02-08-20 Spanish Fork Press

An Edition of the

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Las Chalitas

Make a move

SFHS places third in 5A state finals - See page A3

Register now for district chess tournament - See page A5

Spanish Fork Youth Council spends day at capitol

BY STACY CRAWFORD

Spanish Fork Press

The sun was yet to make an appearance at 5 a.m. on Jan. 29 as 27 members of the Spanish Fork Youth City Council gathered in “best dress” outside city hall.

The group was prepared to drive to Salt Lake City where its members would participate in Local Officials Day at the Utah State Capitol.

The youth council is made up of ninth- through 12th-graders from Spanish Fork schools. Every June, students submit applications to join the council.

Leadership for the council comes from the youth: a mayor and mayor pro tempore are selected. Throughout the year, the Spanish Fork Youth City Council meets once a month and has a monthly service activity.

To increase their knowledge of government, youth council members annually participate in the Local Officials Day. “I hope to gain more of an appreciation for what the Legislature does for Utah,” said Isaac Smith, a junior at Maple Mountain High School and mayor pro tempore of the youth council, prior to leaving for the event. “Going to legislation day provides exposure like no other for that to happen.”

The event took place at the state capitol and the Salt Palace Convention Center. Local Officials Day is presented by the Utah League of Cities and Towns.

The league, which was organized 1907, serves all of Utah’s cities and towns. Its website states that the “ULCT is a nonpartisan, inter-local government cooperative working to strengthen the quality of municipal government and administration of Utah’s cities and towns.”

In an effort to fulfill its purpose, the ULCT annually invites youth city councils from all over the state to participate in a mock legislative experience.

The youth councils could choose to attend workshops addressing the following topics: an issues forum, lobbying for action, creating

Lydia Keel

Nebo student wins national PTA theme contest

BY LANA HISKEY

Nebo School District

PHOTO COURTESY OF SPANISH FORK CITY

Members of the Spanish Fork Youth City Council attended Local Officials Day at the Utah State Capitol on Jan. 29. During the day, they met with Spanish Fork Mayor Steve Leifson and Spanish Fork Council Members Mike Mendenhall, Brandon Gordon and Stacy Beck. They also visited with Rep. Mike McKell and Senator Deidre Henderson and were able to go onto the House floor, ask questions and learn more about the legislative process. an inclusive council experience, using data to look at the future, learning how to resolve conflicts, learning about state and federal internship opportunities and learning about the importance of arts and culture.

They could also participate in a scavenger hunt in the capitol building.

The Spanish Fork Youth City Council members participated in a workshop that encouraged looking at Utah’s suffrage movement to help create inclusive councils.

They also enjoyed a tour of the state capitol and getting an inside look at the government process.

They met local officials such as Senator Deidre Henderson and

Representative Mike McKell.

“It’s a great bonding experience for the participants, and building unity within a council is one of the most important things,” Smith said.

In order to increase the bonding opportunities, the day included instruction in the arts. The youth council enjoyed a performance of “Every Brilliant Thing” by the Utah Shakespeare Festival.

The day at the capitol ended with a fine dining experience. Notables present were the ULCT President Mike Mendenhall, a member of the Spanish Fork City Council; Utah Speaker of the House Brad Wilson; Senate President Stuart Adams; ULCT Executive Director

Rebate program planned for electric, battery-powered gear

Art works by 7 local students selected for all-state art show

BY CONNOR RICHARDS

Daily Herald

SPECIAL TO THE SPANISH FORK PRESS

Seven students from Spanish Fork high schools have had their art works accepted into the 48th Annual Utah All-State High School Art Show.

This prestigious exhibit will open Saturday, Feb. 8, at the Springville Museum of Art, 126 E. 400 South, Springville. An awards ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. and a public opening reception at 11 a.m.

The art show will remain on display at the museum through March 20.

Art works created by local students that were accepted into the show are as follows: - “Cool Boy, Crazy Boy” (digital painting) by Gail Bartholomew, Spanish Fork High School.

- “Refined” (oil on board) by Jack Beck, Spanish Fork High School.

- “Tea With Beatrix Potter (ceramic), by Erin Plewe, Spanish Fork High School.

- “Resurrection/waters of depression” (charcoal)

by Marilyn Caballero, American Leadership Academy.

- “Raspberry Watercolor study” (watercolor), by Rebecca Carter, Maple Mountain High School.

- “Physics of the Future” (watercolor), by Caleb Crawford, Maple Mountain High School.

- “Portrait study” (oil on canvas), Jessica Draughon, Maple Mountain High School The Utah All-State High School Art Show is open to public and private high school students in 11th and 12th grades. It is a juried exhibition; a total of 12 jurors with experience and understanding of high school art are selected each year to represent various media categories.

This year, a total of 1,093 entries from 105 schools around the state were submitted for potential inclusion for the show. Only 341 were accepted for display.

In addition to being included in the art show, SFHS’s Jack Beck also won a USBC Purchase Award. MMHS’s Jessica Draughon received the Lyon Arts Studio Scholarship.

The piece by MMHS’s Caleb Crawford was selected

Cameron Diehl; and Silicon Slopes Executive Director Clint Betts.

Mendenhall directed a discussion where members of the youth councils could ask questions and receive answers from the legislators.

The Spanish Fork Youth City Council members enjoyed their day at the capitol and learning more about the legislative process.

