The Wayne & Garfield County Insider November 21, 2024 by Wayne & Garfield County Insider

BLM Seeks Public Assistance in Wild Horse Shooting Investigation

TOOELE CO. - The Bureau of Land Management Utah State Office confirms the tragic death of a wild horse on the Onaqui Herd Management Area (HMA) over the weekend of Nov. 9-10. The horse was found by a member of the public and reported to the BLM. A BLM investigative team has verified that the horse was shot, and a formal investigation is now underway. BLM law enforcement is seeking any information the public can provide to aid in this investigation.

The wild horse was found deceased on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, approximately three miles southwest of Simpson Springs in Tooele County, south of the Dugway Proving Grounds. Evidence indicates that the shooting likely occurred during the

ECAC Brings Veterinary Services to Rural Escalante and Beyond

hopes of expanding mobile services to all of Garfield Co. Jennifer Crawford Morgan Flynn, Escalante Community Animal Clinic (ECAC) founder and Clinic Director, with Miko the pitbull on Oct. 19. ECAC held its first vaccine and wellness clinic over the weekend of Oct. 19 and 20 in Escalante at their property at 289 E. Main Street.

ESCALANTE - The Escalante Community Animal Clinic (ECAC) held its first vaccine and wellness clinic over the weekend of Oct. 19 and 20 in Escalante at their property at 289 E.

CCAW Hosts Festive 'Pet Photos with Santa' Event on Dec. 7 and Launches 'The Giving Tree' Fundraiser

Courtesy Susan O'Connor-Wright Angel, edited here to be on Santa's lap, is looking for a home. For the first time, Color Country Animal Welfare is hosting a “Pet Photos with Santa” event. The event aims to raise donations for the shelter and generate awareness about the importance of animal adoption.

TORREY - This holiday season, Color Country Animal Welfare (CCAW) is making it easier than ever to include your furry friends in the holiday festivities. For the first time, CCAW is hosting a “Pet Photos with Santa” event, inviting pet owners to bring their dogs and cats to pose with Santa himself. The event aims to raise donations for the shelter and generate awareness about

Main Street. The clinic saw a total of fifty furry patients—dogs and cats— over the course of the two days, all from Escalante residents. The majority of the patients were there to

A New Tool Launched for Tracking Water Conservation at State Facilities

SALT LAKE CITY -

The Utah Division of Water Resources and the Utah Division of Facilities Construction and Management have partnered to create the State Facility Water Tracker. This new tool displays data related to water use specifically at state facilities. Visualizing this data helps us better understand water conservation efforts at these locations. Preliminary numbers show that Utah state facilities have achieved a 20% reduction in water use since 2020.

“State government is showing it’s serious about

receive vaccines, but with a well-stocked pharmacy, the clinic was able to provide treatment to a few sick animals, as well.

“Our flow was really efficient, which was nice,

and I am hoping the more we get the word out, the more we can do,” said Morgan Flynn, ECAC founder

SALT LAKE CITYAfter several recent illegal introductions this year, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is again reminding Utahns that it’s both harmful and illegal to dump unwanted pet fish into local ponds, to use live bait fish or to move sportfish you’ve caught from one waterbody to another. Each spring and fall, DWR biologists survey various lakes and streams to get data about the fish in those waterbodies, including weight, condition and abundance. However, this year, biologists discovered fish that were illegally placed into several waterbodies across Utah, including: Yellow perch in Palisade State Park in May Goldfish at Cove Pond

BLM Utah Begins Holiday Tree Cutting Permit Sales

BLM opened non-commercial Christmas tree

on Nov. 12.

UTAH - The BLM opened non-commercial Christmas tree permits for sale statewide on Nov. 12, 2024. This annual event allows the public to harvest trees, including pin-

yon pine and juniper, from designated areas on public lands across Utah. The permit program supports forest health while providing a cherished holiday experience.

Permits, priced at $10 each, are available for purchase online through the BLM’s For-

USDA Announces More Clean Energy Investments Through the Inflation Reduction Act; Bear Valley RV & Campground Resort in Panguitch to Install a 135.8 Kilowatt PV System

UTAH - On November 14, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director Michele Weaver announced that USDA is funding new projects in Utah to lower costs, expand access to clean energy and strengthen farms and small businesses.

USDA is making investments through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), a program that has seen record demand in response to historic funding provided by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act.

“[These] investments will ensure Utah’s farmers and small businesses have affordable ways to lead our state toward a cleaner and more prosperous future.” Weaver said. “Funding for these projects are examples of investments the BidenHarris Administration has made to combat climate change on a personal level in Utah.”

USDA is investing $6.9 million in Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grants for twentysix rural small businesses, farmers, ranchers and

agricultural businesses. Funds will help purchase and install solar photovoltaic (PV) systems for their rural small businesses and agricultural operations.

Some examples of these investments:

• Buttars Tractor in Tremonton is a small business that sells agriculture equipment. This business of thirty years will install a roof-mounted solar PV system that is expected to save them $4,525 annually.

Fullmer Brothers LLC is a family-owned farm in central Utah. Their farm operations will benefit from a 403.7 kilowatt PV system, that will provide an estimated 157% of their electric demand and save their farm operation over $37,000 annually.

• Bear Valley RV & Campground Resort in Panguitch is located in the heart of Bryce Canyon National Park. Their business will install a 135.8 kilowatt PV system to provide energy at their RV resort. The project is expected to produce 231,280 kilowatt-hours annually,

and displace 116% of their electric demand.

A full list of projects from this announcement can be found at www. rd.usda.gov.

Weaver made the announcement at Ranchers Insurance in Laketown, where she met with business owner and rancher Brandon Willis, who is a past recipient of REAP funding. The project, a 69.75 kW solar array is near completion and will replace 114,529 kWh per year in energy consumption.

In fiscal year 2024 USDA invested $12.7 million in seventy-two REAP projects throughout the State of Utah. Since the start of the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA has invested more than $16.7 million through REAP in one-hundred renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements in Utah. REAP enables agricultural producers and rural small business owners to expand their use of wind, solar, geothermal and small hydropower energy to make energy efficiency improvements. These innovations help them increase their

Opinion

income, grow their businesses and address climate change while lowering energy costs for American families.

USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. REAP is a part of the President’s Justice40 initiative which sets a goal that 40% of the benefits from certain federal investments go to disadvantaged communities. The program supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas. Visit the Rural Data Gateway to learn how and where these investments are impacting rural America. To subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit the GovDelivery Subscriber Page. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov/ ut.

—USDA Rural Development

The Trump Triumph Portends an Economic Fallout

As I watched Donald Trump arrive at an astounding victory election night, I was struck by his strong turnout in both rural and urban parts of the country. But I couldn’t stop thinking: Do voters understand what Trump’s sweep means for the price of eggs, housing and cars?

As it became clear that enthusiasm for Kamala Harris was waning leading up to the election, bond markets were already going down. That’s important, because the bond market is a predictor of the future.

