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Serving Wayne & Garfield Counties, Utah
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Corner Post Media, P.O. Box 105, Escalante, UT 84726
Thursday, September 3, 2026
Issue #1683
insiderutah.com
Garfield County Commission
Report: Majority of Utahns Care About Preserving Public Lands
by Kathryn Chamberlain
by Mark Richardson | Utah News Connection UTAH - Utah voters care deeply about protecting public lands from privatization and development, according to a new analysis. Researchers aggregated multiple polls and found that most Utah voters oppose selling public land and rolling back environmental protections. Aaron Weiss, executive director of the Center for Western Priorities, pointed to poll results showing that 75% of Utahns oppose the Trump administration’s funding cuts to agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service. "What all of these polls very consistently show is that Western voters see public lands, waters, and wildlife as a motivating factor in how they vote, and that is worth keeping in mind as we head into this election season," Weiss said. The surveys show that Utahns Care Cont'd on B2
Aug. 24, 2026
ECAF 2026
Garfield Commission
Capture the Essence of Art at the Escalante Canyons Art Festival by Karen Munson Courtesy Escalante Canyons Art Festival
Pastel artist Lonny Granston asseses a pastel painting in progress during a previous season of the Escalante Canyons Art Festival. ESCALANTE - You know that feeling when a scene is so inspiring you feel energized to capture it? Prepare yourself to experience that, perhaps repeatedly, at the Escalante Canyons Art Festival, September 18-27, 2026, located near the Escalante
A Classic Conversation with Curtis and Anthony Allred Thurs., Sept. 3
Courtesy The Entrada Institute
On Thursday, September 3, at 7:00 p.m., Don Gomes, vice president of the Entrada Institute, will interview Curtis and Anthony Allred, an in-person and livestreamed event. WAYNE CO. - Curtis and Anthony Allred each have a history of adventure and non-traditional approaches to life. Curtis drove to Alaska when he was 18. Anthony is a rockhound and has worked in concrete, fireworks, and property management. On Thursday, September 3, at 7:00 p.m., Don Gomes, vice president of the Entrada Institute, will interview Curtis
Competition Awawrds Ceremony to the winners in the above categories. Plan to take some of that home with you. A few upcoming events before the festival
GARFIELD CO. During the Aug. 24 Garfield County Commission meeting, Commissioner Jerry Taylor reported on the annual congressional briefing tour, which brought Washington, D.C., and National Association of Counties staff to rural Utah. The tour included stops in Beaver County, the Redmond Salt Mine and a working ranch in Salina Canyon. “They have solar, they have wind, and now they have that geothermal all right there within just a small area,” Taylor said of the Beaver County stop. “But it’s phenomenal what they’re doing.” He said the Washington, D.C., and NACO staff were “very impressed.” The tour also took the group to Powell Point, where they discussed forest and public lands issues. “Instead of hearing about what’s
and Anthony. This 1-hour Classic Conversation will include a live audience at Robber’s Roost, as well as viewers on Facebook Live—all of whom will be encouraged to ask questions and share stories about the Allred brothers. Curtis and his wife, Tristan, established Dark Sky Coffee in 2020—on the exact Torrey Main Classic Conversation Cont'd on B2
REGIONAL WEATHER FORECAST
Grand Staircase National Monument. Whether you are a visual artist, a writer, or a musician, there will be an opportunity for you to hone your skills and seize the day. Visual categories include Plein Air, Studio Work, Junior Studio Work,
Zebra Mussel DNA Detected in Utah Portions of Colorado River
SALT LAKE CITY Fragments of zebra mussel DNA were recently detected in the Colorado River in Utah for the first time, and the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and partner agencies are reminding boaters and other watercraft users to remain vigilant in preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species. Zebra mussels are an emerging threat in the Upper Colorado River basin, with an established infestation documented near Zebra Mussel Cont'd on B2
Miniatures, and Nocturne. Of special interest this year only is the Escalante 150th Anniversary Paint-Out. Stamp-in times, dates, and fees can be found at escalantecanyonsartfestival. org. $10,000 in cash prizes will be awarded at the
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Cont'd on A3
CCAW Strengthens Transparency and Community Partnership by Morgan Flynn, Color Country Animal Welfare
Courtesy Color Country Animal Welfare
CCAW staff Charlene McClure, animal care supervisor, and Morgan Flynn, shelter director, with Wallabe, a three-year-old husky available for adoption. TORREY - Color Country Animal Welfare (CCAW) is reaffirming its commitment to transparency and community partnership. We believe our community deserves clear
insight into how the shelter operates, what services we provide, and how we support both animals and families across south-central Utah. Beginning with a new monthly “Shelter
Snapshot” in the next Insider, CCAW will share updates on the core shelter activities, including CCAW Cont'd on A6
UPCOMING EVENTS... Panguitch Cruizin' Old 89 Car Show
Sept. 4 & 5
Heritage Starfest
Sept. 9-12
FOR SOME BUT NOT ALL REGIONS REPRESENTED IN OUR NEWSPAPER COVERAGE AREA
THURS. SEPT. 3 - WED. SEPT. 9
Mostly sunny to partly cloudy throughout the week, with chance of showers Sun - Tues. Highs in the 70s; lows in the 40s and low 50s. **Weather is subject to Change
It's a good thing I was born a girl, otherwise I'd be a drag queen. —Dolly Parton
INSIDER CONTENT DEADLINE ALL content for THE WAYNE & GARFIELD COUNTY INSIDER MUST BE submitted by FRIDAY AT NOON to be included in the following Thursday edition of the paper.
The Insider
A2
September 3, 2026
Recent “Vigil Walk on Behalf of Our Cougar Kin” Designed to Raise Awareness of Utah’s Predator Removal Project by Dave Cushing
Courtesy Dave Cushing
Constance Lynn of the Boulder-based Cougar Wildlands Initiative leads a group setting off on a four-day walk to raise awareness about WRI-7707, Utah’s state-funded Predator Management Study, which authorizes the removal and killing of mountain lions in several areas of the state, including the Boulder region, according to the Mountain Lion Foundation, whose aim is to “ensure that America’s lion survives and flourishes in the wild.” From August 11th to the 14th, the group of 14 including a support crew of drivers and basecamp hosts traveled roughly 36 miles along Highway 12 from Boulder to Torrey, camping along the way. “We walked in silence,” said Lynn, “There’s power when we walk in trust and beauty and passion and love.”
Correction:
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Utah DNR Poisons Boulder Mountain's Pleasant Creek
On August 12, 2026, I arrived at Pleasant Creek Campground on Highway 12 with a dozen of my friends. Half the camp was occupied by Utah Dept. of Natural Resources staff who didn’t pay us any mind as we walked into the meadow. No one got up to warn us that we would bear witness to our beloved creek flowing pink with toxic chemicals and there weren't any signs on the notice board. I hate to be the one to show you this graphic photo revealing the truth behind fisheries management practices of the DNR. I’d rather be the one to bring you to the sacred waters of the Aquarius Plateau and invite you to experience water as life and delight in the exuberance of birds, fish, insects, plants and animals who know this truth. Yet the other truth is that Rotenone, potassium permanganate and other chemicals are used ubiquitously in fisheries management. Where I see a relationship with the beings
of an entire ecology, the DNR sees resources and opportunities for generating revenue for the state. Employees of the agency will tell you that these chemicals are safe and are the best tool they have for sterilizing wild water to reintroduce “native” Colorado Cutthroat Trout….yet Rotenone is linked to Parkinson’s disease and creates a devastating cascade in the entire ecosystem/food web. We know that the "native" fish that DNR are reintroducing are raised in a fishery like all the other fish they stock our creeks and lakes with. We know that the management policies of our wildlands, waters, and animals are driven by chemical corporations, special interest hunting and fishing groups and politics. We know that those working for our public lands are being manipulated to betray their hearts by executing methods of eradication that cause great harm to nature. Please don’t turn away from this photo. Let yourself feel everything,
Insider
The
Courtesy Dave Cushing
The group was joined by local supporters at the Carcass Creek campground on the walk’s final night for a ceremony about the plight of mountain lions. “The is not a protest,” said one of the organizers. “It’s an action to bring awareness to this serious issue.”