“My favorite part was meeting different people such as our Senate and our House of Representatives and learning what they do,” said Hadley Hebdon, a sophomore at Spanish Fork High School and a member of the youth council. “I love learning how many jobs there are and who does them.”

Lydia Keel, a ninth-grader from Spanish Fork Junior High School, has been named the winner of the National PTA Reflections Theme Search Contest for 2021-22.

Keel’s suggested theme – “I Will Change the World By …” – will now serve as the theme of the National 2021-22 PTA Reflections contest.

Every year, students across the nation submit theme suggestions for upcoming National PTA Reflections contests. One student’s theme is selected as the winner by a team of National PTA volunteers.

The winning student is awarded $100, national recognition and the honor of inspiring hundreds of thousands of artists across the nation as they participate in the Reflections program.

Keel’s theme was selected from nearly 100 entries from 24 states.

The Utah PTA stated they are thrilled that one of Utah’s own has won this recognition.

Another honor for Nebo School District is that four out of the five national finalists are students at Spanish Fork Junior High. One was Keel; the other three are: “The Weight of Words” — Kacie Slade; “Tomorrow is a New Beginning” — Mekeli Clark; and “I Can Help Others By...”

— Cambry Wangsgard.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE SPRINGVILLE MUSEUM OF ART

This art work by Spanish Fork High School student Jack Beck, titled “Refined,” has been selected to be part of the 48th Annual Utah All-State High School Art Show opening Saturday at the Springville Museum of Art. Works by six other students from Spanish Fork schools were also chosen to be part of the prestigious show. to be part of the Utah Arts & Museums Traveling Show, which will be taken during the 2020-2021 school year to museums, galleries, libraries and schools throughout Utah.

The Springville Museum of Art is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The museum is closed on Sundays, Mondays and holidays. For more information, call the museum at 801-489-2727 or visit smofa.org.

Spanish Fork will be launching a rebate program later this year to incentivize residents to purchase battery or electric-powered lawn equipment in an effort to reduce emissions and improve air quality in Utah.

Residents who dispose of their gas-powered lawn mowers, snow blowers, leaf blowers, grass trimmers or chainsaws will receive up to $300 that would go toward purchasing more environmentally friendly equipment, according to Spanish Fork Power and Light Superintendent Kelly Peterson.

Peterson told the Spanish Fork City Council about the rebate program during its meeting Tuesday. He said the program is expected to launch at the end of March or beginning of April.

The idea came up during a Utah Municipal Power Agency conference last March where a group gave a presentation on air quality and the different sources of air pollutants.

“We just thought it would be a good idea to … try to offer some type of program to help move people away from gas-powered equipment” and toward battery-powered equipment, Peterson said.

The program is in partnership with UMPA, which will give out the rebates and train utilities and billing departments on how to keep track of customers to avoid duplications, Peterson said.

Funding for the rebates will come from the UMPA Energy Efficiency Fund to which Spanish Fork has contributed $55,744.

“We’re hoping that will last more

than one season,” Peterson told the council, “but we’re not sure.”

Peterson said that other cities who partner with UMPA, including Provo, Salem and Nephi, will have the option of opting in to the rebate program.

Residents can dispose of their gas-powered lawn equipment at a solid waste service district, which will give them a receipt verifying the disposal. After they purchase a new piece of equipment, they can submit the receipts to UMPA and receive their rebate.

Residents who dispose of gas-powered equipment will receive a rebate that either matches the purchasing price of the new equipment or a maximum of $300 for lawn mowers and snow blowers and $50 for grass trimmers, leaf blowers and chainsaws.

Newer residents to the city who are making first-time purchases will be incentivized to buy electric or battery-powered equipment as well, Peterson said. Purchases without disposals will be rebated up to $175 and $25, depending on the type of equipment.

Councilman Chad Argyle asked whether residents would be able to purchase equipment of any brand.

Peterson said they could, adding that the only requirement is the equipment not be powered by gas.

The city is looking to partner with local retailers to get the word out about the rebate, Peterson said, including The Home Depot, Ace Hardware and Lowe’s.

Residents interested in applying for a rebate can do so by filling out an application on a website that is still being developed, Peterson said.

A2 | SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2020

SPANISH FORK PRESS

FORK IT OVER

Residents come together to fight porch piracy

BY ALYSSA HALL

Spanish Fork Press

Average Sold Price

Combined Days on Market COURTESY OF RODGER HARDY

Some executive homes selling for more than asking price

BY RODGER HARDY

Special to the Spanish Fork Press

An average of three executive homes sold per month last year in Spanish Fork priced at more than $500,000, according to the Wasatch Front Multiple Listing Service, said Realtor Rodger Hardy this week.

Executive homes accounted for $1.9 million in total sales volume. The more average home sold for about $323,000 in 2019.

July marked the best month for executive home sales last year, with seven sales and a total volume of $4.4 million, Hardy said. The slowest months

were also the coldest months: January through March.

“What’s surprising is that the average executive home sold last year for 3 percent over asking price,” he said.

“In November only one high-end home sold, and that one for $501,130, which was 24 percent over the asking price.”

Although July saw the most sales at the higher price point, the average executive sale that month was just 91 percent of the asking price. Average executive sales were over asking in February (117 percent), April (119 percent), November (121 percent) and December

(119 percent).

