The
Insider
Coronavirus Updates:
New GMH Visitor Policy and SWUPHD Provides Current Information
...pg 4
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, March 19, 2020
2020 Fruit Harvest at Capitol Reef CAPITOL REEF N.P. In a few months it will be fruit harvest season! Cherries, apricots, peaches, plums, apples, and pears are typically available for harvest each summer at Capitol Reef National Park. Predictions for the 2020 fruit season show that the bloom may begin in early April and last for two to three weeks. Bing Cherries are expected to be available in limited quantities beginning in early June. Apricots are expected to become available mid- June. Apples and pears may begin in late July to early August, and the main peach harvest is expected to occur in mid-August. “Moderate temperatures and precipitation indicate a robust fruit harvest this year, with bloom starting in early April. Hotter than average mid-summer temperatures are predicted for this year which may result in an earlier harvest for 2020.” says Horticulturist Fritz Maslan. Current fruit harvest information and pricing is recorded on the Capitol Reef fruit hotline as fruit ripens and specific harvest start dates are determined. The fruit hotline may be reached by calling (435) Fruit Harvest Cont'd on page 2
AmeriCorps Team Joins Entrada Institute for Community Dinner Focusing on our Cultural Heritage of Grain, Bread, and Baking
annette laMB
AmeriCorps team member demonstrates how to make sourdough starter. WAYNE COUNTY From making sour dough starter to creating bread-in-abag, Wayne County community dinner participants enjoyed an evening of friendship and fun while learning about
Op-Ed
Sunlight is the Best Disinfectant
our cultural heritage of grain, bread, and baking. Along with our USU Extension/4-H partner, an AmeriCorps team sponsored by the Entrada Institute helped with the dinner activities such
as the baking soda versus baking powder challenge. Bekkah Petree prepared a delicious dinner of pork chops, rice, Community Dinner Cont'd on page 2
2020 Season Begins at Bryce Canyon National Park
individual citizen must in some way collect and spread the information.” This included individual citizens, civic groups and most importantly, the press. Sunshine Week occurs each year in mid-March, coinciding with James Madison's birthday and National Freedom of Information Day on the 16th, to enlighten the public about their right to government information and strengthen their communities. During Sunshine Week, media organizations, civic groups, and other participants engage public discussion on
BRYCE - With 2,594,904 recreational visits in 2019, Bryce Canyon National Park has enjoyed another year of global popularity. The park has remained above 2 million annual recreational visits since 2016, and is currently the 12th most-visited national park in the country. As Spring Break begins an early increase to visitation, park facilities will begin to reopen, hours will extend, and shuttle service will resume to best serve our 2020 visitors. The park Visitor Center and Bookstore is currently open every day from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Hours will be extended to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 15th and then to
Sunshine Week
2020 Season
by Brian allfrey, executive Director, utah Press association
SALT LAKE CITY - The phrase “sunlight is the best disinfectant” was introduced to the American lexicon by Justice Louis Brandeis, a United States Supreme Court Justice in the early 20th century. Justice Brandeis was a pioneering thinker who advocated for more financial and government transparency to combat corruption. He argued that simply making the actions of government officials more visible to the public was a powerful way of stamping out unethical behavior. Brandeis said government action, no matter how dedicated, would never be enough to keep the public sufficiently informed: “the
Issue # 1351
Cont'd on page 10
Garfield County Commission March 9
GARFIELD COUNTY Several ordinance changes are in the works, according to Planning and Zoning business discussed at the March 9 Garfield County Commission meeting. Public hearings on proposed Business License amendments are scheduled for Monday, March 23, as well as amendments to Glamping, Short-Term Rentals, Conditional Uses, and a proposed new zone called Resort Recreation (RR). Before Planning business, however, Chairperson Leland Pollock called for Commission Board Reports: Commissioner David Tebbs has been attending Prevention Coalition meetings in the area. Parenting sessions have been added to their agenda. He attended Tourism Day in SLC and said one of the related bills includes additional auditors housed in Southern Utah, currently active in Tropic right now, he said. Commissioner Jerry Taylor attended National Association of Counties (NACO) in D.C. the prior week, as did Pollock. Taylor serves on several NACO workforce/ economic development committees. While in D.C. he met with Congressional leaders and staff and reported 18 staff members have already signed up for this summer’s Congressional Staff Briefing in Utah.
He reported that Heather Dutton has been hired as Escalante area’s Prevention Coalition director. Finally, he met with some of the county’s mayors and discussed road projects. Commissioner Pollock said that Southwest Public Health Director Dr. Blodgett had briefed the Commission on the coronavirus. “We are very prepared here,” was the consensus. He said “the biggest concern is what we can’t control, which is tourism. Commissioner Tebbs noted cancellations so far at Ruby’s Inn of about 2000 rooms and 50 buses. This obviously affects our budget in Transient Room Tax revenue, said Pollock. Other things, such as the number of state inmates the county houses, also are not within the county’s control. Pollock reported on legislative bills he’d been tracking, including the TRT bill that “will change things around” and jail funding, which provides Garfield County with 22 jobs. He’s hoping the latest jail bill sets a formula that will provide a little more year to year certainty. He offered his phone number to “anyone who has questions about legislation”: 435-616-2718. The Commissioners apGarfield Commission Cont'd on page 4
Rockfowl and Other Wonders Birding in Ghana
Cont'd on page 7
What Central Utah Residents Need to Know about Coronavirus Gunnison Valley Hospital provides community update and health tips GUNNISON - Gunnison Valley Hospital wants central Utahans to be informed about the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and steps they can take to stay healthy. While
the immediate risks from the virus to the general public are low, the potential public threat is high, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), so
REGIONAL WEATHER FORECAST FOR SOME BUT NOT ALL REGIONS REPRESENTED IN OUR NEWSPAPER COVERAGE AREA
THURS. MARCH 19 - WED. MARCH 25
Snow showers and rain chances continue this week. Highs in the 40s; lows in the 20s and teens. 40% snow showers on Thurs and Fri; 40% rain showers on Sun and Mon. Lower chances every day for the rest of the week. Winds variable from 8 to 14 mph.
Kathy Munthe
Yellow-headed Rockfowl or Picathartes.
extreme caution is being taken as public health organizations respond to the disease. “We know there is a lot of concern and uncertainty surrounding COVID-19,” said Brenda Bartholomew, Chief Coronavirus Cont'd on page 2
GHANA - We’d walked along a forest trail in the late afternoon then climbed steeply to a ridge top capped by huge boulders. We sat and waited. Half an hour later, a sleek, white 15” bird, not a feather out of place, moved stealthily up the hill to the rocks where it nested and would spend the
There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you —Maya Angelou
night; it was soon joined by a second. These were Yellowheaded Rockfowl, or Picathartes, one of birding’s most coveted species. A few days later, we drove down a long dirt road to the White Volta River. We walked out onto the coarse sand, spread here and there
with colorful fabrics as it was washing day for the local village, and found a pristine Egyptian Plover, feeding actively along the water’s edge. Seeing those two species met two of my goals on
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
Feathers
Cont'd on page 3 PRE-SORT STANDARD PAID RICHFIELD, UTAH PERMIT No. 122
Cont'd from page 1
Brenda Bartholomew, Chief of Nursing at Gunnison Valley Hospital. “We’re committed to keeping our community healthy. For weeks we’ve been working closely with the Utah Department of Health to share information, monitor the status of the disease, and get ready for the expected spread of the virus in Utah.” The following are answers to frequently asked questions: What should I do if I think I might have Coronavirus? The most important thing our community should know is if you have flu like symptoms (e.g. fever, cough, body aches) and some reason to suspect being infected by Coronavirus (e.g. exposure to someone with known COVID-19, recent foreign travel), DO NOT come to the hospital or the clinic. We want people to call their family practice doctor or call the main hospital number (435-528-7246) and we’ll walk you through the appropriate steps to get tested and treated. Please note that due to the high volume of testing throughout Utah, only highrisk individuals are being tested and currently it takes about 3-4 days to get results. How does COVID-19 spread? The virus is thought to spread mainly from personto-person: • Between people who are in close contact with one another (within six feet) • By respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes ◦ These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs ◦ These droplets can also
land on surfaces where another person might touch it and then touch their eyes, nose or mouth. What steps can help prevent the spread of COVID-19? • Avoid close contact with people who are sick. • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. • Stay home when you are sick. • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe. • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty. Should I wear a facemask? CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19. Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility). Who is at risk for contracting COVID-19? Risk of infection with COVID-19 is higher for people who are close contacts of someone known to have COCoronavirus Cont'd on page 7
Community Dinner: The
Entrada Institute continued their community dinner events at the Wayne County Community Center with a celebration of our cultural heritage of grain, baking, and bread. Community Dinner Cont'd from page 1
peas, fresh bread, and caramel corn. Thanks to all the members of the community that brought breads to share for the tasting table. We are tracking state and federal guidelines regarding social distancing and community gatherings. Based on the governor's COVID-19 recommendations, our next dinner focusing on clay, beads, and pottery scheduled for April 1 is cancelled.
