Riverton Journal | August 2022

August 2022 | Vol. 32 Iss. 08

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A session was held in July and another is happening in August. Students who have passing grades and no disciplinary problems were invited to participate. They signed up for a variety of reasons and gained a variety of benefits.

Justin, an incoming seventh-grader, said the hard work of circuit training has helped him be stronger and faster at soccer practice. Easton, who is going into eighth grade at Hidden Valley Middle, wanted to improve his eye-hand coordination for playing baseball. Ethan, who will be a seventh-grader, and took the class to be more fit, said the class made exercising more fun.

Ben said the class has helped prepare him for his first year in middle school.

“I have more confidence,” he said. “And I’m willing to do hard physical things.”

Three days a week, teens learned boxing principles and coordination. Their faContinued page 6

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August 2022 | Page 3

Dynamic duo win state, now off to play at BYU

By Travis Barton | travis.b@thecityjournals.com

T

hey have plenty of similarities.

Both were captains of Riverton High’s state championship winning baseball team in May. They played on the same side of the infield their senior year.

Both played basketball until sophomore year of high school.

They’ve even always attended the same school. And that’s not about to change Sam Beck and Parker Goff not only helped lead the Silverwolves to their first state title in program history, the duo will now take their talents to Provo next year where they both signed to play for the BYU baseball program.

“When we both had offers, it was kind of a surreal moment that we could go play together,” Goff said.

While the two could most recently be seen on the field together in Orem where the shortstop (Beck) and third baseman (Goff) shared the left side of the infield as they beat American Fork for the 6A state title, their relationship goes further back.

Much further.

They were at the same school in kindergarten—Providence Hall—where they became friends, then paired together in the same fourth grade class, where they became best friends. Eventually the two would transfer to Oquirrh Hills to then play for Riverton.

“I’ve known him for so long, it’s crazy,” Goff said.

They weren’t always on the same baseball teams though, occasionally guest playing for each other’s squad, but that was it.

But baseball’s always been first choice for them.

Goff began playing as soon as it was

Journals T H E

Normally a pitcher, Sam Beck played shortstop this past season as his pitching arm recovered from Tommy John surgery. Beck expected to be good to go sometime this fall. (Photo by Pat McDonald)

Parker Goff is normally a catcher but due to the needs of the team, played at third base (and sometimes shortstop). (Photo by Pat McDonald)

possible for him. “Whenever you can start, I started and haven’t stopped since.”

Beck started at age 3 and “loved it ever since.” Though both of them dabbled in basketball before focusing solely on baseball their sophomore years.

“We’ve always been best friends and here we are, now we’re going to be roommates at BYU so it’s freaking awesome,” Beck said.

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It wasn’t initially intended that both would go to BYU, but it was their first choice. After attending camps for the university and then being seen while playing on the same summer ball team, they both got offers their sophomore year.

Their friendship runs so deep, Beck said they never get in arguments, they don’t keep secrets from each other and Goff is the first person he’ll call if he needs help.

“He’s the nicest kid you’ll ever meet, just a stud on and off the field,” Beck said.

“He always has the same attitude too.

Whether he’s having a bad day or a fantastic day, he’s always in a good mood, that’s just awesome about him.”

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Beyond the kindness though, you’ll find laughter that generally doesn’t stop, much to the delight of Goff. “(Sam) has this super contagious laugh, anyone who knows him knows his laugh because they call it a honk,” he said.

“He always makes fun of me for my laugh,” Beck said. “He just starts dying every time, and then it makes me laugh even harder and the honk just gets worse.”

The bond continues onto the field where Beck spent years developing a connection from the mound with Goff, who is normally a catcher.

“I’ve always looked up to him,” Beck said. “He’s one of the best catchers I’ve ever

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Parker Goff was one of two designated captains on the Riverton baseball team, he’ll take that leadership with him to BYU where he signed to play along with Sam Beck. (Photo by Pat McDonald)

seen, he knew the way I pitched and would set up in the perfect spot. He’s my favorite catcher ever to pitch to.”

Goff also described Beck as “one of the nicest dudes” off the field. On the field though, “he’s one of the most athletic people I’ve ever met in my life.”

“He has the sneakiest strength ever,” Goff continued. “To have his size and hit the ball like he does and throw as hard as he does is crazy.”

Beck, a 5’10 right-hander who was voted the 6A player of the year, almost didn’t play his senior season after having Tommy John surgery back in October.

Besides the state championship, Goff identified his best friend’s recovery as one of their best moments as teammates. Beck was told he wouldn’t be able to play his last season in a Riverton uniform, but with each dedicated day in physical therapy, he kept hitting milestones earlier than expected.

Sam Beck, known by friends for his laugh, will take his talents to BYU next year. (Photo by Pat McDonald)

“He knew he was gonna be a big piece of the puzzle so he grinded physical therapy like crazy, it was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen in my life,” Goff recalled. “That dude recovered so fast from Tommy John, faster than most people do just cause he grinded PT so hard.”

Goff is no slouch of an athlete either.

He played catcher, third and shortstop his senior year at Riverton earning second team all-state honors.

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“He knows the game super well,” Beck said of Goff. “He can literally play any position and be a stud at it.”

Both of them easily pointed to the state championship as one of their best moments together. Goff also highlighted Beck pulling off a triple-play in the title game as “unreal.”

But the journey continues for these two, as one of Beck’s favorite moments is them both committing to BYU. “It’s not over.” l

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August 2022 | Page 5

Continued from front page vorite part was using those skills to run an obstacle course and to perform a choreographed “jiggy.”

Ashley said the program teaches teens confidence, teamwork and how to deal with stress and anxiety. They also have a daily assignment to do a good deed for someone. Ashley said the class provides a healthy amount of competition which encourages kids to challenge themselves.

“They learn that they can do anything they put their mind to,” he said.

Ashley, who had the idea for the program, said it has been a success because the teens have made connections with their peers and with their school SROs. “This has turned out way better than I ever dreamed,” Ashley said.

Two sessions with two classes each kept class sizes small enough that Ashley could focus on developing good relationships with the kids, which was his main objective.

“I’m actually rubbing shoulders with them, developing a friendship with them, a relationship, when I’m one-on-one, so they know me,” he said. “A better relationship makes things better at school.”

During the school year, Ashley teaches a 6-week circuit training class to interested students as a reward for good behavior.

Areli participated in the class as a seventh-grader and liked it so much, she signed up for the July session.

”We just want to have a good outlet... to help those kids get the boost of confidence that they need for junior high.”

“It’s really fun to do, you just get very tired doing it,” she said.

She said the program has helped her become more confident.

“It’s changed how I act, because I used to be really shy,” she said.

Crushin’ It is a cooperative effort to realize Ashley’s idea, said OHMS Principal Donna Hunter. The school provides the weight room, which was built two years ago, and Riverton City helps provide the equipment and staff.

“It’s an awesome opportunity for us to contribute. It’s a win all the way around,” Hunter said.

Blake, who runs several youth programs for the city, said Crushin’ It provides a positive outlet for teens.

“These kids are at a formative age—stress and anxiety gets to them,” Blake said. “We just want to have a good outlet for them to let that out and to help those kids get the boost of confidence that they need for junior high.”

Ashley hopes to expand the summer program to the high school next year. l

Crushin’ It graduates make their way down the line of community supporters. (Doug Flagler/Jordan School District)

Participants of the July session of Crushin’ It received a certificate of achievement before attacking a pizza lunch, donated by Tenney’s Pizza. (Doug Flagler/Jordan School District)

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LHMFordDraper.com Page 6 | August 2022

Riverton City Journal

Local speech therapist offers new hope for stutterers

By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com

I

t is common for children between the ages of two and seven to develop a temporary stutter.