The average home at the $500,000plus price point measured just under 5,000 square feet with a square-foot price of $124. This compares with just under $130 a square foot for the average 2,400-squre-foot Spanish Fork home, Hardy said.

The higher-end homes averaged 4.9 bedrooms and 3.4 bathrooms and took more than three months to sell, about a month longer than the average home.

Rodger Hardy is a Realtor affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage and a freelance writer. He can be

FFA chapter members bring home honors SPECIAL TO THE SPANISH FORK PRESS

The Spanish Fork High School FFA competed at the Area 5 Contests (regionals) recently at Springville High School.

Maddy Nielsen did a great job representing the chapter in the Creed Speaking Leadership Development Event, which recognizes outstanding FFA members in seventh through ninth grades for their ability to present the National FFA Creed from memory and answer three questions related to it.

Jesse Shepherd took home the win in the Prepared Public Speaking event with his speech about conventional versus cage-free chickens.

He will move on and compete at the state level in March.

The SFHS FFA chapter won eight Agricultural Proficiency Awards (more than half the winners in the area).

These awards honor FFA members who, through supervised agricultural experiences, have developed specialized skills they can apply toward their future careers.

These winners will move on to the state competition in February. They are: - Russell Mangelson, Agricultural Education, for putting on livestock camps and clinics.

- Lance Jensen, Agricultural Services, for his project with taxidermy.

- Tanner Voorhees, Beef Placement, for working at a feedlot caring for beef animals.

- Tanner Voorhees, Diversified Agriculture, for working with his crops and ani-

It’s a common occurrence for many of us to pull into our driveway and see a package on the porch that’s been dropped off during the day while we were at work or running errands. Most of the time, we’ve been expecting its arrival, noting the tracking information on our phones and getting an alert that our package has been delivered.

But what happens when we know the package has been delivered? We’ve maybe even seen a photo of the package sitting on our porch, snapped by the delivery driver and posted to the emailed receipt, yet we get home to find a bare porch. This is a reality for many residents of Spanish Fork who have been victims of porch piracy.

Some residents have been wary and concerned about this for some time. Many of us have received a text from a distressed neighbor asking us to run over to their front porch and pick up an important package that was delivered.

We don’t mind, as neighbors, picking up a package and holding it for a few hours until they return home. But the anxiety over packages left out on the porch is mounting for Spanish Fork residents — and for good reason.

For members of the Spanish Fork Community News Facebook page, porch piracy is a hot-button topic. Thefts spiked due to December deliveries coming in at higher volumes for the holidays.

With the increase in thefts, there was also a spike in photo and video evidence due to more frequent installations of video doorbell systems.

A few of the incidents have resulted in the thief being caught by law enforcement because of the video or photographic evidence. Many residents credit members of community Facebook pages for helping identify the suspect by posting the photos and receiving a tip from a fellow resident.

There are some residents who have suspected their package was stolen after receiving a “delivered” notification and finding no such delivery on their porch.

These grateful residents have also credited community and neighborhood Facebook pages for safe package retrieval.

When a delivery driver accidentally delivers a package to the wrong home, some-

Alyssa Hall times all the way across town, many expectant residents have gone to social media to find their lost items and have found success in asking the community for help.

However, packages from Amazon aren’t the only thing going missing from porches in Spanish Fork. Many residents have reported porch decor or rocking chairs being stolen from their property. Unfortunately, gone are the days when parents might feel safe when their child leaves a bike out on the front step overnight, especially when even wreaths have been reported taken right off the front door.

While porch piracy is not a new concern, many residents are more cautious and are taking more precautions against it than they have been in recent years. Some feel that thieves are becoming more fearless and brazen about stealing packages or items from porches.

One resident mentioned feeling like some of the offenders look for homes to prey upon without obvious doorbell surveillance systems.

Though the holidays are behind us for almost another year, packages will continue to be delivered across Spanish Fork. Many delivery services have implemented delivery safety options like taking a photo of the item on the porch for proof of delivery, leaving options at online checkout for preferred times of delivery and even noting on the receipt whether the delivery was handed to a resident, left on the porch or left in a mailbox.

Some shoppers have opted to have deliveries sent to their place of business or to designated delivery pickup spots.

While frustration at having to worry about porch piracy is valid, there’s comfort in knowing that honest residents are around to help catch or identify suspects of theft, that companies are working towards safer delivery options and that home surveillance options are affordable and reliable.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SPANISH FORK HIGH SCHOOL

Jesse Shepherd and Maddy Nielsen of the Spanish Fork High School FFA chapter recently competed at the Area 5 Contests at Springville High School, with Shepherd winning the Prepared Public Speaking event. mal projects including beef, sheep, turkeys, pigs and hay.

- Ellie Ash, Equine Entrepreneurship, for her businesses involving horseback riding lessons, mustang challenges and horse training.

- Jaiden Stewart, Equine Placement, for working for Reams Performance Horses and working at Young Living Percherons.

- Wade Coombs, Nursery

Production, for his work at Hansen Plants greenhouses.

- Megan Stewart, Small Animal Production, for her dog-breeding business.

In addition, Star Awards are awarded based on an exceptional overall Supervised Agricultural Experience program and FFA involvement.

Congratulations to Tanner Voorhees and Lance Jensen, who are moving forward in their respective categories.

