News Staff

The Adair County Health Department Friday confirmed 10 new cases of COVID-19. The overall count is now 3,518 with 43 active cases, 3,441 people who have left isolation, and 34 confirmed COVID-related deaths. New cases involve females ages 3, 21, 32, 35 and 49, and males ages 4, 8, 22, 37 and 48. Four reside at addresses with at least one other confirmed case. One is in the higher education sector and two are in the K-12 schools sector. Three are breakthrough cases. Upcoming curbside Pfizer vaccine doses and boosters are scheduled at the Health Department on South Jamison Street, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. on October 5, 7, 12 and 14. Call 660-665-8491 to register for a date and time.

The Missouri National Guard Hall of Fame, an organization headquartered in Kirksville, will be enshrining it’s first group of Hall of Fame Inductees today. These heroes and their families will be recognized during a formal ceremony, at 11:00 am, at the Rieger Armory. The keynote speaker will be Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe. This event is open to the public. Information on the ten nominees can be found of the Missouri National Guard Hall of Fame Facebook page.

The Adair County Health Department confirmed four new cases of COVID-19 Wednesday and another seven cases yesterday which brings the overall case count to 3,508. There are currently 39 active cases and 3,435 people who have left isolation. Health Department staff also confirmed the 34th COVID-related death among Adair County residents. A previously reported 54-year-old male was admitted to Liberty Hospital Sept. 25 and passed away Sept. 27. The resident was fully vaccinated and suffered from underlying health conditions. The four cases confirmed Sept. 29 involve females ages 4, 20, 39 and 49. One is in the
higher education sector and is fully vaccinated. Among the seven cases confirmed yesterday are females ages 17, 22, 23 and 24 and males ages 16, 20 and 36. Two are in the higher education sector and one is in the K-12 schools sector.
Three are breakthrough cases. Three of these 11 cases reside at addresses with at least one other confirmed case.

Kirksville’s fall brush and limb pick up is set to start next week. If you have any dead branches or limbs laying around, the City of Kirksville Public Works crews will pick them up. To guarantee pick up, branches and limbs must be curbside by 7 a.m. on Monday. Limbs must be no longer than 10 feet in length and/or no wider than 18 inches. Kirksville Fall Brush and Limb Pick Up ends on Friday, October 8.
If you have any questions, contact the Kirksville Public Works Department at 660-627-1291.

A Kirksville man faces several charges after entering a home during the night on September 19th. 36-year-old Brayon Williams is charged with first-degree burglary, third-degree assault, third-degree kidnapping, and two counts of resisting/interfering with an arrest. Williams was taken into custody on September 23rd, and hit two officers while resisting arrest. Williams, who has a criminal history, was out on bond for other crimes.

You can get a COVID vaccine, booster shot, or flu shot from the comfort of your car. The Adair County Health Department has scheduled several curbside and drive-thru clinics.

The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID vaccine will be administered curbside at the Health Department on South Jamison Street, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 30 and on October 5, 7, 12 and 14. Call 660-665-8491 to register for a date and time.

There are three opportunities for residents to get their annual flu vaccine. There is a drive-through flu vaccine clinic on Oct. 6, from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. at the
NEMO Fairgrounds. There are also curbside clinics on Oct. 13 and 15 at the Health Department from 2 to 4 p.m. both days. No registration is required for flu vaccines, and shots are free for Adair County residents. Medicare and Medicaid/MO HealthNet beneficiaries are asked to bring their insurance cards
with them.

Today is the last day to nominate an individual or organization to be considered for the Small Town Civic Volunteer Award through CivicPlus, the nation’s leading technology platform for local government. The City has been given the opportunity to submit a nomination for this award, but first, they want to hear from you. Nominate an individual or organization you believe is worthy of recognition for their volunteer efforts for the City of Kirksville. All nominees will be reviewed by the City Council, and one individual or organization selected for submission. All nominees will receive a Certificate of Recognition from the City Council! To nominate, complete the form found here: www.kirksvillecity.com/nominate.

Putnam County authorities are asking for the pubilc’s assistance in locating a wanted person. 31-year-old Matthew Whitlock has active arrest warrants out of Sullivan County, for a case which lists the following charges: Leaving the Scene of an Accident (Class E Felony); Operating a Vehicle without a Valid License (Class E Felony); and Failure to Drive on Right Half of Roadway (Class A Misdemeanor). An attempt was made to take Whitlock into custody on a traffic stop which was conducted in Putnam County, last Thursday. Whitlock fled the scene on foot and is currently in hiding. Additional charges for this event are pending. See a photo of Whitlcok on the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office website in the most wanted section. Anyone who knows Whitmans’s whereabouts is asked to contact law enforcement agency.

Troop B investigated 13 injury crashes for the week of September 19 thru September 25. With 16 people being injured as a result of those crashes. 4 occupants of those vehicles were unrestrained or unbuckled.

The Sue Ross Arts Center held a formal celebration for the opening of their new location last week. Around 100 guests attended the ribbon cutting ceremony and reception on Thursday. The new location opened in June, but the opening ceremony was delayed due to the pandemic. The previous Kirksville Arts Association Building burned in a fire in 2016. The mosaic mural tiles on the outside that were recovered and restored, are on display inside the Sue Ross Arts Center.