KIRX News

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.