“Some kids are short term and we can fix those really quick,” said speech language therapist Jayna Collingridge, M.S., CCC-SLP. “But if it’s an ongoing issue, stuttering, for the most part, isn’t curable. So it’s going to be a lingering issue in somebody’s life.”

About 1% of the world’s population has a stutter, which is a neurodevelopmental disorder. With traditional behavioral approaches, speech therapy for stuttering could last for years. But with the Palin Parent-Child Interaction therapy, which is a cognitive-behavioral, solution-focused brief therapy, children and parents learn how to positively live with the disorder.

Collingridge loves that the new method invites children and their families to talk openly and positively about stuttering.

“If you are going to have to deal with something throughout your life, wouldn’t you want to have the most positive outlook on it?” she said.

Collingridge was just one of 21 speech language pathologists worldwide invited to learn the Palin Parent-Child Interaction stuttering therapy this June at a workshop sponsored by The Stuttering Foundation and Boston University.

As the head of the speech therapy department at Providence Hall charter school, Collingridge has a caseload of 120 students, K-12, who have a range of speech and language challenges. This year, eight of them are stutterers, more than she’s ever had in one year, which inspired her to seek out additional training.

“If there’s something that I think might help my students, then I absolutely want to learn it,” she said. “If there’s something more that I can do to help them have a better life, then I absolutely will do it.”

The Palin PCI approach is a much different method than she’s been using for the past 24 years as a speech language pathologist.

“It has changed the way that I think about stuttering in general,” she said. “I have to consider the child, what their needs are, what the desires of the family are, but I absolutely see this being possibly life changing for certain families.”

She has already begun to implement it with clients in her private practice.

“I think this, for some people, might be all that they need,” Collingridge said. “Maybe it’s just a piece of the puzzle, maybe it’s something that’ll be helpful, or it might be the end of someone’s need for therapy. Once parents change their interaction styles, they’ve learned that they now have the tools to help the child communicate as effectively as possible, and it doesn’t necessarily require ongoing therapy.”

Parents are a vital part of the Palin PCI method. In her private practice, both parents are required to attend every session. However, that kind of parent involvement isn’t feasible in a school setting.

While implementing the method at Providence Hall will be more challenging, Collingridge is confident that she’ll be able to incorporate many aspects of the method and invite parents to be more involved.

Collingridge has also reached out to colleagues who work in public school districts to let them know about the new approach.

Public and private schools offer free speech and lan-

RivertonJournal.com

Speech and Language therapist Jayna Collingridge applies a new approach to stuttering therapy in her private practice. (Photo courtesy of Jayna Collingridge.)

Tips for conversing with someone who stutters: • Listen patiently and calmly. Slow the pace of the interaction, pausing periodically. “The faster we speak, and the more excited we are, the more excited the other person is going to be,” Collingridge said. “That's going to probably increase the difficulty of trying to get their words out.”

• Be aware of your reactions. If you look impatient, uncomfortable or embarrassed, it will stress them out, causing them to stutter even more.

• Do not finish their sentences for them and don’t guage services for students. Parents who want speech services for their child should contact their school administrator. Pre-K speech and language testing, preschool and therapy is offered for Jordan District area residents through Kauri Sue Hamilton School.

Private speech therapy is also an option. Local private practice speech and language pathologists can be found on the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s website. Collingridge said because stuttering is not a high incidence disorder, it may be more difficult to find a speech therapist that specializes in stuttering.

Children need speech language therapy for a variety of speech challenges. Collingridge said some children just need to be made aware of their speech patterns and learn some strategies. Others may need long-term speech therapy to practice strategies.

“Really, the ultimate goal is to have the child be able to communicate confidently to say what they need to say,”

interrupt or talk over them.

• “Don't feel like you have to fill those silences.

It's okay to wait for someone to put their words together,” Collingridge said.

• Talk about it. Let them know it’s okay if they stutter. Ask if they need any accommodations. A teacher could give them a heads-up if they are going to be asked to read aloud, or they could offer to let them give their presentation in a small group instead of in front of the entire class.

Did you know?

• About 1% of the world’s population has a long-term stutter.

• People with a stutter don’t usually outgrow it.

• The frequency of stuttering for a person varies, depending on a wide variety of factors.

• Stuttering has nothing to do with a person’s intelligence.

Collingridge said. “And if they can do that, be effective and confident with what they want to say, then, goal met, they’re an effective communicator.” l

August 2022 | Page 7

Lee, Owens and Stewart dominate the Republican primaries in Riverton precincts

By Michael J. Jewkes | m.jewkes@mycityjournals.com

S

andwiched between parades and citywide events, the Republican primary elections took place last month. The results offer insight into not only current voter opinion, but future trends as well.

This year’s primary ballot featured candidates running for the United States Congress to candidates running for open School Board seats. Of the many federal, state and county-wide races involving the Republican party in 2022’s primary elections, three stand out as affecting Riverton residents directly.

Two federal congressional races appeared on Riverton Republican’s ballots last month: the race for a seat on the U.S .Senate, currently held by incumbent Mike Lee; and the race for Utah’s Fourth House Congressional District, currently held by incumbent Burgess Owens.

At the county level, Salt Lake County Council’s fifth district race also appeared on the ballot featuring incumbent Steve DeBry and Riverton City Councilmember Sheldon Stewart.

Results of each race, while displaying a very clear popular opinion of Riverton voters, do not display any overall landslide victories by any means. Data from the Salt Lake County Clerk shows margins of victory stayed under 20%.

U.S. Senate

Since the beginning of the current campaign season, Sen. Mike Lee has faced opposition from a plethora of like-minded opponents. At convention, Lee faced six Republican challengers. Of those six candidates, two advanced to face Lee in the primaries that took place last month; former State Rep. Becky Edwards and Ally Isom.

Winning an election in 2018, Edwards represented House District 20 from 2009 to 2019.

Isom made her debut in the political arena with this year’s election, making it past convention to the Republican primaries.

Lee won a decisive victory over both Edwards and Isom, winning just over 50% of votes. Edwards and Isom split the remaining votes with Edwards receiving 41% and Isom receiving just over 8%.

All reporting Riverton precincts voted in favor of Lee. Lee now faces five candidates in the general election: the Independent American Party candidate Tommy Williams, the Libertarian convention winner James Arthur Hansen, write-in Abe Korb (Independent), write-in Michael Seguin (Independent) and 2016 Presidential Candidate Evan McMullin (Independent). The Utah Democratic party did not nominate a candidate, but rather chose to back McMullin.

Page 8 | August 2022

Results of each race, while displaying a very clear popular opinion of Riverton voters, do not display any overall landslide victories by any means.

U.S. House District 4

In the race for Utah’s fourth district seat in Washington, incumbent Burgess Owens faced Jake Hunsaker. Owens decisively beat Hunsaker in the Republican Convention in April.

In the Republican Primaries, Owens once again beat Hunsaker with a margin of about 17% overall; however, in Riverton, the win was much more competitive.

According to Salt Lake County Clerk records, Riverton’s 31st precincts report an Owens victory margin of just six votes; furthermore, Riverton’s first precinct reported a margin of only four votes for Owens.

Owens will now face three competitors in the general elections this November: The Democratic nominee Darlene McDonald (Democrat), January Walker (United Utah Party) and write-in Jonathan Peterson (Independent).

Salt Lake County Council District 5

In a race that hits close to home, incumbent Steve DeBry faced Sheldon Stewart for the Republican nomination for Salt Lake County Council’s fifth district.

