Camping

BRIGHAM CITY — A search was called off Sunday for a man believed to have spent some time here.

SALT LAKE CITY -- Utah officials are warning lawmakers that some state parks will close if they don't get additional funding and more flexibility with fees.

State Parks Director Mary Tullius says the agency needs about $3 million in next year's budget to maintain existing operations.

Tullius said during a legislative committee Wednesday the agency is looking at other options to generate revenue and save money, such as privatizing a golf course.

Republican Rep. Evan Vickers of Cedar City says he is concerned historical or cultural parks will be threatened because they aren't self-sustaining.

Vickers says parks providing an educational benefit should be considered valuable even if they don't make money.

State Director of Natural Resources Michael Styler says parks should be allowed to increase fees during busy periods to boost earnings.

LAYTON -- A family that camps together, eats Chick-fil-A together. At least for the next year. The Doolhoff family was among the 240 campers who pitched their tents Wednesday morning in the parking lot of the new Chick-fil-A at 641 W. Antelope Drive.

MANILA -- The moment 12-year-old Jared Ropelato got home, all he wanted was a shower and a long nap.

HUNTSVILLE -- Health department officials are investigating several reports of stomach ailments among a small group of teen-age girls who attended a summer church camp last week.

OGDEN -- Beginning with a flyover by F-16 fighter jets from Hill Air Force Base, the Ogden Pioneer Days Parade set off along Washington Boulevard on Monday morning.

WASHINGTON -- Go ahead, blame harsh weather or high gas prices for a marked reduction in visits to Yosemite and other national parks so far this year. The summer droves, though, are returning.

In other words, the time to really beat the crowds may have passed.

At traditionally popular parks from Yosemite and Yellowstone to Mount Rainier and the Great Smoky Mountains, visitation from January through May fell compared with last year, sometimes dramatically. The smaller crowds thrilled park visitors but worried the businesses that depend on them.