Governor Laura Kelly announced last week that Kansas counties can proceed to Phase 2 under the state’s COVID-19 Vaccination Plan. Linn County Health Department will begin vaccinating those eligible in phase 2, beginning with 65 years and older in upcoming vaccination clinics by appointment only. We have over 500 registered interested eligible residents and we plan to call to schedule appointments for those individuals with detailed instructions on where to go, and what to bring with you. At the time of this release we expect approximately 350 appointments available.
The number of appointments available are dependent on the vaccine supply that we have or receive. We expect this process of Phase 2 to take many weeks to vaccinate everyone in this phase and continue to ask for your patience.
Linn County is allotted very limited quantities from the state of Kansas and as doses become more widely available, we will have opportunity to be able to vaccinate additional individuals.
Because vaccine allocation is so limited at this time, Linn County does not know when or how often we will receive vaccines from the state of Kansas, Linn County Health Department has set up a COVID-19 Vaccine Interest Registration list for Linn county residents who are eligible in Phase 2 for future vaccination clinics. Individuals can go online to fill out the survey at
h ttps://linncountyks.com/ or call our 913 795-7302, COVID-19 line to register for future clinics.
To stay up to date on future COVID-19 vaccination clinics and alerts, do the following:
Register for Linn County Everbridge notification alerts and subscribe to: County Alerts at h ttps://member.everbridge.net/index/453003085612434#/signup
“Like” our Linn County Health Department Facebook page h ttps://www.facebook.com/linncountyhealthdepartment
Stay up to date on Linn County, KS website, at: h ttps://linncountyks.com/
Phase 2 of Kansas’ Vaccination Plan includes: Phase 2 Guidelines:
· Persons age 65 and older
· High-contact critical workers necessary to maintain systems, assets, and activities that are vital to the state security, the economy or public health, or who interact with large numbers of contacts and job-related COVID-19 exposure. COVID-19 risk is associated with the likelihood of infecting oneself or spreading the virus. Factors that increase risk include proximity, type of
contact, duration of contacts and challenges to implement protective measures. This includes:
o Firefighters, police officers, first responders, and correction officers
o Grocery store workers and food services
o K-12 and childcare workers, including teachers, custodians, drivers, & other staff
o Food processing, including meat processing plants
o Large-scale aviation manufacturing plants
o Transportation workers
o Workers in retail, agriculture, supply of critical services or materials for COVID-19 response, the U.S. Postal Service, and Department of motor vehicles (if they regularly need to be in high risk setting to perform their duties)
· Those living or working in licensed congregate settings and other special care or congregate environments where social distancing is not possible, including:
o Homeless shelters
o Congregate childcare institutions
o Emergency shelters or safe houses
o Corrections facilities
o Behavioral health institutions
o Adult Care homes, residents and staff in home plus facilities not covered in Phase 1
o Senior Living Homes
o Home caregivers (paid or unpaid), personal care aides
NEWS
Special: KDA and KSRE offer Local Food Producer Workshop series
MANHATTAN, Kansas — The Kansas Department of Agriculture and K-State Research and Extension (KSRE) will offer seven regional Local Food Producer Workshops to assist farmers’ market vendors and managers, and for those wanting to sell food products directly... [More]
Special: AARP Kansas Now Accepting 2026 Community Challenge Grant Applications
The annual program aims to make communities in Kansas more livable for people of all ages. Topeka, KS—AARP Kansas invites local eligible nonprofit organizations and governments to apply for the 2026 AARP Community Challenge grant program, now... [More]
Special: Washburn University Music & Theatre Department to host Washburn Piano Day Feb. 14 for K-12 piano students; registration open through Feb. 8
TOPEKA, KAN. — The Washburn University Music & Theatre Department will host Washburn Piano Day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 14 for K-12 piano students. “As students prepare for spring piano recitals and competitions, Washburn Piano Day gives... [More]
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- Special: Religious Freedom Day, 2026 -- A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America
- Leonard makes appearance in Bates County circuit court
- Take our survey
- USD 344 approves capital improvement projects
- La Cygne Council recognizes outgoing members
SPORTS
Pleasanton boys’ basketball team picks up wins against Miami and Central Heights
The Pleasanton boys’ basketball team continues winning basketball games as the team went 2-0 this past week to go 5-0 in district play and 7-1 overall. The Jays hosted Miami on Jan. 6 and defeated them in a r0ut 65-27 before traveling to Central Heights on Jan. 9 to win... [More]
Jayhawk basketball picks up wins against Oswego
The Jayhawk boys’ and girls’ basketball teams hosted Oswego on Jan. 9 in Three Rivers League action. Both the boys’ and girls’ teams won their games against the Indians as the girls won in a rout 49-15 and the boys won in a thriller 45-41. The... [More]
Prairie View boys’ wrestling competes at Louisburg
The Prairie View boys’ wrestling team traveled to Louisburg on Jan. 10 to compete in the Louisburg Invitational. The Buffalos placed 13th out of 16 teams with 60 team points. Breckyn Malin, 106, went 1-3 in the tournament. Malin won his second match by fall. Bentlee... [More]
More Sports
- Blu-Jay boys sweep and girls split against Altoona Midway and Uniontown
- Prairie View girls’ basketball falls to Santa Fe Trail and Iola
- Jayhawk girls’ basketball dominates Southeast Cherokee and Erie
- Prairie View girls’ basketball places second at Linn County Tournament
- Pleasanton boys’ basketball place second at Linn County Tournament with a solid performance
- Jayhawk girls’ basketball wins the Linn County Tournament
- Prairie View boys’ wrestling competes in the Fort Scott dual tournament
- Jayhawk Linn girls’ wrestling kicks off season with a solid performance at Caney Valley
COMMUNITY
Carbon Monoxide and what you need to know
In 2025, the Linn County Rural Fire Department responded to 17 callouts dealing with carbon monoxide and, already in 2026, there has been at least one call to the Linn County Rural Fire Department for a carbon monoxide issue. Early in the year, Linn County Rural Fire... [More]
The Power of Hobbies: Why staying engaged matters as we age
As we grow older, maintaining health and independence becomes a top priority. While exercise and healthy eating often take center stage, one powerful tool for aging well is often overlooked - hobbies. Whether it’s gardening, painting, playing music or... [More]
Heartland REC expands Future Foundations Scholarship Program to 12 awards
GIRARD, Kan. — Applications are now open for the 2026 Future Foundations Scholarship Program, which provides scholarships of $1,000 each to high school seniors who live in homes served by Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative and are preparing for careers in high-demand... [More]
More Community
- Call for Entries: Bourbon County Arts Council Fine Art Exhibit 2026
- Tips for a safe New Year’s Eve
- KIDS CORNER: The stories behind Christmas traditions and symbols
- 2026 Operation Round Up awardees selected; more than $50,000 to be distributed
- Christmas food drive planned Dec. 20
- A piece of Prescott’s history
- Dream Aesthetics, Mound City, fulfilling a dream
- Holiday food drive distributions this weekend


