The Wayne & Garfield County Insider January 7, 2021

The

Insider

Serving Wayne & Garfield Counties, Utah

Loa • Fremont • Lyman • Bicknell • Teasdale • Torrey • Grover • Fruita • Caineville • Hanksville Panguitch • Panguitch Lake • Hatch • Antimony • Bryce • Tropic • Henrieville • Cannonville • Escalante • Boulder

Thursday, January 7, 2021

COVID-19 Vaccinations Begin in SW Utah SOUTHWEST UTAH The Southwest Utah Public Health Department (SWUPHD) has begun receiving shipments of COVID-19 vaccine for distribution in Washington, Iron, Kane, Beaver, and Garfield counties. Supplies are limited and will be offered to priority groups at clinics in each county, by online registration. Major hospitals have already been vaccinating their staff.

Priority groups will be served in this order: • Non-hospital healthcare workers in clinics (medical, dental, mental health, etc.), pharmacies, etc. (this group can now register to get vaccinated at swuhealth.org/covid-vaccine) • Healthcare workers in long-term/assisted living/ skilled nursing facilities (may be offered on site by vaccine providers).

• School staff.

• First responders.

• Long-term care facility staff and residents who have not been vaccinated.

• General public; prioritized by age, medical conditions, and other risk factors.

The SWUPHD will be offering vaccines at indoor, walk-in clinics in each county. For dates, locations, and eligible groups, visit swuhealth.org/covid-vaccine and follow swuhealth on Vaccinations Cont'd on page 3

Feathers: 2020 Annual Christmas Bird Count Results The first distanced bird count outing was a success

by Kathy Munthe

Torrey Planning & Zoning Commission December 16 & 21

by The Torrey Planning & Zoning Commission

Emily Leach

Merlins, a small member of the falcon family and an uncommon winter visitor, were seen during this year's Christmas Bird Count (cut out: American Kestrels, also a member of the falcon family, were also seen during this year's count).

ESCALANTE / BOULDER - When, in the November “Feathers,” I asked for volunteers for our first ever distanced Christmas Bird Count (CBC), I expected a handful of volunteers, at best.

But, wow! We ended up with 37 eager birders! On 14 December some of these folks inventoried their feeders and yards, while others braved the

OR Tech Jameson Choate is First Person to Receive COVID Vaccine at Garfield Memorial

Courtesy Garfield Memorial Hospital

Sheila Allen with Employee Health at Garfield Memorial Hospital (GMH) administers the COVID-19 vaccine to Jameson Choate, OR Tech with GMH. PANGUITCH - The COVID-19 vaccine was given at Garfield Memorial Hospital on Friday, January 1 for the first time to Jameson Choate, OR Tech. He, along with dozens of other healthcare workers, got the vaccine and more are scheduled to receive it this week. It's the first dose of a two-dose COVID-19

Issue # 1391

vaccine being given to frontline healthcare workers. The second dose of the vaccine is given 28 days later and receiving the vaccine is voluntary.

Jameson says, "I decided to get the vaccine for a number of reasons. The first one being, First GMH Vaccine Cont'd on page 2

REGIONAL WEATHER FORECAST FOR SOME BUT NOT ALL REGIONS REPRESENTED IN OUR NEWSPAPER COVERAGE AREA

THURS. JANUARY 7 - WED. JANUARY 13

Slight chances (5%) of precipitation almost every day this week and heading into next week, with a 10% chance on Tuesday. Partly cloudy to mostly sunny, with highs in the 30s and low 40s; lows in the teens and single digits. Winds variable from 6 to 13 mph.

cold and looked for birds in the wider count circle. Altogether, they spent 50 hours feeder/ yard watching, 31 hours driving 200.5 miles, and 31 hours walking 33.35 miles. This incredible effort turned up 77 species, including 4 new ones, despite a number of unbirdy routes. If all sightings are accepted, that would be a record for us. The cumulative count

Entrada Institute “Classic Conversations” Welcomes Ray Conrad TORREY - The Entrada Institute continues winter programming with “Classic Conversations.” The upcoming conversation will be with longtime Wayne County resident Ray Conrad on January 7, 6 p.m., at Robber's Roost in Torrey.

"Classic Conversations" focuses on dialog with a wide swath of representative residents of Wayne County, UT. From elected officials to activists, poets to crafters, ranchers to dramatists, longtime residents to newcomers—"Classic Conversations" offers a unique kind of oral history.

"Classic Conversations" includes a limited live, inperson audience who can also converse with the featured person and a live stream on Facebook.

Ray Conrad will be the guest on January 7, 2021. Ray is an artist, musician, composer, and poet. He is a partner at Gallery 24, where his artwork is displayed. Most weekends, he can be found playing guitar and harmonica with “Rough Around the Edges” and the “Moony Wash Boys.” His poetry forces the reader to smile.

"Classic Conversations," an Entrada program, is proClassic Conversations Cont'd on page 2

list now stands at 132 species.

As usual, the greatest number of species recorded was among waterfowl, mostly crammed into the few ice-free areas at Wide Hollow and the Sewer Ponds. Among the 520 Canada Geese (probably undercounted) was a lone Greater White-fronted Goose, a new count species. We watched as it led a group of its larger

relatives across the ice on its bright orange legs. It then turned and faced them, as if addressing the masses. There were also five seldom-seen Snow Geese. Ducks were diverse: Mallard (155), Northern Pintail (10), American Wigeon (45), Northern Shoveler (5),

TORREY - Torrey’s Planning and Zoning Commission met two times during December in order to complete their work on Draft 10 of the proposed zoning ordinance amendment. At the regularly scheduled meeting on December 16, comments on the proposed zoning ordinance amendment from the town’s land use attorney had not been received. While the commission had hoped to review the recommendations that evening, the commission agreed to meet a second time one week later on Monday, December 21 to do that work.

The December 16 Torrey Planning Commission meeting was largely spent on reviewing and refining the sign ordinance. Don Gomes, a member of the commission, had put considerable time, research, and thought into the current ordinance, considering changes that would make the ordinance more clear and helpful to those who maintain signage on their businesses.

The purposes and requirements of the current ordinance are simple and straightforward, so most of the general provisions were retained.

Torrey P & Z

CBC

Cont'd on page 2

Cont'd on page 2

Beautiful Moonrise Over Escalante

Bob Hartman

This photo was submitted to The Insider by Bob Hartman of Escalante. Do you have a photo that you would like to share? Send them to us with your name and location and a brief description at snapshot@live.com. We may feature yours in a future issue!

Utah Families Need Continued Support to Recover from Crisis

OGDEN - While the $900 billion pandemic-relief package should be a welcome assist for struggling Utah families, a coalition that works to fight hunger in the state says it's only a small step toward bringing their lives back to normal.

The stimulus bill, passed

by Congress and signed by the president, will provide minimal cash assistance and a small increase in SNAP benefits. But Gina Cornia, director of Utahns Against Hunger, said thousands of families devastated by the COVID-19

Too much of anything is bad, but too much Champagne is just right.

—F. Scott Fitzgerald

crisis will need sustained assistance to fully recover.

"Even though we now have a couple of vaccines that will be available, it's not going to be available to everybody all at once," she said. "So, through the rest of the winter, the spring and the summer, families are going to continue to need assistance. Individuals are going to continue to need assistance."

The measure provides $600 cash payments to qualified individuals, extends a ban on evictions, provides additional loans for small busi-

ness, aid to school districts and other benefits. A new bill, pending in the U.S. Senate, could raise the cash payments to as high as $2,000.

Cornia said a record number of Utah families became food-insecure for the first time in recent months, meaning they don't always have an adequate amount of nutritious food. They've flocked to local food banks to put meals on the table, which is putting a long-term strain on the system.

ALL content for THE WAYNE & GARFIELD COUNTY INSIDER MUST BE submitted by FRIDAY AT NOON to be included in the following Thursday edition of the paper.

BOXHOLDER

Crisis Support Cont'd on page 9

PRE-SORT STANDARD PAID RICHFIELD, UTAH PERMIT No. 122

The Insider

Page 2

January 7, 2021

Torrey P & Z: Torrey’s Planning and Zoning Commission met two times during

December in order to complete their work on Draft 10 of the proposed zoning ordinance amendment. A public hearing will be held January 20 for public comment.

Cont'd from page 1

The commission made minor changes, which provided consistency with other town ordinances including its outdoor lighting ordinance. For example, businesses’ signage lights can remain illuminated for one hour after the closing CBC

Cont'd from page 1

Green-winged Teal (195, and gorgeous), Canvasback (30), Redhead (46), Ring-necked Duck (101), Lesser Scaup (60), Common Goldeneye (6), Bufflehead (6, the cutest of ducks), Common Merganser (3), and Ruddy Duck (33).

Coots were abundant (660), and another first for the count was a group of 11 California Gulls.

No quail, again, among the “poultry,” but there were 140 Wild Turkey (probably undercounted) and, for the first time in years, 35 Chukar.

Both those birds have been introduced so that people can blow them away. Other introduced birds were distressingly numerous: Eurasian Collared Dove (240), European Starling (689), and House Sparrow (39).

There was a good variety of raptors. Sharp-shinned (3) and Cooper’s Hawks (3) were more numerous than usual. Buteo Hawks included Red-tailed (8, less numerous than in most years) and Ferruginous (7, including a darkphase individual, which I’d never seen). There were seven Golden Eagles, three Bald, and four Northern Harriers.

