News Staff The state is fighting forced vaccinations.
Governor Parson is ordering state agencies under his control to defy President Biden’s vaccine mandate. He’s ordered the agencies to work with the state attorney general in legal action against the Federal mandate, and Parson says they cannot require the shot for state workers.
Parson called Biden’s order to require the shots an unconstitutional power grab that the founding fathers warned against.
The new bridge on Highway 11 is open in Adair county. It’s two lanes now…replacing the old narrow one-lane bridge. The half-million dollar project is part of the governor’s bridge improvement program in the state.
In Marion county, a postal truck was rear-ended by a pick-up Tuesday on route 61 south of Palmyra. The impact knocked the mail truck off the road and it over turned. The postal driver, 49 year old Timothy Walker, was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. The other driver was identified as 25 year old Juan Hernandez.
Macon School Superintendent Scott Jarvis is retiring at the end of this school year. Jarvis says he’s looking to spend more time with his family. He’s been on the job in Macon since 2016. The school board hopes to name a new superintendant by the start of December.
Buckle up and put your phone down. Governor Mike Parson has proclaimed today as Buckle Up Phone Down Day in Missouri in an effort to encourage Missourians to take these two simple actions when driving, to save lives on the state’s highways. Missouri’s 2021 Seat Belt Usage Survey showed 88% of vehicle occupants use a seat belt, matching the highest rate the state has ever recorded. But the unbuckled 12% make up a majority of the state’s roadway fatalities, which spiked in 2020 despite a decrease in traffic volume. More than two-thirds of the drivers and passengers killed in traffic crashes last year were not wearing a seat belt. Cellphone use continues to be one of the most concerning behaviors for all roadway users. In 2020, nearly 60% of the distracted driving fatalities in Missouri claimed the life of someone besides the distracted driver. You can accept the challenge to Buckle Up Phone Down, at modot.org/bupd.
The Kirksville Kiwanis Club has been collecting gently used, or new, costumes, props, and spooky accessories for children in grades K-8 who wouldn’t otherwise have a costume this Halloween, through its annual Halloween Costume Drive. Tomorrow, those who need a costume can pick one up at the Adair County Public Library from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Costumes will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, and no paperwork or income verification is needed.
The Kirksville Parks and Recreation Department hosts the 5th annual Halloween Flashlight EGGstravaganza this weekend. Ten thousand Halloween eggs stuffed with candy and toys will be scattered on the ballfields at the North Park Complex, Bring a flashlight and a bag to the free event. The egg hunt starts promptly at 7:00 pm tomorrow. Get more details on the Parks and Recreation Department’s Facebook page.
A man from Kirksville was injured after hitting a deer with his motorcycle. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 66-year-old Water Green was riding his 2009 Harley Davidson Motorcycle at around 6:30PM Tuesday on Highway 6, two miles west of Kirksville, when he struck a deer in the roadway. The motorcycle came to a rest in the roadway. Green suffered moderate injuries and was taken to Northeast Regional Medical Center for treatment.
Hazel Creek Lake levels will begin to rise again. The City of Kirksville had been lowering the water level of the lake since mid-June in support of work on Hungry Hollow Road by the Adair County Road and Bridge Department. The work that necessitated the lowering of the lake’s water level has since been completed, and the City has now closed the Hazel Creek Lake valves. The Hazel Creek Lake level will now begin to rise, dependent upon natural precipitation.
Snowy weather is just around the corner. In preparation, the Missouri Department of Transportation will hold its annual winter operations drill today. During the drill, motorists may notice increased numbers of MoDOT vehicles on state routes. In rural areas, crews will deploy after 8 a.m. In urban areas, the drill will not begin until after 9 a.m. The exercise should be completed by 3 p.m. MoDOT spent more than $58 million on winter operations last year and used over 139,000 tons of salt; 2.8 million gallons of salt brine; and nearly 490,000 gallons of beet juice. MoDOT has purchased 118,000 tons of salt to refill salt supplies and has a total of 240,000 tons available for use statewide this winter.