Utah
‘The camera gets me out’: Utah man wins 1st place for photo of Zion’s Subway in annual contest
ST. GEORGE — The shimmering blue-green water of Zion National Park’s Subway was captured in a photograph selected as the winner of the Bank of Utah’s “My Utah“ Photo Contest for 2024.
Megan Kenley, Bank of Utah associate vice president of communications and marketing, told St. George News that the contest’s goal is to display Utah’s unique beauty and spirit.
“One of the things that Utah is known for is its beautiful history, diversity and different types of scenery,“ Kenley said. “So we like to be able to showcase that and show the difference, not only the talents of our customers and the people here in Utah but also all of the beauty that Utah has to offer, something that we feel really ties in well with our brand.“
Kenley said choosing the winners was difficult as all the entries were striking. Participants ranged from casual to professional photographers.
Steven Howa of Salt Lake City submitted the winning photograph featuring Zion National Park’s Subway on the Left Fork of North Creek. Kenley said the image beautifully captures this popular spot in Utah’s famous national park.
Howa said taking photos keeps him active.
“One of the really cool things about the camera and landscape photography is you get to go out to so many places, like the Subway,” Howa said. “I would have never gone down the Subway if it wasn’t for the camera. These hikes always end up in beautiful places. So the camera gets me out to go to places. So it’s kind of cool; it’s like a reward.“

Howa leads groups on hikes in Zion National Park. He told St. George News he enjoys the Subway route, which is challenging and requires some rappelling. He noted it as one of the top 20 hikes in the world.
“It’s a 9-mile hike and takes four to five hours because it’s very strenuous,“ he said. “It’s tiring to go back and forth through the creek. And right at the end, there’s a climb, and you’re really tired. And every time I hit that, I always say I’ll never do it again, but I always find myself back in there.”
One of Howa’s favorite parts of hiking the Subway is seeing people’s expressions when they experience it for the first time.
While working for the Federal Aviation Administration in Salt Lake City, Howa was drawn to photography. He said he was fortunate to work with professional photographers who helped train him in his new skill. He has since retired from the FAA and is pursuing his photography business.
Howa received a $500 prize for his winning photo.
Bank of Utah has held the contest for the last five years, and the number of entries has increased each year, Kenley said, adding that they received almost 400 entries for this year’s contest.
Courtney Fairborn won second place for a photo she took that highlights Lake Powell with its red rocks in shadow in the background. She will receive a $300 prize. The third-place winner, Win Heger, received $200 for a photo of the Parker Homestead in Circleville. The photo’s lighting outlines Butch Cassidy’s childhood home, adding a historical touch.
All winners and honorable mentions will be featured in the Bank of Utah’s 2024 “My Utah” calendar, with the first-place winner on the cover.
In addition, the Bank of Utah will highlight the winning photos in advertising, social media and the bank’s website. Travelers on Interstate 15 from Ogden to St. George will also see electronic billboards of the photos.
To see all of the winning photos, visit this website.
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2024, all rights reserved.
Utah
Utah Extends Point Streak to Four Games in Overtime Loss in Chicago | Utah Mammoth
The Mammoth had strong pushes in the game, especially over the last five minutes of the third period; however, the team struggled to sustain that effort through a full 60 minutes. Following the game, Guenther and Tourigny reflected on what Utah needs to improve to find a higher level of their team game.
“We had a good start, but I think we could not sustain the pressure,” Tourigny said postgame. “The most important thing was our simplicity. I think we complicated too many things offensively that allowed them to cut plays and counterattack and that’s what I didn’t really like. I think we needed to establish our simplicity and that’s the way we scored our first goal, but we did not sustain that. A little bit disappointed. I think we finished the third period strong with a good forecheck. That’s the way we should have played for 60 (minutes).”
“Not our best game I don’t think,” Guenther said postgame. “Just feed into their hands for whatever reason. They’re really good transitionally and just a little bit stubborn. Not enough shots but got a point. Still important to get points. Put us in a good spot heading into the last game (of the road trip).”
A positive takeaway from tonight is Guenther hitting the 30-goal benchmark for the first time in his career. Guenther is one of 21 players to hit 30 goals in the NHL this season and the forward is on a four-game point streak (3G, 3A) on the road trip.
“Really good backcheck from (Schmaltz),” Guenther recalled on his first period goal. “Kind of a 2-on-1 with me and (Keller). Usually, we try to get it up, but I feel like the goalie was there, so I just tried to slide it through, and I got lucky and it went in. So nice play by those two guys.”
Not only does Guenther have three goals in the last four games, he has five goals since the Olympic break (7GP). He reflected on the confidence he has with his game and his development.
