Kirksville Connection for May 2025
Volunteers needed for Special Olympics Summer Games
Kirksville will be the site of the 2025 Special Olympics Missouri State Summer Games, May 30 through June 1, and the Truman State University campus will host all the events.
Volunteers are a crucial component of making the games a special event for athletes, families and spectators. There are more than 300 volunteer opportunities available during the event, from help at the athletic competitions to many of the support efforts. In addition to assistance for swimming, track and field, and powerlifting, volunteers will be needed for the opening ceremony, the Healthy Athletes stations, move in, bingo, crafts, photography and more.
Individuals and organizations can sign up for multiple volunteer opportunities as long as there is no time conflict between events. A complete list of volunteer needs can be found online at somo.volunteerhub.com/vv2/lp/state.
Take advantage of the Kirksville Aquatic Center this summer
Warm weather is right around the corner. Stay cool and enjoy plenty of fun at the Kirksville Aquatic Center this summer. Head to Kirksville.gov/p/kirksville-aquatic-center to see pricing options for passes this season.
Don’t know how to swim? You’re in luck because swim lessons are available. Water Exploration classes are designed for those between six months and three years of age. There are Group Lessons available for three years and up. Private lessons are also available for swimmers of all ages. Head to Kirksville.gov/p/rec-login to register.
The Kirksville Aquatic Center offers a scholarship program that provides financial assistance for qualifying students in Water Exploration and Group Lessons. Scholarships can also be used for water park passes for kids. See how to apply at Kirksville.gov/p/parks-recreation.
With Renew Active, those with eligible UnitedHealthcare, Medicare and adult Medicaid plans can get free access to the pool and attend water aerobics classes for free. Visit the Aquatic Center to get started.
Make the most of your summer with the Kirksville Aquatic Center. Don’t miss out on the Water Park, which opens May 24.
Mowing season is here — know what’s expected
Here’s the City’s rule as it relates to grass: it is every property owner’s responsibility to maintain their property, and that includes the mowing of their grass. City Code requires that grass, weeds, or obnoxious growths shall not exceed eight inches above the ground. Everyone who owns property in the City is responsible for keeping the grass and weeds down in their yards and to the center line of any alleyway, if applicable.
If you see a property not in compliance, please let us know by using the Citizen Service Request tool on the City website at Kirksville.gov/p/citizen-resource-center. We will reach out to the occupants and/or property owner. These individuals will receive a notice of violation that includes a compliance date. For more information, contact Code Enforcement at 660.627.1272.
City receives Budget Presentation Award
The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) has awarded the City of Kirksville with the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its 2025 budget.
This is the 38th time the City has received this award. The City also received special recognition for the strategic goals and strategies presented in the budget.
The award represents a significant achievement. It reflects the commitment of the governing body and staff to meet the highest principles of governmental budgeting. To receive the budget award, the entity had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. These guidelines are designed to assess how well an entity's budget serves as a policy document, financial plan, operations guide and communications device.
Budget documents must be rated "proficient" in all four categories, and in the 14 mandatory criteria within those categories, to receive the award.
If you would like to view the City of Kirksville’s 2025 Budget, head to Kirksville.gov/p/budget.
Household hazardous waste drop-off happening May 17
Household hazardous waste (HHW) drop-off for City residents will be Saturday, May 17, 2025, between 8:00 am and 12:00 pm at the Public Works Complex, located at 2001 N. Osteopathy St. Citizens must call Public Works to schedule an appointment. Citizens will not be allowed to drop off waste without an appointment. Appointments are limited and no additional appointments will be made once the schedule is full.
HHW applies to any leftover household products that contain corrosive, toxic, ignitable, or reactive ingredients. Commercial hazardous waste is not accepted. Latex paint is not accepted. You can dispose of latex paint in your trash as long as it is in a dry, solid, hardened state. You may use kitty litter or sand to harden it, or simply leave the lid off so it can dry out. A maximum of 10 total gallons of paint will be accepted from each citizen who has a scheduled appointment.
Along with latex paint, additional items that are not accepted are syringes, items containing mercury, knives, electronics, computer batteries, containers over five gallons, and cylinder items such as fire extinguishers, freon, helium, and propane bottles.
Positive and negative battery terminals must be covered with masking tape. If they are not taped, they will not be accepted. No computer batteries or cylinders of any kind will be accepted.
For more information, or to make an appointment, contact the Public Works Department at 660.627.1291!
2024 Water Quality Report now available
The 2024 Water Quality Report is now available. The report provides you with important information about your drinking water, and the City’s efforts to continue providing safe drinking water for our community.
