Lincoln County schools close and court proceedings pushed back due to coronavirus

Lincoln County schools close and court proceedings pushed back due to coronavirus

Based on the virus spread.

The coronavirus is not only affecting alabama, but the entire country.

Right now, we know tennessee has 52 confirmed cases of the virus -- including one child!

Governor bill lee issued a statement this morning.

He is encouraging all schools to close "as soon as practically possible."

Right now, all schools are expected to close this friday.

In lincoln county, tennessee - officials announced they're suspending all in-person court proceedings through march 31st... waay 31's casey albritton learned what city and county leaders are doing to keep you healthy.

Here at the lincoln county courthouse, leaders say despite the closure of schools and suspension of local activities, county offices will remain open.

Bill heath/ lincoln county superintendent "our custodians are trained up and we have the materials to do the additional cleaning, any high touch areas, like doorknobs."

This is what fayetteville city and lincoln county leaders say they are focusing on... cleaning.

Lincoln county schools superintendent, bill heath says tuesday morning, schools leaders will come together to decide how students can receive their daily lunches and take-home learning materials.

Bill heath/ lincoln county superintendent "with the unknowns as great as they are, we want to make sure we are being as cautious as possible."

Heath told me he is working with the state legislature to get testing cancelled at the end of the school year... he says if it is cancelled, students' grades would be determined by the work they've done in the classroom.

Lincoln county officials also announced that while in-person court proceedings will be suspended until march 31st... there are exceptions.

James b.

Cox/ 17th judicial district "matters that relate to constitutional rights, especially criminal defendants are covered, civil and criminal trials that were actively in progress on march 13th and most other abuse situations are covered."

Deadlines for court proceedings between march 13th and 31st are also being pushed back to april 6th... meanwhile, people who live in lincoln county told me they hope everything goes back to normal soon.

Christy bates/ lincoln county resident "i think it's going to be hard.

Being out that great length of time, they are missing a lot of instruction."

Bill heath/ lincoln county superintendent "this is a situation that impacts our entire county and city the same way."

Leaders we need to be more specific here tell me once the spread of coronavirus slows down, the court system will be busy playing catch-up with the proceedings that were previously suspended.

Reporting in lincoln county, casey albritton, waay 31 news.

Officials say if judge's offices do close at some point, phones will remain open...and if people have any questions,