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Show A3 Sanpete Messenger/Gunnison Valley Edition 'Wednesday, April 12, 2006 Sanpete County Bonds (Continued from Al) compel the city to raise water rates if issues arise regarding repayment of the debt. In other business. Shannon Jensen approached the city for support for a new marathon she is organizing. Jensen told the council that several local businesses had donated money or products in support of the event, but that she still COUNTYWIDE INTEREST needed some money for portable Scatdsfillfood bank slielves restroom facilities along the MT. PLEASANT—Local food bank shelves were nearly empty route. until the Boy Scouts from local units recently collected the groceryAlso, she told the council filled Scouting for Food bags left on front porches throughout Sanpete that she could use some barriers County. and assistance from the police "So far the Scouts have delivered 19,818 pounds of food," said department since the route for the Gayle Jensen, new administrator of the Central Utah Food Sharing in marathon crosses U.S. 89 twice Mt. Pleasant. "The food bank really appreciates the Boy Scouts and near Centerfield, and runs along everyone who donated food for what they have done. We were at rock S.R. 28, down Gunnison hill to bottom, and now we will be able to help for a few more months," Jensen the park. said. Council member Lori Nay, "We wish to express thanks to everyone who contributed to the who is in charge of the city's ecosuccess of the Scouting for Food drive," said Scout leader Ned Davis of nomic development operations, Ephraim, who was over the Scouting for Food program. "We still need opted to donate $200 to the event, everyone to look and see if they have food that was inadvertently left but city Police Chief Blaine behind and get it to the food bank." Jensen said that Centerfield PoWith donations down and the cost of gas rising, the food bank is lice, the sheriff's office, Utah pressed to meet the needs of those in Sanpete County. Donations arc Highway Patrol and UDOT always welcome. Drop off donations at 1080 S. Blackhawk Blvd., Mt. would all have to be involved in the project, something of which Pleasant, or call 462-3006 to make arrangements. Shannon Jensen was unaware. Blaine Jensen said that since Slierijfs Office to explain plans for new jail The Sanpete County Sheriff's Office is inviting Sanpete residents the marathon route crosses U.S. to attend their city council meetings this month to learn more about the proposal for a new county jail. Throughout April, sheriff's office representatives are making the (Continued from Al) round to every city council in the county to explain the plan and to seek strong wind that picked up the support for it. trailer and rolled both it and the Meetings have already been held in Manti, Wales. Spring City, truck, spilling a 100-gallon conFayette and Fountain Green, but officials hope for good public show- tainer of calcium nitrate in the ings at the meetings yet to come: process (calcium nitrate is an oxiCity Date Time Location dizer and can cause burns on the Wednesday, April 12 7:30 p.m. Town Hall skin, is toxic if inhaled and can Mayfield Ephraim Wednesday, April 19 7 p.m. City Hall be explosive, even runoff posing Gunnison Wednesday, April 19 8:30 p.m. City Hall a fire hazard). The driver of the vehicle was Moroni Thursday, April 20 7:30 p.m. City Hall Centerfield Thursday, April 20 7 p.m. City Hall uninjured, but about 25 gallons Sterling Friday, April 21 7 p.m. Town Hall of toxins leaked out before Mt. Pleasant Tuesday, April 25 7:30 p.m. City Hall Hazmat crews identified the subFairview Tuesday, April 25 7:30 p.m. City Hall stance and turned off the valve on the container. The highway was closed to Prescription drug discount cards available through traffic for nearly two MANTI—Sanpete County has launched a program to help resi- hours while crews from UDOT, dents cope with the high cost of prescription drugs. the Sanpete County Sheriff's In conjunction with a program sponsored by the National Associa- Department, Sanpete County tion of Counties (NACo), Sanpete is providing free drug discount cards Hazmat crews from Fairview and that can give an average savings of 20 percent off the retail price of Ephraim, and the Hazmat recommonly prescribed drugs. gional team from Richfield Any county resident, regardless of age, income or existing health cleaned up the spill. coverage, can use the card. You do not have to be on Medicare to be eligible. The cards are accepted at every pharmacy in the county. "Using the NACo card is easy," says county auditor Ilene Roth, whose office issues the cards. "Simply present it at a participating pharmacy. There is no enrollment form, no membership fee and no restric• dons on limits on frequency of use." By Karen Prisbrey The cards are available in Roth's office at the Sanpete County CourtStaff writer • house Room 207 in Manti. N EWS • BRI E FS 89 and runs along S. R. 28, UDOT would have to issue a permit for the marathon. He also said that police forces would have jurisdictional responsibility for traffic control and protection for the runners. The inaugural event is named the Central Utah Belly Button Marathon, the name of which Shannon Jensen says works on a few levels. Initially, she says, the marathon route would have run from Fayette to Levan, and Levan spelled backwards is navel. Also, she says, the center of the human body is not the heart, but the belly button; hence Central Utah is not the heart of the state, but the belly button instead. Now, the route has changed, but the name will remain, for the time being. The new route starts at Gunnison City Park and then goes out toward Clarion along Farmer's Freeway, through Centerfield, then north again to the top of Gunnison Hill and back to the city park along S.R. 28. Shannon Jensen says that she