Following a special meeting with the commissioners and county health officials Wednesday night stating their goal was not to shut the county down, the quickly evolving spread of the virus prompted action from Public Health Officer Dr. Jay Allen, Linn County Health Nurse Tisha Coleman and Emergency Management Coordinator Doug Barlet that the county will actually be shut down Monday at 12:01 a.m., March 30, 2020 until Wednesday, April 29, 2020, unless sooner amended, superseded by Federal, State, or local law or order, or rescinded.
At approximately 7 p.m. Friday night, Allen recorded a video that will be posted on social media, the county website, YouTube and the Linn County News website and Facebook site stating, “I speak to you from my heart; I don’t take this lightly. I’m a resident and son of Linn County. This will cause discomfort to you and some businesses – I know most of you.”
He continued that health officials began preparing for the impending emergency March 2 with seven partners from the Sheriff’s Office, county counselor, commissioners and county clerk accumulating over 1,000 man hours in the process.
Allen said that with an increase in daily testing and an increase in daily penetration in surrounding counties, and six positive tests in Linn County, it resulted in the order to “stay at home – stay safe- and watch out for your neighbors and call for help.”
He ended the video with, “May God be with you.”
The official order of the Linn County Public Health Officer will follow when we receive it.
NEWS
Commissioners discuss effects of city disbandment of fire department

During the Public Works report at the May 5 meeting Linn County Commissioners heard a brief report on mutual aid agreements for the Linn County Rural Fire Department and what effect the possible disbandment of the Pleasanton Fire Department will have on the county. District... [More]
Blue Mound discusses financing options for water tower project

Members of the Blue Mound City Council heard from Tom Fingers of Midwest Assistance Program and Joey McLiney from McLiney and Company concerning options for financing the water tower on Monday, May 5, for their regular monthly meeting. The city has received a grant... [More]
La Cygne leaders contemplate sales tax adjustment

After bond defeasance, election would be required to alter stated fund focus By all appearances, La Cygne voters may not be far away from seeing a ballot proposal to alter the stated focus for one of its two 1-cent city sales taxes. Information at the two regular... [More]
More News
- Fire department public hearing nets crowd
- County counselor issues statement on Tanglewood roads
- Linn Valley City Council ends discussion with SEKMHC on building
- SPECIAL: Legislative Update
- 16 criminal cases from Tanglewood Lake incident dismissed
- Tanglewood seeks clarification, aid from county
- Commission workshop hears of justification for SEKMHC CEO $600,000 salary
- La Cygne police get automatic plate readers
SPORTS
Prairie View track has a great day as they host home invitational

The Prairie View track team hosted their home invitational on May 1. The Buffalos did very well as the girls won the meet with a score of 142 and the boys placed second with a score of 92. Central Heights won the meet for the boys with a score of 103. Once again, the Buffalos... [More]
Jayhawk track places top three at Prairie View

The Jayhawk Linn track team traveled to Prairie View on May 1 to compete in the Prairie View Invitational. The Hawks did well at the event as the girls placed second overall with 124 points while the boys placed third overall with 89 points. Here are the individual... [More]
More Sports
- Jayhawk hosts home track invitational
- Prairie View track competes at Jayhawk Invitational
- Pleasanton baseball sweeps St. Paul and falls to Uniontown
- Jayhawk track wins the Pleasanton Invitational
- Pleasanton track places in top three at home invitational
- Prairie View track has multiple gold winners at Anderson County, top athletes compete at KU Relays
- Jayhawk baseball earns first victories of the season
- Pleasanton boys’ and girls’ track teams win Oswego Invitational
COMMUNITY
New rescue seeks donations to aid startup

A newly formed dog rescue operating from Mound City is on the lookout for donations to help with their startup. Dirt Road Rescue, a 501C3 organization, was founded by core members Melayna Johnson, Megan Purvis, Janet Jackson and Samantha Ekwuru, for the sole mission of saving... [More]
Cultivating Kindness film premiere held on April 27
Local film producer Sue Vicory held a premier of her newest film, Cultivating Kindness, at the Blue Moon Youth Center in Blue Mound on Sunday afternoon, April 27. The film revolves around a campaign that partnered with Jayhawk USD 346 schools to recognize students for... [More]
Jayhawk Linn to present ‘Maid to Order’ for spring play

Students from Jayhawk Linn Junior High and High School will present their spring play, ‘Maid to Order’ on Thursday, March 27 and Saturday, March 29. The play, under the direction of faculty member Dawn Carlson, is a comedy set in the mid-to-late 1940s in the... [More]
More Community
- Students surprise teacher with bell ringing
- Shillito selected for Heartland Youth Tour
- 60 years of friendships and memories
- Baby birth, voting… almost rolled into one package
- Kellstadt opens new business in Mound City
- PVHS holds Career Day
- Powells named BC Farm Bureau Farm Family of the Year
- Across Kansas on a spiritual journey