Falcons were well-represented: Prairie Falcon (1), American Kestrel (7), and Merlin (2, see photo). The only confirmed owl was a Northern Pygmy, a 6” ball of fluff.

As usual, Northern Flickers were the most abundant woodpecker (68), but there were also Downy (2) and Hairy (1) Woodpeckers.

The usual bark gleaners were recorded: Mountain Chickadee (32), Juniper Titmouse (3), Bushtits (32), and both White-breasted (8) and Redbreasted (5) Nuthatches.

Members of the blackbird family recorded were Brewer’s Blackbird (2), a Common Grackle eating dogfood (new species), 162 Red-winged Blackbirds, Brown-headed Cowbirds (#TBD) and Western Meadowlark (56). Miscellaneous land birds seen were a single Say’s Phoebe, 1 Loggerhead Shrike, a Canyon Wren, 26 Cedar Waxwings, 110 Horned Larks, and 2 Yellow-rumped Warblers. They are the only warblers possible here in winter and have been seen on only a handful of CBCs. All the usual corvids were seen: Steller’s Jay (9), Scrub Jay (37), Pinyon Jay (183), Clark’s Nutcracker (18), American Magpie (35), Common Raven (126), and American Crow (5). Seemingly scarce of late, a surprising number of thrushes made an appearance: Townsend’s Solitaire (30, most ever), Mountain Bluebird (83), Western Bluebird (12), American Robin (323), and a surprising laggard Hermit Thrush (new species).

In the finch group, there were Evening Grosbeaks (3, the only chartreuse birds I know of), Cassin’s Finches (6), House Finches (31), Pine Siskins (36), Lesser Goldfinches (5), and American Goldfinches (39). Among the sparrows, there were fourteen Spotted Towhee, four Song Sparrows, Chipping and Sage Sparrows (#TBD), Dark-eyed Junco (400), and Whitecrowned Sparrow (966).

Numbers of the latter two

of a business. The commission will recommend eliminating electronic messaging signs (EMCs) with changeable type from the list of allowed signs.

EMCs conflict with the sensibilities of the town’s general plan. Commission members also agreed sign maintenance and compliance should be linked to business license respecies were way down compared to some years, in part because their winter cover has decreased dramatically. I don’t know what it is about humans, but we seem to have this need to mow down vegetation— e.g. shrubbery removed from the Sewer Ponds, the edges of Wide Hollow and along roadways and large sage areas leveled .Even the cows on these barren measures looked depressed and disappointed.

And hungry. Kudos to those landowners who’ve seen fit to maintain their hedgerows and sage.

For obvious reasons, we did not gather after the count to relate tales of the day. In lieu of that, I’d like to give out a few Virtual Birdwatcher Awards, although, in my opinion, everyone who participated deserves an award. And the winners are: Best Bush Beater - Kadi; Most Miles Walked Larry; Most Routes Covered Terry’s Troup; Best Backyard Habitat - Lisa; and Youngest Birder - Gus. Congratulations!

Two days later, 12 hearty souls drove 219 miles in 16 hours and walked 19.2 miles in 14:25 hours to census birds in the Boulder area. Thankfully, compiler Terry Tolbert left fortifying snacks for us at the Anasazi Museum! As in Escalante, several routes were distinctly unbirdy, but a total of 48 species was recorded including 1 new one, which brings the cumulative list for the Boulder CBC to 90.

What open water there was produced 66 Canada Geese and a few ducks: Mallard (158), Ruddy Duck (8), Ringneck (11), and Greenwinged Teal (6). Other waterrelated species were American Coot (23), Wilson Snipe (3), Virginia’s Rail (2), and an American Dipper.

Raptors were varied, with Golden Eagle (4), Bald Eagle (3), Red-tailed (9) and Ferruginous (2) Hawks, a Harrier, and 2 Merlin (new). The only owl was a Great Horned.

The variety of woodpeckers was greater than Escalante’s: Flicker (15), Hairy (2), Downy (2) and Lewis’ (2) Woodpeckers, and three Red-naped Sapsuckers. Bark gleaners included Mountain Chickadee (20), Juniper Titmouse (1), Whitebreasted (6) and Pygmy (1!)

Nuthatches, Bushtits (4), and a Brown Creeper. Escalante had a single wren, but Boulder had Canyon (3), Marsh (4), and Bewick’s (2).

No crows, but corvids were otherwise well-represented: Scrub (49), Pinyon (199) and Steller’s Jays (43), Ravens (53), Clark’s Nutcracker (11) and Magpie (24).

Thrushes were few and far between, with only three Robins, and thirty Western Bluebirds.

There was one Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Brewer’s (2) and Red-winged (32) Blackbirds and four Meadowlarks represented that family There were no finches, but 35 Song Sparrows, 281 Juncos and 517 White-crowned Sparrows were recorded. The ever-present introduced birds included Collared Dove (57), Starling (185) and House Sparrow (32).

The Christmas Bird Count is always a bright spot in the year, but especially in this one. Many thanks to all participants from me and Terry, and best wishes for a better 2021!

newal. The current sign ordinance can be accessed via the town website—TorreyUtah. gov.

By the December 21 meeting, the commission had received comments and recommendations related to the proposed zoning ordinance amendment from Shawn Ferrin, Torrey Town’s land use lawyer. Most suggestions addressed the consistent use of terms throughout the document. Some changes were semantic—like the use of “non-residential” or “commercial”—or related to punctuation—correcting the use of lower case or capital letters.

Other recommendations resolved conflicting statements within the document. Mr. Ferrin suggested additions to the ordinance that will bring the document into compliance with Utah State Law. His comments were clarifying and easily integrated into Draft 10.

The Torrey Planning and Zoning Commission voted to bring the proposed zoning ordinance amendment to a public hearing. This requirement provides an opportunity for the public to respond to the

proposed ordinance amendment. Following the public hearing, the planning commission will revise the ordinance based on public comment and then recommend it to the Torrey Town Council for approval and adoption. All Torrey property owners will receive notification of the public hearing by mail.

The public hearing will be held on January 20, 2021 at 5:30 PM via Zoom or in person at the Torrey pavilion.

In person attendance will be limited to 30 people. There will also be two informational meetings on January 13—one at noon and one at 5:30 PM, also limited to 30 in-person attendees.

For details related to the information meetings and the public hearing, please refer to the public hearing notice and the information meeting notice in this paper and on the Torrey Town website.

Torrey Town Planning and Zoning Commission meetings are held on the 3rd Wednesday of every month at 6:30 PM June - Oct. and 5:30 PM Nov. - May - unless otherwise noted.

Classic Conversations: The next Entrada Institute "Classic Conversations" event will be January 7 with Ray Conrad.

Classic Conversations

Cont'd from page 1

Courtesy Don Gomes

The Entrada Institute continues its "Classic Conversations" program with artist, musician, composer, and poet Ray Conrad on January 7 at Robber's Roost.

duced and moderated by Don Gomes, Vice president of the Entrada Institute. Gomes spent 25 years as an award-winning public broadcaster in Utah, Indiana, and Texas.

To reserve an in-person spot, email your name, phone number, and names and number of people to sunset@entradainstitute.org. Further information is available at www. entradainstitute.org.

—Entrada Institute

First GMH Vaccine:

I decided to get the vaccine for a number of reasons. The first one being, I don’t want COVID! Second, I think it’s one important step closer to going back to the way things used to be. And, finally, if anything, it will help build my immune system. I’m glad for this vaccine and grateful to have been able to get it.—Jameson Choate, OR Tech with Garfield Memorial Hospital First GMH Vaccine Cont'd from page 1

I don’t want COVID! Second, I think it’s one important step closer to going back to the way things used to be. And, finally, if anything, it will help build my immune system. I’m glad for this vaccine and grateful to have been able to get it.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): “mRNA vaccines do not use the live virus that causes COVID-19, and cannot give someone COVID-19. They do not affect or interact with our DNA in any way. mRNA never enters the nucleus of the cell, which is where our DNA (genetic material) is kept. The cell breaks down and gets rid of the mRNA soon after it is finished using the instructions.”

It is estimated that most

healthy adults should have access to a COVID-19 vaccine between March and July 2021.

Please, visit the links below to find out more, and to keep up to date with the latest and most accurate information on COVID-19.

• www.cdc.gov/vaccines/ covid-19/downloads/hcpemployees-general-faqs. pdf. These are common questions and answers about vaccines • intermountainhealthcare. org/health-wellness-promotion/vaccines/covid: • This is information on vaccines and access in our communities • Instagram • Facebook • Twitter • Intermountain News —Garfield Memorial Hospital

COVID-19 Community Resources • Utah Coronavirus Information Line: 1-800-456-7707

• State of Utah COVID-19 Updates: https://coronavirus.utah.gov/

• Garfield Memorial Hospital: intermountain.com/covidtesting • Wayne Community Health Center in Bicknell: (435) 425-3744

Insider

The

Torrey P & Z

P.O. Box 105 Escalante, UT 84726 435-826-4400 email snapshot@live.com Publisher: Erica Walz Layout & Graphic Design: Emily Leach Wayne County Reporter: Amiee Maxwell Boulder Reporter: Tessa Barkan Payroll: Trudy Stowe

Local columnists:

Mack Oetting - FYI Panguitch Peg Smith - By Way of Boulder Brooklyn Syrett - News from Bryce Valley Schools The Insider is a weekly community newspaper delivered each Thursday to households in Wayne and Garfield counties, Utah. The entire contents of this newspaper are © 2015 The Insider/Snapshot Multimedia, LLC. The Insider reserves the right to edit or reject any advertisement or submitted content items. Articles submitted by independent writers may or may not be the opinion of The Insider.

