The Wayne & Garfield County Insider February 26, 2026
Despite Recent Snow, Utah Will Need 'Consistent Snowstorms' to Make Up for Deficiency
UTAH - Utah experienced a more active storm cycle near the end of February. While this is a welcome respite from the dry winter so far, the state would need the active pattern to persist through the beginning of April, when the state typically experiences peak snowpack, to achieve near-normal runoff in the spring.
While this storm system brought much-needed snow, some areas, such as the Sevier River Basin, were in such a deficit that they remain at recordbreaking low levels of snow water equivalent. Even over an inch of water falling in the last week isn’t enough to bring the basin up to previous years.
“We appreciate the
GARFIELD CO.Garfield County has begun taking entries for their America 250 Quilt Contest, the theme of which is “250 Years of Freedom.”
Resources has confirmed that the virus has again been detected in wild birds around the Great Salt Lake and in several other counties throughout Utah, in the latest uptick of the ongoing outbreak.
SALT LAKE CITYMultiple waves of highly pathogenic avian influenza have affected Utah’s wild bird populations since the first case of the latest outbreak was confirmed in April 2022.
Now, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources has confirmed that the virus has again been detected in wild birds around
the Great Salt Lake and in several other counties throughout Utah, in the latest uptick of the ongoing outbreak.
The current outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza has been ongoing in the U.S. since 2022, but the disease typically
Avian Flu Cont'd on B3
The submitted quilts are on display and have started to line the halls of the first floor of the historic courthouse in Panguitch. The contest was the idea of
Zion N.P. Announces '26 Angels Landing Seasonal Lottery Dates
ZION N.P. - Zion National Park has announced the lottery dates for the 2026 Angels Landing Pilot Permit Program. The spring seasonal lottery is set to open Feb. 13, 2026. Visitors can apply for a permit on Recreation.gov.
Hikers visiting in the spring, summer, fall and winter can also apply for permits the day before hiking. Under this system, hikers may apply for a permit starting at 12:01 a.m. through 3 p.m. Mountain Time the day before their intended hike. For example, a visitor who wishes Angels Landing Cont'd on B3
Garfield County America 250 Committee organizer, and avid quilter herself, Elaine Baldwin.
The contest invites residents to participate in
a national moment with the “America 250” campaign and is open to any Garfield Quilt Contest Cont'd on B4
WAYNE CO. - The Wayne County Commission met Feb.17 with a little extra gratitude in the air after fresh snow and moisture overnight. They got right to work, approving the Feb. 2nd minutes before moving into a full agenda. First up, the commission approved a zone change from Residential/ Ag to Resort Recreation and a conditional use permit for a new project proposed by Blake Patrick on a parcel near Hanksville currently owned by Kelly Taylor and leased to Patrick and his partner. The approved first phase includes five rental cabins, an aquaponic greenhouse, and e-bike rentals.
Patrick told commissioners the group has worked through the key
Wayne Commission Cont'd on A3
CAPITOL REEF N.P.Winter brings a quieter hum to Capitol Reef, making this time of year ideal for exploring the scenic drive, backcountry trails and wildlife without the busyness of the peak season. As the weather
changes so does the visitation to the park. During the winter season, solitude throughout the park allows for pristine hiking conditions when the sun is out during peak hours. Winter creates a less busy environment to hike popular trails such as Hickman Bridge, or loop along the Waterpocket Fold and see very little traffic. This is the type of solitude
Winter at CRNP Cont'd on B4
Opinion A Utah Monument Comes Under Attack—Again
UTAH - Utah Republican Congresswoman Celeste Maloy is irritated. Her most recent attack on Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument spurred wide and deep opposition. She pushed back in a video with direct, if misleading, language.
Maloy has long criticized this southern Utah national monument that was halved by President Trump during his first term, then restored under President Biden. One million awestruck visitors come here every year and spend money in the two Utah counties surrounding the monument, whose towns total less than 14,000 residents. Yet Maloy discounts data showing the economic value of preserved public lands. She neglects the world-class scientific value of these 1.9 million acres, detailed in Biden’s proclamation.
Rep. Maloy’s attack is wily. She and the rest of the congressional delegation know there’s too much public support to ask President Trump to again chop down the monument’s size. Nearly three out of four Utah voters are on record as wanting to keep Grand Staircase-Escalante protected as a national monument.
So Utah politicians are betting the public won’t pay as much attention to management retrenchment as they would to downsizing. They’re using a controversial tactic to force the Bureau of Land Management to abandon the current Resource Management Plan —a blueprint for how the BLM puts the presidential proclamation into effect on the ground.
But monument supporters are paying attention because management plans matter.
After President Biden restored the boundaries of Grand Staircase in 2021, the BLM worked with the public for two years to create the 2025 Resource Management Plan, listening to every conceivable collaborative partner. Such plans guide decision-making for years, and this true compromise keeps ranchers’ grazing permits in place while also factoring in a warming planet, persistent drought, the need for biodiversity and a sustainable future.
Now, Rep. Maloy has obtained an opinion from the Government Accountability Office to treat the 2025 plan merely as a “rule” that Congress can overturn. This unprecedented allowance can’t be challenged in court and permits the Utah delegation to use the Congressional Review Act to kill the conservation-based plan and bar the agency from issuing any “substantially the same” plan in the future. The Trumpera plan that would take its place leaves much of the monument unprotected from extractive industry and off-road vehicles.
Maloy says that emphasizing conservation “undercuts rural economic development.” From 2001 to 2022, however, real per capita income
by Stephen Trimble | Writers on the Range
grew by 41 percent in the monument’s counties.
She says that local residents and “trail users” oppose the Biden plan. This is cherry-picking. Motorized trail users always want greater access, even though the Biden-era plan left more than 800 miles of dirt roads and trails open for motorized vehicles.
When Maloy talks about “deep cultural traditions” being disrupted by the current management plan, she isn’t listening to Indigenous people who have made this place their home since time immemorial. The six Native Nations of the GrandStaircase Escalante InterTribal Coalition oppose her move, noting that without the “clear roadmap for protection and conservation” provided by the current management plan, “our ancestral lands and…cultural sites within the monument would be at greater risk of looting, vandalism, graffiti, and degradation.”
To support their attacks, Utah’s politicians use their timeworn template to argue exclusively for “the needs and voices of the people who live and work on this land.” These politi-
cians, however, listen only to county commissioners and legacy ranchers, not to a much broader constituency.
This is Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, not Grand Staircase County Park. The environmental, scientific, interpretive, and Indigenous values and potential of these public lands have national and international importance.
Stephen
is a contributor to Writers on the Range, an independent nonprofit dedicated to spurring lively conversation about the West. He’s been hiking in Grand Staircase and writing about Colorado Plateau conservation for 50 years.
This new attack on Grand StaircaseEscalante from Congress—along with a parallel attack on Minnesota’s Boundary Waters—would set a national precedent with no public input that could upend public lands protection for years. Even the deeply conservative Mountain States Legal Foundation said it fears a “Wild West” for land-use planning if Congress acts on Maloy’s radical approach.
The exhausting yearslong battle to protect the resources and restorative magic of Grand StaircaseEscalante can wear out supporters. But this place gives us no choice but to speak up once again. Staying silent puts federal agencies
in an impossible position and places all of our public lands at risk. Let your members of Congress know that preservation of the monument requires leaving the current resource management plan in place. Stephen Trimble is a contributor to Writers on the Range, an independent nonprofit dedicated to spurring lively conversation about the West. He’s been hiking in Grand Staircase and writing about Colorado Plateau conservation for 50 years.
Utah Department of Natural Resources Appoints Joel Williams as Director of Water Resources
SALT LAKE CITYThe Utah Department of Natural Resources has selected Joel Williams as the new director of the Utah Division of Water Resources. This appointment follows the transition of former director Candice Hasenyager, who now leads the Division of Water Quality at the Department of Environmental Quality.
The announcement follows a thorough selection process, which included a distinguished interview panel, and was made with the full support and concurrence of the Board of Water Resources.
“Joel Williams is a proven leader. He has the vision and technical expertise required to navigate the
complex water challenges Utah is facing,” DNR Executive Director Joel Ferry said. “His track record within the division makes him the ideal choice to lead Water Resources.”
Prior to this appointment, Williams served as the division’s deputy director. In this role, he was responsible for managing the Conservation and Operations branch, in addition to his work as the division’s legislative liaison and tribal affairs specialist. He has a wealth of experience in project funding, water conservation and long-term infrastructure planning.
Williams holds master’s and bachelor’s degrees in civil/environmental engineering from Brigham
Young University. After joining the division in 2007 as a senior engineer, he quickly rose through the ranks to project funding section manager and assistant director over the funding branch. In 2021, he accepted the role of deputy director.
“I’ve had the pleasure of working with dedicated and skilled professionals at Water Resources for most of my professional career. I’m honored to step into this position and lead the division,” Williams said. “I am confident that we can continue to plan for future challenges and help provide reliability and resilience in our water supply.”
