Lewis County disappointed about SNIRT cancellation
Feb. 25—LOWVILLE — A statement from Lewis County in response to the cancellation of 2025 SNIRT Run expressed disappointment in the decision.
"Lewis County is deeply saddened to learn today that the Board of Directors of the Barnes Corners Sno-Pals voted on Feb. 19 to cancel the 2025 SNIRT Run, an event they have sponsored for the past 19 years," the release stated.
The statement clarified that "there have been no new policies or changes to Lewis County regulations since last year's event."
It did confirm that the Department of Health requires a Mass Gathering Permit for all events being held with over 5,000 people in attendance.
"This type of event also requires insurance due to the liability of opening roads to allow access," the release stated.
Jackie Mahoney, director of Recreation, Forestry, and Parks, said her department has attempted to assist with the event, which she felt should continue.
"We have met with representatives of the Barnes Corners Sno-Pals multiple times to assist with this year's event," the director said. "We would love to see the event continue, but they must meet the Event Permit requirements to hold the event and help keep everyone safe."
The county contends that over the years it has actively supported efforts to facilitate the event — assisting with the necessary paperwork for the Department of Health's Mass Gathering Permit and providing resources through the Emergency Management team.
"Multiple county departments — including Highway, Parks, and Emergency Management — together with dedicated volunteer groups, have worked to help make this event a success in previous years," the county release stated. "The goal of the county has always been to support events that bring positive economic and recreational benefits to our community while ensuring public safety and compliance with all current established regulations. We remain open and stand ready to work with event organizers to find solutions that meet the requirements, and we hope to see the SNIRT Run continue in the future."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Boston Globe
2 days ago
- Boston Globe
Letter writer can't get answers about friend's death
I have been desperate to learn the circumstances of her death. I have googled my brains out and followed up every lead. There are no obituaries available online, and no death notices, either. There are no newspaper articles about her death. Her attorney's secretary won't let me talk to him, citing attorney-client confidentiality, even though she is deceased, and he withdrew himself from representing her upon her death. The heir of her estate will not return my calls. I can't even nail down where she died so I can file a Freedom of Information Act request with the appropriate law enforcement agencies. Get Love Letters: The Newsletter A weekly dispatch with all the best relationship content and commentary – plus exclusive content for fans of Love Letters, Dinner With Cupid, weddings, therapy talk, and more. Enter Email Sign Up I don't have a claim on her estate. I have no ulterior motive whatsoever. I just want to know what happened to my old friend. I have tried everything I know. I was hoping that you might have some ideas. Advertisement FRIEND IN THE DARK A. You have my sympathies — it can be so difficult to learn of a friend's passing and not have the closure afforded by a service, a conversation, or more information. It's possible that Mary's heir and/or her family want to keep the circumstances of her death private. It's also possible that there isn't much to know and, were you to discover it, it wouldn't give you the peace you're seeking. Advertisement Some of this pursuit is probably motivated by grief. That makes sense. And it's perfectly natural to want to know more details about a loved one's death. But details won't serve you as much as finding a way to commemorate the relationship that you had and the life that she lived. Take some time to focus on her, maybe on a walk in nature or someplace that held special meaning to you both. Thank her for being a part of your life and wish her well on her journey. The 'how' of her death matters, but the details of her life and your relationship matter more and will help sustain you through your grief. Q. This is in reference to 'Worried in Wisconsin,' from a substance abuse clinician who was concerned about a niece's opioid abuse. Speaking as a physician, make sure everyone in your niece's life has and knows how to use Narcan. Only the niece can decide to pursue treatment, but anyone can provide lifesaving treatment if she overdoses. PHYSICIAN READER A. Narcan, a brand name for naloxone, a medication that is used to rapidly reverse opioid overdoses, is an important resource. It is available, in some cases for free and prescription-free, through some state and local agencies and community distribution programs. It comes in multiple forms including a nasal spray. Bystander training can be completed in less than an hour and is available online through organizations like the Red Cross and many states' Department of Health. While naloxone can reverse the effects of opioid overdose, per the National Institute