March 1 2021 Update

It was quite a week last week and a busy weekend.  We enjoyed some time with our Coast Guard son while he was in transit from Northern California to Louisiana and later this year to Bahrain.  It was great to see him for the first time in about 15 months.  We are proud of his progress in his career and of his service.

We were all shocked by the officer-involved critical shooting incident on Thursday afternoon in southeast Provo.  We are grateful that Officer Oseguera got through a delicate surgery and is stable and recovering, but distressed that the suspect put our officers and the general public at such risk.  Fortunately, the suspect is incarcerated currently awaiting the completion of the investigation and filing of criminal charges.  Mostly, incidents like this remind us all of what we ask our police officers to do as guardians of public safety, and the risks they take every day they put on their uniform.  Thank you to our police department and our brave men and women who wear the badge.  We consider it an honor to work beside you to protect and serve Provo.

CORONAVIRUS STATS

Nationally, the CDC reports 28,405,925 cases with 511,839 fatalities.

Utah:  371,492 cases; 14,724 hospitalizations; 1,940 deaths

Utah County:  90,143 cases; 2,427 hospitalizations; 333 deaths

NEWS YOU CAN USE

• Encircle, which started here in Provo, is expanding to other states after several high-profile donations.
• The organizers of America’s Freedom Festival in Provo outlined their plans for this year’s activities, which they said will likely include an in-person Stadium of Fire show.
• Danielle Rowe, a Utah resident, has launched a project to tell the stories of Black life in the Beehive State.
• After a vaccination registration error that lead to the cancellation of thousands of vaccines, the State's site has been fixed. 

PROVO SOCIAL MEDIA

THE MAYOR'S DAY

Today, Mayor Kaufusi:

• Met with the Fire Chief
• Held a meeting with the Police Chief
• Participated in a staff meeting
• Met with representatives from BYU
• Held a meeting with Chief Ferguson on the officer involved shooting last week
• Participated in the APPA Advisory Committee meeting
• Participated in the 2021 Virtual Legislative Rally
• Met with her executive team
• Participated in the PowerPAC Board of Directors Meeting/Awards Committee Meeting/Nominations Committee Meeting
• Held a meeting with Community and Neighborhood Services
• Participated in a Utah County COVID-19 Coordinating phone call meeting
• Held a meeting on parking in the city
• Filmed more portions of the State of the City address

FUN STUFF

So, you know that I have eclectic taste in music.  I grew up really enjoying the music and harmony of barbershop quartets.  Well, barbershop has come a long way since the "Music Man," and this innovative group hits all the right notes and has some fun doing it.  So, here is the New Fangled Four.

Have a great rest of your day.  And thanks again for all you do to keep us all safe and sound here in Provo.

Wayne