Articles written by Jesse Utz
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 322
Home coming
Many years ago, a local family uprooted and went east. They left behind the oldest son who had just graduated and laid down some roots of his own, but they took the middle child... — Updated 7/29/2020
A Coulee Country scavenger hunt
When you live in the same area for a lifetime you come to know some things. So let’s have a little fun and I will take you on a scavenger hunt with clues to certain locations to b... — Updated 7/22/2020
Signs of positivity
As we look around during this time, we can see a lot of negativity. It can be heavy and burdensome to carry on with our lives when it appears the turmoil of the world is ripping... — Updated 6/24/2020
What a crazy year, seniors of 2020!
This is a year that will forever be remembered, and the graduating seniors of 2020 all over the country will always remember it as being not exactly how they’d pictured it. I u... — Updated 6/10/2020
Seeing through the tear gas
A lot of soul searching has been going on over the past few weeks. Then a horrific tragedy occurred, and the world watched a man die under the knee of a law enforcement officer.... — Updated 6/3/2020
Faith of a nation
Faith can be a funny thing, depending on where you’re standing and what you put your faith into. I was raised to put my faith in God first, family second and country third, but a... — Updated 5/27/2020
Churches empty, so is the tomb
This year Easter will be different. That is a fact. But the holiday is still going to happen. So what can you do? I have had a few people ask me this week what they can do for... — Updated 4/8/2020
Summer jobs search
Think back to our younger days, a time where we had to find a summer job. It seemed a requirement at the time, and for many parents it was a requirement. The reason I bring this up... — Updated 3/11/2020
Valentine Oh! Valentine
A few years back, a lot of them really, there was an article written in this very paper entitled “Flames of Love.” It was written by Temple Stark, a reporter here that has sin... — Updated 2/5/2020
It has been a long time coming
Anyone that follows any sport at all knows how special it is when your team finally makes it to the championship game. It does not matter if it is in Little League sports, high... — Updated 1/22/2020
Senior profile: Rosa Carter
This week I am profiling another outstanding senior at Lake Roosevelt High School. I have watched her grow up right before our eyes. She has had many ups and downs in her... — Updated 11/27/2019
What happened to us?
When this paper comes out there will be 35 shopping days until Christmas, and eight days till Thanksgiving. (Pause to let that sink in) OK, breathe. In the past at our house, we... — Updated 11/13/2019
Two kids and a lady
Sometimes things are very fun around this place. Since Karrie has a new job title of Grandma, the fun level has picked up dramatically. There are tears sometimes, but so it goes... — Updated 10/30/2019
The credibility of the trusted
As I was growing up in the 1980s and 90s, if you read a newspaper you could take it as fact. The same could be said about the local and national news on television. No matter what... — Updated 10/16/2019
Where do you stand? It makes a difference
Recently, we have heard a lot about different people taking a stand. These people from different backgrounds, different educations, different financial statuses and different... — Updated 10/9/2019
Senior Profile: LorRinda Richardson
It is that time of year again, and I recently sat down with one of the stars at Lake Roosevelt to give you a sneak peek into a wonderful young lady’s life and future. I met L... — Updated 10/2/2019
The hunting story
Since hunting season is getting started and the sportsmen of the rifle are heading out soon to their favorite grounds, I thought I would tell you all my favorite hunting story. Of... — Updated 9/11/2019
Labor Day Blessings
If your Labor Day weekend was anything like mine, it was packed full of awesomeness, and we stayed busy. I saw lots of you doing lawn work, finishing honey-do lists and traveling... — Updated 9/4/2019
Birthday wishes
On Friday, a very special lady will celebrate her ??th birthday. I am smart enough to not put the actual digits in the paper for everyone to see. That would lead to me never having... — Updated 7/17/2019
He huffed and he puffed
Last weekend the wind blew. It did not seem like an extraordinary wind. It was powerful, for sure, but it did not seem anything like storms we have seen here in the past. The wind h... — Updated 5/1/2019
Resurrection Sunday
When I was growing up, I called it Easter, but as time has gone by and I have matured and educated myself I have come to realize that it is Resurrection Sunday. We celebrate the... — Updated 4/17/2019
A heart condition
I love cats! There, I said it and I am not ashamed. If I am being honest, I did not always feel that way. I used to have a negative spot in my heart for cats. Why, I am not sure.... — Updated 4/10/2019
Divine appointments
Spring break will be half over by the time you read this. The kids are running loose in neighborhoods everywhere, and staff from every school is resting up for the final leg of... — Updated 4/3/2019
The choices we make
Every second of every day we make choices. Do I get up at 5 a.m. or hit snooze? Do I eat Lucky Charms for breakfast or oatmeal? Do I wear a blue shirt or a red shirt today? Every... — Updated 3/27/2019
The sun on my face means something
Today I stood with my face pointed to the sun. Warmth of the rays covered my face and a smile crept upon my lips. A vague memory flickered in my skull. A memory that seems to have... — Updated 3/20/2019