—Utah Division of Water Resources
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It never ceases to amaze me how willingly humans ignore the lessons of history, refusing to learn from the past. Case in point: the current anticougar campaign. In the early 1900s, the powers that be decided, without doing an actual census, that the deer herds on the Kaibab Plateau in northern Arizona were too small. Their solution? Countless predators—cou-
Behind the scenes of Panguitch basketball, you will find an older gentleman often making popcorn. Not just any popcorn, but the kind he has to special order from back east, where the Amish
A History Lesson
gars, wolves, coyotes and bobcats—were killed. Deer herds increased until, by the 1920s, there were so many that the plateau became severely over-browsed and deer starved.
This case of human meddling and its disastrous consequences is well known to students who have taken a biology or ecology class, and yet the actions of the past are being repeated. Perhaps it’s
Thanks, Mack
perfect it.
Mack Oetting has quietly helped in concessions for many years. He has donated significant amounts of time and money because he wants our youth to succeed. As a
Insider The
OUR MISSION: to foster community connection, civic engagement, economic resilience and journalistic integrity for rural southern Utah.
In our area, I doubt that anyone driving in or around Escalante in the early evening thinks there are too few deer. Has an actual census been taken here or elsewhere in Utah? Perhaps we should start with that, rather than embarking on a “solution” to a possibly non-existent problem.
Kathy Munthe, Escalante
community, we want to say thank you. You and your family have done a lot of good, and it has been appreciated. Thanks, Mack! The Yardley Family and Panguitch Community
WAYNE CO. - It was a long, long time ago that farmers did (and do continue to) prosper. But as unpredictable as weather can be, the climate did eventually turn dry. That would have been about the year 1200 A.D. Ancient records of the time did record that, in a vision from above, the group was to “take counsel from the animals.” In essence, this meant for them to back off from farming and become nomadic hunters and gatherers.
It’s true that habitants of Utah did stop farming around 1200 A.D. because of a severe drought, and there is physical evidence of it scratched into the red rock walls in some far corner of Capitol Reef National Park, where people rarely go. And pictographs also indicate that after that, Indigenous peoples mostly made their living by hunting and gathering up and until A.K Thurber and Beason Lewis haphazardly arrived on the scene in Wayne County with a herd of cows.
Other stories of the time relate that the Cumsee family also experienced drought upon settling in the Paiute homelands. In 1912, Carlton Cumsee’s parents came to look at land for sale in the Escalante desert known as Iron County. The land looked lush. “Grasses flourished . . .Wild horses and their folds frolicked in the fields, deer roamed the hills, water holes sparkled in low places.” So as investors throughout southern Utah are doing today, the Cumsees bought lots of land.
But rain had been falling much more than usual that spring. Utah was in the “wet” part of a “wetdry” cycle. In the West, and as told, the “dry” part comes around eventually. The Cumsees found that out, and. like their crops, their investment dried up.
As an example of Utah’s changing weather, in 1864, Joseph Holbrook of Davis County told the Deseret News that “he sowed twenty bushels of oats, planted fifteen acres of corn and ten of sugar cane this year, and that he does not expect to get a bushel of oats or corn nor a pint of molasses, owing to the drouth.”
It is absolutely and positively true that the most severe drought on record descended on Utah between 1895 and 1907. “It was a very long dry period” said an old timer from Grover, while slowly running his fingers across his whiskered chin.
During those years, the “once-green meadows on Boulder Mountain turned to dust beds, and the only thing left on the slopes were cow pies, hard as rocks.” Herds of sheep were bedding by dwindling stream beds and dying along the banks. Cattle shuffled aimlessly around the mud holes, thirsty and floundering in the sludge, and without water, they died.
The second worst drought to descend on northern Utah was from 1931-41. In Utah, in May 1934, streams that would usually be full of melted snow looked more like late August streams, with much less water flowing than usual. That summer, Utah farmers had only one quarter of their usual irrigation water. Crops dried up, people lost jobs, and
Adus F. Dorsey II
Despite recent moisture, the U.S. Drought Monitor and the Diefenbaugh’s rain gauge indicates that most of the state of Utah is on level D4, a level of exceptional drought.
rancher growers had little feed for their animals. The old timer from Grover ran his palm across his stubbled chin and mentioned that “In fact, some Duchesne County farmers were known to have harvested tumbleweeds to feed their cows, sad times indeed, sad times.”
Go into any popular watering hole along the Wasatch front, and you are bound to hear more speculation and synopsis about drought than there are empty beer bottles on the table. Without a doubt (and in case you are wondering, you do not need a U of U professor with a second house in Torrey to tell you), it is true that more than 95% of Utah’s water supply starts as snow. As any Cache Valley banker knows, snowpack in our mountains acts like a natural savings account, slowly melting and releasing water each spring to feed rivers, lakes and reservoirs. When snowpack is low, that account runs dry, affecting everything downstream, which is a big surprise to those with four acres of lawn living in the desert.
Ask the Fremont Irrigation Company Watermaster, and they will be happy to pull you to the side of the road and share that reservoirs serve as a critical buffer, storing water during wet years to carry us through dry ones. But during extended droughts, reservoir levels can drop dramatically (see the boat ramp at Mill Meadow Reservoir), limiting water availability for farms and the environment. In recent years, some of Utah’s reservoirs have fallen to historically low levels, exposing how vulnerable our water supply system can be.
Drought reveals the cracks in this system, stressing the importance of conservation, watershed health and smart infrastructure that can stretch every drop.
When it comes to BYU (no offense implied), water scientists take a more scorched earth, mega cricket invasion approach when it comes to drought.
They say that Utah is currently going through a megadrought, facing the driest twenty-year period since the Middle Ages, according to a BYU ecosystem ecology professor. Bless his BYU soul; that ecosystem ecology
Wayne Commission:
A new project proposed by Blake Patrick on a parcel near Hanksville, the fifteen-lot subdivision map for the Wayne County Business Complex, an amended indigent defense services contract, an Agricultural Protection Area request, and approval of Resolution 2026-01 discussed.
Wayne Commission Cont'd from A1
pieces including the road permit, septic feasibility, electric/solar plan, and water with a well that is already in place. The plan is to power the site through a solar kit that is expandable with battery storage and backup generation. The commission approved the request unanimously.
professor said the current conditions Utahns are facing aren't just a regular drought, but a super drought, a dry period that lasts more than ten years.
Anyone born in the '90s or later in the Western U.S. has been experiencing drought conditions their entire lives, he said.
The U.S. Drought Monitor and the Diefenbaugh’s rain gauge indicates that most of the state of Utah is on level D4, a level of exceptional drought.
With that said, it is past time that we watch our Ps and Qs. ("Mind your Ps and Qs" is an English idiom meaning to be on your best behavior, use good manners, or pay close attention to details.)
An old timer in Torrey says, “Drink more beer!” References: Utah State Water Statistics, general water knowledge and common sense, and satire, which is the use of humor, irony, and exaggeration, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues.
As a related update, county staff also noted the fifteen-lot subdivision map for the Wayne County Business Complex is essentially ready with water, power, and feasibility work in place and will move toward final signatures and recording so the county can begin leasing or selling lots.
Commissioners ratified a letter of support to Sen. Jerry Stevenson urging an extension of Utah’s rural film incentive program. (The letter had already been sent ahead of the deadline and needed formal approval.)
They also approved a letter of support for “Stickthrowers” archery range grant application being prepared through USU Extension/4-H. The proposed range would be on a ten-acre USU Extension parcel in Teasdale, near the water tanks and an existing riding arena. The plan includes reworking the old fencing (with help from the high school welding class) and building a range that’s separate from firearms, designed for 4-H, school use, and community access. Organizers noted the grant requires the facility be open
to the public, with fencing intended for safety and management but not to lock it away.
The commission approved an amended indigent defense services contract, noting a change in managing attorney to Candace Reed and a reduction of about $4,000 in grant support (with the county still ensuring coverage).
They also approved a three-year lease extension with the Department of Workforce Services for two rooms, at $410/month (with a renewal term later referencing $422/month). Workforce Services is in the building one day a week, Tuesdays, supporting local employment needs.
Commissioners approved two Garkane easements (after acreage questions from a prior meeting were verified), covering access tied to the community center/EMS area and the business park parcels.
The commission voted to begin the process for an Agricultural Protection Area request from Boone and Marjorie Taylor in Bicknell. It will cover three parcels totaling 57.69 acres. The proposal will be advertised, mailed to nearby landowners, reviewed by Planning and Zoning and the Agriculture Advisory Board, and then returned to the commission for a public hearing set for April 20 at 9:30 a.m.
Commissioners approved updates to the county’s special event application, including removing a “political” event checkbox.
County Attorney Michael
Winn explained the goal is to avoid decisions that could look like the county is endorsing (or opposing) an event’s message, while still regulating events through time, place, and manner rules and existing ordinances.
The commission voted to shift airport manager duties back to the maintenance position, ending the county’s arrangement with Daryl Peterson effective March 1.
They also approved Resolution 2026-01, setting the distribution of the county’s rural healthcare tax beginning April 1, paid quarterly. The resolution allocates 18% each to EMS, Search and Rescue, the Sheriff’s Office, Sanitation, and the Fire District, with 2.5% each to Bicknell, Hanksville, Loa, and Torrey to offset their emergency services agreements (with any excess reallocated under the resolution’s formula).
