MANTI—After evaluation by a mental health professional, James Koyle, the man who provoked a huge police response in Mt. Pleasant on March 31 after he threatened four law enforcement officers, was released from jail on Wednesday, April 27. A mental health counselor’s evaluation of Koyle determined that “he is safe enough to be released with…
WASHINGTON—A significant step forward in maintaining federal funding for the Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area (MPNHA) and the other national heritage areas occurred last week. The amended version of a bill called the National Heritage Area Act advanced out of the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on Tuesday, May 3,…
EPHRAIM—A slew of spray-painted graffiti is defacing rocks off the New Canyon Road in Ephraim Canyon this spring, says Kevin Christensen, director of economic development for Sanpete County. “There was always a small amount of graffiti in that area, but it has just exploded this spring,” said Christensen who believes it is being done by…
Sanpete County will receive payments of approximately $60,000 per year for 18 years from settlement of a suit against big drug companies related to the opioid crisis, according to Sanpete County Attorney Kevin Daniels. Johnson & Johnson and three of the largest prescription drug distributors, AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health and McKesson, accepted culpability last…
FAIRVIEW—The home at 15 E. Center Street was built by Albert Christensen in 1904. He owned a coal mine east of Fairview and installed a stove-pipe coal furnace in the home, which was a sign of wealth at the time. Christensen employed several artisans to add Victorian flourishes inside the home, such as…
MANTI—Parents and students attended Manti Elementary School’s first-ever STEM Night on Monday, April 26. Students got a chance to show their parents what activities they do as part of the STEM curriculum at Manti Elementary. STEM is a national initiative that encourages schools to emphasize science, technology, engineering and math, areas where there…
STERLING—A joint road construction project between UDOT and the county began last week on U.S. 89 between Manti and Sterling to provide a left turn lane for southbound U.S. 89 traffic turning onto Brick Hill Road, also known as Jensen Road. The construction will also add an acceleration lane, where north-bound traffic from…
SANDY— A candidate endorsed by the far-right Utah Parents United prevailed over Kim Pickett of Gunnison for Republican nomination to the Utah State Board of Education at the Republican State Convention on Saturday. Under party rules, Emily Green of Cedar City needed 60% or more of the delegate vote to knock Pickett out…
Editor’s Note: The Messenger ran two photos with captions last week about Earl Wheeler of Manti, who threw out the first pitch at a Manti Templars baseball game. At the time we received the photos, we did not have the full story about why Wheeler and his family were at the game. We are…
MANTI—The steps of the Sanpete County Courthouse were lined with children’s shoes on Monday, April 11 as part of the kick-off for Child Abuse Awareness Month in April. The 151 pairs of shoes represented child abuse victims in Sanpete County over the past two years, said Janet Johnson, chairwoman of the Friends of…
INDIANOLA—The owner of the Blackhawk Mountain Estates subdivision north of the Indianola Fire Station has begun digging a 2-acre surface lake, which can be seen from U.S. 89. According to local residents, heavy earth-moving equipment appeared about two weeks ago on property owned by Jamison Smith of St. George, whose father got approval…
FAIRVIEW—The sewer re-use project that Fairview City has been carrying out this year is almost complete, and soon the municipality will begin a series of water improvement projects to update old equipment and accommodate population growth. As discussed in the March 17 city council meeting, a new pump will be installed at the…
EPHRAIM—The Science Olympiad team from Ephraim Middle School placed second overall in trial events and fourth place overall in the standard events this year at the state competition in Cedar City. “The Science Olympiad was amazing. This year we set new records with the highest rank achieved and the most medals earned,” said…
MANTI—A recently awarded federal grant of $485,100 will pay for new iPads in South Sanpete schools next fall. The iPads have already been ordered, but the district expects delivery delays because of the current computer chip shortage in the global supply chain, a result of COVID-19, said Nadean Nielson-DeMill, technology director for South…
MANTI—The man arrested in Mt. Pleasant March 30 with the help of a Utah County SWAT team and a slew of state troopers will remain in jail without bail, Judge Marvin Bagley of the 6th District Court decided last Wednesday, April 6. James Koyle, 43, made an initial appearance in court after being…