The Wayne & Garfield County Insider January 1, 2026

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Thursday, January 1, 2026

Garfield County Commission by Peg Smith

Situation at Tropic Reservoir Uncertain ‘Napkin Agreement’ with Otter Creek Reservoir Company No Longer Holds Water by Jaynie Connor

Dec. 22, 2025 GARFIELD CO. Garfield County Commissioners met in special session December 22 to approve the wildland-urban interface ordinance and approve sheriff’s business requiring the budget to be opened for adjustment. The Insider had incorrectly reported in its December 25 issue that the Commission had both discussed and approved the ordinance at their December 15 meeting. Public Works Director Dave Dodds read through Ordinance 2025-4, which adopts the Utah Wildland Urban Interface Code and official risk maps published by the Utah Division of Forestry Fire and State Lands (FFSL). Its purpose is to “reduce the risk of loss of life and property from wildland fire within Garfield County; to comply with House Bill 48 and the 2025 Utah legislative Garfield Commission Cont'd on B5

US Forest Service

The beginning of construction at the Pine Valley dam. The Pine Valley Reservoir dam is currently being reconstructed to meet current state standards. the area has experienced some storms, with flooding and debris flows that have caused damage to the Pine Valley Recreation Area. The Pine Valley Recreation Area and campground will be closed at least through the 2026 season for public safety and rehabilitation work. Rehabilitation work includes emergency stabiliRestoration Update Cont'd on B3

REGIONAL WEATHER FORECAST

cial role in the region’s agricultural and recreational landscape. Situated on the East Fork of the Sevier River, the reservoir was originally established to sup-

Measles Symptoms? SWUPHD Urges Residents to Call First SW UTAH - The Southwest Utah Public Health Department (SWUPHD) is urging residents to call healthcare providers and hospitals before showing up in person if they think they might have the measles. The district (including Washington, Iron, Beaver, Kane, and Garfield counties) has now seen over one hundred cases of measles since August of this year. “Measles is a very contagious airborne disease,” says Dr. David Blodgett, SWUPHD Director and Health Officer. “If Measles Cases Cont'd on B4

ply irrigation water to the communities of Tropic and Bryce Valley, and it continues to serve that purpose today. Sitting at nearly 8,000 feet in elevation, Tropic

by Kathryn Chamberlain

Reservoir is surrounded by lush, forested highlands and draws anglers, camp-

WAYNE CO. - The Wayne County Commission met for its regular meeting on December 15, 2025, working through a 55-minute agenda that included event planning, youth workforce support, land-use decisions, and final approval of the county’s 2026 budget and tax rates. The first item of business focused on the Fort Desolation Festival, with organizer Jay Williams outlining plans for the event’s return in September 2026 after taking a year off. Williams said the pause allowed organizers to reassess the festival’s direction and strengthen ties with the local community. Going forward, the team hopes to source more supplies locally, work with area businesses and the high school, and highlight Wayne County’s ranching

Tropic Reservoir

Wayne Commission

Cont'd on B2

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Under an agreement, often referred to as the “Napkin Agreement,” dating back to 1961 between the Tropic & East Fork Irrigation Company (TEFIC) and the Otter Creek Reservoir Company (OCRC), Otter Creek has stored up to 3,000 acre-feet of water in Tropic Reservoir during the winter months. However, the legal right to store this water, technically, expired after the required “proof of use” was never submitted. State engineers have since ruled that only approximately 540 acre-feet can be legally stored, triggering mandatory releases that have left the reservoir at unexpectedly low levels. T R O P I C / B RY C E VALLEY - Tropic Reservoir, located in Garfield County just west of Bryce Canyon National Park, may be small, but it plays a cru-

Wayne County Commission Dec. 15, 2025

Jaynie Connor

Pine Valley Reservoir Dam and Forsyth Fire Restoration Update

DIXIE N.F. - The Dixie National Forest experienced a wildfire started by a lightning strike in the Pine Valley Mountain Wilderness area just above the Forsyth trail in the Pine Valley Ranger District June 19. Extreme fire weather, including high winds and dry conditions, drove the fire to expand across approximately 15,600 acres of private property and Forest Service lands. Since then,

Issue #1648

insiderutah.com

DWR Stocks More Than 11.6 Million Fish Throughout Utah in 2025

Courtesy Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

In an effort to enhance fishing in Utah and boost native fish populations, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources stocks a variety of fish species throughout Utah every year. In 2025, over eleven million fish were stocked into waterbodies across the state. SALT LAKE CITY In an effort to enhance fishing in Utah and boost native fish populations, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources stocks a variety of fish species throughout

Utah every year. In 2025, over eleven million fish were stocked into waterbodies across the state. A whopping 11,660,600 fish—totaling a combined 1.1 million

pounds—were stocked into 655 Utah waterbodies this year. That was a decrease from the 12.8 milFish Stocking Cont'd on B3

UPCOMING EVENTS... Martin Luther King Jr. Day

January 19

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The Insider

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January 1, 2026

Over 250 People Attend Annual Torrey Interfaith Christmas Program on Dec. 21 by Dave Cushing

Dave Cushing

The Community Choir performs at the annual Torrey Interfaith Christmas Program on Sunday, Dec. 21, at the Torrey Ward Buillding. TORREY - The annual Torrey Interfaith Christmas Program lived up to its name on Sunday, December 21st, at the Torrey Ward Building. More than 250 people heard songs sung by the Community Choir and its several offshoots: Anna Syme’s children’s choir;

the Wayne High School choir; the Torrey Song Circle; the Moony Wash/ Rough Around The Edges combo; and Steve Lutz with Will Barclay singing Lutz’s original song, “The Prophecy,” a nod to the pagan roots of the many festivals of light occurring in the year’s darkest days.

Between each musical selection, Don Gomes read a portion of “The Gift of the Magi,” the classic O. Henry short story about sacrifice and generosity at Christmastime. Youthful students of the Sleeping Rainbow School of Music, playing orchestral stringed instru-

ments, opened the event with a half-hour of carols led by Linsey Shelar, their teacher and director. After the show, attendees and participants fell upon plates of homemade holiday cookies, bars, cakes and other treats, not to mention fruit punch.

Mike Lee Backs Off Change That Advocates Called a ‘Green Light’ to Sell National Parks Lee seeks to clear the air as a former boss of Bryce Canyon shares her concerns by Annie Knox | Utah News Dispatch

A trail in Bryce Canyon National Park is pictured in May 2024. UTAH - Saying that “selling national parks was never on the table,” Utah Sen. Mike Lee is no longer proposing a change to federal legislation that drew heavy criticism from conservation groups, his office said Friday, Dec. 19. Lee, a Republican, had proposed removing part of a spending bill requiring that national park lands be maintained as federal lands. The Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks shot back, saying the move could “green-light the selling off, transferring and giving away of national parks.” Over the summer, Lee attempted to add a mandate for the sale of some public lands, excluding national parks and national monuments, to Republicans’ megabill. He backed down after outcry from hunting and recreation advocates. On Friday, Lee spokesperson Jordan Roberts said the senator filed a new amendment late Thursday that would

keep intact the section he previously sought to remove. “I categorically oppose selling national parks,” Lee, chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, said in a statement to Utah News Dispatch. Lee said the U.S. Department of the Interior had called his attention to the section at issue, saying it “would permanently freeze Park Service boundaries, blocking routine land exchanges Congress has long approved, such as past legislation returning sacred lands near Denali to the Doyon Alaska Native Corporation.” Lee continued: “That was the concern. Selling national parks was never on the table.” Some advocates see it as a repeat of recent history. “Once again, Mike Lee is retreating with his tail between his legs after trying to make it easier to sell off and dispose of our public lands,” said Kate Groetzinger with the nonprofit Center for Western

Priorities. “But given that the appropriations bill is not signed yet, we’re going to be keeping a close eye on it.” Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, chimed in to defend Lee Thursday on the social media site X, saying Lee sought to take out a provision “that would have unintended consequences for routine Park Service actions.” “Senator Mike Lee is not trying to sell Park Service lands or ‘end the Park Service as we know it,’” the post reads. “Those who are claiming that should know better and need to knock it off.” Linda Mazzu, a retired superintendent at Bryce Canyon National Park, joined conservation groups in voicing concern Thursday. Mazzu said after layoffs and buyouts earlier this year, staffing at the park service is down 25%. The agency is also staring down $1.2 billion in cuts under the White House’s proposed 2026 budget. Bigger shifts may follow. In May, Interior

Secretary Doug Burgum told a House budget panel that there is no plan to remove any of 64 “crown jewel” national parks. But he said some of the more than 400 other park service sites could be managed by state or local authorities. A draft of the Interior Department’s strategic five-year plan listed the return of “heritage lands and sites to the states” and efforts to “assess and right-size monuments” among five “key strategies” for the agency. Mazzu said she’s concerned about the future of smaller sites like Utah’s Golden Spike National Historic Park, that are managed by the park service and less visited than Utah’s “Mighty 5” national parks. “There are so many small places that might just be a historic house,” Mazzu said. “But it captures a huge part of the history of our country.” This article was originally published on utahnewsdispatch.comon Dec. 19, 2025.

