News Staff

Today is the last day to nominate an individual or organization to be considered for the Small Town Civic Volunteer Award through CivicPlus, the nation’s leading technology platform for local government. The City has been given the opportunity to submit a nomination for this award, but first, they want to hear from you. Nominate an individual or organization you believe is worthy of recognition for their volunteer efforts for the City of Kirksville. All nominees will be reviewed by the City Council, and one individual or organization selected for submission. All nominees will receive a Certificate of Recognition from the City Council! To nominate, complete the form found here: www.kirksvillecity.com/nominate.

Putnam County authorities are asking for the pubilc’s assistance in locating a wanted person. 31-year-old Matthew Whitlock has active arrest warrants out of Sullivan County, for a case which lists the following charges: Leaving the Scene of an Accident (Class E Felony); Operating a Vehicle without a Valid License (Class E Felony); and Failure to Drive on Right Half of Roadway (Class A Misdemeanor). An attempt was made to take Whitlock into custody on a traffic stop which was conducted in Putnam County, last Thursday. Whitlock fled the scene on foot and is currently in hiding. Additional charges for this event are pending. See a photo of Whitlcok on the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office website in the most wanted section. Anyone who knows Whitmans’s whereabouts is asked to contact law enforcement agency.

Troop B investigated 13 injury crashes for the week of September 19 thru September 25. With 16 people being injured as a result of those crashes. 4 occupants of those vehicles were unrestrained or unbuckled.

The Sue Ross Arts Center held a formal celebration for the opening of their new location last week. Around 100 guests attended the ribbon cutting ceremony and reception on Thursday. The new location opened in June, but the opening ceremony was delayed due to the pandemic. The previous Kirksville Arts Association Building burned in a fire in 2016. The mosaic mural tiles on the outside that were recovered and restored, are on display inside the Sue Ross Arts Center.

Missouri’s Department of Economic Development Director Rob Dixon, announced he is leaving his position, effective October 22nd, to take a new post with Ameren Missouri. Governor Mike Parson thanked Dixon for his service and wished him the best in his new role as Ameren’s director of community and economic development.

The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood shortage. A sharp drop in blood donor turnout has contributed to the lowest post-summer blood inventory level in six years, and donors of all blood types – especially type O – are urged to make an appointment to give now and in the weeks ahead to help meet the needs of patients this fall. Visit RedCrossBlood.org to learn more and to make an appointment.

The Adair County Health Department confirmed another COVID-related death yesterday – a previously reported 64-year-old female. She was admitted to Boone Hospital Sept. 2 and discharged to hospice care Sept. 22. She passed away Sept. 24. There have been 33 deaths in Adair County. 12 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed since Friday. The overall case count is now 3,492 with 61 active cases, 3,398 people who have left isolation.

Yesterday’s cases involve females ages 19, 27, 43, and 74, and males ages 9 months, 4, 21, 31, 33, 34, 51 and 65. Four reside at addresses with at least one other positive case. One is in the higher education sector, and one is a breakthrough case. Among the active cases as of Friday, Sept. 24, 50% were among residents ages 0 to 30, and 33% of active cases were among those in the K-12 schools sector.

The contractor for the City of Kirksville will begin work on a stormwater improvement project to replace a box culvert on East Meadow Lane this week. The project will consist of constructing a single-cell concrete box culvert across East Meadow Lane and relocating a section of water main. This will result in the temporary closure of East Meadow Lane from tomorrow until approximately November 3rd. If traveling through the area, use caution and drive slowly. Use alternate routes when possible.

The contractor for the City of Kirksville begun mobilization and preliminary work on a sidewalk and drainage improvement project in the Central Business District – or Downtown Kirksville area – on Friday, with major construction to begin this week. The project will consist of removing the old sidewalk, pouring new sidewalk, and addressing drainage issues in both parking spaces and crosswalks within the project area. Sidewalks may be temporarily closed during construction. However, access to businesses will be maintained throughout the project. The project area includes the south side of the 100 block of West Washington Street, and both sides of the 100 block of South Elson Street. This project is funded by monies collected through the Downtown Tax Increment Finance District.

The Adair County Health Department confirmed seven new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, bringing the overall count to 3,480. There are 66 active cases and
3,382 people who have left isolation. A previously reported 73-year-old unvaccinated male was admitted to Northeast Regional Medical Center Sept. 23. He is not on ventilator support at this time. Among the new cases are females ages 9, 31, 32, 43 and 59 and males ages 14 and 51. Four reside at addresses with at least one other confirmed case, two are in the K-12 schools sector, and two are breakthrough infections.