Knox County Health Department

02/13/2026

It's heart month! Help us protect yours. Come in for services and sign up for our give away. Come in to say high and sign up for our giveaway. Come in and participate in our heart health screening and receive an extra entry.

You must live in Knox County to win this prize based on funding.

Steam, saute, and 9 other cooking options wihh this Ninja Foodi PRO. ($110 value).

It's our honor to help protecting the hearts of Knox County. Be Well KC. LMC

02/12/2026

Our office is closed today in observance of Lincoln's Birthday. We will reopen at 8 AM on Friday, February 13th.

02/11/2026

Snacks can fit into a healthy eating plan if we choose well and stay prepared. What are some better options to eat? Whole foods top the list and they reduce empty calories and excess sugar. What's a whole food? Something that doesn't come with an ingredient list, like: meat, eggs, fruit, veggies, nuts, beans and more. When considering macronutrients (protein, fats and carbs), it is suggested to eat protein first, (can be included with some fats) but definitely carbs last. The benefits: keeps blood sugar stable, fills us more and possibly helps with weight management. Be prepared, plan your snacks and portions. Always having food on hand helps when you find yourself needing something between meals, 200 calories is a good goal or snack size. Don't forget to stay hydrated so your thirst doesn't make you think you're hungry.
What are some good snack options? Keeping washed fruits and cut-up vegetables in glass jars is a good snack, and the glass containers make them stay fresh longer (if they last, that is). Blend a smoothie by adding 1 cup milk to frozen fruit. Mix 3 cups of air popped popcorn with grated cheese and/or dried spices. Roast chickpeas/garbanzo beans and season with spices/ranch. Cut up fruit to make kabobs and serve with low-fat yogurt dip. Mix equal amounts of fat free plain or flavored yogurt with 100% fruit juice and freeze like a popsicle for a nice treat. These will get you started snacking right!

Health Educator, Michelle Chrisman

01/26/2026

Knox County Health Department/Home Health Agency is in need of the following contracts:

--Speech Therapy (licensed Speech Therapist) this person will see a limited number of patients in a year's time, based on historical caseloads, so will be solely responsible for all home speech therapy visits.

--Occupational Therapy (licensed Occupational Therapist). we are looking for an Occupational Therapist to oversee two experienced COTA contractors and do home admissions, discharges and evaluations.

Both contracts will be per visit, and require assurance of license, insurance and background screening. If you are looking for something flexible and additional to the work you are already doing and are looking for a rewarding experience--there is no greater reward than seeing these rural Missourians, be able to stay in their homes.

If you are an ST or OT and have any interest, please call me today and let's talk about it.

Lori Moots-Clair, Director 6603973396

01/25/2026

We'd like to share our deepest sympathies to the family of Dixie Parrish. Dixie has a long history of being a friend to many in Knox County and will be missed.

View Dixie Lynn Parrish's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

01/22/2026

HARSH WINTER WEATHER ARRIVES-PREPARE!
As temperatures are slated to plummet to subzero levels with snow accumulation Saturday into Sunday, it is a good time to assure we are prepared for mother nature’s winter round.

Primary concerns at home and at work during these times are loss of heat, power and phone service. A shortage of supplies in storms that continue for more than a day can also be concerning. It’s important for individuals to prepare with flashlights, batteries, extra food (ex. nuts, dried fruit, granola bars and other non-cooking, non-refrigerated foods), water, extra prescription medications (you should always strive to keep two weeks medications on hand), extra oxygen bottles if utilizing an oxygen concentrator, any necessary baby items (ex. diapers/formula), first aid supplies, heating fuel (ex. have your propane levels checked), emergency heating sources (ex. fireplaces, wood stoves, space heaters that are properly ventilated to prevent fire), fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, and extra pet food and warm shelter for pets.

It’s the perfect time of year to assure you are familiar with generator safety. NEVER run a generator in an enclosed space, and assure no leaves or snow are packed around the outside generator. Finally make sure your carbon monoxide detectors are working properly if you are utilizing any gas-powered heating source.

Home fires are a greater concern during these types of weather events. Assure that you are utilizing heating sources safely, that your vents and stove pipes are clean, and that you have working smoke detectors and fire extinguishers.

The best situation is to stay off the road and in a warm safe place during winter weather events. If you must travel it is important to TAKE IT SLOW on snow and ice (black ice can be difficult to see). It is also important to keep a full tank of gas, make sure your tire pressure is up, and keep blankets, coats, gloves, ice melt/cat litter, scrapers, snacks, water, and an operating cell phone in the vehicle. Before you leave your home ensure that your fluid levels are topped off and that your gas tank is full.