After publishing our feature story last week, Utah's Operation Gigawatt: Amping Up Alternative Energy Projects (August 27, 2026) reporter Dave Cushing emailed in with a small correction: "I stated that the small nuke generator in Emery County is the second one outside of the U.S. National Laboratory System, but it's actually the first. Another small generator developed by Valar Atomics was tested earlier this year, but it was at the Idaho National Laboratory, which is run by the Department. of Energy." Thanks for the clarification, Dave!
P.O. Box 105 Escalante, UT 84726 435-826-4400 email snapshot@live.com OUR MISSION: to foster community connection, civic engagement, economic resilience and journalistic integrity for rural southern Utah.
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Local columnists:
Mack Oetting - FYI Panguitch Adus Dorsey - News from Wayne County
The Insider is a weekly community newspaper delivered each Thursday to households in Wayne and Garfield counties, Utah. The entire contents of this newspaper are © 2026 The Wayne & Garfield County Insider, LLC/Corner Post Media. The Insider reserves the right to edit or reject any advertisement or submitted content items. Articles submitted by independent writers may or may not be the opinion of The Insider.
Courtesy Constance Lynn
Pleasant Creek on Boulder Mountain flowing pink with fish killing chemicals rotenone and potassium permanganate. Though used ubiquitously in fisheries management, exposure to rotenone is linked to Parkinson's disease. knowing that grief and rage are a response to having a heart that cares for life. Your heart knows the
truth…water is life, and this water is dead. Constance Lynn Boulder
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The Insider
September 3, 2026
News from Wayne County Good Morning Hay by Adus F. Dorsey II
Adus Dorsey
In Wayne County, as of the third week of August, the last of the hay was either on the ground anticipating the baler or headed to the barn. WAYNE CO. - I don’t know about anywhere else but there are some really happy farmers here in Wayne County, if you were paying for gas at Howie’s, Gordon’s and the IFA and two farmers walked in you would think they both won the lottery by the big grins on their faces. And if you were a foreigner, you might think this was the happiest place on the face of earth. The last of the hay is either on the ground anticipating the baler or headed to the barn. For the farmer those 4 A.M. mornings getting out of bed to go move water are about ready to give way to biscuits and gravy at the kitchen table with the little lady. It is kind of a pretty picture but in reality, the Wayne County farmers' work is never done. There will be equipment to service, water lines to stow away, cows to go get, and then comes the impending and never-ending honey do’s that come with the fall. But for the farmer living in the present, it is time to look at his crop stacked neatly in the barn,
hug his wife in the morning and share the moment with his fellow farmers at the filling station. As for the kids…. Well school is in session and has been since the Wayne County World’s Fair passed out its last blue ribbon. The tires on big yellow school buses were aired up, the seats washed off and on August 17th a fleet of them were rolling around the county snatching kids off the side of the road. Moms in curlers and pajamas could be seen standing in the doorway wearing grins bigger than the farmers as for them it was gonna be long soaks in the tub with soft music playing and rose petals floating effortlessly on the warm water and a steaming cup of Postum nearby. Then there are the family pets that will be bored out of there everloving minds until the bus comes about 3:45 pm to drop off the kids, but mom is in a good mood from her hot soak and 4 hours catching up on daytime TV and who’s seeing who behind who’s back and if Adeline lived through the summer months and who has filled her spot if she didn’t.
Not to be forgotten is the rest of us that are doing our darndest to avoid the deer and 5:30 a.m. speed traps on our way to work. But life is good as long as you are doing at least five under the speed limit and lock your doors when you leave the house. Yes, the river is running red, and 87% of the citizens of Wayne County are not complaining because the red in the river is signs that it has rained, a phenomenon that most have been praying for, for some time. Those that do complain are generally recent residents coming from paved roads and street lights at every intersection. But for the most part most are understanding when it comes to mud and closed roads and accept it as life in the country (desert.) Disclaimer: To clarify my depiction of life in Wayne County, and an attempt to avoid being chastised in the cereal aisle at Royal’s Foodtown, sometimes I still see life through the 1950's television Lense of “Leave it to Beaver.” I make no excuses, because I do know life in 2026, in Wayne County, is different, and I like it.
Garfield Commission
school districts. Bushman said Garfield County’s share would increase by about $3,000 a year. Public Works also reported the county has secured $200,000 toward the purchase of a new road grader and is seeking another $100,000. Officials said the equipment would help maintain OHV routes and other roads that lack dedicated maintenance funding. Mike Lamar of the Utah Public Lands Alliance also introduced commissioners to the nonprofit’s work. “We are a private nonprofit that advocates to keep public lands open for wheeled access,” Lamar said. “And so in that drive,
we work with the legislature the best we can.” Lamar said the group also works with local governments on OHV funding, organizes public lands cleanups and is supporting federal legislation aimed at improving motorized public lands access for people with disabilities. The Garfield County Commission meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month starting at 10 a.m. All meetings are held in the County Courthouse in Panguitch. Electronic participation is not available, but all meeting recordings are uploaded to the Utah Public Meetings Notice board, https://www. utah.gov/pmn/.
Cont'd from A1
going on in rural Utah, they’re actually boots on the ground,” Taylor said. “They’re seeing what’s going on and they’re participating.” Commissioners also unanimously approved Garfield County’s first major General Plan update since 1998. Planning Administrator Kaden Figgins said more than 200 residents participated in a public survey used in developing the plan, identifying priorities that included housing and water. The 106-page plan also includes a new water use and preservation element, as required by recent legislation. Commissioners adopted the plan through Ordinance 2026-5. Former Piute County Commissioner and current Five County Association of Governments Executive Director Darin Bushman presented a proposal to increase local funding for the AOG, saying the organization needs to build a financial reserve. “Since I’ve been at the AOG, we have a line of credit with State Bank and we’ve had to draw on that line of credit three times to make payroll,” Bushman said. “I’m very uncomfortable with that.” The proposal would increase total local funding across the five-county region from $160,000 to $560,000, with 60% coming from counties, 25% from cities and 15% from
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The Insider
A4
Wills, Trusts, and More Will Contests
A will or trust contest is a form of litigation in which the validity of a will or trust can be challenged. Family members, spouses, children and business partners are examples of interested parties who may have the standing (financial interest) to contest a will or trust. Dismay over the size of an inheritance is the most common reason to challenge a will or trust. However, the unfairness of asset distribution is not generally grounds for contesting a will or trust. There must be a legal defect in the document for it to be contested. The following are some reasons that a will or trust can be contested. • The will or trust was not properly executed - A will or trust can be contested on the grounds that it was not properly drafted, signed, or witnessed in accordance with statutory legal re-
by Jeffery J. McKenna quirements. Generally, a will has more formalities to follow than a trust. • The testator or trustor was not mentally competent - Competency to make a will means that the testator understood the nature and extent of his assets and knew the parties to whom the assets would be distributed. A will may be declared void if it can be proved that the testator was senile, delusional or of unsound mind when the will was created. The standards for executing a trust are generally the same. Incompetence may be proven by medical records, irrational conduct of the testator and the testimony of those who observed him/her at the time the will or trust was executed. • The will or trust was the product of fraud or undue influence - Undue influence occurs when the testator or trustor is compelled or coerced to execute the will or trust as a result of improper pressure exerted upon him/ her. Fraud occurs when a false statement is knowingly made causing the testator or trustor to sign
a will or trust in a different manner than he/she would have if the statement had not been made. • A second, more recent, will or trust is discovered - If proven valid, the newer will or trust would replace the older document. • Miscellaneous reasons There are other circumstances under which a will or trust can be contested. These include suspicions of forgery, the existence of pre-existing contracts relating to asset distribution that may nullify the distribution in the will or trust, suspicious circumstances that could cause the distribution set forth in the will or trust to be looked upon as lacking credibility, or the failure by a personal representative or trustee to properly carry out the instructions provided in the will or trust agreement. It is important to note that there are important time constraints and procedural deadlines after which you may not be able to contest a will or trust. After probate is completed or a trust administration is finalized, it is normally not possible to initiate legal action.