Spanish Fork Press now available at businesses throughout the city Do you know someone who is looking for a copy of the Spanish Fork Press? Or are you looking for an extra copy?

Copies of the Press may now be picked up for free at several locations throughout Spanish Fork.

Find the latest issue of the Spanish Fork Press at one of the following locations:

DISNEY RESORTS CRUISES ALL INCLUSIVE RESORTS

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Saturday, January 25, 2020 • Vol. 119, No. 1 • FREE

Beautification New signs planned at city entrances - See page A2

Weekly newspaper reopens in Spanish Fork

SPECIAL TO THE SPANISH FORK PRESS

Today, a publication that was part of Spanish Fork for more than 100 years is again becoming part of the community.

This is the first issue of the new Spanish Fork Press newspaper.

Its publisher is the Daily Herald newspaper in Provo along with that publication’s parent company, Ogden Newspapers.

Founded in 1890, Ogden Newspapers currently operates more than 100 daily and weekly newspapers stretching across the nation from New York to Hawaii. In Utah, Ogden Newspapers also owns the Standard-Examiner in Ogden and The Pyramid, a weekly newspaper

based in Mount Pleasant.

“Weeklies are a significant part of our business, and we are thrilled to begin offering this paper in the Spanish Fork area,” said Scott Blonde, publisher of the Daily Herald. “Spanish Fork is a vibrant, growing city, and we invite everyone to join with us in creating a publication where residents can read the news of their neighbors and feel more connected to the community.”

Christi Conover Babbitt has been hired to serve as editor of the Spanish Fork Press. Babbitt grew up in southern Utah County and earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism at Utah State University.

She has decades of experience in community journalism including writing for and serving as an editor for the Springville Herald, Spanish Fork Press and Nebo Reporter weekly newspapers.

“My parents owned the Springville Herald while I was growing up, so I have seen the importance of local papers from a very young age,” Babbitt said. “There’s a lot of national and state news available online, but it’s difficult and time-consuming to digitally track down all the news in a community. We hope this newspaper will serve as a gathering point for local news specifically of interest to Spanish Fork residents.”

BY JENNY ROLLINS

Macey’s, 187 E. 1000 North Tim Dahle Ford, 2534 N. 200 East Pacific Horizon Credit Union, 375 E .300 South Rocky’s Tire Pros, 375 N. Main Doug Smith Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, 1339 N. Main Wiggy Wash, 794 S. Main

Spanish Fork City Council votes for new collections firm, which would increase unpaid utility fees

BY CONNOR RICHARDS

Daily Herald

The fee that is added to unpaid utility bills in Spanish Fork may soon increase 40% of the billed amount, the maximum allowed under state law, after the City Council voted to partner with a new collections firm.

Every year, the city sends about $100,000 in unpaid utility accounts to a collections agency, according to City Treasurer Jordan Hales, a small fraction of the $45 million in utility bills collected annually.

Bonneville Collections, the agency Spanish Fork currently partners with, collects about about 18% of these unpaid fees every year, which is about $18,000.

A few months ago, the city put out a collections services bid to find a company with a better collection rate, Hales said. The bid was narrowed down to two companies, Mountain Land Collections in American Fork, who Spanish Fork had partnered with up to 2016, and The Cherrington Firm of Provo.

Collections firms typically keep a percentage of the total collected amount after a fee has been added on, said Hales, adding that Bonneville Collections collects an 18% fee.

Mountain Land Collections adds a 22% collection fee and keeps 22% of the total amount, meaning a $100 unpaid utility bill would have a $22 fee added on and the collections agency would keep $26.84 and give $95.16 to the city.

The Cherrington Firm adds a 40% fee, which Hales said is the maximum allowed under state law, and keeps 28.57% of the total amount, meaning the full original amount would be paid to the city.

“There’s pluses and minuses to both sides,” Hales told the council.

“You’ve got to decide what’s more important to you. Is it more important to get the full principal back, or is it more important that we don’t bill that $18 to the customer?”

The city treasurer recommended the city partner with Mountain Land Collections.

“They do have a lower fee,” he said. “And I feel like it’s better to add on a smaller fee for those customers that were unable to pay their bill, even though it’s going to mean a little less money in the city’s pocket book.”

Councilman Brandon Gordon said hearing that nearly 80% of unpaid utility bills go uncollected makes him “less sympathetic to those that leave us high and dry.”

“These people are stiffing the city,” Gordon said.

Sometimes it’s the case that a resident “simply can’t pay” regardless of what the fee is because they don’t have the money, Councilman Keir Scoubes said.

“This is tough,” Councilwoman Stacy Beck said. “I’m right on the fence with this one.”

Councilman Chad Argyle motioned to approve a contract with Mountain Land Collections, but it was not seconded.

Please see COUNCIL, Page A4

SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1954

City raises RV parking fees to $25 per night

BY CHRISTI C.

BABBITT told the council his department Spanish Fork Press periodically reviews its rates. A The cost of parking for recre- rate increase would usually be disational vehicles at Spanish Fork cussed during a budget session, but City facilities was raised from $20 his staff felt action was needed now per night to $25 during the Spanish because many people make reserFork City Council meeting Jan. 7. vations for RV spots at the beginThe fees were last raised in 2017; ning of the year. that was also a $5 increase.

