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Big 12 football preview: Utah, Oklahoma State, Kansas State the frontrunners in crowded race

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Big 12 football preview: Utah, Oklahoma State, Kansas State the frontrunners in crowded race


The Big 12 has embraced its place as the Power Four conference with the greatest depth, where the difference between No. 1 and No. 16 is small and the potential for highly competitive games each week is high.

The Hotline generally agrees with this narrative. There are no blue-blood programs stocked with blue-chip talents in the Big 12. There are no equivalents of Ohio State or Georgia. No clear and obvious national title contenders.

That said, nuance is required when assessing the 16-team conference race.

There is a marked difference in roster quality between the top and bottom tiers. A handful of teams could win the conference, and a handful could finish last. But the gap is substantial. Not every game will be close. Not every week will be lined with upsets.

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The Hotline was able to identify teams as contenders, pretenders and also-rans without much trouble. The complexity came when attempting to distinguish teams within each grouping.

We don’t pick ties. We hate picking ties. But there will be ties.

Oh yes, there will be ties.

1. Utah: The Hotline has been asked repeatedly how the Utes will adjust to life in the Big 12. We think the question should be flipped: How will the Big 12 adjust to the Utes? They are the team to beat thanks to the combination of coaching acumen, first-rate quarterback (Cam Rising) and stout offensive and defensive lines. Assuming injuries revert to the norm after a hellacious barrage last season, Utah is the best bet to represent the conference in the CFP.

2. Oklahoma State: We considered picking the Cowboys to win the Big 12 and would not be surprised if they emerge as the last team standing. Coach Mike Gundy has a veteran quarterback (Alan Bowman) and returning starters across all position groups. But every analysis by the Hotline supercomputer spit out the same conclusion: Utah’s offensive line will dominate the head-to-head meetings, in Stillwater and the conference championship.

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3. Kansas State: The Wildcats warrant immense respect after winning 19 games over the past two seasons — don’t be surprised if they end up playing for the conference title. Chris Klieman must retool his offense, with sophomore quarterback Avery Johnson in the lead role, but KSU’s defense should be one of the Big 12’s best. (The secondary is stellar.) And not for nothing: The road schedule is entirely manageable.

4. Arizona: Once first-year coach Brent Brennan secured the core of his roster — only a few players followed Jedd Fisch to Seattle — the Wildcats vaulted onto the top tier of contenders. There’s plenty to like, starting with the elite aerial tandem of quarterback Noah Fifita and receiver Tetairoa McMillan. But could unprecedented expectations (both internal and external) change the dynamics and create unexpected potholes?

5. Kansas: The Jayhawks were picked fourth in the Big 12 preseason media poll, which probably pleased coach Lance Leipold. (Let other teams deal with the pressure and bake in the spotlight.) Assuming quarterback Jalon Daniels’ back holds up, KU has more to like than dislike across the two-deep. But we wonder about the front seven, which faces several of the best offensive lines in the conference.

6. Iowa State: After a regression in 2022, coach Matt Campbell re-established his program last season as the Cyclones went 6-3 in league play. Will the trajectory continue, or stall? They are stout throughout many of the key position groups, from quarterback to the lines of scrimmage to the defensive backfield. But the lineup of November opponents is brutal. We expect a fast start and slow finish in Ames.

7. Texas Tech: The Hotline has a slightly more optimistic view of the Red Raiders than other prognosticators, a view based partly on a schedule that does not include Utah, Kansas or Kansas State. That might not seem like much, but one additional victory could be the difference between seventh and 10th place, or eighth and 12th. Also, TTU has one of the top pass-catching groups in the conference.

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8. West Virginia: The Mountaineers won five of their final six games last season, return starting quarterback Garrett Greene and possess a stellar offensive line. So why the modest outlook? Their non-conference schedule is challenging and could exact a toll during the early part of league play, when they face Kansas, Oklahoma State, Iowa State, Kansas State and Arizona in succession. Relief comes only in November.

