HUNDREDS GATHER AT COMMUNITY CENTER TO CELEBRATE SOUTH SALT LAKE
By Peri Kinder |
Hundredsgathered at the Central Park Community Center (2797 S. 200 East) to recognize South Salt Lake’s 86th anniversary. The Celebrate South Salt Lake party held on Sept. 27 was a way to highlight the growth, diversity and culture of the city. Established in 1938, the city is home to more than 26,000 residents.
SSL Mayor Cherie Wood has always lived in the city. She raised her three sons in SSL and can’t imagine living anywhere else.
“I love that we are so unique and diverse and different and just welcoming,” Wood said. “I don’t think there’s another community that cares as much as we do and is as welcoming as we are.”
Celebrate South Salt Lake featured entertainment from Native American dancers, a high-flying basketball dunk team, the Trash Panda Drum Group, international folk dancers and Bora Vadiar Collective Capoeira and Brazilian Arts.
Residents could play on a variety of inflatables, including one sponsored by the city’s fire officials, and tackle a rock climbing wall. Attendees could get hats and animals from balloon artists, enjoy dinner at the food trucks, get a free 360-degree photo and visit with city officials. Local vendors participated in the event and SSL police and fire departments were on hand to interact with the crowd.
“It’s just an opportunity for us to bring the community together and celebrate everything in the city that is for residents,” said Joseph Dane, SSL public outreach coordinator. “We want to have residents come out and have a good time with us.”
This is the second time the city held the Celebrate South Salt Lake festival. It was such a hit last year that city leaders decided to make it an annual event.
“We wanted to incorporate more of our cultural communities and give them an opportunity to build a part of the
Hundreds of people attended the second annual Celebrate South Salt Lake anniversary party on Sept. 27. (City Journals)
Marley Shoemake from the Dakota/Sioux/Assiniboine tribe performs traditional dances with her family. (City Journals)
Early Detection is Key: Breast Cancer Signs, Symptoms and Next Steps
By Cara Guilfoyle, MD
I
t likely isn’t a stretch to say that you know someone who has had to battle breast cancer within their lifetime, or maybe you have even been diagnosed with it yourself. With the new age of social media, stories of survival and those walking through their breast cancer diagnosis and treatment journey may be inundating your feeds. These stories of hope can certainly be inspiring but may also feel a bit unsettling.
So, what do you need to know about breast cancer and how can you be sure that you’re on top of your health? Let’s start with what breast cancer is and how it occurs - breast cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow out of control in one or both breasts. These cancer cells can spread to nearby tissues and form a mass called a tumor. The cells can spread within the breast, to nearby lymph nodes and other tissues, and to other parts of the body.*
“We are lucky that breast cancer is, for the most part, very treatable,” said Cara Guilfoyle, MD, FACS, Breast Surgeon and Medical Director for CommonSpirit Medical Group –Specialty Care in Utah.
Dr. Guilfoyle stresses the importance of getting yearly 3D mammograms beginning at 40 years old, “mammograms can find breast cancer on an average about five years earlier than you can feel it.” You do not need your physician to write you a prescription or complete
an order form for you to have a screening mammogram - you can self-request to make an appointment for your annual mammogram.
“It is important to stay current with your breast cancer screening because finding breast cancer at an early stage allows more treatment options and a better opportunity for long-term survival,” said Dr. Guilfoyle. “Early detection allows for much less aggressive treatment (for example, omitting chemo and/or radiation).”
Women with a strong family history of breast cancer should talk to their doctor about genetic testing and risk assessments as some high-risk women can start breast imaging earlier.
While it is important to know your family history and risk… Dr. Guilfoyle shares that family history doesn’t tell us everything. “About 75-85% of women (three out of four) diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history or known risk factors.”
So, what should you look out for when doing self-assessments? Dr. Guilfoyle says that you should “never ignore a new lump!” Other possible indicators for cancers can include:
•New skin dimpling
•Skin changes
•Nipple retraction
•Nipple rash
•Nipple discharge
•Lump under the armpit
Care with a mother’s touch.
“At Holy Cross Hospital - Jordan Valley, we have state of the art equipment, including breast MRI, 3D mammogram, SAVI scout for localizations and a soon-to-come Trident for intraoperative specimen imaging,” said Dr. Guilfoyle. “Our multidisciplinary team presents each breast cancer patient to a tumor board and allows for a collaborative academic discussion to formulate the most appropriate personalized treatment plan.”
We strive to exemplify all five of CommonSpirit’s core values of compassion, inclusion, integrity, excellence and collaboration when treating each and every one of our patients. If you are interested in seeing Dr. Guilfoyle at Holy Cross Hospital – Jordan Valley or Holy Cross Hospital – Mountain Point, you may call 385-345-3555 to make an appointment.
“I love being in a field that allows me to make a huge impact on patients’ lives,” said Dr. Guilfoyle. “I try to exude optimism and empower women to tap into the strength they need to face their challenge, and to reinforce that they are not alone!”
Learn more about the services, care providers and missiondriven work of the Holy Cross hospitals and CommonSpirit Health at www.holycrossutah.org.
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.
SPONSORED CONTENT
Cara Guilfoyle, MD
CommonSpirit Holy Cross Hospital - Jordan Valley
community,” Wood said. “We wanted to give them a stage to present on and offer something for everybody.”
The highlight of the event was the drone show at the end of the evening. The airshow featured 300 drones that displayed popular and patriotic images representing Utah and SSL. The show paid tribute to each school in the city, plus state universities, sporting events and the upcoming 2034 Winter
Olympic Games.
“I think kids would be mad if they didn’t get to see their Woodrow Wilson [Elementary] roadrunner mascot,” Wood said.
Wood knows it will take time before Celebrate South Salt Lake builds a following but she’s in it for the long run and hopes the community shows up each year to establish neighborhood connections while honoring culture. For more information, visit SSLC.gov. l
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Hundreds of drones light up the night sky to conclude the Celebrate South Salt Lake anniversary festival. (City Journals)
Hundreds of people attended the second annual Celebrate South Salt Lake anniversary party on Sept. 27. (City Journals)
K9/SWAT Officer R. Diaz with K9 Officer Rocco and South Salt Lake Detective Tristan Ramos attend Celebrate South Salt Lake, getting to know the residents. (City Journals)
Kids get balloon hats and animals from local balloon artists. (City Journals)
Members of the SSL Fire Department provide a bounce house for kids to play during the festival. (City Journals)
Cottonwood’s theatre season offers shows to educate, inspire and entertain
Those patrons who plan to attend Cottonwood High’s fall musical on Wednesday, may want to keep in mind what the character Karen Smith says.
“On Wednesdays, we wear pink.”
That is what the member of the popular girls, nicknamed by others as “The Plastics,” tell the new girl, Cady, in the musical, “Mean Girls,” which will be performed by Cottonwood thespians. The show will be at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 20 through Saturday, Nov. 23 on the school stage at 5715 S. 1300 East. Tickets will be available online through the school’s website, https://schools.graniteschools.org/cottonwoodhigh/ or at the door.
“I’m a fan of the script; Tina Fey wrote the book, the script, the show,” director Adam Wilkins said. “I need a good script for a show and this one is that. It’s funny, dramatic, relatable.”
He also appreciates the electric guitar and heavy drum music and that the chorus “gives a sense of belonging.”
The show kicks off Cottonwood’s theatre season, following their traditional Haunted Hallway where the community is encouraged to bring food items for the school’s pantry.
“That gives us a chance to connect with each other,” Wilkins said. “We coordinate with LIA’s (Latinos In Action) trunk-or-treat and all the performing arts students get involved brainstorming and designing their
By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com
concept. It’s a fun event.”
In January 2025, the student-actors will put on their Broadway Revue and melodrama.
“It’s student-directed and seniors vote on it and select students,” he said. “It’s become a beloved tradition here and it’s rewarding when students have this directing experience. They have a say in what they’re doing and love doing it. After the fall musical, this gives them a different learning experience that isn’t
as intense.”
They also will attend the Utah Theatre Association drama conference in Logan; Wilkins has served on the UTA board the past 15 years.
“It provides theatre student a chance to see different colleges every year. This is our first time at Utah State (University) and they’ll get to see plays by USU or local students and attend workshops at USU. It’s something loved by theatre students since it’s
all about theatre,” he said.