A staff report provided to the Dale Robinson, director of Spanish Fork City Parks and Recreation, Please see FEES, Page A4

TONY'S WINDOW CLEANING & LAWN CARE NAMED BUSINESS OF THE MONTH

COURTESY OF THE SPANISH FORK SALEM AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Tony’s Window Cleaning & Lawn Care has been named the Spanish Fork Salem Area Chamber of Commerce’s January Business of the Month. The business offers lawn aeration, Christmas light installation, tree services, lawn care, window washing and more. To reach Tony’s Window Cleaning & Lawn Care, call 801-362-8793.

SPANISH FORK PRESS An edition of the Daily Herald 86 N. University Ave. Suite 300, Provo, UT

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Three Spanish Fork City Council members were sworn in to fill four-year terms of office during the council’s Jan. 7 meeting. They are, from left: Brandon Gordon, Chad Argyle and Stacy Beck. All three won re-election to the council in the November 2019 general election. Argyle and Beck are beginning their second four-year term on the council and Gordon is beginning his third four-year term.

An online edition may also be viewed at heraldextra.com/spanish-fork-press/e-edition/.

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Letters to the editor are welcome but must include the writer’s name, address and phone number.

Anonymous letters will not be published.

To submit a press release, story idea, event announcement or letter to the editor, contact Christi Babbitt at 801-344-2544 or sfeditorial@heraldextra.com.

Obituaries may be published by contacting Carlie Peterson at 801344-2533 or dhobitphoto@heraldextra.com.

To purchase an ad in the Spanish Fork Press, contact Tracie Hartman at 801-592-3136 or thartman@ heraldextra.com.

Spanish Fork senator prepares SWORN IN to introduce new polygamy bill With the preparations for the start of Utah 2020 legislative season next week, Sen. Deidre Henderson, a Republican representing Spanish Fork, is putting the finishing touches on a bill reducing the penalties of polygamy from a felony to a misdemeanor.

She wants to be clear on one thing: “I am not seeking to legalize polygamy,” she said in a recent interview.

Instead, her goal is to make it easier for otherwise law-abiding polygamists to be able to report other crimes, encouraging people in plural families to report abuse and other offenses, she explained.

Henderson’s September 2019 announcement to file the bill was met with mixed reactions. However, afNANCY VAN VALKENBURG, STANDARD-EXAMINER ter the massacre of a family of U.S. Tonia Tewell (left), seen here at Weber State University in 2013, testified citizens in Mexico, the idea of loos- Friday, Feb. 15, 2019, at the Utah Capitol in favor of a bill to make victims of ening penalties for polygamy gained polygamy eligible for state reparations grants.

Tewell is founder of Holding support.

Out Help, a nonprofit that assists people who flee abusive polygamist In 2017, in a close bipartisan vote, situations. the Utah Senate passed HB99, a bill sponsored by Republican Sen. Kevin amy a felony was to eradicate it, this treat bigamy as an issue of fraud, and T. Van Tassell amending the wording has to be the least effective statute only 14 of them deal with the issue of of Utah’s bigamy statute to clarify in the history of lawmaking, ” she cohabitation, with a wide variety of that polygamy is a felony punish- said. “Not only is our law a complete punishment as both a felony and a able by up to five years and up to 15 failure, it is also empowering the bad misdemeanor. if combined with other charges. guys like Warren Jeffs and victimizPolygamy in Utah has been a Many senators who have previ- ing the good folks.” long-debated, messy issue, but ously voted for stricter laws did not In recent months, Henderson has Henderson hopes that the bill will support the bill, with no particular interviewed dozens of people and help people from plural families in trend as to which party they be- families who are current or former Spanish Fork and throughout Utah longed to. The issue appears to be practitioners of polygamy to better will feel that the stigma has been both bipartisan as well as divisive, understand how to meet the needs reduced and feel more comfortable with Republicans and Democrats of communities she represents.

She taking their children to school or the on both sides. has also collaborated with students doctor or reporting crimes or abuses.

So far, no one has been prosecuted at Utah Valley University’s office of “There has been a single way of under the amended bigamy statute, New Urban Mechanics to evaluate looking at this issue for 85 years. I which Henderson sees as evidence the historical context and effects of hope to help my colleagues see the of failure. the criminalization of polygamy. problem from a new angle,” she said.

“If the purpose of making polygThe report states that most states

News: Contact Christi Babbitt, 801-344-2544 or email sfeditorial@heraldextra.com. dreamvacation336@hotmail.com

The Spanish Fork Press will be delivered each Saturday to approximately 50% of homes in the city as a free publication. There will be no subscriptions; free copies, however, will be available to pick up at various locations to be announced in a future edition of the paper.

The Press invites the public to submit story ideas, press releases and photos for publication in the paper. Items must be received by noon on the Tuesday before the Saturday when the article will run.

Residents are also invited to submit announcements about events such as weddings, church mission calls and milestone birthdays, which will run with a photo for a

Spanish Fork Press

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SPANISH FORK PRESS

Model unveiled of statue to represent Utah

BY JENNY ROLLINS

Spanish Fork Press

On Jan. 28, a small model of a planned larger statue of former Utah State Sen. Martha Hughes Cannon was unveiled at the Utah State Capitol.

The event gave lawmakers, artists and Cannon’s descendants a sneak peek at what the larger statue will look like when it is placed in the National Statuary Hall of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. The statue will represent the state of Utah.

