Campus and community briefs
Health alert lifted
The health alert that was issued by the Bear River Health Department earlier this month has been lifted.
“This is the best news in two weeks,” said Grant Koford, environmental scientist for the health department.
Koford said air pollution levels fell below the red burn condition level on Sunday.
“While we are not out of the woods yet, we have seen an improvement in our air quality [and] a decrease in the amount of air pollution partially due to warmer temperatures and a shift in high pressure,” he said.
Koford said community efforts have also made a difference in lowering the pollution levels.
Many individuals, Koford said, were involved in efforts to reduce the amount of pollution in the valley since the health advisory was issued. The health department is still encouraging all Cache Valley residents to continue good habits in regards to air quality. Recommendations continue to include not using wood stoves unless it is the only source of heat and reducing car exhaust.
Blue light to honor achievements
To demonstrate pride in the many accomplishments of Utah State University faculty, staff and students, the Aggie Blue Pride Light will be turned on Monday, Jan. 26 and the Carillon Bells will ring at 1:05 p.m.
Every four months the university designates a Blue Pride Light Night to recognize individuals for outstanding achievements. Honorees this quarter are English professor Christopher Cokinos; Todd Fallis, music professor; assistant dean for continuing education and special education and rehabilitation professor Ronda Menlove; agricultural systems technology and education professor Bruce Miller; and Jennifer Peeples, speech languages and philosophy professor.
The light atop Old Main lights the Cache Valley night sky as a symbol of Aggie tradition, heritage and pride. The outstanding professors, staff and students honored are a part of this heritage and contribute to the high quality of USU.
Range management meeting to be held
Biodiversity, invasive weeds, wildfires, wildlife management, rangeland management, ranching and suburban pressures are all to be featured during the 57th annual Meeting of the Society for Range Management at the Grand America and Little America hotels in Salt Lake City, Jan. 25 to 30.
With the theme “Rangelands in Transition,” the meeting will bring together more than 1,700 ecologists, range scientists, public and private land managers, policy makers, students and others interested in rangelands. More than 50 symposia, technical sessions, workshops and poster sessions will be framed by field trips to Antelope Island, Ogden Bay, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge and Snow Basin where participants will learn about Utah’s natural resources and resource management challenges.
New seat belt law proposed
AAA Utah is supporting Senate Bill 71, a new seat belt law they say can prevent injuries and save lives and money. Safety experts estimate that in Utah, 174 lives could be saved each year by allowing law enforcement officers to stop motorists who are not wearing seat belts.
“Not only will this bill save lives and lessen the number of serious injuries, it will also significantly save money for Utah’s businesses, governments and individuals,” said Rolayne Fairclough, AAA Utah spokeswoman.
The Crash Outcome Data Evaluation System (CODES) at the University of Utah reports that medical costs average 55 percent more for those who aren’t wearing a seat belt in a crash. CODES also reports that in Utah, 85 percent of all medical costs of crashes fall on society, not on the individuals involved.