Finally, commissioners approved purchasing a 2011 Dodge Ram 2500 (4WD) from the road department for $14,000 to support work connected to the Robbers Roost Trail System, noting grant funds can’t be used for the vehicle purchase. Vouchers were then approved and the meeting went into closed session to discuss personnel policy.
The Wayne County Commission meets the first and third Monday of every month at the Wayne County Courthouse in Loa.
Wills, Trusts, and More
Protecting Your Beneficiary’s Inheritance
Getting an inheritance in any format is great! However, getting an inheritance in trust may be even better. Let me explain.
Most clients want all or at least part of their estate to go to an individual such as a spouse, child, close family member or friend. Usually, the clients have no special concerns about how the named beneficiary will manage the inheritance. In such a situation, the client may say, “I just want the inheritance to go outright to the beneficiary, with no restrictions.”
However, is that really the “best” format? What if a few restrictions could yield significant protection for the inherited assets?
An option to strongly consider is having the inheritance go to the beneficiary in an Inherited Subtrust. During the beneficiary’s lifetime, the subtrust holds the assets for the benefit of the beneficiary, with distribution as needed to pay for the beneficiary’s health, education, maintenance and support expenses.
by Jeffery J. McKenna
Although the named beneficiary can manage the trust as the trustee of the subtrust, and receives trust assets as needed, the beneficiary does not own the assets when they are held by the subtrust, which provides significant protection from creditors.
The fact that the beneficiary of the subtrust is not the owner, and has never been the owner of the assets, is the key. While a creditor or divorcing spouse can attach (and take) what someone owns, it is much harder for a creditor to take the assets that are owned and managed in an inherited subtrust.
This method of leaving assets in a subtrust for beneficiaries can be a great way to leave an inheritance. The assets remain available to the beneficiary for their health, education, maintenance and support. The beneficiary can serve as their own trustee and, with certain limitations, can control the use and distribution of the assets. Also,
the beneficiary can have the power to appoint the trust assets to the people or institutions the recipient wants to benefit upon the recipient’s death. Finally, and perhaps most significantly, as noted above, leaving inherited assets in a subtrust can help protect the assets from creditors.
The subtrust format has two principal inconveniences for the recipient. First, after the grantor dies, but only after the grantor dies, the assets received must always be titled in the name of the subtrust. Second, the subtrust must file its own separate income tax return. Again, the extra tax return is only filed after the death of the original person creating the general trust.
In conclusion, before just “giving the inheritance outright” to those you love, consider including a subtrust in your general trust. This relatively simple modification can make a huge difference and better protect the assets you are leaving for loved ones.
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
tHe lAuGhiNg
You Get What You Pay For
An old man walks into a town square with a big sign around his neck that reads, "Old Man's Message: Wisdom for a Nickel!"
A skeptical passerby tosses a nickel into the old man's hat and says, "Alright, wise guy; what's your message?"
The old man looks up, grinning ear to ear, and says, "Never spend a nickel on something you can learn for free!"
Coffee Talk
During his travels, a man stumbled upon a quiet town with a café that had a peculiar sign: "Home of the Talking Coffee Beans." Intrigued, he went in and met the barista.
He told him that there was this same guy who used to visit the café every day and claimed that his coffee talked with him.
Curiosity piqued, he ordered a cup. After his first sip, he heard a voice say, "Is it hot enough for you?"
He almost spilled it in surprise! The barista laughed, "Told you so! But don’t worry; it only talks about brewing topics!"
PUNishment
I like to wine a lot— it’s my pour decision.
THEME: The Oscars ACROSS
1. Traction aid 6. Freddy's street 9. Reach a high 13. Italian bowling 14. Entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk's alias, Gary
15. Jolly good one 16. Parallel grooves 17. Many, many moons
18. "Take it back!"
19. *"Song Sung Blue" Best Actress nominee 21. *Movie with most 2026 Oscar nominations 23. Make a seam 24. Vampire's tooth
25. Tai's partner
28. South American monkey
30. Naphthenic acid + palmitic acid
35. Pilot's stunt
37. Forbidden, to a baby
39. Vampire of Greek mythology
40. Italian wine region
41. Not Astroturf
43. Alpine lift
44. Sports figures, e.g.
46. Cantina pot
47. Email folder
48. Not vivid and bright
50. Nessie's abode
52. *Jamie Foxx won for his role in this 2004 biopic
53. Eagle's nest
55. Unreliable newspaper
57. *2026 nominated film with Stone and Plemons
61. *Chlo Zhao's nominee
Newton or Stern
Romanian money
Star-crossed one
To the point
a.k.a sodium hydroxide
Novelist Zola
Formerly, formerly
Aye-aye
"He
Languages
An American soldier called his family from overseas. "Hi Mom, I learned to speak three languages since I've been deployed."
His mom responded, "Well, I hope one of them is better English so you can tell us all about it!"
Kids
Two mothers were chatting in a park.
One said, "My kid tried to microwave a book to make its content hotter."
The other replied, "That's nothing! My kid thought the alphabet had 27 letters. He included the hashtag."
A dad, overhearing them, added, "Well, my kid planted jellybeans hoping to grow a candy tree. I guess we all have the claim to the 'dumbest kid' title at some point!"
Not NBC or ABC
DNA and RNA, e.g.
Cups and saucers
20-20, e.g.
*"One Battle After Another"
Obituaries
Joe Taylor
March 29, 1954 - February 14, 2026
NEW HARMONY - Joseph R. Taylor passed away in his home in New Harmony on February 14, 2026. He was born in Salina, on March 29, 1954, to Pratt and Hazel Marie Jackson Taylor.
Joe attended and graduated from Wayne County High School in 1972. During high school, he was the Junior High Student Body President, he played basketball and participated in FFA. After high school, Joe attended college at Southern Utah University, later attended Western College of Auctioneering and became a certified auctioneer.
He was a true outdoorsman and found joy in horses, guns, hunting, and skeet shooting. He was also creative and could weld beautiful horseshoe art. Joe lived his life on his own terms. He always remembered people and tried to keep up with their lives. He loved teasing children and was a favorite uncle.
Joe leaves behind his siblings: Rosemarie Stephens of Ephraim, Calva Rae (Stephen) Rich of Frisco, Texas, Prall (Mary) Taylor of Loa, Eva Dean (Richard) of Richfield; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Bruce Pratt; cousin, Merlin Taylor; brother-in-law, Joe Stephens; sister-in-law, Karen Taylor.
A celebration of life was held from 6:00-8:00 P.M. on February 20, 2026, in the New Harmony LDS Church, 12 South Main Street.
A second celebration of life was held from 2:004:00 P.M. on Saturday, February 21, 2026 at the R Livestock Connection (Richfield Auction), located at the Junction of Austin and Elsinore on Highway 118, where Joe worked as an auctioneer.
Cremation services are under the care of Springer Turner Funeral Homes of Richfield and Salina.
Oh, my; wasn’t all that recent snow so beautiful? It brought back visons of Christmas in the past. We got over a foot at our house, and it has been a long time coming. The weather forecasters said that the last time we had that much snow was in 2018. We have great neighbors; they came and shoveled our sidewalks for us. I had gotten so used to only pushing around a few inches of the stuff that I didn’t think I could handle it myself. Thank you so much. I kind of feel sorry for all of the deer. I don’t think they know how to get food with snow that deep. We have had a lot of deer in our yard, and one of them was eating dead leaves off of one of our bushes. I think that the deer like our big trees, they just seem to lay under them and not eat any of our grass. With all of the snow up at Brian Head, it looks like their season will be longer this year.
I forgot to thank our school for all the work that they had to do to after all of the games. Many thanks to Mr. T, our principal, for staying to the end of the games on all four nights,
FYI PanguItch
by Mack Oetting ~ mackoetting @gmail.com
and for making sure there wasn’t any trouble.
February, our shortest month, is about gone, and other than St. Patrick’s Day in March, I can’t think of any other holidays. I will check my calendar next week.
We have two icons who are retiring, including Rob Veater, who has worked for the county since the saw mill closed thirty years ago. Any time you go to the county building, it looks like it is brand new, with not a spot anywhere. Rob also helps with repairs in other county buildings and any other place that needs help.
Dave Owens is also calling it a day. Dave has worked for the city for over forty years. He is really going to be hard to replace; he knows where every water and sewer line is in the city. He has to be able to operate big equipment if something goes wrong. The city workers are up really early, plowing our streets during snow storms, and they are called upon to help with setting up our many events Many thanks to both of these men. You really know how to work, so enjoy your retirements.
The Winter Olympics finished, and they were really a lot of fun to watch. How no one seemed to get hurt on some of those crazy events, I will never know. The USA won more medals than ever before, and they won the ice hockey game for the first time since they won in 1980, with the "Miracle on Ice" team. My favorite was the women's freestyle skating. The American skater was so happy with her near perfect routine that it had to make you smile. All the skaters were jumping up and down congratulating each other and not caring who won. At the closing ceremony, all of the teams were jumping up and dancing and were having so much fun. All of those that were there were champions.
