KZMU News

A new multi-use pathway along Spanish Valley Drive is moving forward. The first phase will run roughly from the intersection of Mill Creek Drive to the bridge over Pack Creek. Today on the news, we speak with Grand County Commission Chair Jacques Hadler, who hopes this 10-foot-wide, two-lane pathway encourages alternative transportation south of town. Plus, the drought in southeastern Utah sometimes seems like it couldn’t be worse. But around 1,800 years ago – it was. We have more on a recent study that could inform our current drought.

Show Notes:

Photo: A multi-use pathway along Spanish Valley Drive is now in the pre-construction design phase. It will provide a 10-foot-wide, two-lane pathway for alternative transportation, similar to the one built here along the Arroyo Crossing development. KZMU/Molly Marcello

Pre-construction Design of Spanish Valley Drive Multi-Use Pathway

https://grandcountyutah.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/274?fileID=39133

Moab Sun News: Planned multi-use pathway through Spanish Valley Drive moves ahead

https://moabsunnews.com/2022/06/10/planned-multi-use-pathway-through-spanish-valley-moves-ahead/

Geophysical Research Letters: Tree Rings Reveal Unmatched 2nd Century Drought in the Colorado River Basin

https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2022GL098781

Camille Calimlim Touton June 14 Statement

https://www.energy.senate.gov/services/files/6CB52BDD-57B8-4358-BF6B-72E40F86F510

A small group of concerned citizens showed support for nationwide gun reform over the weekend. They were few in number but marched in solidarity with thousands of other demonstrators across the country. Said one participant, “I think it’s important for us to be out here, no matter how few of us there are or how many of us there are.” Moab’s demonstrators discussed the safety of children in schools, and advocated for gun reform measures like universal background checks and a ban on assault-style weapons. Plus, our radio partners report on a gun reform demonstration organized by residents of a retirement home in our region.

// Show Notes

// Photo: In a small march along Moab’s Main Street on Saturday, locals showed support for nationwide gun reform. KZMU/Molly Marcello

// Gun Violence Archive 2022

https://www.gunviolencearchive.org

// March For Our Lives June 11 Rally

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XU8b9Egg178

// The Associated Press: From Columbine to Robb, 169 dead in US mass school shootings

https://apnews.com/article/list-of-deadliest-us-school-shootings-f25dad31e68c8acbdbcb952352df9249

// The New York Times: Senators Reach Bipartisan Deal on Gun Safety

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/12/us/politics/senator-gun-safety-deal.html

A group of health and environmental advocates has sued the Environmental Protection Agency over its failure to enforce air-pollution protections in 30 large cities across the country. The lawsuit, filed by Earthjustice, claims the agency did not enforce its own regulations to reduce toxic ozone levels. Plus, researchers used tree rings, lakes, bogs and caves to study drought patterns going back 2,000 years. They found intense drought in the second century, giving water managers a new understanding of how much water availability can vary in the Colorado River Basin. And, our radio partners report on the 50 year history of Telluride Ski Resort in the San Juan Mountains of Southwest Colorado.

// Show Notes

// Photo: Salt Lake City and its surrounding region are among the Top 10 worst in the country for toxic ozone pollution. Credit: salil/Adobe stock

// American Lung Association: Most Polluted Cities

https://www.lung.org/research/sota/city-rankings/most-polluted-cities

// Earthjustice v EPA Lawsuit

https://earthjustice.org/sites/default/files/files/anhe_v_epa_complaint.pdf

// KOTO: Telluride Historical Museum Takes to the Slopes

https://www.koto.org/featured-news-stories/2022/6/8/telluride-historical-museum-takes-to-the-slopes

“I often say my life seems to revolve around three things – my dog, my bike and my laptop…And that's the way I want it,” says Mike Mewborn, known to locals as Marlow. You’ve likely seen him riding his recumbent bicycle in town with his dog trotting by his side. Marlow is a glimpse into Moab’s past and, for some, a potential future. Today on the news, we catch up with him on the shores of the Colorado River for our latest audio portrait.

// And, the Weekly News Reel, where we check in with reporters on their latest stories of the Moab area. Sophia Fisher of The Times-Independent talks slipping graduation rates, widespread discrepancies in sales tax reporting and Grand’s top planner making an exit. Maggie McGuire of the Moab Sun News discusses new wag bag disposal sites, a conversation about special events permitting in Grand County and a poet/fiddler’s upcoming local performance.

