Archives for April 2021

With the completion of two additional building façade renovation projects, progress continues with the City’s Downtown Revitalization Program. The two projects recently completed by the City’s contractor – Sparks Constructors, Inc., of Kirksville – are at 107 and 119 W. Washington St. Projects currently underway include 111 and 113 W. Washington St. The Downtown Revitalization Program allows the City and property owners to share in the cost to revitalize these facades through funds generated by the Downtown Tax Increment Finance (TIF) District. These same funds will also be used for new sidewalk, pedestrian lights, street trees, benches, and trashcans in the Program’s target areas. Assistant City Manager Ashley Young says the goal is for building façade and public infrastructure improvements to work together in attracting businesses, shoppers, and events to the Downtown and help revitalize the heart of the community.

The month of April marks Missouri’s annual No MOre Trash Bash coordinated by the Missouri Department of Transportation. During the annual statewide anti-litter event, volunteers are encouraged to clean up litter adjacent to highways to help beautify Missouri. Last year, MoDOT spent $6.4 million to remove litter from more than 385,000 acres of roadsides along 34,000 state highway miles. The annual volunteer efforts to pick up litter along Missouri highways – including the Adopt-A-Highway program – have been valued at more than $1 million.

The Adair County Health Department confirmed one new case of COVID-19 on the last day of March and two additional cases on the first day of April. The total case count is now 2,387 with 29 active cases and 2,338 people who have left isolation. The case of a 20-year-old female in the higher education sector was confirmed March 31. Cases confirmed yesterday involve a 40-year-old female and a 46-year-old male. All three individuals reside at addresses with at least one other confirmed case.

Forest Lake, in Thousand Hills State Park, will be temporarily closed for all recreational activities from April 15 to 25, to allow the City to treat the invasive species known as curly-leaf pondweed. Boating, fishing, swimming, or any other activity allowed on or in Forest Lake will be prohibited during this time period. If testing indicates that additional closure time is needed to ensure effective treatment, an additional press release will be issued. Additionally, the Forest Lake boat ramp will be blocked and signs will be posted during this temporary closure.
Forest Lake is a drinking source lake that provides water for all Adair County residents. This program for treatment of curly-leaf pondweed has been approved by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. The City will draw water from Hazel Creek Lake – the City’s other drinking source lake – during this treatment process. The City says they are committed to providing quality drinking water to all of Adair County. For more information, contact the Public Works Department at 660.627.1291.

Scotland County is consolidating its voting locations for the Tuesday, April 6 election. Voters will cast their ballots at the Boyer Center, located on the northeast corner of the square in Memphis. According to the Scotland County Clerk, the consolidation will result in 10-15 percent overall savings. All voters will have access to the curbside ballot call stations, purchased with funds from the CARES Act. These stations allow voters to remain in their vehicles, press a button, and a poll worker brought the ballot to the car. Absentee voting is available through Friday, 8:30am until 4:00pm, from 8:00am until noon on Saturday, April 3, and 8:30am until 5:00pm on Monday, April 5th.