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CEDAR CITY — Cedar City is getting a new flag, and it’s down to six designs. Which one should represent the city?

Earlier this year, Cedar City’s Youth Council initiated a project to redesign the city’s flag, inspired by the Utah State Flag Redesign Project and its impact, St. George News reported. After seeing the current flag, members thought it should be redesigned to better reflect the city’s “unique characteristics and the timeless nature.”

“We just didn’t like (the current flag) at all,” said Youth Councilmember Sadie Hinck. “We didn’t feel like it represented our community and that it was just — it was a little outdated.”

Hinke spearheaded the project with support from the Youth Council, city staff, Councilmember R. Scott Phillips and others. Residents were asked to submit original designs, with the winner being awarded $250. However, the prize money could be split if there are two top contenders.

They received over 60 submissions in September, which were narrowed down to six by a panel of seven community members, comprised of Cedar City Mayor Garth Green, Youth Council Mayor William Garza, Southern Utah University professor and local historian Ryan Paul, artist Lester Yocum, Paiute Indian Tribe’s Shane Parashonts, Cedar City Arts Council’s Sara Penny and SUU President Mindy Benson, according to a news release issued by the city.

On Oct. 18, Hinck presented the final six submissions in no specific order to the City Council.

“I got to see them all personally, and I was very pleased with all of our submissions,” she said. “I selected a judging panel of our wonderful community leaders and people who I felt would just be a wonderful asset to narrow down the 60 submissions.”

Cedar City Public Information Officer Gabbie Costello told the council that the submissions were narrowed down using the average score from each judge. They had initially planned to present a top five, but the final two were scored so closely that they ultimately chose six.

Councilmember R. Scott Phillips suggested that the community vote for their favorite designs before the City Council makes the final decision on Wednesday, Nov. 8. Voting closes on Nov. 1.

“It ultimately is up to the council to make that decision, but we certainly would like to see what the citizens feel and why they feel that way,” he said.

Voters should remember that the flags will not be laying flat as seen in the images and will wave, furl and be otherwise in motion, Phillips added.

Additionally, the colors and overall designs could be altered by a professional graphic designer as needed, Hinck said, adding that the city will take ownership of the art’s copyright.

The artist’s names were not included on the survey page to encourage the public to vote for a design rather than a person, and each design is presented with the thought process behind the work and its symbolism.

The first design features a blue background, representing Cedar City’s open skies, reminiscent of the state’s flag, according to the submission’s description on the survey page.

“The yellow-orange background mountain reminds us of our red hills and Cedar Breaks and represents stability and permanence,” the description reads. “The lone green juniper’s harsh angles represent its tenacity and endurance in the high desert.

The juniper is also the city’s namesake, called ‘Cedar’ by pioneers. It represents our city’s ability to thrive and be a beacon of prosperity in hard times.”

The second design includes the 213th Armored Field Battalion’s Coat of Arms, which holds various symbols, including a juniper tree for Cedar City, a spear for the Utah Shakespeare Festival and “a bird wielding a lightning bolt to represent the SUU Thunderbirds,” its explanation reads.

“The two hanging eagle feathers represent the Cedar Band of Paiutes,” according to the site. “The white symbolizes the snow that we receive and our quality ski resorts. The green depicts our abundance of trees. The orange represents our unique red hills.”

The third design “depicts the beautiful views you get around town. You can see the gorgeous mountains, and you are able to view the seasonal banners that depict the many events we hold around town,” the survey page reads. “Cedar lays in the shadow of the mountains in the morning until the sun begins to peak over the mountains, leading us into a new day.”

The center of the fourth design shows a juniper tree between several peaks “as the sun dips behind our mountains” to represent the city and showcase its “beautiful sunsets.”

“In this flag design, white represents the innocence and peace, blue represents the beauty of our home, the light tan color found on the bark of the juniper is a symbol (of) the comfort we enjoy, the yellow represents our city’s growth and wealth, and the orange represents the heart and warmth of our community,” the design’s description reads.

Cedar City’s buildings are displayed in the fifth design, including the Southern Utah Museum of Art, SUU’s Belltower and the Old Rock Church, “to represent the generations of Cedar City citizens and their ancestors.”

“Above the buildings is Cedar Mountain, beloved to residents and tourists alike,” the explanation reads. “The sun encases the design, and it represents the small town values, educational opportunities, and artistic endeavors that Cedar City has to offer.”

The city’s nickname — Festival City USA — is the focus of the sixth design, which incorporates the pennant flags featured in the city’s logo.

