KZMU News

As Utah continues to break records with positive COVID-19 cases, the state’s healthcare providers and government leaders are pleading with the public to take every precaution possible. Utah’s ICUs are currently at 76 percent capacity, and healthcare representatives say workers are being stretched thin. Governor Gary Herbert said if Utahns don’t take ‘serious steps’ to limit group gatherings and wear masks, healthcare providers will not be able to provide ‘quality care’ for everyone who needs it. Plus, a new avalanche control system on Lizard Head Pass southwest of Telluride aims to make it easier and safer for crews to manually trigger slides.

Show Notes:

Photo: State Epidemiologist Dr. Angela Dunn

10/22 Governor’s Press Conference

https://www.facebook.com/pbsutah/videos/356907512426129

The Salt Lake Tribune: Utah’s hospitals prepare to ration care as a record number of coronavirus patients flood their ICUs

https://www.sltrib.com/news/2020/10/25/with-coronavirus-cases/

The Salt Lake Tribune: Coronavirus in Utah – COVID-19 numbers continue to climb as cold weather settles in

https://www.sltrib.com/news/2020/10/25/coronavirus-utah-covid/

The Times-Independent: MRH testing just got faster

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/mrh-testing-just-got-faster/

Utah Case Counts and More Data

https://coronavirus.utah.gov/case-counts/

Southeast Utah Case Counts and More Data

https://www.seuhealth.com/covid-19

Moab Regional Hospital Coronavirus Info

https://www.seuhealth.com/covid-19

For decades, the unofficial strategy to protect Mill Creek Canyon was – ‘don’t talk about Mill Creek Canyon.’ However, in an age of social media and easy-to-access hiking websites, that approach is no longer viable. Now a stakeholder group called the Mill Creek Community Collaborative is attempting to address continued impacts from increased visitor use by crafting management recommendations based on public input. Today on the news, we speak with representatives from the collaborative about this effort and current options.

And later, the Weekly News Reel! with The Times-Independent and the Moab Sun News, where we hear first-hand from newspaper reporters and editors about the unique stories they write and beats they cover in this area. First (16:00 min), editor Doug McMurdo highlights some coverage in the TI, including community members reaching a breaking point with ATV noise. And later (27:00 min), MSN editor Maggie McGuire has the latest on a new plan to designate a portion of Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument as a National Park.

Show Notes:

Mill Creek Community Input Survey

https://rimtorim.surveysparrow.com/s/millcreek2020survey/tt-c261ba

Mill Creek Community Collaborative

https://moab84532.wixsite.com/mccc/about

News Reel! Mentions –

Moab Sun News: The ‘Mighty Six’?

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_d4b5a1e6-1491-11eb-8079-53c1cc462432.html

Moab Sun News: Monsoon season drying up?

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_661e1c9e-1492-11eb-b795-0b646ea06957.html

The Times-Independent: Rage against the machines

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/rage-against-the-machines/

The Times-Independent: MRH testing just got faster

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/mrh-testing-just-got-faster/

The Times-Independent: COVID-19 spikes volleyball postseason

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/covid-19-spikes-volleyball-postseason/

The Times-Independent: HB 224 authors say Grand’s August amendments satisfy legislative intent regarding form of government

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/hb-224-authors-say-grands-august-amendments-satisfy-legislative-intent-regarding-form-of-government/

On Wednesday, the Grand County School District announced an ‘outbreak’ of COVID-19 stemming from the high school volleyball team, after five players and several of their family members tested positive. Although the school district has cancelled the rest of the volleyball season, they have not made any decisions about the future of winter sports like basketball or wrestling. And later, researchers at the University of Utah created a new smartphone app that allows users to design new drugs to fight against COVID-19. Plus, tips for talking to the conspiracy theorist in your life.

