News Staff

A federal judge says Missouri cannot sue China over covid-19.

The lawsuit from attorney general Eric Schmitt said China is “responsible for the enormous death, suffering, and economic losses they inflicted on the world, including Missourians.”

But the judge said that a sovereign foreign nation cannot be sued in American courts. Schmitt says he will appeal.

According to AAA, the average gas price in Missouri for unleaded is $4.47 a gallon, and that’s 10-cents lower than last week.

Gas prices are beginning to creep down a little, though AAA is not sure if that trend will last very long.

In Adair county, the average is $4.52 a gallon. And it’s $4.62 in Sullivan county. The national average is also backing away from five bucks…now at $4.75 a gallon.

Adair county count: 77 cases reported in the past seven days. That’s up from 73 the week before.

Cases have been on the rise for the past month. And one additional death reported which brings the county total to 54 deaths since the pandemic started.

But for the most part, the current strain that’s going around is mild, and few people have ended-up in the hospital as a result.

Life in prison for a former Kirksville man who was convicted of sexually abusing children. John Michael Cleary also received three separate 15-year sentences for his crimes.

Cleary is 74 years old.

A special prosecutor will now decide if criminal charges are appropriate against Adair county commissioner Mark Thompson.

Police arrested Thompson after video showed him throwing a campaign sign for another commissioner into a dumpster.

The sign belonged to fellow-commissioner Mark Shahan. But since the commissioners are well known locally, an outsider will be brought in.

Sullivan county prosecutor Brian Keedy will handle the case.

Governor Parson wants to cut your state income taxes. He made that comment after vetoing a tax one-time tax rebate that the legislature passed this year.

Parson says he’d like to cut the state income tax that most people pay from 5.4%.to about 4.7%. State lawmakers would have to approve the proposed tax cut.

Fourth of July Fireworks in Kirksville.

The blasts of color will begin at dusk at the North Park Sports Complex on North Novinger.

Kirksville Police have a plan for parking and traffic flow: Emmett Street, between Novinger and Lincoln will close. There will be no parking or driving on this portion of Emmett Street. This will give emergency responders access to the area.

Also, Emmett Street between Baltimore and Novinger will close once the fireworks are done. So, all traffic leaving the North Park Complex will be sent out to Baltimore Street by way of East Charles. Officers will be there to direct traffic.

Monday is the 4th of July holiday. City offices will be closed. But you can take a swim at the Kirksville Aquatic center…in the morning from 6-9:30 and in the afternoon from 12-5. The city wading pools will be closed.

And again…a reminder from Kirksville police that fireworks are legal thru July 5th — only on your property from 9am to 11pm. But if neighbors complain, officers can give you a citation for distrubing the peace.

Embarrassing arrest for an Adair county commissioner.

Mark Thompson is accused of ripping down a campaign sign for Presiding Commissioner Mark Shahan. The charge is a misdemeanor. If convicted, Thompson could do jail time…or be fined.

A $20-thousand dollar reward is offered in Scotland county, in an effort to catch two guys who stole farm equipment from Ed’s Machinery. One of the men brought in a cashier’s check for the equipment — but it turned out to be a bad check.