We’ll keep you posted about whether the cultural heritage dinner scheduled for Wednesday, April 22 will be held as scheduled. This project is made possible through a generous grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Entrada Institute and Wayne County USU Extension. LIKE us at facebook.com/sparkinghumanities. —Annette Lamb, Entrada Institute
Fruit Harvest: "Hotter than
average mid-summer temperatures are predicted for this year which may result in an earlier harvest for 2020.” —Horticulturist, Fritz Maslan
Fruit Harvest
Cont'd from page 1
425-3791. Once the park number connects, press one for general information and, at the next prompt for the orchard hotline, press five. Fruit harvest information is also updated on the park’s Facebook page and Twitter feed. For more information about the Fruita orchards, visit: https://www.nps.gov/care/ learn/historyculture/orchards. htm. Capitol Reef National Park uses the money collected from fruit sales to defray the cost of maintaining the orchards, among the largest in the National Park System. These orchards are main-
tained using historic fruit production methods that provide insights into the challenges faced by the pioneer settlers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who established the orchards in the late 1880s. The National Park Service provides special fruit picking ladders and tools. Climbing fruit trees is not permitted in the park. Carefully read and follow posted instructions while picking fruit. Watch your footing when walking through the orchards and use caution on ladders. Please bring your own bags for collecting fruit. —National Park Service
Entrada Cancels Events Due to COVID-19 Concern
Annette Lamb
Torrey residents Ted Winder and Sue Fritzke demonstrate alternative ways to greet friends. WAYNE COUNTY - The Entrada Institute is committed to nurturing a happy and healthy community. With heightened concerns about the Coronavirus (COVID-19), we've made plans to ensure that our spring and summer programming balances the needs of our participants with the safety of our community. Our nonprofit organization is closely monitoring state and federal guidelines regarding mass gatherings of people. As such, we've cancelled our April 1 Cultural Heritage Community Dinner. We're also moving our April "Love Wayne County, Give Wayne County" online this year. Other events may be impacted over the next several months. As an extension of our National Endowment for the Humanities cultural heritage grant, the Entrada Institute was already planning live broadcasts of local, oral histories and storytelling activities early in 2021. We're planning to move up the purchase of video equipment that will allow us to provide live broadcasts of the Summer Sunset Series events. These live broadcasts will allow seniors and those with health issues to partici-
pate in programming through real-time video conferencing. Live audiences may be limited in size based on changes in state and federal guidelines. For the past couple of weeks, an outstanding team of AmeriCorps volunteers have been working on a wide range of projects throughout the community. We will continue to involve small groups of local volunteers, along with the AmeriCorps teams. However, groups will be kept to the suggested limit of 20 people. Be assured that we are monitoring the rapidly changing situation closely. We will continue to take steps to ensure the health of individual participants, while also having a positive impact on our community. Watch for our launch of summer programming over the next several weeks. Join us on social media at https:// fb.com/entradainstitute and www.entradainstitute.org for updates. Thank you for your support. Marci Milligan, President Don Gomes, Vice-President Barry Scholl, Treasurer —Entrada Institute
Dixie Regional Medical Center has Deployed BLU-MED Tent in Order to Remain Prepared Amidst COVID-19 Considerations ST. GEORGE - Thanks to community efforts, emergency department volumes at Intermountain Dixie Regional Medical Center remain average for this time of year. However, in an effort to remain prepared, today the hospital working with the Southwest Utah Public Health Department and other community preparedness agencies, deployed the Utah Department of Health’s BLUMED Tent. It is located near the emergency department in
case it is needed in the future to extend ED capacity. This is a part of our community’s preparedness efforts and other hospitals across Utah are setting up similar ED extension preparedness tents now that Utah has had the first case of “community spread” in Summit County. At this time, the tents are not being used. —Dixie Regional Medical Center
P.O. Box 105 Escalante, UT 84726 435-826-4400 email snapshot@live.com Publisher: Erica Walz Layout & Graphic Design: Emily Leach Payroll: Trudy Stowe
Local columnists:
Mack Oetting - FYI Panguitch Peg Smith - By Way of Boulder 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.
Grace Christian Church Sunday Worship Service 10:00 a.m. Wednesday Bible Study 7-8:00 p.m. Psalms 119:105 Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path
66 West Main, Torrey
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March 19, 2020
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March 19, 2020
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Feathers: "I think everyone should have goals in life and
one of mine, weird as it may seem, has been to see 5000 species of birds before falling off my perch. This Red-chested Swallow was #5000. Not big or splashy, but after pursuing this goal for 40 years, I’ll take it!"—Kathy Munthe Feathers
Cont'd from page 1
March: When March has April Weather, April will have March Weather The warring hosts of Winter and Spring Are hurtling o’er the plains. ~Christopher Pearse Cranch Spring is definitely trying to break through winter’s icy grip on us, and the urge to garden is surely growing as the days lengthen! But, the frost has not left the night air, so what can we do? March gardening tasks can include: • Start some flower seeds indoors such as asters, calibrachoa, coleus, cleome, dahlias, gazania, hollyhocks, impatiens, nicotiana, petunia, salvia, snapdragons, verbena, and zinnias, and/or vegetable seeds such as broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, cilantro, collards, kale, kohlrabi, mustard, onions, parsley, shallots, turnips, and thyme. • Peas can usually be sown by late March—even if there’s still snow on the ground, and many lettuce varieties can actually be sown directly on top of a late snow. Yum! • Take care of any dormant tree & shrub pruning that’s needed such as fruit trees and others that are susceptible to disease when pruned in warm weather. Fruit trees bear more and larger fruit when they are well pruned so that the light and air can reach all parts of the tree. • Apply dormant oil spray to your fruit trees now to help control insects. Spraying should be done when the temperature is above 40 and the wind is calm. Please be considerate of your neighbors! • Give your potted plants room to stretch their “toes” if you haven’t already. This can be either a new pot that is about 5% larger than the last one, or a trimming of the roots if you want to keep it small. • Be sure to turn your potted plants about ¼ turn each week to keep growth equal on all sides. • Most of your potted plants can also benefit from a dose of dilute house plant food about now. They are generally beginning to put out new foliage which increases their need for nitrogen especially.
• As things warm up and more sun comes in the windows, your houseplants will probably appreciate regular misting to help keep the humidity levels up around them. • Watch for early signs of insects around your houseplants. It’s much easier to deal with the little pests when they are few in number! • Depending on which USDA hardiness zone you are in, you may want to start eggplant and peppers inside near the end of the month. Personally, I’ll probably wait to start those until the beginning of April, along with my tomato plants, so they don’t get too leggy before I can plant them out. • Dormant trees and shrubs can be planted out as soon as they available from the nurseries, and mail order trees and shrubs will need to be protected so that the roots don’t dry out until you able to put them into the ground. • Birds will still benefit greatly from fresh water daily, and continuing to feed them. • Late March can be a good time to sow some grass seed, if that’s in your plans for this year, although, if you’re over by Escalante, you might do that a bit earlier in the month. • Roses in Panguitch probably still need some winter protection (even though we’d all rather be done with it!) but maybe the warmer areas can get away with removing it this month. • If you’re ready to work the soil, make sure it’s dry enough. The best texture for working it is when it feels like crumbly cake. • This is a good time to side dress asparagus and rhubarb with a high nitrogen fertilizer, and remove any dead leaves while you’re at it. • Now is the time to apply any fertilizers and/or amendments your garden needs. Please don’t just grab a bag of fertilizer from the store and spread it willy-nilly! If you haven’t yet tested your soil, please, please, please do it now. Your soil’s health is basic to the health of the vegetables, trees, and flow-
ers you want to grow. A soil test should at least give you results for Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K) along with the pH or acid/base balance of your soil. Your soil’s pH can effect what plants will grow well—or not at all, and even the color of some flowers. • If you put mulch over your garden last fall, you may begin removing it as your plants begin to show growth. But be careful! It’s still winter so the mulch should be removed gradually to give plants time to adjust to the changing temperatures. • If you want to get a bit earlier start in the outdoor vegetable garden, setting up your tunnels now and putting clear plastic over both them and the ground after it’s free of snow will help warm the ground and get it ready for planting a wee bit sooner because the tunnel will keep new snow off and both layers of plastic will let UV light through to warm the soil. If you still have snow, and have low pH, a thin layer of ashes can help melt the snow more rapidly and will raise the soil pH slightly. If you already have strongly alkaline soil, best to let the sun melt the snow. • March is also an excellent month to take up repairs to fencing, arbors, and trellises that have been damaged, or, for putting in new fence if you need it. • If you haven’t yet taken advantage of the 2020 Conservation Tree Program offered through the UDAF Conservation District in Panguitch, they accept orders until March 27, but varieties may be becoming limited. Call 435-676-8189 for more information. If you’re interested in helping to accurately track precipitation, more volunteers are needed at https://www. cocorahs.org. There is a small investment needed for a NWS approved rain gauge (about $40), and a ruler for measuring snow depth, as a well as a few minutes a day. Our area has very few observers, so help is needed!
