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Show March EN VALLEY NEWS PRSRT 1, 2007 STD POSTAL PATRON EDEN-LIBERTY-843 10 HUNTSVILLE-84317 HCR 843A0, —Decision to cancel non-nuclear test has Utahns breathing easier The Associated Press The federal government said Thursday it is canceling Divine Strake, a non-nuclear explosion that would have caused the first mushroom-shaped cloud in decades over the Nevada desert “T have become convinced that it’s time to look at alternative methods that obviate the need for this type of large-scale test,” Defense Threat Reduction Agency Director James Tegnelia said in a statement. The 700-ton test explosion at the Nevada Test Site, 85 miles northwest of Las Vegas, was proposed to gather data about penetrating underground bunkers that produce and store weapons of mass destruction But the prospect of a mushroom cloud in the desert prompted a lawsuit and intense opposition in Utah and Nevada, where critics feared it would scatter decades-old radioactive material from previous Cold War-era tests. ers feared it was a step toward new tests to develop weapons. “bunker buster” nuclear Opponents declared victory Thursday, saying the government listened after months of meetings and protests. “Everybody in Utah can rest easier,’ said Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah. Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman said: “The people in this state spoke, and they spoke with a very loud and unified voice.” Eden resident Dr. Susan Puls encountered a tornado first hand on February 2 when she visited her parents in Florida. Photo courtesy of Dr. Susan Puls of Eden. In Position By Susan Puls M.D. dad I yelled, “Get in the shower.” We all huddled in a walk-in shower with no exterior walls and no windows. There are no basements in Florida. The tornado passed in what seemed like a lifetime, but in reality ae ay several minutes. r the sound of the freight trains had wee heard hail hitting the ‘roof. At that point, I left them in the shower and went outside the front door. In the darkness I could see shadows of the neighboring houses. could see roof tiles off, trees down, street signs down, and some other appendages hanging from nearby homes. The most impressive thing was that every single surface was covered with debris: pieces of roof, landscaping, and most significantly every thing was covered with confetti like pieces of insulation. I could smell gas and heard a leaking sound from somewhere off to the left. As I walked down the Damage to The Villages in Florida afier the tornado. street few others were checking their own damage, that’s when the Even though my brain had already regisrain started coming down in sheets, which tered, “tornado and I need to MOVE,” part drove us back indoors. of me was having a hard time comprehendI called the gas company then turned on ing the information. Tornadoes just don’t the television to watch the Orlando news stahappen that often in Florida. There was no tion. The news was tracking the “‘super cell” warning. We had been having thunderstorms as they called it, as it moved east. At that all day and evening, but nothing uncommon time there were no reports of the tornado we for the area. had just experienced. I called the newsroom As the adrenaline kicked in, my gut to report it. | watched for about an hour and clenched into a knot. I grabbed the dog, who went to sleep thinking how lucky we had looked dubious at depending on me for safebeen. Little did I know, how luck we actualty, and ran into my parents’ bedroom. My mom was already up and as I grabbed my DISASTER cont. on page 12 Lawmakers were still fighting the test when agency announced it would scrap it. DIVINE STRAKE cont. on page 8 The Gift of Life for Disaster It was 3:22 a.m. on February 2, 2007. My brain became alert even before my eyes opened. It sounded like at least 100 freight trains were right outside the window of my parents’ home. I had just arrived two days previous for a short visit to their home in The Villages, Florida. The Villages is a community for those ages 55 and older, one resident reaching the age of 103, and has a total of approximately 70,000 residents. the By Kera Erickson “You never know who’s going to need an organ transplant,” Carol Holmes of Eden confides. “I spent years thinking I was perfectly healthy, and I don’t drink alcohol, so I never would have believed that one day I would desperately need a liver transplant to save my life.” olmes began feeling very tired and lethargic, but at first assumed “maybe it’s just because I’m not so young anymore.” She eventually went to the doctor in April of 2003, and found out that she had a rare liver disease know as Primary Biliary Cirrhosis (PBC). It was the first time she had ever heard of the disease, and nobody else in her family had a history of liver problems. PBC is a chronic disease characterized by progressive inflammation and destruction of the small bile ducts within the liver. Eventually the liver experiences inflammation, scarring, and toxins becoming trapped within the liver cells After hearing her diagnosis Holmes went to the Intermountain Transplant Program at LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City. Their transplant program is the largest and most experienced center in Utah and in_ the Mountainwest region. Holmes was informed that it would take 5-10 years before she could be listed for a liver transplant. However, because her supposedly slow-moving disease was progressing so rapidly, Holmes was able to get listed 3 years later in September of 2006, and advance to 2nd on the list by December. GIFT OF LIFE cont. on page Utah’s State-Wrestling Tournament was held February 7-9 at Utah Valley State College in Provo. Weber High School’s Varsity Wrestling Team was victorious in taking first in State in the 5-A tournament. The last time Weber High’s wrestling team s able to achieve this win was fifty-one years ago. Lew Woolsey, son of Tracy and Casa Woolsey of Huntsville, took first in the 152 weight division. Logan Hubbard, son of James and Jan Hubbard of Huntsville, placed second in the 145 weight division. WARRIORS cont. on page 15 Avalanche Fatality Near Local Ski Resort By Kera Erickson On Sunday, February 18, a seventeen year old male from Massachusetts, became victim to a deadly avalanche. The avalanche occurred in the backcountry just outside of a Ski Resort’s boundaries. e boy, along with his brother and father were in Utah for a ski vacation. All experienced skiers, they rode up the Mt. Allen Tram. On the ride up guests are warned, “Traveling outside the marked ski area boundary is not recommended.” In addition, after leaving the tram, there is an “Are you Beeping” sign, and the Forest Service Utah Avalanche Center daily avalanche advisory that is visibly posted. Avalanche danger was posted as “considerable” on the morning of February 18, meaning that human triggered avalanches were probable. In addition, Utah Avalanche Center had issued press releases on Friday, as well as the morning of the accident, warning the public of especially “tricky and dangerous bam 8 conditions for the backcountry.” o Utah residents had lost their lives in avalanches triggered by snowmobiles just the day befor After exiting the tram, guests ski a short distance, and then a small hike iis required to access Hell’s Canyon backcountry gate. There is another sign, the standard Forest Service sign, at this gate that again warns skiers of potential avalanche danger. While skiing in the Hell’s Canyon the family got separated. At the bottom of the canyon the father and his younger son met up, but they never saw the 17-year-old exit the canyon. Meanwhile, some snowboarders coming down through the canyon noticed a new avalanche that they hadn’t seen earlier in the day. They also spotted a helmet and AVALANCHE cont. on page 8 17 After Fifty-One Years Warriors Are First Again Lew Woolsey after winning match at Utah State Wrestling Tournament. |