Letters

to the Editor BLM Seeks Public Comment for Dingell Act - Emery County Land

SALT LAKE CITY -

Thank You

On behalf of our family, we would like to thank so many for the outpouring of love and kindness at the time of Dawna’s passing. We were overwhelmed by the number of people that came to pay their respects and by the amount of food, flowers, cards, and money that our family received. We tried to send personal- ized appreciation to many but know that we inevitably forgot someone. For that reason, we want to send a very heartfelt thank you to everyone in this wonderful community. We are beyond blessed by your friendship and association.

With Love, the Harry Brian Family

I Encourage the WCBA to Reconsider Their Decision

On Saturday, 27 May, there was an unfortunate event at the end of the Farmers Market in Torrey. The Market Manager, Dianna Poulton, was confronted by some individuals. As a result of this event, the Wayne County Business Association (WCBA) decided to cancel the market for two weeks (3 June and 10 June). This cancellation will have a negative effect on my business and on the other vendors who derive a portion of their livelihood from sales at the market. I encourage the Wayne County Business Association to reconsider their decision. I also encourage the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office to do a thorough investigation of this event and hold the responsible individuals accountable.

Thank You, Ben Jackson (Ben’s Hens)

Goings on...

Emma Hallows of WHS Chosen for GVH Scholarship

BICKNELL -

Since 1995, Gunnison Valley Hospital gives out $1,000.00 scholarship to all the surrounding schools, Wayne High School being one of them.

Courtesy Arien Nay Emma Hallows of Wayne High School was chosen for a $1,000 scholarship by the governing board of Gunnison Valley Hospital.

This year, Emma Hallows was chosen by the governing board to receive the $1000 scholarship for Wayne High School.

—Gunnison Valley Hospital

Remains of Missing Man Found in Mount Dutton Area

GARFIELD CO. - On Monday, May 29th, at approximately 2:30 p.m., Garfield County Sheriff's Office received a report that human remains had been discovered in the Mount Dutton area approximately five miles from Dry Hollow in Garfield County. The reporting party was able to direct deputies from Garfield County and other first responders to the discovery location, where what appeared to be the body of an adult male was found in a state of decomposition after succumbing to the elements. A medical examiner was among the first responders, and after determining the death was that of natural causes, coordinated to have the remains delivered to the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner (OME) in Taylorsville, Utah for further identification. After an autopsy comparing dental records provided by Mapleton Police Department, the OME determined the remains to be that of Austin Madsen, who was reported missing earlier this year.

On January 29th, the Garfield County Sheriff's Office began an extensive search and rescue operation based out of the Dry Hollow area on Mount Dutton, approximately five miles to the southeast of where Monday's remains were discovered. Though the search had to be suspended temporarily due to extreme winter weather, personnel from Garfield, Piute, Sevier, and Iron counties continued an intensive search and rescue operation until all leads had become exhausted on February 3rd. Most recently, the Rocky Mountain Rescue Dogs aided in the search for Austin led by Garfield County deputies throughout the weekend of May 20th. However, no new leads were uncovered, causing the Sheriffs Office to ask the public for information regarding Austin's whereabouts.

Fredonia PD assisted with notifying Austin's next of kin that his remains had been recovered. Garfield County Sheriffs Office would like to express our deepest condolences to the Madsen family and ask that any request for information be made through this office while their family is afforded time to mourn such a tragic loss.

The Garfield County Sheriff's Office is grateful for the partnerships and interagency efforts put forth by everyone involved throughout the search process. Any inquiries may be directed to this Office at 435-676-2678 or to the Mapleton Police Department.

—Garfield County Sheriff's Office

The Bureau of Land Management seeks public input during a 30-day comment period on a proposed land exchange of approximately 92,000 acres of BLM-managed public lands for approximately 116,000 acres of trust lands managed by the Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration. The proposed exchange, as analyzed in an environmental assessment, would help protect land located mainly within wilderness and primitive recreation areas in Emery County, Utah. The land exchange is mandated by Congress as part of the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act of 2019.

“We appreciate public input about this proposed land exchange that could help the BLM better protect wild landscapes within and near wilderness, recreation areas, and conservation lands, while supporting Utah’s interest in growing revenues that benefit the state’s educational and public institutions,” said BLM Utah State Director Greg Sheehan. “The exchange demonstrates our continued commitment to protecting special places in Utah and supporting economic opportunities in local communities.”

