2020 Year in Review: January – June

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January

Ameren Transmission of Illinois announced the Mark Twain Transmission Project, a 96-mile and 345,000 volt line and substation stretching from Palmyra to Kirksville and north to the Iowa border, was completed and energized.

Scotland County Hospital and Blessing Health Systems announced they planned to open a clinic in Edina in the spring.

The Knox County High School Courtwarming Royalty Coronation was held in the high school gymnasium. Calvin McCarty and Jaiden Linebaugh were crowned King and Queen.

The Knox County Health Department announced the purchase of the neighboring building that once housed by the social services office.

February

The Knox County Eagles claimed first place in the 32nd Annual North Shelby Tournament on February 1.

The Knox County ACS Relay for Life Soup Supper was held at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Edina.

A building housing the stave mill and barrel end area at Cardwell Lumber burned to the ground early Sunday morning, February 16.

Doug Palmer’s trailer house burned completely down in the early morning hours on Monday, February 17.

High school seniors were honored during the varsity basketball games on February 21.

March

The Knox County Health Department released their first COVID-19 informational message reporting 83,650 cases and 2,858 deaths globally on February 28, which ran on the front page of the Sentinel on March 4. Zero cases were reported in Missouri.

Governor Mike Parson and other state level politicians visited Edina for the first time on March 7 during a Republican campaign tour dubbed the “Trump Train” at the Knox County Community Center. Later the same day, the Governor announced the first “presumptive positive” case of COVID-19 was reported in Missouri.

On March 15, Governor Parson asked Missourians to stop gathering in groups of more than 50.

Scotland County Hospital announced they would be closed to visitors.

The Missouri Department of Conservation suspended all public activities.

School district superintendents in Knox County and Lewis County released planning information in case classes would have to be canceled due to COVID-19.

The Citizens Bank of Edina and all United State Bank locations closed to walk-in patrons and relied on the drive through window and appointment visits beginning March 20.

Head softball and basketball coach Zach Short announced his resignation and plans to teach in Keokuk, IA.

Several more events throughout the region were postponed.

In person classes at the KCR-1 School District were canceled and the district began delivering school lunches available to any child age 1 to 18 living in the county on March 24.

The Knox County Nutrition Site began delivery and pick-up meals only the same day.

Volunteers began shopping and making local deliveries from C&R Market in Edina due to the pandemic.

The Knox County Food Cupboard monthly commodity distribution was postponed for a week and resumed distribution via drive through.

The home of Brenda Simmons was lost to fire.

Local churches began to explore offering church services online.

The Knox County Commission issued an order limiting gatherings in Knox County to ten people or less.

Hearts began popping up on windows across the region as a show of solidarity despite having to be distanced.

April

Makeshift germ barriers began popping up at area businesses.

Gov. Parson issued a statewide stay at home order beginning April 6.

The Municipal Election was postponed.

Kisha Goodwin organized Friday night “Honk and Wave”, which was a welcome way to get to see each other.

The Knox County School Board hosted their first online only meeting with the help of the Sentinel.

Homemade masks began to emerge and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) recalled 48,000 masks given to first responders statewide.

The first positive cases of COVID-19 were reported in Lewis County.

Tommy Small and Russell Shultz began tearing down the crumbling south section of the old Edina Savings Bank building on South Main Street.

May 

The Knox County Farmers Market opened on May 1.

Eleven Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) train cars derailed from tracks three to four miles northwest of Edina on May 3. A train car fire was extinguished by the Baring Volunteer Fire Department.

Guidelines and recommendations for emergency mortality management in swine herds was released by the University of Missouri Extension program.

In lieu of a graduation ceremony, which was postponed until July, most of the KCHS Class of 2020 graduates were honored with a parade on May 17.

Sparks Auction opened in the old Farm & Home building in Edina.

June

The Municipal Election was held on June 2.

The Knox County Library began offering curbside pickup.

After being closed for over two months, the Knox County Clothes Closet reopened to customers while tightly adhering to mask, hand sanitizing and occupancy recommendations. 

The Edina Medical Services clinic opened in the Jim Sears building east of Edina.

Former Sheriff Mike Kite died unexpectedly, which sent ripples of grief through the local community and law enforcement community statewide. 

Approximately 15 protesters protested the police killing of George Floyd in support of the Black Lives Matter movement in front of the Knox County Courthouse in Edina on June 12.

The Mark Twain Communications Tower construction project broke ground.

The Knox County Nursing Home announced they were reopening to visitors for outdoor patio visits.