Please feel free to contact us for advertising rates and with any questions regarding content submissions. We prefer content and ads submitted by email to snapshot@live.com but we will accept your information any way you can get it to us.

Subscriptions to The Insider are available outside of Wayne and Garfield counties for $40 for 26 weeks, $75 per year. Senior discounts are available.

Content and ad deadline: Friday at Noon Have a news tip or story idea?

Email us at snapshot@live.com or call us at 435-826-4400

The Insider

January 7, 2021

Garkane Refunds Another $1,100,000 to Its Members

It effectively helps keep the rates as low as possible and is one of the reasons Garkane’s rates are often considerably lower than neighboring investorowned utilities.

Garkane is currently working toward a 20-year rotation cycle, which is standard in the electric co-op world.

Capital Credit Tips 1) Your capital credits are reserved Courtesy Neal Brown for you even if you CEO Dan McClendon holds a check representing the $1.1 million dol- move out of the lar 2020 capital credit refund to members of Garkane Energy Coop- area. Garkane will make a diligent eferative. fort to send you a KANAB - Garkane En- example, if Garkane had a net check by mail. ergy Cooperative returned operating margin of $500,000 2) If your check is not $1,100,000 to its members in in 1991, that “margin” would cashed or is returned by mail, 2020, following last year’s re- be allocated to all the mem- your name will be published tirement of the same amount, bers who used power in 1991. in the Garkane HIGHLIGHTS the highest ever for the co- At a later date, the Board au- newsletter. operative. Garkane members thorizes a return of those funds 3) If you check is still unwho had accounts in 1991, in the form of a capital credit claimed after two years, it will 1992, 1993 and a portion of refund. be published in the local news1994 received the refund in Instead of borrowing papers where you last received the form of a check or a credit money the co-op utilizes those electric service. To claim your on their December bill. funds for a number of years to check, you must provide propIn a given year whenever fund capital intensive projects er identification. revenue exceed costs, it is like transmission/distribution 4) To help yourself in considered an operating mar- lines, which helps keep rates future years, keep Garkane gin. That operating margin lower than if the co-op had informed of address changes. gets allocated to the members, to borrow more money. This You may receive checks for which shows up as equity on capital structure is one of the several years. the cooperative’s books. For hallmarks of cooperatives.

—Garkane Energy

Vaccinations: The Southwest Utah Public Health

Department (SWUPHD) has begun receiving shipments of COVID-19 vaccine for distribution in Washington, Iron, Kane, Beaver, and Garfield counties. Supplies are limited and will be offered to priority groups at clinics in each county, by online registration.—Southwest Utah Public Health Department Vaccinations

Cont'd from page 1

Facebook and Instagram.

COVID-19 vaccines developed by several companies are being shipped following FDA approval, and we will be offering whatever supplies we get as soon as possible.

Most brands will require a second dose for the most effective immunity and will be at no cost to our residents due to insurance coverage or grants for the uninsured.

It will likely take several months to get through the list, so we continue to stress the importance of maintaining precautions in the meantime

to protect our vulnerable populations and hospitals (staying home if sick, social distancing, wearing masks appropriately, and hand washing).

Although COVID-19 vaccines have proven to be safe and highly effective, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends consulting your doctor first if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to an injectable, and not getting vaccinated if you are allergic to an ingredient in any vaccine.

Vaccination procedures may change as we go forward, so stay informed through swuhealth.org and other trusted sources. Vaccines may also

be offered through other community providers in the future.

For more information on COVID-19 vaccine, visit coronavirus.utah.gov/vaccine.

—Southwest Utah Public Health Department

Page 3

The Insider

Page 4

Schools & Sports

January 7, 2021

Southern Utah University Ranked Nationally for Number of International Students

PHS Sports Sidelines

by Mack Oetting

The Bobcats win against Tintic and Rockwell in the Tintic Tournament, PHS Wrestler Porter Schoppe takes first in his division at the Milford Tournament, and the Lady Cats have their next home game against Milford on January 15

T

he Bobcats finished off the year with a big win in the Tintic tournament. They took out Rockwell and Tintic twice. In the Rockwell game, which the Cats won 64-44, Paxton Wolfley had 18 points and Ryker Hatch put in 13. The first game against Tintic was pretty much a wipeout—60-24—

with Kyler Bennett having 14, Wolfley with 11 and Tucker Cappel kicking in 12. In the final game for the Championship, the Cats, again, dominated Tintic and won 79 to 41. Ryker Hatch had 17 with five 3-pointers, Wolfley had 15 and Kyler Bennett had 14. The whole team got into the scoring column.

The Cats have an away game against Milford on the 6th, and a home game on the 8th that will be Zoomed on your computer.

The wrestlers took third at the Milford Tournament.

Porter Schoppe took first in his division, beating a number of 3A wrestlers. The Cats will be

home for matches with Piute on the 6th and Milford on the 7th, and both matches will be Zoomed.

Last Tuesday, the Lady Cats met up with Bryce Valley in a home game, and on the 7th, they will be up at Piute.

On the 8th and 9th, there will be the sophomore tournament at Bryce Valley. The girl's next home game will be against Milford, and it will be on the 15th.

This has been a really bad year for the fanbase of the Bobcats. Many of the older fans don’t have access to Zooming the home games.

The Cats have really good teams this year, and, at least, the divisional games and the championship games will be televised. The games are what the town does in the winter time.

Courtesy Southern Utah University

Southern Utah University has been ranked the nation’s 35th highest master’s degree-granting university for attracting international students.

CEDAR CITY - Southern Utah University has been ranked the nation’s 35th highest master’s degree-granting university for attracting international students. That’s according to the 2020 Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange. The Open Doors report is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State.

SUU is the only Utah university ranked in the top 40 in any of the categories rated by the annual Open Doors report.

“The university has been very intentional about growing enrollment from around the world. We are excited to see how our work is paying off,” said Dr. Stephen Allen, SUU’s associate provost for international affairs. “With nearly

70 countries represented on campus, international students enrich the classroom by bringing together people from multiple cultures that makes for a lively and productive learning experience and prepares our students for the world.”

In the academic year 2019-2020, SUU had 711 international students enrolled in classes, an all-time high.

The number of international students has grown every year since 2014.

International students bring a significant economic impact to the United States contributing $44 billion annually and Utah supporting 2,345 jobs with a financial contribution of $236.5 million, according to NAFSA: Association of International Educators.

SUU ranks third in Utah behind the University of Utah and Brigham Young University for the economic impact associated with international students, supporting 134 jobs with a financial contribution of $23.8 million.

The impact of international students is more than financial. A recent study by the Higher Education Policy Institute found that 62 leaders of other countries were educated in the United States.

Other research shows that international students educated in other countries develop a trust with that country leading to additional travel and business opportunities.

—Southern Utah University

“Hidden Gems” Family Adventure Guides Launched

Courtesy Utah State University Extension

Utah State University Extension has launched the "Hidden Gems" family Fun at-Home Adventure Guides. These can be downloaded for free at hiddengems.usu.edu.

UTAH - Utah State University Extension recently launched the “Hidden Gems” Family Fun at-Home Adventure Guides. The guides were created to help strengthen family connections and support positive youth development while providing family fun.

According to Naomi

Garfield and Wayne County School District COVID-19 Case Count Data Garfield County School District School

Active Cases

Recovered Cases

Students Currently Quarantined

Staff Members Currently Quarantined

Cases Contracted at School

Antimony

0

0

0

0

0

Boulder

0

0

0

0

0

Bryce Valley Elem. 0

5

2

0

0

Bryce Valley High

0

15

5

0

0

Escalante Elem.

0

4

0

0

0

Escalante High

2

4

0

0

0

Panguitch Elem.

0

5

5

1

0

Panguitch Middle

0

3

4

0

0

Panguitch High

9

6

9

0

0

District Office

0

1

0

0

0

District Totals

11

43

25

1

0

Source: Garfield County School District / https://www.garfk12.org/

Wayne County School District Student/ Staff Active Case

Student/ Staff Quarantined

Number of Students

Number of Staff

4

1

461

86

Source: Wayne County School District / https://www.waynesd.org/covid-home.html

This data represents a snapshot, using information provided by the Central Utah Public Health Department and the Southwest Utah Public Health Department. The District and Schools are NOT permitted to disclose breakdowns between number of staff or student cases, nor identify grade or class information to ensure compliance with federal health privacy laws.

This represents data as of December 22, 2020 for Wayne County School District and as of December 29, 2020 for Garfield County School District.

—Insider

Brower, project lead for the adventure guides, playing as a family is not just fun but is also an investment, both in your child’s development and in strengthening your family’s relationship.

“Research has shown that children who spend time with their family have fewer behavioral problems, fewer sub-

stance abuse and delinquency issues and better academic outcomes,” she said. “Families that spend time together also report feeling happier and more fulfilled.”

Brower said the hidden gems team has worked to include activities that will appeal to a variety of ages and also that will work for different family dynamics.

“We would love for these fun new guides to be in homes...” she said. “This would be a great means of bringing families closer together after experiencing such a stressful year.”

The free guides are available for download at hiddengems.usu.edu.

