KIRX News

Weather permitting, MoDOT crews will have Missouri Route 6 in Adair County down to one lane from Novinger to Rye Creek while core drilling operations are completed. Work will take place between 7:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. today and tomorrow. For more information on this and other projects in your area, you can visit us online at www.modot.mo.gov/northeast

Two new cases of COVID-19 confirmed by the Adair County Health Department on Saturday and four confirmed yesterday brings the total case count to 2,342. There are now 13 active cases, 2,309 people who have left isolation, and 20 known COVID-related deaths. Cases confirmed March 13 involve a 19-year-old female in the higher education sector and a 59-year-old female. Cases confirmed yesterday involve females ages 26, 32 and 55, and a 44-year-old male. One individual resides at an address with a previously confirmed case.

The Missouri Department of Transportation reported yesterday the northbound U.S. 24/61 on-ramp at the south interchange to Palmyra would be closed until further notice for emergency repairs. A MoDOT Area Engineer said it appears the bridge was hit recently, and it a girder is damaged. Bridge engineers will have to further inspect the situation to determine necessary repairs, which will require the ramp to remain closed. Drivers coming out of Palmyra to the south interchange wishing to go northbound onto U.S. 24/61, will need to first go south onto the highway then make a u-turn at the next crossover.

The old and new mosaic mural panels have been installed in the hallway of the Sue Ross Arts Center. While a few of the panels are original the others are new designs made from the original tiles created in 2013. New panels were also created with tiles made by the Green City R-1 art students year ago. You can view the murals when you stop in to see the traveling Smithsonian exhibit “Waterways” which is now showing.

Kirksville Schools return to full-time in-person learning today. Because bringing back the entire student population will result in a decreased ability to social distance in some buildings, mask wearing and other mitigation strategies are being used to ensure a successful return. Students and staff are required to be masked at all times, except when socially distanced, eating or drinking, or engaging in physical activities where masks are prohibitive. The district has created a quick reference guide. It includes information about facial coverings and hygiene, transportation protocols, health protocols and social distancing. Find the Return to In-Person Learning Quick Reference on the District’s website under Return to Learn > Communication section.

One person was injured in a crash in Chariton County early Saturday morning. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports that a vehicle driven by 20-year-old Ethan Bell, of Rothville, was traveling on Route E, two miles east of Sumner, when he drove off the right side of the roadway. The vehicle struck an embankment and began to overturn. Bell sustained moderate injuries and was transported by Linn County EMS to Hedrick Medical Center.

The Highway 36 project resumes today. It’s a multi-county repair and resurfacing project. Mo-Dot says crews working with contractors from Emery Sapp and Sons will be making pavement repairs between Clinton County and Macon County as well as resurfacing the highway between Parson’s Creek west of Meadville and the Macon County line. Work zones will be active throughout the project during daylight hours, Monday through Friday, with some work on Saturdays, if needed. Single-lane closures around the repair sites could remain up around the clock, in order to allow the pavement to cure. A 14-foot width restriction will be in place for the duration of the project and all work is weather permitting and could be rescheduled.

A bill to increase the gas tax in Missouri by 12.5-cents passed the Senate yesterday. The state’s current 17-cent per gallon tax on gas and diesel fuel would increase incrementally 2.5 cents per gallon annually for five years resulting in a 29.5 cent per gallon tax. Missouri currently has the third-lowest gas tax and hasn’t increased the tax in nearly 25 years. The measure now heads to the House for approval.

The Chariton County Health Center and the National Guard will be holding a first dose Mass Vaccination COVID-19 Clinic next Wednesday at the Salisbury Knights of Columbus Hall. The clinic will take place from 9 am to 4 pm. Those eligible are Phase 1A and 1B, Tiers 1 and 2. Also eligible starting Monday, Tier 3, which includes K-through-12 education, childcare, communications infrastructure, energy sector, food and agriculture, government, information technology, and more. Register online at covidvaccine.mo.gov/navigator or by calling 877-435-8411.

Troop B of the Missouri State Highway Patrol will be conducting operations this weekend. State troopers will conduct a DWI Saturation from 11 pm Saturday to 3 am Sunday. Troopers will be looking for impaired drivers, hazardous moving, speeding, and other traffic violations contributing to crashes. In addition, Troop B will conduct a Hazardous Moving Operation Sunday, from 10 am to 6 pm, on US-63 in Adair, Macon, and Randolph Counties.