In March, the thespians will perform “Clue,” a farce-meets-murder show inspired by the classic board game.
“Once again, the script is a good script and that’s important in selecting a show,” Wilkins said. “I’m excited to do a comedy that is intriguing, witty and clever.”
In March, they will take to the stage with their one-act, “Ernest and the Pale Moon” for their region competition. State is in April.
“Not a lot of people do horror as it’s challenging as well as intriguing,” he said, adding that the play inspired by works of Edgar Allan Poe and Alfred Hitchcock is being directed by drama coach Madison Howell. “It’s something fun and different, something to perform to defend our region title.”
The Colts end the year with their May performance of “Hadestown.”
“The message, the choices made, the trust – it’s all part of this classic Greek tragedy that we can tell in a modern setting. We’ll study the classic tale and understand how powerful and vital storytellers are. The script is powerful, and this gives them something they may not be exposed to, so they’ll be trying something new,” said Wilkins, who was one of 10 Granite School District Excel Educators last spring. “We have some timeless tales this season. Theatre is meant to educate, inspire and entertain and this season does just that.” l
Councilmember guilty of trespassing eyes mayoral bid
By Bailey Chism | bailey.c@thecityjournals.com
Anelected city council member found guilty of attempted trespassing at South Salt Lake City Hall—after being issued a trespass notice from the City—has expressed interest in challenging her in the upcoming election.
“I may run for mayor,” declared Paul Sanchez shortly after a Utah Justice Court judge delivered the verdict.
He outlined his platform as one focused on “change, lower taxes and accountability.”
“It’s time for new representation,” Sanchez said in a video posted to his Facebook page. “It’s time for lower taxes. It’s time for everybody to be accountable and transparent to the public and make sure that as we grow, we get more community engagement.”
Sanchez’s conviction for the lesser offense—he had originally been charged with criminal trespassing—arises from ongoing disputes with other city leaders, which Mayor Cherie Wood described as stemming from “aggressive” social media posts.
In March, Sanchez encountered police while attempting to enter City Hall, stating afterward that he intended to get arrested.
And he was.
While Sanchez said he never threatened anyone, he has publicly called out alleged “corruption” among government officials and signaled that he will continue to do so. He criticized the prosecution against him, claiming it “cost taxpayers thousands of dollars” for a penalty of merely a $340 fine, asserting that the matter could have been resolved through dialogue.
Larger issues surrounding free speech and Sanchez’s access to city property for his official duties may still be at play. Currently, he remains barred from attending city council meetings in person.
The next election for mayor in South Salt Lake is scheduled for November 2025. l
Cottonwood actors, seen here last spring in their one-act show, “Triangle,” which helped to propel them to the region championship, will perform “Mean Girls” this November. (Julie Slama/City Journals)
Paul Sanchez, South Salt Lake City councilmember, may run for mayor in 2025.
(Photo courtesy of Paul Sanchez for South Salt Lake Council Facebook)
South Salt Lake proposes beer sales to tackle food desert issues
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CBy Bailey Chism | bailey.c@thecityjournals.com
ity officials in South Salt Lake are actively working to revitalize vacant ground-floor retail spaces and address the challenges posed by being designated a food desert in the area. Their innovative solution? Beer.
Currently, the city boasts only a few supermarket options, such as WinCo and Chinatown Supermarket, alongside smaller international markets like La Pequeñita and Abdi Bro’s Market. With the influx of new residents, there is a growing demand for more grocery options. City officials are optimistic that the city council will approve changes that could facilitate future multi-family developments.
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The neighborhood surrounding 3900 South and West Temple has been identified as a food desert in a study conducted by the Columbus Community Center and Parallel Strategies. A ground-level storefront in Harmony3900, an apartment complex at that intersection, has remained vacant for quite some time.
To address this issue, city officials
have been collaborating with developers to explore loosening existing regulations. One potential solution under discussion is allowing off-premises beer sales. Currently, such sales are limited to convenience stores associated with fuel pumps or those exceeding 60,000 square feet in size.
Proposed changes to the ordinance would prohibit the sale of vape and tobacco products at these locations. The South Salt Lake Planning Commission reviewed the ordinance amendment during one of their Thursday night meetings.
"Anything that enhances walkability is significant; anytime someone can avoid using their car is a win. Additionally, anything that supports small businesses is a positive step," remarked Mary Anna Southey, South Salt Lake planning commissioner for District 3. "If this makes it easier to welcome new opportunities, let's embrace it."
The proposed ordinance was then submitted to the South Salt Lake City Council for approval. l
Former South Salt Lake officer convicted of DUI asks judge to terminate his probation early
By Bailey Chism | bailey.c@thecityjournals.com
Last year, a high-ranking officer from the South Salt Lake Police Department, Lt. Jimmie Anderson, crashed his motorcycle while speeding under the influence. Despite the severity of the incident, Anderson was allowed to retire from the force without facing immediate departmental consequences.
Police Chief Jack Carruth and Deputy Chief Darren Carr visited Anderson in the hospital following the crash, with Carr handling the internal affairs investigation. Anderson was later convicted of DUI, receiving a five-day jail sentence, 18 months of supervised probation, and random urine testing.
On June 27, 2024, the Utah Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Council suspended Anderson’s peace officer certification for two years, noting he was over three times the legal alcohol limit during the crash. Assistant Attorney General Marcus Yockey explained to the POST Council that DUI is a Category D offense, which typically results in a one-year suspension, but Anderson’s case was aggravated due to his high blood alcohol level and the involvement of an accident.
Yockey also noted that Anderson had resigned from the South Salt Lake Police Department before the internal investigation concluded and did not participate in the POST investigation. Anderson did not attend the dis-
ciplinary hearing, but his attorney, Nate Nelson, agreed with the two-year suspension recommendation. The POST Council unanimously voted to suspend Anderson’s certification.
Although Anderson’s suspension prevents him from working in law enforcement in Utah, he filed a petition with Saratoga Springs Justice Court Judge Ann Boyle, requesting early termination of his probation—despite not having completed one year. Judge Boyle swiftly denied the request, following an objection filed by Saratoga Springs Assistant City Attorney Conrad Hafen.
Criminal defense attorney Nathan Evershed, representing Anderson, argued that AMP Probation, responsible for supervising Anderson, had nothing left to oversee, with records showing Anderson’s compliance and clean urine tests.
However, Judge Boyle expressed dissatisfaction with AMP Probation’s handling of the case, stating, “I am so not impressed with the person who’s doing his probation that I would rather do it myself.”
She ordered Anderson’s supervision to be transferred to court probation, emphasizing that he still required oversight despite his progress.
Boyle added, “We’ll keep a close watch on you...but I am happy with what you’ve done so far.” l
Arresting documents for officer Jimmie Anderson.
Cottonwood girls volleyball falls just short of a state playoff berth
By Brian Shaw | b.shaw@mycityjournals.com
The only mistake in life is the lesson not learned.
Such is what Albert Einstein once said of a loss. That’s what the Cottonwood Colts girls volleyball team did. Twenty-four hours after losing at Stansbury Oct. 21, the Colts were right back on the court against Tooele, back at home.
It had been a fun season, replete with themed nights at home games that were so unique and fun the 1970s Chicago White Sox would like to have a word: Sparkle Night, Neon Night, Gold Night, Camo Night, Beach Day, Preppy Night, Crazy Hair And Socks Night and 80’s Night. And, this writer’s favorite is right up there with “Disco Demolition Night”—Rodeo Showdown versus Stansbury [make of that what you will].
It all led to Glam Night aka Senior Night on Oct. 22, in which the Colts unfortunately were in a bit of a bind. They needed to defeat Tooele and hope for a little help from the other teams that had more wins in Region 10 than Cottonwood.
The Colts didn’t get that help and then lost to Tooele 20-25, 19-25, 25-21, 25-13 [10-15].
Cottonwood wasn’t far from elimination after the first two sets before roaring back to take the next two sets in a thriller. That set the
table for a tiebreaker fifth set that the visitors unfortunately won, 10-15.
That said, the Colts definitely got the attention of lifelong educator and Cottonwood Athletic Director Gregg Southwick, who said he likes what he’s seeing from this team; it’s just that they’d obviously liked to have been doing better in the Region 10 standings.
“We’re not as high as we’d like to be but we’re still on the rise,” he said of a Cottonwood team that started out the Region 10 season like gangbusters—then dropped seven of the next eight to fall just shy of a state playoff berth.