Insider

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Alixel Cabrera | Utah News Dispatch

P.O. Box 105 Escalante, UT 84726 435-826-4400 email snapshot@live.com OUR MISSION: to foster community connection, civic engagement, economic resilience and journalistic integrity for rural southern Utah.

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Mack Oetting - FYI Panguitch Adus Dorsey - News from Wayne County

The Insider is a weekly community newspaper delivered each Thursday to households in Wayne and Garfield counties, Utah. The entire contents of this newspaper are © 2026 The Wayne & Garfield County Insider, LLC/Corner Post Media. The Insider reserves the right to edit or reject any advertisement or submitted content items. Articles submitted by independent writers may or may not be the opinion of The Insider.

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The Insider

January 1, 2026

Utah Division of Water Resources Publishes the Latest Water Budget, Highlighting a More Accurate Picture of Water Use in the State SALT LAKE CITY The annual run of the Utah Water Budget model has been completed for 1989-2024 water years. Improvements to methods have resulted in more accurate accounting of water use across the state. The Water Budget is a model that helps decision-makers understand and predict the state’s water supply (surface water inflow, precipitation and storage), water use per sector (diversions and depletions through agriculture, municipal and industrial “M&I” use) and how much water leaves the state (surface water outflow). Understanding water diversions (total water diverted for water users) and depletions (water removed from the system through consumption, evaporation or evapotranspiration) is fundamental to water planning. In addition to the new data published on the division’s website, a summary of the updates has been

provided. More detailed documentation will also be available in early 2026. “The division is constantly looking for new research and data to improve the model results. The latest model improvements give us a more precise and realistic picture of where our water is being consumed, which is essential for making informed decisions on conservation and future water management across all sectors of the state,” said Leila Ahmadi, Hydrology and Modeling section manager for the Utah Division of Water Resources. Some of the key improvements this year include: • Updated proportion of water for residential indoor and outdoor use: Utilization of winter (indoor) versus summer (indoor and outdoor) source data provides a more accurate estimate of what portion of residential deliveries goes to outdoor irrigation.

• Amended amounts of municipal outdoor depletion: Research shows a much higher percentage of outdoor M&I water is depleted than previously assumed, leading to a substantial correction in total M&I depletions. The improved water budget model highlights several key findings: • Higher outdoor depletions from the residential sector are estimated. • Overall, municipal and industrial water depletion shows an increasing trend across the state. • The specific trends in agricultural and M&I water depletions differ across river basins. You can explore more information regarding the Utah Water Budget online and may contact Michael Sanchez, public information officer, at 385-2268967 or email msanchez@ utah.gov for any additional information. —Utah Division of Water Resources

Opinion This Trump Nominee Wants to Liquidate Public Lands by Aaron Weiss | Writers on the Range Do Western senators really care about keeping public lands in public hands? Steve Pearce, President Donald Trump’s nominee to run the Bureau of Land Management, is a litmus test of their commitment. Throughout his political career, Pearce has worked to privatize and undermine our public lands. As a New Mexico congressman, he cosponsored several bills to dispose of national public lands. This alone ought to disqualify him from running the agency charged with stewarding 245 million acres for current and future generations. In a 2012 letter to House leadership, Pearce argued that the federal government owns “vast” land holdings, “most of (which) we do not even need,” and called for a massive selloff to pay down the national debt. Pearce’s vision for our public lands is not conservation or even balanced management—it’s liquidation. President Trump has been down this road before: During his first term, he nominated anti-publiclands zealot William Perry Pendley to run the BLM. Pendley never even received a hearing, and the White House dropped the nomination after his record was revealed. Pendley went on to write the public lands chapter of the now-notorious Project 2025 blueprint for a second Trump administration. Pendley spent his career as a lawyer arguing that the federal government should not own public lands. Steve Pearce has gone even farther. From inside Congress, Pearce spent fourteen years undermining public lands, seeking to gut wildlife protections and sell off huge amounts of public land. Pearce’s nomination comes as our public lands are being attacked from all sides. Over the last ten months, President Trump has elevated officials such as Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins,

both of whom view our public lands as nothing more than assets to monetize through drilling, mining and logging. These officials are currently working to execute Trump’s vision of selling out public assets for private profit. Pearce would accelerate this effort, liquidating lands to the highest bidder—including corporations and luxury Courtesy Writers on the Range developers. Even by recent Aaron Weiss is a contributor standards, Pearce’s to Writers on the Range, an public lands record is independent nonprofit dediradical. It is also un- cated to spurring lively conpopular. This spring, versation about the West. Utah Republican Sena- He is deputy director of the tor Mike Lee tried to Center for Western Priorities include a public land and co-host of The Landsale provision in the scape podcast. sprawling budget bill, framing it as a housing so- mense. BLM’s multiple-use lution. The measure would mandate requires balancing have mandated the sale of energy, grazing, recreation two to three million acres and conservation under of BLM and Forest Service long-term land use plans lands. grounded in science and But Lee’s amendment public input. That mission triggered immediate back- collapses if the agency’s lash from hunters, out- leader believes we must door recreation groups and “reverse this trend of pubWestern lawmakers. Within lic ownership” of the very days, he abandoned the ef- lands he is charged with fort. If the Senate rejected managing. Lee’s market-rate sell-off Westerners understand as radical, it should be easy what happens when responnow to reject a nominee sible stewardship is abanwhose goal is to get rid of doned. Rural communities even more public land. lose the long-term economThat brings us to the ic engine that healthy pubSenate Stewardship Cau- lic lands provide. Hunters, cus, co-chaired by a Re- anglers and campers lose publican, Tim Sheehy of access they have relied on Montana, and a Democrat, for generations. Martin Heinrich of New Steve Pearce’s nomiMexico. It launched last nation is a referendum on month to “advance biparti- whether Congress believes san efforts to conserve the our shared lands still benation’s lands and waters” long to all Americans. The with science-based policy. Stewardship Caucus and The caucus has been ap- every senator who claims plauded by hunting, out- to care about the West’s door recreation, and con- outdoor heritage should servation organizations as reject Pearce’s nomination. a promising start for de- America’s public lands are fending public access and a unique legacy we pass wildlife. down to future generations, Pearce’s nomination not a portfolio to liquidate. is the caucus’s first real Aaron Weiss is a contest. If its members can- tributor to Writers on the not draw a bright line at a Range, an independent nominee who has worked nonprofit dedicated to tirelessly to sell off public spurring lively conversalands and weaken laws that tion about the West. He is protect them, then its vision deputy director of the Cenof “stewardship” is nothing ter for Western Priorities but empty branding. and co-host of The LandThe stakes are im- scape podcast.

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Over 144K Acres Restored Through Utah’s Watershed Restoration Initiative in 2024-25 SALT LAKE CITY Utah’s Watershed Restoration Initiative works to improve and restore highpriority watersheds and habitats throughout the state. During this past fiscal year—between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025— a whopping total of 144,433 acres were improved across Utah through this unique and innovative program. Created in 2006, this Utah Department of Natural Resources partnershipbased program focuses on: • Improving watershed health and biological diversity • Increasing water quality and yield • Improving opportunities for sustainable uses of natural resources, including restoring fish and wildlife habitats As one of the initiative’s founding partners, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources plays a key role in planning, overseeing and implementing regional restoration projects. “These proactive projects to improve wildlife habitat and watershed health throughout the state are crucial, not only for our fish and wildlife species, but also for the residents of Utah,” Utah’s Watershed Restoration Initiative Program Director Tyler Thompson said. “It takes a great deal of coordination and funding to make these projects possible, and we are very grateful to our many partners and their continued support of wildlife conservation and improving water quality. Along with proactive improvement projects, we also do a lot of work to restore areas impacted by wildfires, like we saw this year. These efforts are vital for maintaining healthy ecosystems.” Between 2024-25, Utah’s Watershed Restoration Initiative completed a lot of habitat restoration work, including: • Restoring 144,433 acres across Utah, including 13,960 acres burned by wildfires last year. • Mixing and spreading 743,787 pounds of seed on various landscapes (including those burned

Courtesy Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

Utah’s Watershed Restoration Initiative works to improve and restore high-priority watersheds and habitats throughout the state. During this past fiscal year—between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025—a whopping total of 144,433 acres were improved across Utah through this unique and innovative program. Several projects have been completed at Bicknell Bottoms (above) in Wayne County, including fence reconstruction and access improvements. by fires) across Utah. • Completing a total of 120 habitat restoration projects. • Improving 142 miles of streams. • Creating an estimated 539 jobs in the state. Over $31 million in funding was invested by more than 63 partners to pay for the different restoration projects. Part of the funding for these projects comes from the DWR Habitat Council, which is funded by a portion of revenue from the fees that customers pay for licenses, permits, stamps and certificates of registration. Other funding partners include the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, conservation groups and many other non-government organizations. Habitat work through Utah’s Watershed Restoration Initiative includes: • Aerial seeding after a wildfire. • Removing encroaching trees for sagebrush preservation and rangeland fire management. • Prescribed fires to reduce fire fuels in an area (which reduces the risk

of a catastrophic wildfire) and to enhance the aspen habitat used by many wildlife species. • Stream restoration through various techniques, including an innovative method of building artificial beaver dams. This unique dam-mimicking technique was conceptualized in Utah and decreases erosion, raises river levels and even improves water quality. • Planting shrubs and sagebrush to provide feed and shelter for mule deer, sage-grouse and other wildlife species. Reseeding efforts are currently underway for areas impacted by this year’s wildfires, including the Monroe Canyon Fire, France Canyon Fire, Forsyth Fire, Deer Creek Fire, Willard Peak Fire and others. Since 2006, this program has improved nearly 3 million acres of Utah’s landscapes through more than 2,900 restoration projects. Visit the WRI website to see where these projects have taken place across the state. —Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

