Bighorn sheep will be the center of attention at a Watchable Wildlife viewing event Nov. 15 in Provo. The Division of Wildlife Resources is hosting the event.

The event is free of charge. It will begin with a presentation by DWR Biological Aide Jericho Whiting at 10 a.m. at the DWR's Springville office, located at 1115 N. Main St. in Springville. Whiting monitors the bighorn sheep herd that lives in Utah County. He has spent many hours hiking the rugged terrain of the mountains in eastern Utah County to monitor habitat use, migration, mortality and lambing success, and to ensure the overall health of the herd.

After Whiting's presentation, participants will travel to Rock Canyon Park, 2620 N. 1200 E. in Provo, to view the bighorns. DWR staff will also be available to answer questions about these animals.

Before reintroduction efforts, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep were last found along the Wasatch Front in the 1930s. Since January 2000, 66 bighorn sheep have been reintroduced into Utah County. The population now numbers about 100 sheep. Several of these animals prefer to remain just above the residential areas of Provo, and several of them have created problems as they've roamed through residential neighborhoods. Although DWR biologists will relocate 15 to 20 of these sheep, there will be plenty of sheep for people to view through the fall.

Participants to the Nov. 15 event are encouraged to bring binoculars to view the sheep. Spotting scopes will also be provided by the DWR. There are bathroom facilities, playground equipment and picnic tables at Rock Canyon Park, providing a good reason to bring the entire family.

For more information about the event contact Scott Root, DWR Central Region conservation outreach manager, at (801) 491-5656.

3:00:51 PM    

Lt. Gov. Olene S. Walker today named six senior staffers to serve in her new administration. This follows earlier announcements of Gayle McKeachnie as lieutenant governor and the retention of cabinet members in their current positions.

 

“I have chosen a well-rounded, experienced group of individuals with diverse skills and talents. I have confidence in each of them and am impressed by their dedication to public service and to this administration,” said Walker. “These appointments are critical in allowing this office to ensure the quality leadership essential to our state’s success. They will assist me in accomplishing specific initiatives and objectives I believe are instrumental in shaping Utah’s future.”

 

Walker named attorney Gary Doxey to serve as chief of staff.  Doxey will focus on policy and state agency issues. He previously served through two terms of the Leavitt/Walker administration as chief counsel to the governor.  Doxey came to the governor’s staff from the history faculty at Brigham Young University.  His previous public service includes serving as deputy commissioner of the Utah Department of Financial Institutions and earlier as associate general counsel to the Utah Legislature.  Doxey earned his doctorate from Cambridge University and a juris doctorate from BYU. 

 

“Gary is a trusted colleague who is bright and very capable,” Walker noted. “He has his finger on the pulse of the state’s issues and is a strategic and objective thinker. I am pleased to continue working with him.”

 

Walker also named Lynne N. Ward as the deputy chief of staff. Walker tasked Ward to focus on legislative issues and the budget. Ward is a certified public accountant and has served as the director for the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget since 1993. She has also held senior positions for both the Department of Administrative Services Division of Finance and the Utah State Auditor’s Office. Ward has a B.S. in accounting from the University of Utah. 

 

“Lynne is a credible individual and well respected, especially with the legislature. Those qualities will allow her the ability to work through policy issues, especially during the legislative session,” Walker said. “I’ve asked her to oversee the office’s efforts on the financial stewardship of the state.  No one knows the state’s budget like Lynne. Her expertise and institutional knowledge will help keep Utah on course as the best managed state.”

 

Walker appointed Brian Farr as chief counsel.  Farr has worked for the attorney general’s office since 1986.  His assignments include representing the governor, lieutenant governor, the auditor and treasurer. Farr has been a practicing attorney since 1977.  He received his B.S. in medical biology and his juris doctorate from BYU.

 

“Brian will serve the state well on legal issues,” said Walker. “I’ve worked with him for several years and trust him implicitly.”

 

Leo L. Memmott was named deputy for policy.  Memmott currently serves as Gov. Leavitt’s assistant for special projects and the Olympics and has served as the deputy director of the State Olympic Office.   Memmott also has 32 years of experience as the fiscal analyst for the Utah State Legislature. He is a certified public accountant and earned a B.S. in accounting from Utah State University.

 

Walker complimented Memmott’s analytical abilities. “Leo is a great problem solver. He has the ability to build productive relationships and develop workable solutions.”

 

Walker appointed Amanda Covington to serve as the Deputy for Communications.  Covington is currently the director of communications for the Utah Department of Transportation.  She has also worked as a producer and assignment desk editor for local television news stations KTVX and KSL. Covington has an Honors B.A. in mass communications from the University of Utah.

 

“I appreciate Amanda’s style and approach to media and communications issues,” said Walker. “She is open and honest with the media and is responsive to their requests. Amanda brings innovation and creativity to the team.”

 

Richard Ellis will assume the position of director for the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget.  Ellis is currently the chief deputy state treasurer for the Utah State Treasurer’s Office. He has also served as the treasurer for the City of Draper and was the assistant vice president for Dougherty, Dawkins, Strand and Bigelow in Salt Lake City. Ellis is a certified public accountant. He has an MBA from the University of Utah and a B.S. in finance from BYU. 

 

“With the economic issues facing our state, Richard is the right person to guide us through upcoming challenges we may face,” said Walker. “He is fiscally conservative and prudent.”

 

Rian Williams will serve as the governor’s executive assistant. She is currently Walker’s assistant in the lieutenant governor’s office. She has also worked as the state voter-outreach coordinator and managed media relations for the State Elections Office. Williams has a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Utah and a B.A. in political science from Utah State University.

 

Walker said Williams will be proficient at managing the governor’s daily business from scheduling to correspondence and is a forward thinker and planner.

2:56:25 PM