News Staff

A judge ruled yesterday that Missouri is not required to expand its Medicaid program by July 1 under a constitutional amendment approved by voters last year. The state argued the Governor can not implement the expansion because lawmakers did not provide funding for it in the state budget. The lawyer for the three Missourians who filed the lawsuit said he planned to appeal.

In support of the construction of a bridge on Hungry Hollow Road by the Adair County Road and Bridge Department, the City of #Kirksville will be lowering the level of Hazel Creek Lake. Officials say this will likely impact the public’s ability to utilize both the north and south boat ramps at Hazel Creek Lake until the project has been completed and the level of the lake rises. For more information, contact the Public Works Department at 660.627.1291.

The total COVID-19 case count in Adair County climbed to 2,515 with confirmation of five new cases yesterday. There are now 27 active cases, the highest number since April 1st. Cases confirmed yesterday include two 11-year-old females and a 31-year-old female, and males ages 11 and 68. One case is related to a church camp. The health department reports that of the 16 new cases confirmed over three days, only one person had received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. However, that person had received the second dose less than 14 days prior to testing positive and was therefore not fully vaccinated at the time of infection. Health officials recommend that people continue to practice all masking, social distancing, and hand hygiene precautions until they are fully vaccinated which is 14 days after the second dose of the two-dose vaccines or 14 days after the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Missouri leads the nation in new cases as the aggressive Delta variant, first identified in India, is prevalent throughout the state. Missouri also lags the national average for vaccination rates. Roughly 44% of the eligible population has started the vaccine course compared to 53% nationwide. Less than 39% have completed both doses. In Adair County, about 35% of the population has initiated the vaccine process and 32% have completed it.

Counterfeit bills have been circulating in the area. On Monday, Kirksville Police responded to a downtown business in reference to a report of a customer passing two counterfeit $100 bills. Police contacted the business owner and seized the $100 bills. In most instances in the past when Kirksville Police investigated and seized counterfeit $100 bills, they were commercially produced and were marked “For Motion Picture Use Only.” Bills marked with “For Motion Picture Use Only” are typically meant to be props. The counterfeit $100 bills seized by Kirksville Police this week are different. These bills have a Turkish word for “nonnegotiable” or “not valid” printed on the front and rear of the bills. It is not illegal to possess prop or other counterfeit bills, however, it is illegal to use these bills in place of legal currency. Kirksville Police ask that businesses and citizens be aware of these counterfeit bills are in our community and be on the lookout for them. A photo of the counterfeit bills seized by Kirksville Police is posted on their Facebook page. If you suspect you may have received a counterfeit bill, contact the KPD or a local bank.

The Adair County Health Department confirmed 11 new cases of COVID-19 in two days. The total case count is now 2,510 with 22 active cases and 2,468 people who have left isolation. The five new cases confirmed Monday, June 21, include females ages 16 and 41, and males ages 11, 39 and 52. The six cases confirmed yesterday include females ages 22, 26, 27 and 61, and males ages 25 and 34. Five cases are in households with at least one other confirmed case. A 62-year-old female reported June 18 was admitted to Northeast Regional Medical Center on June 20. She does not require a ventilator.

A lawsuit over Missouri’s failure to expand Medicaid got underway yesterday. In August of last year, a constitutional amendment to expand the program was supported by 53% of Missouri voters. More than 275,000 Missourians would be eligible under expansion, which would have taken effect July 1, but lawmakers say they don’t have the funding to pay for it. Three women sued the Governor’s administration last month, to require the state to implement the expansion, arguing they need the health insurance program to get treatment for illnesses including asthma and diabetes. The Missouri Attorney General’s Office argues that the Governor cannot implement the expansion because lawmakers didn’t include the $1.9 billion estimated cost in the state budget.

Troop B investigated 8 injury crashes and 1 fatal crash for the week of June 13 thru June 16. With 8 people being injured as a result of those crashes and 1 fatally injured. The Missouri State Highw Patrol reports that 8 occupants of those vehicles were unrestrained or not wearing a helmet on a motorcycle.

A limited number of doses of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine will be administered at the Adair County Health Department, on South Jamison Street in Kirksville today. Unlike other COVID-19 vaccines, the Johnson & Johnson
vaccine requires only one dose, not two. Adults ages 18 and older interested in getting the vaccine should call the Health Department at 660-665-8491 to register. Those who receive the vaccine today will be fully vaccinated as of July 6.

Missouri farmers and residents needing to dispose of unwanted or leftover pesticide products including herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, rodenticides, de-wormers and fly-tags, have a chance to do so Saturday morning from 8 until noon outside Salisbury. Learn more about the Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ pesticide collection event on DNR’s website: https://dnr.mo.gov/env/hwp/pesticide/

Four people were injured in an accident in Clark County. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol report, 33-year-old Eric Wood of Arbela, was driving a Dodge Ram 2500 on U.S. 136, just before noon on Friday. His truck crossed the center line and struck a Jeep Wrangler that was being driven by 65-year-old Randy Sponseller, of Memphis. Sponseller’s vehicle traveled off the right side of the roadway and overturned. Wood suffered moderate injuries and transported by ambulance to Scotland County Hospital. Sponseller received minor injuries. His passengers, 66-year-old Valerie Sponseller, and a 14-year-old girl, were seriously injured. The woman was transported by ambulance to Blessing Hospital for treatment. The teen was transported by Air-Evac to to Blessing Hospital.