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Serving Wayne & Garfield Counties, Utah
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Corner Post Media, P.O. Box 105, Escalante, UT 84726
Thursday, July 16, 2026
Issue #1676
insiderutah.com
Wayne County Commission
Heart Association Urges Utahns to 'Live Fierce, Be Relentless'
by Kathryn Chamberlain
July 6, 2026
by Mark Richardson | Utah News Connection UTAH - Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in Utah and across the United States, and the American Heart Association is working with University of Utah Health to improve cardiovascular health statewide. The partnership is part of the association’s “Live Fierce, Be Relentless” campaign, which aims to improve cardiovascular well-being and reduce health disparities for Utah residents. Dr. Ann Bruno, an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at University of Utah Health, said a major focus of the effort is maternal health. “The goal through this campaign and the general efforts of the University of Utah Health at this new clinic is to improve the
"We would love to have hikers join the group," said interim chapter president Kurtis Robins, a retired
WAYNE CO. - Wayne County Commissioners certified the results of the 2026 primary election during their July 6 meeting. County Clerk-Auditor Felicia Snow reported a 65.31% voter turnout, with 903 ballots cast from 1,304 registered Republican voters. The meeting then turned to an update on plans for the future community recreation center. Julie Chappell said the committee continues to make progress by establishing an online donation portal, partnering with Southern Utah University marketing interns to help develop branding and a website, and securing preliminary architectural renderings at little or no cost. “We are moving forward,” Chappell said. “We don't know where or how
Potluck
Wayne Commission
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Cont'd on B2
New Back Country Horsemen Chapter Invites Community to Potluck in Torrey, July 23 by Amiee Maxwell
Photo Courtesy Melissa Robins
Kurtis Robins (above), a retired Fremont River District Ranger with the U.S. Forest Service, is interim chapter president of the newly formed Fremont River Chapter of Back Country Horsemen of America. Back Country Horsemen of America is a national nonprofit dedicated to protecting equestrian access to public lands by advocating responsible equestrian use and volunteering on trail maintenance projects. TORREY - Residents who enjoy Wayne County’s non-motorized trails are invited to a community potluck on July 23, 2026, at Torrey Town Park to celebrate the formation of the
new Fremont River Chapter of Back Country Horsemen of America. The event begins at 6 pm and is open to anyone interested in learning more about the organization.
Through the event, organizers hope to introduce the community to the group’s mission of protecting and maintaining non-motorized public trails through volunteer service.
Monsoons Could Impact Utah Wildfire Season
Utah Division of Water Resources Drought Update
See Hummingbirds Up Close at Upcoming Banding Event in Northeastern Utah
Cardiac Health Cont'd on A5
by Julene Reese | Utah State University Extension
Courtesy Brad Washa
Ponderosa pine at Price Recreation Site during the Bear Fire in 2021. Ponderosa pine have a strong relationship with frequent and low-intensity wildland fires and rain from the summer monsoons. UTAH - Utah entered the 2026 fire season with record-low snowpack and heightened concerns about wildfires, which are already burning across the state. As of early July, there have been 390 wildfires across Utah burning 296,063 acres. Of these fires, 278 have been human-caused, 73 caused by lightning, and 39 with the cause yet to be determined. The earlier fires were at middle elevations
in grass, brush, and pinyonjuniper woodlands. As the fire season continues, fire activity is starting to move into higher elevations. This was seen near Beaver, Utah, where the Cottonwood Fire is moving higher up into timber, burning around the Eagle Point Ski Resort above 9,000 feet. One variable that could have a large impact on Utah’s wildfire season Monsoons Cont'd on B2
REGIONAL WEATHER FORECAST FOR SOME BUT NOT ALL REGIONS REPRESENTED IN OUR NEWSPAPER COVERAGE AREA
UTAH - With critical fire danger escalating across the state and drought conditions straining water supplies, officials are urging all residents to please recreate responsibly to help prevent new wildfire starts while crews manage ongoing incidents. Fire activity has escalated significantly across the state, with many ongoing large-scale incidents, including the Cottonwood, Babylon, Wild Goose, Cherry, and Iron fires. The combination of sustained high temperatures, dry fuels, and wind has created critical fire danger. As a result, fire officials are observing aggressive fire behavior earlier than the historical average for this time Drought Update Cont'd on A3
Courtesy Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is partnering with the Ashley and Dixie national forest biologists to host a hummingbird banding demonstration on Saturday, July 18, from 7-11 a.m. The free event will be held at the Red Canyon Lodge at 2450 Red Canyon Road in Dutch John. DUTCH JOHN - As hummingbirds are migrating through Utah this summer, you’ve most likely witnessed a few eating at a feeder or enjoying some other source of nectar for a quick meal. Join the Utah Division of Wildlife Re-
**Weather is subject to Change
hummingbirds in northeastern Utah: blackchinned, broad-tailed, calliope, and rufous hummingbirds. The most commonly seen species Hummingbirds Cont'd on B3
UPCOMING EVENTS... Garfield County Fair and Junior Livestock Show
August 3 - 8
THURS. JULY 16 - WED. JULY 22
Chance of thunderstorms every day this week, with the highest chances on Thursday/Friday (60%) and leading into the weekend. Highs in the 80s; lows in the 50s.
sources, Ashley National Forest, and Red Canyon Lodge at an upcoming event for the opportunity to get close-up with one of nature’s most fascinating birds. People typically see four different species of
A great man is always willing to be little. —Ralph Waldo Emerson
Wayne County Fair
August 10 - 15
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.