News Staff

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.

It’s going to be a windy day in Northeast Missouri. In addition to some snow showers later in the day, winds today from the WNW will be at 15 to 25 mph. Gusts in Adair County could be as high 45 miles per hour.

Second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine were administered to some in phase 1 target group this week as Adair County’s case total reaches 1,938. On Monday, 600 people received their second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at the Health Department’s drive through at the NEMO Fairgrounds. Today, the remaining 500 will receive their second dose. Health Department administrator Jim LeBaron, thanked the community partners who are assisting in the major undertaking. Another event for Phase 1 target groups will happen on January 27th. Lebaron says the vaccine administration is not open to the public.

The Health Department confirmed 24 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday and another 11 cases yesterday. There are103 active cases, 1,820 people who have left isolation and 15 COVID-related deaths.

A jury in Sullivan County convicted a man of sexual abuse of a 97-year-old woman. 41-year-old Jason Shade was found guilty by the jury of first-degree and second-degree sexual abuse for the crime that occurred in December 2018. Shade faces up to 19 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections. He is scheduled to be sentenced by a Sullivan County Judge on March 8.

A Kirksville man is facing a drug charge after his arrest in Knox County. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, 25-year-old Vance A. Myers, was arrested Friday evening for felony possession of methamphetamine-controlled substance, a Scotland County warrant, and a Knox County warrant.

A newly released report from the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy indicates Truman’s first-time pass rate on the 2019 CPA exam ranked fourth in the nation out of 272 medium-sized programs. The University’s rate ranked 14th out of the 758 institutions with 10 or more reported candidates. Truman candidates passed 83.2% of exam sections taken with an average score of 82.6. Nationally, the pass rate was 58.6% with an average score of 73.3.

Brookfield Police are looking for a Northeast Missouri man after homemade bombs were found in his residence. According to a statement from the Brookfield Police Department, 29-year-old Creed Jones was believed to have stolen a vehicle in Brookfield on Christmas Eve. He was questioned about the incident and a search warrant was executed at his residence where items were found which were property of the owner of the stolen vehicle. While searching the residence, officers say they located the bombs which were wrapped in black electrical tape. One was believed to be filled with BBs and contained a fuse. A bomb squad from the Missouri State Highway Patrol secured the explosives. Jones is facing several charges. A warrant has been issued for his arrest.

One person was injured in a two-vehicle collision east of Edina. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 52-year-old Wallace Reeves, of Hurdland, was driving a 2018 Ford Taurus on Highway 6. While attempting to make a left turn, his vehicle was hit in the rear by a 2007 Ford Escape driven by a 16-year-old female. Reeves suffered minor injuries and was transported by private vehicle to Northeast Regional Medical Center for treatment. His vehicle sustained extensive damage. The teen driver was not injured.

Adair County added 24 more COVID-19 cases yesterday for an overall count od 1,927. The 24 cases include 14 females, ages 13 to 93, and 10 males ages 11 to 81. Other Northeast Missouri counties saw COVID-19 increases as well. Macon County announced 23 new cases since Thursday. They currently have 92 people in isolation, and 4 people are hospitalized. Knox County reported 7 new cases yesterday. They have 18 active cases in the county.