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Serving Wayne & Garfield Counties, Utah
Loa • Fremont • Lyman • Bicknell • Teasdale • Torrey • Grover • Fruita • Caineville • Hanksville Panguitch • Panguitch Lake • Hatch • Antimony • Bryce • Tropic • Henrieville • Cannonville • Escalante • Boulder
Thursday, May 27, 2021
Read the Final "News from Bryce Valley Schools"...pg 4
Issue # 1411
insiderutah.com
Could COVID-19 Bring a New Wave of Diverse Young Torrey Town Council Workers to Public Land Conservation? May 13 Americans by Emma Penrod, Corner Post Torrey Town Clerk Paula Pace retiring Take the Lead after 12 years of service in Establishing by Amiee Maxwell “New Normal” TORREY - The May 13, The council then apLOGAN - In its twenty years of existence, the Utah Conservation Corps (UCC) has rarely been forced to turn away applicants. One unexpected outcome of the pandemic—and perhaps part of our “New Normal”—is that young people are placing a high value on direct service experiences like conservation crews. And for the first time ever, UCC has a waiting list for summer conservation positions, with fall positions nearly filled three months early. “We actually begin nation-wide recruitment in the fall,” explains Nicole Kreiser, who oversees national service programming and recruitment for UCC. “And then we normally continue right up to the start of our summer season,” she added. “This was our first year to start a waiting list, and that was in January.” Utah Conservation Corps got a humble start in 2001 with 20 AmeriCorps members. Young people came from across the US to be part of UCC’s inaugural year. They completed projects that UCC
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Emily Leach
Alex Engel, Restoration Field Staff Supervisor for Grand Staircase Escalante Partners based in Escalante, Utah. SOUTHWESTERN U.S. - During the economic slump following the Great Recession, Alex Engel, a recent college graduate, found himself doing hard labor in some of the most unforgiving canyons southeastern Utah has to offer. Engel studied civil engineering and had a graduate degree, so he—and his parents—envisioned a future of white-collar work. But in
Chickadees
Big Things in Small Packages
Michael Woodruff
Mountain Chickadee. ESCALANTE - Ah, May. Birders get as excited about this month as kids do about Christmas, as we never know what the next gift will be. A majority of our area’s migrant birds arrive in May, some staying to nest, others stopping to rest and feed before moving on. As I write, I’m looking at one of the latter species, Bullock’s Oriole, wearing my favorite color orange. Usually, these beauties stop to slurp nectar from our hummer feeders before departing our dry PinyonJuniper forest for areas with big deciduous trees. I’ve seen several flying around town lately. This year, a few have lingered here because I’ve put out Oriole feeders for the first time, consisting of a bowl for fruit jelly and spikes for half oranges. I’ve lost count of the
number of oranges consumed during the last week, drained dry in minutes. As wonderful as these migrants are, my loyalty lies with the little birds with us month in and month out: Mountain Chickadees. These small black and white creatures aren’t flashy, but they are in constant motion, inquisitive, and intelligent. These qualities allowed me to befriend several during the stay-at-home COVID year, especially one very companionable individual. I don’t know if it’s a male or a female, as they look alike to the human eye. They can certainly tell each other apart, though. Their large white cheek patches reflect ultraviolet light, which they can see but we can’t, Chickadees
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REGIONAL WEATHER FORECAST FOR SOME BUT NOT ALL REGIONS REPRESENTED IN OUR NEWSPAPER COVERAGE AREA
THURS. MAY 27 - WED. JUNE 2
Mostly sunny, with a bit of a reprieve from the high winds. Highs in the high 70s and low 80s; lows in the high 30s and low 40s. Slight, scattered chances of precipitation throughout the week. Winds variable from 11 to 14mph.