wants the event to become a destination, such as the Salt Lake and St. George marathons. "We don't have anything in Central Utah," she says. "Why shouldn't we be a destination, too?" The marathon will consist of four races, a 5K, 1 OK, half marathon and full marathon and entry fees are $10-$ 12. Shannon Jensen reports that 25-30 participants have already registered. The city council also gave the go-ahead for a new clinic north of Gunnison Valley Hospital. The 9,000 square-foot facility will primarily house oncology, orthopedic and cardiology specialists from Central Utah Clinic in Provo, although there is also space for four primary care physicians. Initially, the city council was concerned about runoff water from the facility's large, paved parking area overwhelming the city's storm drain system and increased parking and traffic along 100 North posing a safety concern. Vince Johnson, the architect who designed the facility, told the council that the clinic would retain all water on site via a sump system in the parking lot. Johnson and Gunnison Valley Hospital Administrator Greg Rosenvall told the council that the facility would provide ample off-street parking, so that parking along the north side of 100 North should not be a concern. However, the only entrance to the facility faces 100 North, and the council had previously expressed that convenience would compel patients to park on the street. The council reiterated that concern when they told Johnson and Rosenvall that it reserved the right to review and amend the parking situation as needed. Johnson pointed out that the existing clinic west of the proposed facility has a 20-foot concrete parking apron, and that the new clinic would have the same apron, and therefore, parking is not an issue of space as much as of functionality. Johnson also told the council that a residence on the corner, of 100 East and 100 North, which is owned by the hospital, would remain as a buffer between the hospital and residential zones to the east. He also said that the design of the clinic is similar to the Jackson Family Practice along Center Street and 100 East, and will retain a residential flavor. Construction is scheduled to start in June. Sanpete Valley Hospital stood ready with its decontamination unit as well. Cleanup of another kind was necessary a day later, when strong winds again blew things over. At least four large trees—two in Centerfield, one in Sterling and one in Manti on Temple Hill—were felled by strong gusts during a blustery Wednesday morning. The wind gave way to wet on Thursday as a storm that lasted the entire day blanketed the county with snow, giving emphasis to a "Deseret News" headline that day: "Utah may endure flooding." The news article stated that although flooding had not yet been forecast, the continual precipitation the state had been seeing needed to last only another few days before flooding would become a real concern. But a local water watcher says any concern now would be premature. Soren Nielsen of the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Manti says Sanpete's mountain snow pack is "above normal, but not to where I would expect any problems." Nielsen said snow pack locally is around 120 percent of normal, which is consistent with the statewide average. Thursday's storm added about 4.5 inches, the equivalent of about one inch of water, he said. But he reminded that it's not necessarily the amount of water in the mountains that determines whetherfloodingtakes place, but how quickly it comes down, which is a function of climate. . "The forecast for this month is conducive to a slower melt and gradual runoff," Nielsen said. "But that's for April. I haven't looked at May yet. If it turns real hot all of a sudden, we're going to get all oi that moisture down all at once." Weather Unattended trailer forces Hazmat safety response : Windfall to help heat local homes By Kathy Lin Eggleston ; Local residents who have qualified for Low Income Home Energy ; Assistance Program (LIHEAP) assistance and others who can yet apply ; until the end of April will benefit from an unexpected $7.8 million wind[ fall made possible by the passing of Senate Bill 2320. ; The bill moves $1 billion, appropriated to LIHEAP for Fiscal Year ; 2007, to Fiscal Year 2006, which means that HEAT qualified Iow-inI come households struggling to payrisingutility bills will received suppleI mentary payment that will be credited automatically to the utility bills. ! Those who have not yet applied may do so by calling Colleen Hess ! at 835-2831 immediately. HEAT Program applications are being ac! cepted until April 28 by appointment only, Funds not given out by the i end of April will be divided between those who have already qualified • and again will be credited to utility bills. , Utah first lady honors healthy worksites ! SALT LAKE CITY—The City of Ephraim and the Central Utah Correctional Facility in Gunnison received recognition last week for promoting health and wellness. On Thursday, April 6, Utah first lady Mary Kaye Huntsman hon; ored the two entities among 23 state and local government agencies in Utah for outstanding efforts to promote wellness at their worksites. The honors were part of the Healthy Utah Awards, given during a special luncheon to agencies that have implemented healthy changes at r their worksites, including changes in the environment and employee behavior. "Each of these agencies deserves a standing ovation for their efforts," said Kathy Paras, manager of Healthy Utah, a program of the Public Employees Health Program. "Implementing a worksite health promotion program shows commitment to employees' health and well! being," Paras said. Each of the agencies recognized has established a wellness council, a group of employees who dedicate an hour each month to improving the health of their worksite. Councils work