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.
September 3, 2026
tHe lAuGhiNg pOiNt!! Two guys are walking through the woods one day when they stumble across a big deep hole. The first guy peers into it and says, “Wow! That looks deep.” The second guy says, “It sure does. Let’s throw a few pebbles in there and see how deep it is. We’ll be able to tell the depth by how long it is before we hear the noise of the pebbles landing.” So they pick up a few pebbles and throw them in and wait. Nothing. There’s no noise. The first guy says, “Jeeez. That is really deep. I know, let’s throw one of these great big rocks down there. Those should make a noise.” So they pick up a couple football-sized rocks and toss them into the hole and wait… and wait… Again, nothing. They look at each other in amazement. Then the first guy gets a determined look on his face and says, “Hey,
In Too Deep
over here in the weeds, there’s a railroad tie. Help me carry it over. When we toss that sucker in, it’s gotta make some noise.” So the two of them drag the heavy tie over to the hole and heave it in. Once again, not a sound comes from the hole. Suddenly, out of the nearby woods, a goat appears, running like the wind. It rushes toward the two men, then right past them, running as fast as it’s legs will carry it. Suddenly it leaps in the air and into the hole. The two men are aston-
ished with what they’ve just seen and look at each other in amazement. Then, out of the woods comes a farmer who spots the men and ambles over. He asks them, “Hey, you two guys seen my goat out here?” The first guy says, “You bet we did! Craziest thing I ever saw. It came running like crazy and just jumped into this hole and disappeared!” “Nah”, says the farmer, “That couldn’t have been my goat. My goat was chained to a railroad tie.”
sudoku To Play: Complete the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9
Type-O
A priest, a pastor, and a rabbit walked into a blood donation clinic. The nurse asked the rabbit,"What is your blood type?" "I am probably a type O," said the rabbit.
PUNishment
I'm such a good navigator, a self-driving car once asked me for directions.
This week's answers on B5
THEME:
SOLAR SYSTEM ACROSS 1. Ancient Peruvian 5. Hit the slopes 8. Bro or sis 11. Thomas the Engine's warning 12. *Sun, e.g. 13. Twist and distort 15. Carpenter's groove 16. *Jupiter's inner "ring" 17. MC Hammer's "2 ____ 2 Quit" 18. *It makes up the majority of Jupiter's mass 20. Narrative poem 21. "When ____ Cry" by Prince 22. Louisville Slugger 23. Chase 26. Puffy cloud 30. Nurses' org. 31. Frozen drink 34. Ricci of fashion 35. Same as climate 37. Buddy Holly's "Peggy ____" 38. Knight's breastplate 39. Flying toy 40. a.k.a. pennant 42. Possesses 43. Appetizer 45. Like certain pine 47. Large edible mushroom 48. ____-Arts, or fine arts 50. Disparaging remark 52. *The largest moon in the Solar System 55. *Jupiter's Great Red Spot 56. Up it in poker 57. Exclamation of disgust 59. Famous diarist Samuel ____ 60. Like decorated cake 61. Reply from a tunnel 62. Tarzan's adoptive dad
63. Neither here ____ there 64. Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, acr. DOWN 1. It would 2. Master of ark 3. Buffalo Bill's last name 4. In conflict (2 words) 5. Coach-and-four 6. Type of leaf cabbage, pl. 7. *Reason for Mars' redness 8. Kind of palm 9. Author Murdoch 10. Sandwich with acronym name 12. Snow mover 13. Flash of light 14. *Farthest planet from sun in our Solar System 19. Make awake 22. Opposite of vend 23. Gets ready for a trip 24. Dark 25. Indian restaurant yogurt staple
26. ____ Zhen in "Fist of Fury" 27. *The Solar System spans roughly 1.6 ____-years 28. Uniate church member 29. Impudent 32. ____-friendly 33. *Center of the Solar System 36. *The smallest planet 38. Per ____, or yearly 40. Vigor 41. Approved 44. 4 years for a U.S. President, pl. 46. Daisies 48. Bench in Mexico 49. Larger key on the right 50. Pas in ballet 51. Between trot and gallop 52. Effect of pain? 53. Mussolini, with Il 54. Not counterfeit 55. Relaxation location 58. Ornamental pond dweller Solution on B5
September 3, 2026
The Insider
Obituaries Karl D. McAllister Aug. 22, 1933 - Aug. 25, 2026
PANGUITCH - Our beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Karl D. McAllister, was born on August 22, 1933, in Panguitch, Utah. He is the eldest of three children born to Martin Lindsay and Minerva Grace Dickinson McAllister. Karl was raised in Panguitch and graduated from Panguitch High School, where he was a proud member of the Bobcat basketball and baseball teams. Following graduation, Karl married and was sealed for time and all eternity to JoAnne Dowdell, his high school sweetheart, on July 17, 1953, in the St. George Temple. Karl and JoAnne had three children: Kim (daughter), Steven Karl (son), and Melanie (daughter). Following their marriage, Karl left Panguitch to pursue higher education at Utah State University in Logan, Utah, where he attained his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. Being involved in the Air Force ROTC during college, Karl joined the United States Air Force following his graduation from Utah State and was consecutively assigned to San Antonio, Texas; Reno, Nevada; Fort Dix (Trenton), New Jersey; and Dayton, Ohio when he was recruited as a pilot. After studying intensely for his Military Air Transport Service (MATS) certification, he became a pilot flying transport and surveillance aircraft and missions. During the Vietnam War, Karl was stationed in Seoul, South Korea, for one year away from his family, serving his country through many hardships and in many dangerous conditions. Following his assignment to South Korea, Karl was transferred to Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he completed the rest of his career with the Air Force. Karl received many commendations and advancements due to his integrity, courage, and strong leadership. Following his retirement from the Air Force, Karl pursued subsequent careers in Nuclear Engineering and Nuclear Physics, working at the Nevada Test Site as the Director of myriad underground controlled nuclear blasts; with EG&G, where he continued his liaison with the Nevada Nuclear Test Site; and lastly, working in the solar energy and photovoltaics programs with Sandia Laboratories. Following his civilian retirement around 1998, Karl dedicated many years to serving in the Albuquerque Temple and teaching his grandchildren his love for the outdoors. Karl always enjoyed camping and hunting with his family, and many of his fondest times were spent enjoying his grandchildren, teaching them the skills and hobbies he had learned as a youth in the beautiful outdoors of southern Utah. To the delight and relief of their parents, Grandpa Karl taught all 8 of his grandchildren to drive (from a very young age!). In 2002, Karl and JoAnne moved to Las Vegas to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Karl served in the Las Vegas Temple as an ordinance and veil worker for many years. Karl’s children and grandchildren loved him for his constant and unconditional love for them, for his kindness, love, generosity, dedication, wise counsel, support, and for always being their biggest fan—especially in their respective sports! If it was possible to get there, Grandpa never missed a game. Grandpa Karl actively supported five Eagle Scout grandsons to achieve many of their outdoor merit badges. Grandpa Karl also got to know and spend time with all eleven of his great-grandchildren, who brought him much joy! For one lone boy from a small town who started with not much, Karl built an impressive career and grew into a highly respected, extremely intelligent, multi-talented, fearless yet kind, service-oriented man totally devoted to God and his family. Karl’s unconditional love, wisdom, generosity, and support made him an integral part of his loved ones’ lives, and he will be greatly missed by us all. Funeral services will be held next Saturday, September 5, 2026, at 11:00 am in the Panguitch Stake Center. A viewing will be held from 10:30-11:00 am prior to the services. The burial will be in the Panguitch Cemetery. FUNERAL DIRECTORS: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina, Manti.
