With Commissioner Jerry Taylor attending the National Association of Counties summer conference, Commissioners David Tebbs and Leland Pollock comprised the Garfield County Commission quorum for July 14.
Commissioner Tebbs reported on county fire services, saying municipal fire chiefs had asked if their annual budget allocations could be standardized from year to year.
Clerk/Auditor Camille Moore noted the county allocations cover firefighting in the unincorporated residential areas.
Tebbs reported on the Local Emergency Planning Committee convened prior to the Bryce Canyon Half-Marathon. He was impressed with the planning that had evaluated “every single step for the half-marathon,” an event
Sun and Moon Spirits Opens in Torrey, Restoring Liquor Sales After Brief Hiatus
by Amiee Maxwell
TORREY - On July 8, 2025, Sun and Moon Spirits officially opened its doors in Torrey, bringing back wine and liquor sales to the community after a five-week pause. State
PANGUITCH - Dirty Dogs food truck, owned by local residents Irvin and Stacy Madson, has recently launched in Panguitch. This vibrant new addition to the community opened its window this summer and is serving up specialty hot dogs and fries.
“We've always had a passion for fun, flavorful food, and we wanted to bring something bold and exciting to our hometown,” said Stacy Madson. “We’ve always loved the energy and creativity of food trucks. They give you the freedom Dirty Dogs
contract changes spurred Vicky Bower to leave the business after thirty-three years, and Hannah Morrill Burdett and Bennett Burdett were awarded the new contract for the Wayne
Torrey Dark Skies Hosts Star Party During 2025 Apple
Days
by Torrey Dark Skies Committee
TORREY - The Torrey Apple Days Star Party—sponsored by Torrey Dark Skies, a local nonprofit organization whose mission is to preserve the unique night sky of Wayne County—was held Friday, July 4, at dark in the Torrey Town Park. Visitors and locals of all ages were treated to spectacular views of the moon and the stars through five telescopes. Many attendees walked over to the park following the popular
County package agency.
“When Vicky decided to retire, we decided we wanted to do it,” said Hannah. Bennett Burdett had been managing the liquor store for Bower for the last
three years, so they knew what they were getting into. “But Utah’s liquor laws meant we couldn’t
WAYNE CO. - The Wayne County Commission convened for its regular meeting on July 7, 2025. After opening with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, the commission approved the minutes from the previous session. The meeting opened with a presentation by Wade Allison, Utah’s new Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Program Manager, who introduced himself and shared updates on trail management, statewide recreation policy, and funding opportunities. He encouraged the county to explore new grant programs, such as a Search and Rescue reimbursement fund and the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure (ORI) grant, which supports trailhead construction, land purchases, and access upgrades. Allison also urged local engagement through OHV clubs
HATCH - The France Canyon Fire ignited in rugged terrain approximately 6.5 miles southeast of Hatch, Utah, on June 11th at around 3 p.m. MST in the
Powell Ranger District of the Dixie National Forest. Initially, from June 11th to June 22nd, the incident was managed by Color Country Incident Management
Team 1, a Type 3 Incident Management Team. On June 22nd, command was
Courtesy Hannah Morrill Burdett and Bennett Burdett
Jaynie Connor
Courtesy Makell Clark Irvin
Stacy Madson, owners of Dirty Dogs
truck in Panguitch, with
grandson,
Jaynie Connor
Canyon Fire near Badger Creek and Tropic Reservoir. The France Canyon Fire ignited southeast of Hatch, Utah, on June 11th in the Powell Ranger District of the Dixie National Forest.
Could Utah Re-File Its Public Lands Lawsuit?
The State—and a Judge—Are Deliberating SUWA is trying to amend a complaint against the state’s ‘Stand for Our Land’ lawsuit, seeking to prevent similar litigation
by Alixel Cabrera | Utah News Dispatch
UTAH - After the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear Utah’s lawsuit seeking to take over 18.5 million acres of federally-controlled land within its boundaries in January, a pending suit from environmentalists continues, now asking lower courts to prevent the state from filing a similar case in the future.
The state hasn’t filed a new lawsuit in a federal lower court as the Supreme Court suggested. And it may or may not pursue a new filing, Lance Sorenson, an attorney representing the state, said at a Monday, July 14, court hearing.
Now, without a lawsuit, 3rd District Court Judge Thaddeus May might have to decide whether Utah’s executive branch can file a similar suit in the future. But, first, the court has to consider whether to allow the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA) to amend its original complaint against the state, now that the Supreme Court has dismissed the case.
“Maybe the burning question is, ‘when will that case get refiled?’ I can tell you, it’s under consideration, but it’s not guaranteed that it will even be filed again,” Sorenson said. “And so as we stand here today, there is no federal lawsuit, and there may never be one, which I think underscores our argument that there’s really no case here.”
But, according to SUWA, the state’s request itself is unconstitutional since the Utah Constitution establishes that state inhabitants “forever disclaim all right and title to the unappropriated public lands” within its borders.
“If the suit is unknown, why is it not better to wait for that suit to be filed in federal court and then have a reaction? Why does this court have to preempt that decision or that lawsuit?” the judge asked Jess Krannich, an attorney representing the environmental group.
Public statements from Utah officials “crystallized a legal position that is 180 degrees opposite what is in the Utah constitution in its plain language,” Krannich said.
“The basic claim is the Utah Constitution
plain language limits authority in this space, and therefore the state actors are acting contrary to Utah law, binding Utah constitutional law, if they take the action that they took, and then they’re saying that they’re going to take again,” Krannich said.
“That’s the gist of it.”
Rather than “taking an act that is completely foreclosed by the Utah Constitution,” the court could comment on the issue, and the state could take the appropriate steps to amend its constitution, Krannich said.
However, for the state, the original SUWA complaint is moot since the U.S. Supreme Court already dismissed the state’s first suit. SUWA’s request to amend its complaint would be “futile,” since it wouldn’t withstand a motion to dismiss, the state argued in court documents.
Additionally, Sorenson said, the remedies SUWA is requesting are beyond the court’s power to grant “because the court can’t craft an unconstitutional remedy.”
“If the federal courts were to find that Utah’s lawsuit has merit, they would be finding that Gov. Cox and Attorney General Brown are not precluded from bringing the lawsuit,” Sorenson said. “And such a ruling from a federal court under the Supremacy Clause would take precedence over any contrary ruling from this court.”
If, on the other hand, federal courts determine that Utah’s hypothetical future lawsuit doesn’t have merits, SUWA’s claims would be moot since there wouldn’t be any damages to begin with, Sorenson said.
“It’s also helpful to know what Utah did request in its lawsuit, which was not to transfer title to Utah, it was to start disposing the land as it had done for hundreds of years prior under federal constitutional doctrines of equal sovereignty, so that the land gets disposed,” Sorensen said.
“We don’t know how the land would get disposed of. Maybe they would sell it to SUWA, right? It’s all
that’s speculative.”
That would imply opening up the old Federal Land Office or taking other actions to make dispositions available, Sorenson said.
After the hearing, Steve Bloch, legal director with SUWA, said that was a highlight of the state’s arguments, especially after Utah officials spent over $1 million on legal fees and a public relations campaign that includes billboards, print, TV and radio ads, since filing the lawsuit against the U.S. government last summer.
“The focus of its campaign was ‘stand for our land,’ ‘keep Utah lands in Utah hands.’ And what the attorney for the state of Utah said this morning is, ‘that’s wrong. That’s actually not what they’re after here,’” Bloch said. “In their federal court filing, in the position that they’ve now stated in court here, they want to force the sale of federal lands into private hands, full stop.”
This articles was originally published on utahnewsdispatch.com on July 14, 2025.
