News Staff

The Jaycee Park wading pool reopened for the Jaycee Park Neighborhood Block Party, and will now be open every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm through August 23, 2021. The Jaycee Park wading pool had been closed due to ongoing maintenance issues and staffing concerns. The Parks and Recreation Director says that while these concerns still exist, the wading pool will operate on a limited schedule until the ultimate future of aquatic features in the park is determined by the City Council. Rodney Sadler says that based on the overwhelming response from residents, he made the decision to reopen the wading pool to continue to provide a fun and free aquatic option for the neighborhood. Sadler added that the parks and recreation department appreciates the community’s input and support.

A man was taken to the hospital with serious injuries after a dirt bike accident in Macon County. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash happened Thursday morning on private property 4 miles east of Atlanta. The driver, 57-year-old Shawn Erikson, lost control of a 2005 Honda CR85 Dirt bike, which overturned. Erikson was ejected. He was transported to Samaritan Hosptial by Macon County Ambulance, then by air evac to University Hospital in Columbia.

The Adair County Health Department confirmed 11 new cases of COVID-19 from last Wednesday to Friday, bringing the overall count to 2,592. There are 29 active cases. There are currently three residents at Northeast Regional Medical Center, none of whom are requiring a ventilator at this time. They include a 91-year-old female admitted July 1, a 30-year-old female admitted July 6, and an 84-year-old female admitted July 8. A 65-year-old male admitted July 1 was discharged to home July 4. Three cases confirmed Friday involve females ages 53 and 67, and a 45-year-old fully vaccinated male.

A rise in speeding and other reckless driving behaviors continues to be a disturbing trend in 2021. According to MoDOT Highway Safety and Traffic, during the first half of the year, more than 450 people lost their lives in a crash on Missouri roadways. The primary causes are: excessive speeds, distraction, impairment, and choosing to not wear a seat belt or motorcycle helmet. So far during 2021, Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers have issued more than 16,000 citations to drivers traveling 20 miles per hour or more over the posted speed limit, a 9% increase from the same time period in 2020. Following the August 2020 repeal of the all-rider helmet law, motorcyclist fatalities are up 33% and the number of unhelmeted riders killed in crashes increased from two in the first six months of 2020 to 31 so far in 2021. Highway officials say as we near the halfway point of the “100 Deadliest Days”, those days between Memorial Day and Labor Day when traffic fatalities are most prevalent, it’s imperative to be mindful of safety every time you use the roadways.

Sydenstricker Nobbe Partners, with headquarters in Mexico, MO, Waterloo,
IL, and St. Charles, MO has been chosen as the 2021 “Dealership of the Year” by Farm Equipment magazine. The dealership was recognized for its outstanding
financial and operating performance, and for its demonstrated commitment to employee training, community involvement and renowned customer service. The dealership was chosen for the award by a panel of renowned farm equipment experts.

The City of Kirksville’s Jaycee Park Block Party will be Sunday. City staff will also be on hand to share plans for Jaycee Park and the wider neighborhood and they want your input. The block party is from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm in Jaycee Park. The event includes games, water fun, and treats, courtesy of the Parks and Recreation Department and their community partners.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports the following 2021 July Fourth holiday statistics: Troopers worked 312 traffic crashes, which included 124 injuries and seven fatalities. Troopers also made 144 DWI arrests and 81 drug arrests over the holiday weekend. None of the traffic fatalities were in the Toop B area. During the 2020 counting period, 15 people were killed and 671 injured statewide in Missouri over the holiday in 1,356 traffic crashes. Troopers arrested 145 people for DWIs last year.

The 2021 July Fourth Holiday Boating Statistics included: 12 boating crashes, which included four injuries and one fatality. Troopers made eight BWI arrests and 43 drug arrests. There were no drownings over the holiday weekend.
In 2020, there were 14 boating crashes, which included seven injuries and zero fatalities. Two drowned last year. Troopers made seven boating while intoxicated arrests.

Governor Mike Parson announced that Missouri has requested the Federal Emergency Management Agency participate in joint Preliminary Damage Assessments in 17 counties, including Chariton County in Northeast Missouri, in response to severe storms and flooding. The joint teams will survey damage that began with severe storms on June 19 and continued through July 1 in preparation for the state’s official request for federal disaster assistance. Governor Parson said the extremely heavy rains that affected much of Missouri in late June resulted in flash flooding that caused significant and costly damage to roads, bridges, and other public infrastructure.

Glass recycling collection is delayed in Kirksville. The City was informed by RTS Waste Services, LLC, that glass recycling collection for the month of July has been delayed until Monday, July 12, 2021. The City apologizes for the inconvenience and appreciates resident’s participation in the glass recycling program. For more information, contact Reid Yardley, Code Enforcement Director, at 660.627.1272.

The Adair County Health Department has been advised of the first confirmed case involving the highly transmissible Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus. The news comes as the Health Department confirmed 13 new cases of COVID-19 over the holiday weekend. The Delta variant was found during random sampling in a case involving a 52-year-old male who tested positive for the virus on June 17. He is no longer in isolation. Among the new cases are two that are related to a skilled nursing facility and five others reside at addresses with at least one other confirmed case. Two fully vaccinated individuals are in yesterday’s count.

The Adair County Health Department will administer the first or second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to those ages 12 and older on Thursday, July 8, by appointment. Those receiving a second dose must have had their first dose on or before June 17, 2021. If you receive your first dose on July 8, you will be eligible to receive your second dose on July 29. Call 660-665-8491 to schedule an appointment.