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COLUMN
FYI Panguitch by Mack Oetting ~ mackoetting @gmail.com We have one last event this summer, and it is the Cruizin' Old 89 Car Show. It will be this Saturday, and it starts at 9:00 a.m. It will be held at the baseball area and is free. The Panguitch Lions club will have a breakfast of pancakes and some bacon, all for only $5.00. Last year, there were ninety-six cars and trucks and even some small trailers. It will last till 2:00, when the trophies are given out. I had an eventful week, and I dodged another bullet. I went up to Salt Lake City to the University of Utah to have a procedure done. Since they didn’t start till 4:00, they kept me for the night. When I woke up, they told me that
my potassium level was too high and wanted to keep me another day. Not knowing anything about potassium, I stayed. On the third day, a doctor of internal medicine came in to talk. He told me if I hadn’t had my procedure done, I would have been dead in another month. He said excessive potassium would have destroyed my kidneys. So he recommended more treatment to lower my potassium, which was at 7 on Friday, and it came down to 6.1 on Saturday. The doctor said that if it got down to the 5 area, he would release me. On Sunday, they did one last treatment, which brought it down to 4.5, which is in the normal range.
The downside of lying in bed for four days is that I had to learn to walk again, and after three days, I have done away with the walker, and I was able to climb our stairs to the computer room. Don’t let this worry you because 90% of the people have low potassium and have to take something to raise it up. I have watched the news quite a bit while I was down, and I apologize if I offend someone with the facts, especially if it affects the people of our country. My church does not get involved in politics, nor does my calling, so I only print facts. This week, the president has attacked our neighbor Canada with 50% tariffs. Canada wouldn’t back
down and put the same tariffs back on the U.S., so he decided to change the name of Lake Ontario to Lake America. That will be like changing the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, and I would guess he will be the only one who will call it that. The Supreme Court has already struck his tariffs down before. We do get aluminum, steel and wood from Canada, and it will only drive up the costs. The president's following is down to 32%. I wish I could write something that would be of benefit to the regular American. If that ever happens, it will be in my column. Mack O.
Ralph Veater Turns 100
Ralph Houston Veater of Panguitch turned 100 on August 1, 2026, and was invited to Utah’s 38th Annual Centenarian Luncheon with Gov. Cox in West Jordan on August 20, 2026. Ralph was escorted by his granddaughter Shawnee (Veater) Robinson, grandson Dakota Veater and lifelong friend Paul Hatch. Ralph Veater was born on August 1, 1926 in Price, Utah to Ruland & Bernice Houston Veater. He was the 4th born out of 9 children and is the last living of them all. He lived in Price from 1926 to 1930, Spry, Utah from 1930 to1939 and in Panguitch from 1939 until the present. He married Lasania Darylene Davis on May 6, 1950 in Pioche, Nevada. They eloped and on their way both were secretly hoping each other would back out. Luckily neither of them did and together they created a beautiful family.Together Ralph & Darylene had five sons, 20 grandchildren, 62 great grandchildren & twelve great great grandchildren. He considers his greatest accomplishment marrying Darylene and starting their family together. He was also recognized in 2016 as Local Lifetime Cowboy of the year and in 2017 served as Grand Mar-
shall for Panguitch. Ralph served in World War II from August 1944 until November 1946 in the 738 MP Battalion, serving in the northern Philippines. They took a ship over to the Philippines which was a 30 day voyage, there and a 31 day voyage back. His grandkids are always amazed that he lived on a ship for 61 days! After returning to the states from the Philippines, Ralph was stationed at Fort Mason, in San Francisco, California for a short time. He then returned to Fort Douglas and got discharged and came home a civilian. Once being discharged, he was paid $20/week for the number of weeks he served, which was 52 weeks. In 1947 Ralph worked for BC Mendenhall Construction in Northern Utah. During 1951 to 1958 Ralph owned his own trucks that he would haul milk and coal with. He did the milk route in the morning and the coal route in the afternoon. Eventually Ralph gave up hauling milk. He continued the coal route and went on to work afternoon shifts at the Soil Conservation Service. In 1958, Ralph got hired on with the Kaibab hauling lumber out of Fredonia, Arizona for 31 years, from 1958 to 1989. He drove a Kenworth 18 wheeler 3.5 million miles
with zero accidents. He knows every highway and where it leads this side of the Mississippi. While working for the Kaibab, some routes that really stuck out Ralph Veater and family members to Ralph was a at Utah’s 38th Annual Centenarroute hauling ian Luncheon with Gov. Cox in lumber to Pablo, West Jordan on August 20, 2026. Colorado then going into Denver loading find Ralph in the shop rehis truck with steel bolts building another old tractor. Ralph’s favorite memand hauling them down to Page, Arizona to be used to ories are of celebrating the build the Glen Canyon Dam. 24th of July with his family The other route was haul- at his home in Panguitch. ing lumber into Los Angeles Kids and Grandkids would and hauling back Creosote always hop on a tractor to Timber for the tunnel in the drive it in the parade. After bottom of The Glen Canyon the parade, everyone gathered at Grandma & GrandDam. After retirement Ralph pa’s house for a BBQ. On went on to work with Anex July 24, 2026 family and Drilling located in Grand friends travelled from near Canyon City. He hauled and afar to celebrate Ralph’s water to the top of the drill- 100th birthday. Every tracing rig. He stayed with them tor he owned was in the until they were done drilling parade pulling a trailer with his kids, grandkids, great there. In the early ‘70s Ralph grandkids & great-great bought a farm. He continued grandkids. Ralph’s secret to lonfarming until 2012 when he sold the farm to his son, Rob. gevity: Stay stubborn and Ralph has continued jumping start everyday with one on a cuber and helping Rob original glazed donut and a put the hay up every summer. cup of instant coffee with a Ralph rebuilt all his cubers little French vanilla creamand tractors that he used on er. And never miss happy the farm. If it wasn't time to hour. —Shawnee Robinson put hay up, you could always
The Insider
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September 3, 2026
Courtesy Escalante Canyons Art Festival
The Escalante Canyons Art Festival features plein air and studio competitions, art exhibits, on-site sales, workshops, demonstrations, arts and crafts fair, live music, guided walks, and much more. ECAF 2026 Cont'd from A1
officially starts are a threeday Slow Plein Air Painting workshop taught by Scott Geary and Wayne Geary on September 14. Terry Chacon, Susan De’Armond, and Nita Harper are each teaching two-day workshops starting on September 17. The free Roving Talks include presentations by topic experts in flora, fauna, historical homes, and the first-ever ghost tour. This year’s Featured Artist is Kathleen Price. Her fascination with re-
CCAW Cont'd from A1
animals entering the shelter, adoptions, lost pet reunifications, and transfers to and from other shelters and rescue groups. In addition to shelter data, CCAW is working toward regularly sharing broader community impact information, including the trap-neuter-vaccinate-return program for cats, community pet spay and neuter assistance, pet food pantry distributions, self rehoming assistance and other community support provided. These numbers show how CCAW works to prevent animals from entering shelters, support families in crisis, and address the root causes of pet homelessness in rural communities. Shelter admissions and adoptions matter, but they represent only one part of the lifesaving work happening every day at CCAW. By sharing a fuller picture of our efforts, we hope to strengthen trust, deepen understanding, and highlight the many ways CCAW serves the region. Community members are encouraged to sign up for CCAW’s newsletters to receive more detailed information, including quarterly updates, monthly shelter updates, volunteer and foster news, so they can follow the programs most meaningful to them. A Managed Intake Approach CCAW operates under a managed-intake model, which allows us to determine the safest and most appropriate option for each animal and family. Rather than relying on immediate shelter entry, we work directly with community members to assess their needs, prioritize urgent cases, and connect families with resources that may prevent a shelter stay altogether.
