The Wayne & Garfield County Insider February 6, 2025

Applications Open for Select Health Awards Supporting Healthier Utah Communities

SALT LAKE CITYSelect Health announced it has officially opened applications for the 2025 Select Health Awards, a program recognizing organizations striving to improve health and well-being in their communities. Organizations with initiatives focused on critical needs—such as healthcare access, food security, housing stability, and mental and physical wellness—are encouraged to apply.

As a nonprofit health plan, Select Health created this program to support organizations by providing financial resources to expand their influence, efforts and activities to build healthier, stronger communities.

This year, Select Health will award $5,000 to ten organizations in three of Select Health’s service areas: Utah, Idaho, and Clark County, Nevada.

either

GARFIELD CO. -

After an emotional public hearing during a Jan. 27 special Garfield County Commission meeting, commissioners Leland Pollock, David Tebbs

CEDAR

to see and learn more about these bird species. Ducks are typically the most commonly seen waterfowl in Utah, with over fifteen species found across the state at various

and Jerry Taylor voted 2-1 against renaming either the Burr Trail Scenic Backway or the John’s Valley Road after Donald Trump. Their first-order proposal, and the main

Intermountain Health Experts Have Advice to Stick with New Year's Health Goals

UTAH - A large percentage of Americans have already given up on their New Year’s resolution to get healthier, and even more will quit sometime in February.

Losing weight and getting in shape are the most popular resolutions people make and often don’t keep. Experts at Intermountain Health say there are several ways people can do refocus their efforts and get back on track to hitting their goals.

“The biggest problem we see is people do too much at once and quitting

subject of the hearing, was to consider renaming the Burr Trail ‘The Donald J. Trump Presidential Burr Trail Highway.' The proposal, which

GARFIELD CO.The morning session of the January 27 Garfield County Commission meeting was business-asusual.

First, the Commission recognized two employees for their ten years of county service. Laura Owens and Commissioner David Tebbs received their Employee Longevity award plaques. It was noted that Clerk/Auditor Camille Moore will reach her 35th anniversary this year.

During the Commissioners’ Board reports, Travel Council Director Falyn Owens said notice will go out to the municipalities regarding grants for community Christmas decorations.

Commissioner Jerry Taylor mentioned ongoing Friday early morning meetings with the legislature’s Rural Caucus, and suggested people reach out to him or Commissioner Pollock if they

American kestrels were tallied during the 2024 Escalante

Count, which took place on Dec. 14, 2024.

ESCALANTE - The 2024 Escalante Christmas Bird Count took place on December 14th. In total, seventeen participants covered nearly one hundred miles by driving, fifteen by walking, and two by biking. The day was chilly and cloud-covered with a high of forty-seven degrees and a low of twenty—almost exactly the same as the year before. A light southwest

wind was blowing at about 5-11 mph, and bodies of water were either frozen completely or partly fro

Jaynie Connor

After a public hearing during the Jan. 27 special commission meeting at the Garfield County Fair Building, Garfield County Commissioners Leland Pollock, David Tebbs and Jerry Taylor voted 2-1 against renaming

the Burr Trail Scenic Backway or the John’s Valley Road after Donald Trump.

by Marvin Contreras

Emily Leach Insider

Four

Christmas Bird

Two County Employees Honored with Longevity Awards by Garfield County Commission

by Jaynie Connor

County Commissioner David

and Laura Owens, DMV/Assessor's Office, reached ten years

service with Garfield County in January 2025 and were honored with longevity awards by the Garfield County Commission and Camille Moore, Garfield County Auditor/Clerk, at the commission meeting on Jan. 27.

Escalante CBC: The group managed to tally five thousand six hundred and sixty-three birds, representing seventy-four species to count, which is a significant increase from the 2023 count, which tallied four thousand one hundred and twenty-four birds representing seventy-five species to count.

zen. All participants were returning counters except for first-time volunteer Sandy Esque. The group managed to tally five thousand six hundred and sixtythree birds, representing seventy-four species to count, which is a significant increase from the 2023 count, which tallied four thousand one hundred and twenty-four birds representing seventy-five species to count.

Like last year, most birds were seen around feeders and bodies of water. To begin the day, large numbers of Canada geese (372) were seen by multiple groups flying over town towards Wide Hollow Reservoir, where Snow geese (2) were spotted, along with the rare sighting of a Ross’s goose (2—counter Kathy Munthe would later identify another Ross’s at the Escalante Sewer Ponds).

Another rare spotting by Munthe at Wide Hollow was the Tundra swan (1), which has only been spotted four other times in the Escalante count history. For waterfowl, the American wigeon (37) made their appearance again after a notable absence two years ago. Also, for the third year in a row, the Ring-necked duck (178) surpassed the Mallard (104) population. Our counters also saw Northern shoveler (1) after an absence last year, as well as Northern pintail (4), Green-winged teal (68), Canvasback (7), Redhead (77), Bufflehead (3), Common goldeneye (2), Common merganser (30),

American coot (376), and our very adorable Ruddy ducks (66). A notable and significant Common loon (1) was also tallied. A Great blue heron (1) was seen, as well as the always welcome Sandhill cranes (2). Most species were distributed between Wide Hollow Reservoir, the Gravel Pit, and the Escalante Sewer Ponds.

Raptors were also present on most routes covered by our counters. Adult Bald eagles (3) and adult Golden eagles (6) were seen. Buteos were represented by the Ferruginous hawk (4), Redtailed hawk (a whopping record of 28), and Roughlegged hawk (1). Accipiters were this year solely represented by the Sharp-shinned hawk (1), with the usual Cooper's hawk being absent. Counters were also able to tally the Northern harrier (2) and Loggerhead shrike (4). One tale from the field was a group of twelve raptors seen feeding in close proximity to each other at dusk along Pine Creek Road— seen by Craig Sorenson and confirmed by Allysia Angus and Jeff Lauersdorf. Four American kestrels were tallied, along with one Merlin seen by Julie Brugger and James Wipperman at the Gravel Pit. There were also significant finds when it comes to owls. Greathorned owl (1—seen by the group’s youngest member—fifth grader Augustus Waggoner) and Northern pygmy owl (1) were tallied, along with never-beforeseen-on-count-week new species Northern saw-whet owl.

Ground birds included the Wild turkey (346)— an Escalante CBC record

high, with flocks (or rather, “gangs,” as large groups of turkeys are sometimes referred to as) reaching 100, as seen by two different groups of birders in two different routes—one Highway 12 West and the other Bailey’s Wash. Sadly, no Roadrunners or Horned larks were seen this year. Birders tallied Western meadowlark (15), Say's phoebe (1), and Turdus migratorus, aka the American robin (430), which saw a significant jump from last year’s 94 seen. An unfortunate record was made for European starling (1313) which is the highest seen in Escalante’s CBC history, and remains a growing invasive threat to native bird populations. Last year’s Starling count for reference was three hundred and eighty-three. On a similar note, the Eurasian collared dove (207) reached high numbers and vastly overshadowed the native Mourning dove (1). Notably and very rarely, the Rock dove (7) was spotted on two different routes.

Among the tallied woodpeckers were the Hairy woodpecker (5), Downy woodpecker (3), Northern flicker (24), and Red-naped sapsucker (1). White-breasted nuthatch (2) and Red-breasted nuthatch (4) were also seen, albeit at much lower numbers and with the absence of the Pygmy nuthatch. The Mountain chickadee (3) and Juniper titmouse (4) were seen as well, along with other little birds like the Bushtit (11), Bewick’s wren (1), and Ruby-crowned kinglet (1). Mountain bluebirds (30) were seen, as well as Western bluebirds (13). Notably,

there was a Yellow-rumped warbler (1) seen along Cedar Wash. The beautiful Cedar waxwings (49) were seen as well.

Corvids were for the most part numerous and healthy this year, beginning with the struggling Pinyon jays (92) showing a modest return with similar numbers as last year along with the Western scrub-jay (35). The Stellar’s jay made an impressive return with a high record of fifty-four. The Raven (79), Crow (4), Black-billed magpie (53) made their expected appearances as well. The Clark’s nutcracker (22) also made an all-time high record; they have been seen with less numbers year after year, so this was a most welcome surprise. Counters also tallied Red-winged blackbird (136) and Brewer’s blackbird (3).

High numbers were also seen among the sparrows. There were House sparrows (225), Chipping sparrows (11), Whitecrowned sparrows (661), and Song sparrows (6). Counters tallied Dark-eyed juncos (317), Spotted towhee (7), House finch (35), Pine siskin (5), and American goldfinch (53).

Those are the numbers for the Escalante count, but counts were held across the nation. You can access any region within the United States and find that data through https://www.audubon.org/community-science/christmas-bird-count.

For example, the Boulder count was held by Lisa Young on December 19th. They had nine participants finding a total of fifty-two species.

Health Goals: The biggest problem we see is people do too much at once and quitting because they’re overwhelmed by how much they’re doing. By making a few changes and scaling back, people will find it much easier to stick with habits that lead to lasting change.

—Jake Veigel, MD, Intermountain Health sports medicine physician Health Goals

Cont'd from A1

because they’re overwhelmed by how much they’re doing,” said Jake Veigel, MD, Intermountain Health sports medicine physician. “By making a few changes and scaling back, people will find it much easier to stick with habits that lead to lasting change.” Dr. Veigel recommends reassessing your

routine and cutting back to something you can manage.

“If workouts have been too intense then cut back to a lighter routine or focus on something as simple as walking. The key is getting into the habit of physical activity and ramping up the workouts when you’re ready,” said Dr. Veigel.

If eating healthier is resolution you’ve slipped on, Dr. Veigel suggests refocusing your efforts and

reminds people not to categorize food as “good” or “bad” and instead looking at certain foods higher in sugar or fat as those to enjoy in moderation.

“Getting healthier is a marathon not a sprint, and just know you’re going to have setbacks along the way but to keep focused,” said Dr. Veigel. “Don’t be afraid to ask for professional help because this is a big step and can be hard to know what works.”

People can consult with their primary care doctor to make sure they don’t have other issues that may inhibit reaching their health goals. A primary care doctor may also suggest working with a nutritionist and an exercise specialist to help you get started.

For more information on Intermountain Health’s lifestyle and wellness programs go to intermountainhealthcare.org.

—Intermountain Health

Garfield

Tebbs

of

Courtesy Garfield County, Utah

Escalante CBC Cont'd from A1

News from Wayne County

Bailey Bridge

by Adus F. Dorsey

If Barbara Ekker were still with us today, more details would be known about the Bailey bridge that was erected to cross the Dirty Devil River in, or about, 1952 in Hanksville, Utah. The success of the Bailey bridge was due to the simplicity of the fabrication and assembly of its modular components, combined with the ability to erect and deploy sections with a minimum of assistance from heavy equipment.

WAYNE CO. - If Barbara Ekker were still with us today, more details would be known about the Bailey bridge that was erected to cross the Dirty Devil River in, or about, 1952 in Hanksville, Utah. Barbara surely left those Bailey bridge records somewhere amongst her belongings before she went to the great beyond, where she is surely a star and a welcome presence with her vast knowledge of all things Hanksville, and Wayne County in general. What is known about the Bailey bridge in Hanksville is that it was acquired as military surplus and constructed across the Dirty Devil River as part of an early highway project. No doubt many a World War II vet had stories to tell about their days in the war constructing Bailey bridges across waterways, where existing bridges were damaged or non-existent, so that troops and equipment could continue their march across Europe to eliminate the axis of evil.

The basic building unit for the Bailey bridge was a welded steel truss, each measuring ten feet long and five feet wide, with three cross beams at each end and at the center, dividing the rectangular shape into two squares. Eight interior beams reinforced the corners of the squares, like geometric diamonds drawn within each. The panels weighed 600 pounds and could be carried by six men. Generally, three pairs of engineers stood at the front end, the middle, and the back of the structure, standing nearly shoulder to shoulder—with the panel standing on its longer side between them— and each pair of men used a lifting bar to raise and move the panel.

The success of the Bailey bridge was due to the simplicity of the fabrication and assembly of its modular components, combined with the ability to erect and deploy sections with a minimum of assistance from heavy equipment. Many previous designs for military bridges required cranes to lift the pre-assembled bridge and lower it into place. The Bailey parts

were made of standard steel alloys, and were simple enough that parts made at several different factories were interchangeable. Each individual part could be carried by a small number of men, enabling army engineers to move more easily and quickly to prepare the way for troops and materiel advancing behind them. The modular design allowed engineers to build each bridge to be as long and as strong as needed, doubling or tripling the supportive side panels, or on the roadbed sections.

Donald Bailey was a civil servant in the British War Office who tinkered with model bridges as a hobby. He had proposed an early prototype for a Bailey bridge before the war in 1936, but the idea was not acted upon. Bailey drew an original proposal for the bridge on the back of an envelope in 1940. On 14 February 1941, the Ministry of Supply requested that Bailey have a full-scale prototype completed by 1 May. Work on the bridge was com-

pleted with particular support from Ralph Freeman. The design was tested at the Experimental Bridging Establishment (EBE) in Christchurch, Dorset, with several parts from Braithwaite & Co. beginning in December 1940 and ending in 1941. The first prototype was tested in 1941. The bridge was laid across a field, about two feet (0.61 m) above the ground, and several Mark V tanks were filled with pig iron and stacked upon each other.

Many Bailey bridges are still in use today across the nation and probably Europe. Locally, one such Bailey bridge acts as a footbridge to cross the Sevier River in Sevier County.

The Hanksville Bailey is a reminder of the ingenuity of man to meet challenges and expectations when a need presents itself.

References: World War II, Timeline, The History Channel, BBC, and Barbara Ekker, who knows Hanksville and is missed; may she always be in the hearts and minds of those that knew and loved her.

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Thank You to Those Who Showed Up to Remember Who We Are

Twenty-five members of the Burr family raised their hands when Garfield County Commissioner Pollock asked, "Who here is of the Burr Family?" Their happy faces were beaming back from four generations present. A sign read, "Let the Local Legacy Live On!" in a crowd of over a hundred people, cowboy hats, ball caps, blue jeans, badges and even strollers that had gathered. It was a delight that so many different faces showed at the recent vote to keep the presumed original commemoration of The Burr Trail Road—it is clear, the pioneer spirit is alive and well in Garfield County.

Grandsons and even great grand daughters were present in the crowd of many old-timer pioneer people that live here, and J.A. Burr represents that heritage.

Some thought that this meeting would result in offering a piece of our history to a president as an act of gratitude whose policies favor only some opinions. Instead, it became a movement of gratitude for a pioneering community preserving who we are. That's what strikes me in this community, that through our differences, we lift one another up to honor our collective heritage.

Gina DiLello, Boulder, Utah

Adus F. Dorsey II

Wills, Trusts, and More

Can You Disinherit a Spouse?

A surprising number of marriages end with one spouse trying to disinherit the other. However, the law of most states protects both husbands and wives from being disinherited by the other.

If a person fails to provide for his or her surviving spouse, or even fails to provide a certain percentage of the estate to the surviving spouse, the surviving spouse can demand and receive an “elective share” or forced share of the estate, as set by state law. This means that the surviving spouse can demand a portion of the estate, and, regardless of what is stated in the deceased spouse’s will, the surviving spouse has a right to receive at least that amount.

A spouse retains these elective share rights until and unless a decree of divorce is final. The exception is if the elective share rights are waived in a marital agreement. Marital agreements set forth in writing the exact agreement between couples regarding how much of

by Jeffery J. McKenna

each spouse’s individual assets (if any) will be distributed to the other upon the death of one of them. Often, each spouse will waive the right to inherit any of the assets of the other spouse.

It is preferable to execute a marital settlement agreement prior to marriage. Each party signs the agreement and knows, prior to the marriage, where they stand financially within the context of the marriage, and upon death of their spouse. Post-marital agreements (executed after marriage) can be executed if both spouses are agreeable to the settlement terms.

The provisions of pre-marital and post-marital agreements serve to protect surviving spouses. When couples who each have children from prior relationships get married, each may have sufficient assets to be unafraid of being disinherited. Each one wants to provide for his or her own children upon

death, and each spouse agrees to waive any share of the other’s estate. They are happy to do so in order for their own assets to be distributed to their own children.

The same concerns and considerations by couples who draw up a premarital or postmarital contract also apply to couples who never plan to marry. As with marital agreements, safeguarding income and assets—and negotiating a cohabitation agreement in the event of termination of the relationship or death—is far easier to accomplish when neither party is angry, under stress and/or hostile.

For peace of mind, often it is wise or convenient to have marital or cohabitation agreements drafted at the same time as estate planning documents. Consult your attorney in drafting any such important documents. The attorney’s fee you pay may well save you a lot of money and heartache in the end.

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

tHe lAuGhiNg

Good Tricks

A man walks into a bar and asks the bartender, "If I show you a really good trick, will you give me a free drink?"

The bartender considers it, then agrees.

The man reaches into his pocket and pulls out a tiny rat. He reaches into his other pocket and pulls out a tiny piano. The rat stretches, cracks his knuckles, and proceeds to play the blues. The bartender pours the man a drink on the house, and he puts the rat and piano away.

After the man finished his drink, he asked the bartender, "If I show you an even better trick, will you give me free drinks for the rest of the evening?"

The bartender agrees, thinking that no trick could possibly be better than the first.

The man reaches into his pockets again and pulls out the tiny rat and tiny piano. The rat stretches, cracks his knuckles, and proceeds to play the blues. The man reaches into a third pocket and pulls out a small bullfrog, who begins to sing along with the rat's music.

While the man is enjoying his beverages, a stranger confronts him and offers him $10,000.00 for the bullfrog.

"Sorry," the man replies, "he's not for sale."

The stranger increases the offer to $25,000.00 cash up front.

"No," he insists, "he's not for sale."

The stranger again increases the offer, this time to $50,000.00 cash.

The man finally agrees, and turns the frog over to the stranger in exchange for the money.

"Are you insane?" the bartender demanded. "That frog could have been worth millions to you, and you let him go for a mere $50,000!"

"Don't worry about it," the man answered. "The frog was nothing special. You see, the rat's a ventriloquist.

PUNishment

Did you know deer can jump higher than the average house? It’s because of their strong hind legs and the fact that the

house can’t jump.

THEME: Idioms

ACROSS

1. Actor Driver

5. By way of 8. Bambino

11. Oscar De La

12. *Do this backwards to try hard to please 13. Range 15. Petri dish gel 16. Celestial bear 17. K-pop home

18. *Cold one is offensive

20. Sportscaster Andrews

21. Outer space path

22. Hold title to 23. *Take this to commit to marriage

26. Bullet factory

30. Even, poetically

31. Trim

34. Sitar music

35. Kon-Tiki and such

37. Be in a cast

38. Very, in music

39. Actress Barrymore

40. "Long Day's Journey into Night" playwright

42. Between Mar. and May

43. Annulling

45. Loads

47. Compass point between NE and E

48. Dugout river ride

50. Check-in via text

52. *Sign of nervousness (2 words)

55. One up 56. Lowest female voice

57. One quark plus one antiquark

Toothpaste brand

Riddle without solution

Cogito ____ sum

*Leg's partner, price-wise

Robin's house

"Eureka!"

*They cause no problems when they sleep

Nursemaid,

Usually in the second month of winter, we are asking, "Is it spring yet?" Today is our seventieth day without moisture, and the future weather reports don’t look any better, and there is no snow predicted for the next eight days. Still, it isn't spring yet. The temperature today (Sunday, Feb. 2) was 58 degrees. It just feels like spring out there. That last storm went south into Arizona, which is even worse off than we are. A person asked me if I had ever seen this dry of a winter. I told him that about twenty-five years ago, it didn’t snow till the 1st week in January. But I have seen nothing like this winter. If it doesn’t snow, it will probably lead to water rationing in the spring or summer.

We had our Garfield County Commissioner that wanted to change some names of roads in Garfield County. He wanted to change the name of the Burr Trail (that name dates back to the 1800s) to our current president’s name or add his name to that of the Burr Trail. Fortunately, the Burr Trail is in the area of the two other commissioners, and their economy depends on leaving the Grand-Staircase and nearby spots of interest alone. Both Taylor and Tebbs voted against it. I made a mistake on

FYI PanguItch

by Mack Oetting ~ mackoetting @gmail.com

the issue that the president is doing away with tax incentives for electric vehicles. Since his right hand man is Elon Musk, you can still get the $7,500 tax credit. A record 3.2 million electrified vehicles were sold in the U.S. last year; 1.9 million were hybrid vehicles, and 1.3 million were all-electric models. With all of the new tariffs going into effect, the car dealers planned for it, and their lots will have many models to choose from. Up until this year, our enemies were Russia, China and North Korea. Now, they are Canada, Mexico and Panama.

The American Legion is hailing the 118th Congress for its approval of the Elizabeth Dole Home and Community Based Services for Veterans and Caregivers Act of 2023, or the Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act, an omnibus bill that includes significant improvement to caregiver support programs, extended home care and veteran’s educational assistance benefits, increased funding for veteran homelessness providers, greater mental health supports, and a requirement for the VA to develop a plan to expand same-day scheduling for medical appointments.

The legislation moved to President Biden’s desk after receiving unanimous Senate consent and passed

the House with a 382 to 12 vote on December 15.

At the Kanab Balloons and Tunes Festival, the American Legion will salute the Vietnam veterans on the 50th anniversary of the end to that terrible war that took so many of our youths; with agent orange poison, it is still taking lives.

The Social Security Fairness Act has also been signed into law. This repeals both the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO), which were added to the Social Security Act in the 80s and reduced earned Social Security benefits for some workers that worked under a retirement plan that didn’t have Social Security connected with it, but worked at other jobs that Social Security did pay in to. My wife taught at Fullerton College in California long enough to qualify for Social Security. Instead of the $800, it was cut down to $18 after they took out Medicare. That was a long time ago, and now she is entitled to it, and it is to be retroactive. There isn’t a timeline for this to happen, so don’t hold your breath. I became a firefighter in the early 60s. At that time, the life expectancy was 58, and a national firefighters' union was formed. There were thirteen of us

in our class. We fought car fires by holding our breath till we got out of the car. As the years passed, the union found a way to make our job a lot safer, with breathing apparatuses, safer turnouts and helmets. After thirty years, I retired, and at that time, there were thirtyfour materials that were called presumptive causes of cancer, lung problems, Parkinson's—and the list goes on and on—that you could be retired on. Now there are over two hundred such materials. Of that class of thirteen, only two of us are still alive, but a firefighter can now expect to live to a normal retirement age. Unions work to make your job safer, and that goes for police and teachers. These work groups do not have professional negotiators; they do it with their negotiating teams, which is made up of fellow workers. Utah is following the new president and killing unions. The Utah Legislature voted last Monday to suspend any negotiating by the associations. They were going to ban all unions, but they had to change the wording to that of government employment. Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. Mack O.

Garfield Commission: The Commission recognized two employees, Laura Owens and Commissioner David Tebbs, for their ten years of service. Commissioner Board reports, work on the Panguitch Lake Dam, and an update on DWR activities discussed. After going into executive session, the Commission reconvened at the Garfield County Fair Building to hear public comment on proposed renaming of Burr Trail Road and John’s Valley Road, respectively.

have questions or concerns on legislation in process. He said he’ll be working with DWR and other state agencies to assist with North Creek dredging and the ongoing problem of the silting up of reservoirs and North Creek, in particular. (A one-time appropriation request for $1-2M needs to be submitted this week.)

Commissioner Leland Pollock expressed his approval regarding the new administration’s likelyfriendly policies toward minimizing restrictions on National Forest projects. He also reported on some legislative bills in process, including a SITLA bill to “protect places like Promise Rock from being sold,”

a bill sponsored by Rep. Snyder to “rein in Fish and Game,” a bill to stop non-grazing entities from buying out grazing allotments without approval by the respective county commissions. As of January 27, Commissioner Pollock seemed hopeful about continued federal funding for projects such as Grazing Improvement and WRI water projects, as well as state funds for Panguitch Lake Dam. [It is unknown at this time what effect federal cessation of grant funding will have on state and Garfield County projects.]

Public Works Director Dave Dodds said once the 30-day state reviews have been completed, work can begin on Panguitch Lake Dam, even in winter. He said his Iron County counterpart, Bruce Anderson, asked for support on a tire recycling bill. He said no contractor in the state can be induced to pick up tires from Garfield County’s landfill. The proposed option is to collect the $1/tire fee to shred them onsite for use as cover.

The Commission approved a zone change from

Agriculture to Commercial for Mark III Investments, to turn an eighty-acre-parcel into six-acre ranchette lots, west of Highway 89, north of Panguitch. The Commission also approved a business license for Echo Productions (Brian Cass), a film production enterprise. Division of Wildlife Resources rep. Kevin Bunnell provided an update on DWR activities. He’s working on “broad-scale NEPA approvals” to cover whole forest projects in both Dixie and Fish Lake national forests. Projects include controlled burns, pinyon/juniper removal, stream work (including North Creek dredging), and timber removal. He said Garfield County is on the list for Species Status Review, looking toward delisting prairie dogs as protected species. Finally, he reported on the recent consolidation of the state’s natural resource enforcement officers into one agency, the Utah Division of Law Enforcement. Commissioner Pollock expressed concern about the potential for overenthusiastic enforcement of

Garfield Commission Cont'd from A1 certain regulations, such as someone ticketed for venturing offroad to pick up an elk. Within the realm of common sense, such as not allowing new ATV trails to be offhandedly created, and working with the county sheriff, he could see the need to adopt a unified state division.

In other business, the Commission approved: $750 for the high school Career Fair; • $100/student or $1,500 per event to the Panguitch High School Speech and Debate team to attend state and regional events; • Fair Building Use Event Permitting, which will require an event permit issued by Panguitch Town Council for use of any county facility.

The commission went into executive session to discuss potential litigation involving real estate. The Commission reconvened at 1:30 in the Garfield County Fair Building to hear public comment on proposed renaming of Burr Trail Road and John’s Valley Road, respectively. [See related story on A1 and B4]

The Garfield County Commission meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month starting at 10 a.m. All meetings are held in the County Courthouse in Panguitch. There is no set up for electronic participation, but all meeting recordings are uploaded to the Utah Public Meetings Notice board, https:// www.utah.gov/pmn/. —Insider

SkyWatcher Leo T

T Coronae Borealis

by Leonard Thomas

Meaning

As we make our way through the winter skies, in the day, and just after dusk, Brilliant Mars, just past opposition, can be seen directly east above Red Butte Garden, Logan Canyon, or above the Moab Rim and is still very close, astronomically, and outshines its neighbors, Pollux and Castor, making a partial semi-circle with Procyon that we keep an eye on every night. It’s fun to duck out in the chill and look for a few seconds at a time.

In the southwest, Venus still rages and pulls away from Saturn. Orion dominates the high southeast after dinnertime, with searing white Sirius sparkling below it. Just below Orion is Lepus, the rabbit. Its brightest star, Arneb, is only about thirteen million years old, just a baby.

Scientists are talking about Corona Borealis again. Meaning "northern crown" in Latin, Corona Borealis, or Council of the Chiefs, is a semicircle of mostly dim stars that were reported on last year, as some predicted a nova then. I first started seeing this formation in my sleeping bag in the backyard under the Milky Way, listening to the transistor radio to distant and local radio stations with radio waves traveling at the speed of light.

Well, astronomers are hoping that the star that isn't even visilble right now, just in the void of the semi-circle, "goes off," and we'll be able to see the nova this year. Hopefully,

Latin, Corona

it will be bright enough to compete with Venus. This star is called T Coronae Borealis.

T Coronae Borealis is a recurrent nova, a star that experiences eruptions on a regular basis. It was first recorded in 1217, and appears to happen at intervals of roughly 80 years. The last nova event was in 1946, and astronomers have found evidence that another is coming.

T Coronae is actually a binary star system, meaning it is composed of two stars locked in orbit around a common center of gravity. One of these is a white dwarf star, the dense body left behind when a small to medium-sized star burns up all of its fuel. The other star in the system is a red giant, the stage between a main sequence star and a white dwarf, in which a star expands by many times its size.

White dwarves are among the densest objects known to exist in the universe, and thus exert tremendous gravitational force upon their neighbors. As the stars that make up T Coronae Borealis orbit each other, the white dwarf pulls so strongly that it actu-

ally strips gases away from the surface of the red giant. These stolen gases accumulate around the white dwarf and form a swirling ring known as an accretion disk.

Over the course of decades, the white dwarf takes on more and more material from its red giant neighbor. This causes both the pressure and temperature on the surface of the white dwarf to increase, until they eventually become too much and trigger a massive thermonuclear explosion.

The accumulated gases are expelled from the white dwarf in a brilliant flash of light that we will be able to see from Earth with our own naked eyes. Once the explosion subsides, the process will begin again, ramping up to the next nova event.

Look up, look around, and get just a little bit lost in space and time.

Leonard Thomas has a Bachelor of Science degree in Comprehensive Broadcasting and worked as a park ranger as a star guide at Capitol Reef National Park. He is a resident of Torrey, Utah, and is the creator of the podcast SkyWatcher Leo T, which is available to listen to on Spotify.

@SkyWatcherLeoT

"northern crown" in

Borealis, or Council of the Chiefs, is a semicircle of mostly dim stars that were reported on last year, as some predicted a nova then.

Schools and Sports

Panguitch Bobcat Cheerleaders Place 3rd at 1A All-Girls Cheer State Championship

by Jaynie Connor

The Bobcat cheerleaders took third in 1A Overall, Sideline/Timeout Dance, Sideline/Timeout

and Show at the 1A All-Girls Cheer State Championship held at the UCCU Center at Utah Valley University on January 22.

PHS Sports Sidelines

by Mack Oetting

This weekend, there are multiple Super Bowl events. First, it is the Super Bowl of wrestling, where the Cats are going for their sixth championship title in a row. Pat and I found that if you get to the arena by 2:30 p.m., you can watch all of the championship matches. Come early; the stadium will be packed. In the last two years, the Cats had already clinched the championship before the final matches even started, but it is really fun to see what a whole lot of work and coaching can do. Most of these wrestlers have been at their sport since they were kids.

Of course, the Super Bowl on Sunday will have Kansas City going for their third win in a row, which has never been done before. I think that the Philadelphia Eagles will have something to say about it. It should be a good game, and one that will be close to keep you watching. The Bobcats just keep on rolling, with both basketball teams winning their games. The Lady Cats were home and played a badly depleted Piute team that only had seven or eight players. The

ladies won the game, 54 to 30. Piute has the best fans around, and the house was filled. Even though the game was one sided, the Piute girls were in good shape; most played the whole game and were strong clear to the end. Mallory Henrie led all scorers with sixteen. The Lady Cats only had one more game left, and it was here in Panguitch against Valley last night. Region starts on the 12th and runs through 15th. State doesn’t start till 26th at the Sevier Valley Center.

The boys played against Milford, and it really drew a big fan group. The Cats (18-3) beat the Tigers in a game that was close right up until the end, winning 51-39. Daxton Miller had twentytwo, and Remme Chappell pitched in seventeen. The Cats went on out to Wayne and took them out, 70 - 45. The Cats were led by Maddix Johnson with twenty, and Remme Chappell with sixteen. Tonight, the Cats have their last game here against Bryce Valley, and it should be a good one. The region finals will be the same as the girls', and they will be alternating games for the three days. As the season comes to a close, I can’t say enough about the coaches and their dedication to their sport. They are the best.

“The girls did great. They took third in all three

OREM - On Wednesday, January 22, the Panguitch High School Bobcats cheerleaders participated in the 1A All-Girls Cheer State Championship held at the UCCU Center at Utah Valley University. This event marked the third consecutive year that the Utah High School Activities Association (UHSAA) has officially acknowledged competitive cheerleading and presented state championship trophies.

categories and third overall. We had the best time. They really are amazing; they worked so hard, and it really showed,” said Head Coach Cathy Woolsey. The Bobcats cheerleaders took third in 1A Overall, Sideline/Timeout

Dance, Sideline/Timeout Cheer, and Show. Coached by Cathy Woolsey and Ashley Mooney, the team has fifteen members, four of which are seniors. Woolsey was awarded the 2024-2025 UHSAA 1A Cheer Coach of the Year award at the competition.

USU Extension Celebrates 10 Years of 'Clean Air Contest' with Exhibits and Community Art Day

LOGAN - Winners of the 2025 Utah High School Clean Air Marketing Contest will be announced at Utah State University’s

Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art Community Art Day on Saturday, Feb. 8, at 10:30 a.m.

Clean air public service announcements (PSAs) created by this year’s sixty-one finalists will also be displayed at the museum as part of the event. After the awards ceremony, people of all ages can celebrate clean air by creating small woven artwork that tells people’s stories of our shared environment as part of Community Art Day.

This year marks the contest’s 10th anniversary. The museum is hosting a retrospective exhibit featuring twenty-seven past winners since 2015. The exhibit, supported by a grant from Logan City, opened on Feb. 1.

The Utah High School Clean Air Marketing Contest was created in 2015 by professors Roslynn Brain McCann of USU Extension Sustainability and Edwin Stafford of the USU Jon M. Hunts-

man School of Business. The teen-designed PSAs combine art, science, and savvy marketing to encourage Utahns to help keep their air healthy through carpooling, using alternative transportation, limiting idling, trip chaining (completing multiple errands at a time to limit unnecessary driving), and skipping the drive-thru. The messaging and artwork are often provocative, funny, edgy, and tied to teen pop culture. The winning PSAs will be displayed for educational outreach across the state and on social media.

Five celebrities serve on the judges’ panel to select this year’s winners. They include environmental authors Bill McKibben and Terry Tempest Williams, pop singer Jessica Baio, ABC4 News meteorologist Cedric Haynes, and professional skier and activist Caroline Gleich.

The contest is intended to raise Utahns’ awareness of air quality issues by helping youth who are learning to drive understand the implications their new driving privilege can have on air pollution. It also helps them engage in ways to preserve

air quality, especially during Utah’s polluted winter inversion season.

Stafford and McCann’s research finds that for many participants, the contest is the only formal education they receive about local air pollution. As they talk about local air pollution with their families and friends, the students then become air quality influencers in their own social networks.

McCann said contestants report becoming more committed to clean-air actions, and parents report being influenced by their teens to engage in cleanair actions. In turn, those parents encourage others in their own networks to be mindful about preventing air pollution.

“Our research shows that the contest is having an impact beyond the teens in educating Utahns about how to help clean up our air,” she said.

Over 1,150 teens from Utah and southern Idaho participated in the 2025 contest. Participating high schools include Logan, Ridgeline, Fast Forward, Green Canyon, Carbon, Whitehorse (Montezuma

Creek), Westside, Preston, Grand County (Moab) and Granger (West Valley City).

“The entries seem to get better and more thought-provoking every year,” Stafford said. “Creative competitions are important vehicles for educating youth as they spark the fun of learning, a competitive spirit, and self-discovery that you just can’t replicate in the classroom.”

Over $6,000 in cash and gift cards will be awarded, all donated by local businesses, organizations, and individuals.

The free event begins at 10:30 a.m. and includes refreshments. With the help of Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art’s education staff, those participating in the art activity after the awards can create a canvas and pipe cleaner weaving project.