Harshad Desai for Panguitch City Council
(1) When the government has public money like an overflowing basket, this is no brainer. In May 2025, the city council increased salaries. It was Panguitch City ordinance 2025-2. The city was required to advertise in local media. It wasn’t advertised. Why not? Secondly, a draft of the ordinance is required to be available about a week before passage of the ordinance. It was not available. The city increased $10,000 in salary of the city manager (<1 year on job. Still in learning stage called getting feet wet) – Was it a back door game to deter outsiders with more/better qualification?), Was it hatched in close door meetings previously? >$50,000 for 8-10 other employees (>$6,000 each). The council claimed that the city manager worked very hard and searched 15 other communities/cities and found that Panguitch City employees were substantially underpaid. OK. Where is the record of comparison work? It is public record. Did he compare Panguitch with Salt Lake City, Cedar City, St. George? Panguitch City’s comparison should be with TROPIC, ESCALANTE, Circleville, etc. (2) The required approach is to run parallel jobs in the same area ( Job position in public sector = in private sector). City clerk (>$25 / hour) = Bank teller ( <$15 / hour), etc. City Manager = franchise manager (in retail, stores, etc.). How many people in Panguitch knew about this? – Let's move on. If city employees’ compensation is reduced by 30%, they still want the job. What does it say? The Garfield County Commission just reported that Garfield County has the highest unemployment rate in the state and the nation. Would you pay $50 / hour if people were asking for $10 / hour ? (3) BIC building. When you have low-level people in the council, this is no surprise. The city wasted > $2500? to appraise the old School building to sell it. The appraised value came out to about $280,000. The city got it for $1 from the Garfield School District with the condition not to sell but to give it back to the school district. The city again wasted hiring an Engineering company for an estimate report to repair it. The cost came out to be >$18 million. Rental income is only $7,000/year. Simple – Put it back in the neck of the school district unless the city gang has a game to play. The school district wants it back to use it for storage. (4) City sidewalks ( Main Street and Center Street) had concrete ( through State/Federal money). It has passed its life ( >30 years). Is the city looking for another grant? Some areas/sections need replacement. Also, the city should have a plan to have inner streets (2 blocks/year) with concrete city sidewalks. There are safety issues – in winter, sidewalks are full of ice. Walkers have to walk on the road. (5) The Panguitch City needs an ETHICS OFFICER (independent, intimidation-free, professional) to receive complaints, concerns, etc. The current system is “COVER-IT-UP ( discard). We have fox guarding chickens. The city government needs an ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OFFICER ( Panguitch City, 1500 population in 1990 and 1500 in 2025 (1850 through annexation). The average family size is 4-6 kids. (6) “Monolithic bodies of white elites so called pillars of the community” - OK. But performance/ output is the taxpayers’/citizens '/residents' right. London’s ( >70% whites) mayor is a MUSLIM ( son of an immigrant from Pakistan). New York City just elected a MUSLIM ( son of an immigrant). Los Angeles has a black woman mayor. All these have a majority (>65%) white population with high economic activity. Paid for by Harshad P. Desai
Pool Photo by Manuel Rodriguez | FOX 13 News
Third District Court Judge Thaddeus May during a hearing on Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance’s complaint against Utah’s public lands federal lawsuit on Monday, July 14, 2025.
Sun and Moon
Spirits: We can’t afford to stock the whole store at once, so we’ll slowly get things on the shelves. We are happy to order as long as you’re patient; we really want to make it a good store for everyone.
—Hannah Morrill Burdett, Sun and Moon Spirits
Sun and Moon Spirits
Cont'd from A1
just take over. We had to apply for the state contract like anyone else,” she said.
The Burdetts took the opportunity to move to the Taft Travel Plaza, at the junction of State Route 24 and Highway 12 in Torrey. Located next to a busy gas station, Hannah says the “location is going to be great.” The store maintains the same hours as before—Tuesday through Saturday, 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.—though, they are considering adding Monday hours during the spring-to-fall tourist season.
Hannah works as a photographer and also stays home with their young son. Bennett works in insurance auditing and runs a bookkeeping company. “We’re not getting rid of our jobs—we’re just adding more,” says Hannah.
The new space offers more shelf space than the previous package store. “We will have most of the same things, but are looking at bringing in some new products,” says Hannah. “We are also going to have a whole Utah section for tourists.” Hannah also mentioned that people are still nostalgic for that “little place in Bicknell.”
For over seventy-five years, the Wayne County liquor store was housed in a tiny shop on Main Street in Bicknell. Vicky Bower purchased the building in 1992 from Ilda Johnson, who had the package agency contract with the DABC at the time. As far as she knows, there had been a liquor store in that building since there was a liquor store in the county. According to stories told to her by her mother, the building was originally a barber shop and a beauty shop, with a door for each, since, apparently, at the time, “you couldn’t mix haircuts.”
Demand surged around the time of the
2002 Winter Olympics when Utah eased liquor laws, eventually leading Bower to relocate to Torrey for more space. “People were sad when it moved, but people in Torrey were pretty darn happy,” said Bower.
One of Bower’s favorite memories from the Bicknell shop happened on a day she wasn’t working. She was driving by the shop and was alarmed to see dozens of people waiting in line outside. Turns out, a tour bus full of French tourists had arrived, all patiently waiting their turn to pick up wine from the shop. “They would come in two or three at a time, as many as would fit in the little space, and get whatever wine they could find,” she said. She took a photo and still laughs when she thinks back on the event.
Bower says she somewhat regrets selling the building in Bicknell, although, she doesn’t know what she would have done with it. The building lacks a septic system, which limits the potential uses of the space. It has sat vacant since the liquor store left and is now for sale again.
Regarding her reasons for not renewing her contract, Bower says she
cannot comment due to an ongoing lawsuit with the state. In January of this year, the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services made changes to the contracts for package agencies, including terms for credit card and debit card fees. These changes led to around a dozen rural retailers closing their doors.
As for the new owners, Bower says, “I think they’ll do well. Bennett is very knowledgeable, very attuned to what people want, and tries to accommodate them.”
For a community relying on a single liquor store to supply over a dozen restaurants, locals, and numerous visitors, Sun and Moon Spirits is set to be busy from the start. “We’re going to be pretty empty in the beginning,” warns Hannah, given the fact that they don’t profit directly from sales but rather are paid on a monthly basis by the state based on how many units they sell.
“We can’t afford to stock the whole store at once, so we’ll slowly get things on the shelves,” she says. “We are happy to order as long as you’re patient; we really want to make it a good store for everyone.”
Wills, Trusts, and More
Your Choice of an Estate Planning Attorney is Important
Choosing an estate planning attorney can be as complex as choosing any other professional.
If you are not somewhat educated about estate planning, it can be very difficult to know if the attorney is qualified. Even if you have spent time learning about estate planning, it can still be difficult to know which attorney will be best for you and your family.
The following are suggestions in selecting an estate planning attorney who will meet the needs of your estate:
First, you must select an attorney who is experienced and qualified. Regardless of the size of your estate or your family's circumstances, you should strongly consider using an attorney who specializes in estate planning. Even in a small community, there are a number of attorneys who dedicate their practices to estate planning.
Utilization of an attorney who has committed his practice to estate planning should assure you of better service at a lower price. Because much of an attorney's fee is based on the time it will take to complete a task, an attorney who focuses exclusively on estate planning will be more capable of completing your estate planning needs more efficiently than an attorney who only occasionally addresses estate planning issues.
Additionally, an attorney who has dedicated his practice to one area of
by Jeffery J. McKenna
the law is likely to be more enthusiastic about that area. This enthusiasm will benefit you as a client because the attorney will be more willing to take the time to research a new issue unique to your family and more willing to take time to educate you about your estate plan.
Second, in addition to picking an attorney who limits his or her practice to estate planning, you should use an attorney who is willing and capable of explaining your estate plan in a manner that you can understand. Although it can be a difficult and time-consuming task, it is critical that you understand your estate plan. If you do not understand your estate plan, you will not be able to properly implement it.
Individuals who purchase “estate plans” at seminars are rarely properly served. The attorney is usually not available after the seminar to properly address questions or concerns the client may have. Seminars should be attended for educational purposes and not for the purchasing of an “estate plan.”
Third, you must select an attorney who is capable of handling your specific situation at a fee that is acceptable to you. One of the best ways to know if an attorney is capable of handling your specific situation is to talk to other profes-
sionals involved in estate planning. Accountants, financial planners, insurance agents, and bankers are all excellent sources to consult for estate planning attorney referrals. Additionally, other professionals should be familiar with what range of fees the different attorneys charge.
Although I do not believe the fee for estate planning should be the main factor in selecting an estate planning attorney, it is, of course, a primary concern. Significantly, the fee charged does not always represent the quality of the estate plan. Many experienced and capable estate planning attorneys actually charge less for their services than less experienced and less qualified planners.
In conclusion, there are several factors that should be considered in the selection of an estate planning attorney. After considering the items discussed in this article and after meeting with the attorney, the most important factor may just be how does the estate planning attorney make you feel when you are with him or her. You should feel comfortable and not intimidated. Most importantly, the estate planning attorney you select should make you feel that he or she is there to serve your and your family’s needs and should never act like your needs are a burden.
Now with a Panguitch and Richfield Office to Serve Clients in and around Garfield and Sevier 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 jmckenna@barney-mckenna.com or visit the firm’s website at WWW.BARNEY-MCKENNA. COM; he would enjoy hearing from you.
Haunted House
I went to this haunted house for exploration. It was near the forest, so the local guide warned me that I might find some wild animals there.
Sure enough, there was a panda. When I offered it some food, I was taken aback because it suddenly started talking. Turned out that it was a ghost panda, and it only ate bam-booooo!
Library
I was in the library once when a man walked in asking for some ham and cheese.
The librarian politely told him that he was in a library.
The man first apologized and then whispered to the librarian, "Can I please have some ham and cheese?"
Fall
I was in my garden when I got the news that my father had fallen from a ladder and was in the hospital. I rushed to the hospital expecting that my father had some major fractures, but he was alright except for some minor cuts.
When I told him that it was a miracle, he disagreed and told me, "Son, I had just fallen from the first step of the ladder."
PUNishment
I put up a high-voltage electric fence around my property over the weekend; my neighbor is dead against it.
THEME: In the Kitchen
ACROSS
1. Basilica feature 5. Cameron, to friends 8. ____ and flow 11. One of the Bridges
12. Have the blues
13. Op-ed piece
15. Blondie's hit "____ Me"
16. Certain something 17. *Granny Smith
18. *Broth-making container
20. Big name in mapmaking 21. Inexperienced
22. *Group of dishes or pots
23. Deprived of ovaries
26. Medusae
30. Got an Oscar, e.g.
31. Kind of license
34. Crescent
35. Description for twins
37. "____ the season!"
