OGDEN – As their children grew more independent, four Ogden Valley moms used their newfound free time to team together and stretch their talents. But their combined end product surprised even themselves. Nikki Ashton earned a college degree in piano performance. Victoria Green trained in playing the bass, Jessica Groom sang in the church choir and played several … [Read more...]
Five Ogden Women Working Hard to Build Community
OGDEN – In honor of Women’s HIstory Month, we’re highlighting five Ogden women who work tirelessly to build community. Tamara Brown-Johansen Her students call her Brown-Jo. At 63, she’s in her 38th year teaching Consumer and Family Science classes at Ben Lomond High School. “When I did my student teaching, I absolutely fell in love with it,” Brown-Johansen said. “I … [Read more...]
How Did Utahns Celebrate Valentine’s Day 100 Years Ago?
Valentine’s Day, widely celebrated around the globe with flowers, sweetheart messages and chocolate, has a bit of a checkered past. In ancient Rome, agricultural communities gathered for Lupercalia in mid-February, a festival that later fell out of favor with early Christians and Popes. Dr. Eliza Rosenberg, who lectures on biblical history at Utah State University, … [Read more...]
More than Ever Utah Couples are Deciding to Not Have Children. We Ask, Why?
Baby Boomers to Baby Busters — More Couples are Deciding to Not Have Children From 2010 to 2020, Utah’s birth rate declined by almost 22 percent, a trend mirrored across the US during a decade marked by economic struggle and the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Research released in August 2022 by the University of Utah’s Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute illustrates this … [Read more...]
UTAH FORGE: New Renewable Energy Project in the Middle of Nowhere in Utah to Benefit the Entire World
MILFORD – Set your GPS for the middle of nowhere and you could easily end up in Beaver County ― a sprawling 444 square miles in west central Utah where roughly 7,249 people reside. Not far from the town of Milford (population 1500), Utah’s Renewable Energy Corridor stretches out across the desert, with PacifiCorp’s Blundell Geothermal Plant built in 1984, a 168-turbine wind … [Read more...]
A Group of Volunteers Helps Christmas Happen for the Underprivileged in Ogden, Utah
OGDEN – For the past dozen of Decembers, a dedicated group of volunteers has helped make Christmas happen for struggling students and their families in northern Utah. This year’s Community Christmas Event is scheduled for Saturday, December 10 at Ben Lomond High School. As if by magic, the school’s Commons area transforms to host festivities guaranteed to lighten loads and … [Read more...]
Moving Beyond Suburban Sprawl & Big-Box Development in Ogden, Utah
OGDEN ― Land use decisions directly affect a city’s long term fiscal health. Such is the core belief of Strong Towns, a nonprofit advocacy organization that aims to replace the decades-old mindset of suburban sprawl and big-box development with something more sustainable. As Strong Towns sees it, high density mixed-use development provides cities with the greatest return … [Read more...]
The Fate of Ogden’s Union Station
Is the historic building being railroaded? OGDEN ― A storm brews in this mountainside city over what will become of its iconic but neglected Union Station. The original train station at the base of Historic 25th Street dated back to 1869. As train travel expanded, that station gave way to its larger predecessor in 1889, a structure that succumbed to fire in 1923. The … [Read more...]
Utah’s Main Street Program to Boost Local Economies
A historic downtown helps define a community’s character, but century-old structures can be difficult to renovate and maintain. But thanks to Utah’s Main Street Program, seven cities recently received a financial boost to help spruce up businesses that strive to keep their aging downtown blocks vibrant. That slate of communities includes Brigham City, Cedar City, Helper, … [Read more...]
Paranormal Conference in Vernal, Utah Attracts Believers from all over the World
VERNAL – From Sasquatch to giants, UFOs, skin-walkers, ghost hunts and more, the annual PhenomeCon paranormal conference serves up an intriguing slate of topics and adventures. The event, held in Vernal from Sept. 8 to 11, just celebrated its second year. An estimated 10,241 people reside in Vernal, which is the largest city in Uintah County. But for those few September … [Read more...]