KIRX News

City buildings in Kirksville will reopen. Assistant City Manager Ashley Young announced that beginning next Tuesday, all City buildings will reopen to the public for regular business hours. Young says that to continue to help protect community members and staff from COVID-19, and ensure the availability of municipal services, a face covering, or mask, is required to enter a City building. The City continues to offer online utility bill payment – including online registration for utility services – for customers using credit or debit cards at www.kirksvillecity.com/ under the “Utilities” tab.

A Northeast Missouri Health Department is expressing frustration over the state’s vaccine distribution. As the Governor yesterday announced the activation of Phase 1B – Tier 1 of Missouri’s COVID-19 Vaccination Plan, the Knox County Health Department posted on Facebook that they have an order for vaccine sitting in the state system–and are still at 0. The order was for tier 1A and an initial shipment for 1B. Lori Moots-Clair, the agency’s administrator, says she requested another shipment yesterday, and was informed it will be reviewed for possible shipment the last week of January. In the meantime, the health department suggests if you are aware of a larger county/entity/pharmacy that has the vaccine available, who is willing to vaccinate you–take advantage of it.

The Adair County Health Department confirmed 18 new cases of COVID-19 Wednesday and another 14 cases yesterday, bringing the total count to 1,970. 122 cases are active, and 1,833 people have left isolation.

Snow and wind could make travel hazardous in Northeast Missouri. Today’s winter weather could bring 1-3 inches of snow with higher amounts possible and gusting winds. Plan on slick road conditions. Patchy blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. Slow down and use caution while driving. Check road conditions at traveler.modot.org/map/

The U.S. House voted to impeach President Trump yesterday, making him the first president in history to be impeached twice. The final vote was 232-197. Ten Republicans joined Democrats in approving the latest impeachment resolution. The resolution accuses the President of inciting the deadly attack on the U.S. Capitol last week. Congressman Sam Graves voted against impeachment. He called the process a waste of tax dollars and said he wants to get back to work on the issues important to North Missouri, like fixing aging infrastructure, helping hospitals battle the pandemic and bolstering efforts to protect communities from flooding. The House reconvenes Friday. The impeachment vote will lead to a trial in the Senate, though the timing and outcome are unclear.

Adair County added 18 more COVID-19 cases yesterday, bringing the total to 1,956. The new cases included eight females ranging in age from 8 to 79 and 10 males ranging in age from 16 to 77. The Sullivan County Health Department confirmed four additional positive cases of COVID-19 yesterday, bringing their total to 802.

Improvement projects have been awarded to Northeast Missouri counties. The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission recently awarded a contract for projects on Missouri Route 15 in Knox and Scotland Counties o from U.S. Route 136 west junction at Memphis to the Missouri Route 6 north junction in Edina. The road will be resurfaced, shoulders will be added, and there will be some sidewalk work in Edina. The work could begin as early as this spring and should be completed before the fall.

It’s going to be a windy day in Northeast Missouri. In addition to some snow showers later in the day, winds today from the WNW will be at 15 to 25 mph. Gusts in Adair County could be as high 45 miles per hour.

Second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine were administered to some in phase 1 target group this week as Adair County’s case total reaches 1,938. On Monday, 600 people received their second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at the Health Department’s drive through at the NEMO Fairgrounds. Today, the remaining 500 will receive their second dose. Health Department administrator Jim LeBaron, thanked the community partners who are assisting in the major undertaking. Another event for Phase 1 target groups will happen on January 27th. Lebaron says the vaccine administration is not open to the public.

The Health Department confirmed 24 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday and another 11 cases yesterday. There are103 active cases, 1,820 people who have left isolation and 15 COVID-related deaths.

A jury in Sullivan County convicted a man of sexual abuse of a 97-year-old woman. 41-year-old Jason Shade was found guilty by the jury of first-degree and second-degree sexual abuse for the crime that occurred in December 2018. Shade faces up to 19 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections. He is scheduled to be sentenced by a Sullivan County Judge on March 8.