38. Orthodox Judaism adherent
39. Class roster item
40. Between lights and action
42. Source of pork
43. *Shredding devices
45. Bear-like
47. Florida key
48. French farewell
50. Physicist Niels
52. *Kitchen hand protector (2 words)
55. Holey confection
56. Track event
57. ____ of the trade, sing.
59. 1st letter of Hebrew alphabet
60. Charlie Parker's nickname
61. Shrek or Fiona, e.g.
62. Word of compliance
63. Actor Stallone 64. *Spice ____ or pot
Talking Coffee Beans
During his travels, a man stumbled upon a quiet town with a café that had a peculiar sign: "Home of the Talking Coffee Beans." Intrigued, he went in and met the barista. He told him that there was this same guy who used to visit the café every day and claimed that his coffee talked with him. Curiosity piqued, he ordered a cup. After his first sip, he heard a voice say, "Is it hot enough for you?" He almost spilled it in surprise. The barista laughed, "Told you so! But don’t worry; it only talks about brewing topics!"
For the Love of Baseball
Two men were arguing about who was a bigger fan of baseball. One said, "I've been to every game this season!" The other retorted, "I named all my children after famous players!" A third man, overhearing, interjected, "That's nothing! I named my cat Umpire so every time he causes trouble, I can say, 'You’re out!'"
DOWN
1. Beginning of the alphabet 2. *Often go with carrots 3. *NaCl
Speech at a funeral
*Flute alternative
*Cook's garb
*Veal or venison, e.g. 8. Sport spectator's TV acronym 9. Like white-headed
*____ en place
*Seaweedwrapped dish
Opposite of cation
Swamp plant
Estimated arrival times, acr.
Timothy, to friends
*Popular condiment
Sheik's bevy
Alan Paton's novel "____, The Beloved Country"
Broken, e.g.
Third planet from the sun
Bachelor on "The Bachelorette," e.g.
Like AmundsenScott South Pole Station location
Carl Jung's inner self
50thAnniversaryWedding
Dean and Angie Sheffer's 50th Wedding Anniversary Dean and Angie were married in the Provo Temple August 1, 1975. They have shared 50 years of life together. It's been an incredible journey with love, laughter, and cherished memories. They have been blessed with 8 children, 36 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.
Anyone wanting to celebrate in their honor are invited to attend a special event held August 1, 2025, 5:00 p.m. at the Panguitch Stake Center.
Obituaries
Gary George
TORREY/FERRON- Gary E. George, age 73, passed away on June 24, 2025, in Ferron, Utah. He was born on November 5, 1951, in Price, Utah, and spent his life deeply connected to the landscapes of the Colorado Plateau.
Gary grew up in Ferron, developed an early love for the land, livestock, and wide-open country. He earned his formal education at the University of Utah, but his most meaningful lessons came from the backcountry, where he spent a lifetime exploring its canyons, mesas, and trails.
Gary was a skilled stockman and farmer, a student of local history and archaeology, and a passionate advocate for the lands he knew so well. Alongside his wife, Pat Kearney of Torrey, Gary co-founded and operated Hondoo Rivers and Trails for 47 years. Through their work, they shared the beauty, stories, and solitude of the Plateau with countless others, leaving a lasting mark on the region’s heritage and on the lives of those who traveled with them.
Gary is survived by his wife, Pat; his brother, Wesley George (wife Elaine); and his sister, Heidi Pollard (husband Mike, deceased). Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Ward Dorrity George and Eleanor (Wolpert) Singleton; and by his brother, Riedel George; and sister-in-law, Margalynn.
In keeping with Gary’s wishes, no formal services will be held. A memorial graveside service will take place on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., in the Torrey, Utah Cemetery. All are welcome to attend.
Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price and Huntington where friends are always welcome daily and may share memories of Gary online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net.
At last, it is Pioneer Day here in Panguitch. It is being celebrated on Saturday, and a lot more people will be here at that time. It starts with the Lions Club breakfast at Zions Bank at 7:30. It is all-you-can-eat, so come hungry. The parade starts at 10:00 at the Panguitch City Hall. Look for a little yellow pick-up leading the way with the Grand Marshal in it.
The DUP has a great presentation at the Panguitch Stake Center on 5th South at 11:00 a.m. The firefighters have their annual luncheon feast at the fair building. It is a family affair, with plenty of time for visiting. There will be a rodeo going on at the Triple C Arena all afternoon, which will feature the best of the high school cowboys from all over the west.
Our area can use the people here for the business. Attendance is way down at Bryce Canyon National Park. This is because of the tariffs and the arrests of all the folks by ICE. This makes the U.S. a very unfriendly place, and it will be really bad come September when our second season kicks in. That is when people usually come from Europe, Asia, and Canada. Many of the older folks are reminded of the 1930s and the Gestapo doing the same thing in Germany with the Jewish people. Will the Muslims,
Wayne
FYI PanguItch
by Mack Oetting ~ mackoetting @gmail.com
the Asian people, or, maybe, the Mormons be next? Our family went out to eat dinner at Foster's, which is now a pretty good Mexican food place. There were six of us, and we were the only ones there; the food was really great. But business everywhere is down. I have seen very few "No Vacancy" signs out. The tourists are just not coming to the U.S. Around the first of August, Panguitch will be having a primary for the openings in the Panguitch City Mayor's Office, two four-year positions on the Panguitch City Council and a two-year position on the Panguitch City Council. Those that are running for mayor are Mike Sarles and Kim Soper. Those that are running for the two council seats (four years) are Garrett Wolfley, James Walter Kinsey, Lori Talbot, Bobby Owens, Harshad P. Desai, and David Dodds. Cindy Stewart and Mack Oetting are running for the one council seat (two years). Because of the fact that the two candidates with the highest votes for each opening will go into the general election, the primary will only be for the four-year council positions. Since there are only two candidates for the mayor’s positions and for the two-year council seat, they won’t be in the primary.
Back in the 90s, when I was a member, the Panguitch City Council solved two major problems. One was an issue with the police department. We had two, and they were on duty 24-7. We switched over to the sheriff's office, and that problem was solved. The other issue was that there were way too many animals running loose in town. Our dog catcher had put down eighty-one animals, and he couldn’t do it anymore. I went down to Best Friends to see what they could do for us. We made a deal that they would take our strays if I would help them out by walking some of their dogs. I was fascinated with their place and walked one day a week with some dogs for two years. Because of the heat down there, they don’t walk them in the summer. In turn, they took one hundred and ninetyfour animals and spayed and neutered many of the cats. Best Friends was founded by thirteen people from England who bought thirty-five hundred acres. They are known worldwide for being a no-kill shelter. In our country, four out of five shelters are no-kill shelters. It is much better to adopt animals from them instead of from a puppy mill. What is sad to me is one of their founders, Gregory Castle, has passed
away. Gregory was a quiet man who had lots of great ideas. He changed the world, and he did it gently. I think a lot of all the animal lives he saved, and I always will. Gregory, your journey here may be done, but your legacy will live on forever. Best Friends is always looking for volunteers or full-time people. It is a fascinating place, and they give tours of their now thirty-three thousand acres.
For those of you that didn’t vote to cut green energy costs, you still have a little time left for the existing $7,500 tax credits for buying or leasing a new electric vehicle; these will end on September 31. Credits for green home improvement projects, such as household solar panels or geothermal heat pumps, will end December 31. It is sad that the "green energy bill" is being done away with, but we do have $310 billion for ICE and $2.5 billion for restoring Alcatraz, a prison that was abandoned sixty years ago. The president must have seen the old movie Escape from Alcatraz and thought it would be one of his great ideas. Never has there been a time when a three-year food supply was more needed. Mack O.
Commission: Updates on trail management, statewide recreation policy and funding opportunities by Wade Allison, Utah’s new Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Program Manager; an overview of their updated digital strategy for Wayne County tourism by Soren Marketing; road concerns; an update on the water diversion project in Hanksville; the AL Business Park project; approval of Utah State University's annual Extension Services contract and a lease renewal for USU's educational facilities in Wayne County; and plans for a youth baseball tournament on the weekend of July 25-26 discussed.
Wayne Commission Cont'd from A1
and land manager partnerships. “We’ve got 250,000 OHVs in Utah—that’s 250,000 passionate people,” he said. “It’s up to us to keep trails open by doing things the right way.”
Next, Soren Digital Marketing presented an overview of their updated digital strategy for Wayne County tourism. The team shared data showing that most visitors now access the county’s website through mobile devices, reinforcing the need for a mobile-optimized redesign now underway. They also highlighted geofencing and device tracking tools to help better understand where tourists are going and how advertising affects visitation. A key example was a recent multi-county Highway 12 campaign featuring “12 Stops Along Highway 12,” designed to guide travelers from Bryce Canyon to Capitol Reef with curated points of interest. “People love lists and built-in agendas,” one representative said. “When that campaign hit social media, it got more likes, shares, and comments than anything we’ve done for other counties.” Additional efforts include digital billboards in high-interest cities, search engine optimization, paid social media, and a monthly data dashboard tracking visitor behavior, spending, and conversions. Commissioners expressed appreciation for the detailed data and marketing plans.
