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February 2024 | Vol. 34 Iss. 2

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RIVERTON ATTORNEY HELPS MINORITIES NAVIGATE THE LEGAL SYSTEM

Your pet having even one of these symptoms is enough to be concerned...

or more than 25 years, attorney Yvette Donosso has practiced law in federal and state courts. Starting as a civil litigator and serving as a prosecutor for Bountiful City, she now works as senior associate at Trujillo Acosta Law. With a law degree from the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University, Donosso has served in a variety of organizations including the Utah State Bar, the Utah Minority Bar Association and the Utah State History Board. The Riverton resident also served in Gov. Jon M. Huntsman’s cabinet as the executive director of the Department of Community and Culture, and she received the Raymond Uno Award for Advancement of Minorities in the Law from the Utah State Bar in 2019. It’s important to Donosso that minorities have access to competent legal representation when it comes to civil cases. That’s one reason she joined the law firm in South Jordan. Trujillo Acosta Law has been recognized as a firm that offers exceptional service in handling diverse immigration cases. “At Trujillo Acosta Law, all of us are fully bilingual,” Donosso said. “We all

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speak English and Spanish, six of us are Hispanic. We’re probably the law firm with the highest number of women and minorities in the state.” While people charged in a criminal case can ask for a public defender if they qualify, many people are left without counsel for cases like divorce or custody cases, bankruptcy or housing disputes and immigration issues. It becomes more difficult when someone isn’t familiar with the laws, rules or regulations of a country that isn’t their own, navigating a legal system in a language that isn’t their native tongue. “When you’re representing yourself in a civil case, I think that can be daunting,” she said. “Most of the time I have clients that are Hispanic, or wherever they’re from, and litigation is just stressful. They’re in a crisis.” Donosso said anyone looking for help with a civil issue should conduct due diligence in finding representation. She suggests calling different law firms, especially those that offer free consultations. The Utah State Bar also offers the Modest Means Lawyer Referral Program to help Utah residents find a more affordable attorney.

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The Bar also incorporated the Licensed Paralegal Practitioners Program that permits paralegals to help clients in specific family law matters or other legal issues. But Donosso emphasizes caution when using the paralegal program because she spends a lot of her time correcting mistakes made by people who aren’t attorneys. “Paralegals cannot go to court,” she said. “Even if they fill out some form for you, they can’t argue that in front of the commissioner or the judge. And if you don’t even understand what that form says, then you’ve just spent [a lot of money] having forms filled out by someone who can’t even practice law.” Having the case done correctly the first time saves clients frustration, expense and time. Trujillo Acosta Law (1258 W. South Jordan Pkwy, Ste. 303) was honored as a Top 10 Immigration Law Firm by Attorney and Practice Magazine. Donosso said the firm works within the Modest Means Program, providing reduced rate or flat rate fees for low-income clients. Each attorney also takes on a few pro bono cases each year. “It’s just the philosophy of our firm that we think people should have access to competent representation,” she said. l

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Riverton resident Yvette Donosso is dedicated to helping the Hispanic community by providing competent legal services for issues from immigration to family law. (Photo courtesy of April DeLaMare)

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ICYMI: Feeding wild birds now limited by new city code By Travis Barton | travis.b@thecityjournals.com

eeding wild birds is officially illegal in Riverton, with exceptions. The Riverton City Council passed a new city ordinance in December that limits feeding wild birds to private property and along waterways. Other property, that includes public parks and park strips, is now officially prohibited in city code, giving animal control and code enforcement officers the ability to penalize rule breakers. Prompted by resident concerns that feeding wild birds invites them to congregate and create nuisances, city administration created an ordinance that limits feeding wild birds to private property only where front yard containers—often bird houses—must be five feet off the ground and 10 feet from the property line. That distance continues in the back yard, but any feeding container can remain at ground level. “Ducks may seem like a funny thing for you to be worried about, but we’ve put up with them for a long time,” resident Richard Ludlow told the City Council in December. Prior to approval at the December council meeting, three residents spoke of frustrations with neighbors who have been feeding ducks and other birds by spreading feed on the front yard and sidewalk, drawing large groups of wild birds to the area. “There are significant harmful effects on humans and animals for feeding the wild ducks and birds,” said resident Sharla Lenare, highlighting diseases, sicknesses, overcrowding, aggressiveness and feces all over the sidewalk. Ludlow, a wildlife biology teacher who majored in wildlife resources, said it is a safety issue, noting he’s hit three mallards driving on his 25-mph street. “These are wild ducks, they’re supposed to migrate,” he said. “They’re not supposed to stay here. When we feed them, they imprint that and they stay here. If we don’t feed them, when it

