The Morgan County News | February 3, 2023

MHS Science Olympiad team

Had the opportunity to participate in a regional competition.

9

MORGAN COUNTY NEWS

Since 1929

Spirit Squad places third at state against 4A schools

By Verlene Johnson

Morgan High School competed in state competition Wed. Jan. 25. at Salt Lake Community College. This was the first year this event was sanctioned as a 3A/4A competition, which meant that MHS spirit squad, coming from a 3A school competed

against several 4A schools.

While the southern division had two weeks after regional to fix their routines, the northern division only had to day to improve before going to state.

Two 4A schools came out on top claiming first and second place, while MHS spirit squad placed third edging out the other 4A schools and all the 3A school.

Governor signs education funding bill for teacher raises and school choice

By Becky Ginos

SALT LAKE CITY—A controversial bill that provides $8,000 scholarships to qualifying families for private schools and a $6,000 pay raise to teachers passed through both the House and Senate last week and was signed by the governor on Jan. 28.

HB215 caused a debate about whether taxpayer money should be diverted from public schools into private schools. The bill is intended to give parents a choice in education.

Senate Majority Assistant Whip Sen. Kirk Cullimore sponsored the bill.

“I’m ecstatic the bill passed,” he said during media availability following the vote. “To get the support from the House and Senate is thrilling.”

This won’t be implemented for about a year and a half so that gives us an opportunity to look at this and fine tune it, said Cullimore.

“Many states have done this and been very successful,” said Senate President Stuart Adams. “We’re getting good ideas from them. The bill is crafted after those states.”

Sen. Kathleen Riebe, D-Cottonwood Heights voiced her concerns about the bill. “I’m a veteran teacher,” she said. “I think it needs a lot more accountability and transparency. Teachers will enjoy the raise short term but the long-term impact to the education system is alarming to me.”

“We have a lot of children per

Their coach Sue Kelsey said, “I’m super proud of them and I think they did awesome!”

The spirit squad took third place in show cheer, third place in sideline time out cheer, fifth in sideline fight song and third in sideline dance.

SQUAD on page 3

SENATE LEADERSHIP TALKS to the media after HB215 passed out of the Senate Jan. 26. The bill was signed by the governor Jan. 28.

capita in Utah,” said Minority Leader Sen. Luz Escamilla. “We value children and families. Public education is what historically has made us different from other countries in the world. It is the great equalizer for the American dream. We want to make sure what we do in the legislature works because these are taxpayer funds. I think accountability is critical so we need to find that accountability

balance.”

“This is really important to the education community,” said Rep. Melissa Ballard, R-North Salt Lake. “When vouchers came up I always voted against it. With HB215 I concluded there were enough votes to pass it.”

There’s no question it wasn’t popular in the public sector, she said.

HB215 on page 5

Items to remove from cars in freezing weather

Residents are being reminded to remove some items from their vehicles during this cold snap which can be damaged by extreme temperatures. Technology items top the list, as many people neglect to remove items such as phones, laptops, GPS devices, and others from their cars only to see them break as a result. Food products, especially vegetables, canned products, and bottled goods are also sources of spoilage. Medication can also be impacted by freezing temperatures, as can musical instruments and cleaning products.

Texas zoo offers buggy revenge

The San Antonio Zoo is once again offering patrons the unique, if somewhat dark, chance to name a cockroach after an ex and have it fed to one of the zoo’s animals. The naming rights for a snack cost $10, a cost which directly goes to paying for the zoo’s budget. Individuals who feel that a cockroach is too strong a message to a former flame can instead choose a vegetable for $5 or a rodent for $25. Additionally, a recorded message to the named individual can be purchased for $150. The zoo saw 8,000 people participate last year, and claims to be on track for an even bigger return this year.

Photo by Becky Ginos

CHEER TEAM PERFORMING side line cheer.

Photo by Roxanne Ovard

Trojan Wrestlers win region title; will host divisionals Feb. 3 and 4

By Liisa London Mecham

With their 35-30 win over South Summit Thursday, January 26, Morgan claimed the Region 13 title–an honor they have earned several consecutive years. Thursday also marked the last home dual of the season and Senior Night for the eight graduating seniors on the boys’ team. Reese Carter, Brayden Porter, Taite Toone, Donavin Gibson, Rylan Crowther, Rylee Creasey, Aydon Thomson and Cole Keele were honored before the match and recognized along with their families.

Coach Dustin Rock praised his group of seniors. “They have shown great senior leadership this year. I’m excited to see what the future holds for each of these young men.”

In the match, the Trojans faced a tough Wildcat team. In the opening match, Max Holtry (106) fell by pin (1:28) before Luke Woolsey took an 8-2 decision at 113 pounds. Ryler Jorgensen (120 pounds) got the pin (4:57), and at 126 pounds, Drew Korth earned the tech fall (16-1) in the third period. After four matches, Morgan led 14-6.

The next three matches went to South Summit by decision with Maverick Guymon (132) taking a 6-0 loss, Taite Toone (138) falling 9-4 and Skyler Crowther (144) suffering a 9-5 loss. South Summit pulled ahead 15-14 with the three decisions. At 150, Rylan Crowther won by fall (3:45), and Zak Sargent earned a 7-6 decision to reclaim the lead for the Trojans 23-15.

The 165 and 175 pound matches went to South Summit by fall with Gabe Toone and Lance Toone taking the losses. South Summit surged ahead with the two pins to lead 27-23. Morgan’s Rylee Creasey (190) and Aydon Thomson (215) both earned falls with Creasey’s coming in the second period (2:47) and Thomson’s in the first (1:46). The two pins sealed the win for the Trojans putting them up 35-27 going into the final match of the night.

At 285 pounds, Cole Keele lost a close match by decision 4-1, but the Wildcats couldn’t catch the Trojans with the three points from the decision. The final score was 35-30, and Morgan celebrated Senior Night with another Region 13 wrestling title.

Coach Rock said, “It’s always fun to beat South Summit in a close dual and to add a trophy to the case, but the real events are the next two weeks. We’ve been working for divisionals and state all year. I’m looking forward to the next two weeks and watching what our team can accomplish.”

The Trojans will host the Girls 3A Divisional A and B Tournaments on

Boys basketball outlast Ogden and South Summit at home

By Jackson Woolsey

Wednesday, Jan. 25, the Ogden Tigers hit the road to take on the Morgan Trojans on their home court. Going into the matchup, the Tigers held a 3-0 record in Region 13, while the Trojans' record was 2-1, with their only loss coming from Grantsville.

The Trojan defense was tenacious as they only allowed the Tigers to put up 35 points on the night, but their defense wasn't the only thing going well for the Trojans; their offense was firing on all cylinders. In the game, 10 different Trojans got on the board. Three players scored in double figures, Eli Bailey, Kolton Asay and Joseph Weight. Bailey led the squad with 13 points, and Josh Criddle pulled down a team high of 8 rebounds.

Thursday's matchup against the Wildcats was more of a challenge for Morgan as South Summit's late scoring surge pushed the game to a 6 point difference.

Morgan came out with a 6 point win with the final score of 56-50. The Trojans improved their record to 4-1 in region. Derek Tilby recorded a team high of 12 points, while Luke Olson put in 10. l

Wednesday, Feb. 1, and the 3A Boys Divisional B Tournament Friday and Saturday, Feb. 3-4. Headed into Divisionals, Coach Rock is excited to see how his wrestlers perform and anticipates a large group advancing to state based on their season performance. The Trojans will enter 28 wrestlers in the divisional tournament. Wrestlers who place in the top eight at divisionals advance to the 3A State championships that will be held Feb. 15-16 in Richfield.

