WASHINGTON, D.C.—The risk of public land in Sanpete County going up for sale has been reduced but not eliminated. Sen. Mike Lee’s effort to mandate public-land sales took a hit after the Senate parliamentarian ruled the proposal violates budget-reconciliation rules and would require 60 votes to pass. Within hours of the ruling, Lee announced he…
150+ take to Main Street to speak out against rising authoritarianism Approximately 150 protestors gather in the old Kent’s parking lot on Saturday to participate in one of more than 2,000 “No Kings” protests taking place nationally on Flag Day. Photo by Robert Stevens. From their meeting place, the group marches up Ephraim Main Street…
Community leaders from Mt. Pleasant and Spring City are formally advocating for the creation of a North Sanpete Recreation District, a regional entity they say would distribute recreational costs more fairly across towns and unincorporated areas while expanding access and infrastructure. During separate June city council meetings, Cade Beck, a Mt. Pleasant City Council member,…
Site plan for the Flex-Ready subdivision in Ephraim Crossing. Earlier this month, the Ephraim City Council approved a general plan amendment and rezoned the shaded area from industrial and multi-family classifications to a new zone, R-1-B, to permit the small-lot subdivision. EPHRAIM—In two votes, both 3-1, the Ephraim City Council has approved a general plan…
Gunnison Valley children enjoy the summer reading program held at Gunnison City Park every Tuesday. Libraries across Sanpete County are participating in a summer reading initiative that blends books with hands-on activities. “This year’s theme is, “Color Our World,” says Manti head librarian Cindy Lopez. “Each library’s programs are unique and provide rich colorful experiences…
An onlooker enjoys the post-launch view of Redmond Lake during a previous Eyes to the Sky Salina Balloon Festival. After takeoff, balloons drift up the Gunnison Valley towards Redmond, where pilots then sometimes dip into and skim the lake water to the delight of attendees. Photo by Robert Stevens. SALINA — Twenty-five hot-air balloons will…
Cast members in the summer production of Honk! practice in-costume before the big show. EPHRAIM—A cast of 80 youth actors capped a two-week theater camp with full houses at Manti High School on Friday and Monday, presenting the one-hour musical “Honk! Jr.,” a retelling of “The Ugly Duckling.” The camp, run by Ephraim Recreation Events…
MANTI—A proposal to shrink minimum lot sizes in Spring City’s buffer zone sparked debate at the Sanpete County Commission meeting on Tuesday, April 15, with commissioners ultimately tabling the matter for a month to gather more information. Spring City Councilman Randy Strate introduced the idea of creating a new zoning ring, tentatively called RA-1, about…
This is a part of the Home & Garden 2025, a yearly supplement to the Sanpete Messenger. To view the rest of the articles, click this banner. Rural Utah residents often face an annual balancing act: Keeping their homes cozy during snowy winters and comfortably cool in the scorching summer months. Many of the region’s…
This is a part of the Home & Garden 2025, a yearly supplement to the Sanpete Messenger. To view the rest of the articles, click this banner. Don Southworth (left), owner of Quality Service and Repair, and one of his employees, rebuilds a deck, which is one of the elements Utah homeowners often neglect during…
An aerial view of the 17-acres in northeastern Manti that a developer has requested to be rezoned to R-3, which permits single-family homes but could permit townhomes and apartments. MANTI—A proposal to rezone 17 acres on the city’s east side from R1 (half-acre lots) to R3 (smaller lots and some multifamily options) sparked passionate debate…
AXTELL—The Bureau of Land Management is investigating the deaths of 25 wild burros recently removed from the Canyonlands Herd Management Area (HMA) in Wayne County. Gathered between Feb. 24 and Feb. 28, the burros arrived at the BLM Axtell Off-Range Corral for standard veterinary care and adoption preparation. Officials say the animals died from bronchopneumonia,…
Adam Choate of Spring City and Amren Breinholt of Mt. Pleasant took first place in the national foxtrot division at the Gem State National Championships in ballroom dance. They competed against 150 couples in a five-round event. IDAHO FALLS—Ballroom dancers from Levare Studios, based in northern Sanpete County, returned from the Gem State National Championship…
This chart, based on data from the U.S. Census of Agriculture, shows the average local female share in farming, which in Sanpete County has grown to 35.5 percent of all farm producers. MANTI—A recent study shows that women account for 35.5 percent of farmers in Sanpete County, a statistic that outpaces national averages and highlights…
A line of barrel racers stands ready for their ride during the high school rodeo on Saturday in Mt. Pleasant. Intense concentration is evident on the face of this barrel racer while competing at the Contoy Area on Saturday. A participant in Saturday’s rodeo scrambles to tie up a small goat. This aerial view of…