Community
COVID death count muted
The state classification of COVID deaths has long been a contentious subject, and speculation is now causing the Monroe County Health Department to stop reporting them. Monroe County Health Department…
Read MoreChamber award goes to Mathes
As a long-standing member of the Waterloo Optimist Club, Waterloo Park District and more, Shelby Mathes Sr. has served youth and adults alike. As such, he solidified his place as…
Read MoreWaterloo starts veterans initiatives
Soon, the City of Waterloo will be introducing two additional programs to honor local service members – both of past and present. Hometown Heroes After seeing banners honoring service members…
Read MoreAs COVID claims more lives, health department to stop reporting them
The Monroe County Health Department learned of five new COVID-related deaths this week, but on Friday said it will no longer be providing such data. The most recent death, reported…
Read MoreProjects with a Purpose in Waterloo
Farm Girl Finds and Human Support Services have joined forces this year to give HSS clients the opportunity to refurbish furniture from start to finish. On Friday, the three HSS…
Read MoreFundraising reimagined during pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has been synonymous with the upheaval of plans, causing local civic clubs and organizations to rethink the way they raise funds. Recently, meat raffles have skyrocketed in…
Read MoreLocal stars in Super Bowl ad promoting bioplastics
During Sunday’s showing of America’s biggest football game, Monroe Countians were greeted with a familiar face asking viewers to imagine a future where plastics are not made from petroleum, but…
Read MoreMixed bag on mask optional schools
As local schools are settling into a new “mask optional” policy, mixed reactions are surfacing. The change was a result of Sangamon County Circuit Judge Raylene Grischow issuing a temporary…
Read MoreIllinois to end indoor mask mandate
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker announced Wednesday afternoon that the statewide indoor mask requirement will be lifted Feb. 28. At a press conference in Chicago, Pritzker cited COVID-19 hospitalization rates “declining…
Read MoreRuling sparks school changes
With Sangamon County Circuit Judge Raylene Grischow having issued a temporary restraining order regarding Illinois COVID procedures in schools, districts across the state are rethinking tpolicies. Grischow issued her ruling…
Read MoreFuture road extensions take shape
The Monroe County Board took action on future roadway plans during its Monday morning meeting. Monroe County Engineer Aaron Metzger presented two intergovernmental agreements for commissioners to sign. The first…
Read MoreCOVID-19 deaths up; cases down
While Monroe County sees the majority of COVID metrics declining – such as active cases, testing and positivity rates – deaths continue to mount. This week alone, Monroe County Health…
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