The Wayne & Garfield County Insider December 11, 2025
Wayne County Interfaith Council Presents 'The
WAYNE CO. - The Wayne County Interfaith Council will present “The Gift of the Magi,” an Interfaith Christmas pro
gram. This year's program marks the twelfth year for this annual event, which will be held December 21, 2025, at the Torrey Ward building of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A prelude, beginning at 5:30 p.m., will feature students from Sleeping Rainbow School of Music, directed by Lynsey Shelar. The story of “The Gift of the Magi” will be presented by various narrators and interwoven with Christmas songs performed by the Wayne County Community choir, Wayne High School Choir, Rough Around the Edges/Mooney Wash, Anna Syme’s children’s choir, female duet, male quartet, The Torrey Song Circle, and a violin/piano
Torrey Prepares to Remove Aging Cottonwoods Mounting Safety Concerns Prompt Removal of Trees Along Main Street
Amiee Maxwell
by
will also continue.
TORREY - The cottonwood canopy that frames the entrance to Torrey has been a defining feature of the town for generations,
Emily Leach
Red-naped sapsucker. The 2025 Boulder and Escalante Christmas Bird Counts will be taking place Dec. 17 and 18, respectively.
ESCALANTE / BOULDER - The 126th annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC) will take place from December 14 through January 5, and thousands of volunteers will be out counting and identifying all of the birds that they see within a predetermined route. This yearly event is the nation’s longest-running citizen science bird project. In our region, counts are conducted in Boulder, Escalante, Bryce Canyon and Kanab, with Boul-
der and Escalante’s 2025 counts taking place Dec.17 and 18, respectively.
Last year in Escalante, 17 participants covered nearly 100 miles and tallied 5,663 birds, representing 74 species. Boulder had nine participants who found a total of fifty-two species.
The 2025 Boulder CBC will begin at 8 a.m. and goes until 4 p.m. on Dec. 17, and participants should meet at the Anasazi
Christmas Bird Count Cont'd on B2
but this iconic and familiar view is about to change. Several aging and unstable trees are scheduled for removal this winter, and town
BLM Seeks Input for Mar. '26 Sale of Oil & Gas Leases in Utah
SALT LAKE CITY -
On Dec. 1, the Bureau of Land Management opened a 30-day public comment period to receive public input on plans to include 58 oil and gas parcels totaling 71,587 acres in Utah in a March 2026 sale. The comment period ends Jan. 2, 2026. The BLM completed scoping on these parcels in October 2025 and is now seeking public comment on the parcels, potential deferrals, and the related environmental analysis. The BLM will use input from the public to help complete its re-
Oil and Gas Leases Cont'd on A3
officials say this is necessary to protect residents, visitors, and structures along Main Street. Long-standing efforts to replant and preserve
the treeline for future generations will also continue.
WAYNE CO. - The Wayne County Commission gathered for its December 1 meeting on a quiet Monday morning, with Commissioner Blackburn absent while attending meetings in Salt Lake City. After a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, commissioners approved three sets of minutes: the November 17 regular meeting, the annual budget hearing for 2026, and the Truth-inTaxation hearing. Full details of both hearings with adopted rates are available on the state public notice website at Utah.gov for residents who want a deeper look at the county’s 2026 budget decisions. With no scheduled public appointments, the commission moved efficiently through routine business. The commission then designated County Clerk Felicia Snow as
Tuesday, November
Jaynie Connor
On
25th, the Panguitch City Council honored former Fire Chiefs Dave Dodds and Russell Bulkley by presenting them with a plaque. This plaque will be displayed at the Panguitch City Firehouse, which will be officially renamed as the Bulkley and Dodds Fire Station.
A Story of Two Quilts: Part One
Howard Hutchison's missing Garfield County Centennial Quilt
by Melyssa Holbrook
ESCALANTE - The provenance of a quilt always adds to the allure and charm of each unique, hand-made quilt. But more often than not, the provenance (a record of its history, its making, and its chain of custody from its inception to the present day) is unknown.
The first part of this article is a story that will add unique provenance to a missing, or misplaced, Garfield County Centennial Quilt.
The second part of this article is about a found quilt that is missing its provenance.
The quilt that is missing has a more than thirty year history. It all started back in 1995. Ruthanne Oliver, of Escalante, Utah, was asked to make an applique quilt that represented Garfield County. Oliver is renowned for her exceptional applique work. She had never made a large completed quilt from start to finish, but she was not afraid of a challenge.
Utah was celebrating its centennial (100th ) anniversary and the state wanted each county to come up with a logo. The Garfield County Centennial Committee decided to
have an art contest and put an all-call out to all of the schools in Garfield County. Each grade level would compete for a chance to have the best design showcased on the Garfield County Centennial Quilt. All artwork was brought to Dixie College (now Utah Tech) in St. George. Their art department would chose a winner from each grade. Oliver then created applique replicas of each of the winning artworks. She started working on the quilt in late 1995, and she remembers that it took her about one month to make.
After Oliver completed the quilt, the committee asked her to make a second identical quilt. The first quilt would be hung in the Garfield County Courthouse in Panguitch. The second quilt would be taken all over the county to various fairs and markets, where raffle tickets would be sold, and the winning raffle ticket holder would win the second Garfield County Centennial Quilt. The first quilt hung in the Garfield County Courthouse until it was remodeled in 2012. It now sits in a vault at the courthouse. The second quilt was won by Escalante resi-
dent Howard Hutchison. He displayed it on a bed in his home for over twenty years. During the early days of the Escalante Canyons Art Festival (ECAF), he would bring the quilt to the People's Exchange to be showcased with other local quilts. The ECAF quilt show later moved to the new Multi-Purpose Center in Escalante after that building was completed in 2019.
Now, Hutchison's Garfield County Centennial Quilt is MISSING. He remembers that soon after the new Escalante Multi-Purpose Center was open for business, the city was looking for local artwork to adorn the walls. He said that he wanted to have the quilt displayed at the center so that multiple people would be able to see and enjoy it. The quilt had been on a bed in a spare bedroom for decades, and because of that, very few people were able to appreciate its beauty. Hutchison wanted more people to be able to behold what a labor of love this quilt was and learn of the story of its provenance.
Somehow in the transferring of the quilt from his home to the Multi-Purpose
Center, which ironically is directly across the street from Hutchison's house, the quilt never landed at its destination. The quilt was never hung at the Multi-Purpose Center and Hutchison has not seen it since, and he has not been able to figure out where it ended up. That was sometime around the year 2021. Hutchison would still like for this quilt to be displayed in the Escalante Multi-Purpose Center. If anyone has any ideas on suggestions about where his quilt might be, please email EscalanteHeritage1875@ gmail.com.
If you would like to anonymously send back the quilt, please send it to Escalante Heritage Festival, PO Box 637, Escalante, Utah, 84726
We would love to be able to write a heartwarming follow-up story if and when the quilt finds its way back to Hutchison.
The second part will continue in a future issue of The Insider, in which we will look into another Escalante, Utah, quilt mystery: a quilt top that was turned into the Skyhoopi Thrift Store about three years ago; a quilt with unknown provenance.
Courtesy Melyssa Holbrook
The Garfield County Centennial Quilt. In the background, you can see the original winning artworks, made by Garfield County students, that were chosen to be commemorated.
SkyWatcher Leo T
Supernovas, the ISS, and the Hazda People
by Leonard Thomas
The Hazda people gathering tubers in Africa. The Hadza tribe, also known as the Hadzabe, is one of the last remaining hunter-gatherer societies in Africa, residing primarily around Lake Eyasi in Tanzania. rent territory for approximately 50,000 years, making them one of the oldest continuous populations in the region.
SPACE - As we jump into a frosty December, there is lots to soak up and enjoy as the brilliant stars of winter take the stage in the evening sky. Orion and Gemini are in view by early evening in the east, but move south during the night.
Sirius—the brightest, twinkling star in the night sky—rises a little later directly below Orion, which is a big treat to behold, as is the stretch of stars from Taurus the Bull and Aldeberon on up to the Pleiades. The planet Jupiter, which outshines all but the Moon and Venus, is near Pollux and Castor, Gemini's twin stars, all month. Saturn remains super-thinringed high after dark.
