Welcome to the city of St Joseph's weekly digital newsletter. City Link is your source for timely and relevant information from your local government.
|
|
COVID-19 Panel Discussion
A panel discussion regarding COVID-19 will be held Monday evening, March 16, beginning at 7pm. Residents will hear from representatives of the health department, Mosaic Life Care, Northwest Health Services, St. Joseph School District, Missouri Western State University and Buchanan County EMS.
A presentation will be made to discuss the current situation, facts surrounding the coronavirus, prevention and treatment, along with other relevant information, followed by a question and answer period. The event will last one hour in duration.
In an effort to help reduce the spread of virus, this panel discussion will be conducted in a closed setting, meaning there will be no audience in attendance. Residents can watch the discussion live on cable channel 19, stream it live on the city’s website at
stjoemo.org
, or via Facebook live on the city’s page
City of St. Joseph, MO Government
. Residents can call in questions to the panel during the discussion by calling any of the following numbers: 364-1579, 364-1377, or 364-1380.
|
|
Making a Splash
In early 2019, a decision was finalized to proceed with design and construction of a new splash park at Hyde Park. This decision was made for several reasons, the first being the closure of Hyde Pool after the 2013 swim season due to structural and operational concerns related to low attendance. There was also a reality of fewer people interested in becoming lifeguards. An interest in creating something new in St. Joseph and not continuing to duplicate services in multiple locations across town also became apparent.
There were multiple meetings hosted to obtain public opinion, the first of which occurred during the summer of 2015 with three public meetings, one at each of the existing public swimming pools. Those meetings were followed up by multiple public meetings and a public survey in 2017 specific to the aquatic facility at Hyde Park. The meetings were complemented by a public survey to gather information about a variety of proposed renovations at Hyde Park, including the aquatic attraction. After gathering all information and processing it with market information and institutional knowledge, a decision was made to pursue a combination splash park/swimming pool.
This concept was presented to a design professional who created renderings that were presented to the Capital Improvements Program (CIP) Committee in January 2018. The CIP committee ultimately selected the project as one to be funded in the 2019 campaign, but due to the way the funding accumulates over the five-year cycle, the project will be pursued in two phases.
In January, a team led by Ellison-Auxier Architects was selected to design the splash park phase of the project. The design phase for the splash park is over 75% complete and anticipate the full design completion and public bid in April. This schedule should allow for City Council approval in June, with construction beginning later this summer. Project elements will include a new restroom facility, dry playground equipment, multiple areas for seating, shade structures and a variety of water features, including a small play structure. The anticipated opening of the park is spring 2021.
|
|
2020 Census
It's important to be counted in the 2020 Census! For every person counted, our state receives federal funding for education, public transportation, emergency food and shelter, and health services. It also ensures Missourians are getting representation in Washington D.C. Residents should be on the lookout for a postcard in the mail with information on how to complete the 2020 Census. You can complete the census online, using your smartphone, over the phone, filling out a paper form or responding to a census enumerator.
|
|
World Sleep Day
Sleep is a basic human need, much like eating and drinking, and is crucial to our overall health and well-being. Sleep problems constitute a global epidemic which threatens health and quality of life for up to 45% of the world’s population. Sleep Day is an annual event to raise awareness of sleep disorders and the burden they place on society. Most sleep disorders are preventable or treatable, yet less than a third seek professional help.
Effects of poor quality sleep include a negative impact on our attention span, memory recall and learning. Lack of sleep is also related to many psychological conditions such as depression, anxiety and psychosis. Longer term effects are being studied, but poor quality sleep or sleep deprivation has been associated with significant health problems, such as obesity, diabetes, weakened immune systems and even some cancers. People who suffer insomnia are seven times more likely to become involved in an accident causing death or serious injury than good sleepers.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a persistent interruption of the breathing function during sleep that affects 4% of men and 2% of women. The drop in oxygen that occurs when breathing stops due to OSA puts a strain on the heart and can lead to a number of serious health conditions such as hypertension, ischemic heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
With children, sleep is essential for metabolic regulation, much like exercise and proper nutrition. There is evidence for a link between childhood obesity and sleep duration, and the findings are more apparent in girls. Healthy sleep in children will improve the child’s overall wellness and development.
|
|
The Importance of Mutual Aid
From time to time, there are incidents where emergency responders need assistance from other area first responders. Mutual Aid Agreements for fire departments...
read more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
