$1.50 April 19, 2024 | Vol. 3 Iss. 13
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Track ahead of the pack
MORGAN COUNTY NEWS
Morgan track excels at recent meet.
page 5
Covering Your Community Since 1929
Mountain Green Elementary hosts annual STEAM Night By Verlene Johnson
NEWS BREAK Trump trial begins
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The people of New York State versus Donald Trump began proceedings this week with the selection of jurors. In one of the most anticipated, and groundbreaking trials in American history, proceedings started with Judge Juan Merchan addressing the prosecution and the defense, and going over some basics of what will and will not be heard. Of more interest, perhaps, was the selection of jurors for the trial. Of over 90 potential jurors selected from New York, the majority were dismissed for one reason or another, many, because they stated they could not be impartial as part of the proceedings. The jury that has been selected is composed of a salesperson, an oncology nurse, a lawyer, an IT consultant, an English teacher, a software engineer, and a civil litigator.
here seems to be something magical about going to school in the evening and when Mountain Green Elementary School held its fifth annual STEAM Night on March 25, students and their families turned out in droves. Nearly 800 attendees participated in activities that were planned and carried out by a committee of amazing educators from MGES. Activities were stationed throughout the school related to SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, ART and MATH. Some of these activities included making and launching a rocket, computer coding with BEE BOTS, engineering catapults and Ferris wheels and making marble mazes. “These activities encourage cognitive thinking, problem-solving, creativity, patience, and encourage parent and student involvement,” said Melanie Moore a second-grade teacher at MGES. “It also brings the community together in participating in activities and interacting with each other.” PTSO funds provided over 50 prizes that students won while participating in the different activities. They also headed up the Inspirations of the ARTS contest. Over 150 students participated in this activity. Their works of art were on display that night as part of celebrating the arts. In addition to learning about the world of STEAM, a CTE Fair was help that night, where community volunteers shared their careers and trades. After several months of planning, Moore said the activity, which lasted nearly three hours, was a huge success. “We absolutely enjoy this activity and look forward to it every year.” More photos on page 4
Iran attacks Israel
Escalating events that are already at a boiling point, Iran fired a barrage of rockets and drones at Israel, the majority of which were shot down or countered by Israel and its allies. At the time of going to print, things in the region are still tenuous, and Israel has vowed retribution, despite admonishment from the US and others to avoid escalation. Israel is currently still embroiled in a conflict on the ground in Gaza, trying to, in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s words, completely eliminate Hamas in the region. The conflict, which began after an attack and abduction of Israelis and others in October of 2023, has now dragged on for months, leading to protests and discontent both in Israel and abroad.
MGFP ROOKIE FIREFIGHTER VIV WIDMIER looks like a space alien.
Photo by Lt. Nielsen
Commissioner urges Morgan County residents to participate in broadband challenge By Linda Petersen
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CONNECTING UTAH MAP of Broadband Service Availability shows good broadband coverage in Morgan County but this is inaccurate, County Commissioner Blaine Fackrell says.
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organ County residents now have an opportunity to help ensure the county is covered with adequate internet service. While Morgan City is serviced by Utopia and Croydon has internet provided by All West Communications, much of the coverage across the county is spotty. Official state and federal estimates put those without any internet or adequate internet in Morgan County at 7 percent. However, that figure was arrived at based on information submitted by service providers and is not accurate, County Commissioner Blaine Fackrell said. In reality, close to 40 percent of the unincorporated county has inadequate service, he said. “They say that they cover those areas, but people on Morgan Valley Drive still cannot get the internet that is going right down that road, and can't get it to their house,” Fackrell said. “Many people cannot get reliable internet without going to a satellite, or their cell phones,” he said. “And that's the thing they are trying to prove. We can pay for a high cost of satellite, like Starlink or Hughes or we can use our cell phones that get us throttled down after a certain amount. And so, what we're trying to do is do this without those three items.” In early 2021 Morgan County paid Liberty Broadband $100,000 to provide internet connection throughout the whole county.
BROADBAND on page 3
Olympic flame lit for Paris
In a ceremony that dates back to antiquity, a group portraying ancient Greek priestesses lit the Olympic flame in an unconventional way. Generally, the ceremony includes lighting a silver torch using a parabolic mirror, but, as the sky was cloudy, the torch was lit by a backup flame, which had been ignited earlier in the week by the same parabolic mirror. The flame and other backups will make a journey from the ancient arena at Olympia in Greece all the way to Paris in time for the Olympic Games. The games themselves have been highly anticipated, but not without hesitation: with bedbug issues, contamination in the Seine, and other issues, the world has its fingers crossed in anticipation of the summer games.
OJ Simpson dead of cancer at 76
Former NFL star and broadcaster OJ Simpson died at the age of 76 of cancer. While Simpson had a long and impressive career as both an athlete and a TV and media personality, he will almost certainly be remembered most for his 1995 trial for the murder of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman. The trial was a months-long sensation that riveted an entire nation, beginning with the infamous slow-speed white Bronco chase. The trail was noted for its high-caliber defense team and a variety of innovative and dramatic tactics that ultimately resulted in an acquittal for Simpson on the charges. Simpson would later be convicted of robbery in an unrelated matter of sports memorabilia in 2008 and spent around nine years in prison.