The year’s earliest sunsets come over the next couple of weeks, even though the shortest day of the year isn’t until December 21, the winter solstice. The date of the earliest sunset happens first at southern latitudes, then works northward
Rapid observations with the European Southern Observatory’s very large telescope have revealed the explosive death of a star just as the blast was breaking through the star’s surface. For the first time, astronomers unveiled the shape of the explosion at its earliest, fleeting stage. This brief initial phase wouldn’t have been observable a day later and helps address a whole set of questions about how massive stars go supernova. This is about twenty-two million light-years away and about twenty-six hours after the supernova was detected.
As the crew arrives safely at the International Space Station(ISS), the orbiting laboratory’s crew expands to ten for the next two weeks. The trio launched aboard the Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft and after only a threehour, two-orbit journey, the spacecraft docked at the space station’s Rassvet module.
During his stay aboard the space station, Astronaut Williams will conduct scientific research and technology demonstrations aimed at advancing human space exploration and benefiting life on Earth.
It's one sky, many cultures here, as the sky is all of our heritage.
The Hadza tribe, also known as the Hadzabe, is one of the last remaining hunter-gatherer societies in Africa, residing primarily around Lake Eyasi in Tanzania.
The Hadza people have inhabited their cur-
They are considered descendants of Tanzania's aboriginal hunter-gatherer population, with a lifestyle that has changed little until recent times. Their territory is located near significant archaeological sites, such as Olduvai Gorge, which is often referred to as the "Cradle of Mankind" due to the discovery of early hominid fossils.
The Hadza are traditionally nomadic, moving with the seasons to gather food. Their diet primarily consists of honey, tubers, fruits, and meat, which they hunt using handmade bows and arrows. They do not practice agriculture or keep livestock, relying instead on foraging and hunting for their sustenance.
Socially, the Hadza have an egalitarian structure, with no formal leaders or chiefs. Decisions are made communally, and resources are shared equally among members of their small bands, typically consisting of 20-30 individuals. Their language, Hadzane, is unique and incorporates click sounds, distinguishing it as an isolated language with no known relatives.
Despite their rich history, the Hadza face significant challenges today. Encroachment from agricultural and pastoralist
communities has reduced their traditional lands, and they now have rights to only a fraction of their original territory. The Tanzanian government established a reservation for the Hadza in 2011, but it is still much smaller than their historical range.
Additionally, modern influences, such as tourism and changing environmental conditions, threaten their traditional way of life. While some Hadza have adapted by learning Swahili and engaging with tourists, many still strive to maintain their ancestral practices.
The Hadza tribe represents a vital link to humanity's past, showcasing a lifestyle that has persisted for millennia. Their unique culture, language, and social structure offer valuable insights into human history and the challenges faced by indigenous peoples in the modern world. As they navigate the pressures of contemporary society, the Hadza continue to embody resilience and adaptability in preserving their identity and way of life.
Leonard Thomas has a Bachelor of Science degree in Comprehensive Broadcasting and worked as a park ranger as a star guide at Capitol Reef National Park. He is a resident of Torrey, Utah, and is the creator of the podcast SkyWatcher Leo T, which is available to listen to on Spotify.
Oil and Gas Leases:
On Dec. 1, the Bureau of Land Management opened a 30-day public comment period to receive public input on plans to include 58 oil and gas parcels totaling 71,587 acres in Utah in a March 2026 sale. The comment period ends Jan. 2, 2026.
Oil and Gas Leases
Cont'd from A1
view of each parcel.
Leasing is the first step in the process to develop federal oil and gas resources. Before development operations can begin, an operator must submit an application for permit to drill detailing development plans. The BLM reviews applications for permits to drill, posts them for public review, conducts an environmental analysis and coordinates with state partners and stakeholders.
All parcels that are included in a federal oil and gas lease sale include appropriate stipulations to protect important natural resources.
Information on current and upcoming BLM leases is available through the Na-
tional Fluid Lease Sale System. BLM lease sales are held online through EnergyNet.
The parcels BLM is analyzing, as well as maps and instructions on how to comment, are available on the BLM’s ePlanning website at: https://eplanning. blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2040647/510
—Bureau of Land Management
Courtesy Skywatcher Leo T
Wills, Trusts, and More
What is a Personal Representative?
A personal represen-
tative is the person named in a Will to handle the Will-writer's property after death. It is the name of the person often referred to as an Executor or Administrator. The personal representative is in charge of winding up the deceased person's financial affairs. That means taking care of property, paying bills and taxes, and seeing that assets are transferred to their new rightful owners. If probate court proceedings are required, as they often are, the personal representative must handle them or hire a lawyer to do so.
A personal representative doesn't need special financial or legal knowledge. Common sense, conscientiousness and honesty are the main requirements. A personal representative who needs help can hire lawyers, accountants or other experts and pay them from the assets of the estate. The person you choose should be honest, with good organizational skills and the ability to keep track of details
Many people select
by Jeffery J. McKenna
someone who will inherit a substantial amount of their property. This makes sense because such a person is likely to do a conscientious job of managing your affairs after your death. He or she may also have knowledge of where your records are kept and an understanding of why you want your property left as you have directed. Whomever you select, make sure the person is willing to do the job. It is a good idea to discuss the position with the person you've chosen, before you make your Will.
When it comes time, a personal representative can accept or decline the responsibility. Someone who agrees to serve can resign at any time. For this reason, many Wills name an alternate personal representative, otherwise a court can appoint one.
The main reason for serving as a personal representative is to honor the deceased person's request, but the personal representative is also entitled to payment. The exact amount is regu-
lated and can be affected by factors such as the value of the deceased person's property and what the probate court decides is reasonable. Often, close relatives and friends (especially those who are inheriting part of the estate) don't charge the estate for their services.
Your personal representative will usually hire an attorney to assist with the legal documents needed for the estate administration. The personal representative should choose a lawyer that is capable of explaining the estate administration process. A lawyer may charge by the hour, charge a lump sum, or charge a certain percentage of the gross value of the deceased person's estate. The lawyer’s fee is paid from the assets of the estate. The lawyer should relieve the personal representative of the responsibility of personally handling all the details and should help protect the personal representative from any liabilities associated with serving as personal representative.
Now with Richfield and Panguitch offices to serve clients in and around the surrounding counties.
Jeffery J. McKenna is a local attorney whose practice has been focused on Estate Planning for over 25 years. He is licensed and serves clients in Utah, Arizona and Nevada. He is a shareholder at the law firm of Barney, McKenna and Olmstead.
If you have questions you would like addressed in these articles, please feel free to contact him at 435 628-1711 or jeff@bmo.law or visit the firm’s website at www.bmolawfirm.com. He would enjoy hearing from you.
country roads
by Lynn Griffin
tHe lAuGhiNg
The Smartest Man
Alive
A small plane is flying from Dallas to Denver when the engine sputters and dies.
The pilot runs out of the cockpit, grabs a parachute, opens the door, then says, “Sorry, there are only three parachutes left,” and jumps out.
This leaves 4 passengers: a boy scout, a college professor, a priest, and a doctor.
The doctor says, “Guys, I need to be saved. I heal people and am a valuable resource to the human population.” He grabs a parachute and jumps out.
The professor says, “Well, I've won the Nobel Peace Prize and spoken to the leaders of the free world. The president of the United States has called me the smartest man alive. It is obvious I need to be saved.” He grabs a parachute and jumps out, leaving the priest and the boy scout…but only one parachute.
The priest smiles sadly at the boy and says, “Son, I've lived a long and fruitful life. You are young and have the rest of your life in front of you. Take the last parachute.”
The scout replies, “It's okay, Father. The smartest man alive just jumped out of the plane with my knapsack.”
THEME: At a Bar
ACROSS
1. Slovenly ones
6. To do this is human?
9. Not flip
13. Mistress or lover, arch.
14. Precedes de Rivoli
15. Lift a hefty load
16. Sheep-like
17. Invoice qty.
18. Republic on Arabian Peninsula
19. *Aromatic additives
21. *Beer with Bloody Mary, e.g.
