SAVOR THE SALT FINDING CREATIVE WAYS TO SAVE THE GREAT SALT LAKE
By Jolene Croasmun | j.croasmun@mycityjournals.com
Savor the Salt is a free celebration of the Great Salt Lake happening at Millcreek Common on Thursday, Oct. 10 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on the sixth floor of Millcreek’s city hall building.
The Great Salt Lake is a unique and vital part of our state and community events like Savor the Salt hope to open our minds to find creative ways to save our lake.
“Saving the Great Salt Lake is not a science problem, it is a value problem. To change people’s paradigm or perspective, you do it through storytelling, art, music or mediums that change your heart,” said Elder Darren Parry of the Shoshone tribe and former chairman of the Northwestern band of Shoshone Nation.
Parry is an author, storyteller, public speaker and educator. He currently teaches indigenous perspectives to the environment at the University of Utah and will be speaking at Savor the Salt.
“Native Americans have a relationship with water, we consider it like a relative. My grandmother, Mae Timbimboo Parry, always called the Great Salt Lake my other grandmother and when you look at water or land as a relative and not a commodity, you treat it differently,” Parry said.
“My grandmother would take me on plant walks on the island and show me which plants were edible and the ones that were used for medicine and so I grew up looking at things through a different lens. When we would leave the island, we would sing a healing song to make sure our grandmother, the lake, would be healthy.”
The Shoshone people have a long history with the lake.
Spreading kindness
one smile at a time
Improving
Rusted boats on the shore of the Great Salt Lake. (John Brown/Millcreek)
Jean Massieu School of the Deaf celebrates 25 years
For 25 years, Jean Massieu School of the Deaf has provided a space where students who are deaf or hard of hearing can thrive, focusing not just on academics but creating a sense of community and belonging.
As it celebrates its 25th anniversary, JMS remains dedicated to helping students achieve their full academic, social and career potential by offering tailored education plans, access to technology and an environment where each student is valued.
Kelsey Ensign, 13, started at JMS as a preschool student and is now in eighth grade. She participates on the robotics team, plays sports and is president of the student council. Speaking through an American Sign Language interpreter, Kelsey said the best thing about the school is the options it provides for growth.
“I can be a part of different sports teams and different activities,” she said. “This year, I have an opportunity to go to Iowa, Minnesota and Idaho, for sports, for volleyball specifically, and then I might also join the basketball team. I have math competitions, robotics and drama. There’s just so many opportunities for me here. It’s awesome.”
JMS opened as a charter school in August 1999, named after a pioneer of Deaf education, Jean Massieu. In 2005, it merged with Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, and in 2010, JMS found a permanent home in Millcreek at 1655 E. 3300 South.
Students from 3 to 22 years old can participate in preschool, elementary, secondary and post-high school programs. Through a partnership with Granite School District, students can also take classes at Olympus High, Evergreen Junior High, Granite Technical Institute and Salt Lake Community College.
Michelle Tanner, Ed.D. worked as a teacher and principal at JMS for many years. She is now associate superintendent of Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind. With cam-
The Millcreek Journal is a monthly publication distributed directly to residents via the USPS as well as locations throughout Millcreek. For information about distribution please email hello@thecityjournals.com or call our offices. Rack locations are also available on our website. The views and opinions expressed in display advertisements do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions held by Loyal Perch Media or the City Journals. This publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express written consent of the owner. © 2019 Loyal Perch Media, Inc.
By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com
puses in Ogden, Springville and St. George, the school serves more than 1,200 deaf or hard-of-hearing students.
“The biggest benefit in the way these students are taught is that they know they are successful and valued as they are and who they are is a great value to society,” Tanner said. “We teach in their mode and their communication preference. We also bring in a lot of culture so they understand there is a Deaf culture.
“The other piece is they’re with peers just like themselves, so they don’t feel isolated. They are with others who see the world and have the same experiences they’re having.
That makes a difference and an impact on learning.”
Kelsey’s mom, Alisa Ensign, said attendance at JMS has been critical in Kelsey’s
development. Not only does Kelsey take classes at Evergreen Junior High, using interpreting services, but she also wants to attend the Rochester Institute of Technology after she graduates.
“As a parent, the phrase ‘It takes a village’ was expounded when I had a deaf child, when I knew that there were resources and tools that I couldn’t give my child as a nondeaf parent,” Ensign said. “We chose to come to JMS so she’d have bimodal communication. She writes English and she speaks with American Sign Language.”
Ensign sees a lot of misconceptions people have about the deaf or hard of hearing, but it’s mainly based in fear. Whether it’s a potential employer, a coworker, a student in mainstream classes or everyday interaction, she
The biggest benefit in the way these students are taught is that they know they are successful and valued as they are and who they are is a great value to society
Michelle Tanner
wants people to give her child, and every deaf person, a chance to succeed.
“A deaf person is an expert at communicating with you,” she said. “They work in a world and they live in a world full of non-deaf, hearing people that speak another language all the time, and they’re masters at making accommodations so that the two of you can communicate. If you have a little bit of fear, just let it go, and give it a try. The fear, I think, stops people more than ignorance or other biases.”
Tanner hopes the state legislature will soon release allocated funds that have been earmarked for expansion at JMS that includes a separate building for high school students. Although the attendance numbers may be small, an investment in expansion shows students they have value in the community.
“We have high school students up on this wing, we’ve got elementary students down the hallway and we have preschool students down the far end of the building,” Tanner said. “We absolutely need the building. We’ve been waiting for three years for the building and the students are just waiting.”
For information about JMS, visit USDB.org. l
Bryan Scott | bryan.s@thecityjournals.com
EDITOR
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Greg Tanner | greg.t@valuepagesutah.com CIRCULATION
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Kids from Jean Massieu School of the Deaf join the school’s mascot, Jacky the Yellowjacket. The school is celebrating its 25th year providing its students a bilingual education in American Sign Language and English. (Photo courtesy of JMS)
Utah trails are being modified; allowing more accessibility and inclusiveness
By Jolene Croasmun | j.croasmun@mycityjournals.com
Trails Utah along with National Ability Center (NAC), Wasatch Adaptive Sports, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and board member, Wally Lee, who is also an adaptive bike rider, worked together to modify the Big Water Trail to Dog Lake in Millcreek Canyon for adaptive bikes.
The first part of the Big Water trail to Dog Lake project is completed and a grand opening event will happen in the next few months after the USFS officially designates the trail to be an accessible trail.
Additional modifications are scheduled to begin in 2025 which will modify the Great Western Trail from Big Water Trail to the Park City overlook.
“To improve the Big Water trail to Dog Lake and make it more accessible we removed roots, rocks, stumps and small trees that were obstacles for access. We widened the trail to about a four foot construction,” said John Knoblock, board chair of Trails Utah.
“There is an increasing demand by the forest service encouraging ranger districts around the nation for trails to be more inclusive and accessible for adaptive bike users,” Knoblock said.
“In our area, there are organizations that teach people how to use adaptive bikes like NAC and Wasatch Adaptive Sports,” added Knoblock.
“Many of the adaptive bikes are e-bikes which have vastly opened the terrain that adaptive bikes are accessible on. It was hard to ride an adaptive bike pedaling with your hands and steering at the same time plus go-
ing up a steep trail with corners took a lot more skill.”
“Now with the e-bike revolution, these bikes are e-assist and you can pedal with one hand and steer with the other hand. This has really opened up the potential to improve
Weight Loss Options: What You Need To Know About Diet, Prescription Medications & Surgery
By Catherine Beck, MD
Everywhere you turn lately, it seems the topic of weight loss is front and centerfrom billboards to TV to social media and more. And everyone seems to have an opinion on how to lose weight, with some offering weight loss services at a hefty price. So what is the best way to lose weight? How do you start? Is it worth the cost?
At CommonSpirit Holy Cross HospitalJordan Valley, the Comprehensive Medical and Surgical Weight loss program can answer your questions from a reliable, accredited, board certified provider.
Let’s tackle the first question - why you may want to lose weight or why it may be important for you to lose weight. Ultimately, it’s not just about appearances. There are multiple medical problems that improve or resolve with weight loss, including diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, arthritis and sleep apnea, amongst others.
Weight loss also decreases your risk of multiple types of cancer, specifically breast and colon cancer. In addition, most patients just want to feel better, have more energy, and be able to spend quality time with their family, without the limitations their weight may place on them.
In general, there are typically three ways people lose weight: diet and exercise, medically supervised weight loss, and surgical weight loss.