In this agriculture community our farmers not only care for their families, but also their livestock. It is important to ensure their shelter, food and most importantly their water source.

Having shared all these tips, the most important thing here in Knox County is that we are checking on our friends and neighbors and helping prepare where we can. If you or someone you know is in need during this time, please call the health department and we will get you to those who can help you.

BE WELL KNOX COUNTY!

01/21/2026

Wishing our good friend Evelyna Sutterfield all the best in retirement! No one could have gave more to Clark County Health Dept. And the citizens of Clark County. Janet Nixon knew what she was doing the day she made you come work for her! ❤️

01/21/2026

This Weekly Word is Emergency Preparedness

It's best to take steps today to prepare for an unexpected emergency so you can endure a crisis safely and as comfortably as possible. The state website, "Ready in 3" has many pointers, they suggest you: 1. Make a plan 2. Prepare a disaster kit and 3. Listen for information.

1. Make a plan for different scenarios, your family might not be together when a disaster happens but if you have a plan that the family knows and understands you can reunite faster and with less stress. Decide how you will reach each other if you are separated, many people suggest picking 2 different meeting spots and travelling to the one that makes the most sense. For some, those locations would be home and work. Also have a plan if you have to evacuate your home for any reason, it's helpful to have a ready plan in a time of chaos.

2. Prepare a disaster kit, you might not be able to get food or water for days or weeks and may not have electricity. You should have 3 - 4 weeks of food and water per person stored at home. There are so many good lists online of additional supplies for disaster kits, look them up. (Don't forget necessary medications and extra bottles if on oxygen)

3. Listen for information about what is happening and what steps you should take. Staying calm, gathering information by listening to a phone, radio or TV will help you know what kind of crisis you are dealing with.

The Health Department continues to work with the Knox Community Center and Catholic Church to assure shelter if needed for our county residents. Please assure that you have supplies (water, food medications etc). Your city, county and state officials have emergency plans that can be of help too! Be prepared and if you are fine, check on family, friends and neighbors.

Michelle Chrisman, Health Educator

01/21/2026

Weekly Word, Podcasts

What are podcasts? They are kind of like the radio programs of yesterday that are pre recorded to enjoy anytime and play from apps; there are several apps to choose from. Podcasts come in ANY subject, just give it a google. Looking for random ones I found: "Tooth and Claw, True Animal Attacks, A Day In The Life Of (Unique Professions), Teach People Random Skills, The Thrilling Adventure Hour (Old Time Radio Style) Scavenger Hunt (Interactive Fun) with today's most popular podcast being, "Crime Ju**ie."
Podcasts are usually free entertainment that are more of a conversation than a story and pair well with mindless chores. Typically they last 30- 40 minutes on average and are beneficial as you can learn something worthwhile, improve your listening skills and they save you from doom scrolling.
Some popular ones you might consider trying the next time you are doing dishes or folding laundry are: "Hidden Brain (Psychological Insight), Fresh Air (In Depth Interviews), Mel Robbins Podcast (Motivational Insight), The Rest is History (Biggest History Moments), Stuff you Should Know (Informative Discussion), and World of Secrets (Cultural Mysteries). If you try them and enjoy them, share with someone else!

Michelle Chrisman, Health Educator

01/14/2026

It’s that time of year again! Wellness labs throughout the month of February. No order required.

01/08/2026

Happy New Year! A good time to start fresh, maybe with New Year's Resolutions, healthy eating, reflecting... and if you are thinking about cleaning, why not give Swedish Death Cleaning a try? It might seem a little morbid but it's actually an old Swedish custom where you begin to declutter and organize your things, getting rid of EVERYTHING that isn't necessary or significant to you. In the process you spend time with things from your past and then move on and get rid of them. The hope is you ease the burden of your family who will be grieving once you leave. Most of us have realized some things we hold on to, "in case we need them": old clothes, single socks, buttons, books, old jewelry, old movies 🙄 would be better off in the trash and out of our way. If you can't get past the fear they might have value, donate them and think of the treasure they will be for someone else. Part of the gist with Swedish death cleaning is to keep significant things from our lives and share their stories with our loved ones so they have the story behind the object. Oftentimes they give these items away along with the stories. My aunt read the book, "The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning" and as a result gifted me some items with their stories. I treasure most items but gave the less meaningful objects to the thrift store. Just because someone special gives us things doesn't mean we have to keep the object, only the story may be necessary. My mother cooked a lot and while nothing of monetary value, I kept her kitchen tools and use them in my everyday cooking. I will pass them on as tools we both used when the time comes. Family members might value items they identify with you, so maybe ask before throwing those things away. At the end you will simplify your home, lessen your family's burden and through your stories and giving, part of you will live on. --Michelle Chrisman, Health Educator