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Serving Wayne & Garfield Counties, Utah Loa • Fremont • Lyman • Bicknell • Teasdale • Torrey • Grover • Fruita • Caineville • Hanksville Panguitch • Panguitch Lake • Hatch • Antimony • Bryce • Tropic • Henrieville • Cannonville • Escalante • Boulder
Thursday, July 16, 2015
Issue # 1107
Fire Destroys Torrey Home TORREY – A house fire that occurred mid-day on Tuesday, June 30, at 285 N. 100 E. in Torrey completely engulfed a single wide trailer owned by Debbie and Rick Holt, resulting in a total loss of their home and possessions. Debbie Holt says she learned of the fire when she and her husband were out running errands along with their dog “Pony,” who fortunately was along with them. No people or animals were injured as a result of the fire. “We really don’t know what happened,” says Holt. “We were out and about and I was at the Wayne Health Clinic getting a prescription filled. I was standing there when my husband came in and said he got a call from his mother that our house was on fire. He was white as a sheet, and he was really in shock. So of course we dropped everything and came back. It was 12:30 maybe. When we came back there was already a sheriff’s car, an ambulance and two fire trucks at our house. They had already started on working on the fire, but the whole struc-
ture was pretty much already destroyed.” The Holt’s house trailer was located on a property that is owned by the Holt’s extended family. Debbie says that her husband Rick’s family goes back to the original founders of Torrey, and that his father, DeVon Holt was born and raised there. “It is the same property that my father-in-law’s grandfather had clear ‘back in the day’ so it’s got the old house on it from the turn of the century and between us and a cousin we have five acres from the original plot,” says Holt. Rick and Debbie moved their mobile home onto the property in 2001, using it as a vacation home and for family getaways while they lived in Midvale. It was just last August that they fulfilled their dream of living in Torrey, and moved their full time. “Well…at least we were without a mortgage for one year,” says Holt. Holt says that she and her Torrey Fire
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Courtesy Debbie Holt
A mobile home owned by Debbie and Rick Holt of Torrey was destroyed by fire on June 30.
Courtesy Marsha Holland
An early morning fireworks display greets runners at the start of the Bryce Canyon Half Marathon on Saturday, July 11.
Running in Beauty BRYCE VALLEY - Fireworks lit up the early morning sky near Ruby’s Inn and wowed over one thousand runners at the start of the 12th running of the Bryce Canyon Half Marathon. Winding its way for 13.1 miles by the stunning hoodoo views of Bryce and the verdant farmlands of the Bryce Valley, a thirty minute rain shower failed to dampen spirts as both 5 K runners and half marathon runners crossed the finish line in Cannonville on Saturday July 11th. How does this happen year after year? It is because of the beautiful spirit of giv-
Miss Wayne County 2015
ing by dozens of individuals and local businesses from Panguitch, Hatch, Escalante, Cedar City, Richfield, Bryce Canyon City, Tropic and Cannonville who sponsored the event. It is because of local organizations and businesses such as Cannonville Young Men and Women and Ruby’s Inn who provided invaluable people power at the start and finish lines. It is because of the Lonnie Pollock Family, The Bryce Valley Music Foundation, the Mecham and Brinkerhoff Families, Whitni Syrett & Family, Julie Bybee Family, Renon Bybee Family, Anita Fletcher Family, Paula Henrie Family and the Katie Beasely Family at the 5k water station which added up to 135
Utah Farm Bureau Hosts Midyear Conference in Cedar City, July 16-17
Courtesy GaeLynn Peterson
Miss Wayne County 2015 Royalty: Tegan New, McKenzie Jeffery, Kaitlin Failner, and Bethany Payton. LOA - Congratulations to McKenzie Jeffery –Miss Wayne County 2015! The excitement was high in the high school auditorium on Friday, June 26th as 7 lovely contestants vied for the title of Miss Wayne County. Cameron Chappell and Carlie Chappell emceed the event and entertained the audience while the contestants competed in talent, questions, eve-
ning gown and participated in a group musical number. The evening concluded with the crowning of McKenzie Jeffery as Miss Wayne County, Kaitlin Failner and Bethany Payton as runners up and Tegan New as most photogenic. The royalty won scholarships and will complete over 40 hours of community service. Kenzie Jeffery will also be implementing her platform. She plans on
REGIONAL WEATHER FORECAST FOR SOME BUT NOT ALL REGIONS REPRESENTED IN OUR NEWSPAPER COVERAGE AREA
THURS. JULY 16 - WED. JULY 22 WARM and SUNNY Thursday and Friday with highs in the low 80s. Cloudy over the weekend with possible thunderstorms, chance of rain 50%, highs in the 70s. Partly cloudy Monday through Wednesday. Lows throughout week in the low 50s.