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Wills, Trusts, and More

The Insider

Your Estate is More than Assets by Jeffery J. McKenna

Even if your children are grown with families of their own, you can probably remember scenes of sibling rivalry when they were younger. In some families, the competition continues into adulthood; for others, it decreases as children mature. But it can all come flooding back while trying to divide up your estate after your death, as your children argue over who gets what. If you die without a will or trust, a court will decide, based on state law, who will inherit your property. The result could well be contrary to your wishes. You have worked hard and accumulated assets—house, car, jewelry, investments, family heirlooms, etc. It is risky to simply expect your children to divide your assets evenly or work the distribution out for themselves. It is sure to create problems and mount expenses of probate, and your heirs will have to put up with court-appointed people making the family decisions. While many people worry about the federal estate tax, the truth is

most of us won’t have a tax problem under the current tax laws. But there is another tax that should be considered when formulating your estate plan—the “family tax.” The family tax should be of great concern. It is the emotional “tax” of the hard feelings paid by children and grandchildren when you do not express your wishes legally. It is also the financial price paid by charities that you would have gifted some of your assets to. You can make it easy on yourself and your loved ones by taking a few simple steps to ensure that your estate is in order. Whatever the size of your estate, large or small, the first step is to have your intentions put in writing. You can do this either in a basic will or a will plus the trust documents that will be needed to carry out your wishes. An estate planning professional can help you make the best decision for your individual financial and family situation. Once you have a plan

in place, it is usually a good idea to discuss your wishes with your family. If a family member has questions about the details, or has any quibbles, you can explain your reasons for structuring your estate plan as you have. Often a simple and direct explanation that makes sense to your family will set their minds at ease, and prevent future hard feelings. While your family shouldn’t dictate your actions, they should be informed about them. It is also a good idea to discuss division of your personal property. The method of making a list with a description of the property items and who you’d like to have them— with input from your children—can alleviate any hard feelings later. Putting together an estate plan is not as daunting as it might seem at first, and it pays big dividends in the long run. Not having an estate plan in place can cost you not only in dollars and cents, but could also cost you family discord.

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.

Comics

country roads by Lynn Griffin

January 1, 2026

tHe lAuGhiNg New pOiNt!! Dentures

A man caught a really bad flu. As he was recovering, his friend came over to bring him some soup to help him feel better. As soon as the friend walked through the door, the man coughed so violently, his false teeth shot across the room and smashed to pieces against the wall. “Oh, dear,” he said, “what am I going to do? I can’t afford a new set.” His friend patted him on the shoulder. “Don’t worry. I’ll get a pair from my brother for you.” The man thanked him, and the friend said goodbye. The next day, the friend came back with a bright and shiny set of teeth, which fit the man perfectly. “This is wonderful,” said the man. “Your brother must be a very good dentist.” The friend shook his head. “Oh, he’s not a dentist. He’s an undertaker.”

Complimentary Peanuts

A guy walks into a bar and sits down. After a few seconds, he hears a high-pitched voice say, “I like your shirt!” The guy looks around, but there’s no one else at the bar besides him and the bartender. Again, he hears the voice say, “You have beautiful eyes!” The guy asks the bartender, “Is that you?” The bartender replies, “No, it’s the peanuts. They’re complimentary.”

Shower Thoughts

The brain named itself, which is the most egotistical thing ever.

PUNishment

dog.

I threw a ball for my

It's a bit extravagant I know, but it was his birthday, and he looks great in a dinner jacket.

sudoku To Play: Complete the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9

For the Sick

A child was in church with their mother when they started to feel sick. “Can we leave now?” They asked.“No,” their mother said. “But I’m going to throw up,” the child insisted. “If you have to, go throw up outside behind a bush.” The child left and returned a few moments later. “How did you go outside so fast?” their mother asked. “I didn’t have to go outside,” the child said. “There’s a box in the lobby that says ‘For the Sick.’”

This week's answers on B6

THEME:

On the Farm ACROSS 1. Laura Ingalls' notebook 6. Boozer 9. Biblical pronoun 13. Sacred text, to some 14. "Fat chance!" 15. Afrikaners' ancestors 16. Cake spread 17. Chowed down 18. Clear the blackboard 19. *Barn chore 21. *John Deere, e.g. 23. Nirvana's "Come as You ____" 24. Spasm of pain 25. Broadband access overseer, acr. 28. Mark for omission 30. Recessed space 35. "____ and the Real Girl," movie 37. "Shoot!" 39. E in baseball box score 40. Oil org. 41. Intelligent 43. A mixture or medley 44. Children's respiratory disease 46. Foggy view? 47. Politicians, for short 48. In a sympathetic manner 50. Ski hill ride 52. Maiden name indicator 53. Bald eagle's nest 55. Repeated Latin dance step 57. *a.k.a. harvester 61. *Opposite of pasture 65. *Common varieties are yellow, red and white 66. Tall tale 68. Smooth, in manner 69. Audience s approval 70. "____ at ease" 71. Stomach sore

72. Caribou or moose 73. Soldier's bed 74. Harsh DOWN 1. *Separate cream from milk 2. Locus, pl. 3. Seed coat 4. Form of Japanese poetry 5. Encircle 6. Deep pile carpet 7. *Cereal grass 8. Sorority letter 9. Cleopatra's necklace 10. Thermostat option 11. Guesstimate phrase (2 words) 12. Olympic cast-out, e.g. 15. Charles Darwin's vessel 20. Must-haves 22. Ribonucleic acid, acr. 24. Fine 25. *Group of chickens 26. Birthplace of Caprese 27. Oedipus' succes-

sor

29. *Baby sheep 31. *____ rotation 32. Acrylic fiber 33. Bridal veil fabric 34. With a jagged margin 36. Gulf War missile 38. *Pasture-raised chicken's morsel 42. Vanish without this? 45. Lamentation 49. Japanese capital 51. Rh in Rh disease 54. Indiana Jones' find, e.g. 56. Not a minor 57. For boys and girls 58. Popular fairy-tale beginning 59. Stephen King's "The Green ____" 60. *Male pig 61. Abe Lincoln's hat material 62. Tatted cloth 63. Done 64. Seaside bird 67. UN labor grp.

Solution on B6

January 1, 2026

The Insider

Obituaries

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FYI PanguItch

by Mack Oetting ~ mackoetting @gmail.com

Karen Harris-Unsworth LOA - Karen Vadine Harris-Unsworth, wife of Larry Unsworth, left us the morning of December 18 after 74 years of living life. Karen was a strong woman who would fight for anyone in need of help. She was an independent thinker who never shied from speaking her mind. If she had an opinion on something you would know that opinion. She was an incredible wife, mother, and friend. She was talented with countless interests. From lkebana flower arrangement, rock'n roll, Godzilla, painting, knitting, fishing, to her pigs. If it sparked her interest, she turned it into a fire. Her greatest interest, though, was her 5 grandchildren. Her love for Connor, Isaiah, Audrey, Collin, and Wes was absolute. In any moment she spent with them they were all that mattered in the world. She is survived by her husband Larry, daughters Nyoka, Heidi, and Angela, sons Ian and Jeremy, brothers Johnny, Roger, and Chris, sisters Beverly, Barbara, Debbie, Carolyn, Becky, Leslie, Katherine, and Emily. She was a strong, resilient, and brave person who will be missed by everyone whose lives she touched.

Anniversary

70th Anniversary

Berdell and Carma Barton Congratulations from your family and many friends.