1. Diet and exercise include any program someone does on their own, including Keto, Weight Watchers, Mediterranean diets, Jenny Craig or meal plans and programs. No specific diet has ever been proven to be more effective than another. In general, any diet and exercise plan will lead to about 5% excess body weight loss on average.
2. Medically supervised weight loss includes using prescription medications to lose weight. Most people immediately think of Wegovy and Zepbound, but there are a lot of medications that help people lose weight and work in different ways. It is incredibly important to know that only a well-trained provider can help patients use the optimal combination of medications to see maximum results with minimal side effects. Medically supervised weight loss should include not only a provider trained in weight loss, but also a dietitian, along with lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise. These medications can help people lose up to 20% of their excess body weight if used correctly. Unfortunately, stopping the medication usually leads to weight regain and some patients have side effects that force them to stop the medication.
3. Surgical weight loss, or bariatric surgery, can help people lose 60-80%of their excess body weight and keep it off. Bariatric surgery
those accessible trails and the possibility of other trails in our canyons to be modified for adaptive bikes in the future,” Knoblock said.
Trails Utah has a strong relationship with the USFS in Millcreek Canyon and this is where the ongoing effort to expand trail access and create more diverse and inclusive trails has begun in our community.
Trails Utah recently completed preserving and restoring the Silver Lake Loop at Brighton Ski Resort in Big Cottonwood Canyon.
“The Silver Lake Loop trail has been modified to meet the forest service accessibility standards. It is not classified as ADA but it still will allow this trail to be accessible by people with varied abilities. Wheelchairs will be able to utilize the Silver Lake Loop but bikes will not be permitted,” Knoblock said.
Silver Lake Loop trail is just under a mile with a minimal elevation gain of 55 feet and follows around the lake. There are picnic tables and fishing access points along the route. This trail is a pedestrian only trail.
A grand opening for the Silver Lake Loop trail is being held at the end of October. For more information on these projects and other trail projects visit www.trailsutah. org. l
typically refers to a sleeve gastrectomy or a gastric bypass. All surgical weight loss should include working with a dietitian, a medical weight loss provider and a surgeon, along with lifestyle changes.
Choosing an accredited, comprehensive, bariatric and medical weight loss program, such as the one at Holy Cross Hospital - Jordan Valley, gives patients access to a variety of approaches designed to help them meet their weight loss goals in a safe environment. Only at a comprehensive center, can patients learn what will work best for them and get treated by providers with a history of safe and successful weight loss. Most insurances cover bariatric surgery and the costs of seeing a provider and dietitian, even if they don’t cover the costs of the newer injectable medications. With us, patients don’t have to pay program fees and we bill everything possible through a patient’s insurance. We work with patients to find the most affordable solutions!
Thinking about weight loss options? Please give Holy Cross Hospital – Jordan Valley a call to see if you have coverage and to make an appointment with one of our surgeons or medical weight loss providers at (801) 601-4423. We are here to compassionately care for you.
At CommonSpirit Health, we make the healing presence of God known in our world by improving the health of the people we serve, especially those who are vulnerable, while we advance social justice for all.
Catherine Beck, MD
General and Bariatric Surgeon CommonSpirit Holy Cross Hospital - Jordan Valley
Adaptive bike riders enjoying riding on a modified trail. (Trails Utah website)
Utah International Charter School empowers global citizens
By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com
Abdiweli Abdow walks down the hall, giving students high-fives and talking with some of the young boys. Abdow came to America as a Kenyan refugee 18 years ago and now works as the dean of students at the Utah International Charter School.
The kids relate to him because he’s been where they are; in a new country, trying to learn a new language, understand social and cultural norms, and get an education.
“You get some kids that got here a week ago with no knowledge, and I try to help them out in many ways,” he said. “Their biggest challenge is the language. They do have some peers who speak the same language and they build those friendships. They want to be able to learn English.”
Utah International Charter School recently moved into a new location, leasing the former Millcreek Elementary School at 3761 S. 1100 East. This is the school’s 11th year of providing immigrant, refugee and American-born students a rigorous secondary education while honoring each person’s culture, identity and heritage.
The school has roughly 250 students in grades six-12, representing 30 countries and speaking dozens of languages. Many teens are considered Students with Interrupted Formal Education which means they might never have attended school because of war or their education was suspended for other reasons.
Usha Narra is the school’s principal but has also taught math and physics. She said students at UICS have a high success rate due to the education model emphasizing inclusion while teaching every subject in English.
“If I’m the math teacher, I’m also supporting them with their English acquisition, so all teachers are trained in integrating the English language into their classes,” Narra
said. “For example, if the math teacher is teaching how to solve equations, they also integrate an explanation piece into it, or the teaching of vocabulary explicitly.”
Narra said when refugee or immigrant students attend large public schools, they often get lost in the shuffle and their education suffers because they don’t speak English. Then they are put into ESL classes, which don’t count toward high school graduation. At UICS, they learn English in every class and graduate with language, leadership and critical thinking skills.
The school has a robust after-school program that allows students to be involved in clubs and sports. One teacher is starting a volleyball league to provide refugee girls an opportunity to play team sports.
Kabali Kangeta, 17, has attended the school since seventh grade and plays on the Cottonwood High School soccer team. Immigrating from Tanzania in 2016, Kabali’s native language is Swahili but he is proficient in English. He will graduate this spring and hopes to play soccer for Utah Valley University.
“It was really hard learning English especially when I’d go to 7-Eleven and I don’t even know what to say, I’m just pointing at what I want,” Kabali said. “But when I came to this school, people were speaking the same language as me. This school just offers peace, to be honest.”
Wanda Gayle is one of the school’s founding members and serves on the board of trustees. She said students come from all over the Salt Lake Valley, often traveling long distances. Gayle said the education model gives students four factors to increase the likelihood of success: a small school setting, strong relationships between teachers and students, mixed-ability classes and
teacher collaboration.
“Every year we have students that get full scholarships to the University of Utah or Westminster University,” Gayle said. “We have a high success rate. Part of our educational model is our proficient English learners get matched up with a kid just coming in.”
All seniors work with the school counselor to apply for scholarships and college admission and fill out federal student aid forms. Narra ensures the support system is in place to help each student reach their academic, personal and career goals.
“Just because making content accessible
doesn’t mean we’re dumbing it down,” she said. “We still need to meet state requirements. So they’re learning all the same content they would in a regular school, but it’s very structured…Our seniors always come back. I’m aware of a student who got her nursing degree, she’s just brilliant, and decided she was going to be on our governing board…Every year we have a senior panel where at least 10 of them come back and share their experiences. We love them.”
For information about UICS, visit UtahInternational.org. l
High school senior Kabali Kangeta attends Utah International Charter School in Millcreek but plays soccer with Cottonwood High School. (City Journals)
The Utah International Charter School recently moved to a new building in Millcreek. It serves 250 students from 30 different countries, helping them learn English and graduate from high school. (City Journals)
Venture Out! draws neighbors outdoors to bond as community
Venture Out! had a successful run this summer. The program is run by Millcreek City which includes Friday festivals that show a movie and feature live music, food and a twilight market in various parks. The program also runs Camp Tracy adventure weekends.
Aimee McConkie, Millcreek City’s community life director said, “This began before Millcreek was a city. I was part of the Canyon Rim Citizen Association, which was kind of like the community council and I always thought there was a connection in Millcreek that the community was missing but other communities had because they were established cities. So we started working with other community councils and we came together and launched our first Venture Out! in 2006.”
“It was a one day event and we had this amazing feeling that everyone loved it and getting together in Canyon Rim park. We were already doing the movie night then someone gave me the idea to move it around,” McConkie said.
“We got rid of the one day festival and started doing events in June and July on Friday nights. We started doing events in the park and the key components of these were the movies, good food and getting people exposure to outdoor recreation and there would
By Jolene Croasmun | j.croasmun@mycityjournals.com
be vendors. We would go from park to park,” McConkie said.
“There was so much support from so many community members from the beginning. Rita Lund, Jeff Silvestrini, Jay Griffith, Diane Angus and myself were all instrumental in launching the first Venture Out!,” McConkie said.
“I think people get a sense of goodness when people gather, and get together and commune together, they get a sense that they are a part of a good community,” McConkie added.
“We work hard on programming some unique features to it. We call them the sticky memories. Memories are remembered more if there are emotions related to them and we want positive emotions around them,” McConkie said.
Several women in their twenties have made similar comments to McConkie when they find out she is part of Venture Out!. “You do Venture Out!? That was my childhood! We went to one park once a week.” These women felt that they were raised in a good community.
