KIRX News

Winter is notoriously a difficult time to collect enough blood and platelet donations to meet patient needs. And this year is no exception.The American Red Cross has extended its urgent call for donors of all blood types to give blood. With influenza escalating across the country and preventing some donors from giving, and winter weather threatening to cancel blood drives, the Red Cross now has a critical shortage of blood – especially types O negative and O positive – and urgently needs donors to restock the shelves. The Red Cross says without more donors, patient care may be impacted.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities in Kirksville this week includes: a blood drive from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. today, at Preferred Family Health Care, 900 E LaHarpe; and a blood drive from 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., on Thursday at Rehoboth Baptist Church.

Missouri’s 2019-2020 deer-hunting season ended Jan. 15 with the Missouri Department of Conservation reporting a preliminary total deer harvest of 285,483. That is 4,741 less harvested deer during the 2018-2019 season. Of the deer harvested this season, 133,914 were antlered bucks, 27,931 were button bucks, and 123,638 were does.

Some additional numbers: hunters checked 61,209 deer during the 2019-2020 archery deer season, and for fall archery turkey hunting, 2,406 turkeys were harvested.

MDC reported six firearms-related hunting incidents during the 2019-2020 fall deer and turkey hunting seasons. The incidents included one fatality.

Winter driving conditions proved to be hazardous over the weekend. On Friday, there was a three-vehicle crash on Hwy 63 north of Kirksville. The crash report says the driver of a northbound vehicle lost control on slick roadways and slid into the path of 2 vehicles that were going southbound.

Troop B of the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that on Friday, they worked 25 crashes total, resulting in 2 injuries. On Saturday, they responded to 2 non injury crashes and checked on 4 stranded motorists.

Road crews, troopers, and firefighters from the New London Fire Department were busy cleaning up a mess on Saturday from a crash the night before. A tractor trailer full of ice cream slid off the road Friday night Police say the truck went down an embankment and flipped on it’s side.

The next round of winter weather for the area is expected to hit in the middle of the week.

A child death case in Linn County will be moving to a trial court. Nancy Royal, 50, and Darrel Royal, 48, were arrested back August, after autopsy results were released regarding the death of an eleven-year-old in their custody, who died in February 2019. The Brookfield couple were charged with second degree murder, abuse and neglect of a child resulting in death and other related charges. Last week, a judge found probable cause to bind Nancy Royal over to circuit court for trial.

Heath officials say flu activity is currently widespread throughout Missouri. Over 11,000 cases of influenza have been reported in the state, and 11 people have died from influenza-associated illness this season. Officials say the flu vaccination remains the best way to prevent getting the virus. Officials suggest getting one now if you haven’t already as the traditional peak time of the season is still forthcoming

Snow, sleet and ice are expected in northeast Missouri could create slippery driving conditions, and drivers are encouraged to plan accordingly. MoDot crews are out in full force to battle a variety of precipitation. MoDOT Engineer Paula Gough says more snow and sleet are expected later in the day as the storm moves north, with a chance of up to one-tenth of ice in northeast Missouri.

To check road conditions, go to MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map at: traveler.modot.org/map/. The map is also available as a free app for Apple and Android devices. A winter weather advisory remains in effect for the area until 6 tomorrow morning.

Three years ago, North Shelby School lost two students to a car crash. Since then a group of students, called the TRACTION (Teens Taking Action to Prevent Traffic Crashes) Team, have rallied together to help get the message out about roadway safety. Two of those students, Hope Chandler and Jackson Strain, took their efforts to the next level. Chandler and Strain competed in the FCCLA Regional Contest in Atlanta, Missouri, in the National Programs in Action Contest. This is a peer to peer educational contest, and their focus was on roadway safety. The two students took Gold for their efforts at the event. They will move on to the State FCCLA Convention in Osage Beach. Chandler said “The emphasis of the project, and from the entire North Shelby School, is to get students to Buckle UP Always and Speak UP when someone’s driving habits are making them fearful.”

A reminder of closures for Monday. All City offices will be closed on January 20th, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Offices will reopen on Tuesday, January 21, for regular business hours.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reminds the public that driver examination stations throughout the state will be closed on Monday as well.

Governor Mike Parson delivered the 2020 State of the State address inside the Missouri capitol yesterday. He said the state of the state is strong , adding 40,000 jobs to its economy since he took office with unemployment dropping to historic lows.

The Governor reaffirmed his support for gun rights, but said he wants lawmakers to increase mental health resources, toughen laws against violent crime.

The National Education Association ranked Missouri 40th out of 50 states in average teacher pay in 2017-2018. The Governor said his administration will work with school districts, school boards and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to come up with a plan to better compensate teachers.

A Winter Storm Advisory has been issued for portions of the state, including northeast Missouri, from 3AM Friday through 6AM Saturday. The National Weather Service warns that mixed precipitation is possible, with total snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches and ice accumulations of up to one tenth of an inch possible. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph. Plan on slippery road conditions.