(St. Joseph, Mo.) – A local eye doctor is teaming up with St. Joseph School District school nurses to address questions regarding vision issues impacting youth.

Dr. Rosenak’s Optical Options announced Friday it will hold a meeting with school nurses Friday, Feb. 13th in the School Board Conference Room downtown at 8:30 a.m.

According to a news release the meeting will address questions about student vision including eye injury, the best equipment to use for a screening in the nurse’s office, eye strain due to the overuse of computer or video games, and symptoms of easily overlooked eye health problems.

“As a child progresses through school, they require the use of good vision in increasing ways. The print in books becomes smaller, and children are no longer able to rely on the use of pictures to fully understand the text,” Dr. Steven Rosenak with Dr. Rosenak’s Optical Options said. “We want to work alongside school nurses to be sure students’ vision problems are detected whenever possible.”

Rosenak said that vision can change significantly throughout the school years, and it is critical that children receive regular vision screenings. While nearsightedness is the most common vision problem among children, they may also have an astigmatism or have difficulty tracking or with eye coordination.

“We want to equip our school nurses with the knowledge and tools they need to help determine whether a child needs a more comprehensive exam that could prevent problems later,” Rosenak said.

The American Cancer Society Relay for Life of St. Joseph will kick off its 2015 campaign Saturday to try and raise $32,000 for cancer research.

The fundraiser will run until the official relay scheduled for July 11th at the Civic Arena. The agency said funds raised will go towards the search to find a cure to cancer.

Trey Drowns is the event coordinator and said he started walking in the event seven years ago for his friend’s mom.

“At that time my best friend, her mom was fighting cancer. She actually passed away three years ago,” Drowns said. “I don’t think anybody can look around and look at their family or friends and not know someone who has cancer or who has been affected by cancer.”

Drowns said he kept walking after that and then something else happened.

“I meant a wonderful woman who’s now my wife and she’s had melanoma,” he said. “I walk for her.”

Drowns said his wife Katy has been cancer free for awhile but that he still walks for a cure.

“This is something we can all come together on for one cause just to try and find a cure to cancer,” he said.

The kickoff party will be held at the East Hills Library on Saturday Feb. 7th at 11 a.m.

The kickoff is a free event open to the public. (Click here for flyer)

Speakers will tell stories about the fight with cancer and give information about the American Cancer Society and what it does in the surrounding community as well as around the world.

Participants will also learn more about the Relay, how to participate, how to form a team and opportunities to become a sponsor.

For more information check out www.relayforlife.org or contract Trey at rflstjoe@yahoo.com or (816)-294-0390

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — A 24-year-old man from St. Joseph has been sentenced to seven years in federal prison on a drug-related charge.

Jarrodd Page had pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute 280 grams or more of crack cocaine and five kilograms or more of powder cocaine.

He initially faced other charges, including possessing powder cocaine with intent to distribute, but they were dropped with his plea agreement.

He was one of 17 people accused in a larger drugs and firearms investigation in St. Joseph in 2012. The investigation, called Operation Family Feud, was conducted by city, county and federal law enforcement agencies.

A St. Joseph woman suing her former employer over allegations of discrimination has had her case removed to federal court.

According to online court documents 66-year-old Mary Adams of St. Joseph filed a discrimination suite against Lifeline Foods LLC December 15, last year.

A petition to remove the case to federal court was filed Thursday and removed Friday morning.

A trial has been scheduled for March 18.

Saint Joseph, MO — Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory plans to transition to a Healing Farewell Center.

In a news release issued Thursday the Funeral Home said it plans to hold a event to announce is transition Feb. 12 at 8:30 a.m. at its location on 5005 Frederick Avenue.

During the presentation, Meierhoffer said it plans to present and explain the seven-step process that has been proven to be more effective at helping people who are grieving a loved one.

“We are always looking for ways to improve the way we serve families through educating them about what farewell Services provide. Farewell Services go far beyond what has been the standard in funeral services,” said Scott Meierhoffer, CEO.

The funeral home said that Healing Support Services will be available to assist families coping with death.

