Month: August 2021

The Kirksville City Council considering implementing some kind of a campaign to encourage more residents to get vaccinated. City leaders are also working with the medical community to help educate residents about the availability and safety of the vaccines. As of yesterday, the percentage of the population vaccinated with at least one dose is is 37.46%, and the number of people fully vaccinated is 33.79%. Statewide, 41.95% of people are fully vaccinated.

Truman will temporarily reinstate portions of its mask policy. Starting Aug. 9, Truman will require everyone, regardless of vaccination status, to wear masks while inside campus buildings, with exceptions for dining and when in a personal residence hall room, or office. Currently, this is the only change to the previously announced fall plan. Modes of instruction, room capacities and on-campus events will continue under previously established guidelines. Truman will review and reevaluate the mask policy by Sept. 17, with guidance from the CDC, the Adair County Health Department, and local and state public health professionals.

There were 17 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed yesterday in Adair County. None of the new cases are vaccinated against the virus. Three cases are younger than current eligibility for any of the vaccines. Total case count is now 2,799 with 88 active cases. Six of yesterday’s cases reside at addresses with at least one other confirmed case. Two people have been discharged from the hospital: A 39-year-old male admitted July 31st and a 77-year-old female admitted July 30th, were both discharged on August 2nd.

Sullivan county health officials say they are seeing an increase in cases and reported 2 new cases yesterday. The Sullivan County Health Department recommends that all county businesses, schools, and residents take precautionary measures. Sullivan County has a total of 1,003 cases with 49 active cases. The new positive cases have been determined to be community related.

The Brookfield Police Department has identified a person of interest in connection to a number of reports of thefts from unlocked vehicles. Also, the Linn County Sheriffs Department had a recent report of a stolen vehicle. Police are reminding residents to remove valuables from your vehicles and be sure to lock your doors.

You’ll be able to learn more about the solar farm project in Adair County during a virtual meeting today. The 250 megawatt Morris Solar Project is proposed in Adair County, south of Kirksville and east of State Highway 3. According to the AES Clean Energy website, it represents a $306 million private investment in the County and will not require additional County services or create new infrastructure demands. The project is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by 439,000 tons per year with an expected commercial operation date of December 2023. The solar farm is expected to generate about $7.4 million in tax revenue for Adair County over 35 years. Sign up for the 5PM zoom meeting at aes.com/morris-solar-project.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Troop B investigated 6 injury crashes for the week of July 25 thru July 31. With 8 people being injured as a result of those crashes. 3 occupants of those vehicles were unrestrained.

Among those crashes was an accident in Sullivan County on Thursday morning that left a teenager with serious injuries. According to the crash report, a 1999 western star truck tractor, that was being driven by 19-year-old Kelvin Burkholder, of Baring, was going southbound on Route P, 4 miles west of Baring. The vehicle ran off the right side of the roadway and overturned. Burkholder was airlifted by air evac to Blessing hospital in Quincy. His juvenile passenger suffered moderate injuries and was transported by private vehicle to Northeast Regional Medical Center for treatment.

The Adair County Health Department has confirmed 23 new cases of COVID-19 since last Friday. The overall count rises to 2,782 with 88 active cases. There are six new hospitalizations. None are currently on a ventilator. Of the 23 cases confirmed yesterday, only one is fully vaccinated.

Another COVID-19 related death was reported by the Adair County Health Department on Friday. A 63-year-old Adair County woman has become the 25th COVID-related death. Her case was confirmed July 22 following admission to Northeast Regional Medical Center on July 21. She was discharged to her home July 23 but readmitted to Blessing Hospital in Quincy July 26. She passed away Thursday. The woman was fully vaccinated prior to testing positive. She suffered from numerous other health issues.

The Adair County Health Department also confirmed nine new cases of COVID-19 Friday which brings the overall count to 2,759. There are 68 active cases and 2,666 people who have left isolation. Four of the new cases reside at addresses with at least one other positive person. Two are employees of an area meat processing plant and two are fully vaccinated.

Unionville & Putnam County are no longer under a water boil order. Last week, the city announced that the Missouri Department of Natural Resources rescinded the water boil order that was first issued on July 9th. The boil order was issued because the public water system exceeded the maximum turbidity level standard. When the turbidity standards are exceeded, it indicates that a treatment plant’s operation is inadequate and that the microbiological quality of the water dispensed to the public may have been compromised. With the boil order now being rescinded, the city is thanking the many involved who helped resolve the issue.

City street work continues this week in Kirksville. Starting today, city crews are scheduled to continue asphalt street surface repairs with work on Irene Drive, Roselene Drive, North Lincoln Street, and Benton Way. These repairs include milling the old street surface and overlaying with new asphalt. Traffic control will be in effect, and may be reduced to one lane, or possibly closed at times.