For contrast, the stock market went up 3% the morning after the election, as Donald Trump promised dramatic tax breaks and lenient environmental regulations for corporations. That explains why so many billionaires supported Trump.

Our bond market, perhaps not as well understood as stocks, is the biggest in the world, and though the Federal Reserve sets a “target” interest rate and regulates short-term interest rates.

The nation’s $28 trillion treasury market sets the final interest rate through an auction.

Here’s what an auction determines: When prices of bonds drop, yields for investors go up. But this also drives up mortgage rates, interest rates on car loans, credit cards and so forth. Foreign countries and investors also trade bonds based on expectations for future borrowing. If our government needs to sell more bonds, lower prices and higher rates of return to investors usually follow.

America is piling up huge annual deficits, and

by Dave Marston | Writers on the Range

when buyers of our bonds grow concerned about the credit worthiness of the United States, they typically start selling. This creates a knock-on effect of higher deficits, as the nation pays higher interest rates on its massive borrowing.

Never downplay the impact a falling bond markets can have. Bond traders have toppled governments—Great Britain in 2022 is a prime example, reinforcing bond traders nickname “bond vigilantes.”

After Donald Trump was elected, the bond market, which had already declined significantly in anticipation of his win, fell 3% the next morning. That is considered a very bad day for the bond market. Investors began predicting that two of Donald Trump’s election promises would lead to higher prices for consumers.

His first promise was to deport millions of undocumented workers even though our country is at full employment. Deporting workers will cause a labor shortage and drive up the cost of American made goods, especially the cost of vegetables, meat and housing, industries that rely heavily on manual labor.

His second promise, using presidential power to impose tariffs on goods from other countries, is another way a president can raise costs for consumers. The president-elect has talked up tariffs repeatedly, calling them “beautiful” and promising that other countries will pay for them.

That is not how tariffs work.

If we want foreign goods from China and Mexico, we must pay the going rate. If we want to

substitute an American good, we should be sure it’s available and that there is labor to produce it.

During his last presidency, Trump levied tariffs on China. It retaliated by levying tariffs on our farm products, which erased profits for midwestern farmers.

Courtesy Writers on the Range

Dave Marston is the publisher of Writers on the Range, Writersontherange.org, a nonprofit dedicated to lively discussion about the West.

Trump quickly reallocated $12 billion via the U.S. Agriculture Department to support those farmers. That is called a bailout, or welfare.

Moreover, if he raises tariffs across the board on goods from other countries, there will be widespread “revenge-tariffs”— just as happened last time. Unless we borrow even more money in the bond market for various welfare schemes, the tariffs will harm the smallest American companies, while international corporations, with operations overseas, will be less impacted.

Once again farmers will be hurt. We are mostly a nation of consumers, not producers, and 68% of our economy is buying goods. That is why so many suffered during the inflationary spike under Joe Biden, causing the necessary goods in life to become shockingly pricey.

When Donald Trump takes charge next year— and if he fulfills his promises—tariffs and labor shortages are bound to dramatically raise prices and interest rates for American consumers. Once an economy contracts, recession follows. Somehow, we missed thoroughly debunking Donald Trump’s wrongheaded assumptions about what makes our economy work. Now, we face an uncertain future with a leader whose policies benefit the rich while harming working people.

Dave Marston is the publisher of Writers on the Range, Writersontherange.org, a nonprofit dedicated to lively discussion about the West. He worked in finance in New York City and now lives in Durango, Colorado.

News from Wayne County Fall 2024

by Adus F. Dorsey II

WAYNE CO. - Fall has arrived, and the end of daylight saving time followed at somewhat the same time, and both instances have caught many Wayne County folks on the south side of the west forty fence by surprise, meaning they have not quite eased into the fact of whether or not they are going or coming just yet. Hardest hit are our good friends from Hanksville that commute up county to work. In the morning, they kiss the wife and kids goodbye in the dark, and then they hug them hello in the dark when they get home in the evening. But ask anyone of them those "Hanksvillians," and they wouldn’t hesitate a second to tell you they wouldn’t have it any other way.

Gone are the dog days of summer 2024, and hello to six months of firewood and winter.

For those living upcounty, most of the trees are now lacking leaves, making driving to town look like a confetti parade, trailing yellow and brown leaves wherever you go. Drop off the hill to the east, headed down county, toward Hanksville, and it is a totally different picture. If there has ever been a brighter yellow drive through the park, it hasn't been for a while. The fall colors in Fruita have been so bright that sunglasses are required, even in the shade. For colors to be that vibrant in Wayne County in mid-November is a phenomenon not often experienced in these parts, unless prayers for the right amount of rain, all summer long, were heard and graciously granted. For sure, there is a lot to be said for the power of prayer.

It is also the time of year when there is much talk at the gas pump or the deli counter at Royal’s that has to do with four-wheel drive, gnarly tires, binoculars, scopes and gun barrel length. Seems everyone standing around waiting for a foot long sub-sandwich, or to pay for a Pepsi or beer at Gordy’s, is wearing the latest and greatest in camo gear and quilted underwear. And at work, there are always a few people missing when it comes to roll call. It wouldn’t be Wayne County if every other outfit you see did not have a dog or eight (or more) horns sticking up out of the bed of the pick-up. It is also when if you have something important that you need to talk to your neighbor about, you best head for the hills, as it is a

good guess that they all will be there, sipping on steaming coffee around a smoking campfire and talking about you. Maybe it is best to just take a few days off work and be there yourself.

Something that is rather disturbing for those over forty that still have the wherewithal and ability to actively remember their Wayne High School days is the fact that there was something very noticeably missing from Main Streets in towns up-county on the day after Halloween. I am not one to condone rampant vandalism or the use of road safety signs as targets because those that do it cannot hit anything less than three foot square and moving. Nor am I one to wrong anyone for blowing off a little steam after dark, occasionally, as long as somebody is not hurt. But not having to slip and slide to work on busted pumpkins come November 1 was an unexpected surprise, unless you take the Big Rocks Road to or from Loa. In my book, on page one, it is better having a few busted pumpkins on the road than a whole lot of broken windows like they do in other places. Not

to mention that the parties guilty of smashing pumpkins, generally, show up to school the next day with that “I did it look” on their faces, with pumpkin parts on the bottom of their shoes. Some even have pictures of them in the process of doing it on their phones, and are bold enough to share those pics with all of their friends that still wear Scooby Doo pajamas with built in feet.

As a reminder, the Mauna Loa Daughter of Utah Pioneers (DUP) building in Loa is looking very festive these days. A good idea for the those early evenings, or something to do right after supper, is to take a drive (or walk) and go see the creative ways that the Mauna Loa DUP ladies have transformed the 1897 DUP building into a holiday classic.

It would be a good guess that Ol' Saint Nick is surely gonna see it from space and might drop by to take a gander this upcoming holiday season.

Donations to the Mauna Loa DUP are always welcome for restoration, repairs, and ongoing maintenance. We all benefit, so donate today. Thank you.