It seems like there is still one person who does not believe that tariffs are taxes that are paid for by whoever does the purchasing of something that is not made in the USA.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the president does not have the right to place taxes on items and that the Constitution states that only Congress has that right. The president didn’t
Obituaries
take it lightly, calling the justices names and now trying to figure out how he can get his tax back on. The big question is how the tariffs, that are illegal, get returned to the buyer. His tariffs were on steel and aluminum at 50% for those items coming from another country. The last piece to the Panguitch Lake dam gate is coming from another country and should cost 50% less. Cars that were bought and made in Mexico had big taxes on them. My Maverick, that I bought two years ago, is now $10,000 more because it is assembled in Mexico. Actually, if the president had any sense, he would accept the ruling and then brag about how much the cost of living is down.
Canada and Mexico should be really happy, as should be our building trade. We get much of our lumber from Canada, and we get many of our vegetables from Mexico. Our farmers should be really happy to be able to sell their soy crops to China. February has been a really good month, even if it is the shortest.
Mack O
Laraine Debra O’Donnal McKee
PANGUITCH - Our beautiful wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother passed away peacefully with her family by her side on February 17, 2026, in the care center in Panguitch, Utah.
Debra was born at home on August 27, 1945, in Superior, Arizona. She was the second child, but the first girl born to Sumner C. O’Donnal and Emogene Fendley. Debra and her older brother were soon joined by three more sisters. The family moved to Mesa, Arizona, when Debra was 11 years old, so the children could have more opportunities for church activities and to broaden their dating pool.
The move to Mesa turned out to be fortunate for Debra because they moved into the same ward as Norman Ray McKee’s family. Debra loved growing up in Mesa and going to Mesa High School where she participated on the drill team known as the Rabbettes. As she got older, she paid more attention to the handsome Norman McKee as he sat at the sacrament table on Sundays. They dated a few times, and after he returned from serving a mission, they were married on April 24, 1964, in the Mesa Arizona Temple.
Debra worked as a beautician until 1966, when they left Mesa for Logan, Utah, for Norman to attend Utah State University and Debra worked for Casper’s Ice Cream making Nut Sundies and Creamies. They moved to Kanab, Utah, for Norman’s job in 1968 after graduation and wanted to start a family. After many fertility treatments, their first child, Eileen, was born. The family moved to Panguitch in 1970 where 4 more children were added to the family, Darwin, Laresa, and twins, Brent and Brenda. She loved the cool climate and small town feel of Panguitch and spent many hours enjoying the outdoors, enhanced by Norman’s career as a wildlife officer and biologist.
Debra was a stay-at-home mom until she started to help in the Special Education classroom when the twins were in 2nd grade. She also worked as a CNA at the hospital, at the front desk at Ruby’s Inn near Bryce Canyon, doing group sales, and finally as an office manager at Western Town so she could be closer to home. Debra quit in 2000 to take care of her sister, Sandy, until her death.
Mom was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serving faithfully in many callings. She loved her callings in Young Women and Relief Society and also served as the ward music leaders for several years. Her gift of service extended into the community and was involved in local and regional PTA for many years. Her love of genealogy and service matched perfectly when she joined the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers and spent 40 years serving and leading in the organization.
Debra’s greatest role was being a wife, mother, grandmother and now great grandmother. Her 5 kids, 8 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren were her world. Mom loved to make everything around her beautiful and fun. The simple things in life made her happy: flower gardens, recipe books, memory books, and small thoughtful gifts.
She is survived by her children Eileen (Nolberto) Castro, of Murray, UT; Darwin (Sara) McKee of Saratoga Springs, UT; Laresa (Chad) Waller, of McKinney, TX; Brent (Kellen) McKee, of Reserve, NM; Brenda McKee of St. George, UT; 8 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren with one more expected this summer; her sister Gail (Alan) Mattison, of Gilbert, AZ; her sister Regina Montijo, of Mesa, AZ. Debra was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Ronald, and her sister, Sandy.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at 12 noon in the Panguitch Stake Center, 550 South 100 West, Panguitch, UT. A viewing will be held on Friday from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Stake Center, and Saturday morning from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Interment will be in the Panguitch City Cemetery.
An online guestbook and livestreaming of services are available at https://mosdellmortuary.com/debra-mckee/ Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88620150341?pwd=aDbc5wx2b44zh730G ToEldMaGjYSyW.
Bipartisan Majorities in Western States Oppose Trump’s Rollback of Public Lands Protections
by Chase Woodruff | Utah News Dispatch
WESTERN U.S. -
Large, bipartisan majorities of voters across eight Western states remain concerned about the impacts of climate change and opposed to efforts by the Trump administration to weaken environmental rules and public lands protections.
Eighty-four percent of Western voters say that “rollbacks of laws that protect our land, water and wildlife” are a serious problem, up from 68% eight years ago, according to a poll released Wednesday, Feb.18, by Colorado College’s State of the Rockies project.
The college’s annual Conservation in the West poll has measured Western voters’ views across a range of environmental and energy issues since 2011. The 2026 survey is based on interviews conducted in January with
bled since 2011. Threequarters describe it as at least a “somewhat” serious problem, making up a majority in every state surveyed except in Wyoming, where slightly more than 50% of voters say it’s not a problem.
The 2026 survey was conducted jointly by Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates, a national Democratic polling firm, and New Bridge Strategy, a Republican firm based in Colorado.
By a 76% to 21% margin—the largest in the survey’s 16-year history— poll respondents said they want the federal government to manage public lands with an eye towards environmental protection and recreation, rather than prioritizing energy production.
That’s a stance sharply at odds with the “energy dominance” agenda em-
Elizabeth Margaret Labuschagne Platt
HENRIEVILLE - Elizabeth Margaret Labuschagne Platt, age 94, passed away from natural causes on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at her home in Henrieville with her beloved daughter and granddaughter by her side. Dawn and Verity were untiring in their loving care for Elizabeth during her last few years.
Elizabeth was born on January 25, 1932, in Northern Rhodesia/Zambia, in Africa. Her parents were Kristoffel “Christian” Barend Labuschagne and Johanna Magdalena Van Rensburg. Her father spoke 14 languages and worked for the U.K. MI-6 foreign intelligence service. As a child, Elizabeth enjoyed going on safari expeditions in Africa's bush country with her father as the hunting guide when she was home from boarding school, where she received her education. Elizabeth learned a great deal about many things from her father and spoke four languages herself, including some African tribal languages.
Elizabeth married early and worked hard to provide for her four children after her divorce. Her life was difficult, but she had an unconquerable spirit that got her through hard times. She had a deep love for her children, and they always knew they were loved.
there’s a real level of intensity behind what we’re seeing throughout the data.”
Overwhelming majorities of voters also remain opposed to selling some public lands to private companies for the purposes of energy development or housing construction, the poll found. Last year, a proposal backed by Utah Sen. Mike Lee to facilitate the sale of millions of acres of federally owned land failed to make it through Congress.
Colorado River negotiations
The 2026 poll also measured public opinion on water issues among voters in the six surveyed states—Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming—that are parties to the Colorado River Compact.
Earlier this month, negotiators from those six
3,419 voters in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming.
“After 16 years, it’s become a rare longitudinal data set that lets us track how public attitudes have shifted over time throughout the West,” Ian Johnson, Colorado College’s director of strategic initiatives and sustainability, said in a media briefing Wednesday on the 2026 results.
“Communities are now grappling with pressure on land and water, wildfire risk, competing energy priorities and questions about stewardship that define both livelihoods and quality of life,” Johnson added. “This poll helps us move beyond any assumptions and provides clear bipartisan insight into what Westerners actually think, and what they want their leaders to prioritize.”
More than half of voters across the West now describe climate change as an “extremely” or “very” serious problem, a share that has dou-
braced by President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans, who have moved to rescind Biden-era protections like the Bureau of Land Management’s Public Lands Rule and reduce the royalty rates paid by oil and gas companies to drill on public lands.
Nearly nine in ten Western voters, including 75% of self-identified “MAGA supporters,” told pollsters they’re concerned about “funding cuts to national parks, forests and other public lands. And a slew of specific policies enacted over the last year by the Trump administration—the exemption of smaller streams and wetlands from the Clean Water Act, the rescission of the U.S. Forest Service’s roadless rule, rollbacks of Endangered Species Act protections and more—are opposed by solid majorities of Western voters.
“Now that things are happening, the level of concern is very different,” said New Bridge Strategy’s Lori Weigel. “It’s much more tangible, and
states, along with California, again failed to reach an agreement on how to share the Colorado River Basin’s dwindling water supply starting next year.
More than four in five voters from those six states say they’d support an agreement requiring “all states in the region to reduce their water usage” to preserve the Colorado River’s health.
“Definitely people say that they’re willing to use less. We’ve seen over time that they say, ‘Yeah, we ought to be able to conserve our way out of some of these problems,'” Weigel said. “Whether that’s true or not, I think maybe left to be seen.”
This story was originally produced by Colorado Newsline, which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network which includes Utah News Dispatch, and is supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.
