TR to remain closed until Monday

Twin Rivers R-X students will remain out of class for the rest of the week.

The district closed early Tuesday, announcing it would remain closed on Wednesday as well. At the time, Superintendent Jeremy Seibert said he hoped classes would be able to resume Thursday.

However, Wednesday afternoon, the district announced it would remain closed for Thursday and Friday, resuming classes Monday.

Seibert said the closures are due to flooding and illness. He said he noticed flooding between Black River bridge and Poplar Bluff on Tuesday afternoon.

Also on Tuesday, he said 90 students called out with the flu. The district has around 900 students in attendance on the average day. Seibert said Wednesday several teachers reported being sick with it as well.

Emily Goodin with the Butler County Health Department said there have been 213 confirmed cases in Butler County as of Jan. 25.

A confirmed case, she said, is a patient with a positive lab test for the influenza virus.

Goodin said there have been more confirmed cases so far this year compared to last year. For the state, she said, there’s been about 3,500 more cases since the beginning of the season in early October.

The Butler County Health Department still has flu shots available for both adults and students.

Flu shots are free at the health department. The office at 1619 N. Main St. is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and walk-ins are accepted for the flu shot.

To avoid any kind of illness, health officials advise people regularly wash their hands, cover their mouth when sneezing or coughing and remain home if sick.