Steven Nelson was sworn in as Cedar City’s new mayor on January 5, 2026, at City Hall Council Chambers.

He follows in the footsteps of his family’s original settlers and is only the second directly elected mayor since the city shifted to a mayoral system in 2021.

Neson’s civic leadership spans the Board of Adjustments, Downtown Economic Development, Chamber of Commerce, and Iron County Board of Realtors.

His work as co-founder of Iron Leaders Academy and decades coaching youth sports have left a lasting mark on the community.

Waldo Galan joins the council after a 32-year career with Ford Motor Company, bringing expertise in leadership and business.

Now a local business owner, Galan is recognized for advocacy work with the Interfaith Alliance and Canyon Creek Women's Crisis Center.

Re-elected Councilman R. Scott Phillips celebrates his third term, capping over 45 years of service in arts and public life.

This ceremony signals a new era as these leaders strive for growth and community well-being.

"Keep close to Nature's heart... and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean." - John Muir

Family owned Indian restaurant specializing in North Indian/Punjabi entrées with traditional cooking styles and freshly ground spices.

Why did the cowboy ride his horse into Cedar City?

Because he heard it was a stable community!

Cedar City Hospital newborns in 2026 will be wrapped in unique ‘America 250’ quilts, hand-stitched by a devoted local quilting guild to honor the nation’s 250th anniversary.

Each quilt, adorned with patriotic patterns, reflects both tradition and the shared history that unites Americans.

This creative effort is part of Cedar City’s extensive celebrations for the historic milestone, arriving alongside a citywide tree planting and a 250-mile walking challenge, designed to engage residents of all ages in honoring their national heritage.

The guild’s generous project not only highlights artistic skill but deepens community bonds, offering every newborn a tangible link to America’s legacy as their lives begin.

With a year of activities ahead, these heartfelt quilts offer a warm, lasting symbol of unity and pride for Cedar City.

Iron County School District will receive a notable $2.7 million boost from the School LAND Trust for the 2026–27 academic year, an increase of $416,400 over last year.

This infusion is part of a record-breaking $134 million being distributed statewide, representing a 20% rise, fueled by strong trust land management and the impact of Amendment B, which raised the annual cap on distributions from 4% to 5%.

Locally, the new funds aim to strengthen academic interventions, reduce class sizes, expand technology, and support educator development.

Funding decisions follow a per-pupil formula, ensuring fairness across Utah.

Under this dynamic system, trust lands and investments continue to help schools thrive today while maintaining support for future generations.

Community involvement is encouraged to help guide how these vital resources will benefit local students.

Visit the Frontier Homestead State Park Museum in Cedar City to learn about the history of the area and see artifacts from the pioneer era.

Each winter, bald eagles return to Utah's skies, seeking milder weather and plentiful food.

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources will host a free bald eagle viewing event just outside Cedar City on Friday, January 9, from 3 to 6 p.m.

Visitors can observe these iconic birds up close while learning from DWR biologists.

Guests are encouraged to dress warmly and bring binoculars or spotting scopes.

The viewing site is northwest of Cedar City; take I-15 exit 59, drive west on Highway 56 for 3 miles, then north on N. 3900 West.

For those unable to attend, Rush Lake Ranch and the Colorado River north of Moab offer excellent bald eagle viewing throughout the winter.

Remember to view eagles from public spots, respect private property, and pull completely off the road for safety.

Visit the Southern Utah Museum of Art on the Southern Utah University campus for a hidden gem of artistic beauty in Cedar City.

The Southern Utah University women’s basketball team gears up for a critical WAC showdown against Utah Valley University this Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in the America First Event Center.

Despite being picked last in preseason polls, the Thunderbirds are off to a sizzling 10-4 start and sit atop the conference with a 2-0 WAC record.

Offensively, SUU leads the WAC at 77.1 points per game, fueled by stellar performances from juniors Ava Uhrich and Brooklyn Fely, both ranking among the league’s top rebounders, and sophomore Sierra Chambers, who ranks second in the conference with 15.9 points per game.

Utah Valley enters at 9-5, anchored by senior Amanda Barcellos and boasting the WAC’s strongest defense, allowing just 58.1 points per game.

Fans are encouraged to attend or watch on ESPN+ and enjoy Cedar City’s vibrant community events, including a special concert at Heritage Theater following the big game.