UTAH - Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in Utah and across the United States, and the American Heart Association is working with University of Utah Health to improve cardiovascular health statewide.
The partnership is part of the association’s “Live Fierce, Be Relentless” campaign, which aims to improve cardiovascular well-being and reduce health disparities for Utah residents.
Dr. Ann Bruno, an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at University of Utah Health, said a major focus of the effort is maternal health.
“The goal through this campaign and the general efforts of the University of Utah Health at this new clinic is to improve the
New Back Country Horsemen Chapter Invites Community to Potluck in Torrey, July 23
by Amiee Maxwell
Photo Courtesy Melissa Robins
Kurtis Robins (above), a retired Fremont River District Ranger with the U.S. Forest Service, is interim chapter president of the newly formed Fremont River Chapter of Back Country Horsemen of America. Back Country Horsemen of America is a national nonprofit dedicated to protecting equestrian access to public lands by advocating responsible equestrian use and volunteering on trail maintenance projects.
TORREY - Residents who enjoy Wayne County’s non-motorized trails are invited to a community potluck on July 23, 2026, at Torrey Town Park to celebrate the formation of the
UTAH - Utah entered the 2026 fire season with record-low snowpack and heightened concerns about wildfires, which are already burning across the state.
As of early July, there have been 390 wildfires across Utah burning 296,063 acres. Of these fires, 278 have been human-caused, 73 caused by lightning, and 39 with the cause yet to be determined. The earlier fires were at middle elevations
in grass, brush, and pinyonjuniper woodlands. As the fire season continues, fire activity is starting to move into higher elevations. This was seen near Beaver, Utah, where the Cottonwood Fire is moving higher up into timber, burning around the Eagle Point Ski Resort above 9,000 feet.
One variable that could have a large impact on Utah’s wildfire season Monsoons Cont'd on B2
new Fremont River Chapter of Back Country Horsemen of America.
The event begins at 6 pm and is open to anyone interested in learning more about the organization.
Utah Division of Water Resources
Drought Update
UTAH - With critical fire danger escalating across the state and drought conditions straining water supplies, officials are urging all residents to please recreate responsibly to help prevent new wildfire starts while crews manage ongoing incidents.
Fire activity has escalated significantly across the state, with many ongoing large-scale incidents, including the Cottonwood, Babylon, Wild Goose, Cherry, and Iron fires. The combination of sustained high temperatures, dry fuels, and wind has created critical fire danger. As a result, fire officials are observing aggressive fire behavior earlier than the historical average for this time
Drought Update Cont'd on A3
Through the event, organizers hope to introduce the community to the group’s mission of protecting and maintaining non-motorized public trails through volunteer service.
"We would love to have hikers join the group," said interim chapter president Kurtis Robins, a retired
WAYNE CO. - Wayne County Commissioners certified the results of the 2026 primary election during their July 6 meeting. County Clerk-Auditor Felicia Snow reported a 65.31% voter turnout, with 903 ballots cast from 1,304 registered Republican voters. The meeting then turned to an update on plans for the future community recreation center. Julie Chappell said the committee continues to make progress by establishing an online donation portal, partnering with Southern Utah University marketing interns to help develop branding and a website, and securing preliminary architectural renderings at little or no cost. “We are moving forward,” Chappell said. “We don't know where or how
Wayne Commission Cont'd on B2 Potluck Cont'd on B3
DUTCH JOHN - As hummingbirds are migrating through Utah this summer, you’ve most likely witnessed a few eating at a feeder or enjoying some other source of nectar for a quick meal. Join the Utah Division of Wildlife Re-
sources, Ashley National Forest, and Red Canyon Lodge at an upcoming event for the opportunity to get close-up with one of nature’s most fascinating birds. People typically see four different species of
hummingbirds in northeastern Utah: blackchinned, broad-tailed, calliope, and rufous hummingbirds. The most commonly seen species
Hummingbirds Cont'd on B3
Courtesy Brad Washa
Ponderosa pine at Price Recreation Site during the Bear Fire in 2021. Ponderosa pine have a strong relationship with frequent and low-intensity wildland fires and rain from the summer monsoons.
Courtesy Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is partnering with the Ashley and Dixie national forest biologists to host a hummingbird banding demonstration
The free event will be held at the Red Canyon Lodge at 2450 Red Canyon Road in Dutch John.
Cardiac Health Cont'd on A5
2026 Torrey Apple Days Annual Patriotic Program
by Dave Cushing
TORREY - Wayne Winters, Thom Hunter, Jolyn Nickle and Lori Dillenbech sing “Shenandoah” at the annual Torrey Apple Days Patriotic Program on July 3 in the town’s LDS meetinghouse. Among other things, the multifaceted musical program celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence featured Don Gomes reading the Declaration’s iconic preamble ("We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness…”); Mayor Mickey Wright talking about the history of immigration in the United States; Paula Pace noting the importance of diversity in the nation’s social fabric; and Jan Schielfelbein outlining the contributions of African Americans to the evolution of music in this country.
Opinion
Celebrate the Nation’s Anniversary by Speaking Up for Public Land
UTAH - As we mark our nation’s 250th anniversary, it’s worth celebrating what we the people have in common.
What we literally have in common—own in common—are our public lands, our national parks and forests. In the West especially, glance at the photo library on your phone, and it will probably look a lot like the person’s next to you in the coffee shop. Your parents’ and grandparents’ faded photo family albums probably have similar pictures too. That’s because our public lands shape us. They hold our uniquely American stories. Memories of that backcountry trip. High meadow lakes. Campfires. A bird dog, smiling next to grouse. A successful deer hunt. A first fish. A family picnic. Close your eyes for a second, and you can probably see your own moments
by Tracy Stone-Manning | Writers on the Range
in a wild place. All of this comes from the wild public lands we all still own. Which is why it is so unsettling that the administration continues to try to hand those places over to the highest bidder. And why it’s so disturbing that they are pushing deeper into our forests, threatening future generations’ freedom to experience what we have been lucky enough to know. It’s hard to keep up, but the direction is clear: sacrificing our wild public lands. Recently, the president tossed aside executive orders from Presidents Nixon and Carter that formed the foundation for how agencies manage recreation on our public lands. The process is called travel management planning, and it helps identify the best places for ATVs, dirt bikes, horses, hikers and mountain bikers so people can enjoy public lands safely, responsibly and without un-
Letters to the Editor
Send us your letters. Your thoughts, opinions, and notes to the community are important to us and we welcome your submissions of 500 words or less Letters to the editor must include the author’s name and location (town). We may edit letters for length, format and clarity, and we also reserve the right to refuse material. Opinions expressed in letters to the editor are not necessarily those of The Insider Send letters to snapshot@live.com. Note: The Insider will accept one letter per month per person, plus one additional letter if there is a response from another reader to which you would like to respond.
Thank You
I want to extend my sincere thanks to everyone who made Torrey Apple Days and our America 250 events such a success this year. Our volunteers, town staff, and countless residents put in long hours to make the celebration run smoothly. The veterans of American Legion Harold Brown Post #92 added meaning and dignity to the day, and we were honored by the flyover from the
Airmen of the 419th Fighter Wing at Hill Air Force Base.
