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thePyramid We A r e S a n p e t e . c o m
An Edition of the
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We A r e S a n p e t e . c o m Thursday, January 4, 2018 • Vol. 126, No. 1 • 75 cents
Looking back at highlights of 2017
RAY LAFOLLETTE
The Pyramid
MT. PLEASANT — Over the river and through the woods, the year 2017 has now left only memories of events, changes, and some items worth remembering. Looking back, readers can relive some of the past news items. Geographical changes Huntington Canyon road, SR-31, was closed last January when an avalanche blocked the road for a few days. Then in May a landslide closed the Twelve-Mile Canyon Road, FR0022, about nine miles east of Mayfield. It was closed until about the end of June. Technological changes In January it was announced that Rocky Mountain Power would be installing electric vehicle charging stations along 1,500 miles of highways including I-15, I-80, I-70 and I-84. Mt. Pleasant City Power received and set in place a new Mobile Integrated Transportable Substation (MITS), which was said to save the city close to $400,000 or more in labor and material costs.
In March, it was announced North Sanpete Middle School, Moroni, would receive $576,224 to build a 206 kilowatt solar array as well as a 32 kilowatt-hour battery storage system and electric vehicle charging station. The project was part of Rocky Mountain Power’s Blue Sky funding. Nature’s interventions On April 22, Boy Scouts from Mountainville LDS Ward Troop 1644 discovered the truck they were traveling in was on fire while returning home from a visit to Goblin Valley. The truck was completely destroyed, but there were no injuries. On May 26, an emergency meeting was called by Sanpete County Commissioners to determine what to do about high wind damage done to the grandstands at the fairgrounds. Witnesses saw the roof lifting up from supports and slamming back down on the pillars. Ultimately it was demolished, which left the fall county fair without a grandstand and alternative seating had to be arranged. Also in May, a Manti-La Sal National Forest service law enforcement officer sighted a bear foraging
for food at the Maple Canyon Campground. The bear returned and approached campers cooking bacon in June. Five campsites were closed until October or until the order could be safely rescinded. Rubber bullets were used to scare the bear out and a live trap was set up in Left Fork Canyon. Fishing at Yuba Reservoir has not been living up to its potential and in September it was announced that the Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) plan drafted in 2013, to do a rotenone treatment to eliminate all fish for a complete restart at Yuba, which would have cost anglers $500,000, was put on hold in favor of introducing sterile northern pike, as an alternative program. In addition, the DWR adopted a new management plan for Scofield Reservoir, which included the introduction of three new fish species to the reservoir, wiper, tiger muskie and sterile walleye, to help control the chub in the reservoir. Significant achievements In March, the new softball field at the sports complex east of North Sanpete High School was christened
as Shirlene Dovey Field, after a truly legendary woman. Dovey taught at NSHS for 35 years and for many of those was the only women’s sports coach. She actually started the girl’s athletic program for the school. 2017 marked a century of service for the Mt. Pleasant Public Library, which was built in 1917 with a grant of $10,000 from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. A 100-year celebration complete with displays, memorabilia, games and prizes began on July 4, during Mt. Pleasant’s Hub City Days. The Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area (MPNHA) was chosen to receive a Best of State award in the Hospitality Travel and Tourism: Historical/Heritage Site category. MPNHA also celebrated their 10th anniversary in 2017. The MPNHA is a federally designated area running along U.S. Highway 89, State Route’s 12 and 24. Wasatch Academy, Mt. Pleasant, was recognized as Best of State among all private K-12 schools in Utah. Founded in 1875, it is the oldest Please see 2017, Page A2
New pool celebration well attended RAY LAFOLLETTE
This little cowboy just finished Mutton Bustin’ and couldn’t wait to tell his family all about it. Over 200 adults and children participated in a New Year’s Fun Night Rodeo, which featured target shooting, mutton bustin’, barrel racing, team roping, bull riding, trick riding, hide races and musical chairs last Saturday, Jan. 30, at the ConToy arena, 955 West 1000 South. (Photo courtesy of Brad Bentley)
New Year’s rodeo brings on fun night at ConToy
The Pyramid
BRAD BENTLEY
MT. PLEASANT — The inaugural New Year, New Pool celebration held Jan. 1, was very well attended. Head counts of persons in the pool were done every half-hour and overall attendance for the event was estimated at possibly 600 celebrants. During the event there were five lifeguards on duty during each shift. This was a good thing because there was a near drowning incident which took place. But the situation was handled properly by the lifeguards and the youth involved is said to be recovering. Pool operation hours The new pool is scheduled to be open from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday – Friday, and then 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays. Closed on Sundays. During the week (Monday – Friday) there will be open swim hours, generally from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and then again from 5:30 – 9:30 p.m. During the school year, both North Sanpete High School and Wasatch Academy swim teams will use the pool for practice Monday – Friday, from 3 p.m.-5 p.m. Pool fees The cost to use the pool depends
