October 31, 2020: 1:00 PM
I would like to make everyone in Linn County aware of the significant spike in COVID-19 cases we have experienced. Since our published report on Wednesday, we have an increase of 17 New COVID-19 cases with a total of 21 currently active cases and 2 known hospitalizations. With our elections taking place on Tuesday, November 3, 2020, I am deeply concerned about the potential to further spread the COVID-19 Coronavirus in Linn County.
As a result, I am requesting that everyone adhere to the following guidelines when you are out in public and especially when you are at a polling location:
1. Please do not go out in public if you are sick.
2. Wear a mask whenever you are out in a public place.
3. Wash your hands frequently and use alcohol-based hand sanitizers when hand washing is not possible.
4. Maintain proper social distancing (at least 6 feet from others).
5. Avoid unnecessary travel and activities.
If you have been isolated or quarantined by the Local Health Department in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, you may contact the Linn County Clerk’s office on Tuesday, November 3, 2020 to get assistance with your voting needs. Their phone number is (913) 795-2668. You may want to contact the Clerk’s Office on Monday, November 2, 2020 to let them know you will need voting assistance due to your isolation/quarantine order. This will help us make sure everyone who wishes to vote on Tuesday has that opportunity.
If you have COVID-19 symptoms or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, please contact the Linn County Public Health Department at (913) 795-7302 to discuss testing options. You may also contact your local doctor’s office but please call in advance of going to their facility to make proper arrangements with them. Be sure and advise them that you are experiencing COVID-like symptoms.
COVID-19 symptoms include Fever or Chills, Cough, Shortness of Breath (Difficulty Breathing), Loss of Taste or Smell, Sore Throat, Muscle or Body Aches/Pains, Diarrhea, Nausea or Vomiting, Headache, Fatigue, and Congestion or Runny Nose.
You can spread COVID-19 up to 2 days before experiencing symptoms and not all people with COVID-19 will have symptoms. Therefore, it is so important for us all to follow the guidelines above.
COVID-19 Coronavirus is affecting us in a variety of ways. We have a daycare and a library that have temporarily closed, government offices and their services have been impacted and we have active cases in virtually every area and community of the County.
Robin Spencer, ARNP-C, LHO
NEWS
Commissioners discuss new option for Devlin Road
During the meeting of the Linn County Commissioners on March 10, Renee Slinkard of rural Parker, asked once again that the county look into the possibility of paving a three and half mile section of Devlin Road. Slinkard told the commissioners, as she had previously, that the... [More]
Board votes to extend Meik contract
Ray Scholarship discussed at USD 344 board meeting Meeting Monday night, again with a packed board room, the Board of USD 344 voted to extend Elementary Principal Nathan Meik’s contract through the 2026/2027 school year in a 4-3 vote; board members Cindy Inman,... [More]
Resident questions legal opinion on approved minor plat
On March 10, Jan Longnecker spoke to the Linn County Commissioners regarding a legal opinion given at the previous meeting on March 3 on the minor plat that was approved by a former Planning and Zoning Administrator for a property near Parker. Longnecker began by stating he wasn’t... [More]
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SPORTS
Pleasanton boys’ basketball earns Sub-State runner-up
The Pleasanton boys’ basketball team had quite the run to their Sub-State tournament bracket this year. The Jays were in the 2A Yates Center Sub-Sate Bracket 1 as a five seed. They won their first game against the 12 seed Eureka on Feb. 27 to advance to the semifinal... [More]
Prairie View girls’ basketball ends season against Neodesha
The Prairie View girls’ basketball team traveled to Neodesha on March 4 to compete in the 3A girls’ basketball Columbus Sub-State Bracket #2 semifinal. The girls reached this game by defeating Iola in the first round on Feb. 27 at Prairie View, 39-35. In this... [More]
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COMMUNITY
Shillito selected for Heartland Youth Tour
Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative recently announced that homeschool sophomore Louis Shillito has been selected as one of several young persons to participate in their annual Youth Tour this summer. Louis is the son of Chris and Carissa Shillito who operate the Shalom Retreat... [More]
60 years of friendships and memories
Furse retires from F&M Bank board Barbara Furse began her career with the Farmers and Merchants Bank in Mound City on Nov. 1, 1964. “The bank was owned by Orval Hennesy at that time and was located in the original building across the street from where... [More]
Baby birth, voting… almost rolled into one package
There is nothing like the birth of a child for a family, and the birth of two-month old Kit Victoria Oberlechner was no different; but the birth had added meaning as Kit was able to accompany her parents to the voting booth Nov. 5. Trenton Oberlechner said that he and wife,... [More]