To all the participants, vendors, parade crews, and especially the visitors who came to Torrey to celebrate with us—thank you. Apple Days is a community effort, and this year showed once again what a small town can accomplish when everyone pitches in. Mickey Wright, Mayor, Torrey
dermining each other’s experiences. We have enough public land to support many different ways of getting outside, but only if we plan carefully.
These agreements can be hard to forge, but they help protect access, reduce conflict and keep public lands healthy for all. By ending the basis for them, the administration has left many public land users rightfully nervous about what will happen now.
Meanwhile, the media reported that the administration plans to direct the Forest Service to open lands recommended for wilderness designation to development and other damaging uses. Through an ongoing review, the administration has also signaled it plans to take a similar approach to more than one hundred million acres of wildlands managed by the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The result would be permanent and intentional: wild places degraded so badly that they would no longer qualify for wilderness designation. Because once wildness is gone, you can’t bring it back.
Most troubling of all is the largest proposed rollback of conservation protections in American history. The administration has announced it intends to remove protections on forty-five million acres of national forests and instead allow roads to be punched into some of our wildest public lands.
Here’s what happens when roads get built: they bring wildfire. They pollute
streams. They harm wildlife. In my home state of Montana, 97% of summer elk habitat is on unroaded forests, away from civilization, high in the mountains, in cool, deep cover. Such forests also provide clean drinking water for millions of people. They are where people go to hunt and fish and camp and hike—where memories are made.
So why these attacks on our wildest forests? Why steal from future generations? Why open remote places to development when there is an enormous and urgent need to manage the forests near communities, to protect them from wildfire? Why develop wild lands when we could instead put people to work improving access and maintaining trails?
Our country is blessed with lands that are still wild, where wildlife can roam freely, cold creeks still flow, and a person has the freedom to wander. These lands are our common ground. They are where we go to remember what freedom feels like. In a way, conquering them conquers us.
One force can stop this: the people who own these lands, all of us. We can demand better of our elected officials now, and at the ballot box in the months and years ahead. Future generations are counting on it.
Tracy Stone-Manning is a contributor to Writers on the Range, an independent nonprofit dedicated to lively conversation about the West. She is president of The Wilderness Society and The Wilderness Society Action Fund.
Dave Cushing
Drought Update:
As Utah moves deeper into the irrigation season, water demand continues to increase while streamflows across much of the state continue to decline. With below-average snowpack and an early spring runoff, many river systems are now experiencing conditions similar to those seen during the 2021 drought.
Drought Update
Cont'd from A1
of year, with over 312,000 acres burned to-date.
When fighting wildfires in Utah, state and federal agencies can immediately draw water from reservoirs under emergency authority, temporarily bypassing standard water rights to protect lives and property. This process is highly coordinated through pre-mapped “dip sites” such as Minersville Reservoir, Kent’s Lake, Scipio Reservoir, the Millard County Road Reservoir, and Utah Lake. Land Use Agreements with water right holders are secured either before or during an incident. Whether helicopters are dipping buckets or planes are skimming the surface, every gallon is carefully tracked for post-incident accounting and reimbursement.
"Successful wildland firefighting relies on preparation and coordination before the smoke even appears. By mapping out approved water sources and establishing clear protocols with our partners and landowners well in advance, we ensure our aerial and ground crews can respond quickly,” said Brianne Emery, Deputy Director of Program Services at the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands. “We take for granted that we’ll always have easy access to water to fight wildfires but in a year like this one, our planning and relationships are more important than ever.”
Reservoirs, lakes and streams Reservoir storage averages 64% full, which is 11% lower than the normal for this time of year, and 15% lower than this time last year.
• The boat ramp at Escalante Petrified Forest State Park is currently closed. When reservoirs reach low levels, some parks are forced to close their boat launch ramps in order to help better protect
visitors and their property. Visit the Division of State Parks boat ramp conditions webpage for more information.
Because Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) may be happening earlier than normal, residents are urged to learn how to identify them and find current water advisories at HABs.utah.gov
• Due to current low water levels from construction projects and ongoing drought impacts, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources issued emergency changes to increase the daily fishing limits at seven waterbodies in Utah, effective immediately.
River conditions reflect early runoff and reduced summer flows
As Utah moves deeper into the irrigation season, water demand continues to increase while streamflows across much of the state continue to decline. With below-average snowpack and an early spring runoff, many river systems are now experiencing conditions similar to those seen during the 2021 drought.
As natural flows decrease, junior water rights are regulated first to ensure senior water rights continue to receive water. In several basins, those distribution cuts are occurring weeks earlier than normal. On Hobble Creek, for example, water rights were regulated forty days earlier than last year, marking the earliest regulation on record for that system.
Key observations from around the state include:
• The Division of Water Rights and water commissioners continue to monitor conditions, administer water rights, and work with water users throughout the irrigation season. Conditions are expected to grow as remaining snowmelt runoff declines and summer water demands increase.
Bear River - Conditions remain slightly better than those experienced in
2021. Natural flow measured 338 cubic feet per second (cfs) compared to 219 cfs on the same date in 2021, largely due to improved snowpack and earlier runoff.
• Upper Provo RiverConditions closely mirror the 2021 drought, with natural flows measuring 50 cfs, nearly identical to 49 cfs in 2021. Earlier snowmelt accelerated runoff, and nearby systems have already experienced significantly earlier water right regulation.
Upper Duchesne River - Streamflows remain very similar to 2021 drought conditions, with natural flows of 494 cfs compared to 503 cfs in 2021. Runoff has largely ended, and flows continue to decline.
• Upper Sevier River - Although natural flows remain limited, deliveries are higher than in 2021 due to managed reservoir releases. Current deliveries are at 58% of first-class rights, compared to 7% during the same period in 2021. Utah promotes water-saving programs to build drought resilience
• The state 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, helping Utahns become more drought-resilient and better prepared for future conditions.
• For indoor water-saving tips are available on the Slow the Flow website.
—Utah Division of Water Resources
Wills, Trusts, and More
Is Estate Planning Needed?
The knowledge that we will eventually die is one of the things that distinguishes humans from other living beings. At the same time, no one likes to dwell on the prospect of his or her own death.
But if you postpone planning for your demise until it is too late, you run the risk that your intended beneficiaries—those you love the most—may not receive what you would want them to receive whether due to extra administration costs, unnecessary taxes or squabbling among your heirs.
This is why estate planning is so important. It allows you, while you are still living, to ensure that your property will go to the people you want, in the way you want, and when you want. It permits you to save as much as possible on taxes, court costs and attorneys' fees;
by Jeffery J. McKenna
and it affords the comfort that your loved ones can mourn your loss without being simultaneously burdened with unnecessary red tape and financial confusion.
If you don’t take the necessary steps to create your own estate plan, the state intestate succession statute will apply. Every state has a default plan if someone dies without their own estate plan. The state’s default plan may not be what you would have wanted.
All estate plans should include, at minimum, two important estate planning instruments: a durable power of attorney and a will. The first is for managing your property during your life, in case you are ever unable to do so your-
self. The second is for the management and distribution of your property after death.