To advance to the state tournament, Cottonwood [7-17, 2-9 Region 10] needed a victory in its season finale against Tooele at home and a little help to make it into Class 4A’s top 24 teams.
For a team that hadn’t won since a Sept. 26 victory at Tooele, it was Cottonwood limping into the final two matches of the season.
The Colts were given the No. 23 seed in the first RPI rankings release of the year, however, that seed may have dropped at least one and possibly two spots since, said Southwick.
That said, when you played the Colts
you knew you’d be in for a battle. For example, on Beach Day, Cottonwood won the first set at home against Hillcrest Sept. 10 by the score of 25-23 before the Huskies battled back to win set No. 2 by the same scoreline and took games three and four from the Colts.
At Jordan Sept. 12, Cottonwood handed Jordan a four-game victory, but that was even more of a dogfight than the Hillcrest game two days earlier—the Colts lost, 25-16, 1825, 25-21 and 25-20.
Back at home five days later on Sept. 17 on Gold Night, the road was even steeper for Murray who got in a horse race with the Colts and needed five games to survive Cottonwood’s onslaught, 21-25, 25-22, 25-19, 18-25 and 15-11.
Two days after that and admittedly running low on fumes, the Colts were swept 3-0 at Park City Sept. 19. On the aforementioned Rodeo Showdown Night Sept. 24, Cottonwood was dispatched again by a three-set count at home to Stansbury.
But, Southwick maintained that the program’s biggest goal of all, despite stomaching tough lessons throughout the season versus Jordan on Neon Night in another five-set battle Oct. 8 and on Sparkle Night against Park City Oct. 15 was that it was growing exponentially.
“As far as our numbers go,” Southwick said, “this program might be our strongest.” For a Cottonwood program that now numbers over 40 kids on four different squads, and has arguably had the most growth of any athletic team at the school this year, said the Colts athletic director, the first state tournament berth in several years would simply stamp the arrival of head coach Michaela Hatch, her four-person-strong coaching staff and the creative mind or minds behind these themed home game nights.
“She’s just doing a good job of building the program every year,” Southwick said. “We firmly believe that our best this season is on its way.” l
Two Cottonwood players finish in the top
40 at the 4A tourney
By Brian Shaw | b.shaw@mycityjournals.com
TheCottonwood Colts boys golf team knew they had a good thing going. It happened during region play when guys like junior Tommy Yates and sophomore Lucian Roumpos were consistently posting high scores.
But, Cottonwood put it all together under new head coach Bud Oettli and assistant coach Gregg Southwick to finish third overall as a team in Region 10.
If you’ve followed the Colts this season, you already knew that finishing ahead of Murray wasn’t a given. But, as the season wore on, Cottonwood poured on pressure and eventually caught the Spartans by the end of the regular season.
The Colts were able to finish Region 10 play with 312.9 points, placing them ahead of Murray, who had 316.5. It was a nice way to wrap up region play as a team for Cottonwood, and it qualified the Colts for the 4A state tourney in the 13th spot.
The reason for such a surge at the end of the Region 10 season came from the level of golf the Colts had been playing individually.
In the final standings, Yates came in seventh place in Region 10 with a 73.6 stroke average per every 18 holes he played. Another fellow junior, Ayden Ryser, finished 12th, at 78.4.
The Colts were also able to catch Murray thanks in part to having played incredible golf at Meadow Brook in Taylorsville at the final region event Oct. 7. In so doing, Yates picked up his first win of the season, shooting a 66 on a par-72 course. It was the junior’s
best round of the year. Roumpos also shot a good round at Meadow Brook to wrap up the Region 10 season, entering a 73 on his scoresheet. Ryser finished in 20th with an 80 and freshman Tyce Cook 31st, with an 84.
The big question for Cottonwood was whether or not the Colts would be able to duplicate that at the same course they just played [Meadow Brook] for the 4A state tournament Oct.16-17.
“We knew going into the season that state could be difficult for us,” said Southwick of Cottonwood’s maiden voyage there as a team, back in September. “If we get there, it’s just icing on the cake.”
Although the Colts didn’t make the cut line—only 12 schools made it to the final day at state—this team of Yates, Ryser, Roumpos, Cook and junior Limhi Madrigal with senior Jacob Edwards made history for the Colts simply by participating at this year’s state tourney.
Individually, Cottonwood also made hay at state, as Roumpos finished in a tie for 32nd place at the state tournament at plus 7, leading all Colts golfers.
Yates wasn’t far behind his Colts teammate in 37th wrapping up his junior year at plus 10 at Meadow Brook. As for other Colts, neither Ryser, Cook, Madrigal nor Edwards made the cut line past the first day of state.
In sum, this once-prolific Cottonwood program that three-peated state titles from 1997 to 1999 played its way back into contention this season. l
Cottonwood alum, Major League Baseball player Oliver Dunn not giving up despite injury
By Brian Shaw | b.shaw@mycityjournals.com
Ina matter of months, Oliver Dunn went from a top prospect to an injured one.
Such is the life of the professional baseball player, one where you take the lumps where they come and press on.
For Dunn, that happened immediately after the Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Baseball not only placed the Cottonwood High star on the club’s 10-day injured list with a back strain in June—they put him on the 60-day injured list.
It was one of many obstacles that the former Utah Utes infielder has had to deal with in his professional baseball career.
The next was that Dunn would be replaced by someone else on the Brewers’ 40-man roster, ending what had been his best year as a pro— one that even saw him play for the first time in his career on Opening Day back in March.
Though that season nearly led to being assigned back to Triple-A Nashville, it did not for Dunn, who hit .221 and had .282/.316 splits at the plate for Milwaukee in 104 at-bats.
The Cottonwood High School graduate was an 11th round draft pick of the New York Yankees in 2019 who started his career a long way from home, two years prior to that. In 2017, Dunn played for the Peninsula Oilers in Kenai, Alaska. He hit .233 with 17 hits in 73 plate appearances there before returning to the University of Utah to finish his collegiate baseball career.
With the Utes, Dunn took that unique ex-
perience in Alaska and improved his overall game. He hit .319 with 31 RBI and wrapped up his time at Utah with a .426 on-base percentage his junior year, up from a .250 average and 19 RBI as a sophomore.
From then, Dunn played for the highly regarded Wareham Gatemen in the instructional Cape Cod League where he hit .243 with eight RBI in 70 plate appearances.
And from that point forward, his career as a professional baseball player officially began after Dunn hit a whopping .366 with 28 RBI and eight stolen bases at Utah, wrapping up his senior season with the Utes with a tidy bow.
Having been drafted by the Yankees, Dunn was assigned to single-A Charleston where he hit .226 in 118 plate appearances. That had the 21 year old demoted to rookie-league Pulaski deep in the Appalachian League where the Colts legend hit .240 with 12 singles and 11 RBI.
But, something that has been in Dunn’s glove since he was a kid has proven to be a failsafe way to keep him swinging, even in the dog days of the minors—his fielding.
Even as Dunn’s hitting was not on par, his glove was. At Charleston as Pulaski, his fielding percentage was literally off the charts at three positions: 91, 95 and 100 in Charleston; and a flat perfect 100 at Pulaski at the two spots Dunn played.
That prowess on the field grew to five total positions that Dunn played at Double-A
Somerset [Massachusetts] where he had a letter-perfect 100 at three of them, hitting .182 with 17 RBI.
At A-plus league Hudson Valley [New York], Dunn’s fielding percentage dipped to 98, 96 and 87—but his hitting improved to .209 in 2021. That slight improvement propelled the Yankees to promote Dunn to AAA ball to start the 2022 season.
Facing a do-or-die year for this Cottonwood High alum on America’s Team, Dunn started the year at AAA Wilkes-Barre [Pennsylvania] and hit just .071 in seven games. That dip in form despite a great glove at three positions [100, 100 and 97] saw the Colt demoted once again, this time back to AA Somerset, where his glove betrayed him. Playing at four different positions, his trusty fielding percentage plummeted to 85, 95 and 95 and only yielded one perfect defensive score.
That was all she wrote for the Yankees, who placed Dunn on waivers immediately following the 2022 season.
But, the Philadelphia Phillies picked up the Cottonwood alum on Dec. 7, 2022. It was a nice Christmas gift for Dunn, who hit a career-high .333 at AA Somerset and had something that the Phillies liked.
