At the Aug. 4 meeting of the Grand County Council, Moab Regional Hospital Chief Executive Officer Jen Sadoff and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Dylan Cole reported that the hospital has administered 3,227 tests for COVID-19.
Friday, August 07, 2020
The Utah High School Activities Association announced on July 28 that fall sports are on track to proceed as scheduled, which means the Grand County High School Red Devils will compete in interscholastic competition for the first time since March. The boys golf team will compete on Aug. 12 a…
Thursday, August 06, 2020
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County Administrator Chris Baird gave a brief update on the county’s finances at the Grand County Council meeting on Aug. 4, commending county departments for successfully cutting their budgets down by 20 to 25%.
Friday, July 31, 2020
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At their regular meeting on July 28, the Moab City Council discussed two policy changes being crafted by city staff: a temporary avenue for local restaurants to create outdoor dining areas and a formal procedure for collecting public input on proposed uses of city property.
As the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the United States this spring, many industries slowed to a crawl and unemployment rates spiked. Many retail stores shut their doors and laid off employees, unsure of when they would be able to reopen, legally or ethically. Many outdoor equipment manufact…
As the nationwide debate over the reopening of schools rages, residents and school officials are trying to come up with plans that meet the needs of local families.
A report released on July 21 by investigative journalism nonprofit Propublica revealed how politics, rather than public health policy, steered Utah’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and made special mention of Grand County. The article, written by journalists Lisa Song and Mollie Simon, ma…
Thursday, July 23, 2020
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Schools in the Grand County school district will reopen for in-person learning on Tuesday, Sept. 8 with a host of additional hygiene measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among students, teachers and their families. However, as in districts across the country, concerns remain about how …
Business closures and reduced tourism have hit Grand County’s economy hard, with unemployment rates among the highest in Utah. Lost wages, added to the region’s high cost of housing, led many to worry about covering their rent beginning in April. For many in the community, federally boosted …
To adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic, Utah State University announced they will offer multiple ways for students to return for the fall semester, including traditional face-to-face classes, online classes, and options that combine a bit of both. The semester begins on August 31.
Friday, July 17, 2020
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The state of Utah added ten more confirmed deaths from COVID-19 on July 14, adding to the growing evidence of a surge of positive cases in the state. Locally, Grand County has reported its first hospitalization of a resident as cases grew to 28 positives, with 18 people considered recovered.
Zion National Park reopened on May 13 without its shuttle service. Instead, the National Park Service relied on the 400 parking spaces along the scenic drive to serve visitors going to iconic trails like Angels Landing and The Narrows.
Southeast Utah Health Department Environmental Health Director Orion Rogers receives a swab for COVID-19 during a free mobile testing event put on by the department on July 14. [Murice D. Miller / Moab Sun News]
The Grand Conservation District announced an award to Moab’s Youth Garden Project to support the area nonprofit’s attempts to address food security during the COVID-19 pandemic.
While Moab Regional Hospital has instituted safety procedures for all staff, patients and visitors to protect against the spread of COVID-19, standard hospital services are also being offered including skin screenings, sports physicals and expanded oncology services.
Thursday, July 16, 2020
School districts across Utah are revealing their reopening plans for the fall, negotiating public health concerns and the needs of parents and students. The Grand County School District approved its proposed plan for the 2020-2021 school year on July 15, aiming to reopen schools for in-perso…
Friday, July 10, 2020
COVID-19 case numbers have stayed low in Grand County, but some local residents know the dangers of the illness all too well. Don Wiseman, a Moab resident, caught the virus while working as a ski instructor this winter in Crested Butte, Colorado.
Free testing for COVID-19 will be available on July 14 from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Southeast Utah Health Department offices (575 S. Kane Creek Blvd., Moab) through mobile units from the Utah Public Health Lab. Advance registration is strongly recommended and a mask must be worn.
Wednesday, July 08, 2020
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In Grand County, masks will be required in public places where physical distancing is impossible, including businesses and government buildings.
Friday, July 03, 2020
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The Grand County Council voted to recommend that the public be required to wear masks in indoor public places to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the county.
Public health officials are raising concerns that voluntarily-enforced policies aren’t enough to contain the spread of COVID-19 amid record-setting spikes in positive tests in Utah and across the southwest.
Thursday, July 02, 2020
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Utah Governor Gary Herbert approved a request by Grand County officials that the public be required to wear masks in indoor public places to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the county.
Thursday, June 25, 2020
According to the Centers for Disease Control, two of the best things to prevent catching COVID-19 are regular hand washing and staying home. But what if you have to drive miles down a dirt road to a communal water source just to get the water you need?
Utah Governor Gary Herbert has rejected the recommendations of the state epidemiologist and others, vowing that he will not reintroduce public health restrictions despite the increased spread of COVID-19 in the state.
