Tag: utah

Story Time: My Trip to the Skinwalker Ranch

From ghoulies and ghosties and long-leggedy beasties and things that go bump in the night, Good Lord, deliver us!

– Traditional Scottish Prayer 

After I posted my Weekend Parting Shot Friday night, enough people responded that they would like to hear the stories of my visit to Skinwalker Ranch and my UFO sighting, that I decided to go ahead and pen another column, rather than relegating it to a comment response. 

 Two disclaimers:

  1. If you are here for hard news, political commentary, or want to own the libs, that’s fine, I get it, and we have no shortage of talented writers here who are doing that as I write this. At my heart, I am more of a storyteller and less of a journalist than I used to be. If you feel compelled to hit the “Back” button, I completely understand.
  2. There is no “big reveal” at the end of these stories. I did not slip into a parallel dimension, I did not receive any esoteric knowledge, and I was not abducted and *ahem* “probed. The only thing that sets these stories apart from much of the rest of the stuff on the internet is that they are true.

So, if that tracks for you, poke up your fire if you have one, open the beverage of your choice, and I’ll tell you the tales.

Story 1

It was back in 2003, and I was the fire warden for Uintah and Daggett counties in Utah. I was not working for the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, or the NPS. A fire warden is an employee of the Utah Department of Natural Resources and the Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands.

If we were not assigned to a fire, we were either issuing permits or doing fuels mitigation. Fuels mitigation is a technical term for removing combustible material from an area to reduce fire danger. And, since it was still early in the season, we were usually working on a fuels project.

If you look at a map of Utah in the northeast corner, you will see Flaming Gorge Reservoir and National Recreation Area. On the Utah side, there is a cluster of vacation homes known as Flaming Gorge Acres. That is where I was working the day the call came in. Flaming Gorge is a wonderful place to work during the summer. You are up high in the mountains, the sky is usually clear and blue, the air is clean, and about the time you are starting to feel the heat, a summer thunderstorm rolls through around lunch time to cool things off. Honestly, there isn’t a corner office in the world that has it beat.   

We had spent the day cutting down trees and limbing and bucking them for later disposal, and running what we could through a Vermeer chipper approximately the size of New Jersey. It was quitting time, and I was covered in needles, sap, dirt, bits of wood, and sweat, accented with a few dabs of saw fuel and oil. I was so tired that I was hoping we didn’t pop a smoke somewhere, since all I wanted to do was find a hot shower and a cold beer. Not necessarily in that order, and possibly at the same time. As I was packing up the engine, I got a call on my cell. A very nice lady wanted to know if I could swing by and give her a burn permit. She was out near Randlett. 

Randlett was founded in the 1800s and is largely populated by members of the Ute Indian Tribe, although at one time, there were a number of ranches and farms owned by non-Indians in the area. I haven’t been back in a while, so I don’t know if anything has changed. One of the problems complicating boundary disputes involving the Uintah & Ouray Reservation is that much of the land is checkerboarded, meaning that one parcel might be privately owned, another by the state, the next by the Ute Tribe, and the one after that by some other federal entity. I lived in Randlett back when I did a mission for the Episcopal Church. Where it has not been cultivated, much of it is high desert and covered in sagebrush. It is also about a two-hour drive from Flaming Gorge Acres, and I was beat. I asked the lady if I could swing by the next day. She said that would be fine and that she was at “The UFO Ranch.” 

I said I’d be there first thing in the morning. 

Since this was in the days before cell phone maps and GPS apps, I got very careful directions from her. Then I went off to find my beer and shower.

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From Anti-Semitic Conspiracy to Custody: Man Arrested for Threats Based on Lies About Kirk Assassination

On October 12, Seth Dillon, owner and CEO of The Babylon Bee, received a death threat from an anonymous X user.

The threat read:

You’re in on it too b***h don’t think we forgot. Conspired with foreign govt about killing Charlie we f***ing know you did b***h. We’re gonna get you I promise maybe not today or tomorrow but you’re living on borrowed time and you know it.

