 4:00 pm @ City Hall.