$1.50 Dec. 8, 2023 | Vol. 2 Iss. 47
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Trojans hit the mat Wrestlers place at Millard Ironman
MORGAN COUNTY NEWS
page 5
Covering Your Community Since 1929
NEWS BREAK Kevin McCarthy leaving Congress
Former House Speaker, Kevin McCarthy announced he will be retiring from office at the end of the year after 17 years. McCarthy was removed only 9 months after becoming House Speaker due in large part to a stopgap spending bill on the floor which won him democratic support but lost him republican favor. McCarthy announced this decision Wednesday, Dec. 6 as part of a Wallstreet Journal OpEd. SANTA GIVING FIRE MARSHALL, Dave Rich a hug after bringing him to Home Town Christmas on Commercial Street.
Netanyahu expresses desire to retain control of Gaza
Hometown Christmas By Verlene Johnson
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SANTA COMING into town on Morgan's new ladder truck.
Courtesy photos
ourteen years ago, Morgan City started Hometown Christmas on the first Saturday in December. Quickly becoming a family tradition for many, families gather on Commercial Street to anxiously await the arrival of Santa Claus on the fire truck. Children then pour into the Morgan Physical Therapy building to visit with St. Nick. The gingerbread house contest brings a sweet competition to the festivities. The Festival of Trees shows the creative talents of businesses in Morgan.
After watching entertainment such as the Morgan High School Band and Orchestra, or watching the little dancers and listening to little singers, Morgan Grace Fellowship Church provides a place to warm up while eating donuts holes. Restaurants along the street welcome the masses to eat specially selected items. Once the tree is lit and music from the Little Mountain rings out across the valley, there is no doubt that Christmas has arrived in Morgan. More photos on page 3.l
City applies for grant to develop secondary access to Commercial Street By Linda Petersen MORGAN — Morgan City’s Redevelopment Agency has applied for a rural communities opportunity grant to help obtain property and build a road behind Commercial Street for secondary access and public parking. The application to the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity asks for $600,000; the RDA would be required to come up with a 30 percent match. The Morgan City Planning Commission would act as an advisory board on the grant. At this point without funding the project is largely in the concept stage, City Manager Ty Bailey said at a Nov. 14 RDA board meeting. So far the idea is to have a one-way alley. “The grant would say we're on board with this concept,” Bailey said, “and then depending on where we end up, with or without property, it could end up being one-sided — only parking on one side, it could be a half street.” The alley would add value to the area and provide an incentive for the back parcels to be developed, he said, “because access would already be at the back of the parcels, meaning west of the original, the other side of the road from the vacant parcels.” To help promote the need for the alley, Morgan City has submitted an engineer’s concept plan (see above) of the proposed alley along with its grant application. The concept plan by JA Jones and Associates includes a concrete sidewalk, an ADA ramp, decorative concrete pavement, a fire hydrant, street signs, a new street light, and pedestrian/landscape lighting. “This strengthens it, having an engineer’s estimate,” Bailey said. “Absolutely, [with] a concept plan they can really see this is what we're trying to do.” “I think our ability to spend the money also helps,” he added referring to the RDA’s ability to provide the required matching funds for the grant. RDA board member Tony London at first expressed concern that people might not use the alley for access but seemed to be reassured when board member Eric Turner told the board
AN ENGINEER’S CONCEPT PLAN of a proposed alley behind Commercial Street which Morgan City plans to develop if it receives a rural communities opportunity grant.
Courtesy image/Morgan City
he had seen several instances where such access works well. “As I've traveled around, there's a lot of main streets where parking is in the back,” Turner said. “You park in the back, then you'll walk around and access the front so I don't have a particular problem with that. I've seen it numerous times.” “My mentality has always been to at least try for it; what’s the worst that can happen?” he said of applying for the grant. “At least now we’ve got a plan to move forward with something, because if not if we don't do something with it, [the land is] going to sit there a problem on our hands still. But if we could beautify it and make it into something that's usable, I think let's go for it.” RDA officials should hear back in January whether Morgan has been approved for the grant, Bailey said. If it does not qualify this time, the RDA will hold off on the project and try again for a grant in the future. Regardless, the city plans to acquire the property even if it does not improve it to address some boundary discrepancies there, Bailey said. l
Controversial Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu said on X, formerly Twitter, that “As long as I am Prime Minister” the Palestinian Authority (PA) would not govern Gaza. This differs significantly from the US position which asserts that following the war, the PA should return to governance. Netanyahu asserts that the PA is responsible in large part for educating its citizens with anti-Israel sentiment.
Home explosion in Virginia
A viral video showing a shocking home explosion in Virginia is still under investigation. At the time of the explosion, local police were serving a search warrant for a James Yoo who had allegedly fired over 30 flare gun rounds from his house. While serving the warrant, the home erupted in a massive explosion. Yoo’s social media was apparently filled with conspiracy theories and anti-government rhetoric. The explosion and Yoo are currently under investigation by local police, fire, and the FBI.
Utah Couple decorates White House
Farah and Bryan Sanders of Heber City were able to use their experience in the floral business to beautify the White House this year for the holidays. Part of a large crew of 300 volunteers, the Sanders, and other volunteers placed ribbons, candles, ornaments, gingerbread, Christmas trees, and other decorations all around the building, all of which will stand until the end of the holiday season. The theme set for the volunteers this year was "Magic, Wonder, and Joy", and according to First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, was geared to both children and the young at heart.
Homicide suspect arrested in Bonneville county
According to a Saturday press release from the Bonneville County Sheriff, the county’s dispatch received a call from hunters east of Idaho Falls who had encountered a man naked in a sleeping bag near the roadway. The man was “making odd statements” and eventually identified as Jeremy Albert Best. Best was wanted by Teton County for suspicion of homicide related to the recent death of Best’s wife Kali Jean Randall in Victor, Idaho. Ten-month-old Zeke Best, Jeremy’s son, was the subject of an ongoing Amber Alert, and was discovered deceased at the scene. Albert’s vehicle was also discovered at the bottom of an embankment near the scene where he was discovered. Best was taken to the Bonneville County jail prior to his arraignment.