Kirksville Connection for November 2022
Enjoy festive fun with Kirksville’s Hometown Holiday
It’s almost time to get in the holiday spirit with Kirksville’s Hometown Holiday, scheduled for Saturday, November 26, 2022. Some of the city’s favorite traditions return, along with some new events and activities for people to enjoy.
Get a head start on your shopping by visiting local businesses as part of Small Business Saturday from 10 am to 8 pm.
The 11th Annual Kirksville Kiwanis Club Christmas Parade will line up at 4:30 pm and begin at 5:30 pm. The route will head south down Franklin Street, turn right onto Washington Street, then head north onto Elson Street.
Waiting at Dover Park is a new tree fixture created by local artist Brandon Crandall. The Fouch Family, former owners of Fouch’s Christmas Tree Farm, serve as this year’s parade grand marshals. They will flip a switch at 6:00 pm to light up the trees.
After that, several activities will be going on around the square from 6:15 pm to 8:00 pm. Stop by Pickler’s Famous to grab some cookies and get your picture taken with Santa. Enjoy Living Windows in several storefronts. And hot chocolate stations will be setup on the square.
We hope you’ll join us in Downtown Kirksville! For more information, head to VisitKirksville.com.
There is still time for local groups to sign up for the parade. Email kirksvillekiwanis@gmail.com for registration information. The deadline is Monday, November 21.
Kirksville Police open new training range
The range provides increased and more accessible training opportunities for members of the Kirksville Police Department.
“This will allow KPD to train in a realistic and dynamic way, focusing on officer safety, de-escalation, real-time decision-making and proper application of force, when necessary,” said Kirksville Police Chief Scott Williamson.
The range will also strengthen partnerships between area law enforcement agencies such as the Adair County Sheriff’s Office, Truman State Department of Public Safety and Missouri State Highway Patrol for joint training.
This range was constructed over the last 11 months by the Public Works Department and outside contractors.
Next year, KPD looks to expand the facility’s use with community involvement through special events.
“From youth pellet gun competitions to rifle sight-in days, we see this as an opportunity to create stronger bonds between law enforcement and the community,” Williamson said.
Don’t forget to vote
The 2022 General Election will happen on November 8, though absentee voting by mail or in person is already underway.
Visit the Adair County website or call the County Clerk’s Office at 660.665.3350 to make sure you are prepared to vote.
City offices closed multiple days in November
City offices will be closed on Friday, November 11, 2022, in observance of Veterans Day. They will re-open on Monday, November 13, 2022.
City offices will also be closed on Thursday, November 24 and Friday, November 25 for Thanksgiving.
Administrative warrants to help City resolve longstanding code violations
At the October 17 meeting, the Kirksville City Council approved an ordinance adopting an administrative warrant procedure.
This type of warrant is necessary to investigate the inside of a structure that City staff has evidence to believe violates an ordinance(s) and permission to enter cannot be obtained from the occupant or owner. Some of these violations might include unsanitary living conditions, unsafe structures, hoarding, infestations, and inadequate or dangerous electrical wiring.
This type of warrant is also used when permission to investigate cannot be obtained for the outside of the structure when reports of ordinance violations are not visible from the public view. These types of violations might include extreme cases of grass and weeds violations, unsafe structures (including decks and accessory buildings), and other unsanitary conditions.
An administrative warrant would also be necessary for City staff to take corrective measures when permission cannot be obtained. These measures include repairing an unsafe structure, mowing extremely tall grass, removing trash, removing inoperable vehicles, and the removal of unsafe structures.
An administrative warrant will require the approval of a municipal judge after reviewing submitted evidence. Before applying for a warrant, City staff will attempt to use multiple resources to obtain permission to investigate reports of unsafe situations. A warrant would only be sought in extreme circumstances where staff has sufficient evidence to believe there is a hazard to the occupant’s or general public’s health and safety AND permission cannot be obtained.
Evidence may include statements from emergency responders, social workers, the Police Department, or other concerned citizens.
Prepare for winter weather
Freezing temperatures, snow and ice are right around the corner this winter. It’s important to be prepared when those conditions arise, which is why November 7 to 11 is Winter Weather Preparedness Week in Missouri.
Stay off the road when it’s snowing, or be careful if you must drive somewhere. Limit your time outside in the cold. In the event of severe weather, make sure you have plenty of food, warm clothing and other important supplies to last several days.
Make sure you stay tuned to important weather alerts from the City of Kirksville.
November events schedule
Blessing of the Hunt. Thursday, November 10, 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm @ NEMO Fairgrounds.
The event brings hunters from the area and those visiting, to one spot to celebrate the upcoming deer season. Vendors and speakers teach hunters new skills plus taking the time to pray for a good harvest.
Veterans Day Ceremony. Friday, November 11, 11:00 am @ Rieger Armory.
Help commemorate Veterans Day during this ceremony. Commander Corey Pritchard will be the featured speaker. Doors will open at 10:00 am and the ceremony will begin at 11:00 am.
The Kohlenberg Lyceum Series – Susana Mendoza. Monday, November 14, 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm @ Baldwin Auditorium.
Truman State alumna Susana Mendoza will take the stage as the fall Holman Family Speaker. Mendoza was the first Hispanic independently elected to statewide office in Illinois when she was elected as comptroller in 2016. 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.
Turkey Trot. Saturday, November 19, 9:00 am @ Adair County YMCA.
You can register in person at the YMCA. November 5 is the deadline to register.
November meeting schedule
November 1: Tourism Advisory Board, 8:00 am @ Economic Development Alliance Building.
November 1: Lakes, Parks and Recreation, 12:00 pm @ Kirksville Aquatic Center.
November 7: City Council, 6:00 pm @ City Hall.
November 8: Airport and Transportation, 12 pm @ City Hall.
November 9: E911 Joint Services, 1:30 pm @ Adair County Courthouse.
November 9: Planning and Zoning, 6:00 pm @ City Hall.
November 14: City Council Study Session, 4:00 pm @ City Hall.
November 17: Watershed Management, 5:30 pm @ Economic Development Alliance Building.
November 21: City Council, 6:00 pm @ City Hall.