// Show Notes

// Photo: Mike ‘Marlow’ Mewborn at his camping spot along the Colorado River in Moab, Utah, on June 6th, 2022. KZMU/Justin Higginbottom

// Music in Today’s Audio Portrait

// Dirty Old Frogg (ID 359) by Lobo Loco

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Lobo_Loco/NIce_Nowhere/Dirty_Old_Frogg_ID_359/

// Afterglow by Podington Bear

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/Thoughtful/Afterglow_1910/

// Requiem for a Fish by The Freak Fandango Orchestra

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/The_Freak_Fandango_Orchestra/Tales_Of_A_Dead_Fish/Requiem_for_a_Fish_1403/

// Sounds in Today’s Audio Portrait

// Sounds of Yellowstone and Grand Teton: 20100616_162512_grotto_geyser_.wav by hoersturz

https://freesound.org/people/hoersturz/sounds/103147/

// Transportation & Traffic: Freeway Traffic Moving at the Speed Limit (side of the road) by mhtaylor67

https://freesound.org/people/mhtaylor67/sounds/235530/

// Weekly News Reel Mentions

// The Times-Independent: Congrats to you, Class of ‘22

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/congrats-to-you-class-of-22/

// The Times-Independent: High school graduation rates ‘sliding backwards’

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/high-school-graduation-rates-sliding-backwards/

// The Times-Independent: ‘Widespread’ discrepancies in sales taxes – but few answers

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/widespread-discrepancies-in-sales-taxes-but-few-answers/

// The Times-Independent: Guenther to leave planning department

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/guenther-to-leave-planning-department/

// Moab Sun News: Moab poop problem gets pilot program

https://moabsunnews.com/2022/06/13/moab-poop-problem-gets-pilot-program/

// Moab Sun News: Grand County Commission rethinks special events permits

https://moabsunnews.com/2022/06/10/grand-county-commission-rethinks-special-events-permits/

// Moab Sun News: Fiddler-poet Ken Waldman to perform at the Grand County Library Thursday, June 16

https://moabsunnews.com/2022/06/11/fiddler-poet-ken-waldman-to-perform-at-the-grand-county-library-thursday-june-16/

Moab Valley Fire Battalion Chief Brandon McGuffy was at the rodeo when the call came in – fire at the Pack Creek Mobile Home Park. When he arrived, he saw ‘very, very, very large columns of smoke…When I originally got on scene, my gut told me we were going to lose that whole trailer park.” But they didn’t. Today on the news, more details about the emergency response to the Murphy Fire as well as resources for locals permanently displaced by it. Plus, fire mitigation groups presented to the county commission this week and asked for more support.

// Show Notes

// Photo: The Murphy Fire destroyed six mobile homes and damaged four others on June 5, 2022. Grand County’s Faith Based Coalition says at least 11 people are permanently displaced. KZMU/Molly Marcello

// Moab Valley Fire, the Grand County Sheriff’s Office and the Utah State Fire Marshal continue to actively investigate the Murphy Fire. Anyone with pertinent information is encouraged to call the Grand County Sheriff’s office at (435) 259‐8115. Displaced community members can contact the Grand County Victim Advocate at (435) 260‐6013 for assistance.

// Murphy Fire (6/6/22) MVFD Press Release

https://www.kzmu.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Murphy-Fire-Press-Release.pdf

// Murphy Lane, Pack Mobile Home Park Giving

https://adventistgiving.org/#/org/ANPFD6/envelope/start

Dinosaur fossils usually get the limelight in Southeastern Utah. But the area also has a treasure trove of Jurassic-era mammals. Today on the news, a visit to a nearby quarry to speak with archeologists excavating human’s earliest ancestors. Plus, lawmakers in Washington, D.C. discussed the Western water crisis and the wide-ranging impacts of drought. And, the fight to preserve abortion access in our region reflects a divided nation.

// Photo: Archaeologists excavate ancient mammals at the Cisco Mammal Quarry near Cisco, Utah in 2022. Credit: Brian Davis

For many school districts across the country, it’s been a bumpy few weeks. Parents and students are demanding change after the deadliest school shooting in the U.S. in a decade. Today on the news, we speak with local policy makers – all parents themselves – on grief, fear and the plea for ending gun violence in schools.