Mike Lee, Burgess Owens and Sheldon Stewart win vital primary elections. (Riverton City/Salt Lake County)

Encompassing one of the reddest districts of Salt Lake County, the Republican primaries are widely regarded as more significant than the general elections in November.

Stewart finished with a convincing win over DeBry with a vote margin of 13%.

DeBry currently holds the fifth district seat in the county council. Stewart currently serves on Riverton’s city council representing District 1.

“It was a collaborative effort of a lot of residents and volunteers pounding the pavement…and getting that message out there that we want the voice of the southwest to return to the southwest,” Stewart

Results in Republican primaries show decisive victories for prominent politicians representing Riverton. (Salt Lake County Clerk)

said.

DeBry did not agree to speak with the City Journals.

Only Riverton’s eighth precinct reported a win for DeBry. All other precincts reported convincing victories for Stewart. l

Results in Republican primaries show decisive victories for prominent politicians representing Riverton.

(Stock photo)

Riverton City Journal

Low-cost dental clinic helps transform smiles for children and adults

By Sarah Morton Taggart | s.taggart@mycityjournals.com

I

n 2019, the Charitable Health Clinic operated by Midvale Community Building Community (CBC) was busy: an average of 200 medical or dental visits per month. A few months into the pandemic that number increased, and now the number of total visits has doubled.

“June (2021) is when we started getting absolutely slammed,” said Mauricio Agramont, the executive director of Midvale CBC. “People started being ready to go back to get medical and dental services. Everybody who had delayed treatment for so long, they all came. A lot of people lost their job or their insurance.”

A few months later, Dr. Priscila Bautista began volunteering.

Originally from Brazil, Bautista came to the United States with her husband and three children in 2016. Though she graduated from dental school more than 20 years ago, Bautista needed to complete a two-year residency and work 6,000 hours to be fully licensed to practice dentistry here.

“I’m an international dentist,” Bautista said. “I need to build up hours working as a dentist and the only way I can do this is as a volunteer. It’s amazing helping those people who need it. So I decided to stay here full time, every day, all day long. Some Saturdays, some nights.”

Soon after Bautista arrived, the clinic was also able to upgrade the dental equipment.

“We used to work with portable dental units,” Agramont said. “Now we have four full working chairs with a vacuum pump and compressor. We’ve improved our electronic medical records system and that has really changed the quality of the experience. Before, our capacity to serve wasn’t as great. We had to develop X-rays. Now we are digital. That is improving the experience of our volunteer dentists.”

The clinic offers all the services of a private clinic: fillings, root canals, extractions, implants, even cosmetic treatments like whitening and veneers all for less than half the price. Clients do not need to have insurance, but they do need to provide proof of income.

“Patients save 60% of the costs. The community said we don’t want free services, we want affordable services,” Agramont said. “They would live with an impacted tooth for a year. Deciding to start the dental clinic came from horror stories, people coming in with a broken tooth because they tried to extract it themselves. We serve working families who would delay care for themselves, but not for their children.”

One in five children in Utah have untreated dental decay and need immediate dental care, according to the Utah Department of Health.

With a $5,000 grant from the Rocky Mountain Power Foundation, the clinic has been able to expand low-cost preventative dental services to treat more low-income, uninsured Latino children in Salt Lake County.

“This is one of those key initiatives that we really want to support,” said Tiffany Erickson, the media relations manager at Rocky Mountain Power. “What we know is that when kids are hungry, they don’t go to school. When they have medical issues, they don’t go to school. We want to support organizations and initiatives that are helping lower those barriers and make sure that kids have opportunities just like anybody else.”

Often, families have some children who were born in the United States and others who weren’t. The younger siblings can qualify for the Children’s Health Insurance Program or Medicaid, while their older siblings don’t.

“We have families where one of the children qualifies, but others don’t because of where they were born,” Agramont said. “As a parent, they don’t want to favor one child.”

RivertonJournal.com

Priscila Bautista was a full-time volunteer dentist at Midvale CBC for nearly a year. (Photo courtesy Priscila Bautista)

For more than a decade, the clinic has offered dental services mainly to adults. Now they have one pediatric dentist, Dr. David Stewart, but they need more.

The clinic relies on state funding, donations and volunteer providers.

“It doesn’t work if the right pieces don’t fall into place,” Agramont said. “You can have the funds, but not the dentists, or the dentists but not the funds. Like teeth in a smile: if one is missing, it’s not pretty. A local dentist who can donate a few hours a week or month will make a big difference. You can choose the schedule that works best for you.”

Bautista completed her required hours in July and began working at a private clinic in Murray. She has every intention to continue volunteering at Midvale CBC, but can no longer do it full time.

Word of mouth alone keeps the clinic busy. Patients have come from as far away as Tooele and Wendover.

Virtually all of the adults who seek care at the clinic are first-generation immigrants from Latin American countries who work full-time, yet are underinsured or have no insurance at all. They often put off dental treatment as long as possible to avoid missing work or facing costly bills.

Most employees at Midvale CBC are fluent in English and Spanish.

“When I say ‘buenos días’ instead of ‘good morning’ I can see their relief,” said Bautista, who’s native language is Portuguese. “I’m learning both English and Spanish, and the assistants and staff help.”

“All of the dentists make that effort to communicate,” Agramont said. “They learn that basic vocabulary and always have dental assistants that speak Spanish and can step

in. When the dentist makes that effort to communicate, that’s the spirt of this clinic.”

“You are here to help, but you can learn, too,” Bautista added. “It’s a learning environment because you can take your time. You can do a procedure that is a little bit more complicated, but you can have an hour, two hours per procedure. We can do really nice dentistry.”

Tiffany Velasco is the dental manager for the clinic. She has also completed the education necessary to become a dentist, but needs to obtain her license from the state.

“My goal is to do the same process as Dr. Bautista,” said Velasco, who is originally from Peru.

Velasco coordinates the volunteers, schedules patients, buys supplies, helps maintain dental records and steps in as an assistant when necessary.

The volunteer dentists are also supported by a team of volunteer dental hygiene students from Salt Lake Community College. Bautista has been the supervising dentist this past year, working at the clinic from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every Thursday.

“Most need a deep cleaning,” Velasco said. “But that’s so expensive. You have to pay out of pocket if you don’t have insurance. It feels great, but $400 is a tough sell for our community. Here you pay $17.”

Midvale CBC’s dental and medical clinic are located at 49 W. Center St. in Midvale.

“It’s a nice place to work,” Bautista said. “We are like a family here. The environment is special. For me it’s so nice, for the people that would never be able to afford a private practice, we change their smiles.” l

August 2022 | Page 9

Defending region champs are back Photos by Travis Barton

T

he Riverton Silverwolves football team return in August a year after going 8-4 winning the region championship. Riverton demolished Cyprus in the first round of the playoffs before falling in a close one to American Fork. The Silverwolves are back in action Aug. 12 with their home opener against Syracuse.

SCHEDULE

All games at 7 p.m.

Aug. 12 vs Syracuse Aug. 19 @ Dixie Aug. 26 @ Cyprus Sept. 2 @ Springville Sept. 9 vs Pleasant Grove Sept. 16 vs West Jordan Sept. 23 @ Copper Hills Sept. 30 vs Herriman Oct. 7 vs Mountain Ridge Oct. 14 @ Bingham

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Page 10 | August 2022

Riverton City Journal

Seek shelter from the heat at county-owned facilities

By Sarah Morton Taggart | s.taggart@mycityjournals.com

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riple-digit temperatures and excessive heat warnings have become common during the summer in northern Utah. These conditions can be deadly to those without reliable access to air-conditioning.

Thanks to a partnership between Salt Lake County Aging & Adult Services, Salt Lake County Library Services and Salt Lake County Parks & Recreation, anyone can seek shelter from the heat in one of 36 county-owned facilities. Adults age 60 and older can use an additional 18 senior center locations.