Wednesday, Jan. 25, the Trojans traveled to Nephi for a match up against Juab. The Wasps have won the state championship the past several years and always provide excellent matches. Morgan fell to Juab 48 to 18. Four Morgan wrestlers recorded victories against the Wasps. Cole Keele opened the dual with an overtime victory 2-1 in the heavyweight division (285 pounds). Luke Woolsey (113) earned a first period pin in 1:45, while Drew Korth (126) pinned his opponent even quicker in 43 seconds. In Zak Sargent’s 157 pound bout, he entered the third period down 0-4, but didn’t give up. In the final period, Sargent scored a take down

MORGAN’S EIGHT SENIOR BOYS WRESTLERS: Donavin Gibson, Reese Carter, Rylan Crowther, Rylee Creasey, Cole Keele, Aydon Thomson, Braydon Porter and Taite Toone.

and three point near fall to win the match 5-4. Morgan versus Juab, Juab 48: Morgan 18 285: Cole Keele (MHS) over Ty Blackburn (JHS) (TB-1 2-1), 106: Braxten Blackett (JHS) over Max Holtry (MHS) (MD 12-4), 113: Luke Woolsey (MHS) over Hayden Adams (JHS) (Fall 1:45), 120: Rowdey Peterson (JHS) over Ryler Jorgensen (MHS) (TF 15-0 4:28), 126: Drew Korth (MHS) over Porter Anderson (JHS) (Fall 0:43), 132: Garrett Perry (JHS) over Maverick Guymon (MHS) (Dec 7-5), 138: Gabriel Perry (JHS) over Taite Toone (MHS) (MD 12-3), 144: Benedict Holthaus (JHS) over Skyler Crowther (MHS) (TF 15-0 4:00), 150: Chase Ingram (JHS) over Rylan Crowther (MHS) (Fall 1:16), 157: Zak Sargent (MHS) over Dakota Lynn (JHS) (Dec 5-4), 165: Taylor Newton (JHS) over Gabe Toone (MHS) (Fall 3:55), 175: Will Harmon (JHS) over Lance Toone (MHS) (Fall 2:32), 190: Logan Holdaway (JHS) over Rylee Creasey (MHS) (Fall 3:18), 215: Aiden Seely (JHS) over Aydon Thomson (MHS) (Dec 4-3). l

The Lady Trojans basketball team had two road games this week as they continued region play. Tuesday, they traveled to Ogden to face the Tigers, and on Thursday, they made the trip to South Summit high school to take on the Wildcats.

Against the Tigers, the Trojans got an 11 point win. Morgan had control almost the entire game, especially in the first quarter, after dominating on both ends of the court. The Trojan defense forced the Tigers into many turnovers and only allowed them to score 8 points in the first frame and 6 points in the second.

In the 53-42 win, two players for Morgan scored in double figures, Alyvia Jaffa and Elena Birkeland. Jaffa finished with 16, while Birkleland had 15.

Just two days later, the Lady Trojans had to take another road trip to South Summit. A big third quarter gave them the edge and a 60-41 win. In that quarter, Morgan outscored South Summit 24-13.

In the outing, Jaffa recorded yet another double digit game, scoring 16 points. Birkeland followed with 8, Amaya Rogers and Mazzy Bailey totaled 7 points each. In the game, four different Trojans knocked down a shot from the three point line. After this win, Morgan improved their overall record to 14-5 and their region record to 5-1 going into the final weeks of region play. l

Lady Trojans continue their dominance in region play

Photo by Lynzee Ouellete

MORGAN’S EIGHT SENIOR BOYS and one senior girl were honored with their families before the South Summit dual.

Photo by Trudy Toone

THE TROJANS WON the Region 13 Wrestling Title with a 35-30 win over South Summit Thursday, Jan. 26.

Photo by Trudy Toone

SQUAD

from page 1

The MHS spirit squad is made up of Cheerleaders and the Dance team

CHEER COACHES

Sue Ann Kelsey

Ben Nagai

Bailey Purser

Katie Jensen

SENIORS

Alyssa White

Capri Rich

Kerigan Ovard

Jacey Woolsey

Sidney Hottenstein

JUNIORS

Alyssa Bodily

Aubrey Dutson

Brielle Milligan

Caidince Averett

Charlee Breshears

Hailey Swalberg

Kylie Hansen

Madi Winn

Megan Murray

SOPHMORES

Ally Larsen

Aubryn Jones

Ava Conger

Avery Wilde

Brooklyn Whiting

Elle Blackett

Erica Davis

Ivory Hale

Kadence Toone

Kate Anderson

Lindsey Bowcutt

Madi Gale

FRESHMAN

Avery Garrett

Brielle Jackson

Brynlee Greenwald

Cloe Jones

Hallye Limb

Lauren Kobe

Lexi Larsen

DANCE COACHES

Azuree Ball

Tayler Jackson

SENIORS

Alix Miller

Helen Holding

Jayden Limb

JUNIORS

Ally Rowser

Brooklyn McKay

Ellie Watts

Emme Palmer

Lainey Hansen

SOPHOMORES

Abbie Briggs

Chevelle Dickson

Emma Nielson

Kynzie Zuech

Maddie Penrod

Sariah Johansen

Taegan Polad

Tessa Whimpey

FRESHMEN

Brynn Garner

Chaselyn Weeks

Gracie McGregor

Lucy Montgomery

Mae Godfrey

Miley Martinson

Violet Webster

MHS CHEER SQUAD performs at the state competition.

CHEER TEAM performing show cheer. (Right) Aly White winning the jump off competition state.

SPIRIT SQUAD performing side line dance together.

SPIRIT SQUAD performing together at state.

A LOOK BACK

Bryan Scott | bryan.s@thecityjournals.com

Becky Ginos | becky.g@davisjournal.com

Alisha Copfer | alisha.c@davisjournal.com

| rachel.c@themorgannews.com

Morgan City withdraws from Idaho Carbon Free Power Project

By Linda Petersen

Morgan City Council members have decided to pull the city out of the Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems Carbon Free Power Project. The project, a proposed nuclear plant near Idaho Falls, was expected to be able to provide cost-efficient power to Morgan and other cities in the Intermountain West but already, six years before the anticipated opening of the project, it is running into problems. One of those is projected cost overruns which has left Morgan City officials nervous about the city’s financial exposure.

The Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems is a state entity that provides wholesale electric-energy, transmission and other energy services to community-owned power systems in the Intermountain West. The majority of its 48 members are smaller cities in Utah. With its participation, taking on 1.2066 percent of the development cost share, Morgan would have received 1,398 kilowatts of power.

Projected costs for the six 77 megawatt power module nuclear plant, to be located at the Idaho National Laboratory near Idaho Falls, have increased significantly in the last couple of years. The proposed project recently underwent some analysis after projections determined that cost projections need to be increased, according to a Jan. 4 UAMPS letter that was sent to participating agencies.

HB215

from page 1

“The question is ‘what do we do now?’ It allows students to straddle between private and public education.”

It will provide more academic and financial accountability, said Ballard. “It will be a separate bank account that is audited and there will be a state assessment that the school has to show proof of progress. Homeschools don’t have to show anything right now.”

HB215 is what it is, she said. “Whether you like the process or not we have to decide ‘what now?’ The public education system needs to go to work.”

The Democratic Caucus was also opposed to the bill and released this statement: “We are disappointed to see the passage of HB215. Our children are the cornerstone and future of our state and their education should be one of our foremost priorities. Over 90 percent of Utah’s schoolage children attend public schools. This bill puts taxpayer dollars that could be meaningfully invested into our public schools into exclusive and unregulated private schools without any accountability. As Utah House democrats, we are passionate about ensuring our incredible public school teachers have their pay increased. Teacher pay should not be tied to the passage of a school voucher program. Our teachers and our children deserve better.”

“This bill strikes a good balance,” said Gov. Cox in a statement after signing the bill. “More than 90 percent of parents support Utah schools and so do we. Our top priority this session has been a significant increase in teacher compensation and education funding. We commend the legislature for supporting our teacher pay proposal which will help address the state’s teacher shortage and give Utah teachers the much-needed pay raise they deserve. We also appreciate that HB215 gives Utah parents additional options to meet the needs of their families. School choice works best when we adequately fund public education and we remove unnecessary regulations that burden our public schools and make it difficult for them to succeed. We are especially appreciative of our teachers and education leaders who helped push for more accountability measures which were not included in the original bill.”

HB215 passed by a two-thirds margin in both the House and Senate making it so it can’t be challenged by referendum. l

The total cost of acquisition and construction of the project is now expected to be $9, 336 million, significantly higher than previous estimates, according to the letter. UAMPS indicated that these new figures are due to inflation, increased commodity prices and increased interest rates. These numbers show that instead of power from the plant being available to members at $58/MWh, what they were promised, it is going to be $89/MWh.

This means it fails what is called the Economic Competitiveness Test and allows participating entities to exit the project. The UAMPS letter gave member cities the option of withdrawing, reducing their participation or continuing their current commitment level.

