SPRINGDALE — New vehicle size restrictions on Zion National Park’s Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway took effect June 7, ending the park’s longstanding oversized vehicle permit program and changing how some large vehicles travel between the park’s south and east entrances. A recreational vehicle travels near the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel in Zion National Park. New vehicle size restrictions took effect June 7 on the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway corridor, ending the park’s oversized vehicle pe

SALT LAKE CITY — Gov. Spencer Cox signed an executive order May 29 establishing a new state­wide framework for future large-scale data center development in Utah. An electrical substation sits in Utah’s arid desert landscape. Gov. Spencer Cox signed an executive order May 29 establishing new statewide principles for future large-scale data center development, including review of water and infrastructure impacts. Photo by Nicholas Klein. According to the order, state agencies

BIG WATER — One per­son was airlifted in serious condition following a head-on crash May 27 on U.S. Highway 89 near Big Water in Kane County, according to Utah Highway Patrol information published by regional media. Photo courtesy of the Utah Department of Public Safety. The crash occurred around 10:30 p.m. near mile marker 25 on U.S. 89, according to UHP Lt. Cameron Roden. Reports stated an east­bound Jeep Wrangler crossed into the westbound lane and collided head-on with a

BIG WATER — A 45-yearold motorcyclist was killed Monday evening in a collision with a tour bus near the Utah-Arizona border, according to the Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS). View of scene to the north. Photo by Phil Clark. The crash occurred at about 5:40 p.m., on May 25, on SR-89 near the Utah- Arizona border in Kane County. DPS reported a Yamaha motorcycle and a Vanhool tour bus were both traveling northbound when the collision occurred. According to a DPS news rele

Fire officials are warning that southern Utah is heading into what could be an intense wildfire season as hot, dry conditions continue building across the region. Firefighters with the Cedar Mountain Fire Protection District work to contain a small wildland fire recently sparked by improperly discarded burn pit materials. Agencies across southern Utah warn of increasing wildfire danger heading into summer. Photo courtesy Cedar Mountain Fire Protection District. Earlier this m

Federal land managers have imposed new fire restrictions across southern Utah, including Kane County, as officials warn of increasing wildfire danger heading into the summer recreation season. The Bureau of Land Management announced that Stage 1 fire restrictions took effect May 22 on BLM-managed lands in southwest Utah, including Kane, Washington, Iron, Garfield and Beaver counties. The agency cited “rapidly increasing fire danger” across the region. Under the restrictions,

KANE COUNTY — With the June 23 Republican primary approaching, candidates seeking seats on the Kane County Commission and the Kane County clerk/auditor position shared their thoughts on some of the issues facing county government in responses to questions from the Southern Utah News. Each candidate was asked the same four questions covering topics including growth, budgeting, transparency and local priorities. Responses are printed largely as submitted and have been lightly e