Adus F. Dorsey II

For those living up-county, most of the trees are now lacking leaves, making driving to town look like a confetti parade, trailing yellow and brown leaves wherever you go.

Wills, Trusts, and More

Can I Disinherit Someone?

Deciding who gets your assets after you die can be difficult. What if you want to make sure someone is not included?

The word “disinherit,” can create images of family discord. However, there are many reasons one may wish to do it. Perhaps one of your children is a wealthy entrepreneur and another has special needs, or perhaps you are in a second marriage and want to provide for your children from a previous marriage—but not your ex-spouse. Disinheriting anyone other than members of your nuclear family is easy—just leave them out of your will. But states have special protections for spouses and children.

Spouses. If you live or have lived in a community property state like Arizona and Nevada, the law assumes that your spouse automatically owns half of everything you both earned during your marriage. There are ways to define money that is yours, separate from the community property, to make sure it goes where you want when you die. However, in order to do that, both spouses must sign a written agreement that explains which assets belong to each partner separately. There are rules that

by Jeffery J. McKenna

may apply when attempting to separate commingled funds, that is, funds of each spouse that have been deposited into a joint account. Therefore, it is important to consult an attorney to make sure that there is no question or misunderstanding that may cause conflict when you least expect or need it.

Other states give your spouse the right to claim a prescribed portion of your estate, no matter what your will provides, or even if you have a will at all. In these cases, it is impossible to completely disinherit a spouse, unless your spouse is willing to sign a marital agreement waiving his or her right to your estate.

Ex-spouses. Your exspouse has no claim to the assets of your estate, unless he or she has some claim against your estate before you die, such as a court order that has awarded a portion of a retirement benefit or pension. It would depend on how the assets were separated at the time of the divorce. Significantly, insurance policies with an exspouse inadvertently left as beneficiary take precedence over a will that leaves those

same assets to another.

Children. In most cases, you can disinherit a child or grandchild simply by stating so in your will. However, simply omitting to mention a child does not automatically disinherit a child. The omitted child can contest the will if you do not make your wishes clear. Most states have laws that protect against accidental disinheritance; for example, if a child was born after you drafted your will. Again, unless you specifically state that the child is disinherited, the child will be legally entitled to the same share as the other children.

Disinheritance is a personal issue. One who wishes to disinherit a family member may find that there are other effective options, such as putting assets in a trust for that heir, with a trustee making the decisions of what the money can, and can not, be used for.

It is wise to consult an estate planning attorney before making decisions that affect the distribution of your estate and the harmony of your family, once you are gone.

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.

Comics

country roads

by Lynn Griffin

Trouble

A couple had two little boys, ages 8 and 10, who were excessively mischievous. They were always getting into trouble, and their parents knew that if any mischief occurred in their town, their sons were probably behind it.

The boys' mother heard that a clergyman in town had been successful in disciplining children, so she asked if he would speak with her boys. The clergyman agreed, but asked to see them individually. So the mother sent her 8-year-old first, in the morning, with the older boy to see the clergyman in the afternoon.

The clergyman, a huge man with a booming voice, sat the younger boy down and asked him sternly, "Where is God?"

The boy made no response, sitting there with his mouth hanging open, wideeyed.

So the clergyman repeated the question in an even sterner tone, "Where is God!!?" Again, the boy made no attempt to answer.

So the clergyman raised his voice even more and shook his finger in the boy's face and bellowed, "WHERE IS GOD!?"

The boy screamed and bolted from the room, ran directly home, and hid in his wardrobe. When his older brother found him, he asked, "What happened?"

The younger brother, gasping for breath, replied, "We are in BIG trouble this time, dude. God is missing, and they think WE did it!"

THEME: Manias and Phobias

ACROSS

1. Figaro's solo, e.g.

5. Not sin, as in math

8. Designer Laroche

11. Pi-meson

12. Cut, like a log

13. *Telephobia, or fear of this device

15. "He's Just Not That ____ You", movie

16. 2D measurement

17. Gives a helping hand

18. *Ludomania, obsession with ____

20. Therefore

21. Poetic feet

22. Accident

23. *____mania, obsession with wealth and power

26. Type of throw, in baseball

30. Miner's load

31. Member of Round Table

34. Quartet minus one

35. Spacious

37. Last word of "America the Beautiful"

38. Young chicken

39. Cocoyam

40. Largest Asian antelope

42. Haute couture gala location, with The

43. Slimy phlebotomists

45. *____phobia, fear of public speaking

47. Took the bait

48. Tempter

50. Dumbstruck

52. *Gamophobia, fear of ____

55. September stone

56. Cantina cooker

57. Apple leftover

59. Lakes, in Scotland

60. ____ gin

61. "On a ____," or carefree

62. *____mania, obsession with oneself

63. Cough syrup amt.

Drunk Driving

A man has been sitting at the bar and drinking all night.

When the bar closes, he is the last one to leave. He stumble's to his car and get's in the back seat. Just then, a cop arrives, and upon seeing the situation, asks the man to get out of his car.

"It appear's you have had too much this evening sir, I'm going to have to arrest you for drunk driving"

To which the man replied, "Why are you bothering me??? I have done nothing wrong! Why don't you go arrest a real criminal? You can start with the jerk that stole my steering wheel!"

Additional

*____phobia, fear of bees

Bananaphone preceder

Itty bit

Language disfunction

Indigenous person of Lesser Antilles

Track and field star, 1936 Olympics

Tear in pantyhose

ECAC: Being able to provide that care to places that wouldn’t otherwise get it, that’s something that I’m really passionate about, and then when I moved here [to Escalante] and discovered that there is no veterinarian in Garfield County practicing, currently, I just started to realize that we do have some of the same issues…the population of dogs and cats is not nearly what it is on the reservation here, but we still do have some free roaming animals, a lot of stray cats, and just a lot of family pets and owned animals that the families don’t have access to veterinary care.

—Morgan Flynn, ECAC founder and Clinic Director

and Clinic Director.

Flynn founded ECAC after she moved to Escalante from Moab in 2023. At the time, she was the Lead Wellness Technician of a mobile vet clinic on the Navajo Nation through an organization called The Parker Project, doing door to door services on the reservation for individuals that didn’t have access to transportation.

“Being able to provide that care to places that wouldn’t otherwise get it, that’s something that I’m really passionate about, and then when I moved here [to Escalante] and discovered that there is no veterinarian in Garfield County practicing, currently, I just started to realize that we do have some of the same issues,” said Flynn. “The population of dogs and cats is not nearly what it is on the reservation here, but we still do have some free roaming animals, a lot of stray cats, and just a lot of family pets and owned animals that the families don’t have access to veterinary care.”

The closest locations to Escalante for full service veterinary care are in Lyman in Wayne County and Cedar City, and many people just don’t have the option to drive, and in those cases, “Those pets will just not get care,” says Flynn.

Flynn says plans are

different locations around Garfield County.