While the BLM would acquire lands primarily in Emery County, the exchange includes lands across 18 counties, including Beaver, Carbon, Emery, Grand, Iron, Juab, Kane, Millard, Rich, San Juan, Sevier, Summit, Tooele, Uintah, Utah, Wasatch, Washington, and Wayne counties. The state parcels are located within newly created wilderness areas, the San Rafael Swell Recreation Area, the Green River Wild and Scenic Rivers Corridor, and the John Wesley Powell National Conservation Area.

Written comments will be accepted through the BLM’s ePlanning website until June 24, 2023.

Please note the most useful comments are specific and contain new technical or scientific information relevant to the proposed action. Comments which contain only opinions or preferences will not receive a formal response but may be considered in the BLM decision-making process.

Please reference “Dingell Act - Emery County Land Exchange” when submitting comments.

Please contact Planning & Environmental Specialist Tiera Arbogast at tarbogast@blm.gov for additional information or visit Utah - Dingell Act - Emery County Land Exchange | Bureau of Land Management (blm.gov) to view maps and materials related to the exchange.

Before including an address, phone number, email address, or other personally identifiable information in any comments, be aware that the entire comment—including personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. Requests to withhold personal identifying information from public review can be submitted, but the BLM cannot guarantee that it will be able to do so.

—Bureau of Land Management

Fruit Harvest: Current field conditions

show that there will be strong crop of apricots and an average crop of peaches, apples, and pears. Unfortunately, cherries and plums will both be quite limited. The park’s cherry trees have been affected by insect and irrigation pressures for several years, and many of the most productive trees are declining due to old age.

Fruit Harvest Cont'd from A1

The park’s cherry trees have been affected by insect and irrigation pressures for several years, and many of the most productive trees are declining due to old age.

Capitol Reef National Park planted 131 cherry trees this spring and plans to continue planting cherries and peaches in the coming years to increase the availability of these popular crops.

Apricots and sweet cherries are anticipated to become available in early July. The main peach harvest is expected to occur in late August to early September. Apples and pears may also begin to ripen in late August and early September. Fruit harvest information and pricing will be recorded on the Capitol Reef orchard hotline as fruit ripens and specific harvest start dates are determined. The fruit hotline may be reached by calling (435) 425-3791. Press one for general information, then press five for the orchard hotline. Fruit harvest information is also updated on the park’s Facebook page and Twitter feed. For more information about the Fruita orchards visit: www. nps.gov/care/learn/historyculture/orchards.htm.

Capitol Reef National Park uses the money collected from fruit sales to defray the cost of maintaining the orchards, among the largest in the National Park System. These orchards are maintained using historic fruit production methods, preserving heirloom fruit varieties, and providing insights into the challenges faced by the pioneer settlers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who established the orchards in the late 1880s.

The National Park Service provides special fruit picking ladders and tools. Climbing fruit trees is not permitted in the park. Carefully read and follow posted instructions while picking fruit. Watch your footing when walking through the orchards and use caution on ladders. Please bring your own bags for collecting fruit.

—National Park Service

Publisher: Erica Walz Layout & Graphic Design: Emily Leach Reporter: Tessa Barkan Reporter: Amiee Maxwell Reporter: Kadi Franson Reporter: Ian Marynowski

Two Sunsets: It’s an old building, style, boutique hotel.—Roger Kaspar, Two Sunsets

Two Sunsets Cont'd from A1

as a Chevy dealership, a bowling alley and a garment factory, became a key element in the hotel’s design features.

“One of the things we’re interested in, is when people enter the lobby we want them to have a great experience. We want them to say, ‘Wow!’” said Kaspar.

Patti Lewis’ entryway mural—or more properly murals, since they are on both sides of the tunnel— is a composite depiction of the geology, flora and fauna of Red Canyon. Over and around the entryway lobby doors, Lewis’ work successfully ties in the "two sunsets" theme. Lewis, a resident of Virgin, Utah, has worked as a muralist for over forty years (Lewis and Lewis Artistic Endeavors), and has worked throughout southern Utah, California and Nevada. Among her many regional installations are murals at the Thunderbird Hotel at Carmel Junction, the Cowboy Country Inn in Escalante, and even the John Wayne sign at Panguitch’s Cowboy Smokehouse, just across the street from the Two Sunsets.

