Goodbye for now: Kirksville High School sends off Class of 2021
Kirksville Daily Express
Had he not been asked to deliver a speech as Kirksville’s salutatorian for the Class of 2021, Brennain Degenhardt made it clear he likely would not have been at Sunday’s ceremony.
Degenhardt delivered a humorous speech to those in attendance at Spainhower Field, commiserating with his peers who also didn’t want to be there. But while crafting his speech, he figured out the importance.
“The people who are excited to be sitting here are not waiting for their name to be called, they’re waiting for their students’ names to be called, or their child’s, or their sibling or friend’s name to be called,” Degenhardt said. “We seniors could just as well receive our diplomas in the mail, but we’re here. And why? Well, it’s for you our teachers, our parents, our siblings, and our friends.”
Kirksville man arrested for attempted bank robbery
A suspect is in custody after a potential bank robbery incident Tuesday at the Bank of Kirksville.
According to a KPD release, officers responded to the bank, located at 214 South Franklin Street, around 10:04 a.m. on Tuesday morning. Police were informed of a possible robbery in progress, where the suspect may have been armed with explosives.
A Missouri State Highway Patrol officer was nearby and responded, making contact with the lone male suspect. The officer found the man did not have any explosives on him and took the man into custody without incident.
Mark Twain Behavioral Health breaks ground on new facility
Kirksville Daily Express
Staff members of Mark Twain Behavioral Health broke ground Tuesday morning, a ceremonial start of construction on a new, expanded facility on Pfieffer Avenue.
The new building will cover about 18,000 square feet, featuring more than 20 offices for staff members to work with patients. Construction is expected to last one year, and once finished, the new facility will connect to the current one.
Expansion talks picked up last year as there was a steep demand for mental health services as the pandemic started. But Mark Twain was already feeling that need before the pandemic.
Bird electric scooters are coming to Kirksville
Kirksville will soon get a fleet of electric scooters that residents can ride around town.
The City Council approved Monday an agreement with Bird Rides, allowing them to run their service in Kirksville. It isn’t a joint venture and the city isn’t being paid by the company. Rather, it is approving them to be a business here.
And either party the city or Bird can halt the agreement with 30 days’ notice. The e-scooters will be treated just the same as bicycles and can ride on those same spaces.
Getting to this point and how Bird will operate in Kirksville
Adair County, Kirksville to receive about $8 million in federal relief
The City of Kirksville and Adair County will soon receive millions of dollars in federal aid.
As part of the American Recovery Plan, nearly $350 billion is being allocated to state and local governments to address economic fallout from the pandemic. Missouri is receiving $2.7 billion, with another $2.5 billion going to city and county governments.
Here, Adair County will receive $4.9 million and Kirksville will get $3.2 million. For other Adair County towns, Brashear should get almost $48,000 and Novinger should get almost $80,000. Those figures are based on population. That money will be disbursed in two increments, with one coming soon and the second a year from now. According to a White House Fact Sheet on the legislation, the funds can be used to: