The Wayne & Garfield County Insider January 16, 2025
Capitol Reef NP Hosts
MLK Day of Service Event, Jan. 20
CAPITOL REEF NP -
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is the only federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service. For the past thirty years, thousands across the country have volunteered in their communities to honor Dr. King’s spirit and legacy. Dr. King imagined a world united in a "beloved community;" one guided by love and justice. The act of giving back to your community is one of the greatest acts of love you can make. This year, to honor MLK Day of Service, Capitol Reef National Park will be hosting a volunteer trash pick-up on the morning of Monday, January 20th.
Interested volun-
Day of Service Cont'd on A2
by Jaynie Connor
The
BLM Updates Management Plan for GSENM
On Jan. 6, the Bureau of Land Management announced approval of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Resource Management Plan and issued a final Record of Decision.
GRAND STAIRCASE-ESCALANTE
NM - On Jan. 6, The Bureau of Land Management announced approval of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Resource Management Plan and issued a final Record of Decision. The plan is a product of a collaborative planning process that involved Tribal Nations, state and local governments, stakeholders, and the public. It reflects the culmination of more than two years of
shared engagement and extensive consultation. With the signing of the decision, the plan is effective immediately.
The plan guides BLM stewardship of the landscape with a focus on ecosystem conservation and restoration, meaningful Tribal partnerships, and allowance for appropriate uses. The plan protects fragile watersheds, wildlife habitats, and native vegetaManagement Plan Cont'd on A6
gym contains numerous state-of-the-art weightlifting and cardio machines, a spacious turf section for indoor training, a golf simulator, and, eventually, a two lane resistance pool. Elevate Fitness was started and built by the families of Nick and Maxi Dax and Mitch and Ashlee Miller. The construction process
Over 1K Fish & Wildlife Illegally Killed in Utah in 2024
SALT LAKE CITY -
A total of one thousand and seven wild animals and fish were illegally killed and investigated by Utah Division of Law Enforcement conservation officers in Utah in 2024, a slight decrease from the number illegally killed in 2023. Some of the animals illegally killed included:
• Two hundred and sixteen deer, twelve of which were classified as “trophy” animals
One hundred and forty elk, twenty of which were classified as “trophy” animals
• Seven moose Four bison
• Five bears
started in early 2024, and the gym had its grand opening on January 4, 2025, al-
Elevate Fitness Cont'd on B2
GLEN CANYONThe National Park Service has issued a new rule for Off Road Vehicle (ORV) use in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. The rule prohibits the use of ORVs and street-legal allterrain vehicles (ATVs) on approximately twenty-four miles of park roads. Three hundred and eighty-eight miles of park roads remain within Glen Canyon with opportunities for a diverse collection of motorized and non-motorized recreation forms.
The new rule makes minor changes to the 2021 regulation that will result in improved management of motorized uses in the Orange Cliffs Special Management Unit, including: • Prohibiting the use of
ORV Use Cont'd on A6
Codi Arlene Bridges is GMH's New Year Baby
Intermountain Garfield Memorial Hospital Codi Arlene Bridges is
“I love our hospital here. I moved back to Panguitch twelve years ago,
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A Letter from Wayne Community Health Center
At Wayne Community Health Center (WCHC), we are committed to providing high-quality health services to all residents and visitors of our community. As a Community Health Center, our mission is to deliver affordable, accessible, and comprehensive primary and preventive care to individuals and families, especially those struggling to access healthcare.
We would like to address community concerns regarding WCHC’s past and present roles in providing emergency medical services. Historically, WCHC providers have offered trauma and critical care, and ambulance drivers occasionally brought patients to our facility for treatment or stabilization. While we value the trust placed in us, WCHC is not recognized as an ambulance receiving or emergency facility by the State of Utah, and we are not equipped to serve in these roles.
We do not know if there were arrangements in the past with the State of
Utah that allowed WCHC to provide trauma/critical care as part of Utah’s EMS system; however, we know that there are no current options for us to do so without putting our organization at extreme risk. First, the medical malpractice coverage that we receive from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) as a Community Health Center does not extend to trauma and critical care services. Consequently, providing trauma or critical care would expose WCHC to significant liability because we do not have coverage from HRSA, nor do we have the legal protections (i.e., governmental immunity) afforded to other facilities that are part of Utah’s EMS system.
Additionally, as a Community Health Center, WCHC receives essential financial support from HRSA. This allows us to keep our doors open but also compels us to meet HRSA’s requirements for Community Health Centers. We are required to provide comprehensive and affordable primary and preven-
Day of Service:
tive care as well as care for non-life-threatening emergencies (e.g., broken bones, minor burns, and cuts that require stitches) during regular hours. We must ensure that patients have afterhours access to qualified professionals who can help them decide whether they need immediate care or can wait until morning. For patients requiring trauma and critical care, WCHC has referral and transfer protocols to promptly and safely get these individuals to facilities that are equipped to meet their needs. For us to provide 24/7 coverage for trauma and critical care, WCHC would have to set up a separate line of business that would have to be fully funded by the community, regardless of the number of emergencies that occur. The costs would include overhead for the use of our building, administrative costs, staff wages and benefits, and all equipment and materials as well as medical malpractice coverage. Our financial situation does not allow this. We must instead focus our resources on our core mis-
sion of delivering accessible, primary, and preventive care during our regular hours of operation. Finally, because we are designated by insurance companies as a Community Health Center, WCHC is not reimbursed for providing trauma and critical care. This further limits our ability to financially sustain these services. We believe our current approach of focusing on primary and preventive care best aligns with our capabilities as a Community Health Center and best meets our responsibility to our community, our patients, and staff. We are grateful for your understanding and continued support as your Community Health Center. Our mission remains steadfast: to deliver affordable, high-quality healthcare services and to address the health needs of our community. We encourage you to reach out to us with any questions or concerns.
Wayne Community Health Center 128 South 300 West Bicknell, Utah 84715 435-425-3744
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is the only federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service. For the past thirty years, thousands across the country have volunteered in their communities to honor Dr. King’s spirit and legacy.
Kadi Franson
teers should meet at the Fruita Schoolhouse, located about 0.8 miles east of the Visitor Center on Highway 24 at 9 a.m. All materials—including safety vests, work gloves, trash grabbers, and trash bags—will be provided, but volunteers should wear weather appropriate clothing including long pants and closedtoed shoes. Volunteers should also plan to bring all water and snacks they may need for the event. The event will conclude no later than 11 a.m. This event will require walking distances of up to three miles on uneven ground
and consistent bending and kneeling. Event participation is capped at twenty participants, so please visit https://www.volunteer.gov, search "MLK Day of Service Highway Clean-up" and register prior to Saturday, January 18th.
If you’re unable to join the park, or another local organization for their Martin Luther King, Jr., Day of Service event, consider volunteering on a more regular basis at your local county, state, or national park, animal shelter, senior center, or other charitable organization. As Dr. King said, “Everybody can be great because everybody can serve…You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”
—Capitol Reef National Park
On January 15, 2024, Capitol Reef National Park hosted an invasive species removal project in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. This year, Capitol Reef National Park will be hosting a volunteer trash pick-up on the morning of Monday, January 20th.
@CapitolReefNPS
Day of Service
4th Annual Threatened And Endangered Parks: Steep Lodging Rates
Price Out Some Visitors
by Lori Sonken| National Parks Traveler
U.S. - Anita Beasley saw a moose, her calf and waterfalls during a boat tour on St. Mary Lake inside Glacier National Park in Montana last September. A teacher and reading specialist for thirty-five years, Beasley, now retired, lives in South Carolina and has mobility issues. The boat trips enabled her to enjoy parts of the park she could not hike to.
Beasley, her husband and three sons have been visiting national parks for more than twenty years. Glacier, with its melting glaciers, alpine meadows, carved valleys, and lakes, shows up on their top five list of favorite national parks. But after spending about $4,600 last fall (three rooms for six nights), they do not plan to return. They can’t afford to.
“The higher costs this year won’t stop us from going to others, but we will have to remain on a tight budget to keep traveling to the parks. When we started, we would have a week-long trip and not spend near what others spent going to Disney World with their families, but Glacier seemed much closer to the cost of going to a resort park,” she said in an email.
National park visitors can keep their expenses down by buying annual and senior passes, camping, and picnicking. But the privatization of park lodges—occurring since the National Park Service’s (NPS’s) inception—has made stays inside the parks unaffordable for many visitors.
Lodging costs “price lower income families out of the national parks and make it very challenging for people to visit our parks,” said Jackie Ostfeld, the Sierra Club’s campaign director for their program, Outdoors for All.
Costs are not preventing people from frequenting the national park; more than 325 million visits were tallied in 2023. Of the thirteen million individuals who overnighted in parks last year, almost three million stayed in lodging run by concessioners, according to NPS data. But lodging stays are not in everyone’s budget.
“You know, the parks are for everybody, but yet they’re not because they are pricing people out. You can get through the gate, and you can do stuff and enjoy the park for relatively little money. But the lodging part, unless you’re camping, the lodging’s prohibitive,” said Bruce Andersen, a retired U.S. Forest Service environmental planner now living in southwestern Colorado.
Room and cabin rates start at $150 per night at Glacier National Park, said Gina Icenoggle, the park’s public affairs officer in an email. But next August the price will soar to $766 per night at Many Glacier Hotel, located in the park’s northeastern area, known as the “Switzerland of North America.” Beasley lucked out last fall—she paid $279 for one night’s stay.
Steep prices are not
stopping people from making reservations, oftentimes a year in advance.
Of the 114,718 stays in lodging at Glacier in 2023, all but 5,328 were in units managed by the Xanterra Parks and Resorts, Inc., a NPS park concessioner owned by the oil and gas corporation, Anschutz.
Assuming each stay cost a minimum $150— many rooms cost more— Xanterra would have received $16,408,500 in revenues. Not all is profit. Of total annual gross receipts, Xanterra is required to pay a 2.0 percent franchise fee and make a 2.35 percent annual contribution to a maintenance and reserve account, said Icenoggle.
In addition, Xanterra “is responsible for the upkeep of over 130 buildings assigned. These buildings can be very complex and expensive to maintain to the standards expected by the National Park Service, some of which are National Historic Landmarks. Most operate seasonally, limiting the time window in which the concessioner can earn revenues sufficient to maintain the facilities. These factors are taken into consideration when setting the franchise fee and maintenance reserve fee,” said Icenoggle. The amount Xanterra paid for upkeep in 2023 was not made available, and the company did not respond to emails.
Concessions contracts across the National Park System (for lodging as well as food, retail, guide and outfitters’ services) generated about $1.4 billion in gross revenues in 2015 and paid about $104 million in franchise fees to the Park Service, according to the Government Accountability Office.
“Fees and other concessions are critical to supporting park operations, however, they shouldn’t increase barriers to such a degree as to make these places—protected for all Americans to experience— inaccessible for some people to visit,” said Emily Douce, deputy vice president of government affairs at the National Parks Conservation Association.
Sarah E. Light, a professor of legal studies and business ethics at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, has a suggestion to make lodging affordable for all: The Park Service could “require concessioners to reduce fees or adopt a sliding scale of fees to encourage visitors from underserved members of the community.” She discussed this recommendation in her article, National Parks, Incorporated, published in the University of Pennsylvania Law Review in 2020.
It is not known if NPS has tried this approach; neither the agency nor Xanterra responded to the Traveler’s inquiries.
From the beginning, private entities operated in parks. In 1918, Secretary of the Interior Franklin Lane described his vision to National Park Service Director Stephen Mather:
“Low-priced camps operated by concessioners should be maintained, as well as comfortable and even luxurious hotels wherever the volume of travel warrants the estab-
lishment of these classes of accommodations…All concessions should yield revenue to the Federal Government, but the development of the revenues of the parks should not impose a burden upon the visitor.”
The earliest visitors traveled to the parks by train and stayed in grand hotels, such as the Old Faithful Inn and Grand Canyon Lodge, financed by the railroads.
“National parks at the time were a luxury because you had to have the time and the money to go on that kind of a vacation,” said Ethan Carr, the author of Mission 66, a book about the program the Park Service started in 1956 to modernize the National Park System, including building roads, motels, hotels, campgrounds and shopping centers to meet the huge wave of automotive tourism after World War II.
Today, the Concessions Management Improvement Act authorizes the concessioners and the Park Service to enter into ten-year-long contracts. The contract’s term can be extended up to twenty years if the contract conditions, such as planned construction of capital improvements, warrant an extension. The Park Service sets the lodging rates based on market forces or a comparable financial analysis.
Prices have increased significantly the past five years, as evidenced by the General Services Administration’s (GSA’s) lodging rates for federal employees staying in Flathead County, Montana, where Glacier is located. The GSA’s per diem lodging rate has skyrocketed 159 percent from $94 in 2018 to $243 in July and August 2024, said Icenoggle.
National park lodges are costly to operate due to their remote location, making it expensive to bring in supplies, and the need to house employees, said Megan Lawson, an economist with Headwaters Economics, a Montana-based independent, nonprofit research firm.
Xanterra holds contracts to manage lodges on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park and at Grand Teton, and Yellowstone, in addition to Glacier. The company also owns the Oasis lodgings and golf course on an inholding at Death Valley and operates hotels outside Grand Canyon and Rocky Mountain national parks.
Other major concessioners include Aramark Sports and Entertainment Services, LLC operating in Big Bend, Glacier Bay, Mesa Verde, and Olympic and Yosemite national parks, and Delaware North at Grand Canyon, Sequoia & Kings Canyon, and Shenandoah national parks.
All three concessioners are major corporations: • Xanterra posts almost $1 billion in top-line revenue and has 8,000 employees, reports Travel Weekly, a news source for the travel industry.
Aramark’s consolidated revenue in Fiscal Year 2024 is $17.4 billion,
Wills, Trusts, and More
How Do You Write Your Own
A holographic will is a will that is written entirely in your own handwriting. No witnesses are required, and no portion of the will may be typed. If you type some or all of the words, or you incorporate other markings or other documents into the text, you could inadvertently invalidate the will.
The idea behind holographic wills is that since the entire document is in a person's handwriting, there is no need for witnesses to sign it to establish its validity. Holographic wills don't need to be notarized either, but they do need to be signed.
Most lawyers would tell you it's a bad idea to write your own will because you can easily create ambiguities and other defects that can lead to litigation following your death. This is especially true in second marriage situations when one or both spouses have children from prior marriages or relationships.
If you decide to write your own will, you should be sure to say in the introductory sentence that it is your will, and that you are
by Jeffery J. McKenna
revoking all prior wills. If you don't revoke all prior wills, your handwritten will, and any other wills that have not been revoked, will be looked at together to determine who inherits your estate. As you may expect, problems arise when the various documents conflict.
Be sure to identify each bequest clearly and to give away all of your property. A frequent problem with handwritten wills is that they list some accounts and properties, but then leave out others. Property that you don't mention in your will passes to your heirs as determined by the courts. Your heirs may not be the same persons named in your will, and may not be the ones you would have chosen to receive the assets. Also, going to court and figuring out who your heirs are can be an expensive and time-consuming matter. In addition, courts will require two witnesses who are familiar with your handwriting to testify that the will
Will?
was, in fact, written by you.
It's often the case that handwritten wills don't name a personal representative. Failure to name a personal representative could result in an administration of your estate that is fully court-supervised, expensive, and lengthy.
Another important provision that is often left out of a holographic will is a waiver of bond. When you don't request a waiver, the judge can require that your personal representative post a bond. Sometimes, it's not possible to even get a bond, and if your personal representative can get one, it is generally expensive.
There are a number of other provisions that should be included in wills that the average person would almost certainly leave out of a holographic will.
Handwritten wills are valid if they are properly drafted. However, they are almost always more difficult to probate than typed wills.
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.
country roads
by Lynn Griffin
Accident
An elderly man rear-ended a guy driving an expensive European sports car.
Enraged, the guy hops out and confronts the old man. He yells, "Look what you did to my car! You're going to give me $10,000 right now, or I'm going to beat you to a pulp!"
"Oh, my," the old man said nervously. "I don't have that kind of money. Let me call my son,” he said with hope. “He trains dolphins, and he will know what to do."
"Dolphins!" the other driver huffed, while rolling his eyes.
The old man pulled out his phone, dialed his son, and just as his son answered, the irate man snatched the phone away from the old man.
"So, YOU'RE a dolphin trainer, huh?” The irate man yelled. “Well, your old man here just rear-ended my car, and I need TEN GRAND right now, or I'm going to beat you AND your old man to a pulp!"
"I'll be there in 10 minutes." says the voice calmly on the other end.
Exactly 10 minutes later, a Jeep pulls up and a guy hops out and proceeds to pulverize the bully, leaving him in a heap on the side of the road. When he finished, he walked over to his father and said,
"For the last time dad, I train Seals…Navy Seals. NOT dolphins!”
Feeling Down
I was feeling down at being in my sixties. I looked at my wife and said, "Honey, 35 years ago, we lived in a rented flat, drove an old car and slept on a sofa watching a 15 inch black and white TV. But I was sleeping with a 25 year old blonde, and I was happy! Now we have a $500k house, a $150k Mercedes, a king size bed and a flat screen 60 inch TV, and I'm sleeping with a 60 year old granny."
My wife turned to me with a wry smile. "All you need to do is find yourself a 25 year old blonde, and I guarantee my lawyer will ensure you sleep in a rented flat, drive an old car and sleep on a sofa next to a 15 inch TV"
I must say now that my wife is amazing, and I'm no longer feeling down!
THEME: The Grammys
ACROSS
1. 43,560 square feet
5. Undergarment
8. "She ____ a Yellow Ribbon"
12. Ocean Spray ____-Apple juice
13. #5 Across, pl.
14. Concentration of solution, in chemistry 15. CISC alternative 16. Swearing-in words
17. Goodwill branch
18. *Artist with most Grammy nominations 20. ALCS counterpart 21. Winter Olympics participant 22. IX minus II 23. Drum roll sound 26. Front of building, pl.
30. Get it wrong
31. Upholstery choice
34. Reflect deeply
35. Raccoon's cousin
37. "____ the fields we go"
38. Binary digits code
39. Capital on a fjord
40. Isaac of science fiction fame
42. Consumed
43. Within shortest distance
45. *100-year-old Grammy Award nominee
47. Beer faucet
48. Corpulent
50. Self-satisfied
52. *2025 Grammy nominated former band, with The 55. Twist and distort
56. Bank's provision 57. Flock's response
59. Ranee's wrap
60. Elvers
61. *2003 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient ____ Puente
Like some wines
____ it or lose it
Formerly, formerly
Acronym, abbr.
Discarded cards in cribbage
Tear down
Enclose
Valeene Roberts
ANTIMONY - Valeene Mae Sawyer Roberts was born to David George and Mayall Huntington Sawyer on March 11, 1947. She was raised in Hatch with her three brothers: Kerry, Kurt and Kent. She loved being surrounded by all her grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. She graduated from Panguitch High School. After attending LDS Business College, she met and married Don Woodmancy. They moved to Hawaii where her two oldest children, Tracy and David, were born. They later divorced.
Valeene moved back to Panguitch to be close to her parents. Her mom and dad tended her kids while she worked, cementing a lifelong bond. Valeene met Ken G. Roberts through some mutual friends. They married in Hatch on December 7, 1974. They moved to Antimony where they lived the rest of their lives. They had 4 children: Kena Sue, Riley K., Amberly Ann, and Gannon Garth.
After her kids were in school, Valeene went back to nursing school and earned her LPN. She worked at Garfield Memorial Hospital for many years. She worked in all areas of the hospital, but her favorite job was working Extended Care with her “Little Old People." She loved her co-workers and provided humor and competent care for many people. She was also the source of all medical answers to her family and friends.
Valeene was a stalwart member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many different callings. Valeene and Ken were sealed together for eternity on October 7, 2009. On December 7, 2024, Valeene and Ken held their 50th wedding anniversary. They were thrilled to have so many friends and family share this milestone with them. It was a special day for them, and they spoke of it often in the weeks that followed.
Valeene was very talented and could sew almost anything. She made Western suits for Ken, prom and wedding dresses for her daughters and pajamas for all her family. Valeene had a keen sense of humor and a quick wit. She loved to laugh and enjoyed a good joke. One of her joys was when her grandkids started sharing their jokes and tricks with her.
She loved to take a lunch and go on the mountain for a picnic or go pick pine nuts. Valeene believed deeply in service and was the first to bring meals to those in need. She was very hospitable and loved for people to visit. She was at her very happiest when surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Valeene passed away on January 7, 2025, in St. George due to complications from a fall. Special thanks to the staff at IHC for such tender and competent care, for the Life Flight Crew and for all professional and personal care.
Valeene is survived by her husband, Ken G. Roberts; children: Tracy (Renato) Matheson, Dave (Stephanie) Roberts, Kena (Ryan) Toone, Riley (Crystal) Roberts, Amberly (Jerrod) Mallinger and Gannon (Kambri) Roberts; 32 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren; brothers: Kerry, Kurt, and Kent Sawyer; and many extended family member
She is preceded in death by her parents, May and David Sawyer; Ken's parents, Garth and Ilene Roberts; a stillborn son, Ken; and a daughter-in-law, April; brother, Kim Sawyer.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, January 11, 2025 in the Antimony Ward Chapel at 11:00 am. Viewing at the church from 9:00-10:30. Burial was held at the Widtsoe Cemetery. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guestbook at www.maglebymortuary.com
The cold weather still continues, only with wind. There is still no snow. If my memory is still there, last year, we had the monsoons for four days in August and a good snowstorm at the end of October, and that is it. When I look for a weather report, I look at what Southern California is doing, and they are in the same boat as we are, moisture-wise.
2025 is now taking on what '24 had going on at the end of the year since the elections. The stock markets keeps going down, with the DOW slipping three thousand points. Now, it has gotten a lot worse, with the fires in LA County. Remember when I told you that the fires California had were due to the Santa Ana winds blowing? They had never before blown in November and are usually prevalent in September or early October. Hopefully, the winds blowing in January is only a one time thing.
Twelve thousand homes have been destroyed, and, with wind blowing at over one hundred miles an hour, nothing can be done about it. Fortunately, only twenty-four have died from this terrible
FYI PanguItch
by Mack Oetting ~ mackoetting @gmail.com
disaster, so far. Brush fires put out a lot of smoke that blows over, but the smoke from these homes are far more dangerous. Fortunately, the wind is blowing seaward, and there won’t be such long-term exposures. I have been on one of these fires, many years ago, and, like then, the only thing that you can hope for is that the wind changes to onshore and the fire burns back into itself.
It only takes one idiot to start a big fire in our dried forests, and, like the last one, we will only be able to watch. Last year, Utah had over four hundred of these fires; fortunately, the wind wasn’t blowing that hard.
It is called global warming, and it gets worse each year. These fires aren’t any different than the hurricanes that hit the east coast; you can’t do anything about them. This is going on all over the world; it is not just here in our country. When the last president was in office, he said that we should not cover the fires in California, and that they should be like Canada and clean out the brush under the trees. Last summer, with Canada in a drought, over three hundred thou-
sand acres burned, and the smoke blew down into the U.S. and shut down many businesses. Now, he is blaming the governor of California instead of the politicians that hold their offices. Most likely because of the donations from big oil and coal. California pays a lot more in federal taxes than any other state. These fires are going to have an effect on the economy. I got my homeowners insurance bill this week, and it has gone up four hundred dollars from last year. There will come a point, with the hurricanes and fires, when you won’t be able to get insurance on your home.
Well, the college games finally got things right this year. In the last few years, they went to a four team playoff for the championship. There were many complaints from other teams that weren’t chosen, so this year, there were twelve teams invited. Sure enough, this time around not one of the top four teams are in the championship game. I know that one of the teams is Notre Dame, and the other is either Texas or Ohio State. It will be this weekend. The NFL has started their play-
offs, and they will continue into February.
Something new in Utah is that you no longer need a front license plate. Now, you will only have one sticker on your rear plate. I also think that I saw at the post office that, from now on, your plate sticker will be mailed to you.
You should take note that Panguitch has the lowest gas prices in southern Utah, if you don’t count Costco, which is about $0.50 cheaper for 87 octane. So, buy your gas locally while it is still low.
The Daughters of Utah Pioneers, for the month of January, is honoring Pat Oetting. Pat has been a valuable DUP member since 1998. She has given many wonderful lessons and shared her distinguished family history. Pat has served as Chaplain for many years and was an active member on their historical marker committee. We appreciate her for her work in the DUP, as well as many projects for the community, and she loves it. It is going to be a long four years.
Mack O.
BLM Offers Reward for Assistance in Wild Horse Shooting Investigation in Beaver County
Courtesy Bureau of Land Management
The BLM is asking for the public's help in solving an investigation into the shooting death of three wild horses northwest of Minersville Reservoir on the Mineral Range Mountains. This aerial photo depicts the general area in the Mineral Range Mountains where the wild horses were discovered.
SALT LAKE CITYThe Bureau of Land Management is asking for the public's help in solving an investigation into the shoot-
ing death of three wild horses northwest of Minersville Reservoir on the Mineral Range Mountains. A member of the public found the
horses on Saturday, Jan.4, and reported it to the Beaver County Sheriff's Office.
BLM is offering $5,000 for information that leads to the
Obituaries
Lori Jo Castleton
arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible. Evidence indicates that the shooting likely occurred several days prior to the report. Initial information indicates there is no correlation in these deaths with those that occurred on the Onaqui wild horse Herd Management Area in northern Utah. The public is encouraged to call the BLM Utah Law Enforcement TipLine: (800) 722-3998 with any information regarding the shooting, anyone who may have seen anything suspicious, or any observations of shooting occurring during the period of Dec. 28, 2024 - Jan. 3, 2025. For questions or to provide information, please contact: BLM Law Enforcement Tip-Line • Phone: (800) 722-3998
Email: BLM_UT_ WHB@blm.gov —Bureau of Land Management
TORREY - Lori Jo Bradley Castleton passed away peacefully at her home near Torrey, Utah, on January 6, 2025, after a fierce battle with dementia. She was born on May 23, 1960, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, the daughter of Newell and Marvel Bradley, and was raised in Shelley, Idaho. As a child and young adult, Lori enjoyed many hobbies and activities showcasing her adventurous and creative spirit. As an adult and mother Lori excelled at creating a wonderful, loving home and curated lots of weekend adventures for her family.
In 1993, she married Reo Castleton in Salt Lake City, Utah. They were avid motorcycle riders and cherished their cross-country trips with friends, always making time to stop at Sturgis. In 2019 they moved to Torrey, Utah, where they embraced the outdoors and spent many happy days exploring on side-bysides, working on projects in and around their home and entertaining family and friends. She was an active member of her community and was loved by the many close friends she made there.
She is survived by her husband, Reo; her children, Jeff, Ivy, Krystal, Shelby, Calvin, and Jesse; seven grandchildren, Aurora, Victoria, London, Paris Bronx, Ruby and Penny; and her siblings, Cheryl, Kathey and Russ and her dear sister-in-law Nancy Bradley. She is also survived by many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and extended family members.
Lori was preceded in death by herparents
22,
from 1:00 PM to 4:00
and her beloved brother, Bruce (Nancy).
A memorial celebration of her life will be held on February
2025,
PM at City View Mortuary in Salt Lake City. Please consider wearing purple, Lori’s favorite color to celebrate her! In lieu of flowers,
the family requests donations be made to your favorite charity in Lori Jo’s name. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guestbook www.maglebymortuary. com
Illegal Poaching:
Each animal that is illegally killed in Utah is one less animal for legal hunters, wildlife enthusiasts and everyday residents to enjoy. Poachers steal these precious resources from the law-abiding citizens of our State and hurt our ability to enjoy Utah's wildlife.
—Casey Mickelsen, Utah Division of Law Enforcement Lt.
A total of one thousand and seven wild animals and fish were illegally killed and investigated by Utah Division of Law Enforcement conservation officers in Utah in 2024, a slight decrease from the number illegally killed in 2023.
Twelve cougars
• Three bald eagles
Three hundred and seventy-one fish
The remaining ille-
ORV Use:
gally killed wildlife included small game mammals, waterfowl, raptors, and a variety of other wildlife species.
Here’s a look at the number of animals illegally killed in Utah over the past
The National Park Service has issued a new rule for Off Road Vehicle (ORV) use in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. The rule prohibits the use of ORVs and street-legal all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) on approximately twenty-four miles of park roads. Three hundred and eighty-eight miles of park roads remain within Glen Canyon with opportunities for a diverse collection of motorized and non-motorized recreation forms.
ORV Use
Cont'd from A1
ORVs and street-legal ATVs on an eight-mile segment of the Poison Spring Loop located on Route 633 proceeding north to Route 730. Eliminating the superintendent’s authority to potentially allow ORVs and street-legal ATVs on the upper portion of the Flint Trail.
In addition to these changes, the proposed rule also establishes stricter quiet hours for the Lone Rock Beach Play Area, identifies specific lake elevations where Accessible Shoreline Areas will be open or closed, and clarifies that motor vehicle use in all Accessible Shoreline Areas
must be for the purpose of traveling from a road to the shoreline and back. To access the rule, visit Federal Register: https:// www.federalregister.gov/ public-inspection/search?c onditions%5Bterm%5D=G len+canyon Glen Canyon National Recreation Area; Motor Vehicles. For additional information, including definitions of ORV use, or to obtain a copy of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)/ORV Plan, visit: https://parkplanning.nps. gov/glca-orvplan. Specific questions may be emailed to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Headquarters at GLCA_Superintendent@ nps.gov. —Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
New Year Baby:
It is exciting. There were so many of us that were so close with our due dates, so we kept wondering who was going to be it. Still, it was not as exciting as finally having my baby here.
New Year Baby Cont'd from A1
She was born at six pounds, nine ounces, and nineteen inches long. Codi's birth marked the first birth at the hospital for 2025.
“It is exciting. There were so many of us that
Kenley Hudson were so close with our due dates, so we kept wondering who was going to be it,” said Hudson. “Still, it was not as exciting as finally having my baby here.” Congratulations to Kenley Hudson and William Bridges on their new baby girl.
—Insider
few years:
• 2023: one thousand and fifty-six wild animals
• 2022: one thousand two hundred and eightythree wild animals
2021: one thousand one hundred and fifty-three animals
2020: one thousand and seventy-nine animals 2019: one thousand and sixty-five animals
A total of 6,436 violations were detected in 2024, and of those, one thousand four hundred and seventy-four citations were issued. Officers contacted more than thirty-two
thousand people in 2024.
Last year, individuals were most often cited for fishing or hunting without a valid license.
In 2024, forty-six people had their hunting or fishing privileges suspended in Utah, compared to: forty-six suspensions in 2023 sixty-six suspensions in 2022
• fifty-four suspensions in 2021
• thirty-five suspensions in 2020
• eighty-four suspensions in 2019 Utah is a member state
Management Plan:
of the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact. License suspensions in Utah are recognized in all the other states in the U.S., except Hawaii.
“Each animal that is illegally killed in Utah is one less animal for legal hunters, wildlife enthusiasts and everyday residents to enjoy,” Utah Division of Law Enforcement Lt. Casey Mickelsen said. “Poachers steal these precious resources from the law-abiding citizens of our State and hurt our ability to enjoy Utah's wildlife.”
There are currently five K-9 officers in the DWR that help investigate a variety of wildlife cases. They locate wildlife that were illegally killed, find discarded or hidden evidence and assist with many other tasks. In 2024, DWR’s K-9 officers helped investigate one hundred and twenty cases throughout the state.
Here are the various ways you can report illegal or suspicious wildlife activities:
• Call the Utah Turn-in-aPoacher hotline at 800662-3337. (The UTiP hotline is staffed twentyfour hours a day, seven days a week and is the quickest way to report a wildlife violation.)
• Use the UTDWR Law Enforcement app.
• Text officers at 847411. Report online through
the DWR website. The text option was implemented in 2021, and last year, one thousand six hundred and forty-nine tips were either texted to officers through the app or called in through the hotline, many of which resulted in successful investigations and prosecutions of wildlife-related crimes.
“Our officers each patrol roughly two thousand square miles and can’t be everywhere at once,” Mickelsen said. “We rely heavily on help from the public to catch wildlife violators, and many of our ‘biggest’ cases each year come from tips received from the public. We want to thank those folks that assist us everyday in doing our jobs more effectively by reporting wildlife violations to us. We wouldn’t be as successful in our jobs without you. Please keep your eyes and ears open and report any suspicious wildlife-related activity. Working together, we can enforce wildlife laws to maintain healthy populations, and to also keep those recreating outdoors safe.” Not all wildlife violations are committed intentionally. To learn about common illegal hunting and fishing mistakes, visit the DWR website.
—Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
The plan guides BLM stewardship of the landscape with a focus on ecosystem conservation and restoration, meaningful Tribal partnerships, and allowance for appropriate uses. The plan protects fragile watersheds, wildlife habitats, and native vegetation communities, and provides for scientific research opportunities within the monument, consistent with the Monument’s designation through Presidential Proclamation 6920.
Cottonwood Canyon Road on Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument on July 15, 2023. On Jan. 6, The Bureau of Land Management announced approval of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Resource Management Plan and issued a final Record of Decision.
tion communities, and provides for scientific research opportunities within the monument, consistent with the Monument’s designation through Presidential Proclamation 6920.
The plan also enhances the recreation experiences for visitors at the monument. These changes are designed to make visits more enjoyable and memorable.
areas can help plan their recreation experience. These areas, including front country, passage, outback, and primitive, are designed to offer different levels of development and types of potential visitor experiences. Each area is tailored to provide a unique recreation experience while ensuring the preservation of the Monument's resources.
signed to provide for visitor safety while also helping the BLM manage visitor use.
• Visitors will find the designated management
• Free and readily-accessible permits are required for overnight camping. This is de-
• Climbers seeking to establish new climbing routes requiring bolts or anchors will need BLM preapproval. This added measure is intended to protect monument resources by ensuring that new routes are established in a way that minimizes environmental impact and respects the monument's unique features. Together, these chang-
es reflect a balanced approach to the preservation, sustainable use, and public enjoyment of this exceptional landscape, while ensuring the Monument continues to serve future generations as an outdoor living laboratory. Planning documents are available on the BLM National NEPA Register. For additional information, please contact Bryce Franklin, Paria River District Project Manager, at 435-644-1288.
—Bureau of Land Management Management Plan Cont'd from A1
David Hercher | BLM Utah
Courtesy Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
Schools and Sports
Two Panguitch Wrestlers Invited by Utah USA Wrestling to Compete in the 24th Annual Ross Brunson Utah All-Star Duals Kieran Mooney and Jacob Marshall face off with the best of the state
by Jaynie Connor
Panguitch wrestlers Kieran Mooney (senior) and Jacob Marshall (senior) were invited to compete at the 24th annual Ross Brunson Utah All-Star Duals, which was held at Utah Valley University’s UCCU Center on Wednesday, January 8th.
OREM - The 24th annual Ross Brunson Utah All-Star Duals— held at Utah Valley University’s UCCU Center on Wednesday, January 8th—featured around one hundred and twenty of Utah's finest boys and girls wrestlers. This tournament acted as a fundraiser for Utah Valley's wrestling program—the only NCAA Division I program in the state of Utah. The event, which was invite only hosted by Utah USA Wrestling, is an excellent showcase of the wrestling talent in the state and includes student athletes from 1A all the way
Satellite
Salon
CEDAR CITYSouthern Utah University’s Department of Music is proud to announce the spring 2025 Satellite Salon Series, featuring internationally acclaimed drummer and composer Mark Guiliana. The event will take place on Friday, January 17, 2025, in the Thorley Recital Hall at the SUU Music Building. The series includes a clinic at 4:00 p.m. and a concert, "Mark Guiliana Plays MARK," at 7:30 p.m. Both events are free and open to the public.
Hailed by The New York Times as “a drummer around whom a cult of admiration has formed,” Mark Guiliana brings his signature blend of virtuo-
to 6A. While the wrestlers faced off under the bright lights of the arena, college coaches were close by taking notes on the top talent.
Senior Panguitch girls wrestler Kieran Mooney (135) was invited to compete along with sixty-one other girls across the state, thirteen of which com-
Series Welcomes
peted last year. And senior Panguitch boys wrestler Jacob Marshall (165) returned this year and competed alongside sixty other wrestlers from across the state, including twentyone others who participated in 2024. Jacob Marshall defeated Ryker Roundy (Davis High School), 14-6.
World-Class Drummer Mark Guiliana to SUU
sic technique and innovative artistry to Cedar City. Guiliana is celebrated for his ability to traverse a broad spectrum of styles— from acoustic jazz to cutting-edge electronic music and rock—and for his collaborations with icons like David Bowie, St. Vincent, Brad Mehldau, and Meshell Ndegeocello. His latest solo album, MARK, recorded at Studio 606 in Los Angeles, showcases his talents as a composer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist, pushing the boundaries of modern music.
The Satellite Salon Series, inaugurated in 2009 by SUU percussion professor Dr. Lynn Vartan, has become a cornerstone of SUU’s music community.
Designed to bring worldclass artists to southern Utah, the series offers students and the community the rare opportunity to learn from and engage with premier musicians through masterclasses and performances. The biannual series has consistently highlighted the transformative power of music education and live performance.
“We’re thrilled to host Mark Guiliana for this year’s Satellite Salon Series,” said Jed Blodgett, SUU's current director of percussion. “He is in a category all by himself in terms of artistry, drumming, jazz, and improvisation. His innovative approach to drumming and composition will be an incredible opportu-
by Mack Oetting
Both of the basketball teams only had one game this last week, and the Lady Cats had a game here against El Capitan, Arizona. There was only one game, the Varsity game, and the Cats were just in a class of their own and won the game, 60 to 18. During the first quarter, the Cats led, 23 to 6, and at the half, it was 34 to 8. That is when I left to go see the boys play in Piute. The ladies play this week out at Escalante on the 16, and next week, they are at Bryce Valley on the 22nd. Beaver will be here in Panguitch on the 24th.
Last week, the Bobcats also only had one game, and it was against the Piute Thunderbirds. We got there a little late, and the score was 12 to 2 in favor of the T-Birds, but the Cats hung in there. At half time, they only trailed by 2 points. The second half was anoth-
er thing. The Cats started off the third quarter scoring 12 straight points, and it went that way clear to the end with the Cats winning, 60 to 47.
As usual, there was a big crowd there cheering the Cats on. Daxton Miller scored 17, and Bridger Chappell had 16. It was a real team win, with all of the Bobcats playing well. This week, the Cats also only have one game, and it is against Escalante on the 16th here in Panguitch. There is a sophomore boys tournament out at Escalante on the 17th & 18th. Next week, the Cats are on the road to Kanab on the 21st and Valley on the 23rd. There aren’t many games left in the season, so you might want to take in some of the away games. All of the wrestling matches are on the road for the rest of the season.
Public Library
nity for our students and the Southern Utah community.”
Don’t miss this exceptional opportunity to experience one of the most innovative drummers of our time. For more information, contact the SUU Department of Music at (435) 586-7890 or visit https:// www.suu.edu/pva/music/ satellite.html.
—Southern Utah University
Courtesy Panguitch Wrestling
Panguitch
Elevate Fitness: Working in the Garfield County School District and seeing how athletics are a big part of our communities within Garfield County, I felt like Elevate Fitness could be a place for the youth to focus on their fitness with their parents and to spend quality, family time together, while also [being a place for] individuals who are looking to improve on their individual fitness goals, as well.
—Nick Dax, co-owner of Elevate Fitness and Panguitch High School’s Science and Weights teacher
Elevate Fitness, a new gym and physical fitness center located at 506 West 175 North in Panguitch, contains numerous state-of-the-art weightlifting and cardio machines, a spacious turf section for indoor training, a golf simulator, and, eventually, a two lane resistance pool. goals, as well.”
lowing visitors to check out the new building and all it has to offer. It is held in a brand-new, large steel building and will be open 24 hours a day to membership holders.
Nick Dax, one of the owners of Elevate Fitness and Panguitch High School’s Science and Weights teacher, saw a need in the community for a business of this type.
“Working in the Garfield County School District and seeing how athletics are a big part of our communities within Garfield County, I felt like Elevate Fitness could be a place for the youth to focus on their fitness with their parents and to spend quality, family time together, while also [being a place for] individuals who are looking to improve on their individual fitness
“When it comes to features and equipment choices for the gym, my wife, Maxi Dax, brother and sister-in-law, Mitch and Ashlee Miller, and I thought about our community and what the needs of our community are,” Dax continued. “This was the driving force in determining what we all felt like our community would like and want. [There is] a little bit of something for everyone, whether it [be] cardio machines, free weights, circuit machines, open green space for functional movement, therapeutic resistance swim [pools], and [the] golf simulator.”
According to Elevate Fitness on their website, a monthly membership will give you access to the turf and weights section of the fitness center. Prices start at $50 a month for a single person, $95 a month for a couples pass, and there are
various family passes based on family size, the smallest starting at $115 a month for two adults and one child. They are currently holding a special, which states that if you buy eleven months, you get the twelfth month free on all memberships. Children under the age of 13 must be accompanied by an adult. If guests would like to come and try out the gym to see if it’s the right fit for them, they may purchase a “Walk In/Day Pass”
for $15, which will grant them access to the gym from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The golf simulator is also open 24/7, and a reservation is required to use it. Customers can rent the simulator for one hour at a price of $40, or they can buy a six month pass good for ten sessions for $360. According to Dax, Elevate Fitness values the student athletes in Panguitch and offers student memberships for students between the ages of 14 and 18 for $30 a month. “We also offer personal training for speed and agility, as well as sport specific training for student athletes, both within Panguitch and surrounding communities,” said Dax. “We can also offer a place for the surrounding area’s school golf teams to not deal with weather and other elements when it comes to training. Same for other spring sports, such as track and field technique skills.”
“We at Elevate Fitness will continue to listen to our customers and adapt to their needs moving forward. We hope to be a staple within the community and its outlying areas as a place where you can come to gather,” said Dax.
For more information, go to elevate435.com.
Legal Notices
PUBLIC NOTICE TO: THE KNOWN AND UNKNOWN DEFENDANT’S JOHN DOES I-V. KENNETH C. LAUB is seeking quiet title to himself and against you and any other person claiming an interest in the following land located in Garfield County, State of Utah: Beginning at the Southwest corner of Lot 14, Block 1 Panguitch Lake Estates South located in Section 31 Township 35 South, Range 7 West, Salt Lake Base and Meridian and running thence South 0° 20’ 18” East 26.16 feet more or less to the USFS Boundary; thence South 88° 54’ 00” West along said USFS Boundary 210.19 feet; thence North 29.21 feet; thence North 89° 43’ 57” East 210.00 feet to the point of beginning containing 0.13 acres more or less. YOU ARE REQUIRED to file an Answer to the Complaint on file in the 6th Judicial District Court case #240600050 at 55 South Main, Panguitch, Utah 84759 within 30 days of the date of publication of this notice. Failure to do so will result in a default being entered against you and the relief requested in the Complaint being granted in favor of the Plaintiff. Signed: Barry L. Huntington, Attorney for Plaintiff. 435-676-1103. Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on DECEMBER 26, 2024 and JANUARY 2, 9 & 16, 2025
Lodging Rates:
Luxurious, possibly; affordable, definitely not. I’ve never eaten there—I’ll need a raise first.
—Kathleen LeBesco, author of Eating in National Parks
Lodging Rates
Cont'd from A3
according to Morningstar Delaware North’s revenue was $4.38 billion last year, reports Forbes Concessioners also manage food operations at the park. While researching her book, Eating in National Parks, Kathleen LeBesco found food ranged in price from fairly affordable typical fare at grills and cafes to super expensive cuisine at Jenny Lake Lodge in Grand Teton National Park, where the lodge's prix fixe meal costs $125 for adults and $70 for children. (Jenny Lake lodging guests have their breakfast and dinners covered in the nightly lodging cost)
“Luxurious, possibly; affordable, definitely not. I’ve never eaten there—I’ll need a raise first,” she said in an email.
Generally speaking, LeBesco describes national park faire as lackluster. Except for the pork osso bucco (braised pork shank over mash potato and spiced carrots) she enjoyed at the Old Faithful Snow Lodge in Yellowstone National Park costing $32 back in 2022, most park food tastes similar to hospital cafeteria food, she said.
Andersen, the retired U.S. Forest Service environmental planner, has a recommendation to keep dining in park lodges affordable: eat your main meal of the day at lunchtime, when entrees generally cost less than they do at dinnertime.
