News Staff

Covid cases dropped in Adair county in the past 7 days. 36 cases reported. That’s 20 fewer than the previous
7-day period. The Adair County Health Department will have doses of the new booster shot soon — that is supposed to be effective against the Omicron strain. If you need information or want to schedule an appointment, call the health department.

A Kirksville murder suspect found dead. That’s what the sheriff believes about human remains found Tuesday off
Youngstown Trail

That’s where the search has been focused for Jesse Rongey. The sheriff says evidence strongly suggests it is Rongey that they found. He’s accused of killing and mutilating 54 year old Stephen Munn of Kirksville. He killed Munn on Youngstown Trail after he had been staying on Munn’s property.

A motive for the murder, not given

A new Gallup poll says that for the first time, more America say they smoke pot than cigarettes.

Sixteen percent of adults say they use marijuana, compared to 11% percent who just smoke cigarettes. That’s according to the poll of 1,013 adults contacted in July.

Meantime, the issue of legalizing weed may be on the ballot for Missouri voters this November. But, it may not. A group is suing to keep voters from deciding, and the judge has a Sept. 13 deadline

Do you have some kids halloween costumes you’re not using?

The Kirksville Kiwanis club can put them to good use. They’re having the annual costume drive to help kids who can’t afford a trick or treat outfit.

You can drop off a costume at the Adair County Public Library or Adair County YMCA through October 16th.

In Moberly, police arrested a man on a parole violation and found that he had stolen items in his home.

33 year old Dustin Wheeler was arrested. Wheeler was locked-up on a pending charge of second-degree burglary. Police said they would work on returning the stolen items to their owners.

A tax-cut for Missouri residents is put on hold for a few days.

State lawmakers will not gavel into session next Tuesday to consider cutting state income taxes.

Instead, they will start the session on September 14th. That will give legislative leaders time for more wheeling and dealing behind closed doors. The governor vetoed the idea of a one-time tax rebate; he wants a tax cut. So, lawmakers have to decide to either override the governor on the rebate — or go along with him on reducing the tax rate.

Adair county covid count: In the past 7 days, an increase. 56 new cases reported. That compares to 44 the prior week.

The Omicron variant continues to be what we’re dealing with. And now Pfizer and Moderna say, they’ve got a booster shot for that.

The FDA has approved the new recipe for the vaccine which is supposed to target Omicron. Now, the CDC has to approve it, and decide who should get the new shot.

Work to start next week on a new sidewalk on North Baltimore Street. The work set to begin on Tuesday, starting at the intersection at New Street and running to Highway 6.

Besides the sidewalk, improvements are also planned for signs and traffic signals. Total cost is just under $400,00, with the state and city sharing the tab. The city will pay about $151,000

Kirksville police have arrested a man in a robbing and pistol whipping. 29 year old Damon Downer was charged with burglary and robbery.

Police say he and some other males — robbed a victim last Friday evening on Pheasant Drive — hitting the victim in the mouth with a pistol. The man knew Downer, and identified him as the attacker.

Downer was found a few hours later in a home on West Pierce with three women who had outstanding warrants.. Also found in the home, a young girl who was a runaway.

The police department along with Adair sheriff’s deputies and the State Patrol report more than 30 arrests so far this year in Kirksville on drug charges — arresting suspects for both possession and for selling dope. Searches have recovered meth and fentanyl and stolen guns. Police Chief Scott Williamson said that these drug raids can be very dangerous for officers. He said they risk armed resistance, aggressive dogs and exposure to deadly narcotics or chemicals.”