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The Macon County Health Department says rates of respiratory viruses are increasing state wide and nationally, this includes COVID-19, flu, RSV and other influenza-like illnesses. COVID-19 hospitalization rates are increasing nationally and in Missouri, which can put a strain on healthcare systems and the individuals who are hospitalized if these trends continue. Wastewater (sewage) was tested during the pandemic, and continues to be tested, to watch for COVID-19 viral activity. Nationally, wastewater viral activity is very high for COVID-19, which tells us that the virus is circulating, even if people do not have symptoms or are not being tested. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued a Health Advisory urging for the need of increased vaccination rates for COVID, flu, and RSV as respiratory illness activity increases. Vaccines can reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death from a preventable disease, keeping your family healthy and safe. For more information about vaccines to prevent against respiratory viruses, testing, or general health information, contact the Macon County Health Department at 660-395-4711.

Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, provides the following preliminary statistics related to the Christmas holiday weekend: Two people died in traffic crashes during the 78-hour counting period, which began at 6 p.m. Friday, December 22, 2023, and ended at 11:59 p.m. Monday, December 25, 2023.

Troopers investigated the following:

Traffic Crashes – 124
Traffic Crash Injuries – 71
Traffic Crash Fatalities – 2
DWI – 81

[Note: Last year during the 78-hour Christmas counting period, there were 1,017 traffic crashes statewide. In those crashes, four people were killed and another 318 were injured. During the 2022 Christmas holiday, troopers investigated 306 traffic crashes which included three fatalities and 84 injuries. Troopers arrested 52 people for driving while impaired in 2022.]

Celebrate the beginning of 2024 by taking a guided hike in a Missouri state park or historic site on Jan. 1. Start a new tradition with your friends and family as you get some healthy exercise and enjoy the great outdoors. First Day Hikes are promoted by America’s State Parks and are held throughout the country. Registration is required for all hikes, but participation is free. Click on the park names below to learn more about each hike. To see more hiking opportunities near you, check out our statewide trails map. For a list of all upcoming guided hikes at Missouri State Parks, visit our Guided Hikes page.

Yesterday, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Jackson County, Governor Mike Parson celebrated the completion of his Focus on Bridges program that repaired or replaced 250 of the state’s poorest bridges. Established in 2019, the Focus on Bridges program was one of Governor Parson’s first major investments in transportation infrastructure. The final project replaced the Blue Ridge Boulevard bridge over Interstate 70 in Independence and made interchange improvements to the ramps and approaches. The bridge will officially reopen to motorists on December 22, just four years after the first bridge under the program opened on December 20, 2019, in Iron County.

A.T. Still University of Health Sciences has been recognized by Diverse: Issues In Higher Education as a top producer of health science degrees earned by students from diverse backgrounds. ATSU was ranked among the top 100 degree producers for minority students in three health science specialties, earning the ranking of No. 11 for doctoral degrees in osteopathic medicine, No. 24 for doctoral degrees in dentistry, and No. 33 for doctoral degrees in rehabilitation and therapeutic professions.

In observance of Christmas Eve and Christmas, Kirksville City offices will be closed on Friday, December 22 and Monday, December 25, 2023. The Kirksville Aquatic Center will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. City offices will also be closed on January 1, 2024, for New Year’s Day. The Aquatic Center will be open that day, but will open at 12:00 pm instead of 6:00 am.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol would like to remind the public that driver examination stations throughout the state will be closed on the following dates:
Monday, December 25, 2023, in observance of Christmas. Normal operations will resume on Tuesday, December 26, 2023.
Monday, January 1, 2024, in observance of New Year’s Day. Normal operations will resume on Tuesday, January 2, 2024.

A reminder that Kirksville City Council candidate filing continues through December 26. Interested candidates who meet the eligibility criteria can file in the City Clerk’s office, located on the second floor of City Hall, during regular business hours. The Municipal Election for City Council will be held on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. There is one three-year term available in the election.

Serious injuries in a wreck in Ralls County yesterday afternoon. The Missouri State Highway Patrol says 93-year-old Virginia Ogle of Center, Missouri, was driving a GMC Acadia westbound on U.S. Highway 61 at New London, and tried to make a right turn onto northbound U.S. Highway 61, and was hit by a Hyundai Elantra driven by 22-year-old Gavin Golden of Hannibal, Missouri. Golden was not wearing a seat belt. He suffered serious injuries and was taken by helicopter to University Hospital Columbia.

A reminder from Kirksville Police: Cutting across a business or private parking lot is to avoid a stoplight or stop sign at an intersection is against the law. City of Kirksville ordinance 38-236 reads: Avoiding traffic-control device or sign; penalty. It shall be unlawful for the driver of any vehicle to drive such vehicle across private or public property to avoid an official traffic-control device or an official traffic-control sign.This violation is commonly seen at busy intersections such as Baltimore and Jefferson (depicted) or Baltimore and Green, where to avoid traffic backup, drivers cut across property to avoid what is ahead. This is in violation of the city ordinance and can be very dangerous.