$1.50
See Inside...
March 24, 2023 | Vol. 2 Iss. 12
Covering Your Community
Students face growing up
MGMS went on a field trip of a lifetime page 9
MORGAN COUNTY NEWS Since 1929
NEWS BREAK
President Russell M Nelson wins Morehouse Peace Prize
THE RECENT EMT CLASS graduates with their instructors and the Morgan County fire chief. The course was hosted by Morgan County Fire and EMS. Courtesy photo
Morgan County produces community heroes By Alisha Copfer
B
eing prepared is only half the battle. And that is now more true than ever as Morgan County concludes its recent EMT course with several new graduates and certified EMTs. EMT stands for emergency medical technician, and in order to get a certification to be an EMT, someone must complete a class with specific training and pass a national exam. This training program provides members of the community with the necessary knowledge and skills to become certified in emergency services. When the class members took the course, they learned topics such as patient assessment, airway management, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), bleeding control, shock management and other emergency medical procedures.
The class started in November 2022 and finished in February. “There is a national shortage right now of EMTs,” said Honor Hellekson, Morgan County Fire & EMS Administrative Assistant. “In 2021, one-third of all EMTs nationwide quit. I think it’s a lot due to COVID and the lack of pay.” Hellekson said that EMTs, while they do receive a basic stipend for their shift plus an additional wage for each call they take, are typically on for a 12-hour shift at a time. “We have people on 24/7,” she said. Hellekson said that from the course, eight individuals were recommended by the instructors to take the national test. These class members were Louzie Smith, Hoss Nobles, Lisa Butikofer, Kristina Vickers, Spenser Johnson, Zak Moss, Madi Smith and Hillarie Wixom. Even though the class ended in February, the students had to wait to take
the national test. However, over half of these individuals have now taken the national test and passed to become a fully certified EMT. “We got eight people who were willing to do this course, and they were all volunteers,” said Hellekson. “Just showing up in the first place was pretty awesome.” And, at least one of the graduates intends on sticking around to work with Morgan County Fire and EMS. Hellekson said they worked on putting a team of instructors together, which “worked out really well.” These instructors included Dan Camp, Ina Moriconi and Erica White, who is currently the Morgan County Fire and EMS Deputy Chief. “The instructors are really incredible,” said Hellekson. “And we’re all really proud of the new EMTs.”l
Dustin Rock steps down as MHS Wrestling Coach after 10 years By Liisa London Mecham
A
fter a decade of directing the helm of the MHS wrestling program, Coach Dustin Rock has decided to step down to spend more time with his young family and pursue a Master’s Degree. Rock made the unexpected announcement to his team at the end-ofseason banquet. “I felt like the time was right to step down,” he said. “I’ll still be teaching history at the high school, but it’s time to pursue other activities, and to have
ROCK on page 2 COACH DUSTIN ROCK CELEBRATES his third consecutive 2nd Place State Trophy with his assistant coaches February 2023.
Photo by Trudy Toone
the time to be more involved in my kids’ activities.” No one was more surprised than Rock’s wife, Kylee, who has been with him on his coaching journey since they were married in 2004. “When I told her I was stepping down, I shocked her,” Rock said. “It was not something that she thought I would ever do. She has been so supportive, and it has been hard for her to see me stop doing something I love.” Rock’s three children, Dean, age 12; James, age 9; and Von, age 5, have never known life when their dad wasn’t a wrestling coach. “It will take some adjustment for the entire family to have me around more,” Rock said. “Coaching isn’t just a three month gig during the season. It’s a 12 month commitment. There is always something to be working on during the
season and even more during the off season to build a great program.” And Rock certainly understands the commitment it is to have a dad as a wrestling coach. From 1978-2003, Rock’s father, John, led the Trojan wrestling program. In 2004 after a year without a Rock coaching in the Morgan program, Dustin finished wrestling in college at Boise State and Wyoming, served a mission in Russia for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and returned to Mogran. He joined the Trojan wrestling staff as an assistant coach. After finishing his degree at Weber State, Dustin started his first job at Clearfield High where he also became the wrestling coach in 2008. For five years, he led the Falcons before returning to Morgan in 2013 to teach and coach. In the 10 years that followed,
Russell M. Nelson, 95 year old President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was selected as this year’s recipient of the Gandhi-King-Mandela Peace Prize given out by Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. In a press release from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Morehouse stated that President Nelson would be receiving this award for his global efforts in “abandoning attitudes and actions of prejudice against any group of God’s children” through nonviolent ways. Nelson himself will not be attending the ceremony, though representatives of the church leadership will be on hand to accept the award on his behalf.
Possible Trump Indictment The Manhattan D.A.’s office has indicated that it will likely proceed with an indictment and arrest of former president Donald Trump in the financial fraud case involving money paid to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. As of press time, no official date had been announced, though rumors of an arrest early in the week had led to some scattered pro-Trump protests in various locations. Given the potential for crowd violence, there is some speculation that the process could be handled remotely, or at least discretely. There is also a chance that the D.A. will choose not to proceed with an indictment.
NCAA Brackets dominated by upsets As March Madness heads into its second week, the statistical chances of any brackets out there remaining “unbroken” is now very remote. During the first day of competition, Number 1 Seed Purdue was eliminated by the relatively unknown Farleigh Dickinson, a 16 seed. 15 seed Princeton beat 7 seed Missouri; 8 seed Arkansas beat 1 seed Kansas; and 7 seed Michigan State beat 2 seed Marquette. Purdue’s loss is being called the “greatest bracket upset in the history of the tournament.” FDU went on to lose the Florida Atlantic in the next round after its historic win.