Yesterday, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier identified that user as Nicholas Ray of Spring, TX. Ray, 28, is now being extradited to Florida.

“Ray is now in custody and will be extradited to Florida to face charges of extortion, written threats to kill, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device,” Uthmeier wrote on X.

Dillon wasn’t the only person Ray allegedly threatened. He also posted threats against Laura Loomer and Josh Hammer.

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More charges could come in Kirk murder case if evidence warrants it, says FBI’s Patel

FBI Director Kash Patel told Just the News in an interview that the bureau is continuing to investigate the assassination of Charlie Kirk, including the possibility of accomplices or assistance from other suspects.

He said that once the bureau collects enough evidence, they would refer any possible additional suspects to the prosecutors who are handling the case. “We’re looking at everyone that was there, that was online, and we’re looking to refer these matters to the state prosecution authorities when there’s enough evidence,” Patel told the Just the News, No Noise TV show in a wide-ranging interview that aired last week. 

Since Kirk, a prominent and influential conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, was killed during a campus event at Utah Valley University outside of Salt Lake City, the suspected shooter, Tyler Robinson, was apprehended by law enforcement after he turned himself in. 

Fox Business news said that Charlie Kirk had 1.7 million Instagram followers before his death, and after his death more than a million new YouTube subscribers followed him, citing Social Blade metrics. “The surge lifts his subscriber base to 5 million, up from 3.8 million before his death,” the outlet reported.

“Multiple warning signs” before the assassination, says FBI’s Bongino 

Patel’s deputy director, Dan Bongino, said that Robinson displayed several warning signs before the attack including a recent interest in left-wing politics and a discussion with family about Kirk’s upcoming appearance in Utah and their dislike for the conservative activist.

“There appear to have been multiple warning signs,” Bongino said. “There were people in his network, friends and family who had stated that he had become more political.”

Because of this, the FBI said they are looking into whether other people in Robinson’s network, including online contacts, knew something about the shooting in advance and failed to or chose not to notify law enforcement. At the time, the bureau was also probing whether anyone else on the ground at the event may have been involved with the shooting.

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Digital Clues Suggest Prior Knowledge in Charlie Kirk Shooting, James Li Reports

“When was the first time you heard the name Tyler Robinson or the Losi Center?” Li asks, referencing the alleged shooter and the rooftop location at Utah Valley University where Kirk was killed. “For me—it was in the days and weeks after Charlie Kirk’s tragic assassination on September 10th. But what if I told you somebody, maybe multiple somebodies, were searching those terms before September 10th?”

According to Li, Google Trends data showed a blip for “Tyler James Robinson” searches originating from Washington, D.C. at 11 a.m. the day before the shooting. “Why would anybody be searching the name Tyler James Robinson one day before he allegedly assassinated Charlie Kirk?” Li asks.

The significance, Li notes, is heightened by the fact that this was a name unknown to the public until the media first reported the alleged shooter two days after the killing.

“The fact that the searches are localized to D.C.—a city synonymous with the federal government, intelligence, national media, and political organizations—strongly shifts the interpretation away from random noise or perpetrator checking his own name into a strong potential signal of pre-event institutional knowledge or activity,” he explains.

Li pushes deeper, reporting that similar Trend anomalies surfaced regarding the private jet tail number “9888KG,” which took off from Provo, Utah shortly after the assassination. Again, trend spikes occurred before major news coverage. “Once again, September 9th, one day before the shooting, there is a blip. Why? We don’t know,” Li says. “Of course they’re telling us there’s nothing to see here, don’t look any further.”

Li also highlights searches for “Losi Center,” the key venue in Utah, which spiked in the D.C. metro area on September 8th—two days prior to the shooting.

“Somebody in DC was doing a search a couple of days beforehand of the Losi Center,” he notes, suggesting an unusual interest in the geographic details of the crime scene.

Li adds a note of caution: “Let’s be skeptical for a second because we should always be skeptical. And I’m throwing myself into that category. You should be skeptical of what I’m saying. Do your own research.”

