Schools and Sports

True Grit:

The Chief Medical Officer at Intermountain Garfield Memorial Hospital Teaches Strength and Character as His High School Wrestling Team Wins Four State Championships in a Row

PANGUITCH - For eight years now, Dr. Colin Marshall, DO in Family Medicine at Intermountain Garfield Memorial Hospital and Clinic, has taken on one of the toughest jobs he’s ever loved: coaching high school wrestling. “In a rural community you get to wear a lot of hats,” says Coach Marshall. “I’ve always wanted to be involved with the youth, and impact their health in a positive way, while teaching them life skills, too.”

His success in teaching these critical skills of hard work, sacrifice, dedication, and service paid off; as the Panguitch Bobcats High School Boys Wrestling Team has once again this year taken the 1A State Championship, four years in a row.

“I’ve got such great kids, hardworking, put in so much effort,” says Coach Marshall. “I'm biased of course, but wrestling is an extremely tough sport. Of course, there’s some enjoyment along the way, but there’s no replacement for hard work. These kids are just outstanding.”

What is Dr. Marshall’s coaching philosophy? “In life I think there's two things that you can control and that's your attitude and your effort,” says Coach Marshall. “That's really what I try to teach these kids; that attitude and effort is what will allow them to be successful. I hope that translates to success in the wrestling room, but if not, it should translate to success in life.”

DeAnn Brown, Garfield Memorial Hospital Administrator, says Coach Marshall’s ability to in- spire and teach are exceptional. “After the first day of the state tournament, the wrestling boys had not done as well as expected,” says DeAnn. “To rally them, Coach Marshall asked the team to make sure to be there at each other’s matches to cheer each other on. It made a real difference. He coached my son a few years back, and really has coaching figured out.”

Gen Houston, whose son, Cael, was named as an individual champion and received the outstanding wrestler award, says “Colin is coach that turns wrestlers into men. Wrestling is a great sport, but these coaches are teaching the boy’s life lessons as well.”

One of those lessons is character. It’s been said that “character is who you are when no one’s looking,” and Russell Torgersen,

Dr. Colin Marshall is a DO in Family Medicine at Intermountain Garfield Memorial Hospital and Clinic and coach of the Panguitch Bobcats High School Boys Wrestling Team (left). This year, this team (above) has once again taken the 1A State Wrestling Championship, which makes four years in a row.

Principal of Panguitch High School, says that it is true character that Coach Marshall and his coaching staff are teaching the team, sharing an email that was sent him by Brenan Jackson, the Director of Wrestling for the Utah High School Activities Association:

“Good Afternoon, I just wanted to send an email to your school to say thank you for all your help! When I needed help at the state wrestles this past weekend, Panguitch High School was the first team to step up and volunteer to help move, roll-up, and clean mats. Your wrestlers made a very demanding job for me so much easier.

Why is it that the same team who wins the state championship is also the same team, not only this year, but last year too, that volunteers to help? It's called leadership from your coaching staff! Your coaches have instilled in your wrestlers that there is a bigger picture to life than just winning championships! They are teaching your young men how to be champions in LIFE!

Thank you, Coach Marshall and the other coaches, for always setting the gold standard of behavior, sportsmanship, dedication, hard work, and teaching young men the attributes of a successful life!

Sincerely, Brenan Jackson, Director of Wrestling UHSAA” Cade Harland, Lab Manager at Garfield Memorial, whose son Cole won the state championship in his division, says “From stitching our kids up in hotel rooms, to him and his wife helping the wrestlers with their homework to stay eligible to wrestle, Dr. Marshall cares about each of them and their success on and off the mat. The first day of practice he called all the parents and kids together and told them he would not tolerate any

Charlotte Snyder Named to Dean's List at Biola University

ANTIMONY - Char- lotte Snyder was named to Biola University's Dean's List for academic excellence. form of hazing or bullying. Coach told us that the wrestling room is a place he wants his wife and little kids to feel comfortable if they walk in, so he will not tolerate any swearing. Dr. Marshall creates a safe welcoming environment for the kids to grow and be the best form of themselves. And he doesn’t make it easy. My son will be the first to tell you that wrestling is hard. But Dr. Marshall gets in there and works right with the boys and they will do anything he asks. My son became the heavyweight state champion this year, and he knew nothing about wrestling when he walked into the wrestling room as a freshman. Dr. Marshall and his team of coaches are amazing.”

Snyder, an English major from Antimony, UT, was one of approximately 1,700 students who were named to the dean's list in fall 2022. Biola students are placed on the dean's list to honor those with a GPA of 3.6 or higher while enrolled in 12 or more credits and whose cumulative GPA is at least 3.2.

“One of the cool things about wrestling is there's an individual component, so you know you have to compete on your own, and also then there's a team component that's a part of it as well,” says Coach Marshall. “You get both of those aspects in wrestling, and so these kids really get to see what their individual efforts do to impact the team. I think this principle is true on any team; that we need to give our best individual effort and when we do, our whole team is impacted in a positive way.”