Erin was with her daughters Elsa and Pippa at the June “Barbie” movie night at Evergreen park. “We live close by and knew they were playing the ‘Barbie’ movie,” Erin said. “This is our first one this summer and girls wanted to come see it.”
“These festivals have brought out other programs like Camp Tracy. Camp Tracy is at a Boy Scout camp up Millcreek Canyon. It is three weekends at the end of the summer and is some of the best work we have done,” McConkie said.
The camp offers fishing, archery, a ropes course and rock climbing. It is $10 per person for a day camp but you can camp overnight. Camp Tracy was established in 1918 and was formerly a Boy Scouts camp. The camp is geared to families.
“We want more people to come up there including people from outside of Millcreek. It is an urban camp. We have food up there and if you forget anything while camping, we have it there,” McConkie said.
Venture Out! in Millcreek is different from the other cities community events in that it includes a lot of different activities around the event. “The deep play and the connection to the community by going from neighborhood to neighborhood draws your neighbor out and the goal is you go out and see your neighbors,” McConkie said.
Camp space is $50 and includes activities. There are cabins that sleep 10 that people can rent too.
“We bring in a bird show, drummer show, there is a craft section and so much more,” McConkie said. “It is a camp but no one is telling you what to do.” l
Pippa, Elsa and Erin live close by and they knew the “Barbie” movie was playing so they came out to see it. (Jolene Croasmun/City Journals)
The band Dreamhouse dressed in pink for the Barbie-themed event and performed popular songs. (Jolene Croasmun/City Journals)
Guitarist from the band Dreamhouse rockin’ out at Evergreen Park. (Jolene Croasmun/City Journals)
Skyline girls capture Region 6 tennis tournament title
By Tom Haraldsen | t.haraldsen@mycityjournals.com
In the end it came down to the finals of second doubles, where Skyline junior Gianne Sanone and freshman Riley Leverenz won a third set tiebreaker to propel the Eagles to the Region 6 girls tennis title. The tournament was held at Brighton High School.
Sanone and Leverenz outlasted Olympus senior Paige Zimmerman and sophomore Mikayla McCluskey to win with a score of 5-7 7-5 7-6 (7-4). That was enough to give Skyline a two-point victory in team scoring over the Titans.
The other region champ for Skyline was senior Lucie Holyoak in second singles. In the extended rounds (beyond first-third singles and first and second doubles), Skyline champs were sophomore Jane Holyoak in fourth singles, sophomore Emilie Leeflang in fifth singles, sophomore Hannah Flake in sixth singles, sophomore Georgie Weaver and senior Leelu Bare in third doubles, and sophomores Carlee Child and Anna Tagge in fourth doubles.
Teams will now prepare for the state 5A tournament which began with first round matches on Sept. 28 (after our press deadline) and continues on Oct. 3-5 at Liberty Park in Salt Lake City.
Here’s a recap of Region 6 tournament play:
1st singles semis:
Sofia Stahle (So-Skyline) def Tatum Peterson (Jr.-Olympus) 6-3 6-1
Finals: Chloe Mills (Fr-Brighton) def Stahle 6-2 3-6 6-2
2nd singles semis:
Lucie Holyoak (Sr-Skyline) def Ava Peay (Fr-Olympus) 6-3 6-3
Finals: Holyoak def Grace Jaggi (So-Brighton) 2-6 6-1 6-2
3rd singles first round: Rain Xu (Sr-Skyline) lost to Sarah Brown (Sr.-Alta) 7-5 6-2
4th singles semis: Jane Holyoak (So-Skyline) def Eva Dvorretskiy (Jr.-West) 8-1
Finals: Holyoak def Jane Gloeckner (Jr.-Olympus) 8-2
5th singles semis: Emilie Leeflang (So-Skyline) def Maya Whisenaut (Jr.-Highland) 8-3
Finals: Leeflang def Madison Farley (Fr.-Brighton) 8-6
6th singles semis: Hannan Flake (So-Skyline) def Mia Aoki (So-Brighton) 8-2
Finals: Flake def Anna Reynolds (Sr-Olympus) 8-5
1st doubles semis: Helena Nordhoff (Jr) and Sienna Hansen (Jr- Skyline) def
Caroline Dansie (Sr) and Emma Musuris (Sr.-West) 6-2 6-1
Finals: Samantha Hall (So) and Wil Hoggan (Jr-Olympus) def Nordhoff/Hansen 6-1 3-6 6-3
2nd doubles semis: Gianne Sanone (Jr) and Riley Leverenz (Fr-Skyline) def Catelyn McDaniel (Jr) and Jane Richards (So-Alta) 6-1 6-0
Finals: Sanone/Leverenz def Paige Zimmerman (Sr) and Mikayla McCluskey (So-Olympus) 5-7 7-5 7-6 (7-4)
3rd doubles semis: Georgie Weaver (So) and Leelu Bare (Sr-Skyline) def Audrey Tingey (So) and Maddie Hull (So-East) 8-5
Finals: Weaver/Bare def Ashton Murdock (Jr) and Isabella Savarese (Jr.-Highland) 8-3
4th doubles semis: Carlee Child (So) and Anna Tagge (So- Skyline) def Katrina Cutchins (Sr) and Acelyn Johnson (Sr.-Brighton 8-4)
Finals: Tagge/Child def Adelaide Condie (Jr) and Grace Gustafson (Sr-Olympus) 8-2
Team scores:
1. Skyline 39
2. Olympus 37
3. Brighton 33
4. Alta 22
5. Highland, East, West 8 l
Continued from front page
They believed the lake had healing powers and they harvested salt on the north end of the lake and used the salt to preserve food and even traded the salt with other tribes.
“I saw the lake when it was too full and I have seen all kinds of levels throughout my life. We are in a sad place now with the lake,” Parry said.
“We can give people the facts and data all day on how to save the Great Salt Lake but we need to incorporate values into our decisions. As long as we value the development that is taking water from the tributaries that feed the lake then there will continue to be less water going to the Great Salt Lake.”
“What gives me hope is the groups that are focused on saving the lake and the youth of today. So many people out there are advocating so I think the lake will be OK,” Parry said.
“Events like this make your heart feel and when you feel you act,” Parry said. “People are paying attention now. It is not too late but we still have some work ahead but we have got to save it!”
Parry will be speaking at Savor the Salt and will share the creation story of how the Shoshone people came to be. He will also be singing the healing song his grandmother taught him many years ago.
There will be live music from local bands Rodeo Bones and The Sandman Blues Band performing at the event along with special guests and food. l
RESPONSIBLE
Drone operator training is revolutionizing road safety
By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com
Aspart of their investigations, Utah Highway Patrol troopers and other law enforcement officers may use drones as one of their tools to have measurable data to determine what exactly happened in an accident. They maintain it’s a cost-effective and safer way to resume the traffic flow.
“When we’re doing a scene, these drones are more accurate,” UHP trooper Devan Biggs said. “They’re able to communicate marks to the satellites to measure skid marks, for example, and we know it is within however many centimeters. That’s more accurate than me taking my yard stick or tape measure.”
The drones are not only more accurate, but they’re also more cost-effective to get traffic resumed sooner, said Douglas Spotted Eagle, director of client experiences with the Las Vegas-based The LiDAR Pros, a team that instructs trainers on drones and is part of the Sundance Media Group, a training and education organization for 30 years.
“It’s been determined that every time there’s a road closure in the heart of Las Vegas, it costs about $150,000 per minute per mile,” he said. “When there’s a crash on the freeway, people can’t get to work. People can’t make deliveries. Tours can’t make their destinations. A typical fatal crash in Salt Lake, can take three to four hours to investigate, sometimes more. Drones can save us hours with crash sites. Sometimes, it almost takes longer to change the drone battery than it does to set up the specific mission. I can fly it in five minutes from the time I get it out of the box to being able to help traffic get moving again.”
Drone use isn’t new to the world, but the technology is being used more commonly. They’re used for hospital deliveries; surveying; inspecting bridge, dam and cell towers; mapping; construction; aerial photography; preventing possible mudslides and more. Drone education is being taught in public schools and professionals have a FAA Part 107 pilot license.
“Utah is probably one of the top states in the country pushing drone programs,” Spotted Eagle said.
His colleague, Ben Goddard, agrees: “If you can imagine a way to use a drone, we can find a way to make it work. We’ve done about everything. Drones are a flexible and versatile tool in anybody’s tool bag.”
Recently, both drone pilots were part of a three-person team that was instructing Utah Department of Transportation trainers how to teach fellow troopers to operate drone programs during a five-day intensive course.
“It takes a lot of dedication to go through this course; there is both a practical and a written test that has to be passed to qualify and certify as a trainer,” Goddard said. “Everything we do is done under ISO (International Organization for Standardization) standards. Everything is done safely, and if we see any anything that stands out to any of our instructor
examiners, we will stop the operation, as will the instructors.”
As part of their evaluation, the instructors taught volunteers ranging from high school students to retirees.
“We train new trainers so the state agencies, such as UDOT and the Utah Highway Patrol, and some of the municipalities, can be self-sufficient, so that they don’t have to hire outside pilots to come in. We are teaching them how to run and develop their training programs for drones,” he said, adding the trainings are offered quarterly.
In addition to course work, the seven trainers used Autel EVO II drones, a foldable pocket drone, to teach the volunteer students. Only one of their students had any experience with drones, years ago.
That volunteer student was retiree John Leonard, who started the drone program with UDOT’s incident management team. Now, there are about 28 certified pilots within the team and 55 overall with UDOT.
That’s where Goddard, who has his professional pilot’s license, started teaching in 2000.
“We’ve been able to use drones so much more with the new age of them about 10 or 12 years ago,” he said. “Right now, there’s a great need for pilots, so we are seeing an uptick in number of training classes. That uptick comes with development of new roadways and the growth Utah is seeing. The more we see the growth in Utah, the more need there is for qualified pilots to be able to help assist and save taxpayers money by flying drones to collect data ahead of events or during events.”
Utah Highway Patrol trooper Steve Crowe was under review to become a certified trainer and was giving feedback to a volunteer student.
“You listen well, and you move the con-
the highway that the drone will fly,” he said. Goddard, who estimated the drones being used cost $1,800 to $2,100, said the drone can connect with 10 to 30 satellites at a time, which helps increase its accuracy.
Leonard said accuracy is important with Utah traffic as there are more vehicles on fewer interstates than other states.
“Literally taking an hour off of a crash investigation could be tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars to the economy, or even millions if we’re doing a full freeway shutdown,” he said. “For example, if I-80 was closed in Parleys Canyon, trucks and the main traffic would be diverted either to Provo Canyon or to Ogden Canyon so you’re talking an hour out of direction for 50-60 miles. When that’s multiplied by tens of thousands of vehicles. It can be very substantive.”
Leonard said that was the mission behind starting the program, which several year ago, saw 18,000 reportable incidents that impacted traffic.
trols smoothly; it’s just a matter of repetition to remember what the sticks do,” he told her.
She had just flown the drone for the first time, from making sure the space outside of UDOT’s traffic operations center was clear to take off to maneuvering it forward, backward, side to side, higher and lower, and landing.
Crowe is part of the major crash investigation team. He will help oversee training for the other 40 drone operators within his department. There also are drones within the dive and SWAT teams.
“I got into the drones with crash investigation; it was something I’ve always been interested in,” he said. “I practice flying drones twice a month, just to keep up on things. I enjoy the teaching aspect of it. Teaching drones is a natural progression.”
Biggs also enjoys flying drones. As a pilot of five years, he appreciates the bigger picture it provides when they stitch together photos they have taken of a crash scene.
“I really like the end product, it helps to wrap your mind around the scene,” he said. “When we fly drones, we take pictures, and then a program interlays them all together into one big picture with a top-down view. It’s easier for me to process the scene and get the perspective from one big view than individual pictures.”
Biggs said the program can 3D print a crash scene to help troopers better illustrate a scene.
“It just gives us a lot more data and resources; it’s another process we can use to determine what happened,” he said.
Leonard said when drone are used, it’s on a defined mission.
“The operators plot their missions, and then the drone automatically flies it so that it gets the correct overlaps and everything. They will pull up the satellite and outline the area on
“The goal of the incident management team is to reduce the impacts of incidents that happen on Utah’s highways and by assisting and supplementing the investigating agency. With the foresight of the drone program, we realized we could expedite the clearance of the incident and restore traffic much earlier, which is a significant benefit to the traveling public and to Utah’s economy,” he said.
With colleague Boyd Frank, Leonard introduced the incident management team in Utah in 1994, laying the groundwork several years earlier. Originally funded with a Wasatch Front Regional Council grant under the Clean Air Act, it was a way to clear traffic effectively and reduce idling and emissions.
“We proved that reducing the duration of an incident improved air quality because there’s less idling, people can go through the incident area quicker and more efficiently. When IMT determined it was worthwhile to keep, it became funded through UDOT,” he said.
As a licensed professional traffic operations engineer, Leonard oversaw the incident management team twice before recently retiring. He was awarded the American Traffic Safety Services Association’s National Safety Award after helping write a section of the national manual on traffic control and management.
“Drones are one of the tools in the toolbox that the incident management team can use to reduce the duration of incidents that are happening,” Leonard said. “Because of that, it’s making Utah roads safer. By reducing the duration of the incident, there’s less exposure to the people responding to the crash or incidents, as well as the public that has to go through an incident zone — and hopefully, prevent a secondary crash, which oftentimes can be worse than the first crash.” l
Utah Highway Patrol troopers, overseen by The LiDAR Pros, teach volunteers how to fly a drone as part of their course to be flight instructors. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
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New faces and key races to watch in Salt Lake County 2024 election
By Shaun Delliskave | s.delliskave@mycityjournals.com
Asthe 2024 election season heats up, Salt Lake County finds itself on the brink of significant political change. With the retirement of long-serving officials like Jim Bradley, David Alvord, Ann Granato, Wayne Cushing and Reid Demman, the upcoming races will usher in a new era of leadership. In the spotlight is the high-stakes mayoral race, where incumbent Democrat Jenny Wilson faces a challenge from Republican Erin Rider. Alongside this, several key County Council districts and other county offices will see competitive battles as newcomers vie to shape the future of the county. Here's an overview of the pivotal races and the candidates aiming to steer Salt Lake County forward.
County Mayor Race
Jenny Wilson, the current mayor of Salt Lake County, is running for re-election. Wilson has been in office since 2019 and previously made history as the first woman elected to the County Council. According to her campaign page, she is a fifth-generation Utahn with experience in both the private sector and nonprofit organizations. Before becoming mayor, Wilson served on the council for 10 years.
Her opponent, Erin Rider, a Republican, comes from a background in law and business. Raised in Millcreek, Rider graduated from Brigham Young University with a business degree and later earned her JD/MBA from Georgetown University. She worked as a law clerk on the Senate Finance Committee under Sen. Orrin Hatch in Washington, D.C., and has been active in various community organizations, including Utah Women Run and the J. Reuben Clark Law Society.
County Council District Races
District 2 includes the towns of West Valley City, Kearns, West Jordan, South Jordan and Herriman. Both candidates in this race are new, as they seek to replace the retiring incumbent David Alvord.
Katie Olson, the Democratic candidate, indicates on her campaign webpage she holds a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and a master’s degree in public administration. She currently works as an internal consultant for the city of South Jordan, where she collaborates with various city departments to evaluate their effectiveness.
Carlos Moreno, the Republican candidate, is a recent U.S. citizen and political asylee from Venezuela. He achieved U.S. citizenship in 2022 and works as a community outreach representative for a national energy management consulting company. Moreno also runs a small business with his wife in West Jordan.
District 4 encompasses Salt Lake City, Millcreek, Holladay, Murray and Cottonwood Heights. Current incumbent Ann Granto retires after this term.
This race features Democrat Ross Romero, a former Utah State Senator and House
Member. Romero graduated from the University of Utah and earned a JD from the University of Michigan Law School. His career includes serving on the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars and being elected as a Democratic National Committee Committeeman in 2020. Romero has held numerous board positions, including with the National Association of Latino Elected & Appointed Officials and the Utah Hospital Association, and has been involved in initiatives promoting diversity, equity and inclusion.
Running against Romero is former Third Circuit Court Judge Roger Livingston, a Republican. Livingston previously served as a Deputy Salt Lake County Attorney and was a candidate for the Republican attorney general nomination in the 1980s. He also served in the Utah House of Representatives in the late 1970s.
Nolan Kruse is also running in District 4 under the Utah Forward Party. Kruse is a small business owner and the Co-Founder and CEO of Lunar Services, a company that provides building service solutions. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Utah.
District 6 includes the areas of Sandy, Midvale, Draper and Cottonwood Heights. Incumbent Republican Dea Theodore is seeking re-election. Theodore, who has represented District 6 since 2020, has a background in biology and experience in education administration and civic engagement. As noted on her website, she has been active on several boards, including the Unified Fire Authority (UFA) and SYLVESA, and has worked on legislative initiatives during her time in office; she is a Sandy resident.