This report is issued annually for the previous year and you may pick up a hard copy from the front counter at City Hall at 201 S. Franklin St., the Public Works Complex at 2001 N. Osteopathy, or view it online at dnrservices.mo.gov/ccr/MO2010429.pdf.
For more information, contact the Public Works Department at 660.627.1291.
Sgt. Juan Chairez receives Life Saving Award
The Kirksville Police Department was pleased to present Sgt. Juan Chairez with the Life Saving Award.
On January 8, 2025, at about 1:15 am, officers were dispatched to a residence in the 700 block of S. Sixth St. for a reported burglary in progress. Sgt. Chairez made contact with an adult male who said an unknown man had his girlfriend on the floor in a bedroom.
The door to the bedroom was blocked, and Sgt. Chairez forced it open. Upon entering, he observed a male subject on the floor, choking an adult female to unconsciousness. Sgt Chairez deployed his Taser and pulled the male off the victim. Once the suspect was in custody, assisting officers started first aid on the victim until medical personnel arrived. The victim was transported to Northeast Regional Medical Center and has recovered from her physical injuries.
Based on the victim’s unconscious status, there is no doubt that she would have suffered serious permanent injury or death had Sgt. Chairez not taken decisive action.
May events schedule
Kirksville Kiwanis Farmers’ Market, May 3, 7:00 am to 12:00 pm @ downtown Kirksville
The Kirksville Kiwanis Farmers’ Market opens for the 2025 season on Saturday, May 3. The market runs each Saturday from May through October, 7:00 am to 12:00 pm.
Amphibian Activities, May 4, 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm @ Thousand Hills State Park
Join park staff to celebrate the start of Amphibian Week. There will be a table where you can learn about amphibians found in Missouri, make an origami frog, and see if you can jump as far as a native frog. Meet at the picnic tables between the playground and the Oak Trail.
Kirksville Community Chorus Spring Concert, May 5, 7:00 pm @ 100 N. High St.
This year’s concert is a tribute to American folk music. There’s no charge for entry but donations will be accepted.
Truman State University Commencement, May 10 @ Stokes Stadium
The gates of Stokes Stadium will open at 1:00 pm for guests and seating is first come, first served. Tickets will not be required to enter the stadium. If you have questions concerning commencement that cannot be answered on the Spring Ceremony page, please contact the Registrar’s Office at registrar@truman.edu or 660.785.4143.
42nd annual Jim Baker-John McConnell Bass N’ Kids Fishing Tournament, May 10, 8:30 am @ Thousand Hills Marina
Kirksville Parks and Recreation, the 1000 Hills Bass Fishing Club, and the Missouri Department of Conservation invite you and your family to a fun-filled day of fishing and outdoor adventure at this longstanding community event! This free event is open to kids up to 15 years old and offers a great opportunity for kids to learn about fishing and enjoy a little friendly competition. Participants will enjoy free hot dogs and refreshments, and everyone will be entered into a drawing for awesome door prizes! Kids are encouraged to bring their own fishing rods and bait. A limited number of rods and bait will be available for those who need them.
4th annual United Way Charity Trivia Night, May 10, 7:00 pm @ 2405 E. Illinois St.
The United Way of Northeast Missouri is hosting its 4th annual Charity Trivia Night, with all proceeds benefiting our 10 local United Way agencies. Grab your smartest friends, or at least some fun ones, and sign up for this fun-filled night and a chance to win the $500 1st place payout! Each Team can consist of 8 players and team registration is $150, or $200 including mulligans. To sign up your team or for more information, please contact Bill Castles at 660.665.1924 or via e-mail at uwnemo@gmail.com.
A.T. Still University Commencement Ceremonies, May 16 and May 17
The Missouri School of Dentistry and Oral Health will hold its ceremony at 10:00 am on May 16 at Baldwin Hall Auditorium. The Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine’s will be on May 17 at the same time and place. Guests unable to attend in person may view the ceremony live at live.atsu.edu.
Kirksville High School Graduation, May 18, 2:00 pm @ Spainhower Field
See even more events on the community calendar at Kirksville.gov/p/calendar.
May meeting schedule
May 5: City Council Meeting, 6:00 pm @ City Hall
May 6: Lakes, Parks and Recreation Commission, 12:00 pm @ Kirksville Aquatic Center
May 12: City Council Study Session, 6:00 pm @ City Hall
May 13: Airport and Transportation Commission, 12:00 pm @ Kirksville Aquatic Center
May 14: Planning and Zoning Commission, 6:00 pm @ City Hall
May 15: Watershed Management Commission, 5:30 pm @ Economic Development Alliance Building
May 19: City Council Meeting, 6:00 pm @ City Hall
May 26: Memorial Day, offices closed