$1.50 May 17, 2024 | Vol. 3 Iss. 17
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Chief Brendel assists in memorial
MORGAN COUNTY NEWS
Chief Brian Brendel joined with many others in laying to rest Sgt. Bill Hooser.
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Covering Your Community Since 1929
NEWS BREAK Orcas return to sinking vessels
During the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, the world was stunned by the behavior of pods of Orcas who were sinking ships, particularly luxury vessels off the coast of mainland Europe. The giant mammals would ram into the boats, tipping them, and ultimately sinking them. Complex in their behavior and culture, this action was soon mimicked by other Orcas, and it seems like they’re not finished yet. Another yacht was reported sunk in the Straight of Gibraltar this week. According to CNN, since the activity started in 2020, Orcas have had around 700 such run-ins with vessels in the area. Researchers are still unsure why the behavior has caught on like it has, but Orcas have been known to display societal behavior like this in the past, particularly with prey.
FIFTH GRADERS ENJOYED learning about farm and ranch life at Warrior Rizen Ranch.
Courtesy Photo
MGMS learns about ranch life at Warrior Rizen Ranch By Verlene Johnson
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ifth graders from Mountain Green Middle School had the opportunity to learn about farm life when they visited Warrior Rizen Ranch in Peterson,
Utah on Friday, May 10. While there, they were taught about a working ranch with five rotations. They learned that each animal on the ranch serves a purpose. They also learned about WRR being a nonprofit organiza-
tion that invited veterans and police officers' families who were either killed or wounded in the line of duty.
WARRIOR RIZEN RANCH More photos on 9
Russia on the offensive
The relief bill recently passed by the United States Congress is racing the clock to deliver on much-needed funds to Ukraine. Putin’s Russia has made it clear that they have no intention of slowing up or giving Urkaine breathing room. In the last few days, Russia has made significant advances, capturing several towns on the Eastern front of the conflict which is now well into its second year. Ukraine is facing severe shortages of weapons and ammunition and plans to use aid from the US and other countries to bolster its own defenses. The vicious conflict has claimed thousands of lives on both sides and has, in large part in 2023 and 2024 been a war of attrition, until the recent gains on the part of Russia.
New most-popular baby names
MGMS’S FIRST-EVER multicultural art class with their Nierikas yarn painting.
Courtesy Photos
MGMS Students tell stories through multicultural yarn paintings By Verlene Johnson
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luing yarn onto paper may sound like a kindergarten project when in reality it can be a very intricate work of art Until recently, the Huichol people of Mexico did not have a written language. Their form of communication was through symbols and art. This traditional form of storytelling continues to be a strong tradition among the Huichol people. This form of colorful yarn art is called Nierikas. Natural glue made of resin and beeswax is applied to a board. Colorful yarn is then pressed into the resin to form a design that tells a story. In more modern times, a story of pictures is drawn onto paper or canvas,
PAINTINGS on page 6
SOME OF MGMS NIERIKAS on display at WSU.
Benjamin is officially out of the top ten most popular baby names. According to findings from CNN and the Social Security Administration, in 2023, one baby name for boys jumped massively in popularity, pushing Benjamin off the list for the first time in years. CNN stated that the name ‘Mateo’ jumped from number 11 in 2022 to number 6 in 2023. The increase in popularity was attributed both to a rise in the Latino population in the United States, as well as cross-cultural appeal, with one expert stating that ‘Mateo’ seemed friendlier, and more approachable than the English counterpart, ‘Matthew’.
Move to oust Speaker Johnson fails
Efforts by a small group of U.S. House Republicans to remove Speaker Mike Johnson from his leadership role failed Wednesday night, ending weeks of infighting about whether the Louisianan should remain the head of that chamber. Republican lawmakers joined by Democrats voted 359-43 to table, or set aside, the so-called motion to vacate that Georgia GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene in March, before spending weeks calling for Johnson to resign. Both of Idaho’s Republican Congressmen, Reps. Mike Simpson and Russ Fulcher, voted in favor of tabling the motion. Greene was backed by Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie and Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar ahead of the vote, though a few more GOP lawmakers signaled their frustrations with Johnson’s leadership by voting to move ahead with a vote, instead of tabling it.