The next vaccine and wellness clinics with take place at the end of November—one will be in Panguitch at the Triple C Arena on Nov. 25, and one in Escalante at 115 W. Main Street on Nov. 26. Dr. Suzy Pape, ECAC Medical Director, will be on hand from Taos, New Mexico, to do annual exams and exams with vaccines on both days, as well as provide flea and tick prevention and dewormers. Micro chipping services will also be available, along with nail trim only appointments and sick exams. (To schedule, go to escalantevet.org.)

Services will be provided on a sliding scale, which Flynn structured based on Garfield County census data. Those situated in the low-income bracket will have the cost of their exams covered by the clinic, and will be charged for other services approximately at or below cost.

Even those in the higher income brackets will be charged at a slightly lower price point than average, with the hope that donations at these higher price points will help to offset costs for those who might not be able to afford care.

The clinic will also be paying their doctors for their time. “That is something that is really important to me because I want our doctors to feel invested in coming back here so that we can have good continuity of care,” says Flynn. In the future, the build-

an office space, a consultation room, and, hopefully, a pet pantry, where lowincome individuals and anyone who feeds feral cats can apply for free pet food. Another long-term goal of the program is to create a foster-based rescue, which will not be a shelter, but a place where pets that have been determined as needing to be re-homed can be placed with local foster families before new homes can be found.

The biggest priority in the next year, though, will be to build out their mobile unit, says Flynn. Once this is up and running, they will be able to travel to differ-

to have a clinic in Escalante at least once a month from here on out, along with pop up clinics in

ing on the Main Street property will be used as an animal resource and wellness center, which will include

ent localities in the county and provide spay and neuter services, along with the pop-up vaccine clinics.

“The thing with rural areas is each town in Garfield County is so spread out, and so, ultimately, if we really want to make an impact, being able to go to where the animals are makes such a big difference. So, I think we will be able to see more patients and reach more families in need if we are mobile.”

For anyone looking to get involved, ECAC always welcomes volunteers, but Flynn says the biggest impact will come from donations (one-time and monthly) that will go towards equipment and covering the costs of low-income clients. “If someone were to, say, give $10 a month, that would cover one dog or cat for getting both their primary vaccines, one animal per month, and that can make a big difference because those vaccines last

for one year, and that gives that animal protection from life threatening illness.”

Another way to give is through their “Angel Fund,” which is set aside to help pay for more extensive animal care in certain situations at a full-service hospital.

Building an organization from square one has been a challenge, says Flynn, but she has had a lot of support from the community, as well as from other local veterinarians and technicians in the area.

Dr. Kevin D. Ballard with Kanab Veterinary Hospital recently donated equipment, and Dr. Colleen Guilfoyle, who works at Best Friends in Kanab, was present at the first wellness clinic as a contract veterinarian. Flynn is also grateful for the efforts of ECAC Board President Susanne Stadler, who she says, “jumped on board right away.”

With a background in clinical studies and with a few years of program management experience with nonprofits, Flynn says, “It is a lot to build [the organization] from the ground up, but it’s been really nice how many people have been helping with that process, and it’s just coming together so well and so quickly….I am super lucky that through those programs that I have been working with for the last few years, that I do have a pretty good network of other technicians and veterinarians and people who are also really passionate about access to care for rural areas.”

To learn more, go to escalantevet.org or email Morgan Flynn at info@escalantevet.org. You can also sign up for their newsletter on their website for updates and for upcoming clinics and events. —Insider

Jennifer Crawford

Dr. Colleen Guilfoyle, a contract veterinarian who lives in Kanab and works for Best Friends, treats a cat during the Escalante Community Animal Clinic's first vaccine and wellness clinic in Escalante on Oct. 19.

Dr. Colleen Guilfoyle, who lives in Kanab and works for Best Friends, worked as a contract veterinarian at the Escalante Community Animal Clinic's first vaccine and wellness clinic in Escalante on Oct. 19.

Jennifer Crawford

Escalante Community Animal Clinic Board Secretary Peri Elliot holds Foxy during the Escalante Community Animal Clinic's first vaccine and wellness clinic in Escalante on Oct. 19.

ECAC Cont'd from A1

FYI PanguItch

by Mack Oetting ~ mackoetting @gmail.com

I forgot that the next Insider will be out on Thanksgiving, and so I am writing this on Wednesday before we leave. We will be having our 16th annual Thanksgiving Dinner, and it will still be at the Panguitch Senior Citizens Center. It will again, I hope, start at 12:30. There is no reason to spend Thanksgiving at home alone or with just a few of you. All are invited, so forget cooking a turkey. If some of you can’t make it, send someone to take out a plate. We have had between fifty and eighty come in the past, and we always have plenty of food left over. We will keep serving till all are fed, so you don’t have to be there at 12:30.

The veterans dinner went really well, with some great entertainment by Becky Henrie, and most everyone enjoyed the friendship and spent the evening visiting. It was a record crowd, and we got to visit with some of those that were older than me.

The Cowboy's Smokehouse Cafe is a wonderful place to hold a dinner; they have great food and plenty of room.

The economy is still going really well. Hiring was down this month, but

unemployment stayed the same. With what is happening with Boeing and with all of the damage to the east coast because of the two hurricanes, it is hard to believe. The stock market is continuing to break records each day—it is up 19,000 to 44,000—and all of the markets are doing just as well. The ex-president claimed it was because of his election on Friday, but markets have gone down the two days since. Some more good news is that the Feds are cutting the interest rates again, and that will bring down inflation even more.

There were two articles from my news magazine that I found interesting. Are we running out of sinners? The government spent years fighting sin. At the turn of the 20th century, roughly 90% of American federal revenue came from taxing alcohol and tobacco. As the country grew larger, other levies became more common, and sin taxes were mostly used as a tool to change behavior. However, what is good for our health isn’t great for the budget. Just 12% of Americans now smoke, down from 33% in 1980. In California, revenue from smoking has fallen by $500 million. Alcohol taxes have dried up, and its push for

Water Tracking

Tool:

electric cars isn't helping gas tax revenue. They are looking for a new tax bailout. Tax from marijuana is double what they get from alcohol. The states are having a tough time coming up with alternatives. After all, even sinners have a right to vote.

Elon Musk's wealth soared by more than $15 billion since the election, and his Tesla stock is soaring. He is worth an estimated $280 billion. Musk saw a better than 12,000% return on the $119 million he donated to help Trump win the White House. Since the new president has given him a nothing job, cutting down the waste in government, Tesla stock has come back down.

The new president is making do on his promise to be a dictator from day one with his nominations. He wants the Senate to recess for two weeks so he can push through his nominations without a vote on them.

If you have a lot of money, a shipping line is offering a four year (Trump's term) cruise. It stops at over 400 ports, and you can forget what is going on in America. The cost is $253,000, and the ship's name is Odyssey.

Mack O.

State government is showing it’s serious about water conservation. This tool highlights how state facilities are doing their part and where improvements can be made.