—Intermountain Garfield Memorial Hospital

"Inclusion in Biola University's Dean's List is reserved for students who demonstrate exceptional performance in their academic studies. This honor signifies hard work, engagement, and investment in scholarship," said Dr. Tamara Anderson, associate provost of academic effectiveness and administration. "These attributes are the building blocks of continued success, not only in the classroom, but in the workplace and in the student's personal lives. We celebrate these students and their achievement, looking forward to their future accomplishments."

Biola University is a nationally ranked Christian university in the heart of Southern California. It was recently recognized as one of America's best colleges, earning a spot in the top tier of the "best national universities" category of U.S. News and World Report's Best Colleges 2023 rankings. Founded in 1908, Biola is committed to the mission of biblically centered education, scholarship and service. With more than 6,000 students at its Southern California campus and around the world, Biola's nine schools offer more than 150 academic programs at the bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels. For more information, visit biola.edu or call (562) 777-4061.

—Merit Page News

Activities and Event Schedule 2023

MARCH

• The coalition will be trained to facilitate a QPR suicide prevention class for the community.

• Guiding Good Choices parenting class - March 8, 15, 22 & 29 and April 5

APRIL

• Resiliency Town Hall with Jennie Taylor, guest speaker - April 6th, 1:50 pm for students, 5:30 for parents

• Easter Egg Hunt dates and Family kits - time is TBD

MAY

• Community QPR training, suicide prevention training - TBD

JUNE

• Splash Pad open day - June 2nd at the City Park

• Southwest Youth Summit (Beaver) (youth training)

• Utah Youth Summit in Bryce Canyon (youth training)

JULY

• Scavenger Hunt - date and time is TBD

• CADCA mid-year youth training institute in Dallas TX (coalition member and youth training)

AUGUST

• Soap box derby, Family game night - August 19th

SEPTEMBER

• Community QPR training, suicide prevention training - TBD

OCTOBER

• Take Back Drug Day and Community Town Hall take back day - TBD

NOVEMBER

• Community QPR training, suicide prevention training - TBD

DECEMBER

• Ginger Bread family kits (Elementary Christmas play)

*Check Escalante Prevention Coalition's Facebook page for dates times and details on events and activities

Boulder Planning: The Commercial Development Standards Worksheet, language corrections to the subdivision ordinance, housing group updates, streets, Bylaws 15-22, the Zoning Administrator report, and Planning Commission priorities discussed.

Boulder Planning

Cont'd from A1 of making a more defensible decision. Formatting changes were discussed to try to make the standards easier to use. The standards could be given to the applicant so that they could show the ways in which they comply. Once the standards have been used a number of times, the town will have a history to look back on, which will help in making new decisions. A full training on the standards will be scheduled.

A PC member presented on language corrections to the subdivision ordinance. The goals are to make it internally consistent, clearer, and make the text match administrative procedures. This would not change subdivision policy at this time, however, it was also suggested that the ordinance itself be revised in the future, including making changes that would encourage attainable housing, as the current method of doing this through the clustering ordinance hasn’t proved successful. Types of changes include ensuring that standards are consistent, for example between town codes and state or national codes that are adopted by reference; and ensuring that all requirements regarding a topic can be found in one place, not spread out in different ordi nances. At the next meeting recommended changes will be presented. A draft would then be created, and a public hearing would follow. The Town Planner brought up the relationship between the bylaws and the ordinances and that procedures could either be listed in the bylaws or codified in the ordinances. Some information could also be listed in administrative documents. Benefits of this include that they would not be legally binding and they could be written in layman’s terms.

Housing group updates were provided. A survey has been put out about housing needs. Feedback from potential housing providers includes if RV parks could be used for employee housing and where attainable housing makes the most sense, for example in cluster lots or subdivisions similar to King Estates. A representative of the Vision group pointed to progress occurring in town, including the potential housing at the school.

Streets were discussed.

A Transportation Improvement Plan was created in 2012, which could be used as a basis. At the next Town Council (TC) meeting, the PC should present about street issues so that the PC has permission to move forward. Town streets and streets that should become town streets could then be identified. This is complicated because most of the transportation routes in

Garfield County are created by proscriptive use rather than being platted. It will likely require funding and litigation and will be a large and complicated project. The biggest issue is Lower Boulder Road, which sits largely on private property. Creating a map that identifies platted and unplatted sections would be a good step. Street issues include unplatted roads, platted roads that have never been opened, platted roads that do not match the location of the actual road, and unplatted roads used by neighbors without legal access. Labeling these on a map would be interesting to consider but would probably bring up disputes. The town attorney could provide advice on what issues they could tackle. Bylaws 15-22 were discussed. A PC member commented that usually bylaws are procedural, while the substance is provided in ordinances and informational handouts. Bylaws generally define how a public body operates, not information for applicants. Bylaws 15-22 focus on information that would better be presented in handouts. Members were in agreement. These bylaws could also be combined and simplified to provide information about what responsibilities the ZA holds. Bylaws from other towns will be considered and discussed next meeting.

The ZA report followed. It was asked that any business over email between PC members include both the ZA and the PC Secretary. A quorum of PC members are allowed to communicate via email as long as they are only providing information, not engaging in discussion or decision making. The Boulder Mountain Guest Ranch

CUP should be on the agenda for April. A request for leasing additional antennas on the tower on Thompson Lane was received. According to the original CUP, the tower may have up to four antennas and currently only has two. No height or width changes to the footprint will occur. That tower can host four different services. A new CUP will not be required.

PC priorities were discussed. A training workshop on the standards worksheet will be scheduled. PC members will listen to the recordings of the sessions that explain the standards before having to use the worksheets for the CUP in the next meeting, as the training won’t happen before the meeting. Following this, a work meeting could be held to discuss possible changes. The PC will meet one hour early next month, at 6pm, for training for those who can attend.

Public comments followed. A member of the public stated that, in regards to the housing groups, discussions should be taking place on issues not just surveys. Additionally, current five acre zoning and the cluster ordinance may have issues, but they are still useful. Clustering doesn’t have to be the only way to encourage attainable housing, but it is a good way.

Upcoming business includes the Guest Ranch CUP, more information regarding language consistencies, discussion on performance based standards for subdivisions, reviewing the last section of the bylaws, and reports on bylaw samples.

The Boulder Planning Commission meets on the second Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. The April meeting will begin at 6 p.m.

Atli Blevins

PANGUITCH - Atli Blevins was reunited with her mom on March 3, 2023, after a hard fought battle with cancer. She was born on May 10, 2006, in Panguitch to Marnie and John Blevins.

She attended Panguitch elementary, middle, and high school. Atli Blevins was a loving daughter, sister, and granddaughter who loved her family more than she loved fashion.

Atli was a cheerleader for Panguitch High School where she loved to support not only the sports teams but the entire student body. Anywhere Atli went she managed to put smiles on everyone's face. With her bright personality and quick wit, Atli had a special talent for befriending anyone she met.

There’s not enough words to describe the kind of person Atli was but one word that might fit her best is loving. Atli had a love for people. Always looking to make someone else smile even when she was going through the hardest times of her life. Bringing light and joy selflessly and happily. Atli made an impact anywhere she went. From the community she grew up with to the amazing medical family she made during her fight with cancer.

We are so thankful for all the love, prayers, and support we have been given in these challenging times.

She is survived by her father John; siblings: Arik and Abbey Blevins; grandmother, Randi Miller; and many other relatives.

Preceded in death by her mother, Marnie; grandparents: Kenny Miller, John Willard Blevins, Stiennun Blevins.

Memorial services were held on Monday, March 13, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. in the Panguitch Stake Center where friends called from 11:30 to 12:45. Cremation services were held in the Magleby Mortuary Crematory.

Online guestbook at www.maglebymortuary.com

Atli wanted a celebration of her life. We ask everyone attending to wear bright colors so we can do our best to honor her wishes.

Petition Seeks Protection for Pygmy Rabbits Across West

by Alex Gonzalez, Utah News Connection

UTAH - Conservation groups in Utah and across the western United States are requesting protection for the pygmy rabbit under the Endangered Species Act.

A petition sent to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said the world's smallest rabbit is at risk of extinction because of habitat loss and disease.

Allison Jones, a conservation biologist, said the pygmy rabbit population has been on the decline for many years, with Utah for example having alarmingly low occupancy rates between seven and 13% in areas outside the northern portions of Utah. Jones pointed out the small mammals are not likely to bounce back because of the continued degradation and fragmentation of the Sagebrush Sea.

"The pygmy rabbit as an obligate of healthy, functioning Sagebrush ecosystem is kind of a canary in the coal mine for the intermountain West sagebrush ecosystem, and the ecosystem is in big trouble," Jones asserted.

Jones explained the loss of the pygmy rabbit's habitat is being threatened by more intense fires, invasive plant species, climate change and drought as well as development and extrac- tive practices. She called the confounding effects the "perfect storm," which could lead to the disappearance of the pygmy rabbit in portions of the Sagebrush Sea.

Vera Smith, senior federal land policy analyst for Defenders of Wildlife, said in addition to habitat loss, a new virus has also heavily affected wild rabbit populations, with the pygmy rabbit being no exception.

Smith added if the Fish and Wildlife Service concurs the pygmy rabbit population data is alarming, groups like hers would like to see a "coordinated strategy" across the Western U.S. to enable the tiny rabbits to recover.

"For us, one of the very important things that the recovery strategy would hopefully point to is that we need to be more deliberate about protecting habitat and connecting habitat across the Sagebrush Sea," Smith emphasized.

Smith argued the Endangered Species Act listing would offer the best chance at protecting not only the small rabbit, but also its rapidly vanishing habitat, which she called vital for the recovery of the species.