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Police have identified the woman who was murdered in Palmyra. The body of 34-year-old Crystal Cooper, was found in a car in the 100 block of East Jefferson Street of Palmyra Friday morning. The suspect, Raymond Dean Gum, Jr., was arrested Saturday in Menard County, Illinois. It’s believed that the victim and suspect were in a relationship. Gum Jr. was arrested for Class A Felony of Murder in the First Degree and Felony Armed Criminal Action in connection to Cooper’s death. Gum Jr.’s bond was set at $1,000,000 and he was being held in Menard County over the weekend.

A Bucklin man has been arrested on 43 counts of 1st degree sex offenses. The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control announced the arrest of 54-year-old Roger Cupp, on Friday. The arrest was the result of an investigation conducted by members of the Division of Drug and Crime Control’s Troop B Criminal Investigations Unit and the Linn County Sheriff’s Office. On August 25th, 2021, the Linn County Sheriff’s Office requested the Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control to assist with an investigation involving allegations of statutory rape and child molestation. During the investigation, it was determined over a five-year period Cupp had committed multiple sexual offenses involving one child. On September 3rd, investigators executed a search warrant at Cupp’s residence on East Truman Street, in Marceline. Troopers located Cupp in Brookfield, where he was arrested, without incident and was transported to the Macon County Jail. On September 3, the Linn County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office formally charged Cupp with several criminal counts. Cupp remains in custody, with no bond.

Due to the Labor Day holiday today, trash and recycling collection in Kirksville, including glass recycling by RTS Waste Services, LLC, will be delayed by one day during the coming week. Remember to set your trash tote, recycling tote, and glass recycling tote curbside by 6:00 am the day after your usual day of trash and recycling collection.

The City of Kirksville is asking for the community to help identify an individual or organization to be considered for the Small Town Civic Volunteer Award through CivicPlus, the nation’s leading technology platform for local government. The City has been given the opportunity to submit a nomination for this award, but first, they want to hear from you. Volunteerism is vital to the success of ciyt’s like Kirksville, and according to CivicPlus, small town communities across the country are seeing a decline in volunteers to serve as board/committee members, coaches, elected officials, firefighters, and more. You are invited to nominate an individual or organization you believe is worthy of recognition for their volunteer efforts for the City of Kirksville. All nominees will be reviewed by the City Council, and one individual or organization selected for submission. All nominees will receive a Certificate of Recognition from the City Council. To nominate, complete the form found online at: www.kirksvillecity.com/nominate.

Kirksville Parks and Recreation is thanking the Rotary Club of Kirksville for building and installing a free community library at Brashear Park. Community members can take books at their convenience, and leave books so that they can be enjoyed by others. You can stop by and check out the great selection of books that are available for all ages.

Adair County COVID-19 deaths rise to 29. A previously reported 54-year-old female admitted to Northeast Regional Medical Center Aug. 22 died yesterday. The Adair County Health Department confirmed 12 new cases of COVID-19 Monday and another 12 yesterday which brings the overall case count to 3,252. There are currently 120 active cases and 3,103 people who have left isolation. Among the 24 cases, eight reside at addresses with at least one other confirmed case, six
are in the K-12 schools sector, one is in the higher education sector, and two are breakthrough cases.

Elsewhere in Northeast Missouri, The Macon County Health Department reported that during the week of August 25 – August 31, there were 48 new cases of COVID-19 in the county.

The Knox County Health Department reported 14 new cases from August 31st to September 1st, and has worked 102 cases since August 1st.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved Missouri’s request for a major disaster declaration. A total of 21 counties will receive federal assistance in response to severe storms and flooding beginning in late June and continuing through July 1. The Governor’s August 13 request included $10 million in qualifying disaster-related expenses that had already been identified. FEMA’s approval means local governments and eligible nonprofits in the 21 counties – including Chariton County in Northeast Missouri – will receive reimbursements for emergency response costs and repairs to roads, bridges, and other public infrastructure.

Troop B, along with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, will be conducting Operation C.A.R.E today thru September 6 at midnight. This operation is to promote safety and reduce traffic crashes and injuries on Missouri Highways. 18 people died and 463 were injured in 1,041 traffic crashes over the 2020 Labor Day holiday. Troopers arrested 146 people for driving while intoxicated during last year’s holiday weekend.

Adair County closed out the month of August with 469 newly confirmed cases of COVID-19. There were 80 confirmed cases in June and 203 in July 2021. A total of 34 new cases were confirmed Aug. 31, spiking the county’s overall case count to 3,228. There are at least 132 active cases, 3,068 people who have left isolation, and 28 known COVID-related deaths among Adair County residents. There are now two residents known to be on ventilators. Among the 34 new cases confirmed Aug. 31, 23 reside at addresses with at least one other confirmed case, seven are in the K-12 schools sector, five are in the higher education sector, and seven are breakthrough cases involving fully vaccinated individuals.

The City of Kirksville’s Public Works Department, at the suggestion of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, is conducting a free chlorine conversion this month to approximately October 11th. This water treatment process is normal throughout the United States and Missouri. It is used to make sure the outer limits of the Adair County water supply is sanitized and provides quality tasting drinking water. For more information, contact the City of Kirksville’s Public Works Department at 660.627.1291.