Courtesy Shawn Caine

A sand scultpure near a pier in the San Diego area. I hope the holidays went well with you. I know that it wasn’t snowing, but half of the world didn’t have any either, or they never do. Sub for Santa went well this year, with all new help. Many thanks to April Hookum and our daughter, Kelly Andersen, for all of their hard work. Hopefully, everyone's Christmas was made a little better with this program. We were in Palm Springs on Friday night for my nephew’s 75th birthday, and on the next day, we had our annual family reunion; most everyone was there. My family is spread all over the country, with my brother, Bruce, traveling the farthest; he is from Arkansas. It is always fun catching up on what everyone's year was like. We did find a new Palm Springs shopping area; boy, are things expensive there. They don’t have the little tourist shops there, so we didn’t buy anything. On Sunday, we went over the mountains to Imperial Beach, where my granddaughter, Teah, and her family lives. We spent Christmas with them, and it is always better with a

small child to open presents with. In the San Diego area, there are a number of neighborhoods that have spectacular lights. We went to one that covered four blocks of lit up homes, and one had over 8,000 lights on it. There were lots of people driving and others walking, and no one was in a hurry. Their home is just a couple of blocks from the pier, and there was a sand sculpture there. These sand sculptures are all over the place and are real works of art, and, usually, they stay there till high tide washes them away. I try never to come home on Friday because the traffic going through Vegas is always bad. I thought that because it was a four- day holiday that the traffic wouldn’t be as bad, but I was wrong. It started out light on I-5 and part of I-215. It started to slow down, and it took us three hours to get to Victorville, and it didn’t let up. It took us seven hours to get to Vegas. The traffic was really bad. Some people took the side roads and were making good time, until the roads ended and they had

to get back on the freeway. They were backed up for two miles and it also hung up the rest of traffic at the location where they had to merge back in. We went to dinner in the first hotel you come to because they have thirteen restaurants. We had to park a long ways away, and when we got into the casino where the restaurants were, the place was packed. It looked like you had to stand in line to play the slots. The lines to eat were just as long, but we found a deli and ate there, and the food was really good. When we got to Mesquite, it was 8 o’clock, so we spent the night there after traveling eleven hours. I found a really cheap place for gas on the Arizona strip; it was $2.23 a gallon there at a Maverick. I asked the clerk there if Arizona gas was that cheap, and she said that they were doing it to get people to stop. We stopped at the Walmart, and I bought a bunch of Christmas stockings for the next year that Santa will come to town. We got home in time to see the last quarter of the BYU bowl game, and

they were losing 21 to 10. It was the Pop-Tarts Bowl and had a lot of fun things going on. The Cougars did pull out the game at the end, with a 25 to 21 victory. I think that the Utes play on New Year’s Eve, so we will have another team to root for. In my last column, I talked about the great job that Russel and David did as Panguitch City fire chiefs for the last forty years. I didn’t point out the dangers that go with the job. At one time, firefighting was ranked second for the most dangerous jobs. At our last firefighter reunion five years ago, I heard them say that eighty-nine brothers that I had worked with had died. In my training class, there were thirteen of us, and there are only three of us left. When I left in the early 90s, there were twenty-six carcinogens that could cause death. Now, there are over two hundred and thirty that can kill you. I hope that the new year will bring you good health, and enjoy the town we live in. Mack O.

Obituaries Paul T. Jacobs 1938 - 2025

BICKNELL - Paul Taylor Jacobs, age 87, passed away Friday, December 26, 2025, at his home in Bicknell, Utah. Paul was born on January 18, 1938 in Murray, Utah the son of John and Mary Jacobs. He was raised on a small cattle ranch in Council, Idaho. Taking his Father’s advice to further his education, he attended the University of Idaho and graduated with a BS in Agricultural Science after which he served in the US Army, where he was stationed at Fitzsimons Army Hospital in Denver, Colorado for the majority of his commitment. He completed his education at the University of Idaho with a PhD in Organic Chemistry. Paul married Elvon Morrell on February 4, 1967, in Bicknell, Utah, and they were sealed in the Manti Utah Temple on August 12, 1970. Paul has always been a kind and loving husband. Together they raised four children: Jon, Kristen, Amy, and Aaron. Always a patient father, Paul taught his children the importance of hard work and the value of an education. Paul was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and had a strong testimony of the Gospel and our Savior Jesus Christ. He served in numerous callings and capacities where he treasured his membership and the friendships formed throughout his service. Paul began working as a research scientist for Johnson and Johnson in Arlington, Texas in 1976. He was an inventor and co-founder of Advanced Sterilization Products (ASP), a company which has been responsible for revolutionizing the sterilization of medical devices. He was highly regarded in his field and had numerous publications, awards, and patents. After retirement, he moved to Utah and was able to fulfill his dream of owning and operating a cattle ranch as his second profession. He loved all aspects of ranching, especially making genetic selections to increase the productivity of the herd. He is survived by his wife, Elvon; his children: Jon (Terra) Jacobs of Pasco, Washington; Kristen Jacobs and Aaron (April) Jacobs of Bicknell, Utah, and Amy (Nathan) Cragun of Stillwater, Oklahoma; 13 grandchildren and sister Colleen (Jim) Ludwig of Hermiston, Oregon who will all miss him dearly. We wish to extend our sincere gratitude to Gunnison Valley Hospice, Terri Mecham and the crew for their kind and considerate care. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Friday, January 2, 2026 in Thurber Ward Chapel, 190 North 200 East in Bicknell, where friends may call for viewing from 11 - 12:30 p.m. the morning of the services. Livestreaming of the services will be available under Paul's obituary at springerturner.com and will be available about 15 minutes prior to the services. Burial will be in the Bicknell Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Homes of Richfield and Salina, Utah.

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The Insider

January 1, 2026

January 1, 2026

The Insider

Schools and Sports

2026 Everyday Entrepreneur Pitch Competition

$30,000 in funding available for central Utah entrepreneurs

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SUU Earns Four Top Honors at Utah PRSA Golden Spike Awards Gala by Brooke Heath | Southern Utah University

Courtesy Snow College

Snow College’s GRIT Center for Rural Entrepreneurship is proud to announce the opening of applications for the 2026 Everyday Entrepreneur Pitch Competition, an early-stage business competition designed to fuel innovation and economic development across central Utah. EPHRAIM - Snow College’s GRIT Center for Rural Entrepreneurship is proud to announce the opening of applications for the 2026 Everyday Entrepreneur Pitch Competition, an earlystage business competition designed to fuel innovation and economic development across central Utah. The competition is open to Snow College students and community entrepreneurs residing in the six central Utah counties

of Juab, Sanpete, Sevier, Millard, Piute, and Wayne. Participants will receive access not only to potential seed funding, but also to mentorship, education, and a strong support network that helps early-stage ventures thrive. State Bank of Southern Utah has been named the headline sponsor, demonstrating its commitment to fostering local innovation and economic growth with a $10,000 grand prize. This year’s funding also includes a $10,000

grant from the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE), matched by $5,000 from the Utah Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and $5,000 from the GRIT Center, bringing the total available cash awards to $30,000. “As a rural-serving institution, we see firsthand the barriers that many aspiring business owners face,” said Jay Olsen, Vice President of Technical Education and Workforce

PHS Sports Sidelines

In the week before Christmas, the Lady Cats had one game against Duchesne, and they didn’t do so well. The Eagles out-scored the Lady Cats, 17 to 9, in the third quarter to take a 51 to 43 win. Katie Hatch had fifteen, and Owens finished with fourteen, with three three-pointers. The ladies finish off the year with three games in a row. On

by Mack Oetting last Tuesday, they played Wendover, and on the next night, it was Gunnison. Both games were here in Panguitch. On New Year's Eve, they go up to Manti for a game to finish off a busy year. The boys had three games just before Christmas. On the 18th, Piute was here and brought a big crowd. The Cats brought their Agame and were led by Cory Bentley with seventeen and Virga with fifteen. The Cats won 66 to 43. Usually, we play the T-Birds later in the season. They played two games at the Pinnacle tour on the next two nights. On Friday, they played Tabiona and had an easy time with them.

The Cats had a big second quarter, 19-7, and Tabiona could never catch up. For the Cats, again Coby Bentley was high scorer with twenty-one and four three-pointers. On Saturday night, they played Pinnacle, and again, they had an easy time of it, winning the game 59-36. Trenton Virga’s nineteen led all scorers, and Coby Bentley finished with fifteen. The Cats finished off the year at the Mesquite Tournament on the 29th and 30th. Neither team has a home game for a while. The girls play Escalante on the 8th and will have games at the Sophomore Tournament in Piute on the following two days. The boys don’t have a home game till the 13th against Bryce Valley.