Turning to Baron Coleman, the podcast host credited for the research, Li verifies his credentials as a veteran Alabama radio personality before lauding his meticulous data work. “At the very least, he didn’t just pop out of nowhere. And I want to give props to his great research,” Li says.

Further oddities surface in trends for vintage rifle searches like “Mauser 98,” the weapon type connected to the case. “Mauser 98, a rifle that the feds tell us is powerful, vintage, and hard to trace,” Li notes, referencing Google Trends hits in D.C. two weeks prior to the shooting.

Li concludes that while coincidences sometimes happen, “once has happened stance, twice is coincidence, three times is enemy action. Well, this is now four different coincidences.” Acknowledging his own attempts to replicate the data, he adds, “After his video was released and it kind of went viral, the trends results had been since scrubbed.”

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The Charlie Kirk Case Just Took a Shocking Turn

Charlie Kirk’s leaked texts prove Candace Owens was right all along—he refused to be silenced by powerful pro-Israel donors.

Less than 48 hours before his assassination, Kirk confided that major donors were abandoning him after he refused to cancel Tucker Carlson. In those same messages, he admitted he could no longer support the pro-Israel cause while facing relentless pressure to censor dissenting voices.

TPUSA spokesman Andrew Kolvet has now confirmed the texts are authentic, exposing weeks of denial and a coordinated campaign to discredit Owens. Her investigation wasn’t reckless—it was righteous.

The smear campaign against her, Tucker Carlson, and Megyn Kelly wasn’t about “unity.” It was about hiding the truth that Charlie’s refusal to bow made him a threat to those who depend on control.

Candace never backed down—and now the receipts confirm she was telling the truth.

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Flaw in Charlie Kirk Assassination Case Could Derail Everything: Expert

A well-known defense attorney in Utah says that the timeline of events could be a major weakness in the prosecution’s case against Tyler Robinson, the man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The defense is likely to delay the discovery process for up to a year before the case goes to a preliminary hearing.

Kirk, who was 31 and had two kids, was shot and killed at 12:20 p.m. on September 10 while giving a speech at a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University. He started the conservative student group, which turned into a national movement that is credited with getting more young people involved in the Republican Party.

Skye Lazaro of the Salt Lake City firm Ray Quinney & Nebeker told Fox News, “There is just so much we don’t know yet as this case develops.”

The defense team also doesn’t know much at this point. The discovery process started on Monday, and prosecutors have five days to make their first revelations. Robinson’s lawyers have already pushed back his waiver hearing by a month.

News briefings, statements from law enforcement, and charging paperwork filed last week have made some evidence public. The documents include text exchanges between Robinson and his roommate and love partner, Lance Twiggs. In these communications, Robinson is said to have taken responsibility for Kirk’s death. But the messages don’t have any timestamps.

Robinson, 22, was taken into custody in his hometown in southern Utah 33 hours after the shooting. Fox News Digital reports that authorities said he went back to the crime scene before he was arrested, where police later located the gun they think he used to kill someone.

The outlet said that investigators have not made clear when he talked to a police officer who was stationed along the edge of the area.

Lazaro told Fox that “If it doesn’t line up in a way that makes sense, it could definitely be bad for them.”

Fox said that a police source said Robinson told an officer at the site that he was trying to get back something he had left in a parking garage close to where police subsequently found the rifle they think was used in the murder.

At the time, the contact didn’t trigger any red flags because hundreds of individuals had left their things behind while running away from the location after Kirk’s deadly shooting in front of about 3,000 people.

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Assassin Trial Bombshell: Huge Plea Deal Imminent?

A potential plea agreement looms over the trial of the alleged assassin of conservative figure Charlie Kirk, Tyler Robinson.

Robinson’s Court Appearance

Tyler Robinson, accused of attempting to assassinate prominent conservative advocate Charlie Kirk, appeared in court recently. The hearing could lead to a plea agreement, potentially altering the trajectory of legal proceedings. Robinson, 24, accompanied by his new legal counsel, faced the decision of pursuing a preliminary hearing. This step would determine if sufficient evidence exists for the trial to proceed, a pivotal moment in this high-profile case.

