The Linn County Board of Health unanimously approved a regulation on Monday that requires individuals in the county to wear a face covering when out in public. The Board of Health’s approval came just hours before Gov. Kim Reynolds announced a new emergency public health proclamation that included a limited statewide mask mandate. Various jurisdictions […]
Linn County Board of Supervisors
Posted inCOVID-19
Linn County Supervisors again consider issuing a mask mandate after surge in COVID-19 cases
The Linn County Board of Supervisors is revisiting issuing a mask mandate after recent spikes of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the county and a surge in hospitalizations. The three supervisors first discussed a face-covering resolution in late July after Iowa City and Johnson County issued their respective mandates that required individuals to wear face coverings […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Linn County renames park to honor memory of Meskwaki artist and women’s rights advocate
The Linn County Conservation Board has changed the name of the county’s largest park to Wanatee Park to honor the memory of Jean Adeline Morgan Wanatee, an artist and advocate for the rights of Native Americans and women. The park located in Marion was formerly known as Squaw Creek Park. Although there is some debate […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Linn County hires Tamara Marcus as its first sustainability program manager
The Linn County Board of Supervisors has hired Tamara Marcus as the county’s first sustainability program manager. Marcus is a Ph.D. candidate in the Natural Resources and Earth System Sciences program at the University of New Hampshire. “Her research interests include using bioinformatic techniques to understand the impact of warming on microbial mediation of carbon […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Judge orders Linn County to void 50,000 absentee ballot request forms
A district court judge has ordered Linn County Auditor Joel Miller to nullify about 50,000 absentee ballot request forms, siding with Republican groups that alleged Miller overstepped his authority by sending out request forms with pre-filled voter information. The Trump campaign, Republican Party of Iowa and two national Republican campaign committees filed three separate lawsuits […]
Posted inCOVID-19
Local and state leaders in Iowa continue to clash over use of absentee ballot drop boxes, ballot request forms
The Iowa Secretary of State’s Office is saying Iowa law does not allow county auditors to use drop boxes for absentee ballots, but Linn County is pushing back. Kevin Hall, a spokesperson for Secretary of State Paul Pate, told the Des Moines Register that “auditors do not have authority to establish a ballot drop box […]
Posted inCommunity/News
‘Every area of our city has seen destruction’: Local and state leaders call on Gov. Reynolds to deploy National Guard to Cedar Rapids to help with storm damage
Every area of Cedar Rapids has seen destruction from the derecho that swept through Iowa on Monday, City Manager Jeff Pomeranz said. The destruction is more extensive than what the city experienced in the floods of 2008 and 2016, he added. “This is a greater impact than we’ve ever seen in this community,” Pomeranz said […]
Posted inCommunity/News
‘We’ve got to do something’: Linn County officials, mayors call for local control over mandating face masks
The Linn County Board of Supervisors and the Board of Health approved a proclamation during a joint meeting on Wednesday that calls on Gov. Kim Reynolds to allow cities and counties “to enact localized response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” including mandating and enforcing the use of face coverings. The proclamation is backed by the mayors […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Linn County Supervisors will meet with Board of Health on Wednesday to discuss face mask proclamation
The Linn County Board of Supervisors will hold a joint meeting with the county’s Board of Health on Wednesday to discuss a proclamation calling on Gov. Kim Reynolds to allow local officials to mandate face masks. County mayors have been asked to sign onto the proclamation, and most mayors are supportive of it, Supervisor Ben […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Linn County Supervisor Brent Oleson announces he will not seek reelection
Linn County Supervisor Brent Oleson announced on Monday that he will finish out his current term but is no longer seeking reelection in November. “Given all the life-changing events that are upon us, this year of 2020 in particular has provided me a chance to thoroughly examine and reflect on what is most important to […]
Posted inCOVID-19
Linn County supervisors to ask Gov. Kim Reynolds for local control over mandating face masks
During both their meetings this week, the Linn County Board of Supervisors discussed a face covering resolution, but have not taken action yet. The issue is anticipated to be taken up again next week, possibly at the board’s Monday meeting. Supervisor Ben Rogers said he put the issue on the board’s agenda this week after […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Face coverings will be required for anyone entering a Linn County facility starting next week
In preparation for the reopening of Linn County buildings next week, the Board of Supervisors approved two measures to help keep employees and residents safe from COVID-19. County facilities will begin a phased reopening approach on Monday, July 20, with “modifications in place to keep employees and customers safe.” Most county buildings will conduct their […]