Special Event Funding
Wayne County Travel Council is accepting applications for Special Events funding. To qualify for funding, advertising must be done outside of Wayne County and have the WCTC web address on the ad. If you are hosting a Special Event and would like help with advertising, please pick up an application at the courthouse or print one from the Wayne County website www.waynecountyutah. org.
Deadline for applications: Friday, March 20, 2020.
Late applications will not be considered for funding. If you have any questions or for more information, please contact: Nycole Durfey - WCTC Director 1.435.425.3930 or info@capitolreef.org.
a recent 3-week birding trip to Ghana. They represented new bird families for me, #234 and #235 out of the 248 currently recognized. The remaining 13 are all monotypic (contain one species each) and scattered widely across the globe, so probably won’t be added to my list. Ghana, formerly known as the Gold Coast, is a country about the size of Oregon crammed along the south coast of the “bulge” of Africa. After centuries as a British colony, mined for its natural resources and slaves, Ghana gained its independence in 1957 and eventually became a real democracy, complete with the freedoms of speech and press that go with it. It is a safe place to travel and the populace is very friendly, but I wouldn’t recommend it to casual tourists. The average temperature in Ghana is 86 degrees, and humidity can reach 80%. We were wringing wet much of the time. Because of the humidity, sand blown in from the Sahara, and smoke from the annual burning of grasslands and savannah, air quality is very poor; we had very few sightings of blue skies. It takes forever to drive anywhere on the terrible, impressively-potholed roads, littered with approximately eight million speed bumps. There are almost as many police checkpoints. An encounter at one became, um, interesting when a misunderstanding over our birding equipment devolved into a lengthy 6-way shouting match. We had to stop our ears when driving through most villages, which had loud speakers blasting political or religious diatribes, thumping “music”, or whatever but were entertained by some of the business names via which the majority Christian population advertises its faith: “Talk to Jesus Phone Shop”, “Say Amen Electrical”, “Consuming Fire Vulcanizing”. Our accommodations would be considered substandard by most westerners. We were often the only guests at hotels which were obviously not well-maintained and had various AC or plumbing problems; one night, I turned on my shower and water came shooting out of the wall! The
extensive menus at hotels and restaurants are apparently just for show, as usually very few dishes were available. One night we had our hearts set on “Pasta Carabona with Cheese and Beacon” but, alas, they were fresh out of “beacon.” Why endure these privations? For the birds, of course. Our little band included Robert Nkator, the original and best Ghanian bird guide (I swear he can see in the dark), young Justin from South Africa, a bird guide scouting for future trips, driver Charles and, for a few days, Robert’s wife (wonderfully named Perpetua), who served as our cook at a self-catering accomodation. In a long, clockwise circuit of the country, we visited as many islands of habitat as we could. Only 10% of Ghana’s forests remain, and they are under constant assault from loggers, legal or not. We often birded to a chorus of chainsaws and saw huge trees being hauled off for shipment to China, which seems bent on deforesting the world. Because absolutely everything is poached/hunted, both birds and mammals are wary. Many typical African mammals are gone . We did see a few elephants, antelope and warthogs, but mostly saw small nocturnal mammals, like the wonderful Blotched Genet, a little cat-like carnivore. We did have up close and personal encounters with Olive Baboons. Those in Mole National Park have learned that tourists mean food. They periodically try motel room doors (loud rattling woke me from an afternoon nap one day) and will steal food from tables (one leapt onto ours and snatched Charles’ lunch!). On our last day there, I was brushing my teeth and had forgotten to lock my door. When I entered the bedroom there was trash strewn everywhere and a baboon scooting out the door! Birdwise, ours was a very successful trip. We saw almost 400 species altogether, ranging from 3’ hornbills to the tiny 3” Tit-hylia, from colorful Golden Orioles, Bee-eaters and Sunbirds to the drab Grey Greenbul and Grey Longbill. All were wonderful, but some birding moments really stand out. From the famous Canopy Walk in Kakum National Park, we watched dawn reveal treetops and their avian residents. On our first night in Ankassa
Forest, near the Ivory Coast border, we were lucky to find Nkulengu Rail, a distant relative of our coots. They call or respond to calls just as darkness falls; we heard one and had to run into the forest to find it before it stopped calling. There were actually six of them, crammed together on a high branch, a rail behavior I’m not used to! Walking along the Ankassa Road one day, we saw a mixed-species flock, including a coveted Rufous-winged Broadbill, feeding on an army of ants in the forest, so we plunged in to watch. Making our way back to the road afterwards, we inadvertently stepped on a trail of Fire Ants travelling under the leaf litter. Wow, and ouch! I’d have to say those ants are well-named. On our last night at Ankassa, we were standing at a pond at dark when three seldomseen Spot-breasted Ibis parachuted in, much closer than we ever dared hope. At 11 PM one night in Botinga Forest, I was reading when there was a knock on my door. Justin couldn’t sleep either and had wandered into the forest, only to find a Forest Francolin (a partridge) on its night perch. Did I want to see it? You bet, so off we went, following his “bread crumbs” of toilet paper bits to the this beautiful bird. When we returned to the guest house, the door was locked and we had to rouse someone to let us in. At Mole National Park, we went out for night birds and watched a Standard-winged Nightjar hunting. Trailing from the wings of this bird are two long streamers that end in feather “flags.” As my bird book says, you get the impression of a bird being “pursued by 2 small, fluttering bats!” On 24 February, we stopped to look at a swallow perched on a wire. There were subtle differences, but it looked very much like our Barn Swallow. Not too exciting, right? Wrong! I think everyone should have goals in life and one of mine, weird as it may seem, has been to see 5000 species of birds before falling off my perch. This Red-chested Swallows was #5000. Not big or splashy, but after pursuing this goal for 40 years, I’ll take it!
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Intermountain Garfield Memorial Hospital Implements New Visitor Restriction Policy to Ensure Safety of Patients, Caregivers and Community
Courtesy Garfield Memorial Hospital
Due to the concerns surrounding coronavirus, Garfield Memorial Hospital has placed restrictions on visitors entering the facility. For latest information or questions, contact Intermountain's Health Answers at 844-442-5224. PANGUITCH - Intermountain Healthcare’s Garfield Memorial Hospital has implemented new visitor restrictions to ensure the safety of the hospital’s patients, caregivers, and community. The following restrictions are effective immediately: • If you are sick, please do not visit or accompany a patient to the hospital. • Do not enter the hospital facility except to seek care for yourself. • Only two visitors or companions of a patient may visit at a time at the hospital, and we strongly discourage any visitors or companions under the age of 18. • There will be no hospital visitors allowed to patients who have confirmed or possibly have COVID-19 (novel coronavirus). • Please wash your hands or use alcohol sanitizer every time before and after leaving a patient room, exam room and the hospital facility. • Speak with a nurse or receptionist about exceptions and special circumstances. Visitors or companions to someone who is sick and at the hospital will need to check in first. Greeters will ask you if you yourself have been sick. If you are sick and not seeking care for yourself, you will be asked to not enter the hospital. Please talk to the greeter if there is a special circumstance to consider, and it will be considered on
a case by case basis. Visitors (those not in need of care) and those under 18 are strongly discouraged from the clinics. If you are healthy and over the age of 18, the greeters will still require you put hand sanitizer on before entering. Please, make arrangements for your young children to not accompany you to the hospital, either to visit someone or if you are sick yourself, while these restrictions are in place. Visiting restrictions will be reevaluated once it’s determined that the level of risk has changed. “We ask that everyone be calm, helpful, and supportive of these important precautions at our hospitals. The reason we are taking these extra precautions is because it’s an effort to try and keep the number of people that could catch this strain of COVID-19 as low as possible,” said Alberto Vasquez, Administrator of Garfield Memorial Hospital. Vasquez said that Intermountain Healthcare is working closely with health departments across the state and the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to slow down the number of people getting sick. “Studies have clearly shown that one effective way to do this is to create social distancing, which means limiting the exposure to others as much as possible, which is why we are limiting visitors and trying to ensure limited exposure to sick people,” he
said. “Another significant way is to ensure clean hands. It’s the reason why hand hygiene is so critical.” “COVID-19 can have a significant effect on those already sick or our elderly, just like the flu. And also like the flu, we are going to do what we can to help prevent its spread. We care very deeply about ensuring your safety, protection, health and wellness. Please support these visitor restrictions and encourage those you know to do the same,” Vasquez added. As a reminder, people are asked to please call ahead before coming into an Intermountain facility for care, including all clinics, if you have any of the following symptoms of COVID-19 or criteria of COVID-19: fever, cough, and/or shortness of breath; recent close contact with a COVID-19 patient, or travel to an area where it is active. For the most accurate and latest information regarding COVID-19, please go to http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/. You can also get many questions answered by visiting the Utah Health Department website at coronavirus. utah.gov. Or please call Intermountain’s Health Answers anytime if you have general questions around COVID-19, are experiencing mild symptoms, or feel you need screening, at 844-442-5224. —Garfield Memorial Hospital
March 19, 2020
COVID-19 Update for Southwest Utah