Larry Bray ap-
proached the commission with concerns about a road leading to his home, which he recently learned is classified as a County Class B road. He questioned the county’s responsibilities for maintenance, especially after floods that regularly damage the road. Bray noted that he has spent personal funds on repairs and emphasized the importance of reliable access for emergency services. Historical context was provided by Riley, a neighboring landowner, who explained the road was originally built by gypsum miners decades ago. It crosses a patchwork of BLM and private land, including property owned by Bray. Commissioners confirmed that if the road is listed as a B road, it falls under county maintenance. They agreed to follow up with the road department and clarify expectations.
Garrick Wilden of Jones & DeMille Engineering presented an update on the water diversion project in Hanksville. Commissioners approved bids for two components: $41,550 for a new screen and $29,500 for radial gate modifications—both coming in under budget. Wilden noted that while construction will move forward in phases, full water diversion is anticipated to begin in approximately two years.
Parker Vercimak of Jones & DeMille Engineering discussed next steps for the AL Business Park project. He reported that $235,330 in excess grant funds remain available but must be spent before the end of the year. Potential
uses include additional design work, road improvements, or utility installation. Commissioners agreed to schedule a work meeting to determine how best to allocate the remaining funds.
David Bernon from Utah State University appeared before the commission with two items. First, he requested approval of the annual Extension Services contract, which supports local USU programs in agriculture, youth development, and community education. The commission approved the renewal unanimously. Second, Bernon presented a lease renewal for USU's educational facilities in Wayne County. He noted that language in the lease incorrectly listed the Education Center Coordinator as a Wayne County employee; in fact, the position is employed by USU. Commissioners approved the lease for 2025 contingent on that correction. Bernon said the local center primarily serves adult learners in the community, with about three students currently pursuing education-related degrees through the program.
Lastly, Kari Denison presented plans for a youth baseball tournament on the weekend of July 25-26, with twenty to twenty-five teams expected from across the region. Games will be held at the fairgrounds, high school, and possibly Lyman field if temporary safety updates are made.
"We’re going to host a tournament, which will be so fun," Denison told commissioners, noting that teams are already signed up from Nephi, Delta, South Sevier, and other nearby communities. The commission approved free use of county facilities, with organizers responsible for cleanup. Food trucks and tourism ads are planned. Organizers hope to make it an annual event. In other items of business, the commission approved: • the 2025 Risk Assessment report (still rated "high:" policy work is planned to reduce risk levels); an ambulance purchase contract with SiddonsMartin Emergency Group; • renewal of the Wayne Wonderland Airport land lease; a $10,000 legal services agreement with the Utah Association of Counties;
• a Request for Quote (RFQ) for a prairie dog fence at the airport, required by the FAA; hiring Lauren Evans as a new Wayne County Sheriff’s Office administrative staff member; and vouchers, with one item withheld pending review: $33,000 to Proximal Productions. The commission also officially approved and updated the county’s website domain to waynecountyutah.gov. The meeting then concluded with a closed session to discuss personnel matters. The Wayne County Commission meets the first and third Monday of every month at the Wayne County Courthouse in Loa.
Garfield Commission: County fire services; the Local Emergency Planning Committee convened prior to the Bryce Canyon Half-Marathon; Panguitch Lake Dam; concerns from Antimony residents regarding new mining claims; concerns from a Cannonville resident regarding "unauthorized parcel creation;" and approval of the Road Abandonment Ordinance, 2025-4, discussed.
Garfield Commission
Cont'd from A1
that, together with a 5K run, attracts 800-1000 runners. He said the event went well and thanked the organizers for their efforts.
Commissioner Pollock met with the two conservation district boards (Upper Sevier and Canyonlands). He recognized their often unnoticed efforts to provide assistance with water development programs on public, private, and state lands. On Panguitch Lake Dam, at last, Pollock said, he has received the clear “goahead” from the state legislature that the rebuild is totally funded. Construction has been bid out, with Dave Dodds serving as Project Manager. “Anytime you can get a dam funded, 100 percent grant without having to raise any kind of assessments on your water users is nothing short of a miracle,” said Pollock. The project starts Oct. 1, with plans to complete the new dam by Feb. 1. For now, the existing dam will remain in place to serve as a coffer dam in the event of repairs needed on the new dam.
Pollock said he’s been fielding concerns from Antimony residents regarding the new mining company that has staked 330 claims at present. “It takes years, even with the Trump administration, to do the permitting and go
through the process of mining on federal public land.”
He said the county will work with the community to look into things and help them with their concerns. “Obviously, mining jobs are good paying jobs, but we want to be very, very careful with what the local communities think about these things,” Pollock said.
The Commission also heard concerns from a Cannonville resident regarding what he called “unauthorized parcel creation” recorded with the county. According to the Commissioners, regardless of the recording, the municipality has the last word regarding whether that parcel can be developed, not the county.
Public Works, Dave Dodds, and this month’s recipient of a Five-Year Employee Longevity Award. Dodds summarized the Road Abandonment Ordinance, 2025-4, which had previously been discussed. The Commission approved the Ordinance. He further recommended to the Commission that due to concerns about the firedamaged watershed, Proctor Canyon Road should be closed for the next year or two until the area can be revegetated.
The Commission approved the following funding requests: Pine Creek Irrigation Company: $39,000 for irrigation upgrade studies
• Bryce ATV Rally: Up to
$5,000 for closing dinner event
Washington DC Trip for Escalante 6th Graders: Approved covering any funding shortfall after students’ fundraising efforts
• Disabled Outdoorsman
Utah Youth Shed Hunt Report: annual budget allocation up to $2,000 for future events
Utah Coalition of Cities & Counties (UC3) Sarah Davenport-Smith presented an overview of the legislative lobbying services her organization provides to member counties and municipalities. The Commissioners said they appreciated those services but declined membership for the current budget year. Commissioner Pollock said the service would be useful, but the $13K for membership is currently beyond the budget of the county and also likely beyond the budgets of any of the Garfield County municipalities.
The Commissioners went into executive session to discuss contracting questions.
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. There is no set up for electronic participation, but all meeting recordings are uploaded to the Utah Public Meetings Notice board, https:// www.utah.gov/pmn/.
Intermountain Health St. George Regional Hospital Receives Magnet Status for Nursing Excellence in Patient Care
ST. GEORGE - In-
termountain Health St. George Regional Hospital has been recognized as a Magnet Facility by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)— the nation's highest honor for nursing excellence and recognition of its outstanding safety and innovative care for patients.
The Magnet Recognition Program designates organizations worldwide where nursing leaders successfully align their nursing strategic goals to improve the organization’s patient outcomes.
Magnet facilities meet rigorous standards for nursing excellence and are recognized because they have lower mortality rates, shorter lengths of stay, and increased patient and staff satisfaction. St. George Regional Hospital was recognized for having high nurse engagement and inpatient quality scores.
"Achieving Magnet status requires vision and dedication,” said Natalie Ashby, president of St. George Regional Hospital. “I am thrilled our nurses at St. George Regional Hospital have earned this prestigious designation. Their hard work and compassion are truly commendable, and I am profoundly grateful for the exceptional care they provide to our community every day."
The Magnet status is important for the caregivers as for nurses. Magnet Recognition means education and development through every career stage, which leads to greater autonomy at the bedside. To
patients, it means the assurance of the very best care, delivered by nurses who are supported to be the very best that they can be.
“We are incredibly proud that St. George Regional Hospital has earned Magnet designation—an honor that reflects the highest standards of clinical excellence, caregiver engagement, and compassionate care,” said Mandy Richards, DNP, RN, chief nursing executive for Intermountain Health. “This important recognition is a testament to the extraordinary work our nurses do every day to care for our patients and communities. We are deeply grateful for their dedication, skill, and the exceptional outcomes they help make possible.”
Approximately ten percent of the nation's hospitals achieve the designation. This is the third hospital in Utah to receive Magnet status, the second Intermountain hospital after Intermountain Health Primary Children’s Hospital, and the seventh overall Intermountain Hospital.
"Magnet Recognition reflects the exceptional standards and practices upheld by our nursing team,” said Reuben Evans, chief
SkyWatcher Leo T Aquila the Eagle, Eagle Mythology, and Comet 3I/ATLAS
by Leonard Thomas
Comet 3I/ATLAS was just discovered on July 1 by the Deep Random Survey remote telescope in Chile, which is part of the NASA-funded ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) telescope, when the comet was about four-hundred and ten million miles away from the sun. Comet 3I/ATLAS is only the third interstellar object detected visiting our solar system, after Oumuamua in 2017 and Borisov in 2019.
SPACE - In the morning, grab a hot steaming mug and behold, Venus now forms a temporary, dazzling second eye of the v-shaped Taurus face, complimenting big orange, Aldebaran. To see the entire v-pattern, look early in the dawn, about an 1 hour 15 minutes before sunrise.
And out stargazing on Sunday night, I watched the Moon hanging near Anteres in Scorpius, as I picked out Antares and the very close double of Delta Scorpi in the telescope.
