The Wayne & Garfield County Insider January 11, 2024

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Corner Post Media, P.O. Box 105, Escalante, UT 84726

Thursday, January 11, 2024

Crews Have Begun Winter Pile Burning on Kaibab NF KAIBAB N.F. - Fire managers are conducting prescribed pile burns throughout the winter season on the Kaibab National Forest as conditions safely allow. Winter is often the ideal time for crews to burn piles of slash and woody debris left over from forest thinning projects because colder temperatures and snow help moderate fire behavior and keep it from spreading beyond the piles. Approximately 5,000 acres of piles on the Tusayan and Williams ranger districts and 2,500 acres of piles on the North Kaibab Ranger District are slated for burning this season.

Operations began last week with up to 511 acres of hand piles located along S.R. 64 south of the Town of Tusayan. The piles can be seen from the highway and smoke will be visible from town during ignitions. The piles are rela-

Issue #1545

insiderutah.com

New Year, New School: Escalante Unveils New Elementary School

Wayne County Commission

by Nancy Goude

by Amiee Maxwell

Jan. 2, 2024

Nancy Goude

Staff, students, Principal Peter Baksis, Garfield County School Board Member Myron Cottam and other community members gather in front of the brand new Escalante Elementary School on Jan. 3, 2024.

ESCALANTE - A chilly January 3, 2024, marked the historic transition from the old Escalante Elementary School that opened in 1956 to the new

one located at 200 South Little Moqui Lane.

Nearly 68 years have passed since the town had a new elementary school.

Gone are the pioneer days

when little girls wore dresses every day and the desks were hard and wooden.

The state-of-the-art Escalante Elementary School, while much dif-

First Baby of 2024 at Cedar City Hospital is Marco Cuevas

DWR Reminds Public to Not 'Ditch a Fish'

Davina Smith Officially Files Her 2024 Candidacy for the Utah State House of Representatives

Pile Burning Cont'd on A6

Courtesy Brad Gillman

Born to Maria and Luis Cuevas from Cedar City, Marco Cuevas is the first baby of 2024 at Cedar City Hospital.

CEDAR CITY - The first baby of 2024 was born at Cedar City Hospital on January 2. Maria and Luis Cuevas from Cedar City welcomed a baby boy, Marco Cuevas, at 10:49 a.m.

“It is pretty exciting; he was supposed to be born on the 9th but decided to come a week early. He must have wanted to be the new year’s baby,” said Ma-

ria Cuevas.

Marco was born at seven pounds, nine ounces, and was nineteen inches long.

Charge nurse Reggi Bulloch noted the family's enthusiasm as she did her rounds the day after Marco was born, but according to her, Luis Jr., the baby’s brother, appeared to be the most excited about the new addition to the family.

—Insider

REGIONAL WEATHER FORECAST

SALT LAKE CITY The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is reminding the public that it is both illegal and harmful to introduce new fish species into a waterbody in response to an illegally released walleye recently caught at Strawberry Reservoir.

The DWR was contacted on Dec. 21, 2023, by an angler who reported catching a walleye at Strawberry Reservoir. The DWR verified the report and believes that someone illegally introduced the fish species recently. Only one walleye has been reported thus far.

Don't Ditch a Fish Cont'd on B3

Wayne Commission

Cont'd on B4

Cont'd on B4

Courtesy Davina Smith for Utah HD 69

MONTICELLO - On January 2, 2024, Davina Smith of Blanding, Utah, officially filed to run for Utah State House of Representatives for District 69.

Davina Smith’s remarkable journey is deeply rooted in her Diné (Navajo) heritage, originating from Monument Valley, Utah.

She proudly identifies with

the Ta’chii’ nii (Red Running into the Water) clan and Ta’ baa ha’ (EdgewaDavina Smith Cont'd on A3

UPCOMING EVENTS...

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Jan. 15, 2024

THURS. JAN. 11 - WED. JAN. 17

**Weather is subject to Change

New School

On January 2, 2024, Davina Smith (center) of Blanding, Utah, officially filed to run for Utah State House of Representatives for District 69.

FOR SOME BUT NOT ALL REGIONS REPRESENTED IN OUR NEWSPAPER COVERAGE AREA

Partly cloudy and cold! Highs range from the low 20s to the low 40s; lows range from single digits to the low 20s. Winds variable from 8 to 17 mph. Low chances of precip all week.

ferent than the previous schools that housed the town’s children, had its

WAYNE CO. - The January 2, 2024, Wayne County Commission meeting was very short.

The commission approved the minutes from their previous meeting held on December 18, 2023, and then briefly Commissioner Blackburn raised some concerns regarding the four modular homes the state is building near the fish hatchery. The state has already poured the concrete but have not obtained building permits. Blackburn said the state currently owns four houses and two fish hatcheries on 600 acres, and the county only sees $700 in taxes. “I think they need to move into the community and pay taxes,” said Blackburn, and he would like to talk to the governor about this issue.

“I don’t understand

When in doubt, look intelligent.

—Garrison Keillor

2024 Panguitch Ice Fishing Derby

Feb. 3, 2024 Panguitch Lake Fishing starts at 6 a.m.

ALL content for THE WAYNE & GARFIELD COUNTY INSIDER MUST BE submitted by FRIDAY AT NOON to be included in the following Thursday edition of the paper.

BOXHOLDER

NONPROFIT US POSTAGE PAID RICHFIELD, UTAH PERMIT No. 122

The Insider

A2

January 11, 2024

Conservation Groups Demand More from Land Managers for Southern Utah Sage Grouse Habitat

by David Louis | St George News

Emily Leach | Insider

Male Greater sage-grouse displaying at a lek in south central Utah.

SOUTHERN UTAH For nearly a quarter of a century, a spirited political debate has taken place on how to protect one of the West’s most iconic birds: the sage grouse.

Despite a persistent chasm between people passionate about protecting the environment and governmental agencies tasked with managing public lands, there has been a growing level of cooperation to find solutions.

But corralling groups with such disparate interests is no easy task, said Matt Cahill, sagebrush sea program director for The Nature Conservancy.

“It has been (a contentious relationship) in the past…but I think in recent years we’ve seen both sides come together to agree upon a set of solutions that work for everyone,” Cahill said.

“There is a (shared) focus on how the (sage grouse) ecosystem is managed into the future versus the management of a specific ecology for one species.

What we’ve found is the big problems are so large in scope that not just one entity can manage them.”

Utah’s Bureau of Land Management, along with 30 public and private stakeholders, are drafting changes to existing regulations to protect and conserve the habitat of a very specific grouse, the Gunnison sage-grouse.

“Collaboration can be a big hurdle to overcome when there are varied

opinions about the management of a species,” said BLM sage grouse coordinator Leah Waldner. “The goal is to try to find a middle ground…with everyone bringing something to the table…It is a critical part of (the process).”

While collaboration seems to be a catchphrase that many interest groups aspire to achieve, it’s not that simple for many organizations focused on biological solutions, said Erik Molvar, a wildlife biologist and executive director for the Western Watersheds Project.

“The approach of appeasing all the disparate interests and crafting a compromise frames the solution from a political, rather than a biological perspective,” he said. “If the feds craft a compromise that everyone can grudgingly live with but doesn’t address the primary drivers of extinction—a likely outcome, as compromises rarely include vested interests giving up on problematic activities or traditions they hold dear—then the Gunnison sage-grouse doesn’t have its minimum thresholds of biological requirements met and goes extinct.”

This is why the Endangered Species Act requires all decisions to be made solely based on the best available science, Molvar said.

“The political maneuvering is the problem, and by pushing that to the margins and focusing on biological needs…agencies

can stave off extinction and foster recovery,” he added.

“Political compromise will result in continued declines.”

Among all of the species of the North American grouse, two birds—the greater sage-grouse and Gunnison sage-grouse— have attracted the lion’s share of attention.

Of particular interest is the health and welfare of the Gunnison sage-grouse, widely recognized as one of the rarest and threatened avian species in America.

By some estimates, as many as 16 million greater sage-grouse once roamed across the plains and high deserts of Canada and 13 western states. Estimates now put the current population somewhere between 200,000 and 500,000 birds.

Sage grouse fossils have been found in New Mexico, Arizona and Oklahoma, which suggests that even though the species was extirpated from that area, such landscapes once had ecosystems that could support the bird.

The presence of fossils at Conkling Cave and Shelter Cave in southern New Mexico show that the species was present south of its current range at the end of the last ice age. Some experts project that the species could become increasingly vulnerable as global climate change increases the humidity in semiarid regions.

The Gunnison sagegrouse hasn’t fared much better. In the late 1970s,

some estimates put the Gunnison sage-grouse population at 10,000 birds.

According to data provided by Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the current population of the Gunnison Basin sage grouse is estimated at approximately 4,300 birds. Although there have been some increases in population numbers in recent years, the bird is experiencing a long-term downward trend.

