KIRX News

The Adair County Health Department yesterday confirmed 22 new cases of COVID-19, and the death of a 49-year-old male, who passed away July 16th.
There have been 2,750 COVI-19 cases with 69 current active cases. There have been 24 COVID-related deaths. A previously identified 96-year-old female was admitted to Boone Hospital in Columbia Wednesday. A 21-year-old female among yesterday’s cases was admitted to Northeast Regional Medical Center July 27. Two of yesterday’s cases are fully vaccinated, one is employed at an area meat processing plant, and nine reside at addresses with at least one other confirmed case.

Over the past several months, the City has worked with a consultant to complete a historic survey to document the architectural and historic significance of properties within two neighborhoods encompassing several blocks east and northeast of Downtown. The City will be hosting a public forum, both in-person at City Hall and via Facebook Live, where those interested in this project may ask questions and receive additional information. This public forum will begin at 4:00 pm today, in the Council Chambers at City Hall, and via the City’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/cityofkirksville.

The American Red Cross is teaming up with family and friends and Marceline Fire and Rescue for the 10th consecutive year to host a blood drive in memory of Zach Cupp on Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Walsworth Community Center, 124 E. Ritchie, in Marceline. In August 2012, Zach Cupp was only 17 years old when he was killed in a car accident. After the crash, he received several pints of blood during surgery. Zach’s parents, Matt and Laurie Cupp, have organized annual blood drives in his memory as a way of giving back to the community. They hope the efforts of drawing awareness to blood donations inspires others to donate for patients in need. Nearly 1,050 units of lifesaving blood have been donated over the past nine years, including a personal best 191 donations at last year’s drive.

The new bridge on Missouri Route 149 at Shuteye Creek, located near Connelsville in Adair County is now open. The bridge closed in May to undergo replacement. The new bridge holds two lanes of traffic and is 24-foot wide with shoulders. This bridge is included in Governor Mike Parson’s $351 million Focus on Bridges program, which will repair or replace 250 bridges across the state. The Missouri Route 149 bridge improvement over Shuteye Creek was awarded $821,000 to be constructed.

As the Adair County Health Department completed contact tracing for 16 new cases yesterday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released revised mask guidelines for fully vaccinated individuals. Due to the rapid transmission of the Delta variant, the CDC now recommends that fully vaccinated people wear masks when indoors in public in areas of “substantial” or “high” risk for the virus.
The CDC puts Adair County in the high-risk category, based on the growing number of positive cases. The overall case count in Adair County is now 2,723 with 65 active cases and 2,635 people who have left isolation.

The CDC also recommends that adults and children wear masks in K-12 schools regardless of vaccine status. The CDC’s previous guidance for schools only called for unvaccinated students to wear masks. The American Federation of Teachers President praised the new guidance calling it a necessary precaution until children under 12 can receive a COVID vaccine and more Americans over 12 get vaccinated.

Master Police Officer William “Bill” Puryear was recognized for 20 years of service with the Kirksville Police Department. During his time at the Kirksville Police Department, Bill Puryear has served as a patrol officer, master police officer, field training officer, SRT/SWAT, and Taser instructor. MPO Puryear is a United States Coast Guard veteran and formerly served at the Marceline Police Department.

Two Truman alumni are helping with global vaccine efforts. Rachel Humphrey (class of ’95) and Bryan Heartsfield (class of ’92) are two of the leaders in the fight against the coronavirus. Humphrey, an Army Colonel, is the chief of plans for the COVID-19 Countermeasures Acceleration Group. Through his role with the Health and Human Services Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, Heartsfield is the Strategic National Stockpile lead public health advisor. The alumni, who are also friends, are working together in Washington D.C. to make sure everyone in the world has access to the COVID-19 vaccine.

A repeat DUI offender was arrested in Macon County on Sunday. The highway patrol in Macon County reports 62-year-old Rodney Butterfield is accused of felony driving while intoxicated, driving while his license was revoked, and failure to park a vehicle, not in motion.

Kirksville Police Chief Scott Williamson took his official oath of office as Chief of Police yesterday morning. The oath of office was administered by City Clerk Wanda Cagle. The city conducted a nationwide search after the unexpected passing of former chief, Steve Farnsworth last October. In May, the city announced the hiriring of Williamson, who previously served as a lieutenant with Kauai Police Department. Williamson said Kirksville was one of two communities he had considered as he looked for a department in the Midwest to relocate his family.

The county’s overall COVID-19 case count has risen to 2,707 after the Adair County Health Department confirmed 15 new cases since last Friday. There are now 57 active cases and 2,627 people who have left isolation. Seven of the new cases reside at addresses with at least one other confirmed case. Four are employed at an area meat processing plant. Two are breakthrough cases involving fully vaccinated individuals. The remaining 13 cases are unvaccinated. As for hospitalizations, a 63-year-old female admitted to Northeast Regional Medical Center July 21 was discharged to her home July 23. A 39-year-old male was admitted July 23 and a 26-year-old male was admitted July 25. None require use of a ventilator.