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EDITORIAL: Celebrate the Fourth by caring for fellow Americans: Page A4 NEWS: More details surface on waterfowl blind cancelation: Page A2
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JERSEY COUNTY
JERSEYVILLE, IL 62052
JULY 1, 2020
JOURNAL VOL. 18, NO. 27 - 75¢
Health Department talks recovery, active cases The Campbell Publications offices will be closed Friday, July 3 in observance of Independence Day.
INSIDE NEWS Ripe Pickin’s. See page A2
FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS
By MEAGAN MCGLASSON Jersey County Journal The county is back up to six active cases as of June 25, the highest number of active cases reported since mid-May, and according to the Jersey County Health Department, that’s not necessarily a surprise or a cause for panic. According to health department officials, cases are breaking down into two major patterns of transmission. The first is unknown, meaning that those who test positive are unable to pinpoint a location or activity that caused transmission. The second group is travelers who travel out of state or even to more local areas of higher infection and are exposed to the virus there. Still, in spite of the rise in cases, according to the health department’s Environmental Health Manager Anna
Yates, the positive cases are now revealing more asymptomatic positive likely coming from increased testing cases. rather than increased While asymptomatic cases are less of a drain transmission rates, as opposed to some sort “I think people on hospitals and those of mass transmission are thinking of testing positive, sharp event. spikes in infection across “We aren’t see- this like it has the country tell a cauing anything like an an end date, but tionary tale about the outbreak after people county letting its guard attending some big that’s not the down too soon. party or event,” Yates case,” “I think people are said. thinking of this like it has The increase, in part, an end date, but that’s likely comes from not the case,” Yates said. Anna Yates CDC and state-level “We anticipate that we’ll Health Department’s mandates for hospitals be in Phase 4 for a year or Environmental which recently have more, and that’s assumHealth Manager reopened for elective ing that things don’t get procedures. Admission for these procedures, according to Yates, requires COVID testing, which is consequently
worse. If we see another outbreak (or spike in cases) we may have to go back to Phase 3.”
The health department acknowledges that people are feeling frustrated by limited social activity and the disruption to their daily lives, but caution that the new Phase 4 reality is one that is likely to continue for the immediate future. “This isn’t like the flu where it has a season,” Yates said. “It’s probably going to be an ongoing thing. “And we understand people’s frustrations, but we also want to keep people healthy. That’s what we’re here for.” At the time of publication, Greene County is reporting one active case with the seven other positive cases since recovered. Calhoun County is still only reporting one case that has since recovered. Madison County is reporting 939 cases with 552 released and 68 fatalities.
Relay for Life still set to celebrate survivors Lois turns 4. See page A8
WEEKEND WEATHER FRIDAY, JULY 3
91 69 High
Low
SATURDAY, JULY 4
91 70 High
Low
SUNDAY, JULY 5
91 71 High
Low
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TOP STORIES ONLINE June 24 - July 1 1. Some Jersey fireworks still a go for launch 2. Jersey entertainment, activites re-open as restrictions lift 3. Terrapin Pizza plans slow, steady opening 4. Riverbend Humane Society struggling following COVID closure 5. Motorcyclist seriously injured during accident Tuesday
INDEX Opinion . . . . . . . . . . .A4 News . . . . . . A2, A5-6, B2 Obituaries . . . . . . . . .A3, A5 School. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A5 Court. . . . . . . . . . . .B2, B4-5 Public Notice. . . . . . . . .B4 OBITUARIES: CANNON, DUCEY, HUNE, LANE, R. LEGATE, T. LEGATE, WIDMAN. JERSEY COUNTY
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By CONNOR ASHLOCK Jersey County Journal The Relay for Life of Jersey and Greene counties is gearing up for their annual event, which will feature a new twist this year. Because of the COVID-19 presence in the area, the usual walk will be replaced with a parade that will start at the Carrollton High School parking lot, working its way up around the town square. Molly Cannon, the survivor chair for the organization, shared that everyone involved in the planning was eager to find a way to celebrate survivors in some format. “We weren’t exactly sure what was going to be allowed with COVID still around, so we are inviting people to come out along the parade route to cheer on our survivors,” Cannon said. “The parade route is still being worked out, but it’ll start at the high school and travel down some side streets to the square before making its way back to the high school.” People will be able to line up around the sidewalks, square and the parking lot at the square, but they are encouraged to practice social distancing. The committee members planning the event are relieved that the Relay for Life is set to go on, especially since so many local fundraisers that benefit the American Cancer Society had to be canceled this year. “We just finished up a gift card raffle that was put on by our Jerseyville Nursing and Rehab team, but we had a lot of teams that had to cancel their fundraisers,” Cannon explained. “We had a rock n’ roll bingo and a fish fry
that had to be canceled. We’re hoping to get some fundraisers in this fall if things can be opened back up.” Currently, 100 participants are expected to take part in the parade. “That’s normally the number of survivors we have at our dinners, but I realize some might opt to stay home,” Cannon noted. “But, we do encourage our teams to come out and participate.” The Luminaria ceremony, which will follow the parade and take place in the Carrollton High School parking lot, is the only event left virtually unaltered from COVID-19. “We’ll still have our committees and a few others to help us light the bags,” Cannon said. “They’ll be lit around the parking lot at the high school. When survivors come back from the parade, they’ll be able to walk around if they choose.” The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life event will be held on July 31. Registration and the parade lineup will begin at 7 p.m. The parade will begin at 7:30 p.m. and the Luminaria ceremony will follow at 8:15 p.m. “Putting on this event means a lot to us because everybody has been touched or affected by cancer,” Cannon said. “We’re passionate about it, and we want to give back to it as much as we can. Putting on these events and getting to see the community come out and celebrate life and hear the stories and struggles — it means a lot to us.” At this time, details are still being worked out. Persons desiring more information for the event are encouraged to contact Molly Cannon at 618946-1063.