The Gunnison sagegrouse is a ground-dwelling bird species with a current range limited to eight widely scattered and geographically isolated populations: the Gunnison Basin, San Miguel Basin, Piñon Mesa, Crawford, Cerro SummitCimarron-Sims Mesa, Poncha Pass and Dove Creek populations in southwestern Colorado and the Monticello population in southeastern Utah.

They occupy approximately 10% of the birds’ recognized historical range that once spanned the Four Corners region across Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico.

The BLM manages approximately 40% of Gunnison sage-grouse habitat across 12 Colorado and Utah counties. This includes approximately 60% of occupied habitat for the largest of the populations, the Gunnison Basin population found within the Colorado counties of Gunnison and Saguache.

Sage Grouse Cont'd on A6

Letters to the Editor

Why was South Central and Southwest Utah Excluded from Siting High Speed Public Charging Stations for Electric Vehicles?

I am disappointed that the Utah Department of Transportation has excluded all of south central and southwest Utah from siting high speed public charging stations for electric vehicles (udot.utah. gov/connect/). The Inflation Reduction Act provides funds for states to provide convenient charging stations. Garfield and Wayne counties are heavily dependent on tourism for not only tax revenue but employment. With the

hundreds of thousands of visitors to our local national parks and monuments in coming years, increasing numbers of these people will be driving electric vehicles. They will be looking for a place to charge their personal or rental vehicles.

Our tourism industry, from Bryce Canyon to Hanksville, is a golden goose laying tax eggs in county coffers. As with any goose, it needs to be provided for with care and attention.

Our county commissioners

are entrusted by the rest of us to be forward thinking and aggressive in promoting our local businesses.

One way of doing this is for them to actively address this concern with the Governor and the Utah Department of Transportation.

Time for some action.

As an aside, southeast Utah is a big winner, having high speed charging stations being located in Montecillo and Bluff, a distance of only forty-two miles. Maybe the commis-

sioners could get in touch with Assembly Member Phil Lyman (a current candidate for governor) [and find out] what he did to swing these high speed chargers in his home county (San Juan) but didn’t get anything for Wayne and Garfield. Seems he really looks out for the businesses over there. Hopefully, he’ll share his techniques with our local governments.

Bob Hartman, Escalante

Insider

The

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P.O. Box 105 Escalante, UT 84726 435-826-4400 email snapshot@live.com Publisher: Erica Walz Layout & Graphic Design: Emily Leach Reporter: Tessa Barkan Reporter: Amiee Maxwell Reporter: Kadi Franson Reporter: Ian Marynowski Reporter: Jaynie Connor Reporter: Nancy Goude Payroll: Trudy Stowe

Local columnists:

Mack Oetting - FYI Panguitch The Insider is a weekly community newspaper delivered each Thursday to households in Wayne and Garfield counties, Utah. The entire contents of this newspaper are © 2023 The Wayne & Garfield County Insider, LLC/ Corner Post Media. The Insider reserves the right to edit or reject any advertisement or submitted content items. Articles submitted by independent writers may or may not be the opinion of The Insider.

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The Insider

January 11, 2024

Report: Utah Ranks Among Top 10 States for Overall Health and Well-being

by Alex Gonzalez | Utah News Connection

Adobe Stock

"The number of licensed primary care professionals in the United States went down 13%," said Rhonda Randall, chief medical officer of employer and individuals for United Healthcare. "So we lost 107,000 licensed primary care professionals."

UTAH - Utah ranks among the top 10 states in the 2023 America's Health Rankings report, which "aims to understand the comprehensive health and well-being of the nation."

The report highlights the state has a low prevalence of excessive drinking, low income inequality, and has increased the number of mental health care providers—but continues to struggle in other areas, including air quality and other climate risks.

Carrie Butler is the executive director of the Utah Public Health Association. She said while Utah has promising statewide numbers, more work needs to be done at the local level to help specific communities.

"Our diabetes rate is actually quite low as a state, which means that we have a hard time getting Centers for Disease Control and Prevention fund-

ing for diabetes prevention programming," said Butler.

"However if you look at it at the granular level we have really high rates of diabetes and pre-diabetes in a lot of our communities of color."

Butler said it's hard to understand what communities across the state are facing without paying attention to specific disparities.

Butler said one thing is certain—Utah's population will continue to grow.

She said she is happy to see more attention to social determinant factors and how they impact overall health in the Beehive State.

On the national level, the report shows eight chronic conditions have reached their highest levels since America's Health Rankings began tracking them.

Dr. Rhonda Randall, chief medical officer of employer and individual for United Healthcare—

which sponsors the report—said if you do live with one or more chronic conditions like arthritis, diabetes, asthma or heart disease, you can still live a good life, but recommends seeing a medical professional.

"If it has been some time since you have had your check-up, go get that check-up," said Randall, "because caught early, you can have great outcomes and a quality of life and length of life if you're getting the right treatment associated with those chronic conditions."

Randall also encouraged policymakers to incentivize healthcare professions and make them attractive at the local level.

She added that it can make a big impact longterm, especially with many communities around the nation experiencing a shortage of healthcare professionals.

Davina Smith: In 2022, my campaign marked

a historic moment as I became the first Diné woman to seek election for the Utah House. This journey brought incredible support and connections with remarkable individuals. It’s with great excitement that I declare my candidacy for HD 69 in 2024.—Davina Smith, candidate for Utah State House of Representatives for District 69 Davina Smith Cont'd from A1

ter) clan.

“In 2022, my campaign marked a historic moment as I became the first Diné woman to seek election for the Utah House. This journey brought incredible support and connections with remarkable individuals. It’s with great excitement that I declare my candidacy for HD 69 in 2024. My commitment is to be the voice for those in our region who believe that their needs are overlooked by the government. The wisdom of my grandmother, who always advised me to ‘tell it like it is,’ has been a guiding force throughout my life and forms the cornerstone of my campaign. I am dedicated to representing the diverse communities of southeastern Utah.”

On January 2nd, Smith, accompanied by her parents, officially filed her candidacy for the 2024 Utah House District 69 race at the Monticello courthouse. Her groundbreaking 2022 campaign drew substantial support, with record-breaking do-

nations for a rural Utah House District election.

Throughout 2022, Smith extensively engaged with the communities in District 69, Utah’s largest by geographic size, visiting all six counties multiple times.

Her campaign resonated with thousands of southeastern Utah voters, focusing on critical local issues like education enhancement, local control of tourism funds, and investment in affordable housing for

workers and seniors, laying a strong foundation for her 2024 campaign.

Election day is Tuesday, November 5th, 2024.

Learn more about Davina Smith and her campaign by visiting www. davinaforut.com.

—Davina Smith for Utah HD 69

A3

New Year Brings All New Season to Tuacahn IVINS - Nothing says “fresh” and “new” like rolling over into a new year, and in 2024 nothing says “fresh” and “new” like this year’s lineup of five professional musicals never before performed at Tuacahn.

In what will undoubtedly be an incredible season featuring Disney’s wildly popular Frozen, the beautiful tale of Anastasia and the amazing story of Jersey Boys: The Story of Frankie Vallie & The Four Seasons in the Outdoor Amphitheatre, along with Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash and A Christmas Carol, The Musical in the Indoor Hafen Theatre, there’s a little something for everyone no matter their age.

“We are thrilled!” said Shari Jordan, associate

Heitzman said. “My intention is to combine the natural beauty and landscape of Tuacahn and marry it to the storytelling of Frozen.”

And if you’re wondering how the team can manage to transform a red rock desert into the wintry landscape of Arendelle, Tuacahn Artistic Director Scott Anderson simply said, “Come and see. We’re going to amaze you!”

Also opening in May, the stage musical inspired by the 1997 film Anastasia will transport audiences to the streets of Russia and Paris, following the story of a brave young woman as she discovers the mystery of her past.

One of Tuacahn’s dear friends and former directors, the late Peggy Hickey, was responsible for the original Broadway

ducers from the original Jersey Boys have given us a PG-rated script, which means anyone who was worried about some of the language and content from the original show, that has all been toned down,” Anderson said. “You still get all the great music. Really you don’t miss anything.”

Inside the Hafen Theatre, the story of another musical legend comes to life in Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash.

“His songs are so iconic,” Jordan said. “This production is an actor/musician show, like Million Dollar Quartet, where all the actors play their instruments live on stage. It really gives it a big concert kind of feel.”

Rounding out this unforgettable lineup is the

Courtesy Leavitt Wells

The 2024 season at Tuacahn includes Frozen, the beautiful tale of Anastasia and the amazing story of Jersey Boys: The Story of Frankie Vallie & The Four Seasons, along with Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash and A Christmas Carol, The Musical. artistic producer for Tuacahn. “It will be so exciting to see each of these stories brought to life.”

