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.
Thursday, September 17, 2020
Declaration of Emergency

In a continued effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19, a Declaration of Emergency regarding face coverings and masks has been signed into effect as of 12:01am, Thursday, September 17. This declaration will remain in effect for a 30-day period. The following guidelines and/or restrictions apply:

  • All indoor public places must require those present to wear a mask. If a 6-foot distance can be maintained from customers and other employees, i.e., an individual office, then a mask is not required. Some additional exemptions apply.
  • Business owners and managers are responsible for ensuring employees and customers wear masks or face coverings.
  • Face coverings are not required in outdoor spaces.
  • Face coverings continue to be required in indoor retail stores with 10,000 square feet of indoor space.
  • For restaurants, bars and taverns, persons who are seated are not required to wear a mask. Customers should wear a mask when they enter and leave the premises.

Additional information can be obtained by calling the St. Joseph Health Department at 816.271.4636.

To read the full Declaration of Emergency, visit https://bit.ly/3c0hK96. To read the full press release, visit https://bit.ly/2E1nEKu.
Suicide Prevention Month

#BeThe1To is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s message for National Suicide Prevention Month and beyond. The goal is to spread the word about actions we can all take to prevent suicide. The Lifeline network and its partners are working to change the conversation from suicide to suicide prevention, to actions that can promote healing, help and give hope.

  • Ask: Research shows people who are having thoughts of suicide feel relief when someone asks after them in a caring way. Findings suggest acknowledging and talking about suicide may reduce rather than increase suicidal ideation.
  • Be There: Individuals are more likely to feel less depressed, less suicidal, less overwhelmed and more hopeful after speaking to someone who listens without judgment.
  • Keep them Safe: A number of studies have indicated when lethal means are made less available or less deadly, suicide rates by that method decline and frequently suicide rates overall decline.
  • Help Them Stay Connected: Studies indicate helping someone at-risk create a network of resources and individuals for support and safety can help them take positive action and reduce feelings of hopelessness.
  • Follow Up: Studies have also shown that brief, low cost intervention and supportive ongoing contact may be an important part of suicide prevention, especially for individuals after they have been discharged from hospitals or care services.

After-Hours REC Center Access

One of the goals for the St. Joseph REC Center is to offer fitness opportunities to the entire community. However, the center was the only fitness facility in St. Joseph that did not offer after-hours access to the fitness room. Due to the set hours, staff felt they, in a sense, were pushing potential members away, but had no other choice.

The REC Center has been open for a little over eight years. During this time, staff heard repeatedly from potential members they would love to join the REC Center, but the hours did not work with their schedule. Some preferred to work out in the early morning hours before they went to work, while others worked late and were not able to get in before closing time. They would find other facilities to better meet their needs.

Staff finally got the green light to start the process of offering after-hours access. Additional security cameras inside the fitness room and outside the building were installed. More lighting was added along the walkway and outside the access door. A card reader lock was added to the access door. A water cooler was installed as there isn't a water fountain inside the fitness room.

In just the first week of offering the after-hours access, old members who left came back and many new members joined which is very encouraging. Fitness is an ever-changing field and staying on top of new trends is a priority. By offering this benefit to members, it is one way to stay ahead of the curve. The hope is more people will find time to work out which in return will lead to a healthier community. For more information about after-hour access, call the REC Center at 271-5512.
Understanding the Professional Standards

Building and maintaining community trust is the cornerstone of successful policing and law enforcement. The building and maintenance of trust...read more
Have You Been Counted?

Time is running out as the deadline to respond to the 2020 Census is September 30. Your response helps our state and local communities receive federal funding for education, public transportation, emergency food and shelter, and health services. 

If you haven't submitted your census yet, you can do so online, over the phone and or through mailed self-responses. For more information, visit 2020census.gov.
(816) 271-5300