Sunny skies today warming us up to temps close to 70 degrees for the high. Tonight, we’ll dip down to lows in the mid 40s.
For the weekend, Saturday and Sunday both look to be clear and sunny with highs in the upper 70s.
Now, here’s the news.
Trinidad’s Mount San Rafael Hospital (MSRH) began construction on an addition to their facilities back in 2019 and recently The Chronicle-News had an opportunity to catch up with MSRH CEO John Tucker and Director of Planning and Development Kim Lucero on current progress on the new space that could be ready by the end of 2020 or beginning of 2021.
Lucero explained the background about how they had applied and were awarded a loan for $27 million from the USDA to build the much needed modernized and expanded facilities with a lower interest rate that made it more affordable for a rural hospital. Another $7 million was borrowed from a private lender. Those funds were given in $5 million batches, Tucker explained, and the last piece was about $2 million that the hospital just received from the USDA.
Additionally, the USDA provided a $50,000 grant to MSRH that wouldn’t have to be paid back.
The new space itself boasts a 14-bed medical and surgical unit, a new Emergency Department (ED) with 10 treatments spaces, a central utilities plant, and new monitoring equipment for the ED. Right now, Project Engineer Tim Gurule for GH Phipps, the contractors in charge of the construction, said that their team was in the process of trimming out and finishing up the space.
In the state, The Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) Board of Directors voted to uphold its already-approved sports calendar, which means high school football won’t happen this fall, Finn Warner reported in today’s issue of The Chronicle.
The vote came after Gov. Jared Polis said during a news briefing Tuesday that his administration wanted “to encourage CHSAA to allow” school districts to proceed with high school football in the fall if they’re prepared.
CHSAA approved the 20-21 sports and activities calendar last month, which delayed football and other contact sports until later in the school year.
The board voted unanimously on a resolution Tuesday to not alter the schedule they approved in August.
Currently 32 states have scheduled a fall return to high school football. Twenty-three of those have already commenced a fall season. Statistics by John Hopkins University show spikes in COVID-19 cases among several states that have started their football seasons over the past two weeks. Oklahoma, Florida, Ohio, Utah and North Dakota have seen the sharpest increase in cases per day since the commencement of their football seasons two to three weeks ago.
Happening in the world, it’s not too surprising that some people want to make light of their dying and in the case of a 94-year-old Virginia man with a life-long love of Juicy Fruit gum, that involves a deathly flavorful display.
According to a report yesterday on UPI, Suttie Economy (yes that’s really their name) asked Oakey’s Funeral Service in Virginia to be buried in a casket painted to resemble a pack of Juicy Fruit.
Having received permission from the Mars Wrigley Company, Economy had been hospitalized several weeks ago but doctors say his condition was improving, unlike the overall economy.
The nonagenarian developed a love for Wrigley's chewing gum while serving in World War II, when the company took Juicy Fruit and other varieties of gum off the market so there would be enough to distribute to U.S. service members. He brought his love of Juicy Fruit home with him, friends and family said.
The company initially refused the request, leading the funeral home to post about the efforts on Facebook. The post went viral and a member of the public was able to get Oakey contact information for the company's president.
Oakey said he received a call from the vice president of Mars Wrigley a few days later giving permission to use the logo on the casket. The president reached out the next week to tell Oakey he was being sent some products for the Economy family.
The family received 250 packs of Juicy Fruit gum, Oakey said.
Economy's brother, John, said the family is now seeking an artist to paint the casket. I can’t help but wonder if he’ll request his embalming fluid be provided by the chewing gum company as well with flavors that last and last… But I’ll let you make your own jokes with that one.
Happening this weekend, on Saturday at 7 p.m., Southern Colorado Repertory Theatre will be hosting Main Street Comedy Night featuring David Rodriguez and Allison Rose and organized by local funny guy, Jay Gillespie. Tickets are $15 at the door or $10 prior with a link on their Facebook event, Main Street Comedy Night.
Additionally, if you know of any upcoming events we should be aware of, please feel free to reach out to us here at the Chronicle News so we can make sure to spread the word!
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This is Cameron Wayne, have a great day!