The Cool Zone locations are air conditioned and open to the public. Anyone can cool off, hydrate and learn about other resources and programs.

Loriann Warner, manager of the Midvale Senior Center, reports that older adults come to the center who either don’t have air conditioning in their home or the unit they do have is not working.

“If a senior is staying at home in a house with no ability to cool the space, temperatures escalate above 100 degrees and if the senior is not drinking enough water they can become dehydrated and ill,” Warner said. “Dehydration due to excess heat can negatively impact the health of a senior.”

Warner recommends coming to the center for a class, staying for lunch, and following that with time to exercise to take advantage of the facility during the hottest hours of the day.

Most senior centers are open 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. Libraries and recreation centers are open on weekends and have longer hours—as late as 9 p.m. at

some libraries and 10 p.m. at some recreation centers. Libraries are free and open to all. Recreation centers may require fees to participate in programs or activities, but anyone may sit in the lobby or entryway to cool off.

“Two weeks ago a homeless gentleman visited the River’s Bend Senior Center to escape the heat and rehydrate,” said Afton January, communications manager for Salt Lake County Aging & Adult Services. “Staff showed him around the center because he is over 60 and eligible to visit and participate in the programs there. It also happened to be the date of the primary election, so he was able to register to vote for the first time.”

The Cool Zone program started in 2014 in response to concerns about older adults’ vulnerability to heat-related illness.

“Aging and Adult Services case managers and frontline staff recognized a need among our older population, namely that a lot of lower-income older adults don’t have air conditioning at home to help manage hot summer temperatures,” January said. “Our teams mobilized and started two initiatives: one to distribute fans and portable AC units to our homebound clientele, and the cool zones, which are aimed at people who can leave home and are mobile enough to visit a senior center, library or county recreation center.”

Sean Bailey, communications and public relations manager for the county, was with the Department of Aging & Adult Services at that time. “At the inception, we realized that we needed to offer more locations as to not limit the program to people 60 years or older,” he said.

The Midvale Senior Center is a great place for individuals 60 years and older to cool off in the summer. (Sarah Morton Taggart/City Journals)

More information can be found at www.slco.org/aging-adult-services/cool-zone/ or by calling 385-468-3200.

“We hope that the cool zones offer two things to our community—a safe place to cool off from the sometimes extreme temperatures we experience in the summer and an opportunity to learn more about the things Salt Lake County is offering in your neighborhood,” January said.

“Whether you visit a library, recreation center, or senior center, you can expect to be treated with respect and invited to participate in programs and activities designed to keep you healthy, happy, and engaged.” l

City Journals recognized multiple times at the 2022 SPJ awards (Society of Professional Journalists) HERE ARE THE WINNERS FROM DAVIS:

Front page design First place – Anna Pro and Roger Tuttle • Honorable mention – Anna Pro Best single page design • Honorable mention – Anna Pro Best photographer • Honorable mention– Roger Tuttle Humor/lifestyle • Third place: – Peri Kinder • Honorable mention – Peri Kinder Best newspaper reporter • First place – Becky Ginos Medical/Science • First place – Becky Ginos General news • Third place – Becky Ginos

RivertonJournal.com

and Roger Tuttle Military • Third place – Becky Ginos Sports • Third place – Tom Haraldsen Military • Honorable mention– Tom Haraldsen

HERE ARE THE WINNERS FROM SALT LAKE:

Sports • First place – Julie Slama • Second place – Carl Fauver Personality profile • First place – Julie Slama • Second place -- Sarah Morton Taggart • Third place – Sona Schmidt Harris Religion/values • Third place – Sarah Morton Taggart

Medical/science • Second place – Julie Slama • Third place – Shaun Delliskave Military • First place – Julie Slama Education • Second place – Jet Burnham • Third place – Jet Burnham • Honorable mention – Jet Burnham Environment • Second place – Deb Hafner Diversity and equity • First place – Julie Slama COVID-19 investigative • First place – Cassie Goff Continuing coverage • First place – Cassie Goff

Business/consumer • Second place – Sarah Morton Taggart Arts and entertainment • First place – Julie Slama Best newspaper reporter • Second place – Carl Fauver • Third place – Cassie Goff

August 2022 | Page 11

NOW HIRING

Beyond the byline: Dylan Wilcox

PRESCHOOL INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT

By Rachel Aubrey | r.aubrey@mycityjournals.com

We are currently seeking potential employees who may be interested in working in an early childhood setting with children with a variety of educational needs.

R

RESPONSIBILITIES • Assisting teachers in an inclusive preschool setting with children with special needs and children who are typically developing • Taking data to help track educational progress • Providing educational and care related services to children ages 3-5 • Contributing to a positive and collaborative learning environment • Upholding Jordan School District’s Confidentiality Requirements POSITION INFORMATION

 25 hours weekly  Traditional School Schedule

Please call Jordan Child Development Office at 801-567-8510 and ask about the preschool assistant positions.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

 Availability: during school hours Monday – Friday  A background check through Jordan School District’s Human Resources Department  H.S. Diploma/GED  Online Application: jcdc.jordandistrict.org/ employment/preschool/

WHERE THERE IS GRIEF, THERE IS GREAT LOVE Grief is an individual journey with a path as unique as each one of us. To offer support and hope, we provide various Grief Support Services for those who are mourning a recent or past loss.

Call or go to Jenkins-Soffe.com and click on Resources then Grief & Healing.

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Page 12 | August 2022

Editor’s note: this series highlights the writers behind the stories found here every month. iverton and Bluffdale local life writer Dylan Wilcox has known writing and story-telling most of his life. Born and raised on Hawaii Island and a graduate of Kamehameha Schools on the island of Oahu, Wilcox went on to attend Brigham Young University-Hawai’i. It was at BYU-Hawaii that he discovered his enthusiasm for reporting while working on the student newspaper, The Ke Alaka’i, and decided to major in English and journalism.

Wilcox took two years off of school to complete a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, spending two years in the Philippines. After his mission, while back at BYU-Hawaii, he met his wife, Alejandra from Mexico City, Mexico. The couple graduated together in 2018 and made the move from the islands to Murray in 2019. They now reside in West Jordan.

Writing followed Wilcox to Utah as he is currently a technical writer for Nelson Labs, a global medical device testing company. Despite not having a strong science and technology background when he interviewed for the position, those in the hiring process noticed other skills that had little to do with his writing abilities.

“Dylan is self-driven, motivated and he is social and makes people feel welcome,” Wendy Mach said, a senior manager at Nelson Labs.

The people skills are something that can’t be taught; however, Wilcox received a lot of on-the-job training in order to become effective as a member of the tech consulting team. Mach, who has been with Nelson Labs for more than 18 years, said that Wilcox’s work ethic has out shined the rest.

“I wish everyone was as positive as Dylan, I never have to worry about him, I know everything will get done,” Mach said.

For any writer, the process of writing begins with note taking and information gathering. The journalism background has come full circle for Wilcox as he uses a lot of those same things in his technical writing.

In addition to being a full-time employee and husband, Wilcox started writing for the City Journals in November 2021. Reporting on local news and events has been a way for Wilcox to share stories that might not get shared.

Dylan Wilcox and his wife Alejandra welcomed the year 2022 with a new house, a new job and a new addition to the family, their dog Milo.

(Photo courtesy of Dylan Wilcox)

“The ability that we have been blessed with is something that should be utilized,” Wilcox said. “If you’re able to preserve histories and stories, then they don’t get lost.”

