$1.50 July 28, 2023 | Vol. 2 Iss. 30
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MORGAN COUNTY NEWS
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Jessie Franich named 2023 Morgan County Fair Grand Marshal
NEWS BREAK Israeli government blocks Supreme Court power
By Liisa London Mecham
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essie Kilburn Franich, a born-and-raised Morgan County resident who has taught horse 4-H for over 40 years and started the Fair Wrangler contest 25 years ago and still runs it today, has been named the 2023 Morgan County Fair Grand Marshal. When asked how she felt when she found out she was chosen as the Grand Marshal, Franich said she was “surprised” and then continued with her characteristic honesty and self-deprecating humor: “I think they scraped the barrel, and my name floated to the top!” Despite Franich’s humility, her record of accomplishments and volunteerism in Morgan County speaks for itself and makes her a more than worthy nominee for the position of Grand Marshal. As the 42-year-leader and founder of “The Wet Blankets Horse 4-H Club,” Franich has trained many of the horsemen and women in the county. Known by the moniker, “Your Fearless Leader,” Franich is famous for one-liners that according to her daughter, Rana, “haunt the fairgrounds.” “Cowboy UP or wear your PINK nylons.” “Loosen your reins a little bit, sit-up straight, pull your feet back, get your heels down, tighten your reins!” “What lead are you on? Kick her up and MAKE HER GO!” “Get off that horse’s mouth….you’re telling him ‘WHOA GO!’” And finally…”Stop making fun of the way I get on my mule…I’d like to see the way you do it when you get to be my age!” Franich loves her mule, Amos, sometimes called “Famous Amos,” and she wanted to let everyone know she will be riding him in the fair parade.
FRANICH on page 11 JESSIE FRANICH HAS BEEN NAMED the 2023 Grand Marshal for the Morgan County Fair. Franich has been a 4-H Horse Club leader for 42 years and has directed the Fair Wrangler Contest for 25 years.
Courtesy Photo
Morgan high student hits the target to win a world championship By Verlene Johnson
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eing escorted into Morgan by the Morgan Sheriff is generally reserved for state champs; however, Morgan’s Sheriff's office found it appropriate and a privilege to escort the 2023 National High School Finals Rodeo World Champion Trap Shooter. Kyler Porter, the son of Derrick and Nicole Porter, a recent graduate of Morgan High School started shooting when he was 10 years old, learning from his dad. During his sophomore year of high school, Kyler shot for the MHS Rodeo Club, then during his junior and senior year he was part of the Spiker’s Rodeo Team. Kyler won the Utah Top Gun $1,000 Annie last year. He won several High School Rodeo's over the season as well as finishing fourth in the Utah High School Rodeo Finals. He finished in the top 10 at various shooting events within the Utah Youth Education Shooting Sports as well as Lettering in trap shooting within the UYESS. Competing in 27 regular-season high school rodeos all over the state of Utah from August 2022 to May 2023, he finished in the top three in almost every rodeo. In high school rodeo, shooters earn points every rodeo for placing in the top 10.
PORTER on page 5
The parliament in Israel passed a law Monday to deny its Supreme Court the power to block governmental decisions, in what is seen as a first step toward overhauling the longstanding judicial system of the country. The White House, as well as the opposition parties in Israel, have sharply criticized the move. The bill, which will prohibit the Supreme Court from determining laws passed by the ruling government may be “unreasonable” was voted on by the governing coalition as those opposing the vote staged a walkout. Protestors outside the Knesset building were met with barbed wire and water cannons, and at least 19 people were arrested. Many members of the military reserve in Israel condemned the vote before it took place, and suggested that they would refuse to volunteer for duty upon its passage.
Mustard flavored Skittle released
To celebrate National Mustard Day on August 5, a limited run of a new mustard flavored Skittle has been released. While the flavor is certainly in the “novelty” tradition of small-release flavors, there is always a chance it may catch on. Recently, Brachs unveiled “Tailgate” flavored candy corn, featuring the flavors of hot dogs and cheeseburgers alongside ice cream, lemonade, and the traditional staples.
Bear traps set after fatal attack in Yellowstone
Amie Adamson of Derby, Kansas was killed after a mauling on the Montana-Idaho border near Yellowstone National Park. As a result, wildlife workers have been putting out bear traps in order to capture the grizzly bear believed to be responsible. Officials believe that the attack was not predatory, but the result of a chance encounter while the victim was running or walking alone on trails in the park. She was killed close to a trailhead and private campground in an RV park, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Adamson was wearing running shoes and did not have bear repellant with her. Officials advise visitors to remote areas of the park to carry repellant with them, as it can deter attacks of this nature. Grizzlies are protected by law outside of Alaska, though some local officials are pushing to allow hunting.
House of Representatives holds panel on UFOs
KYLER PORTER 2023 National High School Finals Rodeo World Champion Trap Shooter.
Courtesy photo
The U.S. House of Representatives held a panel this week on unidentified anomalous phenomena or UFOs. Long thought to exist only in the realm of science fiction, the videos, eyewitness accounts, and new information coming forward have caused a strong bipartisan movement for the release of official information concerning, not necessarily extra-terrestrials, but rather the unidentified flying objects witnessed by so many across the history of the nation.