Kicking things off in May is the highly anticipated stage adaptation of Disney’s Frozen, directed

by Michael Heitzman and brought to life by the same creative team that turned Tuacahn’s most recent iterations of Beauty and the Beast, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory into living pieces of art.

“Frozen has a deep relationship to nature and natural elements,”

choreography for Anastasia, and Anderson said he is pleased to be able to offer an homage to Hickey’s life as part of the show.

After the immense success of several bio musicals in Tuacahn’s recent seasons, this year’s lineup features two—one in the Outdoor Amphitheatre and one in the Indoor Hafen Theatre.

Jersey Boys, taking place in the Outdoor Amphitheatre beginning in July, tells the behind-thescenes story of musical phenom Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.

“The writers and pro-

2024 holiday show, featuring the music of Alan Menken in a musical version of the Charles Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol.

“Everyone loves the story of A Christmas Carol, it’s such a great tradition,” Jordan said.

Season packages to see all five of these new Tuacahn musicals are on sale now, but don’t wait. They’re selling fast.

Check out show dates, prices and more at www. tuacahn.org or call the box office at 435-652-3300.

—Tuacahn Amphitheatre

A4

Wills, Trusts, and More

The Insider

Trust Maintenance

by Jeffery J. McKenna If you don’t maintain your car, it will break down and fail to perform.

Like a car, if you fail to maintain your trust, it will not achieve the desired purpose when needed.

Many people choose a revocable living trust instead of relying on a will or joint ownership in their estate plan. They like the cost and time savings, plus the added control over assets that a living trust can provide. When properly prepared, a living trust avoids the public and often costly, court processes at death (probate) and incapacity (conservatorship or guardianship). It can let you provide for your spouse without disinheriting your children, which can be important in second marriages. It can save estate taxes. And it can protect inheritances for children and grandchildren from the courts, creditors, spouses, and irresponsible spending. However, many people make a major mistake in that they do not properly maintain their trust by keeping it properly funded.

Funding your trust is the process of transferring your assets from you to your trust. To do this, you physically change the titles of your assets from your individual name (or joint names, if married) to the trustee of your trust.

You also will change beneficiary (or contingent beneficiary) designations to your trustee. The trustee you name for your living trust controls the assets in your trust. Most likely, you have named yourself

as trustee, so you will still have complete control. Remember, one of the great features of a revocable living trust is that you can continue to buy and sell assets just as you do now.

You can also remove assets from your living trust should you ever decide to do so. If you have signed your living trust document but haven’t changed titles and beneficiary designations, your trust will likely not achieve the desired results. You may have a great trust, but until you fund it (transfer your assets to it), it doesn’t control anything.

Your revocable trust can only control the assets you put into it. If the goal of your living trust is to avoid probate at death and court intervention at incapacity, then you must fund it now, while you are able to do so.

If you have a trust, your attorney should have prepared a “pour over will” that acts as a safety net. When you die, the will “catches” your assets and “sends” them into your trust. If you have forgotten to transfer an asset or two into your trust, the asset will probably have to go through probate first, but then it can be distributed according to the instructions in the will, to your trust. You are the one ultimately responsible for maintaining your trust.

Most attorneys will transfer real estate into the trust, and will provide forms and instructions for your other assets. Often they will include sample letters or blank forms for you to use. The funding process is not difficult. Because revocable living trusts are now

Comics

tHe lAuGhiNg pOiNt!!

At the Ranch

NOW WITH RICHFIELD AND PANGUITCH OFFICES TO SERVE CLIENTS IN AROUND THE SURROUNDING COUNTIES. Jeffery J. McKenna is a local attorney whose practice has been focused on Estate Planning for over 25 years.

He is licensed and serves clients in Utah, Arizona and Nevada. He is a shareholder at the law firm of Barney, McKenna and Olmstead. If you have questions you would like addressed in these articles, please feel free to contact him at 435 628-1711 or jmckenna@barney-mckenna. com or visit the firm’s website at WWW.BARNEY-MCKENNA.COM, he would enjoy hearing from you. Additionally, you can RSVP to attend one of his FREE Estate Planning Seminars in Richfield, at 159 North Main Street, every Third Thursday. so widely used, you should meet with little or no resistance when transferring your assets into your trust.

Like maintenance on a car, funding your trust and keeping your assets properly titled in the trust brings peace of mind because you know that, just like a well tuned car, your trust will perform properly when needed.

January 11, 2024

A blonde and a redhead have a ranch. They have just lost their bull. The women need to buy another, but only have $500. The redhead tells the blonde, "I will go to the market and see if I can find one for under that amount. If I can, I will send you a telegram."

She goes to the market and finds one for $499.

Having only one dollar left, she goes to the telegraph office and finds out that it costs one dollar per word.

She is stumped on how to tell the blonde to bring the truck and trailer.

Finally, she tells the telegraph operator to send the word "comfortable."

Skeptical, the operator asks, "How will she know to come with the trailer from just that word?"

The redhead replies, "She's a blonde so she reads slow: 'Come for ta bull.'"

Why Do Today...

My teachers told me I'd never amount to much because I procrastinate so much. I told them, "Just you wait!"

Grasshopper

A grasshopper sits down at a bar. The bartender says, "We have a drink named after you!" The grasshopper replies, "Who names a drink 'Steve?'"

Perfect Son

son.

A: I have the perfect

B: Does he smoke?

A: No, he doesn’t.

B: Does he drink whiskey?

A: No, he doesn’t.

B: Does he ever come home late?

A: No, he doesn’t.

B: I guess you really do have the perfect son.

How old is he?

A: He will be six months old next Wednesday.

sudoku To Play: Complete the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9

Beans

A teacher asked her students to use the word "beans" in a sentence. "My father grows beans," said one girl. "My mother cooks beans," said a boy. A third student spoke up, "We are all human beans."

PUNishment

What happened when a faucet, a tomato, and some lettuce ran a race together?

The lettuce was ahead, the faucet was running, and the tomato was trying to ketchup.

This week's answers on B5

THEME:

Geography 101 ACROSS 1. Village People's "____ Man" 6. Certain tray content 9. Little bit, in Mexico 13. Ammo in a quiver, sing.

14. Geological Society of America 15. Young eel 16. Song of praise 17. Snowy ____ or great horned ____ 18. Must-haves 19. *Strait between Russia and Alaska 21. *Smallest of the Great Lakes 23. Crime scene evidence 24. Peter the Great, e.g.

25. Consumer-protecting org.

28. Skiing helmet manufacturer 30. Mother-of-pearl, pl.

35. Type of sail, pl.

37. #29 Down anagram 39. Like Raphael's cherubs 40. Face shape 41. Tie with a morning coat 43. Dwarf buffalo 44. Short version 46. "At ____, soldier" 47. Supposed giant Himalayan 48. Drool 50. Swimming hole 52. D.C. V.I.P. 53. Jim Acosta's announcement 55. *Baltic ____ 57. *0 latitude 61. *Bay east of India 64. Cuban dance 65. John Keats' "To Autumn," e.g.

67. Fortune teller's card 69. Jeered 70. China's drinkable export 71. Bird-related 72. Dick and Jane's dog

73. "Slippery" tree 74. Lean, past tense DOWN 1. *Atlas page 2. Speedy steed 3. First Nation nation 4. Squirrel away 5. Possessing 6. Full of excitement 7. *Opposite of NNE 8. Saintly rings 9. Guilty, e.g.

10. Last word on walkie-talkie 11. Ghana money 12. Guesstimate phrase (2 words) 15. Catch in a snare 20. Nigerian money 22. A Bobbsey twin 24. Steel on boots, pl.

25. *Inlet in Norway 26. Abalone seeker 27. Olden day calculators 29. *Compass ____ 31. TV personality Aiken 32. Ancient Scandinavian characters

33. What actors do 34. *Iberian Peninsula country 36. Serb or Croat 38. Comme ci, comme a 42. Past or present 45. Group of five 49. Actor DiCaprio 51. Like floss 54. "That's all she ____" 56. Tequila source 57. Work units 58. Wisecrack 59. Rounded protuberance 60. Aid in crime 61. Show pleasure 62. Cantatrice's offering 63. Student aid 66. *Tierra ____ Fuego 68. Big bang maker, acr.

Solution on B5

January 11, 2024

The Insider

Obituaries Glen Dee Taft 1949 - 2024

BICKNELL - Glen Dee Taft, age 74, of Bicknell, passed away January 2, 2024, in Provo, Utah of complications from an accident. He was born March 28, 1949, in Salina, a son of Kay Smith and Berta Taylor Taft.

He grew up on a farm in Bicknell, raising animals, riding horses and playing basketball at Wayne High School.

He graduated from Wayne High School, Class of 1967, and then attended Utah State University in Logan for a couple of years. He lived in Colorado and Arizona for a short period of time, but eventually moved back to Bicknell where he farmed and raised livestock. Glen Dee married Janet Taylor, and they later divorced. He later married Vicky Griffin in Bicknell, and they also divorced.