“We cannot remove the pain caused by loss, but having a plan in place that addresses spiritual, emotional, and relational needs can help families to begin healing,” said Todd Meierhoffer, President.

For more information on Meierhoffer’s transition to A Healing Farewell Center, contact Eric Montegna at 816-271-0387.

The Trenton Police Department is investigating a Burglary at the “This and That Pawn Shop” that took place early Thursday morning.

Police said the incident occurred around 6:30 a.m when two suspects, both described as white males wearing winter type jackets and gloves stole misc jewelry and one handgun.

“Recently we have seen a few business burglaries in various parts of the City of Trenton,” the police department stated on social media. “Theses burglaries were in more isolated areas and the entry points were less visible. This burglary was different in that it was in a more open area and the suspects broke the front glass door and appeared to go right for what they were looking for. It is unknown if these are the same suspects from the recent business burglaries.”

Missouri Department of Transportation Director Dave Nichols has announced his plans to retire this spring.

Nichols became director of MoDOT in April 2013, after having served as chief engineer for two years. In his 30-year span at the department, he has held a variety of leadership roles, including the department’s first director of program delivery, a position he held for 11 years. He also served as district engineer for the department’s Northwest District, headquartered in St. Joseph, and worked in MoDOT’s Kansas City District.

Nicholas announced Thursday that he plans to retire May 1.

The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission will now begin the process to replace him.

“The commission is grateful for Dave’s long career of dedicated, results-oriented service to MoDOT,” said Commission Chair Stephen Miller. “He exemplifies exactly what it means to be a public servant, having spent the last 30 years of his life doing great work for the citizens of Missouri.”

Throughout his career, Nichols watched the department evolve into a nationally-respected leader among state transportation departments.

“MoDOT is filled with talented and dedicated employees, and it has been a great privilege to work with them,” said Nichols. “I have watched this team rise to whatever challenge they’ve faced time and time again, and I know they will continue to lead and innovate.”

The United Way of Greater St. Joseph held its annual meeting Thursday at Missouri Western to recap 2014 and welcome new board members.

Special award winners were announced:2014 Spirit of Community Award (honoring one exemplary business each year for outstanding community service and support of United Way)-First American Title Insurance Company;2014 Outstanding Partner Award (honoring one area business or organization each year that has shown an exceptional history of partnership with United Way)- Commerce Bank; and the 2014 Outstanding Volunteer Award (honoring exemplary volunteers each year for outstanding volunteer service through United Way)-Todd W. Meierhoffer.

The event officially released the 2014 United Way Annual Report and included the first official United Way Board meeting of the year.

Retiring United Way Board members: Katie Carolus, Todd W. Meierhoffer, Tom Richmond, Amy Ryan and Darren Steele.

People stepping down from Chair positions: Eric Bradley, 2014 Marketing Committee Chair; Katie Carolus, 2014 Community Investment Co-Chair; David Cripe, 2014 Profit In Education© Council Co-Chair Chair; Cindy Crouse, 2014 Profit In Education© Council Co-Chair; Rick Gronniger, 2014 Success By 6® Partners Team Chair; Jason Horn, 2014 Finance Committee Chair; Todd W. Meierhoffer, 2014 Community Initiatives Chair; David Richmond, 2014 Leadership St. Joseph Steering Committee Chair; and Adam Stein, 2014 Campaign Chair.

The following Board members were elected for first or second terms at the meeting: Tom Burke, Ben Byrd, Elaine Coder, David Cripe, Ann Hoy, Michell Margulies, Roger Martin, Brad McAnally, Michael Pulido and Seth Wright .

2015 United Way Board officers elected at meeting: Roger Martin, Chair; David Cripe, Vice Chair; Tom Burke, Secretary; and Dennis Rosonke Treasurer.

This year’s Annual Meeting highlighted United Way’s progress over the past year. The 660 people who volunteered their time through United Way in 2014 were thanked. Special guests for the event included 29 Lafayette High School freshmen and Colgan Center students participating in United Way BEST (Business and Education Succeed Together), a program of United Way Profit In Education©.