In January of this year, Wilcox reported on a survivor from the Columbine High School shooting in 1999, Craig Scott, speaking to students and community members at Riverton High School about his experience as a survivor and especially about his sister Rachel Scott who was killed that day.

Preserving these stories of survival so that we may learn from them, have become more crucial than ever given the recent school shooting in Uvalde, Texas in May. Despite all the serious writing and reporting, Wilcox and his wife and their extended family that reside in the Salt Lake Valley, find time for the less serious things such as hiking and camping and finding the best tacos in Salt Lake.

They also enjoy farmers markets and spending time with their dog Milo (pronounced mee-low).

Riverton City Journal

AUGUST 2022

RIVERTON REVIEW Official Newsletter of the Riverton, Utah City Government MAYOR’S MESSAGE

Mountain View Village Phase II Now Open

By Mayor Trent Staggs Riverton is lucky to be home to a world-class shopping center in Mountain View Village. It was an honor to participate in the grand opening ceremony of the Phase II development on June 30. I recall eight years ago attending an International Council of Shopping Centers conference in Las Vegas on behalf of the city, along with representatives of the original property owner, with the express goal of bringing a regional shopping center to Riverton. This resulted in meetings with many developers, including CenterCal Properties, who ultimately chose to come be part of our community.

Mountain View Village Phase II is now open for business with additional businesses opening in the coming months.

movie theater, an exciting addition to our community. Other businesses that have opened include: Athleta, Buckle, Cotton On, Cotton On Kids, Janela Bay, Journeys, Lovesac, Purple Mattress and Sephora.

“This type of economic development in our city will help us keep fees and taxes low for residents.”

It is exciting to see our efforts over the last eight years really begin to come to fruition.

This type of economic development in our city will help us keep fees and taxes low for residents in the future due to the increased sales tax revenue our city receives as a result.

Phase II brought with it the opening of a 14-screen luxury Cinemark

We expect many more businesses to open at Mountain View Village in the months ahead, including the following retail, service and specialty businesses: Anthropologie, Arula, Bath & Body Works, Beauty Lab + Laser, Bohme, European Wax Center, Karina’s Spa Studio, Lululemon, Nuspine, Pandora, Polish Nail Bar, Rebel House (fitness studio), Vans, Visonworks and X-Golf.

RIVERTON REVIEW | AUGUST 2022

I am extremely excited that more dining options will soon be available right here in Riverton! Burgers & Barley, Crack Shack, Devil & Angel Dessert Shop, Dirty Bird Fried Chicken, Handel’s Ice Cream, Hello Sugar, Kokonut Island Grill, Kona Grill, Las Botellas, R&R Barbeque, Royal Coffee, Santorini’s Greek Grill, Shabu Gen (experiential Korean BBQ), Silverlake Ramen, Sprinkles Cupcakes, Stack 571 Burger & Whiskey Bar, Sweet Rolled Taco, Toastique, Via 313 Pizzeria, WildFin American Grill (organic, sustainable seafood) and Wannacinn (cinnamon rolls) are planned to all open at Mountain View Village in the coming year.

magnificent world-class show fountain, beautiful plaza area, dynamic G-glass and common areas will make visiting Mountain View Village an experience. I’d encourage you and your family to visit Mountain View Village to see all that they offer currently and will offer in the months ahead.

The addition of these businesses will truly make Mountain View Village a gathering place for our community and the region. The

I would like to thank CenterCal Properties, Fred Bruning and Jean Paul Wardy for their investment in Riverton.

These businesses will bring hundreds of new jobs to our community. The development also offers over 170,000 square feet of Class A office space. We look forward to more employers moving to our community to occupy that space, which will no doubt provide even more local job opportunities.

PAGE 1

COUNCIL MESSAGE

Riverton Kids, A Story for You! MAYOR Trent Staggs tstaggs@rivertonutah.gov 801-208-3129

CITY COUNCIL Sheldon Stewart - District 1 sstewart@rivertonutah.gov 801-953-5672 Troy McDougal - District 2 tmcdougal@rivertonutah.gov 801-931-9933 Tawnee McCay - District 3 tmccay@rivertonutah.gov 801-634-7692 Tish Buroker - District 4 tburoker@rivertonutah.gov 801-673-6103 Claude Wells - District 5 cwells@rivertonutah.gov 801-875-0116

CITY MANAGER David R. Brickey citymanager@rivertonutah.gov 801-208-3129

CITY HALL 801-254-0704

By Councilmember Tawnee McCay I recently took hundreds of awesome Riverton elementary kids on a tour of Riverton City Hall. I told them a story about Kate who was so excited to jump out of bed on Saturday morning and get ready for her soccer game. She hurried and brushed her teeth. What do you think came out of the faucet when she turned it on? Muddy brown water or crystal-clear water?

It was nice, clean drinking water.

Did you know Riverton City’s Water Department makes sure we have safe drinking water for everyone in our city? Then Kate ran downstairs, ate breakfast and jumped in the car. As she drove to the park for her game, she saw workers filling a pothole in the road. They work for Riverton City’s Street Department.

When she got to the park, it was mowed, by Riverton City’s Parks Department, and her soccer games were planned by, you guessed it, Riverton City’s Recreation Depart-

Riverton elementary kids on a tour of Riverton City Hall ask Councilmember Tawnee McCay questions about city government.

ment. Kate was happy because they won their soccer game, but as they were leaving, they saw a lost dog that ran into the street. Her mom called Riverton City Animal Control to keep the dog safe. On the way home, they stopped by the new Costco that had been approved and inspected by the city’s Planning Department. Can you believe all the things our awesome city employees do?

Riverton also has our Police and

Fire Departments which work at our schools and help to keep us safe.

Thank you to the Communications Department that helped put this newsletter together and made sure we knew about the parade and fireworks. The city also has Christmas card contests, art shows, plays and this summer we are encouraging people to put on their life vest, grab a canoe, kayak or tube and get into the Jordan River. Our city workers work hard to make sure Riverton is a great place to live!

UPCOMING CITY MEETINGS CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS Tuesday, August 2 & 16, 7 p.m.

PLANNING COMMISSION MEETINGS Thursday, August 11 & 25, 6:30 p.m

FIND US ONLINE! @rivertonutahgov www.rivertonutah.gov PAGE 2

Weekly Lawn Watering Guide

The Utah Division of Water Resources publishes a weekly guide for how often lawn should be watered, based on weather conditions that week. Riverton residents are encouraged to follow the lawn watering guide on a weekly basis. conservewater.utah.gov/weekly-lawn-watering-guide

RIVERTON REVIEW | AUGUST 2022

PUBLIC SAFETY MESSAGE

Honoring Those Who Came Before Us

By Chief Don Hutson

You may ask what can be done to make that happen and how The commemthis relates to public oration of the safety and law enfounding of our forcement. Well, the country and the protection of the freecelebration of our doms we are afforded pioneer heritage by our Constitution in Utah are both and the comfortable important holidays in our commulifestyle available to nity and appropriately deserve our us can only continattention during the month of July. ue if a significant As we recover from all the activimajority of us are ties typically associated with these actively engaged in the protection holidays, I believe it is a good time of our community. A community can to reflect on the sacrifices made by only exist if most people voluntarily both our founding comply with societal rules fathers and the piand norms. This is a basic oneers who settled tenet of public safety “A community can our great state. We and is critically important only exist if most owe a great deal to to ensuring our form of people voluntarily our ancestors and government can continue comply with those who came to thrive. before us and societal rules sacrificed so much That said, to really honor and norms.” to allow us to have our forebearers and crethe freedoms and ate a thriving community standard of living which can be sustained we enjoy today. I believe to truly for years to come, members of the show appreciation for those saccommunity, including members of rifices we have a responsibility to the Riverton Police Department, do our part to ensure future genershould go above and beyond and ations can continue to enjoy these be actively engaged in the presersame benefits. vation of good order. This means we

4

WAYS TO CONNECT WITH RIVERTON

EMAIL NOTIFICATIONS

n rivertonutah.gov/subscribe should constantly be on the lookout for opportunities to help people in need, provide unsolicited service whenever possible, and ensure our neighborhoods are safe.