“The pennants mimic those found in the first festival (the Utah Shakespeare Festival),” the description reads. “The pennant shape also has a similar shape to lightning bolts, giving a nod to Southern Utah University.

The final shape on the flag is a 5-point star. Each point represents a band of the Southern Paiute People.”

Check out the photo gallery below for images of all six designs, and follow this link to cast a vote before Nov. 1.

Photo Gallery

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2023, all rights reserved.

CEDAR CITY — A new roundabout is coming to Cedar City.

On Nov. 8, the Utah Department of Transportation and Southern Utah University sought the city’s support in building the roundabout at Center Street and 1150 West near the university’s Eccles Coliseum.

UDOT’s Region 4 Traffic Operations Engineer Jared Beard said that the department has observed traffic congestion at the four-way stop that’s currently at the intersection, particularly in the morning as SUU students travel to class.

After conducting a study to weigh various options, including a traffic signal, Beard said that the roundabout ultimately became the department’s preferred option.

“Why a roundabout versus a signal? I mean, this is a question I get asked very frequently when we talk signals, and it really is about safety,” he said, later adding, “We get the feeling that a signal makes us safer, but people still run red lights. People still do silly things at signals and we still have crashes.”

While roundabouts may feel unfamiliar to many local drivers, they’ve been used in Utah for about 30 years, according to a video Beard played called “UDOT Roundabouts.”

“There’s hundreds of these strange not-so-strange intersections all over the state,” the narrator states. “And they can go on a variety of roads — one-lane (or) two-lane roads from 25-65 miles per hour. And they worked surprisingly well, especially where safety is concerned.”

In a four-way intersection, there are 32 conflict points, many of which are in the center, increasing the risk of T-bone and head-on collisions, the video states. Roundabouts reduce these conflicts from 32 to eight by “going around them,” and crashes are less likely to be severe.

“In fact, a study of non-roundabouts that were later converted to roundabouts found that fatal and serious crashes were reduced by as much as 88%,” the narrator explained.

Locally, Beard said the roundabout at Minersville Highway (state Route 130) and Midvalley Road has been “an excellent solution to the issues that we were seeing up there.” Since its construction, the number of crashes has been reduced.

City staff agreed to write a letter of support for the project, and Cedar City Mayor Garth Green and Councilmembers Tyler Melling and R. Scott Phillips spoke in favor of the work.

“I think they’re very safe,” Phillips said. “I’ve experienced them quite a bit. I know there’s fear in people because they’re not used to them, but I’m fully supportive of this idea, and I appreciate your efforts in getting funding for it and also working so the neighbors don’t have to be displaced.”

Ben Johnson, SUU assistant vice president of facilities management, said the university is excited about the project and the prospect of designing a “gateway” to SUU to adorn the roundabout’s center.

UDOT will take approximately a year to design the project, with construction expected to begin in 2025 and potentially be completed in 2026, Kevin Kitchen, a spokesman for UDOT, told Cedar City News.

Kitchen said the work will cost an estimated $3.25 million, but that number could change due to inflation and other factors. The project will be funded by the Federal Highway Administration’s Highway Safety Improvement Program.

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2023, all rights reserved.

CEDAR CITY — Cedar City’s Historic Downtown is expected to get a little brighter next week, resulting in two road closures on Main Street.

Starting Monday, Nov. 20, from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m., Main Street will be closed from Center Street to 200 North as lights are installed to prepare for the upcoming Downtown Cedar City Lighting Ceremony.

The same section of Main Street will close again on Saturday, Nov. 25, for holiday festivities from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., said city spokesperson Gabrielle Costello.

“Where the Magic Begins” festivities will begin at 11 a.m. with the city’s first Christmas Market, free train rides sponsored by ERA Realty Center and food trucks.

The preshow, beginning at 4 p.m., will include an ugly sweater contest, kids’ crafts and giveaways, according to the city’s website. The city also encourages people to donate nonperishable food items to the Iron County Care and Share food pantry.

The official program starts at 5 p.m., with performances by professional dancers, and the city illuminating the Historic Downtown lights. Santa will arrive in a Southern Utah University helicopter and Visit Cedar City-Brian Head will host a firework display, the city states.

The Holiday Tree Jubilee will also open in the Festival Hall and Heritage Theater at 105 N. 100 East.

Photo opportunities with the Historic Downtown Cedar City sign and Santa Claus will be available at 6:30 p.m. The night will be capped off with live nativity performances by the Cedar Area Interfaith Alliance in front of the Old Rock Church 75 E. Center St.

