Linn County News and Updates

October 2020

2020 Presidential Election

Presidential General Election Reminders

The Presidential General Election is Tuesday, November 3. Linn County Auditor’s Office reminds voters of the following information for this upcoming election. 


Early Voting

Early voting is available at Lindale Mall through October 31 and 835 3rd Street SW through November 2. Voters must present an ID when voting in-person. Curbside voting is available at both locations. Hours for each location are available on our website.


Returning Absentee Ballots

Over 5,000 voters have not returned their mailed, absentee ballots. There are four options for returning ballots listed on our website. 

Voters can track their absentee ballots on the Iowa Secretary of State’s website. 


Election Day Voting

On Election Day, November 3, voters will need to vote at their general election poll location. Due to COVID-19 and the derecho, many polling places have changed. The Auditor’s Office mailed a notice of updated polling places to all registered households in mid-October. To verify polling places, voters may enter their address into https://linncountyelections.org/lookup/.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, November 3, 2020. Curbside voting is available at each polling location on Election Day. A majority of precinct election officials at each polling place are balanced between registered Democrats and Republicans.

Iowa law does not allow a voter who has submitted a countable absentee ballot to replace that ballot with a new one for any reason. More information regarding the November 3 Presidential General Election can be found at LinnCounty.org/Vote. 
Halloween Safety

Celebrate Halloween Safely

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, finding ways to keep our traditions can help us maintain a sense of normalcy. While we do not want to discourage the fun, Halloween will look a little different this year. As groups become larger, the risk of spreading COVID-19 increases. 
 
See the Linn County Public Health recommendations for enjoying a safe and healthy Halloween. 

November 9 Debris Removal Deadline

November 9 Debris Removal Deadline

Linn County residents living in unincorporated Linn County should place their organic debris from the August 10 derecho in the right-of-way (ROW) by November 9, 2020 to guarantee removal by Linn County’s debris removal contractor. Due to the widespread area of unincorporated Linn County, debris removal may occur in the days following the deadline; however, having organic storm debris to the ROW by November 9 will guarantee removal. 

Learn more.

Know Your W's

COVID-19 Continues to Spread in Community

Linn County Public Health reminds residents that COVID-19 is continuing to spread in our community. Please be sure to know your W's - wear a cloth face covering, watch your distance and wait 6 feet apart, and wash your hands often.

Stay up to date with the latest COVID-19 numbers in Linn County with our interactive dashboard.

Get Your Flu Shot

Linn County Public Health Reminder to Get Your Annual Flu Vaccine

Influenza is a contagious disease that can be serious. Every year, influenza causes illness, hospitalizations, and deaths. Linn County Public Health urges everyone to take steps now to protect yourself and those around you from influenza, or flu.
 
Learn more about the flu and where to get your vaccine. 

Linn County Juvenile Detention Center Receives Grant to Provide Mental Health Services to Youth

The Linn County Juvenile Detention Center (JDC) recently received a $5,000 COVID-19 relief grant from the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation. The grant funds received will be used in the development of a collaborative effort between the JDC and UnityPoint Health – Cedar Rapids to provide mental health services to the youth in detention.
 
Learn more about the new services. 

LIFTS Health and Safety Commitments Program

Linn County LIFTS Participates in Nationwide Public Transportation Industry “Health and Safety Commitments” Program

Linn County LIFTS has joined the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) “Health and Safety Commitments Program,” the public transportation industry’s overarching pledge to passengers that public transit systems are taking all the necessary measures to operate safely as the nation recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Learn more.

Linn County Veterans Affairs Helps Veterans and Their Families Receive Veterans Benefits

This Veterans Day, the Linn County Veterans Affairs Department thanks all veterans for their service and wants veterans and their families to know about the services the department provides.
 
In addition to federal programs for compensation and pension, additional benefits to veterans can include:

  • Temporary rent and utility assistance
  • Obtaining military DD 214 discharge, military medical records, and awards
  • VA medical registration
  • Networking with other VA agencies
  • Applying for Iowa Veterans Home
  • Applying for Iowa Veterans Trust Fund
  • Indigent burial
  • Grave flag holders for veterans buried in Linn County
  • Federal headstone and grave markers

If you or someone you know may be eligible for veterans’ benefits, call 319-892-5160. Due to COVID-19, Linn County Veterans Affairs is scheduling appointments only and is not taking walk-ins. You may also email Veteran@linncounty.org, or visit LinnCounty.org/Veteran. A contact form is also available on the Veterans Affairs website.

Linn County Public Health

Linn County Public Health Releases Annual Report

The Linn County Board of Health has release their Fiscal Year 2020 Annual Report. Highlights include:

  • The November 22, 2019 ribbon cutting to celebrate the completion and opening of Linn County’s new Dr. Percy and Lileah Harris Building where LCPH moved to earlier that month  
  • 264 days our air quality was in the Air Quality Index (AQI) Good Category
  • 2,083 communicable disease investigations and 3,384 immunizations administered  
  • COVID-19 case counts and public information metrics  
View the full report.
American flag

Linn County Offices Closed for Veterans Day

Most Linn County governmental offices will be closed Wednesday, November 11 in observance of Veterans Day.
 
The following services will continue to operate:

  • Juvenile Detention and Diversion Services
  • Linn County LIFTS will be running reduced routes in Cedar Rapids (no rural service).
  • The Sheriff’s Office will be closed; however, continuous operations will be available for routine and emergency responses, including the Patrol Division, Communications Division and the Correctional Center. In an emergency, always dial 911. 

Vehicle registrations can be renewed online at any time at http://www.iowataxandtags.org/.  

Get Notified

Stay Informed.
Sign Up For Notify Me.


Linn County makes it easy for you to stay informed about County news, services, and events by offering email and/or text message notifications. Topics available for subscription include:

  • News releases
  • Road construction updates
  • Snow removal updates
  • eNewsletters
  • Meeting notices
  • Agendas
  • and more!

Visit Linn County’s website at LinnCounty.org/NotifyMe to sign-up to receive the information that is important to you. There is no cost to subscribe. Text messages are subject to standard text messaging rates.

Find Us Online:


  Website: LinnCounty.org
Twitter:    @LinnCounty
                        @LinnCoConserv

                                                                      @lc_elections
                                                                      @LCPublicHealth
                                                                      @LinnIASheriff

          Facebook: Linn County, Iowa

Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share via Email

Copyright 2020 Linn County, Iowa. All Rights Reserved.
935 Second St. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404

Powered by
CivicSend - A product of CivicPlus