Riverton is a great city and is full of incredible people. I have witnessed so many acts of kindness and great service provided by our officers and members of our community that I am optimistic we will continue to be a thriving and desirable community for future generations. We in the Riverton Police Department appreciate the opportunity we have to provide law enforcement services to our citizenry, and we are proud to work with all of you to continue to preserve our quality of life and truly honor those who came before us.

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SOCIAL MEDIA

Wreaths Across America Mobile Exhibit Coming to Riverton on Saturday, September 17 Mark your calendars for this special event. More details to come!

The Wreaths Across America Mobile Education Exhibit brings communities together and teaches patriotism while remembering the service and sacrifice of our nation’s heroes. This exhibit is free and open to the public.

RIVERTON REVIEW | AUGUST 2022

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PAGE 3

UPCOMING EVENTS

RIVERTON REVIEW

• FOOD TRUCKS • CONCERTS • VENDORS • MOVIES •

FRIDAY FUN NIGHTS IN RIVERTON

Friday Fun Nights in Riverton are a blast! With several events all happening at beautiful Riverton City Park, bring the family for a casual night out. Food trucks, summer market vendors and games are open from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Entertainment normally begins at 5:30 p.m. The outdoor movie begins at dusk. There are also three playgrounds and a splash pad at the park. Come for a FUN night out!

Entertainment Schedule August 5

August 12

When: Friday Nights, Through August 26, 2022 Times: 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Where: Riverton City Park, 1452 W 12600 S, Riverton, Utah 84065

Through August 26 Movies In The Park

August 5 Encanto

5:30 p.m.

August 19 5:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

Miss Margene’s Creative Generation Red Light Challenge

5:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

Li’l Feathers Title VI Southern Punch

August 26 5:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

August 12 Clifford the Big Red Dog

7 p.m.

Miss Riverton Lily Snow & Friends CityJazz Big Band Kaleb Austin Cold Creek Bluegrass Band Featuring Blaine Nelson

August 19 Boss Baby 2

August 26 Peter Rabbit 2

Martha’s Going to Washington!

THE MARTHA HUGHES CANNON TRAVELING EXHIBIT IS COMING TO RIVERTON CITY HALL August 1–12 weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

RIVERTON’S FINEST ART SHOW

Come see beautiful works of art in all formats and mediums by many artists that have a connection to Riverton.

Exhibit opens Monday, August 22 and runs through September 28 at the Old Dome Meeting Hall at 1452 W 12600 S in Riverton.

PAGE 4

It’s been 125 years since Dr. Martha Hughes Cannon made history as the country’s first female state senator. Utah chose to send a statue of her to represent our state in Washington, D.C., but the pandemic delayed her planned installation in 2020. Her statue should make it to our nation’s capital this year, so we’re giving her a proper sendoff! Come see a scaled replica of the statue in Washington D.C. and other interesting facts about our country’s first state female senator.

RIVERTON REVIEW | AUGUST 2022

What’s your legacy?

Music therapist Cassie Bringhurst sings silly songs with 15-year-old Tyler to practice his communication goals. (Jet Burnham/City Journals)

Silly songs sharpen students’ serious skills

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By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com

hen a teacher plays “The Get Ready Song,” students at Kauri Sue Hamilton School follow what the lyrics tell them to do, to “put your feet on the floor and your hands on your knees” and they know “it’s time to get quiet and look at me [the teacher].”

“When we play it at the beginning of classes, the students know that it is time to learn and what they need to do to get ready to learn,” said Gabi Evans, a teacher at KSHS, a school for students with severe disabilities. “We have a few students that even start singing before we can start playing it.”

Cassie Bringhurst, who has been the music therapist at KSHS for three years, wrote “The Get Ready Song,” “The Transition Song” and the “School-Wide Rules Song” to teach behavioral expectations and increase on-task behaviors. “'The School-Wide Rules Song’ is a cool example of Cassie taking the vision we had for our school, and not simply implementing it, she enhanced this idea and made it more fun and enjoyable for our entire school,” KSHS Principal Courtney Titus said.

It’s Bringhurst’s job as a music therapist to reinforce learning and skills and to help students meet their IEP goals; It’s her passion to do it in a fun and creative way.

“Music therapy is using music to achieve a non-musical skill,” Bringhurst said. “So, the medium is always music, but we're working on an actual task, so that might look different.”

In group classes, students play the ukulele to learn letters or colors. They play songs on the piano to develop fine motor skills. They pound on table drums to develop gross motor skills.

“Especially with some of the kids in the wheelchairs, that have limited physical abilities, it's more about that whole entire sensory integration and exploration and getting them to reach out and try new things,” Bringhurst said.

Evans said music class activities reinforce the skills her students are working on in class, from interpersonal skills, such as turn-taking, to communication skills.

RivertonJournal.com

“Cassie is awesome with integrating what they are learning in speech, so they get more opportunities to practice their modes of communication and new words,” Evans said.

Students are excited to go to music class, which means they are more engaged.

“Even if they don't express interest in a lot of other things, I feel like I can get the most out of them with music,” Bringhurst said. “They just light up and smile and they giggle and they laugh and they do a lot during music.”

Titus said Bringhurst has a positive effect on both students and staff members.

“I watch her connect with every single child that she interacts with and I think that inspires teachers and support staff to feel more comfortable in trying to connect with each child,” Titus said. “Our students light up as they come into her classroom and listen to her sing. She has a gift of not only teaching them, but really bringing them joy.”

Armed with her guitar, Bringhurst writes songs for students who have extended stays at the hospital and songs to remember students who pass away. She also writes silly songs to encourage communication skills, to reinforce behaviors, to review concepts, to celebrate holidays, or, as she did in 2020, to help students adjust to the new normal of masking and social distancing.

Bringhurst also works one-on-one with students like Tyler, who practices his communication skills as he chooses lyrics for the songs they write together.

Bringhurst spotlights all the students and staff members in the annual Spring Fling musical performance, whether they are in costume onstage or pressing buttons backstage.

“Her influence and expertise is felt throughout the entire school. She makes every team better,” Titus said.

Bringhurst was chosen by her colleagues—who describe her as positive, supportive, selfless, creative, sensitive and kind— as Kauri Sue Hamilton School’s 2022 Jordan Education Foundation Outstanding Teacher of the Year. l

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Innovative classroom tools are here to stay

By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com

W

hen the pandemic forced classrooms online, many teachers got a crash course in using digital teaching resources.

While some went back to traditional methods once they could, others never looked back.

Fifth grade teacher Kelli Cannon embraced the many digitals tools and resources available in 2020. She earned her Educational Technology Endorsement and then also became a Nearpod Certified Educator, an Apple Certified Teacher, and a Level 1 and 2 Good Certified Educator.

Cannon opted to teach a virtual class during the 2020-21 school year before returning to Ridge View Elementary last year.

Cannon, who was named 2022 Innovative Teacher of the Year by the Utah Coalition for Educational Technology, said she would not be the teacher she is today, using the resources she is today, if not for the pandemic.

“I never would have signed up for the endorsement classes and gotten better if I didn’t need it,” she said. “I was teaching online and I was getting tired of the same old three things—Canvas, Kahoot and Google Slides—and I needed new material. And so that got me excited about trying different things.”