Around the other side of the celestial globe, and riding on the waves of the Milky Way, Altair in Aquila the Eagle shines in the east-southeast. It's the second-brightest star on the eastern side of the sky after Vega, which is high to Altair's upper left, forming one point of Cygnus the Summer Swan. With Vega and Deneb, it forms the summer triangle.
nursing officer for St. George Regional Hospital.
“It is a proud moment for us, as it highlights the compassionate and innovative care our nurses deliver every day. We are honored to be part of this distinguished group of healthcare providers."
The Magnet Recognition Program was developed by the American Academy of Nursing to highlight hospitals that could attract and retain top nursing professionals.
Magnet facilities demonstrate excellence in five areas:
Transformational Leadership
Structural Empowerment
Exemplary Professional Practice
New Knowledge, Innovations, and Improvements
Empirical Outcomes
The ANCC report noted that St. George Regional Hospital’s caregivers outperformed in several areas, including low urinary tract infections, blood stream infections, low surgical errors, among others. Learn more about St. George Regional Hospital at intermountainhealth.org.
—Intermountain Health
Always just above Altair and a little left is slightly yellowish Tarazed. Altair looks so bright because it's one of our near neighbors, just seventeen light-years away. Tarazed is an orange, giant star about three-hundred and eighty light-years farther in the background. And below and slightly to the right is Deneb el Okab, and the three form an interesting little straight line that make up Aquila the Eagle. Keep this in mind, as we will visit sky lore of Aquila around the corner. And zooming into the solar system, at incredible velocity, is a new celestial object: Comet 3I/ATLAS was just discovered on July 1 by the Deep Random Survey remote telescope in Chile, which is part of the NASA-funded ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) telescope, when the comet was about four-hundred and ten million miles away from the sun. It was quickly confirmed to be an interstellar visitor due to its hyperbolic, and highly eccentric, orbit
and has a highly unusual trajectory.
Comet 3I/ATLAS is only the third interstellar object detected visiting our solar system, after Oumuamua in 2017 and Borisov in 2019.
The object was added to the International Astronomical Union's Minor Planet Center's list of confirmed near-Earth objects, as EarthSky reports. NASA and the Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) also list it as a nearEarth object.
Scientists estimate it could be up to twelve miles across. It could also set a new speed record, ripping by the Earth with a relative velocity of around 135,000 miles per hour, which is almost as fast as JPL's Parker Solar Probe.
It's still far too early to tell what Comet 31/ATLAS actually is. Could it be a comet, a celestial object made of ice, dust, and small rock particles? Or could it be an asteroid, ejected from a distant star system to end up in our own?
In any case, it's an exciting new discovery that could allow scientists to glean new insights into the nature of interstellar space and the alien worlds that populate it.
Scientists still disagree about 'Oumuamua's exact origin story, almost eight years after it was spotted by astronomers using a telescope in Hawaii.
One less conventional explanation, if Harvard astronomer Avi Loeb is to be believed, is that the 300-to3,300-foot-long object could be an alien "mothership" visiting the solar system from lightyears away.
Let's now check out the folk and sky lore of aforementioned Aquila the Eagle.
In Greek mythology, Aquila was the Aetos Dios, Eagle of Zeus. This magnificent bird was responsible for holding Zeus' thunderbolts and occasionally running errands.
Eagles hold a sacred and powerful place in Native American mythology, symbolizing strength, freedom, and a connection to the divine. Eagles figure prominently in the mythology of nearly every Native American tribe. In most Native cultures, eagles are considered medicine birds with impressive magical powers, and play a major role in the religious ceremonies of many tribes. Among the Pueblo tribes, eagles are considered one of the six directional guardians, associated with upward direction, spirituality, and balance. The Zunis carve stone eagle fetishes for protection, ascribing to them both healing and hunting powers, and the Eagle Dance is one of the most important traditional dances held by the Hopi and other Pueblo tribes. In the mythology of some tribes, eagles plays a leadership role as chief or top bird! In other legends, eagles serves as a messenger between humans and the Creator.
The golden eagle, also known as the "war eagle," is particularly associated with warriors and courage in battle, and it is golden eagle feathers that were earned by Plains Indian men as war honors and worn in their feather headdresses. (In some tribes, this practice continues to this day, and eagle feathers are still given to soldiers returning from war or people who have achieved a great accomplishment.)
Aquila is in a very rich, mythical area of the sky, bordering constellations Sagitta the arrow and Hercules—or the Fremont, Kool-Aid Man as I call him. It resides in a rich mystical area with Ophiuchus, Serpens Cauda, Scutum, Sagittarius, Capricornus, Aquarius, and, my favorite, Delphinus the Dolphin.
In many South American tribes, eagles are associated with the afterlife. Among the Ashaninka of Peru, for example, eagles play the role of carrying deceased people's souls to the afterworld.
The Cherokee view the eagle as a messenger between the spirit world and humans, often carrying prayers and hopes to the Creator.
Leonard Thomas has a Bachelor of Science degree in Comprehensive Broadcasting and worked as a park ranger as a star guide at Capitol Reef National Park. He is a resident of Torrey, Utah, and is the creator of the podcast SkyWatcher Leo T, which is available to listen to on Spotify.
Courtesy NASA/JPL
Out and About for the Summer
Lyman Builds New Pump Track, Plans More Outdoor Activities for Kids
by Amiee Maxwell
The
and other
and try to give kids more things to do,” said Lyman Mayor Burke Torgerson.
farmers like us could put it together, and we did,” said Torgerson.
Volunteers
the weekend of June 28, 2025. “Rather than hire someone to do it, we wanted to see if a bunch of old hay seed
Planning a High-Elevation Hike This Summer? How to Avoid Conflicts with Mountain Goats
UTAH - If you are planning to hike or backpack any high-elevation mountain ranges this summer, there’s a chance you may encounter a mountain goat. Here are some important safety tips to help keep you safe when recreating around mountain goats and other wildlife.
Utah is home to roughly 1,500 mountain goats located across the state. Mountain goats are found in high-elevation mountain areas with rugged, rocky alpine terrain. The largest herds in the state are located in the Uinta Mountains and in the Tushar Mountains (near Beaver). There are also herds scattered throughout the Wasatch Mountain Range, including on Mount Timpanogos, Cascade Mountain, Provo Peak and in Little Cottonwood Canyon, to name a few throughout the state.
“Mountain goats are really adapted to snowy weather and high-elevation conditions,” Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
Once-In-A-Lifetime Species Coordinator Rusty Robinson said. “As part of that adaptation, mountain goats don’t have hard hooves like other big game animals. Their hooves are more rubbery, which helps them grip the rocks when they are climbing a steep cliffside. They also grow really long, thick hair in the winter, and then shed it in the spring when the weather warms up.”
Mountain goats primarily eat grasses and flowering plants and will also eat shrubs and mossy lichen. They don’t migrate long distances like other big game animals do, but they will sometimes move to slightly lower elevations in the mountains during extreme winter conditions. They are fairly active throughout the day, except for in the middle of the day when it is really hot in the summer.
“Mountain goats are one of the few local big game species where both the males and females grow horns, so it’s hard to tell them apart,” Robinson said. “However, the female goats (nannies) have a thinner horn at the base and typically have a bigger gap between their horns. The male goats (billies) are also typically larger in size.”
Know mountain goat behavior
The male mountain goats typically get more aggressive during their breeding season (known as the rut), which typically takes place in November. The nanny goats get more aggressive when they have baby goats (kids). They typically give birth in late May, and then the nannies and kids join up and form large nursery herds. During the summer months, the nannies will mostly graze in meadow areas with abundant feed while they are nursing their kids. The nannies are often territorial during this period, especially when their kids are with them.
Safety tips to prevent conflicts with a mountain goat
Many of the mountain areas where mountain goats are found aren’t accessible—due to deep snow— until mid-to-late summer. Hikers will most frequently encounter nanny and kid mountain goats in the lower-elevation meadow areas
since those are easier to access than other, steeper mountain goat terrain. If you encounter a mountain goat while hiking or backpacking, here are some tips to help keep you safe: Give them plenty of space (roughly 150 feet or more). Mountain goats will often stand their ground or charge you if you get too close.
• If you see a mountain goat coming down the trail you are on, turn around and head back down the trail to avoid getting too close to them.
• Like other big game animals, mountain goats can be especially aggressive toward dogs. Keep dogs leashed and under control at all times. It is against Utah law to allow dogs to chase or harass protected hoofed wildlife, like mountain goats. If a mountain goat begins approaching you, slowly back away and give it some distance. If it continues approaching, wave your arms and make loud noises to try and scare it away.
• Talk to the land-managing agency for the area where you’re hiking and look for signs at trailheads to know if a particular trail has had reports of aggressive mountain goats. Then, stay alert while hiking in the area.
• Never feed a mountain goat or allow it to lick
Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation Awards $1.5 Million in Planning Assistance to Communities Across the State
SALT LAKE CITY -
The Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation (DOR) has awarded $1.5 million to support twenty-one outdoor recreation planning projects across thirteen counties as part of the 2025 Outdoor Recreation Planning Assistance (ORPA) grant program.
Funded through a onetime allocation from the Utah Outdoor Adventure Commission, the ORPA grant program was relaunched this year to provide direct financial support for planning efforts, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
“This first cycle of ORPA funding was an incredible success,” said Emily Meadows, statewide recreation planning coordinator for the DOR. “We received forty-one eligible applications requesting more than $5.5 million, clearly demonstrating a strong demand for local recreation planning across Utah.”
your skin.
