KIRX News

The City of Kirksville’s Parks and Recreation Department is inviting volunteers to join them at the North Park Complex on Saturday, April 3, immediately following the Annual Easter Egg Hunt, for a park cleanup event in preparation for spring games. Bring your gloves, yard tools, and a wheelbarrow to help clean up the park from 10:30 am to 1:00 pm.

Governor Mike Parson signed Executive Order 21-06 this week, establishing the Show Me Strong Recovery Task Force. Parson said.COVID-19 had an overwhelming impact on businesses and communities across the state, but the economy continues to come back strong. Parson added that the state must remain vigilant in efforts and ensure small businesses have the support they need to recover and succeed. The purpose of the Show Me Strong Task Force is to study and develop recommendations on ways to support small businesses, including minority-owned businesses, throughout Missouri. The task force will also consider ways to better engage minority-owned businesses through existing economic development tools. The task force will submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the Governor by December 31st.

Macon County reports they are seeing a resurgence of COVID-19 The health department says there was a 4-week stretch between February 7th – March 6th with 6-7 cases each week, last week March 7 – 13th, 20 new cases were confirmed (by test date) and this week March 14 – March 20th, there were 25 new cases (by test date). Since the health department’s last press release on March 17th, tjhey are announcing 24 cases with ages ranging from child to elderly adult.

The Adair County Health Department confirmed another six COVID-19 cases yesteday, including one requiring hospitalization. Total case count is now 2,370 with 26 active cases and 2,324 people who have left isolation. Four of the new cases reside at addresses with at least one other previously confirmed case. One case is in the higher education sector. A 51-year-old female was admitted to Northeast Regional Medical Center Tuesday, but is not requiring use of a ventilator.

The Sullivan County Health Department confirmed four additional positive cases of COVID-19 yesterday. There’s a total of 859 cases, with 1 active probable case, and 6 active cases.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is investigating an officer-involved shooting. A Randolph County Sheriff’s Department deputy responded to Jacksonville in reference a man armed with a knife attempting to break into residences. According to the police report, the suspect approached the deputy with a knife in a threatening manner. The deputy discharged his firearm striking the suspect. Deputies rendered first aid to the suspect who died at the scene. The man has been identified as 44-year-old David Hill of Jacksonville. The investigation is ongoing by the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control upon the request of the Randolph County Sheriff’s Department.

A second dose of Moderna vaccine will be administered tomorrow only to those who received their first dose in February. Residents who received their first dose of the Moderna vaccine on February 25 at The Crossing in Kirksville will receive their second dose tomorrow at the same location. People should arrive at The Crossing at the same time on March 25 as they were scheduled on February 25 and enter through the same door. Vaccine recipients should bring with them the vaccine card they received after their first dose. They also need to print and complete Page 2 of the COVID-19 Vaccine Consent Form. The form is available on the Adair County Health Department website under the “Forms” link in the
upper right corner of the homepage. The Missouri National Guard will be assisting local emergency responders, law enforcement and other community partners at this event. Several shuttles will be available to drive people from their vehicles to the front door, and wheelchairs are available for those who need them to enter the building.

The Adair County Health Department confirmed six new cases of COVID-19 yesterday, bringing the total case count to 2,364. There are 21 active cases and 2,323 people who have left isolation. Yesterday’s cases include females ages 20 and 65, and males ages 26, 37, 40 and 61. One case is in the higher education sector.

Since moving into the Sue Ross Arts Center nine months ago, The Kirksville Arts Association has been patiently waiting for the building to be completed. The exterior mosaic murals were installed over the weekend and this project is finished. Management and staff are thanking everyone who donated to building the new arts center. The Arts Association had a dream of bringing a state-of-the-art facility to Kirksville for the community to enjoy and they appreciate everyone who helped make that dream a reality.

Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe announced yesterday that he won’t be among those running to replace GOP Senator Roy Blunt next year and instead plans to run for governor in 2024. Current Governor Mike Parson is term-limited. Kehoe said while he was encouraged by the support to serve as a Senator, he feels his true calling remains to work on behalf of Missourians in Missouri as Lieutenant Governor and as a candidate for Governor in 2024. Meanwhile, Former Missouri Governor Eric Greitens announced yesterday that he will run for the United States Senate seat of Roy Blunt in 2022. Blunt announced he would not seek re-election in 2022. Other potential Republican contenders include U.S. Reps. Ann Wagner and Jason Smith, and Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt.

After a slow rise in confirmed cases of COVID-19 among Adair County residents, the number increased by 10 in three days, including five confirmed on Saturday and another five confirmed yesterday. The number of active cases moved up from a recent low of nine to 20. Adair County’s confirmed case count is now 2,358 with 2,318 people who have left isolation.

The Moderna vaccine for COVID-19 (a two-dose shot, twenty-eight days apart) will be available on Wednesday March 24 and 31, at Scotland County Hospital in Memphis. Call their Vaccine Hotline to schedule your appointment at 660.342.6295.