Mayor encourages Census participation

As of Friday, according to the Arkansas Department of Health, there have been a total of 1,216 positive cases of COVID-19 in Mississippi County, 191 active cases, 1,009 recoveries, 8,609 negative tests and 16 deaths.

During Wednesday’s COVID-19 update, Blytheville Mayor James Sanders stressed the importance of filling out the 2020 Census as the city of Blytheville held a 46 percent response rate.

Sanders said, “You may be at home and a Census taker will come to your home, they want to make sure they get this information from you to help you. This information will not be shared with law enforcement or anyone except for our U.S. Census people in order to help you. To make sure we have the appropriate hospitalization, safer schools, to make sure all of your needs are met. The Census numbers help supply organizations to make sure they are getting supplies to underserved people.”

In regards to school starting on Monday, Police Chief Ross Thompson stated, “Officers will be in the area during the first days of school to make sure that the traffic is flowing safely. We will remind people that if they aren’t wearing a mask that they should be.”