Visit artmuseum.usu. edu to stay updated on museum events, and extension.usu.edu/cleanaircontest/ for more information about the contest and to view the winning artwork. —Utah State University Extension

Cathy Woolsey

Cathy Woolsey

Cheer,

Schools and Sports

Panguitch High School Wrestling Team

Finishes in 1st Place in 1A Divisional

Bobcats hope to win 6th straight championship title at state tournament this weekend at SVC

by Jaynie Connor

MONTICELLO -

The Divisional meets for 2A and 1A boys state high school wrestling qualifying took place on Saturday, January 25, where wrestlers officially secured their spots for the 2025 state tournaments. Held at Monticello High School, the teams battled it out for the top spots in Boys 1A Divisional A. The Boys 1A Divisional B was held at Piute High School.

Representing Garfield and Wayne counties was Panguitch, Wayne, Bryce Valley, and Escalante high schools. The Panguitch High School

Bobcats finished in first place as a team and had twenty boys place in the top four, ten of which took first place. These twenty boys qualified for the state tournament. The Bobcats are hoping to secure their sixth straight state title at the 1A Boys and 1A/2A Girls UHSAA State Tournament, which will be held February 8th at the Sevier Valley Cen-

ter in Richfield. Boys 1A Divisional A Team Results:

1. Panguitch, 287.0

2. Monticello, 157.5

3. Rich, 134.5

4. Wayne, 91.0

5. Bryce Valley, 50.0

6. Whitehorse, 40.0

7. Monument Valley, 6.0

Individual Results:

• 106 - 1. Mitch Dodds, Panguitch; 2. Judson Pollock, Panguitch; 3. Samuel White, Wayne; 4. Colt Sutherlin, Wayne.

113 - 1. Arturo Gutierrez, Monticello; 2. Gaige Stewart, Panguitch; 3. Lincoln Henrie, Panguitch; 4. Taggart Stuart, Rich.

• 120 - 1. James Houston, Panguitch; 2. Diego Cortez, Monticello; 3. Scott Wakefield, Rich; 4. Riley Hicks, Wayne

• 126 - 1. Max Albrecht, Panguitch; 2. Miles Coleman, Monticello; 3. Dayton Houston, Panguitch; 4. Jackson Jolley, Rich.

• 132 - 1. Cameron At-

kin, Panguitch; 2. John Leber, Monticello; 3. Gage New, Wayne; 4. Danny Gripkey, Panguitch

• 138 - 1. Parker Hallows, Wayne; 2. Lance Tsinigine, Whitehorse; 3. Ferrin Mathews, Bryce Valley; 4. Jackson Heaton, Panguitch

144 - 1. Randy Marshall, Panguitch; 2. Joshua Perez, Panguitch; 3. Hunter Tsinigine, Whitehorse; 4. Ronnie Harris, Monticello.

150 - 1. Braxton Atkin, Panguitch; 2. Jake Chesnut, Wayne; 3. Jasper Johnson, Rich; 4. Archer Ward, Panguitch

• 157 - 1. Shad Partridge, Panguitch; 2. Hudson Parry, Rich; 3. Ryker Kirk, Rich; 4. Talon Brooks, Monument Valley.

165 - 1. Kole Fullmer, Panguitch; 2. Wilkes Weston, Rich; 3. Klincey Richards, Bryce Valley; 4. Traxon Chandler, Rich.

SUU to Host 2025 Utah Pasifika Intercollegiate Association Leadership Summit Conference

CEDAR CITYSouthern Utah University (SUU) is excited to announce that it will host the 2025 Utah Pasifika Intercollegiate Association (UPIA) Leadership Summit Conference. This year’s theme, "A Time of Change: Striving for Academic Excellence," emphasizes the importance of academic achievement, particularly within the Pasifika community, and invites students from all backgrounds who are passionate about success in higher education. It will be held February 1315, 2025.

wonderful opportunity to learn, connect, and grow together.”

• 175 - 1. Tavon Black, Monticello; 2. Crosby Saign, Wayne; 3. Jackson Wright, Panguitch; 4. Karter Thomas, Wayne

190 - 1. Jacob Marshall, Panguitch; 2. Bailey Weston, Rich; 3. Noah Dilts, Monticello; 4. Sanford Begay, Whitehorse.

• 215 - 1. Maverick Albrecht, Panguitch; 2. Tyson Wheeler, Monticello; 3. Boston Jolley, Rich; 4. Moxin Floyd, Bryce Valley 285 - 1. Jordan Johnson, Rich; 2. Camren Carpenter, Monticello; 3. Andrew Jones, Bryce Valley; 4. Payton Stewart, Panguitch Boys 1A Divisional B Team Results: 1. Altamont, 239.5 2. Milford, 230.0 3. Piute, 114.0 4. Tintic, 87.5 5. Escalante, 21.0 6. Telos, 18.0 Escalante High School Wrestler Elijah Byrd took second place in the 144 lb. weight class.

The conference will bring together students from universities across Utah and beyond for a unique experience featuring discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities. The event will also feature special guests, including Her Excellency, Hon. Sela Tukia, the Consul General of the Kingdom of Tonga to the United States; Dr. Charlene Lui, Director of the National Association for Multicultural Education (NAME), and other Pacific Islander dignitaries. Their involvement highlights the global importance of this event and the shared commitment to supporting academic and community growth.

“At SUU, we’re committed to the success of all our students, especially Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students,” said Tevita Sekeni, Advisor for the Pacific Islander Student Association (PISA) at Southern Utah University. “This conference provides a

This event builds on SUU’s strong history of supporting Pasifika students, as shown by the institution’s successful graduation rates for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students. It is being organized under the guidance of Dr. Stephen Allen, SUU’s Vice President for International Affairs, and the Office of International Affairs at SUU. Vice President Allen hopes the conference will be impactful and beneficial to all who attend. Students and educators are encouraged to contribute to the conference by leading workshops or presentations on the conference’s theme. Possible topics include academic success strategies, overcoming challenges in education, leadership development, and community engagement. These contributions will help create an interactive and engaging experience for all participants.

SUU looks forward to welcoming students across the country for what is sure to be a memorable experience.

Southern Utah University’s Office of International Affairs fosters globally engaged communities by supporting the exchange of values, cultures, and ideas in an effort to advance a more just, empathic, and prosperous world.

—Southern Utah University

Tracy Wright

The Panguitch High School Bobcats finished in first place as a team at the Boys 1A

Divisional A wrestling meet at Monticello High School on Jan. 25 The Bobcats had twenty boys place in the top four, ten of which took first place.

REQUEST FOR STATEMENTS OF QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE FOR PLANNING SERVICES FOR THE PANGUITCH MUNICIPAL AIRPORT

PANGUITCH CITY, UTAH

I. INVITATION

Panguitch City, Utah (referred to herein as “Sponsor”), as owners of the Panguitch Municipal Airport near Panguitch, UT is requesting statements of qualifications and experience from consulting firms (“Proposers”) qualified and experienced in the field of airport planning services.

The Sponsor plans to award a contract for airport planning services subject to review on an annual basis for any and all planning projects subject to federal assistance under the Airport and Airway Improvement Act of 1982 as amended, or other sources of funding.

Contemplated projects under this contract include the following:

1. Airport Master Plan

2. Airport Layout Plan

3. Terminal Area Update

4. Environmental Studies

5. Airport Strategic Planning

The above-contemplated projects are dependent upon federal AIP or local funding and approval of the Sponsor, so it shall be understood that some of the services related to the above-listed projects may be deleted and that the Sponsor reserves the right to initiate additional services not included in the initial procurement.

II. BACKGROUND

Panguich Municipal Airport is a general aviation airport located approximately five miles North East of the City Panguitch, UT, which is seeking to implement improvements to accommodate existing and future aviation demand.

The contract issued to the successful consultant is subject to the provisions of Executive Order 11246 (Affirmative Action to Ensure Equal Employment Opportunity) and to the provisions of the Department of Transportation Regulation 49 CRF Part 26 (Disadvantaged Business Participation). DBR firms are encouraged to participate.

III. REQUESTS FOR CLARIFICATION

Any requests for clarification of additional information deemed necessary by any respondent to present a proposal shall be submitted by email to City Manager Mat Houston at mat.panguitchcity@gmail.com. Written requests must be received a minimum of five (5) days prior to the submission deadline. Any requests received after this deadline will not be considered. All requests received prior to the deadline will be responded to, by Panguitch City in the form of an addendum addressed to all prospective respondents.

IV. SCOPE OF WORK

The Consultant will follow the guidance in FAA AC 150/5070-6B Change 2 “Airport Master Plans” (or most current version) and assure that all FAA Guidelines and Requirements are met in the preparation of the Airport Master Plan.

Elements of content for inclusion will be, at a minimum:

1. Design Study/Project Scoping

2. Airport Geographic Information Systems (AGIS) Survey*

3. Public Involvement Program

4. Existing Conditions

5. Environmental Considerations

6. Aviation Forecasts

7. Facility Requirements

8. Alternatives Development and Evaluation and Analysis

9. Airport Layout Plan (ALP) Drawing Set

10. Financial Feasibility Analysis

11. Facilities Implementation Plan

V. SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS:

Submittals shall include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Key personnel’s professional qualifications and experience in airport planning and their role anticipated for the proposed project; their knowledge of FAA regulations, policies, and procedures.

