KIRX News

A missing Cessna aircraft was found in Grundy County yesterday afternoon, according to an alert by the Grundy County Sheriff’s Office. The plane first originated from St. Louis on Monday, where it stopped in Moberly and headed for Kirksville, but never arrived. The initial search was focused near Humphreys in Sullivan County. The search went late into the night Monday and started up again early yesterday morning. Officials announced yesterday afternoon that the plane was found in eastern Grundy County, about a mile southeast of Galt. There was one pilot and one passenger. Neither survived. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the incident.

The Adair County Health Department postponed the regional COVID-19 vaccine effort scheduled for today. Due to frigid weather, the event had been moved from a drive-through at the NEMO Fairgrounds to a walk-in clinic at Kirksville High School. Organizers then encountered logistical problems with the Kirksville R-III School District. Jim LeBaron, Adair County Health Department administrator, thanked the R-III Schools administration for trying to address the massive logistics of an event like this, but LeBaron says the event will need to move to another venue. The Adair County Health Department will announce a new location, dates and other information soon.

The Adair County Health Department confirmed 11 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday, raising the total number of cases to 2,243. There are 77 active cases, 2,146 people who have left isolation and 20 COVID-related deaths. The new cases include three 20-year-old females and other females ages 21, 38 and 50. Males are ages 15, 21, 22, 55 and 58. One of the cases is in the K-12 schools sector and four are in the higher education sector. Six cases reside at addresses with at least one other positive case.

The regional drive-through vaccine clinic scheduled for Wednesday, February 10th at the NEMO Fairgrounds will now be a walk-in event at Kirksville High School’s north gym at 1300 South Cottage Grove in Kirksville. Jim LeBaron, Adair County Health Department administrator, said the location change was prompted by the frigid temperatures. The vaccine can’t stay warm enough to be administered.

Those registered to receive a vaccine tomorrow should arrive at their scheduled time and park in the lot adjacent to the Kirksville Vo-Tech Center and the north end of the high
school. The walk-in entrance will be clearly marked. Vaccines will be administered inside the
heated small gymnasium. Members of the Missouri National Guard and Kirksville High School students will be available to assist those with mobility issues from the parking lot into the building and back to their vehicles.

Registrants who have any questions should call the Adair County Health Department at 660-665-8491.

Select hospitals, including Northeast Regional Medical Center, will be receiving weekly COVID-19 vaccine allocations through the month of February to assist with public vaccination efforts. Individuals 65 and older and adults with serious health issues are eligible to register at this time. Registration can be done by giving your name, birth date and telephone number via a voice phone message at: 660-785-1829.

The Adair County Health Department confirmed only two new cases of COVID-19 over the weekend, a 34-year-old male and a 29-year-old female. Ten new cases were confirmed yesterday. The overall case count now stands at 2,232 with 74 active cases and 2,138 people who have left isolation. Among yesterday’s cases is an 84-year-old male admitted to University Hospital in Columbia on February 5th. Three cases are in the K-12 schools sector and two are in the higher education sector. Four of yesterday’s cases reside at the same address.

Another band of light snow will be impacting travel across northern Missouri all day today. According to the National Weather Service, another round of snow is expected to affect the central and northern portions of the state throughout the day with accumulations up to an inch. Travelers are advised to check the Traveler Information Map before heading out for both morning and evening commutes and adjust travel to fit conditions. The map is linked from MoDOT’s homepage at www.modot.org and can be accessed directly at traveler.modot.org. MoDOT reminds drivers to always be aware of snowplows or salt trucks on the road and give them room to work. Remember that a snowplow operator’s field of vision is restricted. You may see them, but they may not see you.

A multi-vehicle crash in Adair County left one person with minor injuries. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol Crash Report, it happened Saturday afternoon on Missouri Route 6, about four miles east of Green Castle. A Ford Focus driven by 21-year-old Grant Bennett of Trenton, struck a Ford Escape driven by 20-year-old Devon Clinch of Milan. Bennett’s vehicle then crossed the center line and struck a third vehicle driven by 34-year-old Jennifer Steward from Indiana. Steward had minor injuries and sought treatment on her own. Everyone involved in the accident was wearing seat belts.

The Adair County Health Department confirmed 14 new cases of COVID-19 Friday. The total case count is now 2,220 with 79 active cases, 2,121 people who have left isolation and 20 COVID-related deaths. The new cases include females ages 18, two age 19, 20, 49, 50, 57, 59 and 82. Males include two 20-year-olds and others, ages 21, 22 and 68. Nine of the cases are in the higher education sector. Seven reside at addresses with at least one other confirmed case.

The Adair County Health Department is working with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, the Missouri National Guard and other health departments and healthcare providers in the region on a mass vaccination drive-through scheduled for Wednesday, February. 10th, at the NEMO Fairgrounds.

More than 2,000 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will be available that day. All Phase 1A and 1B, Tier 1 and Tier 2, target groups may register for the event. Those include adults age 65 and older and high-risk individuals. Target groups also include long-term and residential care workers, hospital and healthcare workers, and emergency workers.

Those residents who have emailed the Adair County Health Department but have not been called for a vaccine yet are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity.

Register online with the link provided on the Adair County Health Department’s Facebook page and website.

Those Adair County residents who do not have internet access can call the Health Department at one of the 3 following numbers: 660-665-8491, 660-730-6100 or 660-730-6200.