The
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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, February 18, 2021
Issue # 1397
insiderutah.com
Intermountain Artist Illuminates Local Impacts Provides Update of Nuclear Contamination on COVID “From Dust” Exhibit at Southern Utah Museum of Art Until Feb. 27 Current Impact by Kadi Franson and Vaccine Expansion Rollout SALT LAKE CITY Over the coming months, Intermountain will be supporting the state’s vaccination efforts and local health departments by deploying more than 1,000 healthcare workers throughout Utah to assist with community vaccination clinics. State officials have announced plans to lower the age requirement on March 1 to 65 and to include adults with certain medical conditions, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control. Utah is currently vaccinating individuals age 70 and older, healthcare professionals, first responders, and K-12 educators. In coordination with local health departments who schedule community vaccination clinics, Intermountain has already hosted several vaccination events at its facilities across the state—and will expand those efforts. With nearly half of the state’s 70+ population now vaccinated, and more and new vaccines becoming available soon, Intermountain is eager for timetables to speed up. Expansion of the age and condition criteria will make tens of thousands more Utahns eligible for vaccination, which is vital to combating the pandemic. COVID Update Cont'd on page 8
Courtesy Kadi Franson
This photo depicts an image of "Monument,"—by artist Cara Despain (right)—a digital video loop showing an altered version of the iconic final scene from the 1956 movie "The Searchers." CEDAR CITY - Tucked into the back corner of the Southern Utah Museum of Art galleries is artist Cara Despain’s solo exhibition, “From Dust.” Consisting of three pieces adjacent to a larger showcase of Southern Utah University faculty works, it’s easy to miss. What the show
Intermountain Healthcare Adopts New Mammography Guidelines That Women Be Screened Prior to COVID Vaccine or Delay Until Four Weeks After Final Dose
Courtesy Intermountain Healthcare
Dr. Brett Parkinson, Medical Director of Intermountain Healthcare’s Breast Care Center. MURRAY - Intermountain Healthcare is adopting new mammography guidelines for women who have had or plan to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, a change that is in alignment with new national recommendations. Doctors are now recommending that women undergo their mammogram screening before getting the vaccine or delay their screening by at least four weeks after their final COVID vaccine dose. The new guidelines are in alignment with updated recommendations from the national Society of Breast
Imaging, which issued the update after radiologists from around the country noticed an increased number of mammograms showing swollen lymph nodes in women who recently received the COVID-19 vaccine. The swelling typically appears in the armpit a few days after vaccination on the side that the patient received the vaccine and then decreases after two to four weeks. “This type of swelling is not that unusual and can also occur due to other vacMammograms Cont'd on page 2
REGIONAL WEATHER FORECAST FOR SOME BUT NOT ALL REGIONS REPRESENTED IN OUR NEWSPAPER COVERAGE AREA
THURS. FEBRUARY 18 - WED. FEBRUARY 24
Temperatures cool slightly with a 35% chance of snow showers on Saturday. Otherwise, mostly sunny with highs in the high 30s to low 50s; lows from the teens to the mid 20s. Winds variable from 7 to 14 mph.
