News Staff

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.

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.