23. Major Uziel Galdesigned gun
24. Clarified butter
25. Although, for short
28. Distressed cry
30. Bamboozled
35. What a willow did?
37. J in B. J. King
39. Raspberry drupelets
40. Pelvic bones
41. Birch family tree
43. Banned apple spray
44. Impolite dinner sound
46. Left, Latin prefix
47. Dissenting clique
48. a.k.a. chickadee
50. Four seasons
52. Abode for #1 Down
53. Do, re or mi
55. Buddy Holly's "Peggy ____"
57. *Measuring tool at a bar
*Not shaken
Dough or cabbage
"Gross!"
Lacking guile
"The Day the World ____ Still"
Intelligence org.
Ruhr's industrial center
Job for a body shop
Finish
Honest Job Applicant
A guy goes into a company for a job interview. The interviewer asks him, “What would you consider to be your biggest weakness?”
The guy thinks for a minute and says, “I’m honest with everyone. I don’t know how to be anything other than completely honest, no matter what someone asks me."
The interviewer says, “I don’t really see how honesty could be considered a weakness. In fact, I think it’s a great strength!”
The guy looks the interviewer right in the eye and says, “I don’t really care what you think.”
I lost my job at the bank on my first day. A customer asked me to check their balance, so I pushed them over.
Condemn
#1 Across, sing.
Leave out
Swahili and other languages
One of the seven dwarfs
Victorian one and Elizabethan one, e.g.
*Liquor in Hurricane and Painkiller
It only took a couple of 50 degree weather days to melt off the snow, and it doesn’t look like we will receive any more of the white stuff for a couple of weeks. The ice is really slippery this time of the year, so watch out. We are lucky. I was watching the Green Bay football game, and it was 12 degrees, and the players and the fans were freezing. It used to get even colder here in Panguitch when we first moved here. Each year, it just keeps getting warmer, with record setting temperatures. Santa and his wife made it to the Panguitch Social Hall right on time and were greeted with a lot of smiling faces. All of the kids got gifts, and a few parents made out Sub for Santa lists. The timing was great. I finished off our fivegallon jug of hot chocolate with the last two kids. The sixth graders are just back from D.C., and Santa left us enough socks so that each one can have a gift. I had some great help putting
by Mack Oetting
up the blow-up decorations and cleaning up. It gets harder each year, but it is a great comfort after thirty years to know that Santa will come to town, and for many years to come. Many thanks to Kelly, Laura and Myla for all of their great help and to Santa and his young wife (mother).
Please call Kelly at 690-9208 for your Sub for Santa list; Santa does need to do some shopping for gifts.
This weekend, we have the Panguitch Light Parade, and it will be this Friday. On Saturday, there will be the Cruisin’ Old 89 Christmas Car Show at the Triple C Arena.
Also on Saturday, there will be the annual Christmas Home Tours, from 5-8. As always, there are some really nice homes that are on the tour. There is a list of their locations at the post office.
On the 20th will be the Main Street Merchant Drawings at the Panguitch Social Hall at 10 a.m. Get
your tickets at Joe’s Market and other stores.
Today (Sunday) is December 7, Pearl Harbor Day, lest we forget an attack on our country that got us involved in WWII. Fly your flag at half-staff.
In the sports world, LeBron James, after 1297 games, failed to score in double figures, a streak he has held since January of 2007. He finished with eight. He passed up a lay up in order to pass to a teammate for a three-pointer that won the game. The closest anyone has come to James' record was Kareem AbdulJabbar with 758 games. In James' first game back, he scored twenty-nine points (twelve of them at the end of the game) to give the Lakers the win.
The president has taken all clean air restrictions off the auto makers so they can make cheaper cars. This is after he put big tariffs in place that jacked up their prices. Last year, I bought a Maverick truck for $28,000; there is a cheaper
model without four-wheel drive and a smaller engine for $23,000. Now, they start at $28,000 and go to $43,000. Ford Motors is going to stop making their best-selling electric truck because the 50% tariffs on steel and aluminum make them too expensive. He has stopped all incentive money for electric cars, windmills, and solar heating.
Last week, he pardoned the ex-president from Honduras who was tried and convicted of smuggling 400 tons of illegal drugs into our country. But he claims that the small boats leaving Venezuela are bringing in drugs to the U.S. (a 1500mile trip), and they needed to be destroyed. I hope that this next year will be better. So far, 1.25 million workers have lost their jobs this year. This should be a time of rejoicing and celebrating the birth of the Christ child.
Mack O.
Gift Ideas for the Outdoorsy Person in Your Life
SALT LAKE CITY -
While some people may not be thinking about hunting, fishing or bird-watching during December, there are still plenty of opportunities for all three activities this time of year. Surprise your outdoorsy friends or family members with a Utah fishing or hunting license for Christmas or by paying for their registration fee for a hunting, fishing or birdwatching challenge. They make thoughtful presents, are easy to purchase, and can be used year-round.
Along with ice fishing, Utah also offers several hunts during the winter months. Hunts for several upland game species—including cottontail rabbit, chukar and gray (Hungarian) partridge, snowshoe hare and the fall turkey hunts—run through most of the winter. Annual Utah fishing and hunting licenses are 365-day licenses, so the license is valid starting the day you buy it, and the recipient can start using it immediately.
“Hunting and fishing are some of the most incredible ways to experience the beautiful outdoors of Utah because you get to explore an area in ways you likely wouldn’t otherwise,” Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Licensing Coordinator Lindy Varney said. “A combination license is the gift that keeps on giving because you can use it yearround for both fishing and hunting. It’s a healthy, fun way to spend time outdoors with your loved ones. Buying a license is also a great way to fund wildlife conservation in the state, since the majority of the license funds go toward important habitat restoration, research and other conservation projects.”
Buying a hunting or fishing license online is the easiest way to get one. However, you can also buy a fishing or hunting license at one of the six DWR offices or from any fishing and hunting license agent across Utah. Combination licenses—which allow the license holder to fish and hunt small game—are also available at the same locations and on the website.
To buy a license for someone, you need some of their information, including:
• Name
• Approximate height and weight
Eye color
• Hair color
Date of birth
• Mailing address
Phone number
If you buy a license online, you can have it mailed to you so you can wrap it and give it as a gift, or have it mailed directly to the person you’re buying it for. It usually takes about ten days for a license to arrive in the mail, so order one early if you want it to arrive in time for Christmas.
If the person you’re buying the license for is 18 years of age or older, instead of buying a one-year license, you also have the option of buying a license that’s valid for up to five years.
If the person you’re buying for already has a license, you can extend the period of time when their current license is valid. For example, if the person you’d like to buy for has a license that will expire next April, you can buy a license extension for them now. The extension will keep their license valid for one, two, three, four or five years from the day the license was supposed to expire. However, a license extension may be bought only for a license that will expire within six months from the day you buy the extension. For example, if a license doesn’t expire until November 2026, the earliest you can buy an extension for it is May 2026, six months before it expires.
You can find the cost of each of the licenses on the DWR website. Gift givers should also note that hunting and combination licenses do not include a deer or elk permit and do not allow someone to hunt big game. Hunters can apply for a 2026 general-season buck deer permit in March 2026. General-season elk permits will be available, on a first-come, first-served basis, in July.
Utah Birding Slam
For those who don’t hunt or fish but enjoy wildlife, another gift idea is to pay for the registration fee for the new Utah Birding Slam. Launched in September, the Utah Birding Slam is a self-guided, birdwatching challenge that offers six different slams, each with varying difficulty
new Utah Birding Slam.
levels. The slams have specific requirements that encourage and challenge birders to seek out and learn to identify different bird species found in various parts of Utah. Registration for each individual slam costs $20 for adults and $10 for youth (17 years of age or younger). You can pay for the entry fee online or at any available license agent. Funds help support a variety of habitat improvement and research projects for various bird species.
Utah Cutthroat Slam
Another great gift idea for the angler in your life is a registration fee for the Utah Cutthroat Slam.
Launched in 2016 by Utah Trout Unlimited and DWR, the goal of the slam is for anglers to catch each of the four native subspecies of cutthroat trout in Utah— Bonneville, Colorado River, Bear River and Yellowstone—in their historic ranges. Registration costs $20 for adults and $10 for youth, and you can register online. All but $1 of the registration cost is dedicated to conservation projects throughout the state that help native cutthroat trout.