Another factor which made city officials uncomfortable was the lack of new communities participating in the project. Although UAMPS has presented it to several communities, none have chosen to subscribe in the last two years.

“Whether you’re for or against nuclear [power], zero subscription is a huge concern for me.” City Manager Ty Bailey said in a Jan. 24 work session. “You can have all the interest you want, but until somebody is willing to sign up and become part of the project, you really don’t have momentum.”

Another concern Bailey and city council members expressed was how little power Morgan would have in decisions about the project going forward, particularly if the city’s portion of the debt was increased.

“To be responsible with our public and utility and public funds it’s the cost of the money, but it’s also what’s in our control,” Bailey said. “If we stay in and just ride it out what we’re saying is no matter what happens, we’re along for that ride where internally it still might be expensive but it’s also an investment in our system that helps us keep the lights on, whatever that cost is.”

Two years ago when Morgan City officials voted to rejoin the project (Morgan had previously been a member but opted out), this move would have been inconceivable, Bailey said, but now the city has several other options for providing future power to its residents and businesses.

I’m really hopeful on alternatives; I didn’t have that last time,” Bailey said. “I looked around at doing hydro, doing internal generation and everything looked like a dead-end road, but a lot of that was due to our current billing. We averaged 54 cents, and this project was right in line with those costs but at 89 or 90 cents it gives us some other options; you can consider some of those alternatives. Not only that —some of the market rates these last two seasons have been astronomical. So I’m confident that we can get an internal project put together.”

Those alternatives include solar power from a possible future solar farm, grid-scale batteries, natural gas generation facilities and a potentially large future customer coming on board that could share some of the variable load, he said.

The possibility of USDA or Department of Energy grants which may be made available under the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Infrastructure Act could allow Morgan the resources to generate enough new power that it would not need to seek it from outside sources such as the UAMPS project, Bailey said.

Ultimately after prolonged discussion on the issue in the work session and public meeting that evening, the city council voted unanimously to leave the project. Members of the city council said that this was a difficult decision.

“We’re trying to make these decisions with the best information that we have at the time,” Councilmember Eric Turner said. “I think someone said we can either look like real fools or real heroes by the decision tonight but we’re trying to do the best that we can with the information that we got. I wish we could see into the future; I wish we could see where this is going but it’s hard to do that so we’re just trying to make the best decision that we can with the information that we have.”

With its exit, Morgan City will have to pay its portion of the debt which it committed to when it signed up to the project, at this point, $335,000. However, Bailey said he has been putting funds aside from the city’s involvement in other UAMPS projects to cover more than $238,000, most of that amount. Morgan will have a year to pay the balance. l

Local church in Mountain Green officially organizes

By Rachel Cordeiro

The congregants of Morgan Valley Church in Mountain Green gathered on Sunday, Jan. 29, for the organizational service of their church.

In 2016, Triumph Baptist Church near Warrenton, Virginia, was led by the Holy Spirit to support evangelical Christians in Morgan County who were meeting together as a local assembly. They sent Brent Harm to help lead this effort, and Morgan Valley Church began meeting in June 2016 under his leadership as pastor.

Located in a part of the county where there is limited available space to meet together as a group, the church initially met in conference rooms at the Scotsman Center in Mountain Green for their weekly Sunday gatherings, which was the perfect fit for their needs at that time. Currently, they meet at Mountain Green Middle School, where they have gathered on Sunday mornings since 2020.

The leadership of the church has stated that the recent organizational service won’t change how Morgan Valley Church operates, nor what they consider their mission and responsibility as a church; rather, it is a formal declara-

tion of individuals who have publicly committed to being joined together as members, choosing to meet in a local assembly under the leadership of Christ and in the care and oversight of pastor-elders.

Traditionally, these types of ceremonies can vary even within a particular denomination, but typically the day is set aside as an opportunity for members to sign an official charter, documenting their membership. The procedure also includes a review of the church’s readiness to operate independently while outlining its governance structure within that specific congregation.

When questioned for comment, Pastor Brent Harm mentioned that many ask some common questions on the matter of church policy regarding how authority works within this structure and how it might differ from the magisterial or more centralized organizational constructs of other religions. Others might be curious how it prevents any individual dissenter from starting their own sect or doctrine or from devolving into a raw democracy in which decisions are made on the basis of emotion or desire or populism instead of biblical principle and objectivity.

“These are good questions,” Harm

said, stating in his answer that “an organizational service is really about the transition of authority. While the Morgan Valley Church was a church plant, our doctrine and practice were subject to the oversight of our sending church, Triumph Baptist Church. The charter service we recently celebrated was a formal transfer of authority to the local body of Christians, endorsed by our sending church. Now, in submission to the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ, the leaders of the Morgan Valley Church oversee the flock and are, in turn, held accountable to and through the congregation for their faithfulness to this task.”

Harm shared further that the details are available on the church’s website in its Constitution and Bylaws, which can be found at www.morganvalleychurch.org in the “About Us” section. “We invite anyone interested to explore these documents, and we are available to discuss this, or any other matters, through the contact us section posted on the website,” said Harm.

As the people of Morgan Valley Church gathered this past Sunday to affirm their commitment as members, it was a significant occasion in the church’s history and a milestone to be celebrated. l

Fluctuating egg prices and future supplies

Compiled by Alisha Copfer

The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service Mountain Regional Field Office recently released a report on the total egg production numbers.

UTAH

Utah egg production during December 2022 was 153.7 million eggs, up 6% from November 2022 but down 8% from December 2021 production, according to the Mountain Regional Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA. The average number of layers on hand during December 2022 was 5.91 million, up 6% from November 2022 but down 5% from last year. Eggs per 100 layers were 2,602 eggs, down 3% from last year.

UNITED STATES

United States egg production totaled 9.12 billion during December 2022, down 6% from last year. Production included 7.83 billion

table eggs and 1.29 billion hatching eggs, of which 1.19 billion were broiler-type and 100 million were egg-type. The total number of layers during December 2022 averaged 374 million, down 5% from last year. December egg production per 100 layers was 2,435 eggs, down 1% from December 2021.

All layers in the United States on Jan. 1, 2023 totaled 373 million, down 5% from last year. The 373 million layers consisted of 306 million layers producing table or market-type eggs, 63.0 million layers producing broiler-type hatching eggs and 3.83 million layers producing egg-type hatching eggs. Rate of lay per day on Jan. 1, 2023, averaged 78.2 eggs per 100 layers, down 1% from Jan. 1, 2022.

Egg-type chicks hatched during December 2022 totaled 48 million, down slightly from December 2021. Eggs in incubators totaled 49.2 million on Jan. 1, 2023, up 6% from a year ago.

Domestic placements of egg-type

pullet chicks for future hatchery supply flocks by leading breeders totaled 217,000 during December 2022, up 1% from December 2021.

Broiler-type chicks hatched during December 2022 totaled 854 million, up 1% from December 2021. Eggs in incubators totaled 719 million on Jan. 1, 2023, up 1% from a year ago.

Leading breeders placed 9.16 million broiler-type pullet chicks for future domestic hatchery supply flocks during December 2022, up 2% from December 2021.

The Chickens and Eggs survey provides information on the current supplies of eggs and on future supplies based on the size of the laying flock, number of replacement pullets, and placements in breeding flocks. Flocks with more than 30,000 layers account for over 81% of all layers.

Primary data for the Chickens and Eggs report are from weekly and monthly questionnaires sent to producers. l

Utah must be nimble to adapt to an evolving landscape

By Robert Spendlove Zions Bank Senior Economist

To survive and thrive in our changing environment, all businesses must remain nimble and responsive to the needs of a growing population. I recently toured Lone Peak Hospital in southern Salt Lake County and was impressed by their mastery of this concept.

Lone Peak, located in the heart of one of the fastest growing areas of Utah, has adapted to the constantly changing economic and demographic landscape around it. Although the hospital opened its doors only 10 years ago, it just completed a major expansion, including nearly doubling its bed count and expanding its women’s services, surgical services and interventional radiology services.

But even as well as Lone Peak Hospital is doing, it can’t stop now; it must, like any other business that wants to thrive, continue considering – and responding to – the economic and demographic changes around it.

Our state continues to grow. Utah’s

population topped 3.4 million last year, and grew by more than 61,000 people, according to the recently released 2023 Economic Report to the Governor. This is like adding a new city the size of Herriman every year. And Utah remains one of the fastest growing states in the nation.