Ben Hammond, the statue’s award-winning sculptor, unveiled the model in the House chamber to a standing ovation – the second ever, according to Speaker Brad Wilson.

Cannon was a pioneer, a polygamist wife, a doctor and a women’s rights advocate. She became the first female state senator in the United States in 1896, beating her own husband who was also running.

She also helped put white women’s right to vote in the Utah Constitution.

She represents the history of the forward-thinking, pioneering spirit unique to Utah, said Utah Sen. Deidre Henderson, who served as co-chair of the Martha Hughes Cannon Oversight Committee and represents

Spanish Fork.

“Utah was the first state to get women the right to vote. It was the first state to elect a woman into the Senate. That’s something we need to remember. That’s significant for the state of Utah and for the country,” Henderson said.

It’s also significant for the Spanish Fork community in particular as a city with a cemetery full of pioneers, Henderson said.

“My ancestors are among them,” she said. “It’s easy these days. It’s an election year. We go out and vote. But our pioneer ancestors helped pave that way for us.”

Cannon, as one of those pioneers, will replace the statue of Philo T. Farnsworth, inventor of the television, which currently stands in the U.S. Capitol representing Utah along with a statue of Brigham Young.

Farnsworth may potentially re-enter the Capitol representing Idaho.

“I always felt like Philo T. Farnsworth was ours. Now I’m helping kick him out and set things straight. Hopefully Idaho claims him and he gets put in the right place,” said Hammond, who is an Idaho native.

Hammond was selected as the project’s sculptor after an intense nationwide competition. He brought

out Cannon’s quiet power through a strong contrapposto with subtle, humble hand placement, focusing on the power of her humble religious convictions.

“People think Latter-day Saints are backwards hillbillies with women who are barefoot and pregnant,” he said. “But Martha wasn’t successful in spite of her religion; she was successful because of those convictions.

She wanted to become something and religion helped her.”

The committee plans to place the statue in early August, just in time for the 100th anniversary of the passing of the 19th Amendment. This year also marks 150 years since white Utah women gained the right to vote.

“2020 marks a very big year for women’s suffrage,” said Rep. Karen Kwan during the unveiling. “(Utah was) a leader from the very beginning.”

However, while Utah started off strong, the committee discovered that there have only been a total of 28 other women elected to the state Senate.

“While we made great strides and progress at the beginning, we’ve slowed down after that,” Henderson said. “It’s really important to help our people remember where we came from.”

Drill team places third in first 5A state finals

BY JENNY ROLLINS

Spanish Fork Press

Las Chalitas, the Spanish Fork High School drill team, placed third in the 5A state finals last Saturday.

After taking first at the 4A state finals last year, this was the first time the team had competed at state level in the 5A division. They went in ranked first, and other longtime 5A teams took their competition seriously.

Although the team didn’t keep their first place ranking, they are far from disappointed with their performance and felt they were prepared and gave it their absolute all, said 17-year-old senior and Las Chalitas Head Captain Axuray Talbot.

“Last year winning state, that was so crazy. Never in a million years did anyone think that Spanish Fork would take state and move up a division and take third,” Talbot said. “I have never been prouder than I was of my team on Saturday.

It was pure joy.”

There is an element of subjectivity in drill team competitions, especially in state competitions where there are judges brought in from out of state that may have a very different perspective, said Head Coach Rachel Shaw.

“Being ranked first is a good place to be, but it’s also a little intimidating because we don’t know if the outside judges will like the same things as the Utah judges,” Shaw said.

“With drill team, anything can happen.”

The drill team has made a name for itself over the past few years, achieving things that no other Spanish Fork High School drill team has

PHOTO COURTESY OF RITA WRIGHT

Utah Sen. Deidre Henderson, who represents Spanish Fork, speaks during the unveiling of a sculpture of former Utah State Sen. Martha Hughes Cannon. A larger statue based on the small model will be created to stand in the National Statuary Hall in the United States Capitol.

How to submit your news and other announcements The Spanish Fork Press invites the public to submit story ideas, press releases and photos for publication in the paper.

Items must be received by noon on the Tuesday before the Saturday when the article will run. News items run free of charge.

Letters to the editor are welcome but must include the writer’s name, address and phone number. Anonymous letters will not be published.

To submit a press release, story idea or letter to the editor, contact Christi Babbitt at 801-344-2544 or sfeditorial@heraldextra.com.

Residents are also invited to submit announcements about life events such as weddings, church mission calls and mile-

stone birthdays, which will run with a photo for a small fee: • Weddings/milestone anniversaries: $30 • Missionaries: $15 • Milestone birthdays: $15 Life events may be submitted by contacting Darci Roy at 801-344-2595 or droy@ heraldextra.com.

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Obituaries may be published by contacting Carlie Peterson at 801-344-2533 or dhobitphoto@heraldextra.com.

To purchase an ad in the Spanish Fork Press, contact Tracie Hartman at 801-5923136 or thartman@heraldextra.com.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SPANISH FORK HIGH SCHOOL

Las Chalitas, Spanish Fork High School’s drill team, took third in the state during the 5A state finals on Feb. 1. accomplished, and the team agrees a lot of that has to do with Shaw and her coaching staff.

“I don’t think there’s a practice that I can remember (Coach Shaw) not being at,” said Talbot. “Spanish Fork was never really talked about or seen as a team to compete against before she started.”