Anglers who complete the Utah Cutthroat Slam now have the option of selecting one of the four available medallions. The slam can provide a fun challenge and a great way to get outdoors. Waterfowl Slam
If you have an avid hunter in your life, consider gifting them the opportunity to add an extra challenge to their hunting season. Hunters earn one of the Utah Waterfowl Slams by completing different requirements, such as har-
vesting a group of species in a certain time period or location. There are currently ten waterfowl slams with different difficulty levels, so you can find a variety of fun, unique challenges. Along with trying something new, hunters who complete the slams also earn colorful, collectible leg bands. The entry fee for the waterfowl slams is $20 for hunters 18 years of age or older or $10 for hunters 17 years of age or younger. You can pay for the entry fee online or at any available license agent. The money earned from the slam is used to complete habitat-improvement projects on waterfowl management areas across the state.
Upland Game Slam Similar to the waterfowl slams, hunters can complete the eight Utah Upland Game Slams by harvesting the required amount of the target species. Each one is designed to give you an extra challenge while you're hunting, as well as the opportunity to earn a commemorative, collectible coin.
The entry fee is $20 for hunters 18 years of age or older, or $10 for hunters 17 years of age or younger. You can pay for the entry fee on the DWR website or at available license agents. Funds earned from the slams help pay for upland game habitat projects, which have improved multiple sites and allowed DWR biologists to establish upland species in new areas across the state.
—Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
Courtesy Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
If you are looking for a gift idea for a person who doesn't hunt or fish but still enjoys wildlife, you can pay for the registration fee for them to participate in the
Utah Workers Group Calls for Better Wage Scale on Public Projects
by Mark Richardson | Utah News Connection
UTAH - A group of lawmakers, businesses and workers is proposing a plan to establish a wage standard for all publicly funded construction in the state of Utah.
The Good Jobs and Community Priorities Coalition, organized by United Today, Stronger Tomorrow, convened for the Blue Collar Caucus on Wednesday, Nov. 19. The group discussed the need to standardize pay policies for trade workers across the state. More than 70% of Utah voters support pay equity for public construction projects, according to a recent poll.
Rep. Tyler Clancy, R-Provo, said pay rates for the same job can vary widely across the state.
"If we're building a road in St. George or a new courthouse in northern Utah, or we're doing
repairs on our beautiful state Capitol, then we're making sure we're not pricing people out of the market," he said.
Clancy said state lawmakers are looking at legislation to level the playing field for Utah’s contractors and workers in the public construction process. Currently, pay rates can vary from the $7.25 minimum wage to $20 an hour for the same work. Trade workers and businesses told the group that it is making it hard to recruit qualified workers for pubic projects.
There appears to be strong public support for the proposal. A recent poll by Y2 Analytics found that the vast majority of Utah voters prefer higher-quality work and higher safety standards to lower costs.
Kyrene Gibb, vice president for research with Y2 Analytics, said a high
number of Utahns polled favored paying workers a living wage.
"Overall, we see 78% of voters read that government policies should enable workers to support themselves. We also see that voters feel that policies should incentivize the use of local contractors," Gibb said.
Clancy added that when public projects pay low wages, the state can end up on the losing end of the bargain.
"The idea that we would have taxpayers putting the bill on the front end by paying substandard wages, but at the same time an expanded social safety net because those same workers that were paying aren't able to pay their bill, and so they're going to be on our welfare programs," he continued "That doesn't make sense to anyone."
Utah Hosts Invite-Only Meeting on National Parks and Neighboring Communities
State officials say the event was a brainstorm, while conservationists raise concerns by Annie Knox | Utah News Dispatch
SALT LAKE CITY -
A high-ranking official from the U.S. Department of the Interior touched down in Salt Lake City at the beginning of December to meet behind closed doors with leaders from the state, Utah’s national parks and their surrounding communities.
The group of 60 spoke about the future of the parks with Karen BuddFalen, the associate deputy interior secretary. They discussed how the state will help in any future government shutdowns, the timed entry reservation program at Arches National Park and the rollout of a new plan to charge higher fees from international visitors, among other issues, two state officials said.
They described the all-day session as a brainstorm, with no commitments made. Regardless of any immediate results, the discussion provided local and state leaders a direct line of communication to top brass in the Trump administration overseeing much of the nation’s public lands. More than twothirds of Utah is federally managed.
“Ultimately, it truly was a workshop just to get all of the partners in the room and talking about, ‘How do we improve our parks and how do we support them?’ Because they’re the lifeblood to our state,” said Natalie Randall, managing director of the Utah Office of Tourism.
The meeting follows a June Interior Department order recognizing gateway communities near national parks as “key stakeholders” in management and planning. It also comes as one such community, Grand County, is pitching a plan to add more parking and other changes to accommodate more visitors at Arches National Park—changes that critics say go against the National Park Service mission of preservation.
Those not invited to the meeting, including a Utah News Dispatch journalist, were not permitted to enter. The closed doors raised suspicion for conservation groups opposing the state’s efforts to wrest control of public lands and pushing back against arguments the parks should work to allow more visitors inside at a single time.
“It was pretty secretive as to what the purpose was going into it,” said Neal Clark with the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance. “The way that that meeting came together looks to be the state really trying to push its way into dictating management direction for parks.”
“It’s not like we were there saying, ‘Thou shalt not,’ because that’s not what the meeting was,” Johnson said. “It was just, ‘Hey, here are some concerns, and we just have an open discussion about it.’”
He said the group debated timed entry programs, which Utah’s congressional representatives have criticized.
In August, the state’s congressional delegation urged Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to say no to reservation systems designed to limit traffic to parks, like the timed entry program in Arches National Park and a similar proposed setup for Zion National Park, arguing it corresponded with a dip in visitor spending. But Clark said the program ensures visitors can access the trails and sites they came for, instead of spending much of their time stopped in traffic along the way.
“The superintendents, the management, the staff at these parks, have all thought through a lot of alternatives on how to do this,” Clark said. “And they’ve landed at these pretty sensible management decisions.” This article was originally published on utahnewsdispatch.com on Dec. 3, 2025.
The event was designed as a “governmentto-government meeting,” said Redge Johnson, director of the Public Lands Policy Coordinating Office and the host of the event. Johnson recalled telling some state lawmakers and others they couldn’t attend as he tried to keep attendance from growing too unwieldy for productive conversation and debate.
UnitedToday Photo
Utah State Rep. Tyler Clancy told the Blue Collar Caucus that the state of Utah needs more builders; the state’s construction industry is expected to continue growing, meanwhile apprenticeship enrollment and completion has not kept pace to meet the need.
Schools and Sports
BVHS Athlete of the Week
by Mr. Platt | Bryce Valley High School
Courtesy Samie Ott
Last week’s Bryce Valley High School (BVHS) Athlete of the Week goes to Marius Astalus, a standout in the BVHS pickleball program.
BRYCE - Last week’s Bryce Valley High School (BVHS) Athlete of the Week goes to Marius Astalus, a standout in the BVHS pickleball program.
Marius comes to practice each day with genuine excitement and
determination to improve. His positive attitude, strong work ethic, and willingness to push himself exemplify true Mustang spirit. He continues to elevate both his own performance and his team. Great job, Marius!
BVHS Student of the Week
by Ms. Nicholson | Bryce Valley High School
Bryce Valley High School is proud to recognize Riggen Neilson as last week’s Student of the Week.
BRYCE - Bryce Valley High School is proud to recognize Riggen Neilson as last week’s Student of the Week. Nominated by Ms. Nicholson, Riggen is known for his enthusiasm, dedication, and consistent drive to go above and beyond in his course-
work. Whether tackling challenging assignments or contributing to a positive classroom environment, he brings energy and hard work to everything he does. His commitment to learning sets a strong example for his peers. Congratulations, Riggen!
BVHS Athlete of the Week by
Coach Syrett | Bryce Valley High School
Bryce Valley High School (BVHS) is also proud to recognize Raul Copetillo as Athlete of the Week for boys basketball.
BRYCE - Bryce Val-
ley High School (BVHS) is also proud to recognize Raul Copetillo as Athlete of the Week for boys basketball.
Raul was selected for his willingness to try something new and his commit-
ment to showing up each day with a great attitude. His effort, coachability, and determination to grow have already made an impact.
We are excited to watch his progress throughout the season!