Philadelphia sent Dunn to AA Reading, where for the first time in his career, the Colt played more than 80 games at any one stop. Dunn also had 417 at-bats, also the most for any team, hitting .271 with 21 home runs and 78 RBI.
Those numbers and the fact that Dunn’s fielding was literally on point at three of the four positions he was playing on the field caught the attention of the Arizona Fall League, Major League Baseball’s primary instructional league. It assigned the Cottonwood standout to Scottsdale, where Dunn would shine on second and third base and hit .343 with 12 RBI in just 70 at-bats.
For his efforts, Dunn would be named the League’s Breakout Player Of The Year after he led the Fall League in batting average and three other categories as a slugger.
Dunn was on a literal high in his life—when he got traded to Milwaukee this past November.
At the age of 25, the Cottonwood High alum was going on his third MLB team and his ninth team in total if you count all the teams Dunn’s played for in the minors.
It would be foolish, however, to count Dunn out. l
Oliver Dunn fields a throw during batting practice.
Brewers)
Senior tennis duo of Amelia Linscott and Bella Morris advances to the 4A state quarters
For Cottonwood’s Annie Woodward, these 4A state tennis championships provided an opportunity to shake off a Region 10 Tournament semifinal loss in late September that she suffered in first singles.
In the first round of the state tournament Oct.10, that is exactly what the No. 13 seed Woodward did, as the junior defeated No. 20 seeded Ruby Riggs of Jordan, 6-1 and 6-3.
In the round of 16, Woodward headed to Liberty Park in Salt Lake City where she fell to the No. 4 seed, Lotte Loeser of Crimson Cliffs [St. George] in straight sets, 6-1 and 6-0. It was a tough way to end the season for Woodward who finished with a respectable 7-7 record on the year.
In third singles though, Bayla Linscott showed why she might be one tough out next
By Brian Shaw | b.shaw@mycityjournals.com
year. The freshman advanced through a minefield at the Region 10 tournament and was finally eliminated in the fourth round there.
At state as a No. 15 seed, Bayla Linscott had a 4A first round rematch with Murray’s Abby Boyd, the 18-seed. Bayla Linscott again won in straight sets, 6-1 and 6-3—the exact score she defeated Boyd by, during the Region 10 tourney’s third round.
With that No. 15 seed though, that meant that if Bayla Linscott were to advance in the first round, then she’d draw one of the top four seeds. In the freshman’s case, Bayla Linscott fell to Green Canyon [Logan]’s No. 2 seed, Macy Huish, 6-0 and 6-0 to end her season. But, with a 7-7 record the future is looking bright for Bayla Linscott.
In first doubles, the duo of seniors Ame-
lia Linscott and Bella Morris was in a similar situation as Woodward, insofar as they were looking to wipe the bitter taste from falling in the late rounds of the Region 10 tournament. In the seniors’ case, they lost in the finals to a team from Hillcrest.
The good news for Amelia Linscott and Morris, however, was that the tournament committee had taken into account the duo’s 8-2 overall record going into the 4A state championships, and so that had been factored into the rationale that earned the seniors a 7-seed.
That top-8 seed also gave Amelia Linscott and Morris a first round bye—much needed after a grueling Region 10 tournament two weeks earlier.
Had that factored into the committee’s decision in the case of Woodward, for example,
it is hard to say how far the junior might have advanced in the state tournament.
For Amelia Linscott and Morris, that extra rest day was put to good use in the round of 16, as the Cottonwood pair dispatched No. 10 Eliza Jauffi and Izie Hafen of Crimson Cliffs by the final score of 6-2 and 6-3.
For the Colts, this was a tremendous accomplishment as the team hasn’t had three players finish this high in the final standings in over a decade.
In the state quarterfinals, Amelia Linscott and Morris would finally meet their match— but only just. They actually took the first set from No. 2-seeded Tanna Theurer and Hallie Cole of Ridgeline [Cache County], 6-4 before dropping the next two sets, 2-6 and 3-6. l
Drawing the line: Reid Demman retires after 20 years of mapping Salt Lake County’s future
After nearly two decades of chasing down rogue property lines and dodging "seagull bombs" while surveying silt-filled ponds, Salt Lake County Surveyor Reid Demman is finally putting his surveyor’s tools to rest. First elected in 2006, Demman who will step down in January, has seen it all—from projects like mapping bee health to pioneering drone use, all while keeping Salt Lake County’s boundaries straight. As he prepares for retirement, he jokes that he’ll miss the drones, but not the mud.
“We were the first public surveying office in Utah, and in fact, the first in the nation to develop a process for those surveys to be filed in the office electronically,” Demman said. “This created a convenient way for private surveyors to file their surveys and for the public to access such without having to travel and appear at the County Government Center in person or during regular business hours.”
This push for digital transformation allowed the office to reallocate resources and improve services for the surveying community. Demman said, “Reducing in-person visits to the office allowed my team to repurpose resources more efficiently and provide much improved services.”
The role of a county surveyor might not be glamorous, but it is crucial. Demman’s office managed everything from maintaining the Public Land Survey System to working with multiple municipalities on land-use projects. One of the biggest challenges was balancing the demand for development with the need to protect the integrity of property boundaries. “Your County Surveyor has an enormous responsibility to monitor and protect the system,” Demman explained, emphasizing how even a single disturbed survey monument could lead to disputes over property lines.
The COVID-19 pandemic added anoth-
By Shaun Delliskave | s.delliskave@mycityjournals.com
er layer of difficulty, as construction projects boomed while social distancing measures made fieldwork more complex. “Construction and activities in roads boomed during the pandemic. It was impossible for field staff to social distance in our crew vehicles,” he recalled. “We had to provide separate vehicles for each field person… and stagger crew starting and quitting times.”
Demman prided himself on breaking down barriers between government entities, making collaboration a cornerstone of his approach. “One of my so-to-speak ‘pet peeves’ with government has always been the lack of collaboration and coordination between various government offices,” he said. Through initiatives like pilot projects and inter-departmental partnerships, Demman worked to ensure that the Surveyor’s Office became an active and integrated part of the county’s broader governmental framework.
He noted that these efforts led to some unexpected collaborations. “Who would even think that the Surveyor is involved with developing a mobile application to monitor bee health or the interactive mapping of cool zones?” he said, smiling.
Demman’s most significant legacy may well be the way he embraced technology to improve efficiency and accuracy. His office was the first public agency in Utah to be licensed to use drones for survey work, a move that not only saved time but also made certain projects safer.
“We were the first public office in Utah to be legally, and I emphasize ‘legally,’ licensed to operate drones to enhance our work,” Demman said. “It took us nearly two years to get through the process…. I may have had the original vision, but in reality, I had a very tenacious employee to credit for that.”
As he prepares to hand over the reins, Demman offered some advice for his successor: “You must justify your budgetary needs through the public process with the County Council. You provide guidance, vision, direct the efforts, hire and retain talented managers and staff, and provide the ongoing training and resources they need to perform their work. Then you get out of their way and let them do what they do best.”
He also emphasized the importance of being accessible and responsive to the public. “Make sure they get where they need to go and receive the help they need regardless. That philosophy will require my successor to step beyond their role of the County Surveyor and become familiar with the operations of the entire county.”
Demman is looking forward to retirement but doesn’t plan to disappear entirely. “My plans after leaving the Surveyor’s Office will certainly be to spend more quality time with family and friends,” he said. “We have daughters and grandkids living outside of Utah that we intend to visit more often….More golf is also in my future.”
Professionally, Demman will stay involved in the field by serving on the Board of Directors of the National Association of County Surveyors and maintaining his membership in the Utah Council of Land Surveyors. “I am also open to returning to the County to volunteer, serve on committees or work in some limited time capacity to help wherever they will have me,” he said. “It is part of my being to be engaged in issues I feel strongly about.”
As he reflects on his career, Demman expressed gratitude for the support he received from the public. “First off, I want to thank the public for trusting me and for the fantastic support I have received through the years,” he
Salt Lake County Surveyor Reid Demman to step down after 18 years. (Photo courtesy of Reid Demman)
said. “Being concerned with a legacy for myself has never been a priority or even much of a thought….My goal has always been to leave the office in a better position than it was before I got here.”