2. Qualifications and experience of sub-consultants to be engaged by the consultant under consideration.

3. Please provide a list of all current airport planning projects, as well as any which have been completed in the last three years. List the project manager you assigned to each project. Identify the starting dates for all projects, and the completion dates (where completed).

4. Capability to perform all or most aspects of the project and recent experience in airport master planning projects.

5. Demonstrated ability to meet schedules or deadlines.

6. Understanding of the project’s potential challenges and the sponsor’s special concerns.

7. Degree of interest shown in undertaking the project and their familiarity with and proximity to the geographic location of the project.

The Sponsor invites firms to submit Statements of Qualifications to perform the above-described services.

Interested firms should submit five (5) copies of the proposal no later than 2:00 PM Local on February 25, 2025 to:

Mat Houston Panguitch City

25 S 200 E Panguitch, UT 84759

All packages must be submitted in a sealed envelope and clearly marked on the outside:

“STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS FOR AIRPORT PLANNING SERVICES”

Proposals must contain the name, address, and daytime telephone number for contact persons to whom additional selection process requests should be communicated.

Following the selection process, the proposal for the selected Proposer shall be made available for public review, except for any items that Proposer has requested, in writing, to remain confidential under applicable law.

VI. SELECTION CRITERIA

Selection criteria contained in FAA Advisory Circular 150/5100-14E Chapter 2, will be applied in the following order of importance:

1. Capability to perform all aspects of projects 25 Points

2. Qualifications of the Project Manager and Project Team 30 Points

3. Reputation 20 Points

4. Ability to meet schedules within budget 10 Points

5. Quality of previous airport projects undertaken 20 Points

6. Familiarity with Sponsor and project location 25 Points

7. Understanding of the project and Sponsor’s special concerns 20 Points

TOTAL 150 Points

VII. SELECTION PROCESS

The selection process will be in strict accordance with Federal Aviation Advisory Circular 150/5100-14E, Architectural, Engineering and Planning Consultant Services for Airport Grant Projects and 49CFR Part 18.

Fees will be negotiated for projects on a task order basis as grants are obtained. Cost or fee information is not to be submitted with this proposal.

A short list may be developed from submittals received. Consultants on the short list may be asked to attend an interview prior to final selection being made. A schedule of fees will be negotiated with the selected consultant for the services to be performed under the initial FAA or other grant or grants. Subsequent fees will be negotiated on a task order basis as additional grants are obtained.

It is the intent of the Sponsor to enter into a contract with the most qualified firm no later than February 25, 2025.

The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on FEBRUARY 6 & 13, 2025

NOTICE TO WATER USERS

The applications below were filed with the Division of Water Rights in Wayne County. These are informal proceedings per Rule 655-6-2. Protests concerning an application must be legibly written or typed, contain the name and mailing address of the protesting party, STATE THE APPLICATION NUMBER PROTESTED, CITE REASONS FOR THE PROTEST, and REQUEST A HEARING, if desired. Also, A $15 FEE MUST BE INCLUDED FOR EACH APPLICATION PROTESTED. Protests must be filed with the Division of Water Rights on or before Feb. 26, 2025 either electronically using the Division`s on-line Protest of Application form, by hand delivery to a Division office, or by mail at PO Box 146300, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6300. Please visit waterrights.utah.gov or call (801)538-7240 for additional information.

GARFIELD COUNTY

CHANGE APPLICATION(S)

61-1975 (a52554): Melissa Simon-Murdock propose(s) using 0.0044 cfs OR 1 acft. from groundwater (4 miles west of Ruby`s Inn) for DOMESTIC; IRRIGATION.

61-3474 (a52578): Dustin and Heather Jones, Robert Patterson propose(s) using 0.0064 cfs OR 0.5 ac-ft. from groundwater (6 miles S of Panguitch Lake) for DOMESTIC.

61-3550 (a52597): Blaine and Sarah Decker, State of Utah Board of Water Resources, West Panguitch Irrigation and Reservoir Company propose(s) using 2 acft. from groundwater (7 miles north of Panguitch) for DOMESTIC; IRRIGATION; STOCKWATERING.

WAYNE COUNTY

CHANGE APPLICATION(S)

95-5330 (a52584): Chad and Kim Brian Family Trust, Wayne County Water Conservancy District propose(s) using 36 ac-ft. from groundwater (Grover, Utah) for IRRIGATION.

Teresa Wilhelmsen, P.E.

State Engineer

Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on JANUARY 30 and FEBRUARY 6, 2025

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

CIRCLEVILLE TOWN

CIRCLEVILLE, UT 84723

CIRCLEVILLE TOWN ROAD

IMPROVEMENT PROJECT 2025

GENERAL NOTICE SECTION 00 11 13

Circleville Town

(Owner) is requesting Bids for the construction of the following Project: Circleville Town Road Improvement Project 2025 10269B

Bids for the construction of the Project will be received at online via Quest CDN online submittal until Thursday, February 20th, at 2:00 PM local time.

The Project includes the following Work:

Approximately 500,000 square yards of chip seal, 50 tons of crack seal, storm drain improvements, 500 tons of hot mix asphalt, and other miscellaneous improvements.

Bids are requested for the following Contract: Circleville Town Road Improvements Project 2025

Obtaining the Bidding Documents Information and Bidding Documents for the Project can be found at the following designated website: https://www.ensignutah.com/bid-access/ or www.questcdn.com

Bidding Documents may be downloaded from the designated website. Prospective Bidders are urged to register with the designated website as a plan holder, even if Bidding Documents are obtained from a plan room or source other than the designated website in either electronic or paper format. The designated website will be updated periodically with addenda, lists of registered plan holders, reports, and other information relevant to submitting a Bid for the Project. All official notifications, addenda, and other Bidding Documents will be offered only through the designated website. Neither Owner nor Engineer will be responsible for Bidding Documents, including addenda, if any, obtained from sources other than the designated website.

The Issuing Office for the Bidding Documents is:

Ensign Engineering and Land Surveying

225 North 100 East Richfield, Utah 84701

Printed copies of the Bidding Documents may be obtained from the Issuing Office by paying a deposit of $100 for each set, no part of which will be refunded. Make deposit checks for Bidding Documents payable to Ensign Engineering and Land Surveying. Pre-bid Conference

A non-mandatory pre-bid conference for the Project will be held on Thursday February 6th at 2:00 PM at Circleville Town Hall 210 South Center, Circleville, UT 84723. Bidders are highly encouraged to attend non-mandatory pre-bid conference. Instructions to Bidders.

For all further requirements regarding bid submittal, qualifications, procedures, and contract award, refer to the Instructions to Bidders that are included in the Bidding Documents.

This Advertisement is issued by:

Owner: Circleville Town

By:

Kristina Westwood

Title:

Mayor

Date: January 24th, 2025

Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on JANUARY 30 and FEBRUARY 6 & 13, 2025

Public Hearing:

Ian Marynowski

The Burr family sat front and center during the Jan. 27 special meeting of the Garfield County Commission, which was held to discuss the renaming of the Burr Trail Scenic Backway, or the John's Valley Road, to commemorate Donald Trump. The proposal failed a vote 2-1 and neither road will be renamed, though the commission plans to discuss other options to bear the president's name.

Public Hearing

Cont'd from A1

After an emotional public hearing during the Jan. 27 special commission meeting, Garfield County Commissioners Leland Pollock, David Tebbs and Jerry Taylor voted 2-1 against renaming either the Burr Trail Scenic Backway or the John’s Valley Road after Donald Trump. roads, stop trying to kick people off that are trying to make an honest living, Put the loggers back to work, put the sawmills back to work, put the construction jobs back to work. So, when somebody wants to know why we want to recognize a president, that is exactly why.”

Jan. 13, was quick to receive widespread attention, with overwhelming commentary against the proposal. The commissioners also received hundreds of phone calls and emails, also largely against the name change.

“I think John Atlantic Burr might be the most Googled person in America. I’ve gotten calls from as far as Wisconsin, and people seem to know all about him,” said Commissioner Taylor.

In response to the outreach, Taylor organized an informal town hall meeting in Boulder on Jan. 21 to gather public opinion to inform his vote. The feedback he received was largely against the name change for reasons citing historic significance, family heritage, impacts on tourism and the Burr Trail’s status as a scenic backway, which precludes the addition of Trump’s moniker on the grounds that he has no affiliation with the road. Commissioner Tebbs also circulated a short survey asking for opinions which yielded similar results.

In anticipation of a large turnout, the Jan. 27 commission meeting was held at the Garfield County Fair Building instead of the courthouse in Panguitch. More than one hundred people turned out for the hearing, including twenty-three members of the Burr family who traveled from around Utah and Arizona to attend.