The Pyramid
The walk-in wading section of the new Mt. Pleasant Aquatic Center pool was popular during the grand opening New Year, New Pool celebration on The new Mt. Pleasant Aquatic Center Jan. 1, at 76 East Main. (Photo by Ray LaFollette, The Pyramid) pricing has been released. Those persons who are paying the Aquatic Center tax are considered residents. However, residents will need to rented for various events or use. For details visit the new pool located obtain a resident discount card and During the summertime the splash at 76 East Main, Mt. Pleasant. then present the card for each visit pad can also be rented. In addition (Graphic by Ray LaFollette, The to the pool. Persons who do not have there are group, semi-private and Pyramid) a resident card will pay non-resident private swimming lessons being ofon whether the user is a resident or fees. The resident cards are available fered. It is also expected that sports, a non-resident. Those persons who at Mt. Pleasant City Hall, 115 West such as water polo, may be organized. live in Mt. Pleasant and are paying the Main. For details, or more information aquatic center fee as part of their elecPool rental, lessons visit the Mt. Pleasant Aquatics Centric bill are considered to be residents In addition to using the pool during ter, 76 East Main, or call 435-462and will pay the lower resident fee. open swim hours, the pool can be 1333.
SVWG assists aspiring and experienced writers SANPETE COUNTY — “You should write a book about that,” is a phrase frequently heard in Sanpete County. But most people react with, “Oh, I could never do that.” Now, maybe they can. The non-profit Sanpete Valley Writers Guild (SVWG) will hold their first meeting of 2018 at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 16, in the main floor classroom, at Snow College Library, 141 East Center St., Ephraim. Participation is free. SVWG is an eclectic group of Sanpete writers, which meet every first and third Tuesday. The group’s purpose is to help new writers get started, and experienced writers improve their writing by drawing on the
experience and knowledge of other members. The group, originally founded by Ephraim author, Shirley Bahlmann, is now presided over by Steven J. Clark, an award-winning novelist who lives in Chester. The group welcomes writers of all ages, genres and experience levels. “We are very diverse.” Clark says. “We’ve had aspiring writers as young as 15, and others in their 80s. Some are just thinking of writing their first book and are looking for a little help, others are in the middle of the process, and others, like me, have already written and published one or more books.” Clark joined SVWG in 2013 and has
since published three novels, with a fourth currently in the works. His books are available on Amazon. The group has no genre restrictions. One member, recently published a non-fiction work on helping baby-boomers be safe in their own homes. A former member, Michael Banebrook, recently relocated to St. George, has published at least two romance/fantasy novels. Shirley Bahlmann has published a number of pioneer romances and a remarkable MATTHEW MITCHELL collection of short writings. Steven J. Clark, an award-winning Bahlmann also recently moved novelist who lives in Chester, to St. George, where she continues welcomes writers of all ages, genres and experience levels to participate in the Sanpete Valley Writers Guild. Please see SVWG, Page A3
MT. PLEASANT — Over 200 adults and at least that many children participated in a New Year’s Fun Night rodeo to finish out 2017, Saturday, Jan. 30, at the ConToy arena, 955 West 1000 South, Mt. Pleasant. Over the past year, the arena has been a beehive of activity with Jack and Gaylyn Widdison directing from behind the scenes. There have been numerous rodeos held, including high school events that have highlighted local athletes, as well as horse shows, concerts, and other activities. On this night, with the air smelling of loamy earth and the rich scent of animals, the people filtered in to participate in an event of true Americana. After the national anthem under a large flag that extended over the stadium, the events began with a shooting exhibition. The participants rode around on horseback at high speed and did an amazing job hitting the targets. Mutton Bustin’ came up next and those little buckaroos wrapped around those sheep tight and rode for all they were worth. Contestants from the age of two-to-eight competed in the event and had a great time. The night continued with several rodeo events and competition for juniors and seniors. Barrel racing and team roping were included as well as exhibition bull riding. Interspersed with these events were several fun games including the ever popular hide race, and musical chairs. There was also a trick riding exhibition by Kate Flinton and Trixie. It was a great night of fun and camaraderie. Anyone who hasn’t had a chance to visit the Con-Toy arena should make it a New Year’s resolution to go. Odds are, those who do will be hooked and will find a new activity for their weekends.
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