“We especially liked going to lunch” at Zion Lodge, Old Faithful Inn, Jackson Lake Lodge and Bryce Canyon Lodge, he said. “You’d get the elegant dining experience even though you were dirty and sweaty and in shorts and a raggedy T-shirt. You go in and get served by a waiter in a white shirt and black pants and linen napkins. It’s just a nice experience."
LeBesco believes national parks are missing opportunities to use food and foodscapes as a vehicle to interpret the parks’ heritages in displays, exhibits, ranger programs and restaurants.
“I would love to see some kind of incentive or encouragement when the concessions contracts are written to get the concessioners to take this on,” she said.
Meanwhile, there are concerns that privatization could expand during the next Trump administration. During Trump’s first term, there was an effort to raise entrance fees at 17 national parks by 200-300 percent, said Ostfeld.
“That proposal did not go anywhere,” in part because polling showed a fee hike would prevent low-income people from visiting national parks, she said.
But the Trump administration could try again.
The Sierra Club sees efforts to privatize national parks and public lands as a threat to parks’ democratization; with privatization comes a profit motive that does not exist in national parks funded exclusively by taxpayers.
“We want to make sure our parks and public lands are affordable and visited by all. They are our shared lands and our shared heritage,” said Ostfeld.
Or the Trump family could try to locate a hotel in a national park.
“Whether Trump would be able to put his hotels inside a national park isn't clear. It would be a tragedy if his presidency led to our national parks becoming playgrounds for the rich, instead of widely available, affordable and open to the public,” said Ostfeld.
This article was originally published on nationalparkstraveler.org on January 5, 2025.
Legal Notices
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
DISTRICT COURT, STATE OF UTAH, GARFIELD COUNTY 55 South Main Street, Panguitch, Utah 84759, Telephone: (435) 676-1104; Facsimile: (435) 676-8239. IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF GAYLEEN CROSBY BURDICK, deceased, NOTICE TO CREDITORS, Case No. 243600022, Assigned: JUDGE SKANCHY, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that SHARLENE MCCALL was appointed as Personal Representatives of the estate of GAYLEEN CROSBY BURDICK and creditors of the estate are given notice to present their claims to BARRY L. HUNTINGTON, attorney for the estate, P.O. Box 388, 55 South Main Street, Panguitch, Utah 84759, within 3 months after the first publication of this notice or be forever barred. DATED this 20th day of December, 2024. BARRY L. HUNTINGTON
Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on DECEMBER 26, 2024 and JANUARY 2, 9 & 16, 2025
Jaynie Connor
Elevate Fitness, a new gym and physical fitness center located at 506 West 175 North, officially opened its doors in Panguitch on January 4, 2025. The gym contains numerous state-of-the-art weightlifting and cardio machines, a spacious turf section for indoor training, a golf simulator, and, eventually, a two lane resistance pool.
Jaynie Connor
Elevate Fitness Cont'd from A1
NOTICE OF VACANCIES
LOA TOWN PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
Loa Town P/Z Commission is seeking to fill THREE vacancies! If you are interested in joining this great group of people and serving your community, please contact Michelle Brian or Jeanette Taylor at 435-836-2160 for more details. Or you may stop in the Loa Town Hall at 80 W. Center Loa between the hours of 10 am to 5 pm, Monday through Thursday. You must be on the water system of Loa to apply for the position.
Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on JANUARY 9, 16, 23 & 30, 2025
2025 MEETING SCHEDULE
LOA TOWN COUNCIL
The Loa Town Council will meet on the following dates and times in 2025 at the Loa Town Hall. You may contact Michelle Brian at 435-836-2160 by 5 pm on Monday prior to the meeting date to get put on the agenda. Loa Town Council Members: Mayor Cody Grundy, Don Bone, Chris Olsen, Derek Woolsey, Kori Brown. Meeting Dates & Times
January 9
(No Meeting will be held)
February 13 @ 6:30 pm
March 13 @ 7:30 pm
April 10 @ 7:30 pm
May 8 @ 7:30 pm
June 12 @ 7:30 pm
July 10 @ 7:30 pm
August 14 @ 7:30 pm
September 11 @ 7:30 pm
October 9 @ 7:30 pm
November 13 @ 6:30 pm
December 11 @ 6:30 pm
Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on JANUARY 9 & 16, 2025
2025 MEETING SCHEDULE
LOA TOWN PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
The Loa Town Planning & Zoning Commission will meet on the following dates in 2025. 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 by 5 pm on Monday prior to the meeting date to get put on the agenda at 435-836-2160. Current Members: Gray Hansen, Barbara Tewell, Jace Christensen, Brage Greenhalgh, looking for 3 more members to join. Meeting Dates for the Planning and Zoning
January 2 (no meeting)
February 6 March 6 April 3 May 1 June 5
July 3 August 7 September 4 October 2 November 6 December 4
Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on JANUARY 9 & 16, 2025
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR SEVERAL PARCELS OF LAND ALONG STATE HIGHWAY 276 NEAR TICABOO
The Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration (“SITLA”) is accepting proposals to lease and/or purchase of up to 2900 acres of Trust Lands in Garfield County, Utah, near Ticaboo/Bullfrog Utah. More information can be found on SITLA’s website at https:// trustlands.utah.gov/current-real-estate-rfp/ticaboo-bullfrog-copy/. Because of the parcels’ unique characteristics, proposals should respect the location with quality development plans.
Any individual wishing to submit a proposal for this parcel may do so until 4:00 p.m. MST on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. Proposals should be mailed to TRUST LANDS ADMINISTRATION, Attn. Alexa Wilson 102 S. 200 East, Suite 600, Salt Lake City, UT 84111 (801) 5385177, or e- mailed (preferred) to alexawilson@utah.gov. Reference: “Ticaboo-Bullfrog”. The Trust Lands Administration reserves the right to reject any proposal. 2900
Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on JANUARY 16, 23 & 30 and FEBRUARY 6, 13, 20 & 27 and MARCH 6 & 13, 2025
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 Feb. 12, 2025 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)
61-3549 (a52483): William L Bernard Trust Agreement dated October 19, 2005 propose(s) using 0.0128 cfs OR 1 ac-ft. from groundwater (2 miles south of Hatch) for IRRIGATION.
WAYNE COUNTY
NEW APPLICATION(S)
95-5551 (A84501): Thomas J and Danielle M Ellett propose(s) using 1.48 ac-ft. from groundwater (4 miles S of Bicknell) for DOMESTIC; IRRIGATION; STOCKWATERING.
CHANGE APPLICATION(S)
95-5513 (a52495): C Double Bar Dairy, Inc. propose(s) using 0.037 cfs from groundwater (2.5 miles NW of Loa) for IRRIGATION.
95-574 (a52496): James M. & Patricia M. Chappell Revocable Trust propose(s) using 2.17 cfs from the Underground Water Well (2.5 miles NW of Loa) for IRRIGATION.
95-426 (a52497): James M. & Patricia M. Chappell Revocable Trust propose(s) using 1 cfs from groundwater (2.5 miles NW of Loa) for IRRIGATION.
95-271 (a52498): C Double Bar Dairy, Inc. propose(s) using 0.276 cfs from groundwater (2.5 miles NW of Loa) for IRRIGATION.
Teresa Wilhelmsen, P.E., State Engineer
Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on JANUARY 16 & 23, 2025
GARFIELD COUNTY REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS
Garfield County is seeking the services of a qualified contractor to provide asphalt binder and distributor trucks for our 2025 chip-sealing projects. Work will be conducted in Garfield County.
