Kaitlyn Copley

Kaitlyn Copley

  • Joined: August 2, 2023
  • Articles: 2294

Memorial Health Hospitals takes measures to help prevent spread of illnesses by making temporary visitor restrictions.

Memorial Health is implementing temporary visitor restrictions at its five hospitals to curb the spread of respiratory illnesses.

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) recommended temporary visitor restrictions due to a statewide increase in respiratory illness including COVID-19, influenza and RSV. The restrictions apply to inpatient units at all five Memorial Health hospitals: Decatur Memorial Hospital, Jacksonville Memorial Hospital, Lincoln Memorial Hospital, Springfield Memorial Hospital and Taylorville Memorial Hospital. The restrictions will not apply to outpatient Memorial Care locations, including urgent or primary care and laboratory or imaging appointments.

Community Calendar

Calendar-Winter

Public Safety, Environment & Housing Committee has moved its meeting to 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 27 due to the Christmas Holiday. They will meet at the Courthouse in Virginia.

Bits & Pieces – The story of Elf on the Shelf

elf in tree

It won’t be long and it will be Christmas. Children have been counting days for a long time. This is the time of the year when they are so excited that their energy runs overtime. Parents and teachers don’t need calendars. Kids bouncing off walls is a huge signal that Christmas is close, and as each day draws closer, they seem to get worse. It’s a stressful time of the year for kids and worse for their parents and teachers. But in the end, it’s all worth it just to see the smiles and giggles.

Corps of Engineers condemns steps

The floodgates and stairs going to the river, located at the end of State Street, Beardstown, are being removed..

While many questions, inquiries and rumors have been floating around town regarding the destruction of steps and removal of flood gates at the foot of State Street. Beardstown Sanitary District Superintendent Wells Petersen cleared the air.

Complaints on leaf burning

Virginia, IL Logo

Virginia residents Krista and Joseph Edwards complained to Virginia City Council about burning of leaves in the creek bed at the corner of S. Stowe and E. Beardstown St. and others who burn within the city. 

Krista asked that the city consider cutting back on burning allowed or possibly even banning like some other cities have done. She remarked that she and others have breathing problems which prevent their enjoyment of the outdoors and suggested that people should mulch leaves or compost them to reduce burning.

No Tax Levy increase for Beardstown

Beardstown City Hall

At the Beardstown City Council meeting held December 5th, Petie Ruch, City Clerk, discussed the 2023 Tax Levy. 

He stated that the bottom line for the tax levy is there will be no increase. The amount will stay the same as it was last year. There were increases in some areas and decreases in others resulting in no big changes overall.