$1.50 February 3, 2023 | Vol. 2 Iss. 05
See Inside... Covering Your Community
MHS Science Olympiad team
Had the opportunity to participate in a regional competition. page 9
MORGAN COUNTY NEWS Since 1929
CHEER TEAM PERFORMING side line cheer.
Spirit Squad places third at state against 4A schools By Verlene Johnson
M
organ High School competed in state competition Wed. Jan. 25. at Salt Lake Community College. This was the first year this event was sanctioned as a 3A/4A competition, which meant that MHS spirit squad, coming from a 3A school competed
Photo by Roxanne Ovard
against several 4A schools. While the southern division had two weeks after regional to fix their routines, the northern division only had to day to improve before going to state. Two 4A schools came out on top claiming first and second place, while MHS spirit squad placed third edging out the other 4A schools and all the 3A school.
Their coach Sue Kelsey said, “I’m super proud of them and I think they did awesome!” The spirit squad took third place in show cheer, third place in sideline time out cheer, fifth in sideline fight song and third in sideline dance.
Governor signs education funding bill for teacher raises and school choice By Becky Ginos SALT LAKE CITY—A controversial bill that provides $8,000 scholarships to qualifying families for private schools and a $6,000 pay raise to teachers passed through both the House and Senate last week and was signed by the governor on Jan. 28. HB215 caused a debate about whether taxpayer money should be diverted from public schools into private schools. The bill is intended to give parents a choice in education. Senate Majority Assistant Whip Sen. Kirk Cullimore sponsored the bill. “I’m ecstatic the bill passed,” he said during media availability following the vote. “To get the support from the House and Senate is thrilling.” This won’t be implemented for about a year and a half so that gives us an opportunity to look at this and fine tune it, said Cullimore. “Many states have done this and been very successful,” said Senate President Stuart Adams. “We’re getting good ideas from them. The bill is crafted after those states.” Sen. Kathleen Riebe, D-Cottonwood Heights voiced her concerns about the bill. “I’m a veteran teacher,” she said. “I think it needs a lot more accountability and transparency. Teachers will enjoy the raise short term but the long-term impact to the education system is alarming to me.” “We have a lot of children per
SQUAD on page 3
NEWS BREAK Items to remove from cars in freezing weather Residents are being reminded to remove some items from their vehicles during this cold snap which can be damaged by extreme temperatures. Technology items top the list, as many people neglect to remove items such as phones, laptops, GPS devices, and others from their cars only to see them break as a result. Food products, especially vegetables, canned products, and bottled goods are also sources of spoilage. Medication can also be impacted by freezing temperatures, as can musical instruments and cleaning products.
Texas zoo offers buggy revenge SENATE LEADERSHIP TALKS to the media after HB215 passed out of the Senate Jan. 26. The bill was signed by the governor Jan. 28.
Photo by Becky Ginos
capita in Utah,” said Minority Leader Sen. Luz Escamilla. “We value children and families. Public education is what historically has made us different from other countries in the world. It is the great equalizer for the American dream. We want to make sure what we do in the legislature works because these are taxpayer funds. I think accountability is critical so we need to find that accountability
balance.” “This is really important to the education community,” said Rep. Melissa Ballard, R-North Salt Lake. “When vouchers came up I always voted against it. With HB215 I concluded there were enough votes to pass it.” There’s no question it wasn’t popular in the public sector, she said.
HB215 on page 5
The San Antonio Zoo is once again offering patrons the unique, if somewhat dark, chance to name a cockroach after an ex and have it fed to one of the zoo’s animals. The naming rights for a snack cost $10, a cost which directly goes to paying for the zoo’s budget. Individuals who feel that a cockroach is too strong a message to a former flame can instead choose a vegetable for $5 or a rodent for $25. Additionally, a recorded message to the named individual can be purchased for $150. The zoo saw 8,000 people participate last year, and claims to be on track for an even bigger return this year.