www.tooeletranscript.com THURSDAY TOOELE Tooele woman’s life spans RANSCRIPT 105 years T of world events See B1 BULLETIN December 29, 2005 SERVING TOOELE COUNTY SINCE 1894 VOL. 112 NO. 63 50 cents Jessyka Thomas demonstrates FluMist at the Tooele County Health Department. FluMist is a great alternative for those who do not photography / Troy Boman like getting a traditional shot. Health officials say it is as effective as the shot, but is only approved for individuals ages 5 to 49. Utah leads nation in flu infection by Jesse Fruhwirth Sundwall, executive director of UDOH flu vaccine protects against. Over 75 per- STAFF WRITER at a press conference Wednesday. “This cent of Utahns age 65 or older received a Got the flu? So far this season, Utah’s is not what we would consider an epi- flu shot in 2004. That’s above the national winning the race toward a sneezing, ach- demic.” average of nearly 68 percent. ing flu epidemic. This year’s relatively Epidemiologist Susan Mottice said the “The vaccine is a good match for this high rate of hospitalizations may be a flu rate is higher than last year, but “last year’s influenza strain,” she said. “harbinger of a severe season,” health year was a mild season.” The flu vaccine could save the lives of officials warn. There have been 81 flu-related hospi- high-risk individuals. The Centers for Disease Control and talizations so far this season, 43 of which “Most of the people who have been Prevention’s weekly update displayed an were reported in just the last week. hospitalized with influenza have been in alarming graphic (right) coloring Utah For 2004-05, only 253 hospitilizations one of the high-risk groups for whom we the sole sore red spot in the nation occurred for the entire season. most strongly recommend the vaccine,” for “widespread” flu infection. Despite “The risk of acquiring influenza is Dr. Robert Rolfs, UDOH Epidemiologist, the scary map, the Utah Department of highest when it is widespread,” Mottice said in a press release. “If you are in one Health said there’s really nothing all that said. of those high risk groups and have not unusual about this flu season. Still no bird flu detected, so there are been vaccinated yet, now is the time to “The rate of infection is higher than no worries there. get the vaccine. If you have an infant last year; it is [already] what we would Mottice said 90 percent of flu infec- consider widespread,” said Dr. David tions detected match the variant that the SEE FLU ON A4 Pros say horse slaughter ban will result in neglect by Jesse Fruhwirth in Illinois — and fuel the so-called “killer STAFF WRITER sales” of horses. It is estimated that 68,000 Local horse advocates find themselves to 90,000 horses are slaughtered each year at in disagreement with Utah Senators Orrin these facilities. Their meat is sold mostly to Hatch and Bob Bennett. Recent changes to European markets. federal agriculture funding that both sena- At present, the slaughterhouses are in tors voted for have put a de facto ban — that limbo: They are required to have inspec- may become permanent — on slaughtering tions to conduct their operations, but soon horses for human consumption. The move no such government inspectors will exist. has caused an uproar in the ranching indus- The appropriations bill expires on Sept. 30, try that has warned that cruel treatment of 2006 and funding may be restored to the horses will increase and the price of horses inspectors in the next appropriations bill. will plummet if slaughter is banned. At that time, the horse slaughter might be This year’s federal agriculture appropria- legitimized again. But bills reside in both tions bill carried a stipulation that no fund- the federal House of Representatives and ing can go to pay slaughterhouse inspec- the Senate that would make a permanent, tors if that horse meat is used for human decisive ban on horse slaughter. consumption. Three such slaughterhouses exist in the country — two in Texas and one SEE HORSES ON A4 Dunlavy switches gears as Tooele’s top leader by Mark Watson “There hasn’t been a lot of down time,” After working 27 years for the Tooele County Sheriff’s Department, Judd Ericson, 62, will retire next week. He plans to Dunlavy said in a recent interview. “Mayor spend more time with his horses on the farm where he grew up in Pine Canyon. STAFF WRITER Patrick Dunlavy did not