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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2021
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Established Sept. 4, 1864 - 158th Year - No. 27
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republican-times.com CHRISTMAS 2021
BRIEFS Filing Period Opens
The filing period for the April 5, 2022 Municipal and School Election got under way today, Tuesday, Dec. 7. Those wishing to file for city, school and township positions may do so until 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 28, which is an abbreviated filing period compared to previous years. Entities have published their hours and locations for filings or interested persons can call the respective city or school offices for more information. A special election has been announced in Wilson Township, where a trustee, clerk and one board member will be elected. For more information contact Vernon Sawyer at 660359-7036.
TAMA Vespers Are Sunday
R-T Photos/Ronda Lickteig and Seth Herrold
If you didn’t find a way to get in the Christmas spirit over the weekend, it’s your own fault as the Trenton and Gallatin communities held their downtown Christmas events. Above, sleigh rides were a hit on the Gallatin Square Saturday as part of “Christmas Around the Square.” Above, at left, Claire Ormsby has a heart-to-heart with Santa in downtown Trenton Friday night. Both communities had lighted parades during their events, with a Clark Griswold impersonator, right, showing up in the Trenton parade.
COVID Cases Rising In Grundy County Omicron Variant Makes Its Way To Saint Louis If it seems like the number of positive COVID-19 cases are increasing, you’re right. “Yes,” said Grundy County Health Department Administrator Elizabeth Gibson when asked if that’s the case. As of Friday, there were 36 active cases of the virus in Grundy County for a total of 1,866 since the pandemic began in March 2020. There are a variety of reasons for that increase, said Mrs. Gibson. “Part of it is that things are mov-
ing indoors, there’s more circulating going on right now. You have the holidays, so people are gathering,” she said. The way to combat the rise in cases is nothing new - wear a mask, social distance and get a vaccine. Ms. Gibson said the health department is continuing to offer all three vaccines - Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson and Johnson, as well as booster shots. She said the health department has a few openings right now but if people want a vaccine and can’t get in, there are other options, such as Hy-Vee. “I tell people to get a dose no matter where they have to go to get it,” Ms. Gibson commented. Ms. Gibson said the new variant,
Omicron, which has been found in St. Louis, has not yet been found in Grundy County, although she said it likely will. If that’s the case, the health department will be notified. The St. Louis Health Department said Saturday that the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had confirmed the virus case in a resident of St. Louis that was first reported Friday as a presumed case of the omicron variant. Health officials did not identify the patient, but they have said that the person had recently traveled in the United States. Officials have also said there are no concerns about that person's health at this point. Dr. Mati Hlatshwayo Davis, director of the St. Louis health de-
partment, said the omicron case is a reminder that everyone should get vaccinated and take other measures proven to limit the spread of the coronavirus such as wearing masks. Scientists are still studying the new omicron variant of the virus to determine whether it spreads more easily or causes more severe illnesses than the delta variant. They are also looking at how well the current vaccines work against it. Scientists monitor variants and the coronavirus’ evolution through genetic tests that are separate from the kinds of tests used to determine whether someone has COVID-19. This genetic sequencing allows scientists to monitor how the virus changes over time.
The Trenton Area Ministerial Alliance will hold a Christmas vespers program Sunday evening. The program is scheduled for 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12 at the First Baptist Church. Area pastors will share prayers and scripture and THS Gold Rush, under the direction of Tyler Busick, will perform musical selections. The traditional candle-lighting ceremony will also take place.
Live Nativity At Sunnyview
A drive-thru live nativity is being planned for 5:30 p.m. Sunday, at Sunnyview Nursing Home in Trenton. Sunnyview residents will be able to view the nativity from the front sidewalks or from their windows and members of the community will be able to drive through the circle drive at the home. Those who wish to help with the event are encouraged to contact Cindy Jennings, who is coordinating the nativity, at 660-359-1923.
WEATHER ALMANAC Day: High/Low Rain Thursday 68/49 — Friday 62/42 — Saturday 49/35 — Sunday 61/36 — Barton Campus Sunday 62/35 —
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Third and fourth grade students at Rissler Elementary School presented a holiday concert Thursday evening at the Trenton R-9 Performing Arts Center. At left, fourth grade students perform “We Wish You a Swinging Holiday” while at right, third graders, from left, Michael Nichol, Riley Griffin and Ashlynn Cosgrove, perform their parts in “Reindeer Shouldn’t Waltz.” The program was under the direction of Madeline Cotton, Rissler vocal music instructor.