curring shapes in the living world inspires her to “bring this complexity of experience to the viewers’ attention.” She approaches her creativity with trust in the experience, experimentation, and childlike joy. In addition to the visual arts, writing and music classes will be taught covering poetry, writing in this landscape, acoustics and harmony, classical composers, rhythm, style, and musicianship. Teachers welcome questions about composition, musical history, improv, modes, etc. The musicians will also be performing on stage in the park through-
out the festival. Raymond Shurtz, local playwright and musician, will perform a one-person show entitled the Art of Fire about his colorful family from Boulder, Utah. A community mural will be a work in progress for everyone to contribute to. The Arts and Crafts Fair attracts vendors from across the country, offering customers a wide array of creative choices. The Art Exhibit and Sale is the highlight of the festival and showcases artwork submitted for all competition categories. Whether you are a visual artist, writer, musician, or art collector, there will
For example, if a family is considering surrendering their pet because they can no longer afford the care, we may connect them with low-cost veterinary services, provide free pet food or other supplies, or help them safely rehome the pet on their own. By addressing the underlying need, we can often keep pets with the families who love them, or find a better solution than a shelter admission. Managed intake also allows us to prioritize animals that are in immediate danger or who have no other safe options. If a loose dog is at risk of being hit by a vehicle, or a pet’s owner has passed away and there is no one available to care for them, those cases usually require immediate shelter intervention. By working with families on alternatives when it is safe to do so, we preserve limited shelter space for animals with the most urgent needs. This approach helps keep pets and people together whenever possible, and reduces the number of times we have to turn people away simply because the shelter is full. Growing With Our Community in Mind CCAW is navigating an exciting period of growth and change. As we expand our programs to provide more community animal services, we are continually learning how to best meet the needs of local families and animals. We welcome questions and feedback at any time; community input helps us improve and stay responsive. As a small team building new programs that improve animal welfare and support the community, we are working toward responding to inquiries as promptly and thoughtfully as possible while ensuring that animals in our care receive daily enrichment, medical support, and at-
tention. We appreciate the confidence and support of our community as we grow. Share Your Voice We invite community members to share feedback through our anonymous survey at: www.colorcountryanimalwelfare. org/communityvoice Your insights help us understand what families, friends, and neighbors need, and how CCAW can best support people and pets throughout the area.
be an opportunity to showcase your skills or add to your collection and seize the day(s). Come capture
the essence of the Escalante Canyons Art Festival in Escalante, Utah. You will leave with treasures.
For more information on the festival and its many offerings, go to escalantecanyonsartfestival.org
September 3, 2026
The Insider
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Out & About for the Summer Bryce Canyon Fly-In & Car Show Hits Sweet Spot for Car and Plane Fans by Jaynie Connor
Jaynie Connor
A wide variety of stunning cars and planes shared the tarmack at Bryce Canyon Airport on August 22, 2026, for the Bryce Canyon Fly-In and Car Show. Above, a CJ-6, owned and piloted by Ray Bluff from Nevada, awaits walk-by admirers before returning to the skies.
Jaynie Connor
Piper Clipper is owned and piloted by Paul and Beth Anne Schneider out of Northern Utah. Jaynie Connor
1931 Ford Model A Stake Bed owned by Kirby Martin. Winner of the Trixie Fink Award, named in honor of Trixie Roth, wife of Ed “Big Daddy” Roth, the legendary creator of Rat Fink. BRYCE CANYON - airport. It’s hard to miss the that the airport is more than Saturday, August 22 was historic 1936 Bryce Canyon mere infrastructure. It is an the annual Bryce Canyon Airport Hangar, from the integral part of the commuFly-In & Car Show Event sky and from the road, its nity's history and identity. held at the historic Bryce name is displayed in large The show had sevenCanyon Airport. What yellow letters across the ty-eight cars and fourteen started as a modest event roof. planes register this year. But to highlight the historic Ramsay feels the Fly- Ramsay isn’t so concerned Bryce Canyon Airport has In and Car show has helped with the numbers. “For me evolved into a beloved change the way people see it isn’t about how many we summer tradition, attract- the airport, stating, “The get each year that makes it a ing pilots, car lovers, lo- Fly-In has helped people success. It’s having a good cals, and visitors from see Bryce Canyon Airport variety that people will reall over the region. With as more than just a place member. In ten years of vintage warbirds soaring where airplanes land and having the event no car has through the sky along- take off. It has become a won Best Of Show or Comside a variety of classic place where the commu- missioners choice more and contemporary cars, nity and visitors can come than one time. That tells me the Bryce Canyon Fly-In together, experience avia- that we are getting new and and Car Show presents a tion, and learn about the different cars every year.” distinctive celebration of airport’s history. One of the Ramsay aims to conaviation, automotive heri- things I’m most proud of is sistently introduce unique tage, and the community that people now come to the aircraft that draw pilots that keeps this event alive. airport to spend time and from across the nation, all Attendees traveled enjoy it, rather than simply while preserving the charm from across the nation to passing through on their of a small-community atjoin the show and expe- way somewhere else.” mosphere. The objective is rience its offerings. NuWarbird groups flew to expand without sacrificmerous vendors and food over the event putting on a ing the qualities that make trucks were present, in- show for attendees. There is the Fly-In truly special. “I cluding the Bryce Valley a lot of planning and coor- would like to see the Fly6th Graders, who were dination involved in mak- In continue to grow, but I selling BBQ nachos to ing this happen between don’t believe bigger always raise funds for their annual the pilots and the airport. means better. What makes trip to Washington, D.C. Ramsay stated that it is one this event special is the Airport Director Tye of his favorite parts of the character of Bryce Canyon Ramsay has cultivated whole event. “We coordi- Airport, the community, strong connections with nate closely with the pi- and the personal connecpilots over the years, lots on timing, flight paths, tion people have with the “Building relationships communications, weather, event.” with pilots and all of the and the sequence of the Ramsay said their have clubs and car owners has event. Personally, watching been many special Fly-In really been a long-term those historic and unique and Car Show events over process, but my love for aircraft fly over an airport the years, but “What stands classic cars and being in- I’ve spent so many years out most isn’t necessarvolved in aviation is where working at is pretty incred- ily one particular aircraft this all began for me,” he ible. But seeing the excite- or pilot. It’s standing on the said. Knowing that pilots ment on the faces of the ramp and seeing these intalk to other pilots, Tye crowd, especially the kids, credible airplanes at an airand his team work hard to makes all the work worth- port with so much history, provide a great experience while.” while watching the commufor participants. The hisFor Ramsay, sharing nity come together to enjoy tory, the community and the history of Bryce Can- them. What started as an efthe scenery keep pilots yon Airport is crucial, as it fort to bring attention to the coming back year after imparts a distinctive char- airport has become someyear. “Making everyone acter that deserves preser- thing people genuinely look feel welcome when they vation and transmission to forward to. That’s when I come to Bryce Canyon is future generations. The Fly- realized the Fly-In had beour number one priority.” In event provides both the come something special, The event began pri- airport and Garfield County not just about airplanes, but marily as a way to bring Tourism a chance to nar- about people, history, aviaattention to the historic rate this story, illustrating tion, and Bryce Canyon.”
Jaynie Connor
Another CJ-6, owned and piloted by Brandon Tucker out of Southern California.
Jaynie Connor
Vintage VW Bug with matching picnic set. This 1962 Volkswagon Beetle is owned by Linda Walker, winner of one of the show's 2026 Sponsor's Choice Awards.
PHS Sports Sidelines by Mack Oetting
The Bobcats are really on a roll. The girls volleyball team is really hot; it has played two 3A teams, one 2A team, and last week, they beat Piute in three games. In all of their games so far, they have only lost one game, and that was against a 3A team, 30 to
28. The Lady Cats played Wednesday night against Water Canyon. On Thursday night, the 3rd, they go up to North Sevier, a power house 2A team. The girls only have three more home games and not till Sept. 16th, when they play Valley. The other two game are against 2A teams. Oct. 1st will be against So. Sevier, and the last game will be against Parowan on Oct 6th. The girls are a really great defensive teams and are really good at returning hard serves from the 3A teams. The baseball team is really good, and it looks
like they are at least ten and zero for the season, and the games aren’t even close. Their best rivalry is with Piute, who in the recent years have won state, and the game haven't even been close. On Sept. 4th, the Cats go up to Green River for a game, and on the 9th, Wayne will be here. The Cats only have one more home game, and it’s on the 18th against Valley. The cross country team has only one home meet, and it is on Sept. 17th. The football team has a game against St. Joseph this Friday the 4th.