—Candice Hasenyager, director

Water Tracking Tool

Cont'd from A1

water conservation,” said Candice Hasenyager, director of the Division of Water Resources. “This tool highlights how state facilities are doing their part and where improvements can be made.”

HB 121 (2022) sets water conservation requirements for state facilities. Any state government facility built or reconstructed on or after May 4, 2022 may not have more than 20% of the grounds be lawn or turf. Existing facilities must do the following:

Collect and report outdoor water use data for fiscal year 2020 as a baseline measurement.

• Reduce outdoor water use in an amount equal to or greater than 5% by the end of fiscal year 2023.

• Reduce outdoor water use in an amount equal to or greater than 25% by the end of fiscal year 2026.

The Division of Water Resources, in coordination with DFCM, developed this tool to proactively monitor the reduction in outdoor watering at individual state facilities/campuses and identify improvement areas.

of the Division of Water Resources

“State facility managers have been working hard to achieve the goal set forth by the legislature,” said Christopher Cox, DFCM Building Performance Program Manager. “This tool provides managers with information on how close they are to achieving their goals.”

View the State Facility Water Tracker at conservewater.utah.gov/state-facility-water-conservation/. For more information, contact Michael Sanchez, public information officer, at 385226-8967 or email msanchez@utah.gov.

—Utah Division of Water Resources

Pet Photos: This is such a wonderful time of year, and we’re excited to host a new event.

—Erika

Wynn, Assistant Manager of CCAW

the importance of animal adoption. Admission is free, but we never turn away a donation.

This year’s “Pet Photos with Santa” event will take place on Saturday, December 7, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at our facility in Torrey. Attendees can bring their pets for a holidaythemed photo session with Santa Claus, complete with a festive backdrop and holiday treats. A photographer will be on hand to capture the magic, and each family will receive a digital copy of the photos after the event. Please note that proof of up-to-date vaccinations is required for both cats and dogs. Dogs must be leashed and handleable around other animals, and cats must be in crates until it is their turn for a photo.

“This is such a wonderful time of year, and we’re excited to host a new event,” said Erika Wynn, Assistant Manager of Color Country Animal Welfare.

“Not only do we get to celebrate the joy of the season with our community, but every donation offered goes directly to helping the animals in our care.”

In addition to the photos with Santa, CCAW is introducing a unique opportunity to give back through “The Giving Tree.” This initiative allows visitors to help meet the organization’s needs by selecting ornaments from our Christmas tree decorated with wish-list items. Each ornament represents a muchneeded item—such as pet food, toys, bedding, and medical supplies—that will directly improve the quality of care for the animals. Participants can choose an ornament and either purchase the item or donate to fund it.

“The Giving Tree is a wonderful way for our community to make a difference,” explained Wynn. “Even small items make a big impact. By contributing, people can directly support our mission and help us provide the best

possible care for our animals until they find their forever homes.”

The donations raised from both the photo event and "The Giving Tree" will go toward providing shelter, medical treatment, and day-to-day care for the animals in need. The rescue currently houses between twenty-five to thirty animals, many of whom have been surrendered or rescued from difficult situations. The team is hopeful that the holiday spirit will inspire the community to come together and help these animals while spreading some seasonal cheer.

Everyone is welcome to attend, whether they have a pet or not. All are encouraged to stop by, enjoy the festivities, and perhaps find a new fourlegged family member. For more information or to volunteer at the event, please visit www.colorcountryanimalwelfare.org or call 435-425-2050.

—Color Country Animal Welfare

Pet Photos Cont'd from A1

Schools and Sports

Everybody

Loves

a Comeback Story:

Football is reintroduced into the Panguitch sports program for first time since 1975

by Jaynie Connor

After a long absence, the beloved all-American sport of football is making a comeback in Panguitch for the first time since 1975. This new initiative is a part of the Central Utah Football League, and, currently, boasts thirty to forty participants ranging from 5th to 8th grade.

PANGUITCH - After a long absence, the beloved all-American sport of football is making a comeback in Panguitch for the first time since 1975. This new initiative is a part of the Central Utah Football League, and, currently, boasts thirty to forty participants ranging from 5th to 8th grades. Plans are underway to introduce programs for younger and older age groups, with the aim of expanding this initiative county-wide and integrating it into the 1A Utah High School Activities Association.

The program was reintroduced into the community by Ford and Chelsea Stewart, both Panguitch locals, and Panguitch High School (PHS) graduates. The coaches are brothers Jace Mecham (Head Coach) and Lane Mecham (7th and 8th grade Coach). Lane grew up playing football himself and has a strong appreciation for the sport, as does his son. Lane’s coaching

philosophy is this: “Football is just the vehicle for getting across the real lessons of overcoming adversity, working with a team, never giving up, and other really important life lessons. I think if any coach is just in it for the wins, that's a lost opportunity. It's about developing young people as people, and football is a great way to teach those lessons.”

The Stewarts, with their deep roots in Panguitch, have been instru-

mental in rekindling the town's enthusiasm for football. They have worked tirelessly to ensure that the program remains accessible to all interested youth, regardless of their experience level. This inclusive approach has resonated with families in Panguitch, leading to a surge in participation.

As the program continues to gain momentum, Lane and the rest of the staff are excited about the future. They envision a

thriving football culture in Panguitch, one that celebrates teamwork, perseverance, and community spirit. The groundwork laid by these dedicated individuals is setting the stage for many seasons of success and personal growth for the young athletes involved.

“Football is inherently inclusive. That's part of why we're trying to advance the program so that more kids have an opportunity to participate,” says Lane. “If you watch any football game, maybe more than any other sport, you're going to see a lot of different body types and abilities competing— big and strong, small and fast, and everything in between. There's a place for just about everybody on a football field.”

The program has quite a few goals for the next five years, a 1A State Title being one of them. Lane admits, “That's a lofty goal, but I believe we have the talent to compete in the eight-person league in year one and will build each year. I'm speaking just as somebody who's helped this program become a reality, but I believe the next head coach will be able to have a lot of success early and that we'll be a top contender in the next three to five years.”

According to Lane, one of the key reasons he extended the program for older youth was because of the amount of 7th and 8th graders who participated in football, but not in any other sport. “The research is clear on extracurricular participation—it keeps kids in school and performing better. This is a great oppor-

tunity for youth who aren't participating elsewhere and for those who just want to play football,” said Lane.

The program isn't only for Panguitch. The coaches are trying to extend to other areas of Garfield County and get new participants. They are working with community members, particularly in Tropic, to try and start a youth football program there next August. They are hoping to expand it to include flag football in the 3rd and 4th grades and to continue tackle football in 5th and 8th grades. Whether it's parents, local businesses, or high school students, every contribution helps create a vibrant and supportive environment for the young athletes. The goal is to not only build a successful football program, but also to foster a sense of unity and pride within the community.

