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Thursday, July 16, 2020
Hyde Splash Park Construction Underway

Work has begun on the much anticipated and long-awaited Hyde Splash Park. As of June 30, park-goers have seen barriers placed in the park to allow the construction to start. The splash park, scheduled to open for the 2021 summer season, will pay homage to the historic Liberty Tree, which use to be located in Hyde Park. The base of the splash park will be shaped like an oak leaf and there will be man-made tree stumps placed throughout the park. In the center, a large waterworks feature resembling a tree will spray and splash water on the people below.

During construction, visitors to the park will still have access to its many amenities. The baseball complex and tennis courts will be accessible only through the west park entrance. Exiting the park will be via a one-way lane out of the east driveway.

Funding for the project was made possible through the 2019 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) half-cent sales tax which was approved by voters in 2018. Lawhon Construction is the contractor for the project. 
Considerations for Wearing Cloth Face Coverings

Cloth face coverings are recommended as a simple barrier to help prevent respiratory droplets from traveling into the air and onto other people when the person wearing the cloth face covering coughs, sneezes, talks, or raises their voice. This is called source control. 

This recommendation is based on what is known about the role respiratory droplets play in the spread of the virus which causes COVID-19, paired with emerging evidence from clinical and laboratory studies showing cloth face coverings reduce the spray of droplets when worn over the nose and mouth. COVID-19 spreads mainly among people who are in close contact with one another, within about 6 feet, so the use of cloth face coverings is particularly important in settings where people are close to each other or where social distancing is difficult to maintain.

Who Should Wear A Cloth Face Covering?
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends all people 2 years of age and older wear a cloth face covering in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
  • COVID-19 can be spread by people who do not have symptoms and do not know that they are infected. That’s why it’s important for everyone to wear cloth face coverings in public settings and practice social distancing.
  • Cloth face coverings should not be worn by children younger than 2 years old, anyone who has trouble breathing, anyone who is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the cloth face covering without assistance.

The CDC recognizes that wearing cloth face coverings may not be possible in every situation or for some people. In some situations, wearing a cloth face covering may exacerbate a physical or mental health condition, lead to a medical emergency, or introduce significant safety concerns. 

Adaptations and alternatives should be considered whenever possible to increase the feasibility of wearing a cloth face covering or to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading if it is not possible to wear one. For example:
  • People who are deaf or hard of hearing, or those who care for or interact with a person who is hearing impaired, may be unable to wear cloth face coverings if they rely on lipreading to communicate. In this situation, consider using a clear face covering. If a clear face covering isn’t available, consider whether you can use written communication, use closed captioning or decrease background noise to make communication possible while wearing a cloth face covering that blocks your lips.
  • Some people, such as people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental health conditions or other sensory sensitivities, may have challenges wearing a cloth face covering. They should consult with their healthcare provider for advice about wearing cloth face coverings.
  • Younger children (e.g., preschool or early elementary aged) may be unable to wear a cloth face covering properly, particularly for an extended period of time. Wearing of cloth face coverings may be prioritized at times when it is difficult to maintain a distance of 6 feet from others like during carpool drop off or pick up or when standing in line at school. Ensuring proper cloth face covering size and fit and providing children with frequent reminders and education on the importance and proper wear of cloth face coverings may help address these issues.
  • People should not wear cloth face coverings while engaged in activities that may cause the cloth face covering to become wet, like when swimming at the beach or pool. A wet cloth face covering may make it difficult to breathe. For activities like swimming, it is particularly important to maintain physical distance from others when in the water.
  • People who are engaged in high intensity activities, like running, may not be able to wear a cloth face covering if it causes difficulty breathing. If unable to wear a cloth face covering, consider conducting the activity in a location with greater ventilation and air exchange and where it is possible to maintain physical distance from others.
  • People who work in a setting where cloth face coverings may increase the risk of heat-related illness or cause safety concerns due to introduction of a hazard, like straps getting caught in machinery, may consult with an occupational safety and health professional to determine the appropriate face covering for their setting. Outdoor workers may prioritize use of cloth face coverings when in close contact with other people, like during group travel or shift meetings, and remove face coverings when social distancing is possible.

Cloth face coverings are a critical preventive measure and are most essential in times when social distancing is difficult. If cloth face coverings cannot be used, make sure to take other measures to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread, including social distancing, frequent hand washing and cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces.

Don't Leave Children and Pets in Hot Cars

As we enter the hotter days of summer, remember that we, as adults, have a responsibility to make sure we are not leaving children or pets trapped inside a hot car. This is one of the most dangerous mistakes we can ever make and is the easiest to avoid if we take time and pay attention. The inside of a vehicle heats up very quickly. Even with the windows cracked, the temperature inside a car can reach 125 degrees in minutes. Cracking the windows does not help slow the heating process or decrease the maximum temperature. This can quickly lead to a fatal heat stroke in both children and pets.
 
Take time to check back seats. Place something in the front seat to remind you of the child, or put something in the back seat you will need when you get out, such as one of your shoes, cell phone, purse, backpack, etc. Do not leave your pet in your vehicle by themselves even if you are quickly running inside a store. A little extra time and planning can save a life and avoid tragedy.  
Knowing the Commercial Development Process

Commercial development is a very important part of any municipality. Most commercial development involves several departments within the city for approval... read more
Walking on the Wild Side

Things are getting a little wild in downtown St. Joseph! The 2020 Sculpture Walk includes several representations from the animal kingdom, both past and present. Some call attention to majestic form and beauty while others emphasize the playful character of forest friends. Make sure to take a stroll around downtown and enjoy the latest installments of the Sculpture Walk. The walk brings contemporary outdoor public art to historic downtown St. Joseph. This year-long exhibit includes a mix of sculptures from artists nationwide. For more information about this year's Sculpture Walk, visit the Allied Arts Council website.
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