Two members from his office will compete to take his spot in November. The winner of the Surveyor race between Democrat Kent Setterberg and Republican Bradley Park, will take the oath of office in January. l
ON THE MOVE
NOVEMBER 2024
SSL ‘ON THE MOVE’ HIGHLIGHTS
Urban Forestry Program ........... p. 2
Fall Safety Tips.......................... p. 3
Breakfast with Santa p. 4
Craftoberfest Photos p. 5
Auto Zoning Ordinance Update… p. 6
Season of Sharing p. 7
Big Ideas in Action: South Salt Lake’s Bright Future
I was recently interviewed for a podcast, which allowed me the opportunity to reflect on what stands out in our city as South Salt Lake’s “Big Ideas”. In this message, I hope to convey what I shared during that interview, as I believe that South Salt Lake is undergoing a significant transformation, as it is evolving into a center for art, education, and opportunity. Evolution takes time, and it’s exciting to see our investments and hard work take hold and move us forward. Central to this change are the programs we’ve developed like Mural Fest, Craftoberfest, and Promise South Salt Lake. All of these programs highlight our dedication to enhancing the lives of our residents and the community at large.
Revitalizing our City through the Arts
Cherie Wood, Mayor
801-464-6757 mayor@sslc.gov
City Offices
Monday - Friday
8 am to 5 pm
801-483-6000
220 East Morris Ave SSL, UT 84115
Animal Service 801-483-6024
Building Permits 801-483-6063
Business Licensing 801-483-6063
Code Enforcement 801-464-6757
Fire Administration 801-483-6043
Justice Court 801-483-6072
Police Admin 801-412-3606
Promise 801-483-6057
Public Works 801-483-6045
Recreation 801-412-3217
Utility Billing 801-483-6074
Emergencies 911
Police/Fire Dispatch 801-840-4000
Mural Fest, hosted by the South Salt Lake Arts Council, has been a game-changer over the past seven years, giving our city a fresh look with 66 stunning murals. With artists from around the globe eager to contribute—880 applied for the 2024 event alone— our downtown Creative Industries Zone has become a focal point of creativity. These murals not only beautify our area, but also draw people to local spots and businesses. Craftoberfest complements Mural Fest with its lively fall festival atmosphere, featuring local art vendors and culinary fare, live music, and fun activities. These signature events bring our community together to celebrate all that South Salt Lake has to offer, and not only put us on the map but keep people coming back year-round.
Empowering Youth and Families
Promise South Salt Lake (SSL) is dedicated to enhancing the lives of all residents, focused initially on youth but since expanded to support entire families. Established 12 years ago, Promise SSL’s mission is rooted in three promises: ensuring educational opportunities for every child, providing safe and clean homes and neighborhoods,
and promoting health and prosperity for all. Its afterschool and summer programs have benefited thousands of our kids, while family and adult initiatives further uplift the community, highlighting the program’s commitment to educational and economic wellbeing across South Salt Lake.
Our Community Opportunity Center (The Co-Op) at the South Salt Lake Community Center is another key part of our education efforts. Offering workshops on digital skills, financial literacy and resume building, The Co-Op empowers residents to grow personally and professionally. As a hub for businesses and nonprofits, it fosters networking and small business development thanks to partnerships with groups like Westminster University and Mountain America Credit Union.
SSL’s
Big Ideas Ahead
While we’re extremely proud of the progress we’ve made, I wish to convey a few more big ideas that are coming to fruition in the next few years for South Salt Lake. Our emerging Downtown is taking shape and paving the way for new development and affordable housing options, thanks to funding through the Housing and Transit Reinvestment Zone. Public Works has been on the move lately as they lay new pipes and upgrade our aging infrastructure, and we’re excited about our new Public Works campus on the horizon. We know many of you are already aware of these initiatives, but we’ll be sharing more updates about these exciting projects in the coming months.
This journey wouldn’t be possible without the hard work, strategic planning, and great partnerships that have shaped our community. We are also grateful for the support and inspiration from countless volunteers, local organizations, and programs across the U.S. that have aided in our success. As we continue to dream big and tackle challenges, I hope to inspire others with our community-driven development, as South Salt Lake is always eager to share our journey with those looking to find similar success.
Mayor Cherie Wood
Public Meetings
For more info: www.sslc.gov
Planning Commission
Thu, Nov 7, 7 p.m.
Thu, Nov 21, 7 p.m.
City Council
Wed, Nov 13, 7 p.m.
If you missed last month’s City Council meetings, please visit the City Council page at sslc. gov for a full Action Report Summary. You can also watch past meetings, view agenda and minutes, and connect with City Council members. sslc.gov/160/ City-Council
City Council Members
Find out more about who your City Council representative is by visiting sslc.gov.
LeAnne Huff, District 1 lhuff@sslc.gov
Corey Thomas, District 2 cthomas@sslc.gov
Sharla Bynum, District 3 sbynum@sslc.gov
Nick Mitchell, District 4 nmitchell@sslc.gov
Paul Sanchez, District 5 psanchez@sslc.gov
Natalie Pinkney, At-Large npinkney@sslc.gov
Clarissa Williams, At-Large cwilliams@sslc.gov
General Election Information for Voting
The 2024 General Election takes place on November 5. By-mail ballots were mailed to all Salt Lake County residents last month. Those must be mailed and postmarked by November 4.
If you did not receive a by-mail ballot or prefer to vote in person, early voting takes place October 22 to November 1 at the County Government Center and October 29 to November 1 at satellite locations. For more information and to view a list of early and day-of voting locations, visit the Salt Lake County website at saltlakecounty.gov/clerk.
The Fall Citywide Cleanup Program takes place November 4-13. Your collection date is based on your regular garbage pickup date. This service is available only to residents who currently receive City garbage service. Curbside pickup is provided for approved items that are boxed, bundled, or bagged. Hazardous materials will not be accepted. Items not accepted or not prepared properly will not be picked up. Please visit sslc.gov to view all program guidelines and see your collection date.
Public Safety
Time Change and Fall Safety Tips
Message from SSLFD Chief Terry Addison
As you turn back your clock on Sunday, November 3, 2024, the SSL Fire Department reminds the public to review and refresh your fire safety plan. Fall preparedness tips include:
Change Smoke Alarm Batteries – Working smoke alarms provide early warnings so people can get outside quickly. Check each alarm’s batteries and test them monthly to make sure they are working. If the smoke alarm chirps, replace the battery immediately.
Prepare an Escape Plan – Create a home escape plan and designate a meeting place outside to gather in the event of an emergency.
Be Warm and Safe – Cooler months are just around the corner. Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment like the furnace, fireplace, or space heater. Never use your oven to heat your home, and have your heating equipment cleaned and inspected by a qualified professional.
Thanksgiving Preparation – Enjoying a Thanksgiving meal with family and friends is a holiday custom we all love–but safety first! Thanksgiving is the leading day for home fires involving cooking equipment by at least three times the average number per day. If you plan to use a deep-fryer to cook your turkey this year, remember that turkey fryers must always be used outdoors and at a safe distance from buildings. Make sure the fryer is placed on a flat surface and never leave it unattended. Don’t overfill the fryer with oil and keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher nearby. Never use water to extinguish a grease or oil fire.
The men and women of the Fire Department hope you and your family have a wonderful, safe Thanksgiving Holiday!
Protecting Yourself & Your Property During the Holiday Season
Message from SSLPD Chief Danielle Croyle
As the days get shorter and the holiday season approaches, it’s important to stay vigilant and take the necessary steps to protect yourself and your property. Here are some crime prevention tips to help implement this holiday season.
Secure Your Home: As holiday travel picks up, many homes are left unattended. Make sure all doors and windows are locked, even if only leaving for a short time. Consider using timers on lights to give the appearance that someone is home. Have a neighbor or family member check in on your home, bring in mail and/or newspaper. For an extended absence put a hold on your mail.
Be Careful with Social Media: Avoid posting travel plans or updates on social media that indicate your home is vacant or unoccupied. Wait until you return home to share your photos and experiences.
Stay Alert to Suspicious Behavior: Whether you’re home or out in public, be alert to any suspicious behavior. Report any unusual activity to law enforcement. Call (801) 840-4000 for the non-emergency line, and 911 for immediate or active emergencies.
These few tips can help you reduce your risk of falling victim to a crime. Wishing you a festive and safe holiday season.