WASHINGTON / IRON / KANE / BEAVER / GARFIELD COUNTIES - The spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) has met the criteria to be declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). Although there have been no confirmed communityspread cases of COVID-19 in the five counties served by the Southwest Utah Public Health Department (SWUPHD), some people who have been exposed or infected through travel and do not require medical treatment are being allowed to return to their homes where they will be isolated from contact with others and monitored according to recommended protocols. “The risk of COVID-19 to the average resident remains low,” says Dr. David Blodgett, SWUPHD Health Officer and Director. “However, we are preparing for any local cases that may emerge. We have been working closely with healthcare providers in the process of screening and
testing patients.” The SWUPHD encourages residents to practice measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases in the community: Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and running water or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Stay home if you are sick. Cover your face using a tissue or arm when coughing or sneezing. Wearing a mask (including N95 masks) is not useful unless you are sick (to protect others) or in close contact with someone who is sick, such as a patient or family member. Stay informed by visiting coronavirus.utah.gov. If you're worried about whether you may have COVID-19, please call the Utah Coronavirus Information Line
at 1-800-456-7707. Review or create preparedness plans for yourself, family, business, or organization in case of temporary restrictions or closures of schools, churches, events, or other gatherings. Pandemic response plans have been refined and practiced on a regular basis since 2002 by the SWUPHD and community partners including city and county governments, emergency managers, hospitals and healthcare providers, EMS (Emergency Response Services), fire departments, law enforcement, churches, school districts, businesses, and volunteers. We have access to critical resources if needed and are in frequent contact with state and federal public health authorities regarding the latest recommendations for minimizing the impact of COVID-19 in our area. —Southwest Utah Public Health Department
Garfield Commission: Commission Board reports,
groundbreaking and acquisition of old county road shed for Panguitch Elementary, GSENM Monument Plan and ATVs, resort recreation as new land use zone, and Planning and Zoning applications discussed. Garfield Commission Cont'd from page 1
proved Sheriff Danny Perkins’s request to hire two new employees: Kellen Mooney and Joe Adams, both of whom will need to complete POST (training). The new hires will replace a jail employee transferred to the position of BLM law enforcement in Escalante and another jail position resulting from the transfer. Public works, Brian Bremner, and School District Superintendent Tracy Davis presented the status of Panguitch Elementary and imminent groundbreaking for the new school. Supt. Davis said the existing temporary structure will go to Panguitch City. In addition to verifying the county’s willingness to waive landfill fees, Supt. Davis asked about acquiring the old county road shed at fair market value, suggesting $100K initial payment plus three yearly payments of $50K. The facility would house district buses and also be used to develop an automotive program at Panguitch High. Davis said he would recommend to the school board that they hire a full-time mechanic who, along with trainee students, would be responsible for maintaining the district’s fleet. Com-
missioner Tebbs asked if the automotive program would be available to students across the county, to which Davis responded, “I wouldn’t say they couldn’t.” The Commission approved both the landfill fee waiver and an agreement for the sale of the old road shed to the school district. In other Public Works, Bremner received approval to accept a cooperative agreement with the Forest Service in which the county would provide up to $30K toward the prairie dog relocation program. He said both Bryce Valley and Hatch contributed last year, and he hopes for a similar match this year that “will allow us to trap and translocate dogs off private ground onto public lands.” Bremner also received approval to initiate the hiring process for a mechanic. Commissioners discussed the recently approved GSENM Monument Management Plan affecting those lands stripped out of the original monument: roads on those lands are now available to ATVs, including Hole-in-theRock road. The Paria is still out of bounds, but he said that would be considered either in the upcoming Travel Management Plan or within the RS2477 “bellwether trial” oc-
Schools & Sports
curring now. Regarding that trial, he said, “Defense has rested. It’ll be in the judge’s lap.” Bremner said it does not mean ATVs can go offroad; they have to stay on the road. Bremner also claimed the nature of ATV usage has changed, that people are more informed and they know they need to stay on the trails. He said if unauthorized routes develop, the county will work with the agency to close them off. Planning Department, Kaden Figgins presented a proposed new land use zone: resort recreation. Permitted uses would be basically the same as residential zones, with the addition of Short Term Rentals. Related commercial uses such as restaurants, motels, or shops, would be conditionally permitted in the RR zone. He said the new zone is more compatible for some areas than commercial zoning in that it provides more protections for adjacent residential areas. He suggested an RR zone could apply to two of the rezoning applications before the Commission, acknowledging those property owners would have to wait until the new zone goes through the ordinance change Garfield Commission Cont'd on page 6
March 19, 2020
Wills, Trusts, and More
The Insider
What is “Intestate Succession”?
t H e
by Jeffery J. McKenna Even if you have never signed a will or trust, you have an estate plan. Some of you may be asking, “How?” The answer is the state has a “default estate plan” for those without their own. This government provided plan is called, “intestate succession.” In almost every state, if you die without an estate plan, the law provides that your entire estate will be distributed to your spouse if he or she is alive unless you have children from a prior marriage. If you do not have a surviving spouse, the estate will be distributed to your children and if a child predeceases you, then to that child's children. If you have no surviving children or grandchildren (commonly called your “issue”), then your estate will be distributed to other relatives. If you have a surviving spouse and children from a prior marriage, a certain amount is distributed to your surviving spouse and then one-half of the balance of your estate will be distributed to your surviving spouse and one-half to your children. Although the state “default estate plan” attempts to represent what most people
would want to do with their estate if they had done their own estate planning, it may not be what you want. There are many concerns about relying on the state’s “default estate plan.” If you rely on the state’s “default estate plan,” your desires may not be met when you have children from a prior marriage. As previously stated, the state’s “default estate plan” provides that one-half of your estate will go to children from a prior marriage and the other one-half to your surviving spouse. Often, it may be desirable to allow the surviving spouse to have a lifetime interest in all or a part of your estate until his or her death and at that time the estate could be distributed to your children. Additionally, if you marry later in life, you may desire that all your assets be distributed to your children from a prior marriage because your surviving spouse has sufficient assets of his or her own. Hopefully, you can see that although we may all have an estate plan, it is very beneficial and sometimes crucial that you take the time and effort to develop your own es-
Insurance Policy
Now with a Panguitch Office at 46 North Main Street to serve clients in and around Garfield County. Jeffery J. McKenna is a local attorney whose practice has been focused on Estate Planning for over 20 years. He is licensed and serves clients in Utah, Arizona and Nevada. He is a shareholder at the law firm of Barney, McKenna and Olmstead. If you have questions you would like addressed in these articles, please feel free to contact him at 435 6281711 or jmckenna@barneymckenna.com or visit the firm’s website at WWW.BARNEY-MCKENNA.COM. He would enjoy hearing from you. tate plan and not rely on the “default estate plan” established by the state legislature.
La-Z-Boy
One furniture shop drew shoppers to a big sale by offering a free recliner to the laziest attendee. "Will all lazy folk come forward?" the organizer asked. One man did not budge. When asked why not, he yawned, "Too much trouble." He was instantly declared the winner.
l A u G h i N g pOiNt!! Guided Tour
A young American tourist goes on a guided tour of a creepy old castle. At the end of the tour the guide asks her how she enjoyed it. She admits to being a bit worried about seeing a ghost in some of the dark cobwebby rooms and passages. "Don't worry" says the guide, "I've never seen a ghost all the time I've been here." "How long is that?" asks the girl. "About three hundred years."
PUNishment
When a clock is hungry it goes back four seconds.
Allowance
I started early teaching my kids the value of a dollar. From then on, they demanded their allowances in gold.
sudoku To Play: Complete the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9
Today's Thought
We may not imagine how our lives could be more frustrating and complex, but congress can.
THEME: DRIVER'S ED ACROSS 1. Happen again 6. Promotions 9. Field mouse 13. UV absorber 14. Seek a seat 15. Eagle's nest 16. Jury ____ 17. Mad King George's number 18. Bad-tempered one 19. *Two or more people on the road 21. *Fines can do that? 23. Scot's woolen cap 24. Give an impression 25. Last month 28. Willy Wonka mastermind 30. Lay down to rest again 35. Container weight 37. Damaging precipitation 39. One born to Japanese immigrants 40. Windows alternative 41. Clown act 43. London subway 44. What Motion Picture Association of America does 46. Lentil soup 47. Pulitzer winner Bellow 48. Little Women to Aunt March 50. Victorian and Elizabethan ones, e.g. 52. Dropped drug 53. Type of dam 55. Post Malone's genre 57. *Traffic separator 60. *Kind of lane 64. Tiger's and lioness' offspring 65. J. Edgar Hoover's org. 67. Capital of Vietnam 68. Between wash and dry 69. 1985 Kurosawa movie 70. Village V.I.P. 71. Brewer's kiln
A cowboy was trying to buy an insurance policy. The insurance agent was going down the list of standard questions. "Ever had an accident?" "Nope, nary a one." "None? You've never had any accidents?" "Nope. Ain't never had one. Never." "That's hard to believe. No accidents at all?" "Well, a rattler bit me one time." "Wouldn't you consider that an accident?" "Nope! The varmint bit me on purpose!"