Our birth rate is slowing. One of the traditional unique characteristics of Utah’s population growth is that because of our high fertility rate, most of the population growth has come from “natural increase” − the number of births minus deaths in the year. However, in recent years Utah’s fertility rate dropped and is now lower than South Dakota, Nebraska and North Dakota. But Utah recently saw a resurgence in births. For the first time since 2008, Utah births increased in 2022, topping 46,000.

Migration is driving our growth.

Utah has seen a migration surge in recent years. The Utah Population Committee estimates that net migration (in-migration minus out-migration) brought more than 38,000 new residents

to our state in 2022. This represents 62% of Utah’s total population growth and it is the highest number of people moving into the Beehive State in a single year.

Growth is a bane and a boon. There is no doubt that our state has struggled under the weight of high population growth and high migration. Population growth puts greater strains on roads, schools, housing, public utilities, natural resources and social services. It is vital for civic leaders across the state to appropriately plan for population growth and build the infrastructure necessary to support these new residents. And we must all adjust to higher demand for our limited resources as the population grows.

However, while population growth produces challenges, it is much better than the alternative. Many states in our country are currently experiencing the struggles of population loss. In these states, governments struggle to fix roads, bridges and infrastructure; businesses struggle with decreasing demand as customers move away; and housing

price growth slows or drops as people leave. On the other side of the world, China just announced that for the first time since 1961 the country’s population shrank. A shrinking population will cause the supply of workers to shrink, which may cause productivity and overall economic growth to languish. Supporting the needs of China’s aging population will place a greater strain on workers and taxpayers as the dependency ratio increases.

Utah is fortunate to have unmatched natural beauty, a high quality of life and a strong and vibrant economy. Businesses are attracted to our state because of our strong and growing workforce, which is driven by strong population growth. And nimble companies and communities will be able to thrive in our growing state. “We’ve been caring for people and improving lives in Utah for a long time, and we’re committed to evolving with the communities here,” Greg Angle, president of MountainStar Healthcare, said in a recent news release. Other businesses who want to thrive should follow suit. l

Utah Department of Natural Resources drought update

By Michael Sanchez Utah Division of Water Resources

SALT LAKE CITY—Consistent storms and cooler temperatures have brought Utah’s snowpack statewide to 183% of normal for this time of year, which makes this the best winter (so far) that we’ve seen in almost 20 years! With a little more than two months left for the state to accumulate snow, the state needs these conditions to continue for effective spring runoff.

“These snow totals are a welcome sight and have given a much-needed boost to our snowpack,” Candice Hasenyager, director of the Division of Water Resources, said. “Every basin in Utah is reporting over 150% of normal snowpack. This is great news, especially for basins such as the Upper and Lower Sevier, which have seen dwindling water supplies in the last few years.”

Almost 100% of the state is still in some form of drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. The authors have downgraded the level of exceptional drought (the worst category) in Utah to 0%. The last time this happened was May 31, 2022. The state is still in the second and third worst categories of drought (se-

A LOOK BACK

February 19, 1931

Summit County Dairy Herds wins honors

The Salt Lake Summit Dairy Herd Improvement Association is testing at present 39 herds with 740 cows in Salt Lake - Summit, Tooele and Davis counties and their report just issued for the period, Dec. 6, 1930 to Feb. 5, 1931, show some interesting results for Summit county. Of the 15 high cows in the association, J.J. Dahl wins second with his cow Lass, 130.4 lbs. fat in 60 days.

A.E. Mills wins 10th and 15th and A.W. Gibbons wins 11th place. In the 5 high herds of from 10 to 20 cows A.E. Mills wins first, his 18 cows averaging 60.7 lbs. of fat, and A.M. Gibbons wins third his 12 cows averaging 54.8 lbs. fat. The six herds testing in Summit county are J.J. Dahl, P.M. McPolin, C.H. Crittenden, A.M. Gibbons, K.B. Hixon and A.E. Mills.

These men are to be congratulated on their winnings.

vere and extreme), and it'll take multiple years of above-average snowpack to refill our reservoirs.

“This is good news, but we have a long road ahead to recover from this prolonged drought,” Hasenyager said. “We

must continue to use our water wisely to see the full benefits of the new snow added to our snowpack.”

At-a-glance highlights:

• Great Salt Lake has risen a foot since its historic low set in early Novem-

ber 2022. This is due to direct precipitation and inflows to the lake. Experts are also working to understand how the causeway breach modification that occurred last summer might be impacting the quick rise in lake levels. For context, the lake rose just over a foot all of last year. We are off to a good start as we look toward spring runoff.

• According to the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Utah’s statewide snow water equivalent (SWE) is 183% of normal. The only years that have had more snow on this date since the SNOTEL network was installed were 1984, 1997 and 2005. This makes this the best winter (so far) that we've seen in almost 20 years!

• Thirty of the 47 reservoirs the division monitors are below 55%, which is about the same as last year but still about 10% lower than normal for this time of year.

• Of the 71 measured streams, 18 are currently flowing below normal. The number of streams measured has decreased due to ice on the stream gauges.

• Residents can find water-saving tips at SlowtheFlow.Org. l

Research shows new car safety features can help with crash reduction

At a time when highway fatalities are on the rise, new research shows that the widespread adoption of the latest vehicle safety features could mean fewer crashes and safer roads. However, it could be awhile before we see the full benefits of these advancements.

“With drivers holding onto their vehicles for 10 years or more, it could take many years before the fleet fully turns over,” says Rini Sherony, senior principal engineer, Toyota Collaborative Safety Research Center.

But what if every vehicle on the road was fully equipped with crash-prevention features? And how do engineers identify which new vehicle safety features to prioritize next? To find out, Toyota Collaborative Safety Research Center and Virginia Tech teamed up to research the potential benefits that different safety systems have in various crash scenarios.

The team took real-world crashes and reconstructed the data, performing multiple crash simulations. They started modeling with more traditional “passive” safety features, like the latest vehicle structures, and extended their work to include such technologies as automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot warning, etc. Assuming full deployment and optimal activation of safety features, such as those that were modeled, their research showed that over half of all U.S. crashes could be avoided and nearly 60% of moderate to seri-

ous injuries could be mitigated. At the same time, the research also identified what types of crashes are likely to still occur even if these safety features were deployed.

The research center has made the study’s data, found at toyota.com/ CSRC, publicly available so that automakers, policymakers, technology research universities and tech companies can work together to continue to make safety gains and fill the crash prevention gap.

“While drivers can’t avoid every danger on the road, our research shows that safety systems have the potential to be very effective in reducing the risk

and severity of crashes,” says Sherony. “It’s important to know that most automakers offer features like lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, audio warnings and steering assist (often with additional functionality).

When you search for your next car, consider these features, even possibly opting for those that do not come standard-equipped. We hope that as drivers continue to adopt and use such technologies, we will be able to realize more of the accident mitigation and prevention benefits that they can offer, resulting in safer roads for everybody.”

The Great Salt Lake has risen a foot since its historic low set in early November 2022.

Photo by Tom Haraldsen

SHERIFF’S DISPATCH

Following are recent calls officers responded to from the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s office responded to a total of 139 calls from Jan. 21 through Jan. 26. Any arrests are listed as reported, and all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty and convicted.