In person training November 2 and 9. Scan the QR code or visit the Emergency Management page at SSLC.gov for more information and to register for CERT courses.
SSL Community Centers
South Salt Lake Senior Center EVENTS FOR NOVEMBER 2024
Live Entertainment
TBD | Fri, 11/08 at 11:30 am Heart & Soul | Fri, 11/22 at 10:30 am
Health & Wellness
Monthly Blood Pressure Checks | Wed, 11/13 at 9:15 am Vital Aging | Wed, 11/20 at 10:30 am
Workshops
Craft with Vickie | Wed, 11/06 at 10:30 am
Reece Stein Presentation: Albania | Thur, 11/07 at 10:30 am
Mon - Fri | 8:30 am - 4 pm 2531 South 400 East (385) 468-3340 slco.org/aging
southsaltlakearts sslarts
ZENTANGLE CLUB with Linda Rios @ SSL Community Center
Monday, November 25 from 6:00-8:00 PM Monday, December 30 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM
TANGLED UP IN THE HOLIDAZE with Linda Rios @ SSL Community Center
Tuesdays, November 5, 12, 19 and 26 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Community Comes Together for Craftoberfest
The South Salt Lake Arts Council would like to extend a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to all of the organizers, volunteers, and attendees who made Craftoberfest 2024 an artful success. From the live music to the delicious food and drink, there was something for everyone. With over 60 vendors and six custom barrels and kegs hand-painted by local artists, this year’s event was truly a celebration of SSL’s creative community.
Celebrate South Salt Lake with Community
Thank you to all who came out on September 27 to Celebrate South Salt Lake! The music, the games, and the drone show were all great, but the true highlight was all of you–the wonderful community that came out to join us in celebrating our City on the Move.
Community & Economic Development
Auto Zoning Ordinance Update Aims to Improve Public Safety & Quality of Life
South Salt Lake has its fair share of car dealerships, repair shops, storage lots, and other auto-related establishments. Residents have long voiced concerns about the appearance that some of these businesses inflict upon our city. While it’s important to celebrate our diverse business community that have been part of the city for decades, it is also important to continue the necessary investments to keep our streetscape attractive and reduce visual blight for the well-being of everyone in our community. By and large, most businesses are respectable partners who care for our city, but there are the chronic code violators that must be addressed.
South Salt Lake is committed to protecting the health and safety of our residents, which is why the City Council recently reviewed potential updates to our zoning ordinance for auto-related businesses. The ordinance includes updates to requirements for minimum lot size, minimum lot frontage, and minimum interior display
Rendering of the expanded Mark Miller Subaru showroom oor located at 3535 S State St. The new facility will span two stories and feature advanced, eco-friendly technologies for sustainability, two new kids areas by Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum, and an expanded refreshment area for customers. The anticipated completion date is August 2025.
for car dealerships. Along with the updated ordinance come resources to enhance enforcement through both our Community Development Department who processes business licenses, and from Code Enforcement who is in charge of education and violation notifications. These updates are intended to restrict street parking in and around neighborhoods for residents, prohibit outdoor storage of parts and wrecked cars to clean up the city, and protect groundwater by keeping vehicles on pavement and off dirt or other porous surfaces. Automotive businesses play a critical role in our community by providing essential services, offering gainful employment, and helping maintain a diverse tax base. South Salt Lake values good business partnerships that keep our City on the Move and improve the quality of life for residents. If you have any feedback or questions about these ordinance updates, use the Contact Us page on our website at sslc.gov.
To connect with the SSL Chamber, email: tereza@sslchamber.com sslchamber.com
Cozy Coffee Lounge, nestled in South Salt Lake, has quickly become a beloved community spot. Originally from Bosnia, Dzenef’s journey took him through Berlin and eventually to Utah in the late 90s. After years of running a successful cleaning business with his family, he turned his childhood dream of opening a coffee shop into reality. Cozy Coffee Lounge offers more than just great coffee—though its signature brew, coffee brewed in hot sand, is a nod to Eastern European tradition and a must-try for visitors. The shop also serves a delicious assortment of Balkan and European pastries, alongside modern favorites like avocado toast, teas, and hot chocolate. But what truly sets Cozy Coffee Lounge apart is its role as a cultural and community hub. From hosting Cars & Coffee meetups to Balkan/Arab Nights, it provides a space where people from all walks of life can come together and connect. It’s a safe and welcoming environment where cultures are shared and relationships are built.
On October 5, the South Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce celebrated the shop’s 1-year anniversary with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, highlighting Cozy Coffee Lounge as a unique gem in the city’s small business scene. For Dzenef and his mother and sister, it’s not just a coffee shop, it’s a lifelong dream built from hard work and a deep desire to bring people together.
Teens Bringing the Beat
Meet Kervz, an up-andcoming young band composed of local teens Kaia, Emma, Ruth, and Lil Vz. This talented group came together through a shared love of music at the Promise SSL Best Buy Teen Tech Center. Recently, they performed at South Salt Lake’s Craftoberfest, captivating the audience with their impressive performance and serious musical chops!
The Teen Tech Center has been a crucial part of their journey, offering a safe and welcoming environment where they can grow, collaborate, and stay focused on their passions. It’s a space that fosters positive engagement, keeping teens involved in productive activities and helping them stay out of trouble. The center has been a pillar of support for Kervz and countless other young people. We couldn’t be prouder of Kervz and their hard work, and we’re excited to see where their musical journey takes them next!
Dry Creek Charity Continues to Step Up for Youth
Since the early days of Promise South Salt Lake, the Dry Creek Charity has provided our programs with reliable funding opportunities to be able to go the extra mile for youth and families. This partnership has allowed us to expand our summer soccer league, establish video game clubs, fund makerspaces, sustain cooking curriculums, and has supported other clubs and activities throughout our programs.
Now, over a decade later, our relationship remains strong as Dry Creek has again provided us with funding to continue or introduce unique programming opportunities in South Salt Lake. This school year, Dry Creek has chosen to support a Gardening Club at Historic Scott School, a STEM Exploration Club at Granite Park Jr. High, a Culture Club at Woodrow Wilson Elementary, a Cooking Club at Hser Ner Moo Community Center, and an Arts and Crafts Club at Walker Elementary. These clubs provide invaluable opportunities for youth to learn and to be able to engage creatively with others and their surroundings. We’re incredibly grateful for our staff who help to lead these groups, and we thank Dry Creek for another year in working with us to provide high quality, engaging programs.
Youth from the Promise South Salt Lake afterschool program at Olene Walker Elementary pose with UFC champions Justin Gaethje, Miesha Tate, and Belal Muhammad, during a fun day of reading and learning together!
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center
Did you know about this Salt Lake County service?
Did you finish a fall or summer project, but now your garage is lined with old paint containers, bags of pesticides, fertilizers, fuels, batteries, or other leftover household products? Salt Lake County wants to help you properly dispose of hazardous waste before you dispose of it in garbage cans, dumpsters, landfills, or the sewer or storm drains.
Paints, cleaners, oils, batteries, smoke detectors, and pesticides contain potentially hazardous ingredients that require special handling when disposed of. Improper disposal causes significant problems in our landfills and the environment and can also result in criminal penalties and fines.
Salt Lake County opened a drive-up Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center free for county residents at 8805 South 700 West in Sandy. The center is open Monday through Saturday, 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. It also has dumpsters for glass and cardboard recycling.
What can I take to the HHW Collection Center?
• Automotive batteries and fluids (oil and antifreeze)
• Fuels
• Paints, stains, and varnishes
• Pesticides, herbicides, and other yard
Aimee Winder Newton
Salt Lake County Councilwoman| District 3
chemicals
• Many cleaning supplies
• Cooking oil
• Used oil (up to five gallons per visit)
• Aerosols
• Electronics
• Fluorescent bulbs
• Devices that contain mercury
• Batteries such as lithium, NiMH, NiCd (NOTE: AA, AAA, C, D batteries are not considered hazardous)
• Televisions/monitors
• Computers and peripherals
• Cell phones
Can Businesses use the HHW Center?
Business waste and waste from residents of other counties is accepted for a fee. Business waste is accepted by appointment only by calling 385-468-4380.
Re-Use Shed
Many of the products taken to the HHW are still useable—sometimes even brand new. These items are placed in the Reuse Shed and are available to take home at no cost to Salt Lake County residents (no businesses, please).