Page 5
Shower Thoughts
The statement "A picture is worth a thousand words" is worth 0.007 of a picture.
72. Play part 73. Young salmon DOWN 1. Campus drilling grp. 2. Poet Pound 3. Coconut fiber 4. Not fitting 5. Add a new magazine 6. Seed cover 7. *Punishable driver offense, acr. 8. Like a hurtful remark 9. Action word 10. Like face-to-face exam 11. Don't cross it? 12. Comic cry 15. Keenness in a certain field 20. D-Day beach 22. Old-fashioned over 24. Move like a serpent 25. *Go back the way you came 26. Hawaiian veranda 27. Banal or commonplace 29. *"Raised ____, " or "Don't Walk"
31. Small fragments 32. Bar order, with the 33. Puzzle with pictures and letters 34. *Up-side-down triangle sign 36. Biz bigwig 38. Yarn spinner 42. "The Nutcracker" protagonist 45. Crafting with stitches 49. One of Sinbad's seven 51. Miss America's accessory, pl. 54. Prefix for below 56. Church song 57. Actress Sorvino 58. Shining armor 59. Negative contraction 60. Pub order 61. ____-China 62. Christmas season 63. Horizontal wall beam 64. *Keep your hands at ten and ____ 66. *Measurement of alcohol in body, acr. Solutions on page 9
This week's answers on page 9
The Insider
Page 6
March 19, 2020
FYI PanguItch
by Mack Oetting ~ mackoetting @gmail.com
Jessica Frogley Massage Therapist
Specializing in deep and supportive massage Serving Escalante, Boulder, and Torrey
jessica.frogley@gmail.com
About the only thing that went well this week was the Country switching to daylight saving time. I do love doing this letter in the daylight. I am a slow starter, and I get a whole lot more done with the extra hour of daylight. Everything else is downhill, with not much good for the rest of my column. Last month, the President came out and claimed that the coronavirus was another Democratic hoax because there were only 15 victims and that it would be over in two weeks. Last Friday, he declared a State of Emergency and cancelled all flights from Europe, excluding The United Kingdom. However, when it was pointed out that England had as many people with the virus as the US, he also stopped them from coming here. The virus spreads and can stay active for as long as nine days on a hard surface. Utah, as of Sunday, has 34 people that have tested positive for the virus. The Stock Market has lost 27% in the last month. Russia and Saudi Arabia got into an oil price war. The Saudis, who belong to OPEC, said that they are keeping oil prices up, in order to boost up the US oil business. The oil business cost in the US for a barrel is between $45 and $50. The Saudis bring in their oil for between $10 and $20. The Russians started to undercut OPEC’s price, and the Saudis have brought the cost down to $30 a barrel. This has really wreaked havoc with the Stock Market, bringing down the oil company's stocks. Congress has passed a bill that will help the people of the Country. The bill will extend unemployment and help pay the cost that is brought on by the virus. It will also give the students with student loans a year without interest. It will also help out small businesses that are affected. The bill also
Garfield Commission Cont'd from page 4
process. The first application was from Doug Miller, with Roller Mill Hill, near Panguitch, requesting a zone change from Ag to Commercial to accommodate two glamping tents on his four acres. In public hearing, only Miller spoke to his application; there were no other comments, although a complaint letter had been received from an adjacent neighbor. Figgins said Miller’s usage fits in better with the proposed RR zone. Commercial zoning potentially allows future commercial uses, though he thought either zone would fit. Back in regular session, Commissioner Tebbs agreed the RR zone may be more applicable, and asked if the application could be tabled until the new zone could be approved. He said it would still serve Miller’s needs, while also protecting the rights of his neighbors. The Commission voted to table the application until April 13, which gives time to complete the process of adding the RR zone to the Zoning ordinance. The second public hearing was another zone change request. The owner, Landon Holm, had recently been approved for a minor lot subdivision and zone change on six acres of a 60-acre parcel in Cannonville. The new application addresses the remaining 53.4 acres and requests zone change from Ag to Commercial in order to put in more cabins. Figgins suggested the
frees up 50 billion dollars to help save the country. The President liked the bill, and it is going to the Senate. Maybe, it will be one of the few bills that they passed. During the Ebola outbreak in 2014, President Obama created the Pandemic office to take care of outbreaks like the Coronavirus. President Trump did away with this office in 2018 and cut the worldwide money to halt viruses in other countries by 80%. As you know by now, the world has come to a halt. The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints will be holding their semiannual conference without an audience. The Church has also closed all of their Temples (Pat on finishing her work shift at the Temple on Friday was told that she would be called when the Temple will open again) and cancelled all their Sunday Services, for now. The Catholic Church has cancelled their Easter Services and Sunday Mass. The other night, when the Jazz was to play the Oklahoma Thunder, the game was stopped. The Jazz center, Rudy Gobert, tested positive for the virus, and the NBA shut down that game. Their remaining schedule has been on hold. Mitchel of the Jazz and a player from Detroit both tested for the virus (Closing down the NBA is a killer for me. I do love to watch the games). March Madness also has been shut down, leaving a lot of disappointed players. Two teams from Utah, BYU and Utah State, were in the big dance. All college spring sports have been put on hold. Whitti Orton was to run in the NCAA indoor championships last Friday, but they were also cancelled. All of the schools, K-12, have been closed for two weeks in the State. Breakfast and lunch will be served
in Panguitch. State Debate and Drama also have been put off. Disney Land and Disney World are also closed. National League Baseball opening day has been postponed. Golf was halted after one round in Florida, and the Master’s date has been changed to some time in September. Broadway has also shut down. In Italy, the virus has killed 360 people in the last 24 hours. They have shut down the whole country, other than going to the market or the pharmacy and walking your dog. If you are out for something else, you will be fined 100 Euros. The last time we were in Venice, the talk was how they were going to limit the tourists. Five-hundred thousand were coming every day. I guess the virus solved their problem. Saturday, we were looking for something to do, so we went down to Costco in St. George. We again went down through Zion, and oh, my what beauty. It had rained, and there were a number of waterfalls running. There was not very much traffic, so we could just putt along. When we got to the tunnel, we didn’t stop (I can’t remember this every happening in years). The buses were running, but there didn’t seem to be anyone on them. This was a Saturday, and the park was almost empty...scary. I have found a great candy store in Springdale. They have licorice, and oh, so much more. When we got to Costco, I got 87 octane for $2.45; the lowest price in So. Utah. It wasn’t very crowded, and we only needed a few items. But when I went to pick up some Pepsi for Pat, I couldn’t find any and asked one of the clerks where the sodas was. He said that the half flat of Diet Coke was all that was left. He said you couldn’t believe all the people that were
there on Thursday. I heard that there wasn’t any parking, and the crowd was wild. The clerk said that the Media was the cause of the panic. None of the stations that I listened to said to run out and buy everything in sight. There were no paper products, bleach, soda pop, or hand cleaner. I went over to Harmons nearby and bought their last bottle of Dawn dish soap, and they didn’t have any paper goods. The Meals on Wheels will be delivering food to all of their customers. They won’t be serving meals at the Senior Citizens Center for the near future. Contact Connie Orton for your delivery at the Center. There was another Democratic primary last Tuesday, and it involves Florida, Ohio, Arizona and Georgia. With Joe Biden wining the majority of delegates, maybe that will be the end of Bernie Sanders. Our Country is going to go into a recession, and this isn’t just my opinion. So many businesses are closing down, including our ski resorts, except for Brian Head. Many of the companies are letting their employees work from home. Vegas is really dead, laying off many employees. This virus will pass and things will go back to normal, but it is going to take time. In China, 80% of their employees have gone back to work, and the products that they produce will really help out our economy. Spain and Italy have become the center for the virus. If you have students that need a ride to school for meals, I can give them a ride to school for breakfast and lunch on Monday. Call at 676-2418. As all things, this too will pass. Mack O.
