News Staff

A Missouri Department of Transportation maintenance worked died Monday in the line of duty. MoDOT says the incident took place in Platte County. 61-year-old Lloyd Crawford was struck by a vehicle while performing flooding emergency work in Tracy. Crawford had served 18 years with the Missouri Department of Transportation. and was working as the Platte City Maintenance Supervisor. MoDOT Kansas City District Engineer Chris Redline said, “Our hearts are heavy.” MoDOT said motorists are reminded to slow down and pay attention while driving in work zones.

As the 4th of July approaches, the Kirksville Police Department is issuing some reminders: The discharging of fireworks inside the city limits will be legal starting tomorrow and continuing through July 5th. Individuals may only discharge fireworks between the hours of 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. on their own property. However, if a complaint is received and verified by the Police Department for disturbance of the peace of surrounding neighbors a citation may be issued. In addition, it is unlawful for any person to throw fireworks out of vehicles, under vehicles, at people or on any public street or public place within the city. The fireworks ordinance is available online. See KPD’s facebook page for the link.

While the Kirksville Aquatic Center’s Outdoor Water Park opened on Saturday, the ribbon cutting originally scheduled to happen that day was rescheduled due to inclement weather. The ribbon cutting will happen today at 5:30 pm. All are welcome to check out the three new slides, climbing wall, splash pad, and pool, grab a shaved ice or one of the other new offerings from the concession stand. The ribbon cutting will feature giveaways, contests, and fun for the entire family. For more information, visit www.kirksvillecity.com/KAC.

A woman was injured after jumping from an ATV in Sulivan County. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports 59-year-old Laurie Black, who is from Arkansas, was hurt as she lost control of the ATV while driving on private property eight miles northeast of Green City, Thursday evening. According to the crash report, as the ATV was heading down a hill and out of her control, Black jumped from the ATV before it hit a tree. She suffered moderate injuries and was taken by Air Evac to Northeast Regional Medical Center.

A Macon man, accused of over 100 sex crimes, made his first court appearance in Linn County last week. Kenneth Harper entered a plea of not guilty for crimes that allegedly occurred from 1996 to 2010. The court denied the request for bond with a new bond hearing scheduled for July 1st.

The Missouri Senate broke a deadlock over abortion and birth control funding late Friday, giving final approval early Saturday to a tax that helps fund the state’s Medicaid health care program. Governor Mike Parson called lawmakers back to the state capitol to act on the tax, vowing he will make deep cuts in the budget if a plan isn’t on his desk by the start of the new fiscal year on July 1st. The House returns to the Capitol today and could have things wrapped up by Wednesday.

A Norfolk Southern Train derailed in Monroe County yesterday, 1 mile east of Madison. The train was traveling east from Moberly to Decatur Illinois when 8 train cars derailed for an unknown reason. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Toop B, the train cars were loaded with vehicles. No injuries were reported, no hazmat was involved, and no roadways were blocked.

The grand opening celebration at the Kirksville Aquatic Center is tomorrow. Following a ribbon-cutting at 11:30 a.m., the Grand Opening will begin at noon. The facility has been under construction for over a year.

The City of Kirksville is looking to involve community-minded citizens in the process of local government through one of its many Citizen Advisory Commissions. The City Council is currently accepting citizen applications for the following four positions:

· Kirksville Historic Preservation Commission: two positions on the Commission to fill partial terms, one expiring in February 2022, and another in February 2023.

· Watershed Management Commission: one position on the Commission to fill a partial term, expiring in March 2022.

· Board of Adjustment: one position on the Board to fill a partial term, expiring in June 2023.

Visit www.kirksvillecity.com/citizensserve and submit your application before Friday, July 9, at 5:00 pm, to be considered for the opportunity to serve on this commission.

From June 16 – 22, there were 27 new cases of COVID-19 in Macon County. Of the new cases reported, no one was vaccinated. Macon County has 31 active cases with 4 residents hospitalized. There was also another death where COVID-19 was a factor. The Macon County Health Department says they are seeing an upward trend in cases in mainly unvaccinated residents. Of the last 105 new cases only 2 were vaccinated. Health officials add that new cases in June to-date (61) have exceeded the total number of cases in all of May (44). In May, Macon County had an average of 9.5 new cases each week. This month, the county is averaging 19.7 new cases each week.