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, April 25, 2019
Prescription Drug Take Back

Have unused or expired medications? Bring them to the Prescription Drug Take Back event on Saturday, April 27, from 10am-2pm, in the East Hills parking lot off of Woodbine for safe disposal. You may bring controlled, non-controlled, over the counter substances and sharps. This event is sponsored by the Drug Free Community Coalition, St. Joseph Youth Alliance, Buchanan County Sheriff's Department, Missouri American Water and the St. Joseph Police Department. For more information, call 232-0050.
Take a Trip to Wonderland

The St. Joseph Figure Skating Club is transforming Bode Ice Arena into Wonderland during their performance of “Alice, Through the Frosty Looking Glass.” The shows are set for 6:30pm, on May 3-4, and 3pm, on May 5. The performances will showcase 40 members of the skating club, the Griffon Gliders Synchronized Skating Teams and 17 students in Bode's Learn to Skate program. This is director Debbie Cole's eleventh time directing a show with the figure skating club with the help of assistant director Jessica Anderson. Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the shows for anyone 13 and older. Children 12 and younger are free with an adult. Tickets are available at stjosephfsc@gmail.com or by calling 271-5506 .
National Infant Immunization Week

This year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is celebrating the 25 th anniversary of National Infant Immunization Week. This annual observance highlights the importance of protecting infants from vaccine-preventable diseases and to celebrate the achievements of immunization programs and their partners in promoting healthy communities. 

Due to the success of vaccines in preventing disease, parents may not have heard of some of today’s vaccines or the serious diseases they prevent. These diseases can be especially serious for infants and young children. That is why it is important to follow the recommended immunization schedule to protect infants and children by providing immunity early in life, before they encounter potentially life-threatening diseases. Vaccine-preventable diseases still circulate in the United States and around the world, so continued vaccination is necessary to protect everyone from potential outbreaks. Even when diseases are rare in the U.S., they can still be common in many parts of the world and unvaccinated individuals can bring them to the U.S., putting unvaccinated people at risk.

Most parents choose the safe, proven protection of vaccines. Giving babies the recommended vaccinations by age two is the best way to protect them from 14 serious childhood diseases, like whooping cough and measles. Parents are encouraged to talk to their child’s doctor to ensure that their baby is up-to-date on vaccinations. Vaccines are among the most successful and cost-effective public health tools available for preventing disease and death. They not only help protect vaccinated individuals, but also help protect entire communities by preventing and reducing the spread of infectious diseases. Among children born during 1994-2018, vaccination will prevent an estimated 419 million illnesses, 26.8 million hospitalizations, and 936,000 deaths over the course of their lifetimes.

For more information, click here or contact the city of St. Joseph Health Department at 271-4725.
Police Find Support in Man's Best Friend

If you have ever traveled internationally, you have probably heard, “May I see your passport, please?” Well how about a passport for your dog? Our new four-legged police officers both have a passport as they took a trip across the Atlantic to join the team. Thanks to a generous donation by the St. Joseph Humane Society... read more
Apple Blossom BBQ

Make sure to mark your calendars for the annual Apple Blossom BBQ Competition at Civic Center Park presented by Uncommon Character and Triumph Foods. The event will kick off Friday, May 3, with the People's Choice Tasting and live music by Blue Oyster Culture Club. The party continues at the park on Saturday, May 4, after the Apple Blossom Parade with vendors, family activities and the announcement of the competition awards. For more information, visit   uncommoncharacter.com.
(816) 271-5300