School board, City Council discuss ECLC expansion, new field, safety
Kirksville Daily Express
In an event that usually happens multiple times a year, the Kirksville City Council and R-III School Board met Wednesday to discuss items of shared interest between the two entities.
“One of the things we really value are our partnerships here in Kirksville and the greater Kirksville and Adair County community, and the opportunity for us to work together on some things that are important,” said Mayor Zac Burden. “As we look through some of these matters, we realize we’ve got a lot of overlap, and some ways to work together that will really benefit our community.”
Gardner sworn in; City Council discusses filling vacancy
Kirksville Daily Express
The Kirksville City Council certified last week’s election on Monday, which saw John Gardner sworn in as the newest member of the council.
He began his three-year term and took his place at City Hall on Monday night. With that, Phillip Biston was thanked by councilmembers and recognized for his time on the council. His decision not to seek re-election opened a spot for Gardner’s election.
And after his resignation announcement last week, Chuck Long received similar recognition for his service on Monday night.
For the first time, the council discussed plans for filling Long’s spot. The council will eventually appoint someone to fill that role until an election next year. That election will be for a one-year term in order to finish the length of Long’s original term.
Chemical, carp might be next solution to stop curly-leaf pondweed in Forest Lake
Kirksville Daily Express
Kirksville officials are looking at a new way to treat the ongoing problem of curly-leaf pondweed at Forest Lake.
Based on a plan presented by Public Works Director Glenn Balliew at a City Council study session on Monday, 50 acres of shoreline would be treated with an herbicide and about 700 sterile grass carp would be put in the lake to eat other sections of weeds.
This new plan has received approval from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and would need council approval to fully move forward. Members Zac Burden, Phillip Biston and Rick Steele were the only ones present at Monday’s meeting, and all voiced support for the plan. City staff also worked with the Department of Conservation during the formulation of this plan.
City to rename street Steve Farnsworth Drive
Austin Miller
Steve Farnsworth’s lasting Kirksville legacy will soon be honored in a physical form near the Kirksville school district.
The street that runs along the north side of KHS, past the parking lot, water tower, and Spainhower Field before turning to Ray Miller Elementary School, is being renamed Steve Farnsworth Drive. The Kirksville R-III School Board approved the change during its Nov. 11 meeting, though a formal ceremony for the change is still to be determined.
“After Steve’s passing, once the dust settled, we were thinking of ways to immortalize Steve,” said Interim Police Chief Justin Jones. “Not only was he a big part of the city and the police department, but he was a big part of the community. He was really sports-oriented. If he wasn’t working here, he was driving a bus for Weber or he was refereeing a football game or running the clock down at Truman.”