Archives for June 2012

Representatives of the Kirksville, Truman State, and A.T. Still University communities gathered together today to celebrate the retirement and honor the career of A.T. Still President Dr. Jack Magruder. Magruder has spent four years as President of the school after coming out of retirement to do so in 2008. Previously he had served nine years as President of Truman State University and worked as a professor and staff member there for over twenty years. Raised in the Kirksville community, Magruder fostered progressive ties between Kirksville and the universities he served, including a recent project to bring a dental school attachment to the Kirksville A.T. Still campus.

Speaking on the subject of progress and community involvement and the founder of A.T. Still University Magruder had this to say:

The ceremony was led by incoming president Craig Phelps and included a video and proclamation from Missouri Governor Jay Nixon, a proclamation from Kirksville Mayor Richard Detweiler, and a proclamation from Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan. Though retiring Magruder plans to stay busy as a member of the State Fair commission while hoping to finally have time to enjoy himself with his wife Sue who also celebrated her eightieth birthday today.

The Adair County Public Library has received an eReader Exploration Grant from the Secretary of State’s office. The $2,200 grant will be used to help library staff, volunteers and patrons learn about eReader devices through participation in the Missouri State Library eReader training session. The library will also be able to to purchase several of the more popular and stable eReader devices available on the market, to better serve patrons who need assistance with eReaders as they download materials.

A Truman State University student has been killed in a car crash. 21-year-old Elizabeth Koch was in Illinois, on Highway 1-56, near New Athens, when she went off the road, and her car flipped. Koch was killed in the accident on Thursday. Koch would have been a senior this fall, studying communication and journalism.

You can add Macon to the list of local cities enacting burn bans. Details from Darrell Moody…

The City of Macon Fire Department has issued an open burn ban within the city limits. The burn ban includes yard waste fires and open cooking or recreation fires such as outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, bon fires, burn barrels or any other type of open burning. Consumer fireworks are also included in the ban, however the 4th of July fireworks display at the Macon County Fairgrounds will take place as planned. Officials say the City of Macon’s burn ban will remain in effect until further notice.

Weather experts at the University of Missouri are calling for a hot and dry summer. Darrell Moody has the details…

UM experts say the effects of this summer’s drought will only get worse in the comming weeks. The last significant rainfall in the Midwest was six weeks ago and crops, livestocks and residents are suffering. Soil science professor Randy Miles says the drought’s impact on Missouri’s soil has been made worse because of this year’s mild winter. He says the soil can lose up to a quarter-inch of water each day. The entire state is in the grips of the worst drought in nearly 25 years and Miles is warning that unless the area gets significant rain soon, grocery prices are going to spike.

Officials are opening heat relief stations across the area as the mercury continues to climb. Darrell Moody reports…

In La Plata, residents can escape the near record temperatures by visiting the La Plata Methodist Church located at 214 North Gex Street. The church is open to the public and locals are encouraged to come inside to avoid the dangers of prolonged heat exposure. Officials say the church will be open at noon everyday that temperatures break 90-degrees. For more information, you can call the church at 332-4508.

An Excessive Heat Warning is in effect thru 7 p.m. Saturday. The National Weather Service says temperatures from the upper 90s to lower 100s can be expected through Saturday. Heat indices will be even higher… leading to an increased risk of heat related stress and illnesses including heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Keep hydrated by drinking plenty of water if you have to be outside. Check on your neighbors who don’t have air conditioning.

The city of Macon has instituted a burn ban, lasting until conditions improve. The ban includes all outdoor fires except for fully enclosed grills for cooking. The ban includes consumer fireworks within the city and at the Macon Lake. The annual fireworks display at the Macon County fairgrounds will still take place as planned, and the Macon County Fire Department plans to evaluate the ban on a daily basis.

The American Red Cross is holding a blood drive today. Details from Darrell Moody…

The Red Cross is calling on all eligible blood donors to roll up a sleeve and give blood this week. Officials say all blood types are needed, but they especially need O-positive, O-negative, B-negative and A-negative in order to meet patient demands this summer. There will also be a blood drive this afternoon at the Wal-Mart Supercenter located at 2206 N Baltimore in Kirksville from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Adair County Democrats are preparing to open their brand new headquarters. Details from Darrell Moody…

On Monday, July 2, the Kirksville Area Chamber of commerce is hosting a ribbon cutting ceremony for the brand new Adair County Democratic Headquarters. The Democratic Headquarters is located at 211 East Jerfferson Street in Kirksville. Monday’s cermemony will be held at 12-15. Organizers say light refreshments will be served. The event is open to the public.