Development at Snow College. “Through the Everyday Entrepreneur program, we’re committed to providing the resources, mentorship, and opportunities that help our students and community members turn their ideas into successful businesses.” Olsen noted that Snow College is investing in the program by contributing dedicated resources, campus facilities, technology, and administrative support. The GRIT Center is also building partnerships with local business leaders and community organizations, leveraging faculty and alumni for mentorship, and conducting targeted outreach to rural and underrepresented entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs selected for the program will participate in workshops, receive one-on-one coaching, and gain access to a regional network of resources aimed at helping them launch or grow their businesses. Finalists will pitch their ideas before a panel of judges for the opportunity to receive a portion of the $30,000 in cash prizes. Applications are due January 9, 2026. For more information about the competition, please see https://www.thegritcenter. com/everyday-entrepreneur-2026 or contact Russ Tanner at russ.tanner@ snow.edu. —Snow College

CEDAR CITY Southern Utah University's commitment to outstanding communication and storytelling was celebrated as the University recently took home four prestigious awards, including three Golden Spike Awards and the Mid-Level Professional of the Year Award, at the Utah Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) chapter’s annual Golden Spike Awards Gala. "We are incredibly proud of our teams and the dedication they show every day in telling the SUU story," said University President Mindy Benson. "These awards highlight the highquality, impactful, and professional work being done to engage our community, honor cultural partnerships, and elevate the University's profile statewide." Mid-Level Professional of the Year The gala began with celebrating individual achievements, including honoring Haley Webster as the 2025 Mid-Level Professional of the Year. Webster, a dedicated storyteller

force development, and social and health services remains community-led and honors the legacy of the Nung’wu people. Social Media, External & Internal Audiences SUU’s Regional Services Office received the Golden Spike for their One Utah Summit 2025 Social Media Strategy where the team reimagined social media as a storytelling platform rather than traditional marketing. Aligning with Governor Cox’s “People, Place, Prosperity” vision, the campaign promoted the statewide event for leaders while inviting others to belong and be part of the conversation of what Utah’s future looks like. The result was strong engagement, growing audiences, and a dynamic digital movement supporting the Summit. Videos, Internal & External Audiences Southern Utah University’s Marketing Communication Office was awarded a Golden Spike for its efforts in video pro-

Courtesy Southern Utah University

The Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah and Southern Utah University were recognized with Golden Spike Awards for their research project, Paiute Willow Basket: Gathering and Weaving a Story of Resilience, the first comprehensive study of the Tribe in over 50 years. at SUU, was recognized for bringing visual clarity, warmth, and purpose to the messages she creates. She leads communication strategy for major statewide events, including the Governor’s One Utah Summit and the Larry H. Miller Utah Summer Games, shaping digital narratives that create meaningful, memorable experiences. Guided by a people-first philosophy, Webster is known for her focus on understanding and inspiring audiences. Golden Spike Award Winners SUU and its partners were also recognized with Golden Spike Awards for excellence across three key categories. Research The Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah & SUU were recognized for their research project, Paiute Willow Basket: Gathering and Weaving a Story of Resilience, the first comprehensive study of the Tribe in over 50 years. Co-designed using Indigenous research methods to prioritize Tribal voices, the study documents a narrative of profound resilience, highlighting dramatic gains in education, healthcare access, and a 129% increase in Tribal enrollment since 1968. These findings now provide a culturally grounded roadmap for the Tribe’s strategic planning, ensuring that future growth in work-

duction for the project, “Soaring Over SUU: An Epic Drone Tour of Southern Utah University.” Recognizing that prospective students engage with video content 80% more than static ads, the university developed this signature piece to visually capture its distinctive location, personalized learning environment, and vibrant campus life. About Southern Utah University Southern Utah University is a caring campus community where students realize their potential through personalized mentorship from people dedicated to help them soar. Offering a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs, SUU provides hands-on, career-focused learning to prepare students for the future. Located in the world’s best backyard, SUU’s safe and vibrant campus offers a welcoming atmosphere where everyone feels supported and inspired by both the natural beauty and a strong sense of community. Whether on campus or online, SUU provides an education that is competitively priced and highly valued, giving students the skills and confidence to thrive in any professional setting. This is where students soar. —Southern Utah University

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January 1, 2026

Tropic Reservoir: A successful resolution for Garfield County would be for Tropic Reservoir to have enough water to meet the needs of the farmers in the Tropic area and for Tropic Reservoir to remain a popular recreation destination. —David Dodds, Garfield County Public Works Director

Tropic Reservoir Cont'd from A1

ers, and families seeking outdoor recreation during the summer months. Water levels fluctuate with seasonal demand, which can affect boat access and shoreline conditions, but the area remains a beloved retreat. In recent years, however, Tropic Reservoir has also become a focal point in ongoing water-rights disputes in southern Utah, highlighting its importance to both local livelihoods and regional water management. At the heart of the dispute is a historical, yet unofficial, agreement dating back to 1961 between the Tropic & East Fork Irrigation Company (TEFIC) and the Otter Creek Reservoir Company (OCRC). Under this agreement, often referred to as the “Napkin Agreement,” Otter Creek stored up to 3,000 acre-feet of water in Tropic Reservoir during the winter months. However, the legal right to store this water, technically, expired after the required “proof of use” was never submitted. State engineers have since ruled that only approximately 540 acre-feet can be legally stored, triggering mandatory releases that have left the reservoir at unexpectedly low levels. Local farmers are increasingly concerned about securing sufficient irrigation water for upcoming growing seasons. Otter Creek officials maintain that they are simply exercising their legal rights under long-standing water allocation agreements and emphasize that downstream users depend on the stored water, especially amid ongoing drought conditions. In response to the conflict, the Utah Division of Water Rights has begun installing modern monitoring and telemetry systems at Tropic Reservoir to more accurately track inflows and outflows, hoping increased oversight can prevent similar disputes in the future. The situation underscores the delicate balance of water management in southern Utah, where outdated agreements, drought pressures, and strict legal frameworks frequently collide. According to Garfield County Public Works Director David Dodds, the county’s priorities are straightforward. “A successful resolution for Garfield County would be for Tropic Reservoir to have enough water to meet the needs of the farmers in the Tropic area and for Tropic Reservoir to remain a popular recreation destination,” he said. Dodds noted that water needs vary from year to year, depending on precipitation, but a significant challenge lies in Tropic’s current water rights, which only allow storage beginning April 15. “That doesn’t leave much time to store enough water before irrigation begins, which generally leaves them short during peak demand,” said Dodds. Dodds explained that farmers in Tropic Valley were forced to cease irrigation in late June last year— not because they lacked summer water rights, but because inflows during the summer were too low

to supply the system. “This is why the Napkin Agreement was so important,” he said. “It allowed Tropic and TEFIC to store some of Otter Creek’s winter water to meet peak demand in the summer.” Otter Creek holds water rights on the East Fork from October 15 to April 15, when most of the annual flow occurs. After midApril, runoff typically peaks and then declines rapidly. Although Otter Creek controls a large portion of the water rights, delivering that water is challenging. The distance from Otter Creek Reservoir to Tropic Reservoir exceeds 45 miles, and the winding stream channel results in substantial losses from evaporation and infiltration. As a result, much of the water rarely reaches Otter Creek Reservoir. “For this reason, the Napkin Agreement was conceived,” Dodds said. “TEFIC had a reservoir, and OCRC had water.” Under the agreement, OCRC was allowed to periodically store water in Tropic Reservoir during the winter in exchange for 10 percent of the stored water. OCRC would then release the reservoir in surge flows to push water efficiently down Johns Valley toward Otter Creek Reservoir. TEFIC benefited not only from the additional water, but also by starting the spring season with water already stored to meet summer demand. A secondary but equally important benefit was recreation. “Tropic Reservoir would remain full throughout most of the year,” Dodds said, supporting fishing, boating, camping, and wildlife habitat. Infrastructure such as boat docks, restrooms, and campgrounds were built around the expectation of stable water levels. Dodds believes the agreement worked well for more than sixty years and that problems arose only when the Division of Water Rights realized the agreement had never been formally documented. Although a change application was submitted over twenty years ago, it was not acted upon until recently. When the state revisited the issue, OCRC was informed that formalizing the agreement would require reducing the amount of water legally stored in Otter Creek to account for the 10 percent allocated to TEFIC. OCRC ultimately decided it was not in its best interest to continue the agreement, leading to the current situation in which Tropic cannot meet irrigation demands, and the reservoir is expected to remain largely empty. Garfield County has held multiple discussions with OCRC and the Division of Water Rights, but Dodds said OCRC has expressed no interest in extending the agreement. Instead, the county and state are now working to quantify the benefits of surge flows. “This coming year, we’ll measure how much East Fork water reaches Otter Creek without surge flows,” Dodds said. “The following year, we’ll follow the Napkin Agreement and conduct surge flows. We’re hoping the data will show the benefit and convince OCRC to enter into a new agreement.” Long-term, Garfield County believes enhanced

Jaynie Connor

A photo showing an exposed boat ramp at Tropic Reservoir in Dec. 2025. Under an agreement, often referred to as the “Napkin Agreement,” dating back to 1961 between the Tropic & East Fork Irrigation Company (TEFIC) and the Otter Creek Reservoir Company (OCRC), Otter Creek has stored up to 3,000 acre-feet of water in Tropic Reservoir during the winter months. However, the legal right to store this water, technically, expired after the required “proof of use” was never submitted. State engineers have since ruled that only approximately 540 acre-feet can be legally stored, triggering mandatory releases that have left the reservoir at unexpectedly low levels. monitoring will be key. Additional flow-monitoring devices installed this year are already improving planning efforts. The county is also assessing infrastructure needs, including repairs to the reservoir gate, which currently leaks. While this wasn’t previously a concern—since water leaving the reservoir belonged to Otter Creek—it becomes critical if TEFIC is to store fall water for use the following year. With the Napkin Agreement no longer in effect, the consequences could be severe. Dodds warned that continued drought could result in Tropic irrigators losing 50 to 70 percent of their crops. The reservoir’s legal storage limit of 540 acre-feet represents only about 30 percent of its total capacity, and even that level may be difficult to reach under current water rights. Recreational impacts are already visible, with

the boat ramp now roughly 100 yards from the water’s edge. Tourism and agriculture are Garfield County’s primary economic drivers, and both stand to be significantly affected. These concerns are shared by Garfield County Commissioner Leland Pollock, who described the situation as unlike anything he has seen. “We are very, very unhappy about this,” Pollock said. “This is just something that, in my life, I have never seen anything like this.” He explained that once the original agreement lapsed and was not renewed, state engineers denied both the original plan and efforts to reinstate it. “That’s what caused this whole thing,” he explained. Pollock said county officials were initially told that restoring the original agreement would allow water storage to resume, prompting involvement from lawmakers and the