Lewis describes her work as a collaborative process with the property owner. “In this case, it’s a dark tunnel, so they needed something to brighten it up. It makes a nice entry—that’s usually what artwork does, it creates a nice impression, outside or inside. It’s exciting because you can really transform a place,” said Lewis.

About the mural, Kaspar said, “I envisioned something that would be really striking and really cool and also true to the area.”

Kaspar explains that the name of the hotel comes from Ruth’s father, Jim Henrie (known in Panguitch as "Jimmy-O") who described the sunsets in Panguitch Valley as “two sunsets,” as the sun not only sets in the west but also lights up the other side of the valley. “So it looks like two sunsets,” said Kaspar. Visitors and guests will find other accents throughout the hotel that reflect the two sunsets theme—such as lamps and lighting accents made out of Mexican onyx.

Virtual Meeting:

As the committee continues to meet during 2023, our goal is to ensure consistent public engagement.

—Harry Barber, Paria River District Manager

Virtual Meeting

Cont'd from A1 ment,” said Paria River District Manager Harry Barber. “The BLM is committed to identifying challenges and opportunities we have before us and finding solutions that help facilitate the best decisions moving forward to protect monument objects and values.”

Planned agenda items for the June meeting will include administrative business, nomination of a new committee chair, a resource management planning status update, a public comment period, and advisory committee discussion and formal recommendations for development of the science plan for the monument.

The agenda and meeting access information (including how to log in and participate) are available at https://bit.ly/3QGqaqJ.

Participants must register in advance via Zoom to attend at http://bit.ly/3ZnXHsh.

Registrants will receive a confirmation email including the meeting link and dial-in phone numbers. Depending on the number of participants in the public comment period, the amount of time for individual comments may be limited. Public comments may be emailed or mailed in advance with the subject line “Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Advisory Committee” to dhercher@blm.gov or 669 S. Highway 89A, Kanab, Utah 84741. Comments received prior to the meeting will be recorded in the minutes. Please contact us no later than seven days prior if reasonable accommodations are needed to participate.

—Bureau of Land Management

The Two Sunsets Hotel has been several years in the making, rising out of twin major events in 2020—fires in central California, and the covid pandemic. Roger and Ruth Kaspar had essentially been temporary refugees from California when they needed to evacuate due to the CZU Lightning Complex fires near Santa Cruz, where Roger Kaspar works as a biochemist. This landed them at the old home place in Panguitch, where Ruth has multi-generational family ties. Ruth’s great-great grandfather had settled here, and the family had an historic 2-story brick home handed down through the family.

“Where were we going to go? The obvious place was Panguitch. We had a lot of history, here,” said Roger Kaspar.

Long story short, during their extended stay at the old family place, the couple purchased both the Gem Theater and the old Panguitch Inn.

Over time, with the family livelihood still linked to California, the Kaspars looked to Ruth’s cousin, James Ipson, to handle the hotel’s renovations. “He’s basically responsible for everything,” said Kaspar. "He and I would talk about what to do, and he executed it.”

Kaspar says the old juxtaposed with the new is a recurring theme throughout the property. As one example, Two Sunsets offers two Tesla chargers for electric vehicles, which Kaspar says amusedly, are installed on a rock wall that’s 100 years old.

Also combining the old and new, Kaspar looks forward to hosting participants of Panguitch’s upcoming Quinoa Festival—highlighting both the ancient South American grain and

Peruvian culture—which will take place this year on September 23rd. Spearheaded by the Kaspar family through their longstanding interest in Peru—Kaspar served an LDS mission in South America in his early years—the Quinoa Festival will bring Peruvian food, music and a “llama walk” to Panguitch, with the Two Sunsets Hotel, the Gem Theater and Panguitch’s Historic Social Hall serving as hubs for event activities.

Kaspar says that he’s traveled a lot in his career, and while traveling he looks for older family hotels to stay in. “They’re not like a Marriott with the swimming pool and the spa and the restaurant, but they have this charm and people do the best with what they have in town. To me they capture the essence of the local community, the spirit and local flavor, and have a family atmosphere.” “I hope and believe we have done the same here,” he said. —Insider