Red Bud School Board Says No Mask Mandate Within District Buildings

Volume 42 Number 32 Thursday, August 12, 2021 20 Pages | 75¢ Red Bud school board says no mask mandate within district buildings. Use of face masks strongly “The decision to wear a mask or not to wear one should not be judged in recommended but not required any way,” Tallman stated By Dan Zobel the usage of masks only on in the message. “We are a Governor J.B. Pritzker an- school buses. close-knit community, and nounced August 4 a mask In speaking to the County a pillar of our community mandate for schools in the Journal August 10, Red is a collective spirit of sup- wake of rising positive Bud Superintendent Jona- port. I hope you will help us COVID-19 cases throughout than Tallman said, “The promote that by reminding the state, but the Red Bud parents were very pas- your child how important school district has chosen sionate, and at the same that is before we begin to not follow the mandate. time very respectful, and school.” The district held a special understood the position Tallman said that, so meeting August 5, the day the district was in. They far, he has heard a lot of after Pritzker’s announce- pleaded with our board to support and appreciation ment. consider the ramifications from parents. Although, After much discussion the masks have had on as he expected, he has also among board members their own children, and One mother illustrated man knows that a lot of received several notes and and with concerned par- for the district to maintain one of the ways face masks work still has to be done for emails from parents who ents who were in attend- local control.” become a hinderence. a successful school year to were disappointed with ance at the meeting, the The board plans to revisit “One mom gave a descrip- commence. the ditrict’s stance to keep board determined that it the face mask situation tion of her daughter not In a message sent to par- masks optional. would stick with its origi- during its August 19 meet- even recognizing her class- ents August 6, Tallman out- “I’ve had follow-up conver- nal reopening plan, which ing, which is also the third room’s teacher at the park lined how the district will sations with everybody who is to strongly recommend day of school attendance. because she had never seen communicate with parents has reached out, from those the use of masks but not There were around 30 the teacher without a mask the benefits of wearing who have shown support, require them. That falls parents in attendance at on,” Tallman said. “That’s masks in school buildings, and from those who have in line with the guidance the meeting, with nobody pretty impactful.” as well as emphasizing concerns,” Tallman said. of the Centers for Disease speaking in favor of the While the school board with students that there Control, which requires mask mandate. has made its decision, Tall- will be no mask shaming Continued on Page 5_____ Pritzker announces new COVID rules By Travis Lott Governor J.B. Pritzker announced a new round of restrictions to mitigate the Vaccine spread of COVID-19 when the Delta variant caused an explosion of cases across Il- mandated linois and the United States as a whole. The restrictions focused for some on three key areas. First, all students, staff state and visitors, vaccinated or not, will be required to wear masks in schools this employees fall. Pritzker cited the high transmission rate of the Delta variant and the fact ter Mental Health Center. that vaccines have not yet However, during his an- been approved for children nouncement, Pritzker under 12. noted that his office has From left, Randolph County Commissioner Dave Holder, Red Bud Mayor Susan Those participating in contacted unions that rep- Harbaugh, Sparta city Commissioner Michael Kelley, World Shooting and indoor sports will also be resent these facilities and Recreational Complex Executive Director Lauren Mueller and Illinois State required to mask up, but asked them to come to the Representative David Friess at the Grand American opening ceremony. masks will not be required negotiating table to work for outdoor sports. out the details. While some districts are A spokesman for the gov- challenging the require- ernor was asked if talks Grand HoF banquet postponed ment, saying that masks with union representatives hall of fame banquet and to COVID-19 restrictions. are strongly recommended could stall the deadline for COVID case leads the ATA board of directors Instead, last year’s Grand instead of required, many employees to be vaccinated, to mask mandate meeting, which were post- was hosted by the Missouri school board attorneys are but that question remains poned to a later date. Trapshooting Association advising against such chal- unanswered. while indoors