The case has garnered significant attention due to its political implications, with many conservatives closely watching the developments. The legal system’s handling of this case is crucial for those concerned about political violence and its impact on free speech and public safety.

Plea Agreement Possibilities

A plea agreement in this context could mean several outcomes, including reduced charges or sentencing in exchange for a guilty plea. The decision to accept such an agreement hinges on the strength of the evidence presented by the prosecution. This case highlights the delicate balance between ensuring justice and navigating the complexities of legal strategy in politically charged cases.

Conservatives view the prosecution’s ability to present a compelling case as essential, not just for ensuring justice for Kirk but also for sending a strong message against political violence. The potential plea deal raises questions about accountability and the consequences of actions that threaten public figures and, by extension, democratic discourse.

Implications for Political Discourse

This case has broader implications for political discourse in the United States, particularly in how threats and acts of violence against public figures are addressed. For many, it underscores the need for a robust legal framework that protects individuals’ rights while deterring politically motivated violence. The outcome could influence future cases and be seen as a barometer for how seriously such threats are taken.

As the legal process unfolds, conservatives are reminded of the importance of a fair and decisive judiciary that upholds the rule of law and safeguards the foundational principles of free speech and security for all citizens.

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Utah Valley University CIA Professor’s Profile Disappears After Charlie Kirk Event

A social media investigation has surfaced claims that a Utah Valley University (UVU) professor with alleged CIA ties, Rusty Needs, recently had his online faculty profile scrubbed just days after a controversial appearance by Charlie Kirk on campus.

The video details attempts to connect the CIA, LDS community, UVU, and Israeli academic institutions, raising concerns about secrecy and academic transparency.

According to the investigator, Rusty Needs, listed until recently as a professor in UVU’s CNSS (Center for National Security Studies), vanished from public faculty listings between September 24 and September 26, 2025. The purge reportedly included six other staff with ties to national security or event planning for the Kirk event. The university has allegedly removed the entire staff directory, citing security concerns, and other digital traces have rapidly disappeared.

There are also allegations that CNSS contributed to event planning for the Kirk appearance. University police reportedly managed security, while the sudden deletions have sparked online speculation about a wider cover-up involving academics and possibly institutional relationships with intelligence communities

You can even see on Coursicle you can see that Rusty Needs, taught a course at UVU called “NSS 3050 – US Intelligence Community”.

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State of Utah: Charlie Kirk autopsy report will not be made public by medical examiner’s office

Unlike other states, Utah doesn’t have county coroners. Instead, a state Office of the Medical Examiner performs required autopsies and issues those reports.

But autopsy reports are not public documents under Utah state law and may not be released to the public: They can only be released to the following: next-of-kin, law enforcement, a legal representative and a physician who attended the deceased person.

When asked by Crossroads Report today, the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner said they could not even confirm whether an autopsy was being performed on Charlie Kirk.

“We are not able to make any comment about any cases that have been worked on, past or present,” said Danielle Conlon, a spokesperson for the office.

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‘Our taxpayers will now foot the bill’: Utah County hires attorney to represent Tyler Robinson, accused in Charlie Kirk killing

Utah County officials announced Wednesday afternoon that the county has contracted with a prominent public defender to represent Tyler James Robinson, the 22-year-old man accused of fatally shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

The Utah County Commission on Wednesday approved the contract for defense attorney Kathryn Nester to represent Robinson. He is accused of shooting Kirk, the controversial Turning Point USA founder, on Sept. 10 while Kirk was speaking in front of thousands at Utah Valley University.

Robinson faces a potential death penalty if he is convicted. Utah County prosecutors charged him with seven counts, including aggravated murder. He also faces charges accusing him of illegally discharging a firearm, obstructing justice, witness tampering and committing violence in the presence of children.

During his first court appearance last week, a judge found that Robinson could not afford his own attorney — so Utah County is now constitutionally required to foot the bill.

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