Garfield County Commission, Public Hearings Scheduled for March 23 on Proposed Ordinances:
• 2020-4: Resort Recreation (adding a new zone), https://www.utah.gov/ pmn/files/584339.pdf • 2020-3: Conditional Use amendments, https://www.utah.gov/pmn/ files/584337.pdf • 2020-x: Business License amendments, https://www.utah.gov/pmn/ files/584319.pdf • 2020-5: Short-Term Rentals, https://www.utah.gov/pmn/files/584343.pdf • 2020-6: Glamping, https://www.utah.gov/pmn/files/584341.pdf Hearing notices and documentation are also available on the Utah Public Meeting Notice site, https://www.utah.gov/pmn/index.html RR zone could better fit this application. In public hearing, the only public comment was from Scott Holm who said they preferred commercial zoning because they may want to add restaurants or bike rentals later. Back in regular session, the Commission discussed the RR zone possibilities: Figgins said the RR zone would accommodate all the commercial uses Holm mentioned, including hotels, convenience stores, guided tours, trail rides, recreational sales and services, schools and churches, etc. Commissioners discussed the possibility of delaying this decision too, as a means of addressing neighbor complaints as well as offering another zoning option. Holms said they still prefer Commercial zoning, even if the RR option were available. In the end, the Commission approved Holm’s zone change from Ag to Commercial. Finally, the Commis-
sion approved a minor lot subdivision and rezoning requested by McCade Cook of Escalante. Currently, Cook’s single parcel is bisected by the airport road. The application formally dedicates that road to the county and subdivides the single parcel into three parcels. The two-acre parcel along Hwy 12 would be rezoned from Ag to Commercial to accommodate storage units, with ingress off the county road, not the highway. There were no public comments. Commissioner Pollock encouraged the public to attend Planning and Zoning meetings where these land use applications are initiated. The future of the Gem Theatre, in Panguitch, was the final discussion item. Kenneth and Audrey Cramer, who operate the theatre, said the current owner, Brian Brill, has developed health problems that preclude his ability to finalize purchase of the Gem. The owner will foreclose June 1. Cramers want to keep the
Gem open and are trying to purchase it. They’d started a Go-Fund-Me campaign, but received death threats in so doing. Hence, they are exploring any and all other options. Cramer asked if the county has any options they know of. Commissioner Pollock said the county has no funding mechanism for private enterprise. He said foreclosure may offer a better purchase opportunity for the Cramers. Mr. Cramer said they will continue to investigate other options to keep it running; he said it is currently profitable. The Commissioners agreed to table the Open and Public Meetings Act review or watch the video. With no other business or executive session, the Commission adjourned. The Garfield County Commission meets the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month at 10 AM at the Garfield County Courthouse. —Insider
The Insider
March 19, 2020
Page 7
2020 Season: "The park has remained above 2 million
annual recreational visits since 2016, and is currently the 12th most-visited national park in the country." Melanie Dabb, Extension Assistant Professor, Wayne County
Spring Clean Your Financial House
Spring cleaning is a traditional ritual of getting the springtime season off to a good start by cleaning, organizing, and removing clutter from the house. Spring cleaning gives you a great feeling and a sense of accomplishment, as well as being good for your family and for your home. Spring is also a good time to get our financial house in order. April brings the end of tax season and finances are on our minds this time of year. We need to find a good time to review where we are financially. Financial educators teach us to review our budgets, our goals, and our retirement savings yearly. This review will help you determine where you stand financially. Here are five steps to take in your review. Step 1: Organize Your Finances. Create an organized filing system for your financial records. This system can be in any form that is easy for you to use (i.e., file box, looseleaf binder, filing drawer). You will need to include your bank and investment accounts; retirement and pension benefit plan documents; mutual fund and brokerage accounts; insurance policies; credit card accounts; and accounts you hold in your children’s name. Other useful information to collect and include are a personal directory of immediate family; a professional directory with contact information for attorneys, accountants, doctor and funeral director; your goals; your budget; a household inventory; tax information; and birth and death certificates. Step 2: Get a Copy of Your Credit Report Knowing what is in your credit report is vital to your financial health. The informa-
tion it contains will determine the interest you pay on your auto loans and on your mortgage, the amount you pay for your insurance, and even whether or not you are a good candidate for employment. You also need to check your credit reports, at the very least yearly, for fraud or to see if someone is using your identity. An amendment to the Fair Credit Reporting Act allows consumers to check each of the three credit reporting agencies once each year for free. There are many websites that claim to offer these free reports, but the only official site where you can get them at no cost is at www.annualcreditreport.com or to call toll-free at 1-877-322-8228. Get at least one of your credit reports each spring. Correct any errors, and do what is necessary to improve your credit score (e.g., pay down debt and increase your savings). For more information visit www. ftc.gov Step 3: Review and Update Your Insurance If others depend on you financially, it is important to have life insurance coverage for income replacement. Life insurance can help cover cash needs at death and can also be used as an estate planning tool or a charitable gifting tool. Disability insurance, which provides benefits to the insured person when he or she is unable to work because of accident or illness, may be an important need. Other important types of insurance include healthcare, homeowners or renters, auto, and long-term care. Reviewing your insurance requirements is an important step to take once a year, as life experiences and life changes force you to keep up with these needs. Step 4: Update or Get a Will Wills are another im-
portant form of financial protection that some people overlook. A will is a legally enforceable declaration of your wishes regarding how you would like your property to be distributed after your death. It is especially important to have a will if you have minor children. For example, you will most likely need to name a guardian. You can change or revoke your will at any time. If you already have one, revisit it each spring to ensure that it reflects your current wishes. If you are writing a will for the first time, work with an attorney, because wills can be complex. Step 5: Build an Emergency Fund For the first time since the Great Depression American’s personal saving rate, as calculated by the government, dipped into negative territory in the mid 2000s, though it has picked up a bit since the recession. Utahns are no different. Whether Utahns are on a low income or those with high incomes, we are living pay-check to pay-check. Creating an emergency fund will protect you against financial crises such as an extended period of unemployment or a long illness. It will also allow you to pay for the needed car repair without putting it on credit or getting to a shortterm, high-interest loan at the corner quick cash loan dealer. Your emergency fund should consist of about 3 to 6 months worth of living expenses. Invest the money in a liquid asset, such as a money market mutual fund or a short-term bond mutual fund so you can access it quickly if an emergency should arise. Written by: Ann House, Assistant Professor, USU Extension Adapted for Article-Melanie Dabb, Extension Assistant Professor, Wayne County.
Courtesy National Park Service
Spring means it is time for the 2020 season to start at Bryce Canyon National Park. 2020 Season
Cont'd from page 1
8:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 26th. The Bryce Canyon Shuttle will begin its service on Friday, April 10th. Riding the shuttle bus is free but requires payment of the park’s entrance fee. From April 10th until May 7th, shuttles will run daily from 8:00 a.m. until the last bus leaves the park at 6:15 p.m. From May 8th until September 28th, the last bus time will extend to 8:10 p.m. Winding down, from September 29th until the shuttle concludes on October 18th the final bus time will return to 6:15 p.m. Twice-daily trips at 9:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to the park’s southern views on the Rainbow Bus Tour will also resume on April 10th. This 3 ½ hour tour is free, but requires reservations, so inquire at the Shuttle Station in Bryce Canyon City or by calling (435) 834-5290. A reminder that vehicles over 20 feet are restricted from the Bryce Amphitheater parking areas (Sunrise, Sunset, Inspiration, and Bryce Points) during shuttle hours, so be sure to take advantage of this service to see the park’s most iconic areas. Riding the shuttle is an excellent choice to pair with camping in one of the park’s developed campgrounds. Loop A of North Campground has remained open all winter for first-come-first-serve camping. Additional loops will open as weather permits. Sunset Campground will be-
gin its season on April 15th with first-come-first-serve camping until May 20th, when reservation season will last until October 15th. Reservations can be made six months in advance at recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777. Sunset Campground will return to first-come-first-serve camping on October 16th until it closes for the season on October 31st. Lodging within the park is currently available at the Sunset Lodge. Reservations can be made by visiting brycecanyonforever.com or by calling Forever Resorts at (435) 834-8700. Those looking for trail snacks, groceries, a penny machine, or showers can head over to the General Store at Sunrise Point, which is currently open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with extended hours later in the season. Both the Sunrise Lodge and the historic Lodge at Bryce Canyon will open their doors on March 27th at 11:00 a.m. The Lodge at Bryce Canyon will offer full breakfast, lunch and dinner options for the season from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Adjacent to the Lodge, Valhalla Pizzeria and Coffee Shop will reopen on Friday, May 22nd, and provide dining options from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Most trails within the park are currently open. Due to unstable trail conditions, the Navajo Loop and the Rim Trail between Bryce and Inspiration Points remain closed. Visitors can still hike the first
