On Thursday’s Morning Show, we spoke with Wabash County Fair Board member Mike Wilson on the board’s decision Wednesday night to cancel this year’s 4-H and Junior Fair.
COVID-19 Sparking Concerns For Childhood Obesity
A new study suggests COVID-19 restrictions could lead to an increase in childhood obesity.
Nicer weather in Illinois typically means children home for the summer congregate in public parks and pools, but many remain closed due to COVID-19 restrictions. A new study predicts it could increase childhood obesity, a problem that could get more severe if schools don’t reopen in the fall.
Using childhood obesity rates under normal circumstances, Ruopeng An, a professor specializing in environmental factors on weight-related behaviors from Washington University in St. Louis, then factored in how much COVID-19 related closures would affect obesity in school-age children.
His models use the body mass index data from more than 15,000 kindergarten-to-5th grade children in 2011, then assume lower physical activity in four situations: closures of schools in April and May of 2020, the previous school closures plus a ten percent reduction in physical activity due to summer closures, all of the former closures plus schools staying closed up to November, and finally all of the other closures plus schools remaining closed until 2021.
The study found marked increases in BMI as the ten-percent reduction in daily activity continued on into 2021, which An said becomes the root cause of a lifetime of additional health challenges.
“Childhood obesity leads to adult obesity, which is associated with a variety of different chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension and some types of cancer,” An said. “Even just for childhood obesity itself, it leads to a lot of psychosocial adverse consequences. For example, low self-esteem, low self-confidence, mental health issues, being bullied more at school, being absent from more activities due to health conditions.”
Illinois had already made the first scenario of the study a reality, An said.
Many public pools remain closed and public parks.
An prefaces the study’s findings noting variances in physical activity in the home are likely to vary widely based on each student’s available activities.
“Admittedly, children may make up for their lost [physical activity] opportunities at school by engaging in additional [physical activity] at home,” it said. “However, given the widespread community transmission of COVID-19 and nationwide stay-at-home orders, it is unlikely for the majority of children to adequately compensate for their reduced [physical activity] due to school closures.”
An theorized that inner-city children, typically low-income minorities, would have the least access to physical activities, possibly leading to a higher mean BMI.
“The impact of COVID-19 on childhood obesity was modestly larger among boys versus girls and among non-Hispanic blacks and Hispanics compared with non-Hispanic whites and Asians,” according to the study.
Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike, a pediatrician by trade, stressed the importance of physical activity while the shutdown orders remained in place.
“Something as simple as going for a walk, while still social distancing, can help you not only physically, but mentally and emotionally,” she said. “When you exercise, your body releases endorphins that can trigger a positive feeling."
The study didn’t predict something as simplified as an additional pound per child in weight gain, rather an estimate of mean body mass index under the different scenarios.
County To Explore Lowering Speed Limit On Part Of River Road
Wabash County board chairman Tim Hocking says county highway engineer Dustin Bunting will be consulted regarding the speed limit on River Road from East 5th Street to the old dam. The present speed limit is 55 miles an hour but a group calling themselves “River Rats For Life” presented a petition to the county board looking to lower the speed limit because of the number of children and families who frequent river camps in that area. For comparison’s sake, the stretch of Hydraulic Avenue that runs in front of river camps in the opposite direction and under city jurisdiction has a speed limit of 25 miles an hour. Hocking said the petition was being taken under advisement and after Bunting weighs in, a decision will be made on whether the speed limit needs to be lowered.
The speed limit on this section of River Road from Twin Rivers, north of the old dam is 55 mph.
The speed limit on this section of River Road from Twin Rivers, north of the old dam is 55 mph.
The speed limit on this section of Hydraulic Avenue along the River is 25 mph.
Mayor Offers Updates On City Pool
We’re now into June and the prospects for the Mt. Carmel City Pool opening this summer aren’t any clearer. At Monday’s City Council meeting, Mayor Joe Judge said guidance from the state remains murky…
If the pool isn’t able to open this summer, it might not be a worst case scenario as Judge said the city is applying for a $1 million fast track grant that would pave the way for a new splash park and more…
Judge said if the city finds out their application is successful in early July, the pool would have to close so the project could begin…since one of the criteria of the grant is the project being shovel ready. The fast track grant is in addition to another grant the city has applied for to upgrade the city pool.