9. UCF: The Knight’s first season in the Big 12 started poorly but ended with three wins in the final month. There’s good reason to believe the momentum will carry over for fourth-year coach Gus Malzahn. If quarterback KJ Jefferson plays to his potential after transferring from Arkansas, UCF could sneak into contention.

10. TCU: Sonny Dykes has spent six years as a head coach at the Power Five level, four at Cal and two at TCU. He has one winning season: The improbable, magical run to the national championship game in 2022. So forgive our unwillingness to take a leap of faith with the Horned Frogs, who drew one of the Big 12’s toughest conference schedules. This is a critical year for the Dykes regime.

11. Baylor: Coach Dave Aranda occupies arguably the hottest seat in the conference following two disappointing seasons. It’s difficult to envision a material change in the Bears’ trajectory despite all the returning starters at his disposal. Once momentum is lost and the dark clouds descend, the negativity tends to stick.

12. Cincinnati: The halcyon days of Luke Fickell, Desmond Ridder and Top 25 rankings seem like a decade ago for the Bearcats, who posted one conference victory last year during their inaugural Big 12 season. Will 2024 be any better? Yes, but only on the margins. UC isn’t ready to compete for a top-half finish, much less morph into a true contender.

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13. Colorado: The Buffaloes didn’t have the proper personnel on the lines of scrimmage to compete in the Pac-12 last year. Those issues have been addressed by coach Deion Sanders, which should result in a better product each week. But the schedule is extremely difficult. CU plays all the top teams in the Big 12 and faces an arduous lineup of non-conference opponents. Five wins overall, and three in conference play, feels about right.

14. Arizona State: No team in the Big 12 has more uncertainty at quarterback than the Sun Devils. No team enters the season with more questions at the skill positions. And no team plays a tougher conference schedule. Add it up, and Kenny Dillingham faces challenges that make 2024 seem like it’s the first year of a massive rebuild, not the second. If any coach with just three wins to his name ever deserved a raise, it’s Dillingham.

15. Brigham Young: Year Two in the Big 12 will resemble the Cougars’ inaugural season in the conference, when they won just two games and often were beaten resoundingly. Kalani Sitake’s seat is warming rapidly as a result, and the roster doesn’t possess enough playmakers to cool the temperature. Also, the schedule is rigorous: If the Cougars don’t beat Baylor on Sept. 28, they might not collect their first conference victory until November.

16. Houston: The Cougars shrewdly hired Willie Fritz from Tulane to replace Dana Holgorsen but don’t have enough of anything to escape the bottom tier. They could very well lose ground relative to the competition as Fritz undertakes his renovation project. That said, if the Cougars finish last, they will probably have company.


*** Send suggestions, comments and tips (confidentiality guaranteed) to wilnerhotline@bayareanewsgroup.com or call 408-920-5716

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*** Follow me on Twitter/X: @WilnerHotline

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Utah

Suspect hospitalized after being shot by police in Weber County

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Suspect hospitalized after being shot by police in Weber County


ROY, Utah — One person is in the hospital after being shot by police officers Saturday evening in Weber County.

A spokesperson for the Roy Police Department said their officers were involved in a shooting around 7:30 p.m. near 5650 South and 2775 West.

One suspect, a male, was shot by officers and taken to the hospital. His status was not known as of Saturday night.

No officers were injured. It’s not yet known if the suspect fired at them, nor what led up to the incident.

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Videos from nearby residents (seen above) show a large police presence, with multiple officers wielding guns and the sound of several gunshots.

The officers who were involved are now on leave, and the Weber Critical Incident Task Force is conducting an investigation.

Police said Saturday night that 2800 West is closed between 5650 South and 5720 South due to the investigation.





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Court ruling tears at the fabric of a Southern Utah family’s life

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Court ruling tears at the fabric of a Southern Utah family’s life


BERYL — The sun-baked dirt road winds through the vast emptiness of Beryl. On the horizon, a homestead stands against the untamed surroundings of Southern Utah.