0.1 mi/0.16 km of the “Two Bridges” side of the Navajo Loop to Thor’s Hammer, but no further until trail conditions improve. Construction to address deferred maintenance of the Bryce Canyon Lodge’s parking lot, the Lodge Loop road, and North Campground are scheduled for the 2020 summer season. Be prepared for short-term closures and alternative traffic or parking arrangements. Ranger programs, including daily geology talks and rim walks as well as evening and astronomy programs will be offered as the season unfolds. Visit nps. gov/brca/planyourvisit/ranger-programs.htm for more information on standard program times and locations. Along with ranger programming, the park’s beloved annual festivals will continue in 2020. The Astronomy Festival is scheduled from June 17th – June 20th, and the Geology Festival from July 17th – July 18th. Both events will feature guest speakers, special ranger-guided activities, and opportunities for the entire family to enjoy while learning about the unique resources protected within Bryce Canyon National Park. Additional information can also be obtained by visiting the park’s website at www.nps.gov/brca, or by calling the park’s main information line at (435) 8345322. —National Park Service
Coronavirus: "Home isolation of confirmed cases who
aren’t sick enough to be hospitalized is a proven measure that will help limit the spread of disease. We need the public to understand this, as isolating these types of cases at home will become more routine as we identify additional cases.” —Dr. Angela Dunn, Utah State Epidemiologist Coronavirus
Cont'd from page 2
VID-19, for example healthcare workers, or household members. Other people at higher risk for infection are those who live in or have recently been in an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19. These areas include China, Iran, Italy, and South Korea. Older people and people of all ages with severe underlying health conditions—like heart disease, lung disease and diabetes, for example—seem to be at higher risk of developing serious COVID-19 illness. The vast majority of children and healthy adults (more than 85%) will recover without needing hospitalization if they get the disease. What are the symptoms of COVID-19? The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to those of seasonal influenza—namely a fever, cough, or shortness of
breath. These symptoms on their own are not worrisome and should not cause alarm. But if someone exhibits these symptoms who has recently traveled to areas with widespread COVID-19 illness or has been in close contact with a known positive case, that individual should immediately notify their health care provider, who will coordinate with the appropriate public health officials to determine next steps. What is the status of COVID-19 in Utah? As of the writing of this article, there are five confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Utah. There have not been any deaths from the disease in Utah. What is the status of COVID-19 in Central Utah? As of the writing of this article, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Central Utah. Why are there restric-
tions on large group events? In other locations throughout the world, limiting gatherings of large groups and other strategies have slowed the spread of coronavirus. This allows for medical systems (hospitals, clinics, laboratories, etc.) to keep pace with the medical needs of those who are ill. It may even limit the overall number of those who become ill. Our area is currently a low risk area without any confirmed cases. Hopefully, the measures that are being taken will maintain our area as low risk and minimize the spread of the disease should it arrive in our community. For more information about COVID-19, visit coronavirus.utah.gov or https://www.cdc.gov/ coronavirus/2019-nCoV/ index.html. —Gunnison Valley Hospital
The Insider
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March 19, 2020
LegaL Notices PUBLIC NOTICE UTAH DIVISION OF WILDLIFE RESOURCES The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources proposes a land exchange involving a 16-acre parcel of land in Wayne County, Utah, within the Bicknell Bottoms Waterfowl Management Area. This 16-acre parcel consists of dry, upland habitat and will be exchanged for 16 acres of privately owned wetland habitat that is more suitable for waterfowl. The parcel to be relinquished by UDWR will be used for private grazing, while the parcel to be acquired by UDWR will be managed for waterfowl habitat and public recreational opportunities within the Bicknell Bottoms Waterfowl Management Area. If you would like to comment on this proposed land exchange, please send your written correspondence to: Hailey Blair(hblair@utah.gov), Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, 1594 West North Temple, Suite 2110, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-6301. Published in the Wayne & Garfield County Insider on MARCH 19 & 26, 2020 GARFIELD COUNTY PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY MARCH 3, 2020 Registered Voters 2,861 Voter Turnout - Total 55.37% DEMOCRATIC - President of the United States Julian Castro Andrew Yang
0 2
Cory Booker
2
Pete Buttigieg
21
Nathan Bloxham Micheal R. Bloomberg Michael Bennet Joseph R. Biden
0 29 0 25
Bernie Sanders
77
Tom Steyer
1
Elizabeth Warren
56
Marianne Williamson
0
Tulsi Gabbard
3
Amy Klobuchar
12
Deval Patrick
0
Roque De La Fuente
0
REPUBLICAN - President of the United States Robert Ardini Matthew John Matern
5 13
Bob Ely Joe Walsh
2 29
Bill Weld Roque "Rocky" De La Fuente Donald J.Trump
30 6 1,264
Published in the Wayne & Garfield County Insider on MARCH 19, 2020
Need to give public notice about a town meeting, budget proposal, or seeking public comment on a prospective project?
Legal Notices are $10 per column inch Call 435-826-4400 or email snapshot@live.com
GARFIELD COUNTY SURPLUS SALE GARFIELD COUNTY IS ACCEPTING SEALED BIDS ON THE FOLLOWING ITEMS: 2019 Chevrolet Impala, Gray 2019 Chevrolet Impala, White 2019 GMC Acadia, Silver 2018 Dodge Ram 2500, Diesel, Crew Cab, 4WD Automatic, Short Bed, Silver 2019 Dodge Ram 2500, Diesel, Crew Cab, 4WD Automatic, Short Bed, Red 2019 Dodge Ram 2500, Diesel, Crew Cab, 4WD Automatic, Short Bed, White 2019 Dodge Ram 2500, Diesel, Crew Cab , 4WD Automatic, Long Bed, Steel 2019 Dodge Ram 2500, Diesel, Crew Cab, 4WD Automatic, Long Bed, White 2019 Dodge Ram 2500, Diesel, Crew Cab, 4WD Automatic, Long Bed, White 2019 Dodge Ram 2500, Diesel, Crew Cab, 4WD Automatic, Long Bed, Red 2019 Dodge Ram 2500, Diesel, Crew Cab, 4WD Automatic, Short Bed, Silver 2019 Dodge Ram 2500, Diesel, Crew Cab, 4WD Automatic, Short Bed, Steel BIDS WILL BE ACCEPTED IN THE COUNTY CLERK’S OFFICE UNTIL 5:00 P.M., FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020. BIDS WILL BE OPENED MONDAY APRIL 13, 2020 AT 11:00 A.M. IN THE COMMISSION CHAMBERS OF THE GARFIELD COUNTY COURTHOUSE, 55 SOUTH MAIN STREET, PANGUITCH, UTAH. THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WILL HAVE 48 HOURS TO COMPLETE THE TRANSACTION. All vehicles and equipment will be sold in "as is" condition, and all sales will be final. Purchases can be made with cash or certified check. Garfield County reserves the right to accept or reject any and all offers. For additional information contact the Clerk’s Office at 435-676-1163 or www.garfield. utah.gov. Published in the Wayne & Garfield County Insider on MARCH 5, 12, 19 & 26 and APRIL 2 & 9, 2020 PUBLIC NOTICE GARFIELD COUNTY Please take notice that the Garfield County Commission has scheduled a public hearing on Monday, March 23rd at 11:00 a.m. in the Garfield County Courthouse, 55 South Main, Panguitch, Utah, to receive public comment regarding the following: Business License Ordinance Amendments Published in the Wayne & Garfield County Insider on MARCH 12 & 19, 2020 PUBLIC NOTICE GARFIELD COUNTY Please take notice that the Garfield County Commission has scheduled a public hearing on Monday, March 23rd at 10:50 a.m. in the Garfield County Courthouse, 55 South Main, Panguitch, Utah, to receive public comment regarding the following: Zoning Ordinance Amendments: • Chapter 8 Conditional Uses • Chapter 20 Resort Recreation Zone (RR) Published in the Wayne & Garfield County Insider on MARCH 12 & 19, 2020 PUBLIC NOTICE GARFIELD COUNTY Please take notice that the Garfield County Commission has scheduled a public hearing on Monday, March 23rd at 11:10 a.m. in the Garfield County Courthouse, 55 South Main, Panguitch, Utah, to receive public comment regarding the following: Garfield County Ordinance Amendments: • Ordinance 2019-2 Glamping • Ordinance 2019-9 Short-Term Rentals Published in the Wayne & Garfield County Insider on MARCH 12 & 19, 2020
March 19, 2020
The Insider
C l a s s i f i e d ads
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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
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
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 Custodian at Escalante High School Principal with other District Responsibilities at Bryce Valley Elementary School Half-Time Kindergarten Teacher at Bryce Valley Elementary School Agriculture/Ag Systems Tech/Welding/Auto Tech Teacher at Panguitch High School Secretary/Food Service Director at Panguitch Middle School CTE Skilled & Tech/Agriculture Science Teacher at Bryce Valley High School CTE Family Consumer Science/Art Teacher at Bryce Valley High School Para Professionals at All Schools Substitute/Activity Bus Driver in Escalante Substitute Custodians, Food Service, and Teachers Food Service Worker at Boulder Elementary School SALARY: Please see 2019-2020 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 Layne LeFevre (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) District Office Tracy Davis (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. THE NOOR HOTEL IN TORREY IS HIRING FRONT DESK HOUSEKEEPING WAIT STAFF (Waiters / Waitresses) Full / Part-Time / Seasonal Available (Retirees and students welcome to apply) Please, apply in person at The Noor Hotel 877 N. SR 24, Torrey, UT 84775. (435)425-3866 PANGUITCH LAKE CABIN CLEANERS Cabin cleaners needed at Panguitch Lake this summer. Good pay. 435-676-8603
MEETINGS Survivors of Suicide Loss Support Group 4th Thursday of each month 5:30-7:30pm Southwest Behavioral Health Center 601 East Center St. Panguitch ADULTS ONLY Questions? Call Melissa Veater 435-690-0911 Tropic AA Meeting Wednesday at 6 PM. Tropic Heritage Center. All meetings are closed discussion. rtn
sudoku Answers for this week
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. Full-time and part-time positions available. Preferred Skills: Construction, Welding, Automotive Mechanics, Biology, Horticulture. Email resumes and questions to: capitolreefciderworks@gmail.com
SENIOR CENTER MENUS Escalante Senior Citizens Menu Tues. Mar. 24th
Potato Soup w/ Ham, Salad Bar, White Bread, Peaches, Oatmeal Raisin Cookie
Wed. Mar. 25th
Meatloaf, Baked Potato, Roll/ Green Beans, Pineapple,Wearingo' Green Cake
Thurs. Mar. 26th
Tacos, Rice/ Beans/ Corn, Salad Bar, Pears, Surprise/ Surprise
All meals are served with milk or juice. If you would like a meal, please call us by 10:00 am. 826-4317. Suggested donation for seniors over 60 $3.00, and under 60 is $7.00
BRYCE VALLEY AREA Senior Lunches at the HENRIEVILLE Senior Center TUES Mar 24th WED Mar 25th THURS Mar 26th
Roast Pork, Potatoes & Gravy, Peas & Carrots, Salad Bar/ Applesauce, Carrot Cake Spaghetti w/ Meat Sauce, Corn, Pears/ Salad Bar, Raisin Cookie Fried Chicken, Potatoes & Gravy, Mixed Veggies, Salad Bar/ Peaches, Cupcake
Call by 10:00 A.M. if you want a lunch or need a ride. 679-8666 All meals are served with milk & bread Suggested donation is $3 for seniors and $7 for those under 60 years of age.