BVHS Student of the Week
by Mrs. Syrett | Bryce Valley High School
Bryce Valley High School is excited to honor Taivee Corrales as Student of the Week.
BRYCE - Bryce Valley High School is excited to honor Taivee Corrales as Student of the Week. Taivee shows up every day ready to work and brings a creative, thoughtful approach to her art. She isn’t afraid to
take her time to get things just right, and even when faced with challenging projects, she pushes through and produces remarkable work.
Her creativity and persistence shine in everything she creates.
The Lady Cats won a convincing 46-25 victory over the Piute Thunderbirds in basketball. Lillee Torgersen led the Cats with 14, and Annie Yardley finished with 11. The ladies will have another home game against Wayne on the 11th. Wayne looks tough, with a win over North Sevier of 63-38. Last Wednesday, Millard beat the Cats, 6256. Dirk Memmotts of the Eagles scored 27, and Dave Kielodnew scored 17. Trenton Virga had 20, and Coby Bentley had 15.
Then on Friday, the Cats went out to San Juan
and lost to them, 46-29. George McMaughtan scored 29. The Cats' leading scorer was Trenton Virga with 13. On Saturday night, the Cats beat Green River, 59-53, outscoring them in overtime, 11-5. Casey Walters led the Cats with 17, and Blaize Anderson finished with 4 three-pointers. From Green River, the high scorer was Jason Hernandez, who had 24. The Cats have another away game in Wayne on the 10th and a home game on the 12th against Tintic. Looking at some of the team scores, it looks like Region 20 will be really loaded this year.
The wrestling tournament had 32 teams this year, and the Cats had two champions, They have lost all twelve of their placers from last year, so you will be looking at a lot of new wrestlers, and quite a few girls will be entering.
by Mack Oetting
Courtesy Samie Ott
Courtesy Samie Ott
Courtesy Samie Ott
Interfaith Program:
The Wayne County Interfaith Council will present “The Gift of the Magi,” an Interfaith Christmas program. This year's program marks the twelfth year for this annual event, which will be held December 21, 2025, at the Torrey Ward building of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The Wayne County Community Choir will perform several selections of beautiful and unique Christmas music this year at the Interfaith Christmas program, which will be held December 21,
of
The featured artists this year will be Steve Lutz and Will Barclay. Lutz is a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist firefighter with a long history in the Americana music scene in Denver, southern Utah, Salt Lake City, and Wayne County. Three-time winner of the Intermountain Acoustic Music Association Dobro player of the year, he has played on many recordings and with many bands since 1967 and written some memorable songs along the way. He is known most widely as a resonator guitar player with a keen sense of complementing the tune of the song and supporting the vocalist and harmonic fills and lead parts.
Will Barclay has been a stonemason, father, prospector, traveler, volunteer firefighter and a talented musician and songwriter. He chose to settle in tiny,
remote Teasdale, Utah, in the old stone house of his grandparents. His experiences, combined with a deep sensitivity and curiosity for other cultures, have helped Barclay create, perform and record a wide variety of music that often feels that it could have been written sometime in the last 200 years.
Barclay and Lutz have played together for almost thirty years and achieve a musical symbiosis that crosses genres and styles from ancient British ballads, to bluegrass, blues, cowboy and country rock. They have delighted audiences across Utah, although it is hard to tear Barclay away from his beloved Wayne County home.
Following the program, a reception will be held, where community members can greet each other and enjoy homebaked cookies and punch. Participants are invited to bring a plate of cookies and to take a plate home to share with family and friends. This event provides a great opportunity to celebrate
Courtesy Beth Bogedahl
The Interfaith Christmas program will be held December 21, 2025, at the Torrey Ward building of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The featured artists this year will be Steve Lutz and Will Barclay.
Christmas as a community.
The 2025 organizing committee includes Mike Riddle; Joy Morris; Dale Jaworski; Juie Sati; Mont Forsyth; Sue Kelly; Becky Pace, program and music;
Ted Winder, logistics; Beth and Leon Bogedahl, media; Donita Pace; Shirley Torgerson; Kenra Stephenson; and Maggie Ellett, props.
—Wayne County Interfaith Council
Wayne Commission:
At a short meeting on Dec. 1, the Wayne County Commission designated County Clerk Felicia Snow as Wayne County’s Chief Administrative Officer for state-mandated data governance and cybersecurity compliance.
Three sets of minutes and payment of county vouchers were also approved.
Wayne Commission Cont'd from A1
Wayne County’s Chief Administrative Officer for state-mandated data governance and cybersecurity compliance, noting she has already been performing much of this work.
Commissioners approved payment of the county vouchers, which included routine court costs, travel reimbursements,
Christmas party expenses, and several South Central Communications bills. With no additional public business on the agenda, the commission entered a brief closed session on personnel before adjourning.
The Wayne County Commission meets the first and third Monday of every month at the Wayne County Courthouse in Loa.
Christmas Bird Count:
We welcome anyone and everyone to participate in the Christmas Bird Count. Volunteers can count birds while on a walk in local public lands, or even in their own backyard, making it easy to join in and learn about local and migrating feathered friends.
—Lisa Church, Kanab Field Office Wildlife Biologist
Christmas Bird Count Cont'd from A1
State Park Headquarters, 460 Highway 12. For more information, contact Lisa Young at 435.826.0548 or email lisa.young@usda. gov. The Escalante CBC begins at 8 a.m. and goes until 4 p.m. on Dec. 18, and participants should meet at the Escalante Interagency Visitor Center, 755 W. Main Street. For more information, contact Allysia Angus at allysia. angus@gmail.com.
Additionally, Kanab’s CBC will begin at the Paria River District Headquarters, 669S Highway 89A, on Dec. 18 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, contact Lisa
Church at lchurch@blm. gov. Bryce Canyon’s CBC will begin at 8 a.m. at the Bryce Canyon National Park Visitor Center on Dec. 20 and will go until 4:30 p.m. For more information on Bryce’s CBC, contact kim_barton@nps.gov.
“We welcome anyone and everyone to participate in the Christmas Bird Count,” said Kanab Field Office Wildlife Biologist Lisa Church. “Volunteers can count birds while on a walk in local public lands, or even in their own backyard, making it easy to join in and learn about local and migrating feathered friends.”
—Insider
duet by Lynsey Shelar on the violin and Becky Pace on the piano.
Courtesy Beth Bogedahl
2025, at the Torrey Ward building of The Church of Jesus Christ
Latter-day Saints.
Interfaith Program
Cont'd from A1
Fire Chiefs: Today is a momentous occasion, not just because we are changing the name on a building, but because we are immortalizing the spirit, the dedication, and the foundational legacy of two extraordinary individuals. I stand here today with deep gratitude and a truly personal connection to the men we honor. I have known Chief Russell Bulkley and Chief Dave Dodds my whole life. For me, they were far more than just figures in uniform; they were mentors, sounding boards, and unwavering examples of what true character looks like.
—Nick Frandsen, current Panguitch City Fire Chief
Bulkley and Dodds Fire Station.
During the Panguitch City Council Meeting on January 14th, local resident and former firefighter Mack Oetting proposed to the council the idea of renaming the fire station after Dodds and Bulkley. He highlighted that Chief Bulkley served as chief for fifteen years, while Dodds dedicated over twenty years to the title. The motion was swiftly approved, with unanimous support from all members.
The Panguitch City Firehouse, constructed in 1998 and finalized in 1999, serves as the home for the Panguitch City Volunteer Fire Department and the Garfield County Ambulance Service. This facility accommodates all the town’s fire trucks and ambulances, features a gym on the upper level for firefighter and EMS personnel, and includes offices, restrooms equipped with showers, a kitchen, and an open meeting area that is regularly utilized for training sessions by both services. The station was constructed by Dodds & Talbot Construction. The city issued a call for construction bids on the project, and the company, co-owned by former Chief Dodds, emerged as the winner. According to him and Bulkley, the initial design for the building was drafted on a napkin at the coffee counter at Foy’s Country Corner Café, and it was later refined with the help of a city hired architect.
Chief Dodds, who retired in June of this year, served as chief for twentyeight years and was with the department for more than fifty years. After receiving the plaque at the city council meeting, he stated, “I’ve got a lot of joy having the chief’s job, and if you knew how much, you’d send me a bill. It’s time to move on, but I still want to kick around and help where I can.” Dodds said he felt the department is in good hands with current Fire Chief Nick Frandsen.