In addition, more and more, Americans also are using revocable (or "living") trusts to avoid probate and to manage their estates both during their lives and after they're gone. Although a revocable trust is just another tool for estate planning, if properly prepared and funded, it can avoid the probate process. It is important to note, a will cannot avoid probate. A will guides the probate process and makes it easier, but a will only becomes effective once a probate proceeding validates it as the decedent’s last will and testament.
I hope you found this information helpful for you or someone you know.
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.
tHe lAuGhiNg
The Magic Remote
A little boy finds an old TV remote in the couch cushions. He points it at his dad and presses “Mute.”
His dad freezes mid-sentence, pretending it worked. The boy laughs and presses “Volume Up.”
Dad starts talking louder.
The boy presses “Channel Change,” and Dad starts speaking in a British accent.
Mom walks in and says, “What’s going on here?”
The boy grins: “I think I’ve finally figured out how to parent.”
The Honest Kid
A teacher asks her class, “If you had one million dollars, what would you do?”
One kid says, “I’d buy a big house for my family.”
Another says, “I’d get a sports car.”
Little Timmy raises his hand and says, “I’d give half to charity… and keep the other half for candy.”
The teacher smiles. “That’s very generous, Timmy. Why charity?”
Timmy shrugs. “Because I don’t know her last name, but she sounds nice.”
PUNishment
A crazy wife says to her husband that moose are falling from the sky.
The husband says, it’s reindeer
THEME: Kids' Classics ACROSS
Capital of Ghana
Pilot's announcement
Bog deposit
Banned aerosol propellant
Lake, in France
____ firma
Source of chocolate
Sensitive subject?
Twig of a willow tree
*Certain secret spot
*Beezus' little sister
Half a dozen
Final notice
CEO's deg.
Spew profanities 30. Swamp
35. Gateway ____
37. Boisterous play
39. *"All for one and one for all," to Musketeers
40. Steak preference
41. Flower's peak
43. *Butter____, Hogsmeade beverage
44. Like some East Coast universities
46. Archipelago unit
47. Plaintiff
48. Loads
50. Tiny bit
52. Snoop
53. Bruce and Spike, e.g.
55. Ovine mom
57. *Pocketful
60. *Cat's ____
63. *Lemony Snicket, to Daniel Handler
64. Shel Silverstein's "A Boy Named ____"
The company one
The Forgetful Farmer
A farmer walks into the kitchen and says to his wife, “Honey, I’m heading to the barn. Do you need anything?”
She says, “Yes, could you grab a dozen eggs from the chicken coop?”
He nods, heads out… and comes back an hour later with twelve chickens.
His wife stares at him. “Why on earth did you bring twelve chickens?”
He says, “Well, they had eggs… so I bought a dozen.”
The Library Whisperer
A man walks into a library and whispers to the librarian, “I’ll have a cheeseburger, fries, and a soda.”
The librarian whispers back, “Sir… this is a library.”
The man’s eyes go wide. He nods, leans in closer, and whispers, “Oh… sorry… I’ll have a cheeseburger, fries, and a soda.”
*Mystery solver
Says "What?"
As opposed to
Obituaries
Glenna Broderick Fletcher
CANNONVILLE - Our dear mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother Glenna Broderick Fletcher passed away peacefully in her home on the morning of July 4th, 2026. She was lovingly cared for and surrounded by her family at the time of her passing. Mom was born March 16th, 1943, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Clement H. Broderick and Marie Cox Broderick. She is the oldest of 10, including siblings Anita, Janeen, Roger, Joyce, Bert, Viona, Betty, Lavon, and Antone. Glenna grew up in Rockville and Hurricane, Utah, and graduated from Hurricane High School in 1961.
Glenna married her Sweetheart, Larry Waide Fletcher, in the St. George, Utah temple on November 7th, 1963. She was a devoted wife and mother, raising a family of ten children primarily in Orem, Utah, but also lived for a short time in Spring Creek, Nevada, and eventually settled in Cannonville, Utah, where she spent the remainder of her life. She always loved southern Utah, and it was there she felt most at home.
She devoted her time to her children and home. She loved gardening, preserving fruit and jam, making homemade baked goods, sewing, and music, including playing the trombone and the piano (especially hymns). She loved genealogy and meeting people and always wanted to figure out how everyone was related. She was gentle and very giving and made many handcrafted gifts such as quilts and pillowcases to give to family and friends.
She was raised as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many capacities throughout her life, including den mother for the cub scouting program, chorister, and pianist.
She is preceded in death by her eternal companion, Larry Waide Fletcher, and two of her children, Lynnae Gajardo (married to Hernan Gajardo) and Kendall A. Fletcher.
She is survived by her remaining children, Delon (Fatima), Leon (Barbara), Richard, Matthew (Cathy), Dianne, Denise (David), Gail (Gary), and Bryce (Trisha). She also has 20 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.
We, the family, would like to express our thanks to Dianne Fletcher (daughter) and Richard Fletcher (son) for devoting their time and attention for the past several years in taking care of both Dad and Mom in such a kind and caring way. Funeral donations to assist the family may be sent to Dianne Fletcher via Venmo @ DiaFletcher
Funeral Services were held July 11, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. in the Cannonville Ward Chapel. A viewing was held prior to services from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at the church. Interment was in the Cannonville Town Cemetery.
Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guestbook at www.maglebymortuary.com.
This week, the weather is all that there is to talk about. There is record heat in Europe and in the eastern part of the United States, and now, this week, it is our turn. Salt Lake City had a record temperature of 109, which was even hotter than St. George. Here in paradise, it was in the 90s, and it is the coolest place in Utah. The weather people are predicting the monsoons will be here for at least one week. I will be glad if it is just for one day. They have been so wrong all year on the rain. I have found that if you get out in the mornings and work till noon, and then start again at about 6:00, the heat won’t bother you that much. In today's weather report, they said that you can get a sunburn in as little as ten minutes. One of the things that I am thankful for living here is the cool evenings and nights, so we can sleep. In St. George, the nights get down to the low 80s.
In a little over a week, it will be time for the 24th celebration. It will be held on Friday the 24th. It will be a three-day state holiday, and that should bring
FYI Panguitch COLUMN
in some business to the town. It looks like there will be slow tourist seasons for the next couple of years. We always have had a second season, starting the week after Labor Day weekend, which runs through October. These were usually European and Asian tourists coming to see the greatest scenery on the planet, but they wouldn't be coming, with the extra $100 tacked on to some of their park fees.
The big news in sports is the World Cup soccer tournament, which is mostly being held in the U.S. The two other host counties are Canada and Mexico. Soccer is a small sport in our country, and it is behind football, baseball, basketball and track, so don’t expect the U.S. team to do well in the next World Cup in 2030. Everything the president touches flops, from his war to his supposedly great 4th of July celebration that we spent our taxpayer money on to the tune of $5 million. It was too hot for people to go to his giant fair on the National Mall, and his three-hour speech was cut to a half an hour because of the
Cardiac Health:
weather. Now his new old jet, that some country pawned off on him after their country couldn’t sell it, has to be refitted with a whole lot of equipment, so it has been grounded. His reflecting pool is a failure because the paint is peeling off, and they are blaming people who want some of the paint. He has been tearing down the White House that he said he was going to pay for, but now cost is over $1 billion to repair the damage. He has added more to the national debt in a year and a half than the last president did in four years. We are back again in the fight with Iran, with both sides forgetting the cease fire.