—Utah State University Extension

January 7, 2021

Wills, Trusts, and More

The Insider

Did Your Refinance “Undo” Your Living Trust?

by Jeffery J. McKenna Revocable "living trusts" have become increasingly popular in the past decade.

They allow heirs to avoid probate court proceedings.

But unlike a will, a living trust cannot be simply signed and filed away. If an asset is never transferred to the trust, or is unintentionally removed from the trust, it will be subject to probate.

Over the past few years, as interest rates plunged, many homeowners refinanced their homes to reduce payments. Unfortunately, many lenders won't make loans on property held in a living trust.

They insist that the home be transferred back to the owners' individual names before a loan is made.

After the new loan is made and the new deed of trust is recorded, the homeowners are free to transfer the home back into the living trust, but lenders rarely assist homeowners with this final step (Some homeowners don't even know their home was removed from the trust, since they signed many documents at once.). The end result is

that homeowners who properly transferred their homes into living trusts to avoid probate, may face probate anyway because their work was undone.

It is sometimes possible to obtain court approval to confirm trust ownership of a home that was never formally transferred to the trust. However, it can be costly for a court to make such determination and defeats the purpose of the trust.

Anyone who implemented a "living trust" and subsequently refinanced their property should review the documents to make sure that the home is currently held in the living trust. If not, the owner should have a new deed prepared. The new deed should return the property into the trust.

If you are concerned that your living trust may not be properly funded, or if you have other questions about your trust, review your existing documents. You should then make a list of questions and concerns to discuss with an attorney. Delaying addressing these issues could be

WITH A SATELLITE OFFICE NOW IN PANGUITCH. Jeffery J. McKenna is a local attorney serving clients in Utah, Nevada, and Arizona.

He is a shareholder at the law firm of Barney McKenna and Olmstead. He is a founding member and former President of the Southern Utah Estate Planning Council. If you have questions regarding this article or if you have a topic you wish to have addressed in this column, you can call 435 6281711 or email jmckenna@ barney-mckenna.com. costly. Many times, all that is needed is a deed prepared and recorded or a simple amendment to modify small portions of a trust in order to accommodate changes in circumstances.

t H e Grocery Store

Coming out of the supermarket the other day, I saw a scary sight.

As a woman loaded groceries into her trunk, her shopping cart began to roll away.

The scary part? It was heading straight for my car.

She ran after it, but was too late. The cart slammed into my driver's side door.

"How bad's the damage"?

I called out, running toward her.

"Bad," she said, gathering her groceries. "I broke at least a dozen eggs."

Bedside Manner

Page 5

l A u G h i N g pOiNt!!

Medical Appointment

I'd just come home from my sixth medical appointment of the week with one more to go, so I was in a lousy mood when my daughter called.

After I recited my woes, my daughter said, "Well, seven doctors is better than one coroner."

Today's Thought

If coffee were blood, I'd be Count Draculatte.

Security Cards

As of tomorrow, employees will only be able to access the building using individual security cards.

Pictures will be taken next Friday, and employees will receive their cards in three weeks.

sudoku To Play: Complete the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9

My nursing colleague was preparing an intravenous line for a 15-year-old male patient.

The bedside phone rang, and the boy's mother reached over to pick it up. After talking for a few minutes, the mother held the phone aside and said, "Your father wants to know if you have any cute nurses."

The boy gazed at the nurse, who had the needle poised above his arm, ready for insertion.

"Tell him," he replied, "they're absolutely gorgeous."

PUNishment

I knew a woman who owned a taser.

She was stunning.

This week's answers on page 8

THEME: INTERNATIONAL MENU ACROSS

Escalante Prevention Coalition has the opportunity to provide Suicide Prevention Training classes to the Escalante/Boulder Communities. We are encouraging all Businesses, religious groups, families etc, to sign up and take advantage of a useful skill we all can use, especially in the difficult times we are facing in 2020.

1. *Timothy Q. Mouse's friend, in Disney classic 6. River in Germany 9. Bridle parts 13. Whatsoever 14. Like tuna tartare 15. Forearm bones 16. Plural of #3 Down 17. Hardware store 18. "Gladiator" setting 19. *Ferb Fletcher's stepbrother 21. *Mr. White's unfortunate student 23. Welcome spot for weary traveler 24. It shall, for short 25. Cul de ____ 28. Young herring 30. Dieter's cuisine, for short 35. Gator's cousin 37. French "place" 39. Chunk of iceberg 40. St. Louis monument 41. Like new TV set 43. Front of ship 44. Singular of loci 46. Additional 47. Reality TV's Spelling 48. *Assistant to regional manager Michael Scott 50. Missing a limb 52. More, in Madrid 53. Like acne-prone skin 55. Pimple fluid 57. *Shirley's roommate and fellow bottle-capper 61. *Rory Gilmore's mom 65. Make an effort 66. Legal org.

68. Long stories 69. Scottish valleys 70. Doctor Dolittle, e.g.

71. *One of The Carpenters duo 72. Bone-dry 73. Opposite of WSW 74. Red or orange an-

nouncement DOWN 1. Slightly wet 2. *Malone and Stockton of the ____ Jazz 3. Skirt length 4. Shrovetide dish 5. *Mary-Kate and Ashley 6. Geologists' studies 7. *____ and cheese 8. Moved under the rug 9. "All ____, no bite" 10. Footnote word 11. *Amy Poehler's comedic partner 12. Welsh alternative to Siobhán 15. Was almost out of gas, e.g.

20. Source of indigo dye, pl.

22. "____ Be Home For Christmas" 24. In the best possible way 25. Coffee burn, e.g.

26. *Bow and ____ 27. Spherical bacteria

29. *Corona's main squeeze?

31. What willow did 32. Read-only chip 33. Greek bazaar 34. *Clark's fellow traveler 36. College party chant 38. Celestial bear 42. Dancer's beat 45. Daisy dukes, e.g.

49. "Wizard of Oz" man 51. Archimedes' exclamation 54. Furlough 56. Flower part 57. Frog delicacy 58. Wheel shaft 59. Swerve 60. European sea eagle 61. *David and Paul on the "____ Show" 62. Italian currency, pl.

63. Maple genus 64. Negative contraction 67. *Jerry's fellow treatmaker

Solution on page 8

Page 6

O bituaries

Carolyn Smith Davies

HENRIEVILLE / ST.GEORGE - Carolyn Smith Davies, age 84, passed away on Saturday, December 26, 2020. Carolyn was born on April 17, 1936 in Fountain Green, Sanpete, Utah to Barton Henry Smith and Virginia Hardy. Carolyn married Lynn Leon Davies on June 13, 1958 in Cannonville, Utah.

Carolyn grew up in Henrieville, Utah, which is at the edge of Bryce Canyon, with her siblings. In 1954, she was honored to be selected as Miss Garfield County, a true beauty queen. She attended Dixie College, BYU, and the University of Utah, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. This is where she met the love of her life, Lynn. She has lived in Santa Barbara, Carlsbad, Mojave, Taft, California, and Washington, Utah. She served a mission with her husband Lynn on Temple Square. Wherever she went, she made many friends. She loved her garden even though sometimes it didn’t produce the way she hoped. She was gifted with the ability to sew many things, including a wedding dress. She has helped mold the future generations, not only as a second-grade teacher and scout leader, but also as a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was known as a classy, well dressed, loving lady that will truly be missed.

Carolyn is survived by her husband Lynn (Washington UT), children; Alan, Bradley (Tammy), Carol (Michael), Derrick (Amy), grandchildren; Alexandra (AJ), Kolleen (Mike), Celestial, Kathleen, Nathan, (Caitlin), Marc, Ian, Aidan, Colin, Brianna, Macen, Great grandchildren; Zoey, Cora, Mabel, Gannon, Eason, Hudson, Drew. She is also survived by her sister Connie Kleese (Cedar City, UT) and twin sister Marylin Christensen (Washington, UT). Carolyn is preceded in death by her mother Virginia, father Barton and siblings Gloria, Barton ”Hardy,” Janet, Ada, Dar, Freeman and Inez.

Funeral services were on Thursday, December 31, 2020 at 10 a.m. in St George, Utah at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Chapel located at 1762 South River Rd. There was a viewing from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. before the funeral. Internment took place in the Fillmore, UT cemetery that same day at 3 p.m. Those that attended virtually, used the Zoom link: https://tinyurl.com/carolyndavies We would like to thank Spring Gardens Memory Care unit for taking such loving care of Carolyn since her arrival and during this pandemic. Her passing was not COVID-19 related.

Arrangements were made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S Bluff St, St. George, Utah. Friends and family are invited to sign her online guestbook at www.spilsburymortuary.com

Lillie Mae Jourdan

HURRICANE Lillie Mae Jourdan (Denmon, Lenoir) of Hurricane, Utah—Born Feb. 19, 1928—passed away December 24, 2020 in Beaver, Utah.

She was preceded in death by her son Frank, grandson David, and great-granddaughter Brooke. She is survived by her daughters Terri Lenoir Seals (Panguitch, Utah), Denise Lenoir Loo (Big Bear, California), and son John Sandoval (Bell Gardens, California). She is also survived by her grandchildren: Frank Lenoir, Howard Anthony Seals, Amy Seals Phillips, Roy Seals, Amber Seals, Dominique Lenoir, Ronald Loo, Alison Loo, and greatgrandchildren: Mandy, Charlie, Tom, Jim, Patience, Cash, Kaden, and Brooklynn….and she loved them all.