2012, he says, “nobody was hiring anyone fresh out of college.” So, he signed up for volunteer work with a youth conservation corps and spent the next several years wielding a chainsaw and sleeping under the stars. Alongside the rest of his team, Engel spent long, ninety-five degree days cutting down invasive Russian olive trees along remote stretches of the Escalante River. Crews
BLM Issues Statewide Fire Prevention Order to Protect People and Public Lands
SALT LAKE CITY With the 2021 wildfire year upon us, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has issued a statewide Fire Prevention Order to help prevent the risk of wildfires igniting in Utah. To protect people and public lands, effective May 18, 2021, the use/discharge of explosive material or exploding targets, and fireworks or steel component ammunition on BLM-managed lands in Utah is prohibited. “This annual fire prevention order reminds people to be fire-wise to reduce the number of human-caused wildfires, especially considering the extreme drought this year.” said Utah State Director Greg Sheehan. “Let us all take it personally this summer and together, we can help protect our public lands.” In 2020 in Utah, humancaused fires accounted for 73% of the fires statewide on all lands. There were 1,155 human-caused fires in Utah that could have been prevented. Many of these wildfires occur in proximity to roadways, communities and recreational areas, posing a considerable threat to public safety and infrastructure. “We need to do all that we can to not only take the measures to protect our homes and property but support our local firefighters and first responders,” said BLM State Fire Fire Prevention Cont'd on page 2
worked eight day shifts, supported by horse-back supply chains, and often had to wade through water or mud with no ability to shower at the end of the day. Engel says he initially “pretended to myself and my parents that I would still look for work in the engineering world,” but each fall he found himself returning to the EsConservation Workers Cont'd on page 8
2021 Torrey Town Council meeting began with a farewell to Paula Pace. After 12 years of service as the town clerk, Paula is retiring. “I just want to say thanks to all for letting me be part of Torrey and to serve Torrey in this manner,” said Paula. Then the new town clerk, Mel Pace, took Paula’s seat at the table, and the council applauded and offered many thanks to Paula for her service. Then there was an update on the town’s rental house. Dustin Oyler did a walkthrough and noticed several issues that need addressing before the next occupant. Councilmemeber Pat Kearney suggested having it assessed by an electrician and plumber to see what it takes to get it up to code. The council then reviewed Chimi Ito’s variance request to split a property into 2 half-acre lots. A public meeting regarding this request was held prior to the council meeting. The council approved the request. Councilmember Thorndal-Stewart opposed the request since the lot was only 0.8 acres and raised the issue that this sets a precedent for how the town handles canalrelated variances.
proved both the South Side A and South Side B annexation proposals. Next, Colleen Dudleston discussed the town’s bills from March and April. The council briefly discussed credit card fees, and Dudleston was tasked with looking into cheaper options. She asked all council members to sign an ethics form that is now a requirement with the Utah state auditors. She also presented the 2022 budget and notified the council that a public hearing will be held on the budget prior to the next council meeting held Thursday, June 10, 2021, at 6:30 p.m. at the Torrey Town Pavilion. Then it was on to council member reports. Councilmemeber Kearney reported that they had a wonderful Arbor Day tree planting event with the help of the Americorps members. She was especially thankful for Tree Utah sending someone down here to give a lesson in tree planting. She’s also grateful for a donation from the Entrada Institute for two oak trees to frame the memorial at the cemetery and also noted Torrey Council Cont'd on page 2
Wayne County Commission May 3 & 17
On May 3, Cache Valley Bank presents donation checks to the Commission for community services, and on May 17, the Commission agreed to move ahead with economic development assistance from the Six County AOG and reviewed the upcoming Indigent Defense Grant Application Agreement by Amiee Maxwell
Amiee Maxwell
Commissioner Roger Brian, Commissioner Stanley Wood, Sheriff Jensen, and Donald Coombs from Cache Valley Bank (from left to right) hold donation checks given to the Commission by Cache Valley Bank for Wayne County community services. WAYNE COUNTY - The May 3, 2021 Wayne County Commission Meeting opened with a prayer led by Commissioner Bryan expressing gratitude for all the moisture we’ve received over the last week and the Pledge of Allegiance. Commissioner Blackburn was excused from the meeting. First, the state auditors introduced themselves to the commission and presented an Audit Engagement Letter. They said they’ll most likely be here all week doing their annual audit. Next, Commissioner
A great wind is blowing and that either gives you imagination or a headache. —Catherine the Great
Brian gave an update on the baseball complex donation situation. County Attorney Mike Olsen revised the agreement to say the donor’s naming conditions will be met for the “useful life of the field.” The commissioners approved the letter as revised and will send it to the donor’s attorney for review. Commissioner Brian also mentioned that a community member is interested in donating two water shares. “This is a very nice surprise,” said Commissioner Brian, and he’s happy to be moving forward with the project given the county’s
excitement for baseball. Donald Coombs, from Cache Valley Bank, then presented several donation checks to the commission. Early in the pandemic, Cache Valley Bank made a commitment to donate any interest earned through the Payroll Protection Program to community services. Cache Valley Bank donated $5,000 to Wayne County EMS, $5,000 to Wayne County Search and Rescue, and $3,000 to the Wayne County Fire District. Wayne Commission
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PRE-SORT STANDARD PAID RICHFIELD, UTAH PERMIT No. 122