The following actions are officially implemented by the Linn County Public Health Officer and shall be in official force and effect at 5:00 PM on Saturday, March 21, 2020. This order shall remain in effect until modified or rescinded by the Public Health Officer. This ORDER is made pursuant to the powers granted the Local Public Health Officer in KSA 65-119 et seq. and the Emergency Declarations of the governments of the United States, the State of Kansas, and Linn County, as well as the Home Rule powers of Linn County under state statute.
This ORDER modifies and supersedes the ORDER issued on Thursday, March 19, 2020. Linn County is now restricting or prohibiting business activities for all non-essential businesses and is making recommendations for essential business functions as follows:
Essential Businesses:
The following have been determined to be Essential Business functions for Linn County:
United States Postal Service – Shall be allowed to remain open to the public. Please work to maintain social distancing (6 ft or more) when inside postal facilities whenever possible. The public should strive to maintain social distancing while using postal facilities or while interacting with postal and non-postal employees.
Local Government Essential Services - Shall be allowed to remain open to the public. Please work to maintain social distancing (6 ft or more) whenever possible.
Grocery Stores – Grocery stores shall be allowed to remain open to the public for business to supply needed food and supplies to the citizens of Linn County. It is recommended that these stores take precautions to reduce in-person contacts as much as possible, maintain social distancing when practical, and consider using curb-side service whenever possible.
Convenient Stores/Gas Stations – Shall be allowed to remain open to the public. It is recommended that these stores take precautions to reduce in-person contacts as much as possible, maintain social distancing (6 ft or more) when practical, and shall eliminate gathering places within the store to prevent social grouping activities.
Funeral Homes - Shall be allowed to remain open but efforts should be made to reduce numbers (family only gatherings recommended) and shall work to limit crowds and shall strive to maintain the recommended social distancing as described above.
ORDER of Linn County Public Health Officer March 19, 2020 Page 2 of 4
Health Care Facilities and Providers/Veterinary Clinics - Shall be allowed to remain open and use social distancing and other techniques as applicable to help prevent the virus spread. Providers may want to have patients/customers stay in cars until their turn to avoid waiting area congestion and issues with maintaining social distancing.
Utility Providers - Shall be allowed to remain open. It is recommended that providers take steps to limit worker-to-worker interactions to help reduce the chance for losing multiple workers and/or causing utility disruptions. Calls for service to individual residences should be pre-screened prior to entering those locations.
Banks & Pharmacies - Shall be allowed to remain open for business. Whenever possible, it is recommended to close lobby’s and inside operations and use the drive-throughs to conduct necessary business. People who are allowed to come inside the business should be pre-screened prior to allowing entry.
Agricultural Business – Agricultural business shall be allowed to remain open, however, public access to the inside of the store shall be prohibited. These businesses should use delivery or curb-side service and maintain social distancing as much as possible during those activities.
Day Care Facilities – Day Care Facilities may remain in operation with the following restriction. Day Cares are prohibited from taking new, Out-of-County clients. Day Care Facilities should use KDHE Day Care guidelines for screening new clients & children.
Laundromats – Laundromats shall be allowed to remain open for business. It shall be the responsibility of both the owner/operator of the facility and the users of the laundromat to keep equipment routinely cleaned and sanitized by using disinfectant wipes in an effort to prevent the spread of the virus. Users of the equipment should bring sanitizing wipes for use before and after using machines to wipe down the machines. Owner/operator should also wipe down all machines routinely throughout the hours of operation. All efforts should be made to maintain social distancing between customers and not have more than 10 persons in the business at any one time.
Information Technology Essential Services (Internet/Cell Phone) - Shall be allowed to remain open. It is recommended that providers take steps to limit worker-to-worker interactions to help reduce the chance for losing multiple workers and/or causing IT disruptions. Calls for service to individual residences should be pre-screened prior to entering those locations.
Non-Essential Businesses (Open with Restrictions):
The following business have been determined to be Non-Essential businesses as related to this pandemic, however, they will be allowed to remain open with the following restrictions as described below. These restrictions shall be implemented by no later than 5:00 PM on Saturday, March 21, 2020 and shall remain in a restricted status until this order is rescinded by the Public Health Officer.
Parts Stores/Lumber Yards/Hardware Stores – These businesses shall be allowed to remain open, however, public access to the inside of the store shall be prohibited. These businesses should use delivery or curb-side service and maintain social distancing as much as possible during those activities.
ORDER of Linn County Public Health Officer March 19, 2020 Page 3 of 4
Bars/Restaurants – These businesses shall be allowed to remain open for business, however, public access to the inside of the bar/restaurant shall be prohibited. These businesses should use delivery or curb-side service and maintain social distancing as much as possible during those activities.
Manufacturing – Manufacturing businesses shall be allowed to remain open, however, public access to the facilities shall be prohibited. All efforts should be made to maintain social distancing between workers whenever possible.
Automotive Repair Shops – Shops shall be allowed to remain open, however, public access to the buildings and facilities shall be extremely limited. All efforts should be made to maintain social distancing between individual workers and between workers and customers whenever possible.
Other Retail Sales – Other Retail sales not identified above may remain in operation, but the business shall keep doors closed and restrict business to one customer at a time inside the store. Examples include liquor stores, gun stores, pawn shops and other similar business types.
Misc. Service Providers - Providers shall be allowed to remain open, however, public access to the buildings and facilities shall be extremely limited. All efforts should be made to maintain social distancing between individual workers and between workers and customers as much as possible. Examples of this business type are accountants, insurance offices, attorneys, realtors and similar business types.
Non-Essential Businesses (Closed/Shut-Down):
The following business types have been determined to be Non-Essential as related to the pandemic and shall be closed/shut down by no later than 5:00 PM on Saturday, March 21, 2020 and shall remain shut until this order is rescinded by the Public Health Officer:
Barber/Beauty Shops – Shall be shut down as there is no practical way to maintain social distancing.
Fitness Centers/Gyms – Shall be shut down.
Libraries – We appreciate the fact that most libraries in Linn County have already voluntarily shut down to help assist lessening the spread of the COVID-19 Coronavirus. Libraries shall close or remain closed to the public until this order is rescinded.
Other Businesses – Businesses not otherwise described that cannot maintain or attempt to maintain the 6-feet social distancing shall be closed until this order is rescinded. This would include any business, that by its very nature requires direct person to person contact of less than 6 feet.
Order of Linn County Public Health Officer
March 19, 2020
If your business type is not specifically included or defined by the above information and you have questions on what, if any restriction apply, please call (913) 795-7302 for guidance.
Persons should avoid traveling into areas where community transmission is occurring/confirmed.
It is so ordered this 20th day of March, 2020.
Dr. Jay Allen, M.D.
Linn County Public Health Officer
NEWS
Boil Water Advisory Issued for the City of La Cygne, Linn County