Glen Dee was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

He was a truck driver and a heavy equipment operator. He enjoyed chasing buffalo on the Henry Mountains, taking hay to the reservations and riding horses in the mountains. Most of all, he loved watching his grandchildren grow up.

Glen Dee is survived by his children: Sharon and Michael Durfey, Shirley and Phyl Morrill, all of Bicknell; Taylor Taft of Lyman; 11 grandchildren; 10 greatgrandchildren with 1 on the way; his sister, Dortha Jane and Jerry Chappell of Lyman and a sister-in-law, Becky Taft of Bicknell.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Kay and Berta Taft; a son, David Dwayne Taft; and a brother, Elvin Kay Taft.

Funeral services were held Monday, January 8, 2024 at 1:00 P.M. in the Thurber LDS Ward Chapel, where friends called for viewing Monday morning from 11:00 to 12:30 prior to the services.

Burial was in the Bicknell Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah.

Online guest book at: www.springerturner.com

A5

FYI PanguItch

by Mack Oetting ~ mackoetting @gmail.com Winter has finally begun with a little bit of snow on two different days—one day we had 3", and last night we had 1".

A little is better than nothing, but it is really cold.

When I left church this morning, the temperature was 19°, and the wind was blowing.

Like most people in town, not everything was rosy. Our toilet sprung a leak, and instead of fixing it myself, we brought in someone from Cedar to check it out. That was a mistake. They tore up our walls, ceiling and the tile in our upstairs bathroom.

This was done on May 3rd, and we are finally getting it taken care of by our own TJ Feller, and he does it all and very well. After 10 months, we are about to get back our dining and front rooms. We don’t sweat the small stuff, and it is all small. Panguitch has a lot of craftsmen right here that can handle any of your problems, so you should use them.

Well, after Christmas and New Year’s is over, it is time to take a second breath and relax.

High school sports is now the entertainment for the

town, with all three teams doing very well. Their only losses are coming against bigger schools. But even then, our teams are still holding their own against the bigger schools. There is also the Gem Theater, with its first run movies.

Aquaman is there now. It does not have much of a plot, but the action has you wondering how they do that. It is worth taking in.

The time is really flying by fast. Tomorrow night is the college football finals featuring Michigan against Washington. However, it is going to be tough for them to have a better game than the college semi-finals last week. Michigan and Alabama went into overtime, and the Washington game wasn’t over till the last second of the game. They need to let more teams into the playoffs; sixteen games would only take another two weeks to finish.

Having 30 bowl games is really boring, unless there is a team you might like.

The pros' second season starts next week and will last into February, so don’t give up on football just yet. The NBA is playing almost every night for

another four months.

In town here, we are going to have a change in our restaurants. Ralph Perkins' family has purchased Kenny Rays and is moving the Cowboy's Smokehouse Cafe over there. It will have the same great barbecue meals. Where they are moving has a whole lot more room, both in the kitchen and the eatery. The lady that owns the home on the curve going north out of town has bought the business next to Smokin' Hot Antiques, and I think she will also be in the antique business.

In 2023, Bryce Canyon celebrated 100 years since its establishment as a national monument, which brought record crowds to the park. In five years, I think, there will be another anniversary for when they became a national park, which should be another banner year.

2024 is a leap year.

It is widely assumed that leap years appear on the calendar every four years.

This is not exactly true.

Leap years are defined by two general rules. A year may be a leap year if it is evenly divisible by four, as it is this year. However,

century years that are divisible by 100, such as 1900 or 2000, cannot be leap years unless they are divisible by 400. So the years 1700, 1800 and 1900 were not leap years, but 2000 was. The next year without a leap day will be in the year 2100.

Julius Caesar introduced the Julian calendar in 46 BC. It replaced the Roman calendar. The Julian calendar was not perfect. It overestimated the length of the year by more than 11 minutes and installed leap years every four years, which was too often. By the mid-1500s, the Julian seasons had shifted by about ten days.

In 1582, Pope Gregory III introduced the Gregorian calendar, currently used by much of the world. Its first iteration contained ten fewer days in October in order to realign with the solar system. In the Gregorian calendar, a year has 365 days, but the Earth’s orbit around the Sun takes 365.2422 days (Old Farmer’s Almanac).

So, how many resolutions have you broken already?

Mack O.

News from Wayne County

Remembering Glen Dee Taft

by Adus F. Dorsey II

Courtesy Jeff Harding

Glen Dee Taft, age 74 of Bicknell, passed away January 2, 2024.

BICKNELL - Glen Dee Taft was bigger than life and commanded a wide presence. If he liked you, you knew it; if he didn’t, it was best you walk a wide circle when he was around.

Glen Dee had the ability to care deeply, or to lift you right off of the floorboards

by the throat without saying a word, with just a grimace and a fiery glance.

If you knew Glen Dee Taft very well at all, you knew he was never short on words. He could tell you just like it was in less words than it took to make a proper sentence, never

mixing words and without skipping a beat. Glen Dee was Wayne County.

Ask anybody that knew him well, and they could tell you that Glen Dee was old school. His size demanded respect. He was cool as a garden fresh cucumber on a hot Saturday afternoon, and stern and sturdy as an aged, old Wayne County Cottonwood tree. To see Glen Dee coming at you on Highway 24, in his rusted and crusty old Continental or retired sheriff's cruiser low rider, it was best to just pull off to the side of the road, let him cruise on by, lower your brow, and dip the brim of your hat to a man that has seen it all.

Glen Dee was a man that has been there and done that. He did whatever it took to survive in a fast changing Wayne County.

In most circles—or at Howard’s, M&D or Gordon’s—when Glen Dee’s name was mentioned, it was in reverence and in

hushed tones. There has been a time or two that the timid among us were known to wet themselves at the very mention of the "Big Man" from Bicknell’s name.

It is going to be hard to imagine a Wayne County without the likes of Glen Dee Taft, much as it is without Grandma Barbra Pace, Dee Hatch, Jack Chappell, Newell Harward, Meeks Morrell, LaVar Wells, LaRue Peterson, Cliff Olsen and many, many more.

May we never forget the Wayne County legacy and life lessons that all the great Wayne County citizens that have gone before us have taught and left us with. Remember the clear, concise and honest communication skills that continually provide us all with the ability to embrace a unsure future with honesty, unwavering confidence and hope, and to go forth without doubt.

R.I.P., Glen Dee.

The Insider

A6

January 11, 2024

Sage Grouse: We really don’t know where the linchpin is. It’s arrogant to assume we understand everything enough

to make judgments about which species we can afford to lose and which ones we cannot. Why does poetry matter? Why does art matter? If you approach everything in a transactional state of mind, it can be a hard question to answer, but not everything needs to be transactional.

—Ryan Shannon, senior attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity endangered species program Sage Grouse Cont'd from A2

In Utah, the population near Monticello and Dove Creek, just over the Colorado border, is fairing much worse. Experts say the bird population locally has dwindled to alarming numbers.

“Technically, these populations are still considered active, but Monticello and Dove Creek have certainly had zero or very small, single-digit numbers on the leks (breeding grounds) during the past 10 years,” Waldner said.

“But there are still sage grouse there. But we also know these are some of the smallest populations studied.”

While the Gunnison Basin sage-grouse represents 85% of the breeding population and is the main thrust of conservation and habitat improvement projects, the smaller satellite populations, particularly Monticello and Dove Creek, have been recognized as one of the more important outlier populations.

Sage grouse are frequently considered an indicator species by biologists. As the sagebrush habitat goes, so goes the Gunnison sage-grouse.

The bird’s decline, linked to habitat fragmentation, indicates trouble for other species that also rely on sagebrush for food and shelter, such as mule deer, Brewer’s sparrow and elk.

Molvar echoes many others’ concerns.

“The Gunnison sagegrouse is at critically low population levels and the satellite populations are on life support. There is some evidence that (Monticello/ Dove Creek) has winked out already,” Molvar said.

“Continuing the same kind of management is not a viable option. Will there be the political will to enact a workable sage grouse habitat protection blueprint that halts the ongoing agents of destruction that are currently driving the grouse extinct?”

In Utah, on a sprawling tract of sagebrush just outside Monticello, an 11-year-old land acquisition was designed to provide a critical foothold for sage grouse.

In 2012, the Utah Chapter of The Nature Conservancy purchased 1,080 acres of land within the core of Utah’s remaining Gunnison sage-grouse habitat.

As the owner of the property, the conservancy has added more than 15,000 sagebrushes to control the spread of invasive plants and manage expanding pinyon-juniper and woodland encroachment.

In partnership with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, the conservancy has worked to convert 130 acres of dry farmland to sagebrush, a change that will provide the birds more room to move between wintering, nesting and brood-rearing habitats.

Research has shown that human impacts and the fragmentation of the land have had a paralyzing effect on the birds, restricting their natural

movements and ability to reproduce.