Speaking of fires, the western states are all ablaze with hundreds of thousands of acres burning. It looks like the fire in Beaver is getting smaller, but new ones sprout daily. I see in last week’s Insider that the government is cutting back on firefighters and equipment. Being a city firefighter, these wildland firefighters really have it tough. With all of the heat of the summer days and all of the smoke
that they are subjected to, it may be a long time before you will find people willing to do this work. You don’t have water to put out the fires with; it is all done by hard work with shovels and chainsaws.
The bright spot in the summer is the 24 celebration, so get up early and enjoy the Lions Club breakfast at Zions Bank. It runs from 7:30 to 9:30. Get a good seat for your family for the big parade, and have your kids bring bags for all of the candy that will be thrown.
The end of the parade will be the fire engines, and maybe they will spray a little water to cool you down.
The firefighters will be having their annual fundraiser lunch at the Garfield County Fair Building. There will be rides for the kids at the park all day long. Get involved with one of the floats or old cars that need shining. It will be a fun day, and it can help to get your mind off world events.
Let’s pray for rain this next week.
The goal through this campaign and the general efforts of the University of Utah Health at this new clinic is to improve the care for patients with heart conditions in pregnancy, and also more broadly, to improve cardiac health awareness.
Dr. Ann Bruno, an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at University of Utah Health
Cardiac Health
Cont'd from A1
care for patients with heart conditions in pregnancy, and also more broadly, to improve cardiac health awareness,” Bruno said.
In addition to maternal health, the campaign focuses on stroke awareness and prevention, blood pressure management and CPR education.
Bruno said the initiative is designed to help women better understand their risks and take steps to protect their health and their babies’ health.
The campaign also emphasizes teaching basic CPR skills and how to use defibrillators. It gives people tools to maintain and manage their blood pressure.
Bruno said the com-
bined effort can improve health outcomes across Utah by increasing awareness, strengthening prevention and providing residents with practical health tools. She said telehealth is one way the program is trying to reach people in rural communities.
“What we offer is a lot of telehealth options to try to be able to allow for patients who live in more rural
Obituaries
LaRue E. Thornton
areas to still see physicians like high-risk OB docs or cardiologists, that they might not have access to,” Bruno said.
The American Heart Association also supports programs that encourage people to learn key health numbers and work with medical professionals to build heart-healthy habits. More information is available at heart.org/Utah.
MURRAY / PANGUITCH - Heaven welcomed home one of its sweetest angels on July 3, 2026. LaRue C. Excell Thornton (age 93), beloved Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Great-Great Grandmother, Sister, Aunt, and Friend was born on January 21, 1933, in Richfield, Utah, to Fern and Oral Christensen. She had three sisters, Romel, Oraleen, and Mary. LaRue tragically lost her father, a kind bishop and school superintendent, who was killed by a drunk driver when she was a young adult. Her mom was blessed to marry Joseph Winzenried who loved the girls as his own. This new relationship allowed LaRue to gain another sweet sister, Margaret, and two step-brothers, Joseph and Howard.
In 1950, she married Dick Excell. Together, they built a home and a business in Panguitch, while raising five daughters. LaRue was the proud and loving mother of Shauna (Randy) Dow, Corrine (Kay) Englestead, Tammy (Jerry) Royer, Dixie (Todd) Clark, and Stephanie Floyd. LaRue and Dick later divorced. Her daughters’ memories of her as a young mom include being an excellent seamstress, making all of her daughter's clothes. All 5 girls always had beautiful, handmade, matching Christmas and Easter dresses. LaRue was always busy. She could be found making the best peanut butter fudge and divinity. She loved crocheting and a good game of cards. Also served in many capacities for the church. She was also an amazing cake decorator. Making and decorating wedding cakes for many children and grandchildren.
LaRue met and married Marvin E. Thornton, who brought so much happiness into her life as well as two stepchildren, Rex and LuAnne. She worked at various medical practices, as well as the Larry Miller Corporation as an usher for 32 years, until the age of 86! Which is where she became the biggest Jazz fan ever.
Her grandchildren will always remember Grandma’s love for life. When you were with Grandma, even if it was only for a couple of hours, simple everyday things became incredibly special. She was amazed and overjoyed with everything they did. Even a silly coloring page with crayon scribbles found outside the lines turned into a masterpiece that must be hung up.
She adored her 20 grandchildren, 53 great-grandchildren, and 16 great-great-grandchildren. They always walked away from her house feeling like the most loved children on earth. LaRue lived her life with faith and hard work. The lessons and legacy that she has passed down through her daughters will continue to help build her family, even now that she’s gone. She passed in her home surrounded by her daughters.She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her sisters, and her daughter, Dixie.
Funeral services will take place Saturday, July 18, 2026, at the Panguitch 2nd Ward chapel. 176 N 400 E St, Panguitch. Viewing will be held from 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Service will begin at 11:00. Interment immediately following at the Panguitch Cemetery. A live stream will be available so that friends and family who cannot attend the services can still share in the service Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guestbook and live streaming of the funeral services will be found under LaRue’s obituary www.maglebymortuary.com
Mack O.
Dining Guide
Out & About for the Summer
Photo Gallery: 2026 Panguitch Chicken Lights and Chrome Truck Show and 4th of July Celebration
by Jaynie Connor
Panguitch cheerleaders—Max Woolsey, Caleb Cox, Cindy Johnson, and Oaklee Dickinson—help throw candy from the ambulance during the 2026 Panguitch 4th of July parade on Main Street.
Parade spectators enjoy the floats and catch candy during the 2026 Panguitch 4th of July parade from 100 South to 300 North on Main Street. The parade started at 10 a.m. and was immediately followed by the Kids Parade.
Jaynie Connor
Jaynie Connor
Jaynie Connor
Trucks parade past during the 2026 Panguitch Chicken Lights and Chrome truck show on Panguitch Center Street on Friday, July 3.
Jaynie Connor
Bar M Diesel & Automotive Service from Beaver during the 2026 Panguitch Chicken Lights and Chrome truck show on Panguitch Center Street on Friday, July 3.
Jaynie Connor
The band Center & Main entertains guests at the Henrie’s Beer Garden, a new addition this year to the festivities, during the 2026 Panguitch Chicken Lights and Chrome truck show on Friday, July 3.
Jaynie Connor
Trucks parade past during the 2026 Panguitch Chicken Lights and Chrome truck show on Panguitch Center Street on Friday, July 3.
Jaynie Connor
Trucks parade past during the 2026 Panguitch Chicken Lights and Chrome truck show on Panguitch Center Street on Friday, July 3.
Jaynie Connor
Out & About
Photo Gallery: 2026 Torrey 4th of July
by Dave Cushing
Torrey resident Clotilde Barrett soaks onlookers at the town's 4th of July Parade,
Monsoons:
Utah entered the 2026 fire season with record-low snowpack and heightened concerns about wildfires, which are already burning across the state.