TOPEKA –The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a boil water advisory for the City of LaCygne public water supply system located in Linn County. Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice: Boil water for one minute... [More]
Pleasanton PD makes drug arrest during domestic call

On July 24 officers with the Pleasanton Police Department responded to a call for an ongoing domestic issue at 605 E. 5th Street in Cabin 3 with the assistance of the Linn County Sheriff’s Office. During the ensuing investigation, it was found that the... [More]
Commissioners review departmental budgets

SEKMHC budget cut During the July 28 meeting, the Linn County Commissioners reviewed several departmental budgets. Discussions began with Linn County Sheriff James Akes. Sheriff Akes explained to commissioners that initially he had budgeted extra hours to cover... [More]
More News
- Wisdom appointed Pleasanton Fire Chief
- Pleasanton Council cuts to get to revenue neutral
- Local residents warn of bad business practices
- Special: Resurfacing to begin on U.S. 69 in Linn County
- Pleasanton FD again at center of heated discussion
- La Cygne city to be below revenue neutral
- USD 362 files revenue-neutral exceedances
- Commissioners discuss airport future, request more information
SPORTS
Pleasanton trapshooting team shows grit at National Championship

Eight members of the Pleasanton Trapshooting Team traveled to Mason, Mich., last week to compete in the USA Clay Target League National Championship. Five members participated in the team event, and all eight competed individually. The team was among 264 qualified teams competing... [More]
Blue Mound softball earns second place at Crest

The Blue Mound girls’ coach pitch team 1 places second at the TRL girls’ coach pitch tournament at Colony. The tournament took place from July 7 to July 9.
More Sports
- Nobodys wins Blue Mound co-ed softball tournament
- Pleasanton 12-14 baseball wins championship
- Gratton at Nationals
- Summer Ball Tournaments
- Summer Ball Tournaments
- Pleasanton/Jayhawk trapshooting team places seventh at State, Wallace earns State championship
- Joey Ewalt impacting youth wrestling here and abroad
- Prairie View trapshooting competes at State
COMMUNITY
Knowing and preventing kids sports injuries
School is about to begin and so are school sports. Kids of all ages, from elementary to high school enjoy competitive team sports but injuries happen in all of them. This article will focus on the types of injuries kids can get from playing sports and more importantly what kids,... [More]
4H Style Revue and Performing Arts set for July 26

The 2025 4-H Style Revue and Performing Arts Show will again be a pre-fair event, held on Saturday, July 26, at the First Baptist Church in Mound City. The event is open to the public and will begin at 7 p.m. 4-Hers enrolled in the Style Revue project will be modeling their... [More]
Benefit dinner and auction July 26

Trumbley recipient of proceeds On July 26, the 4H Building will be the site of a benefit dinner and silent auction in honor of Megan Trumbley who is currently battling cancer. Megan is undergoing radiation and chemotherapy treatments and the benefit is being held... [More]
More Community
- Wade recounts WWII experience in South West Pacific theatre
- Cultivating Kindness film crew win Telly Awards
- Local roots bring couple back to familiar territory
- Remembering those who gave all
- Prairie View FFA captures State Ag Mechanics Championship
- Free summer meals for kids age 1 to 18 in Pleasanton
- New rescue seeks donations to aid startup
- Cultivating Kindness film premiere held on April 27