Chief Frandsen attended the ceremony and is grateful for the example these two men have been to him and the department.
“Today is a momentous occasion, not just because we are changing the name on a building, but because we are immortalizing the spirit, the dedication, and the foundational legacy of two extraordinary individuals.”
He continued, “I stand here today with deep gratitude and a truly personal connection to the men we honor. I have known Chief Russell Bulkley and Chief Dave Dodds my whole life. For me, they were far more than just figures in uniform; they were mentors, sounding boards, and unwavering examples of what true character looks like.”
Chief Frandsen spoke about the importance of volunteering that Bulkley and Dodds instilled in him and countless others. He touched on the humility and grace with which they served as leaders, and how they always put others first. “But the impact of these two men reaches far beyond one person,” said
Frandsen. “Russell and Dave did not simply serve the Panguitch City Fire Department; they defined it.”
He spoke about how great an honor it was to have the building named after these men, and stated, “It is my profound honor to walk through these doors dedicated to the enduring spirit and towering influence of Chief Russell Bulkley and Chief Dave Dodds. May the new Bulkley and Dodds Fire Station stand forever as a testament to their service.”
Panguitch City Manager Mat Houston shared his feelings on the naming of the fire station: “Russ and Dave were so instrumental in building our fire department into what it is today. Their influence, not only on the fire department but on our community, will be felt for generations to come. They are heroes in many ways to all of us.”
The renaming of the Panguitch City Firehouse serves as a significant tribute to two individuals whose decades of service have profoundly influenced the community's emergency response legacy. By officially dedicating the station to Chiefs Bulkley and Dodds, the city not only celebrates their remarkable dedication, but also ensures that their contributions are remembered by future generations of firefighters and residents. The heartfelt support expressed during the council meeting reflects the immense gratitude felt throughout Panguitch, reminding everyone who enters the station of the leadership, sacrifice, and community spirit that shaped it.
Expert Gives Utahns Advice on Avoiding Stress, Enjoying Holidays
by Mark Richardson | Utah News Connection
Nine out of
adults say they are stressed and overwhelmed during the
according to a poll by the American Psychological Association.
UTAH - Across Utah, the holidays can bring joy but also a heavy dose of stress.
Families are navigating tighter budgets, busy schedules, and for many, the added pressure of caring for aging loved ones with health challenges. Medical experts warn the season’s emotional load can affect both mental and physical well-being.
Dr. Ravi Johar, a physician with the American Heart Association, said as holiday schedules get hectic, one of the first things people sacrifice is sleep, and it is a mistake.
"People usually need between seven to eight hours of sleep," Johar point-
ed out. "It's really important to get that good sleep. And it's just amazing what even just a good night's sleep will do to help you. Sometimes it's just, in the middle of the day, taking a nap."
Johar noted people can also reduce holiday strain by setting boundaries, such as saying “no” when schedules get too full. He acknowledged the holidays can also intensify feelings of loneliness, especially for people who’ve lost loved ones, making it important to lean on people who truly help you recharge.
While the holidays are meant to be joyful, Johar added the pressure to make everything perfect—the meals, gifts, and gather-
ings—can leave people exhausted and anxious. He reminded people to slow down and focus on what actually brings peace.
"Just doing some things for yourself that give you pleasure," Johar recommended. "Whether that's going out to lunch with a friend, going shopping, and maybe just curling up with a good book or watching a TV show that you wanted to see."
When it comes to your favorite holiday sweets, Johar stressed no one should feel guilty about enjoying seasonal treats, but in moderation. He emphasizes the heart of the holidays is “being thankful and finding joy.”
Stock
ten American
holiday season,
Fire
Torrey Cottonwoods: They’ve been part of Torrey since its inception. We know what these trees mean to us. They’re part of our heritage, our legacy.
—Pat
Kearney, Torrey Town council member and head of the town’s tree committee
woods along the south side of the street.”
“Only the dead and dying ones, the ones that are reaching the end that can't be saved are coming down,” said Pat Kearney, Torrey Town council member and head of the town’s tree committee. Erosion and old age played a role in one major tree fall this summer that covered SR24, an incident that Kearney described as “the canary in the coal mine” for the aging corridor of century-old trees.
Little documentation exists identifying exactly who planted the first cottonwood saplings along the Torrey canal and when. Still, it’s safe to say the town’s distinctive tree canopy stretches back more than a century. For many residents, the trees are part of the town’s identity and feature in stories passed down through generations.
Bill Ingelsby first visited Capitol Reef country in the summer of 1944. Even then, he says, the trees appeared ancient.
“All of them were there then,” he recalls. “They were definitely full-grown in 1949,” he added, talking about the year he moved to Torrey when his parents purchased the Wayne Wonderland Mercantile, now the Chuckwagon.
“As you’d come into Torrey, you’d look down Main Street, and it was almost like a tunnel of big cotton-
Tiffany Simpson has heard plenty of Torrey lore from her father-in-law, Vance Brinkerhoff, and one story in particular always stands out. According to Brinkerhoff, the cottonwoods along Main Street aren’t the original trees at all. His great-great-grandmother Huntsman planted the first saplings, but after a raucous night out, her husband accidentally uprooted many of them by running over them with his car, forcing her to start over and replant them.
“Main Street is so iconic in how it looks,” Simpson said. She recently tried to take wedding photos beneath the cottonwood canopy but ran into heavy traffic from the opening weekend of deer season. “We’re just going to see if someone can Photoshop us onto that street,” she joked.
Some stories credit others with planting the first trees along the canal, and some say it was a community effort. Others even say these weren’t the first trees planted along Main Street; rather, Lombardy poplars, a fast-growing species that were planted abundantly and in neat rows in Mormon settlements throughout the West, first lined the town’s entrance. In the absence of a perfect written record, these overlapping stories create a type of shared ownership, as if the trees are descendants of the town itself.
Legal Notices
NOTICE OF OPENING
Over time, however, these trees have approached the natural end of their lives. Fremont cottonwoods have an average lifespan of 70100 years, although some can live for as long as 130 years or more. The canalside trees have benefited from decades of seepage from the open canal. According to Kearney, if the canal weren’t there, the trees likely wouldn’t have lasted this long. Other towns in Wayne County had similar canal-side trees, “But as the water was put into pipes, there was no water source to keep those trees alive. And so over time, they die,” she said.
The decision about which trees will come down is being made collaboratively by state arborists and Torrey Town officials. Although some residents have speculated that the state was requiring the removals, Kearney says that Torrey is ultimately responsible for its streets and trees.
Liability concerns play a significant role. Over the years, falling limbs have damaged fences, fallen on vehicles, and narrowly missed the cabins at Torrey Trading Post. “Businesses and homeowners along Main Street have their eyes to the sky,” said Kearney.
Amy May, executive director of Tree Utah, explains that during the summer months, cottonwood trees will uptake a lot of water. “They’ll get heavier and heavier branches, and at
TORREY PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
Torrey, Utah is taking letters of interest or nominations for one position on the Torrey Planning & Zoning Commission.
Submissions must be received by January 2, 2026
Email: clerk@torreyutah.gov
Applicants must be a resident of Torrey Town or live within the Torrey Water District.
Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on DECEMBER 4 & 11, 2025
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
PAUNSAUGUNT CLIFFS SPECIAL SERVICE DISTRICT
Paunsaugunt Cliffs Special Service District will hold a public hearing on Monday, December 15, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. at the Town of Hatch Community Center, 49 West Center in Hatch, Utah for opening of the 2025 budget and to adopt the 2026 budget.
Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on DECEMBER 4 & 11, 2025
MEETING DATE CHANGE FOR DECEMBER 2025
LOA TOWN COUNCIL
Loa Town Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at 6:30 pm instead of Thursday, December 11, 2025. All public are welcome to attend. Anyone that wants to be on the agenda for this meeting must contact Micelle Brian at 435-836-2160 by Friday, December 12, 2025.
Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on DECEMBER 4 & 11, 2025
years, often in partnership with organizations like Tree Utah and Tree City USA. Along Main Street, Kearney says, “There are ten-yearold trees, there are fifteenyear-old trees, and even one-year-old trees.” Replanting has been going on for a long time, “The only difference is that a little tree is easy to miss. A big tree slaps you upside the head; you really notice when it’s gone,” she said.