“Mountain goats can impale you with their horns, so you don’t want to risk coming into contact with one,” Robinson said. “Remember that they are wild animals, so always give them plenty of space. They are found in some pretty extreme terrain, so you don’t want to risk getting too close to one while on the edge of a cliff. Be aware of your surroundings, stay alert and don’t put yourself in those situations. If you need to turn around and cut your hike short, do it.”
Find more safety tips on the Wild Aware Utah website.
—Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
The selected projects represent a wide range of planning efforts, including: Recreation master plans
• Feasibility studies
• Community engagement and needs assessments
• Impact fee studies
• Conceptual site designs
The ORPA program is designed to build local capacity for outdoor recreation development and ensure communities are equipped to manage and invest in sustainable, wellplanned recreation infrastructure.
“One of our key goals was to make this opportunity accessible to all, especially smaller and rural communities, by removing
financial match requirements,” said Meadows. “Good planning is foundational, and we want every community to have the chance to create a thoughtful vision for outdoor recreation.
The full list of awarded projects can be viewed here: recreation.utah.gov/grants/ planning-assistance/. For more information on the Division of Outdoor Recreation and its Outdoor Recreation Planning Assistance Program, visit recreation.utah.gov.
About Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation In 2022, the Utah State Legislature recognized the growing importance of the outdoors to Utah's economic prosperity and quality of life and created the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation (DOR). As part of the Utah Department of Natural Resources, DOR combines the nation’s first Office of Outdoor Recreation with other state recreation management programs, including Utah’s Boating Program, OffHighway Vehicle (OHV) Program, and recreation law enforcement officers. DOR is committed to ensuring every Utahn can live a healthy and active lifestyle through outdoor recreation and access to natural space. DOR’s areas of focus include recreational access; safety and education; stewardship and sustainable visitation; and economic growth and opportunity through outdoor recreation.
—Utah Department of Natural Resources | Division of Outdoor Recreation
LYMAN - The Town of Lyman has recently added a new pump track adjacent to the fire station as part of a plan to create more community activities for kids. The town was awarded a $64,000 Utah
Amiee Maxwell
The Town of Lyman has recently added a new pump track adjacent to the fire station as part of a plan to create more community activities for kids.
Outdoor Recreation Grant to help cover the project's costs. “We have all this room here, so we’d like to fill it up
mayor, along with a few town council members
volunteers, installed the track over
had barely finished laying the track before local kids started flocking to the park on scooters and bikes.
France Canyon Fire:
You can see the fire movement, and you can see where it really just moves with the landscape. Fire is very much like water, it likes the easiest route, it likes where the most fuel is.
tainment is reached.”
transferred to Great Basin Team 5. Then, on July 4th, control was passed back to the Color Country Incident Management Team, Type 3. Finally, on July 13th, command returned to the local unit, which is led by a Type 4 Incident Management Team, with personnel reduced to 50. With 90% containment, the total area burned by the fire encompasses 34,943 acres, affecting rough, inaccessible terrain with a diverse array of fuels.
The France Canyon Fire ignited due to a lightning strike, and as the blaze expanded, the local firefighting team required increasing assistance. Firefighters from across the western United States responded, with as many as 800 personnel tackling the fire at its peak. For weeks now, a majority of the current personnel’s efforts have gone towards “mop up.” In wildland firefighting, the term “mop up” describes the procedure of extinguishing or eliminating any lingering burning materials close to the fire's control lines, which helps prevent the fire from reigniting. This vital phase guarantees complete suppression of the fire and reduces the likelihood of it spreading beyond the contained area.
On July 12th, this public statement was released by the Dixie National Forest: “Thanks to hard work of the crews, today will be the last shift for the Color Country Type 3 Incident Management Team. With high containment percentage and suppression repair being done, the local unit will take back command of the fire Sunday morning. The area where containment has not yet been reached is in very steep, rugged country that is inaccessible to crews and aircraft. Firefighters will remain patrolling the fire and mopping up hot spots until after full con-
The release continued by reminding the public that this is still an active fire; that there are still firefighters and equipment on the ground working, clearing hazardous areas, and rehabbing portions of the fire vulnerable to flooding; and to continue to respect any closures. Smoke may also still be visible, but they ask the public not to report it.
The fire got close to the Bryce Woodlands Estates in Hatch, and on the other side of the mountain, it burned particularly close to Tropic Reservoir and Kings Creek Campground, two beloved recreation sites in the community. There were no structures lost in this fire, thanks to the dedicated work of the firefighters. Kings Creek Campground was outfitted with sprinklers at the campsites and restrooms, and this helped keep the fire at bay and protect the necessary buildings in the area.
“We didn't want to lose any values, this was a high priority area to keep safe,” said Marilynn Davis, Great Basin Management Team 5 Public Information Officer (PIO). “And it's the local forest (Dixie National Forest) that tells us what the priorities are. So the team decided, hey, how do we best meet the needs of the local forest and clean it up and protect it in the future? Now, let's say we have a lightning strike next season, it has a better chance of not moving or traveling or doesn't have a lot to grab onto.”
This fire spread fast, primarily due to the “fuel” on the ground in this area. Fuel in a wildfire refers to combustible materials that sustain a fire. This includes various forms of vegetation, such as grass, leaves, ground litter, plants, shrubs, and trees. Firing operations were conducted in several regions as a strategy to “fight fire with fire.” Wildland teams advance into an area and create a perimeter by burning with torches. In most cases, if the flames are
Alyssa Archuleta,
Great Basin
Management
Team 5 Public Information
Officer
Great Basin Team 5 Public
area of the France Canyon Fire near Badger Creek and Tropic
southeast of Hatch, Utah, on June 11th in the Powell Ranger District of the
The France Canyon Fire
90% containment, the total area burned by the fire encompasses 34,943 acres, affecting rough, inaccessible terrain with a diverse array of fuels.
not too high and the winds are favorable, the wildfire will encounter this previously burned area and stop spreading. This typically happens near roads, as they already serve as a barrier with no vegetation.
“You can see the fire movement, and you can see where it really just moves with the landscape. Fire is very much like water, it likes the easiest route, it likes where the most fuel is,” said Alyssa Archuleta, who is also a PIO with Great Basin Management Team 5.
Archuleta holds a master’s degree in Soil Chemistry and Fire Ecology. While out on the fire area near Tropic Reservoir, she explained how the soil after a fire will react. “Most of this is probably going to end up coming back with vegetation. And you can see there's still roots,” said Archuleta. “We're only an inch down in the soil there, and the roots are still intact in these plants.” She stated
that, most likely, only the very top layer burned— things like leaves and pine needles—“so if the rains come eventually here in the near future, all of these plants are probably going to come back because the root systems are still there. The bases of the plants are still here, they're just waiting for water. And once they get a little bit more moisture, then they're going to come back.”
According to Archuleta, the same was true for most of the trees. Ponderosa Pines are a fire-resistant species, and once they get to a certain age, their outer bark is thick enough that they can withstand a fire like this. The fire will move through, burn the outermost layer of thick bark, and the tree will recover and keep growing.
As this fire burns out and reaches full containment, other fires are starting or still burning across Utah and the United States.
The National Interagency
Fire Center posted this on their Facebook on July 16th:
“More than 16,400 wildland firefighters and support personnel are assigned to incidents today, including 381 crews, 803 engines, and 153 helicopters. As fire weather conditions continue to intensify in many areas, now is a critical time to think about the power of prevention. A majority of wildfires are still caused by human activity, and many start close to roads, trails, and recreation areas. A spark from a dragging chain, a cigarette tossed from a window, or a campfire left smoldering can quickly turn into a fast-moving wildfire under today’s dry and windy conditions. Wildfires are no longer limited to just the summer months. Across the country, they are happening earlier, lasting longer, and burning in places and times of year we didn’t used to expect. What used to be fire season has become a fire year. Before heading out, check local fire restrictions and
current conditions. Please recreate responsibly, and do your part to help protect lives, landscapes, and the people working hard to keep us safe.”
The France Canyon Fire highlights the significant challenges that wildfires present in our increasingly unpredictable climate. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of various firefighting teams and efficient resource management, the fire was contained without any structural losses and only minimal disruption to vital recreational areas. The commitment of the firefighting personnel, who diligently worked to control the fire's spread and protect the local environment, emphasizes the critical need for community preparedness and strategic fire management. By comprehending fire behavior and the resilience of nature, we can better prepare ourselves to safeguard our landscapes and communities for future generations.
Jaynie Connor
Information Officers Alyssa Archuleta and Marilynn Davis survey a burned
Reservoir.
ignited
Dixie National Forest. With
France Canyon Fire
Cont'd from A1
Dirty Dogs: We’ve always loved the energy and creativity of food trucks. They give you the freedom to try new things, connect with people directly, and bring great food to events and corners of town that don’t always have it. Starting a food truck was our way to dive into the food scene while staying flexible and hands-on.
—Stacy Madson, co-owner of Dirty Dogs
to try new things, connect with people directly, and bring great food to events and corners of town that don’t always have it. Starting a food truck was our way to dive into the food scene while staying flexible and hands-on.”