have the luxury of Roberts had several things going on that I easing into his new job as mayor of Tooele. needed to finish up on and at the same time When former Mayor Charlie Roberts found I’m trying to initiate some of my own ideas.” Cowboy turned cop retires to the range a job nearly four months prior to the end of The new mayor said his 20 years working as city recorder has helped some, but his riding horses. “I’ll be staying here in the worked for the county as his final year, Council Chairman Michael by Mark Watson first month-and-a-half has been challenging. “I’m just going to go same house I grew up in,” the road supervisor. Johnson attempted to juggle the duties of STAFF WRITER mayor while working full-time at his regular “We’re still looking for a public works direc- Instead of fighting crime, back to cowboying again,” Ericson said. “I was just a kid and Fay job. For Johnson, the election could not tor, plus an administrative assistant to the Judd Ericson now would Ericson said. Out on the farm in Pine Gillette would come over come soon enough. He said nobody in the mayor,” he said. Janeen Selph, who worked rather be a cowboy. The Pine Canyon man Canyon is where a young and sit here at the kitchen world could have been more happy than he as Mayor Roberts’ administrative assistant, After 27 years work- will conclude his work for Ericson used to relish table with my dad. I would was when a new mayor was selected. resigned that position and is pursuing oppor- ing for the Tooele County the county on Jan. 8 and the times when former listen to their stories and City leaders decided they would not wait tunities in other states. Sheriff’s Department, then use his time to help Tooele County Sheriff Fay from then on I wanted to be until January to swear in the new mayor, so Ericson will return to his his brother Dale take care Gillette would come to visit SEE ERICSON ON A2 Dunlavy began his duties 45 days early on other passion of raising and of their 20-acre farm. his father Jack who also SEE DUNLAVY ON A2 Nov. 16, 2005. WEATHER OBITUARIES A8 DOINGS C1 INSIDE Partly cloudy tonight. Lows in SPORTS A10 CROSSWORD C4 Cowboys play well the 20s. Mostly cloudy Friday in hard-fought loss to Warriors with a chance of rain. Highs in HOMETOWN B1 JUST 4 KIDS C4 See A10 the 40s. Complete Forecast: A2 TV LISTINGS B5, B6 CLASSIFIEDS C5 A2 THURSDAY December 29, 2005 ETCETERA ... Area Ski Report Valley Weather Forecast Ericson Local Weather continued from page A1 Today’s Mountain Weather Forecast: Today: windy. Snow showers - accumu- a member of the sheriff’s depart- Fri 41/33 lation 3-6”. Highs at 8000’ in the mid 20s. ment,” Ericson said. Northwest winds 20-30 mph in the morning, 12/30 decreasing to 15-25 mph in the afternoon. A mix of light rain and snow later in In 1975, Ericson joined Alta — 77” mid mtn. 3” new snow 48 hrs; the day. High 41F. the Tooele County Search & 7/7 lifts open Beaver Mountain — 54” mid mtn. 13” Rescue team and three years new snow 48 hrs; 5/5 lifts open later became a full-time county Brian Head — 19” mid mtn. 4” new snow employee when he was hired 48 hrs; 3/7 lifts open Sat 44/29 Brighton — 72” mid mtn. 5” new snow 12/31 as a deputy by Sheriff William last 48 hours; 7/7 lifts open (Bill) Pitt. Light rain. Highs in the mid 40s The Canyons — 46” mid mtn. 11” new “I was a road supervisor for snow 48 hrs; 16/16 lifts open and lows in the upper 20s. Deer Valley — 46” mid mtn. 2” new Tooele City making $12 some- snow 48 hrs; 20/21 lifts open thing per hour, but really wanted Park City — 55” mid mtn. 5” new snow to a part of the sheriff’s depart- 48 hrs; 14/14 lifts open Sun Powder Mountain — 58” mid mtn; 6” 42/32 ment. Pitt was aware of Ericson’s 1/1 new snow last 48 hours; 5/7 lifts open desires and offered him a job Snowbasin — 57” mid mtn. 2” new snow Chance of showers. Highs in the with the department. 48 hrs; 11/12 lifts open low 40s and lows in the low 30s. Snowbird — 68” mid mtn. 9” new snow “Back in the ‘70s, CETA 48 hrs; 11/11 lifts open (Comprehensive Employment & Solitude — 73” mid mtn; 4” new snow last 48 hours; 8/8 lifts open Training Act) was a job-train- Sundance — 44” mid mtn. 2” new snow Mon 42/30 ing program where veterans and photography / Troy Boman 48 hrs; 4/4 lifts open 1/2 After retiring from the sheriff’s department, Judd Ericson plans to spend more time on his Pine Canyon farm.