on projects such as offering onsite healthy food options, having tobacco cessation and stress management programs available and sponsoring classes to improve employee health. frame. Gunnison police officer Zack Howick responded to the GUNNISON—A boxcar call and noted the "flammable trailer left parked along 100 materials" insignia on the side North and 70 West caused and ends of the truck and concern to local safety re- called local Hazmat officer sponders when it was discov- Kevin Conover to the scene. ered that the trailer contained Discovering the trailer flammable hazardous materi- unlocked, Conover initiated a als. search of the contents. He said The trailer, owned by he "found, bottled gas for USF Reddaway, was loaded camp trailers and propane cylwith merchandise for local inders for portable stoves and retailers. The driver of the lamps, which can be highly tractor-trailer truck left it un- flammable given the attended and unlocked on the right circumstances." north side of the Gunnison Taking emergency action, LDS Stake Center on Friday, Conover called the fire deApril 7 while he made other partment out to stabilize the deliveries outside of the area. trailer so that it wouldn't fall Donald Childs of the any farther. The fire departGunnison City maintenance ment crew also diverted trafdepartment said, "I noticed fic away from the area. that one of the trailer's landMason Diesel out of Auing gear had penetrated the rora was called to bring asphalt over a 2-inch water heavy-duty wreckers to pull line and began sinking about the trailer from the hole. 10 a.m." According to Howick, Childs, worried that the "The trailer contained flamlanding gear might puncture mable materials, was left unthe water line underneath attended and unlocked, which causing a greater problem, is illegal, and the trailer was called for police assistance. impounded by the Utah HighThe trailer sank into the cov- way Patrol." ered trench up to the box ![/fUtahPress! V • A S S O C I A T I O N Clipping Bureau Complete Statewide Clipping Service ll Here is what we can do for you...Our specially trained read-1 ers find and tag any press reference to your subjects. The * articles are then mailed, faxed or you can utilize our new CD | ROM service, Call Utah Press Association for more informaI tion. 1-801-328-8678 or upa@utahpress.com Visit us at www.utahpress.com - 2 col.- ADVERTISE HERE! STATEWIDE!!! -THROUGH YOUR LOCAL PAPER.2X2 STATEWIDE ADVERTISING NETWORK IS 2 in. Far from home? Ask your local paper how you can reach over ° 250,000 households in 40 Utah newspapers in one easy step through Utah Press Association statewide 2x2 (2 col. x 2 in.) display network. ' (National placement also available through the Utah Press.) Check up on local news at (f) www.SanpeteMessenger.com Dream (Continued from Al). the quilt shop. But a small army of Her dream was fulfilled but quilters, friends and relatives have did not last long. The stomach can- come together, bent on making the cer returned in August. As long as shop a go. They keep the store open she could, she kept up with her Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m.quilting business, making and sell- 6 p.m. They are accepting projects ing her own designs in quilts and to be machine quilted, offering a kits. A tourist from Denmark had class once a month, and stocking looked from Logan to St. George, the shelves with high quality fabhoping to find a beautiful quilt to rics such as Moda, April Cornell, take back with her. She found it as Three Sisters, chenilles, batting and soon as she walked into Michelle's notions. shop. Their quilting dreams match Now, her husband Bret owns Michelle's. Walk (Continued from Al) pated," she said. But the extra time was worth it because UDOT added $105,000 to the project, which brings the total amount of federal grant monies to $532,800. The city came up with its 20 percent, or around $ 100,000 through a Community Impact Board loan for $200,000. The $100,000 from the loan not going for the River Walk will be used to make road improvements and build a river crossing on 200 East for motorized travel, which, Nay said, should help alleviate some of the traffic along U.S. 89. The initial project didn't call for a bridge for motorized travel, but at public hearings, residents expressed their desire for the bridge. The bridge project will go out for bid with the River Walk project. Construction is slated to begin after spring runoff, around July 1. Even with the increase from UDOT, Nay said, signage and landscaping have been scaled back, and may have to be scaled back even further, if the state doesn't come through with a $20,000 grant it approved, but later withdrew. Nay applied for a grant through the Utah State Department of Health for city infrastructure improvements that would be beneficial to public health. The Department of Health notified Gunnison that it had been awarded the grant, but six months later told the city that it had a shortfall in its budget and had decided to cut funding for the grant award. But Nay questions that shortage and that decision. With the budget surplus reported in the last legislative session, Nay believes that the state should live up to its promise and fund the grant out of its budget surplus. "When they have a $28 million overrun they should have the integrity to follow through with $20,000 they had promised to a small city," Nay said. "Hopefully they'll do right by us." Nay has contacted the Governor's Office about living up to the promise. Without the grant, Nay said the project would have to depend on volunteer help to complete much of the landscaping. The project includes 1.25 miles of pedestrian and bike paths that cross the river in two places. The biggest component of the project will be the path under the existing bridge on U.S. 89. 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