To address this issue, the conservancy has refurbished an earthen dam to catch and collect spring runoff, creating a new area of wet meadow, which provides food and cover for the grouse as they raise their chicks.

The land deal also provided immediate protection for the grouse against threats ranging from the conversion of habitat to farmland, solar and wind energy development, installation of power lines and other human disturbances.

To better adapt to human-made and natural threats, the BLM is in the final steps of a top-tobottom review of land use plans in Gunnison sagegrouse habitat.

In July 2022, federal and state agencies initiated a review of land use plans to incorporate management decisions to preserve and enhance habitat for the Gunnison sage-grouse. The process involves evaluating existing resource management plans for field offices, national conservation areas and national monuments that intersect with sage grouse habitat.

The review spans portions of seven BLM field offices, three national conservation areas and one national monument in portions of southwest Colorado and southeast Utah.

The review addresses various management actions, including mineral leasing, development/infrastructure, recreation, livestock grazing, fire management and habitat restoration.

The planning area encompasses approximately 25.5 million acres of federal, state, city, county, tribal and private lands in Colorado and Utah, including 7.5 million acres of BLMadministered surface lands, along with an estimated 18 million acres of BLM-administered federal mineral estates.

This draft includes management alternatives for the decision area that may modify or amend decisions in the existing BLM Colorado and Utah Resource Management Plans.

The BLM currently manages approximately 42% of the total occupied habitat (406,030 acres) and roughly 27% (261,600 acres) of the total unoccupied habitat of the Gunnison sage-grouse.

“The status quo is devastating these iconic birds,” said Ryan Shannon, senior attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity endangered species program.

“If we’re to have any hope of saving this species, land managers on both the federal and state level have to stop relying on outdated, ineffective management plans. They need to take immediate action to protect the few surviving grouse.”

Developing alternatives In response, the BLM has developed four alternatives aimed at improving conservation measures for the Gunnison sage-grouse.

Taking no action (Alternative A) is one option and Alternative C focuses on management within occupied and unoccupied habitats. Under this alternative, resource uses and oth-

er actions would be allowed if their impacts on the bird could be avoided, minimized or mitigated through compensatory mitigation measures. This alternative does not include the creation of buffer zones.

Alternative B, generated from public comments, would establish a 4-mile adjacent buffer zone outside of occupied and unoccupied populations. The aim is to look at the potential impacts and threats outside populated zones.

Because Alternative B focuses on eliminating threats over the greatest geographic range, it is the most restrictive regarding other uses.

Alternative D reduces the buffer zone around occupied habitats to 1 mile.

There has been some confusion that the 1-mile buffer is a buffer around grouse communal areas. Under the alternatives, the communalarea buffers vary by activity type and often are 3.1 miles.

The latter alternative represents certain goals, objectives and actions the BLM anticipates would be most effective at resolving planning issues and balancing resource uses.

“Alternative B is to try and exclude every threat across the decision area…and Alternative D takes more of a balanced approach in conservation and resource allocation,” Waldner said. “The beauty in crafting Alternative D is that it took elements from all of the other alternatives and incorporated viewpoints from various cooperating agencies and public comments.”

Waldner added they need to look at conservation measures and resource allocation, taking into account population trends, which is the driving force behind BLM’s planning efforts.

“In Colorado, state and federal agencies are looking at population trends calculated over a three-year average, high-male count in their breeding areas,” Waldner said. “The latest data (2022) shows that we are 19% below the longterm average (dating back to 1996) for the Gunnison sage-grouse. This indicates that over time, the average is on a downward trend.”

BLM’s preferred alternative focuses on “balanced management of resource allocation among land uses while eliminating and/or minimizing threats to Gunnison sage-grouse in occupied and unoccupied habitat.”

While some proponents of greater conservation measures are taking a wait-and-see attitude until the final alternative is released, others are not happy with the preliminary draft’s language.

“The buffer zones have somewhat been oversimplified,” Molvar said. “Within the buffer zones, they don’t preclude development; they just say minimize development. Minimizing doesn’t mean anything from a regulatory standpoint.”

Molvar questions the preferred alternative’s lack of clarity.

“The preferred alternative has a lot of squishy language that can be interpreted multiple ways,” he

said. “If we really are going to get serious about restoring Gunnison sage-grouse to a point that we no longer need species protections.

That should be everyone’s goal.”

The Endangered Species Act is the one piece of legislation that has worked very well, Molvar added.

“It applies very clear criteria to follow,” he said.

“The act is not the problem.

The problem is political meddling with how protections are being applied.

Endangered and threatened species need to have certainty in terms of their habitat protection. Instead, what the BLM is proposing is riddled with waivers, exceptions, exclusions and modifications. It’s filled with weasel words that allow different land managers to interpret the language differently and make radically different decisions about protecting Gunnison sage-grouse or not.”

BLM’s preferred alternative has drawn criticism because it lacks binding commitments or triggering actions when the regulations are broken, others say.

“What we are looking for are binding actions if land health standards aren’t being met,” Shannon said.

“But, ‘Why aren’t the standards being met?’ is kind of the wrong question. The fact is they are not being met, so what are we going to do about it? Continuing to do the same things just isn’t good enough.”

Shannon supports management plans with more scope. “ U n f o r t u n a t e l y, BLM’s multiple-use framework leads to ambiguity and confusion,” he said. “I think the fear is that it leads to a situation where folks want to have their cake and eat it too. If its ultimate aim is sustainable use, it is a hard thing to achieve while everyone does what they want to do. The regulations need to be stricter in the first place. I think it’s being written in such a way that it’s possible to let almost anyone off the hook for (conducting) illegal actions.”

Cahill, who focuses much of his attention on the greater sage-grouse, also supports government actions that impose real change.

“We have to accept change is coming to the ecosystem, and I hope the final plan empowers and invests in the BLM to work with its partners,” Cahill said. “I hope the plans have a stronger vision for greater protection for certain landscapes that are intact and undisturbed today. I hope the plans are more flexible with fewer restrictions on lands that don’t meet the criteria used.

For many, if not all, environmental groups, the thought that the next generation of bird lovers might not have the opportunity to see the Gunnison sagegrouse is heartbreaking.

“We really don’t know where the linchpin is,” Shannon said. “It’s arrogant to assume we understand everything enough to make judgments about which species we can afford to lose and which ones we cannot.

Why does poetry matter?

Why does art matter? If you approach everything in a

transactional state of mind, it can be a hard question to answer, but not everything needs to be transactional.”

Shannon believes the world is poorer when it loses even one species.

“This bird is incredible and unique,” he added. “I don’t think anyone who has seen them (doing their mating dance) and the whooping calls thinks otherwise.”

Gunnison sage-grouse are similar to, but rarer than, their close relative the greater sage-grouse.

They have the same courtship rituals where males gather on lekking grounds to puff themselves up, fan their tails into a starburst and use bizarre pouches in their chests to make loud burbling noises to attract females.

Research has shown that the Gunnison birds are smaller than the greater sage-grouse, with different courtship behavior and genetic distinctions.

In the late 1990s, Clait Braun, Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s former avian program manager determined the Gunnison birds were a new species, separate from the greater sage-grouse.

The decline in bird populations “is devastating news for the Gunnison sage-grouse, but no one should be shocked,” Braun said in a 2020 news release issued by The Center for Biological Diversity.

“Despite the clear downward trend in recent years, (state and federal agencies) have yet to develop robust or meaningful protections for the species,” Braun added. “Protecting the species has to be more than a paper exercise justifying business as usual.”

A historical decline Threats to Gunnison sage-grouse populations aren’t new. According to a Western Colorado University study, in 1894, Gunnison sage-grouse population numbers were likely higher than today. In the late 19th century, populations were primarily impacted by hunting.

The Lake City Times reported on Sept. 13, 1894, “Resident Billy Green bagged 863 sage grouse in one day on Sapinero Mesa.” This one-day total exceeded the male species count from all seven Gunnison sage-grouse populations in 2021.

By the turn of the 20th

century, alarm bells began clanging the warning for sage grouse viability.

In 1916, world-renowned American zoologist, conservationist, taxidermist and author William Temple Hornaday warned the country about the possible demise of the bird.

“Do the people of the Rocky Mountain and Pacific States wish to see their largest and finest upland game birds follow the bison, the passenger pigeon, and the heath hen into oblivion,” Hornaday wrote. “If they do not, they must act quickly and resolutely; for the hour of disappearance now is mighty close at hand.”

During the 1920s and 1930s, sage grouse were generally declining throughout the species’ range.

Although population increases were reported in the late 1940s and 1950s, declines were reported in the 1960s and 1970s and were associated with sagebrush loss due to herbicide and mechanical treatment.

There are a myriad of challenges facing sage grouse communities from Utah to Washington, Oregon to Colorado, Montana to the Dakotas.