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SkyWatcher Leo T
The Insider
It's One Sky, Many Cultures! SPACE - As we dive into the end of August already, there is wild weather in the Pacific and the world in general. It has been nice to see some strong rainstorms along with some thunder and lightning to accompany the breeze blowing the trees around. And yet, it is still hot when the sun's out shining, the sun being a star that keeps us alive in the gentle balance of life here on our deep blue orb with the swirly clouds as viewed from orbit: And extending our senses farther out in the solar system with deep space probes that are out of our planetary system to probes checking out the rings and moons of Saturn and Jupiter searching for oxygen in the ice oceans of Europa and the ingredients of life as we know it. These probes are looking at solid evidence of water on Mars and tantalizing signs of possible past life. As we plunge into the beautiful, overwhelmingly, powerful oceans, where we experience another world with life forms that challenge the imagination from sightless entities that live by the warmth of deep see vents thousands of feet below the surface where tectonic plates converge or pull apart, to sea horses, manatee, manta ray and an almost infinite variety of life forms that defy the imagination with amazing intelligence from dolphins who communicate in frequencies that can probably be picked up in orbit, whales that communicate for thousands of miles with their lovely, lonely song to octopus's that change color dependent on their situation. Utahns Care Cont'd from A1
Utahns have strong feelings about public lands, with 85% saying protecting public lands, waters, and wildlife was an important factor in how they vote. The report draws on the Colorado College 2026 Conservation in the West poll, the Center for Western Priorities 2025 Public Lands Survey and other polling data. Weiss said Utah votClassic Conversation Cont'd from A1
Street lot Tristan had envisioned some 10 years earlier. Anthony and his wife, Liesl, are renovating a home in Bicknell. Anthony is a self-proclaimed Star Wars Nerd, whose collected treasures will be explored during the conversation with Gomes. By 2025, both Allred families had found their way to Wayne County, where they purchased, renovated, and renamed the Historic Bicknell Theater—just another routine undertaking. But did you know? If you haven’t previously attended one of Entrada’s Classic Conversations, you are in for a treat. Gomes’ interviewing expertise rests in the 25 years that he spent as
by Leonard Thomas Tingle T and I were lucky enough to have a submarine dive last week off the west coast of the Island of Hawaii, going down to the coral reef, with a couple of schools of Yellow Tang and other characters, sensing the intelligence when they all change direction simultaneously. It made us think about the vibrant colors and magic of being here, and, in the back of our heads, the reality that most things we do transportation-wise are very risky. And as I am often talking about space exploration and the risks taken to expand knowledge and human experience, it’s the same in the ocean in many ways. If you deep sea dive in the ocean under all of the pressure of the depths, you must decompress from the dive. The decompression of a diver is the reduction in ambient pressure experienced during ascent from depth or depressurization of a diving chamber. It is also the process of elimination of dissolved metabolically inert gases from the diver's body tissues which accumulated during the dive. And, of course, when we come back up, it is a whole other world. The sky is full of many magical orbs above our rooftops like Albeiro the gold and blue double star in the Summer Triangle overhead mixed with the jibble jabble loops and trails of stars in the Milky Way. Follow the trails where you like. And more visual treats were created when monsoons lit up the Utah sky with a rare type of rainbow Monsoonal storms
provided Utah with muchneeded moisture and spectacular lightning displays recently, and they also helped provide some residents with a rare type of rainbow. A large rainbow filled the sky west of Garden City near Bear Lake about an hour after sunset Sunday night, reported Corey Wiley. Other viewers provided similar photos over the weekend after noticing similar experiences over Park City, Rockport Reservoir and other parts of the state. These were a different type of rainbow called a moonbow, or "lunar rainbow," which is extremely rare because it requires enough moonlight in the right position and angle to be visible. Also, as of the writing of this script, and the airing on UPR, the big lunar eclipse happened on Aug. 27, with almost the entire moon slipping into Earth's shadow. Keep looking up, look around and get just a little bit lost in space. 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.
ers are concerned that more national monuments could be targeted. Weiss pointed to the rollback of the Bears Ears and Grand StaircaseEscalante monuments. He said President Donald Trump and other administration officials have made misleading claims that public access to national monuments is limited. "None of that was true. You can hike all over these national monuments. That is the whole point of these protections. Hunting, fishing, public access is guar-
anteed by the monument proclamations. The president just lied," Weiss said. Polling also shows that 80% of Utahns support requiring all states to reduce water usage to preserve the Colorado River, and 72% say the highest energy priority should be expanding clean, renewable energy. On a positive note, 65% of Utahns believe public lands, water and wildlife issues are areas where people have more in common and can find common ground.
an award-winning public broadcaster in Utah, Indiana, and Texas. To attend this program at Robber’s Roost, 200 West and Main Street, in Torrey, Utah, scan the QR code or go to www.entradainstitute.org, click on “Attend an Event,” select
this event, choose “Event Registration,” and “Register.” Events are also livestreamed at Entrada Institute on Facebook, and you do not need to register to attend the livestream event. —The Entrada Institute
Zebra Mussel Cont'd from A1
Loma, Colorado in 2025. The detection of environmental DNA in the water only indicates the presence of an animal somewhere upstream—it does not confirm that live mussels are present. “Once established, zebra mussels can clog pipes and infrastructure, create recreation hazards on rocks and beaches, and alter ecosystems,” Utah Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Aquatic Invasive Species Statewide Operations Lt. Bruce Johnson said. “It is critical for anyone who uses boats, paddleboards, kayaks and any other watercraft to adhere to all the laws and to clean, drain and dry their watercraft in order to prevent these aquatic invasive species from spreading further into Utah.” The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources began sampling for invasive mussels in the Colorado River in 2025 from the state line to Moab, Utah. In June and July, an environmental DNA autosampler was deployed at a new location near the Potash Boat Ramp, ap-
September 3, 2026 proximately 14 river miles downstream of Moab. The sampler collected daily water samples, which were then analyzed by the U.S. Geological Survey for zebra and quagga mussel DNA. Four of twenty-two samples came back positive for zebra mussel DNA during this period. Environmental DNA and veliger (the larval stage of the mussel) samples collected this spring and summer from other locations along the Colorado River in Utah did not come back positive. The recent detection is a stark reminder of the serious nature of this threat. DWR and the Utah Division of Law Enforcement will continue to work with the U.S. Geological Survey, the National Park Service and the Bureau of Land Management to better understand the status of zebra mussels in the Colorado River within the state. All river users in Utah —including those using nonmotorized watercraft such as canoes, paddleboards, and rafts—are required to complete Utah’s annual mussel-aware boater course, which is a great opportunity for all boaters and floaters to learn about this invasive species, how
they are problematic, and how to help protect all of Utah’s waters from this threat. Anyone who wants to launch a motorized boat in Utah must also pay an annual aquatic invasive species program vessel enrollment fee. This fee helps the DNR operate the state’s program and keep AIS from spreading around Utah. “As one of the primary users of the Colorado River, nonmotorized boaters are our first line of defense in helping reduce this risk of transporting this species from the Colorado River to other waters in the state,” DWR Sportfish Coordinator Trina Hedrick said. “All boaters are encouraged to clean, drain, and dry all watercraft when moving between waterbodies to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive mussels. There is no time like right now to get serious about this threat.” Learn more about how to prevent the spread of zebra mussels and other aquatic invasive species on the STD of the Sea website. —Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
The Insider
September 3, 2026
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Charles Hall Ferry (National Park Service).