“It’s nice,” Guenther shared. “That’s kind of what’s got me into the league is being able to score. I think that I’ve rounded out my game and become a more complete player, but that’s still what I’m good at. It’s nice to contribute that way, and there’s still a lot of games to go.”
“For me what I like about (Guenther) this year is he has more ways to (score),” Tourigny explained. “It’s not just his shot; he has more than that. He’s been playing good lately since the start of the trip, I like his game.”
It’s a quick turnaround for Utah as the Mammoth play the Minnesota Wild tomorrow night. However, tomorrow is an opportunity to adjust and make improvements from tonight’s game. The Mammoth have won the first two games in their season series with the Wild, and Utah expects a strong effort from Minnesota.
“We’ve played them well too and I feel like they haven’t played their best against us,” Guenther shared. “So, they’re going to come with a good push. We’re on a back-to-back so I think just how smart we are and how we handle the first five, 10 minutes will be important.”
Additional Notes from Tonight (per Mammoth PR)
- Defensemen Nick DeSimone and Ian Cole each had assists on Hayton’s goal in the first. Both blueliners have assists in two-straight games.
- Keller has extended his point streak to four games (1G, 5A). He has now registered 14 points in nine contests since the start of February (3G, 11A).
- Guenther has now scored in three of four games on this road trip, with six points in those contests (3G, 3A). Guenther and Keller are tied for most goals by any Utah skater in a single season (30).
Upcoming Schedule
Utah
Widow of protester killed files lawsuit against organizers of Utah ‘No Kings’ rally
SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — The widow of Afa Ah Loo, the man killed during a No Kings Rally in Salt Lake City, filed a lawsuit against protest organizers and the man accused of firing the fatal shot.
Laura Ah Loo filed the lawsuit Monday, claiming the armed “peacekeeper” and the protest organizers’ negligence caused the death of her husband.
The protest was part of the No Kings Rally, which was held in every state nationwide on June 14, 2025. The National 50501 organization led the movement, with local groups organizing protests in their respective states.
In Salt Lake City, an estimated 10,000 people showed up to protest.
During the event, Matthew Alder, a member of the security team, allegedly fired into the crowd after spotting a protester carrying a rifle. Prosecutors said he shot three times, striking the armed protester and killing a bystander.
The widow of the man killed is now suing Alder for negligence, with the lawsuit saying it “should have been obvious that any errant shot fired would pose a lethal danger to bystanders.”
MORE | ‘No Kings’ Protest Shooting:
The lawsuit claims that there was no imminent threat, but even if he believed there to be one, Alder could have moved several feet to the west and shot against a wall and not into the crowd.
“Defendant Alder, with little to no known training in crowd control or de-escalation, failed to clear an area behind Gamboa and instead simply started to fire his gun,” the lawsuit reads.
Laura Ah Loo is also suing organizers, claiming they didn’t properly train or vet all the members of the security team, nor did they inform law enforcement and the public of the armed peacekeepers.
“Defendants’ breaches of these duties resulted in a perfect storm of negligence that caused the only known fatality among a march of millions of Americans,” the lawsuit reads.
She is seeking damages for pain and suffering, lost wages and economic support, and funeral costs.
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Utah
Utah drivers rethink budgets as gas prices jump
SALT LAKE CITY — When Kimberly L. pulled up to the gas pump on Sunday, she was unfortunately prepared for the prices that awaited her.
“Between my husband’s truck and my car, we’re well over $300 a month in gas,” she said. “It hits your pocket, and we’ve got a one-working-person household of four, so we’ve had to budget differently.”
This is one of the reasons why she was driving a motorcycle.
“I’m actually probably going to be riding this a lot more often. Gets way better gas mileage than any of our vehicles,” she added.
According to AAA, as of Sunday, average gas prices in Utah were around $3.16 compared to $2.74 the week prior.
“I went to go get gas the other day, and I spent $10 on two and a half gallons of gas. And it was insane,” said Grace Wieland from Park City. “Most of my activities are down in Salt Lake, so it’s hard to come down here every week and do the things I love to do whenever gas is so expensive.”
“At work, I make around $18 an hour, and that’s not even a full tank. It’s like two hours at work is one tank, which is kind of crazy,” said Addison Lowe, who is also from Park City.
According to Gas Buddy, the rising prices come after the U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran, impacting ships that carry large amounts of oil that pass through the Straight of Hormuz, a key trade route.
“Gas prices likely continue advancing, oil prices will likely keep climbing until that oil can move again,” said petroleum analyst Patrick De Haan.
AAA said the last time the national average made a similar jump was in March of 2022 during the Russia/Ukraine conflict.
In the meantime, Utahns told FOX 13 News that they will continue to budget and hope prices go down sooner rather than later.
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