News Staff

Macon County, Missouri Sheriff’s Office says: It has been brought to our attention there is a telephone scam going around where someone is using the Sheriff’s Office’s phone number claiming to be with our agency. The person is being told they have warrants and need to make a payment. Remember we will NEVER call you and ask for you to make payments. Please feel free to reach out to us directly with any questions or concerns.

The City of Kirksville says the Kirksville Regional Airport will remain closed today because of ice. Due to prolonged freezing temperatures, removing the ice remains difficult.The City of Kirksville has ended its snow emergency.

The City of Kirksville is declaring a Snow Emergency, beginning at 8:00 pm on Thursday, January 11, 2024. All vehicles parked on designated Snow Emergency Routes, including City streets in the downtown, must be moved. If vehicles are not moved by then, they are subject to be ticketed and/or towed. The Snow Emergency will remain in place until terminated. Please use caution when traveling during this round of winter weather since there are forecasts of snow and ice, along with high winds. If you can limit your time on the roads, please do so.

The City of Kirksville is ending its Snow Emergency, effective immediately. The City thanks the public for their assistance in moving vehicles from the snow routes and limiting time on the roads. Residents should continue to monitor City communication channels as another Snow Emergency may be needed since more snow is forecasted over the next few days. The City encourages people who have been parked in the City-maintained lots downtown to move vehicles from those areas. Those lots are located at the intersection of South Marion Street and East McPherson Street; in front of Downtown Cinema 8; and along North Main Street, between West Harrison and West Missouri streets. With more snow coming, those lots need to be cleared so they can be fully utilized in the event of another Snow Emergency.

Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft said his house was swatted late Sunday evening. Ashcroft said he was at home with his wife and children when he received a phone call from law enforcement asking if everything was fine in his house. “It ended up with me walking out of my front door with my hands up with several armed police officers in front of my house,” he said. The police told Ashcroft that they received an emergency call saying that there had been a shooting at the residence.

Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, announces the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division will participate in a five-day Human Trafficking Awareness initiative January 8-12, 2024. This initiative is a concentrated effort to educate commercial motor vehicle drivers, motor carriers, law enforcement officers, and the general public about human trafficking, what signs to look for, and what to do in these situations. Human trafficking is illegal exploitation of a person through force, fraud, or coercion. It can take the form of sex trafficking, forced labor, or domestic servitude. Human trafficking is not specific to age, race, or gender, and it occurs in rural, suburban, and urban areas across Missouri. The victims of human trafficking are from all socioeconomic backgrounds and levels of education. Suspected human trafficking can be reported by calling 1-888-373-7888.

Be careful on the roads today. Several areas are under snow emergencies. A lot of schools are out today. We could see an additional 2 to 4 inches of snow, with winds gusting as high as 45 miles an hour. After this snow event, we’re expecting really cold temperatures later this week, and with that, the City of Kirksville would like to remind residents to protect their private water service lines, water meters and pipes in their home from freezing. City crews will only respond to breaks in water mains, as well as conduct emergency shutoffs. City crews will not respond to or work on any private water service lines beyond the curb stop box that are frozen. If you have not already done so, please winterize your water meter as soon as possible.

Be careful on the roads today. Several areas are under snow emergencies. A lot of schools are out today. We could see an additional 2 to 4 inches of snow, with winds gusting as high as 45 miles an hour. After this snow event, we’re expecting really cold temperatures later this week, and with that, the City of Kirksville would like to remind residents to protect their private water service lines, water meters and pipes in their home from freezing. City crews will only respond to breaks in water mains, as well as conduct emergency shutoffs. City crews will not respond to or work on any private water service lines beyond the curb stop box that are frozen. If you have not already done so, please winterize your water meter as soon as possible.

One person died in a crash in Daviess County yesterday. The Missouri State Highway Patrol says 67-year-old Robert Henderson was driving a Buick LaSabre south on Missouri 13, five miles south of Coffey, when he lost control in the snow. The vehicle went off the west side of the road, down an embankment, and hit a tree limb. Henderson was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Red Cross has announced, it is facing an emergency blood shortage as the number of U.S. blood donors hits its lowest level in 20 years. Blood and platelet donations are needed now to help alleviate the shortage and ensure lifesaving medical procedures proceed without delay. Over the last 20 years, the number of people donating blood through the Red Cross has fallen by about 40%. When fewer people donate blood, even small disruptions to blood donations – such as the nearly 7,000-unit shortfall in blood donations the Red Cross experienced between Christmas and New Year’s Day alone – can have a huge impact on the availability of blood products and dramatic consequences for those in need of emergency blood transfusion. Additional challenges lie ahead as winter weather and seasonal respiratory illnesses like the flu and COVID-19 may affect future donor turnout compounding the dire blood supply situation that the nation currently faces. Don’t wait — make an appointment today to give blood or platelets to help ensure people receive the care they need. Book now by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).