(Missouri Independent) – The Biden administration on Friday launched a new website for Americans to request up to four free COVID-19 tests per household. The administration is buying 1 billion at-home rapid COVID-19 tests, and Americans will be able to begin ordering the tests online on Jan. 19 at COVIDtests.gov. This is part of the administration’s effort […]
(Missouri Independent) – The University of Missouri’s Columbia campus will begin the spring semester as planned Tuesday with no option for online classes, masking, or vaccination requirements, UM System President and campus Chancellor Mun Choi wrote to faculty leaders Friday. Choi’s response to concerns raised in a letter from the Executive Committee of the campus […]
(Missouri Independent) – The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday dealt a blow to the Biden administration’s fight against the pandemic, blocking a federal mandate that workers be vaccinated or regularly tested for COVID-19 — though the court allowed a separate rule requiring vaccinations for some health care workers. The two rulings represented a split victory for Republican attorneys general […]
The Green Hills Wellness Challenge is back this year for residents in the Green Hills area. Organizer DeEtta Jones says registration and initial weigh-ins will be done at the Ketcham Community Center on the North Central Missouri College campus in Trenton. Individuals at least 18 years old can register through January 17th, when the challenge […]
(Missouri Independent) – Proposals that would bar COVID-19 vaccine mandates and provide greater exemptions for vaccinations more broadly faced a wave of opposition from Missouri business groups Wednesday. Representatives for the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Associated Industries of Missouri, Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and other business associations made clear to lawmakers […]
(Missouri Independent) – The U.S. Supreme Court’s conservative majority appeared unconvinced Friday of the Biden administration’s authority to impose a vaccine-or-test mandate on private businesses, casting doubt on a key piece of the White House COVID-19 response. The justices seemed potentially more comfortable with another Biden administration rule to fight the virus that requires certain […]
(Missouri Independent) – If school districts want to take advantage of a lower interest rate on bonds, Missouri Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick is requiring them to certify compliance with a recent court ruling targeting local health orders before his office will approve of the deal. Fitzpatrick detailed the decision he described as “unprecedented” in an interview Wednesday […]
The Grundy County Health Department reports 46 new COVID-19 cases since December 10th, raising the total to 1,950. Fifty cases are active. More than 100 COVID-19 cases have been added since December 1st. Seventy-seven percent of those cases were unvaccinated. The Grundy County Health Department notes studies have shown that vaccines are effective against severe […]
(Missouri Independent) – As a growing number of Missouri school districts drop COVID mitigation measures under threat from Attorney General Eric Schmitt, at least two closed the doors on their fall semester early due to large numbers of staff and students out sick. Meanwhile, local public health departments said Tuesday they still have not heard […]
St. Louis and County and Jackson County are returning legal fire after Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt sued to have the mask mandates effectively outlawed. A Missouri judge last month invalidated many orders, including mask mandates, from the state Department of Health and Senior Services. The counties are appealing the ruling. If an […]
(Missouri Independent) – Jackson and St. Louis Counties requested Monday that they be permitted to intervene and appeal a recent court ruling that they argue has “upended the longstanding public health framework” in Missouri. In a filing submitted Monday afternoon and obtained by The Independent, the two counties asked Cole County Circuit Court Judge Daniel […]
Counsel for County Executive, Sam Page, and St. Louis County announced at a court hearing that the defendants are “rescinding” their illegal mask mandate in St. Louis County. “My Office has been on the forefront of fighting mask mandates across the state, and we have vigorously litigated against St. Louis County’s illegal mask mandates. Attorneys […]
A COVID-19-related death has been added for Mercer County. The health department reports 13 deaths total. Confirmed cases increased four since December 7, bringing that total to 257. Probable cases increased by five to 293. There are 23 active cases for Mercer County. The Sullivan County Health Department confirms one COVID-19 case since December 7th, […]
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt is asking parents for help in identifying school districts that are continuing to violate a recent Cole County Circuit Court order. Parents are urged to reach out directly to the Attorney General’s Office if their school district is continuing to enforce mask mandates, quarantines, and other similar COVID-19 public health […]
The Grand River Valley Choir and Orchestra will have a winter concert on December 11, 2021, with “Joy to the World” to be performed in the Trenton High School Performing Arts Center at 3 pm. Doors will open at 2:30. Choir Conductor Linda Arnold: Orchestra Director Buddy Hannaford acknowledges that most of the […]
Following the Cole County Circuit Court’s decision in Robinson v. Missouri Dept. of Health and Senior Services, Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt this morning sent a letter to local public health agencies and school districts informing them of the decision and requiring them to stop enforcing any mask mandates, quarantine orders, or any other public […]
(Missouri Independent) – The omicron variant of COVID-19 has made its way to Missouri, with the first case announced Friday. In a news release, the Department of Health and Senior Services said it was notified by public health partners of a presumed positive case for the variant that came from a St. Louis resident who […]
The Linn County Health Department in Brookfield will offer adult blood draws only by appointment on December 17th. Tests to be offered from 7 to 10 o’clock that morning include CMP, lipids, CBC, PSA, A1C, TSH, thyroid panel, vitamin B12, and vitamin D. Each test will cost $5 to $15. There is a $10.00 draw […]
All three performances are sold out for “A Christmas Carol” to be presented this weekend in Trenton. Organizers of the play are requesting because of a current increase in COVID-19 cases, that those attending are encouraged to wear a mask for performances that are held inside the 137-seat Hoover Theater of the Jewett-Norris Library. Arts […]
Twelve COVID-19 cases have been added for Grundy County since the health department’s update on the morning of December 1st. Health Department Administrator Elizabeth Gibson reports a total of 1,859 cases through December 1st. There have been 30 new cases this week. The number of active cases increased by nine to 36. Grundy County’s positivity […]
