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Training never ends for SDMF
BHS secretary wins PTA award
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Elite course brings firefighters from all over the country to Davis County.
Autistic girl speaks through letters
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April 28, 2023 | Vol. 2 Iss. 17
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‘Dad’ the dragon adds a bit of fun to downtown Bountiful
NEWS BREAK Biden announces re-election bid
By Becky Ginos becky.g@davisjournal.com
President Joe Biden announced that he would seek the Democratic nomination for the presidency again. Support for Biden among Democrats is somewhat weak, with 51% of respondents to a CNN poll saying that would rather vote for someone else, with age cited as the primary reason. Former President Donald Trump is at present the strongest GOP frontrunner, with 46% support of the GOP in the same poll. An overwhelming 70% of respondents say that they would prefer other choices than a rematch of the 2020 election. Ron DeSantis, the presumptive challenger to Trump, has seen a decline in support over the last few weeks.
BOUNTIFUL—A large dragon is keeping watch over the ice ribbon at Bountiful Town Square. The whimsical creature “Dad” is part of the Downtown Sculpture project to bring art to Main Street. The artist, Deveren Farley of Utah County, named the piece in memory of his father who passed away the past year. Farley created it because his father loved dragons. “He has his hands on his belly,” said Bountiful Community Affairs Specialist, Rebecca Montealegre. “He’s sleeping and looks at peace, like he’s resting.” The metal sculpture is made up of license plates and street signs. “When the lights hit it at night it’s spectacular,” said Montealegre. “We’re thinking of adjusting the lights on the ribbon because it looks great at night.” It’s the beginning of the city council’s public art program, she said. “The historic downtown advisory board picked 10-15 pieces then narrowed those down to five final pieces and brought them to the council to vote on. Funding for the program comes from capital construction, 1 percent of the cost goes to public art projects.” “Dad” is on lease for one year, said Montealegre. “It was in St. George before. They were sad to see it leave. If they like it, the city council can decide whether to
Treasure trove of Van Halen tracks revealed Eddie Van Halen, world-renowned rock icon, died after a long bout with cancer in 2020. His son Wolfgang and brother Alex have revealed that he left behind a large number of recordings which have never been featured on albums or used professionally. The two hope that a reconciliation with Sammy Hagar, one-time frontman of the band, might be possible to showcase the tunes, but the relationship appears to be frosty.
Please see SCULPTURES: pg. 2
“DAD” THE DRAGON RELAXES at Bountiful Town Square. He is the first sculpture installed as part of the Downtown Sculpture project to bring art to Main Street.
Yellowstone’s West Gate Officially opens for the season
Photo by Becky Ginos
Esports give kids chance for success in the classroom By Becky Ginos becky.g@davisjournal.com
BOUNTIFUL—Who knew that playing those video games would help kids do better in school? At Bountiful High an esports club has been motivating kids to bring up their grades to participate in something they love. “We check grades every Monday,” said CTE teacher and coach Ryan Frandsen. “If they have a D-, F or a U they don’t get to play. This year we had 65 kids on the roster and 45 were ineligible. We gave them a chance to bring their grades up and we went down to only six.” A lot of the kids wouldn’t pass their classes without esports, he said. “If that’s what it takes to get kids across the podium so be it.” The club is in its second year, said Frandsen. “Esports is in its infancy. Please see ESPORTS: pg. 7
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On April 21, Yellowstone’s primary access point opened for its official season. The park reported that the rivers are flowing, the animals are out in force, and the park is ready for a busy year. Indeed, bookings for the spring are already above normal amounts as many people exhausted by a long winter are heading out into the wilderness. The full range of park roads are scheduled to be opened on May 12, by which time the winter snow should have finally receded.
Korean President in talks with Biden to deter North Korea from using nuclear weapons
BHS ESPORTS TEAM CAPTAIN Morgan Madsen (right) focuses intently on the game with team mates, Sydney Williams, Tristan Bermeti and Kade Chapman.
President Biden and Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol will announce new steps they plan to take to try to deter North Korea from using nuclear weapons. Plans include the U.S. sending its first nuclear ballistic submarine to South Korea since the early 1980s. Yoon is in the U.S. this week on the first state visit from a South Korean leader in 12 years.
Photo by Roger V. Tuttle
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