KZMU News

Last night, dozens of people spilled into the street in front of Moonflower Community Co-op, lighting candles and sharing memories of Kylen Schulte and Crystal Turner. After friends and family reported them missing last week, the couple was eventually found deceased in the La Sal Mountains, their cause of death from gunshot wounds. As law enforcement investigate the double homicide, community members recounted how kind Kylen and Crystal were – and how in love they were with each other.

Show Notes:

Transparency for Kylen and Crystal

https://www.facebook.com/Transparency-for-Kylen-and-Crystal-100188482397019/

Justice for Kylen and Crystal

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1255222544943612

The Times-Independent: Friend of dead couple describes searching the mountains for them

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/friend-of-dead-couple-describes-searching-the-mountains-for-them/

Moab Sun News: Candlelight vigil planned tonight for murdered couple

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_3fdec6aa-01f4-11ec-b8b3-b323a117821c.html

Grand County Sheriff’s Office 8/19/21 Press Release

https://www.facebook.com/utahgrandcountysheriff/photos/pcb.4159335157478181/4159333797478317/

The Grand County Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone who may have information relevant to the investigation to call 435-259-8115

Today on the news, we wait for the train. The luxury passenger train, to be specific. Canadian-based rail tour company Rocky Mountaineer launched their new ‘Rockies to the Red Rocks’ route this week, bringing hundreds of passengers to Moab. As one of the fellow onlookers put it – Moab is officially on the list of ‘gotta go see it.’

Plus, our Weekly News Reel where we check in with reporters on their latest stories of the Moab area. The Times-Independent’s Doug McMurdo (7:00) previews city property taxes, a desired Arches expansion, and masks for local elementary school students. The Moab Sun News’ Maggie McGuire (14:30) discusses local infrastructure overwhelmed by recent flooding, and Grand’s population growing.

Show Notes:

KZMU News: Thursday July 22, 2021 – Luxury rail tour company will launch their Denver to Moab service in mid-August

https://www.kzmu.org/thursday-july-22-2021/

Rocky Mountaineer

https://www.rockymountaineer.com

Weekly News Reel Mentions –

The Times-Independent: Council remains split over property taxes

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/council-remains-split-over-property-taxes/

The Times-Independent: Grand County looks to expand Arches

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/grand-county-looks-to-expand-arches/

The Times-Independent: Travelers enjoy Rocky Mountaineer’s maiden voyage

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/travelers-enjoy-rocky-mountaineers-maiden-voyage/

The Times-Independent: HMK students will need masks for the first month of school

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/travelers-enjoy-rocky-mountaineers-maiden-voyage/

Moab Sun News: Infrastructure overwhelmed by flooding – Damage from Pack Creek flood exposes inadequate stormwater control

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_5561d524-0124-11ec-8087-4b2324cc8f92.html

Moab Sun News: Grand County population grows – Census shows county grew 4.8%, highest rate in the region

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_55cccc6e-0127-11ec-a4b2-abce343b3214.html

The Moab community is remembering the lives of local couple who were found deceased in the La Sal Mountains after being reported missing for several days by friends and family members. Local coworkers and friends of Crystal Turner and Kylen Schulte describe feeling shocked and devastated to lose what they describe as a ‘joyful, shining lights.’ Plus, masks are mandatory for Grand’s elementary school students, who return to school today. And, the USFS releases its plan for nearby national forests and dark night skies are stymied by wildfire smoke.

*Note – our first story has been updated with additional information as of 6:30PM 8/19/21*

Show Notes:

Photo: Kylen Schulte (left) and Crystal Turner

Anyone with information pertinent to the homicide investigation is encouraged to call the Grand County Sheriff’s Office at 435-259-8115

8/19/21 Grand County Sheriff’s Office Press Release

https://www.grandcountyutah.net/civicalerts.aspx?AID=284

8/18/21 Grand County Sheriff’s Office Press Release

https://www.facebook.com/utahgrandcountysheriff/photos/a.838601872884876/4156103434468020/

