Upcoming Fire Department Training on an Acquired Structure

The City of Kirksville’s Fire Department will be conducting destructive and non-destructive training evolutions on an acquired structure in the 1300 block of East Alexander Street during normal business hours through October 1st. Residents should expect an increase in Fire Department activity, which may include theatrical smoke, use of fire apparatus, and the presence of fire hoses on or near the roadway, during these training evolutions. No live-fire training will be conducted. Please use caution while traveling in the area.

Curbside COVID Vaccine Clinic

The Adair County Health Department is holding a curbside COVID vaccine clinic today, at their offices on South Jamison Street, at 3 p.m. First, second, and third doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will be administered to residents ages 12 and older. Call the Health Department at 660-665-8491 to register.

Inaugural Class Announced for the Missouri National Guard Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

The inaugural class for the Missouri National Guard Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony has been announced. You can see the full list, which has been posted on the City of Kirksville’s Facebook page. On October 1st, the Missouri National Guard Hall of Fame – headquartered in Kirksville – will be inducting its inaugural class. These heroes and their families will be recognized during a formal Induction Ceremony in the Rieger Armory in Kirksville. The keynote speaker will be Missouri’s Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe. This event, which will start at 11 a.m. on October 1st, is open to the public. For more information, visit the Hall of Fame’s website at www.monghof.org.

NEMO COVID-19 Updates

Nine new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed by the Adair County Health Department yesterday, which puts the overall count at 3,464. There are currently 72 active cases and 3,361 people who have left isolation. The Health Department confirmed that a previously reported 73-year-old female was admitted to Northeast Regional Medical Center Sept. 16. She is not on a ventilator. Of the new cases, four reside at the same address. Five cases are in the K-12 schools sector and one is in the higher education sector. None are vaccinated against the virus.

In Sullivan County, as part of an ongoing COVID-19 contact investigation, the Sullivan County Health Department is advising any individual who attended the SxS Poker Run at the Sullivan County Expo Center in Milan, on Saturday, Sept. 18, to monitor for symptoms related to COVID-19 due to possible exposure. Anyone who attended the event and feels they have been exposed, is asked to contact the health department. Sullivan County reported 5 new cases on Tuesday.

The Macon County Health Department is hosting a Moderna COVID-19 vaccine clinic today. Call for an appointment at 660-395-4711

Wanted Sex Offender Apprehended

A wanted sex offender has been apprehended. Yesterday, Kirksville Police received information that Joshua David Pearson, had been arrested in Iowa. Kirksville Police had been attempting to locate Pearson in reference to an Adair County warrant for sex crimes. That case involved an 11-year-old, female victim. Kirksville Police were advised Pearson is also facing new charges in two counties in Iowa. A press release from the Appanoose County Sheriff’s Office stated deputies from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office attempted to stop a black GMC pickup for a traffic violation on Highway 5 in Iowa. The driver, later identified as Pearson, did not stop and the pursuit continued into Appanoose County. Pearson later abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot before being captured by authorities.

Injury Crashes Troop B

The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Troop B investigated 13 injury crashes for the week of September 12 thru September 18. With 13 people being injured as a result of those crashes. 9 occupants of those vehicles were unrestrained which is 69% unbuckled.

Rescheduled Sidewalk Brick Band Replacement to Begin

The rescheduled sidewalk brick band replacement is set to begin next week. Work on this year’s sidewalk brick band replacement project in the Central Business District – or Downtown area of Kirksville – willl begin Monday, September 27. The project will consist of removing the old brick pavers and replacing them with colored concrete in a stamped brick pattern. Sidewalks may be temporarily closed while the brick bands are replaced. However, access to businesses will be maintained throughout the project. The project area includes the west side of the 100 block of South Franklin Street, 100 block of East McPherson Street, the 100 block of South Marion Street, the 200 block of North Main Street, the 100 block of South Main Street, and various curb extensions on the Square.

Truman’s Mask Policy Remains in Place

Truman’s mask policy will remain in place. The Univerity says after considering a variety of factors, including recent campus surveys, the number of active cases in Adair County, the advice of public health professionals and CDC guidance, Truman will continue the current mask policy and will review and reevaluate the policy by November 5th. Masks are required inside all campus buildings, regardless of an individual’s vaccination status. The only exceptions are for dining and when in a personal residence hall room or office. Recent surveys show Truman’s known vaccination rate for faculty/staff 65% and students 50%.

New COVID-19 Cases Since Friday

The Adair County Health Department confirmed another 17 new cases of COVID-19 among residents since Friday. The overall case count now stands at 3,437 with 73 active cases and 3,333 people who have left isolation. Seven of the new cases reside at addresses with at least one other confirmed case, four are in the K-12 schools sector, and one is a fully vaccinated employee at an area skilled nursing facility. Three other cases are also breakthrough cases.

MO Coalition for Roadway Safety Conference

The Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety is hosting Missouri’s 2021 Highway Safety and Traffic Conference through tomorrow. The conference being held in-person or virtual,. feautures a comprehensive agenda that supports the state’s strategic highway safety plan, Show-Me Zero. Speakers at the conference include Governor Mike Parson, Patrick McKenna, Director of the Missouri Department of Transportation, Colonel Eric Olson of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and representatives from MODOT, AAA, the Federal Highway Administration, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, local law enforcement agencies and more. Topics at the conference include ways to prevent distracted driving, efforts to promote motorcycle safety, workzone safety, high risk DWI sentencing and the promise of DWI courts, and using technology to advance Missouri operations.