The Household Hazardous Waste Cen-
ter is just one of many excellent services Salt Lake County offers. Be sure to take advantage of this amazing resource. This is just another example of your county working for you!
Number of Utah women in leadership positions
the state but still lag behind national averages, according to new study
By Rebecca Olds | rebecca.o@thecityjournals.com
The Utah Women and Leadership
Project at Utah State University’s Jon M. Huntsman School of Business recently released an October 2024 study about the number of women in Utah who hold leadership positions. Recent numbers from the study show an overall increase from the two previous surveys conducted by the organization in 2014 and 2018. However, concerns about how the state stacks up against national averages and about the accessibility of these positions for women in Utah still exist.
“Importantly, however, in this year’s dataset, there were significantly more general managers than CEOs or presidents,” reads the study. “Yet, overall, in the past six years, there has been a solid increase in the percentage of women serving in top leadership roles in Utah businesses having 100 or more employees.”
Regardless of the number, the study says, the state is still lacking when it comes to having women in leadership positions, specifically in the corporate world.
“Utah has substantial work to do in promoting women into these leadership roles,” read the study.
Authors of the study include Shirlayne Quayle founder of the PowerLane Podcast, Susan Madsen founder of the UWLP and A Bolder Way Forward, and research fellow Robyn Blackburn.
Specifications about the type of companies included in the study incorporated whether the company had more than 100 employees, was not part of any nonprofit, educational or governmental organizations, and was not recently bought or acquired by another entity.
In total, 1,765 companies were included in the study both local and national companies in Utah. It’s worth noting that whenever a national company was included, the Utah manager’s gender was recorded rather than the CEO’s to keep the information more locally based.
Of the nearly 2,000 companies, about 20.4% of top leadership roles belonged to women, nearly double the 11.6% of women leadership reported in 2014. Of the corporate CEOs in Utah, only 9.6% were female.
On the national level, women holding “chief executive positions,” including CEOs, board members and chief of staff was at 29.2% in 2023, showing the “gap” referred to by the study.
But even still, a 2015 report by CAP20 found the United States, compared to other countries, is “very unevenly” measuring up, as the U.S. ranked 26th in women’s economic participation and
Table 2 of the Utah Women and Leadership Project’s October 2024 research and policy brief displaying Utah chief executive officers by gender and region. (Courtesy of UWLP)
73rd in women’s political empowerment that year.
What’s the breakdown by county and industry?
Of the women in Utah in leadership positions, the top industries for women CEOs from the study by UWLP include Educational Services, Health Care and Social Assistance and Accommodation and Food Services. The ones with the fewest women CEOs include Real Estate, Rental and Leasing where there are no women CEOs, Construction with just more than 1%, Finance and Insurance with nearly 2.5%, and Transportation and Warehousing with 4.5%.
The study further broke down two categories of women leadership, namely CEOs and corporate board members and the breakdown in different counties between males and females in leadership roles.
Grouped Carbon, Emery, Grand, San Juan, Juab, Millard, Piute, Sanpete, and Sevier counties have the highest percentage of female Utah CEOs at 11.1% or 1 of 8. Davis, Salt Lake, Tooele and Weber counties have the lowest with only 9.3% or 40 out of 390 CEOs as female.
Counties with the highest participation of female corporate board members include Juab, Millard, Piute, Sanpete and Sevier with 33.3%. The lowest female board member percentage was in Box Elder and Cache counties with 19.5%.
What progress has there been for women in corporate Utah?
When corporate boards have female chairs, the study found it’s more “likely to have female directors and company CEOs” in the company too.
The good news is the number of fe -
Table 5 of the Utah Women and Leadership Project’s October 2024 research and policy brief displaying Utah corporate board members by gender and region. (Courtesy of UWLP)
male chairs and board members has increased to 24.4% in 2024, following a dip from 14.2% in 2014 to 12% in 2018.
Another downward tick that seems to be on the mend and noted by the study was a decrease in CEOs, presidents and wom -
en directors during the same four-year period from 2014 to 2018.
“Our guess, although we are not certain,” read the study, “is that the influx of tech companies to Utah during that time brought with it more male CEOs, presidents, general managers (for those headquartered outside the state), corporate board members, and employees more generally.”
Authors of the study suggest that ways to keep increasing the role of women in leadership positions in Utah include participating in programs such as ElevateHER Corporate Challenge, receiving the 100 Companies Championing Women and A Bolder Way Forward initiative to thriving girls, women and children in the state.
“It is our hope that the data and insights shared in this brief will spark discussion and assist companies in making needed structural changes to their leadership teams and corporate boards,” the conclusion of the study said. l
Breast cancer survivor retreats offer support, resilience and hope
By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com
Breastcancer survivors often struggle with challenges beyond the physical aspect of the condition and treatment. Anxiety, depression, body-image issues and cognitive changes can cause emotional and psychological challenges.
Image Reborn offers breast cancer survivors the opportunity to gather with other women going through similar issues by holding free renewal retreats. The program is a chance for survivors to talk about their experiences and offer support to other women.
“We’re actually in our 26th year,” said Bobbi Lord, Image Reborn executive director. “We have weekend retreats that are a place for women to focus on their feelings. The best part is to see that connection as these women come together. They instantly know what the other one’s going through without having to vocalize it, which I think is very powerful.”
Retreats are held in private homes with a small number of attendees (usually less than 10 women) who are pampered and nurtured during a two-night stay. A chef provides healthy meals while women can take part in yoga, massage therapy, group counseling sessions and a grief circle. A medical provider attends part of the retreat to talk with women and answer questions.
Several health aspects are included in each retreat including mindfulness, physical activity and tools for handling emotional distress. Because medical bills quickly add up during a cancer diagnosis and treatment, women can attend the renewal retreat at no cost.
“The only requirement to attend is that they have breast cancer,” Lord said. “The retreats themselves are completely free. We do ask for a small $100 deposit to save their space, and then it’s returned after the retreat.”
Cinthya was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022. She attended a retreat earlier this year after her radiologist gave her a pamphlet about the program.
“It was a way for us to have a break from everything and celebrate the end of treatment,” she said. “It was a great experience. I met a lot of ladies, and I learned a lot about their experiences. After that, I started volunteering for them because I felt I wanted to give back to the organization.”
Each retreat is facilitated by professionals experienced in addressing the concerns of women with breast cancer. Renewal retreats are held several times a year and have expanded to include events in Florida, Texas and Colorado. Women are invited to attend
at any time during their cancer experience but most sign up two or three years post-diagnosis.
Image Reborn also holds events for women with specific needs including young survivors, women with stage 4 cancer and Spanish-speaking women.
The organization provides ongoing wellness activities for survivors including virtual grief-tending, restorative yoga, virtual hypnotherapy and a sex conference. Additionally, adventure retreats during the year focus on mental and emotional health but include a challenging component.
“Last year we partnered with the National Ability Center, and we did canoeing at Flaming Gorge,” Lord said. “We also did one down in Southern Utah that was canyoneering.”
Volunteers are always needed at Image Reborn. They might help at an event, pick up women from the airport or donate their home as a retreat location. Financial support can be provided through monetary donations, fundraising or by linking the Image Reborn Foundation to a Smith’s Rewards card.
Image Reborn held its annual gala at the beginning of November and was expecting to bring in more than $300,000 in donations. The money is used to provide free retreats, offer travel scholarships for those coming from out-of-town and fund ongoing wellness programs. For more information, visit ImageRebornFoundation.org.
“We are trying to grow across the nation,” Lord said. “We have wait lists and our goal is to make this available for everyone.” l
At Image Reborn renewal retreats, breast cancer survivors can access mental and emotional support while creating new friendships. (Photos courtesy of Image Reborn)
Applied Medical Engineering Lab pushing the limits to life-saving care
By Becky Ginos | becky.g@thecityjournals.com
Imagine living in a rural area, hiking in a remote place or taking a family trip away from a city where there are life-saving medical services and needing that help to survive. The University of Utah has just launched a new laboratory called the Applied Medical Engineering (AME) Lab to create cutting-edge medical technology designed to deliver that life-saving care at any location and for any patient with any injury.
“Just being 10 miles from a facility where you don’t have access can make the difference to slow down a heart attack or if you need blood,” said Dr. Jake Jensen, Associate Vice President for Research at the University of Utah. “For example, there are some freezer system treatments that maintain medication that an EMT or field medic doesn’t have access to.”
