News Staff

Last week at Sullivan County Title, Harve Rhodes, Chairman of the North Central Missouri Regional Water Commission (NCMRWC), and Tricia Burkhardt, Executive Director of the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation (MCHF) finalized agreements to establish a perpetual conservation easement around the Roy Blunt Reservoir (RBR). The conservation easement is established to mitigate for the 1,236 acres of Indiana Bat and Northern Long-eared bat habitat impacted by the construction of the RBR. Under the Endangered Species Act, adverse impacts to the habitat of endangered species warrants compensation. Because of this, the NCMRWC established a 1,644-acre conservation easement. The goals and restrictions within the easement align with the NCMRWC’s plan to preserve clean water.

From the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Missouri WIC families should continue to attend appointments and shop with their WIC cards until further notice. Missouri WIC is still working with USDA to determine the status of November WIC benefits. Last week, Governor Kehoe’s office said the Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS) announced that, due to the federal government shutdown, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (USDA-FNS) has informed state agencies that November 2025 SNAP benefits cannot be issued. SNAP benefits are 100 percent federally funded, with each recipient receiving benefits from the federal government via their Electronic Benefit Transfer card. There is no mechanism for state appropriations to be transferred to cover this funding.

The City of Kirksville says, did you know one in 10 Missourians has unclaimed property with the Missouri State Treasurer’s Office, with the average return being $300? There are more than $3.1 million in unclaimed assets in Adair County. Unclaimed property or assets usually come from:

• Cash from bank accounts
• Stocks and bonds
• Contents of abandoned safe deposit boxes
• Uncollected insurance policy proceeds
• Government refunds
• Utility deposits and wages from past jobs
  To find if you have unclaimed property, visit ShowMeMoney.com, click on the “Search for Unclaimed Property” box, and enter your information. If you have any unclaimed property, it will then guide you on claiming it.
  To learn more or contact the State Treasurer’s Office, visit Treasurer.mo.gov.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says drivers are reminded to watch for deer, which are more active this time of year, especially during evening and nighttime hours. Deer behavioral changes will be occurring due to mating season, which may cause an increase in roadway crossings. Hunting and crop harvesting may result in these animals being in places they aren’t usually seen. Drivers are urged to remain alert. When deer are seen, slow down and proceed with caution. Deer often travel in groups–stay on guard after a close call or when you see one deer. Natural features also affect deer movement. In areas where there are streams or wooded corridors surrounded by farmland, more deer may be present to cross roadways. Remember: Rural areas are not the only place where deer/vehicle strikes occur. In 2024 21.1 percent of the traffic crashes involving deer happened in urban areas. Last year, Missouri had 2,951 traffic crashes where deer-vehicle strikes occurred. One deer strike occurred every 2.98 hours in the state. In these crashes, four people were killed and 420 injured.

THe City of Kirksville says construction on the terminal isn’t all that’s happening at Kirksville Regional Airport. Runway markings received some fresh paint last week, and sections of built-up rubber were removed. The runway markings usually receive a touch-up every four years to maintain visibility, ensuring safety for takeoffs, landings and taxiing.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the Division of Drug and Crime Control continues to investigate the October 12th Ralls County Homicide. The victim who was fatally shot during the incident has been identified as 55 year old Jonathan Floyd of Perry, Missouri. If anyone has information about the shooting, they are asked to contact Troop B Headquarters at 660-385-2132.

MU Extension in Sullivan County says fall harvest means more farm equipment on Missouri roads, especially early mornings and late nights.
These vehicles move slowly and can reduce visibility. At 55 mph, it takes a car just five seconds to close the length of a football field and overtake a tractor moving 15 mph.
To keep roads safe this season:
◾Slow down and stay alert, especially on gravel roads.
◾Give space and wait to pass farm equipment safely.
◾Watch for school buses and recreational vehicles.
◾Avoid distractions like texting.
◾Practice patience-extra minutes can save lives.
Safety is a shared responsibility-working together helps make harvest season safer for everyone

A juvenile suffered serious injuries in a single-vehicle crash in Ralls County. The Missouri State Highway Patrol says it happened on Briarwood Place, near New London. The 9-year-old boy was driving a 2003 Polaris Sportsman, when the vehicle went off the roadway. He was wearing a helmet.

The Scotland County Health Department will be hosting the required Safe Food Handler’s training class on November 5th at 5:30 pm in the lobby of the Scotland County Health Department. Due to seating, please contact us at 660-465-7275 to PRE- REGISTER. This is a required class per county ordinance and is good for 2 years. Cost of this class will be $10. Please give us a call to register at: 660-465-7275.

The Missouri Department of Transportation has contracted E&C Bridge, LLC to complete a bridge deck replacement project on four bridges in Carroll, Chariton and Livingston counties. The Carroll County Route JJ bridge over West Fork Wakenda Creek, northwest of Norborne, was scheduled to close beginning Monday, Oct. 20 but has been delayed by one day to Tuesday, Oct. 21.