Conder has a degree in mathematics with a minor in physics from the University of Utah. Conder has been the Chief Deputy Treasurer under Wayne Cushing.
For County Recorder, incumbent Democrat Rashelle Hobbs is seeking re-election. Hobbs has been involved in county operations for over a decade, starting her career in the Salt Lake County Clerk’s office. Hobbs has a bachelor's degree at the University of Utah and a master's degree in professional communication from Westminster College.
Challenging Theodore is Zach Robinson, the Democratic candidate who currently serves on the Sandy City Council. Robinson has a decade of experience as a firefighter and paramedic, and he works as an Operations Manager for virtual care at University of Utah Health.
At-Large and Other County Positions
In the at-large race for County Council, incumbent Republican Rachelle Morris and Democrat Natalie Pinkney are competing to replace longtime councilman Jim Bradley.
Natalie Pinkney currently serves on the South Salt Lake City Council and has an educational background in psychology and educational leadership from Marquette University and the University of Utah. Pinkney is also a small business owner and helped establish a Financial Empowerment Center in South Salt Lake.
Rachelle Morris, is a graduate of Brigham Young University with a degree in Information Systems. She has a career in private wealth management, having worked at both Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan. Morris is also a co-founder and partner at a Utah venture fund.
Treasurer, Recorder, Assessor and Surveyor Races
For the position of County Treasurer, the current officeholder, Wayne Cushing, is not seeking re-election.
Democrat Sheila Srivastava, seeks to replace Cushing. As indicated on her website, Srivastava has over 30 years of experience as a CPA.
The Republican candidate aiming to replace him is Phil Conder, who has been working in the Salt Lake County Treasurer’s office.
Challenging Hobbs is Republican Richard Snelgrove, who was defeated in 2022 for re-election to the Salt Lake County Council. Snelgrove has also served as district director for U.S. Congressman Merrill Cook and has been involved in international election observation for the U.S. State Department. He currently serves on the United Fire Authority board.
The Assessor race features Chris Stavros, the Republican incumbent. Stavros previously held several leadership roles in the Assessor’s office, including Chief Deputy Assessor.
Democrat Joel Frost is a residential appraiser in Salt Lake County since 2006. Frost has served in various capacities, including as President of the Utah Coalition of Appraisers and a board member of the Utah Association of Appraisers.
After 18 years, Reid Demman is stepping away from the position of County Surveyor. Two members from his office will compete to take his spot.
Democrat Kent Setterberg is running with a career spanning over 30 years in the Salt Lake County Surveyor’s office. Setterberg, a licensed Professional Land Surveyor, has a Geomatics degree in Land Surveying from Salt Lake Community College. His opponent, Republican Bradley Park, is the current Chief Deputy Surveyor and has been in the Surveyor’s office since 2021. Park has 17 years of experience in surveying, including a leadership role at Dominion Energy, where he managed the company’s survey office.
Salt Lake County voters can get registration, candidate and ballot information at www. saltlakecounty.gov/clerk/elections/2024-general-election/. l
The Salt Lake County Council will see new faces as Jim Bradley, David Alvord and Ann Granato chose to retire from their offices. (Shaun Delliskave/City Journals)
Incumbent Democrat Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson will face a challenge from Republican Erin Rider. (Shaun Delliskave/City Journals)
Retiring Salt Lake County elected officers Jim Bradley, David Alvord, Ann Granato, Wayne Cushing and Reid Demman. (Photos courtesy of Salt Lake County)
HALLOWEEN SECTION
A publication covering local Halloween legends and activities for everyone around the Salt Lake Valley
6 terrifying haunted locations in Salt Lake County to visit this Halloween
By Bailey Chism | bailey.c@thecityjournals.com
When the air grows chilly and the veil between worlds thins during Halloween, Salt Lake County becomes a playground for the paranormal. This region, steeped in history and folklore, is home to some of Utah’s most spine-chilling locations where ghost sightings and eerie encounters are the norm. Whether you’re a thrill seeker or a believer in the supernatural, these terrifying places will give you goosebumps long after you’ve left. If you're looking for a truly terrifying Halloween experience, here are the scariest haunted spots in Salt Lake County.
Fear Factory
Located just outside downtown Salt Lake City, Fear Factory isn’t just a haunted attraction for thrill seekers—it’s a real-life haunted site. Once the Portland Cement Factory, this massive industrial facility was the scene of numerous gruesome deaths, including factory accidents where workers were crushed by machinery or fell into vats of cement. Today, the factory stands abandoned, except for the reported spirits of the workers who died there.
Visitors and staff at Fear Factory have reported hearing eerie whispers, seeing shadowy figures dart across the dilapidated buildings, and feeling an oppressive energy that seems to follow them. One of the most harrowing sightings is that of a disembodied hand, believed to belong to a worker who lost his life in a terrible accident. On Halloween, the site transforms into a commercial haunted house, but many say the real terror is the spirits that never left.
The Old Mill
Arguably the most infamous haunted location in Salt Lake County, the Old Mill sits abandoned in Cottonwood Heights, shrouded in mystery and fear. Built in the late 1800s, the mill was used to process
grain before a fire destroyed much of the building. While the mill has stood vacant for decades, it has gained a reputation as one of Utah’s most terrifying places.
Local legends claim that the Old Mill is haunted by the ghosts of workers who died in the fire, as well as by more sinister forces. Paranormal investigators have reported intense cold spots, phantom footsteps, and feelings of dread upon entering the property. The most terrifying accounts tell of shadowy figures watching from the upper floors, and some visitors claim to have been physically touched or shoved by unseen hands. Trespassing is illegal, but that hasn’t stopped urban explorers from visiting—many of whom leave in a hurry, spooked by the unsettling atmosphere.
The Shilo Inn
The Shilo Inn, now a Holiday Inn Express, is one of Salt Lake City's most tragic and haunted locations. In 1978, the hotel became the site of a horrific mass murder-suicide when a mother, who had become obsessed with religious doomsday beliefs, threw her seven children from the hotel’s balcony before leaping to her death. The tragedy shocked the community, and ever since, the hotel has been plagued by paranormal activity.
Guests have reported hearing the sound of children crying or laughing in the hallways, even when no children are staying there. Some have woken up to see ghostly children standing at the foot of their bed, only for the figures to disappear moments later. The hotel's staff also report eerie occurrences, such as flickering lights, doors opening and closing on their own, and sudden cold drafts. This real-life horror makes the former Shilo Inn one of the most unsettling locations in Salt Lake County and a place few would dare stay on Halloween night.
The Old Deseret Hospital
Located near the historic Avenues District in Salt Lake City, the Old Deseret Hospital opened its doors in 1882, catering mainly to women and children. While the hospital is long gone, many locals believe that the spirits of patients who died there still linger. Those who visit the area report hearing phantom cries, especially at night, and some have even seen the apparition of a nurse walking down where the hospital once stood.
Today, the location is a hotspot for ghost hunters who claim that the residual energy from the building still haunts the area. As the sun sets, the once-bustling neighborhood can take on a much more somber and eerie tone, making it the perfect place for a Halloween exploration.
The Rio Grande Depot
A hub of history, The Rio Grande Depot in Salt Lake City was once a bustling train station. Now home to offices and a museum, it’s better known for the ghostly “Purple Lady,” a spectral figure seen wan-
dering the building. According to legend, the Purple Lady died on the train platform in the 1920s after a lover’s quarrel. Distraught, she either fell or was pushed in front of a train, her body mangled in the accident.
Since then, her ghost has been spotted by countless people, often appearing in her elegant purple dress, wandering the halls or standing at the end of the platform. Lights flicker mysteriously, and security guards working after hours have reported objects moving on their own and the feeling of being watched. The depot’s cavernous halls amplify every sound, making even the slightest noise unsettling. On Halloween night, the energy in the depot becomes even more intense, and many believe it’s the best time to catch a glimpse of the Purple Lady herself.
Asylum 49
Technically located just outside Salt Lake County in Tooele, Asylum 49 deContinued on page 15
Which haunted house is the best in Utah?
By Bailey Chism | bailey.c@thecityjournals.com
When does “spooky season” really start? For most of the haunted attractions in Utah, the answer appears to be September.
But when the attractions open, how do you know where to go? Well, reviews have a lot to say when it comes to that. Here are the most highly rated haunted attractions in Utah.
Some attractions may not be included on this list if certain information—such as Google reviews, websites, or a 2024 schedule—was not available.
Castle of Chaos Haunted House and Escape Rooms, Midvale
Castle of Chaos Haunted House and Escape Rooms is a year-round attraction that has earned a 4.6-star rating from more than 2,600 Google reviews. The attraction has a 3.7-star rating from 110 reviews on Yelp.
The haunted house attraction is open Sept. 6 and will run most weekends for the remainder of September. In October, the haunted house will be open for most days except for the first three Wednesdays.
The haunted escape rooms have many different themes: Paranormal, “Nightmare Realm,” serial killer, asylum
By Bailey Chism
As the days grow shorter and the air crisper, a curious transformation takes place. Porches are adorned with jack-o'-lanterns, cobwebs, and eerie decorations, and people willingly seek out haunted houses, scary movies and tales of the macabre. The question arises: why do we love to be scared, especially around Halloween?
At the heart of this fascination is the adrenaline rush that accompanies fear. When faced with a frightening situation— whether it’s the jump-scare in a horror film or the ominous creak of a floorboard in a haunted house—our bodies react instinctively. The "fight or flight" response kicks in, releasing adrenaline and other stress hormones that heighten our senses and quicken our pulse. This surge of energy can be thrilling, especially when we know we are in no real danger. It’s the same reason people enjoy extreme sports or roller coasters; the controlled risk makes the experience exhilarating rather than terrifying.
Beyond the physical thrill, there’s a deeper psychological process at play: catharsis. Halloween, with its focus on the eerie and the supernatural, provides a socially acceptable outlet for exploring our
and lockdown. Tickets for the escape rooms range from $27 to $30.
The haunted house starts at $20 for groups of one to six people.
Nightmare on 13th, Salt Lake City
Nightmare on 13th is a haunted house located in Salt Lake City and its website declares its “Utah’s No. 1 scariest haunted house,” and the attraction boasts a 4.5star rating from more than 2,000 Google reviews. On Yelp, the haunted house has a 4-star average from about 80 reviews.
Nightmare on 13th is scheduled to open Friday, Sept. 13 and will run on Fridays and Saturdays for the remainder of September. In October, the haunted house will be open most days except Sunday. The haunted house will also run the first two days of November.
Tickets can range from $25 to $76 depending on the days and times you choose to attend.
Fear Factory, Salt Lake City
Fear Factory in Salt Lake City is located at 666 W. 800 South, and says on its website that it's “one of the top Halloween attractions in the world.”
Based on more than 2,600 Google
reviews, it averages a 4.4-star rating from visitors. On Yelp, it averages a 3.3-star rating from just over 110 reviews.
Fear Factory is set to open Friday, Sept. 6 and will be open on weekends in September before opening Wednesday through Sunday for most of October. The haunted house will be open for “Lights Out Night” on the first two days of November.
Tickets for Fear Factory can range from about $30 to about $250 depending on which experiences and souvenirs you’re interested in.
Haunted Forest, American Fork
The Haunted Forest in American Fork averages about 4.2 stars from almost 1,300 Google reviews, and 2.8 stars from 33 Yelp reviews.
The attraction doesn’t have a set schedule available online for 2024, but has advertised its featured attractions for 2024: Leech Lagoon at Bone Creek and Alien Attack.
Strangling Brothers Haunted Circus, American Fork
The Strangling Bros. Haunted Circus in American Fork has earned a 4-star rating from more than 660 reviews on Google. On Yelp, it’s garnered a 2.8-star rating
from about 40 reviewers.
The haunted circus’s website said it was “voted the No. 1 scariest haunted house in Utah” but it also offers visitors the chance to walk through the forest without the scare actors.
The circus is expected to begin Friday, Sept. 13 and will continue on Fridays and Saturdays for the rest of the month. Starting Oct. 1, the attraction will be open most days except Sunday.
Tickets for the haunted attraction can range from $30 to $80 depending on whether you purchase general admission, fast pass or VIP tickets.
Other Haunted Options
While there are far more haunted attractions than those listed, the attractions listed about are what the public deems to be the best of the best. A few other attractions in Utah are listed below:
• Asylum 49, Tooele
• Field of Fear, West Haven
• Frightmares, (Lagoon Theme Park) Farmington
• Hidden Lake Haunts, Bountiful
• Night Stalkers Haunted Trail, West Jordan
fears. In everyday life, we often suppress feelings of fear, anxiety, and uncertainty. Engaging with scary stories or participating in Halloween rituals allows us to confront these emotions head-on, in a safe and controlled environment. This confrontation can lead to a sense of release or relief, a psychological cleansing that leaves us feeling lighter and more at ease.
Another key aspect of why we enjoy being scared around Halloween is the social element. Fear, much like laughter, can be contagious. When we experience something frightening with others— whether it’s huddling together during a horror movie or navigating a haunted maze as a group—we create shared memories and bond over the mutual experience. The laughter and camaraderie that often follow a good scare are part of what makes these experiences enjoyable. They bring people closer, fostering a sense of connection and community.
The tradition of celebrating fear during Halloween has deep cultural roots. Originating from ancient Celtic festivals like Samhain, where people believed the veil between the living and the dead was at its thinnest, Halloween has long been asso-
ciated with the supernatural. Over time, these traditions evolved, blending with other cultural practices to create the Halloween we know today—a holiday where the scary, the strange, and the spooky are celebrated. Participating in these rituals, whether by donning a scary costume or telling ghost stories, is a way of connecting with these ancient traditions and honoring the past.
There’s also an element of curiosity
and exploration in our love of Halloween scares. The unknown, the mysterious, and the macabre have always fascinated humanity. Halloween provides a socially acceptable opportunity to delve into these darker aspects of life, to question what lies beyond the veil of our everyday existence. It’s a time to explore themes that are often taboo, such as death, the supernatural, and the afterlife, in a way that is both playful and profound.
Halloween offers a form of escapism. In a world filled with daily routines and responsibilities, the chance to immerse ourselves in a night of fantasy and fear is a welcome diversion. It allows us to step out of our ordinary lives and into a world where anything can happen—a world of ghosts, goblins and ghouls.
So, as you carve your pumpkin, don your costume, or settle in for a scary movie this Halloween, remember that the thrill of fear is not just a seasonal pastime. It’s a complex, multifaceted experience that taps into deep-seated psychological needs and cultural traditions, making it a beloved part of the Halloween season.
10 family-friendly Halloween activities this month
By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com
Halloween is a spooky time for families to create lasting memories. From eerie displays to costume contests, many activities in Salt Lake County cater to all ages, ensuring everyone gets in on the festive spirit. These family-friendly, spine-tingling adventures will bring excitement to your Halloween celebrations while keeping the scares at a comfortable level.
BooLights, Hogle Zoo (2600 Sunnyside Ave., SLC)
Specific nights from Oct. 2-30, 6:309:30 p.m., $12.95-$18.95
This after-hours light display transforms Hogle Zoo into a bewitching destination. With entertainment and attractions like Dr. Frankenstein's Lab Show at the Wildlife Theatre, the event is the perfect way to celebrate the season. Costumes are allowed, but face-covering masks and any resemblance of weapons are prohibited. Check HogleZoo.org for dates. Little Haunts, This is the Place Heritage Park (2601 Sunnyside Ave., SLC)
October 11, 12, 18, 19, 25 and 26, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., $14.95-$18.95
Don your costumes and visit This is the Place for storytelling, trick-or-treating and take-home crafts. Learn about creepy bugs at the Creature Encounters and enjoy the petting corral, pony and train rides and more. Bring your own trick-or-treat bag. Tickets at ThisIsThePlace.org.
Riverton Halloween Bash, Riverton City Park (12600 S. 1452 West)
Monday, Oct. 14, 6-8 p.m., FREE
This annual Halloween tradition features age-appropriate games and activities for every family member. Snap holiday
pictures at the photo booth and enjoy the Scare Rodeo spook alley. Families are encouraged to wear costumes.
BOOtanical, Red Butte Garden (300 Wakara Way, SLC)
Oct. 17-30, Members $13, Public $16
BOOtanical Nights, 6-9 p.m. and BOOtanical Days, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Visit the magical world of Wonderland, where you can find hidden seeds and stop the Jabberwocky from transforming Wonderland forever. Join the adventure at RedButteGarden.org.
The Haunted Woods, Murray City Park (296 E. Murray Park Ave.)
Oct. 21-25, 5:30-9 p.m., $5
A family-friendly haunted attraction, the Haunted Woods offers a “Silly Trail” and a scarier “Spooky Trail” so everyone can have fun. All proceeds fund child abuse prevention programs. Tickets at MurrayHauntedWoods.com.