of Drug Abuse, it is still imperative to call 911 immediately so that the individual can receive attention and continued monitoring. Advertisement Q. I read the letter from 'Outside Only,' who had a guest at a Fourth of July party who said it was too hot outside and spent the evening inside. I know you were answering the host, but you were not empathetic to the guest. There are some people who simply cannot handle heat. I am one of them. Outside summer heat causes me intense physical pain and discomfort and makes it very difficult to even visit with others and enjoy a party. Now that the hostess knows this is a problem, this year she could try to accommodate all of her guests by putting up seating under umbrellas, or in the shade of the house, or setting out fans in a couple of areas. How many people really enjoy being outside in the middle of the hot summer sun for hours? NEBRASKA IS HOT A. From the letter, it sounds like the host was actually quite accommodating — no word on umbrellas as it was an evening party, but the letter writer spent the duration of the event inside with the guest even though the fireworks-viewing party was, as they tend to be, outside. However, not to put too fine a point on it, but sometimes guests have to make a decision about whether a particular party is for them. If the gathering is outside and one doesn't want to be outside, one doesn't have to go. R. Eric Thomas can be reached at .
Medscape
7 days ago
- Medscape
Is It Too Late to Rebuild Trust in Public Health?
'No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main.' — John Donne, Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions (1624) Our public health institutions are facing unprecedented challenges, from the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic to widespread misinformation and distrust. As Americans grapple with the consequences of these crises, the question arises: Is it too late to rebuild trust in our public health system? In the first quarter of this new century, we've experienced monumental societal, technological, scientific, and political changes; virtually all aspects of our world are dramatically different from how they were just 25 years ago. Although many of these changes have been for the better, a substantial share of our population has become wary, confused, and unsure about which — if any — institutions they can trust. This collective cultural crisis has created a feeding ground for opportunists, especially when it comes to public health. Much of the confusion is quite understandable. The internet democratized information sharing with no substantial guardrails. Anybody can claim to be an expert on anything. In an era where anyone can claim expertise, the actions of public health leaders carry significant weight in shaping public perception. I was reminded of this fact when I saw pictures of Robert F. Kennedy Jr, head of the US Department of Health and Human Services, swimming with his grandchildren in a creek notorious for its high levels of bacterial contamination — despite posted guidance to stay out of the water to avoid illness. Such imagery sends a troubling message: Public health warnings are merely suggestions for the cautious, rather than essential guidelines for safeguarding health. Ignore them, or not. The end result is the same. This disconnect between the behavior of health authorities and the seriousness of their warnings undermines trust and reinforces the notion that public health advisories are only for the weak of heart, further complicating efforts to rebuild confidence in public health institutions. Then, the extraordinary penetration of social media into the international zeitgeist produced a dominant communication medium, and now we have self-promoting 'influencers' attaining key positions of power. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, few people anticipated that our roughly equally divided American political voting groups would become polarized and fractured by the development of a discordant chasm of beliefs. The level of antipathy and acrimony has been a startling and upsetting surprise — especially as that polarization has led many to question the value of evidence-based medical practice and science itself. This great divide was widened further with the vehemence, speed, and effectiveness of the actions this new federal administration has taken to dismantle the governmental foundation of medical science and public health. Many of us believed our traditional checks and balances would serve as moderating influences on the president's more extreme policies. But so far, our federal health agencies have been subject to substantial funding cuts, a forced exodus of established leaders, and bizarre restructuring and consolidations. At this point, the extent and duration of the damage being inflicted on our public health system remain uncertain, leaving us to wonder how much will be lost before we fully comprehend the consequences. I suggest we return to the basics and revisit the fundamental reasons behind the concept of 'public health.' Human behavior is governed by many variables, but at its core are personal morality and societal ethics. Curious about their genesis, I