The home of the Bryson and Ruth Seegmiller family, Beryl, Utah, June 26, 2024 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

Built by Bryson and Ruth Seegmiller with their own hands, the home and its matching barn reflect years of dedicated labor and a lifetime of savings.

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“We put everything we have into this home,” Ruth Seegmiller said. “If we lose it, we lose everything we’ve worked for and our only livelihood.” 

Inside, the home mirrors a close-knit family grounded in strong Christian values and cherished traditions.

Each detail underscores a life built on faith and togetherness. On the walls, a gallery of memories capture moments of joy — a child’s baptism, a family gathering, the smiling faces of their eight children. Interspersed are images of Christ and the temple, gentle reminders of their faith and the covenants that bind them.

The open floor plan centers around the kitchen, a hub of togetherness. Pots and pans hang above the island, a focal point of daily life where countless meals have been prepared with love, family stories shared, and homeschool lessons unfolded.

The large dining room window frames the family farm and the desert stretching beyond. The land is flat and unyielding, its surface cracked and dusty, dotted only with sparse sagebrush under an endless, scorching sky. The home’s comfort feels fragile against this harsh desert backdrop.

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This contrast tells a story of dual realities: inside, there is comfort and love; outside, an encroaching desolation. Each gust of wind rustling the sagebrush seems to carry whispers of the legal troubles threatening to disrupt their carefully built haven.

The incident unfolds

The legal storm the Seegmillers now face began on June 11, 2022, at Newcastle Reservoir, about 23 miles from Beryl.

Newcastle Reservoir, Newcastle, Utah, June 26, 2024 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

The family had organized a birthday party for one of their sons, and 14-year-old Kevin Cooper was among the guests. On that day, Coopers died from an incident that occurred at the party.

The Seegmillers assert they had made it clear that all the children should wear life jackets near the water.

“When we were at the reservoir, we told everybody regardless of whether they knew how to swim or not, everyone needed to wear a life jacket,” Ruth Seegmiller said.

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Despite these instructions, Kevin and his brother managed to enter the reservoir unnoticed without the required gear while everyone was packing up to leave. This wasn’t the first time; several people had previously reminded the boys to put on their life jackets, Seegmiller said.

As the boys were on the water, some people began pointing to the other side of the reservoir. Witnesses on the lake and other children at the party later reported seeing the boys playing and standing up in their kayak. Moments later, one of the kayaks tipped over, and Cooper fell into the water. 

Bryson Seegmiller jumped into the reservoir to help, still unsure of what was happening.

“I swim out there and the first person I see is her (his daughter). I see Kevin’s brother in the distance holding onto this kayak with one arm frantic and trying to swim around, go underneath the water, trying to find his brother while yelling, ‘help, help, I can’t find my brother he’s drowned’ and continuing to repeat himself,” Bryson Seegmiller said.

Ruth and Bryson Seegmiller are joined by two of their children as they sit down for an interview with St. George News / Cedar City News reporters, Beryl, Utah, June 26, 2024 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

Meanwhile, Ruth Seegmiller stayed on the shore and vividly remembers hearing Cooper’s brother and his cries for help.

“I can just remember him screaming, ‘I killed my brother.’ For weeks, months after that every time I could hear that scream it just reminded me,”  Ruth Seegmiller said during an emotional interview with St. George News / Cedar City News.

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“Just the way he was screaming for his brother just tore my heart apart because I knew they hadn’t found Kevin yet. It was just the saddest thing to me watching his brother scream like that. I’ll never forget that. I never heard anyone scream or cry like that before.”

A nearby party on a boat assisted in getting Cooper’s brother to shore and then found a spot with service to call 911. After an extended search, Bryson Seegmiller, realizing the situation was dire, made the heartbreaking call to Cooper’s parents.

Despite extensive efforts by Bryson Seegmiller and first responders, 10 long hours passed before Kevin’s body was found.

The community rallied around the Cooper family, starting a GoFundMe account that the Seegmillers said raised approximately $120,000.