This article was originally published on utahnewsdispatch.comon February 19, 2026.
Elizabeth met her husband, Edward Palmerston Platt, an Englishman, after he went to Africa to find adventure. They were married in 1962, and Ed (also known as Ted) became “Daddy” to her children. In his heart, he adopted them as his own and gave them a wonderful life together.
In South Africa, Ted and Elizabeth met missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and about a year after their marriage, they were baptized. They were sealed in the temple after immigrating to the United States in 1982. After a time in Oregon, California, and Arizona, they found a home in Henrieville, Utah, where they lived out their remaining years. Elizabeth spent countless hours in the temple doing vicarious work for her ancestors to help fill the lonely years after Ted died in 2012. Her faith in Jesus Christ and the testimony of His Gospel was deep and abiding.
Elizabeth and Ted were valued members of the Henrieville Ward and the town. Those who visited their home were fascinated with her stories and with the marvelous collection of artifacts from Africa. Elizabeth had a giving heart. If you weren't careful about expressing your admiration for something in her house, she would try to give it to you without hesitation. She was also a talented painter and a prolific reader with a remarkable memory.
Elizabeth is survived by a sister, Leslie; sons Ivan Leon Mow and David Lubuschagne; daughters Jean Christine “Paddy” Mow and Dawn Sharon White; and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Graveside services and Interment will be held on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at 2:00 P.M. at the Henrieville Cemetery. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina, and Manti
An online guestbook can be found at www.maglebymortuary.com
Spenser Heaps Utah News Dispatch
People rally in opposition of Utah’s lawsuit attempting to take control of federal lands at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025.
Schools and Sports
Both Boys and Girls PHS Basketball Teams Take First Place at Region 20 Tournament
by Jaynie Connor
PHS Sports Sidelines
by Mack Oetting
The Cats had a really easy time with their playin games against Altamont, for the boys, and Water Canyon, for the girls. The boy's team played on Friday night, and Trenton Virga had another big night with nineteen points, with two dunks and twenty-one rebounds. They won 52-33. Tayze Barney chipped in ten points, and the Cats are off to the state championships on Thursday at Salt Lake Community College (SLCC).
there were over two thousand fans enjoying those games.
I did read that someone said that they didn’t like Panguitch always hosting the games and getting home court advantage.
We used to go over to Cedar City for the games, and all of the money went to them from the tournament.
PANGUITCH - The Panguitch High School (PHS) girls basketball team triumphed over Wayne High School with a score of 53-42 at the Region 20 Tournament on February 13th at Panguitch High School. They surged ahead in the fourth quarter, dominating with a remarkable twenty-point performance. Maddie Albrecht was the standout for the Bobcats, contributing nineteen points, which included a vital threepointer. AJ VanDyke led the Badgers with fourteen points, while Lilly Morill added nine. Despite a solid showing in the first three quarters, Wayne was unable to keep up with Panguitch's late-game explosion.
tournament, followed by Wayne (2), Tabiona (3), Rich (4), Piute (5), and Whitehorse (6).
The 2026 UHSAA Girls Basketball 1A State Championship tournament started this week with games beginning on February 18th, with the final tournament game being at 4:30 p.m. on February 28th at the Bruin Arena/Lifetime Activities Center at the Redwood Road campus of Salt Lake Community College. The Panguitch girls team currently sits as the number 1 seed for this
The Panguitch High School boys basketball team also triumphed over Wayne High School with a score of 66-58 in the Region 20 Tournament on February 13th at PHS, maintaining their lead from a powerful opening quarter. Trenton Virga led the Bobcats with twentyone points, while Camden Englestead added fifteen points and sank three threepointers. On the Wayne side, Hunter Robins also
scored twenty-one points, and Blake Peterson contributed fourteen points. Despite Wayne's vigorous effort in the fourth quarter, Panguitch managed to maintain their lead and secure the win.
The first round of the 1A State Boys Basketball Tournament began on February 17th and will continue on until the final game held at Salt Lake Community College on Febraury 28th. The top six seeds for the 1A tournament are as follows: (from 1-6) Rich, Wayne, Piute, Manila, Panguitch, and Bryce Valley.
PHS Takes 2nd, Wayne Takes 8th at the 1A State Wrestling Tournament at SVC
by Jaynie Connor
PANGUITCH - The Panguitch High School (PHS) boys wrestling team took second place in the 1A State Wrestling Tournament at the Sevier Valley Center over February 13th and 14th. Three PHS wrestlers came away with first place titles: senior brothers Max and Maverick Albrecht and sophomore Mitch Dodds. The Panguitch girls wrestling team took eighth in the 2A/1A Girls State Tournament, but junior Alexa Marshall took home the first place title in the 120lb weight class. For Maverick Albrecht and Mitch Dodds, this is their second consecutive 1A state title.
In the 113lb weight class, Judson Pollock (junior) from Panguitch secured second place, while Colt Sutherlin (sophomore) from Wayne High School finished in fourth. In the 120lb category, Panguitch's Mitch Dodds (sophomore) claimed first place. For the 126lb weight class, Gaige Stewart (junior) from Panguitch took second. Max Albrecht (senior) from Panguitch achieved first place in the 138lb category, with Jonathan Platt (junior) from Bryce Valley finishing in fourth. Jackson Heaton (senior) from Panguitch High earned third place in the 144lb class. In the 150lb weight class,
Joshua Perez (senior) from Panguitch secured fourth.
In the 157lb category, Jake Chesnut (senior) from Wayne took second place, while Panguitch's Brayden Frandsen (senior) finished third. Archer Ward (sophomore) from Panguitch placed fourth in the 165lb weight class.
For the 175lb category, Panguitch's Kole Fullmer (senior) claimed second, with Crosby Saign (senior) from Wayne taking third and Mason Ahlstrom (senior) from Bryce Valley finishing in fourth. Lastly, in the 215lb weight class, Maverick Albrecht (senior) from Panguitch proudly took first place.
In the girls 2A/1A tournament, Panguitch freshman Linli Hunter secured 5th place in the 105lb class. Meanwhile, junior Alexa Marshall clinched 1st place in the 120lb class, and sophomore Lainee Sawyer followed closely, earning 2nd place. Additionally, in the 145lb category, freshman Collins Houston achieved 6th place.
Boys Final Team 1A scores: 1st - Altamont, 239.5
• 2nd - Panguitch, 173
• 3rd - Milford, 128 4th - Rich, 85.5
• 5th - Monticello, 75.5 6th - Tintic, 62
• 7th - Piute, 57.5
• 8th - Wayne, 44
The Lady Cats, led by Tayt Miller’s twenty-two points, had a win over Canyon View, 45-33. The game was quite close until the Cats had a really strong 4th quarter, outscoring Water Canyon, 17-3, to seal the victory. They are advancing to the state championships at SLCC, as well. With all of the help that went into the regional playoff, it really ran smoothly. I figure that, over the four days of the tournament, that
When the teams got tired of having to drive two hours extra to Cedar, it then went to the only gym that was big enough to handle the big crowds and was centrally located. This just happened to be Panguitch. In the seventy-year-old gym, they have enough seating for over seven hundred people, which is two or three times bigger than any other gym. Milford is the only school that has to drive further. Yes, there might be a home town advantage, but if you look up at the ceiling to all of those over one hundred and thrity state championships flags, not one of them was won in Panguitch. There are two choices: go back to Cedar or do away with Region altogether. The second choice would seem to be the only one.
Top Courtesy Nadine Owens Above and Bottom Courtesy Ashlee Miller
Both the Panguitch High School (PHS) boys and girls basketball teams took first place at the Region 20 Tournament on February 13th at PHS, triumphing over the Wayne Badgers.
Panguitch High School wrestler Gaige Stewart getting a pin at the 1A State Wrestling Tournament at the Sevier Valley Center over February 13th and 14th.
Josh Pollock
Arches N.P. Drops Timed-Entry Reservations for 2026
by Lizzie Ramirez and Andrew Christiansen | The Times-Independent
ARCHES N.P. - As peak tourism season begins, the National Park Service (NPS) urged visitors to plan ahead for possible entrance lines and limited parking at popular trails, particularly on weekends and holidays.
“Arches offers extraordinary experiences at every hour of the day,” said Superintendent Lena Pace in a statement. “We encourage visitors to arrive early, explore lesser-traveled areas if certain locations are busy, and be flexible when enjoying the park.”
Pace added Arches is an International Dark Sky Park, and visiting after hours is “highly encouraged.”
“We look forward to working closely with local and state partners as we implement these adjustments and refine our approach to serve visitors while protecting park resources,” she said.
Timed entry was introduced by the National Park Service as a pilot in April 2022 after a 74% increase in visitation between 2011 and 2021 led to traffic backups, temporary park closures, resource damage and diminished visitor experiences during peak seasons, according to the agency.
Supporters of timed entry have said the program has eased congestion and improved visitor experiences, while critics have argued it has discouraged visitation and impacted the local economy.
The debate prompted the Grand County Commission last year to commission a $60,000 economic analysis by the University of Utah’s Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute to examine whether the system has affected visitation trends, lodging activity and local tax revenues. The study is expected to be completed at the end of April.