Years ago, Torrey had an ordinance requiring that only Fremont cottonwoods be planted along Main Street. Kearney says the town has since reconsidered. “We’ve had to backpedal on that because we’ve been educated now.”
A lack of species diversity, she explains, means a single disease could wipe out an entire row of trees.
they put in the parking lot and fences along the canal, they cut through the trees' roots, and those pine trees started to die,” she said. All the trees were removed.
a certain point, they’ll reach their breaking point,” says May, “That’s just the nature of the trees.” Sadly, in Perry Park in Box Elder County this past July, a branch from a cottonwood tree fell and struck two women sitting on a bench below it. An 80-year-old woman died at the scene, and a 28-year-old woman was treated for serious injuries.
Kearney stresses that concern over Torrey’s trees isn’t new, nor is this a sudden issue that just “popped up.” The town has been planting replacements for
Through a partnership with Tree Utah and the Utah Office of Tourism in October 2022, twelve new cottonwood trees were planted along Main Street, as well as a variety of other tree species throughout town. May with Tree Utah said this was a bit of an experiment to see what trees thrived where. “We've done some of the groundwork to figure out what trees are going to do better down there, and we're happy to support replanting and reforestation projects,” said May.
Ultimately, the treescape in Torrey is going to noticeably change, and according to Kearney, this isn’t the first time. After the First World War, a line of pine trees was planted on the east side of the canal along 100 East as a memorial to the town’s veterans. “When
Legal Notices
“There were probably at least a dozen,” she said, “It was just a whole bank of really neat pine trees. A future crowdfunding effort for additional plantings has been discussed but hasn’t yet begun. Regardless, the town has an annual budget for tree replacement, though it's small, and organizations like Tree Utah offer grants for new trees. Beyond age, Torrey’s trees have been strained by recent weather patterns. Arborists report that trees across Utah experienced a “tremendous struggle” this year due to a lack of moisture. The 2024 late-spring snowstorm, which caused widespread limb breakage in communities throughout Wayne County, continues to have lingering effects.
“People are still paying a price for that storm,” says Kearney.
Removal work is expected sometime this winter, although weather and arborist schedules make the exact timing unpredictable. Tree workers could arrive at any time from late fall into early winter, depending on conditions.
“They’ve been part of Torrey since its inception,” said Kearney. “We know what these trees mean to us. They’re part of our heritage, our legacy.” And one of the reasons they are still here at all is because the town has worked for generations to keep them going.
Amiee Maxwell
The cottonwood canopy that frames the entrance to Torrey has been a defining feature of the town for generations, but this iconic and familiar view is about to change. Several aging and unstable trees in Torrey are scheduled for removal this winter. “Only the dead and dying ones, the ones that are reaching the end that can't be saved are coming down,” said Pat Kearney, Torrey Town council member and head of the town’s tree committee.
Torrey Cottonwoods Cont'd from A1
Legal Notices
NOTICE TO WATER USERS
The applications below were filed with the Division of Water Rights in Wayne County. These are informal proceedings per Rule 655-6-2. Protests concerning an application must be legibly written or typed, contain the name and mailing address of the protesting party, STATE THE APPLICATION NUMBER PROTESTED, CITE REASONS FOR THE PROTEST, and REQUEST A HEARING, if desired. Also, A $15 FEE MUST BE INCLUDED FOR EACH APPLICATION PROTESTED. Protests must be filed with the Division of Water Rights on or before Dec. 31, 2025 either electronically using the Division`s on-line Protest of Application form, by hand delivery to a Division office, or by mail at PO Box 146300, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6300. Please visit waterrights.utah.gov or call (801)538-7240 for additional information.
GARFIELD COUNTY
NEW APPLICATION(S)
95-5583 (A84886): State of Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration propose(s) using 0.015 cfs OR 1.73 ac-ft. from groundwater (30 miles south of Hanksville) for STOCKWATERING.
97-2536 (A84895): Justin and Kaci Dunn propose(s) using 1.73 ac-ft. from groundwater (8 mi SE of Escalante, Utah) for DOMESTIC; IRRIGATION; STOCKWATERING.
CHANGE APPLICATION(S)
61-3590 (a53810): Big Fish Holding LLC, State of Utah Board of Water Resources, West Panguitch Irrigation and Reservoir Company propose(s) using 1.6 ac-ft. from groundwater (2 miles west of Panguitch Lake) for DOMESTIC; IRRIGATION.
EXTENSION(S)
97-68 (a37761): Boulder Farmstead Water Company is/are filing an extension for 0.5 cfs OR 100.56 ac-ft. from groundwater and spring (Boulder) for MUNICIPAL: In Boulder Farmstead Water Company.
97-2294 (A76356): Greg Donovan is/are filing an extension for 1.73 ac-ft. from groundwater (1050 S 470 E) for DOMESTIC; IRRIGATION; STOCKWATERING.
WAYNE COUNTY
CHANGE APPLICATION(S)
95-5131 (a53818): Andrea Margaret Bryce, Michael A. Zody propose(s) using 0.9 ac-ft. from groundwater (3 miles south of Torrey) for DOMESTIC.
NONUSE APPLICATION(S)
95-258 (A12784): State of Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is/are seeking a nonuse period for 9.91 cfs from the Brian Spring Area (2 miles North of Loa) for DOMESTIC; FISH CULTURE: Used in rearing ponds for the propogation of fish.
Teresa Wilhelmsen, P.E.
State Engineer
Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on DECEMBER 4 & 11, 2025
NOTICE OF OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC HEARING PROPOSED PASSING LANES ON US-89
NEAR HATCH
The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) held a public open house in Hatch, Utah, on June 27, 2024, regarding a proposal to construct northbound and southbound passing lanes on US-89 north of Hatch. Based on public comments received, the originally proposed southbound passing lane between mileposts (MP) 117.3 and 118.3 has been eliminated.
The revised scope of work includes widening US-89 along the west side of the road north of Hatch, between MP 116.4 and MP 118.3, to accommodate a new 12-footwide northbound passing lane. Widening US-89 along the southbound shoulder south of Hatch, between MP 114.1 and MP 115.8, to accommodate a new 12-foot-wide southbound passing lane. Additional improvements include drainage upgrades such as extension or replacement of culverts and placement of erosion-control rock (riprap) in drainage channels, slope flattening and installation of guardrail at select locations, reinstallation of rumble strips within the project limits, and updates to signing and striping to meet current standards. Access to affected side roads and driveways will be improved as part of the project. The work will require permanent right-of-way acquisition and/or temporary construction easements at several locations, including areas where construction activities occur within drainage channels and at the top of an existing cut slope to be enlarged on the southbound side of the highway near MP 115.3.
UDOT is providing an opportunity for any person to request a public hearing regarding the proposed improvements. Requests for a hearing must be submitted in writing or by email on or before December 17, 2025. Written requests may be emailed to us89hatch@utah.gov or mailed to: Hatch Passing Lanes Team, c/o WCG, 153 East 200 South, #9, Farmington, Utah 84025. If a hearing is requested, UDOT will schedule a public hearing in Hatch, Utah, and will publish an additional notice stating the date, time, and location of the hearing. For additional information, contact Marty Asay at 801-971-0302.
Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on NOVEMBER 27 and DECEMBER 11, 2025
NOTICE OF SUMMONS
SUMMONS TO: VELMA L. ELMER, JAMES HYRUM “JIM” ELMER, JANE MUIRHEAD, ARTA HEPWORTH, CHESTER ELMER, JULIA MUIRHEAD AND KNOWN AND UNKNOWN DEFENDANTS AND DOES I-IV, HYRUM ELMER is seeking quiet title to himself and against you and any other person claiming an interest in the following land located in Garfield County, State of Utah: BEGINNING AT A POINT IS AT A FENCE CORNER, SAID POINT BEARING NORTH 36°39'26" EAST 3,085.76 FEET FROM THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF SECTION 29, TOWNSHIP 34 SOUTH, RANGE 5 WEST, SALT LAKE BASE AND MERIDIAN; SAID POINT ALSO BEARS SOUTH 84°31'47" EAST 1,822.46 FEET FROM THE WEST QUARTER CORNER OF THE BEFORE MENTIONED SECTION; THENCE SOUTH 87°39'48" WEST 163.20 FEET ALONG A FENCE TO A FENCE CORNER; THENCE NORTH 00°08'24" EAST 178.95 FEET ALONG A FENCE; THENCE NORTH 89°23'10" EAST 159.70 FEET TO A FENCE; THENCE SOUTH 00°58'01" EAST 174.03 FEET ALONG SAID FENCE TO THE BEGINNING..