If you are interested in submitting a proposal, information on the Request for Proposals can be obtained from Garfield County Public Works Department, 55 South Main, Panguitch, Utah 84759, Telephone (435) 238-0935, Email: dave.dodds@garfield.utah.gov. The proposal submission deadline is 5:00 p.m. on January 24, 2025. The County reserves the right to accept or reject any and all proposals.
Garfield County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on JANUARY 9 & 16, 2025
C lassified a ds
Wayne Community Health Center
Full-time Custodian Bicknell Clinic
Job Posting: Full-time Custodian
Location: Bicknell, UT
Organization: Wayne Community Health Center
Wayne Community Health Center is currently accepting applications for a fulltime Custodian, General Cleaning position for our Bicknell, UT location
Position Overview:
Hours:
• Monday - Friday, 2:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Key Responsibilities:
• Ensure spaces are prepared for the next day by sanitizing all surfaces.
• Taking out trash.
• Sanitizing furniture and dusting surfaces.
• Sweep and mop floors and vacuum carpets.
• Wash and sanitize toilets, sinks and shower.
• Restock disposables (e.g., soap, Paper Towels)
• Clean mirrors and windows
• Secure facilities after operating hours by locking doors, closing windows and setting up the alarm
Qualifications:
• Must be able to pass background check
• Self-motivated and task-oriented
• Team player
Compensation:
Pay is dependent upon experience
Benefits:
• 401K
• Sick/Vacation and Holiday Leave
• Medical/Dental/Pharmacy discounts
Application Process: Please email your resume to AmberLee Ellett at aellett@waynechc.org
Wayne Community Health Center is an equal opportunity employer. We look forward to welcoming dedicated and motivated individuals to our team!
We are looking for our missing dog. Her name is Nixie
She is a golden retriever with black hair and has a pink collar with a pink heart tag.
She is in the Panguitch area, and we have had reports of her around the North West side of town and as far North of town as mile marker 136 on HWY-89 a couple of miles up into the hills to the West
We believe she is wandering around the dirt roads somewhere in the hills. We are hoping she will make it back to town.
If anyone has seen her or can give us any whereabouts we would really appreciate it!
Please Call (435) 893-5588 with any information!
Wayne Community Health Center
Dental Assistant at WCHC Bicknell / Escalante Dental
Join our team as a motivated Dental Assistant
Are you a dedicated and enthusiastic individual seeking a rewarding career in the dental Field?
• Bicknell Dental is currently seeking a Part Time or Full-Time Dental Assistant to become a valuable member of our dynamic team.
• Escalante Dental is currently seeking a Part-Time Dental Assistant to join our dynamic team. Why choose Bicknell/Escalante Dental?
• Competitive benefits package tailored to your working hours
• An inclusive and supportive work environment
• Opportunity for professional growth and development
Position Overview:
As a Dental Assistant at Bicknell/Escalante Dental, you will play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth and efficient operation of our dental practice. Your responsibilities will include:
• Interacting with patients in a friendly and compassionate manner
• Proficiently taking X-rays and supporting chair-side procedures
• Managing scheduling, charting, and documenting dental visits using computer systems
• Ensuring thorough sterilization of dental instruments
• Setting up and maintaining a clean and organized operatory and office space
Preferred Qualifications (not required):
We value experience, but are also excited to provide training to individuals new to the field. If you have any of the following qualifications, it’s a plus:
• Dental assisting experience
• Exposure to Pediatric, Endodontic, Oral Surgery, and General Dentistry
• Familiarity with computer charting and Digital X-rays
• X-ray Certification
• CPR Certification How to Apply: We encourage all interested candidates to apply, regardless of your level of experience. I you’re passionate about dental health and eager to contribute to a supportive team, we want to hear from you! Please email your resume to aellett@waynechc.org and take the first step toward an exciting career with Bicknell/ Escalante Dental.
Join us in making a difference in the lives of our patients. Apply today!
The Wayne Community Health Centers are committed to providing high quality health services to our communities’ residents and visitors. Its purpose is to provide quality health services to all people including those facing financial, geographic and/or cultural barriers to healthcare.
Medical Assistant at Kazan Memorial Clinic
Job Opening: 1 Full-Time Medical Assistant and 1 As Needed Medical Assistant We are seeking a dedicated, professional, and compassionate Medical Assistant to join our team. The ideal candidate will provide excellent patient care, assist in clinical and administrative tasks, and work collaboratively with our healthcare providers. Offering a full-time position and an as-needed position.
Location: Kazan Memorial Clinic
Key Responsibilities:
• Greet and prepare patients for examinations and procedures
• Take and record patient histories, vital signs, and other necessary information
• Assist physicians with exams, treatments, and minor procedures
• Administer medications, injections, and vaccinations as directed by physicians Prepare and sterilize medical equipment
• Schedule patient appointments and manage patient flow
• Maintain accurate patient records and assist with billing and coding
• Handle patient inquiries and provide excellent customer service
• Ensure the cleanliness and organization of exam rooms and work areas
• Support the overall operation of the medical office Qualifications:
• Certification as a Medical Assistant (CMA, RMA, or equivalent) is preferred but on-the-job training is available.
• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Minimum of 1 year of experience in a clinical setting preferred
• Knowledge of medical terminology, office procedures, and basic clinical tasks
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to multi-task and stay organized in a fast-paced environment
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and medical software systems Compensation: Competitive wage based on experience
• Medical & Dental Benefits
- Full-Time Employee’s Benefits are covered in full.
- Employees pay 50% of the cost for dependents.
• After a year of full-time employment, Long Term Disability is purchased by WCHC & paid 50% by employee
• Eligible for Life Insurance up to 50k at no cost after 60 days.
• Eligible for supplemental insurance through Aflac/Liberty National.
• 401K is offered on the day of hire—WCHC Matches up to 5%. After 60 days.
• Flex Spending: You will be eligible on January 1st.
- New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth (June 19th), July 4th, July 24th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving day, The day after Thanksgiving (instead of Veterans Day), Christmas Day Employees and Families also get a percentage discount in each department. (Medical, Dental, Pharmacy)
How to Apply: Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume to josiem@waynechc.org
We look forward to welcoming a new member to our team, which is committed to providing exceptional patient care! Wayne Community Health Centers Inc. is an equal-opportunity employer. The Wayne Community Health Centers are committed to providing high quality health services to our communities’ residents and visitors. Its purpose is to provide quality health services to all people including those facing financial,
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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
Administrative Assistant at District Office
Head Volleyball Coach at Bryce Valley High
Athletic Announcer at Bryce Valley High
Substitute/Activity Bus Drivers
Para-Professionals/Aides at All Schools
Substitutes for Teachers, Custodians, and Food Service Workers
SALARY: Please see 2024-2025 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.
We are looking for friendly, hardworking professionals who enjoy the hospitality industry and interaction with guests.
POSITIONS AVAILABLE: 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
Corrections Officer
Garfield County is accepting applications for a Corrections Officer Applications are available at the Garfield County Clerk’s Office or online at www.garfield.utah.gov and will be accepted until January 22, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.
Anyone interested in applying for this position must pass the National Peace Officer Selection Exam prior to making application. The Exam is given at the Browning Learning Center on the Dixie College Campus. For additional information regarding the Exam and registration requirements, contact the Browning Learning Center at (435) 652-7696. The exam is also given at Southern Utah University. Call 435-586-5419 for additional information. Garfield County reserves the right to accept or reject any or all applications. Garfield County is an equal opportunity employer.
MEETINGS
TROPIC AA MEETING Wednesday at 6 PM. Tropic Heritage Center. All meetings are closed discussion.
Escalante AA Meeting Winter schedule: Tues. & Fri. at 6pm Call 435-676-3653