Lane strongly encourages parents and families to reach out to him if they have an interest in their youth playing football or would be willing to volunteer. This includes high school-aged kids who have an interest in the PHS program next year. There are several volunteer opportunities from concessions to coaching. “Even if you don't have a lot of experience with football, the youth program is easy to learn to coach, and I would be happy to go over how it's been done in Pan-

guitch,” says Lane. So, whether you're a football enthusiast, a local supporter, or simply someone who wants to make a difference, there's a place for you in this budding initiative. There has been a positive reaction from the community so far, and many locals have signed up to play. Lane is currently on a mission to raise funds for the program, so far gathering donations from Panguitch City ($10,000) and the Garfield County Commission ($5,700) to put towards field goal posts and an electronic scoreboard.

If you would like to donate to the cause, the team is currently selling sponsorship banners to be placed at the football field and other advertising/sponsorship opportunities. “We’re seeing a good response from the business community for those banners. We still have ground to cover for fundraising in order to purchase the foundational equipment and supplies to operate a legitimate program, and we hope the community will continue to support the program in this way. If any business owners would like to purchase a banner, I'd encourage them to contact me at lane.mecham@ garfk12.org, and we can arrange one for them.”

Courtesy Syndee Mecham

Panguitch football player Mason Mecham stands in between Lane Mecham (right) and Lane's brother, Jace Mecham (left). Jace Mecham is the Football Head Coach, and Lane Mecham is the Coach for 7th and 8th grade.

Schools and Sports

Communication Faculty Achievements in Research and Innovation

Department of Communications

complishments from its

nals and collaborative projects,

munication and related

CEDAR CITY - The Department of Communications at Southern Utah University (SUU) has been busy with recent accomplishments from its faculty. Faculty members have been contributing groundbreaking work to journals and collaborative projects, showing the department’s commitment to advancing the study of communication and related disciplines.

Dr. Kevin Stein, director of the Masters of Arts in Professional Communications Program and professor of communication, and Dr. Matt Barton, department chair and professor of communication, alongside co-author William Benoit, recently published Persuasive Attack: Threatening Reputations in Public Discourse through Peter Lang. This groundbreaking book explores the intricate dynamics of persuasive communication, offering a critical framework for understanding how rhetorical strategies can influence public perception and discourse.

Dr. Hayden Coombs, professor of sports communication, has made several academic contributions this year. Together with Dr. Braden

Bagley, he published an article in the Journal of Higher Education, Athletics, & Innovation that delves into social identity complexity among international student-athletes. Additionally, Dr. Coombs authored a chapter for a book written by SUU Vice President Dr. Jared Tippets and Dr. Eric Kirby, focusing on higher education retention strategies, specifically addressing how coaches and administrators can better support student-athletes.

He is also contributing to the upcoming Encyclopedia of Sports Management with Dr. Stein, Dr. Barton,Dr. Bagley, and Professor Bill Kershisnik covering a total of twentyone topics. This fall, Dr. Coombs and Dr. Bagley's grounded theory on Division I student-athlete perceptions of resource inequities will be featured in the Journal of Emerging Sports Studies

Dr. Lijie Zhou, associate professor of professional communication, ended this summer with two notable publications. His paper on charitable birthday wishes, published in the Journal of Nonprofit & Public Sector Marketing , expands on the theory of planned behavior. In a separate article for the

International Journal of Marketing, Communication, and New Media , Dr. Zhou explores the impact of temporal distance and message concreteness in Facebook ads, emphasizing the moderating effects of social distance.

In addition to these accomplishments, Dr. Zhou has been involved in an exciting interdisciplinary experiment. Collaborating with researchers from the Department of Kinesiology and Outdoor Recreation at SUU and the Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Dr. Zhou and the team are conducting a study on virtual and real-world walking using a range of advanced equipment from SUU’s Visual Communication Research Lab. This groundbreaking project stands as a testament to the lab’s integration of sports communication with visual communication research.

Dr. Jon Smith, professor of communications, has been busy with his continued success in the world of documentary filmmaking. The documentary Born to Ride: Cody Wright and the Quest for a World Title , which Smith co-produced with Lee Byers back in 2009,

USU Extension Financial Program Wins National Award

by Shelby Ruud | USU Extension UTAH - Empowering Financial Wellness (EFW), a Utah State University Extension program in collaboration with the Department of Workforce Services, recently received national recognition as an outstanding financial education program.

This first-place award from the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences celebrates EFW’s significant impact on financial literacy and empowering Utah residents to make informed financial decisions.

was recently screened at The Center for the Arts at Kayenta. The screening follows Cody Wright, a Milford, Utah resident and professional saddle bronc rider, through a year of intense rodeo competition, culminating with him winning a national title in Las Vegas. The film went on to win The Cowboy Oscar (Wrangler Award) from the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum for Best Documentary in 2009, and it was screened or received awards at over twelve other film festivals.

The Southern Utah University Communication Department provides opportunities for its students to apply the principles, theories, and research related to human communication, organizational communication, marketing communication, mass media, and social media in situations that simulate the professional world. Our studentcentered environment cultivates ethical behavior, superior communication skills, leadership abilities, intercultural competence, and critical thinking.

—Southern Utah University

“National award recognition is incredibly valuable because it highlights the program’s effectiveness and impact on individuals and families,” said Amanda Christensen, USU Extension professor and member of the EFW team. “This recognition emphasizes the importance of prioritizing funding for financial educa-

webinars, workshops, resources, and educational outreach, EFW covers essential financial topics such as budgeting, debt management, homeownership preparation, managing inflation, and investing.

EFW has reached over 21,000 residents, with participants in every county in the state. To amplify its impact, the program has collaborated with community partners such as the Utah Department of Workforce Services, Utah Financial Empowerment Coalition, the Utah Office of the State Treasurer, and the A Bolder Way Forward initiative. EFW participants report increases in savings, decreased debt, and increased ability to handle financial shock.

tion to build stronger, more resilient communities.”

Christensen, along with fellow USU Extension professors Andrea Schmutz and Melanie Jewkes, created EFW in 2020.

The EFW program focuses on serving limited-income households and educators across Utah, helping them make informed financial choices that align with their life goals. Through

Moving forward, EFW aims to secure permanent legislative funding to support dedicated program coordinators and expand its reach even further.

Upcoming EFW webinars and classes can be found at extension.usu.edu, with more events added periodically. Groups and individuals can apply to host a class at extension.usu.edu.

Courtesy USU Extension

USU Extension’s Empowering Financial Wellness team. Back row (L to R): Lauren Olsen, Amanda Christensen, Kelan Combe, and Andrea Schmutz. Front Row: Melanie Jewkes, Vincenza Vicari-Bentley, Jenny Weller, and Rochelle Allen.

Courtesy Southern Utah University

The

at Southern Utah University (SUU) has been busy with recent ac -

faculty. Faculty members have been contributing groundbreaking work to jour-

showing the department’s commitment to advancing the study of com-

disciplines.