The team also has a well-deserved reputation for hard work, with its members putting in close to 20 hours of practice a week early in the morning before school and even on Saturdays, all while maintaining a 3.0 GPA or higher and putting education first.

“If we give them a challenge, they’re up for it. They don’t back down from it,” Shaw said.

Las Chalitas member and senior Mclain Gordon said she has never met such hard-working people in her life.

“One time at the end of a

really tough practice, it all came together after all our hard work, and we performed and made our coaches cry,” Gordon said. “You could really feel the love in the room.”

There are 17 seniors on the team this year, leaving only 13 members to continue the team’s recent success. The departing seniors are taking the valuable lessons they learned with them.

“Drill has helped me find myself. I’ve done more than I ever thought I was capable of. It’s taught me that I can do anything I set my mind to,” Gordon said.

Talbot is sure that, even though more than half the team is leaving, the remaining members will be able to take the group to even loftier heights.

“These girls have it in them, head to toe. I’ve seen them doing everything on the floor for the girl next to them and not just for themselves, and that’s what it takes,” she said.

Tim Dahle Ford Athlete of the Week Gabe Oldham, a senior at Spanish Fork High School, has been named the Tim Dahle Ford Athlete of the Week. Oldham is on the boys basketball team and helped his team defeat Maple Mountain High School 66-53 on Jan. 31. Oldham had 20 points, 10 rebounds, three steals and two blocks. He is a leader both on the basketball court and in the classroom.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SPANISH FORK HIGH SCHOOL

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A4 | SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2020

SPANISH FORK PRESS

Snow Day

PHOTO BY CHRISTI C. BABBITT/SPANISH FORK PRESS

A snowstorm blew through Utah on Feb. 3, leading many school districts to close their schools for the day, including Nebo School District. With classes suddenly canceled, some students headed outside to enjoy the fresh snowfall. In the early afternoon, these children were enjoying sledding down a grassy hill at 360 N. 1280 East in Spanish Fork.

Diamond Fork Jr. raising money to fulfill a wish

MISS UTAH VISITS PARK KINDERGARTEN CLASSES

SPECIAL TO THE SPANISH FORK PRESS

Each year, Diamond Fork Junior High School participates in a Make-A-Wish fundraiser to raise funds to sponsor a “Wish Kid.” This year, the school is raising money for Remington, the grandson of DFJHS teacher Dennis Olsen.

Remington was diagnosed with a brain tumor last August and has since undergone surgery to remove the tumor.

He is also undergoing multiple rounds of chemotherapy and bone marrow transplants.

Remington loves animals, and, as a result, his wish is to travel to San Diego and visit the San Diego Zoo and Sea World.

Various fundraising events will be held at the school during the next few weeks. Local residents and businesses are also invited to contribute to the cause.

Those who wish to contribute may make their donation at the DFJHS front office, 50 N. 900 East, Spanish Fork.

PHOTO COURTESY OF PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PHOTO COURTESY OF DIAMOND FORK JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

Diamond Fork Junior High School is currently conducting a Make-A-Wish fundraiser to help fulfill the wish of this boy, Remington, who was diagnosed last August with a brain tumor.

Miss Utah Dexonna Talbot visited the kindergarten classes at Park Elementary School in Spanish Fork recently to share her experience with a young man who had been pranked in regards to a school dance invitation. She talked about using her voice to inspire others to be kind; bullying is never acceptable. She read her book to the class and donated a copy of it to the school.

Parents, students invited to High school juniors invited complete school district survey to apply to attend Boys State SPECIAL TO THE SPANISH FORK PRESS

Nebo School District is asking for parents, students and employees to submit their comments and concerns as part of its Stakeholder Survey 2020.

The district conducts this survey every February in an attempt to celebrate the good work happening in district schools and to identify areas where the district can improve.

“Nebo truly wants to know how we are doing in educating children on multiple levels including classroom teachers and school administrators,” said Lana Hiskey, district community relations administrator.

The survey can be accessed at nebo.edu.

Those taking the survey will be asked to identify whether they are parent, student or employee. All responses to the survey are anonymous.

“Previously, we received mostly thank you’s about those areas that are going well. However, we also receive some comments for areas of improvement. But most of our patrons love their school and their children’s teachers,” Hiskey said.

The survey will close on Feb. 28. The district will then compile all of the comments and report the results to the schools.

“We truly appreciate our parents and students taking the time to give us feedback,” Hiskey said.

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SPECIAL TO THE SPANISH FORK PRESS

Boys in Spanish Fork who are currently in their junior year of high school are invited to apply to attend the American Legion’s Boys State, a summer youth camp designed to develop leadership and promote civic responsibility.

This year’s Utah Boys State will be held June 8-12 at Weber State University in Ogden.

Created in 1935 to combat the rise of radicalized youth groups in other countries, Boys State instills in youth a deeper appreciation of how government works as well as the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

Attendees will have the chance to: • Launch campaigns and run for office.

• Draft and debate legislation.

• Actively participate in all phases of creating and running a working government.

• Make friends with students from other

parts of the state.

• Earn three university credit hours in Political Science 2920 (transferrable to other state-funded institutions).

• Elect student senators to represent the state at Boys Nation in Washington, D.C. Boys State is available to young men who have completed their junior year of high school and receive a recommendation from school officials. Applicants must also interview with local American Legion officials.

