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, August 8, 2019
Back to School Safety

It's hard to believe, but the new school year is just around the corner. As students get ready to head back, remember to always be aware of your surroundings. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind:

  • Watch for children crossing streets or waiting at bus stops.
  • Exercise caution in school zones.
  • Know the bus routes in your neighborhood.
  • Remember you must stop for school buses.
  • Slow down and be mindful of posted school zone speeds.
  • The area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children; stop far enough back to allow them to safely enter and exit the bus.

For more safety tips, visit stjoemo.org.
Progress Continues with Neighborhood Parks

The construction of the new Hochman Park playground was completed at the end of July. The park, located at 4700 Pickett Road, is the first of six new neighborhood playgrounds that will be constructed in 2019 through funding from the Community Development Block Grant. Construction will continue to improve the playgrounds at Rest Square Park, Seitz Park, Patee Park, College Hill Park and Mary Park through December. 

Improvements to all the playgrounds which qualified for this funding is greatly needed. Some of the equipment at these parks had not been upgraded for several years with some even decades. With no ability to obtain the necessary parts to repair or replace broken or unsafe equipment, these playgrounds were slowly beginning to lose play structures piece by piece. 
International Overdose Awareness Day

More than 115 people in the United States die every day from overdosing on opioids as fatalities due to overdose are now the leading cause of accidental death in the United States. 

Observed on August 31, every year, International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) seeks to create better understanding of overdose, reduce the stigma of drug-related deaths and create change to reduce the harms associated with drug use. IOAD provides a safe space for families to mourn the loss of their loved ones and offers an opportunity for communities to come together, learn and support each other. In 2018, there were 747 IOAD events held in 38 countries. People and communities came together to raise awareness of one of the world’s most urgent public health crises, one that, unfortunately, is only getting worse. 

On Friday, August 30, the Buchanan County Opioid Taskforce will host International Overdose Awareness Day in Civic Center Park beginning at 6pm. The park is located on the south side of City Hall, 1100 Frederick Avenue. A Mayoral Proclamation will be read followed by an opportunity for those to share stories of hope who have survived overdose and/or to honor and remember those lost to overdose. Attendees are encouraged to bring a framed photo of loved one(s) lost to overdose to display in our memorial area. The pictures will not be kept as you will take them with you when the event is over. There will also be an information area for local resources on prevention, education, treatment and recovery for substance use disorders. For more information, call 236-1491.

View a full list of IOAD 2019 events currently planned around the world.
International Overdose Awareness Day is convened by Penington Institute, an Australian not-for-profit.
Making an Impact Out on the Course

Golf is one of those sports you can play in youth, teenage, adult, and through your retirement years. You can play once in a while, weekly or take lessons to become a seasoned golfer. Whether playing golf... read more
New Mural in South St. Joseph

The Southside now boasts a colorful new mural, located at 402 Illinois Avenue, at the intersection of Illinois and Lake. The idea for the mural came about when the South St. Joseph Development Corporation and Allied Arts Council of St Joseph put a call out for a muralist this past spring. Missouri Western art professor Kathy Liao thought it would be a great community project for her art students.

Liao enlisted the help of student and alumni artists Indigo Gaydusek ’18, Acacia Richardson ’18, Halbirt, Shelly Lundy, Madison McKinley and Kenneth Young. Before she submitted her proposed design, Liao spoke with Southside community members, so the mural's theme would include iconic Southside landmarks and history.

“The Southside is a place with a deep pride in its own identity and culture,” Liao said. “We are very excited to have helped transform a building facade into a giant piece of public art.”

Content provided by Jomel Nichols, Missouri Western State University Director of Marketing and Public Relations
(816) 271-5300