Show Notes:

10/21 Superintendent Letter re: COVID-19 Cases

https://www.grandschools.org/apps/news/article/1322314

UPR: New App Lets Users Design COVID-19 Treatments

www.upr.org/post/new-app-lets-u…covid-19-treatments

Mountain West News Bureau: Tips For Talking To The Conspiracy Theorist In Your Life

www.boisestatepublicradio.org/post/tips-…-your-life

After a ‘historic' amount of public comments objecting to noise impacts from ATVs were sent to Moab City and Grand County, the governing bodies have placed a temporary moratorium on permitting new ATV-related businesses and special events. Elected officials also created slower speed limits for the vehicles, in an attempt to reduce noise by slowing them down. During a special joint meeting Tuesday, local officials acknowledged that these actions are not enough to address all noise impacts associated with ATVs and UTVs. Soon Moab’s elected reps will begin lobbying state legislators for local authority to create a permitting system for ATVs driving on city roads. Plus later in the news, a variety of apple thought to be extinct is coming back to life in Colorado, thanks to a couple in Cortez.

Show Notes:

Grand County Commission and Moab City Council 10/20 Joint Meeting Agenda

https://www.grandcountyutah.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10062020-1244

Grand County Commission and Moab City Council 10/20 Joint Meeting Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHp9ZWnaUaM

KSUT: The rediscovered Colorado Orange apple comes back to life in southwest Colorado

https://www.ksut.org/post/rediscovered-colorado-orange-apple-comes-back-life-southwest-colorado#stream/0

Montezuma Orchard Restoration Project

https://montezumaorchard.org

*Election 2020* As part of our special coverage, we invited the contested candidates for county commission for one last conversation this election season. On the latest This Week in Moab with host Howard Trenholme, candidates discuss development issues, economic diversification, and why voters should choose them to be their representative. First up – Greg Halliday and Trisha Hedin, who are vying for the District 4 seat. And later (25:00), At-Large candidates Stephen Stocks and Kevin Walker.

Show Notes:

KZMU Election 2020: Grand County Voter Information

https://www.kzmu.org/election-2020-grand-county-information/

All current and active registered voters in Grand County should have received their ballot in the mail by today. As locals begin filling them out and dropping them off at the Clerk’s office, KZMU held one last conversation with our local contested candidates for county commission. Today on the news, we’ll hear At-Large candidates Stephen Stocks and Kevin Walker respond to a question about quality of life issues and noise associated with ATVs and UTVs. Plus, the Doe Fire burning near La Sal, Utah is getting some helicopter treatments today. We have the latest from a Manti-La Sal National Forest representative on the 270 acre fire burning through oak brush.

Show Notes:

KZMU Election 2020: Grand County Voter Information

https://www.kzmu.org/election-2020-grand-county-information/

U.S. Forest Service Manti-La Sal National Forest Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/mantilasalnationalforest

Tourism during the pandemic does not seem to be slowing down in Moab. In fact, a renewed enthusiasm for outdoor activity could be creating the congestion problem north of town, where a ‘perfect storm’ of construction meets good fall weather and seemingly endless road trippers. The Utah Department of Transportation is recording traffic volumes up to 180% of normal for this time of year. And relief may not come until tourism slows down, or the highway is widened by late spring 2021. We get the details on today’s news.

Show Notes:

Photo: Recent traffic backed up coming into Moab. Courtesy of Jessica O’Leary.

US-191 North Moab to Colorado River Bridge Road Widening

https://www.udot.utah.gov/projectpages/f?p=250:2007:0::NO:2007:P2007_EPM_PROJ_XREF_NO,P2007_PROJECT_TYPE_IND_FLAG:12730

What is the best way to solve congestion issues in Moab – is it more parking downtown? A multi-use path connecting Moab to Spanish Valley? Or a tourist and commuter transit system? Well, for the Arches Hotspot Coordinating Committee it may be all three. Today on the news, the committee gathers community input on potential projects in the Moab area. Plus, the final story in our series looking at where water and fire meet in the West.

And later, the Weekly News Reel! with the Moab Sun News and The Times-Independent where we hear first-hand from newspaper editors and reporters about the unique stories in their latest editions. First (9:00), Times-Independent editor Doug McMurdo highlights some of their coverage including a ‘plea for caution’ from the Southeast Utah Health Department on COVID-19. And later (18:00), Moab Sun News editor Maggie McGuire reviews their latest article on San Juan County election issues.