Costs are generally paid by a sponsoring American Legion post, local business or another community-based organization.

Those interested in applying to attend the Utah Boys State may contact their school counselor or call Bob Beagley of American Legion Spanish Fork Post 68 at 801-360-1981.

For more information about Boys State, visit weber.edu/utahboysstate.

Public invited to enjoy Icelandic meal Thorrablot SPECIAL TO THE SPANISH FORK PRESS

The Icelandic Association of Utah will host its annual Thorrablot, an Icelandic midwinter feast, on Saturday, Feb. 15, in Spanish Fork.

The event will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Ponderosa Banquet Hall at the Spanish Fork Fairgrounds, located at 475 S. Main. Advance tickets are $21 for adults and $7 for children. Tickets at the door will be $25 for adults and $9 for children.

In 1854, several Icelanders

left their homeland and traveled across many miles to settle in Spanish Fork. They were followed by others; from 1854 to 1914, nearly 400 Icelanders immigrated to Utah. Spanish Fork is the oldest continuous Icelandic settlement in North America.

The mission of the Icelandic Association of Utah is to preserve the memory of these early Icelandic pioneers as well as celebrate and perpetuate interest in the culture of Iceland.

The Thorrablot meal will include traditional Icelan-

dic foods. Adults will have a choice of lamb, beef or both with sides including plokkfiskur (an Icelandic fish and potato dish), red cabbage, brunede kartofler (Danish caramelized potatoes), root vegetables au gratin and a fennel apple salad.

The children’s plate will include Frikadeller (Danish meatballs), and caramel potatoes. All will enjoy Icelandic skyr cheesecake for dessert.

Advance tickets may be purchased online at utahicelanders.org.

Saturday, February 8, 2020 | A5

Spanish Fork Press

Registration open for Nebo district chess tournament SPECIAL TO THE SPANISH FORK PRESS

Registration is now open for the Nebo School District Chess Tournament to be held Saturday, Feb. 29, at the Summit Center, 165 S. 700 East, Springville.

The tournament will begin at 8:30 a.m. and continue until approximately 1 p.m.

Cost is $10 for those who register and pay by Feb. 22 and $17 thereafter.

The tournament is for students from kindergarten through high school. Kindergarten through sixth-grade students will play others within their own grade. Junior high school students will be grouped together into one section.

High school students will also be grouped together into one section. Ninth-graders will join either the junior high or high school section based on the number of students.

The tournament will be

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conducted as follows: Student should arrive at 8:30 a.m. (park on the east side of the building); instructions will be given at 8:45 a.m. There will be five or six rounds of play; all students will get to play in all rounds.

Each round will last up to 50 minutes (approximately 25 minutes per player).

Grades seven through 12 may be allowed up to 60 minutes

each. Tie breaks will be decided by the computer.

Parents should plan on students finishing their last round between 12:30 and 2 p.m.

Lunch (pizza, snacks, etc.) and chess sets will be available for purchase.

Trophies will be awarded for first through seventh place per section (plus several “outstanding” trophies) as well as for the top three

elementary schools, the top two junior highs and the top high school. All other players will receive a medal.

Those interested in participating may register and pay by visiting nebo.revtrak.net and clicking on “Nebo District Programs.”

Registrations will be accepted through Thursday, Feb. 27; no registration or payment accepted at the door. Students must live within Nebo School District boundaries — whether attending public, charter or home school — or have played in a Nebo chess tournament to be eligible.

Supervision of children is the responsibility of the parents. Parents and other spectators may not interact with players while they are competing.

Those interested in starting a chess club in their school may email Bret Elzinga at elzingab@gmail.com for tips.

SPANISH OAKS STUDENTS ENJOY BYU KIDS DAY

CANYON ELEMENTARY STUDENTS RUN TOWN FOR A DAY

PHOTO COURTESY OF CANYON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Fifth-grade students from Canyon Elementary School in Spanish Fork recently had the opportunity to attend JA BizTown in Salt Lake City. The JA BizTown program combines in-class learning with a day-long visit to a simulated town. Before going to BizTown, the students were taught lessons about how to run a business. Students were able to write checks, operate banks, manage restaurants and vote for mayor. Addi Gwilliam was mayor for the day. The program gives the students a practical application for what they learned in the classroom.

Music from the Heart event to benefit veterans SPECIAL TO THE SPANISH FORK PRESS

The first- through sixth-grade students at Spanish Oaks Elementary School in Spanish Fork attended Kids Day at Brigham Young University recently and were spectators at the university’s women’s basketball game. The students enjoyed themselves and did a great job of being respectful.

In fact, they were specifically invited back due to their excellent behavior.

On Saturday, Feb. 22, the Utah Elks Veterans Program will host its annual Music from the Heart event, which benefits veterans and their families.

The event will be held from noon to 3 p.m. at the Spanish Fork Fairgrounds, 475 S. Main, Spanish Fork. The event will include music from Utah Cowboy Poets as well as food and drink.

Admission is $2 with all proceeds going to benefit Utah veterans. The Diamond Fork Riding Club will have burgers, chips and drinks available.

The food is free for veterans; others are asked to make a $5 donation.

A large drawing for prizes will also be held during the event. To make a donation or for more information, contact Robert Pagnani at pagnanir@ gmail.com.

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