Utilizing a 3D printer in her fifth grade classroom is one of the reasons Kelli Cannon was chosen as an Innovative Teacher of the Year. (Jet Burnham/City Journals)

One of the new things she tried this past year was purchasing a 3D printer for her classroom.

“Learning how to use this 3D printer has been the highlight of my students’ year,”

Cannon said.

Cannon and her students experimented with various prints, creating simple pencil toppers and then moving on to more complex 3D maps for social studies lessons

and 3D viruses for science lessons. Cannon printed detailed 3D hands and hearts, instead of using pictures of body parts to review for the year-end science test.

“The result was phenomenal,” Cannon said. “The students started asking questions like ‘What does that vein do?’ or ‘Wow, why is it shaped that way and not like a regular heart?’”

Jared Covili, administrator of Jordan District’s Digital Teaching and Learning Department, said Cannon is one of the most innovative teachers in Jordan District, one that will be a guest on the department podcast which will launch this September to highlight outstanding teachers.

“She’s somebody who found a niche with technology very early in her classroom and saw the benefits of it,” he said. “The biggest thing that sets Kelli apart from a lot of teachers is that she’s willing to experiment and try things and see how they play out in her class because she has a real commitment to the notion that technology will answer students’ learning.”

Covili said most teachers have incorporated some digital resources into their classroom because even those who prefer more traditional methods must be prepared

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Riverton City Journal

for virtual learning days in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak or bad weather, such as the snow day last winter that transitioned into a virtual learning day for JSD students.

JSD’s Digital Teaching and Learning Department actively supports teacher innovation. Through the state legislature’s Digital Teaching and Learning grant, they provide technology devices, support personnel and training.

Every JSD school has access to digital learning specialists, IT support and digital coaches to help teachers integrate technology into their instruction. Tech tools engage students but digital learning specialist Dean-

na Taylor emphasizes that they should be used to enhance instruction, not replace it.

“Technology does not need to be used if it is not the best tool to teach students to learn,” she said. “There is a balance between creation with technology and simply using technology.”

She believes the best uses of technology are for accessing and reviewing information and for allowing students to show what they’ve learned by creating a video, designing a virtual website or creating an infographic instead of just writing a report.

“Technology gives students another way to access information and to be creative

Fifth graders experiment with the classroom 3D printer. (Jet Burnham/City Journals)

when showing what they understand and can do,” Taylor said.

Technology tools also allow students and teachers to connect with places and collaborate with people outside their classroom, Covili said. He said resources such as Canvas Commons and Open Education Resources, where lesson materials and ideas can be shared, have become invaluable for teachers.

“It’s a huge time saver for teachers, but also a great collaborative effort for people so that they don’t all have to recreate the same content,” Covili said.

Cannon is a regular content contributor.

“Once she’s learned how to do something and sees the impact on her students, she doesn’t want to keep it just for herself and in her classroom. She wants to help others do it, too,” Covili said.

To help teachers utilize the many digital tools available on the Google platform JSD uses, Cannon restarted the Utah Google Educator Group, which has been inactive for several years, but now has more than 100 members statewide.

One tool Cannon has shared on the forum is Google Translate, which she uses daily.

When nine new students from Venezuela joined her class last spring, Google Translate helped the students, who didn’t know English, to access instruction in real-time in their native language, preventing them from being left behind.

Kelli Cannon experiments with various 3D printed objects to support learning in her classroom. (Kelli Cannon/Ridge View Elementary)

Cannon said her non-English speaking students can also participate more fully in lessons when she uses 3D printed materials.

“I think it is really cool to use the 3D printer because then they can see it and touch it, and that doesn’t have to be in a certain language,” she said.

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Page 20 | August 2022

Riverton City Journal

Reigning 6A champs return Photos by Travis Barton

SCHEDULE: All games at 3:30 p.m. unless otherwise stated Aug. 4 vs Weber Aug. 9 vs Skyline Aug. 11 vs Olympus Aug. 16 @ Corner Canyon Aug. 18 @ Woods Cross, 7 p.m.

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The Silverwolves took the state title last year with an almost perfect 19-1 season.

Emmalee Christensen returns for a Riverton Silverwolves team that graduated 15 seniors.

Sept. 1 @ West Jordan Sept. 6 vs Bingham Sept 8 @ Riverton Sept. 13 vs Mountain Ridge Sept. 15 @ Copper Hills Sept. 20 vs West Jordan Sept. 22 vs Herriman, 7 p.m.

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The Silverwolves took the state title last year with an almost perfect 19-1 season. Hours after winning the title, they ran out the tunnel before the football team’s opening playoff game.

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Carnival rides saw residents of all ages enjoy the fun.

Riverton City Journal

Goodnight Richard took the stage on Saturday afternoon. The band was one of many performers to take the stage that weekend.

After two unique pandemic-affected years, Riverton Town Days felt like a full return to normalcy.

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By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

I

n today’s world, access to high-speed internet is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. Unfortunately, many Utah families can’t afford to pay for internet access without cutting back on other essentials.

The Affordable Connectivity Program, created as part of a bipartisan infrastructure law, helps millions of American families reduce internet service costs. As the only internet provider in Utah participating in ACP, Comcast has increased its efforts to bring awareness to the program while helping families receive $30 each month toward connectivity costs.

“It's never been more important to make sure that every Utahn has access to in-home broadband,” said Bill Crim, CEO of United Way of Salt Lake. “We are grateful for Comcast's contribution to closing the digital divide and will continue to work with Comcast and our other partners to remove barriers and address the needs of those without access in every zip code in our community.”

To access the savings, people can sign up for Internet Essentials Plus, a service that is free after the ACP Benefit, at local Xfinity stores. Internet Essentials Plus includes 100 Mbps speed, a cable modem, access to WiFi hotspots and unlimited data for $29.95 per month.

Any Xfinity customer across all Comcast markets who qualifies for ACP can apply their $30 credit toward their monthly internet bill.

As an added bonus, Internet Essentials customers can get one Xfinity Mobile Unlimited line

with 5G for $24.95 a month plus tax when they qualify for ACP. In addition, through its Project UP program, Comcast commits $1B to advance digital equity and build a future of unlimited possibilities.

“Our state is making great strides toward digital equity, thanks to engaged community members and dedicated partners like Comcast,” said Liz Gabbitas, digital access and education program manager with the Utah State Library Division. “These collaborations are how we'll get every Utahn connected.”

ACP is available for homes with an income of less than twice the federal poverty level, $55,000 a year for a family of four or $27,000 a year for an individual. Also, those who receive SNAP/EBT, Medicaid, or free and reduced-price school lunch would also qualify.

ACP is a game-changer that makes highspeed internet available to families across the state. United Way of Salt Lake operates a 2-1-1 help center in Utah, where 6% of calls are related to bill payment assistance. The center will refer inbound callers to Internet Essentials and ACP when calls refer to internet bills.

“Working toward all Utahns having access to high-speed, in-home broadband is the right thing to do,” said Deneiva Knight, Comcast external affairs director. “We're proud to support the Affordable Connectivity Program, which provides people with the digital resources needed to actively participate in today's society.”l

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August 2022 | Page 27

With elections right around the corner, Riverton’s state legislators review the last legislative session.

Riverton’s state representation reflects on 2022 legislative session

By Michael J. Jewkes | m.jewkes@mycityjournals.com

T

his year’s state legislative session came with countless issues and bills. Many of which are just now going into effect.

In Utah’s state legislature, the residents of Riverton are represented by three people. Sen. Dan McCay represents all of Riverton on the State Senate, while Rep. Mark Strong and Candice Pierucci represent House District 41 and 52, respectively.