Monsoons Cont'd from A1
featured classic cars, local businesses, and the U.S. Forest Service,
the crowd while tossing loads of
Town's 4th of July Parade featured classic cars, local businesses, and the U.S. Forest Service, all of whom whooped it up with the crowd while tossing loads of candy and merch.
cars, local businesses, and
is the monsoon. The North American Monsoon, also known as the Southwest Monsoon, is a pattern of seasonal increases in thunderstorms and rainfall over large areas of the southwestern United States during the summer. While monsoons can have a statewide impact, southern Utah tends to be most affected. Consider this information. Early monsoon - This has already spread into some Utah regions. As the monsoon develops, rain and increased relative humidity can dampen fuels that burn in a wildfire. Though that sounds helpful, it can cause lightning ignitions. When there is not enough moisture to produce significant rainfall, there can be enough to generate dry lightning with strong outflow winds, referred to as a dry thunderstorm. Lightning with these dry thunderstorms can result in numerous new fire starts, and outflow winds can quickly change the direction a fire moves and its rate of spread. This rapid change in fire behavior can result in dangerous conditions for wildland firefighters.
• Robust monsoon - Prolonged elevated relative humidity and
widespread rains tend to slow, if not end, the wildfire season. In 2023, remnants of Hurricane Hilary moved into the region during August, effectively ending the wildfire season—not just in Utah but across much of the West.
Underperforming monsoon - This could allow the fire season to extend later into the summer and even fall. An underperforming monsoon can also lead to more dry lightning outbreaks if it remains on the periphery of the deeper monsoon moisture. Some referred to last summer as the non-soon, since the monsoon was delayed, and several larger, damaging wildfires occurred across Utah. With the monsoon arriving late, precipitation across the state was well below normal for July. Last year’s Monroe Canyon fire spread quickly during a prolonged period of red-flag days with hot, dry, windy conditions in mid-July.
Monsoons can be a double-edged sword. Along with moisture often comes lightning, which is an ignition source, while elevated moisture during a good monsoon typically keeps new fire starts in check. However, this moisture can mask holdover fires— where a new fire is ignited and smolders, sometimes unseen for days—before conditions dry out and allow the fire to become active and smoke becomes visible. Heavy monsoon thunderstorms can also result in flooding, especially in recent burn areas.
Wayne Commission:
Going into July, the significant wildland fire potential outlook from the Great Basin Coordination Center’s Predictive Services calls for abovenormal potential for all of Utah above 3,500 feet in elevation. The Climate Prediction Center monthly precipitation outlook for July also shows an abovenormal probability of precipitation. However, a developing El Nino could suppress the monsoon and potentially delay the arrival of the monsoon until later in July or even August in Utah. This delayed arrival could cause monsoon moisture to be suppressed across northwest Mexico, with little likelihood of it reaching the Desert Southwest. If this is the case, there will likely be heightened fire danger continuing, but the risk of large wildfires may decrease further into July, depending on how the monsoon develops and progresses. Thus, we all need to be vigilant in preventing human-caused wildfires now and always, but especially until the monsoons arrive or until we see snow.
The results of the 2026 primary election, an update on plans for the future community recreation center, the county's business park, an updated Wayne County employee policy handbook, and the Wayne Wonderland Airport prairie dog fence project discussed.
Wayne Commission Cont'd from A1
or what, but if we just keep putting our foot out there.”
Next, Jeff Tanner, economic development coordinator for the R6 Regional Council, asked the commis-
sion to reallocate $40,000 in previously approved Rural County Grant funding to continue development and marketing of the county's business park after no competitive business grant applications were received. The board also approved appointing Duke Alvey to the Wayne County Economic Opportunity Board.
A significant portion of the meeting focused on an updated Wayne County employee policy handbook. Felicia Snow said a committee has spent the past 10 months simplifying and updating county policies, including expanding bereavement leave for immediate family members, restoring vacation rollover of up to 144 hours and creating procedures for use of a county vehicle. “Simplicity encourages compliance,” Commission Chair Blackburn said before the handbook was unanimously approved.
The meeting concluded with discussion of the Wayne Wonderland Airport prairie dog fence project. Representatives from Jones & DeMille said the estimated $1.2 million project remains on a tight timeline to secure federal funding before the county's required local match increases later this year. Officials said state agencies have identified roughly $20,000 to help offset the county's nearly $30,000 local share, and the commission voted to move forward with the grant application. “Just for the record, we're not in favor of this project,” Blackburn said after the vote, referring to the county's long-running frustration with prairie dog requirements.
Commissioners also approved an Indigent Defense Commission grant agreement providing additional funding for public defenders, renewed appointments to the county boundary commission, set Board of Equalization and Truth in Taxation hearing dates, approved payment of vouchers and adjourned.
The Wayne County Commission meets the first and third Monday of every month at the Wayne County Courthouse in Loa.
In other business, the commission approved removing a large dying tree outside the county building after officials determined it had become a safety hazard. Commissioners also approved hiring Mike Thompson as the sheriff's office administrator, replacing Lauren Evans, who is pursuing certification to become Wayne County's first female law enforcement officer.
Dave Cushing
Longtime
which
all of whom whooped it up with
candy and merch.
Dave Cushing
Torrey
Dave Cushing
Torrey Town's 4th of July Parade featured classic
the U.S. Forest Service, all of whom whooped it up with the crowd while tossing loads of candy and merch.
Potluck: Our emphasis is on maintaining the trails that are out there. It's a volunteer-driven service. We want it to be fun, so it’s not going to be all work.
—Kurtis Robins, interim chapter president of the newly formed Fremont River Chapter of Back Country Horsemen of America
Although Utah has several established Back Country Horsemen of America chapters, the newly formed Fremont River Chapter is the first to focus exclusively on trails in south-central Utah. The Fremont River Chapter will serve a broad area including Boulder Mountain, Thousand Lakes, and beyond. Members plan to work alongside the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and other public land agencies to improve and maintain non-motorized trails. Projects could include clearing fallen trees, pruning overgrown vegetation, improving trailheads, and making trails safer for hikers and pack animals.
Potluck Cont'd from A1
Fremont River District Ranger with the U.S. Forest Service. "Anybody who is willing and interested in serving and helping is welcome to come."
Founded in 1973 in Montana’s Flathead Valley, Back Country Horsemen of America is a national nonprofit dedicated to protecting equestrian access to public lands by advocating responsible equestrian use and volunteering on trail maintenance projects. Although Utah has several established chapters, the Fremont River Chapter is the first to focus exclusively on trails in south-central Utah.
The chapter was organized after local horseman Shane Christensen proposed bringing a Back Country Horsemen chapter to the area. It will serve a broad area including Boulder Mountain, Thousand Lakes, and beyond. Robins agreed to serve as interim president until officers are elected in January.
While the organization is rooted in the equestrian community, Robins said its mission extends beyond horse riding. Its mission is ultimately about caring for public trails for everyone who uses them.
"Our emphasis is on maintaining the trails that are out there," he said. "It's a volunteer-driven service. We want it to be fun, so it’s not going to be all work."
