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Show A2 Sanpete Messenger/Gunnison Valley Edition Wednesday, August 1, 2007 Accidents (Continued from A1) Stephanie was arrested for driving “with a measurable amount of a controlled substance,” in her body. She had driven her car into a ditch while on the prescription medication, methadone, and was later convicted of the offense in 6th District Court. Funeral services for Cole are scheduled for Saturday, August 4 at 2 p.m. in the Centerfield LDS chapel. An account in Cole’s name at Gunnison Valley Bank has been set up to accept donations for funeral expenses. On July 20, Brittany Truswell was a passenger in a car driven by her mother, Heidi Fulmer. They were on their way from Manti to Ephraim to buy a birthday cake for Truswell’s 2-year-old son, Tyson, who was also in the car. According to both official reports and informal accounts of the accident, Fulmer approached another vehicle traveling in the same direction and prepared to overtake it. She started to move into the oncoming lane, but then pulled back, colliding with the other vehicle. Accounts differ as to why she pulled back. According to [either Fulmer or Fulmer’s mother, Gale Erichson], Fulmer saw an oncoming car and went to pull back into her own lane. Utah Highway Patrolman Lance Bushnell, who investigated the accident, differs. “The evidence indicates that she nodded off on medications. I think she temporarily blacked out, and ended up running right into the other vehicle.” Both Fulmer’s mother and Truswell’s husband, Richard, confirmed that Fulmer was on prescription medications, but Richard Gunnison Good N ews Ne BY KAREN PRISBREY 528-7710 JOHN HALES / MESSENGER PHOTO A Sanpete County sheriff’s deputy investigates the wreckage of an accident south of Manti last week that claimed the life of a 7-year-old Centerfield boy. Truswell does not believe they were a factor in the accident. “Personally, I don’t think she was too out of her mind. It takes more than she was on for her to be to that point,” he said, saying that he thought Fulmer simply didn’t see the oncoming vehicle in time to prevent a collision with the other one. In any case, the wreck caused an exposed screw on the door-locking mechanism to nearly cut an artery in half and sever nerves and other veins in Brittany’s arm. The injury to the artery caused quite a bit of blood loss, which made her situation serious. “She basically died right there, and came back,” Bushnell said. Richard Truswell said that was thanks to a person who was just a few cars behind the accident who was either an off-duty EMT or someone who knew First Aid. “If he hadn’t been there, she would have bled to death before she got to Mt. Pleasant,” he said. Brittany was Life-Flighted to Utah Valley Regional Medical Center, then again to LDS Hospital. Fulmer had some internal bruising and a neck injury, but 2year-old Tyson, secured in a carseat with a seatbelt, “didn’t get a scratch on him,” Richard said. Doctors operated on Brittany’s arm, but Richard says they aren’t sure whether she will ever be able to fully use it again. But it’s the brain trauma she suffered due to her massive loss of blood that is doctors’ and Richard’s biggest concern. “She’s very confused,” Richard said. “She does have some memory loss. She recognizes people, but then forgets about them when they leave the room. It kind of comes and goes. Some days she’s herself, some days she’s not even there. “Her body is healing the way they want it to, but her head isn’t,” Richard said. “She’s getting better, but she’s not Brittany.” Brittany is no longer in the hospital’s ICU, but does still require a “sitter,” a nurse that is with her around the clock. There is no real timeline for when she might leave the hospital. “We’re taking it day-by-day. It could be a couple weeks, could be a couple months. It depends on how she takes the rehabilitation,” Richard said. Richard said an account will be set up to accept donations to help with medical costs. For information about donating, contact Richard’s parents, Kent and Terri Devers of Delta, at (435) 8645132. Outpouring of sympathy lends comfort By John Hales Staff writer CENTERFIELD—Residents of Centerfield have shown an outpouring of compassion and sympathy in the wake of the death of one of the town’s youngest members, 7-year-old Cole Muller. Muller, the son of Marty and Stephanie Muller, was fatally injured in a car accident on July 26. Since then, the support shown by the town to one of its newest families has been, says a couple of the town’s residents, “overwhelming.” New to Centerfield within the last nine months, the Mullers were wellknown to only a handful. But since the news of the family’s loss, the community has come together in a well of support. “They’ve been overwhelmed with people that they don’t even know. It’s amazing,” said Shelle Christiansen, Stephanie’s employer and friend. “There’s been a lot of love poured out,” agreed Lorie Beck, wife of the Mullers’ LDS First Ward bishop, David Beck. “My husband was there [Monday night], and he said the phone would just not