Southern Utah News

After helping thousands of Utah homeowners upgrade to water-efficient toilets over the past several years, the Utah Water Savers Toilet Replacement Program will be coming to a close. Since launching in 2019, the program has helped more than 4,500 Utah households replace nearly 6,000 older, high-water-use toilets with new EPA WaterSense®-labeled models, saving millions of gallons of water and improving water efficiency in homes across the state. Photo courtesy of Utah Division of Water Resources.

If you depend on Social Security, recent headlines warning that the program is “running out of money” can sound pretty alarming. The situation is serious, but that phrase doesn’t tell the whole story. The latest annual report from Social Security’s trustees projects that the trust fund used to pay retirement and survivor benefits will have enough reserves to pay full scheduled benefits until the fourth quarter of 2032.

A week of destructive monsoon weather has left two hikers dead, another missing and major infrastructure damaged at Grand Canyon National Park, adding another setback to a region already struggling through a difficult tourism season. Left to right: Debris and mud cover the area near the Phantom Ranger Station following flash flooding in Bright Angel Canyon at Grand Canyon National Park on August 29.

Nearly 145 acres of private land near the east entrance of Zion National Park will be permanently protected from development under a conservation easement announced last week by the Zion Forever Project. The sandstone cliffs and high desert landscape of Zion National Park’s east side. Nearly 145 acres near the park’s eastern gateway will be permanently protected under a new conservation easement announced by the Zion Forever Project.

VERMILION CLIFFS, Ariz. – As part of the Freedom 250 initiative, the Bureau of Land Management invites the public for a condor release at the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument on National Public Lands Day, Saturday, September 26. The Peregrine Fund will release four captive-bred California Condors at noon MDT/Utah time. The 30th annual event will be held in person at Vermilion Cliffs National Monument at the Condor Viewing Site, with activities starting at 10:30 a.m. MDT/9:30 a.m. MST.

My friend Vicky Romero asked me to take her on an adventure. She didn’t care where we went or when, she just wanted an adventure. Vicky Romero pauses in front of the Arco de Santa María in Burgos, Spain, during a 22-day adventure through Scotland, Spain, and Portugal with friend Michelle Aldrich. The pair traveled through three countries and walked more than 150 miles during the trip. Photo courtesy of Michelle Aldrich. I’m 61. Vicky is 79, born and raised in Kanab and still living there.

Kane County 4-H is proud to introduce the 2026–2027 Teen Council Leadership Team; a group of outstanding young people selected to take on leadership roles within 4-H and throughout our community. The 4-H Teen Council gives youth the opportunity to move beyond simply participating in programs and become an important part of creating them. Throughout the year, these teens help plan, organize and lead experiences for younger youth, their peers and the community.

Eleven hikers were rescued and two hospitalized Monday, August 24, after heavy thunderstorms triggered flash flooding at Bryce Canyon National Park. Bryce Canyon’s hoodoos stretch below Sunset Point near the Wall Street section of the Navajo Loop Trail. Flash flooding Monday, Aug. 24, stranded 11 hikers in four groups on trails in the park, prompting a multi-agency rescue effort. Photo courtesy National Park Service.

As students and teachers returned to the classroom for another school year, Kane County Hospital wanted to take a moment to recognize the educators who dedicate so much time, energy and care to the children and families of our community. Photos courtesy of Kane County Hospital. This year, Kane County Hospital assembled and delivered back-to-school welcome kits for teachers throughout the local school district and surrounding areas.

KANAB – Rural Opportunities for Arts (ROAR) recently partnered with the Kane County Active Living Centers and Kane County Center for the Arts to offer a free three-week pottery workshop at the Kanab Senior Center.