The name “Dirty Dogs” draws inspiration from their distinctive approach to hot dogs—loaded, messy, and extravagantly crafted, these creations are far from ordinary. Their menu offers polish dogs, twelve-inch hot dogs, and specialty fries. The truck already stands out as the only hot dog truck in town, but if that wasn’t enough, they use Nathan’s all-beef footlong and Polish dogs, as well as Polock Johnny’s signature hot Polish sausages. Their dogs are fully loaded and smothered in their homemade “Dirty Sauce.”
Dirty Dogs also offers Honey Habanero, Garlic Parmesan, and Salt and Vinegar fry options, which are made fresh and packed with flavor. “Our fries aren’t just a side, they’re a highlight,” said Stacy. “We’re all about creative
toppings, and making every bite memorable.” Customers are allowed to add as many toppings as they want to their dogs at no additional cost. Toppings include onions, pickles, sauerkraut, banana peppers, jalapeño peppers, and hot honey.
Despite being a newcomer, the truck's Hot Polish Dog has quickly become a favorite among patrons. This dish is served generously, and it is topped with their signature homemade “Dirty Sauce” and accompanied by their renowned Honey Habanero fries, which are drizzled with house-made hot honey. Interestingly, this is also Stacy's favorite item on the menu. “The mix of heat and sweet is addictive, and the combo keeps people coming back for more. It’s the perfect blend of flavor, spice, and comfort food done our way,” said Stacy.
Stacy has found inspiration and mentorship from fellow local business and restaurant owners in the community who have generously shared their knowledge and support. She expressed her gratitude for the assistance from her family as well.
“I couldn’t do any of this without my daughters. My daughter, Makell Clark,
has been absolutely instrumental—she handles all of our marketing, keeps our bookings on track, and has helped shape our brand from the ground up. She’s been a driving force behind the scenes and a huge part of our success.”
According to Stacy, the Panguitch community has shown great support for the new dining option.
“The response has been amazing," said Stacy. "Panguitch has really shown up for us, and we’re so grateful. Seeing people excited to try our food and then come back with friends and family means the world. The local support has truly fueled us.”
Dirty Dogs offers more than just tasty food; it focuses on fostering a warm and inviting environment where everyone feels like they belong. With their specialties and bold flavors, Irvin and Stacy Madson have effectively captured the spirit of this unique street food, all while fostering an inviting atmosphere for their customers.
When not at various, local events, you can find Dirty Dogs across from Joe’s Main Street Market in Panguitch. Follow them on Facebook for more information.
Star Party: We were happy to have so many participants. The park was filled with young people, and many of these helped set up the telescopes. We are grateful for their help.
Star Party Cont'd from A1
Patriotic Event. We were happy to have so many participants. The park was filled with young people, and many of these helped set up the telescopes. We are grateful for their help.
Thank you to Mickey Wright, Susan O’ConnorWright, Gary Pankow, Fred Swanson, BessAnn Swanson, Mary Bedingfieldsmith, Scott Smith, Paul Smith, Margaret Smith, Night Sky Intern Jenna Smolka, Interpretive Park Ranger Hannah, among others, for sharing their time and star knowledge with eager night sky participants.
On Saturday, July 5, Torrey Dark Skies gave out planetary bouncy balls in the Torrey Apple Days Parade and had a solar scope and information booth at the Torrey Park in the afternoon. Many people stopped by to learn about the importance of the night skies for our health and for the health of many animals and insects. Visitors were amazed to be able to safely view flares of the sun through the scope.
Mark your calendars; the 2025 Heritage Starfest will be held on September
19 and 20. It is co-sponsored by the Entrada Institute and Capitol Reef National Park, with assistance from the Torrey Dark Skies organization and others. Activities for all ages will be in Capitol Reef National Park all week long and in Torrey all day on Saturday. At the conclusion of the festival, many telescopes will be in the Torrey Town Park and the Fall Sky Monitoring will take place. Watch for the long-anticipated Torrey Solar System Trail to be installed soon too. For more information, visit www.torreydarkskies.org, www.entradainstitute.org, www.nps. gov/care, and/or www. darksky.org.
Utah Women Often Face Career 'Segregation,' Significant Pay Gaps
by Mark Richardson | Utah News Connection
UTAH - Women who recently graduated from college are earning significantly less than their male counterparts. A new study revealed women from Utah and other states who earned bachelor's degrees within the past seven years made an average of 18% less than similarly educated men.
Research from the National Association of Colleges and Employers found segregated work environments are the main reason for the disparity.
Mary Gatta, director of research and public policy for the National Association of Colleges and Employers, said the problem is so prevalent, job analysts gave it a formal title.
"Some of that, as we see in our survey, is attributed to men and women working in different industries and different types of work," Gatta explained. "We called it 'occupational sex segregation.'"
The Early Career Talent Survey interviewed 1,400 professionals who graduated between 2017 and 2023, including about 500 men and 900 women. It found the gap brings financial challenges for women, who are more likely to have student loans but less confidence of their ability to repay them.
Despite financial disparities, career satisfaction was similar between genders among early-career professionals. Both men and women share comparable views on the speed of their career progression, although they cite different factors affecting their advancement. Gatta pointed out it can cause long-term problems.
"The pay gap continues as women continue in their careers, with less money they are paying into Social Security, it's less money they are putting into their retirement," Gatta
outlined. "It has immediate impacts around economic security, but also economic security as we age."
Nearly three-quarters of men surveyed work for private-sector companies, while just over half of women do. It found 30% of women work for nonprofits, where compensation is typically lower than in the private sector. Gatta stressed women need to gain more opportunities to explore nontraditional roles.
"The importance of helping introduce women and men to atypical occupations is really important," Gatta emphasized. "Introducing women to STEM at an early age, getting that career exploration—we know that is important in helping to break some of that." Support for this reporting was provided by Lumina Foundation.
Courtesy Makell Clark
Dirty Dogs at the 2025 Panguitch New Old Skool MC Rally on July 12. Dirty Dogs food truck opened for business this summer and is owned by Panguitch locals Irvin and Stacy Madson.
Dirty Dogs Cont'd from A1
Courtesy Barb Walkush Torrey Mayor Mickey Wright at the Torrey Apple Days Star Party in the Torrey Town Park on July 4, 2025.
NOTICE TO AIRPORT CONSULTANTS
ESCALANTE CITY
Escalante City, Escalante, Utah is soliciting statements of Qualifications and Experience from consulting firms to provide professional airport planning services and Professional engineering services for the Escalante Municipal Airport.
A complete copy of the request for Statements of Qualifications and Experience may be obtained from the office of Stephanie Steed, City Recorder, 56 N. 100 W. Escalante, UT 84726, 435-826-4644, ssteed@escalanteutah.gov.
DBE firms are encouraged to apply. All proposals received will be evaluated based on FAA advisory Circular 150/5100-14D and on compliance with the request. Interested consultants are to submit six (6) complete copies of the Statements of Qualifications and Experience by 4:00 p.m. Local Time on August 4, 2025 to the above address.
Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on JULY 17, 24 & 31, 2025
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. 13, 2025 either electronically using the Division`s on-line Protest of Application form, by hand delivery to a Division office, or by mail at PO Box 146300, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6300. Please visit waterrights.utah.gov or call (801)538-7240 for additional information.
GARFIELD COUNTY CHANGE APPLICATION(S)
61-2088 (a53336): J. Ivor and Elaine T. Riggs Living Trust propose(s) using 1 cfs from the Burrows Wash (1/2 mile south of Hatch) for IRRIGATION.
61-2934 (a53339): Parsons Realty, LLC propose(s) using 2 ac-ft. from groundwater (4 miles SW of Hatch) for DOMESTIC.
61-3574 (a53355): William L Bernard Trust Agreement dated October 19, 2005 propose(s) using 0.0032 cfs OR 0.25 ac-ft. from groundwater (3 miles southwest of Hatch) for DOMESTIC; IRRIGATION.
61-3575 (a53356): William L Bernard Trust Agreement dated October 19, 2005 propose(s) using 0.0032 cfs OR 0.25 ac-ft. from groundwater (3 miles southwest of Hatch) for DOMESTIC; IRRIGATION.
EXTENSION(S)
61-443 (a36851): Lion`s Head Property Owners` Association is/are filing an extension for 0.054 cfs OR 16.2 ac-ft. (8 miles South of Hatch) for DOMESTIC. Teresa Wilhelmsen, P.E.
State Engineer
Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on JULY 17 & 24, 2025
2024 ANNUAL DRINKING WATER QUALITY REPORT FOR LOA TOWN WATER SYSTEM LOA TOWN
Loa Town Water System has the 2024 annual drinking water quality report available for the public. If anyone is interested in learning more about this report or viewing the report you may stop by the Loa Town Hall at 80 W. Center or you may request it by sending an email to loatownandwaterworks@gmail.com. This report is designed to inform you about the quality of the water and services we deliver to you everyday. Our constant goal is to provide you with a safe and dependable supply of drinking water.
Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on JULY 24, 2025
MEETING DATE CHANGE FOR AUGUST 2025
LOA TOWN COUNCIL
Loa Town Council will meet on Thursday, August 21, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. at the Loa Town Hall at 80 W. Center, Loa instead of its regularly scheduled date of Thursday, August 14, 2025. To be on the agenda, contact Michelle Brian at 435-836-2160 by Tuesday, August 19 no later than 5 p.m. All public welcome to attend this meeting.
Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on JULY 24 & 31, 2025
Legal Notices
DELINQUENT NOTICE
WEST PANGUITCH IRRIGATION AND RESERVOIR COMPANY
The West Panguitch Irrigation and Reservoir Company, a corporation of the State of Utah. Panguitch, Utah 84759 Phone: 435-676-8464
THERE IS DELINQUENCY UPON THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED STOCK ON ACCOUNT OF ANNUAL ASSESSMENTS BY THE BOARD DATING BACK TO 2016 THE AMOUNT SET OPPOSITE THE NAME OF THE RESPECTIVE SHAREHOLDER AS FOLLOWS.
The estimated costs of collections are $2,000.00
In accordance with the Share Assessment Act and the Order of the Board of Directors made annually dating back to 2016 and including each annual assessment through December 2024, so many shares of stock as may be necessary to pay the delinquent assessment and penalties thereon, together with the costs of advertising and expenses of the sale, will be sold to the highest bidder at a public auction to be held in the Panguitch City Office located at 25 So. 200 East on August 11, 2025 at the hour of 1:30pm. If the shares listed above are purchased at the auction by the corporation, or a director or officer of the corporation for the benefit of the officer or director, the shares may be redeemed by the shareholder for a period of 30 days after the day on which the shares are sold.
Dated this 14th day of July, 2025.
Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on JULY 24 & 31 and AUGUST 7, 2025
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HELP WANTED
Wayne Community Health Center Part-Time Custodian
Job Title: Custodian
Reports to: Facilities Manager
Position Type: Part-Time
Position Summary:
The Medical Office Custodian is responsible for ensuring a clean, safe, and welcoming environment for patients, staff, and visitors at Wayne Community Health Centers (WCHC) facilities. This position plays a crucial role in maintaining infection control standards by adhering to strict cleaning protocols and healthcare-specific sanitation guidelines.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
• Perform daily cleaning and sanitization of exam rooms, waiting areas, offices, restrooms, hallways, and common spaces.
• Follow established healthcare cleaning protocols to disinfect high-touch surfaces, medical/dental equipment exteriors, and other sensitive areas.
• Empty, clean, and disinfect trash receptacles, replace liners, and dispose of medical and regular waste according to safety guidelines.
• Sweep, mop, vacuum, and polish floors as required.
• Replenish supplies such as paper towels, toilet paper, hand soap, and sanitizer dispensers.
• Assist with deep cleaning and special project cleaning (e.g., floor waxing, carpet shampooing) as scheduled.
• Respond promptly to spills, contamination incidents, or other urgent cleaning needs.
• Maintain inventory of cleaning supplies and notify supervisor when reordering is needed.
• Report maintenance or safety issues immediately to appropriate personnel.
• Lock and unlock assigned buildings, secure rooms, and set alarms as directed.
• Support emergency cleaning efforts after facility incidents (e.g., infectious disease exposure, weather events).
• Follow OSHA, HIPAA, and infection control regulations, including the proper handling of biohazardous materials.
• Maintain confidentiality and professionalism at all times.
Qualifications:
• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Previous custodial or janitorial experience required; healthcare setting preferred.
• Knowledge of cleaning methods, materials, and equipment.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Basic understanding of infection prevention and control standards.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds, stand for long periods, and perform physical tasks.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to high-quality work.
• Reliable, punctual, and trustworthy.
Work Environment:
• Primarily works indoors in a clinical or administrative setting.
• Exposure to cleaning chemicals, biohazards, and bodily fluids (with appropriate PPE provided).
• Regular use of cleaning equipment and tools.
Supervision and Evaluation:
• Reports directly to the Facilities Manager
• Performance evaluated annually and as needed based on quality, reliability, and compliance with WCHC standards. If interested please send resume to AmberLee Ellett, aellett@waynechc.org.
Announcement of Position Preschool SPED Aide
Loa Elementary - Wayne School District is accepting applications for a Paraprofessional to work with our Special Education Department. Applicants will be required to work closely under teacher supervision with individual students or small groups of students. You will be performing a variety of tasks relating to the physical and instructional needs of students in a classroom setting, assisting with the implementation of instructional programs, including self-help and behavior management, as well as, instruction, and providing assistance to teachers in various capacities as assigned. Candidates must have the following skills: good communication, conflict resolution, professionalism, and help to establish an educational climate that facilitates student success and academic achievement.
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 for any positions may be submitted in person or electronically to Jennifer.batty@waynesd.org
CLOSING DATE: Open until filled, with the first review of applications on August 6 Wayne School District is an equal opportunity employer and reserves the right to reject any or all applications.
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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
Computer Science Para-Professional at Panguitch Elementary Head Football Coach at Escalante High School
Para-Professional in Preschool at Panguitch Elementary
Full-Time Instructional Coach/Reading Specialist
Administrator for Garfield Online
Elementary School
Food Service Worker at Bryce Valley High School
Substitute/Activity Bus Drivers
Para-Professionals/Aides at All Schools
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.
Bryce Valley Senior Lunches at the BRYCE VALLEY Senior Center
TUES July 29th Chicken
FREE TO GOOD HOMES
FREE GOLDEN RETRIEVER PUPPIES DUE TO RELOCATION, THESE PUPPIES NEED FOREVER HOMES: * 1 Male, 1 Female * Excellent Temperament * House Trained INTERESTED? EMAIL FIRST AT: STEPHANIE CHRISTENSEN59@ GMAIL.COM IF NO REPLY, THEN TEXT 541-655-9477 SERIOUS ENQUIRIES ONLY! WILL NOT RE-HOME TO JUST ANYONE.
MEETINGS
TROPIC AA MEETING Wednesday at 6 PM. Tropic Heritage Center. All meetings are closed discussion. Escalante AA Meeting
Tues. & Fri. at 6pm Call 435-676-3653 The only requirement is the desire to stop drinking.
FOR RENT
APT FOR RENT
2BR/1BA partially furnished No Smoking, No Pets at 35 N. Main St., Panguitch Above Straight Arrow Saddlery Call 801-870-8004
$$ PAYING TOP DOLLAR $$ for Sports Card Collections & Pokemon. Premium Paid for Vintage. Please leave a detailed message and phone number. Call Corey 541-838-0364.
or Part-time) at
Job Title: Pharmacy Tech (3/4 or Part-Time)
Location: Kazan Pharmacy, Escalante, Utah Kazan Pharmacy seeks a 3/4 or Part-Time Pharmacy Technician or Pharmacy Technician Trainee for our Escalante location. The ideal professional for this role loves personal interaction, problem solving, and improving community health and wellness in general. As part of the healthcare clinic team, they assist the Pharmacist in prescription management, communication with physicians' offices, community wellness programs and pharmacy office management. The ideal candidate possesses strong communication skills, and must pass a comprehensive background check and drug screening.
The selected individual answers telephones, coordinates with providers’ offices and insurances on behalf of patients, collaborates on development of community wellness initiatives and responds to inquiries related to medications. User-level proficiency in Microsoft Office (especially Excel) is required. General familiarity with computer systems is desirable. Training via an apprenticeship is offered. We offer competitive compensation, year round employment and a comprehensive benefits package based on hours worked.
Pharmacy Technician Trainee Responsibilities:
• Provide exceptional customer service in personal interactions
• Learn and undertake duties outlined in the Pharmacy Technician job description
• Acquire and uphold a valid pharmacy technician trainee license
• Implement life coach training and certification
• Successfully complete the pharmacy technician apprenticeship
• Pass the pharmacy technician licensing examination
• Coordinate and administer clinic wellness initiatives
• Manage wholesale orders across multiple accounts and reconcile invoices
• Support daily pharmacy operations in collaboration with the Pharmacist
• Assist with daily, monthly and quarterly audits
• Manage secretarial and office management functions of the pharmacy
• Perform all functions of a clerk and office manager
• Exhibit proper phone etiquette and skillful task prioritization
Pharmacy Technician Job Description:
• Possess and apply knowledge of the 340B Program
• Participate in Medication Therapy Management programs
• Record and review patient information with their prescriptions
• Dispense confirmed and completed prescriptions to patients
• Manage incoming calls and address patient inquiries
• Keep up pharmacy cleanliness and adherence to regulations and protocols
• Perform daily deposits and file prescriptions appropriately
Preferential familiarity with PioneerRx pharmacy management systems
• Administer insurance billing procedures, issues and coordinate for payment
• Maintain accurate patient profiles, including demographics, insurance details, and allergies
• Demonstrate basic and intermediate computer skills
• Assist in mandatory biannual inventories
• Attend staff meetings and incorporate policies and procedures Compensation commensurate with experience ($15 to 25/hour)
Typical work schedule: Monday to Thursday, 9 AM to 5 PM, Friday 9 AM to 1
PM Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter to ztaylor@ waynechc.org or drop off in person at the pharmacy.
SERVICES
NAMI Utah Connection Support GroupOnline 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