Lake Powell’s Falling Water Levels Could Sink Utah’s Ferry Service for Good Utah lawmakers no longer want to keep this unique way of exploring the state’s redrock country afloat by Leia Larsen, The Salt Lake Tribune Note to readers • This story is made possible through a partnership between The Salt Lake Tribune and Grist, a nonprofit environmental media organization. LAKE POWELL - A state-run ferry on Lake Powell will likely become a casualty of historically low water levels at the nation’s secondlargest reservoir. The Charles Hall Ferry has shuttled motorists and tourists between Bullfrog and Halls Crossing since the Utah Department of Transportation commissioned it in 2001. But the ferry has faced a bumpy ride in recent years due to a combination of mechanical issues and Colorado River water shortages that have shriveled Lake Powell. Now state lawmakers are ready to permanently bid the ferry farewell. “I don’t support this ferry at all,” said Sen. Kathleen Riebe, D-Cottonwood Heights, during a legislative interim hearing Wednesday. “I wish it were more successful.” The Charles Hall Ferry could hold up to 25 standard passenger vehicles and make up to eight crossings each day. Tickets cost $25 for cars, $15 for motorcycles and $10 for pedestrians and cyclists. The journey took around 25 minutes and covered about 4 miles. The ferry saved motorists a significant amount of driving. Travel between Bullfrog and Halls Crossing takes 2.5 hours via 143 miles of remote roads. Tourism, according to UDOT, was the primary traffic driver for the ferry. “It’s a very scenic drive,” Jared Beard, deputy director of UDOT’s Region 4, told the transportation committee. “It’s unbelievably beautiful down there.” The boat made 11,500 crossings in 2008, but the numbers steadily declined in the years that followed. Mechanical issues caused the first drop, but repairs allowed the ferry to bounce back
starting in 2015. Around 2020, though, the boat literally and figuratively hit some snags. “We actually replaced the entire drive system of the ferry in 2020,” Beard said. “In 2021, that’s when we really started having the major challenges with water elevations in the lake.” UDOT has dedicated ramps at both docking points that can operate at reservoir elevations of 3,585 feet above sea level or higher. When the water drops below that, the ferry uses public ramps, allowing it to launch at water levels as low as 3,565 feet —the absolute minimum for the boat to remain operational. The reservoir sat at roughly 3,519 feet as of Wednesday. The ferry did not operate at all in 2022 or 2023 due to the low water levels. It started running again in July 2024, but the service only lasted seven months before the ferry’s captain went off course and hit a rock, causing major damage. Even the most optimistic projections from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation show the reservoir won’t reach an elevation at which the ferry can operate until April 2028. The ferry is also a major money sink for the state. In fiscal year 2025, UDOT had an annual budget of $487,000 for the ferry. It hauled in just $30,000 in revenue. “We know the ferry is never meant to be a money-making operation,” Beard said. “It’s a service. But it certainly doesn’t come close to breaking even either.” UDOT presented lawmakers with three options as they deliberated over the ferry’s future. The first is to decommission the ferry entirely, selling it off to a new home. It will still need to reach a ramp to get it out
of Lake Powell, but existing federal funds cover the $200,000 in ongoing maintenance and insurance costs while it’s stuck. Transportation officials also floated the idea of a four-year plan to restore the ferry service. The National Park Service is finalizing plans to extend its ramp at Bullfrog, but it would be up to the state to pay for a ramp at Halls Crossing that remains functional at low water levels. It would cost at least $20 million to make the ramp accessible again, according to UDOT es-
timates. The ferry also needs a hull rehabilitation, which will cost around $1.5 million. The third option is to build a bridge between Bullfrog and Halls Crossing, with a projected price tag of $650 million. Lawmakers pressed UDOT on what their preferred route forward might be. “There’s never a bad day on the lake,” Beard said. “But, from a logistics standpoint … my personal opinion is we should seriously consider selling and discontinuing that service.”
The committee also questioned where UDOT might dredge up the funds to build a bridge instead. “I don’t know,” said Lisa Wilson, the department’s deputy director of engineering and operations. Counties surrounding Lake Powell are facing their biggest economic hit from an overall lack of access to the water for launching boats, not moving cars across its water for a scenic drive, Beard said. Lawmakers questioned whether it would make more sense to invest
in marina infrastructure for those communities rather than continuing to dump state dollars into keeping the ferry afloat. The committee voted unanimously to recommend that UDOT discontinue the ferry service. Any funds recovered from selling the boat will need to be applied to federally supported projects, since the boat was purchased using federal funds, UDOT officials said. This article was originally published on sltrib.com on August 20, 2026.
Charles Hall Ferry vehicle crossings since 2008. (Utah Department of Transportation)
House boats are pictured at Halls Crossing on Lake Powell on Sunday, April 26, 2026. (Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune)
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The Insider
Legal Notices
NOTICE TO CREDITORS DISTRICT COURT, STATE OF UTAH, GARFIELD COUNTY 55 South Main Street, Panguitch, Utah 84759, Telephone: (435) 676-1104; Facsimile: (435) 676-8239. IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF FRANK J. TEGANO JR. deceased, NOTICE TO CREDITORS, Case No. 263600009, Assigned: JUDGE LARSEN. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that RUDOLPH FRANCIS TEGANO was appointed as Personal Representative of the estate of FRANK J. TEGANO JR. and creditors of the estate are given notice to present their claims to BARRY L. HUNTINGTON, attorney for the estate, P.O. Box 388, 55 South Main Street, Panguitch, Utah 84759, within 3 months after the first publication of this notice or be forever barred. DATED this 11th day of August, 2026. BARRY L. HUNTINGTON Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on AUGUST 20 & 27 and SEPTEMBER 3 & 10, 2026 ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS FREMONT WATER WORKS COMPANY DOCUMENT 00 11 13 Fremont Water Works Company, PO Box 361, Loa, UT 84747 General Notice: Fremont Water Works Company (Owner) is requesting Bids for the construction of the following Project: 2026 Culinary Water Improvements. Bids for the construction of the Project will be received at Jones & DeMille Engineering located at 1535 S 100 W, Richfield, Utah 84701, until Thursday, September 10th, 2026, at 2:00 pm local time. At that time, the Bids received will be publicly opened and read. The Project includes the following Work: installing approximately 252 radio read meters, installing approximately 3,100 feet of pipe, and associated work. Bids will be received for single contract. Owner anticipates that the Project’s total bid price will be approximately $1,110,000. The Project has an expected duration of 90 days. Obtaining Bidding Documents: Information and Bidding Documents for the Project can be found at Contractor Portal (https://contractors.jonesanddemille.com/). The designated website will be updated with addenda, plan holders list, reports, and other information relevant to submitting a Bid for the Project. Official notifications, addenda, and other Bidding Documents will be offered through the designated website. The Issuing Office for the Bidding Documents is: Jones & DeMille Engineering, Inc., 1535 South 100 West, Richfield, Utah 84701. Only electronic copies of Bidding Documents will be issued. Neither Owner nor Engineer will be responsible for full or partial sets of Bidding Documents, including addenda, if any, obtained from sources other than the designated website. Questions are due in writing to Kyler Nielsen, Project Engineer, at kyler.n@jonesanddemille.com on or before Friday, September 4th, 2026, at 5:00 pm with a courtesy copy (cc) to nicole.w@jonesanddemille.com. Pre-bid Conference: A mandatory pre-bid conference for the Project will be held on Thursday, August 27th, 2026, at 2:00 pm local time at Fremont Rock Church House located at 285 W Main St, Fremont, Utah, 84747. Bids will not be accepted from Bidders that do not attend the mandatory pre-bid conference. Instructions to Bidders: This is a federally funded project. All bidders are required to make the six good faith efforts to assure compliance with the State’s “fair share goals” and are required to comply with EEO regulations. For further requirements regarding bid submittal, qualifications, procedures, and contract award, refer to the Instructions to Bidders that are included in the Bidding Documents. The Owner may reject any or all bids submitted. Issued by: Owner: Fremont Water Works Company By: Richard Fillmore Title: President Date: 8/13/2026 Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on AUGUST 20 & 27 and SEPTEMBER 3, 2026 PUBLIC HEARING BICKNELL TOWN PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Bicknell Town Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Office for the purpose of accepting public comment on a proposed amendment to the Building and Zoning ordinance concerning shipping container regulations. Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on SEPTEMBER 3 & 10, 2026 NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING TORREY TOWN There will be a Public Meeting to Discuss The Torrey Town Code Enforcement Ordinance Public Comments are Invited. September 10, 2026, at 7:00PM prior to the regular town council meeting. at the Torrey Town Office 75 E 100 North, Bay #1, Torrey, Utah Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on and SEPTEMBER 3 & 10, 2026 NOTICE TO WATER USERS The applications below were filed with the Division of Water Rights in Wayne County. These are informal proceedings per Rule 655-6-2. Protests concerning an application must be legibly written or typed, contain the name and mailing address of the protesting party, STATE THE APPLICATION NUMBER PROTESTED, CITE REASONS FOR THE PROTEST, and REQUEST A HEARING, if desired. Also, A $15 FEE MUST BE INCLUDED FOR EACH APPLICATION PROTESTED. Protests must be filed with the Division of Water Rights on or before Sep. 23, 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) 97-2560 (A85296): Annette Knudsen-Muse propose(s) using 1.73 ac-ft. from groundwater (Escalante) for DOMESTIC; IRRIGATION; STOCKWATERING. 97-2561 (A85297): Martin Vidrine propose(s) using 1.73 ac-ft. from groundwater (Escalante) for DOMESTIC; IRRIGATION; STOCKWATERING. CHANGE APPLICATION(S) 97-1525 (a54962): Melvin A. and Judith A. Brooks, Arlis Kay and Jodi Kay Brooks propose(s) using 8.33 ac-ft. from the Underground Water Well (existing) (North of Escalante) for IRRIGATION. 61-1783 (a54991): Ryan E. Sorensen and Janee R. Sorensen propose(s) using 0.0014 cfs OR 0.25 ac-ft. from groundwater (8 miles SW of Hatch) for DOMESTIC. GRAND COUNTY CHANGE APPLICATION(S) 95-5587 (a54971): Kane Springs Improvement District, Wayne County Water Conservancy District propose(s) using 500 ac-ft. from the Underground Water Well (2.5 MI SW of Moab) for MUNICIPAL: In Kane Springs Improvement District. Teresa Wilhelmsen, P.E. State Engineer Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on AUGUST 27 and SEPTEMBER 3, 2026 NOTICE TO CREDITORS DISTRICT COURT, STATE OF UTAH, GARFIELD COUNTY 55 South Main Street, Panguitch, Utah 84759, Telephone: (435) 676-1104; Facsimile: (435) 676-8239. IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF JOHN MACRAY JULANDER deceased, NOTICE TO CREDITORS, Case No. 263600012, Assigned: JUDGE LARSEN. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that JEAN JULANDER was appointed as Personal Representative of the estate of JOHN MACRAY JULANDER and creditors of the estate are given notice to present their claims to BARRY L. HUNTINGTON, attorney for the estate, P.O. Box 388, 55 South Main Street, Panguitch, Utah 84759, within 3 months after the first publication of this notice or be forever barred. DATED this 10th day of August, 2026. BARRY L. HUNTINGTON Published in The Wayne and Garfield County Insider on AUGUST 20 & 27 and SEPTEMBER 3 & 10, 2026
September 3, 2026
The Insider
September 3, 2026
C l a s s i f i e d ads
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To place your ad, call 435-826-4400 or email snapshot@live.com
Classified ads start at just $7.50 per week for 25 words or less. HELP WANTED
MEETINGS
We are looking for friendly, hardworking professionals who enjoy the hospitality industry and interaction with guests. P O S I T I O N S AVA I L A B L E: Front Desk Agents Laundry Services Housekeepers Maintenance Bellmen Positions to start April 1st through October 31st At Capitol Reef Resort we promote from within. Please stop by in person to complete an application. We are located at 2600 E SR 24, Torrey, UT 84775 435-425-3761
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.
ISO
We Buy 8,000 Cars a Week.
Get an instant offer for your car, truck, or SUV, any year, any condition, running or not. No hoops, haggles, or headaches. Instant offer. Free pickup. Fast payment. Call 1-855-542-0335
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
• Drama/Theater Coach at Panguitch High School • Para-Professional at Bryce Valley Elementary School • Community Preschool Para-Professional in Antimony • Concurrent Enrollment/Ed-Net Para at Bryce Valley High School • Substitute/Activity Bus Drivers • Substitutes for Teachers, Custodians, and Food Service Workers SALARY: Please see 2026-2027 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.
Corrections Officer
Garfield County is accepting applications for a Corrections Officer. Applications are available at the Garfield County Clerk’s Office or online at www.garfield.utah.gov and will be accepted until September 4, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Anyone interested in applying for this position must pass the National Peace Officer Selection Exam prior to making application. The Exam is given at the Browning Learning Center on the Dixie College Campus. For additional information regarding the Exam and registration requirements, contact the Browning Learning Center at (435) 652-7696. The exam is also given at Southern Utah University. Call 435-5865419 for additional information. Garfield County reserves the right to accept or reject any or all applications. Garfield County is an equal opportunity employer
CROSSWORD SOLUTION
YARD SALE 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.
sudoku Answers for this week
SERVICES
When in Need, There are Resources in Wayne & Garfield Cos. For Victims of Domestic Violence, Rape, and Sexual Assault
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
Wayne County Hanksville Landfill Title: Sanitation Laborer Department: Sanitation Revision date: 08/20/2026 GENERAL PURPOSE The Part-Time Sanitation Laborer is responsible for maintaining a clean, safe, and orderly landfill facility. This position performs general sanitation and groundskeeping duties, assists customers with landfill transactions, and provides courteous service to the public. The ideal candidate is dependable, safety-conscious, comfortable working outdoors in varying weather conditions, and able to perform physical labor. SUPERVISION RECEIVED Works under general direction from the Sanitation Supervisor. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS • Maintain cleanliness and order throughout the landfill, including picking up litter and debris. • Clean and maintain public-use areas, work areas, equipment, and surrounding grounds. • Assist customers with proper disposal of waste and direct traffic as needed. • Weigh incoming vehicles and accurately record loads and transactions. • Collect and process landfill fees and provide receipts to customers. • Operate cash register or point-of-sale equipment and maintain accurate transaction records. • Monitor landfill areas for prohibited materials and report concerns to the appropriate supervisor. • Help maintain safe traffic flow and ensure customers follow landfill rules and safety procedures. • Perform routine inspections of the facility and report maintenance, safety, or sanitation issues. • Assist with basic grounds maintenance and other general labor duties as assigned. • Follow all safety procedures, including proper use of personal protective equipment. • Maintain professional and courteous communication with customers, coworkers, and supervisors. Physical Requirements • Ability to perform physical labor, including standing, walking, bending, lifting, and carrying materials. • Ability to lift and move materials weighing up to 50 pounds. • Ability to work outdoors in heat, cold, wind, rain, and other weather conditions. • Ability to safely work around heavy equipment, vehicles, and landfill operations. • Ability to remain attentive to surroundings and always follow safety procedures. Minimum Qualifications • High school diploma or equivalent preferred. • Previous experience in sanitation, grounds maintenance, customer service, cash handling, or general labor is preferred but not required. • Must be dependable, punctual, and able to work independently. • Basic ability to operate a cash register, computer, or other transaction equipment. • Must be able to communicate effectively and provide courteous customer service. • Valid driver's license may be required. Work Schedule: Part-time position. Schedule may include weekdays, Saturdays, holidays, or other hours based on landfill operating needs. Work Environment: Work is primarily performed outdoors at a landfill facility and may involve exposure to dust, odors, noise, weather conditions, heavy equipment, and vehicle traffic. Employees are expected to follow all applicable safety, sanitation, and environmental procedures. Compensation and Benefits Pay: $15.00 per hour Schedule: 8-10 hours per week Benefits: None Equal Opportunity Statement Wayne County is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.
Part-Time Dental Assistant 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.
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The Insider
September 3, 2026
Dining Guide YOUR AD HERE