CROYDON

Jan. 22 - Motorist assist, Welfare check

ENTERPRISE

Jan. 22 - Wildlife prob

Jan. 26 - Family disturb, Animal control

MILTON

Jan. 23 - Hit and run, Assist OJ

Jan. 25 - Traffic stop

Jan. 26 - Premises check

MORGAN

Jan. 20 - Welfare check, Traffic stop (3), Susp vehicle, Blood tech

Jan. 21 - Fireworks, Traffic stop (3), Follow up, Wildlife prob

Jan. 22 - Premises check, Fraud, Traffic stop (7)

Jan. 23 - Extra patrol, Follow up, Assist, Traffic stop (2), Premises check

Jan. 24 - Susp person, Traffic stop (8), Premises check, Damage property,

Assist

Jan. 25 - Shuttle, House check, 24A

Pregnancy, Traffic stop (3), Paper service (3), Susp circumstan

Jan. 26 - Vehicle theft, Assist OJ, Traffic stop (4)

MOUNTAIN GREEN

Jan. 20 - Suicide threat

Jan. 21 - Traffic stop (2)

Jan. 22 - Traffic stop (6)

Jan. 23 - Premises check, Threats, Traffic hazard

Jan. 24 - Custodial inter, Family disturb

Jan. 26 - Wildlife prob, Traffic acc, Traffic stop (4)

PETERSON

Jan. 23 - Assist OJ

Jan. 26 - Premises check, House check

PORTERVILLE

Jan. 22 - 6D Breathing PR, Medical assist

Jan. 23 - Extra patrol, Traffic stop (2), Damage property

Jan. 24 - Traffic stop

Jan. 25 - Follow up

ROUND VALLEY

Jan. 21 - Attempt locate

Jan. 25 - Animal control

STODDARD

Jan. 22 - Criminal misc

Jan. 26 - Assist, Wildlife prob

TAGGART

Parking problem (2)

CALLS ON I-84: Assist traffic accident (5), Assist other jurisdiction, Animal control, Motorist assist (3), Traffic hazard (2), Traffic stops (21), Safety hazard, Suspicious vehicle (2), Warrant

ARRESTS: GENDER, AGE, RESIDENCE, CHARGES

Male, 57, Farmington, Possession of a controlled substance schedule I/II/ Analog (two counts), DUI second offense within 10 years, Possession/use of drug paraphernalia, Driving on denied license, Failure to stay in one lane

MOUNTAIN GREEN FIRE PROTECTION

It’sslick and snowing out there. We’ve had about eight inches from the last storm. Mountain Green Engine 131 and Chief 131 responded with Morgan A121 to this sideswipe on Trappers on Jan. 29, just past the school. One person was transported with non-life-threatening injuries.

Drivers beware of wildlife

Utah Highway Patrol has reported that there have been 16 crashes involving wildlife along I-84 in Morgan County. Thirteen of them were deer, two moose and one turkey. UHP also reported that there were zero domestic

MEET THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE

SERGEANT: CRAIG D. TILLET

Sgt. Tillet has been in law enforcement since 1997. He started with the Weber County Sheriff’s Office and retired in 2017 after 20 years of service. He then started another career with the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office in 2018 and is currently a patrol Sergeant.

Sgt. Tillet grew up in South Ogden where he graduated from Bonneville High School in 1994 and later attended Weber State University. Sgt. Tillet is known for his love of motorcycles. He rode the Harley motor squad for Weber County for multiple years and also owns his own personal Harley. Sgt. Tillet still rides motocross to this day at the young age of 47. He and his wife, Amy, enjoy camping in their fifth-wheel along with their UTV and dirt bikes. They have

animals involved in crashes.

UHP says they always encourage everyone to drive defensively and consider all options especially when driving in rural areas to watch for animals. l

been together for 17 years and enjoy traveling to new destinations. l

Animal lover finds the perfect career

By Alisha Copfer

Even from a young age, Megan

Mattinson was mesmerized by animals. She watched every animal themed show she could. She even spent some time shadowing the Animal Control Officer in Summit County.

Back in Nov. 2022, Mattinson heard about the job opening here in Morgan County for the ACO and applied. “It’s always been a when-I-grow-up kind of dream,” said Mattinson. She was sworn into the position on Jan. 3, 2023, and has been busy ever since.

“I honestly figured it was never going to happen, that it was one of those wild dreams,” Mattinson said. She now gets to handle all sorts of animal calls. She’s dealt with stray animal calls and even a cruelty investigation that ended up on the positive side. Just last week, she spent some time with some goats when they got out of their farm.

Mattinson is originally from Coalville and moved to Morgan in the summer of 2022 with her husband and five children. They have family friends who moved out of the area, which gave them the opportunity to join the community.

“Morgan has a really great sense of community,” said Mattinson. “It’s nice to get back to this close knit sense where everyone is willing to help each other out.” Mattinson looks forward to being an asset to this community and is striving to help others feel comfortable reaching out to her for help.

“One of my best qualities is resourcefulness,” she said. “If the answer [for something] isn’t immediately available, I’m ready to work with the community to find that answer and all of the solutions available.”

Mattinson has always been an animal lover. She understands how fantastic horses are and how they can be therapeutic animals. “Dogs make the best companions as they go with you

everywhere,” she said. Mattinson also stated that cats are a great companion animal for people as well.

When she was younger, Mattinson worked in Salt Lake County at several shelters doing outreach and taking care of pets. One of the situations she recalls the most is being able to help find a home for a dog that needed special attention. “It was great to find the perfect home for that dog,” she said. “It’s always nice to find the right person with the right environment for a pet in need.”

On top of taking all of the ACO calls like injured wildlife, Mattinson also deals with questions pertaining to the department. She stated that she had received a few calls on how to run the department and how she enjoys working with the community. “The thing is, I really want to be an asset to the community,” said Mattinson. She understands that “any animal can be a good animal with the correct training and environment.”

Mattinson’s new hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., but she looks forward to helping out wherever she can for emergencies. l

MEGAN MATTINSON, the new ACO in Morgan County, was sworn into the position on Jan. 3. Courtesy photo

UHP SAYS TO USE CAUTION when driving, especially in rural areas, and to watch for wildlife.

Courtesy photo

EDUCATION SCHOOL MENU MHS TEACHER SPOTLIGHT

Jennifer Clark

By Verlene Johnson

Jennifer Clark was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho; however, she spent most of her school years in Nyssa, Oregon. Her family moved to Morgan right before the start of her senior year. After graduating from Morgan High School, she attended Brigham Young University for two years before serving a mission in Indiana, Indianapolis. After her mission, she attended Utah State University where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Home Economics and Consumer Education - with a minor in Nutrition. Clark was a stay-at-home mom for 25 years before starting her teaching career at MHS teaching financial literacy (which is her favorite class to teach), Interior Design I and II, and Foods and Nutrition I. She is now in her sixth year teaching, along with being the Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) advisor.

Morgan & Mtn. Green

Elementary Breakfast

Monday, Feb. 6

Mini Bread, Cereal Variety, Scrambled eggs, Peaches, Apple

Wedges

Tuesday, Feb. 7

Breakfast Pizza, Cereal Variety

Applesauce, Fruit Cocktail

Wednesday, Feb. 8

French Toast Sticks, Cereal Variety, Yogurt, Mandarin Oranges

Orange Juice

Thursday, Feb. 9

Egg Muffin, Cereal VAriety, Peaches, Apple Wedges

Friday, Feb. 10

Eggo Mini Waffles, Cereal Variety

Yogurt, Oranges, Pears

Morgan & Mtn. Green

Middle & HS Breakfast

Monday, Feb. 6

Scrambled eggs, Cereal Variety

Mini Bread, Peaches, Apple

Wedges

Tuesday, Feb. 7

Breakfast Pizza, Cereal Variety

Applesauce, Fruit Cocktail

Wednesday, Feb. 8

French Toast Stick, Cereal Variety, Yogurt, high protein, Mandarin Oranges, Orange Juice

Thursday, Feb. 9

Egg McMuffin, Cereal Variety, Peaches, Apple Wedges

Friday, Feb. 10

Eggo Mini Waffles, Cereal Variety, Yogurt, high protein, Oranges, Pears

Morgan & Mtn. Green

Elementary Lunch

Monday, Feb. 6

Popcorn Chicken, French Fries, Glazed Carrots, Fruit Cocktail, Mandarin Oranges, Ginger Snap

Cookie

Tuesday, Feb. 7

Macaroni and Cheese, Bread stick 1ww, Carrots and celery cup, Broccoli, Applesauce, Peaches, Double Chocolate Chip Cookie

Wednesday, Feb. 8

Teriyaki Chicken, Brown Rice, Wheat Roll, Broccoli Normandy, Edamame, Strawberry Cup, Apple Juice, Gelatin

Thursday, Feb. 9

Mini Calzone, Cucumber Slices, Grape Tomatoes, Pineapple Tidbits, Apple Wedges, Chocolate Chip Cookie

Friday, Feb. 10

Pancake Sausage Stick, Hashbrown Triangles, Sweet Thing Puff, Pears, Orange Juice, Oat

meal Cookie

Morgan & Mtn. Green

Middle Lunch

Monday, Feb. 6

General Tso Chicken, Brown Rice; Popcorn Chicken, Oriental Chicken Salad, Baby Carrots, Broccoli; Curly Fries, Mandarin Oranges, Sliced Pears, Apples, Oranges; Chocolate Cake