The Insider

January 7, 2021

FYI PanguItch

by Mack Oetting ~ mackoetting @gmail.com I hope you had a happy holiday and got some badly needed rest. I read that life is like a book, and 2020 is just one chapter. The good news is that Garfield County has some vaccines, and they will be distributed sometime in the near future. I called the hospital, but no one there knew of a schedule. I understand that first responders and medical staff will be first, followed by those that are over 75 or teachers. Don’t hold me to that,.

There isn’t any government schedule, just like the rest of the pandemic. They say it is up to the states to figure it out.

So far in over two weeks, there have been only over three million doses givien out. At that rate, it will take ten years to vaccinate the country with two doses. Utah, instead of getting 400,000 doses of the vaccine,

got only 142,000. Hopefully, more will be on the way.

The Governor of Florida lied about the amount of cases that the state had to protect the president. He has had people working without masks, kept bars and restaurants open and refused to implement new restrictions as COVID spread throughout the state. One million two hundred thousand people have had the virus, with 61,000 hospitalizations and over 20,000 deaths. Instead of vaccinating those over 75, he dropped the age to 65.

With the long lines, they ran out of the vaccine in a short time and won’t get any more for a week. Many Floridians are wearing masks that say "my governor is an idiot," and, because his name is DeSantis, others are wearing masks that say "DeathSantis." Gosh, this

O bituaries

David Payne

RICHFIELD - David Henry Payne, 69, passed away December 31, 2020 in Provo, Utah.

He was born February 10, 1951 in Richmond, California to Euell Gardner Jr. and Elizabeth Husband Payne.

David was a graduate of California Baptist College with a BA in religion and earned a Masters of Christian Education from Golden Gate Theological Seminary. He served many years as the pastor of New Beginnings Baptist Church in Panguitch, where he resided with his mother until her passing. He also served as pastor of Torrey Baptist Church and was the interim pastor of Sevier Valley Baptist Church in Richfield at the time of his death.

He is survived by his sisters: Eunice Burr, Panguitch; and Emmie Parks, Oroville, CA; brother, Euell "Sonny" Payne of Coquille, OR. David also had many loving nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Cremation services at the Magleby Mortuary Crematory. A celebration of life was held Tuesday, January 5, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. in the Sevier Valley Baptist Church. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guestbook at www.maglebymortuary.com or cards can be sent to Sevier Valley Baptist Church at 501 North Main Street, Richfield, Utah 84701.

is just the person you want to tell you what to do.

COVID-19 is not going away in Garfield County.

In the period from 12-19 to 1-1, we have had another 44 cases. This is a time for family gatherings, which are super spreaders for the virus. If I were doling out the vaccines, I would do like they do for those that run up big credit card debts. Pay off the small ones first, then work your way up to your largest bill. Garfield and Piute (small counties) could have their vaccine shots in a couple of days, then Kane Co. and on up until you get to Salt Lake City.

Two bills finally got the president's attention. These were the COVID-19 stimulus and the military budget.

The president signed the COVID-19 bill with the $600 dollars, plus money for small businesses, but he said that he wanted it upped to $2,000 instead of the $600. Congress jumped all over this and okayed it and sent it to the Senate, where the majority leader wouldn’t even bring it up for a vote. Anyway, you should be getting a check for $600— if married, $1200—soon and $600 for each kid. The president, after calling all of his militia men to come to Washington to protest the results of the election, has vetoed the military budget. However, the

Senate overrode his veto, and the U.S. Military will be getting their pay, plus a 3% pay raise.

The president has lost over 60 cases protesting the outcome of the election, and, on a call to the Attorney General of Georgia, he said that he wanted him to find enough ballots that would make him win Georgia, even though Georgia went through their ballots three different times with the same results. It will be an interesting election in Georgia this Tuesday to determine the outcome of the Senate. Both incumbents have made fortunes off insider trading from information that they received from their meetings.

Meals on Wheels started up again last Tuesday. It looks like we will be delivering for a number of months in the future.

Also, the Gem Theater is again showing first run movies and are open Monday through Saturday and have showings at 4:30 and 7:30.

Wear your masks, and enjoy a night out on the town.

Hopefully, by the end of January, we will be back to becoming the United States of America, a Democracy, and a land of the people, for the people and by the people.

Mack O.

January 7, 2021

The Insider

Page 7

LegaL Notices PUBLIC HEARING GARFIELD COUNTY The Garfield County Commission hereby gives notice of its intent to consider abandoning County Rights of Way. A public hearing will be held concerning abandonment of the Rights of Way on Monday, January 11th, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. in the Garfield County Commission chambers, Garfield County Courthouse, 55 South Main, Panguitch, UT 84759. The description of the Rights of Way are as follows: Garfield County Class D Road in the W ½, NE ¼, Section 36, T34S, R6W. Garfield County Class B Road in the NW ¼, Section 31, T35S, R7W. Portion of Tippets Lane in the NW ¼, Section 5, T37S, R7W. Published in the Wayne & Garfield County Insider on DECEMBER 10, 17, 24 & 31, 2020 and JANUARY 7, 2021 PUBLIC NOTICE GARFIELD COUNTY Please take notice that the Garfield County Commission has scheduled a public hearing on Monday, January 11, 2021 at 10:55 a.m. in the Garfield County Courthouse, 55 South Main, Panguitch, Utah, to receive public comment regarding the following: Zone Change Agricultural to Residential Estates Petitioners Daniel Carter Physical Address 855 North Reservoir Road, Escalante, UT 84726 Tax ID Numbers Serial: ECD-39, Parcel: 11-0024-0039 Legal Descriptions BEG. AT A PT WHICH IS N 0°13'54" E 33.26 FT AND N 69°39'09" E 300.72 F T FROM THE S/W COR OF THE SW 1/4 OF NE ¼ OPF SEC 12, T35S, R2E, SLB&M AND RUNNING TH N 69°39'09" E 342.93 FT; TH S 68°24' E 68.01 FT TO A PT ON A 633 FT RADIUS CURVE WHOSE CENTER BEARS N 69°12'10" E SD PT ALS O BEING ON THE W/ RLY R/W LINE OF A EXISTING CO. RD.; TH ALNG SD R/W LINE AS FOLLOWS: N/W/RLY ALNG THE ARC OF SD CURVE TO THE RIGHT 71.40 FT THROUGH A CENTRAL ANGLE OF 6°27'45"; TH N 9°05'31" W 66.77 FT; TH N 80°54'25" E 8 FT; TH N 9°05'31" W 416.56 FT; TH LEAVING SD R/W LINE W 399.94 FT; TH S 8°45' E 650 FT TO THEPOB. CONT. 5.28 AC M/L 5.28 AC Published in the Wayne & Garfield County Insider on DECEMBER 31, 2020 and JANUARY 7, 2021 PUBLIC NOTICE GARFIELD COUNTY Please take notice that the Garfield County Commission has scheduled a public hearing on Monday, January 11, 2021 at 10:50 a.m. in the Garfield County Courthouse, 55 South Main, Panguitch, Utah, to receive public comment regarding the following: Subdivision Type Subdivision Exemption; ECD-39 into 2 total lots (5.28 acres total).

Petitioners Daniel Carter Physical Address 855 North Reservoir Road, Escalante, UT 84726 Tax ID Numbers Serial: ECD-39, Parcel: 11-0024-0039 Legal Descriptions BEG. AT A PT WHICH IS N 0°13'54" E 33.26 FT AND N 69°39'09" E 300.72 F T FROM THE S/W COR OF THE SW 1/4 OF NE ¼ OPF SEC 12, T35S, R2E, SLB&M AND RUNNING TH N 69°39'09" E 342.93 FT; TH S 68°24' E 68.01 FT TO A PT ON A 633 FT RADIUS CURVE WHOSE CENTER BEARS N 69°12'10" E SD PT ALS O BEING ON THE W/ RLY R/W LINE OF A EXISTING CO. RD.; TH ALNG SD R/W LINE AS FOLLOWS: N/W/RLY ALNG THE ARC OF SD CURVE TO THE RIGHT 71.40 FT THROUGH A CENTRAL ANGLE OF 6°27'45"; TH N 9°05'31" W 66.77 FT; TH N 80°54'25" E 8 FT; TH N 9°05'31" W 416.56 FT; TH LEAVING SD R/W LINE W 399.94 FT; TH S 8°45' E 650 FT TO THEPOB. CONT. 5.28 AC M/L 5.28 AC Published in the Wayne & Garfield County Insider on DECEMBER 31, 2020 and JANUARY 7, 2021 PUBLIC NOTICE GARFIELD COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION The Garfield County Planning Commission will hear public comment on proposed amendments to the Garfield County Subdivision Ordinance on Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at 2:30 p.m. in the Garfield County Courthouse, 55 South Main, Panguitch, Utah.