The system was set to enter its fifth pilot season this spring before NPS announced reservations would not be required in 2026. It has been evaluated through Arches’ Visitor Access and Experience Plan, a broader visitor use and management effort examining long-term strategies to balance access and resource protection.
A 2024 draft of that plan identified timed entry as the preferred alternative among several management options. NPS has not issued a final decision under the plan. When asked whether timed entry could return after 2026 or remain under consideration for long-term management, NPS did not provide additional clarification.
Arches’ announcement came as part of a broader NPS release outlining summer 2026 access plans at several highvisitation parks. Yosemite and Glacier national parks will also not require parkwide reservations this year, while Rocky Mountain National Park will continue its timed-entry system during
peak visitation months. NPS said parks not using timed entry in 2026 will closely monitor visitation, traffic flow and congestion and are prepared to implement additional measures if conditions warrant.
At Arches, NPS requested that visitors not wait in roadways for parking spaces to maintain traffic flow. If a parking lot reaches capacity, staff may restrict access to specific locations to “reduce congestion and protect visitor safety,” according to NPS.
NPS also cited additional opportunities to explore the Moab area during peak tourism season, such as Dead Horse Point State Park, Canyonlands National Park, and Utahraptor State Park.
Under the updated approach at Arches, visitors will still need to purchase an entrance pass either online at recreation.gov or at the entrance gate. Visitors staying at Devils Garden Campground or hiking Fiery Furnace will still need reservations.
NPS said it remains committed to providing access to Arches National Park while also protecting its natural and cultural resources. This article is published through the Utah News Collaborative, a partnership of news organizations in Utah that aim to inform readers across the state.
Water Update: We appreciate the good storm! Now we need several more! We’ll need consistent snowstorms to make up for the snow deficiency we have been experiencing this winter.
Water Update
Cont'd from A1
good storm! Now we need several more!” Joel Williams, director at the Utah Division of Water Resources, said. “We’ll need consistent snowstorms to make up for the snow deficiency we have been experiencing this winter.”
Water managers will most likely rely on reservoir storage from previous years this summer. Water conservation will remain
—Joel Williams, director at the Utah Division of Water Resources
critical. Any water held in reservoirs can be used for other purposes and will help stretch our water supply. Reservoir storage averages 67% full, which is slightly higher than normal for this time of year.
As noted in the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s February 1st Water Supply Outlook Report, observations suggest that there is only about a 10% chance of reaching a normal snowpack peak this winter.
The Department of
Natural Resources continues to promote initiatives such as the Agricultural Water Optimization Program for farmers and SlowtheFlow.org for residents. These programs aim to educate and incentivize water-saving practices, ensuring Utahns become more drought-resilient and prepare for future conditions. Many indoor watersaving tips are available on the Slow the Flow website.
—Utah Division of Water Resources
Avian Flu: The outbreak is still ongoing, so we are still advising anyone who finds a group of five or more dead waterfowl or shorebirds—or any individual dead scavengers or raptors—to report it to the nearest DWR office. Make sure you don’t touch the birds or pick them up.
Avian Flu Cont'd from A1
spreads more during the spring and fall bird migrations.
“We saw a lull in new avian flu cases in wild birds from March 2025 to September 2025, but in the last few months, we have seen another uptick in new cases across Utah,” DWR Veterinarian Ginger Stout said.
Since October,fortynine wild bird carcasses collected from across Utah have been submitted for disease testing and tested positive for avian influenza. The birds most impacted by the latest influx of avian flu cases are:
• Eared grebes in Box Elder, Davis, Salt Lake, Tooele and Weber counties
• California gulls in Salt Lake County Canada geese in Box Elder, Cache, Davis, Iron, Sevier, Salt Lake, Summit, Utah, Washington and Weber counties Ducks in Box Elder and Davis counties
Great horned owls in Box Elder, Davis, Summit and Weber counties
• Hawks in Box Elder, Davis and Weber Counties
• Swans in Cache and Salt Lake counties
• Turkey vultures in Box Elder and Weber counties
DWR biologists estimate that roughly 50,000 eared grebes and 250 California gulls have died along the south arm of the Great Salt Lake during this latest influx of avian influenza (although only a few carcasses were disease tested).
“Roughly four million eared grebes migrate through the Great Salt Lake each year, so the birds lost to avian influenza in this recent wave should not have a signifi-
—Ginger
Stout, DWR Veterinarian
cant impact on the overall population,” DWR Great Salt Lake Ecosystem Program Wildlife Biologist John Neill said. “Eared grebes typically use the Great Salt Lake as a rest area during their winter migrations to eat brine shrimp, fatten up and molt before they continue their southern migration. Although we occasionally see eared grebes remaining on the lake into January, the many thousands that are still here is somewhat unusual. The warmer lake temperatures are helping brine shrimp persist longer into the winter, and because they’re the primary food source for eared grebes, that’s likely why the birds are still here. Dead birds may continue to wash ashore in the coming months.”
Since 2022, two hundred and forty-two wild birds, one mountain lion, some skunks and three red foxes have tested positive for avian flu in Utah. The virus has been confirmed in nineteen counties in Utah since 2022.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses are very contagious among wild birds and can cause rapid and high mortality in domestic birds, such as chickens, turkeys and domestic ducks. Typically, these viruses only occasionally kill wild birds, but this strain is more pathogenic and has been killing more wild birds.
The most common wild birds impacted by the virus are typically waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors and scavengers (which include birds like hawks, owls, and vultures). There are usually few symptoms in waterfowl and shorebirds, but the virus can kill raptors and scavengers quickly. The virus is spread among birds through nasal and oral discharge, as well as fecal droppings. It can be spread to backyard poultry and domestic birds through
contaminated shoes or vehicles.
Songbirds are not typically affected by avian flu, due to low risk of contact with infected birds. People shouldn’t have to remove their bird feeders unless they also have backyard chickens, domestic ducks or wild waterfowl on their property. However, if you have a bird feeder or birdbath, you should clean it regularly.
“The outbreak is still ongoing, so we are still advising anyone who finds a group of five or more dead waterfowl or shorebirds— or any individual dead scavengers or raptors— to report it to the nearest DWR office. Make sure you don’t touch the birds or pick them up,” Stout said. “Report it to us, and we will come collect them for testing. We are continuing to monitor this virus in wild bird populations. This particular strain is affecting more wild birds and is more widespread than the last outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the U.S.”
The previous outbreak of avian flu in the U.S. occurred in 2014-15, when highly pathogenic strains of avian influenza were detected in wild birds of the Pacific, Central and Mississippi flyways. During that outbreak, the virus was only detected in two healthy ducks in Utah.
For more information about the current avian flu outbreak in wild birds, visit the DWR website. You can also view all the latest cases of avian flu in wild animals on the DWR website.
To report any symptoms of avian flu in domestic birds, contact the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food. For information about possible human health impacts, visit the Utah Department of Human Services website.
—Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
Rollback of EPA Endangerment Finding May Threaten UT Air Quality
by Mark Richardson | Utah News Connections
UTAH - The Trump administration calls this month's reversal of the Environmental Protection Agency's greenhouse gas Endangerment Finding a victory for conservatives but many groups are worried the move will compromise the fight against climate change in Utah and across the country.
Based on scientific evidence, the 2009 ruling gave the EPA the ability to regulate such pollutants as carbon dioxide and methane because of their danger to human health and the environment.
Luis Miranda, senior organizer for the Utah chapter of the Sierra Club, said environmental groups are looking for the best ways—legal and otherwise—to respond.
"If you're removing some of these tools, likely those conversations are go-
ing to be more difficult as we're talking about state implementation plans for regional haze and other air and water issues," Miranda explained. "We need to be able to have public input in these conversations."
Miranda pointed out the original Endangerment Finding has been challenged numerous times by climate deniers but has been unanimously upheld in federal courts. Utah ranks 19th among states for per capita carbon dioxide emissions and frequently ranks among the worst in the nation for air quality due to high reliance on fossil fuels.
Research shows Utah has one of the highest per capita carbon footprints in the country. The average person in Utah generates more than eighteen tons of carbon dioxide per year, well above the U.S. aver-
age of thirteen tons per person.
Despite such figures, Miranda said the EPA's Endangerment Finding has been an invaluable tool in fighting climate change.
"Thanks to the Endangerment Finding of 2009, the Clean Air Act and other tools, it has allowed us to be able to engage through the Utah Department of Environmental Quality or to the EPA on trying to regulate the polluters," Miranda emphasized.
Trump's decision repeals the EPA's ability to classify carbon dioxide and five other greenhouse gases as threats to public health. The Endangerment Finding supported regulations which set emissions standards for cars and light trucks, power plants and the oil and gas industry.
Angels Landing: As visitation at Zion National Park has increased over the past decade, congestion on the Angels Landing trail raised safety risks and diminished visitor experience. The permit program was introduced to manage use, improve safety, and ensure continued public access to this iconic hike. Park staff continue to monitor conditions and evaluate the program to support safe and enjoyable experiences for visitors.
