News Staff

Kirksville Fire Assistant Chief Marc Jefferson retired after 40 years of service to the citizens of Kirksville, Adair County, and firefighters around Missouri. Jefferson is the last of the founding fathers of Local 2952 to retire from Kirksville Fire. Jefferson climbed through the ranks holding the titles of Firefighter, Lieutenant, Captain, Battalion Chief and Assistant Chief of Training. Jefferson has also been part of the the University of Missouri Fire and Rescue Training Institute’s Winter Fire School command staff for many years. On Friday during his retirement ceremony, Assistant Chief Jefferson was presented awards from Missouri State Fire Marshal Tim Bean, Firefighters Association of Missouri, Kirksville Professional Firefighters, Kirksville Fire Department and The City Of Kirksville.

The Putnam County Health Department will host a Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine clinic this month. The walk-in clinic will be held on July 15th from 3 to 6 PM for anyone who is at least 18 years old. Contact the Putnam County Health Department for more information at 660-947-2429.

With COVID-19 cases rising in Missouri, and concern that variants will speed up the spread, Governor Mike Parson is looking into the possibility of offering vaccine incentives. Parson met with the Department of Health and Senior Services to discuss the idea. Parson said he hopes to make a public announcement after the holiday weekend. As of July 2nd, 39.2 percent of residents are fully vaccinated and 44.6 percent have initiated the process. The state’s older population is getting vaccinated at a higher rate than younger people, according to DHSS data; 72.8 percent of the 65- to 74-year-old population is fully vaccinated, whereas 34 percent of the 25-34 age group is. Parson said young people in particular need to understand the severity of COVID-19 and its grip on the state.

Five new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed Friday as Adair County began the 4th of July holiday weekend. The total case count is now 2,568 with 36 active. A 65-
year-old male was admitted to Northeast Regional Medical Center last week, He did not require use of a ventilator.

The Sullivan County Health Department reported one additional COVID-19 related death on Friday. The county currently has 17 deaths and 7 active cases.

The contractor for the City of #Kirksville, began cleaning and lining existing sanitary sewer mains and manholes at various locations throughout the City last week, and the work willcontinue through September 22nd. Each year, the City performs maintenance work on existing sewer mains to extend the life of the system and its operation. Cleaning equipment will access the sewer mains through the service manholes located within the street right-of-way. The City reminds those driving in the area that traffic control will be in effect.Be sure to use caution, drive slowly through work areas, and utilize alternate routes when possible. For more information, please contact the Engineering Department at 660.627.1272.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol will participate in “Operation CARE” and Operation Dry Water, for the July Fourth holiday weekend. The 2021 counting period for the July Fourth holiday starts at 6 p.m, and lasts through 11:59 p.m., Monday, July 5th. During the 2020 counting period, 15 people were killed and 671 injured in Missouri over the holiday in 1,356 traffic crashes. Troopers arrested 145 people for driving while intoxicated. There were 14 boating crashes, which included seven injuries. Two people drowned during last year’s July Fourth holiday. Troopers made six boating while intoxicated arrests. Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, reminds Missouri’s travelers to make smart choices for a safe July Fourth holiday.

After confirming only 20 COVID-19 cases throughout the month of May, the Adair County Health Department confirmed 79 cases in June. As of yesterday, the total case
count reached 2,563. There are currently 44 active cases. Nine new cases closed out the month on June 30, and seven new cases were confirmed on the first day of July. One person, a 91-year-old woman, was admitted to Northeast Regional Medical Center. She does not need a ventilator.

The Health Department has been notified that two cases confirmed in April were positive for the B.1.1.7 variant first identified in the United Kingdom. The cases involve a 34-year-old male who tested positive April 1 and a 22-year-old male who tested positive April 2.

The All-American Red White and Blue Festival kicked off last night with Cemetery Theater. Events still to come include the Red, White and Blue Pancake Breakfast, Community Band Concert, Summer on the Square Concert, the Classic Car Show, Apple Pie Contest and the Fireworks Display at dusk on July 4th. See the full schedule online at: visitkirksville.com/redwhiteandblue.

The Missouri House sent renewal of a major tax that funds the state’s Medicaid program to Governor Mike Parson yesterday. If the Federal Reimbursement Allowance tax was not approved, the Governor said he would need to make deep budget cuts. A deadlock over abortion and birth control funding killed the renewal bill in the regular session that ended May 14. The bill that passed during this special session includes a restatement of the state’s current ban on using public funds to pay for abortions and does not attempt to bar Planned Parenthood as a Medicaid provider. Passage of the Federal Reimbursement Allowance paves the way for Governor Parson to sign the $35 billion budget approved by lawmakers.

The Knox County Health Department has received confirmation from the State of Missouri that the COVID-19 British Variant B.1.1.7 is present in Knox County. This variant was first detected in the U.S. in December. Based on data, variant B.1.1.7 is the most common variant across the country. This variant seems to spread more easliy and quickly than other variants, which may lead to more cases of COVID-19. Health officials say vaccination is the most effective and long-lasting tool for protection from this infection.