Members plan to work alongside the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and other public land agencies to improve and maintain non-motorized trails. Projects could include clearing fallen trees, pruning overgrown vegetation, improving trailheads, and making trails safer for hikers and pack animals.
The need for volunteers is significant, Robins said. He knows firsthand that funding for trail work
ebbs and flows each year. “There are years when we [U.S. Forest Service] were able to do a really good job and get a lot of trails open, but years when we just did not have the resources even to get the trails open,” he said.
As a volunteer organization, they aim to help fill gaps by providing a crew when local agencies identify trails needing work or when trail users notice maintenance issues.
Although many members ride horses, Robins stresses that volunteers do not need to own one to participate. "There is enough work that everybody can help," he said. "We’re not fussy. We have people who signed up as members who are not necessarily horsemen; they just want to give back."
As the organization gets established, members hope to work on trails throughout Boulder Mountain, Thousand Lakes, Fish Lake, and the Henry Mountains. Volunteers' interest, as well as agency needs, will
guide trail projects.
Beyond trail maintenance, Robins hopes the chapter will help more people discover the area’s extensive network of nonmotorized trails. He dreams of someday connecting several Boulder Mountain trails around the entire rim. “It was a dream of mine when I was a ranger, and I didn't quite get it done.”
For him, traveling those trails on horseback remains one of life's greatest pleasures.
"I'm just in a pure state of nirvana when I'm on a trail on my horse," he said. "It's my place of peace. I love the animals, I love being outdoors, and I've always had a passion for riding these trails."
Find more information about the Fremont River Chapter on the Back Country Horsemen of Utah website (www.bchutah.org/ bch-fremont-river.php). The July 23 potluck is open to the public, and organizers encourage anyone interested in preserving local trails to attend.
Hummingbirds:
The population status of many hummingbird species is unknown. These banding efforts help educate our local community and also help us collect information that may be crucial for making future conservation and management decisions.
Hummingbirds Cont'd from A1
—Tonya Kieffer-Selby, DWR Northeastern Region Outreach Manager ticipants are encouraged to bring a camera to take pictures of the hummingbirds.
are broad-tailed and blackchinned hummingbirds. But if you’re lucky, you can also spot the calliope hummingbird—the smallest bird native to North America and a surprisingly long-distance migrant. This bird weighs as much as a penny and can travel up to 5,600 miles in a single year.
The DWR is partnering with the Ashley and Dixie national forest biologists to host a hummingbird banding demonstration on Saturday, July 18, from 7-11 a.m. The free event will be held at the Red Canyon Lodge at 2450 Red Canyon Road in Dutch John.
“It’s a rare and unique opportunity to see Utah’s smallest pollinating birds in hand, while watching biologists gather baseline data to determine strategies for conserving these birds, their habitat and future research needs,”
DWR Northeastern Region Outreach Manager Tonya Kieffer-Selby said. “The population status of many hummingbird species is unknown. These banding efforts help educate our local community and also help us collect information that may be crucial for making future conservation and management decisions.”
During the event, the researchers capture the hummingbirds and then place a small band on one leg of each bird. These bands—little more than thick aluminum foil—are stamped with a unique number that will identify each bird throughout its lifetime. The information gathered from the banding efforts help biologists learn more about the birds’ migration patterns and other crucial data.
DWR biologists and staff will be available to explain the bird-banding process and to answer questions about hummingbirds during the event. Par-
“At this location during this time of the year, we’re hoping to see and band rufous hummingbirds, which typically migrate through Utah in July as they travel back from Canada and Alaska,” Kieffer-Selby said. “Rufous hummingbirds are a bright copper/ orange color and are often found at these higher elevations, aggressively fighting over nectar resources, like Indian paintbrush and other local flowers. We’ll likely capture some broad-tailed and black-chinned hummingbirds during the event, as well.”
Over the last four years, biologists have banded over five hundred hummingbirds—including four different species—at this event.
If you attend the event, you may also want to stop at the nearby Red Canyon Visitor Center, where you may see other species of birds and also bighorn sheep near the Red Canyon Overlook.
While the event is free, space is limited, so participants should sign up in advance on Eventbrite.
Attracting and feeding hummingbirds
Most hummingbirds migrate to warmer climates during the cold winter months and return north in the summer. Many travel thousands of miles in a single year during their annual migration cycle, and they are a welcome sight when they arrive in Utah. Feeding hummingbirds is fun for all ages and helps give a little extra boost to the high metabolisms of these world travelers.
“They are excellent pollinators and primarily feed on flower nectar, so planting native plants— like penstemon and bergamot—is a great way to attract them to your yard,” Kieffer-Selby said. “The agastache plant—also known as hummingbird
mint—is another popular plant for pollinator species and can be found at most local nurseries.”
Hummingbirds are highly attracted to the color red because most red flowers produce the highest and “tastiest” sugary nectar. However, this can also confuse these tiny flyers at times, and they often get trapped in garages, where they get disoriented and sometimes die without intervention.
“This unfortunately happens from time to time,” Kieffer-Selby said. “If you find a hummingbird in your garage, the best thing to do is to offer it a feeder by hanging one near the ceiling, and try not to stress the bird out. Sometimes, they will fly out at dusk if the garage door is open, but if they don’t, you can always call your nearest DWR office for assistance in removing the bird.”
In addition to nectar, hummingbirds also consume small insects and spiders for protein, so be aware of the chemicals and insecticides you spray around your nectar sources.
If you are planning to install hummingbird feeders near your home, there are a few things to know.
“Many stores sell a premade ‘red-dye’ feed, but be aware that it may not be the healthiest option for these birds,” Kieffer-Selby said. “A simple 4-to-1 water and sugar solution in a traditional red-colored hummingbird feeder is often the more cost-effective and safe way to feed them and is better for the hummingbirds, overall. Please remember to clean your feeders often during the warmer summer days, especially if your sugar water is looking cloudy.”
For more information about the upcoming event, call the DWR Vernal office at 435-781-9453.
—Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
Courtesy Manuel Padro
Intermountain Health Doctors Perform
100th Surgical Procedure to Improve Lives of Epilepsy Patients Using High-Tech Brain Implants to Reduce Seizures
SALT LAKE CITY -
Intermountain Health neurologists are celebrating a major milestone: the 100th surgery of a groundbreaking implantable device that is proving to be a major success in reducing seizures in patients with patients with focal epilepsy.
The device—responsive neurostimulation (RNS), which is manufactured by Neuropace—uses electrodes placed on the brain surface or in deeper brain areas to monitor brain waves 24/7.
When the device detects abnormal activity, it quickly sends an impulse that stops it from spreading and becoming a seizure. Some studies have shown an eighty-two percent reduction in the number of seizures for patients.
Doctors at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, where the device has been implanted, are already seeing life-changing results for patients with epilepsy—most of whom didn’t respond to other treatments in the past.
“This is making an incredible difference in the lives of people who have suffered with seizures for years when other treatments haven’t worked,” said Jeff Bigelow, MD, medical director of EEG systems at Intermountain Health and a neurologist at Intermountain Medical Center who specializes in the treatment of patients with epilepsy and seizure disorders. “Seeing these levels of improvement in
seizure control and overall quality of life is very encouraging for both us and our patients.”
