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Tuesday, November 24, 2020
REPUBLICAN-TIMES TRENTON
Established Sept. 4, 1864 - 157th Year - No. 24
Trenton, MO 64683 COVID-19
Briefs...
Trenton R-9 Cancels Classes
Active COVID-19 case numbers continue to be high in Grundy County, with 126 cases being monitored as of Monday morning. According to information provided by the Grundy County Health Department, active case numbers are down by two from the data reported to the Republican-Times on Nov. 16 and down three from Saturday, Nov. 21. A total of 617 cases have been reported in the county since testing began, with 18 deaths among those numbers. The numbers include 219 additional cases since Nov. 6. With the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday approaching, the health department is asking persons to be diligent in following recommended health guidelines and limit numbers when holding family events. Other area counties and their COVID numbers as of Monday include Livingston, 709 (83 active, including 19 hospitalized), 17 deaths); Sullivan, 608 (116 active, 7 deaths); Linn, 604 (129 active, 14 deaths); Carroll, 475 (59 active,
TRENTON KIWANIS CLUB/KTTN
9 deaths); Caldwell, 408 (70 active, 4 deaths); Harrison, 400 (67 active, 5 deaths); Daviess, 349 (95 active, 7 deaths); Putnam, 152 (66 active, 1 death); and Mercer, 72 (16 active, 0 deaths). COVID has also hit area school districts, with the Trenton R-9 School District making the decision to start its Thanksgiving break two days early and dismissing classes on Monday rather than on Wednesday as had previously been scheduled. Superintendent Mike Stegman said a large number of students and staff have tested positive and/or been quarantined as close contacts to individuals who have tested positive. As a result, it was decided to start the holiday break early to help slow down the spread of COVID19, with no classes or activities, including athletics, being held. Stegman said the district plans to re-open for in-person classes on Monday, Nov. 30. See COVID, Page 5
Christmas Wish Program
Annual Holiday Event Targets Area Youth The Trenton Kiwanis Club, in conjunction with KTTN Radio, has opened the application process for the 2020 Christmas Wish Program. Preschool and elementary school students in Trenton will have application forms sent home with them. Other families who would like to enroll for the project can pick up applications at the radio station during normal business hours. Individuals can also contact Kara Helmandollar, program coordinator for the Kiwanis Club, at 359-5966 or message the club on its Facebook page to have an application form mailed to them. The program is designed to assist low-income families with children ages 12 and under with Christmas gifts for their children. Each child is able to request a specific gift valued at $30 or less. Club members attempt to keep Christmas magical for children by granting those wishes. Eligible families must live in Grundy County, have custody of the children for whom they are seeking assistance and meet income requirements based on the 2020 Federal Poverty guidelines. Forms will need to be completed and returned to the radio station or the Kiwanis ad-
ASSOCIATED PRESS
dress on the form by Friday, Dec. 4. Funding for the Christmas Wish Project comes from the generosity of area businesses and residents. There are several ways to donate. In early December, the radio station will air “wishes” of area children during their broadcast. An individual can purchase the specified gift and drop it off at the station, Farmers State Bank at 1503 E. Ninth St. or Dave’s Body Shop on Route Y. Monetary donations will also be accepted at those same locations and will be used to purchase specific gifts. In past years, the community has been supportive of this project, said Mrs. Helmandollar. “The holidays can be an especially stressful time for families, particularly those with limited incomes,” she said. “The Kiwanis Club, in conjunction with this caring community of individuals and businesses, is thrilled to help keep the magic of Christmas alive for children in our community.” Anyone with questions about the program is asked to contact Mrs. Helmandollar at the phone number listed above.