quit ringing, and people kept stopping by to express their condolences.” The town’s residents have made the loss their own, and are keenly aware of the family’s grief. “Everybody’s heart just breaks when a child dies,” Beck said. “He was the cutest little boy. Always happy. Always laughing. Just a sweet little soul.” Adding to that, Christiansen said, “He was everything to [Stephanie]. Out of everything she’s been through, Cole was her backbone.” And the family has been through a lot, Beck even calling their circumstances “dire.” “They’ve been so devastated,” she said. The family came to Centerfield in somewhat desperate circumstances. “They didn’t have anything. They were down and out,” Christiansen said. Marty has a lung disease which has made him unable to work. In fact, he was in the hospital with a bout of pneumonia on the same day that Cole was brought in after the accident, and was just released on Monday. Stephanie has had her own share of health problems, too. Faced with those and other problems, Christiansen said, Stephanie had been heard to say, “If it wasn’t for Cole, I wouldn’t even get out of bed.” “We’re really concerned about her well-being,” Christiansen said. “You just can’t help but love her. She’ll do anything to help anyone out. She has the biggest heart.” And now Centerfield residents are doing what they can to help her and her family. “I know we’ve all just told her how sorry we are and that we’re here for her. It’s so tough when you know the people,” Christiansen said. In addition to all the well-wishers among friends and strangers alike is Kelly Frandsen, who was the one who established an account in Cole’s name at Gunnison Valley Bank to take donations for help with Cole’s funeral expenses. “It’s been nice to see people come pay their respects,” said Frandsen. “[Marty’s] been appreciative of the help and support.” And when Marty when into the pharmacy a few days ago to get a prescription filled, said Christiansen, the pharmacist wouldn’t let him pay for the amount left unpaid by his insurance, but gave him the prescription. “This small community is really close together when there’s a tragedy, and there are lots of people with big hearts.” Art Center hosting Sanpete’s best at juried art show By John Hales Staff writer EPHRAIM—An open house will celebrate 15 artists selected to exhibit at this year’s Sanpete County Juried Art Show at the Central Utah Art Center in Ephraim on Friday. From 6-8 p.m., the work of local artists who are either from Sanpete or have ties to Sanpete will be on display, kicking off an exhibit that will run throughout August until Sept. 4. At 7 p.m. a brief talk will be delivered by one of the show’s jurors, Herman Dutoit from the Brigham Young University Museum of Art, in which he will discuss his rationale for selecting the art he chose for the exhibit. Following his speech will come the announcement of the show’s awards: $400 for First Place, $200 for Second Place and $100 for Third. “The show will offer a broad range of images as well as artistic experience,” said CUAC’s director, Jared Latimer. “Something that’s interesting is that the show represents multiple generations of Sanpete art,” he said. “Some have been around for quite a while, then there’s sort of a younger group.” Sanpete County Juried Art Show will run from Aug. 1-Sept. 4 For example, the exhibit holds work done by a woman, M’lisa Paulsen, and her grandchildren, Steiner and Chandler Paulsen, ages 10 and 12 respectively. The artists selected to show in this year’s competition were Brad Aldridge, Moroni; Doug Fryer, Spring City; Pam Paulson, currently living in Salt Lake City, but originally from Fairview; Ron Richmond, Mt. Pleasant; John Stevens, Spring City; Kathleen Peterson, Spring City; Osral Allred, Spring City; Scott Allred, Spring City; Lee Bennion, Spring City; Russ Evans, Birch Creek; M’lisa Paulsen, Spring City; Kelly Brooks, Ephraim; John Parsons, Spring City; Chandler Paulsen, Salt Lake City; and Steiner Paulsen, Salt Lake City. Dawn Pheysey, also from the BYU Museum of Art, was the other juror and will also be in attendance at the open house. Latimer said both judges are friends of the art center. “They come down regularly to see what’s happening at the art center. They’re familiar with us and are aware of what’s going on. They’re important individuals in the art world in Utah. And they love Sanpete. Every time they come down, they just love it. Parades and picnics for this year’s July 24 celebration drew many people to Axtell, Centerfield, Fayette, and Mayfield. Axtell’s celebration, held at Anthony’s Flat up Willow Creek Canyon, brought more than 150 people to celebrate their heritage and to honor Marris Despain with the community walking stick of service. Centerfield’s parade, roast beef dinner and entertainment drew a nice crowd as well. The big attraction that evening for the children was the waterslide. Even a few adults found themselves going down the slide—after getting their small children to the top and then not being able to get back down any other way. Fayette had its early morning flag