Monster Mash dance party, West Valley City Family Fitness Center (5415 W. 3100 South)
Friday, Oct. 25, 6-8 p.m., $5 per person, 50% off for members
The West Valley Halloween Dance Party is a fun time for the family with dancing, balloons and a costume contest. Pre-register by Wednesday, Oct. 23 at WVC-Ut.gov.
Halloween Fun Fest & Disability Resource Fair, Miller Conference Center (9750 S. 300 West, Sandy)
Saturday, Oct. 26, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., FREE
This event features trick-or-treating, sensory activities and DJ Rebecca to
keep the music hopping. Caregivers can chat with experts and find resources. Costumes welcome!
Samhain Festival, Gallivan Center (239 S. Main Street, SLC)
Sunday, Oct. 27, Noon-7 p.m., $13$15
Experience Samhain, the festival marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. Learn pagan traditions, enjoy live entertainment and food trucks, and activities for all ages.
Halloween Spooktacular, Abravanel Hall (123 W. South Temple, SLC)
Tuesday, Oct. 29, $8-$45 Wear a costume to this night of
hair-raising melodies featuring music from Halloween favorites. Watch and listen as members of the Utah Symphony bring monsters to life. Find tickets at UtahSymphony.org.
Día de los Muertos celebration (Millcreek Common, 1354 E. Chambers Ave., Millcreek) Oct. 27-Nov. 2, FREE
Celebrate Día de los Muertos at Millcreek Common. Bring photos of loved ones for the community Ofrenda and enjoy the Halloween Party on Oct. 31 from 7-10 p.m. The big celebration is on Nov. 2, from 6-9 p.m., with the La Catrina parade, mariachi music, face painting, traditional treats and the movie “Coco.”
Continued from page 13
serves a mention for its terrifying proximity and haunted history. Once a hospital, this site is now a full-fledged haunted attraction. But while actors and special effects create a terrifying show, the real horror lies in the ghosts that are said to haunt the building.
Former patients of the hospital are believed to roam the halls, and many visitors have claimed to see shadow figures, hear ghostly voices, and feel sudden cold spots. Paranormal investigators have documented disembodied voices and even poltergeist activity in certain rooms. Unlike most haunted houses, Asylum 49 encourages interaction with both the living and
the dead, making it one of the most immersive and frightening haunted locations in Utah. If you're looking for an experience that blurs the line between entertainment and real paranormal encounters, this is the place to go.
Salt Lake County is filled with ghostly tales and terrifying haunted sites, each with its own dark history and eerie energy. From the real-life tragedy at the Shilo Inn to the haunted corridors of the Old Mill, these locations offer a chilling experience that will make for a Halloween night you won’t forget. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, these haunted places are sure to give you a scare, leaving you wondering what might be lurking just out of sight.
Families have a variety of choices when choosing fun holiday activities in October. (Stock photo)
The Old Mill in Cottonwood Heights. (File photo City Journals)
Draper’s Kuwahara’s Pumpkin Patch and Thriller Park open for the season
By Rebecca Olds | rebecca.o@thecityjournals.com
Kuwahara’s Pumpkin Patch and Thriller Park opened for the season on Sept. 20, giving thrill seekers more than a month to enjoy the park. Alex Kuwahara, the park’s owner, started the pumpkin patch when he was 12 years old at the original location now called Kuwahara Wholesale. It’s since grown into a pumpkin patch paradise with 25 to 30 different varieties of locally-grown pumpkins and pumpkin archways. He now runs the park along with his wife Sarah Kuwahara.
“That was a big expansion when we started to decorate our tunnels and do it all,” she said. “I mean, we always decorated them but when we made the switch to making it a real wow factor, that's definitely what puts us on the map in pumpkin patches.”
In 2016, the thriller part of the park was added and has been growing ever since.
“I would like the community to know just how much goes into this,” Sarah Kuwahara said. “We have lots of immersive attractions…[and] lots of employees here to make it awesome, so it really is a bang for your buck when you think about what
you're getting.”
Overall, the park employs about 120 people to make the experience as smooth and as fun for the crowds as possible.
More than 30 attractions draw crowds yearly, including the pumpkin patch, haunted house, Halloween Main Street, Once Upon a Time land, corn maze, Grand Bizarre, a magician and more. A crowning feature of the park is the shows and dance parties on the center stage, keeping the Halloween atmosphere alive with live entertainment ranging from fire dancers to musical performances.
Kuwahara said that park visitors can expect a reimagined pirate show to make a reappearance and the popular fire show to be back this season.
During the 2023 season, Kuwahara said more than 40,000 people visited the park and she expects even more this year.
Her advice for those experiencing the park for the first time or the 100th time is to come at night.
“At night, you really get to experience the lights and all the fun,” she said, with a big smile.
More information on park hours, pricing and events can be found online at www.kuwaharawholesale.com.
A mom takes a picture of her kids in Kuwahara’s Pumpkin Patch on opening night of the park, Sept. 20.
Known as a go-to fall picture destination, these teens came dressed for the occasion with crocheted pumpkin hats.
In the Grand Bizarre, vendors like Angie Broadbent (left) from Gemini Twins Art Studio and Photography, dress in their best ghoulish costumes to sell their wares.
Dracula was the first performance to don the stage during opening night of the park on Sept. 20. (Photos by Rebecca Olds/City Journals)
Face painting artist, Terri Williams, shows her customer the first glimpse at her handiwork in the Grand Bizarre. (Rebecca Olds/City Journals)
The Once Upon a Time addition to the park gives kids (and parents) a chance to immerse themselves in the magic of the season. (Rebecca Olds/City Journals)
Kuwahara’s is full of magical decorations to set the scene in each part of the park. (Rebecca Olds/City Journals)
Parkgoers enter the park’s corn maze. (Rebecca Olds/City Journals)
To the left of the park entrance is an archway that leads to the big stage. (Rebecca Olds/City Journals)
This is a local family’s second year going to the park where carts allow for easy pumpkin towing when you’ve found the best pumpkin in the patch.
A brave little girl is held up by her mom while she rings the bell to the cheers of a park employee before she enters the haunted house. The entrance to the pumpkin patch where more than 25 varieties of pumpkins await.
FIGHTING FOR UTAH'S PUBLIC LANDS
McDougal Funeral Home –
Family Owned and Operated Since 1950
McDougal Funeral Home opened in December 1950, on Redwood Road in Taylorsville. Back then, Redwood Road was not the busy and bustling motorway it is today. Many people did not understand R. David McDougal’s vision in building a funeral home in the middle of farmland. Yet he had a dream to own and run a funeral home unlike any other in the Salt Lake Valley, with a commitment to service that would become second to none. Over the years, David, his wife, Joyce, and his brother, Richard, established just such a business.
One of the ways David made sure McDougal Funeral Home stood out was in the color of his coaches (funeral cars). Instead of the usual choices of black or white or gray, David chose baby blue. And that color stuck! Our
coaches today are still that same baby blue and are easily recognizable by anyone familiar with the McDougal Funeral Home name.
Another way David ensured his staff served with utmost support, was how his directors stayed with the family. The same director received the individual into our care, made arrangements with the family, attended the funeral service, and even drove to the cemetery. We strive to continue that tradition and commitment today. The director you first meet is the director who will see you through the entirety of the funeral.
We have recently opened a new facility adjacent to McDougal Funeral Home. It is home to The Gathering Hall, Forever Loved Pets, and our cremation center. The Gathering Hall is our event center that can be used for funerals, memorial services, open mic events, luncheons following a service, even receptions, business meetings, and family events! Our guests have loved this Hall! Forever Loved Pets is our pet cremation service. Because pets are part of your family too, we provide dignified final arrangements and offer personal support at the time of loss. We offer witness cremations in our beautiful cremation center, with
great respect to individuals who choose this increasingly popular final arrangement.
McDougal Funeral Home is still family owned and operated, with Ron McDougal, David’s greatgrandnephew, carrying on David’s legacy of superior compassion and service. Ron and his staff of highly trained funeral directors, as well as family service counselors, assist families in each detail required for planning services, whether for an immediate need or to make pre-arranged funeral plans. We look forward to serving you and thank you for allowing our family to serve your family!
The Gathering Hall 4306 S Redwood Rd. Taylorsville, UT 84123
McDougal Funeral Home 4330 S Redwood Rd. Taylorsville, UT 84123
801.968.3800
mcdougalfuneralhomes.com
Salt Lake City real estate agents respond to industry changes
By Rachel Aubrey | r.aubrey@mycityjournals.com
OnAug. 17, changes to the real estate industry took effect that will require more conversation upfront regarding agent’s commissions, or the fees paid for the services provided to homebuyers and sellers. These changes come as the result of a settlement by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and the Department of Justice from 2023.
