News Staff

Governor Mike Parson announced that new Acting Directors will take over at the Department of Economic Development, Department of Mental Health, Department of Social Services, Office of Administration, and Department of Revenue. As for the Department of Social Services, Acting Director Jennifer Tidball is stepping down from her current role to resume her position as Chief Operating Officer of DSS. Her transition will be effective October 18th. Robert Knodell, Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Parson, will become Acting Director of DSS. Knodell will resign from the Office of the Governor, effective October 17, prior to joining DSS.

Farm equipment is made to perform specific tasks on the farm, in addition to navigating roadways. The Northeast Coalition for Roadway Safety encourges drivers to keep everyone safe, by giving farmers plenty of room to operate. The most common collisions occur when the approaching motorist hits a farm vehicle from behind (rear-end collision), or when a passing motorist hits a farm vehicle that is attempting to make a wide left turn (left sideswipe).

The American Red Cross continues to experience an emergency blood shortage that has caused the blood supply to drop to the lowest post-summer level in at least six years. In addition, blood donor turnout decreased by about 10% as summer came to an end. While donations have dropped, hospital demand for blood remains strong. Donors of all blood types – especially type O – are urged to make an appointment to give now to help meet the needs of patients this fall. Visit .redcrossblood.org to schedule an appointment.

Today is the Corporal Webster Blood Drive in Macon. On October 2, 1993, Corporal Michael E. Webster was killed in the line of duty by a drunk driver while standing next to a vehicle he had stopped for a traffic violation. Since his untimely death, blood drives like this one have honored his service to the community. The Webster family, Missouri State Highway Patrol, and the American Red Cross encourage everyone to support the blood drive. It’s at the Macon Community First Baptist Church in North Rutherford Street in Macon from 10AM-3PM today.

Truman’s Speech and Hearing Clinic was selected as recipient for the 2021 SPEAK OUT! & LOUD Crowd grant by the Parkinson Voice Project. As a grant recipient, the Communication Disorders Department will have access to training for two more of its faculty members, as well as online SPEAK OUT! & LOUD Crowd training for all graduate students. This is the third year in a row the University has received the grant. Julia Edgar, associate professor of communication disorders said, “The faculty and graduate students of the Truman Speech and Hearing Clinic, as well as a trained therapist at Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville, have proudly served individuals in our community who have a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease with SPEAK OUT! since 2019 thanks to consecutive grants.”

The Kirksville City Council will hold a Study Session this evening. The session provides an opportunity to learn from those invited to present. City staff typically make the presentations, and from time to time, other individuals from outside of the City’s organization are invited to present information to the City Council. Items on the agenda include: A street update, Utility rate review, the 2020 Census summary of results, Parks and Recreation master planning, and more. The City Council invites citizens to listen and learn with them. The meeting starts at 6PM in Council Chambers.

Another seven new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed Friday in Adair County, bringing the overall case count to 3,554. There are 45 active cases and 3,475 people who have left isolation. The new cases were all females, ages 20, 21, 34, 43, 61, 66 and 72. Two are in the higher education sector and two are breakthrough cases.

Elsewhere in Northeast Missouri, Sullivan County added 4 new cases on Friday. That county has a total of one thousand one hundred and ninety-none, with 7 active cases. The new positive cases were community related. The Putnam County Health Department reported 12 additional cases of COVID-19 on Friday since their last report on September 27th. Of the 12 cases 9 were close contacts/household contacts of COVID-19. One case was a fully vaccinated individual.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Department of Public Safety remind drivers that deer are more likely to be moving along roads and highways this time of year. One deer strike occurred every 2.4 hours last year in the state. Drivers are reminded to pay attention and to always wear seatbelts. If a deer is struck, move the vehicle to a safe location and dial 9-1-1.

The Adair County Health Department vaccinated 955 residents Wednesday at the NEMO Fairgrounds with the regular and high-dose annual flu vaccines. Two additional curbside flu vaccines are scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 13 and
Friday, Oct.15 at 1001 S. Jamison Street from 2 to 4 p.m. both days. No registration is required for flu vaccines, and shots are free for Adair County residents.

A Macon man accused of over 100 sex crimes waved formal arraignment during a court appearance in Linn County this week. 54-year-old Kenneth Harper has pled not guilty to child sex crimes that allegedly occurred from 1996 to 2010. His case is set for setting or disposition on January 4th.

The Adair County Health Department has confirmed 15 new cases of COVID-19
since Monday. This three-day increase brings the overall case count to 3,547 with 40 active cases and 3,473 people who have left isolation. New cases involve females ages 7, 22, 28, 43, 47, 49 and 54. Males are ages 9, 10, two age 30, 37, 56, 71 and 81. Four reside at addresses with at least one other confirmed case. Three are in the K-12 schools sector and one is a breakthrough case.