Angels Landing Cont'd from A1
to hike Angels Landing on a Tuesday can apply for a permit on Recreation.gov any time on Monday from 12:01 a.m. to 3 p.m.
ditions and enhanced hiker safety.
• Zion National Park issues more than 200,000 Angels Landing permits each year.
• Permits are distributed through two systems: a
2026 Angels Landing Seasonal Lotteries
Scout Lookout are less than three feet wide and include steep drop-offs, with chains installed to assist hikers. As visitation at Zion National Park has increased over the past
Fall: September 1 to November 30 July 1
Hike Date Day-before Lottery Opens Day-before Lottery Closes Permits Issued The next day 12:01 a.m. MT
Learn more about seasonal and day-before lotteries at go.nps.gov/AngelsLanding.
Fast facts about the Angels Landing Pilot Permit Program The permit system reduces congestion on the narrow, exposed trail section between Scout Lookout and Angels Landing.
• The program has improved overall trail conHike
seasonal lottery and a day-before lottery.
• Seasonal lottery applications allow visitors to select flexible date ranges or specific hike dates and start times. Background The National Park Service implemented the Angels Landing Pilot Permit Program in April 2022 in response to growing visitation and safety concerns. Portions of the trail beyond
decade, congestion on the Angels Landing trail raised safety risks and diminished visitor experience. The permit program was introduced to manage use, improve safety, and ensure continued public access to this iconic hike. Park staff continue to monitor conditions and evaluate the program to support safe and enjoyable experiences for visitors. —National Park Service
Commons
The Lake Side Power Plant, near Provo, is a a natural gas turbine combined cycle power plant that emits a significant amount of nitrogen oxides and CO2 gases annually.
Quilt Contest: We felt this was a wonderful opportunity for quilters across the county to take part in the 'America 250' celebration. Quilting is deeply woven into the rich heritage and fabric of our nation, and here in Garfield County, we are fortunate to have incredibly talented quilting groups in every community.
Falyn Owens, Executive Director
of the Garfield County Office of Tourism
Garfield County has begun taking entries for their America 250 Quilt Contest, the theme of which is “250 Years of Freedom” in honor of the United States' 250th birthday. The quilts will be exhibited at the Garfield County Courthouse until May 1st. Once all quilts have arrived and the display is complete, the public is warmly invited to come admire the quilts and cast their votes for their favorites. Quilts will be accepted up until March 15th, and cash prizes will be provided to the winners.
County resident. Participants are asked to drop off their handmade quilt entries to one of three drop off points in the county: the Garfield County Courthouse in Panguitch, the Escalante Senior Citizen Center, or with Crystal Mortensen in Tropic. County officials are looking for patriotic, historical, or uniquely personal quilts that showcase creativity across generations.
The quilts will be exhibited at the Garfield County Courthouse until May 1st in celebration of the United States' 250th birthday. Once all quilts have arrived and the display is complete, the pub-
lic is warmly invited to come admire the quilts and cast their votes for their favorites. Quilts will be accepted up until March 15th, and cash prizes will be provided to the winners. The contest is part of the county’s celebration of the United States of America’s 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This historic event is also known as the Semiquincentennial, the Bisesquicentennial, the Sestercentennial, or the Quarter Millennium.
Quilting has been a part of American history since its founding era, with quilts representing resilience, creativity, resourcefulness, and community strength. The rich heritage of quilts and quilting is
widely recognized in Panguitch, which hosts the annual “Quilt Walk” event. This gathering draws hundreds of quilting enthusiasts to Garfield County, and southern Utah is equally aware of the importance of this tradition, with many residents having roots and ancestors from the pioneer era.
“We felt this was a wonderful opportunity for quilters across the county to take part in the 'America 250' celebration,” said Falyn Owens, Executive Director of the Garfield County Office of Tourism. “Quilting is deeply woven into the rich heritage and fabric of our nation, and here in Garfield County, we are fortunate to have incredibly talented quilting groups in every community.”
According to Owens, the America 250 Quilt Contest honors local and county traditions and gives Garfield County residents a chance to display their heritage, creativity and talent. “So far it has been fun to see the different versions of ‘America’ or ‘Patriotic’ themes. We've had quilts with patriotic sheet music fabric on the back of them, historic eagles, different flag layouts, and older quilts that families have had for a while that depict celebrating America,” she said.
For quilters on the fence about entering, Owens encourages them to participate, stating, “Your
quilt deserves to be seen. Whether you’re a seasoned quilter or someone who just finished your first project, entering this is about celebrating your work and being part of a creative community, not about being perfect. Every stitch tells a story, and by entering, you’re not just competing, you’re inspiring others, preserving heritage, and helping keep this art alive for the next generation.” The contest also accepts historical quilts; if residents have a quilt celebrating America that was made by one of their ancestors, they would love to display it.
The quilt contest transcends mere competition; it's a vibrant tapestry of history, creativity, and community spirit. As residents unite to celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States, this event showcases the unique talents and narratives interwoven into each quilt. By presenting their quilts, participants not only pay tribute to the past, but also motivate future generations to cherish and carry on this beloved craft. The contest serves as a great reminder that every stitch in the fabric of our nation carries a story worth sharing. Whether you choose to participate or simply admire the creations, this event offers a wonderful opportunity to connect with history, celebrate the present, and inspire what lies ahead.
Utah Conservation Groups Call for Long-Term Wildlife Crossing Fund
by Mark Richardson | Utah News Connection
UTAH - Vehicle collisions with wildlife injure and kill hundreds of people and animals each year in Utah.
Conservation groups say building more wildlife crossings could limit the cost and the carnage.
A bill pending in the Utah Legislature would establish a fund dedicated to building wildlife crossings to keep animals off the state's highways. Isobel Lingenfelter, conservation director for the Utah Wildlife Federation, said these crossings are the most effective way to keep animals and cars apart.
"The most obvious example is every year that we get a good hard snow, we're starting to see elk come out on I-80," she said, "and it disrupts the traffic between Salt Lake and Park City, which is a pretty important arterial."
Studies show that the thousands of animal collisions cost the state $137 million a year in health care and property damage, and they also hurt the hunting and agriculture industries.
House Bill 431 has bipartisan support and would provide a repository for state,
federal and private funding for the crossings. Conservation groups warn that the vehicle-animal collisions are taking out many more mule deer than hunting or predation. Mule deer are hit on Utah’s roadways more than any other animal.
Greg Sheehan, president and CEO of the Mule Deer Foundation, said research estimates that one in five mule deer are killed by collisions or starvation, while only one in 100 is lost to hunting.
"We've continued to see our mule deer decline throughout the West, throughout their full range, since the mid part of the last century, since the 1960s," he said. "In fact, their numbers are down 50% to 60%."
Since 1975, Utah has installed more than sixty animal bridges and underpasses, making it one of the top five states in the country for protecting wildlife. Sheehan said that mule deer are a key driver of Utah’s hunting sector, which brings in $331 million annually.
Winter at CRNP: Winter
can be a time to explore through wildlife spotting, solitude and a time to communicate with rangers about their favorite suggestions. Some might consider the winter season in national parks their favorite time of year, so it may be time to determine that for yourself before the crowds of spring arrive.
Winter at CRNP
Cont'd from A1
and visitor experience that is perfect for locals to go and explore during this time of year. Winter is also an ideal time for park staff and volunteers to prepare for the busy season ahead. For example, the Orchard Crew is hard at work pruning trees to prepare for fruit tree bloom in the spring and harvest in the summer, when the park welcomes visitors from all over the world to pick fruit from the historic orchards. The interpretation staff is working to hire new employees for the busy season, to allow for a full range of interpretive programs about the park on topics including astronomy, geology and archeology. The trail crew is working hard to prepare hiking trails, such as Navajo Knobs Trail. While park rangers are preparing for the upcoming busy season, the winter also gives them more time to interact with visitors. Park Ranger Tim Loftus shares that his favorite time to interact with visitors is the wintertime. The slow season gives him more time to learn about park visitors and their interests to help him share an ideal itinerary with
them. If a visitor loves to explore the backcountry with their 4WD vehicle, Loftus suggests the Strike Valley Overlook in the Waterpocket district or an overnight trip in Cathedral Valley to explore the park's fantastically dark night sky. If a visitor prefers to do short day hikes, he suggests Navajo Knobs or Headquarters Canyon. The winter season is great to truly explore the beauty of Capitol Reef National Park and sometimes even feel like you have areas to yourself. There are also typically greater opportunities to see wildlife roaming the park as you are hiking or driving. Although there are small peaks in visitation during Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day, this time of year is a great time to visit. Winter can be a time to explore through wildlife spotting, solitude and a time to communicate with rangers about their favorite suggestions. Some might consider the winter season in national parks their favorite time of year, so it may be time to determine that for yourself before the crowds of spring arrive.