Commissioner Pollock opened the meeting by explaining his reasons for seeking to designate a “presidential road.”

“The county you're in right now is 93% federal land. It is the size of the state of Connecticut,” Pollock said. “It's a world of difference when you've got somebody like Trump that wants to give us back multiple use of our public lands, stop closing these

Those who wished to speak were asked to sign up for a three-minute time slot at the door. Roughly twenty people signed up.

Ultimately, during the forty-two minutes taken for the public hearing, only fifteen people were allowed the opportunity to speak, four of whom were hand-picked from the crowd by Commissioner Pollock—without being selected from the signup roster—each of whom spoke in favor of a name change. Ten of the remaining eleven speakers spoke against the name change, citing the obfuscation of pioneer history, impacts on tourism and desire to keep politics out of place names.

Several times throughout the meeting, Pollock motioned to end the public hearing due to the repeated comments against the name change. Each motion prompted

outcry from members of the crowd who had not yet had the opportunity to have their voice heard.

Devaki Murch—a Boulder resident—presented the commissioners with copies of a petition against renaming of the Burr Trail which had garnered more than 4,000 signatures, half of which were from Utah residents and the other half from around the country. “They might not vote on the Garfield County ballot, but they vote here with their dollars,” Murch said.

The public hearing ended with an impassioned speech from Brenda Burr Baird, a descendant of John Atlantic Burr, who wished to not see politics obscuring her family history, and voiced her disappointment towards Pollock, who was on his phone at the time, for not seeming to care about what people had to say.

“See [Pollock] is on his phone. Mr. Taylor, thank you; you went to Boulder and listened to what people had to say, but I’m sorry, Mr. Pollock, it’s clear you’ve made up your mind,” Baird said. “You say you want to be fair, but you don’t want to hear it.”

Following Baird’s threeminute time allotment, the public hearing was closed and each commissioner made closing remarks. Commissioner Tebbs opened his closing statement by remarking about public lands and restrictions on grazing, but then went into the results of the survey he circulated days before the hearing. “I got about 300 [responses] and 95 percent said ‘NO’ on the Burr Trail. On the John’s Valley Road, it was about 76 percent ‘NO,’” said Tebbs. “Based on my survey, most people want to do something, but they don’t want to touch these roads. That’s where I’ll be basing my decision today.”

Commissioner Taylor shared a similar sentiment, explaining that while he has family ties to John’s Valley and wouldn’t mind the name change, it was clear that it was not what his constituents wanted. Pollock cast his vote in favor of changing the names of both roads, while Tebbs and Taylor voted against such change.

Deciding on an alternative way to commemorate the president will be on the agenda of a future commission meeting.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

FOR SEVERAL PARCELS OF LAND ALONG STATE HIGHWAY 276 NEAR TICABOO

The Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration (“SITLA”) is accepting proposals to lease and/or purchase of up to 2900 acres of Trust Lands in Garfield County, Utah, near Ticaboo/Bullfrog Utah. More information can be found on SITLA’s website at https://trustlands.utah.gov/current-real-estate-rfp/ticaboo-bullfrog-copy/. Because of the parcels’ unique characteristics, proposals should respect the location with quality development plans.

Any individual wishing to submit a proposal for this parcel may do so until 4:00 p.m. MST on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. Proposals should be mailed to TRUST LANDS ADMINISTRATION, Attn. Alexa Wilson 102 S. 200 East, Suite 600, Salt Lake City, UT 84111 (801) 538-5177, or e- mailed (preferred) to alexawilson@utah. gov. Reference: “Ticaboo-Bullfrog”. The Trust Lands Administration reserves the right to reject any proposal. 2900

Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on JANUARY 16, 23 & 30 and FEBRUARY 6, 13, 20 & 27 and MARCH 6 & 13, 2025

REQUEST FOR BIDS

GARFIELD COUNTY

Garfield County is accepting bids for four (4) wheel loaders (35,000–40,000 lbs, 185–230 HP). Delivery required within 45 days of July 1, 2025. Interested vendors should include guaranteed buy-back options (1 year/500 hours or 2 years/1,000 hours) in their quotes.

Bid period: January 20, 2025 – February 7, 2025, 5:00 PM MST. Submit bids via email to Dave Dodds at dave.dodds@garfield.utah.gov. For details, call 435238-0935

Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on JANUARY 23 & 30 and FEBRUARY 6, 2025

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

DISTRICT COURT, STATE OF UTAH, GARFIELD COUNTY 55 South Main Street, Panguitch, Utah 84759, Telephone: (435) 676-1104; Facsimile: (435) 676-8239. IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF DENNIS LUTHER SHERMAN, deceased, NOTICE TO CREDITORS, Case No. 243600023, Assigned: JUDGE LARSEN, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that BOADY SHERMAN was appointed as Personal Representatives of the estate of DENNIS LUTHER SHERMAN and creditors of the estate are given notice to present their claims to BARRY L. HUNTINGTON, attorney for the estate, P.O. Box 388, 55 South Main Street, Panguitch, Utah 84759, within 3 months after the first publication of this notice or be forever barred. DATED this 17th day of January, 2025. BARRY L. HUNTINGTON

Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on JANUARY 23 & 30 and FEBRUARY 6 & 13, 2025 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TORREY TOWN

Notice is hereby given that Torrey Mayor, Mickey Wright and members of the Town Council will hold a public hearing to open and close the 2025 Torrey Budget on Thursday the 13th day of February 2025, at 6:30 p.m. at the Torrey Town Office located at 75 E 100 N. Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on JANUARY 30 and FEBRUARY 6, 2025

NOTICE OF INTENT TO APPOINT TRUSTEES FOR WATER CONSERVANCY DISTRICT NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that at its regular meeting on Monday, June 2, 2025, the Wayne County Commission will appoint (or re-appoint) three trustees to the governing board of the Wayne County Water Conservancy District. Trustees representing the divisions of Torrey, Teasdale and Loa for a three year term. Anyone interested in serving on the Water Conservancy Board should send a resume and cover letter to Jakelle Pace at PO Box 327, Loa Utah 84747 or email jakelle@wayne. utah.gov by 5:00 PM Friday, May 16, 2025. For additional information, persons may contact John Jackson at 435-456-9121.

Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on JANUARY 30 and FEBRUARY 6 & 13, 2025

Viewing Event:

In southern Utah, people are most likely to see mallards, American wigeons, northern shovelers, cinnamon teal, northern pintails and redhead duck species. You can also see thousands of snow geese in the Delta area when they migrate through in late January and February. Occasionally, trumpeter swans may also be spotted in southern Utah. It’s a lot of fun to see these various bird species and to learn about their characteristics so you can identify them.

—Jason Jones, DWR Migratory Bird and Falconry Programs Coordinator

Viewing Event Cont'd from A1

times of the year, including:

Dabbling duck species (often spotted in wetlands, reservoirs and marshes)

• Mallards (These birds can interbreed with many other duck species, resulting in unique hybrids.)

• Northern pintails

(These birds have been known to migrate over 9,000 miles annually between their breeding and wintering grounds.)

Gadwalls

• Northern shovelers

Cinnamon teal

• Green-winged teal

(These birds are among the smallest dabbling ducks, weighing less than 1 pound, but they can fly at speeds over

30 miles per hour.)

American wigeons

• Wood duck (These birds nest in tree cavities and can perch on branches with the help of their sharp claws, which is rare among waterfowl.)

Diving ducks

• Redheads

Canvasbacks (These birds can dive more than 30 feet deep to forage for food.)

• Lesser scaup

Ruddy ducks

• Ring-necked ducks

Piscivorous ducks (primarily eat fish and aren’t commonly seen in Utah)

Hooded merganser

• Common mergansers

“In southern Utah, people are most likely to see mallards, American wigeons, northern shovelers, cinnamon teal, northern pintails and redhead duck species,” DWR Mi-

Applications:

These organizations are on the front lines, addressing critical community needs. Our goal is to support their efforts and help ensure healthier, stronger communities.

—Emily Allen, Community Relations Coordinator at

Select Health Applications

Cont'd from A1

“These organizations are on the front lines, addressing critical community needs,” said Emily Allen, Community Relations Coordinator at Select Health. “Our goal is to support their efforts and help ensure healthier, stronger communities.”

The awards program has contributed more than $1 million to organizations across the Mountain West since its launch in 2008. The program has helped hundreds of organizations make measurable strides in advancing public health and addressing systemic challenges in their communities.

“In past years, organizations like a local food bank have used these funds to provide over 1,000 additional meals to those in need,” Allen said. “This kind of impact is exactly what the Select Health Awards are designed to achieve.”

New for 2025, winners will join the Select Health Alumni Network, an added feature designed to connect past recipients, foster collaboration, improve problem solving, and provide professional development opportunities among organizations. Alumni will also be invited to participate in a summer networking event and can serve on the selection committee for future awards. Select Health’s mission to help people live the healthiest lives possible drives the awards program, which recognizes and supports the exceptional work of community organizations making a difference in their communities.

