Don Hutchings, of American Fork, has his makeup done by Laney Kinyon, of Lehi, at the Strangling Brothers Haunted Circus on Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in American Fork. Hutchings played the ticket-taker Thursday night, the first person visitors see as they enter the haunted house.
After an insanely-busy September, October felt "just right."
Sports coverage continued to wax, whereas breaking news dramatically waned, seasonal features peppered the weeks, and fall weather had its heyday in Utah. It was a nice mix of subject matter.
Sports were out in force. The Brigham Young University football team (and myself) spent some time in LaVell Edwards Stadium and mens collegiate basketball got into pre-season play. At the high school level, girls soccer seasons held state tournaments, and football eased into playoff games.
On the features and news side, things had a nice mix. As election season gained momentum political candidates came and went from the Daily Herald for interviews with our editorial board, and a quick stop in the photo studio. It could be argued October is the apex of fall, so I also (happily) spent some time at haunted houses, corn mazes, among zombies and witnessed pumpkin being added to more than a few dishes. I had a Monday Close-Up publish on the first day of the month (see photo seven), and I kept plugging away at trying to keep another story going while keeping fresh back-up ideas.
I also saw some scheduling and policy changes at the newspaper in October. For one, photographers will be doing Monday Close-Ups less frequently. As photo coverage keeps expanding and resources don't, we've had less opportunities to invest time in projects. While I'm sad to not have as many opportunities to work on photo projects, I'm glad to hopefully have more time to keep the quality of stories more polished and more consistent. Evan (my boss), was kind and switched shifts with me for a week to allow me to go to my friends' annual dance party in the desert (ask me about it sometime), and I'm glad to be visiting Ohio soon into November to see one of my close friends from college get married. The leaves have mostly fallen throughout Utah, and the chill of winter has begun to creep into the winds – I'm excited to dive into the last two months of 2018.
Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Zach Wilson (11) and wide receiver Neil Pau'u (84) celebrate Wilson's touchdown during Brigham Young University's homecoming game against the University of Hawaii held Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo. Wilson, a freshman, made his starting-quarterback debut, replacing senior Tanner Mangum.
Brigham Young University students hold up "Y's" as a play unfolds during Brigham Young University's homecoming game against the University of Hawaii held Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo.
Brigham Young Cougars defensive lineman Khyiris Tonga (95) sacks Hawaii Rainbow Warriors quarterback Cole McDonald (13) during Brigham Young University's homecoming game against the University of Hawaii held Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo.
Brigham Young Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake celebrates with defensive back Austin Lee (11) after Lee picked off an interception and ran for several yards during Brigham Young University's homecoming game against the University of Hawaii held Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo. The Cougars defeated Hawaii 49-23.
London Masuisui, 9, of Farr West, peers out of her homemade cougar costume during pregame festivities before Brigham Young University's homecoming game against the University of Hawaii held Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo.
Nate and Tawnee DuBose play with their new dog, named Scout, for the first time just after Nate brought the dog home Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018, at the DuBose's tiny home in Eagle Mountain. To see more from this Monday Close-Up, look here: http://provodh.com/r9h9m.
Lexi Huckaby, of Payson, breaks bottles set atop a television in the Phat Smash It room as her husband, Cody Huckaby, and children, Ryker Ballantyne, 4, left, and Kingston Huckaby, 1, watch from behind safety glass Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018, at Phat Axe in American Fork.
Alysse Lundgren gives her son, Castiel, 8, a dose of CBD oil at their home Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018, in Lindon. Castiel has autism and takes CBD oil to treat symptoms of the disorder and help prevent seizures.
Scot Swan, of Mapleton, acts like a zombie as he dances with his wife, Edie, during the second-annual Zombie Prom for Juvenile Arthritis held Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018, at Mapleton Memorial Hall.
Fashion designer Kenneth Boggs, CEO and founder of Kenneth Boggs Suits, poses for a portrait at his business Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018, in Provo. Boggs’ suits can be found on Dwight Howard of the Washington Wizards, Ziggy Ansah of the Detroit Lions, Raul Neto of the Utah Jazz and James Harden of the Houston Rockets.
Rosie Farias, 5, of Vineyard, places a smaller cone on a larger cone as Tyler Pritchett, 8, of Lehi, gathers himself as he stands atop a horse during equestrian therapy sessions Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2018, at Summerhill Equestrian and Event Center in Saratoga Springs. Placing the cones on other cones from horseback helps strengthens the core of riders.
The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, conducted by music director Mack Wilberg, performs during the morning session of the 188th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018, at the church's Conference Center in Salt Lake City. The choir recently changed its name from the long-standing Mormon Tabernacle Choir as part of a church-wide rebranding to remove the word "Mormon" from the faith.
Lisa Rentfro, a retired beautician from Saratoga Springs, jokes with Misty Kennedy, of Pleasant Grove, as Rentfro cuts the hair of Kennedy's son, Kayden, 7, during an event giving free haircuts to single mothers and their children at U.G.L.Y.'s Closet on Thursday, Oct. 4, 2018, in Pleasant Grove. The secondhand boutique holds the Single Mommy's Project - No Cost Haircuts event the first and third Thursday of each month.
U.S. Senate Republican candidate Mitt Romney poses for a portrait Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018, at the Daily Herald in Provo.
Burned trees and benches stand along Loop A of the Blackhawk Campground near Mount Nebo Scenic Byway on Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in southern Utah County. Roughly 120,000 acres were burned by the Pole Creek and Bald Mountain wildfires.
Lone Peak forward Nicole Ray (16) slides to block a kick from Layton's Abby Fotheringham (5) during the 6A girl's soccer state championship match between the Lone Peak Knights and the Layton Lancers held Friday, Oct. 19, 2018, at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy.
Lone Peak players gather around the championship trophy to kiss it as they celebrate their victory over the Layton Lancers in the 6A girls soccer state championship match Friday, Oct. 19, 2018, at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy.
Utah Valley Wolverines center Baylee Steele (44) dunks the ball as Dixie State Trailblazers guard Andre Wilson (20) reacts during an exhibition game between Utah Valley University and Dixie State University held Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2018, at the UCCU Center in Orem.
Timpanogos defensive tackle Tj Sa'u (69) stands on the sidelines before a game between the Timpanogos Timberwolves and the Springville Red Devils held Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018, at Timpanogos High School in Orem.
Lone Peak defensive back Chase Tucker (20) knocks the ball away on a pass intended for Pleasant Grove running back Dayne Christiansen (20) during a game between the Lone Peak Knights and the Pleasant Grove Vikings held Friday, Oct. 12, 2018, at Lone Peak High School in Highland.
Lone Peak defensive back coach Colton Owens raises up defensive back Nate Ritchie (6) as he hugs him after Ritchie ran a pass he intercepted back for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter during a game between the Lone Peak Knights and the Pleasant Grove Vikings held Friday, Oct. 12, 2018, at Lone Peak High School in Highland.
Timpview's Alaina Pestana (1) and Tanya Rivera (16) embrace as they share tears with their teammates after being defeated in a 5A state semifinals match by the Murray Spartans held Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2018, at Juan Diego Catholic High School in Draper.
Springville cornerback Austin Mortensen (2) rests with his teammates before a game between the Timpanogos Timberwolves and the Springville Red Devils held Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018, at Timpanogos High School in Orem.
Skyridge running back Ma'a Notoa poses for a portrait Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018, at Skyridge High School. A senior, Notoa has been selected by the Daily Herald as the Utah Valley Player of the Year.