Month: January 2021

The City of Kirksville is hosting a public forum today to discuss the city’s application for 2 grants.
The application to MoDOT’s Transportation Alternatives Program grant – if approved – would assist with the construction of a multi-modal sidewalk along North New Street, from North Baltimore Street to East Mill Street, and along East Mill Street from North New Street to North Baltimore Street.

The City’s MoDNR Land and Water Conservation Fund grant application – if approved – would assist with the replacement of the current restroom at Patryla Park with a new ADA accessible restroom and construct a new ADA accessible restroom next to the Spur Pond parking lot, also within Patryla Park.

The forum is at 4PM today in the Council Chambers at City Hall., and via the City’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/cityofkirksville

The Adair County Health Department confirmed 20 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday, bringing the total case count to 2,036. There are 96 active cases and 1,925 people who have left isolation.
Of the new cases, three are in the higher education sector and eight reside at addresses with at least one previously confirmed case.

New troopers have been assigned to Troop B, which serves Northeast Missouri. The three new troopers of the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s 110th Recruit Class will report for duty on February 16th. Trooper Cole T. Hinshaw has been assigned to Zone 6, Clark and Scotland counties. He is a native of Shelbyville. Trooper Nicholas C. Keller has been assigned to Zone 4, Putnam and Sullivan counties. He is a native of Philadelphia, Missouri. Trooper Cody J. Snyder has been assigned to Zone 4, Putnam and Sullivan counties. He is a native of Kirksville, and a 2016 graduate from Truman State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice.

Clinical volunteers are wanted in Adair County to administer COVID-19 vaccine. The Adair County Health Department is seeking volunteer health professionals to help its staff administer the vaccine to residents at planned “Curbside Clinics.” The effort is designed to provide increased opportunities for Adair County residents to be vaccinated as soon as additional doses are available. The Curbside Clinics are currently planned for Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekly. If there are enough volunteers. The Health Department is seeking health professionals with credentials including RN, LPN, EMS, EMT and paramedics who will work a minimum of four hours at a time at the Health Department property in Kirksville.

Health professionals interested in volunteering should email Jamie Keller, RN, at
jamie.keller@lpha.mo.gov to submit a copy of their current license and be scheduled for the
Curbside Clinics.

Adair County surpassed 2,000 COVID-19 cases. The confirmed case total now stands at 2,016. There are 83 active cases and 1,918 people who have left isolation. This case update includes cases from Saturday, through yesterday. There were seven new cases confirmed on January 16th, 2 on the 17th, 12 on the 18th, and 15 new cases confirmed yesterday. Five of yesterday’s cases are in the K-12 schools sector and one is in the skilled nursing facility sector. Nine are in households with at least one other confirmed case. An 84-year-old male reported on January 14 and the 72-year-old male reported yesterday were both admitted to Northeast Regional. Neither has required use of a ventilator.

The second round of COVID-19 vaccines are scheduled for Kirksville. The limited number of doses will be administered to target groups, not to the general public. Target groups for the Jan. 27 drive-through at NEMO Fairgrounds include remaining long-term care workers, hospital and healthcare workers, first responders, social services workers, teachers and staff in K-12 schools, childcare workers, public works, critical manufacturing and government. Those who are in the target groups must pre-register for the drive-through by calling 660-730-6100 or 660-730-6200, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Jim LeBaron, administrator of the Adair County Health Department is asking the public – particularly the general public age 65 and older – to be patient and not call either of the registration numbers. He says that while the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services did recently add people age 65 and older as a target group, they do not supersede the initial target groups. LeBaron says as the county receives more doses, they will vaccinate as many citizens age 65 and older as possible.

The next phase of Missouri’s COVID-19 Vaccination Plan has been activated. Tier 2 of Phase 1B focuses on protecting those who are at increased risk for severe illness, including individuals aged 65 and older and any adult with certain underlying conditions. According to Governor Parson’s Vaccination Distribution Team, about 2.5 million Missourians make up Phase 1B Tier 2. Right now, the state says the activation of Phase 1B Tier 3, which includes teachers and other essential workers, is yet to be determined. Visit MOStopsCovid.com to learn when vaccines may be available and how to receive them.

A crash in Northeast Missouri left 2 juveniles injured. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol report, the crash happened on Shelby County Road 450, one mile northwest of Shelbina. A vehicle driven by a 16-year-old female lost control on the ice-covered roadway, traveled off the right side of the road, and overturned. The driver had minor injuries. Her 14-year-old passenger sustained moderate injuries. Both teens, from Clarence, were transported to Samaritan Hospital in Macon. The 2007 Chevrolet Silverado they were riding in was totaled in the crash.

The Sullivan County Second District Commissioner and a former candidate for First District Commissioner have been charged with election offenses. The alleged offenses stem from a political advertisement was published in a Milan newspaper last July. Ads published for both men promised voters they would have the first six months of their salaries cut in half and put the other half towards funding gravel for county roads. Michael Williams of Browning, and Colin Sorhus of Green Castle have both been charged with misdemeanor class four election offenses. The Sullivan County Prosecuting Attorney says the ads were an inducement to voters. Williams won the August Primary, and Sorhus lost. Both men are scheduled for arraignment on February 4th.

The annual Martin Luther King Jr Day celebration in Kirksville this year is focused on unity. The event is virtual because of COVID-19, and it includes activities for children and families. The theme is “You Belong Here, All Are Welcome Here.” The event also includes Truman’s Student Activities Board making blankets to donate to area families, a Virtual Martin Luther King Jr. Walk, and ATSU’s Virtual 2021 Martin Luther King Jr. Speaker Event. In addition, a video is being produced that featurescommunity members and leaders speaking about inclusion, equity and belonging, and a keynote from Mayor Zac Burden. The video will be online this week. See more at: https://youbelongherekv.wixsite.com/kirksville