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Serving Wayne & Garfield Counties, Utah
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Thursday, April 8, 2021
Issue # 1404
insiderutah.com
Boulder Town WCHC Launches TeleHealth Critical Care Partnership with Intermountain Healthcare to Provide Specialty Council Support for Emergency Patients April by Tessa Barkan BOULDER - The April Boulder Town Council Meeting was held as a hybrid meeting, with some members of the Council in person at the Town Hall, and others participating over Zoom. The meeting began with an overview of the codification of the ordinances. Some changes have been made including holding the meeting time at the first Thursday of each month at 7pm and fixing typos. A public hearing will be held at the next meeting. The new Memorial Bench application was approved, and will be put on the town website for public access. Conversation on the proposal to expand the Anasazi State Park parking lot then occurred. The purpose of the parking lot expansion is to remove parking on the highway and increase safety. Concerns from last month’s meeting have been addressed. The dumpsters on the north side of the lot will be moved east, as the road will be slightly extended, and into an L-shaped formation to maintain space for them while also allowing a new exit from the parking lot. Three inches of asphalt will be added over the road. Parking spaces for RVs are Boulder Council Cont'd on page 3
by Wayne Community Health Center
Courtesy Jayden Brian
John Dodds Steers GCSD Superintendent Position Through Difficult Times by James Martin
James Martin
John Dodds, Garfield County School District Superintendent. PANGUITCH - Upon meeting Garfield County School Superintendent John Dodds, among the first impressions he makes is that he is both humble and friendly. For example, he wanted to make sure that any article about him highlights his gratitude to the Garfield community for how welcoming they have been, “even in times where it’s harder to connect.” Dodds didn’t have much time in his new job before having to grapple with those “harder to connect” times head on. He came into the job as the new Superintendent of Garfield County School District on July 1, 2020, and by then, the COVID pandemic was in full swing. On his first day, Superintendent Dodds
was faced with the daunting decision of whether or not to send students back to school in-person or in some hybrid form. He and his staff committed to in-person learning, and he feels the transition has been successful. Perhaps it has helped that serving as school superintendent is literally in his genes—and not just of any school district, but of Garfield proper. Dodds is the fifth member of his family to serve as Garfield County School Superintendent. The first was his grandmother’s grandfather James Heywood (who was the very first GCSD superintendent) then George Dodds, his John Dodds
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REGIONAL WEATHER FORECAST FOR SOME BUT NOT ALL REGIONS REPRESENTED IN OUR NEWSPAPER COVERAGE AREA
THURS. APRIL 8 - WED. APRIL 14
After temperatures in the high 70s over Easter weekend, there will be a slight dip in temps this week, with highs in the 60s; lows in the low to mid 30s. Otherwise, sunny with little to no chance of precipitation. Winds variable from 12 to 17 mph.
now provides an extra level of support to emergency care patients in the clinic through Intermountain Healthcare’s TeleHealth Critical Care program, an emergency based telehealth partnership with Intermountain Healthcare. Using telehealth technology, including remote controlled high-definition cameras and audio equipment, clinicians in Bicknell can quickly
Capitol Reef National Park Bloom and Fruit Harvest in 2021 TORREY - In a few months, it will be fruit harvest season. Predictions for the 2021 season show that the apricot bloom has begun and will last for approximately two weeks. Other blooms will occur throughout April. As fruit ripens throughout the summer, many varieties will be available for harvest at Capitol Reef National Park including cherries (by limited quantity in early June), apricots in June, apples and pears in July and August, and peaches in August. “Fluctuating temperatures and low precipitation indicate a moderate fruit harvest this year, with the bloom beginning in late March. Hotter than average mid-summer temperatures are predicted for this year which may result in an earlier harvest for 2021” says Horticulturist Fritz Maslan. Current fruit harvest information and pricing is recorded on the Capitol Reef fruit hotline as fruit ripens and specific harvest start dates are determined. The fruit hotline may be reached by calling (435) 425-3791. Once the park number connects, press one for general information and, at the next prompt for the orchard hotline, press five. Fruit harvest information is also updated on the park’s Facebook page and Twitter feed. Capitol Reef National Park uses the funds collected from fruit sales to partially defray the cost of maintaining the orchards, among the largest in the National Park System. These orchards are maintained using historic fruit production Fruit Harvest
April 1