State Water Commission. However, he believes Otter Creek was later pressured into conditions they could not accept. “Once they agreed to the original, the state engineer turned around and told them the only way they’d be allowed to renew the agreement was to release the top 10 percent of their reservoir to Delta,” Pollock said. “I have no idea where that came from.” He added that state officials believe water stored in Tropic Reservoir should instead be sent into the aquifer—an underground layer of rock or soil that supplies water to wells, towns, and farms across southern Utah. Despite the frustration, Pollock emphasized that the county remains committed. “That’s where I was raised. That’s where I grew up. I understand those people and their needs,” he said. Pollock warned that the stakes are high. “Some of those farms in Tropic

Valley will go bankrupt over time,” he said, noting that last year’s crops already suffered. He also expressed concern for recreation and fisheries, saying the reservoir may not be able to hold enough water to sustain its high-altitude trout population. The situation at Tropic Reservoir illustrates the complexity of managing scarce water resources in southern Utah, where historical agreements, legal constraints, and drought conditions intersect. While enhanced monitoring and upcoming surge-flow data offer hope for renewed cooperation, the future depends on collaboration and a shared understanding of the reservoir’s importance. For now, Tropic Reservoir stands at a critical crossroads, serving as a reminder that in the arid West, every drop of water, and every agreement governing it, matters.

The Insider

January 1, 2026

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Fish Stocking: Our hatcheries are important because they provide the majority of the fish we stock in the state.

Stocking is a crucial management tool that we use to provide Utahns with the numbers and species of fish they desire. Stocking fish helps create a better fishing experience and additional opportunities. Without stocking, fishing would be very limited. It also helps in the recovery of threatened or endangered fish. June suckers were downlisted from endangered to threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 2021 because of recovery efforts, which included stocking. —Richard Hepworth, DWR Fish Culture Coordinator Fish Stocking Cont'd from A1

lion that the DWR stocked last year. Here’s a look at the other fish stocking totals from recent years: • 2023: 10.6 million fish were stocked • 2022: 8.2 million fish were stocked • 2021: 9.6 million fish were stocked • 2020: 8.2 million fish were stocked • 2019: 10 million fish were stocked Over the past few years, the DWR has made several changes to stocking and fish production at hatcheries in order to adapt to continually changing weather and drought conditions, including: • Stocking fewer (but larger) fish, where needed, to increase their survival rate • Stocking more small fish in locations with higher growth rates • Stocking fewer fish in waterbodies with low water levels or that are projected to have low water levels during drought conditions • Evaluating the fish species stocked at lowerelevation reservoirs that are experiencing warmer temperatures, including raising and stocking more warmwater fish species that will eventually reproduce naturally

• Changing the timing of when certain fish species are stocked to help minimize the potential impacts of warmer water “We are continually evaluating the processes of growing and stocking fish and continue to make proactive changes to address drought impacts, increasing water demand and to also meet the demands of a growing population in Utah,” DWR Fish Culture Coordinator Richard Hepworth said. The practice of stocking fish in the Beehive State goes back more than 150 years, as fish were first formally stocked in Utah in 1871. At that time, fish were transported from other states by train and were stocked into lakes along the train route. In 1897, Utah opened its first hatcheries and started raising trout locally. Most of Utah’s stocked fish started off as various trout species, and the DWR continues to stock a large number of rainbow trout around the state. However, the division expanded efforts and currently stocks around twenty species of fish throughout the state for several purposes, including providing a variety of fish species for fishing opportunities. “These original hatcheries were really impounded streams where we put fry that we got from the

Courtesy Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) stocking trout at Fountain Green Hatchery. The DWR stocks a variety of fish species throughout Utah every year. In 2025, over eleven million fish were stocked into waterbodies across the state. federal government,” Hepworth said. “We opened our first traditional fish hatchery—where we produced our own eggs and used raceways like we have today—in Murray in 1899.” Over time, the DWR expanded its fish hatchery operations. There are now thirteen facilities across Utah, with construction underway to build a new Loa Fish Hatchery, which will be stocking fish by 2027.

Utah Liquor Stores Help People and Pets Statewide with Annual Donation Drive

SALT LAKE CITY Starting in mid-December, state liquor store shoppers can pick up a bottle and leave a donation to support a local charity. All 52 liquor stores in the state are collecting items for a unique organization that serves the local community. Store employees choose which causes to support, including food pantries, children and family services, and animal rescues. Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services Director Ericka Evans says the DABS is uniquely positioned to

provide this wide-ranging support due to the broad reach of liquor stores across the state. “Employees at liquor stores spanning Utah are the drivers of this robust donation drive. They select the local charities and manage the collection and distribution process,” said Evans. “I’m grateful to our store employees for the care and commitment they have to service and supporting their neighbors in need.” The DABS launched the donation drive in 2023 after Governor Spencer J. Cox asked all state agencies

to participate in acts of service. Given the program’s success and overwhelming support from generous DABS customers, liquor stores are continuing the effort. Customers can plan ahead before going to their local liquor store, by visiting the DABS website at abs.utah.gov/annual-storedonation-drive-2025-2026 to find which organization each store is supporting. Donations are collected through February 28, 2026. —Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services

Restoration Update: Rehabilitation work includes

emergency stabilization, hazard tree removal and other restoration activities, such as seeding and tree planting, and eventually campground reconstruction of areas that were impacted by the Forsyth Fire. Hazard tree removal in the Pine Valley Recreation Area will begin as early January 2026 and into 2027, and will include activities that utilize heavy equipment and tractor trailers. Restoration Update Cont'd from A1

zation, hazard tree removal and other restoration activities, such as seeding and tree planting, and eventually campground

reconstruction of areas that were impacted by the Forsyth Fire. Hazard tree removal in the Pine Valley Recreation Area will begin as early January 2026 and into 2027, and will include activities that utilize heavy equipment and tractor trailers. The Pine Valley Reservoir dam is currently being reconstructed to meet current state standards. Construction crews are currently on-site, breaching the reservoir to allow it to dry out. Crews are also building a channel around the reservoir to reroute water. The purpose of

these projects is to conduct mitigation on the dam and construct a low-water outlet. The project is expected to be completed by early 2027. Crews continue to work year-round in the Pine Valley Recreation Area. The Pine Valley Recreation Area closure order and current updates can be found under the Dixie National Forest alerts webpage. Visit https://www. fs.usda.gov/r04/dixie/alerts for up-to-date information and forest closure orders. —Dixie National Forest

A new facility was also completed at the Mantua Fish Hatchery earlier this year to improve efficiency and increase production of the trout egg supply for the DWR fish hatcheries that stock fish across Utah. The bulk of the fish stocked in 2025—10.6 million fish of the total 11.6 million fish—came from these DWR hatcheries. The remaining fish were transported from disease-free certified hatcheries across the U.S. “Our hatcheries are important because they provide the majority of the fish we stock in the state,” Hepworth said. “Stocking is a crucial management tool that we use to provide Utahns with the numbers and species of fish they desire. Stocking fish helps

create a better fishing experience and additional opportunities. Without stocking, fishing would be very limited. It also helps in the recovery of threatened or endangered fish. June suckers were downlisted from endangered to threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 2021 because of recovery efforts, which included stocking.” The DWR stocked several different fish species this year, including: • Arctic grayling • Black crappie • Bluegill • Bonytail • Brook trout • Brown trout • Channel catfish • Cuttbow • Cutthroat trout • Grass carp (sterile) • June sucker (listed as

threatened under the Endangered Species Act) • Kokanee salmon • Lake trout • Rainbow trout • Splake • Tiger muskie • Tiger trout • Walleye • Wiper The DWR fish hatcheries produce multiple strains of some species, and some of the fish are sterile (meaning they can’t reproduce). Producing sterile fish is an important management tool that helps control fish populations in various waterbodies. Find more details about the DWR’s stocking strategies on the DWR website. —Utah Division of Wildife Resources