Wild Horse Shooting:

The BLM’s Office of Law Enforcement and Security officially launched an investigation to identify those responsible for this incident. Members of the public with any information regarding suspicious activity in the Onaqui HMA are encouraged to come forward. The public is encouraged to call the Utah Law Enforcement Tip-Line: (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 Nov. 3-9, 2024.

week of November 3, with the horse succumbing to its injuries over the weekend.

In addition, a reward is being offered that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person(s)

who may have caused this senseless death. BLM is offering ($5,000), along with several wild horse advocacy groups, including American Wild Horse Conservation ($5,000), Red Birds Trust ($5,000,) Wild Beauty Foundation ($2,500), and the Onaqui Catalogue Foundation ($1,500)—a reward totaling $19,000. For questions or to provide information, please contact:

BLM Law Enforcement Tip-Line

Phone: (800) 7223998

Email: BLM_UT_ WHB@blm.gov

The Onaqui HMA, known for its large public following, photographed by many across the country, is an important resource cherished by the public, and BLM is committed to ensuring the safety of these wild horses.

—Bureau of Land Management

PUBLIC NOTICE

BEEHIVE TELEPHONE

Lifeline service is a government program designed to make monthly residential telecommunication services more affordable to eligible low-income customers. Customers who are eligible for the Lifeline program are also eligible for toll blocking at no additional charge.

The Federal and State Lifeline discount can be applied to qualifying voice or broadband services. The Lifeline program is administered by the Universal Service Administration Company for all lifeline services nationwide. To find out of more about the Lifeline program and eligibility requirements visit https://www.lifelinesupport.org/.

Lifeline is a non-transferable service and eligible subscribers may receive assistance from only one wireline or wireless telecommunications provider per household. Only eligible customers may enroll in the program. To verify eligibility and apply for Lifeline service discounts, the required application must be completed and certified online at https://nationalverifier.servicenowservices. com/lifeline. Customers who willfully make false statements to obtain Lifeline benefits can be punished by fine or imprisonment or can be barred from the program.

Basic services are offered to all customers in Beehive Telephone’s service territories at the rates, terms, and conditions specified in Beehive’s tariff. Eligible subscribers verified and certified by the Universal Service Administration Company will receive the discount prescribed by Federal and State regulation. If you have any questions regarding Lifeline service or would like to apply for Lifeline service, please call us at 800-615-8021.

Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on NOVEMBER 21, 2024

PUBLIC NOTICE

BEEHIVE TELEPHONE

Beehive Telephone Company is the recipient of Federal financial assistance from the Rural Utilities Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and is subject to the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture which provide that no person in the United States on the basis of race, color, age, religion, national origin or handicap shall be excluded from participation in, or admission or access to, denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any of this organization's programs or activities.

The person responsible for coordinating this organization's nondiscrimination compliance efforts is Larry Mason, SVP-Regulatory Affairs. Any individual, or specific class of individuals, who feels that this organization has subjected them to discrimination may obtain further information about the statutes and regulations listed above from and/or file a written complaint with this organization; or USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call (800)795-3272 (voice) or (202)720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity employer. Complaints must be filed within 180 days after the alleged discrimination. Confidentiality will be maintained to the extent possible.

Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on NOVEMBER 21, 2024

PUBLIC NOTICE PANGUITCH CEMETERY

MAINTENANCE DISTRICT

A public hearing for the Panguitch Cemetery budget for the calendar year 2025, will be held on November 21, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. in the Panguitch City Council chambers at the City Office building.

Lorraine Owens, secretary, Panguitch Cemetery

Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on NOVEMBER 14 & 21, 2024

BOARD VACANCY LOA TOWN

Loa Town Board has one position to fill for a Loa Town board member. Interested applicants must be a full-time resident and reside inside Loa Town limits. This position is an appointed position until the next election. Please turn in a resume and brief explanation of why you would want to be on the town board to the Loa Town Office no later than December 9, 2024, by 5 p.m. We will contact all applicants for an interview to be held at the board’s regularly scheduled meeting on December 12, 2024. If you need more information, please contact Michelle Brian at 435-836-2160 or 435-616-2643.

Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on NOVEMBER 7, 14, 21 & 28, 2024

PUBLIC HEARING ON UPDATES TO SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE NO. 2023-10-05

LOA TOWN PLANNING COMMISSION

Loa Town Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on an updates to the existing subdivision ordinance no 2023-10-05, just prior to its regularly scheduled meeting on December 5, 2024, at 6 p.m. at the Loa Town Hall at 80 W. Center. All public is welcome to attend. If you have any questions, contact Michelle or Jeanette at 435-836-2160.

Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on NOVEMBER 14 & 21, 2024

DECEMBER 5 MEETING TIME CHANGE

LOA TOWN PLANNING COMMISSION

Loa Town Planning Commission held on December 5, 2024, will be held at 6:30 p.m. instead of 6:00 p.m., so that a public hearing can be held at 6 p.m. for the updates made to the subdivision ordinance. If you would like to be on the agenda, please contact Jeanette or Michelle at 435-836-2160 by Tuesday, December 3 before 5 p.m. Meeting is held at the Loa Town Hall at 80 W. Center, Loa. All public is welcome to attend.

Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on NOVEMBER 14 & 21, 2024

NOTICE OF BUDGET MEETING TEASDALE SPECIAL SERVICE DISTRICT

The Budget meeting for the Teasdale Special Service District will be held on Wednesday, December 4th, 2024, at the Teasdale Fire Station at 7:00 p.m.

The public is invited to attend.

Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on NOVEMBER 21 & 28, 2024

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 Dec. 18, 2024 either electronically using the Division`s on-line Protest of Application form, by hand delivery to a Division office, or by mail at PO Box 146300, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6300. Please visit waterrights.utah.gov or call (801)538-7240 for additional information.

GARFIELD COUNTY NEW APPLICATION(S)

97-2528 (A84464): France Barral, Randall Eggert propose(s) using 1.65 ac-ft. from groundwater (8 miles S of Escalante) for DOMESTIC; IRRIGATION.

CHANGE APPLICATION(S)

61-3525 (a52293): Family Trust of The George R. Aiken Jr. and Donna M. Aiken Revocable Trust propose(s) using 1 ac-ft. from groundwater (2 miles southeast of Hatch) for IRRIGATION; OTHER: RV pad 100gpd/184days (0.056 af), Restroom+shower 500gpd/184days (0.2823 af); STOCKWATERING.

61-3536 (a52304): Bench Irrigation Company, Samuel M. Smith propose(s) using 64.3905 ac-ft. from groundwater (Emery Valley) for MUNICIPAL: In Bedrock Water System.

EXTENSION(S)

97-2281 (A75559): JoNell How, Matthew Herrick How is/are filing an extension for 1.73 ac-ft. from groundwater (7 miles West of Escalante) for DOMESTIC; IRRIGATION; STOCKWATERING.

