Believe it or not, even in a state like Utah where getting outside is such a big part of who we are, people can still run into trouble if they are not ready for conditions.

It really can be that moment of forgetting to fill your water bottle, not wearing the right shoes or not checking the weather before you head out.

That is what led to the “Always Adventure Safe” campaign, which is a collaborative effort between the Governor’s office, the Utah Office of Tourism, Utah State Parks, the Division of Outdoor Recreation, the Utah Department of Natural Resources, as well as businesses and communities.

It’s encouraging people to get out, have fun, enjoy Utah and start their adventures prepared.

They’ve “hired” Frank & Morris to help get the word out — these outdoor influencers are very passionate about bringing safety reminders to people in a way that helps them enjoy the outdoors and make a great adventure even better.

Governor Cox has declared May 16, 2026 “Adventure Safe Day” in Utah.

Ambassadors will be out across Utah at participating state parks, festivals, businesses and partner locations.

They’ll be sharing Adventure Safe reminders and handing out free items like water bottles, stickers, coloring books and Vulture-Proof safety checklists.

Some of the major locations include state parks, local businesses, outfitters, community events and the Kilby Block Party Music Festival.

There’s also an Adventure Safe giveaway tied to the day. People can scan a QR code at participating locations or go to adventuresafe.org to enter for a chance to win 1 of 5 Utah adventure vacations.

A Utah physician is warning that 21 data centers in various stages of development could significantly worsen air quality along the Wasatch Front.

Dr. Brian Moench, with Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment, said the planned data centers are cause for alarm. Each facility is expected to generate its own electricity using natural gas power plants.

While natural gas is cleaner than coal, Moench said it still produces nitrogen oxide, which contributes significantly to ozone, particulate formation, and smog.

“There’s no safe level of air pollution. All of it is harmful, even at the very lowest doses,” Moench said.

Moench said health advocates have legitimate reasons to be concerned about what the facilities could mean for public health in the region.

“There is a real legitimate concern on the part of any health advocates about what this impact will mean to the Wasatch Front and public health if all these data centers are built or even if just a few of them are, and that’s not to address the impact on the Great Salt Lake shrinking up and becoming a toxic dust bowl. That’s the next leg of this argument,” he said.

Moench also raised concerns about electronic waste. As computer chips and equipment become obsolete and are replaced, he said the volume of e-waste produced is something no one has yet addressed.

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UTAH COUNTY, May 11, 2026 (Gephardt Daily) — Two males, ages 14 and 19, were transported to area hospitals Sunday after the side-by-side they were riding rolled down the side of a mountain.

Utah County Sheriff deputies and Santaquin police responded to the 6:07 p.m. call. Two medical helicopters were called to the scene, in the Pole Canyon area, as was a Department of Public Safety helicopter with a hoist in case it was needed, Sgt. Austin Edwards, Utah County Sheriff‘s Office, told Gephardt Daily.

“Eventually, rescue workers were able to make it to the spot on the hill where the vehicle had come to rest, and they were able to secure the victims, stabilize the victims, and get them back down the hill again to where the helicopters were waiting,” Edwards said.

“The 19-year-old male was transported to Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in Provo, and the 14 year old was transported to Primary Children’s in Lehi.”

Both were said to have critical injuries, which were not considered to be life threatening, Edwards said.

“The cause of the rollover is still under investigation, so we don’t have that information available just yet.”

Photos: Utah County Sheriff