PANGUITCH SENIOR CENTER HOT LUNCH PROGRAM
87 N 50 W • 676-2281/676-1140 Suggested donation $3.00 60 & older, $7.00 under 60 Call before 10 AM of the day of attendance to reserve a spot. Meals include milk & bread. Tues. Mar. 24th
Wed. Mar 25th
Thurs. Mar 26th
Beef Taco Salad w/ Beans, Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato, Pineapple Rings, Pickled Beets, Salad Bar, Cinnamon Rolls
Orange Chicken, Fried Rice & Vegetables, Egg Rolls, Salad Bar, Mandarin Oranges, Almond Cookies
Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwich, Tomato Soup, Salad Bar, Watermelon, Chips, Almond Joy Cake
NOTE: PLEASE BE COURTEOUS AND CALL AHEAD. The kitchen staff work diligently to prepare a good dinner, and a head count helps them prepare enough for everyone.
CROSSWORD SOLUTION
The Insider
Page 10
News from Wayne County Torrey Town in the 21st Century
Sunshine Week: "Sunshine Week
by Adus F. Dorsey II “TORREY” “A New Settlement Offering Fine Opportunities for Home Making.” (Printed in the Deseret News, 1899.) It has been twenty years in Torrey Town since Y2k, when the lights didn’t go out, computers didn’t crash (on purpose), and the world as we knew it didn’t come to an end (sort of). For the most part, the huge cottonwood trees on Torrey’s Main Street are still standing but are beginning to show their age. If the truth were to be told, they have seen a lot of changes in their lifetime. The 100 + year old Cottonwood canopy that now stretches over Torrey’s main thoroughfare has witnessed this little Utah town go from a few farmers and homesteaders, and a place once called Poverty Flats, to an unexpected oasis of sorts, known worldwide for its scenic beauty and artsy atmosphere. And if you are one to be fooled into believing what the so called fact-based Internet spews out, Torrey, Utah has a population in 2020 of 240, is the 223rd largest city in Utah, and has a population density of 144.23 people/mi² (55.69 people/km²). The overall median age is 61.4 years, 63.4 years for males and 58.9 years for females. For every 100 females, there are 59.6 males. And according to the most recent ACS, the racial composition of Torrey, Utah was 100.00% white. For anyone that lurks around on eHarmony.com, and for those 59.6 frisky Torrey single fellas that crowd
onto the wooden bench in front of the Chuckwagon General Store, this might sound like excellent news, but, on the ground, things are not always what they seem. (And just a reminder, and if you are looking for love, those pictures of Torrey’s 58.9 year old women on FindLove.com, well… they are like something you might see in your side view mirror, closer to 70 than they seem, looks can sometimes be deceiving, just sayin.) These days in Torrey, property and businesses change hands faster than cards at a Black Jack table. Blink your eye, and there is a new owner or sign on almost every business or eatery. Turn your head, and you find yourself alarmed to learn that you have to climb in your car and drive to Bicknell to pick up your mail. But some things tend to remain the same. Every spring, like clockwork, the blinking yellow lights at the Chuckwagon are resuscitated and come back to life welcoming locals and the casual passer by into the store with the best Reuben sandwich south of I-70. Lanny Beekman can still be seen creating masterpieces in the old Pace Café, turned wood shop. In the summertime, city kids still find the rope swing over the canal to be the best entertainment in town. Yet, scarce is the sound of a local kid playing kick ball in the middle of the street. Engaging Elnora Burgess walking her dog is more likely to happen than seeing someone under the age of ten on a Schwinn pedal bike with banana
handle bars. Coral Coffee, of Torrey Main Street fame, tells of a time in Torrey that the smartest person in town only went through school to the 8th grade. Nowadays, there are so many university professors and para-professionals with a variety of letters attached to their name and claim homes on the outskirts of Torrey. Carrying on a conversation with them, you can actually count on two hands how many degrees they believe they have. And to take a casual walk down the dump road (now the affluent River View Drive), you are more than likely to encounter as many BMWs and Audis as there are on any dealership lot on the Miracle Mile in Salt Lake City. In most instances, that is not necessarily a bad thing, unless you have to pay the skyrocketing Torrey property taxes, but it does go to show how over time modes of transportation have transformed from pick-up trucks with gun racks to Porsches with Hollywood style poodles riding in them. Real estate in the Torrey / Teasdale area has also experienced a major metamorphosis, with prices of property rising so fast it gives all the real estate brokers nose bleeds trying to keep up. It is easier to find an Air BnB, a replica Conestoga wagon or token Cherokee Tepee, to stay in overnight than it is to find an affordable place to buy or rent. Older homes are disappearing and McMansions are popping up in residential neighborhoods faster than some people can be forced to clean up their yards.
Garfield Memorial Hospital
is offering ten $500 scholarships!
Two of these ten scholarships will go to non-traditional students. The application due date is April 15, 2020. Applicants must be from Garfield or Piute counties, and pursuing a degree in the medical field. To request an application, contact: Amber Matthew Garfield Memorial Hospital Administrative Assistant Amber.matthew@imail.org or call 435-676-1262
March 19, 2020
If you still don’t believe times have really changed, there was once an era in Torrey that it was rumored that a large portion of the population were known to be puffing on pot. Now, there are large tracks of farmland south of town where people are legally growing it. Who woulda thunk? And if you don’t think size matters, after aggressive annexation, Torrey Town ballooned to what some think is the size of San Francisco. Torrey went from six bocks long and three to four blocks wide to an area so big the maintenance man has to pack a sack lunch to drive from one end to the other. And Torrey gained enough new voters that could have overhauled the face of Torrey, but the only change one can visually observe is that the lights all over town went out. A visionary in his own right, but did not live long enough to see it happen. In 1987, Al Adamson, a former movie producer and owner of the Rim Rock motel made the crystal ball prediction: “I really think the area is about ready to explode, but that’s what I think, every year.” (Al Adamson was reported missing in 1995. Five weeks later, after law enforcement officials discovered his remains beneath the concrete and tile-covered floor where his hot tub once sat at his home in Indio, California, his live-in contractor Fred Fulford was arrested at the Coral Reef Hotel in Saint Petersburg, Florida.)
is an important time to highlight the importance of transparency in our government, and we underscore the vital work our journalists do to fight for access to records that shed light on government activity." —Brian Allfrey Sunshine Week Cont'd from page 1
the importance of open government through news articles and opinion columns; Web pages; infographics; editorial cartoons and public service advertising. The purpose of the week is to highlight the fact that "government functions best when it operates in the open.” Sunshine Week is an important time to highlight the importance of transparency in our government, and we underscore the vital work our journalists do to fight for access to records that shed light on government activity. The Open and Public Meetings Act (“OPMA”) and the Government Records Access and Management Act (“GRAMA”) are Utah’s primary public access laws. These laws guarantee the public’s right to access government information at public meetings and through public records. Open access to meetings and records is fundamental to the public’s ability to
understand government actions and hold officials accountable. Access to public information is essential to accurately report what elected officials are doing and how it impacts our lives. It’s our duty as journalists, and as the Utah Press Association, to shine light into the dark recesses of government secrecy. We will continue to advocate for more access to essential information from all levels of government. Brandeis considered the press as being potentially “the greatest agency of good government”—but only “if the people are sufficiently interested to desire it.” We must keep the people sufficiently interested in open government by fulfilling our role as watchdog. This Sunshine Week, we celebrate the vital impact our local journalists have on our community and continue the fight to remind our citizens and elected officials about the importance of transparency.