Articles written by jesse utz
Sorted by date Results 76 - 100 of 322
Senior Profile: Dylan Jenkins
Last year I wrote about a few seniors who are preparing to graduate high school and become members of society on a new level. I decided to share with you a few from this year as... — Updated 1/10/2018
Looking back to the stars we lost in 2017
Someone once told me, “The older you get, the more people you know die.” It is a true statement. Here are some of the stars from television, movies and music that passed in 201... — Updated 1/3/2018
Changing the focus and moving forward, with a little inspiration
One of my desires is to one day be able to help people in need. I have been helped by many members of our community over the years and I have always wanted to “pay it forward.” I r... — Updated 12/27/2017
Careers and life do mix
In case you had not heard yet, I got a new job at the school this year. I am the Pathways Coordinator at Lake Roosevelt. With that comes a couple of very big boots to fill. Those... — Updated 12/13/2017
The season upon us
Christmas. The word brings a wonderful excitement to children all around the world. Visions of presents, Santa, hot chocolate and goodies galore dance between the temples of the little ones. Blinking lights, snowmen and reindeer... — Updated 12/6/2017
Baptized
There are those moments in everyone’s life that you can look back upon and realize the importance of a pivotal decision. Two young ladies made those decisions this weekend and it m... — Updated 11/22/2017
Growing up, Raiders and conversation
This weekend was jam packed with sports, emergencies and some really good impromptu conversations with strangers and friends. Here are the highlights. Raider football is headed to... — Updated 11/8/2017
Gems in the Coulee: Sheila Darnold
If you know her, then you already know she goes way beyond what an average secretary does. If you don’t, then you have not had a child go through the school system in the last, well, a lot of years. Sheila Darnold’s work ethic is... — Updated 11/1/2017
Passion and belief
I recently had to write a recommendation letter for a young man in our community that has been nominated for an award. Part of the criteria was to write about his “Passion and B... — Updated 10/25/2017
Crosswalkers and other stuff
I do believe it is still a law to stop for people in crosswalks. On Monday morning I stopped for a couple that was standing in a crosswalk in Coulee Dam. They started to cross when the truck behind me gunned the gas to go around... — Updated 10/18/2017
Our history and the future
When we look at the history of our nation, it is hard to get the facts straight unless you lived it. By now we know our history books in school are skewed and sanitized to vaguely cover one topic and dive deep into another. It all... — Updated 9/27/2017
"Play it again, Sam"
Sometimes a phrase in a movie becomes more popular than the actual flick. The words spoken can mean things to one person that fly completely over the head of another. We use these sayings or movie quotes on a day-to-day basis and... — Updated 9/20/2017
I will remember; so shall you
That day is still vivid in my memory. This past Monday, September 11, Patriot Day, marked one of those days in American history we should never forget. Much like Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941; JFK’s Assassination November 22, 1... — Updated 9/13/2017
That stirring in your heart
I got a funny feeling. We have all had it, and sometimes ignored it. Sometimes we have changed plans just because of it. A gut feeling, a premonition, women’s intuition or whatever else you want to call it. The fact is that we some... — Updated 9/6/2017
A few things to dwell upon
The solar eclipse was fun. Well, as much fun as a large rock moving in front of a ball of fire can be. Some of the pictures out there were amazing, and of course some were faked, but Mr. Johnson, the science teacher from Lake Roose... — Updated 8/30/2017
Ring the bell, vacation is over
New shoes, new hairstyles and the new school year is here. If you blinked, you missed it; summer break is winding down and the 2017-18 school year is here. Ready or not, here it comes. Once again students will take a deep breath... — Updated 8/23/2017
What do we believe anymore?
OK, by now we should all realize that we cannot believe everything on the internet, on social media, and on some network and cable news shows. Everything, it seems, is molded, skewed and edited to lean one direction or the other.... — Updated 8/16/2017
Back to Mayberry
There was a time, not so long ago, when neighbors helped each other out. They loaned tools, kept an eye on each other’s property and kids, and came over for neighborhood barbecues. The Andy Griffith Show depicted everyday small t... — Updated 8/9/2017
The games go on
When John Elway retired, the Broncos did not close down Mile High Stadium and go home; they came back and gave it all they could the next year. When Michael Jordan left the Bulls, the rest of the team did not quit and refuse to pla... — Updated 8/2/2017 Full story
Ya-tah-hey!
Last week I wrote a column called “This old truck.” I got a lot of good feedback from guys and a few gals. But Saturday I got to see an old truck in action as it carried the casket of my good friend and mentor, Derlyn Brown. The... — Updated 7/26/2017 Full story
This old truck
Most of us have one. An old, rusted, two-door rig that moves slowly and rattles a lot, and packs our debris from here to there. Camping trips, dump runs and the occasional adventure are the only times they get out on the road, but... — Updated 7/19/2017 Full story
The well of love
One of the hardest things to do as a servant of Christ is to find the good in everyone. Some people are just plain rude or have really done something diabolical in the past that has hurt us deeply. But God has been telling me... — Updated 7/12/2017 Full story
Generations of service
I recently took part in some training, and they compared the four generations that are currently in the workforce: Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Generation X and Millennials, all working together and the struggles with... — Updated 6/28/2017 Full story
Artists unite
I do not consider myself an artist. Yes, I am a writer and an amateur photographer and even have grander ideas about drawing and painting. But I do not consider myself an artist. So... — Updated 6/21/2017 Full story
The four will be missed
After this year, four matriarchs in the school district will be cuddling grandkids, snow birding, and beach combing. All four have left their marks on the youth of the area, and as the youth turn into adults they will take the... — Updated 6/14/2017 Full story