KIRX News

As the vaccine events originally slated for this week in Kirksville have bee postponed, people are anxious to know when they will be rescheduled. On Monday evening, the Governor’s office canceled the regional vaccine event which had been scheduled to take place on Thursday, citing the winter weather. Upon cancelation of that event, the Adair County Health Department postponed the event scheduled for today for administration of the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to those who received the first dose on January. 27th.

Jim LeBaron, Adair County Health Department administrator, says the vaccine clinics require substantial planning, site configuration and significant human resources from area healthcare providers, first responders and law enforcement, among others. Logistically, the two vaccine clinics need to occur on two consecutive days to optimize resources. LeBaron says they are waiting now waiting to find out when the National Guard plans to reschedule the regional vaccine effort so the health department can reschedule the second-dose clinic for the day before.

As soon as the Health Department is advised of the date the Missouri National Guard will be in Kirksville for the regional vaccine clinic, the public will be notified of the rescheduling details for both efforts.

The Adair County Health Department confirmed 19 new cases of COVID-19 from Friday, Feb. 12 through yesterday. The total case count now stands at 2,277 with 46 active cases currently, 2,211 people who have left isolation, and 20 COVID-related deaths. Eight cases were confirmed on February 12th, including females ages 14, 19, 21, 28, 43 and 67, and males ages 19 and 22.
There was only one case confirmed on February 13, a 71-year-old male, and one on February 14, a 14-year-old female. Four cases on February 15th include a 21-year-old female and males ages 20, 21 and 51. The five new cases confirmed yesterday include females ages 20 and 21 and males ages 19, 25 and 65. Among the 19 new cases, eight reside at addresses with at least one other confirmed case. Two are in the K-12 schools sector and 10 are in the higher education sector.

Governor Mike Parson announced that all COVID-19 mass vaccination events in partnership with the Missouri National Guard, Department of Health and Senior Services, and State Emergency Management Agency scheduled through Friday, are being canceled in the interest of safety due to extreme winter weather. This includes the 2 mass vaccination events that were scheduled for tomorrow and Thursday at The Crossing in Kirsksville. Governor Parson said the state is making every effort to reschedule these events. Missourians scheduled to receive a vaccine this week through other providers should check with their vaccinator for any potential schedule changes.

Ameren Missouri is encouraging natural gas conservation during this extended cold period. Due to the winter storms and low temperatures across the Midwest, the demand for natural gas has been peaking. Pam Harrison, director of gas operations for Ameren Missouri says the prudent use of natural gas will also help customers save money during this extended cold period. Tips to reduce natural gas usage: set your thermostat as low as is comfortable and turn down the temperature of your water heater to the warm setting.

Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Troop B is advising people to stay home if possible. With extremely cold temperatures this morning, officials say if you don’t need to travel, don’t. If you do please take precautionary measures to make it to your destination. Driver license examination stations in Troop B are closed today due to the weather.

Macon Municipal Utilities is also urging its customers to conserve energy as historic sub-zero temperatures are forcing an increase in energy usage which is placing a strain on energy supply and in some states, impacting power grids. Energy providers in the Kansas City and St. Joseph areas have been implementing temporary blackouts in 30-minute increments to conserve energy.

Be careful if you have to venture out today. A Wind Chill Warning is in effect until noon tomorrow. Dangerously cold wind chills as low as 25 below zero are forecast. There’s also a Winter Weather Advisory in effect for additional snow accumulations of up to an1 inch.

Stay informed about road conditions by using MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map, available online at traveler.modot.org, the free mobile app, or you can also call 888-ASK-MODOT.

The regional COVID-19 vaccine event originally scheduled for February 10th has been rescheduled for Thursday, February 18th from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. at The Crossing, in Kirksville. The Adair County Health Department, local and regional healthcare and community partners, and the Missouri National Guard will be coordinating the mass vaccination and directing traffic at The Crossing. Those who registered for the February 10th event should keep the same scheduled appointment time. Due to cancellations, there are some appointments still available. Visit the Adair County Health Department website and click on the registration link on the homepage to register. Those who do not have internet service can call 660-730-6100 and 660-730-6200 to register. This regional event is primarily for adults age 65 and older and high-risk individuals. See more about who is qualified on the health department’s website or Facebook page.

Missouri Senator Roy Blunt released a statement Saturday after voting against a second impeachment of President Donald Trump. Blunt said that before the trial he believed the constitutional purpose for presidential impeachment was to remove a president from office, not to punish a person after they have left office. Blunt went on to day that none of the arguments presented changed his view that the proceeding was unconstitutional. Blunt added that impeachment is not a tool that should be used to settle political scores against a private citizen. The former President was acquitted when a two-thirds majority was not reached to impeach.

Those who received their first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID vaccine at the January 27th drive-through should return next Wednesday, February 17th, for their second dose. The Adair County Health Department has scheduled a walk-in clinic at The Crossing, 810 East Shepherd Avenue in Kirksville to administer the second dose. The clinic is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is not open for the general public. Vaccine recipients should arrive at The Crossing at the same time as their first dose was scheduled on January 27th.

The statewide event with the Missouri National Guard and community partners that was postponed on February 10th has been rescheduled for Thursday, February 18th at The Crossing, in Kirksville, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. A separate press release from the health department will be issued today with details regarding the rescheduled event.