Submitted Photo
Deputy Justin Decker with the Jersey County Sheriff’s Office poses with his new partner, Jax, in front of the K9 squad car.
Sheriff’s Office launches K9 program By CONNOR ASHLOCK Jersey County Journal The Jersey County Sheriff’s Office is adding a new four-legged deputy named Jax to the team. Jax, a german shepherd purchased from Alabama Canine, owned and operated by world-renowned speaker and K9 trainer Ricky Farley, will become Deputy Justin Decker’s new partner. Chosen for his drive, energy and enthusiasm, Sheriff Mike Ringhausen feels that having Jax on board at the sheriff’s office is a step in the right direction for the department. “We used to have a K9 program at the sheriff’s office, but it stopped sometime around 2009,” Ringhausen said. Ringhausen, along with his canine counterpart Dalton, were the first canine team in the history of the sheriff’s office that he’s aware of, so he knows just how exciting this will be for Deputy Decker, his family and the community that Jax will serve. “I’m very excited to get the program up and running again,” Ringhausen said. “Being a past canine handler myself, I understand how beneficial they are to the community for law enforcement and law enforcement relations.” Ringhausen highlighted two specific purposes for the canine program, shedding more
light on the excitement he has for the program as it takes off in the department. “Basically, a canine is a tool we can use for law enforcement, specifically where narcotics, suspect apprehension and article and building searches are concerned,” Ringhausen explained. “In addition, canines are amazing ambassadors. They’ll appear at special events and serve as great public relations experts to help break down barriers between the police and the public.” While on the job, Jax will most likely be spending a lot of time doing narcotics searches, since that’s a big chunk of what sheriff’s office does. Ringhausen is certain that Jax will be a good fit for the department and Jersey County. “A majority of people support law enforcement canines so much that they’re treated with as much reverence and respect as when a police officer is injured or killed in the line of duty. The support for them is staggering,” Ringhausen said. A canine program, though a worthwhile investment, is an expensive one, but funds for this program do not dip into taxpayer pockets. “The money we’re using to start this program up comes through donations and money that was seized through the investigation of narcotics and awarded to the department through the court,” Ringhausen explained.
Donor Pool opens with restrictions to public By CONNOR ASHLOCK Jersey County Journal The Jerseyville Parks and Recreation Department’s Donor Pool was finally able to open to the public on June 27, but is subject to restrictions as established in Phase 4 of Gov. JB Pritzker’s Restore Illinois plan. Aside from maintaining social distancing, deck chairs will not be provided for the remainder of the 2020 pool season, neither will season passes be sold. In addition to these restrictions, only Jersey County residents are allowed in the facility for the time being, and of those, only 50 patrons can enter the facility. In order for parks and recreation employees to verify a patron’s county of residence, anyone 14 years or older must present their school ID or driver’s license to be admitted. Anyone under 14 years old will have to be escorted by an adult who is 18-years-old or older who can present a school ID or driver’s license.
Swim times will be divided into two separate blocks, meaning that the first 50 people (comprising Block A) to be admitted into the pool will be allowed to swim from noon until 3 p.m., at which time they will vacate the pool so that the facility can be sanitized for the second block of patrons (Block B). The second group to be admitted into the facility will be able to swim from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Toddler Time will be able to continue in Phase 4 as well. Like the regular open swim time, Toddler Time cannot exceed 50 persons at a time. It will be held on Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Aside from the pool, the Susnig Center has also reopened, along with the parks and recreation office. With the Susnig Center now open, visitors will be able to register for programs at the office and the gym itself is also open, but with social distancing guidelines in place. Scrimmages are currently not allowed in the gym at this time.
Meagan McGlasson/Jersey County Journal
FARMERS AND ARTISAN MARKET RETURNS Bob Sancamper sets out potatoes for the farmer’s market on Tuesday Tuesday, June 30. The market opened for the first time this year with a sizable crowd and new guidelines. The market featured local vendors from both Jersey and the neighboring counties selling produce like tomatoes, peaches, potatoes and green beans. Homemade jams, jellies, pickles and baked goods were also readily available. Shoppers at the farmer’s market are reminded that masks are appreciated and individuals are asked to maintain social distancing and not touch produce they don’t intend to buy. For suggestions from vendors on how to pick late spring produce without touching it, see A2.