// Show Notes

// Grand Commission County (6/22) Draft Letter re: Gun Violence

https://grandcountyutah.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/277?fileID=39163

// Grand County Board of Ed (6/8/22)Mtg Agenda

https://www.utah.gov/pmn/sitemap/notice/730455.html

// The Salt Lake Tribune (5/22): Utah lacks ‘foundational’ gun laws, ranks 37th in strength of gun statutes across the U.S., study finds

https://www.sltrib.com/news/2022/05/26/utah-lacks-foundational/

// The Salt Lake Tribune (5/22): Why Utah’s Sen. Kitchen wants to raise the age to buy a gun to 21

https://www.sltrib.com/news/2022/05/25/why-utahs-sen-kitchen/

// The Washington Post: More than 311,00 students have experienced gun violence at school since Columbine

https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2018/local/school-shootings-database/

// The New York Times (6/22): The Mass Shootings Where Stricter Gun Laws Might Have Made a Difference

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/06/04/upshot/mass-shooting-gun-laws.html

// Moab City Police Department (5/22) Press Release

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=354501806777146&set=pcb.354502510110409

A fire that broke out Sunday afternoon in the Pack Creek Campground & RV Park destroyed at least five mobile homes and damaged five others. The cause of the fire is currently not known, but fire investigators have determined that it started outside. Local groups providing crisis relief are mobilizing to help families affected, who will likely need help replacing mobile homes or getting rehoused. Plus, a retired police officer is using new technology to search nationwide databases for missing Indigenous people. And, a new study finds that the upper Colorado River basin is drying out due to climate change.

// Show Notes

// Photo: Mobile homes in Moab were destroyed by fire during the afternoon of June 5, 2022. The fire is still under investigation. KZMU/Justin Higginbottom

// Investigators are accepting any information about the Pack Creek Campground & RV Park fire from the public. If you have information, you can contact the Utah Fire Marshal’s office at 801-256-2390.

https://firemarshal.utah.gov

// For any families displaced by the fires contact the local victim advocate, Nathaniel Clark: 435-260-6013.

// Native Search Solutions

https://www.nativesearchsolutions.org

Last night Grand County’s senior class celebrated graduation with a traditional ceremony of student speeches, a commencement address and presentation of diplomas. But the Class of 2022 also held a different ceremony – one honoring the memory of their classmate, Lily McClish. “As we walk through graduation…and become adults in our lives, I want you all to give her a tiny minute of thought,” said senior Jackson Hobbs. “Because she’ll never get to do it. Let’s do it for her. Let’s live a little bit for her.” Today on the news, more on the student ceremony and advocacy efforts to keep kids safe from bullying and discrimination in schools.

// Plus, the Weekly News Reel, where we check in with reporters about their latest stories of the Moab area. Doug McMurdo of The Times-Independent talks visitation numbers returning to pre-pandemic levels and the end of an investigation for an ex-Moab City Police Department employee. Maggie McGuire of the Moab Sun News discusses teacher shortages in Grand County and studying cattle breeds for their impacts on desert landscapes.

// Show Notes

// Photo: Friends and classmates of Lily McClish, who died in 2017, release biodegradable balloons in her memory on June 2nd. Students thought of something they would like to say to her before releasing their balloon. KZMU/Molly Marcello

// Lily’s Hope for Kindness

Necessary Components for Effective Bullying and Suicide Prevention in Schools

https://lilyshopeforkindness.com/necessary-components

// Crisis Text Line

In a crisis? Text 741741 to connect with a counselor

https://www.crisistextline.org

// The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a hotline for individuals in crisis or for those looking to help someone else. To speak with a certified listener, call 1-800-273-8255.

// Weekly News Reel Mentions

// The Times-Independent: Spring visitation returns to pre-pandemic levels

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/spring-visitation-returns-to-pre-pandemic-levels/

// The Times-Independent: Ex-MPD employee avoids charges

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/ex-mpd-employee-avoids-charges/

// Moab Sun News: Grand County EMS grows into new building

https://moabsunnews.com/2022/06/02/ems-grows-into-new-building/

// Moab Sun News: Criollo cattle could save ranching

https://moabsunnews.com/2022/06/02/criollo-cattle-could-save-ranching/

A partnership between governmental agencies and university researchers has modern-day trappers searching the state for beavers. But they aren’t after pelts. Instead, they’re using the large rodent to lessen the effects of drought in our region. Plus, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland visited our region this week and announced plans to support clean energy projects. And, a new report sheds light on just how quickly camping is growing in North America.

// Photo: Utah State University graduate student Christine Sandbach releases a beaver into the Price River in Woodside, Utah on May 25th, 2022. KZMU News/Justin Higginbottom