News Staff

A.T. Still University’s public COVID-19 vaccine clinic for today has been postponed as the use of the Johnson & Johson vaccine has been paused. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the US Food and Drug Administration are recommending that the United States pause the use of the one-dose vaccine following six reported US cases of a “rare and severe” type of blood clot. All six cases were reported in women between 18 to 48, and symptoms appeared six to 13 days after vaccination. One person is currently in critical condition and another, a 45-year-old Virginia woman, died. Dr. Randall Williams, director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services said the state will follow federal guidance and pause the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine until further notice.

A man died in a crash in Shelby County Monday afternoon. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol report, 64-year-old Thomas Davidson, of Shelbyville, was traveling northbound on Route BB in a semi that was pulling a grain hopper trailer, when he failed to negotiate a curve, ran off the right side of the roadway and overturned. Davidson died at the scene from his injuries. The crash report says he was not wearing a safety device.

Adair County Public Library will be open for business with fewer restrictions starting today. Visitors can stop in for services without appointments. The library will still be doing curbside delivery for people who wish to stay in their vehicles. Call 660-665-6038 for curbside services. For those going inside, visitors are asked to wear a mask. New library hours will be Monday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Thursday and Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Adair County Health Department voted to end its mask mandate effective May 1st. With cases continuing to remain low in the county, and only four active cases as of yesterday, the board of trustees voted unanimously to end the mask mandate. The board can bring it back if COVID-19 cases rise. Private businesses can still opt to require customers and employees to wear maskes if they wish.

Troop B investigated 7 injury crashes for the week of April 4 thru April 10. With 4 injuries being classified as moderate or serious injuries a result of those crashes. 3 occupants of those vehicles were unrestrained or not wearing a helmet on a motorcycle. April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. In addition, Missouri’s new strategic highway safety plan, Show-Me Zero, provides information and strategies for all Missourians to help promote four key messages: buckle up, phone down, slow down and drive sober. The plan can be viewed in full at www.savemolives.com.

A.T. Still University and Kirksville Family Medicine will host a public COVID-19 vaccine clinic tomorrow, from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. It will be held at the Gutensohn Clinic. The single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be administered at no cost to anyone 18 and older. To register, email covidvaccinesignup@atsu.edu to request a time or call 660-626-2191. More than 500 people were vaccinated at ATSU in similar clinics last week. The Adair County Health Department will offer curbside vaccinations on Thursday.

The Macon County Health Department is holding a COVID-19 vaccine clinic tomorrow from 1-3:30 pm. The clinic is open to all adults 18 and older. Call the health department at 660-395-4711 to schedule an appointment. The Health Department has 100 doses of vaccine for this clinic. Once appointments are full, those who want a vaccine will be added to the wait list for the next vaccine clinic.

Last week, the Kirksville R-III School District received a faxed message from the Missouri State Attorney General’s office regarding a complaint alleging a Sunshine Law violation. According to the Missouri Attorney General’s office, the Sunshine Law declares Missouri’s commitment to openness in government. The law sets out the limited instances when meetings, records, and votes may be closed, while stressing that these exceptions are to be strictly interpreted to promote the public policy of openness. Public meetings, including meetings conducted by telephone, internet, or other electronic means are to be held at reasonably convenient times and must be accessible to the public. The Kirksville R-III School District says they immediately sought clarification from the Attorney General’s office about the complaint and are continuing in the process of responding to their request for additional information.

Crews will begin on the Missouri Route 15 resurfacing and sidewalk project today. The entire project includes resurfacing from U.S. Route 136 west junction at Memphis to Missouri Route 6 north junction in Edina with sidewalk work in Edina north of Missouri Route 6, the total length of improvement being just over 22 miles. The project will also have added shoulders from U.S. 136 west junction at Memphis to Missouri Route 6 north junction in Edina, the total length of improvement is just over 21 miles.

During last week’s City Council Meeting, Kirksville Mayor Zac Burden signed a proclamation declaring April 11 through 17, “National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week” in the City of Kirksville. Public safety telecommunicators perform mission critical tasks behind the scenes to support police, fire and EMS. The Kirksville Police Department says this week is a way to recognize the hard work of these valuable members of public safety and thanks the women and men of the Adair County E911 Center and public safety telecommunicators nationwide.