$1.50 Oct. 13, 2023 | Vol. 2 Iss. 39
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Morgan native heads to Nashville
MORGAN COUNTY NEWS
Singer goes to prestigious awards show
page 6
Covering Your Community Since 1929
McDonald’s Opening Party: M is for Morgan! By Ethan Hoffmann
Hamas attacks Israel; Israel responds
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cDonald’s hosted an opening party on Oct. 6, at the Morgan County location. Residents of Morgan were invited to the party through the mail, which included coupons for the restaurant and a hiring notice for potential workers. Since their unofficial opening toward the end of September, business has been booming. For residents of Morgan, the drive thru line seems to be a mile long 24/7. In any case, it would appear that the mutualistic relationship between McDonald’s and Morgan has gotten off to a great start. The event lasted from 12-4 p.m. and citizens were invited to celebrate the occasion with parking lot games including cornhole and kan jam, a coloring raffle, free swag giveaways, face painting, and balloon twisting. Participants were greeted with colored balloons and a red tent with the trademark yellow M emblazoned on the front. Drinks were on the house and students wearing Morgan themed clothing received a free lunch. During the party, a ribbon cutting ceremony commenced with the mayor and all Morgan City dignitaries present. In addition, the jazz band of Morgan High School was on site providing live music. They played songs such as “You’re Welcome” from Moana, “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrel, and “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” by Queen. In exchange, McDonald’s will be sponsoring the band and providing funds for various activities throughout the year, including their annual band trip to California. And that’s not all, McDonald’s is planning to do something that no one else has done in the country: provide donations from digital sales. This is what is more commonly known as a “McBand Night.” On a McBand Night, a specific percentage from all the digital sales will go toward supporting the band. The company has done similar events with McTeacher nights. “We’re all about moving forward with digital,” said Cory Watson, one of the owners of
In a rapidly developing story, conflict has broken out in Gaza following last weekend’s surprise attack on Israel by Hamas. Numbers are constantly changing, but hundreds of people have already died on both sides of the conflict, the majority of whom are civilians. Since the initial attacks, Israel has been maintaining a campaign of rocket strikes, as well as a “complete siege” of Gaza, controlling supplies in and out. Hamas has announced that they are holding over 100 hostages, which they will begin to execute if Israel targets civilian areas. The United States and other western countries have announced public support for Israel in the conflict. The details of any potential multi-national efforts in the area have not been announced at present, although several countries have sent aircraft to aid in evacuations of the conflict zone while possible. The extent to which Iran and the Hezbollah may be involved is also unknown at present.
THE RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY.
Robert F Kennedy, Jr announces independent presidential bid
MCDONALD’S AND MORGAN TROJANS cornhole bean bags.
Courtesy photos
the Morgan location. “The way people can order and pay is all digital. It’s the way of the future. Digital methods are easier and more convenient for customers to receive a positive experience here at McDonald’s.” Watson and his father Allen are partners in the trade and they are the current owners and operators of the Morgan location. Before the company set their eyes on Morgan, Watson was the owner of 24 McDonald’s restaurants in Utah. His fa-
MCDONALD’S on page 4
(FROM LEFT TO RIGHT) JASON CAPRON, chief administrative officer for Watson Management and Allen’s son-in-law, Allen Watson, and Cory Watson.
Morgan County appeals judge ruling on referendum petition By Linda Petersen
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organ County has filed its own appeal of a Sept. 15 decision by Second District Court Judge Noel S. Hyde to allow five residents to pursue a referendum on a rezone that allowed Wasatch Peaks Ranch to begin to develop nearly 12,000 acres in Morgan County. In dispute has been a November 2019 effort by the residents, Whitney Croft, Robert Bohman, Brandon Peterson, Shelley Paige and David Pike, to file an application for a referendum petition with Morgan County. At that time the county clerk rejected the application saying the residents had not fulfilled the legal obligations to file. So, the residents sued and after being heard in Second District Court and on appeal the Utah Supreme Court, the case was remanded back to Hyde’s court. In his Sept. 15
NEWS BREAK
decision Hyde said the residents had filled the legal requirements and could move forward, but both Morgan County and Wasatch Peaks Ranch are challenging that decision. That day, Wasatch Peaks Ranch filed an appeal with the Utah Supreme Court challenging Hyde’s judgement and some specific orders. Then on Sept. 29, Morgan County filed its own notice of appeal. In its motion, Morgan County appealed “some similar decisions but not all that were outlined by the intervenor [Wasatch Peaks Ranch],” County Attorney Garrett Smith said. County officials dispute Hyde’s findings and say the legal conditions were not met and if the decision is not challenged it could set unintended precedents for future cases. Much of the problem
stems from the fact that the referendum petition filed by the residents was the first ever such petition to be filed in Morgan County, Smith said. Both the residents and county officials were lacking in experience with this issue, and he believes the residents got bad legal advice, he said. “As the county we believe the petitioners failed to exercise their right appropriately by not meeting the minimum responsibilities required to exercise that right as outlined in Utah law,” he said. “From the county’s perspective we’re in support of the right of referendum … but the application must be filed according to statute.” The county sees three legal problems with the actions of the petitioners: First, they did not attach a copy of the zoning law (which was recorded the morning after the application deadline) or the development agreement
which was available in the commission packet that evening, which might have given them a legal exception to doing the former. “While we understand that there may have been some confusion it was their duty to attach the law, or whatever was available to them, to the petition which they failed to do,” Smith said. Further, Whitney Croft, who is a notary and notarized the signatures of the other four, did so illegally because Utah law does not allow it because she is a party to the suit, he said. Also, since Stacy Netz Clark who was the county clerk in 2019 when they filed the petition left Morgan County in 2021, the residents did not substitute current County Clerk Leslie Hyde in the lawsuit, something that is required under the law, so that the court would have jurisdiction over
PETITION on page 4
Candidate Robert F Kennedy, Jr. officially ended his bid to unseat Joe Biden in the 2024 Democratic primary, and announced that he would instead be running for the office as an Independent. Kennedy is the son of Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, and the nephew of President John F. Kennedy. Although he was running in the Democratic primary, he is usually associated with conservative causes, most visibly campaigning against medical mandates and vaccines. Kennedy has been polling in the low single digits in the primary race against President Biden and Marianne Williamson. The most successful modern independent candidacy for president was that of Ross Perot in 1992 against Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush. Perot received 8% of the overall vote, significantly higher than anyone else has managed.
‘Yellowstone Safari Park’ now open in Rexburg
After a fair amount of zoning controversy, the Yellowstone Safari Park outside Rexburg is now open for visitors. The park contains wolves, bears, foxes, deer, elk, and buffalo (including several rare white buffalo) in an outdoor, contained environment. Controversy initially arose over whether such a facility was permissible in an Agriculturally zoned section. According to the development code, though, “game ranch” is an accepted conditional use. The park joins “Bear World” as a place for visitors to view the native wildlife on the road to Yellowstone. The opening will feature a litter of newly born foxes. The Idaho and U.S. Departments of Agriculture as well as Idaho Fish and Game have jurisdiction over the ranch’s animals.