KIRX News

Macon County reached a total of 27 positive COVID-19 cases yesterday. 20 of the cases are currently active, 2 of these are hospitalized and 7 have been released from isolation. There have been 6 presumptive positive cases since July 3rd. All confirmed and presumptive positive cases have been advised to isolate and close contacts to positive individuals have been advised to self-quarantine.

The there is one less candidate for Shelby County Sheriff. Republican Candidate Cole Hinshaw announced on social media yesterday that he is no longer running after accepting a position with the Missouri State Highway Patrol as a trooper. Three Republicans remain in the race: Brad Wilt, Arron Fredrickson and Raymond Barton, one Democrat Chris Ehrenreich and one independent Matt Mefford. The primary is August 4th.

Ameren Missouri launched a new COVID-19 relief fund. The $500,000 program is open to small businesses and nonprofit customers with 50 or fewer employees who meet other eligibility requirements. Ameren partnered United Way to help small businesses and nonprofits with their energy costs. Learn more at AmerenMissouri.com/SmallBusinessRelief.

Kirksville Arts Association is cautiously continuing the Summer on the Square concert series this evening at 7 pm on the Courthouse lawn. This week’s performers will be “Fully Loaded” a country and rock and roll band from Holliday, MO. Organizers say they appreciate everyone who wore a mask and physically distanced last week, and ask attendees to do the same this week. Hand sanitizer and a limited number of masks will be available.

The Macon County 4-H and FFA ham and livestock sales will take place this weekend. Organizers say the event, will take place in a smaller arena and social distancing will be observed. A 7:30 a.m. breakfast is offered Saturday morning prior to the sale at the Macon County Youth Building. The sale starts at 10 a.m.

Western’s Smokehouse planned expansion into Kirksville is cancelled for now. The comapany said that due to the uncertainty caused by the coronavirus pandemic, they will keep their packaging production at their home base in Greentop. In May, the Kirksville City Council approved a loan agreement with Western’s to purchase the former WireCo building on Industrial Road to be remodeled and turned into a packaging center. But according to K-REDI, the company did not complete the purchase of the building.

Construction on the new Aquatic Center is moving along. Crews are getting ready to start pouring concrete in the new mechanical room and under the splash pad area. The outdoor pool is being laid out, and rebar should be going down for that concrete soon. Kirksville Parks and Recreation posted pictures of the progress on their Facebook page.

Truman is moving its August 1 commencement ceremony to a virtual format. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the traditional spring commencement was postponed in March in hopes the event could be held in August. But CDC guidelines still advise against gatherings of more than 250 people, and as the highest risk of spreading COVID-19 occurs in large in-person gatherings, the University decided it would be best to hold the ceremony virtually. See more details at truman.edu. Truman plans to conduct in-person classes this fall.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol released the 2020 July Fourth holiday statistics. During the counting period, troopers worked 294 traffic crashes, including 107 injuries and 5 fatalities. Troopers made 139 DWI arrests and 126 drug arrests. Troopers also worked 9 boating crashes, resulting in 4 injuries. Six BWI arrest were made as well as 25 drug arrests. In 2019, the Patrol reported 15 fatalities and 457 injuries statewide over the holiday in 1,109 traffic crashes. There were 3 drownings during last year’s holiday counting period as well.

Adair County has topped 100 COVID-19 cases. Yesterday, the Health Department reported four new cases of among residents, bringing the total to 104. Three of the cases, men ages 41, 57, and 69, are related to a church revival held in Macon, from June 28 through July 1. The fourth new case is a 24-year-old female infected by community spread. Jim LeBaron, administrator of the Adair County Health Department, said the cases stemming from the church revival illustrate the need for people to maintain social distance and wear masks if they attend group events.