—National Park Service
Jaynie Connor
Quilt Contest Cont'd from A1
Legal Notices
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 CINDY KEENE BARNEY deceased, NO-
TICE TO CREDITORS, Case No. 263600001, Assigned: JUDGE VAN DYKE. NO-
TICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that KERRY BARNEY was appointed as Personal Representative of the estate of CINDY KEENE BARNEY 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 1st day of February, 2026. BARRY L. HUNTINGTON
Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on FEBRUARY 12, 19 & 26 and MARCH 5, 2026
MEETING DATE CHANGE FOR MARCH LOA TOWN COUNCIL
The Loa Town Council Meeting in March will be held on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 6 pm instead of March 12, 2026, at 7:30 pm. If you want to be on the March agenda, please contact Michelle Brian at 435-836-2160 by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. The public is welcome to attend these meetings located at the Loa Town Hall at 80 W. Center, Loa.
Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on FEBRUARY 26 and MARCH 5, 2026
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 Mar. 25, 2026 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)
97-2548 (A84999): Bartt Carter propose(s) using 1.73 ac-ft. from groundwater (Escalante, Utah) for IRRIGATION; STOCKWATERING. CHANGE APPLICATION(S)
61-2933 (a54182): Carson K. Goodwin propose(s) using 0.25 ac-ft. from groundwater (1 mile NE of Hatch) for DOMESTIC. Teresa Wilhelmsen, P.E.
State Engineer
Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on FEBRUARY 26 and MARCH 5, 2026
NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF PHILIP ALDEN BIMSON 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 PHILIP ALDEN BIMSON deceased, NO-
TICE TO CREDITORS, Case No, 26360004, Assigned: JUDGE VAN DYKE. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that BRIANNE BIMSON was appointed as Personal Representative of the estate of PHILIP ALDEN BIMSON and creditors of the estate are given notice to present their claims to BRIANNE BIMSON, P.O. Box 80121, San Marino, California 91108, within 3 months after the first publication of this notice or be forever barred. DATED the 26th of February, 2026. BRIANNE BIMSON
Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on FEBRUARY 26 and MARCH 5 & 12, 2026
NOTICE OF PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISH AN AGRICULTURE PROTECTION AREA WAYNE COUNTY
This notice is to notify you that an application has been submitted to establish an Agriculture Protection Area on approximately 57.69 acres of property located at:
• Address/Location: See Exhibit "A", Bicknell area
• Proposed Use: Continued agricultural use and protection of agricultural operations
The purpose of establishing an Agriculture Protection Area is to preserve and protect agricultural land, promote agricultural production, and help ensure the long-term viability of farming activities within the area.
As part of the review process, the proposal will be considered by the Wayne County Planning & Zoning Commission and County Commission. A public hearing will be scheduled to allow interested parties to provide comments.
Public Hearing Information:
Date: April 20, 2026
Time: 9:30 AM
• Location: 18 S Main, Loa UT
Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on FEBRUARY 26 and MARCH 5 and APRIL 16, 2026
RESOLUTION 2026-01 ESTABLISHING DISTRIBUTION OF RURAL HEALTH CARE TAX FOR WAYNE COUNTY
Whereas Wayne County is authorized pursuant to resolution 2026-01 and UTAH CODE SECTION 59-12-802 to impose and collect a sales and use tax; and Whereas this tax shall be designated to fund certain costs (Id. at §§3-4); and
Whereas Wayne County is obligated to distribute money collected from a tax under this section quarterly;
Now Therefore, Wayne County, by and through the Wayne County Commission, makes the following allocations known:
1. Beginning Apr. 1, 2026, and quarterly hereafter, proceeds collected by virtue of the Rural Health Care Tax shall be distributed as follows:
a. Wayne County Emergency Medical Services - 18%
b. Wayne County Search & Rescue - 18%
c. Wayne County Sheriff's Department - 18%
d. Wayne County Sanitation Department - 18%
e. Wayne County Special Service District #3 (Fire) - 18%
2. The remaining funds shall be distributed to the following towns in the allocated amounts to offset the contractual agreement for emergency medical services pursuant to signed yearly for emergency services expenditures:
1. Bicknell Town - 2%
2. Hanksville Town - 2%
3. Loa Town - 2%
4. Torrey Town - 2%
5. Lyman Town - 2%
3. Funds distributed to a town under Subsection 2 above may be used only to reimburse that town for emergency services expenditures.
4. A town may not receive an amount that exceeds the actual amount paid by the town for emergency services during the applicable fiscal year.
5. Any funds otherwise allocable to a town that exceed the limitation in Subsection 2 shall remain undistributed or be reallocated.
This Resolution shall be effective February 17, 2026 with one publication in the local newspaper. APPROVED by the County Legislative Body of Wayne County in open session this 17 day of February, 2026.
Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on FEBRUARY 26, 2026
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
• Full-Time SpEd Teacher at Panguitch Elementary School
• Full-Time Teacher at Panguitch Elementary School
• Full-Time Teacher at Escalante Elementary School
• 2 Period Teacher at Bryce Valley High School
• Para-Professional at Escalante Elementary School
• Para-Professional at Bryce Valley Elementary School
• Part-Time Special Education Compliance Aide/Secretary
• Para-Professional at Panguitch Elementary School
• Head Volleyball Coach at Panguitch High School
• 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.
SENIOR CENTER MENUS
PANGUITCH SENIOR CENTER HOT LUNCH PROGRAM
87 N 50 W • 676-2281/676-1140
Suggested donation $4.00 60 & older, $10.00 under 60 Call before 10 AM of the day of attendance to reserve a spot. Meals include milk & bread.
Tues. Mar 3rd Wed. Mar 4th Thurs. Mar 5th Taco Salad w/ Meat, Beans, Lettuce, Tomatoes, Olives, Pickled Beets, Pears, Brownie
Smothered Porkchops, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Carrots & Peas, Salad Bar/White Roll, Applesauce, Fruit Cobbler Chicken Ham & Swiss Sliders, Tater Tots, Mixed Vegetables, Salad Bar, Pineapple, Coconut Cake
NOTE: PLEASE BE COURTEOUS AND CALL AHEAD. The kitchen staff work diligently to prepare a good dinner, and a head count helps them prepare enough for everyone.
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.
We Buy 8,000 Cars a Week. Sell your old, busted or junk car with no hoops, haggles or headaches. Sell your car to Peddle. Easy three step process. Instant offer. Free pickup. Fast payment. Call 1-855-542-0335
sudoku
Answers for this week
Full-Time Wayne County Sheriff's Deputy
Applications and Resumes will be accepted at the Wayne County Sheriff's Office.
*Positions are open until filled* Starting Pay $19.65 per hour for non-certified individuals with no Law Enforcement experience.
Benefits
• Health Insurance: 100% of Premium paid by Wayne County, which includes Dental & Life. Vision plan available
• Vacation, Holiday & Sick Leave with longevity increases
• Equipment provided by the Sheriff's Office
• Uniform Allowance - $700.00 annually
• Cell phone stipend - $600.00 annually Position descriptions include, but are not limited to:
• Scheduled shift work and weekends
• Subject to call-outs and emergencies
• Performing law enforcement duties
• Performing investigative, evidentiary, reporting, and testimony functions
• Interact with other law enforcement officers and agencies at State and Federal levels
• Work within existing State and Federal law, case law, and policies
• Submit to and pass random drug testing
• Other duties as assigned Minimum eligibility requirements include, but are not limited to:
• 21 years of age or older (at time of POST graduation)
• High School graduate or equivalent
• U.S. Citizen at time of employment
• Possess a valid Utah Driver's License
• Pass background check
• Pass psychological screening test
• Pass the entrance physical fitness test
Successful applicants not currently certified as Peace Officers will be paid while attending POST training in addition to room, board and travel. Applications are available at http://www.waynecountyutah.org/services/ sheriffsoffice/, or in person at Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, 18 South Main, Loa, Utah 84747. Applicants will be notified of applicable testing dates, times, and locations.
Wayne County is an equal opportunity employer. For additional information or questions, contact the Wayne County Sheriff's Office at (435) 836-1308
Water Commissioner Sevier River Distribution System
The water users of the Sevier River Distribution System are seeking applicants for the position of Water Commissioner. Sevier River Distribution System Committee selects the successful candidate who is then appointed to a four-year term by the Utah State Engineer. Annual salary of approximately $50,000 and based on experience. Health insurance and retirement benefits will be provided through the State of Utah. For a full Job description, email Kerry@sevierriver.org.
Applicants should send a resume with qualifications no later than March 1, 2026 to:
Kerry Savage Sevier River Water Users Secretary P.O. Box 383 Richfield, Utah 84701 Phone: 435-896-8386 Email: kerry@sevierriver.org
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
Part-Time Triple C Arena Maintenance & Events Worker
Panguitch City is accepting applications for a Part-Time Triple C Arena Maintenance and Events Worker This position works under the direction of the Triple C Arena Director and assists with event setup and teardown, arena maintenance, cleaning stalls and janitorial duties, including cleaning the facility.
This position works approximately 10–25 hours per pay period, with a pay range of $17–$20 per hour, depending on experience. Hours may include evenings, weekends, and events.
Applications are available at the Panguitch City Office 25 S. 200 E. or online at panguitch.com. Applications will be received until Monday March 2, 2026. Panguitch City is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Panguitch City reserves the right to accept or reject any or all applications.