Long term studies show three out of four patients implanted with the device experience a fifty percent or greater reduction in seizures. Other studies have shown the average reduction in seizures reached up to eighty-two percent after three years or more. The device’s battery lasts up to ten years.
Whitney Wilkinson of Sandy has been dealing with epilepsy since she was twelve years old and experienced years of treatments and multiple surgeries to try and manage her seizures.
Five years ago, neurosurgeons at Intermountain Medical Center told her about the RNS device and how it could help her. Since then, she’s seen a dramatic reduction in her seizures.
“I literally have a computer in my brain that monitors activity 24/7, learns to detect seizures, and stops them milliseconds before happening,” said Wilkinson. “Thanks to this and other treatments from my doctors I feel confident traveling the world on my own and living a normal life with epilepsy.”
Wilkinson can also upload data from her device so that doctors can adjust it in real time to better control her seizures. All of this takes place without neurosurgeons having to go back into the brain surgically.
Since gaining FDA approval in 2013, RNS devices have been used to treat focal epilepsy, which is a
seizure disorder that occurs in a localized part of the brain and can spread causing more severe symptoms.
Early signs of focal epilepsy can look like twitching of a limb or staring off in confusion.
Generalized epilepsy starts in both parts of the brain and can cause more severe symptoms like convulsions and losing consciousness. After the recent success of RNS devices, the FDA is now reviewing whether it can be used for those conditions.
“After seeing the success in the reduction of the symptoms our patients, I’m hopeful this could be an option for any patient with difficult to treat forms of epilepsy,” said Dr. Bigelow. “For many patients the fear of now knowing when or how bad a seizure can be gives them a constant anxiety in life, and we want to change that.”
Dr. Bigelow notes the devices do take time to work to their full potential. They must monitor symptoms and adjust to fit a patient’s specific needs, which can take one to three years.
The Intermountain Epilepsy Clinic is part of the Intermountain Medical Center Neurosciences Institute. The program specializes in diagnosing and treating epilepsy and seizure disorders in adolescents and adults, and is a Level 4 Adult Epilepsy Center, the highest designation awarded by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers (NAEC).
—Intermountain Health
Legal Notices
PUBLIC NOTICE
UTAH SCHOOL AND INSTITUTIONAL TRUST LANDS ADMINISTRATION
The Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration has received an application to remove ordinary sand and gravel from the following described land:
Garfield County Township 37 South, Range 3 West, SLB&M, Section 2: N2SE4
Containing 80 acres, more or less
The Administration will accept competing applications to remove the sand and gravel, and also competing applications to lease, purchase, or exchange this property, a portion thereof, or a parcel including any of the above-described acreage.
The Administration will accept competing applications during the following period of time:
From 8:00 A.M.
July 15, 2026
Until 5:00 P.M.
August 12, 2026
TRUST LANDS ADMINISTRATION
102 South 200 East, Suite 600 Salt Lake City, Utah 84111
801-538-5100
In the absence of competing applications for lease, purchase, or exchange, the Administration will evaluate the applications for the removal of ordinary sand and gravel and award the permit for such removal. The Trust Lands Administration reserves the right to reject any application or subsequent bids. For additional information, please contact Mr. Drew Bonner at (801) 538-5172.
Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on JULY 16 & 23, 2026
Calassified ds
Announcement of Positions 2026-27 School Year
Secondary Teacher - Social Studies & English
Wayne High School - This person will be responsible for educating high school age children by creating and implementing lesson plans for Social Studies and English classes. You will assess student progress, manage classroom behavior, communicate with parents, and collaborate with colleagues to foster a positive learning environment. Applicants must also possess a knowledge of the subject matter and appropriate instructional methodologies, good communication skills, patience, creativity, and be proficient working as a member of a team. Candidates need to have a Bachelor’s Degree and Utah Teaching License; or be working toward these credentials. Candidates seeking an intern position will be considered.
This position is Full-Time and includes Leave, Insurance, and Retirement Benefits. Pay is according to Experience and the Wayne School District Salary Schedule.
Interested individuals may fill out a Teacher Application at Wayne School District Office, 79 North 100 West, Bicknell, UT or found online at http://www. waynesd.org/images/pdf/Employment/TeacherApp.pdf
Interested individuals should submit a Letter detailing their interest in the position, their qualifications, and their experience. A current Resume, a University Transcript showing all course work, a copy of Applicant’s Teaching License, and two Letters of Recommendation should accompany the Teacher Application. Applications for any positions may be submitted in person or electronically to randy.shelley@waynesd.org and/or jennifer.batty@waynesd.org
CLOSING DATE: Open until filled, with the first review of application on July 23.
Wayne School District is an equal opportunity employer and reserves the right to reject any or all applications
Deputy Clerk/Recording Secretary Boulder Town
Boulder Town is currently hiring for an essential, part-time position. Compensation is based on the town's established pay scale and will be discussed based on the successful candidate's experience.
We are looking for self-motivated individuals with strong verbal and written communication skills who work well with colleagues, community members, and town officials. Proficiency with Google Workspace and Microsoft Office is highly valued.
Deputy Clerk/Recording Secretary (Approximately 20–40 hours per month)
This position provides key administrative support to the Town Council, Planning Commission, and Board of Adjustment. You will help coordinate meetings, manage essential tasks, and ensure all records are maintained according to town policies and best practices.
How to Apply
Please submit a letter of interest, your resume, and three professional references.
• Email: info@boulder.utah.gov
• Drop off: Place in the Town Office dropbox (located below the bulletin board to the right of the Community Center front door).
• Mail: PO Box 1329, Boulder, Utah 84716
The Mayor will handle all follow-up communication, including scheduling interviews with the hiring committee. While these positions remain open until filled, please submit your application by Friday, July 24, 2026, to be considered for the first round of interviews.
Call 435-335-7300 or email info@boulder.utah.gov or mayor@boulder.utah.gov.
Part-Time Librarian Panguitch City
Panguitch City is accepting applications for a Part-Time Librarian (15–25 hours per week).
Responsibilities include assisting patrons, Storytime, Summer Reading Program, circulation, shelving and processing books, technology assistance, and other daily library operations. Applications, cover letter, and resume must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, August 10, 2026. Apply at the Panguitch City Office or email mat@panguitchutah.gov. Full job description and application available at panguitchutah.gov. Panguitch City is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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 Aug. 12, 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)
97-2555 (A85254): Thomas and Caroline Hoyt propose(s) using 0.45 ac-ft. from groundwater (3 miles SE of Boulder) for DOMESTIC.
CHANGE APPLICATION(S)
61-3511 (a54823): Brian Turpen and Kimberly Moltmann Turpen propose(s) using 0.0086 cfs OR 1 ac-ft. from groundwater (4 miles N of Hatch) for DOMESTIC; IRRIGATION.
EXTENSION(S)
61-2740 (a32658): Chris Clevely and Alise Clevely is/are filing an extension for 0.5 ac-ft. from groundwater (Mammoth Creek) for DOMESTIC; IRRIGATION.
