News Staff

The annual Martin Luther King Jr Day celebration in Kirksville this year is focused on unity. The event is virtual because of COVID-19, and it includes activities for children and families. The theme is “You Belong Here, All Are Welcome Here.” The event also includes Truman’s Student Activities Board making blankets to donate to area families, a Virtual Martin Luther King Jr. Walk, and ATSU’s Virtual 2021 Martin Luther King Jr. Speaker Event. In addition, a video is being produced that featurescommunity members and leaders speaking about inclusion, equity and belonging, and a keynote from Mayor Zac Burden. The video will be online this week. See more at: https://youbelongherekv.wixsite.com/kirksville

Three people were injured in a crash in Adair County Friday morning. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, a vehicle driven by 60-year-old Larry Steffen lost control while on Highway 6, which was snow covered, just west of Brashear. Steffen’s vehicle traveled in the path of a vehicle driven by 30-year-old Travis Anderson, and they hit head on. Both drivers were seriously injured. Steffen was transported by Adair County Ambulance to University Hospital in Columbia. Anderson was transported by Adair County Ambulance to Northeast Regional Hospital. Steffen’s passenger, 66-year-old William Reynolds, received minor injuries and was transported by Adair County Ambulance to Northeast Regional Hospital.

10 more COVID-19 cases were confirmed in Adair County on Friday. The total count as of the start of the weekend stands at 1,980 with 120 active cases and 1,845 people who have left isolation. Two of Friday’s cases are in the higher education sector. Three reside at addresses with at least one previously confirmed case. Three residents among the active cases, an 82-year-old male, 42-year-old female and 73-year-old male, remain hospitalized. None are currently requiring use of a ventilator. Two were hospitalized at Northeast Regional Medical Center. One is at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.

City buildings in Kirksville will reopen. Assistant City Manager Ashley Young announced that beginning next Tuesday, all City buildings will reopen to the public for regular business hours. Young says that to continue to help protect community members and staff from COVID-19, and ensure the availability of municipal services, a face covering, or mask, is required to enter a City building. The City continues to offer online utility bill payment – including online registration for utility services – for customers using credit or debit cards at www.kirksvillecity.com/ under the “Utilities” tab.

A Northeast Missouri Health Department is expressing frustration over the state’s vaccine distribution. As the Governor yesterday announced the activation of Phase 1B – Tier 1 of Missouri’s COVID-19 Vaccination Plan, the Knox County Health Department posted on Facebook that they have an order for vaccine sitting in the state system–and are still at 0. The order was for tier 1A and an initial shipment for 1B. Lori Moots-Clair, the agency’s administrator, says she requested another shipment yesterday, and was informed it will be reviewed for possible shipment the last week of January. In the meantime, the health department suggests if you are aware of a larger county/entity/pharmacy that has the vaccine available, who is willing to vaccinate you–take advantage of it.

The Adair County Health Department confirmed 18 new cases of COVID-19 Wednesday and another 14 cases yesterday, bringing the total count to 1,970. 122 cases are active, and 1,833 people have left isolation.

Snow and wind could make travel hazardous in Northeast Missouri. Today’s winter weather could bring 1-3 inches of snow with higher amounts possible and gusting winds. Plan on slick road conditions. Patchy blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. Slow down and use caution while driving. Check road conditions at http://traveler.modot.org/map/

The U.S. House voted to impeach President Trump yesterday, making him the first president in history to be impeached twice. The final vote was 232-197. Ten Republicans joined Democrats in approving the latest impeachment resolution. The resolution accuses the President of inciting the deadly attack on the U.S. Capitol last week. Congressman Sam Graves voted against impeachment. He called the process a waste of tax dollars and said he wants to get back to work on the issues important to North Missouri, like fixing aging infrastructure, helping hospitals battle the pandemic and bolstering efforts to protect communities from flooding. The House reconvenes Friday. The impeachment vote will lead to a trial in the Senate, though the timing and outcome are unclear.

Adair County added 18 more COVID-19 cases yesterday, bringing the total to 1,956. The new cases included eight females ranging in age from 8 to 79 and 10 males ranging in age from 16 to 77. The Sullivan County Health Department confirmed four additional positive cases of COVID-19 yesterday, bringing their total to 802.

Improvement projects have been awarded to Northeast Missouri counties. The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission recently awarded a contract for projects on Missouri Route 15 in Knox and Scotland Counties o from U.S. Route 136 west junction at Memphis to the Missouri Route 6 north junction in Edina. The road will be resurfaced, shoulders will be added, and there will be some sidewalk work in Edina. The work could begin as early as this spring and should be completed before the fall.