NONUSE APPLICATION(S)

61-3108 (): Robert Keith and Carol A. Spencer is/ are seeking a nonuse period for 0.25 ac-ft. from the South Fork Sevier River (south of Hatch) for IRRIGATION. WAYNE COUNTY NEW APPLICATION(S)

95-5545 (A84456): Christian Ochsenbein propose(s) using 1.45 ac-ft. from groundwater (5 miles west of Hanksville) for DOMESTIC; IRRIGATION. 95-5546 (A84457): Blake Kirkpatrick propose(s) using 1.45 ac-ft. from groundwater (5 miles west of Hanksville) for DOMESTIC; IRRIGATION.

95-5547 (A84466): Jake Velky propose(s) using 0.015 cfs OR 1.48 ac-ft. from groundwater (2 miles SE of Teasdale) for DOMESTIC; IRRIGATION; STOCKWATERING.

NONUSE APPLICATION(S)

95-1648 (D3162): State of Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is/are seeking a nonuse period for 3 cfs from the Pine Creek Spring (3 miles South of Bicknell) for DOMESTIC; IRRIGATION; STOCKWATERING. Teresa Wilhelmsen, P.E.State Engineer Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on NOVEMBER 21 & 28, 2024

Courtesy Bureau of Land Management BLM law enforcement is seeking any information the public can provide to aid in the investigation into the tragic death of a wild horse on the Onaqui Herd Management Area (HMA) during the period of Nov. 3-9, 2024.

Wild Horse Shooting Cont'd from A1

Illegal Introductions:

Illegal fish introductions seldom improve fisheries—instead, illegal introductions typically ruin fisheries and threaten the species that live there. It is also illegal in Utah to transport live fish or to introduce them into a new location and can result in a class A misdemeanor.

—Trina Hedrick, DWR Sportfish Coordinator

Tree Cutting Permits:

The BLM opened non-commercial Christmas tree permits for sale statewide on Nov. 12, 2024. This annual event allows the public to harvest trees, including pinyon pine and juniper, from designated areas on public lands across Utah.

Tree Cutting Permits Cont'd from A1

in June

• Utah chub in Millsite Reservoir in April

The DWR also confirmed additional growth and reproduction of fish illegally introduced in two reservoirs last year: smallmouth bass in Settlement Canyon Reservoir and green sunfish in Yearns Reservoir. Biologists are also continuing to monitor Strawberry Reservoir after an illegally introduced walleye was caught there last December.

“Thankfully, we have still not verified the presence of any additional walleye at Strawberry Reservoir since the one fish was caught last year,” DWR Fisheries Biologist Alan Ward said. “We have employed netting, electroshocking, angler reporting, stream surveys and environmental DNA sampling to look for additional fish, and more efforts will be made in the coming year to further look for their presence.

We are hopeful that this illegally introduced fish won’t spread or impact the fishery.”

When a fish is illegally introduced into a pond, stream or lake, it can have several negative effects on that fishery, including:

• Illegal fish species can prey on or outcompete other fish species, in-

cluding sportfish, native fish and endangered fish species. Biologists in southeastern Utah are especially concerned about the Utah chub introduction into Millsite as this population cannot be controlled using conventional methods, due to native species in the drainage. These Utah chub will now freely compete with sportfish in the fishery that were not harming the native fish there.

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

• The new fish can negatively impact water quality.

“Illegal fish introductions seldom improve fisheries—instead, illegal introductions typically ruin fisheries and threaten the species that live there,” DWR Sportfish Coordinator Trina Hedrick said. “It is also illegal in Utah to transport live fish or to introduce them into a new location and can result in a class A misdemeanor.”

While it’s illegal to dump unwanted aquarium fish into a waterbody, it’s also illegal to move live fish from one waterbody to another or to take them home. Anglers often think that when they move fish from one waterbody to another that they are introduc-

ing a species that will help improve the fishing at a pond, stream or lake. This is seldom true, and instead, these illegal introductions often ruin a fishery.

“Before we stock fish into a waterbody, we go through extensive processes to conduct risk assessments to native species, perform disease testing, evaluate the compatibility of the new species with existing sportfish and assess angler preferences for that fishery,” Hedrick said. “It is very expensive and takes a very long time—often requiring rotenone treatments that kill all the fish—to restore these waterbodies after fish have been illegally introduced. Please help our native fish species and maintain quality fishing in Utah by never dumping a fish or being a ‘bucket biologist.’”

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

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

—Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

est Products Permit website. For those unable to purchase online, in-person sales will be available during regular business hours at all BLM field offices, excluding federal holidays.

The BLM encourages all participants to familiar-

ize themselves with cutting guidelines specific to each field office. Each district sets its own regulations on tree species, cutting locations, and permit limits. Information can be found at our BLM Utah Christmas Tree Permits site.

New this year, the BLM launched an interactive map which clearly shows access to designated

cutting sites. This map also allows for downloading area maps, which is particularly helpful in areas where cell service is limited. Access the map at: https://blm-egis.maps. arcgis.com/apps/instant/ sidebar/index.html?appid =02cdd29c66874fc8b23e ce1b26c0d825

—Bureau of Land Management

Illegal Introductions Cont'd from A1

C lassified a ds

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

Head Volleyball Coach at Bryce Valley High School

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.

Apartment: (about 700 square feet apartment - 30 West Center Street, Panguitch, UT 84759) full kitchen, full bathroom, 1 bed room). Available from JANUARY 01, 2025. Rent - $1000 / month rent, one month deposit and good credit required. It is best for professional office. Utilities (water, electricity, sewer, etc.) not included Contact HARSHAD P. DESAI or TARLA (call / text on 801-879-0669 or call 435-676-8844 or stop by at MARIANNA INN in Panguitch).

Garfield County School District is an equal opportunity employer. Garfield County School District reserves the right to accept or reject any or all applications. SERVICES When in Need, There are Resources in Wayne & Garfield Cos.

For Victims of Domestic Violence, Rape, and Sexual Assault Canyon Creek Services Emergency Safehouse 435-865-7443 Mobile Team 435-233-5732

New Horizons Crisis Center 145 East 100 North, Richfield Office Hours

8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Shelter is open 24 hrs, 7 days a week Phone Number 435-896-9294

Counseling Services

Central Utah Counseling Richfield Office 255 S Main Street, Richfield Office Hours 435-896-8236 24 Hour Emergency Service 877-469-2822

Southwest Behavioral Health Center 601 E Center Street, Panguitch 435-676-8176 24 Hour Emergency Service 800-574-6763

Wayne Community Health Center 128 South 300 West Bicknell, 84715 435-425-3744

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 988

COMMERCIAL LEASE

Commercial Lease:

(former Tandoori Taqueria, Bistro, etc.)—on 5 North Main Street, Panguitch, UT 84759 (about 1500 square feet with about 30 seatings )—available from JANUARY 01, 2025 Rent $2000 / month, one month deposit and good credit required, minimum 1 year lease required. The best location for a restaurant, etc. Excellent opportunity for diverse foods like Italian, Mexican, Chinese food, etc. Contact HARSHAD P. DESAI or TARLA (call / text on 801-879-0669 or call 435-676-8844 or stop by at MARIANNA INN in Panguitch).