Show Notes:

Photo: Community members provide input on three projects under consideration by the Arches Hotspot Coordinating Committee

Hotspot Committee Multi-Project Survey (Closes Friday October 16th)

https://www.surveymonkey.com/survey-taken/?sm=6KyLlnIOHwdMYr0SsWnnI7Ub7zRDiXD3cZ1JwK5VzBv_2FSc9p2JPWC8xccZRFm99G7CHBLg9GALcSSHftcgSsRtCTk2ETwBFpIjCug8AzPqo_3D

Hotspot Committee Information

https://moabcity.org/558/UDOT-Hotspot-Funding-for-Moab-Area

KUNC: As Western Fires Burn, Focus Narrows on Forest Management. But it’s Easier Said Than Done

https://www.kunc.org/api-only/2020-10-08/as-western-fires-burn-focus-narrows-on-forest-management-but-its-easier-said-than-done

Weekly News Reel Mentions –

Moab Sun News: Ensuring every vote counts

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_193b5508-0fd9-11eb-ab04-3f1ccd6cb626.html

The Times-Independent: Local health department makes ‘plea for caution’

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/local-health-department-makes-plea-for-caution/

The Times-Independent: Guv issues state 2-week mask rule

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/guv-issues-state-2-week-mask-rule/

The Times-Independent: New Arches chief to address congestion with collaboration

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/new-arches-chief-to-address-congestion-with-collaboration/

The Times-Independent: Music fest organizers say diligence was key in keeping event safe

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/music-fest-organizers-say-diligence-was-key-in-keeping-event-safe/

The Times-Independent: Fish nursery enters final phase of construction; dredging, waterline installation

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/fish-nursery-enters-final-phase-of-construction-dredging-waterline-installation/

Republican John Curtis is running for his second full term in the 3rd Congressional District this November, and Democrat Devin Thorpe is challenging him for his seat. Our radio partners spoke to both of them about the federal pandemic response, how to lower healthcare costs, and why they’re running for federal office. Remember – ballots were mailed on Tuesday to all registered voters in Grand County. Locals should see them in their mailboxes later this week or early next week. Plus, we continue our in-depth look at where water and fire intersect in the region.

Show Notes:

Photo: Brian Mealor holds up a sprig of Japanese Brome and Cheatgrass to compare how similar both invasive species are. (Catherine Wheeler/Wyoming Public Radio)

KZMU: Grand County Election 2020 Resources

https://www.kzmu.org/election-2020-grand-county-information/

Wyoming Public Media: In Grasslands Plagued By Invasives And Drought, Wildfires Fuel Calls For New Solutions

https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/post/grasslands-plagued-invasives-and-drought-wildfires-fuel-calls-new-solutions#stream/0

*Election 2020* Grand County voters will soon see three questions related to the form of county government on their ballot. They essentially ask community members to consider: Do I want a new form of county government? Do I want things to stay the same? Or, do I want to amend what we have? As part of our special election coverage, we have Grand County Attorney Christina Sloan give us the history on form of government issues, her extensive legal interpretation of local and state laws, and the potential outcomes this Election Day. Get ready to de-fog FOG (form of government).

Show Notes:

Form of Government Vote Outcomes

https://www.grandcountyutah.net/DocumentCenter/View/10061/FOG-Flyer---Propositions-Vote-Outcomes?bidId=

10-6 Grand County Attorney Christina Sloan Form of Government Presentation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQYq1PH8L3s&feature=youtu.be

Prop 10 Voter Guide

https://www.grandcountyutah.net/DocumentCenter/View/10025/PROP-10--VIP?bidId=

Prop 16 Voter Guide

https://www.grandcountyutah.net/DocumentCenter/View/10026/PROP-16--VIP?bidId=

Prop 17 Voter Guide

https://www.grandcountyutah.net/DocumentCenter/View/10027/PROP-17--VIP?bidId=