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Ten Pages & 1 Insert COVID-19 Numbers Double
ay Cllosings Thanksgiviing Holida
Active COVID Numbers Continue At High Rate
75¢
per copy
Several offices and businesses have announced their plans to close on Thursday, Nov. 26 and Friday, Nov. 28 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Closed on Thursday only will be the Trenton Post Office (no home or postal box delivery), Farmers Bank of Northern Missouri, US Bank, Farmers State Bank, BTC Bank and Citizens Bank and Trust. Closed on Thursday and Friday will be the Trenton City Hall/Trenton Municipal Utilities, the Grundy County Courthouse, the Grundy County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Trenton Area Chamber of Commerce/License Bureau, the Grundy County-Jewett Norris Library, the Grundy County Health Department, the North Missouri Children’s Advocacy Center, the North 65 Center, Green Hills Regional Planning Commission (the Career Center will also be closed), Community Action Partnership of North Central Missouri and Grundy Electric Cooperative/Grundy and Livingston County Public Water District offices. The Trenton Republican-Times newspaper will also be closed on Thursday and Friday, however, the Friday newspaper will be delivered through the mail as normal.
New Fo ound datiion Me embe er A Trenton woman has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Foundation Trust for Trenton High School/THS Alumni Association. Debbie Harkins Guffey is a 1975 graduate of Trenton High School and the mother of three TH graduates, Jeremy Hudson, Class of 1994; Jessica Hudson Allen, Class of 1998; and Jenna Hudson Stevens, Class of 2005. Mrs. Guffey is the daughter of the late Rex and Jane Harkins, Debbie Harkins Guffey Class of 1955. A recent retiree from Trenton Hy-Vee with over 30 years plus of service, Mrs. Guffey is a life-long resident of Trenton and is married to Neil Guffey. She enjoys spending time with her family, which includes 12 grandchildren, with another on the way, as well as one great-grandson.. Mrs. Guffey replaces Steve Muff, who recently resigned. She said she is excited to be a part of the local board, is very proud to be a THS grad and looks forward to assisting with activities to benefit the Trenton R-9 School District. Foundation President Dr. John Holcomb said he is delighted to have Mrs. Guffey as a board member, recognizing her dedication to the Class of 1975 and support of the alumni association.
Pa arade En ntries So ought Entries continue to be accepted for the Downtown Chrismas Parade scheduled for Friday, Dec. 4. Any moving vehicle, including golf carts, horse drawn vehicles, etc. is invited to be in the parade and decorated in the holiday spirit. Santa Claus will be in the parade and although he will not be meeting with children this year, his elves will pass out a craft bag to children. To enter the parade, persons are asked to contact Cindy Jennings at 359-1923 as soon as possible.
Hospital Beds At Near Capacity
O'FALLON, Mo. (AP) — Hospital beds across Missouri are nearly four-fifths full, and capacity is even more limited in intensive care units as the coronavirus pandemic continues its autumn surge. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services on Monday cited 2,805 hospitalizations statewide - double the number from a month ago. The state’s COVID-19 dashboard notes that just 21 percent of capacity remains at hospitals, and ICU capacity is down to 17 percent. Bed capacity is at 13 percent in northwest Missouri, 17 percent in the St. Louis region and 19 percent in Kansas City. ICU capacity is at 13 percent in the southwestern part of the state and in St. Louis. More than 100 patients are hospitalized at CoxHealth facilities in Springfield and elsewhere in the Ozarks region. “Not a milestone any of us wanted to reach. We need to reverse direction. We can’t pretend this isn’t real. We can’t wish it away. We can’t hope somebody does something,” Erik Frederick, chief administrative officer for Mercy Springfield, wrote on Twitter. Health care leaders across the state are urging Missourians to wear masks, and many are warning that people should avoid large gatherings - even family gatherings - on Thanksgiving. The pandemic is taking a toll on travel. While Lambert Airport in St. Louis is seeing increased passengers this week, overall numbers are expected to fall well short of what is typical for the days around the Thanksgiving holiday.