YOU ARE REQUIRED to file an Answer to the Complaint on file in the 6th Judicial District Court case #250600031 at 55 South Main, Panguitch, Utah 84759 within 30 days of the date of publication of this notice. Failure to do so will result in a default being entered against you and the relief requested in the Complaint being granted in favor of the Plaintiff. Signed: Barry L. Huntington, Attorney for Plaintiff. 435-676-1103. Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on DECEMBER 11, 18 & 25, 2025, and JANUARY 1, 2026
NOTICE OF CHANGE TO DECEMBER BOARD MEETING
GARFIELD COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
The December Board Meeting of the Garfield County School District will be held at Ruby’s Inn in the Red Canyon A Conference Room on December 18th. The Board Meeting will take place from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM. There will be no work meeting this month.
For those unable to attend in person, a ZOOM link will be made available on the day of the meeting.
Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on DECEMBER 11, 2025
The Wayne County Commissioners will hold a public hearing on Monday, December 22, 2025, at 6:00 PM, at the Wayne County Courthouse 18 S Main, Loa, Commission Chambers, to receive public comments regarding proposed wage increase for elected officials.
The purpose of this hearing is to consider adjustments to the elected officials compensation structure, including a proposed salary increase intended to support competitive pay and continued delivery of high-quality public services
All interested persons are invited to attend and will have the opportunity to speak. Written comments may be submitted prior to the hearing by contacting the Clerk/Auditors Office at 435-836-1301 or info@wayne.utah.gov.
Date of Notice: Posted to website on 12/5/2025
By Order of: Board of Commissioners
Felicia Snow Wayne County Clerk-Auditor
Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on DECEMBER 11 & 18, 2025
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
CENTRAL UTAH HEALTH DEPARTMENT
The Central Utah Health Department will hold a public hearing to discuss the 2025 Amended Budget and the proposed 2026 Budget
Date: Tuesday, December 18, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Central Utah Health Department Office at 70 Westview Drive, Richfield
The public is invited to attend and provide comments. Copies of the proposed budget are available for review at the Health Department office during regular business hours. For more information, call 435-896-5451.
Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on DECEMBER 4 & 11, 2025
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
DISTRICT COURT, STATE OF UTAH, GARFIELD COUNTY 55 South Main Street, Panguitch, Utah 84759, Telephone: (435) 676-1104; Facsimile: (435) 676-8239. IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF ELAINE COOMBS ROUNDY, deceased, NOTICE TO CREDITORS, Case No. 253600020, Assigned: JUDGE LARSEN. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that WESLEY ROUNDY was appointed as Personal Representative of the estate of ELAINE COOMBS ROUNDY and creditors of the estate are given notice to present their claims to BARRY L. HUNTINGTON, attorney for the estate, P.O. Box 388, 55 South Main Street, Panguitch, Utah 84759, within 3 months after the first publication of this notice or be forever barred. DATED this 25th day of November, 2025. BARRY L. HUNTINGTON Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on DECEMBER 4, 11, 18 & 25, 2025
REQUEST FOR STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR WAYNE WONDERLAND AIRPORT PRAIRIE DOG FENCE
Wayne County is hereby soliciting Statements of Qualifications and Experience from airport consultants to provide airport engineering services for a prairie dog fence project at Wayne Wonderland Airport.
A complete copy of the Request for Statement of Qualifications and Experience may be obtained from: Felicia Snow, County Clerk, 435-836-1300, or felicia@wayne. utah.gov.
The project will depend upon available funding from various sources, which may include the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Utah Division of Aeronautics, and Wayne County. Selection of the short-listed consultant and/or the top ranked consultant (unless supplemented by secondary selection criteria) will be based upon the criteria in FAA Advisory Circular (AC 150/5100-14E) "Architectural, Engineering, and Planning Consultant Services for Airport Grant Projects” and relative importance of the required information.
This contract is subject to the provisions of Executive Order 11246 (Affirmative Action to Ensure Equal Employment Opportunity) and to the provisions of Department of Transportation Regulations 49 CFR, Part 26 (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Participation). DBE firms are encouraged to submit.
Wayne County invites consultants to submit qualifications to perform the abovedescribed services. Interested consultants shall email their Statement of Qualifications and Experience on or before December 19, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. local time to: Felicia Snow at felicia@wayne.utah.gov.
Issued by:
Owner: Wayne County
By: Roger Brian
Title: County Commissioner
Date: November 26, 2025
Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on DECEMBER 4, 11 & 18, 2025
C lassified a ds
We are looking for friendly, hardworking professionals who enjoy the hospitality industry and interaction with guests.
POSITIONS AVAILABLE:
Front Desk Agents
Laundry Services
Housekeepers
Maintenance
Bellmen
Positions to start April 1st through October 31st
At Capitol Reef Resort we promote from within. Please stop by in person to complete an application. We are located at 2600 E SR 24, Torrey, UT 84775 435-425-3761
Position Announcements
POSITIONS AVAILABLE: Garfield County School District is hiring for the following positions. For the application process and description of each, please see the district website www.garfk12.org
• Part-Time Custodian in Bryce Valley
• Substitute/Activity Bus Drivers
• Substitutes for Teachers, Custodians, and Food Service Workers
SALARY: Please see 2025-2026 Garfield County School Districts Classified, District Office, and Certified Salary Schedules on the district website.
QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants must be fingerprinted and satisfactorily pass an employment background check.
Garfield County School District is an equal opportunity employer. Garfield County School District reserves the right to accept or reject any or all applications.
MEETINGS
TROPIC AA MEETING
Wednesday at 6 PM. Tropic Heritage Center. All meetings are closed discussion.
Escalante AA
Meeting Tues. & Fri. at 6pm 190 W. Main St., Escalante
The only requirement is the desire to stop drinking.
Announcement of Positions
Wayne High School is accepting applications for the following positions: Head Volleyball Coach – Start before the 2026/27 School Year Head Baseball Coach – Start before the 2026/27 School Year
These positions will require adequate knowledge and skills to properly prepare students to participate in sports activities. Applicants must possess the ability to work and interact well with student athletes, demonstrate professional and ethical character, and possess excellent communication skills. Applicants must commit to the appropriate amount of time and effort, to facilitate effective practices and scheduled events.
The chosen applicant must be fingerprinted and satisfactorily pass an employment background check. They will also need to complete the necessary employee paperwork, training, and policy review.
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Answers for this week ISO
SERVICES When in Need, There are Resources in Wayne & Garfield Cos.
For Victims of Domestic Violence, Rape, and Sexual Assault
Canyon Creek Services Emergency Safehouse 435-865-7443 Mobile Team 435-233-5732
New Horizons Crisis Center 145 East 100 North, Richfield Office Hours
8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Shelter is open 24 hrs, 7 days a week Phone Number 435-896-9294
Counseling Services
Central Utah Counseling Richfield Office
255 S Main Street, Richfield Office Hours 435-896-8236
24 Hour Emergency Service 877-469-2822
Southwest Behavioral Health Center
601 E Center Street, Panguitch 435-676-8176
24 Hour Emergency Service 800-574-6763
Wayne Community Health Center
128 South 300 West Bicknell, 84715 435-425-3744
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 988
Questions about these positions can be answered by calling Heidi Woolsey or David Chappell at Wayne High School 435-425-3411 Interested individuals should submit a Classified Application that can be found on the district webpage www.waynesd.org, or picked up at the District Office. Applications can be emailed to: Heidi.woolsey@waynesd.org, David.chappell@waynesd.org, Randy.shelley@ waynesd.org or taken to Wayne High School.
CLOSING DATE: This job will be open until filled, with the first review of applications on Wednesday, January 7. Wayne School District is an equal opportunity employer and reserves the right to reject any or all applications.
