By Nikki Koontz SUU Marketing Communications President Benson opened the 125th SUU Commencement Ceremony by recognizing the 3,047 candidates for graduation. The Class of 2024 has earned 888 master’s degrees, 1,876 bachelor’s degrees, 290 associate degrees, and 107 certificates.  Garrett Shaw was recognized as the University Valedictorian. Shaw is originally from Pleasant Grove, Utah and…

By Tracie Sullivan A Parowan woman’s cause of death remains a mystery after an autopsy failed to provide conclusive answers. Robin Whittle, 62, was discovered unresponsive in her bedroom on New Year’s Eve, prompting an investigation by the Parowan Police Department. According to a statement issued by the Parowan Police Department, the Utah State Office…

From Jenelle Zajac The public comment portion of the meeting was lively as citizen Susan Sepe presented her opinion on the City’s consideration of “forgiving” the approximately $600k energy under collection incurred during 2022-2023 that Parowan paid on behalf of its power customers. Ms. Sepe stressed that it is irresponsible to “forgive” the debt and…

By May Hunter The Utah Inland Port Authority held an open house in Cedar City Utah on April 17. It provided stakeholders and the public an opportunity to learn about the study, engage in discussions, about the specific project economic areas, and learn more about the goals and objectives of UIPA. The future of Utah’s…

By Tracie Sullivan Iron County officials are expressing concern over a new public land policy issued by the Biden administration, raising questions about its potential impact on local land management practices. The new Bureau of Land Management rule, known as the “Conservation and Landscape Health Rule” or the “Public Lands Rule,” has sparked controversy across…

By Nikki Koontz SUU Marketing Communications Southern Utah University’s Micheal O. Leavitt Center for Politics and Public Service has been selected by the Utah Debate Commission (UDC) to host the general election debate for Utah’s Attorney General on October 1, 2024, at 6 p.m. The debate will take place in the Church Auditorium on campus…

By May Hunter Cedar City’s 2175 West will now be known as Happy Factory Lane, the sign will now also say “Happy Factory Lane.” Donna Cooley and Neal Smith asked the Cedar City Council if “Happy Factory Lane” could be added to the street sign or a second sign, featuring the new name could be…

By Shauna Lund, Iron County School District The Board of Education of Iron County School District voted 4 to 3 to retain the current name and mascot for Cedar High School. Board members Jeff Corry, Stephanie Hill and Dave Staheli did not approve the motion. The vote followed nearly an hour of public comment and…

After a three-day trial an Iron County man was found guilty on multiple felony charges related to forcible sodomy, rape, object rape, and forcible sexual abuse of a former coworker. A jury found Miguel Angel Leon Gomez, 28, guilty on the four charges that included three first-degree felonies and one second-degree felony. The charges stemmed…

From Clint Stephens, Southwest Educational Development Center Cedar City, Utah – April 16, 2024 – Southwest Educational Development Center (SEDC) today announced that Savannah Paul from Washington School District has won the 6th Annual SEDC Regional Spelling Bee for students in grades 3-8. The competition was held on April 16, 2024 at the Iron County…

SALT LAKE CITY – Today, the Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”) released its final “Public Lands Rule.” Certain provisions in the Rule will negatively impact the 22.8 million acres of BLM land in Utah. Although the BLM claims that this Rule will enhance conservation, it will ironically impair the ability of BLM employees and their…

A 5th District judge bound a Beaver County man over for trial after a preliminary hearing found the state had enough evidence to move forward on charges involving possession of child pornography. Judge Matthew Bell ruled Monday to bind Michael Earl James, 55, over for trial after a preliminary hearing for five counts of sexual…