NAMPA, Idaho — In October, the Southwest Idaho Health District voted 4-3 to remove the COVID-19 vaccines from its facilities. So, what does this mean to the residents in their six-county district?

• Southwest Idaho Health District votes to remove COVID-19 vaccines.
• Board Chair Kelly Aberasturi explains his view on vote.

(Below is the transcript from the broadcast story)

Owyhee County Commissioner Kelly Aberasturi was one of the three who voted to continue providing vaccines because he feels taking the shot or not is an individual choice, and that the District shouldn’t get in the way of that. “I voted against it but not that I believe in the shot but because I believe it’s individual rights who can make their own decision.”

I asked Aberasturi what the discussion was like before they took the vote. “A couple of the commissioners are pretty conservative, and they just didn’t think that they should be giving out a vaccine that has negative effects on some certain individuals.”

To be clear, the CDC recommends everyone over six months get an updated COVID-19 vaccines and emphasizes they are safe. So where can you go to get one if you are in the Southwest District? I reached out to the Central District Health and they told me anyone can visit their Boise clinic by scheduling an appointment for their immunizations — no matter where they live or work. They accept most insurance and have options for those under-insured or uninsured. They won’t turn anyone away based on where they live.

The F.D.A.’s top vaccine official urges everyone eligible to get immunized.

BOZEMAN — People in downtown Bozeman who choose not to drink and drive after a night out will soon see fairies giving them a gift to thank them for their good choices.

“Montana Bar Fairies is a nonprofit that my daughter and I started because my son was killed by a drunk driver in the Flathead, on March 23rd, after celebrating his 21st birthday,” says Beth McBride.

Bobby Dewbre was set to graduate from Flathead Valley Community College with a welding certificate before he was hit by a drunk driver while waiting for his sober ride.

To ensure no other family experiences the grief they do, Beth McBride and her daughter Carli Dewbre decided to start Montana Bar Fairies.

“My daughter drove by a bar early in the morning on her way to work and she saw some cars in the parking lot. And she called me up and she said, ‘Mom I wish there was a way that we could thank people for not drinking and driving, for leaving their cars,’” McBride recalls.

The nonprofit began in Kalispell almost a year ago, but an increase in DUI-related accidents in Gallatin County brought the Bar Fairies to Bozeman.

“There seems to be a desire for the community here to say, ‘You know what? We’re done.’ It’s over. We’re not accepting drunk driving anymore. It’s time to save lives,” says McBride.

According to the Gallatin County DUI Task Force, Gallatin County consistently ranks in the top five most dangerous counties in Montana for impaired driving—with Bozeman Police issuing a majority of all DUIs in the county.

Bozeman’s Bar Fairies chapter director and MSU student, Patricia Hinchey, says there’s no better time to start their work in Bozeman than the weekend of Cat-Griz.

“Sunday morning, we’re going to be going really early and placing coffee cards on cars, around downtown, in the parking lots, along the streets. And so, if you’re lucky, you might get a coffee card thanking you for not drinking and driving after the Cat-Griz game,” Hinchey says.

Included with each coffee card is a card with a story of someone who lost their life to a drunk driver. Patricia says they’re looking for Bozeman families willing to share their story, as well as more volunteers.

“We want to take Montana from the worst state for DUI fatalities to zero. And we need the community’s help to do that,” says McBride.

Contact Hinchey for help with Bozeman’s chapter at Patricia@montanabarfairies.org

Learn more about Montana Bar Fairies at their website.

Nevada battled back after falling into a hole in the second half, but the Wolf Pack suffered its first loss of the season, 73-71, to Vanderbilt on Thursday in the Charleston Classic in Charleston, S.C.

The Wolf Pack plays VCU at 4:30 p.m. Friday. Seton Hall beat VCU, 69-66, in overtime Thursday.

Tyler Rolison and Kobe Sanders each had 13 points to lead Nevada as the Wolf Pack fell to 4-1. Brandon Love had 11 points and Nick Davidson added nine points and nine rebounds.

The Commodores led 59-47 midway through the second half. Nevada got back within one in the final minutes but could not get any closer.

Nevada led by 10 in the early going before Vanderbilt rallied to take a 37-35 lead into the break.

Nevada shot 54 percent for the field (29-of-54) while Vanderbilt shot 47 percent (28-59). Both team shot 6-of-15 from 3-point range.

Nevada had a 33-30 edge in rebounding. Both teams had 13 assists. Nevada committed 16 turnovers while Vanderbilt had 13.

A.J. Hoggard, a Michigan State transfer, led Vanderbilt (5-0) with 18 points, Jason Edwards added 16 and MJ Collins had 15. Vanderbilt plays Seton Hall at 2 p.m. Friday.

Nevada’s bench contributed 28 points, 24 for Vanderbilt’s bench.

The Pack had a lull in the second half before clawing back.

It was the first time Nevada had played Vanderbilt.

Former Utah State coach Ryan Odom is the coach at VCU now.

Up Next

• Nevada faces Seton VCU at 4:30 p.m. Friday in the Charleston Classic

• Dec. 2, Washington State at Nevada, 7 p.m.
• Dec. 7, Nevada at Loyola Marymount, 6 p.m.
• Dec. 11, South Dakota State at Nevada, 7 p.m.
• Dec. 14, Texas Southern at Nevada, 7 p.m.
• Dec. 21, Colorado State at Nevada, 2 p.m.
• Dec. 28, Nevada at Wyoming, 1 p.m.
• Dec. 31, Utah State at Nevada, 7 p.m.