Most stands were closed in Linn Creek, marking the lenges. While union representa- By Dan Zobel in the main event center first time since 2005 that Attorneys for local school tives in Illinois have gener- COVID-19 has reached Wednesday morning, but the premier shooting event districts have warned that ally urged their members to the Grand American and membership and outdoor had been held anywhere districts opposing these wear masks, some unions the World Shooting and tent vendors remained. besides Sparta. mandates are open to seri- have spoken out against Recreational Complex in Face masks are now man- “We’re here,” said ATA ous legal liability—even the mandate, including the Sparta. dated during the Grand Executive Director Lynn as far as suggesting that Fraternal Order of Police, The Amateur Trapshoot- while a person is inside a Gipson. “When Callahan school board members who which called the order ing Association Executive building or at vendor row called me in April and said vote against instituting the “vaccine shaming.” Committee released a state- at the complex. this was a go, we started mandates could be stripped Many state employees ment August 10 that an in- On August 9, the opening moving fast.” of tort immunity, meaning throughout the area took dividual on the grounds of ceremony festivities of the Under normal circum- they could be personally to social media to blast the complex tested positive Grand were held in front of stances, preparation for sued for anything that hap- the new mandate, many for the virus. large crowd at the grand- an upcoming Grand would pens to a child at school. saying they would not get Since the positive test was stand area. start the December before. Second, all employees who vaccinated. recognized, contact tracing “Welcome back, and wel- So a late start, plus having work at state residential Third, there will be a has begun to ensure those come home,” exclaimed Illi- what Gipson considers the establishments, such as universal mask mandate who came in contact with nois Department of Natural best Grand to date in 2019 prisons and mental health for employees who work that person receive the Resources Director Colleen as the last world champion- facilities, will be required at long-term care facilities proper medical testing. Callahan. ships held in Sparta, raised to be vaccinated by Octo- regardless of whether or With health and safety in The greeting was two the stakes. ber 4. not the facility is privately mind, the committee also years in the making, as the “Every year the ATA can This will affect local fa- or publicly owned. made the decision to no 2020 world trapshooting have this shoot here; it’s a cilities such as Menard Cor- longer host large indoor championships were forced rectional Facility and Ches- Continued on Page 5_____ gatherings, including the out of Illinois, largely due Continued on Page 5_____ Marissa Coal Fest this weekend After a year’s absence A truck pull will be fea- Saturday, then Last Band due to the pandemic, the tured Friday beginning at Standing will take the Marissa Coal Fest will open 7 p.m. stage from 8 to midnight its three-day run this Fri- Friday’s live entertain- with classic rock and pop day, August 13 at the village ment will be provided by music for listening and park. Midnight Steel Creek from dancing. This year’s theme is Under 8 to midnight. There will also be a corn- The Sea. Saturday’s line up in- hole tournament and bingo Along with the usual food cludes the car show at 9 Friday and Saturday, with and beverage stands, there a.m., plus a kiddie tractor bingo starting at 6 p.m. will be a 50/50 progressive pull, touch-a-truck and an Highlighting the Coal Fest raffle. The winner will be antique tractor pull. will be the parade, which announced at 8 p.m. Sun- Ken & Mike will perform day at the bandstand. live from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Continued on Page 5 ______ Marissa Girl Scouts riding in the 2019 Coal Fest parade Willis Publishing Inc. © Copyright 2021 MONEY $AVING COUPONS INSIDE! PAGE 2 COUNTY JOURNAL | AUGUST 12, 2021 All those arrested or ticketed are presumed innocent until POLICE proven guilty in court. Child sex charges in Sparta Dispositions The following cases have been terminated in Randolph County circuit court. Separate charges, similar crimes against children Kimberly Varner of Du Quoin, theft under By Travis Lott Walker said that case $500, guilty, ﬁ ne. Two Sparta men involved someone with Ethan Thompson of Chester, domestic battery, were arrested by Spar- whom he was in a re- not guilty. ta police over the past lationship who was too David Phillips of Walsh, domestic battery, week on separate al- young to give legal con- guilty, ﬁ ne.

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