GoFundMe: Kylen Schulte – Funeral Expenses

https://www.gofundme.com/f/kylen-schulte-funeral-expenses

Grand County School District: K-6 Mask Mandate Announcement

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YdKYCTx3ipnL7_om9ULBGGPPhm8AhgoHyiHQR33r5Ss/edit

UPR: Groups Urge More Wilderness in GMUG National Forests’ Draft Plan

https://www.upr.org/post/groups-urge-more-wilderness-gmug-national-forests-draft-plan

Mountain West News Bureau: Star Light, Star Not-So-Bright – Astrotourists Stymied By Wildfire Smoke

https://www.boisestatepublicradio.org/science-research/2021-08-17/star-light-star-not-so-bright-astrotourists-stymied-by-wildfire-smoke

Celebrating the Night Sky at Sand Flats Recreation Area

https://www.kzmu.org/celebrating-the-night-at-sand-flats-recreation-area/

The prospective candidates for mayor and city council are in…and there’s a lot of them. Seven candidates will vie for the mayoral seat, and six candidates for the two open council seats in a new ranked choice voting system. Current mayor Emily Niehaus and council members Mike Duncan and Karen Guzman-Newton are not seeking reelection. Plus, for the first time in history, the Bureau of Reclamation declared a water shortage for the lower Colorado River Basin. And, how one southwest Colorado community employs a short-term rental tax to fund affordable housing development.

Show Notes:

Photo: Lake Mead's bath tub ring is growing larger this year, as the nation's largest human-made reservoir declines to its lowest level on record. Luke Runyon/KUNC

Moab City Election Information

https://moabcity.org/236/Election-Information

Utah Ranked Choice Voting

https://utahrcv.com

Register to Vote

https://vote.utah.gov

KUNC: Feds Declare First Water Shortage On Lower Colorado River Amid Prolonged Drought

https://www.kunc.org/environment/2021-08-16/feds-declare-first-water-shortage-on-lower-colorado-river-amid-prolonged-drought

Grand County’s head of economic development and tourism is moving on – to San Juan County. Elaine Gizler says she wants to help build a responsible recreation economy in San Juan, an area that she says is looking for more opportunity. In an interview with KZMU’s Ashley Bunton, we hear Gizler’s thoughts on her new position and her time in Grand County – including the ‘turning point’ that spurred her office to focus on sustainability messaging. 

Show Notes:

Grand County Employment: Economic Development Director

https://www.grandcountyutah.net/DocumentCenter/View/12057/ECONOMIC-DEVELOPMENT-DIRECTOR-8102021?bidId=

If you live on the west side of town, chances are your state representative is different from your friend's living near Spanish Valley Drive. This split is even more pronounced in the Holyoak neighborhood, where the dividing line of Duschene Avenue separates voting districts. And Grand’s commission is tired of this. As the Utah legislature embarks on a statewide redistricting process, local elected officials are asking that Moab become whole – and retain its voting power. Plus, recent census data shows big population growth in Utah. And, a report on Colorado river water through the Grand Canyon – 30 years in the making.

Show Notes:

Photo: The drive to keep water jugs full for one Grand Canyon River trip this May meant refilling stops six times, here at Tapeats Creek, a relatively clean water source that only required chemical treatment. About 40 million people rely on Colorado River water in seven western states. Credit: Judy Fahys/Inside Climate News

Utah State Legislative District Maps

https://le.utah.gov/GIS/findDistrict.jsp

Utah Redistricting

https://redistricting.utah.gov/about/

Redistricting 2021: A Panel Discussion

https://www.kzmu.org/redistricting-2021-a-panel-discussion/

US Census: 2020 Census Demographic Data Map Viewer

https://mtgis-portal.geo.census.gov/arcgis/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=2566121a73de463995ed2b2fd7ff6eb7

US Census: 2020 Census Statistics Highlight Local Population Changes and Nation’s Racial and Ethnic Diversity

https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2021/population-changes-nations-diversity.html?utm_campaign=20210812msprts1ccpuprs&utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Hey there listeners - KZMU News is taking a short midsummer reporting break for catch-up and future planning. Regular coverage will resume August 16th. We appreciate your support keeping this small and mighty news department going! Thanks, as always, for listening.