Of the Senate’s 29 district seats, 23 of them are held by Republicans, leaving only six to Democratic senators. Riverton’s representatives fall into a supermajority, making conservative legislation relatively easy to pass. Many of the 2022 legislative session’s most notable laws were sponsored, supported and opposed by Riverton’s state legislators.

McCay sponsored a number of bills, including SJR 3, which, together with Pierucci, terminated January’s county mask mandates in Salt Lake and Summit counties, as well as HB 313, which adds extensive security amendments for elections in the state.

McCay also opposed a number of popular bills. HB 428, for example, adds required training for school administrators on rights and prohibited acts under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972.

The bill also requires school staff to adopt a plan of anti-harassment and discrimination-free learning in schools.

The bill passed 19-10 in the Senate and 65-9-1 in the House.

SB 238, a Homeless Service bill that appropriates federal money, including from the American Rescue Plan, for affordable housing projects for many low-income residents, was also opposed by McCay. The bill passed 63-7-5 in the House and would

Page 28 | August 2022

go on to pass 25-1-3 in the Senate’s final motion. McCay was the only senator to vote “Nay.” McCay did not agree to interview with the City Journals.

As for Riverton’s representatives in the House, both Strong and Pierucci sponsored several successful bills.

One of Pierucci’s most popular bills this legislative session was HB 341, a bill that limits the forms and paperwork required in hospitals for parents with newborns. The bill also limits the amount of information required of parents following the birth of a child. Furthermore, the bill aims to lower added fees for birth certificates.

The bill text reads, "the office shall submit a report…providing several options on how the office can eliminate or significantly reduce birth certificate fees."

The bill passed without any opposing votes in both the House and the Senate.

Pierucci also sponsored HB 90, a bill amending the policies and procedures for foreign entities that engage in lobbying efforts at the state level.

“There’s a loophole,” Pierucci told the City Journals. Foreign entities, including governments, can lobby for policies in state legislatures like Utah’s, and yet “… don’t have to register as lobbyists,” Pierucci added. These foreign entities can therefore avoid many regulations that registered lobbyists must follow.

The bill includes the provision that "an individual is required to register as a foreign agent…before engaging in lobbying on behalf of a foreign government."

The bill was signed into law following unanimous votes in both the House and the Senate.

Among the passed legislation, Pierucci also opposed a number of bills includ-

Riverton City Journal

ing SB 188, an energy efficiency bill that would allot the state of Utah to receive federal money for funding several energy efficient infrastructure projects. Alongside Strong, Pierucci voted “nay” to the energy efficiency bill.

The bill text states, "The department may accept federal money, including from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act." “It comes with federal strings attached,” Pierucci said, regarding the proposed law. The bill includes multiple sections of dictation on specific federal grant spending options, excluding alternatives not included in the bill text. While the bill mentions possible grant recipient options like "installation of energy-efficient building envelope improvements at a dwelling" and "grant[s] for the cost of a new clean vehicle," the bill offers nothing regarding larger infrastructure projects involving commercial structures or specific clean energy options like wind or solar power.

SB 188 passed 49-24-2 in the House and 20-3-6 in the Senate.

Strong only sponsored five bills this legislative session; however, all but one were signed into law.

Most notably, Strong sponsored HB 182, which excludes state facilities and the Capitol Hill complex from the authority and jurisdiction of a local health depart-

ment regarding constraints like face coverings. The proposed law also drastically limits the authority of the head of local health departments and mayors of cities and counties during future epidemics.

More specifically, the bill hinders the ability of mayors to "declare by proclamation a state of emergency in response to an epidemic or pandemic," the bill text reads.

Additionally, HB 182 removes the traditional mayoral veto power when a legislative body votes in favor of terminating a state of emergency.

The bill passed and faced little resistance with 47-19-9 in the House and 22-4-3 in the Senate.

Strong likewise did not agree to an interview with the City Journals.

All three Riverton legislators are up for reelection this November. Each has advanced past convention as well as the Republican Primaries. McCay will be running for the Senate’s 18th district seat against Democrat Catherine Voutaz and Jed Nordfelt of the United Utah Party.

Strong will be running for House District 47 against David Lundgren of the United Utah Party, and Pierucci will be running for House District 49 against Democrat Mike Pomeroy.

Riverton’s state representatives and senator will seek to defend their seats this November in the general elections. l

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Peri Kinder Life and Laughter

To infinity and beyond

N

early one million miles away from Earth, the James Webb Space Telescope is gazing into space with the intensity of a teenager watching TikTok. The most powerful observatory ever launched (Hubble orbits a measly 340 miles away from Earth), the JWST navigated to its location and deployed its mirrors, telescopes, solar panels and antennas, unfolding like a Transformer in the middle of space.

NASA (Nerding About Space Again) was unsurprisingly geeked about the first images from the JWST and organized a live event to reveal the pictures to the world. I’m an astronomy fangirl, so it made my nerdy

heart happy to see the images unveiled on July 12 during the NASA production.

I couldn’t help but appreciate that Hollywood hadn’t produced the reveal show. It would have been completely different, with movie stars turning it into a literal song-anddance. It would have included a Gorgeous Galaxy red carpet event before the Beautiful People, dressed in sequins and velvet, highlighted the space pictures “right after these messages.”

Instead of talking to actual astrophysicists, the Beautiful People would have interviewed actors like Matthew McConaughey and Tom Hanks, asking them what it was

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like portraying an astronaut in the movies.

There would have been glitzy graphics, a soundtrack by Lizzo and brief glimpses of the space images before the cameras returned to the Beautiful People so they could talk about how much they liked planets.

Thankfully, NASA did the whole program themselves. It was like someone handed the high school astronomy club an iPhone and told them to prepare a science project about the Webb telescope. They didn’t use professional spokespeople. They weren’t dressed in formal wear. It was just astrophysicists literally (yes, literally) bouncing with excitement as the world saw the photos for the first time.

There was even a technical glitch when NASA tried to connect to scientists in Canada but couldn’t get through. NASA can relay images from billions of light years away, but can’t connect with colleagues in Montreal.

Stupid Zoom calls.

Astronomers explained the images sent from the JWST that included dying stars

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and black holes and cosmic cliffs and binary stars, which I don’t think are legal in Utah.

It showed a universe teeming with galaxies never seen before. At least not by people on Earth.

The telescope can see through space dust, asteroid rubble and alien trash to get the clearest pictures ever created. Scientists once thought there was only one galaxy in the universe, but one JWST image showed thousands of galaxies in a teensy bit of sky.

Hopefully, this will prove to politicians that the world does not revolve around them.

Webb’s mission is to search for light from the first stars and galaxies that formed the universe after the Big Bang, unless you don’t believe in the Big Bang. In that case, you can sit next to those who think the moon landing was fake, the earth is flat, evolution is a fraud, the Mars mission is bogus, the moon is an alien spacecraft, that it’s NASA’s job to create space hoaxes and we’ve never crossed the Van Allen Belt.

But if you’re a star-nerd, like me, watching something so vast is mind-boggling.

We’re a tiny, blue marble floating through the enormity of space, doing our best not to fall into a black hole or get vaporized by a meteor.

So many evolutionary steps had to happen for us to even be here. What a rare gift.

Let’s stop messing it up. l

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August 2022 | Page 31

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“Dozens of doctors told me that there was nothing more that they could do to expect to be in a wheel chair. I went from the top 1% in the army Special Forces to being in so much pain that I could not tie my shoe or hold my new daughter. I did physical therapy and pain killers for years, but nothing worked. Finally, I went to Dr. Smith and I improved exactly as he told me I would. I couldn’t believe it! My wife cried, “I have my husband back.”

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