“There were so many people who came out to help them,” Ruth Seegmiller said. “People would just give them money out of their pocket. It was really amazing.”

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In the days following the tragedy, Bryson Seegmiller also went to the Coopers’ home to help with cleaning up some accumulated garbage. He aimed to provide support and assist with any needs the family might have during their difficult time.

While he worked alongside another person, the Coopers communicated mainly with his colleague and were less responsive to him.

Eventually, the father expressed that hearing from Seegmiller was too painful for them, and they needed to distance themselves. Respecting their wishes, Seegmiller ceased his efforts to provide further assistance.

“So I respected their wishes. I stepped out and stopped trying to be there for them,” Bryson Seegmiller said. 

Coopers pursue legal action

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Kevin’s parents, William and Tina Cooper, later chose to pursue legal action.

A legal notice has been posted on the front gate of the home of the Bryson and Ruth Seegmiller family, Beryl, Utah, June 26, 2024 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

They first secured an undisclosed settlement from the kayak owner’s insurance before filing a lawsuit against the Seegmillers for nearly $10 million. They also sought a claim against the Seegmillers’ insurance, but discovered that they didn’t have coverage.

This amount reflects the Coopers’ belief that Kevin’s notable achievements and potential justified their claim for damages.

Court documents and news reports highlight that by the age of 14, Kevin had already purchased a 350-acre farm and was involved in a range of ambitious projects. These included developing a luxury toiletries line, working on a movie script and children’s books, and breeding heritage turkeys.

Additionally, he bought a John Deere tractor for farm maintenance on his 11th birthday and later wrote two books, including an autobiography,

In their court petition, the Coopers argue that Kevin’s future role was essential to their financial stability. As the only able-bodied member of the household, the court documents state that Kevin Cooper was expected to support his older autistic brother and care for his mother, who is partially blind.

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Additionally, William Cooper, a disabled veteran injured during boot camp, had relied on VA benefits while his children were dependents. With Cooper’s death and his brother now an adult, those benefits have ceased, worsening the family’s financial situation.

Cedar City News reached out to the Coopers’ lawyer for comment but received no response at the time of this report.

Seegmillers refuse legal assistance

Despite their legal issues, the Seegmillers have chosen not to hire an attorney — a decision deeply rooted in their faith.

Ruth and Bryson Seegmiller and several of their children enjoy freshly baked cookies prior to an interview with St. George News / Cedar City News reporters, Beryl, Utah, June 26, 2024 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

As devout Christians, the couple said they repeatedly prayed about the litigation and felt guided not to seek legal counsel. For them, their decision to obey was about following divine direction.

“At this point, He has asked us that we take care of matters,” Bryson Seegmiller said. “We’re supposed to trust in the Lord and we’re supposed to use the community to knowledge and insight and to be able to help us through this ordeal. And we have gotten an immense amount of community support and knowledge.”

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The Seegmillers said they have had several attorneys offer to represent them, but each time, they returned to prayer and consistently received the same answer.

The Seegmillers’ response

On July 3, 2023, the Seegmillers were served with the initial complaint. Ruth Seegmiller refused to accept the paperwork and recorded the incident on her phone. The constable noted that he left the summons in a secure spot. The court gave them 21 days to respond.

“It was definitely a hard thing to get,” Ruth Seegmiller said. “Then to read through it and read all the things that they were saying and to know we have proof against all this … it’s hard. You just feel like, this isn’t, this isn’t what happened.”

While denying any connection to the sovereign movement, the Seegmillers included elements of its ideology in their July 18 response.

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Photos and inspirational messages adorn the living room wall of the Bryson and Ruth Seegmiller family home, Beryl, Utah, June 26, 2024 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

They filed an “Affidavit of Conditional Acceptance,” a document commonly associated with sovereign beliefs, which imposed conditions on their acceptance of the legal proceedings. However, the court did not accept this response as valid.