Friday, June 19, 2020
Scientists have devised a new way of tracking the spread of COVID-19 in our communities: examining the sewers.
How does one advertise in a slow economy with a nonexistent budget? The Grand County Council and the Moab Area Travel Council discussed that issue at the regular council meeting on June 16. The council also discussed an application for a development in Spanish Valley, a planned campground in…
As COVID-19 cases continue to rise across the state, Utah’s top epidemiologist warned residents and lawmakers that unless changes are made the state will see “preventable deaths.”
Thursday, June 11, 2020
On a normal spring break morning in Moab, brightly colored rafts bob down the Colorado River with guide services’ logos emblazoned on their sides. A few miles away guided parties stack ropes in the pre-dawn light below climbing routes in Castle Valley. In town, shuttle services rack bikes on…
For years, health care providers have been looking for ways to connect residents in rural areas to medical providers in simpler and less expensive ways. One of the effects of the coronavirus pandemic was to quickly speed up adoption of one of those options: telehealth, or health care service…
Friday, June 05, 2020
Hayley Knouff was born and raised in Moab. Just a year and half ago, she decided to buy a business in the city.
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Governor Gary Herbert moved Moab to “low-risk” public health restrictions along with the majority of the state on May 29, rejecting requests from local government and public health officials for modifications and despite a growing number of COVID-19 cases in the area.
Saturday, May 30, 2020
Governor Gary Herbert moved Moab to "Low Risk" public health restrictions along with the majority of the state, ignoring requests from local governments and public health departments for modifications and despite a growing number of COVID-19 cases in the area.
Overcrowded Arches closes hours after opening; Timed entry system won't be in place until mid-summer
Arches National Park reopened on May 29, with the parks opening the gates and letting in visitors at 6 a.m.
Friday, May 29, 2020
Many eyes were on Zion National Park and other recreational areas during the Memorial Day weekend to see evidence of how limited park operations during the COVID-19 pandemic can address a busy holiday season. Limited operations restrained the usual overcrowding, but concerns remain about how…
How do I recreate responsibly during the COVID-19 pandemic? The question weighs heavily for many residents who came to Moab to enjoy its abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities.
Monday, May 25, 2020
The Southeast Utah Health Department confirmed three positive tests for COVID-19 in Grand County from May 22 to May 25.
Friday, May 22, 2020
The Southeast Utah Health Department confirmed an additional confirmed case of COVID-19 in Grand County on May 22, while four previous positive cases were declared "recovered."
While the remainder of Utah was declared to be at “Low Risk” by Gov. Gary Herbert on May 16, Grand County was among a handful of counties and cities to remain with higher restrictions in place.
Photo caption: “If the people can’t go out to hear music, we’re going to bring the music to the people,” said a statement from Moab’s party marching band, the Fiery Furnace Marching Band. With appropriate social distancing precautions, the funky brass band announced that they will be marchin…
After having their senior year in high school curtailed by the coronavirus pandemic, some Grand County High School students went to work with staff to design a graduation ceremony that would be memorable, safe and meaningful for all.
Friday, May 15, 2020
With few tourists and months of lost income, many Moab businesses are in a perilous position, balancing economic pressure with concerns about customer and employee safety. Respecting public health orders, each is creating an individual plan for how their business will adapt to the “new normal.”
On May 13, Zion National Park is set to begin a phased reopening amid a nationwide push to reopen businesses and public land. Arches and Canyonlands will follow suit at the end of the month on May 29 after two months of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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At the regular Moab City Council meeting on May 12, the city’s budget was the main topic of discussion. Like the county government, even before COVID-19 wreaked havoc on the national and local economies the city was already making tough decisions to balance their budget.
“This couldn’t really have come at a worse time for a lot of people,” said Maria Sykes, executive director of the Green River Epicenter, an arts and affordable housing nonprofit in the rural Emery County city.
Monday, May 11, 2020
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Arches and Canyonlands National Parks will open its trails and roads to visitors again on May 29 after two months of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thursday, May 07, 2020
Moonflower Community Cooperative employee Brad Hanson completes a grocery order for a customer utilizing the store’s curbside pickup service. The CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain, such as in grocer…
Amid all the discussion of science and economics as the COVID-19 pandemic impacts the Moab area, for some the most important question is clear: how do I pay my rent?
Add field research to the long list of activities delayed or modified because of the coronavirus pandemic.
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The two main topics of discussion at the Grand County Council meeting April 30 were the response to the coronavirus pandemic and the county’s grim budget outlook.
Monday, May 04, 2020
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The Southeast Utah Health Department confirmed an additional positive test for COVID-19 in Grand County the evening of May 4, after announcing earlier in the day that three previous positive cases were declared "recovered."
Saturday, May 02, 2020
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