Applications are open from Jan. 1 through Feb. 28, 2025, or until 200 submissions are received for each state. Eligible organizations can apply online at selecthealthawards.org.

—Select Health

gratory Bird and Falconry Programs Coordinator Jason Jones said. “You can also see thousands of snow geese in the Delta area when they migrate through in late January and February. Occasionally, trumpeter swans may also be spotted in southern Utah. It’s a lot of fun to see these various bird species and to learn about their characteristics so you can identify them.”

Geese are another waterfowl species that is also commonly seen in Utah, primarily Canada and snow geese species which are abundant in the state. Both tundra and trumpeter swans can also be seen when they migrate through Utah. Trumpeter swans are the largest waterfowl species in North America, with wingspans exceeding 8 feet.

Event details The waterfowl viewing event will be held Saturday, Feb. 8, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Jackson Flat Reservoir in Kanab. DWR biologists will be available to answer questions about the various waterfowl species during the event. Spotting scopes will be available, but participants should bring their own binoculars if they have them. While the event is free, participants are encouraged to register on Eventbrite in advance. The event will be weather dependent, and registrants will be notified if the event is canceled.

—Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

HELP WANTED

Weed Specialist

Garfield County is accepting applications for two part-time weed specialists—one based in Panguitch and the other in the Bryce Valley/Escalante area. The successful candidates will be required to obtain Utah Commercial Pesticide Applicator License.

Applications are available at the Garfield County Clerk’s Office, 55 South Main, Panguitch or at www. garfield.utah.gov and will be accepted until 5:00 PM, Friday, February 14th, 2025.

Garfield County reserves the right to accept or reject any or all applications. Garfield County is an equal opportunity employer.

Part-time Kitchen Help

Tropic

Senior Citizen’s Center

Garfield County is accepting applications for parttime kitchen help at the Tropic Senior Citizen’s Center

The Center is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Applications are available at the Garfield County Clerk’s Office 55 South Main, Panguitch or online at garfield.utah.gov and will be accepted until 5 p.m., Friday, February 7, 2025 Garfield County reserves the right to accept or reject any or all applications. Garfield County is an equal opportunity employer.

Position Announcements

POSITIONS AVAILABLE: Garfield County School District is hiring for the following positions. For the application process and description of each, please see the district website www.garfk12.org

Head Volleyball Coach at Bryce Valley High Athletic Announcer at Bryce Valley High Substitute/Activity Bus Drivers

Para-Professionals/Aides at All Schools Substitutes for Teachers, Custodians, and Food Service Workers

SALARY: Please see 2024-2025 Garfield County School Districts Classified, District Office, and Certified Salary Schedules on the district website.

QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants must be fingerprinted and satisfactorily pass an employment background check.

Garfield County School District is an equal opportunity employer. Garfield County School District reserves the right to accept or reject any or all applications.

Torrey Town Treasurer

This staff position is part-time with the potential to be full-time. See the job description below and send your resume to Pat@torreyutah.gov

Torrey is looking for an individual with the following experience.

Job Description: The town treasurer is responsible for managing the town's finances, including receiving, accounting for, depositing, and investing public funds. The treasurer acts as the custodian of all town money, bonds, and other securities.

Duties:

1. Receive Public Funds: Collect all taxes, licenses, fines, and intergovernmental revenues payable to the town.

2. Maintain Accurate Records: Keep detailed accounts of all money received and ensure compliance with the Uniform Fiscal Procedures Act for Utah Cities.

3. Invest Public Funds: Determine the cash requirements of the town and invest funds according to the procedures and requirements of the Utah Money Management Act.

4. Prepare Reports: Prepare and file all reports required by state and town codes.

5. Collect Special Taxes and Assessments: Collect all special taxes and assessments as provided by law and ordinance.

6. Attend Meetings: Attend city council meetings, work sessions, public hearings, and other city meetings as required.

7. Reconcile Accounts: Reconcile cash and investment accounts and ensure sufficient funds are available to meet the town's payable and payroll requirements.

8. Manage Budget: Create and manage the town's budget.

9. Oversee Collections: Oversee the collection of public funds and coordinate with appropriate departments for remedies.

10. Manage Water System Billing and Reporting: Oversee the billing and reporting for the town's water system, ensuring accurate meter readings, timely billing, and proper collection of payments. Maintain records of water usage and generate reports as needed.

MEETINGS

TROPIC AA MEETING

Wednesday at 6 PM. Tropic Heritage Center. All meetings are closed discussion.

Escalante AA

Meeting

Winter schedule: Tues. & Fri. at 6pm Call 435-676-3653

All meetings are closed discussion

sudoku

Answers for this week

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

Wayne Community Health Center

Dental Assistant at WCHC Bicknell / Escalante Dental

Join our team as a motivated Dental Assistant

Are you a dedicated and enthusiastic individual seeking a rewarding career in the dental Field?

• Bicknell Dental is currently seeking a Part Time or Full-Time Dental Assistant to become a valuable member of our dynamic team.

• Escalante Dental is currently seeking a Part-Time Dental Assistant to join our dynamic team. Why choose Bicknell/Escalante Dental?

• Competitive benefits package tailored to your working hours

• An inclusive and supportive work environment

• Opportunity for professional growth and development

Position Overview:

As a Dental Assistant at Bicknell/Escalante Dental, you will play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth and efficient operation of our dental practice. Your responsibilities will include:

• Interacting with patients in a friendly and compassionate manner

• Proficiently taking X-rays and supporting chair-side procedures

• Managing scheduling, charting, and documenting dental visits using computer systems

• Ensuring thorough sterilization of dental instruments

• Setting up and maintaining a clean and organized operatory and office space

Preferred Qualifications (not required):

We value experience, but are also excited to provide training to individuals new to the field. If you have any of the following qualifications, it’s a plus:

• Dental assisting experience

• Exposure to Pediatric, Endodontic, Oral Surgery, and General Dentistry

• Familiarity with computer charting and Digital X-rays

• X-ray Certification

• CPR Certification How to Apply: We encourage all interested candidates to apply, regardless of your level of experience. I you’re passionate about dental health and eager to contribute to a supportive team, we want to hear from you! Please email your resume to aellett@waynechc.org and take the first step toward an exciting career with Bicknell/ Escalante Dental. Join us in making a difference in the lives of our patients. Apply today!

The Wayne Community Health Centers are committed to providing high quality health services to our communities’ residents and visitors. Its purpose is to provide quality health services to all people including those facing financial, geographic and/or cultural barriers to healthcare.

Medical Assistant at Kazan Memorial Clinic

Job Opening: 1 Full-Time Medical Assistant and 1 As Needed Medical Assistant

We are seeking a dedicated, professional, and compassionate Medical Assistant to join our team. The ideal candidate will provide excellent patient care, assist in clinical and administrative tasks, and work collaboratively with our healthcare providers. Offering a full-time position and an as-needed position.

Location: Kazan Memorial Clinic

Key Responsibilities:

• Greet and prepare patients for examinations and procedures

• Take and record patient histories, vital signs, and other necessary information

• Assist physicians with exams, treatments, and minor procedures

• Administer medications, injections, and vaccinations as directed by physicians Prepare and sterilize medical equipment

• Schedule patient appointments and manage patient flow

• Maintain accurate patient records and assist with billing and coding

• Handle patient inquiries and provide excellent customer service

• Ensure the cleanliness and organization of exam rooms and work areas

• Support the overall operation of the medical office Qualifications:

• Certification as a Medical Assistant (CMA, RMA, or equivalent) is preferred but on-the-job training is available.

• High school diploma or equivalent required

• Minimum of 1 year of experience in a clinical setting preferred

• Knowledge of medical terminology, office procedures, and basic clinical tasks

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills

• Ability to multi-task and stay organized in a fast-paced environment

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and medical software systems Compensation: Competitive wage based on experience

• Medical & Dental Benefits

- Full-Time Employee’s Benefits are covered in full.

- Employees pay 50% of the cost for dependents.

• After a year of full-time employment, Long Term Disability is purchased by WCHC & paid 50% by employee

• Eligible for Life Insurance up to 50k at no cost after 60 days.

• Eligible for supplemental insurance through Aflac/Liberty National.

• 401K is offered on the day of hire—WCHC Matches up to 5%. After 60 days.

• Flex Spending: You will be eligible on January 1st.

• 4 hours of sick leave accrued a pay period.

• 4 hours annual leave accrued a pay period. (Cannot exceed 240 hrs.)

• 8 hours holiday pay:

- New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth (June 19th), July 4th, July 24th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving day, The day after Thanksgiving (instead of Veterans Day), Christmas Day

Employees and Families also get a percentage discount in each department. (Medical, Dental, Pharmacy)

How to Apply: Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume to josiem@waynechc.org

We look forward to welcoming a new member to our team, which is committed to providing exceptional patient care! Wayne Community Health Centers Inc. is an equal-opportunity employer. The Wayne Community Health Centers are committed to providing high quality health services to our communities’ residents and visitors. Its purpose is to provide quality health services to all people including those facing financial,