Sovereign adherents claim exemption from government authority and legal systems, disputing the legitimacy of courts and regulations. U.S. courts typically reject these arguments as lacking legal standing.

The Seegmillers filed a formal response on August 16, well past the deadline. In their response, they used tactics associated with the sovereign movement, including the argument that the capitalization of their names in court documents invalidated the petition.

The Seegmillers also contested the Coopers’ claims about the drowning.

According to court documents, the Coopers alleged they had warned the Seegmillers that their son could not swim and had requested that he and his “severely autistic brother” avoid the water. They accused the Seegmillers of negligence in supervising the children.

The Seegmillers, however, denied this claim, arguing the Coopers never told them Kevin couldn’t swim.

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“They never told us that he couldn’t get in the water and I clearly told her we would be playing in the water,” Ruth Seegmiller said. “And actually, the week before that we went out fishing and brought him with us then too … And he didn’t come to fish, they just played in the water a little bit and they never said anything about it.”

Text messages between Tina Cooper and Ruth Seegmiller, reviewed by St. George/Cedar City News, showed no mention of Kevin’s inability to swim or any warnings to keep him out of the water. Additionally, no court evidence was presented to support the claim that such a conversation took place.

Judgment and appeals

After the Seegmillers missed the deadline to respond adequately, the Coopers’ attorney filed for a default judgment, which the court granted. A hearing for damages was scheduled for Jan. 16, 2024.

The Seegmillers did not attend the hearing, later claiming they were unaware of it due to communication issues with the court. Following the hearing, the judge awarded $9.5 million in damages to the Coopers.

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To enforce the judgment, multiple writs of garnishment and liens led to the seizure of the Seegmillers’ property, including their water rights and farm.

The home of the Bryson and Ruth Seegmiller family, Beryl, Utah, June 26, 2024 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

Following the issuance of the writs, constables and the Coopers’ attorney arrived at the Seegmillers’ home to seize valuable assets while Bryson and Ruth Seegmiller were away in Cedar City, about an hour from their home.

All eight of their children were present during the raid when the constables used a locksmith to gain entry into the home. The forced entry and search for valuables left the children alone and unsettled.

At the time, the Seegmillers said they had no idea who the people were and instructed their children to stay out of sight while they kept them on the phone traveling home.Their 15-year-old son tried to prevent the constables from entering, but they were ultimately able to move past him.

“I got a phone call at some point from someone who was here that said, ‘we are breaking into your house … and the person I was on the phone with said,’tell your kid to stand down’,” Bryson Seegmiller said.

Among the items seized were some of the Seegmillers’ firearms, money and their children’s savings. The savings were ultimately returned.

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Coopers’ attorney also gave the Seegmillers an ultimatum regarding two of their vehicles, including a work truck and a van for the family. The Seegmillers were given the option to either surrender both vehicles or keep one by allowing a friend to buy it back for $2,500.

In addition, a sheriff’s auction was scheduled for late July to sell the Seegmillers’ home and other seized assets. As the auction date neared, the Seegmillers filed a motion to stay the judgment and request a hearing.

While the judge granted part of their request and scheduled a hearing on Aug. 16, he did not halt the sale of their home.

Iron County Sheriff Ken Carpenter, however, delayed the auction for another month to give the Seegmillers an opportunity to be heard in court, urging them to reconsider hiring an attorney.

“I made the decision I did to give them to have their day in court,” Carpenter said. “And I really hope they will reconsider their decision not to hire an attorney because I am afraid if they don’t, they’re going to lose everything they have.”

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The judge’s ruling

On Friday, the Seegmillers attended their hearing before 5th District Court Judge Matthew Bell. Even with the high stakes, the Seegmillers stuck to their decision to represent themselves, guided by their faith and conviction not to hire a lawyer.

File photo of Fifth District Courthouse, Cedar City, Utah, June 8, 2021 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

Bell began by recounting the procedural history of the case, noting that the Seegmillers’ failure to comply with court rules and their reliance on “meritless legal theories” had led to their current predicament.