“Climate change, drought—what do plant species look like in the future and how do they respond to rain and fire,” Cahill said. “Rapid changes in the oil and gas industry, the growth of wind and solar energy and human development all pose significant threats. If we want to reverse the long-term trajectory, we have to work together. It’s sort of all or nothing. The BLM needs to be smarter. It needs to be more efficient, but it can learn to change. We are living in a very interesting time, and right now, it doesn’t pay to be pessimistic.”

A final decision and Environmental Impact Statement is expected by mid-2024.

This article was originally published by the St George News on January 3, 2024.

This article is published through the Utah News Collaborative, a partnership of news organizations in Utah that aim to inform readers across the state.

Pile Burning: Fire managers are conducting prescribed pile burns throughout the winter season as conditions safely allow.

Pile Burning Cont'd from A1

tively small in size and will consume quickly. Little to no smoke impacts are expected.

With additional precipitation in the forecast, crews anticipate conducting pile burns near Williams, Parks, and Jacob Lake. They will continue to seek opportunities over the next few months. Prescribed fire activity will be posted as "Alerts" on the Kaibab NF homepage.

Forest visitors are asked to avoid active hot areas and are reminded to use caution and drive with heightened awareness

when in the vicinity of any prescribed fire project.

All prescribed fires on the forest are subject to approval by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. Daily approved prescribed fires and other information about their Smoke Management Program can be found on the ADEQ Air Quality Division website.

Keep up with the Kaibab National Forest by subscribing to our news releases, visiting our website, following us on X and Facebook, or by contacting your local ranger station.

—Kaibab National Forest

The Insider

January 11, 2024

B1

Schools and Sports Piute holds Escalante Scoreless in the First Quarter, Picks Up 44-28 Win Over the Moquis

by Nancy Goude

Nancy Goude

Escalante's Sonata Griffin, shown here driving the lane in a recent home game, led the Moquis with nine points in the January 4 game at Piute.

ESCALANTE - The Escalante girls’ basketball team keeps coming within striking distance for picking up wins but struggle to complete the games to notch the wins.

The Moquis have lost six games by a mere eight possessions or less, which would have given them a record of 9-2 rather than 3-8.

“We are getting close.

We aren’t playing bad, we just need to work a little bit harder, and we will get wins because we are stay-

ing close,” said Taylie Carlisle. “I shot a lot, but none of them went in.”

During the January 4 game against the Escalante Moquis, Piute’s Kaycee Gleave lit up the scoreboard with a gamehigh twenty points, while teammate Ainsley Talbot contributed ten and Kazlee King netted eight to lead the Thunderbirds.

Escalante’s Sonata Griffin had her best game of the season with nine points, while Mazee Dunton had seven and Raylin Roberts

Escalante vs. Piute on Jan. 4 Escalante - 28 - Piute - 44

Escalante - Sonata Griffin, 9; Mazee Dunton, 7; Raylin Roberts, 6; Ellie Nelson, 3; McCall Dunton, 3.

Piute - Kaycee Gleave, 20; Ainsley Talbot, 10; Kazlee King, 8; Amy Morgan, 5; Kamren Gayler, 1. scored six. McCall Dunton and Ellie Nelson each scored three points to round out the Moqui offense.

Mazee Dunton attributed the losses to inconsistent defense. “I think in order to get a couple wins, we need to play very difficult

defense,” said Dunton.

The team will be focusing on fine tuning the fundamentals in practice to improve outcomes for the remainder of the season and return to their home court on January 18 when the Moquis host Valley.

SUU Offers New Ways to Explore a Meaningful Career in Behavioral Health CEDAR CITY Southern Utah University’s (SUU) Community & Workforce Development (CWD) is excited to offer a new certificate program in behavioral health designed for adults interested in making a positive impact on those facing mental health challenges. The three online short courses that make up the Behavioral Health Foundations Certificate include: 1) Introduction to Behavioral Health Careers, 2) Personal Preparation for a Behavioral Health Career, 3) Virtual Job Shadowing.

The courses have been designed for busy adults by SUU faculty and informed by industry professionals due to the high demand for entry-level workers in this growing and meaningful field.

“The foundation of quality residential treatment begins with our staff, and the foundation of quality staff begins with training,” said Dr. Jack Hinman, licensed clinical psychologist and executive director/co-founder at Engage Young Adult Transitions. “It’s such a critical time for training when it comes to residential treatment. Right now, we are experiencing a mental health crisis. We’re seeing that clients are a lot more complex, and the sophistication of staff is critical.”

Any treatment facility, medical clinic or other mental health services organization may be interested in using the short courses as useful training

for new staff, especially those new to working in this critical and evolving industry. Coursework will include essential skills to help students become more empathetic, boundaried, ethical and successful in addressing clients' behavioral, emotional and social concerns.

Each year, millions of individuals seek help and support for their mental health. Employment opportunities in mental health-related occupations continue to be on the rise, and according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for behavioral health technicians and aids is growing much faster than average occupations.

Short Courses— What You’ll Learn The four-week Introduction to Behavioral Health Careers course begins on March 4, 2024, and dives into the world of mental health professions, exploring roles, functions and responsibilities in various mental health professions. This course will introduce you to common mental health issues, emphasizing the vital importance of mental health awareness. You'll also gain essential skills and strategies to support individuals facing mental health challenges, ensuring you're well-equipped for success.

The next available course, Personal Preparation for a Behavioral Health Career, starts on April 1 and takes six weeks to complete. You’ll learn the skills and self-awareness necessary to begin a rewarding career in be-

havioral health and social sciences. This course focuses on self-assessment, goal setting, cognitive and behavioral strategies for academic success, whole health integration, resilience-building, professional networking and career preparedness.

The pathway culminates with the Virtual Job Shadowing course starting on May 13. This immersive experience into the mental/behavioral health field will allow you to further explore career options, practice developmental skills and build career readiness through virtual exposure to industry experts. This course is your bridge from education to a dynamic and fulfilling career. By completing the three courses, you will earn digital credentials that can be added to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or a graduate school application. You may also consider transferring some of the course credits into degree programs at SUU. The Behavioral Health Foundations Certificate serves as a starting point for entry-level staff and those new to the field.

SUU is pleased to offer additional ways for you to continue learning and work toward educational and career goals.

“We’re excited to help educate the next wave of behavioral health care professionals,” said Dr. Grant Corser, Associate Dean and Professor of Psychology in SUU’s College of Humanities & Social Sciences.

“The Behavioral Health Technician certificate rep-

resents a significant opportunity and milestone to current and future learners. It will help those who want to be employed with entry level qualifications and help those who want to continue their educational pathway whether it is bachelor’s degree in psychology, or even a Doctorate of Psychology in Clinical Psychology.”

Those looking to prepare for the Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist exam from the National Health Career Association or the American Association of Psychiatric Technicians Level 1 certificate exam, may be interested in additional coursework offered through the CWD department in partnership with CareerStep.

This course is all online and available to start anytime to prepare you for these industry-recognized certifications.

SUU’s Community and Workforce Development department offers opportunities for adults to elevate their careers, stay competitive in the workforce and develop as leaders. Located in the world’s best backyard, Southern Utah University is world renowned for its access to outdoor recreation and National Park Service. Reach your next career peak with SUU by visiting suu.edu/ prodev.

For more information on ways to get started in behavioral health at SUU, visit suu.edu/prodev/bh, or call (435) 865-8259 for personal assistance.

—Southern Utah University

B2

The Insider

January 11, 2024

Schools and Sports Valley Boys Basketball Wins 80-48 Over Escalante on Jan. 4

by Nancy Goude ESCALANTE - Valley turned up the volume on its offense on January 4 to cruise to an 80-48 win over Escalante on January 4. The Moquis won’t have to wait long to have a chance to avenge the loss when they take their turn at hosting on January 18.

“First half, we played great. We attached the middle well and could score basically at will. We missed a few free throws and gave up a few offensive boards, which allowed them to get up eight on us at half,” said Escalante Coach Kevin Griffin.

Jaxen Cottam netted sixteen points and grabbed four rebounds, Kendal Gardner had eleven points and eleven rebounds, while Korben Young added ten points for the Moquis.

Rayce Jenkins continues to be an all-around contributor to the Moqui offense and defense. Jenkins had four assists, two rebounds and two points for Escalante.

“The second half, we didn’t attack the hoop as well as we had and had a few turnovers to let them jump about 15 points. Then our starting guard, Max Porter, who is still recovering from ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) surgery last year started having knee pains, so we pulled him out to not injure his knee. That threw our defense rotation off for a few possessions, which allowed Valley to catch fire,” Griffin said.

“They shot the lights out after that!”

Cottam said the team needs to “play defense and close out on threes. Simple adjustments,” to convert the losses into wins. He is average 14.8 points per game and is leading the team in points, three-point percentage and free throw percentage.

