Posts Tagged ‘COVID’
Respiratory risks rise
With Christmas and New Years gatherings passing by or still coming, a heavy flu season joined by an uptick in other respiratory illnesses could spoil the holidays for many. At…
Read MoreBudget, Oak Hill topics for county
Monroe County Treasurer Kevin Koenigstein presented a positive report Monday morning about the state of county finances and a progress update for the upcoming budget. During the Monroe County Board…
Read MoreCounty eyes new comprehensive plan
As part of beginning a revision to the county’s comprehensive plan, the Monroe County Board of Commissioners approved a revised version of its zoning code on Monday. Commissioners thanked Monroe…
Read MoreVaried discussion for Columbia school board
It was a relatively quiet school board meeting in Columbia on Thursday, with discussion largely focusing on faculty and staffing in the district along with a few smaller action items.…
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 MoreSchools revamp services to address pandemic needs
Between “learning loss” and missed opportunities to socialize with peers, the COVID pandemic’s various disruptions to schools has caused administration, teachers, principals and other school staff to critically look at…
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 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 MoreDrug-free coalition talks trends
At November’s Monroe County Coalition for Drug-Free Communities meeting, the group discussed recent trends in alcohol and substance use, along with the importance of avoiding stigmatizing language when discussing such…
Read MoreHearing on mandate lawsuit vacated
With multiple pending court matters being introduced late last week, parents of students in Waterloo, Columbia, Valmeyer and Red Bud, along with over 140 other districts, must now wait longer…
Read MoreDownen keeps on writing
Waterloo High School graduate, mechanical engineer and fiction author Catherine Downen has not let all that has surrounded the COVID-19 pandemic keep her down. In fact, with the Sept. 21…
Read MoreLocal parents join suit fighting mandates
Waterloo, Columbia, Valmeyer and Red Bud school district parents are part of a large lawsuit filed Wednesday regarding COVID-19 mandates and policies. Thomas DeVore, an attorney based in Greenville who…
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