The settlement, and the changes to commissions, have been as reported in the media as, “aiming to increase transparency and empower consumers.”
Traditionally, the average real estate commission rates were between 4% to 6% of the total purchase price of the home. That commission amount was split in half between the listing broker and the buyer's broker. Those expected commissions were listed on the multiple listing service, or the MLS.
Current president of the Utah Realtors Association Adam Kirkham explained the rule changes as follows:
“The first rule is we [the agents] must have a signed agreement in place before we show a buyer a home,” Kirkham said. “The second main change is a buyer's agent commission can no longer be advertised anywhere in the country on a multiple listing service.”
No longer able to list commissions on the MLS means that going forward, the party selling the home will need to negotiate with the party buying the home on the commission to be paid to the agents upfront. Those negotiations can be communicated via text, email, social media, a sign in the yard or by some other less formal means.
Kirkham has been in the industry since 1999 and said the changes will bring greater clarity to the home buying process.
“Both sides are going to benefit and we're raising the bar of professionalism,” Kirkham said.
Utah agents have long been accustomed to the practice of having an agreement signed by both the seller’s agent and the buyer’s agent before an offer to buy a house was written, as it was part of Utah law. Kirkham said these changes are procedural for Utah agents.
Representation matters
FOX 13 reported in March of this year that these changes could impact first-time homebuyers, as hefty price tags for homes are placed on top of closing costs and agents’ commission. Buyers and sellers may begin to question the value of having representation.
“[Per the new law] if the seller isn't offering a commission, they (agents) have to basically convince the buyer why they're of value,” said Realtypath agent Brittney Cornia.
In the Utah real estate scene since 2016, Cornia has had to prove her value to clients,
noting that there is an abundance of agents to choose from. In her career, Cornia has had to deal with problems that have come up during a transaction ranging from a house testing positive for methamphetamine (meth), testing positive for mold, and even a property flooding.
“It’s better to have an agent on your side because we have all the resources,” Cornia said.
Cornia admitted that while the changes are still new territory for a lot of agents, they will be positive overall.
Salt Lake City resident Angela Wood has known her realtor for more than 15 years, as they worked together toward the purchase of her current home located close to the University of Utah. A recent empty nester, Wood’s home has been for sale since May. However, prior to listing her home, Wood and her realtor worked through a checklist of items needing repair, as well as when the best time to list would be.
“My perspective is that for complicated transactions, you hire an expert,” Wood said. “I would never consider selling my home without an expert to help me list, promote, prepare, show, navigate inspections, negotiate with buyers and close.”
Wood said that she trusts her realtor and will employ her services to buy her next home and anticipates signing representation agreements prior.
Communication is key
Lynn Buckway of The Buckway Group has been in real estate since 2007 and said beyond just being detail oriented, being able to negotiate, and having good communica-
the best possible experience.
“It makes a huge difference when someone can sit down and actually listen,” Buckway said. “I feel like setting the right expectations is probably about 80% of what I do.”
When expectations are set right, Buckway said clients end up happy, and that to him, is worth it. While he finds joy in his work, Buckway said being in real estate is not a hobbyist career choice, especially with the new changes. An agent will work long hours and spend a lot of time away from loved ones.
The detail orientation, the negotiation, the communication, and the listening have led Buckway toward being able to recognize the joy that a homebuyer, or seller, feels when the transaction is complete.
“I had a first-time homebuyer ask me if she could hug me like three times at the end [of a transaction],” Buckway said. “I feel like making money is a byproduct of just helping people and doing a good job.”
tion skills, a successful agent listens intently to their clients and is prepared to give them
Since Aug. 17, Buckway sent representation agreements to a new set of buyers looking to work with him who had little knowledge of the rule change. They were eager to sign those agreements upfront and get started in finding their new home. l
Homeowner Angela Wood has had her SLC house listed for sale since May and would never consider not using a real estate agent even with the new nationwide rule changes that took effect Aug. 17. (Photo courtesy of Angela Wood)
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Mark Miller Subaru to host a pet adoption and costume party
By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com
Bring a furry friend to Mark Miller Subaru South Towne (10920 S. State St.) on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. for a celebration of pets.
As part of the Subaru Loves Pets initiative, Mark Miller Subaru will partner with Salt Lake County Animal Services to host a Make A Dog’s Day pet adoption and party that includes a pet costume contest
(with a $500 grand prize), free microchipping, a pet photographer and vendors, food trucks and fun pet activities.
“All of the vendors are pet-focused,” said Teylor Crenshaw, Mark Miller Subaru community partnership and events manager. “There are local pet-treat companies, companies that make pet clothes or things that drive home the idea of making a dog’s
day and prioritizing and giving love to our furry friends.”
Mark Miller Subaru will also donate up to $8,000 to Salt Lake County Animal Services to help further its goal of furthering the adoption, health and welfare of pets. The organization will also donate 300 dog toys and 20 new pet parent kits that include leashes, bags, travel bowls and more. For
more information, visit Markmillersubaru. com/make-a-dogs-day.
“It’s awesome to be a part of something that big, to give back to the community, especially with animals, where they can’t advocate for themselves,” Crenshaw said. “We want to make it an experience for the animals as well. It will be a good community day.” l
Bring your pet or adopt a new one at the Mark Miller Subaru South Towne pet adoption party on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 10920 S. State St. (Photos courtesy of Mark Miller Subaru)
As a sugar fiend, Halloween was a High Holy day in my childhood. Like a squirrel, I used the holiday to gather and hoard candy that would last me through the autumn months until Santa could fill my stocking with tooth-breaking peppermint discs.
On Halloween, my siblings and I would take pillowcases and trick-or-treat through the neighborhood. When the bags were full, we’d bring home our haul so Mom could scrutinize each piece. She’d look for razor blades poking out of apples, unwrapped candy laced with angel dust and Butterfinger bars that she confiscated as Halloween tax.
In sixth grade, I went trick-or-treating with a boy and we dressed as square dancers because Mr. Madson had taught us how to dance and it was an easy costume. The boy was more interested in trying to kiss me than in securing candy. So I told him we had no future and do-si-doed to the next house to see if they were handing out full-size candy bars.
The gathering of candy was just the beginning. After mom crime-proofed my loot, I’d sort it into categories: chocolate bars, Charms Blow-Pops, fruity Wacky Wafers, Pixy Stix, flavorless Smarties, wax bottles filled with questionable liquid, hard-as-rock orange taffy, Bazooka bubble gum and boring Tootsie Rolls. Then, I’d count each piece so I’d know if one of my bratty siblings took anything.
Once my bag-o-cavities was categorized and counted, I’d hide it under my pillow and sleep on it like Smaug protecting his treasure from the grubby hands of mortals. I sometimes woke up with a lollipop stuck to my face.
The real benefit of Halloween candy was having access to sweet treats at school. Sneaking candy to school was the tricky part. On Nov. 1, teachers knew we’d all have pockets full of candy and we wouldn’t be able to pay attention un-
Give Me Some Sugar
Peri Kinder Life and Laughter
til after Thanksgiving. But they attempted to confiscate any sugary substance, so I had to be strategic.
I’d pretend to look for something in my desk and shove a handful of Milk Duds in my mouth. Invariably, the teacher would call on me as soon as I had the candy stuffed in my cheeks like a chipmunk. Do you know how hard it is to talk with a mouthful of Milk Duds?
After school, I’d dash home to my pile of candy to recategorize and recount, and to punish anyone within screeching distance if one piece of Laffy Taffy was missing. Yes, I was a bit obsessive. I understand that now.
Halloween candy was also perfect for smuggling into Sunday school. If I could get it past my mom, I could snack all through the long Sunday services. At the time, dresses didn’t have pockets (those were hard times) so I had to resort to creative options.
My socks became repositories for candy contraband. I was too young to realize mothers notice when their child’s legs are suddenly shaped like Baby Ruth bars. Plus, the plastic candy wrappers strapped around my ankles made a crinkling and crackling noise as subtle as a bull in a china shop.
A week after Halloween, my candy stash had dwindled
significantly. I needed to cut back if it was going to last until Christmas but the Bottle Caps, the Sugar Babies, the Bit-oHoney and the Boston Baked Beans called to me like a siren on a rock.
Whether I battled the world’s loudest candy wrappers or faced the principal for participating in black market candy sales, Halloween remained my favorite holiday. I still squirrel away my favorite candies and I warn everyone to touch my cache at their peril.