ceremony and breakfast followed by the children’s parade down Main Street and up to the church, where everyone gathered to participate in the many old time games that were played by all ages, including the young at heart. The community potluck dinner at noon is always a great success. Mayfield’s parade had many families or neighborhoods doing KAREN PRISBREY / MESSENGER PHOTO A dependable, old time SUV is being sold by the kids on this Mayfield float. floats that were well thought out and decorated. There were the Bjerregaards of Fog Holler, the Pirates of Christenburg Road, Mayfield’s own SUV service (a carved wooden cow with all the amenities of a fine SUV), Que Miller enjoyed “spreading happiness” with his flower laden manure spreader, and Gunnison Market employees got off easy pushing their empty shopping carts. The games, Lions hamburgers, hot dogs, taco salads, and the rubber ducky race were the culminating activities. Many families from throughout the valley enjoyed the celebration. Don and Ila Edwards entertained family members with a barbecue in their back yard. Coming from Clinton were Larry and Debbie Edwards, their daughter Hillary, husband Randy Garside and four children of Hooper, also son Brady and Wendy Edwards of Provo and two boys. Coming from the Salt Lake valley were Melanie and Cory Hammond with their children Erin and Matthew, and Brittany and Austin Sorenson and their two children. Gunnison residents included Coleen and Darwin Ogden, Kolby Edwards, Jason and Katie Edwards and their three daughters, and Glade and Kennard Anderson. Everyone had a delightful time. Devin and Misty Prisbrey hosted a barbecue at their home in Centerfield for family and friends also. Coming from Aurora were Staci, Lindi Jo, Seth, Hayden and Kaleb Prisbrey. Coming from Gunnison were Blaine and Karen Prisbrey, along with family friends Susan and Pete Jeppson and their six children. The missionaries also stopped in for a bite to eat. The family gathered at Blaine and Karen’s later in the evening for fireworks and banana splits. The Prisbrey family was excited to receive a phone call from Matthew Prisbrey who is serving with the 145th Field Artillery Unit, currently stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas. Matt sounded like he was in good spirits, and eager to get on with his responsibilities. Weekend visitors at the Boyd and Sara Donaldson home were Tyler and Sarah Donaldson and daughter Carolyn of St. George. Congratulations are extended to Elder Justin Pickett, who has been called to serve in the South Africa, Cape Town Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Elder Pickett will enter the MTC in Provo today. Elder Pickett is the son of Kaye and Kim Pickett, and the grandson of Standley and the late Verda Pickett of Gunnison, and Neil and Beth Miller of American Fork. Condolences are extended to the families of David and Betty Higgins and Morris Higgins at the passing of their father, grandfather, and brother Marlin Higgins of Richfield on Tuesday, July 24. Services were held Monday, July 29 at the East Richfield Stake Center with burial at the Monroe City Cemetery. Condolences are also extended to the Muller family of Centerfield whose 7-year-old son Cole died in a tragic accident on Thursday, July 26. Stephanie Muller, the boy’s mother, is employed at Shelle’s Drive-In. Contributions to help with funeral expenses are being accepted in Cole’s name at the Gunnison Valley Bank. Birthday hugs and kisses are going out to our youngest grandson Kyler Gordon Prisbrey who is five years old today. Happy Birthday Kykes, we love you bunches! Orders for deployment to Iraq have been received by the soldiers of the 145th Field Artillery Unit currently stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas. They will leave the states on Aug. 29, with arrival scheduled for Sept. 2, somewhere in Iraq. The soldiers have been given four days of leave prior to shipping out. A number of the soldiers are flying home to see their families for a couple of days, while other families are driving to Texas to spend more time with their men. Sanpete News Company, Inc., publishing the GUNNISON VALLEY EDITION UPS# 232-020 Deadlines, Post Office & Contact Information “Half Life,” a painting by Brad Aldridge of Spring City, will be part of the Sanpete County Juried Art Show at the Central Utah Art Center in Ephraim. “Please join us at the opening reception on Friday 6-8 p.m. to meet the artists and jurors.” Copyright, Sanpete News Company, Inc.©2004. All rights reserved. Reproduction, re-use, or transmittal of all matter herein is prohibited without prior written permission of the publisher. Published each Wednesday for 75¢ each, $24.00 inside Sanpete County, $27.00 outside Sanpete County, by Sanpete News Company, Inc., 35 S. Main, Manti, Utah 84642 Phone 435-835-4241, fax 435-835-1493 suzanne@sanpetemessenger.com E-mail publisher at: Deadline: Thursday, 5 p.m. Manti: 35 S. Main, Hours: M-F, 9 am to 6 pm Periodicals Postage Paid at Manti, Utah 84642, and at additional mailing offices. 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