There is some promising research going on at the U for more portable freezers, he said. “It’s smaller than a mini fridge. It’s more the size of a Rubik’s Cube that is ultra frozen that medics can carry in their pack that can stop hemorrhaging more quickly. Or it can be sidestepped completely with freeze drying to maintain efficiency.”
That is one of the first things being researched through the AME platform is to work on these problems, said Jensen. “Another huge one is lightweight robotics. There are so many applications.”
If an EMT or field medic is triaging
Thispatients in the field, there’s usually only one field medic or just one or two EMTs, he said. “If they’re treating multiple patients they have to spread out life saving measures that require more than one medic. The EMT has to make the choice whether to continue applying pressure to stop blood flow or get bandages from his pack. A lightweight robotic arm with controlled voice (AI) command could apply pressure, etc. A single provider then becomes more than one.”
The U of U has been a leader in robotics for a long time, Jensen said. “We have
already developed robotic legs, arms, etc. that are high functioning mostly for prosthetics. It’s amazing technology but we decided to branch out and ask ‘where else could this be useful? What problems can we solve?’”
Who hasn’t been in a situation where they couldn't use three hands? he said. “Take movers. A lightweight robotic arm would allow them to move safer and faster. The functionality for multiple people is incredibly exciting.”
Another area of AME application is mental health. “It’s an issue from many
people,” said Jensen. “But there are noticeable disparities in rural counties. Rural communities have more signs of mental health issues such as suicide than urban areas. This is designed to help mental health. That is huge. People can receive counseling wherever they are and there is a Telehealth component.”
Jensen said the area he’s most excited about is women’s health. “The AME lab is developing technology to assist in maternal and infant survival. There’s been work in this for over 100 years, but there’s been little progress in infant and maternal mortality. You’d think we’d be further along.”
Think about a baby and mom that don’t have access to medical facilities, he said. “They live too far away from treatment that could have saved their life. Ten miles could be the difference between if a mother or infant dies. If treatment is available we need to use it.”
The AME lab showcased its groundbreaking work at the 47G Zero Gravity Summit held on Thursday.
47G promotes and advocates for companies in Utah that are developing the next generation of aerospace, defense and cyber technologies, said Aaron Starks, 47G president and CEO. “Our partnership with the University of Utah’s AME Lab reflects our commitment to collaborate on applied research that will directly benefit Americans serving around the world and right here at home.” l
Bright economic numbers signal a strong holiday shopping season
By Robert Spendlove, Zions Bank Senior Economist
fall’s better-than-expected economic showing is good news for the upcoming holiday shopping season.
Retail sales rose 0.4% in September, beating analysts’ expectations. Meanwhile, the economy added a remarkable 254,000 jobs in the month – 100,000 more than most forecasters predicted. The national unemployment rate dropped from 4.2% in August to 4.1% in September, while wages accelerated to 4% in September compared to 3.8% the previous month.
Bolstered by a strong job market, winter holiday spending is expected to grow between 2.5% and 3.5% this year, according to the National Retail Federation. That’s in line with historical averages and similar to Deloitte’s 2024 projection of 2.3% to 3.3% sales growth. Most of the growth will be driven by online purchases, which are expected to jump 7% to 9% over 2023.
Holiday shoppers’ dollars will stretch further this year than in 2023 and 2022, thanks to slowing inflation and rising wag-
es. The Consumer Price Index slowed to 2.4% in September, down from 2.5% the previous month. And inflation in the mountain region of the U.S. slowed even more, to 1.4% in September.
While wage growth has been outpacing inflation since May 2023, household income has yet to fully recover the purchasing power lost to inflation in recent years. Many people are starting off their holiday shopping season already in debt. Credit card debt hit a record $1.14 trillion in the second quarter of 2024, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. And half of credit card holders are carrying a balance from month to month – the highest level in four years, according to Bankrate’s 2024 Credit Card Debt Survey.
Nearly half – 48% – of Utahns say they are worse off financially compared to a year ago, according to the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute’s Survey of Utah Consumer Sentiment. The way people feel about the economy often influences their spending decisions. However, easing infla-
tion and lower interest rates could improve Utahns’ feelings about the economy.
This holiday season may bring price relief in certain categories. Toy prices, for example, dropped 2.9% over the last year. Some electronics, including televisions and computers, are also cheaper overall. Motor fuel prices are down 15.5% nationally and 18.6% regionally. These are all great trends.
Other factors impacting holiday spending include an abbreviated shopping season. With Thanksgiving falling on Nov. 28 this year, there are 26 days from Thanksgiving to Christmas. Additionally, the economic uncertainty surrounding the U.S. presidential election could play a role in how consumers do their holiday shopping.
Robert Spendlove is senior economist for Zions Bank, a division of Zions Bancorporation, N.A l
A concept photo shows how the robotic arm can be used by medics in the field. The arm is just one of many cutting-edge medical technologies being developed by the AME Lab. (Courtesy AI image)
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Preparing Thanksgiving dinner never gets easier. I always start with lofty culinary goals based on recipes from “The Pioneer Woman” that include truffles and capers but end up scraping scorched gravy into a dish and hoping the turkey won’t give anyone food poisoning.
Because of my poor cooking skills, I’m always looking for Thanksgiving hacks to make meal preparation more sunshine and less hurricane. I thought I’d share some tips I found to survive the food frenzy that is Thanksgiving.
Ask for help. Stop being a martyr. Don’t complain about having to do everything and then refuse any help. Give out assignments and not like “Can you bring one can of olives?” or “I need someone to pick up some napkins.” No. Ask someone to bring mashed potatoes or all the desserts or even the turkey. You don’t get a blue ribbon for Thanksgiving suffering.
Don’t make foods no one eats. Stop wasting time preparing “traditional” foods, even if it’s a recipe handed down from your quadruple-great grandmother. Especially if it’s handed down from your quadruple-great grandmother because there weren’t a lot of food options in the 1800s besides lima beans and fried hominy.
Use a mandoline to slice vegetables.
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Not to be confused with a stringed instrument from the 19th century, the mandoline slices onions, celery and carrots quickly and easily. The guest who finds the tip of my index finger in the stuffing wins a prize!
Make only one batch of dinner rolls. Homemade rolls are always a hit but now you can use them as leverage. Your grandson wants a second, hot-buttered roll? He’d better start washing dishes. Bonus hack: Purchase pre-made bakery rolls. You won’t get docked Thanksgiving points. I promise.
Thaw the turkey in water. Not only will this leave you with a bucket full of disgusting waste water but then you can spill it all over the kitchen floor on Thanksgiving morning. Maybe don’t even cook a turkey. There are no Thanksgiving laws. Have chicken wings or spaghetti bolognese.
Spatchcock the turkey. If you insist
on roasted turkey, watch a three-hour video explaining how to spatchcock the bird, which involves removing the turkey’s backbone so it lies flat and cooks quickly. (Sidenote: Who spatchcocked Utah’s governor and legislators?)
One tip said, “Use tongs to stem kale” and none of those words make sense together.
Use a Thermos to keep gravy warm. Gravy is notoriously dreadful when served cold. Trust me, I know. Grab your sisterin-law’s gallon-sized Stanley cup to ensure there’s hot gravy for the mashed potatoes.
Use pre-made pie shells. People think pies need to be made from scratch to get that flakey, buttery crust. Baloney. Unless you’re a professional pie baker, do yourself a favor and buy frozen pie crusts. Right now. Even better, get delicious pies from the grocery store.
Celebrate Thanksgiving dinner on Friday. There’s nothing worse than working three days and trying to fit in Thanksgiving preparation. On Friday, it can be a celebratory meal after everyone’s done shopping online.
Create a fun playlist. Before Uncle Jim can cue up the Jan. 6 prisoners’ chorus singing “The Star-Spangled Banner,” have a variety of tunes ready to go. Include ev-
erything from Bach to ZZ Top, to equally irritate every family member.
Give yourself a break. I’ve overcooked turkey, burned gravy, made inedible broccoli-cornbread stuffing, forgot the cranberry sauce, dropped a pumpkin pie and used Tupperware lids when I ran out of dinner plates. No one cares. If you’re being judged for the way Thanksgiving dinner turns out, it’s time to find a new family.