talking to the youth about the benefits of being involved in the 4H program. A big thanks to Anna Syme and Julie Chappell for coordinating the competition, Brittan Taylor for lighting, and of course a big thank you to the judges. If you would like the royalty to be involved with a program or function, please contact Anna Syme 435-2019796 to schedule. —GaeLynn Peterson, USU Extension – FCS / 4-H, Wayne County
CEDAR CITY - The Utah Farm Bureau Federation (UFBF) will be holding its annual Midyear Conference July 16-17 at Southern Utah University in Cedar City. The conference theme is Farm Bureau Proud. Conference topics will focus on pertinent production agriculture and rural issues. “Midyear Conference provides a venue for Farm Bureau members to come together and discuss issues directly impacting production agriculture,” said Sterling Brown, UFBF Vice President of Public Policy. “Farm Bureau’s grassroots policy development process is what makes this organization strong and proud.” Members will have an opportunity to participate in a Legislative panel discussion with Sen. Ralph Okerlund, Sen. Evan Vickers, and Rep. John Westwood. The panel will focus on rural issues confronting the legislature, and the challenge of ensuring these issues are not lost among increasingly urban representatives. The panel will include statements from each legislative member, followed by Q&A for the members in attendance. In addition, a round table Farm Bureau Cont'd on page 2
In a time of universal deceit - telling the truth is a revolutionary act. —George Orwell
volunteers handing out water and Gatorade to runners along the two courses. Cannonville residents prepared hundreds of oranges, bananas and bagels for the runners finishing in Cannonville. Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument provided personnel and facilities to the race. Lions Club provided breakfast for ravenous runners and their families after the race. The Committee is grateful to local law enforcement from Bryce Canyon National Park, Garfield County Jail, Bryce Canyon City, Tropic Town and Cannonville Fire Departments, Utah Highway Patrol and Garfield County Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Medical Service and
our local Search and Rescue for their organizational efforts, continuing support, and very early morning presence on the course. The Bryce Canyon HalfMarathon Committee would like express their sincere thanks to the many volunteers and sponsors who, once again, made the 12th Annual 2015 Bryce Canyon Half-Marathon and 5k a stunning success. All proceeds from the run benefit the Bryce Community Foundation which offers grants directly back to Bryce area communities for projects and initiatives that address sustainability and quality of life for the communities of the Bryce area. —Marsha Holland
Helicopter Crashes West of Escalante
MAIN CANYON - A Robinson R22 helicopter crashed 9 miles up Main Canyon west of Escalante at approximately 1 p.m. on Sunday, July 12. The pilot, Duane Fielding and his 14 year old son, both of St. George, were sightseeing when they began experiencing some trouble. Mr. Fielding attempted to turn the helicopter around and it was hit by a gust of wind causing the tail to hit the ground and crash. The pilot was transported to Garfield Memorial Hospital and was later sent by life flight to Dixie Regional Hospital in St. George. The passenger was also treated for some injuries. —Garfield County Sheriff's Office
In Search of Historic Panguitch Photos PANGUITCH - Panguitch is one of the great historic towns of the West, and offers a history and ambience that is unique with many of the historic structures in this community which was settled by Mormon pioneers. To give the visitors to Panguitch the fullest experience of our historical main street, Panguitch City is placing historical information plaques throughout the main street. Panguitch City is looking for any information, stories, pictures of the buildings on Main (Gem Theater, Cowboy Smokehouse, Hapa Auto Parts, Lee's Indian store, Garfield Memorial Thrift Store, A handcart Company, S & C Corral, Cowboy Collectibles, Thunderhorse Mercantile, Zubia's Mexican Resturant, Rumours Salon, Victorina Lane, Pink Polka Dott Shop, Smok'in hot Antiques, The Shed, The Liquor Store, Historic Pangutich Inn, Kenny Rays). Please email them to visitpanguitch@gmail. com or bring them by the city office. —Melissa Veater, Marketing Director, Panguitch City ALL content for THE WAYNE &GARFIELD COUNTY INSIDER must be submitted on FRIDAY BEFORE 5:00 PM to be included in the following Thursday edition of the paper.
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PRE-SORT STANDARD PAID RICHFIELD, UTAH PERMIT No. 122