Kendal Gardner leads the team with 159 rebounds, 15 blocks and is shooting nearly 50 percent from the field. He is averaging 12.7 points, 13.3

Nancy Goude

Coach Kevin Griffin lays it up in a practice session as the Escalante boys team practices fundamentals. rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game. Jenkins leads the team, averaging 3.7 assists and 2.7 steals each outing.

The Moquis returned to action on the road on January 10 against Bryce Valley with a plan of aveng-

ing the loss to Valley.

Full stats can be found on insiderutah.com.

PHS Sports Sidelines

by Mack Oetting Both of our basketball teams played Beaver Dam on the same day. The boys took them out 59-26, with the whole team getting into the scoring. The girls did the same thing, winning 5217, with Tayt Miller having 14 points to lead the whole team in scoring.

The Lady Cats had a fun game against the Milford Tigers. The Tigers led at the end of the first half, 27-21, but the Cats rebounded in the third quarter, outscoring Milford, 299, and winning the game, 63 to 46. Tabi Henrie had 19 points, while Miller put in 16. The ladies went over to Wayne for a sophomore tournament and won it. On the 11th, the Wayne Badgers will be here, and the

next night, the Valley Buffaloes will be here. Both games will be against 1A teams and should be fun.

The ladies are currently ranked 1st in our class.

The boys went to the Tintic tournament and won that also. In the first game, they trounced Parowan, 82-42. Cache Eyre led all scorers with twenty and four three-pointers, Justin Osburn had 14. In this game, the Cats also had a really big 3rd quarter, with a score of 30-8. The Cats beat the home team, Tintic, by the score of 75-53. Paxton Miller had a great game with 24 points, and Remme Chappell ended up with 13.

Again, the Cats had a big third quarter, outscoring Tintic 22-6. In the cham-

pionship game, the Cats won. On January 11, the Cats go out to Wayne for a game, and on the 12-13, there will be a sophomore tournament at Escalante.

Piute, ranked number one in 1A, will be here on the 17th.

The Bobcat wrestlers still have a really tough schedule to finish their year. Manti will be here on the 9th, and North Sevier will be here on the 10th. They have one final match here on the 18th with Kanab.

Panguitch has won the Deseret News All Sports Award for nine straight years, and, with wins in both volleyball and cross country, it is looking good for the 10th year.

The Insider

January 11, 2024

Winter Dining Guide Where to go in Wayne and Garfield counties for great food and drink THIS WINTER!

B3

Don't Ditch a Fish: Walleye could easily disrupt

our ability to manage the current trout and salmon populations at Strawberry Reservoir through competition and direct predation as a predator fish. We conduct extensive surveys, and 98% of anglers have provided feedback that they prefer the current trout and salmon that we provide over other species, including walleye. We are worried that the actions of one selfish angler could damage the years it took to build this fishery into something that the majority of the public want.

—Alan Ward, DWR Fisheries Biologist

Bicknell

Courtesy Sam Broderick

An illegally introduced Walleye was caught at Strawberry Reservoir on Dec. 21, 2023.

Don't Ditch a Fish

Capitol Reef

Cont'd from A1

Your Ad Here

Torrey

Want to advertise your restaurant / winter hours in our "Winter Dining Guide" section?

Send inquiries to

snapshot@live.com or call 435.826.4400

In Utah, it is illegal to move live fish from one waterbody to another or to take them home alive. It is also illegal to dump unwanted aquarium fish into a waterbody. All of these actions can result in a class A misdemeanor.

When a fish is illegally introduced into a pond, stream or lake, it can have several negative effects on that fishery, including: • Illegal fish species can prey on and outcompete other fish species, including sportfish, native fish and endangered fish species.

• The new fish can introduce disease because they weren't properly tested before being dumped into that waterbody.

• The new fish can negatively impact water quality.

"It is very expensive and takes a very long time—often requiring rotenone treatments that kill all the fish—to restore a waterbody after fish have been illegally introduced," DWR Sportfish Coordinator Trina Hedrick said.

"We are planning to begin extensive monitoring of the fishery in the spring, looking for walleye in potential

spawning locations when they would likely be congregating. We don’t know whether any other walleye are currently at Strawberry Reservoir, so we are asking anglers to look for them where they would naturally be congregating and to report any walleye to us. Spring surveys and assistance from the anglers should help us understand the extent of the problem better. Please help our native fish species and maintain quality fishing in Utah by never dumping a fish or being a 'bucket biologist.'"

Strawberry Reservoir is a Blue Ribbon Fishery and provides some of Utah's most exceptional, high-quality fishing experiences. Each year, the DWR stocks cutthroat trout, rainbow trout and kokanee salmon at Strawberry Reservoir.

“Walleye could easily disrupt our ability to manage the current trout and salmon populations at Strawberry Reservoir through competition and direct predation as a predator fish,” DWR Fisheries Biologist Alan Ward said.

“We conduct extensive surveys, and 98% of anglers have provided feedback that they prefer the current trout and salmon that we provide over other species, including walleye. We are

worried that the actions of one selfish angler could damage the years it took to build this fishery into something that the majority of the public want.”

Anglers who catch any additional walleye at Strawberry Reservoir should immediately kill them and report it to the DWR at 800-662-3337.

Anglers should include a photo of the fish and the GPS coordinates of where it was caught. Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife are also offering a reward for information leading to the conviction of whoever illegally introduced walleye into Strawberry Reservoir.

Utahns are encouraged to call 800-662-3337 to report any invasive fish they find, or if they see anyone illegally introducing fish into a waterbody or trying to relocate live fish. Utahns can also contact their nearest DWR office if they have an unwanted fish or if they have concerns about a fishery in Utah.

Learn more about the negative consequences of illegal fish introductions by visiting the "Don't Ditch a Fish" page on the DWR website.

—Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

The Insider

B4

Legal Notices

January 11, 2024

New School: It is a great, great day. We’ve needed a new school for a long time, and I’m glad we finally got it.

—Myron Cottam, Garfield County School Board member and Escalante resident

NOTICE TO WATER USERS The applications below were filed with the Division of Water Rights in Wayne County. These are informal proceedings per Rule 655-6-2. Protests concerning an application must be legibly written or typed, contain the name and mailing address of the protesting party, STATE THE APPLICATION NUMBER PROTESTED, CITE REASONS FOR THE PROTEST, and REQUEST A HEARING, if desired. Also, A $15 FEE MUST BE INCLUDED FOR EACH APPLICATION PROTESTED. Protests must be filed with the Division of Water Rights on or before Jan. 31, 2024 either electronically using the Division`s on-line Protest of Application form, by hand delivery to a Division office, or by mail at PO Box 146300, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6300. Please visit waterrights.utah.gov or call (801)538-7240 for additional information.

GARFIELD COUNTY CHANGE APPLICATION(S) 61-3472 (a51075): William L Bernard Trust Agreement dated October 19, 2005 propose(s) using 0.0064 cfs OR 0.5 ac-ft. from groundwater (1 mile south of Hatch town) for DOMESTIC; IRRIGATION. 61-3473 (a51099): Gabriele Kiss propose(s) using 0.0063 cfs OR 0.5 ac-ft. from groundwater (1 mile east of Hatch) for DOMESTIC; IRRIGATION; STOCKWATERING. 97-2502 (a51107): State of Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands propose(s) using 1.708 ac-ft. from groundwater (31 miles SE of Boulder) for STOCKWATERING. EXTENSION(S) 61-2592 (a29138): Bristlecone Pine Development Company, LLC is/are filing an extension for 0.25 ac-ft. from groundwater (1 mile South of Hatch) for DOMESTIC. KANE COUNTY CHANGE APPLICATION(S) 61-3460 (a51120): Family Trust of The George R. Aiken Jr. and Donna M. Aiken Revocable Trust propose(s) using 0.25 ac-ft. from groundwater (6 miles NE of Long Valley Jct) for DOMESTIC. 61-3461 (a51121): Family Trust of The George R. Aiken Jr. and Donna M. Aiken Revocable Trust propose(s) using 0.25 ac-ft. from groundwater (6 miles NE of Long Valley Jct) for DOMESTIC. 61-3463 (a51122): Family Trust of The George R. Aiken Jr. and Donna M. Aiken Revocable Trust propose(s) using 0.25 ac-ft. from groundwater (6 miles NE of Long Valley Jct) for DOMESTIC. 61-3464 (a51123): Family Trust of The George R. Aiken Jr. and Donna M. Aiken Revocable Trust propose(s) using 0.25 ac-ft. from groundwater (6 miles NE of Long Valley Jct) for DOMESTIC. 61-3465 (a51124): Family Trust of The George R. Aiken Jr. and Donna M. Aiken Revocable Trust propose(s) using 0.25 ac-ft. from groundwater (6 miles NE of Long Valley Jct) for DOMESTIC. 61-3466 (a51125): Family Trust of The George R. Aiken Jr. and Donna M. Aiken Revocable Trust propose(s) using 0.25 ac-ft. from groundwater (6 miles NE of Long Valley Jct) for DOMESTIC. WAYNE COUNTY NEW APPLICATION(S) 95-5517 (A84029): Rick Allan Orison and Rachel Scalley Orison propose(s) using 0.015 cfs OR 1.2 ac-ft. from groundwater (Grover) for DOMESTIC; IRRIGATION. CHANGE APPLICATION(S) 95-4757 (a51117): Border/Noble Family Trust propose(s) using 0.015 cfs OR 1.312 ac-ft. from groundwater (1 mile NW of Grover) for DOMESTIC; IRRIGATION; OTHER: 0.112 AF for a green house..