Published in the Wayne & Garfield County Insider on DECEMBER 31, 2020 and JANUARY 7, 2021 PUBLIC NOTICE GARFIELD COUNTY The Garfield County Planning Commission will hear public comment on January 20, 2021 at 2:40 p.m. in the Garfield County Courthouse, 55 South Main, Panguitch, Utah regarding the following zone change proposal: Zone Change Agricultural to Commercial Parcel ID(s) • 15-0095-0001 (10.22 acres) • 15-0095-0002 (122.53 acres) • 15-0095-0003 (27.29 acres) Petitioners Landon Holm Physical Address Zakkri Valley Subdivision Approximate location: Highway 12, Mile Marker 9, Bryce, UT 84764 Legal Descriptions ALL OF PARCEL 1 ZAKKRI VALLEY SUBDIVISION CONT 10.22 AC M/L ALL OF LOT 2 ZAKKRI VALLEY SUBDIVISION CONT 122.53 AC M/L ALL OF LOT 3 ZAKKRI VALLEY SUBDIVISION CONT 27.29 AC M/L Published in the Wayne & Garfield County Insider on DECEMBER 31, 2020 and JANUARY 7, 2021

OFFICIAL NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TORREY TOWN PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION Torrey Town Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing on January 20, 2021 at 5:30 PM. The purpose of the public hearing is to receive comments concerning a proposed amendment to the zoning ordinance and zoning map.

YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND OR SUBMIT COMMENTS. The hearing will be held both virtually via Zoom and in person at the Torrey Town Pavilion, which is located at 75 East 100 North, Torrey, Utah.

If you are unable to attend the public hearing in person, the Planning Commission will accept written comments to the proposed zoning amendment. These must be received no later than midnight January 20, 2021 and may be sent to Torrey Town, PO Box 750027, Torrey, UT, 84775 or to pandz@torreyutah.gov.

To receive an invitation to attend virtually, contact a town representative at 435.425.3600, 435.425.3559, or paula@torreyutah.gov.

You may access the proposed ordinance amendment and map at the following places: • Torreyutah.gov • Torrey Town Hall – 75 East 100 North Paula Pace, Clerk Published in the Wayne & Garfield County Insider on JANUARY 7 & 14, 2021 NOTICE OF PROPOSED ZONING CHANGE WAYNE COUNTY PROPOSED CHANGE FROM: RESIDENTIAL/AGRICULTURAL TO: RESORT RECREATION WITH A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT INTENDED USE: RV/CAMPGROUND with 50 RV SITES and 10 CABINS ZONING CHANGE REQUESTED BY: RICHARD PACE & REBECCA PACE A PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE HELD PRIOR TO THE PLANNING & ZONING MEETING ON JANUARY 13, 2021 @ 7 PM AT THE WAYNE COUNTY COURTHOUSE. LEGAL DES: approximately 20 acres in the SW1/4NW1/4 SECTION 15 T29S R4E Parcel: 02-0025-0765 / O-754-2 Location: approx 170 North Dick Pace Road Teasdale, UT 84773 Published in the Wayne & Garfield County Insider on DECEMBER 31, 2020 and JANUARY 7, 2021 SEALED BIDS TO BE ACCEPTED WAYNE COUNTY Wayne County is accepting sealed bids for dirt work at the Wayne County Long Hollow Landfill. The successful bidder will be required to mine, haul, and place approximately 11,500 yards of dirt to close a garbage cell at the landfill. The dirt will need to be moved approximately 1/4 mile to the cell and placed 24 inches thick over the entire cell. Please submit bids as a cost per yard. Bids will be accepted at the Wayne County Clerk's Office, 18 South Main, Loa, until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 8, 2021.

For more information, contact Bruce Johnson at 435-691-2228.

Wayne County reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids.

Ryan Torgerson Wayne County Clerk/Auditor Published in the Wayne & Garfield County Insider on DECEMBER 31, 2020 and JANUARY 7, 2021 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING AND BONDS TO BE ISSUED CAINEVILLE SPECIAL SERVICE DISTRICT PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on December 29, 2020, the Board of Trustees of Caineville Special Service District (the "Issuer"), adopted a resolution (the “Resolution”) declaring its intention to issue its Water Revenue Bonds (the “Bonds”) pursuant to the Utah Local Government Bonding Act, Title 11, Chapter 14, Utah Code Annotated 1953, as amended and to call a public hearing to receive input from the public with respect to the issuance of the Bonds.

TIME, PLACE AND LOCATION OF PUBLIC HEARING The Issuer shall hold a public hearing on January 29, 2021, at the hour of 12:00 Noon. The location of the public hearing is at the Sleepy Hollow Campground 3000 UT-24, Torrey, Utah.

The purpose of the meeting is to receive input from the public with respect to the issuance of the Bonds and any potential economic impact to the private sector from the construction of the Project to be funded by the Bonds. All members of the public are invited to attend and participate.

PURPOSE FOR ISSUING BONDS The Issuer intends to issue the Bonds for the purpose of (i) financing all or a portion of the cost to construct culinary water system improvements, including construction of a treatment facility, installation of fire hydrants and tank upgrades, together with all related work and improvements to the District’s culinary water system; and (ii) paying costs of issuing the Bonds.

OUTSTANDING BONDS SECURED BY THE SAME REVENUE There are no outstanding bonds secured by the pledge of water system revenues, which revenues are being pledged to secure the payment of the Bonds.

ESTIMATED TOTAL COST OF THE BONDS Although the Issuer has authorized the issuance of Bonds in the total amount of not to exceed $350,000, the Issuer anticipates the Bonds will actually be issued in the principal amount of $295,000. If that were the case, the estimated total cost to the Issuer for the proposed Bonds is $295,000, including an estimated cost of interest of $0.00.

PARAMETERS OF THE BONDS The Issuer intends to issue the Bonds in the principal amount of not to exceed $350,000, to bear interest at a rate not to exceed 2.0% per annum, to mature in not to more than 35 years from their date or dates, and to be sold at a price not less than 100% of the total principal amount thereof, plus accrued interest to the date of delivery. The Bonds will specify that any installment of principal and/or interest on the Bonds which shall not be paid when due shall bear interest at the rate of 18% per annum from the due date thereof until paid.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that a period of 30 days from and after the last date of publication of this Notice is provided by law during which any person in interest shall have the right to contest the legality of the Resolution or the Bonds, or any provision made for the security and payment of the Bonds, and that after such time, no one shall have any cause of action to contest the regularity, formality or legality thereof for any cause whatsoever.

A copy of the Resolution is on file in the office of the Clerk in Caineville, Utah, where it may be examined by contacting the Clerk at mesafarm@mesafarmmarket.com.

DATED this 29th day of December , 2020. /s/ Randy Ramsley, Clerk Published in the Wayne & Garfield County Insider on JANUARY 7 & 14, 2021

NOTICE OF INFORMATION MEETING FOR TORREY PROPOSED ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT Torrey Town Planning and Zoning Commission will hold two information meetings on January 13, 2021 – one at noon and one at 5:30 PM. The purpose of the information meetings is to present information concerning a proposed amendment to the zoning ordinance and zoning map.

YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND. The information meetings will be held both virtually via Zoom and in person at the Torrey Town Pavilion, which is located at 75 East 100 North, Torrey, Utah.

Attendance will be limited to thirty (30) people inside the pavilion.

To receive an invitation to attend virtually, contact a town representative at 435.425.3600, 435.425.3559, or paula@torreyutah.gov.

You may access the proposed ordinance amendment and map at the following places: • Torreyutah.gov • Torrey Town Hall – 75 East 100 North Published in the Wayne & Garfield County Insider on JANUARY 7 & 14, 2021 NOTICE TO WATER USERS The applications below were filed with the Division of Water Rights in Wayne County. These are informal proceedings per Rule 655-6-2. Protests concerning an application must be legibly written or typed, contain the name and mailing address of the protesting party, STATE THE APPLICATION NUMBER PROTESTED, CITE REASONS FOR THE PROTEST, and REQUEST A HEARING, if desired. Also, A $15 FEE MUST BE INCLUDED FOR EACH APPLICATION PROTESTED. Protests must be filed with the Division of Water Rights on or before Feb. 3, 2021 either electronically using the Division`s on-line Protest of Application form, by hand delivery to a Division office, or by mail at PO Box 146300, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6300. Please visit waterrights.utah.gov or call (801)5387240 for additional information.

CHANGE APPLICATION(S) 61-2497 (a46481): Barry L. Hales and MaryJo Hales Revocable Trust propose(s) using 0.25 ac-ft. from groundwater (8.5 miles South of Hatch) for DOMESTIC. 61-3245 (a46535): Marie E. Flint propose(s) using 0.5 acft. from groundwater (West of Todd`s Junction) for DOMESTIC; IRRIGATION. 61-3251 (a46540): Teresa L. Hardy propose(s) using 0.0067 cfs OR 1 ac-ft. from groundwater (7 Miles SE of Panquitch) for IRRIGATION. Teresa Wilhelmsen, P.E. State Engineer Published in the Wayne & Garfield County Insider on JANUARY 7 & 14, 2021

The Insider

Page 8

C l a s s i f i e d ads

January 7, 2021

To place your ad, call 435-826-4400 or email snapshot@live.com

Classified ads start at just $7.50 per week for 25 words or less.

HELP WANTED

CLEANING/HOUSEKEEPER BICKNELL CLINIC Wayne Community Health Centers, Inc. is seeking a cleaning/housekeeper for our Bicknell Clinic.

This would include general daily cleaning of the building along with thorough cleaning of frequently touched areas and patient areas.

This is a full time position with benefit package/insurance.

Hours will be flexible at $12 an hour, Monday through Friday, during clinic hours and some swing shift hours. You must be able to pass a back ground check and to be selfmotivated to complete all tasks.