Missouri Senators Postpone Session Due To COVID-Related Illnesses
Many GOP Legislators Resist Mask Regulations LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Many Republican lawmakers in states where coronavirus cases and hospitalizations have surged are not only rejecting statewide mask mandates. They're also resisting rules requiring them in their own capitols. Efforts to require lawmakers and staff to wear masks have received a cool reception even in statehouses that have seen outbreaks of the virus or where Republican governors have issued statewide mandates. It's echoing a partisan divide nationwide over a simple step that health experts say is proven to help keep others safe. “We’re supposed to be modeling for our constituents and for our residents in our state," said Arkansas state Sen. Stephanie Flowers, a Democrat in the majority-Republican Legislature who proposed a rule requiring senators to wear a mask or risk losing their per diem payments. “You’ve got the governor asking everyone to wear a mask and socially distance. It’s not
like I'm asking for something nobody has heard of." Many legislatures are still planning and drafting rules for their 2021 legislative sessions, while four chambers approved rules requiring masks for sessions this year, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Nearly 200 legislators nationwide have tested positive for the virus and four have died from COVID-19 since the pandemic began, according to figures compiled by The Associated Press. After at least four dozen Mississippi lawmakers tested positive in the largest outbreak in a legislature, where masks were encouraged but not required for lawmakers. Missouri's Legislature postponed a special session focused on virus relief after a COVID-19 outbreak among lawmakers, and a Tennessee lawmaker said she won't be able to spend Thanksgiving with her mother after attending a hearing where legislators
weren't wearing masks. Health experts warn the public is taking their cue from elected officials at a time those officials are trying to restrict or discourage indoor gatherings that are fueling a rapid rise in cases. “We know it works, but if political leaders don’t stand behind their public health officials and say we need to do this, a significant portion of the public may not follow,” said Dr. Jeffrey Levi, professor of health policy at George Washington University. Legislatures have taken steps to try to limit the virus, with some allowing remote voting and others meeting in larger venues to allow more spacing. Arkansas' House, for example, met in a basketball arena for two sessions last spring but will return to the Capitol next year. Twelve Arkansas lawmakers have tested positive for the virus over the past month, the second largest known outbreak in a state legislature.
National Weather Service
Rain is possible on Tuesday night and Wednesday, but the sun will return for Thanksgiving Day with a high of 53. Lows will be in the 30s. The high on Thursday, Nov. 19 at Trenton was 71, Friday’s high was 58 and Saturday’s high was 46 with .02 of an inch of rain recorded. Sunday’s high was 54 and the low was 37. The high on Sunday at the Government Weather Station near Spickard was 53, the low was 21.
The latest outbreak began after lawmakers convened at the Capitol for budget hearings last month. The budget panel had adopted a mask rule that didn't require lawmakers to wear them when speaking into a microphone, drinking or if they were at least six feet away from other people. Flowers has diabetes, which puts her at a higher risk of complications from the virus. She pulled down her proposal for a stricter rule in the Senate to make changes based on concerns raised about the measure and plans to bring a reworked version back when lawmakers convene in January. House Speaker Matthew Shepherd said he expected that chamber to take up a version similar to the Joint Budget Committee's rule. Republican Sen. Trent Garner called Flowers' proposal and its penalties “draconian" and said the Legislature should be held to the same standard as the statewide mask mandate GOP Gov. Asa Hutchinson
What’s Inside... The TMS boys and girls basketball teams finished up play in the Princeton Tournament last week. See page 2 of today’s Republican-Times for results from games against South Harrison and Gallatin, respectively.
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signed earlier this year. “We don’t need to create a ‘tell on each other' rule when it comes to public safety," Garner said. Tennessee Democratic state Rep. Gloria Johnson tweeted Tuesday she would no longer have Thanksgiving dinner with her mother after attending a legislative meeting with Republican members who weren’t wearing masks. “We aren’t having a big family Thanksgiving dinner (with) mom due to COVID, but I was going to eat with her at a distance,” Johnson wrote, adding that being around her legislative colleague for the past two days will now mean she’ll “leave her food on the steps.” House and Senate leaders in Oklahoma announced plans to impose a mask mandate for employees who work inside the Capitol after two lawmakers tested positive last week. But See GOP, Page 5
What’s Inside
Sports.............................page 2 Local News.............page 3 & 4 Community ...................page 5 Calendars ......................page 5 National News ...............page 6 Comics ...........................page 7 Crosswords....................page 8 Dear Annie ....................page 8 Classifieds .....................page 9