95-5413 (a51119): Troy and Amy Lyman propose(s) using 0.015 cfs OR 1.48 ac-ft. from groundwater (Grover, UT) for DOMESTIC; IRRIGATION; STOCKWATERING. Teresa Wilhelmsen, P.E. State Engineer Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on JANUARY 4 & 11, 2024 2024 MEETING SCHEDULE TORREY TOWN COUNCIL The Torrey Town Council will meet the following dates and times in 2024.

Meetings begin at 6:30 PM, Mountain Standard Time. (November 3, - March 9) Meetings begin at 7:00 PM during Daylight Saving Time. (March 10 - November 2).

MEETING DATES January 11 July 11 February 8 August 8 March 14 September 12 April 11 October 10 May 9 November 14 June 13 December 12 Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on JANUARY 11 & 18, 2024 2024 MEETING SCHEDULE TORREY TOWN, PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION Torrey Planning and Zoning Commission will meet the following dates and times in 2024.

Meetings begin 6:00 PM, Mountain Standard Time, (November 3 - March 9) Meetings begin at 6:30 PM during Daylight Saving Time (March 10 - November 2).

MEETING DATES January 25 July 25 February 29 August 29 March 28 September 26 April 25 October 31 May 30 November 28 June 27 December 26 Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on JANUARY 11 & 18, 2024

Nancy Goude

Escalante Elementary students settle into their new classroom after making the walk from the old school to the new one on Jan. 3, 2024.

New School Cont'd from A1

nearly 80 students bursting through the doors and making their way to the auditorium for a brief recognition of the momentous occasion

by Principal Peter Baksis.

The new school project was approved unanimously on January 27, 2022, after nine meetings had been held to allow for public comment and discussion of the project. The

Legal Notices PUBLIC WARNING SAND CREEK IRRIGATION BOARD Please be aware of anyone trying to sell Sand Creek Irrigation water shares certificate #485. This is NOT a legal certificate. Please contact Leon Bogedahl at 435-4253512 to verify legality of any Sand Creek Water shares.

Sand Creek Irrigation Board Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on JANUARY 11 & 18, 2024 2024 MEETING SCHEDULE LOA TOWN COUNCIL The Loa Town Council will meet on the following dates and times in 2024 at the Loa Town Hall. Your present council members are Mayor Cody Grundy, Council Member Christ Olsen, Council Member Don Bone, Council Member Ryan Rees and Council Member Bart Brian.

You may contact Michelle Brian at 435-836-2160 at least 24 hours prior to the meeting date to get put on the agenda.

Meeting Dates & Times for Loa Town Council January 11 @ 6:30 pm February 8 @ 6:30 pm March 14 @ 7:30 pm April 11 @ 7:30 pm May 9 @ 7:30 pm June 13 @ 7:30 pm July 11 @ 7:30 pm August 8 @ 7:30 pm September 12 @ 7:30 pm October 10 @ 7:30 pm November 14 @ 6:30 pm December 12 @ 6:30 pm Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on JANUARY 11 & 18, 2024 2024 MEETING SCHEDULE LOA TOWN PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION The Loa Town Planning & Zoning Commission will meet on the following dates in 2024. The starting time is 6:00 pm for all meetings. Meetings are held at the Loa Town Hall at 80 West Center. You may contact Jeanette Taylor at least 24 hours prior to the meeting date to get put on the agenda at 435-836-2160. Your Commission Members are: Jared Hallows (President), Harry Brian, Jerry Jeppson, Derek Woolsey, Albert Brown & Kori Brown.

Meeting Dates for the Planning and Zoning January 4 (no meeting) February 1 March 7 April 4 May 2 June 6 July 4 (Holiday, meeting date pending) August 1 September 5 October 3 November 7 December 5 Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on JANUARY 11 & 18, 2024 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING LOA TOWN PLANNING COMMISSION The Loa Town Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on February 1, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. at the Loa Town Office located at 80 West Center to receive additional public comment regarding amendments to the subdivision ordinance, which includes by reference specifications for public improvements that shall apply to development within Loa Town.

Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on JANUARY 11, 18 & 25, 2024

original budget of $10 million had to be increased to $14.2 due to increased costs of supplies and the contract labor to build it.

Bundled up students were escorted from the old elementary school to the new one with a parade of families, teachers, staff and community members.

The excitement was palpable, and the Escalante High School students and staff came out to be in the moment with the young Moquis, cheering and waving as they made the turn

to the new school. Garfield County School Board member and Escalante resident Myron Cottam was on hand for the opening of the new school. “It is a great, great day. We’ve needed a new school for a long time, and I’m glad we finally got it,” said Cottam.

A public open house was scheduled for January 4 but was rescheduled to February 15 to allow more time for the full move out and move in process to be completed.

Wayne Commission: At

the first Wayne County Commission meeting of 2024, concerns regarding the four modular homes the state is building near the fish hatchery were discussed Wayne Commission

Cont'd from A1

why they don’t have to follow planning and zoning rules,” added Comissioner Brian. County Attorney Michael Winn will look into the statutes regarding building procedures on state-owned property and report back to the commission.

Next, the commission approved the vouchers and

reviewed comments from the Truth-in-Taxation public hearing held on December 14, 2023. The commission approved the minutes from the public hearing. The meeting adjourned with no further discussion.

The Wayne County Commission meets the first and third Monday of every month at the Wayne County Courthouse in Loa.

January 11, 2024

The Insider

C l a s s i f i e d ads

B5

To place your ad, call 435-826-4400 or email snapshot@live.com

Classified ads start at just $7.50 per week for 25 words or less.

HELP WANTED

SENIOR CENTER MENUS

We are looking for friendly, hardworking professionals who enjoy the hospitality industry and interaction with guests.

P O S I T I O N S AVA I L A B L E: Front Desk Agents Laundry Services Housekeepers Maintenance Bellmen Positions to start April 1st through October 31st At Capitol Reef Resort we promote from within.

Please stop by in person to complete an application.

We are located at 2600 E SR 24, Torrey, UT 84775 435-425-3761

Bryce Valley Senior Lunches at the BRYCE VALLEY Senior Center Position Announcements

POSITIONS AVAILABLE: Garfield County School District is hiring for the following positions. For the application process and description of each, please see the district website www.garfk12.org SpEd Paraprofessional at Bryce Valley Elementary Remediation Specialist/Librarian at Panguitch High Part-Time Custodian at Bryce Valley High Head & Assistant Track Coach at Bryce Valley High Substitute/Activity Bus Drivers in Escalante Route Bus Driver in Boulder Paraprofessionals/Aides at All Schools Substitutes for Teachers, Custodians, and Food Service Workers SALARY: Please see 2023-2024 Garfield County School Districts Classified, District Office, and Certified Salary Schedules on the district website.

QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants must be fingerprinted and satisfactorily pass an employment background check.

Garfield County School District is an equal opportunity employer.

Garfield County School District reserves the right to accept or reject any or all applications.

CROSSWORD SOLUTION

TUES Jan. 16th WED Jan. 17th

Chili, Salad, Peaches, Cinnamon Roll

THURS Jan. 18th

Roast Beef, Potatoes & Gravy, Mixed Vegetables, Salad Bar, Mixed Fruit, Peach Cobbler

Fried Chicken, Potatoes & Gravy, Corn, Coleslaw, Pears, Chocolate Pudding

Call by 10:00 A.M. if you want a lunch or need a ride. 679-8666 All meals are served with milk & bread. Suggested donation is $4 for seniors and $10 for those under 60 years of age.

Escalante Senior Citizens Menu Tues.

Jan. 16th

Tuna Casserole, Green Salad, Corn, Garlic Toast, Applesauce, Left Over Dessert

Wed. Jan. 17th

Chicken Sandwich, Lettuce, Tomato, Three Bean Salad, Pineapple, Roll, Pumpkin Cookie

Thurs.

Jan. 18th

Lasagna, Salad Bar, Corn, Onion Bread, Pears, Pie

All meals are served with milk or juice. If you would like a meal, please call us by 10:00 am. 826-4317. Suggested donation for seniors over 60 is $4.00, and under 60 is $10.00

MEETINGS TROPIC AA MEETING Wednesday at 6 PM. Tropic Heritage Center. All meetings are closed discussion.

sudoku Answers for this week

B6

The Insider

January 11, 2024