Bell expressed frustration with the Seegmillers’ repeated use of documents and strategies associated with the sovereign ideology, which he described as “improper” and “without a basis in the law.”

“The affidavit you submitted,” the judge stated, “was not a proper answer in form or substance. It was, in essence, a declaration of your intent not to participate in these legal proceedings unless your own terms were met — a stance that is both unreasonable and untenable in this court.”

Despite their recent efforts to challenge the default judgment, the judge denied all five motions filed by the Seegmillers, including their motion to set aside the judgment and writ of execution.

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However, he did grant a temporary stay on the sheriff’s sale of their home, giving the Seegmillers 90 days to appeal the decision. If they do appeal and the appellate court grants their request, the stay will remain in place pending the outcome.

“If you choose to appeal, that is your right,” Bell said, adding, “but I urge you to seek proper legal counsel moving forward. The consequences of your current path are severe, and I fear you may lose everything if you continue down this road alone.”

Even after the judge’s strong admonitions, the Seegmillers are likely to stand by their decision not to hire an attorney, trusting instead in their faith to guide them. Though this path could cost them their home and livelihood, they hold firm in their belief that the trials they have faced are part of a journey they wouldn’t trade, despite the heartache.

“We have done everything the Lord has asked us to. It is a home. It is not my family. It is a mere miniscule thing they can take away. I’ve worked many years to build it but it is nothing because my family has gotten closer together,” Bryson Seegmiller said.

“We’ve had many miracles and so many blessings given to us not only for each other but for the community. I would never trade that for anything in the world. So even if I lost my home, from the gifts I have received from my Heavenly Father, it was well worth it.”

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Cedar City News reporter Jeff Richards contributed to the coverage of this story.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2024, all rights reserved.

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Storms expected across Utah, officials advise caution while outdoors

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Storms expected across Utah, officials advise caution while outdoors


SALT LAKE CITY — Weather alerts have been issued across Utah this weekend, as monsoonal moisture brings storms across the state.

A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for parts of Utah and Wyoming until 7 p.m.

Southern Utah

On Saturday, flash floods threat areas in southwest Utah, near St. George. Officials have advised people avoid recreating in state and national parks, and to avoid slot canyons.

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Rescuers warn about flash flooding risks in southern Utah slot canyons

A flood watch is in effect in San Juan County through Saturday night, due to “excessive rainfall,” according to a Facebook post from San Juan Co. Emergency Management. A flash flood warning was also issued for Kane county, near Zion National Park.

The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for Springdale and Rockville, near Zion National Park. The NWS said to move to higher ground and avoid walking or driving through flood water.

This includes Lake Powell, and other portions of the Glen Canyon Recreation Area.

“Excessive runoff may result in flooding of normally dry washes, creeks and streams, recent burn scars, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations,” the post said.

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Officials advise giving someone your itinerary if hiking or camping, as several search and rescue efforts have been underway this week.

Across Utah, there strong to severe storms are expected Saturday, with potentially damaging wind gusts, hail, lightning, and flash flooding from heavy rain.

Northern Utah

The Salt Lake City valley is expected to have light rainfall Saturday afternoon, with heavier rainfall and “severe thunderstorms” expected into the evening, according to the National Weather Service.

NWS issued a warning that strong winds up to 50 miles per hour may move through the region.

Rain is expected throughout the weekend, with heavier rains moving in on Sunday.

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The NWS issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Dugway, Clive, and Knolls, with expected winds up to 70 miles per hour, with “pea-sized” hail.

Over the last two weeks, two deaths have been attributed to people getting caught in storms, and officials are warning people to avoid recreating on bodies of water, and wearing life jackets at all times if you do so.

Reach, Throw, Row, and Don’t Go: Officials offer safety tips for recreating when summer storms hit

On Monday, flooding impacted several homes, and hail damaged fences and cars. Similar storms are anticipated this weekend, while clean-up and repair efforts are still underway.

KSL TV will update weather conditions as new information is issued by officials.

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