UZona Record: A Year of Community Stories

The Stories That Resonated

This year brought moments of profound change to Hildale and Colorado City. Our coverage of the end of federal oversight marked a turning point in the history of these twin towns. As editors, we felt this story captured the significance of a community reclaiming its autonomy and charting its own course forward. It represented not just a legal milestone, but a symbolic moment of transition and hope.

While that article held special significance for us, our readers showed particular interest in the story about the new LDS Church being built. Reporting this piece presented unique challenges—getting official statements proved nearly impossible, with multiple sources declining to comment. When we finally spoke with local missionaries, they acknowledged that the Church preferred to keep a low profile given the community’s complex history. Sometimes the stories that are hardest to tell are the ones that need telling most.

Our most viral moment came with a Facebook post about the devastating Dragon Bravo Fire that burned much of the Grand Canyon North Rim—including the historic Grand Canyon Lodge. That single post reached over 16,000 people, demonstrating the power of timely information and the deep connection our readers feel to the natural landmarks that define our region.

Among our most-viewed articles was the inspiring story of Hildale resident Gawyn Dutson, who hiked Mount Everest—a remarkable achievement that showed the adventurous spirit of our community members. Sports coverage also proved popular, particularly when the Water Canyon Girls Basketball team hosted their first home playoff game, bringing the community together to celebrate local athletics.

Our coverage of the Colorado City Airshow drew significant readership as thousands of attendees gathered for the event, showcasing our community’s ability to host large-scale gatherings and attracting visitors from across the region.

One of our most meaningful pieces was “Short Creek Community Keeps El Capitan’s Flag Flying High,” which drew on the wisdom and memories of community elders. These stories that connect past and present, honoring our history while documenting where we’re headed, represent some of our most important work.

Our Editorial Philosophy

We made deliberate choices about what not to cover this year. The Travis Cooke murder case and the Sam Bateman conviction received extensive coverage from larger media outlets. We chose to step back from these stories, not because they weren’t newsworthy, but because we believe our community deserves more than a constant focus on its darkest moments.

UZona Record exists to highlight the positive developments in our towns—the new businesses opening, the officers joining our police force, the community centers bringing people together. Throughout the year, we’ve celebrated good news, from Colorado City Police Department welcoming two new Arizona certified peace officers to the many community events that brought people together.

Growing Together

Reader engagement has consistently improved each month, and we’re grateful for the community members who have passed along story tips and shared feedback. You’ve helped shape what UZona Record has become, and your input guides our coverage priorities.

Behind the scenes, our journey began when we gathered to brainstorm ways to get accurate, timely information to our community. We discovered that UZona Record had gone dormant since COVID-19, and we reached out to owner Monica Morrison. Together, we worked out an arrangement to bring this vital community resource back to life under Short Creek Media Group.

We’re thankful for everyone on our team and the outside contributors who’ve helped us tell these stories. Special appreciation goes to Whitnie Barlow and Lester Barlow, who have generously allowed us to use their photography in our articles, adding visual depth to our coverage.

Looking Ahead

From 88 articles published over ten months, we’ve learned that our community hungers for news that reflects who we are and who we’re becoming. We’ve learned that sometimes getting the story means persistent digging, and sometimes it means respectful restraint. Most importantly, we’ve learned that there are countless positive stories waiting to be told in Hildale, Colorado City, Apple Valley, and throughout the Arizona Strip and Upper Mesa region of Southern Utah.

Have a story idea for 2026? We want to hear from you. Send your suggestions through Facebook or email us at [email protected]. Your tips have led to some of our best articles this year, and we’re counting on you to help us find the stories that matter most.

Supporting Community Journalism

Running UZona Record comes with real costs—web hosting, equipment, and the time it takes to research and report each story accurately. If you’re a local business owner or know someone who might be interested in advertising with us, we’d love to hear from you. Your support helps us continue bringing you the stories that matter most while connecting our readers with local services and businesses. Reach out through Facebook or email us at [email protected] to learn more about advertising opportunities.

As this year ends, we’re already working on our first story of 2026—covering the Hildale City Council as they swear in new council member Lamont Black. It’s the kind of civic engagement story that reminds us why local journalism matters.

As we move into 2026, UZona Record remains committed to being your source for community-focused journalism. We’ll continue asking the tough questions, celebrating the victories, and giving voice to the people and events that shape life in our unique corner of the world.

Thank you for reading, sharing, and trusting us with your stories. Here’s to another year of bringing our community together, one article at a time.

—UZona Record Team