Tuesday, Feb. 7

Macaroni and Cheese, Chicken

Nuggets, Corn Dogs, Chef Salad, Potato Wedges, Peas, Orange Juice, Sliced Peaches, Apples; Oranges, Gelatin

Wednesday, Feb. 8

Chicken Fajita, Tortilla, Cheddar

Cheese, Chicken Fillet Patty, Wheat Bun, Chicken Caesar

Salad, Corn, Black Beans, Celery Sticks, Fruit Cocktail, Sliced Pears, Apples, Oranges, Ginger

Snap Cookie

Thursday, Feb. 9

Pepperoni Cheese Ripper, Mini Corn Dogs, BLT Salad, Cucumber Slices, Grape Tomatoes, Strawberry Cup, Mandarin Oranges, Apples, Oranges, Pumpkin Cookie

Friday, Feb. 10

Pancake Sausage Stick, Chicken Strips / Choice, Wheat Roll, Hashbrown Triangles, Baby Carrots, peach cup, Orange Juice, Apples, Oranges

Morgan High Lunch

Monday, Feb. 6

General Tso Chicken, Brown Rice, Wheat Roll, Popcorn Chicken, Oriental Chicken Salad, Baby Carrots; Broccoli Florets, Curly Fries, Mandarin Oranges, Sliced Pears, Apples, Oranges, Chocolate Cake

Tuesday, Feb. 7

Macaroni and Cheese, Chicken

Nuggets, Corn Dogs, Chef Salad, Potato Wedges, Peas, Wheat Roll; Orange Juice, Sliced Peaches, Apples, Oranges, Gelatin

Wednesday, Feb. 8

Chicken Fajita, Tortilla, Cheddar

Cheese, Chicken Fillet Patty, Wheat Bun, Chicken Caesar Salad; Corn, Black Beans, French Fries, Celery Sticks, Fruit Cocktail, Sliced Pears, Apples, Oranges, Ginger

Snap Cookie

Thursday, Feb. 9

Pepperoni Cheese Ripper, Popcorn

Chicken, Wheat Roll, BLT Salad, Cucumber Slices, Grape Tomatoes, Strawberry Cup, Mandarin Oranges, Apples, Oranges, Pumpkin Cookie

Friday, Feb. 10

Pancake Sausage Stick, Chicken

Strips / Choice, Wheat Roll, Hashbrown Triangles, Baby Carrots, peach cup, Orange Juice, Apples, Oranges, Yogurt, high protein

“I have always wanted to be a teacher,” Clark said. “When I was a child, I would pretend that I was a teacher instead of playing with dolls or other toys. My favorite part of teaching is associating with the great kids at Morgan High. I love teaching them skills that will help them be more successful in their everyday lives.

Clark has been married to her husband Bruce, who is a Morgan native, for 33 years. They were introduced to each other through her father. Together they have six kids and one grandchild. Ethan, Ellissa. Hannah, Hailey, Cecily and Cholee. The Clarks operate the family dairy farm that has been in the Clark family for four generations. In her spare time, Clark likes baking, gardening, and traveling. She also likes to spend time with her family boating, playing games, and playing pickleball. l

MES STUDENTS OF THE WEEK

A LOOK BACK

February 19, 1931

Morgan Middle School

OLIVE ARGYLE, KINDERGARTEN

ASHBY MYERS, 4TH

CLARA WALKER, 1ST

KENDYL WARDELL, 4TH

A meeting of the Summit County Farm Bureau Wool Pool has been called by the president, C.H. Crittenden to be held in the Court House at 1:30 p.m., Monday, Feb. 23. Methods of selling the wool,

selling committee, etc. will be decided upon a representative of the National Wool Pool will be present. Every wool man is expected to represent his own interests and be there.

Woolmen to meet in Coalville

MHS ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

Austin Cloninger

Austin Cloninger was born in Sherman, Texas, to John and Cindy Cloninger. With his dad being in the Army, he moved around a lot while growing up. However, in 2005 his family moved to Morgan, where he attended Morgan Middle School and Morgan High School.

After graduating from MHS in 2015, Cloninger served a mission in Piura, Peru. Upon returning from his mission in 2017, he started at Brigham Young University. While studying at BYU, he was accepted into the Middle Eastern Studies/ Arabic program, where he had the opportunity to attend BYU Jerusalem Center. “Living in the Holy Land was a life-changing experience for me,” commented Cloninger.

When he came back from Israel, he enlisted in the Utah National Guard as a linguist in a Military Intelligence Unit. He also enrolled in the ROTC program at BYU as he continued his studies. Soon after enlisting, Cloninger began participating in military skills and endurance competitions consisting of 48 hours of CrossFit workout and military skill events, which included shooting, land navigation, first aid, small unit tactics, running and long-distance marches under pack. These competitions took him all over the United States to compete. During this time, he was also accepted to a military scholarship to study Arabic in Amman, Jordan.

Cloninger spent a semester living in Jordan studying religion, culture and Arabic. Additionally, he was sent to further his training at the Sabalauski Air Assault School in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, where they were trained on the missions performed by rotary wing aircraft, aircraft safety, aero-medical evacuation procedures, pathfinder operations, principles and techniques of combat assaults, rappelling techniques and sling-load operations.

Aside from his time studying and fulfilling his military duties, Cloninger worked as a personal trainer specializing in functional fitness, injury prevention and rehabilitation, strength training and performance enhancement. “During this time, I met my amazing, beautiful wife, Gina. We had a COVID wedding in our living room on Feb. 4, 2021, and it was perfect! We also adopted a Great Dane who we named Moose.”

Cloninger sustained several injuries that eventually resulted in his being medically discharged from

the military. While working hard to recover, he found a lot of progress working with chiropractics. “I was able to make a lot of improvements, and I decided that I wanted to become a chiropractor and help others the way it has been able to help me,” said Cloninger.

After graduating from BYU with a bachelor’s degree in Middle Eastern Studies/Arabic with a minor in Military Science, Cloninger applied for and was accepted to Logan University’s Doctorate of Chiropractic Program, which means he and his wife will be moving to Missouri to start a new adventure this summer, and he said he could not be more excited.

Cloninger currently lives in Morgan and works at 100% Chiropractic in Clinton as a Chiropractic Assistant and Stretch Therapist.

While Cloninger was at MHS, he participated in the Ovation Chamber Choir for three years, was in the school’s production of “Peter Pan” as Captain Hook and was the seminary president. Cloninger said his time in choir was super impactful. “I developed long-lasting friendships and a love of music that has lasted to this day. These friendships have played a part in who I’ve become and taught me the value of friendship. I have carried those lessons all over the world as I’ve made new friends and engaged with people from all over.” l

Inspire Your Heart with Art Day

By Blake Adams and Isabella Terry (fifth grade students at MGMS)

Inspire Your Heart with Art Day takes place Jan. 31. Norman Mailer created this celebration so people can have a good time with art whether that be through paintings, books, music, movies or drama. This celebration was created because it is a way to celebrate all forms of art and the effect it has on your heart.

Caitlyn, a fifth grader at Mountain Green Middle School commented, “Art inspires me to be peaceful and free because no one tells you what to do, all

you do is draw it.” Many art projects inspire people to be kind and have fun, so this day is a day for more people to be inspired.

Ryder, another fifth grader at MGMS commented, “Art inspires me to be happy because I love the colors and stories that come in the picture.” Another fifth grader, Charlotte, said, “Art inspires me to be kind and peaceful with all the people around me because I love the creativity in it.”

Some ways to celebrate this day is to attend a live theatre performance, visit an art gallery, read a book, but most importantly share your art with others. l

MHS Science Olympiad team finds success at regional competition

By Ethan Hoffmann

OnJan. 21, Morgan High School’s Science Olympiad had the opportunity to participate in a regional competition. Science Olympiad is organized and advised by MHS science teachers Rebecca Fenton and Shana Croft, who diligently prepared the members for the busy and eventful day.

At the beginning of the day, members boarded the bus and drove to Centennial Junior High School in Kaysville. Once they arrived, the events were divided into four-hour blocks. Then members had two hours to test their bridges. In addition, the final hour was spent doing fermi questions. According to Scioly.org, “a fermi question is one where a seemingly impossible-to-calculate answer is estimated.” After the tests were graded, an award ceremony wrapped up the day.