Bid from Staker Parson and Nielson Construction approved for Main Street Enhancement Project, and CARES Act funding is still available, with more on the way
Wayne Community Health Center (WCHC) in Bicknell has partnered with Intermountain Healthcare on a TeleHealth Critical Care program, which will provide remote access to Intermountain specialists as an extra level of support to WCHC staff and emergency care patients. BICKNELL - Being in a remote location of the state has disadvantages if you find yourself in an emergency or critical health situation. Specialist doctors and trauma doctors are not quickly accessible as they would be in bigger cities. Our local clinic in Bicknell, however, has found a solution. Wayne Community Health Center (WCHC)
Bryce Canyon City Town Council
connect with specialists at Intermountain Healthcare 24x7. Planning for this new partnership began in October of 2018. Jayden Brian, Marketing Director at WCHC says that in 2018, the model of TeleHealth Critical Care envisioned for WCHC didn’t exist TeleHealth
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by Kadi Franson PEHP Health/Dental BRYCE - Mayor Syrett facilitated and Sydney Lamas insurance is up for annual renewal. The premiums are took the minutes. The Bryce City Council going up. Health insurance Meeting began with a prayer is going up 5.4%—from followed by the Pledge of Al- $736.16 to $775.92/mo. Dental is going up .5%—from legiance. Last Thursday was the $70.90 to $71.24/mo. The opening for Main Street En- council approved the annual hancement Project bids. They renewal. Department reports folreceived three bids: Mountain lowed. West Logistics out of NeThe council noted that phi bid $498,732.00; Judco UDOT will now be using the LLC out of Cedar City bid building on Thursdays. $445,229.50; and Staker ParThere is still $15,000.00 son and Nielson Construction out of Huntington bid of Cares Act Funding avail$389,219.90. Staker Parson able, and $20,000.00 more is and Nielson are doing the lo- on the way. The same spendcal roundabout and repaving ing stipulations should apply. There is a Zoning Ordiprojects already. There have been no red flags with them. nance meeting planned for The council approved the bid later in the day. Mayor Syrett attended from Staker Parson and Niela meeting with partners at son Construction. For the Main St. Lighting Bryce Canyon National Park Project, the council is trying last week. Linda Mazzu, Suto save money by buying the perintendent of Bryce, anlight poles and mounting hard- nounced that she is retiring ware in advance. The total bid within the next few weeks. for light poles is $63,502.95 Linda has been a great help, from Commercial Lighting and he is sad to see her go. Supply out of Salt Lake City. They will have to reach out to This includes 20 light poles the new superintendent when with dark sky compliant fix- the time comes to coordinate tures. The council approved Bryce Town Council the purchase. Cont'd on page 3
Entrada Institute, Inc. Launches Projects with AmeriCorps Team in Wayne County
Courtesy Entrada Institute
AmeriCorps Purple Team 5 will work from today, April 8 to May 12 performing a variety of community projects across Wayne County. WAYNE COUNTY - The Entrada Institute has been awarded an AmeriCorps service grant for 2021. Community projects have been identified across Wayne County for the seven volunteers to focus on in keeping with the Entrada Institute’s core mission as a local arts agency and catalyst for economic development. The projects include roadway cleanup along Highway 24, trails maintenance at Capitol Reef National Park, fire prevention efforts with Wayne County Fire District, invasive species plant removal, community tree planting, as well as landscaping and ticket booth, vendor pad and ADA ramp construction at the new Entrada Cultural Center. The AmeriCorps Team
will work from April 8 to May 12. Important elements of the AmeriCorps experience include service learning and community immersion. In that vein, Torrey Mayor Scott Chesnut will greet the group at their orientation. They will also learn about local history, tour work sites and coordinate a food drive at Etta Place Cidery as part of their work activities. “Activities celebrate Entrada’s 27th Anniversary and all things AmeriCorps—from the programs and organizations that make local and national service initiatives possible in communities across the country, like Loa, Fremont, Lyman, Bicknell, Teasdale, Torrey, Grover and Hanksville. It’s all about getting things
done in our local community and leveraging the enthusiasm that comes with civic engagement,” said Entrada Institute’s Board Chair Marci Milligan. Project leaders of Americorps Purple Team 5 include Milligan and Don Gomes from the Entrada Institute Board and Kalene Albrecht who will serve as project supervisor. Gomes noted, “Citizens are invited to take time to attend one of the many community projects and even volunteer alongside a neighbor or two with the AmeriCorps Team.” Activities happening between April 8 and May 12 will be posted to Entrada’s website at www.entradainstitute.org. —Entrada Institute
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If not us, who? If not now, when? —John F. Kennedy
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