Net migration once again exceeds natural increase From Nick Thiriot, Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute   February 13, 2025 (Salt Lake City) – July 1, 2024 estimates produced by the Utah Population Committee indicate Utah’s population reached 3,506,838, an increase of 50,392 residents since July 1, 2023. These estimates reflect a post-COVID-19 era and moderately high growth…

By Tracie Sullivan, For Iron County Today   A Cedar City man with a criminal history dating back to 1988 has accepted plea deals in two separate cases this week, resolving multiple charges from incidents in 2024. Ernest Robert Miller, 73, was arrested on August 12, 2024, after police received reports of a man exposing…

  It was another week of great work on the Hill as we officially hit the halfway point of the Session. My colleagues and I are working hard to pass legislation that is good for Utah and Rural Utah. As we approach these final few weeks, we will continue to pass bills that strengthen public…

Building a Stronger Future for Utah Week 4 of the legislative session means we are officially halfway through the 2025 General Session, and there’s already been so much accomplished! From strengthening public safety to expanding education opportunities for students and securing energy for Utah’s future, we continue to work hard tackling the issues that matter…

From Jenny Plecki, U.S. Forest Service     Cedar City, UT February 13, 2025— The Pine Valley and Cedar City Ranger Districts will be conducting prescribed burns to lessen fuel buildup and improve scenic quality of previously logged and thinned areas. 400 to 450 acres of piled slash will be targeted on the Pine Valley…

From Lt. Dave Mitchell, Iron County Sheriff’s Office   Cedar City, UT—The Iron County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a reported altercation between two neighbors on February 12, 2025. Gerald Lee Vandermeer, a 55-year-old man, was allegedly involved in a dispute with 45-year-old Cory Whittenburg over barking dogs. Vandermeer’s sister-in-law reported that he visited Whittenburg to…

Lt. Dave Mitchell, Iron County Sheriff’s Office     Cedar City, UT – On February 10, 2025, at approximately 9:21 AM, Iron County Sheriff’s deputies and several local fire departments responded to a significant structure fire at a commercial manufacturing plant located at 821 E 11000 N, north of Cedar City.   Upon arrival, firefighters found the…

By Tracie Sullivan, For Iron County Today   As federal immigration policies tighten under President Donald Trump’s administration, Utah lawmakers are advancing bills to address undocumented immigration, while law enforcement agencies — including those in Iron County — assess their role in enforcement efforts. State Legislative Efforts Utah lawmakers have introduced multiple bills addressing various…

By Tracie Sullivan, For Iron County Today   A Cedar City man is facing multiple charges after allegedly violating a protective order, forcing his way into a home, and threatening officers with a knife. Cornelio Ranger Begaye, 27, was arrested on Jan. 15, 2025, and charged with burglary of a dwelling, a second-degree felony and…

Week three consisted of more hard work, passing four bills through the House, and one through the entire legislature that are good for District 70 and Rural Utah.  As the House of Representatives, we’re pushing forward legislation to bolster our energy infrastructure and secure our state’s vital water resources. I’m proud to have passed multiple…

Building a Stronger Future for Utah Things have begun to amp up as we approach the halfway mark of the 2025 legislative session. Every day this week my colleagues and I have hit the ground running, meeting on the House oor to discuss, debate, and pass legislation that will have a positive impact on Utah’s…

By Brooke Heath, Southern Utah University   SALT LAKE CITY  – The Larry H. Miller Utah Summer Games, an outreach department of Southern Utah University, has secured the rights to host the ‘State Games of America’ in 2030 in Utah’s capital city. The long-time rights holder to Utah’s official state games will partner with the…