GUNNISON—City leaders gave a group the green light to restore the Gunnison horse arena with the hopes of eventually starting a riding club. On Wednesday, April 7, Scott and Heather Hansen appeared in front of Gunnison Mayor Lori Nay and the city council to volunteer to get the horse arena cleaned up and ready for…
MT. PLEASANT—Sanpete County’s namesake, indigenous leader Chief Sanpitch, will be celebrated with a statue of his likeness as part of a four-year plan to pay tribute to the Native Americans who lived on the land before Mormon settlers came to the area. The tribute is being funded by the Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area (MPNHA),…
For decades, residents of the Gunnison Valley have seen the partnership of Barney’s Trucking and Robinson Transport haul coal from the SUFCO Mine through their towns, but no longer. As of Feb. 26, a longstanding agreement between the two Salina-based trucking companies and Wolverine Fuels, the owner of the SUFCO Mine, is over. Savage, a…
EPHRAIM—The Ephraim City Council started out talking about roses last week, but in the ensuing four hours, the council wrestled with growth, growth and more growth. After getting the approval of the Cemetery Committee, resident Terrel Davis proposed that a rose garden be added to the Ephraim Cemetery at one of the entrances or on…
GUNNISON—The South Sanpete School Board heard a glowing report on White Ribbon Week last Wednesday, in which students were taught how to use the internet safely and appropriately. “We had great participation from all our students, and our initial feedback is that students liked it because the students themselves directed a lot of the exercises,…
Despite snowstorms that came in the tail end of February, the drought is likely here to stay. According to water officials, Utah is poorly positioned when it comes to water for the upcoming warmer months. In fact, Sanpete County and 90 percent of the entire state of Utah, is currently experiencing extreme drought conditions. Laura…
The stats are in on how COVID has impacted Sanpete County’s economy. Economists at the Department of Workforce Services (DWS) have finally released numbers that showed economic conditions in Sanpete County became pretty bad, but there is a silver lining and things are now on the mend. DWS economist Lecia Langston said the county barely…
With guarded optimism, Sanpete County appears to be preparing for bright sunny days and a return to a summer full of traditional festivities. After missing out on most of its biggest summer get-togethers last year while combating the COVID doldrums, the Scandinavian Heritage Festival, the Rat Fink Reunion, Lambs Days, the July 24th Celebration in…
Centerfield CARES money will go directly to citizens in $75 credits on utility bills By Ben Lasseter Staff writer 2-24-2021 CENTERFIELD—In a move to invest in the local economy, Centerfield City will be using federal stimulus money to help residents pay their utility bills. The council voted unanimously to spend about $33,000…
Councilman denies resigning SPRING CITY—Not even 1,000 feet. That’s how far Cody Harmer has moved outside of Spring City limits. That was enough for Mayor Cynthia DeGrey to say that as soon as Harmer did not maintain continuous residence in Spring City, his city council seat was “automatically vacated,” Harmer said. “I wanted…
Sanpete to develop master plan for roads By Suzanne Dean Publisher 2-24-2021 MANTI—Sanpete County is beginning an effort to develop a transportation master plan covering existing and future roads throughout the unincorporated area. “Sanpete County is experiencing increased growth…and an increase in commuting to the Wasatch Front,” Commissioner Ed Sunderland said in a…
Gunnison approves composites facility that could employ 200 By Robert Stevens Managing editor 2-24-2021 GUNNISON—Plans for growth and development dominated the discussion at the last Gunnison City Council meeting. There are plans to open a large business in the industrial park as well as a proposal to construct a 20-unit…
Fairview approves plan to transfer water from treatment plant to city cemetery By Rhett Wilkinson Staff writer 2-24-2021 FAIRVIEW—The Fairview City Council decided last week to get infrastructure in place so it can use water from is microfiltration sewage treatment plant to irrigate the city cemetery. The council voted unanimously to seek…
Utah House priorities are mental health, tax refief, economics, housing and volunteerism 2-24-2021 This last week, I was able to present two of my bills to the House floor. The first bill, HB 185 Laboratory Equipment Amendments creates a restricted fund that Utah Department of Agriculture and Food can use to…
Beam me up, Scotty! Realizing My Fondest SciFi Fantasy… Almost By Randal B. Thatcher 2-24-2021 As a kid, I looked forward every week to another episode of the popular TV series, “Star Trek.” It was thrilling to watch those courageous crew-members of the Starship Enterprise continue their intergalactic explorations, boldly…