lacks in scale, it makes up for in the power of its content. Despain’s work focuses on the legacy of contamination that resulted from nuclear testing and uranium mining in and around Utah. She dedicates the exhibition to everyone “downstream and downwind.” Referred to with op-
NPS Implements Mask Requirement Across All Parks and Federal Buildings
WASHINGTON, D.C. To protect the health of those who live, work and visit our national parks and facilities, and in support of the Executive Order on Protecting the Federal Workforce and Requiring Mask-Wearing, the National Park Service (NPS) has implemented a mask requirement for employees, visitors, partners, and contractors. “Wearing a mask around others, physical distancing and washing your hands are the simplest and most effective public health measures to help stop the spread of COVID-19,” said NPS Office of Public Health Director Captain Sara Newman. “Getting outside and enjoying our public lands is essential to improving mental and physical health, but we all need to work together to recreate responsibly.” Face masks are now required in all NPS buildings and facilities. Masks are also required on NPS-managed lands when physical distancing cannot be maintained, including narrow or busy trails, overlooks and historic homes. Additional public health measures are in place across the service, from capacity limits to one-way trails, or even temporary closures in response to Mask Requirements Cont'd on page 2
Courtesy Cara Despain
timism at the time as the “Atomic Age,” the exhibition contrasts historic and contemporary public attitudes toward domestic nuclear capabilities. The patriotic enthusiasm of the 50s stands in sharp juxtaFrom Dust
Cont'd on page 10
Garfield County Commission February 8
UDOT will hold a public meeting on Feb. 23 in Tropic to discuss resurfacing plans for Henrieville, Highways 12 and 63 and a renewal of support resolution for making the Butch Cassidy boyhood home a state monument approved GARFIELD COUNTY The February 8 Garfield County Commission meeting was short and sweet. Commissioner David Tebbs reported that UDOT will hold a public meeting on Feb. 23 from 4-7 p.m. in Tropic to discuss this season’s resurfacing plans for Henrieville, Highways 12 and 63. Commissioners Jerry Taylor and Leland Pollock have spent most of their time attending meetings or monitoring legislative activities. Commissioner Pollock said he couldn’t “remember a time we’ve been on the menu as counties” [as much as this year], referring to his often repeated phrase referring to the state legislature: “If you not at the table, you’re on the menu” and cited what he called “legislature overreach, with the legislature trying to do our job from the Capitol in 45 days.” He went on to say the CAFO (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation) is not good, but “I think we’re in a good place, working through some issues.” He is interested in following amendments to Transient Room Taxes, saying the county’s interest in the auditing component. Commissioner Tebbs was concerned that counties would be allowed to spend larger portions of the tax revenue on economic activi-
ties not related to tourism and thought those dollars need to stay directed toward promotion or there would be a downward spiral. Tebbs said, “When other counties don’t promote, it hurts them too. Our promotion allows small businesses to capture a global market.” Pollock also said he is working with the Forest Service to make sure a one-time, $1M appropriation for range improvement/water projects gets approved and for them to continue work to “push through NEPA.” He encouraged anyone in the county wondering about a bill to reach out to him. There were no Public Works project updates from Dave Dodds or Brian Bremner. The county’s 2021 trucks are arriving, and last year’s models will be advertised and put up for bid. They said they’d already traded back two of the trucks for more than they paid. Planning/Economic Development, Kaden Figgins reported that he’s assisting with legislative research and that he will schedule another Tri-County Economic Development online forum for next Friday to check in Garfield Commission Cont'd on page 2
Haaland on Track to be First Native American Cabinet Secretary
Wikimedia Commons
U.S. Rep. Deb Haaland, D-N.M., could be the first Native American to serve as a Cabinet secretary if she is confirmed to lead the Department of the Interior. SALT LAKE CITY - Rep. Deb Haaland, D-N.M., could become the first Native American Cabinet secretary in U.S. history. Supporters say Haaland (sounds like 'Holland') has a history of bipartisanship and had a hand in passing a number of conservation-related measures in Congress. Haaland is a Democrat who represents New Mexico's 1st Congressional district. She's a citizen of the Laguna Pueblo and would be the first Native American Cabinet secretary. While there is strong support for her among conservationists and progressives, her confirmation faces some opposition from Senate conservatives. Amy Dominguez, communications coordinator for Utah Hispanics Enjoying Camping, Hunting and the Outdoors, said Haaland's
It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men. —Frederick Douglass
strong point is her reputation for getting things done. "Her nomination is important because her impact in the work that she's done has expanded access to lands for hunters and anglers and really all who enjoy the outdoors," Dominguez emphasized. "In turn, this creates jobs and fuels rural economies." The Interior Department conserves and manages the nation's natural resources and cultural heritage, as well as overseeing the federal government's relationship with Native American tribes. If confirmed, Haaland would take over an agency that has been led for most of the past four years by a Republican appointee with a history of opposing public lands. A few Senate Republicans, including Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., oppose Haaland's nomination, citing what
they call her "radical" opposition to new oil and gas leases. However, administration officials say they have the votes to assure her confirmation. Dominguez noted Haaland has been a long-time advocate for expanding and preserving public lands. "What we feel Congresswoman Haaland brings is a passion for safeguarding and protecting our wildlife and wildlife habitat so that future generations can continue to enjoy these very special places," Dominguez remarked. She added Haaland's nomination is particularly important in Utah because she understands how important the $12 billion outdoor recreation industry is to the state's economy. A hearing date has not been set for her confirmation. —Mark Richardson, Utah News Connection
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