News Staff

Starting Saturday, you should use the full 10-digit number to dial local calls within some area codes, including the 660 area code in Missouri, according to guidance from the state. Providers across the country have agreed on April 24 as a soft launch for the effort aimed at transitioning callers in preparation for the introduction of 988 as a nationwide 3-digit emergency number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. That means that callers cannot make a local 7-digit call to a number beginning with the 988 prefix, which affects 83 area codes across 37 states. In Missouri, the affected area codes are 314, 417, 660 and 816. Everyone in those area codes will be required to dial the 10-digit number for local calls in order to be connected starting in October. Local calls made with 7 digits will still be connected as usual until October 24, but people in the affected area codes are asked to start getting into the new habit starting April 24th.

A juvenile and an adult were injured in a collision in Scotland County. The crash happened around 5 p.m. Wednesday on Route Z, eight miles north of Arbela. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol report, a 2018 Cheverolet Silverado was southbound on Route Z, crossed the center line and struck a northbound 2006 Dodge Ram, nearly head on. The 17-year-old male driver in the Silverado had moderate injuries and was taken by Scotland County Ambulance to Blessing Hospital. The driver in the Dodge Ram, 63-year-old Lyle Seaver, was seriously injured and was taken to the hospital by Air Evac.

Putnam County is participating in the DEA’s 20th Annual Drug Take Back Day, which allows residents to safely dispose of expired, unwanted, and unused prescription medications. Locally, citizens can take their prescription medications to the Putnam County Sheriff’s office and dispose of them in a locked box. No appointment is needed, no paperwork has to be completed. At its last Take Back Day in October, DEA collected a record-high amount of close to 500 tons of unwanted drugs.

The state’s health director resigned yesterday amid the state’s coronavirus vaccine rollout. Governor Mike Parson made the announcement yesterday and did not provide a reason for the departure of Health and Senior Services Director Dr. Randall Williams. Parson named his deputy chief of staff, Robert Knodell, to be the agency’s acting director. Parson thanked Williams for all the work he has done for the people of Missouri and wished him the best in his future endeavors.

The Adair County Health Department’s Mask Order – which applies to all of Adair County, including the City of Kirksville – is scheduled to expire May 1. The City of Kirksville would like to remind residents that while the Mask Order is scheduled to expire, private entities, including local businesses and workplaces, are not prohibited from establishing – and enforcing – their own rules regarding masks / face coverings, social distancing, etc. The City asks that residents and visitors be respectful of these rules as we all work to end the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Adair County Health Department will administer the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine curbside this Friday, at the Health Department facility in Kirksville. The effort is open to all individuals age 18 and older who live or work in Missouri and who have not yet received a vaccine. These doses are for the initial administration of the Moderna vaccine only, which requires two doses. The second dose will be administered May 21, at the same scheduled time as recipients receive the first dose on April 23. If you will be unable to appear at the same location for your second dose on May 21, the health department asks that you do not sign up for Friday’s event. Residents interested in receiving the vaccine should sign up using the Sign-Up Genius link on the Adair County Health Department website homepage or Facebook page. Those who do not have internet access may register by calling 660-730-6100 or 660-730-6200.

A former Northeast Missouri man was sentenced to prison yesterday for stealing. According to a press release from Matt Wilson, Prosecuting Attorney of Adair County, 40-year-old Jonathan Prebe of Kansas City and formerly of Knox County, was sentenced to serve five years in the Missouri Department of Corrections with probation being denied. The stealing charges arose out of an investigation of a stolen vehicle from an Adair Countyl business on September 12, 2020. Prebe was arrested in December 2020 and was then released on bond. On April 12, the Adair County Prosecuting Attorney was made aware of new charges, against Prebe, being filed in Livingston County for allegations of law violations earlier this month. After a hearing on Adair County’s Motion to Revoke Bond, a warrant was issued for Prebe’s arrest. He turned himself in on that warrant yesterday before appearing in Circuit Court with judge Russell Steele.

The Adair County Ambulance District is mourning a loss. Adam Bruner, Paramedic Shift Supervisor, died on Sunday April 18, after collapsing on the ACAD campus. A press release from CEO, Larry Burton, said Burner began his Emergency Medical Services career at ACAD in September of 1992 and after departing in February of 2007, returned to the ACAD team in October of 2014. He was a talented, dedicated and committed EMS provider that was passionate about the quality of care he provided to his patients. Burton added that the ACAD team is working to assist the Bruner family during this extremely difficult time.

Seven new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed yesterday by the Adair County Health Department after a 10-day lull following the Easter holiday weekend. The current case count stands at 2,427 with seven active cases and 2,400 people who left isolation. The COVID-related death toll remains at 20.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, and the Macon County Health Department, is advising recent guests of the Comfort Inn & Suites in Macon, of possible exposure to Legionnaires’ disease. DHSS determined that two individuals diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease this month had used the hot tub and/or pool at the hotel during the last full week in March. Testing of the hot tub indicated the presence of Legionella bacteria; all other test results were negative. DHSS is working to prevent more people from becoming sick by investigating and monitoring the facility to implement any needed public health safeguards. Anyone who develops symptoms of pneumonia within two weeks of staying at the Comfort Inn & Suites in Macon, should seek medical attention right away.