St. Joseph Memorial Park plans to offer families with cremated remains a place to memorialize them at no cost.

It plans to once again offer a free inurnment over the Memorial Day Holiday.  On Sunday, May 29 anyone with cremated remains can lay them to rest in the park’s ossuary.  However, individuals need to contact Whispering Pines Cremation Garden at St. Joseph Memorial Park by Friday, May 27th at 816-233-2526 to complete authorizations.

Eric Montegna, General Manager of St. Joseph Memorial Park said the Whispering Pines Ossuary is a community ossuary, in which cremated remains are placed in a single underground chamber through above-ground portals.

“The majority of families do not have a final resting place for their loved one’s cremated remains,” Montegna said. “Psychologists point out that having a final resting place is important for both healing and legacy for future generations. In addition, choosing a safe and sacred place now can relieve the burden on future generations to care and maintain an appropriate place for the remains. “

He said they are trying to make sure everyone has a final resting place.

“Scattering, storing remains in a closet, under a bed or in a basement is not a final resting place and does not provide closure for the family,” Montegna said. “We have been comforting families in the St. Joseph and surrounding communities for five consecutive generations and this is another way we support the healing of those who have experienced a loss regardless of where the cremation was performed.”

The cremated remains will be placed in the ossuary prior to a community farewell service 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 29th at Whispering Pines Cremation Garden at Memorial Park.

With only two weeks left the American Cancer Society is still asking for recruits for its annual Relay for Life in St. Joseph.

The event will take place on June 4th at Frederick Boulevard Baptist Church, 5502 Frederick Ave.

Trey Drowns, a volunteer with Relay For Life said teams are committed to help save more lives from cancer by raising funds for the Society. Teams and individuals can learn more and sign up for the Relay For Life event by visiting relayforlife.org.

The Relay For Life movement is touted as the world’s largest fundraising event to fight every cancer in every community, with four million participants in 6,000 events worldwide in 2015.

Last year, more than 300 people participated in the Relay For Life of Saint Joseph and raised more than $32,000.

“Relay For Life is a chance to make the greatest impact in the fight to end cancer,” Drowns said. “Many participants are our loved ones who have faced cancer themselves. Each new team brings us one step closer to saving more lives.”

A St. Joseph man is facing a felony charge after a manhunt earlier this week in Buchanan County.

Christopher Kennedy, 42 was charged Friday in Buchanan County with a felony for resisting arrest stemming from an incident that took place Tuesday.

As we previously reported, the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Department responded to the area of 135th Rd/SE Nuckols Rd. Tuesday near Easton and searched the area for nearly three hours after authorities said a deputy tried to stop a vehicle for speeding on 36 highway and a chase began.

According to court documents Kennedy was driving a vehicle going 88 mph Tuesday around 1:30 p.m. on 36 Hwy.

“I attempted to stop Mr. Kennedy who was operating a 1991 Ford pickup,” said Michael Klenk with the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Department. “Kennedy turned onto a gravel road and fled at over 50mph on the gravel road.  Mr. Kennedy turned into a residential driveway where he traveled off road, running through (3) fences where he became stuck.  Mr. Kennedy then fled on foot and was given a ride out of the area.”

Klenk said Kennedy was identified as the driver by several written statements and items left in the vehicle.

Kennedy is being held on $5,000 bond, an arraignment is set for Tuesday.