As a team, Science Olympiad medaled in seven events of varying categories. For first place, these events and their competitors included Kenny Whitmer and Chaselyn Weeks for Bridges, Eliza Keller and Zac Sessions for Anatomy and Physiology, and Eliza Keller and Grant Davis for Disease Detectives. Second-place winners were students Brielle Sill and Tyler Hancock for Dynamic Planet and Hannah Cantrell and Avry Archibeque for Experimental Design. Third place was Brielle Sill and Londyn Elmer for Forensics. Finally, Austin Petty and Kenny Whitmer for Flight. l

AUSTIN CLONINGER with his wife Gina.

ART WORK BY TY LONG, fifth grade student at MGMS.

ART WORK BY MASON SESSIONS, fifth grade student at MGMS.

BRIELLE SILL AND TYLER HANCOCK celebrate their 2nd place win in Dynamic Planet.

TEAM MEMBERS PRESENT AT DISCO Region Tournament Back row: Coach Shana Croft, Garrett Grow, Zac Sessions, Tyler Hancock, Eric Adams, Ben Nichols, Kenny Whitmer, Chaselyn Weeks Front row: Grant Davis, Londyn Elmer, Eliza Keller, Avry Archibeque, Hannah Cantrell, Levi Bennett, Shaylee Mills and Brielle Sill (Not pictured: Austin Petty and Coach Rebecca Fenton). Courtesy photos

LEVI BENNETT, HANNAH CANTRELL, and Avry Archibeque chill between their multiple Events.

OBITUARY

Doris Lucile (Lucy) Giles

June 5, 1941 - Jan. 27, 2023

Doris Lucile (Lucy) Giles passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Jan. 27, 2023. Lucy was born June 5, 1941, to James Lyndsey Barnes and Clara Lapreal North in Heber City, Utah. She was the ninth of 10 children. Growing up in Heber City, she was taught the value of hard work. She spent her youth either unloading sand from rail cars or working for her dad at his construction company. Lucy could often outwork most men, a fact she was proud of. At the age of 16, at a youth dance, she met Jay Wardell and they were married the following year. They made their home in Morgan at the Wardell family mink ranch. They were blessed with five children. Lucy took great pride teaching us kids that same work ethic she had been taught, by working side by side with us at the ranch. Jay and Lucy were later divorced. She then went to work for Green Diamond Manufacturing and then Mtn Bell Phone Company (US West/ Qwest) where she later retired. In the fall of 2005, Lucy met Gerald D (Jerry) Giles. They were married June 5, 2006. With this union, Lucy gained three more daughters. Jerry and Lucy bought a home in St. George and enjoyed spending winters there to escape the cold. They made so many wonderful friends in St. George and enjoyed many adventures. After Jerry’s passing in 2012, Lucy continued to spend her winters in St. George. Lucy loved to travel, whether it was a cruise to Alaska or a weekend getaway. She was a great baker and loved to spoil her kids, grandkids and neighbors with her baked goods. She also loved to golf, sew, knit, crochet and quilt. She has made countless Afghans and quilts for many family members and friends. The last several years she made and donated several quilts to the Morgan County Fair quilt auction to raise funds for fairground improvements.

Lucy was a faithful Christian and had a strong belief in her Heavenly Father.

Lucy is survived by her children, Julie (Dave) Messerly, Hunstville; Wess (Mary) Wardell; Todd (Traca) Wardell; Dan (Angie) Wardell and Ted (Debbie) Wardell, all of Morgan. Julie Muir, Layton; Karen (Kendall) Madsen, West Jordan and Pam (Eric) Lee, Layton; her bonus son Mike (Joyce) Taylor, Marriot/Slaterville; 18 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Lucy is preceded in death by her parents, all nine of her siblings, her great grandson Kaleb and her husband Jerry.

Per mom’s wishes we will “celebrate her life” with a visitation on Friday, Feb. 3 at Walker Mortuary from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., followed by graveside service at 2:30 p.m. at the Milton Pioneer Cemetery.

OBITUARIES DEADLINE

Submit obituaries to : obits@themorgannews.com

Tuesday by 5 p.m. week of publication

BRAIN TEASERS

Please Share your Local Sweetheart Story

Do you have a sweetheart story to share?

In celebration of Valentine’s Day, the Morgan County News is planning to feature local love stories during the month of February.

Please submit a love story you think should be selected as one of the featured articles throughout the month. Whether it’s a milestone wedding anniversary, a high-school sweetheart story or any special love story rooted in Morgan, please email your idea or suggestions to rachel.c@themorgannews.com.

MORGAN SENIOR CENTER

50 W. 100 NORTH | 801 845-4040

Lunch served at 12 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

MONDAYS - Quilting at 1 p.m.

WEDNESDAYS - Mahjong at 1 p.m.

THURSDAYS - Cards at 1 p.m.

TUESDAY WEDNESDAY, AND

THURSDAY - Puzzles at 1 p.m.

FEB. 7 - February Birthday celebration at 12:30 p.m.

Trip to Ogden for shopping at 1:30 p.m.

Feb. 14 - Medicare help 12 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Bunco at 6 p.m. (more players needed)

Feb. 15 - Blood pressure checks by Enhabit Home Health at 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Valentines dinner (hosted by Tykonis Club) at 5 p.m. (call to sign-up)

Feb. 20 - Closed for Presidents Day

Feb. 28 - Foot clinic by Happy Feet (call for appointment)

Layton-based nonprofit helps find missing persons

By Peri Kinder

Thousands of people in the U.S. go missing every year. The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System database states nearly 600,000 people are declared missing each year. Most of those cases are resolved quickly, with people found alive and well, but for many families, the mystery behind their loved one’s disappearance can extend to days, months or even decades.

Layton resident Marki Davis founded We Help the Missing in 2014 as a resource for families to help find missing persons. As a private investigator with a background in criminal justice, Davis has dedicated her time and resources to getting answers for families.

“I felt like we could come together and do advocacy and investigation and put it all together in a package. I felt family support was lacking so I got some volunteers and just started,” Davis said. “Some missing persons were found, unfortunately, deceased, some came home on their own and some were found. A large number are still missing.”

There are many reasons a person goes missing. It could be a fight with

Monday

C.B. Strike

HBO 7 p.m.

Tom Burke is back as ex-army private detective Cormoran Strike in the season opener. This installment is based on the novel “Troubled Blood” and finds Robin (Holliday Grainer) juggling a messy divorce, while Strike tackles a 40-year-old case.

Quantum Leap

(5) KSL 9 p.m.

Ben (Raymond Lee) finds himself in 2012 in the midst of the Méndez family as they help their transgender daughter who dreams of playing on her high school basketball team in a new episode of this sci-fi drama reboot. Caitlin Bassett also stars.

Tuesday

CBS News: State of the Union 2023

(2) KUTV 7 p.m.

President Joe Biden addresses the nation during this annual event. President Biden is expected to touch on issues including the debt ceiling, the economy, infrastructure and the war in Ukraine, while spelling out his vision for America in 2023.

All That Breathes

HBO 7 p.m.

As legions of birds fall from New Delhi’s skies and the city smolders with social unrest in this Oscar-nominated documentary, two brothers race to save one of the casualties: a majestic black kite, a bird of prey essential to their city’s ecosystem.

Finding Your Roots With Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

(7) KUED 9 p.m.

Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr. explores race, culture and identity through genealogy and genetics in a new episode of this fascinating docuseries. This time, Joe Manganiello and Tony Gonzalez uncover close relatives whose names they never knew before.

Wednesday

Dogs in the Wild, A Nature

Miniseries

(7) KUED 7 p.m.

Man’s best friend has a wild past — and present. This three-part miniseries travels the world to reveal the secrets of wild canids, from the Japanese raccoon dog to the tiny Fennec fox, and the talkative Dhole. Part 1 airs tonight.

A Million Little Things

(4) KTVX 9 p.m.

It’s a case of good news/bad news: Season 5, the final season, begins

a family member, financial trouble, trauma, trafficking or abuse, or it could be an accident that left a person unable to reach out to family members.

Davis’s organization partners with Road Warriors for the Missing as a rapid response team that gets volunteers to the area where the person went missing. The volunteers canvas the area, put up posters, post on social media and report back to investigators.

“We stay with the family and let them know we care,” Davis said. “We let them know we’re getting the name out there and investigating and keeping the case active. A lot of times, sadly, law enforcement is not engaged.”