Hallie Courter Awarded DAR Medal and Certificate
Hallie Courter, 7th grade student at Allendale Elementary School, was awarded the DAR Youth Citizenship Medal and Certificate by the Mount Carmel Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution recently. This award recognizes an outstanding student who exhibits the qualities of honor, service, courage, leadership, and patriotism. Hallie is the daughter of Andy and Sarah Courter.
Lauren Fisher Wins DAR Award
Lauren Fisher was awarded the DAR American History medal and certificate at the Allendale Grade School’s Graduation Ceremony held on Tuesday, June 2, 2020 presented by the Mount Carmel Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution . Lauren was the winner of all students in the 8th grade in an essay contest on “The Voyage of the Mayflower”. Lauren is the daughter of Mark and Jennifer Fisher.
Mayor Admonishes UTV/Golf Cart Owners
This is the first Spring since the Mt. Carmel City Council legalized UTV’s and golf carts on city streets and it’s apparently some people are taking advantage of the rules regulating them. At Monday’s City Council meeting, Mayor Joe Judge said he has received complaints of drivers under 16 operating the golf carts and UTV’s…
The ban would last until the expiration of the city permit on the vehicle. Judge said there’s a reason those under 16 aren’t allowed to drive the golf carts and UTV’s on city streets…
Judge said if caught, underage drivers could be prevented from getting their driver’s licenses when they turn 16.
Judge also said he has heard reports of golf carts and UTV’s being operated on state highways in the city, which he also said was a no-no. Signs will soon be installed at the designated points in the city where the golf carts and UTV’s can cross state routes.
On a related note, finance commissioner Eric Ikemire said 110 UTV/golf cart permits have been sold so far this year bringing in $5,500 for the police department.
Princeton man arrested on multiple charges
On June 3, 2020, at 8:43 a.m. a subject came to the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office to report that an unresponsive person was passed out in a driveway near the intersection of Taft Town Road and Wilson Avenue near Princeton, Indiana. Deputies U.B. Smith and Brian Naas went to the residence and observed a Silver 2006 Ford Mustang sitting in a driveway. Upon approaching the vehicle they observed 39-year-old Christopher Dunn unresponsive in the drivers seat. At that point Deputy Smith was able to wake up Mr. Dunn and check his welfare. While speaking with Mr. Dunn Deputy Smith observed drug paraphernalia in plain view and began an investigation. Once the investigation was completed Deputy Naas placed Mr. Dunn into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the Gibson County Jail Mr. Dunn was charged with Possession of Paraphernalia, Possession of a Syringe, Possession of Methamphetamines, and Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated. He remains in custody on a $750 bond.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
City Council Takes Next Step Toward Building New Water Plant
The Mt. Carmel City Council has given the go ahead to taking the next step in building a new water treatment next to the current facility on South Mulberry Street. In an unanimous vote, commissioners voted to approve the next step in the project that estimates place at between $7.3 million and $8.3 million. Officials are hoping to have $1.6 million of the project covered by government loan forgiveness.
Details of the project weren’t fully released last night, but Water Commissioner Justin Dulgar said base rate increases for customers could range from $3 to $7 with increases also implemented on a tiered system based on usage. The facility will be 16,000 to 17,000 square feet and take 18 to 24 months to build. It’s hoped all of the necessary designs and permitting allows for construction to start in July or August of 2021 and take 18 to 24 months to complete. The city has been under the gun by the I-EPA to upgrade the water plant that was built in 1937. A final council vote on whether to proceed with the project will take place once all of the engineering specs and final costs are available.
Despite asking for public input on the project before the decision was made and seeking public participation in yesterday’s meeting, no members of the public attended the 5pm meeting at City Hall.
Mt. Carmel Plans On Having 4th Of July Fireworks
The City of Mt. Carmel will attempt to buck the trend and have a 4th of July fireworks celebration next month. At last night’s City Council meeting, Mayor Joe Judge said District #348 is supporting the decision to have the fireworks….
Judge did not elaborate on what the changes he mentioned will be. Several area communities have cancelled their fireworks celebrations meaning Mt. Carmel could attract a much larger patriotic crowd than ever. Previously, organizers announced the 4th of July parade in Mt. Carmel has been cancelled.