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Serving Wayne & Garfield Counties, Utah
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Thursday, November 26, 2020
Glen Canyon’s Colleen Allen Receives National Award
GLEN CANYON N.R.A - Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is proud to announce that Colleen Allen, leader of its Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) program, has received the coveted Director’s Award for Natural Resources. According to Superintendent William Shott, “Mrs. Allen definitely deserves this national award and recognition for her leadership and efforts in addressing quagga mussel issues. She has worked tirelessly in developing partnerships with the States of Utah and Arizona and our boating community to contain the quagga mussel infestation to Lake Powell and to prevent its spread to other water bodies. Her leadership is also recognized nationally in the Department of the Interior’s Safeguarding the West Initiative, coordinating with federal, state, tribal and private partners at multiple park units across the west on quagga/zebra mussel prevention and containment efforts. Through her efforts, Mrs. Allen has shown Director's Award Cont'd on page 8
Issue # 1386
Wayne County Commission
Biden Likely to Restore Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument to Original Size
November 16
CARES ACT funding must be spent by Nov. 30 or allocated by Dec. 30 or may have to return to state by Amiee Maxwell
Insider
President-elect Joe Biden has stated that the Biden-Harris administration intends to restore the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument to its original boundaries, as well as restore Bears Ears National Monument in San Juan County. WASHINGTON, D.C. President-elect Joe Biden has signaled in a statement that the Biden-Harris Administration will restore the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (GSENM) to its original boundaries. A Biden-Harris campaign statement released in October reads, “As President, Biden will take immediate steps to reverse the Trump Adminis-
Op-Ed
Central Utah’s Secret Weapon in the Fight Against COVID-19: Gratitude
by Mark F. Dalley, Chief Executive Officer, Gunnison Valley Hospital ing in a manner that will make a big difference. As you probably know, a surge in COVID-19 cases in Central Utah in recent weeks is taking its toll on healthcare workers and taxing our resources. The trend in cases we are seeing is troublesome. We are doing everything we can to keep up with the growing needs and are committed to providing the best service possible. At the same time, there is Courtesy Angela Shelby a breaking point which Mark F. Dalley, Chief Executive would have very serious Officer of Gunnison Valley Hos- consequences for our pital. community. I know you can apGUNNISON - Gratitude preciate, like I do, the selfless is one of the most powerful heroes on the frontlines of the and profound influences in the battle with COVID-19 who world—and one of the things make incredible sacrifices evwe need most in our fight ery day. When I walk through against COVID-19. the hospital, I am humbled and I want to express my feel immense pride for those I deep gratitude to the numer- see who are making a differous healthcare heroes and oth- ence and doing the little things ers in our community. I also despite the incredible physical want to offer a way in which Gratitude each of us can express our Cont'd on page 10 appreciation this Thanksgiv-
REGIONAL WEATHER FORECAST FOR SOME BUT NOT ALL REGIONS REPRESENTED IN OUR NEWSPAPER COVERAGE AREA
tration’s assaults on America’s natural treasures, including by reversing Trump’s attacks on the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Bears Ears, and Grand Staircase-Escalante.” In late 2017, the 1.87 millionacre GSENM—originally designated in 1996 by the Clinton Administration, was cut roughly in half by an executive order made by the Trump Administration. The
2020 Winter Operations at Bryce Canyon National Park BRYCE - The first signs of winter have arrived here at 8,000 feet. As days grow shorter, snowstorms blanket the hoodoos, and temperatures fall below freezing, park and concessionaire operations have begun making seasonal changes. Currently, the Visitor Center and Bookstore is operating under its winter hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with maximum capacity limits to promote social distancing indoors. Thursday [today], November 26th and Friday, December 25th are the only days the park’s Visitor Center and Bookstore will be closed in observance of Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Indoor services this winter include the Bryce Canyon Natural History Association Bookstore, park museum, and restrooms. Ranger programs are continuing with daily geology talks at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and will include rangerled snowshoe hikes once snow levels increase. North Campground Loop A remains open for first-come, first-served camping through the winter season with all other loops closed. Sunset Campground and the North Campground dump station are now closed until Spring 2021. Visit www.nps.gov/brca and click “Plan Your Winter Visit” for more information on winter Winter Operations Cont'd on page 2
monument was divided into three units—Grand Staircase, Kaiparowits, and Escalante Canyons. The move also created a Kanab Escalante Planning Area out of lands excised from the original GSENM. The Biden-Harris campaign statement also includes a commitment to restore Bears Ears National Monument, Monument Boundaries
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Scott Chesnut was the only mayor in attendance and reported that Torrey actually spent more on coronavirus relief than they were given through the CARES Act. Torrey used the funds to upgrade their computers so that they could run meetings remotely, wired the town pavilion for the Internet to run hybrid inperson/Zoom meetings, and purchased a large sanitizing pressure washer to be used for disinfecting playground equipment and other public spaces. Bicknell and Lyman also purchased this same pressure washer. Tyler Newton, the Business Administrator for Wayne County School District, then took the floor to present a CARES Act request for a new school bus. First, Newton expressed that “Our goal is to keep schools open. We don’t want the state shutting us down. We’re doing everyWayne Commission Cont'd on page 3
Rural Hospitals are Under Siege from COVID-19—Here’s What Doctors are Facing, in Their Own Words by Lauren Hughes, Physician, Associate Professor of Family Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and Jennifer Bacani McKenney Family Physician, Assistant Dean for Rural Health at the University of Kansas Medical Center, University of Kansas, The Conversation
Courtesy Konnie Martin
Konnie Martin, CEO of San Luis Valley Health (above) and Dr. Jennifer Bacani McKenney, who practices family medicine in Fredonia, Kansas (right). Courtesy Dr. Jennifer Bacani McKenney
U.S. - It’s difficult to put into words how hard COVID-19 is hitting rural America’s hospitals. North Dakota has so many cases, it’s allowing asymptomatic COVID19-positive nurses to continue caring for patients to keep the hospitals staffed. Iowa and South Dakota have teetered on the edge of running out of hospital capacity.
THURS. NOVEMBER 26 - WED. DECEMBER 2
Sunny, with some clouds and a 20% chance of rain on Thurs., Thanksgiving Day, and a 10% chance Fri. and Weds. Highs in the 40s and 50s (30s on Thurs. and Fri.); lows in the teens and 20s. Winds variable from 7 to 13 mph. Happy Thanksgiving!
WAYNE COUNTY - The November 16, 2020 Wayne County Commission Meeting kicked off with a discussion on the county’s CARES Act coronavirus relief spending. In addition to the county receiving $330,000 in relief funds, towns in the county were also given their own relief funds. Town mayors were asked to attend the commission meeting to discuss how funds were used in their town. If CARES Act funds are not spent by November 30th or if the money has not been allocated to be spent by December 30th, the funds must be returned to the state of Utah, which will then be reallocated to communities in need. The commissioners wanted to ensure that all towns spend their CARES Act money and if not, would like to find a way for the county to receive the funds rather than sending the money back to the state. Torrey Town Mayor
Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. —Marcel Proust
Yet in many communities, the initial cooperation and goodwill seen early in the pandemic have given way to COVID-19 fatigue and anger, making it hard to implement and enforce public health measures, like wearing face masks, that can reduce the disease’s spread. Rural health care systems entered the pandemic in al-
ready precarious financial positions. Over the years, shifting demographics, declining revenue and increasing operating expenses have made it harder for rural hospitals to stay in business. The pandemic has made it even more difficult. In mid-March, most
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Rural Doctors Cont'd on page 10
PRE-SORT STANDARD PAID RICHFIELD, UTAH PERMIT No. 122