Wayne Commission: The Wayne County

Commission met for its regular meeting on December 15, 2025, working through a 55-minute agenda that included event planning, youth workforce support, land-use decisions, and final approval of the county’s 2026 budget and tax rates. Wayne Commission Cont'd from A1

and agricultural heritage. Next, commissioners approved $750 in funding for the annual College and Career Education Day, which serves high school students from Wayne, Garfield, Piute, and now Valley schools. Event organizer Candace Peterson said the program is designed to show students how they can build careers and return to work in rural communities. The event is scheduled for February 24 at the Panguitch Stake Center and will include colleges, local employers, and agencies such as Capitol Reef National Park and public safety departments. The commission then heard from Nancy Roth, a pediatric nurse at Primary Children’s Hospital, who shared concerns about proposed federal legislation that could expand OHV (Off-Highway Vehicles) access within Capitol Reef National Park. Roth emphasized that her concerns are the risks created when serious injuries occur far from immediate medical care. She cited data showing OHV use carries a sig-

nificantly higher injury risk for children and explained that long response times in remote terrain can extend well beyond the medical “golden hour,” when treatment is most effective. She also talked about how helmet use and safety laws are not followed. Roth noted that while helmet use is encouraged, compliance can be inconsistent, particularly among children, and that she has seen firsthand the consequences of preventable head injuries. Commissioners acknowledged that while laws and recommendations exist, enforcement and personal responsibility remain a challenge. The commission then turned to budget matters, approving Wayne County’s 2026 budget totaling just over $14.6 million in both revenues and expenditures. Commissioners stressed that more than $9 million of that total reflects passthrough funding for the Hanksville Diversion project and does not represent new county spending. Final tax rate resolutions for general operations, multi-county assessing, and county assessing were also approved following the Truth-in-Taxation process. Full details

of the budget and adopted rates are available on the state public notice website at utah.gov. Two zoning changes for county-owned property near the community center were also approved. One change brings the existing community center into compliance under a special purpose designation and allows for construction of a new emergency services building. The second rezones adjacent land for future business and industrial development. Commissioners emphasized that both projects are grant-funded and will not rely on local tax dollars. Before adjourning, commissioners approved the 2026 meeting schedule, tabled commission assignments until all members are present, approved vouchers, and authorized a letter of support for a fire district grant application related to wildland-urban interface mitigation, to be formally ratified at a future meeting. The Wayne County Commission meets the first and third Monday of every month at the Wayne County Courthouse in Loa.

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Legal Notices MEETING SCHEDULES FOR 2026 BICKNELL TOWN Bicknell Town Board meeting schedule for 2026 Meetings are held at 7:00 PM at the Bicknell Town Hall at 64 W. 100 N. in Bicknell. 2026 dates for Town Council Meetings & Town Work Meetings January 8 June 25 January 29 July 2 February 5 July 30 February 26 August 6 March 5 August 27 March 26 September 3 April 2 September 24 April 30 October 1 May 7 October 29 May 28 November 5 June 4 December 3

January 1, 2026

Measles Cases: Measles is a very contagious airborne disease. If you have

symptoms, please call ahead before going to a clinic or hospital so they can take precautions. You don’t want to expose vulnerable people who might have serious complications if they get infected. —Dr. David Blodgett, SWUPHD Director and Health Officer

Planning and Zoning meeting schedule for 2026 Meetings are held at 7:00 PM at the Bicknell Town Hall at 64 W. 100 N. in Bicknell. 2026 dates for Planning & Zoning Meetings January 20 July 21 February 17 August 18 March 17 September 15 April 21 October 20 May 19 November 17 June 16 December 15 Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on JANUARY 1 & 8, 2026 PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING ZONING CHANGES BICKNELL TOWN PLANNING COMMISSION Bicknell Town Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to consider a zoning change for properties that border Highway 24 and Main Street which are not presently in the Commercial Residential Zone. The town proposes changing all properties that border Highway 24 and Main Street to Commercial Residential Zone which will extend the Commercial Residential Zone. The hearing will be held before the regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting at 6:45 p.m. on January 20, 2026, in the Bicknell Town Hall. Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on JANUARY 1 & 8, 2026 PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING ZONING DESCRIPTION IN THE GENERAL PLAN AND THE BUILDING AND ZONING ORDINANCE BICKNELL TOWN PLANNING COMMISSION Bicknell Town Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to allow comments regarding the description of the Commercial Residential Zone in the General Plan and in the Building and Zoning Ordinance. The hearing will be held at the beginning of the regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting which begins at 7:00 p.m. on January 20, 2026, in the Bicknell Town Hall. Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on JANUARY 1 & 8, 2026 PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE TORREY TOWN Torrey Town will hold a public hearing to open and close the 2026 town budget on Thursday, January 8, 2026; the meeting time is 6:30 p.m. at the Torrey Town Office, Bay 1 located at 75 E 100 N. Torrey, Utah. The hearing is for the purpose of opening the 2026 budget and to discuss reallocation of funds. Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on DECEMBER 25, 2025 and JANUARY 1, 2026 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

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The Southwest Utah Public Health Department (SWUPHD) is urging residents to call healthcare providers and hospitals before showing up in person if they think they might have the measles. The district (including Washington, Iron, Beaver, Kane, and Garfield counties) has now seen over one hundred cases of measles since August of this year. Measles Cases Cont'd from A1

you have symptoms, please call ahead before going to a clinic or hospital so they can take precautions. You don’t want to expose vul-

nerable people who might have serious complications if they get infected.” Symptoms start seven to fourteen days after exposure and include high fever, cough, runny nose, watery eyes, and a rash that starts

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 Jan. 28, 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) 97-2537 (A84927): Nicholas Vincent propose(s) using 1.73 ac-ft. from groundwater (4 miles S of Boulder) for DOMESTIC; IRRIGATION. CHANGE APPLICATION(S) 61-3588 (a53935): Justin Spencer, State of Utah Board of Water Resources, West Panguitch Irrigation and Reservoir Company propose(s) using 0.5328 ac-ft. from groundwater (Panguitch) for DOMESTIC; IRRIGATION. 61-3475 (a53949): Tyson Brinkerhoff propose(s) using 0.0023 cfs OR 0.45 ac-ft. from groundwater (2.25 miles south of Widtsoe) for DOMESTIC. 61-3468 (a53950): Asa Bradford propose(s) using 0.0013 cfs OR 0.25 ac-ft. from groundwater (2.25 miles south of Widtsoe) for DOMESTIC. 61-3218 (a53954): Panguitch Diamond, LLC propose(s) using 0.25 ac-ft. from groundwater (1/2 mile SW of Panguitch Lake) for DOMESTIC. 61-3593 (a53955): Driven Horizons LLC, State of Utah Board of Water Resources, West Panguitch Irrigation and Reservoir Company propose(s) using 1.2 ac-ft. from groundwater (6.5 miles NE of Panguitch) for DOMESTIC; IRRIGATION; STOCKWATERING. EXTENSION(S) 97-2358 (A78667): Full Moon Farms LLC, is/are filing an extension for 1.73 ac-ft. from groundwater (Boulder Town) for DOMESTIC; IRRIGATION. WAYNE COUNTY NEW APPLICATION(S) 95-5584 (A84924): Linda Hale propose(s) using 1.48 ac-ft. from groundwater (1 mile northwest of Grover) for DOMESTIC; IRRIGATION; STOCKWATERING. CHANGE APPLICATION(S) 95-5088 (a53956): Jeff and Dana Williams propose(s) using 0.015 cfs OR 0.7065 ac-ft. from groundwater (2.5 miles south of Torrey) for DOMESTIC; IRRIGATION. Teresa Wilhelmsen, P.E. State Engineer Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on JANUARY 1 & 8, 2026

on the face before spreading to the rest of the body. While most people recover at home, some people— especially children—can experience complications like breathing problems, pneumonia, brain swelling, seizures, and even death. People with compromised immune systems are especially at risk. Measles is 97% preventable by vaccination. Almost all of Southwest Utah’s cases have been in unvaccinated individuals, and most have been chil-

dren under the age of 18. Several people have been hospitalized due to measles infection, some with serious illness. Unimmunized people may have been exposed to measles locally at schools, healthcare facilities, stores, restaurants, and gas stations. To view measles cases and exposure locations in Utah, or to schedule a vaccination appointment, visit swuhealth.gov/ measles. —Southwest Utah Public Health Department

Legal Notices PUBLIC NOTICE TORREY TOWN TORREY TOWN COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE FOR 2026 The Torrey Town Council will meet on the second Thursday of every month. The following are the dates and times in 2026. Meetings begin at 6:30 PM, Mountain Standard Time. (November 1, – March 7) Meetings begin at 7:00 PM during Daylight Saving Time. (March 8 -November 1.) MEETING DATES January 8 July 9 February 12 August 13 March 12 September 10 April 9 October 8 May 14 November 12 June 11 December 10 TORREY TOWN, PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING SCHEDULE FOR 2026 Torrey Planning and Zoning Commission will meet on the last Thursday of the month, except the November and December meetings will be on the third Thursday. The following are the dates and times in 2026. All meetings begin at 6:30 PM, Mountain Standard Time. MEETING DAYS January 29 July 30 February 26 August 27 March 26 September 24 April 30 October 29 May 28 November 19 June 25 December 17 Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on JANUARY 1 & 8, 2026

The Insider

January 1, 2026

Utah's Move to Regulate AI Could Run Into Roadblocks on Capitol Hill by Mark Richardson | Utah News Connection