Please submit your resume to, Darci Elmer at Wayne Community Health Center: darci@waynechc.org This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENTS POSITIONS AVAILABLE: Garfield County School District is hiring the following positions. For a description of each, please see the district website www.garfk12.org Para Professional at Garfield County Jail Bus Route Driver in Boulder Para-Professionals at All Schools Substitutes for Custodians, Food Service, and Teachers Food Service Worker at Boulder Elementary School SALARY: Please see 2020-2021 Garfield County School Districts Classified Salary Schedule and Certified Salary Schedule.

QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants must be fingerprinted and satisfactorily pass an employment background check.

Applicant must work well with children. See the job description for additional requirements.

APPLICATION: Interested individuals should submit a Garfield County School District classified or certified application.

Please direct questions to: AES Head Teacher Robin Gibbs (435-624-3221) BES Head Teacher Elizabeth Julian (435-335-7322) BVES Principal Pete Peterson (435-679-8619) BVHS Principal Jeff Brinkerhoff (435-679-8835) EES/EHS Principal Peter Baksis (435-826-4205) PES Principal Robert Prince (435-676-8847) PMS/PHS Principal Russ Torgersen (435-676-8805) Superintendent John Dodds (435-676-8821) Online application available: www.garfk12.org Applications will be screened and the most qualified candidates will be granted interviews.

DEADLINE: See the district website for closing date of each position.

Garfield County School District is an equal opportunity employer.

Garfield County School District reserves the right to accept or reject any or all applications.

GENERAL DENTIST WANTED BICKNELL, WAYNE COUNTY General Dentist (Full Time) position available in Bicknell, UT. (Wayne County) General responsibilities: • Must have or attain a Utah unrestricted License to practice Dentistry.

• All aspects of General Dentistry including Exodontia, Root canals, Crown and Bridge, etc…

• Some reimbursed travel will be expected weekly to commute between offices (Panguitch and Escalante).

• New graduates may apply.

• To start as soon as possible Benefits • Vacation hours.

• 401K Match up to 5%.

• Sick hours.

• Holiday pay.

• Continuing education days offered (5 Days leave and $2000/Year.)

• Health/Dental Insurance (1/2 covered for family.)

• Malpractice insurance covered.

• Licensure and credentialing is covered.

• Disability insurance (1/2 covered.)

• Salary is negotiable and Contingent on experience.

Pay Range: $115,000 - $130,000 /year WCHC is an approved nonprofit organization that allows one to apply for the PSLF program (loan forgiveness).

Although, it is up to you to apply for these programs on your own and it is not guarantee you will be awarded. We are happy to offer advice during this process.

CAPITOL REEF CIDER WORKS BICKNELL Capitol Reef Cider Works of Bicknell, Utah is looking for intelligent dedicated employees to advance our apple orchard and cider operation. Reliability and good physical fitness are required. Fulltime and part-time positions available.

Preferred Skills: Construction, Welding, Automotive Mechanics, Biology, Horticulture.

Email resumes and questions to: capitolreefciderworks@gmail.com

We are looking for friendly, hardworking professionals who enjoy the hospitality industry and interaction with guests.

P O S I T I O N S AVA I L A B L E: Front Desk Agents Laundry Services Housekeepers Maintenance Bellmen Positions to start April 1st through October 31st At Capitol Reef Resort we promote from within.

Please stop by in person to complete an application.

We are located at 2600 E SR 24, Torrey, UT 84775 435-425-3761

SERVICES WAYNE COUNTY FOOD BANK IS OPEN 3RD WEDNESDAY OF EACH MONTH FROM 1-3PM COMMUNITY CENTER IN BICKNELL PRE-MADE BOXES, READY FOR PICK-UP. REGULAR AND SENIOR PROGRAMS. EASY APPLICATION! QUESTIONS? CALL 435-691-3923

MEETINGS

CROSSWORD SOLUTION

Tropic AA Meeting Wednesday at 6 PM. Tropic Heritage Center. All meetings are closed discussion. rtn Escalante AA Meeting Call for times and locations.

435-676-3653 Survivors of Suicide Loss Support Group 4th Thursday of each month 5:30-7:30pm Southwest Behavioral Health Center 601 E. Center St. Panguitch ADULTS ONLY Questions? Call Melissa Veater 435-690-0911

SERVICES

sudoku Answers for this week

SANITATION SERVICES SUPERVISOR WAYNE COUNTY Job Description Wayne County is accepting applications for the following position: Title: Sanitation Services Supervisor Department: Sanitation FLSA status: Exempt Revision date: 12/04/20 GENERAL PURPOSE Performs a variety of managerial, supervisory and administrative duties related to planning, organizing, directing, and coordinating the engineering, construction, operation and maintenance of the Wayne County Long Hollow Landfill and the Hanksville Class II landfill facilities.

Assures compliance with various federal and state agency regulations related to hazardous waste, environmental impact, land management, and overall landfill operations.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED Works under general direction from the Wayne County Commissioners.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED Provides close to general supervision to other landfill employees / operators.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS • Manages the ongoing operations of the county landfill program • Oversees and participates in the planning, designing, engineering, construction and maintenance of pits.

• Assures operational compliance with federal codes and regulations, and state regulations governing hazardous waste, drainage and groundwater protection systems.

• Coordinates and assists state inspection personnel as needed to evaluate count operation.

• Develops and implements standard operating policies and procedures and patron rules and regulations.

• Administers fees and directs fee collection practices • Receives and processes public complaints • Determines effective solutions • Trains employees on federal codes and regulations • Enforces policies and procedures as needed • Serves as liaison to the public and various local and state agencies as needed to establish and maintain effective public relations and develop cooperative solutions to common problems and goals; • Develops action plans for communication advocacy and defense of administrative policy; • Directs and coordinates departmental risk management program in cooperation with county and contract advisors and legal staff; • Prepares and administers operating budget; • Understands and can implement accounting and billing processes to assure accuracy and completeness of billings and deposits; • Assures all equipment purchases, requisitions, supplies and materials conform to county needs and goals; • Assists HR with recruiting, firing, discipline, and dismissal of department employees; • Regularly monitors performance and provides coaching for performance improvement and development; • Delegates or assigns personnel to maintain scheduled operations; • Conducts employee training and ensures proper certification; • Oversees safety program, monitors operations for compliance with safety guidelines; • Ensures proper disposal of waste, the control of asbestos and various hazardous materials; • Monitors for contaminated soil and ensures prevention of buildup of methane gases; • Oversees and performs continued maintenance of landfill sites and equipment; • Acts as a mechanic to complete various preventative maintenance routines and service.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 1. Education and Experience: Graduation from high school or equivalents plus two (2) years of specialized training related to essential aspects of the position and general administration, plus six (6) years of experience in the operation and maintenance of heavy equipment and other duties related to landfill operation, with two (2) years in a position equivalents to that of a foreman or crew leader. *An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

2. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Considerable knowledge of: • Engineering specifications and methods of constructing landfill sites and drainage systems; • Principles and techniques of supervision; • Budget development and billing procedures; • Rds related to equipment operation and maintenance; • Federal and state regulations related to hazardous waste and environmental protection; • Land resource management Working knowledge of: • General accounting principles and practices; • Mathematics Skill in: • Interpersonal communications Ability to: • Communicate effectively, verbally and in writing; • Ability to plan, organize and direct the operation of a county landfill; • Visualize completed projects in planning stages and estimate the end results; • Estimate quantity of materials accurately; • Develop and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, federal agencies, state agencies, local governments, subordinates, and the public 3. Special Qualifications: • Must possess a valid Commercial Drivers License (CDL) • Must be able to pass ICC physical and maintain medical certificate • Must be able to comply with applicable county and departmental policies and safety standards and wear required personal protective equipment • May be subject to a contact 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for emergency • Resident of Wayne County 4. Work Environment: • Essential functions generally performed in both indoor and outdoor work environments • Daily exposure to hazards commonly associated with landfill operations • Tasks require various physical activities, generally nominal muscular strain, such as lifting, walking, standing, stooping, reaching, etc.

• May be required to life and or pull up to 100 to 120 pounds • Communication, hearing and seeing essential in performance of daily tasks Cont'd on page 9

January 7, 2021

Calassified ds Cont'd from page 8 • Mental application utilizes memory for details, verbal instructions, emotional stability and discriminating thinking, guided and creative problem solving • Frequent travel required in the normal course of performing daily functions • Occasional exposed to weather extremes and environmental conditions typical of solid waste landfill operations • Exposure to biohazards and chemicals possible due to unknown materials brought in loads to landfill Applications can be picked up at the Wayne County Clerk’s Office and returned by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 8, 2021. If you have any questions, please call the Wayne County Clerk’s office at 435-836-1300.

Disclaimer: The above statements describe the general nature, level, and type of work performed by the employee assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, demands, and skills required of personnel so classified. Job descriptions are not intended to and do not imply or create any employment, compensation, or contract rights to any person or persons. Management reserves the right to add, delete, or modify any and/or all provisions of this description at any time as needed without notice. This job description supersedes earlier versions.

I___________________________ have reviewed the above job description.

Date______________ (employee)

The Insider

When in Need, There are Resources in Wayne and Garfield Counties

Page 9

January 11 - January 17

by John Mosley The Sky Report is presented as a public service by the Stellar Vista Observatory, a nonprofit organization based in Kanab, Utah, which provides opportunities for people to observe, appreciate, and comprehend our starry night sky. Additional information is at www.stellarvistaobservatory.org. Send questions and comments to John@StargazingAdventures.org.