We Help the Missing has worked on cases where people have been missing for days or decades and Davis said every case is unique and traumatic for family members. Missing persons are often found through the implementation of social media campaigns and through a network of investigators across the state.

Davis also admits that some missing people don’t want to be found.

“If they’re of age, we have to respect their privacy. We report back to the family and tell them they’re alive but they just don’t want to communicate

right now.”

We Help the Missing is a nonprofit corporation that takes no fee for its services. It operates through donations, volunteer work and private investigators who often work pro bono. Davis understands that having a loved one missing for any amount of time is overwhelming and terrifying. Part of her services includes support for the family and continual updates as volunteers search for the missing.

For those who have information about a missing person, We Help the Missing has an anonymous tip line at 1-866-660-4025. Call 435-671-8100 or visit WeHelpTheMissing.org for information about the organization. Investigators who would like to donate services can also reach out to Davis.

To enlist assistance from We Help the Missing, visit the website to fill out an intake form and upload a photo of the missing person. The organization will create a poster, reach out to an investigator and spread the info across its social media channels.

“It’s an amazing feeling,” Davis said. “It’s the best feeling in the world to get them home and get them safe.” l

TELEVISION GUIDE

tonight. The series, which stars David Giuntoli and Allison Miller, centers on a group of friends who are motivated to live fuller lives after an unexpected death.

Thursday Hell’s Kitchen

(13) KSTU 7 p.m.

Who will be the last chef standing?

That will be up to host/head chef Gordon Ramsay to decide, as Season 21 of this high-pressure culinary competition comes to a close in this two-part, twohour season finale, with a $250,000 prize on the line.

NFL Honors

(5) KSL 8 p.m.

The NFL stars of the 2022 regular season shine bright during the 12th annual NFL Honors, held in Phoenix, Ariz. Kelly Clarkson hosts this year’s celebration and awards show, which recognizes the best players, coaches and moments from this past season.

Friday Moneyball

AMC 6 p.m.

Baseball fans can get their pre-MLB Spring Training fix with two back-to-back movies: this 2011 film starring Brad Pitt, and the 1989 comedy “Major League.” Pitt plays Oakland A’s GM Billy Bean, who favors a more analytical approach to team building.

Lopez vs Lopez

(5) KSL 7 p.m.

When George (George Lopez) starts a prank war with a neighborhood rival, Mayan (Mayan Lopez) is torn between loyalty to “the Lopez way” and her desire to preserve a new friendship. Then, Chance (Brice Gonzalez) discovers the thrill of forbidden love.

Saturday

NHL Hockey (4) KTVX An NHL doubleheader is on tap today on ABC, which gets going with an interconference clash of playoff contend ers when the Tampa Bay Lightning pay a

Wednesday

A LOOK BACK

February 19, 1931

SUMMIT OFFICERS MAKE

LIQUOR HAUL IN ECHO

Summit county officers, under the direction of Sheriff Adamson, arrested two men in Echo Canyon last Wednesday for alleged possession and transportation of liquor.

The men, who gave the names of Frank Ferro and Nate Gagliardi, were riding in a Nash coupe which, when searched, is alleged to have contained 80 gallons of bootleg liquor. The two, along with the car and the liquor were brought to Coalville and lodged in the county jail. Hearing was set for Thursday evening at which time the men were admitted to bond of $250 each and left in their car for their home in Wyoming. The bond was paid in cash. Trial was set for Monday but the defendants failed to appear and the bail was declared forfeited.

visit to the Dallas Stars. Later, the Washington Capitals head to Boston to take on the Bruins.

The Perfect 10 (13) KSTU 7 p.m.

Narrated by “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” star

Andre Braugher, this Fox Sports Film is a 90-minute conversation with the only 10 football legends who have accomplished a dual feat: winning the Heisman Trophy and being enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Marc Maron: From Bleak to Dark HBO 8 p.m.

Legendary comedian Marc Maron stars in his first-ever HBO comedy special, filmed in front of a live audience at New York City’s Town Hall. Maron explores topics like getting older, antisemitism and faith, and the superiority of having cats over children.

Sunday

The Equalizer

(2) KUTV 7 p.m.

Three episodes of the popular crime drama air back-to-back in preparation for the series’ return next week. Queen Latifah stars as no-nonsense vigilante Robyn McCall, who uses her skills to help those with nowhere else to turn.

Mayfair Witches

AMC 7 p.m.

Rowan (Alexandra Daddario) continues to uncover family secrets in a new episode airing tonight. The latest addition to Anne Rice’s Immortal Universe on AMC, the series is based on a trilogy of books and also stars Harry Hamlin.

The Last of Us

HBO 7 p.m.

A new episode of the critically

Celebrity Profile

By Dana Simpson TV Media

Few actors have a career that is as storied and complete as that of Sir Patrick Stewart. Now 82 years old, Stewart has been in show business for a total of 59 years with some truly memorable roles under his belt.

This month, Stewart returns to his best-known role, Jean-Luc Picard, for the third and final season of “Star Trek: Picard” on Paramount+. Debuting its most recent installment Thursday, Feb. 16, on the streamer, the series is a followup to the franchise’s “Next Generation” and “Nemesis” storylines.

Having begun his own onscreen career with a 1964 episode of the BBC2 series “Story Parade,” Stewart has been nominated for Tony, Olivier, Golden Globe, Emmy and Screen Actors Guild awards, never failing to impress the audience with his commitment to each role.

Born July 13, 1940, to a textile worker and an army serviceman in the English town of Mirfield, Stewart was “brought up in a very poor and very violent household” (his own words). Despite the limits this placed on his upbringing, Stewart thrived in theater as of the age of 12 — an outlet that would prove very lucrative for his future.

(5) KSL 9 p.m. Night Court Judge Abby Stone (Melissa Rauch) continues to preside over a crew of oddballs and cynics in this new episode of “Night Court,” airing Tuesday, Feb. 7, on NBC. Also starring in this reboot of the ‘80s sitcom is John Larroquette, who won four straight Emmys (1985-1988) for his role as Dan Fielding.

Stewart’s early career was largely dedicated to the stage. Under the banner of such prestigious theatrical institutions as the Bristol Old Vic Company, Manchester’s Library Theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal National Theatre, the actor appeared in “Cyrano de Bergerac” as well as Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “Hamlet,” among many others. Following his “Story Parade” appearance at 24, Stewart quickly began to incorporate more film and television roles into his repertoire.

Try

Like a ghost, the snowy owl glides through the air in soundless flight. This owl is different from most owls because it hunts during the day and at night. Most owls hunt at night. In the arctic region, the summer days and nights are always light. An owl waiting for darkness to hunt would starve before the dark days of winter arrive.

Many animals can blend into their environment.

This is called camouflage. There are few trees on the tundra, so the snowy owl’s white plumage blends with the snowy world of the northern arctic.

In the spring, when the snowy owl makes a nest, the snow has started to melt and the brown earth shows through patches of white snow. The female snowy owl’s soft white feathers are streaked with brown so she cannot be seen as she nests on the ground.

The snowy owl is one of the largest owls, with a height of about 27 inches (69 cm) and a wingspan of up to 60 inches (152 cm). Wingspan is the measurement from wing tip to wing tip, when the wings are fully stretched.

How many of the things in this chart could fit into a snowy owl’s wingspan?

Measure 60 inches (152 cm) on the floor. Now lie down with your arms outstretched along the line. Measure your outstretched arms. How do you compare?

Baby owls are called owlets. Can you help the mother owl nd her way home to her owlets?

All owls have excellent sight so that they can spot creatures like mice that run fast along the ground. Owls’ eyes are not the same as human eyes. We move our eyes in their sockets to see from side to side. The owl must turn his head to see in different directions. Owls also have a third eyelid, which protects the eye. It is a milky white eyelid that comes up from the bottom of the eye. Its purpose is to clean and refresh the owl’s eyes. This third eyelid is called a nictitating membrane

Stretch your arms wide apart and swoop around outdoors.

Perch like an owl.

Squat down like you are sitting on a tree branch watching for mice on the ground. Fold your arms into wings with your thumbs in your armpits. How long can you stay in this position?

Hop like an owl.

Twist and turn.

While sitting in the perched position, turn your head as far to the right as you can. Then turn your head as far left as possible.