Governor Mike Parson signed Executive Order 21-07 extending the state of emergency in Missouri through August 31st, to help accelerate COVID-19 recovery. Governor Parson said. the state has made incredible progress in a short amount of time, and must continue doing all that it can to support citizens, business, and communities throughout the recovery process. The state of emergency extension will allow the state continued flexibility in providing resources and easing regulatory burdens to further assist Missouri’s COVID-19 recovery efforts. This also allows for continued utilization of the Missouri National Guard and federal funding for COVID-19 response efforts. Governor Parson initially declared a state of emergency on March 13, 2020, with the signing of Executive Order 20-02. Since that time, nearly 600 state statutes and regulations have been waived or suspended to increase efficiency and effectiveness in responding to COVID-19.
Shoulder and Bridge Work Scheduled for Routes in Schuyler County
Weather permitting, MoDOT crews will be doing work on Schuyler County Route E. Starting today through April 1st, the road will be closed at North Fork South Fabius River bridge, located approximately 3.5 miles east of U.S. Route 63, for bridge work. Motorists will need to use alternate routes during this work. All work will be completed between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. each day. The bridge will open to traffic at the end of each day. [fay-bee-us]
Kirksville’s Spring Brush and Limb Pick Up
The City of Kirksville’s Spring Brush and Limb Pick Up is scheduled for April 5 to 9.
City crews will begin picking up tree limbs and large brush. Although the work is expected to take the entire week, to guarantee pick up, your brush must be placed curbside by 7:00 am, Monday, April 5th. This includes limbs that are no longer than 10 feet in length, and / or no wider than 18 inches in diameter.
Adair County Adds 4 More COVID-19 Cases
Three new cases of COVID-19 were confirmd on Thursday and one
confirmed Friday bringing Adair County’s total case count to 2,374. There are 28 active cases and 2,326 people who have left isolation. Cases confirmed March 25 include females ages 18 and 59 and a 50-year-old male. One case is in the K-12 schools sector. Friday’s case involves a 34-year-old male. A previously reported 86-year-old female was admitted Thursday to Samaritan Hospital in Macon. A previously reported 51-year-old female, admitted to Northeast Regional Medical
Center March 23, was discharged to her home Thursday. Neither women have required a ventilator.
Phase 2 of The State’s Vaccination Plan Starts Today
Another 880,000 Missourians become eligible today to get the coronavirus vaccine. Phase 2 of the state’s vaccination plan starts today. It includes Missourians who work in higher education, libraries, financial services, government, construction, critical manufacturing, and remaining food and agriculture sectors. Governor Parson says with continued progress with and the vaccine supply expected to increase significantly, the state is way ahead of schedule. Phase 3, which includes all Missouri adults, will be activated on April 9.
Adair County Vaccine Estimates
The number of Adair County residents fully vaccinated against COVID-19 continues to grow as efforts by the Adair County Health Department and other local healthcare providers continue. In addition to the Health Department, Northeast Regional Medical Center, Northeast Missouri Health Council, Complete Family Medicine, Hy-Vee, Walmart and Walgreen’s have administered vaccine doses, and some will continue to do so as they receive vaccine supplies. Nearly 1,700 second doses of the Moderna vaccine were administered March 25 at The
Crossing in Kirksville. Those residents will have the maximum benefit of the vaccine as of April 8. The maximum benefit occurs two weeks after receiving the second dose of either the Pfizer- BioNTech or Moderna vaccine or two weeks after receiving the sole dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The Health Department estimates that by April 16, more than 7,000 county residents who
received vaccines in Adair County will be fully vaccinated, or approximately 23% of the population, including students attending local higher education institutions. An estimated 14% of the U.S. population has been fully vaccinated.
Scotland County Hospital Loosens COVID-19 Restrictions
With COVID-19 infections falling and vaccination rates climbing, Scotland County Hospital officials are loosening COVID-19 restrictions for visitors and patients and making other changes to accommodate patients, staff and visitors. As of yesterday, staff screeners are longer be stationed at the entrances to Memphis Medical Services and the Hospital. Rather, as people enter the facilities, a free-standing, non-contact infra-red temperature assessment device will serve as the initial fever check to identify and triage people who may have elevated temperatures. Starting April 1st, visitor restrictions will change to allow up to 2 individuals in with non-COVID patients (inpatient, outpatient or clinic patient). The current policy of no visitors for COVID-19 positive or person under investigation patients, unless end of life, will continue. More details can be found at scotlandcountyhospital.com
Kirksville Enters Partnership for Retail Growth
The City of Kirksville has entered into a consulting agreement with a company for research, marketing and consulting service to help boost retail growth. The $25,000 a year partnership with NextSite, LLC, is $20,000, less than similar entities, due to a partnership that the company has with Ameren communities. The City Council approved the partnership last week and the final language of the three-year deal is being worked out.
2 From Brookfield Face Drug Charges
Two residents from Brookfield are charged with accessory to drug trafficking. According to the Linn County Prosecutor’s Office, 49-year-old Bobby Waddle, was additionally charged with delivery of a controlled substance and 49-year-old Misty Dawn Maddox, was charged with drug possession of less than 36 grams. The alleged incident occurred on March 23. Waddle’s request for bond reduction was denied by the court on Wednessday and he remains in custody in the Macon County Jail on a $75,000 cash-only bond. Maddox was released from jail on a $2,500 bond.
Food Bank Welcomes Back Volunteers
After nearly seven months, The Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri has begun to welcome back volunteers. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, The Food Bank made the decision to drastically reduce its number of volunteers. Now, people are once again asked to join the effort to feed neighbors by giving their time. The Food Bank has a number of COVID-19 policies in place to keep volunteers safe. People interested in volunteering can sign up at sharefoodbringhope.org/volunteer.