For Victims of Domestic Violence, Rape, and Sexual Assault Canyon Creek Women's Crisis Center Emergency Safehouse 435-865-7443 Mobile Team 435-233-5732

New Horizons Crisis Center 145 East 100 North, Richfield Office Hours 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Shelter is open 24 hrs, 7 days a week Phone Number 435-896-9294

Counseling Services Central Utah Counseling Richfield Office 255 S Main Street, Richfield Office Hours 435-896-8236 24 Hour Emergency Service 877-469-2822

Southwest Behavioral Health Center

601 E Center Street, Panguitch 435-676-8176 24 Hour Emergency Service 800-574-6763

Wayne Community Health Center 128 South 300 West Bicknell, 84715 435-425-3744

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255

Courtesy Rich Csenge

Jupiter, Mercury, and Saturn (in order of decreasing brightness) one-half hour after sunset on January 11. At the same time, the sun is a similar distance below the horizon. Graphic created with SkySafariAstronomy.com.

Jupiter and Saturn were in conjunction last month, and at their closest, they were separated by a scant 1/10°. They’re still close, and on the 11th, they’re separated by 2½° and remain a nice double planet in binoculars. But, Mercury joins them, and for a few days only, you have the opportunity to see three planets simultaneously in a pair of binoculars—an extremely rare sight you don’t want to miss! On the 11th, Mercury is only 1½° straight to the left of Jupiter, and on the 12th, Mercury is 2¼° to the upper left of Jupiter. Mercury moves farther away, but you should see all three planets together in binoculars through the 14th. Mercury is half as bright, and Saturn is 1/12th as bright as Jupiter.

The trick is that they are very low in the southwest during twilight, so you’ll need a) a very clear sky free from haze, b) a very low horizon, and c)

binoculars. You also have a very narrow window of time and must look within a few minutes of a half-hour after sunset. Seeing the triple planet gathering will be challenging but rewarding.

Jupiter and Saturn set four minutes earlier each day—and we’ll lose them at the end of the week—but Mercury is making a good appearance and will be around the next three weeks, getting higher and setting later each evening until the 24th.

Then, it reverses course and begins to set earlier each day.

There will be more on Mercury in the next two "Sky Reports."

The easiest planet to see now is Mars. Mars was closest and brightest in October, but it will be around until summer.

It’s presently high in the south as darkness falls, and, because it’s in an empty part of the sky without bright stars to compete, you can’t miss it. A telescope will reveal its small orange

disk.

In the morning sky, Venus is as close to the horizon one-half hour before sunrise as Jupiter is one-half hour after sunset, but Venus is so bright that you have a better chance to spot it. Look very low in the southeast, and, again, you’ll need a very low horizon. Venus is moving ahead of the earth and around behind the sun, and we’ll soon lose it to sight, not to return until late May when it slowly reappears in the evening sky.

John Mosley was Program Supervisor of the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles for 27 years and is the author of “Stargazing for Beginners” and “Stargazing with Binoculars and Telescopes.” He and his wife live in St. George, where he continues to stargaze from his retirement home while serving on the advisory committee for Stellar Vista Observatory.

Crisis Support: Even though we now have a couple

of vaccines that will be available, it's not going to be available to everybody all at once. So, through the rest of the winter, the spring and the summer, families are going to continue to need assistance.

Individuals are going to continue to need assistance.

—Gina Cornia, director of Utahns Against Hunger

aerogondo / Adobe Stock

Thousands of Utahns affected by the pandemic turned to food banks for the first time to put meals on the table, pushing the state's network of assistance agencies to their limit.

Crisis Support Cont'd from page 1

"As the economy improves and the impact from the pandemic may flatten, the need for emergency food is going to continue," she said.

"It has for decades; we know that that's not going to change, and the lingering effects will be ongoing for at least 18 more months."

Cornia said she believes the pandemic caught both state and federal policymakers unprepared, making the crisis worse than it needed to be.

"We need policymakers to be more forward-looking and think about what policy solutions and funding solutions are available to them," she said, "so that the next crisis—whether it is some economic crisis or a health cri-

sis—that we're not caught off guard."

She added that Utahns Against Hunger plans to work with both state and federal officials in the new year to bolster long-term food assistance and other key programs to help Utah families recover.

—Mark Richardson, Utah News Connection

The Insider

Page 10

Getting COVID-19 Vaccines to Rural Americans is Harder Than it Looks—But There are Ways to Lift the Barriers

by Bennett Doughty, Clinical Assistant Professor, Pharmacy Practice, Binghamton University, State University of New York & Pamela Stewart Fahs Professor of Rural Nursing, Binghamton University, State University of New York, The Conversation

Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.

U.S. - The enormous job of vaccinating the nation is underway, but for rural Americans, getting a COVID-19 vaccine becomes harder the farther they are from urban centers.

The current vaccines’ cold storage requirements and shipping rules mean many rural hospitals can’t serve as vaccination distribution hubs.

That can leave rural residents—about 20% of the U.S. population—traveling long distances, if they’re able to travel at all.

Getting the word to rural residents about when they can be vaccinated isn’t easy either, and the extraordinary amount of misinformation downplaying the risk of the coronavirus this past year has had an impact on rural residents’ willingness to get the vaccine.

We work in rural health care settings and have been examining the barriers to health care for these patients to find ways to ensure health and safety.

The problem with big batches and cold storage The first two authorized vaccines—one made by Pfizer and BioNTech and the other by Moderna—are mRNA vaccines. It’s a new type of vaccine that uses the molecular instructions for building virus proteins rather than injecting parts of the weakened virus itself. Both must be kept in very cold temperatures.

To ensure stability, the vaccine doses are shipped in special containers with dry ice, and for now, vaccines are being delivered only in large batches.

The Pfizer vaccine is shipped in increments of 975 doses, which creates a challenge for small hospitals.

Urban areas will be able to quickly distribute those doses, but finding enough patients to vaccinate quickly in rural areas may prove more difficult.

Moderna’s vaccine is somewhat more manageable, with a minimum order of 100 doses.

Both vaccines also require two doses per person, with the second dose of Pfizer’s vaccine given 21 days later and Moderna’s 28 days later.

As a result, the vaccine distribution efforts will favor hubs that cater to more populated areas to avoid wasting any vaccine or leaving patients unable to get their second dose.

Cold storage is another challenge, since small hospitals are less likely to have expensive freezers. The Pfizer vaccine must be stored at minus 94 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 70 Celsius) and Moderna’s at minus 4 Fahrenheit.

There are limits on how many times the vaccine shipping

CC BY-SA 3.0 de / Arne Müseler / www.arne-mueseler.com

containers can be opened and how quickly the vaccines must be distributed. Once thawed and prepared, the Pfizer vaccine must be used within five days and Moderna’s within 30 days.

Each patient must receive both doses of the vaccine from the same manufacturer to ensure safety and effectiveness, adding to the challenge. Manufacturers have included personal dosing cards for patients to carry with them to help.

Rural America’s take on COVID-19 and vaccines Rural America already has difficult barriers to health care access.

It has fewer health care providers serving a more geographically diverse population than in metropolitan communities. And in many of these areas, rural hospitals have been closing at an alarming rate, leaving people to travel farther for care. The population is also older. Public transportation that could help poor or elderly residents reach hospitals is rare, and distance and geography, such as mountain roads, can mean driving to those sites takes time.

Getting accurate information about the vaccine and how to receive it into rural areas has also proved difficult. Many rural counties still have limited access to broadband internet connections, smartphone service and other technologies.

That often means residents rely on television, newspapers and radio for news, which can limit the depth and scope of information.

While some rural counties have started getting the word out, many don’t not seem to have specific plans on how to inform their residents about how and when each person can get the vaccine, let alone specific plans for actually giving it. They often rely just on local press releases that many residents never see.

Rural nonprofit health care organizations have tried to bridge that gap and improve rural communications about vaccines and the pandemic.

Care Compass Network, which coordinates organizations across southern New York, has offered educational webinars with the latest information about the virus and the vaccines, for example. But there is still much work to do.

Rural Americans’ views on vaccines are influenced by

media and word of mouth, politics and religion, as well as previous experience with vaccinations and, perhaps most importantly, the difficulty of accessing health care.

In a survey conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation in December, about 35% of rural Americans said they probably or definitely would not get the vaccine, higher than the 27% nationwide.

Small batches, new vaccines and pharmacies Getting enough of the U.S. vaccinated to eventually end the pandemic will require more work in all of these areas. That includes improving shipping and storage processes so orders can be broken up and distributed to smaller hospitals, distributing more vaccine doses, and improving communication.

With Moderna’s vaccine arriving in smaller batches and not requiring such low temperatures for stability, it may prove to be more accessible for rural areas. Utah has already taken advantage of those characteristics to get initial doses to smaller hospitals and has started vaccinating health care providers. Pfizer has said it may be able to offer smaller batches by April.

Other vaccines on the horizon are also expected to have less stringent storage requirements and may potentially be delivered in one shot. The British government on Dec. 30 authorized one of them, a two-dose vaccine developed by the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca that can be stored in a normal refrigerator for six months. U.S. officials are awaiting more testing on it, however, and don’t expect authorization for U.S. use until April.

The falling number of rural hospitals also remains a challenge for getting vaccines to patients. Allowing community pharmacies to offer the vaccine—particularly if independent pharmacies are included—could eventually help expand the distribution network in rural areas.

This article was originally published in The Conversation on December 28, 2020 and updated December 30, 2020 with the U.K.‘s OxfordAstraZeneca vaccine authorization.

January 7, 2021