approached my current favorite generative AI tool, Gemini, with the following prompt: 'What is the ____ basis that supports public health over individual health?' I ran this prompt seven times, inserting an age-old 'influencer' into the blank for each test. I wanted to know if Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, Islamic, and religiously unaffiliated belief systems could guide us toward the path to rebuilding trust in public health. After marveling at the beautifully written, organized prose that Gemini generated, I found that the seven belief systems shared the following values in common: social responsibility, importance of community, justice, equity, and the obligation to prevent harm and care for the vulnerable. Ethical decisions must balance these factors with individual conscience and freedom. In essence, John Donne was correct: No man is an island. Fifteen years ago, some colleagues and I created the Lundberg Institute, a nonprofit aimed at overcoming medical paternalism and enhancing patient power. The Lundberg Institute's credo is 'One patient, one physician; one moment, one decision.' We wanted to ensure that this decision would be a shared decision , informed by the best evidence and taking cost into consideration. We were inciting rebellion from paternalism and insisting on the primacy and responsibility of the informed patient. In this era of growing mistrust, physicians must take an active role in supporting public health. As trusted figures in our communities, healthcare professionals have the unique opportunity to advocate for evidence-based practices, engage in transparent communication, and educate patients about the importance of public health initiatives. To amplify our collective voice, I urge my fellow physicians to sign onto an open letter, ' To the American People, ' calling for action to protect public health. In medicine and health, we humans are a connected community — regardless of current politics. We must care for each other, thereby protecting the health of the public, which includes ourselves, our friends, our families, and our neighbors. Effective individual patient-physician relationships will be of unparalleled importance during this transition phase, no matter how long it lasts. Then, we as a country must determine how we can organize necessary resources to rebuild public trust and to preserve the health of our public.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Yahoo
New Mexico health officials: Measles case reported in San Juan County
A child under 4 has been diagnosed with measles in San Juan County, the first case of the virus in the county, the New Mexico Department of Health announced Tuesday. The child, who had received one dose of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, contracted the virus on a domestic flight. The new case comes about a week and a half after officials said exposures were possible at sites in Santa Fe, although no local cases have been reported. The best way to avoid measles is to get the MMR vaccine, health officials say. The first shot is recommended for children between 12 and 15 months old and the second between 4 and 6 years old. 'Travel can increase the risk of exposure,' Dr. Miranda Durham, chief medical officer at the Department of Health, said in a statement Tuesday. 'Whether you're traveling within the U.S. or abroad, before you go make sure you're up to date on your vaccines.' The diagnosis brings New Mexico's total measles cases to 81 amid a series of outbreaks of the disease nationwide. Though New Mexico's measles cases stem from a larger outbreak in West Texas, more than 1,000 cases had been reported across 32 states, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show. San Juan County is the seventh New Mexico county to see a measles case since February and the first in the far northern reaches of the state. The majority of cases remain in Lea County, with six more in Sandoval County, three in Eddy County, two in Doña Ana County and one each in Chaves and Curry counties. The Navajo Nation, which includes much of San Juan County, issued health advisories in February and March warning residents of the dangers of measles. Though the child caught measles outside of San Juan County, the Department of Health warned people might have been exposed to measles recently at the following locations: * San Juan Regional Medical Center Emergency Room, 801 W. Maple St. in Farmington, from 10:30 p.m. May 26 to 4:15 a.m. May 27 and from 2 to 4 p.m. May 28. * San Juan Regional Medical Center Health Partners Pediatrics Clinic, 407 S. Schwartz, Suite 102 in Farmington, from 8:15 to 10:30 a.m. May 30. * NorLea Hobbs Medical Clinic, 1923 N. Dal Paso St in Hobbs, from 8:45 to 11:30 a.m. May 27. Measles symptoms, which develop seven to 21 days after exposure, include fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes, followed by a red, spotted rash that usually starts on the head or face and spreads down the body. The state Department of Health advises people who develop symptoms to stay home to prevent further spread and contact their health care providers or the agency's Helpline at 833-SWNURSE (833-796-8773) for further guidance.
