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Show er Turns In Budge, Retires From lliglirnty Ratrol By Loren Webb In the 30 years, Bert Willden has worked as a Utah Highway mr Special Features: Contiental Divide, P.G. The Night THe Lights Went Out in Georgia, P.G. The French Lieutenants Woman, R Zorro, P.G. (Mention this ad and receive a special Patrol trooper hes never had any regrets. In fact, Willden, who retired March 31 from the patrol says the biggest reward Ive found is all the good people Ive met on the highway. People who appreciate you being out there. A resident of Ephraim since 1955, when he began working out of the Richfield office, Willden covered all of Sanpete and Sevier counties and also patrolled Wayne County until Trooper Steve Brown moved to Loa. At that time there were five only troopers discount!) working between Our Classifieds Reach 10,000 Homes the highway Thistle and Kanab. Today 12 troopers work from the Richfield office, says Willden. with UHP and passed. He because he thought it would be another challenge and so on Feb. 17, 1952, he put on the uniform of a Utah Highway Patrol trooper and for his first month worked Sevier County. He was later moved to Emery County. He told his supervisors he didnt care where he served in the state. He was originally scheduled to live in and cover the Wendover area, but was sent to Emery County due to a request by Emery commissioners County who had no trooper in the Bert Willden county up to that time. f For three and Prior to becoming a years, he and Emery Sheriff Don trooper, Willden worked County for Bureau of Land Coford were the only law Management building enforcement officers in roads and reservoirs on the county and they had Utahs west desert. While their share of excitement working for BLM, he took controlling miners at a test for a possible job bars and on the highways. applied one-hal- and Kdied another deer hunter. When W'illden moved to Ephraim from Ferron and began working Sevier and Sanpete counties, 50 mph during the night and drivers 60 conducting in the day was the legal license examinations in speed limit. The signs Price Helper, Dragerton, were reflectorized. The and Castle Dale. speed limit then went up to 65, then 70 mph and It was a tough three then back to 55. It wasnt years as Wilden was as big an adjustment to invovled in gathering up from 55 to 70 as it was go 50 dead people killed in to reverse the process, suicides, drownings, says Willden. accidents and one lost A Willden also covered Carbon County and spent 50 percent of his time prospector to froze who lot of people including death. troopers didnt believe in the 55 mph law, but the Willden says most introopers enforced it vestigations were mutual Willden believes anyway. efforts since the sheriff the 55 mph is a good thing called when he needed and has saved many help and Willden did the accidents. same. Willden remembers one incident in He saw another change particular. It invovled a from the 1950s to the negligent homicide case 1980s as every road where some deer hunters except south of Sterling to driving near dusk on a Axtell, was rebuilt adding mountain stretch thought to the safety of the they saw a deer, took aim traveling public. and shot into what was With such a demanding reallv a lantern in a tnt job, Willden gives credit to UHP nonretired trooier Charles Cowley, Venice, for teaching him much about the law forcement en- business. away irom ms larmky often. Willden believes for the most part he has been fair and consistent on the job with the people hes dealt with. He adds that "the highway patrol has been good to me and I feel Ive been good to them. Willden plans to spend his retirement fishing, I? Willden finds working with other officers, spending off duty time with them and depending on them at other times a hunting deer and to save your neck building reward too. However, a shop where he can there is one job disad- sharpen chainsaws and vantage. It takes him knives. Sand Dunes Beckons Spring Recreation Its time to head for the dunes! With Easter only days recreationist away, throughout Utah are gearing up for their annual trek to Little Sahara Recreation Area in Juab County. Managed by the Bureau of Land Management, S' e vi e fin Little Sahara Recreation Area is located west of Nephi on U.S. Highway 6. The area offers 60,000 acres of moving sand dunes, sagebrush flats, and juniper hills. The varied terrain provides a haven not only for the offroad vehicle driver, but also for nature seekers, campers, picnickers, and especially children who delight in an over-sized sandbox. According to Tom Jensen, BLMs House Range Resource Area Manager, the area is designed to maximize the publics enjoyment of these desert lands. He mentioned that this year visitors will find a new attraction: The popular White Sands Campground now offers drinking water, restrooms, and three graveled loops with 99 individual camping units. White Sands continues to be one of the d most favored vehicle spots, but also offers a fenced area for other sand activities. Other facilities within the recreation area include Oasis Campground with an adjacent trailer and station, dump Jericho Picnic Area. Both places offer drinking water, picnic tables, off-roa- charcoal grills, paved roads, and protective In addition, fences. Jericho features a large enclosed sand play area. to Jericho Adjacent Picnic Area is an exd cellent vehicle area, comparable to the popular White Sands. Parking loops near Sand Mountain, with its 500 foot vertical face, may fit the needs of the camper who prefers undeveloped area. Miles of desert solitude are also off-roa- available throughout Little Sahara for campers who want to "get away from it all. Jensen reported that all camping in the recreation area is on a first come first serve basis. Because the few trees in the desert area are needed by recreationists for shade, visitors are requested to bring their own firewood. In addition to the challenges available for drivers, Little Sahara presents endless off-roa- d other recreation opportunities. Day hikes through Rockwell Natural Area can provide a glimpse of desert and wildlife unique plants. The dunes are a sunbathers paradise, and those who are creatively inclined may want to try Castleb- uilding. Photographers bread of the week Pumpemickle 16oz. Loaf Charley Pride irs A' A gf'i OyKlU'kng ToOter A1, You 5 Copyright Safeway RICHFIELD STORE ONLY enjoy the interesting shadows and sand dune patterns. The Little Sahara Vistior Center, located one mile from the main entrance on Highway 6, will be open daily during the Easter weekend activities. BLM personnel will be stationed at the Visitor Center to provide public assistance and information. In addition, the West and East Juab Ambulance Services will first aid operate a station at the Visitor Center, and will provide first aid checkpoints throughout the recreation area. According to Jensen, BLM is planning for a safe and fun weekend at Little Sahara. Juab County and State of Utah law enforcement per- sonnel will provide assistance at the area again this year. Jensen mentioned that over the last few years law enforcement problems have been greatly minimized. |