GRAND COUNTY
CHANGE APPLICATION(S)
95-5587 (a54785): Kane Spring Improvement District, Wayne County Water Conservancy District propose(s) using 500 ac-ft. from groundwater (2.5 MI SW of Moab) for MUNICIPAL: In Kane Springs Improvement District.
WAYNE COUNTY
NEW APPLICATION(S)
95-5597 (A85260): Mark S. and Chrisann A. Hawley propose(s) using 0.002 cfs OR 1.48 ac-ft. from groundwater (2 miles south of Notom) for DOMESTIC; IRRIGATION; STOCKWATERING.
95-5598 (A85264): Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Admin propose(s) using 0.015 cfs OR 1.148 ac-ft. from groundwater (5.5 Miles south of Hanksville) for STOCKWATERING.
CHANGE APPLICATION(S)
95-4776 (a54792): Alison Bagley propose(s) using 0.1 cfs OR 1.355 ac-ft. from groundwater (1.3 miles S of Torrey) for DOMESTIC; IRRIGATION; OTHER: One RV pad and three rental bedrooms; STOCKWATERING.
Teresa Wilhelmsen, P.E., State Engineer
C lassified a ds
We are looking for friendly, hardworking professionals who enjoy the hospitality industry and interaction with guests.
POSITIONS AVAILABLE:
Front Desk Agents
Laundry Services
Housekeepers Maintenance Bellmen
Positions to start April 1st through October 31st
At Capitol Reef Resort we promote from within. Please stop by in person to complete an application. We are located at 2600 E SR 24, Torrey, UT 84775 435-425-3761
Position Announcements
POSITIONS AVAILABLE: Garfield County School District is hiring for the following positions. For the application process and description of each, please see the district website www.garfk12.org
• Para-Professionals at Bryce Valley Elementary School
• FFA Assistant Advisor at Bryce Valley High School
• Boys Head Track Coach at Panguitch High School
• Girls Head Track Coach at Panguitch High School
• Student Support Para at Panguitch High School
• Food Service Worker at Escalante Elementary/High School
• Para-Professional at Panguitch High School
• 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.
Classified ads start at just
HELP WANTED
MEETINGS
TROPIC AA MEETING Wednesday at 6 PM. Tropic Heritage Center. All meetings are closed discussion. Escalante AA Meeting Tues. & Fri. at 6pm 190 W. Main St., Escalante
The only requirement is the desire to stop drinking.
We Buy 8,000 Cars a Week. Sell your old, busted or junk car with no hoops, haggles or headaches. Sell your car to Peddle. Easy three step process. Instant offer. Free pickup. Fast payment. Call 1-855-542-0335
COMMUNITY
YARD SALE
- SATURDAYS
10 AM ESCALANTE at Main and Center in front of the Catholic church. Free to any vendor for anything you have to sell.
Answers for this week
SERVICES
When in Need, There are Resources in Wayne & Garfield Cos. For Victims of Domestic Violence, Rape, and Sexual Assault
Canyon Creek Services Emergency Safehouse 435-865-7443 Mobile Team 435-233-5732
New Horizons Crisis Center
145 East 100 North, Richfield Office Hours
8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Shelter is open 24 hrs, 7 days a week Phone Number 435-896-9294
Counseling Services
Central Utah Counseling Richfield Office
255 S Main Street, Richfield Office Hours 435-896-8236
24 Hour Emergency Service 877-469-2822
Southwest Behavioral Health Center
601 E Center Street, Panguitch 435-676-8176
24 Hour Emergency Service 800-574-6763
Wayne Community Health Center
128 South 300 West Bicknell, 84715 435-425-3744
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 988
Escalante Dental
Join our team as a motivated Dental Assistant. Are you a dedicated and enthusiastic individual seeking a rewarding career in the dental Field?
Escalante Dental is currently seeking a Part-Time Dental Assistant to join our dynamic team.
Why choose Escalante Dental?
• Competitive benefits package tailored to your working hours
• An inclusive and supportive work environment
• Opportunity for professional growth and development
Position Overview:
As a Dental Assistant at Escalante Dental, you will play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth and efficient operation of our dental practice.
Your responsibilities will include:
• Interacting with patients in a friendly and compassionate manner
• Proficiently taking X-rays and supporting chair-side procedures
• Managing scheduling, charting, and documenting dental visits using computer systems
• Ensuring thorough sterilization of dental instruments
• Setting up and maintaining a clean and organized operatory and office space
Preferred Qualifications (not required):
We value experience, but are also excited to provide training to individuals new to the field. If you have any of the following qualifications, it’s a plus:
• Dental assisting experience
• Exposure to Pediatric, Endodontic, Oral Surgery, and General Dentistry
• Familiarity with computer charting and Digital X-rays
• X-ray Certification
• CPR Certification
How to Apply:
We encourage all interested candidates to apply, regardless of your level of experience. I you’re passionate about dental health and eager to contribute to a supportive team, we want to hear from you! Please email your resume to aellett@waynechc.org and take the first step toward an exciting career with Escalante Dental.
Join us in making a difference in the lives of our patients. Apply today! The Wayne Community Health Centers are committed to providing high quality health services to our communities’ residents and visitors. Its purpose is to provide quality health services to all people including those facing financial, geographic and/or cultural barriers to healthcare.
Garfield County Deputy Clerk/Auditor
Garfield County is currently accepting applications for the position of Deputy Clerk/Auditor This is a full-time position.
Qualified applicants should possess strong customer service skills and the ability to work effectively with the public. They also should have basic office and computer proficiency.
For additional information or questions regarding the position, please contact the Garfield County Clerk’s Office at 435-676-1100
Applications may be obtained from the Garfield County Clerk’s Office, located at 55 South Main Street, Panguitch, Utah, or online at Garfield.utah.gov
Completed applications will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, July 17, 2026. Garfield County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Construction Laborer at RRPM Construction LLC Wayne County
RRPM Construction LLC is seeking a motivated Skilled Construction worker to join our team! If you’re hardworking, & reliable, we want you! Construction skills are a bonus but not required.
What We Offer:
• Competitive pay
• Opportunities for growth
• PTO
• Health, Dental, Vision
• Paid travel time can be discussed Requirements:
• Strong work ethic
• Ability to lift heavy materials
• Own Transportation Apply today!
Call (435) 219-5530 or 435-491-0899
Email dalton.rrpm@gmail.com or april@rrpmconstruction.com
Build your future with RRPM CONSTRUCTION LLC! We are taking on new builds, and projects. Give us a call!
Announcement
of Positions 2026-27 School Year
Head Softball Coach - Start before the 2026-27 Season
This position 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 practice and scheduled events.
The chosen applicant must be fingerprinted and satisfactorily pass an employment background check, and will need to complete the necessary employee paperwork and policy review.
Questions about this position can be answered by calling Dave Chappell at Wayne High School at 435-425-3411. Interested individuals should submit a General Application that can be found on the district webpage www.waynesd.org, or picked up at the District Office. Applications can be emailed to david.chappell@waynesd.org or taken to Wayne High School.
CLOSING DATE: This job will be open until filled, with the first review of applications on July 16.
Wayne School District is an equal opportunity employer and reserves the right to reject any or all applications