“Jump into the holiday season with a spectacular downtown tradition sure to create lasting memories for you and your loved ones,” the website states.

For more information about the event, visit the city’s website.

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2023, all rights reserved.

CC News | ‘Out of the Darkness’: More than 200 people in Cedar City take part in walk to fight suicide

Written by Jeff Richards October 1, 2023

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CEDAR CITY — Dozens of people took part in Cedar City’s annual “Out of the Darkness Walk” to fight against suicide on Saturday morning.

As the participants made their way from Main Street Park up the trail that goes along Coal Creek past Canyon Park, many wore T-shirts or carried signs and other items in memory of loved ones lost to suicide.

Some wore strings of beads around their necks, with the various bead colors signifying a particular relationship or some other kind of meaningful connection. For example, red symbolizes the loss of a spouse or partner, silver is for military members and first responders, while blue is worn by those who simply support suicide prevention efforts.

Walk chairperson Bri Talbot said the event attracted 220 registered participants and raised over $18,500 on behalf of American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

“By showing up today, you guys are all sending the message that mental health is as real as physical health,” Talbot said as she welcomed those in attendance.

“You’re sending a message that reaching out for help is the strong thing to do,” she said, adding, “And you’re showing others that suicide, which is currently the 11th leading cause of death in the U.S., can no longer be swept under the rug. Suicide is a health issue that affects all of us.”

Cedar City’s event came one week after Washington County’s 12th annual walk was staged at a park in Washington City.

“By joining us, you’re part of a national movement,” Talbot told those gathered. “You’re not just walking alongside others you see beside you today, you’re also walking alongside nearly a quarter of a million people across the country who are also walking to fight suicide.”

Added Talbot:

By walking with us, you’re honoring the memory of the loved ones that we’ve lost. Your being here today also allows for advocates across the country to do their work of fighting to pass legislation that will save lives, like increasing funding for the 988 suicide crisis lifeline and ensuring an equitable continuum of care. Together, we’re making real and lasting change.

The event’s top three fundraisers were recognized for their efforts. They were Cassie Steiner, Frank Bright and Jordan Simmons.

Additional donations are still being accepted via the event’s page on the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s website.

Note: If you or someone you know is in danger because of suicidal thoughts or actions, please call the national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or visit the 988Lifeline.org website.

Photo Gallery

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2023, all rights reserved.

CEDAR CITY, Utah (KUTV) — Nineteen dogs were rescued from life-threatening conditions at a Southern Utah training facility.

Ryan Young couldn't wait any longer. After not receiving satisfactory answers about three dogs he had sent to a dog training business last April, he took matters into his own hands.

Driving from his home in Rock Springs, Wyo. to Cedar City, he went to retrieve the animals.

Upon arriving, Young noticed that sheriff's deputies were on-site. He detected a sickening odor near the home and was prevented from entering. However, the officers brought the dogs to him.

"They were all skin and bones," Young said. "One of my pups, the white female, she came out and was pretty much in a fetal position, and I didn't know if she was going to make it."

MORE: Utah man arrested after reportedly telling therapist he beat his dog to death

Lt. Dave Mitchell with the Iron County Sheriff's Office called conditions "deplorable," saying the emaciated dogs were in their own feces and urine.

"Deputies found 19 dogs to be unhealthy, malnourished, and living in life-threatening conditions," Mitchell said. "The dogs were seized pursuant to a search warrant, and transported to a local animal shelter."

Young rushed his dogs to a St. George veterinarian for emergency care.

"They said I had 30-45 minutes tops before she (the dog in the worst condition) would have expired," said Young.

Kayla Wilkinson said two months ago she sold a dog to the training business owner, who has not been charged or even arrested.

Is Utah's animal cruelty statute enough to prevent these types of crimes of happening?

On Mar. 3, Utah County Sheriff’s Deputies executed a search warrant at the home of a 74-year-old woman in Eagle Mountain. They responded after worried neighbors called the non-emergency number because they had not seen Maynette Shearn More in days. They knew she had dogs. But what Utah County Sheriff’s deputies ultimately found was described as nothing short of horrific.

KUTV·Wendy Halloran·Apr 14, 2022

"I don't even know if those dogs had ever seen what outside was," Wilkinson said, adding she's searching for the dog's location now.

Both Wilkinson and Young said they were not aware of the conditions at the facility.

Wilkinson said the owner of the business came to her home to get the animal she had sold. Young said a friend drove the dogs to the business.

The sheriff's office said "criminal charges of animal cruelty case are pending."