Lee County sends out ‘last weekly COVID report’
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds allowed the state’s COVID-19 disaster proclamation to expire this week, saying it was time to allocate resources elsewhere.
That means Iowa’s online COVID-19 dashboard is now defunct, too.
The state will now send out a weekly PDF of less-detailed COVID data instead of maintaining the dashboard of new cases and vaccination rates online.
Amid the changes, the Lee County Health Department sent out what they called their “last weekly COVID report.”
Local health officials said they will continue to recommend wearing masks in public, social distancing, and getting vaccinated, however.
Just over 50 percent of Lee County residents were fully vaccinated as of this week. There have been around 7,800 COVID-19 cases and 128 deaths in the county to date.
Quincy man attempts escape from Hancock County jail
A Quincy man led law enforcement on a chase from Adams County into Hancock County on Feb. 12 after battering a woman and stealing a vehicle at gunpoint.
Kalel Robinson, 37, later crashed the vehicle on a county road and was taken into custody without incident, though authorities said he was armed with a handgun.
Then, early on Feb. 13, Robinson attacked two correctional officers at the Hancock County jail and attempted to escape.
Sheriff’s deputies deployed a K9 and Robinson never made it out of the jail, according to authorities.
He was treated at Memorial Hospital in Carthage, and later transferred to Peoria.
Robinson is charged with aggravated domestic battery, armed robbery, unlawful use of weapons, possession of a stolen vehicle, and numerous traffic violations.
Hancock County Sheriff Travis Duffy said further charges will be filed.
Macomb to demolish more abandoned homes
Macomb city council members gave final approval to a plan to demolish more abandoned houses in town.
The city will pay for the work with money left over from a $200,000 state grant that covered 16 previous demolitions.
The city has a list of 13 more abandoned homes. Officials estimate they can demolish up to nine of them with the available funds, depending on the bids that come in.
Area counties to review hazard mitigation plans
Several west central Illinois counties have announced public input opportunities for their All Hazards Mitigation Plans.
The plans are meant to reduce damages caused by natural hazards such as floods, thunderstorms, ice storms, tornadoes, and excessive heat.
Public comments could be used to revise the plans before they are submitted to the Illinois and U.S. emergency management agencies.
McDonough County’s Multi-Jurisdictional All Hazards Mitigation Plan will be available on the McDonough County Emergency Services and Disaster Agency website.
In addition, a public forum is planned for 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24, 5:00 p.m., at the McDonough County Emergency Operations Center, Tanner Hall Circle, 740 W. University Drive in Macomb.
The Knox County All Hazards Mitigation Planning committee will have its second meeting at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 3, in the Emergency Operations Center of the Galesburg Public Safety Building, 150 S. Broad St.
In Warren County, the All Hazards Mitigation Planning committee will meet at 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 1, at Meks on Main, 201 N. Main St.