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Calassified ds HELP WANTED

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Gov. Spencer Cox says Utah’s artificial-intelligence initiative will spread across six areas: workforce, industry, state government, academia, public policy and learning. UTAH - Utah officials are calling for pro-human guidelines for artificial intelligence, but that could run head-on into federal efforts to block states from regulating AI. Gov. Spencer Cox outlined a plan Tuesday, Dec. 2, that would apply what he calls "Utah values" to a set of state regulations aimed at protecting jobs, data privacy and children. However, lobbyists for the tech industry have been pushing for an outright ban on states' ability to regulate the AI industry. Cox told a group of policymakers and tech leaders that such a powerful tool needs to be steered in the right direction. "Is it serving humankind?" said Cox. "Is it pro-

moting human flourishing, or is it making us dumber and worse?" Utah lawmakers created an Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy two years ago, and the state's universities are going all-in on making the workforce AI ready. Two efforts to pass a ban on state AI regulations have failed in Congress, but President Donald Trump is considering issuing an executive order blocking states from developing any guardrails. Cox said the government shouldn't tell companies how to develop the technology. But he said people need to be protected from the potential problems AI could cause. The University of Utah's Chief Artificial In-

telligence Officer Manish Parashar said the state is on the right track. "I think what they are counting on is the recognition across academia, government, industry about the importance of AI," said Parashar, "and the importance of harnessing that potential by providing a common-sense regulatory framework." Cox's policies are a continuation of his earlier efforts aimed at reining in social media companies and the effect they sometimes have on individuals, particularly young people. He said he is planning to put a set of regulations before the Utah Legislature, which convenes in January, to promote AI's useability, and counters its potential to do harm.

FOR RENT

Warm End of Year Conditions Leave States with Below Normal Snow Totals SALT LAKE CITY A warm and dry December and November have left the state with below normal snow totals. While this is a reason for concern, two or three good storm cycles could bring the state up to normal levels. Utah’s snowpack typically peaks around the beginning of April. The northern half of the state is experiencing the poorest conditions. Early snow helped the southern Utah basins. After a record-setting month in October for precipitation, Salt Lake City followed up with another record-setting month, but this time for the highest November average temperature. Halfway through this December, the average monthly temperature of 42.2°F was a stagger-

ing 8.6°F above average. “Utah's water supply has been driven by extremes and has only experienced four ‘normal’ snow years in the past 30 years,” Candice Hasenyager, director at the Utah Division of Water Resources, said. “The one thing we can control is how we use our water and what impactful decisions we make to be good water stewards.” Utah’s soil moisture levels are above normal for this time of year. In dry years, the ground acts like a sponge, absorbing much of the snowmelt before it can run off into reservoirs. Because our soils are now well-saturated, they are primed for a more efficient spring runoff. 93% of the state is currently experiencing some form of drought. Last year

at this time, 19% of the state was in drought. In Utah, about 95% of our water supply comes from snowpack. Reservoir storage helps us preserve that water for use in dry summer months and drought years. To encourage water conservation among Utahns, 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

Garfield Commission: Deliberation and approval

of Ordinance 2025-4 and the need for Bryce Canyon City to have their own full-time law enforcement officer discussed.

Garfield Commission Cont'd from A1

session; and to establish consistent standards for development, construction, and property maintenance within areas identified as having elevated wildfire risk.” The county will be tasked with collecting the state’s mandated wildfire risk fees beginning in 2026 using square footage as the assessment basis, changing in 2028 to fees determined by assessed actual risk. A state website—ffsl.utah. gov—provides more information. [For FAQs, search for “HB48” on that site.] Starting in 2028, fees will be tiered, based on the triage score assigned to the property by a certified lot assessment. If a property owner reduces their wildfire risk, the fee may be reduced. A property owner doesn’t have to allow the lot assessment, but if they don’t, they’ll be charged

the maximum fee for their risk zone. In 2026, fees will range from $20-$100 annually per structure based on square footage. Fees will be added to new construction permit costs starting in 2026. The Commissioners expressed their frustration that the legislature enacted this bill without considering their input. Commissioner Leland Pollock said, “Some of these [owners] have tried to clean the area required around their cabins, and they can't. They would be breaking the federal law to abide by the Utah state law…because basically the state's telling you to do something that the federal government won't let you do.” He suggested that they work on an amendment to HB48 that addresses this problem. Following a request for public comment, of which there were none, the Commission approved Ordinance 2025-4. Sheriff’s Office Busi-

ness: Sheriff Eric Houston had discussed with Bryce Canyon City their need for a full-time law enforcement officer and their agreement to fund that position at $93,270. A Memo of Understanding between the city and the county will be drafted to formalize the funding arrangement. The Commissioner voted to approve opening the budget to make the appropriate adjustments for receiving the funds and allocating them to the sheriff’s office. With no further business, the meeting was adjourned. The Garfield County Commission meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month starting at 10 a.m. All meetings are held in the County Courthouse in Panguitch. Electronic participation is not available, but all meeting recordings are uploaded to the Utah Public Meetings Notice board, https://www.utah. gov/pmn/.

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The Insider

B6

C l a s s i f i e d ads

January 1, 2026

To place your ad, call 435-826-4400 or email snapshot@live.com

Classified ads start at just $7.50 per week for 25 words or less. HELP WANTED

MEETINGS

We are looking for friendly, hardworking professionals who enjoy the hospitality industry and interaction with guests. P O S I T I O N S AVA I L A B L E: 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.

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.

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sudoku Answers for this week

SERVICES

When in Need, There are Resources in Wayne & Garfield Cos. For Victims of Domestic Violence, Rape, and Sexual Assault

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. Jan 6th

Wed. Jan 7th

Thurs. Jan 8th

Fish, Potato Wedges, Peas, Salad Bar, Pears, Chocolate Chip Cookie

Stuffed Peppers w/ Meat & Rice, Ve geta b l e s , Salad, Tropical Fruit, Vanilla Cake

French Dip w/ Au Jus, California Blend Ve g e t a b l e s , Macaroni Salad, Peaches, Brownie

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.

CROSSWORD SOLUTION

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

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. 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.

Medical Assistant (As-Needed / PRN) Wayne Community Health Centers (Rural Health Clinic)

Location: Wayne Community Health Centers (Rural Health Clinic) Position Type: As-Needed / PRN Position Summary: Wayne Community Health Centers is seeking a Medical Assistant (PRN) to support our clinic provider team on an asneeded basis. The Medical Assistant works closely with physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants to deliver high-quality primary healthcare services. This role includes limited direct patient care, clinical support, laboratory procedures, and administrative responsibilities in a fast-paced rural healthcare setting. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Patient Relations • Prepare patients for examinations, including obtaining vital signs, height, weight, and chief complaint. • Update and reconcile patient health histories at each visit, including medications, allergies, medical/surgical history, family and social history. • Maintain patient comfort and provide clear communication throughout the visit. • Ensure efficient patient flow throughout the clinic. Clinical Support • Assist providers with diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. • Administer medications and vaccines per standing orders and current guidelines. • Conduct routine screenings (vision, hearing, blood pressure, etc.). • Collect and process specimens and perform in-house laboratory testing in a moderately complex lab. • Prepare specimens for outside laboratory testing and document results accurately. • Assist with in-house X-rays as directed. • Perform quality control, proficiency testing, and equipment maintenance in compliance with OSHA, CLIA, CQI, and infection control standards. • Maintain and process instruments for minor surgical procedures. • Monitor inventory and ensure laboratory and clinical supplies are stocked and viable. Administrative Duties • Maintain accurate and timely documentation in the clinic’s EMR. • Manage incoming and outgoing patient communications, including phone messages, referrals, and test results. • Enter clinical and administrative data efficiently and accurately. • Support streamlined clinic operations and patient scheduling flow. Team Support & Performance Improvement • Collaborate effectively with providers, nursing staff, and clinic leadership. • Participate in quality assurance and performance improvement initiatives. • Perform additional duties as assigned by the Medical Director or Nursing Director. Safety & Infection Control • Maintain a clean, safe, and organized clinical environment. • Adhere to infection control standards and proper use of PPE. • Follow all safety protocols to ensure patient and staff well-being. Qualifications • High school diploma or higher. • Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required. (can be obtained after hire) • Strong communication and interpersonal skills. • Ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment. • Demonstrated compassion and professionalism when interacting with patients and providers. Preferred (Not Required) Due to our rural location, Wayne Community Health Centers encourages staff to pursue additional training such as: • Certified Medical Assistant (training provided) • ACLS • PALS • Emergency/code response training (Training is encouraged but not required at the time of hire.) Compensation Salary: Competitive; based on experience and qualifications Schedule: As-needed / PRN, hours vary based on clinic needs

SERVICES

NAMI Utah Connection Support Group Online For people with mental health conditions Mon, Wed, Fri 7:00 - 8:30 pm | Wed 12:30 - 2:00 pm Sat 10:30 am - 12:00 pm

NAMI Family Support Group - Online For loved ones of people with mental health conditions Mon, Tues, Thurs 7:00 - 8:30 pm

Register at namiut.org