The Matheson Wetlands Preserve is a unique ecosystem in the Moab valley - a marshy, riparian zone home to an estimated 200 species of birds, amphibians, and mammals. The nearly 900 acres of wetlands are co-managed by The Nature Conservancy and Utah’s Division of Wildlife Resources. Today on the news, reporter Nathan Wynn takes a walk with the conservancy’s Linda Whitham, who oversees the wetlands. She gives us an audio tour of the preserve, it’s history, and her outlook on the challenges of increased visitation.

Plus, the Weekly News Reel, where we check in with reporters on their latest stories of the Moab area. Doug McMurdo of The Times Independent talks masking, sustainable tourism marketing, and the completion of Highway 191 work. Anastasia Hufham of the Moab Sun News discusses property tax increases throughout our region, and looks back on her time at the paper.

Show Notes:

Photo: A footbridge at the entrance to the Scott and Norma Matheson Wetlands Preserve

Scott and Norma Matheson Wetlands Preserve

https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/scott-norma-matheson-wetlands-preserve/

Weekly News Reel Mentions –

The Times-Independent: ‘Right thing’ for vaccinated Moabites is to mask in public

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/right-thing-for-vaccinated-moabites-is-to-mask-in-public/

The Times-Independent: Grand backtracks to approve sustainable tourism marketing

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/grand-backtracks-to-approve-sustainable-tourism-marketing/

The Times-Independent: Most Highway 191 work ends Friday

https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/most-highway-191-work-ends-friday/

Moab Sun News: Property taxes increase across our region – Spanish Valley home values increase 41%, Moab City debates tax

https://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_011da7d8-f682-11eb-a71b-3f3f6655aee0.html

Moab City's elected officials are considering raising the property tax rate from zero for the first time in 30 years, citing future infrastructure projects and law enforcement staffing needs. And last night during a public hearing, Moab residents had an opportunity to tell those officials what they thought. Many expressed a similar sentiment - that the property tax is yet another burden on an already stressed community. Plus, a shelter for people experiencing domestic violence is reopening in Blanding.

Show Notes:

Property Tax Information

https://moabcity.org/582/Property-Taxes

Moab City Fiscal Year 2022 Budget Proposals

https://moabcity.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08042021-1058

Moab City Sales Based Tax Revenue Update

https://app.smartsheet.com/b/publish?EQBCT=820645a891a34d32a1647b2876066012

Moab City: A Citizen’s Guide to the Tentative Budget

https://moabcity.org/DocumentCenter/View/3170/FY22-Citizen-Guide-to-Tentative-Budget

Email the City Council and Mayor

https://moabcity.org/151/City-Council

KUER: ‘A Safe Place to Heal’ – Gentle Ironhawk Shelter Set to Reopen in Southern Utah

https://www.kuer.org/health-science-environment/2021-07-29/a-safe-place-to-heal-gentle-ironhawk-shelter-set-to-reopen-in-southern-utah

Moab Regional Hospital’s CEO says it’s becoming more difficult to find ICU beds for their patients who need them. Normal, summertime increases in ICU utilization are compounded by staffing shortages and COVID-19 patients infected with the highly contagious Delta variant. Under new CDC guidelines, wearing masks in indoor public spaces is currently recommended for everyone regardless of vaccination status in high transmission areas. But whether or not Grand County is in high transmission depends on the index you read. Plus, seven years ago, a pulse of water on the Colorado River at the U.S. Mexico border temporarily reconnected it to the Pacific Ocean.

Show Notes:

Photo: A sign outside Moab Regional Hospital encourages passers-by to get tested for COVID-19 if showing symptoms like muscle aches and shortness of breath. Moab Regional Hospital’s current seven day rolling average for people testing positive for COVID - for locals and visitors - is at 15 percent.

CDC: COVID-19 Integrated County View

https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#

Utah COVID-19 Transmission Index

https://coronavirus.utah.gov/utah-health-guidance-levels/

Southeast Utah Health Department COVID-19 Data

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

Southeast Utah Health Department Vaccine Data

https://www.seuhealth.com/covid-vaccine-dashboard