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Residents can only feed wild birds and fowl under specific guidelines now after the council approved an ordinance giving city officials enforcement ability. (Photo by Pxhere)

gets cold, they migrate.” Another resident, Kurk Weidauer, said this has been a three-year problem with dozens of ducks flying in circular patterns over their houses leading to the birds defecating on cars, properties and homes. Lenare was confused why the city took so long to address the issue, saying the county health department already has regulations for how to deal with these situations. “Why wait this long…when most of this stuff is just reinventing the wheel,” she asked. City administration explained they created the ordinance due to a perceived lack of follow through by the county of its own ordinance, and the city lacked its own ordinance that would em-

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power them to take enforcement actions. “We needed something on our own books,” Councilmember Troy McDougal said. The original proposal of the code allowed feeding along waterways and public parks. McDougal preferred a wider ban on feeding everywhere except backyards to respect property rights. He noted any communication with experts who work with wild animals would suggest the same solution and he wanted to prevent public spaces from being affected by individuals feeding wildlife. “When people feed wild animals, there are always problems,” he said. “I’m not saying we’re going to run around and become the duck police. This has become a horrendous problem

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in my community and it’s going to become a problem in other communities if we don’t start addressing it. “There’re so many health issues that come with it.” Councilmember Tish Buroker was hesitant to make feeding ducks along the river an illegal behavior, while Councilmember Tawnee McCay preferred the ordinance’s original proposal. In the end, McDougal felt comfortable with a compromise that prohibited feeding in public parks but allowed waterways with his priority to get them out of residential areas. The ordinance passed 2-1 with McCay dissenting. “It’s a real issue for us, even though it may seem minor,” Ludlow said. l

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Riverton City Journal

Pros and cons of AP and concurrent enrollment courses By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com

aking college-level advanced placement and concurrent enrollment courses is a popular choice for high school students. In 2023, Utah students took 45,308 advanced placement exams and 9,000 Salt Lake area high school students took concurrent enrollment college courses. Jordan District had a total of 3,354 enrollments, with 1,523, the most of any school in the valley, at Copper Hills High School. Two of the main draws for taking college courses during high school is that students get a head start on a college degree and they can save a lot of money. According to Collegeboard.org, the average college course at an in-state public university costs $1,100 ($2,700 for out-of-state.) In comparison, the cost of an AP course is $100, and the cost of a CE class is $5 per credit ($1520 per class). Mountain Ridge High School Counselor John Blodgett said while it is a cheap price for credits, taking more college level classes isn’t always a good deal. “Sometimes when I have a parent in my office, they’re looking at the dollar sign,” he said. “They say, ‘Okay, we’re going to sign up for six concurrent enrollment classes’ and students may not be quite at that level to handle that many credits.” Some parents and students assume that because they did well in honors classes in middle school, students can handle the rigor of a college course. Blodgett said honors classes can help prepare students for future AP/CE classes, but others struggle with the course content and pace so that they earn a lower grade, lowering their GPA and their chances for academic scholarships. “I see a lot of incoming sophomores that think AP is just like an honors class, but it’s harder than they think,” Blodgett said. “I’m just straight up honest with them about what they’re going to see in this class: It is not going to be easy. You’ll have extra homework. You’re held accountable to more things. The teacher can’t just go back and reteach things the same way. They’ve got a curriculum, they’ve got to move on. The grade is on your college transcript. It’s going to follow you forever.” Some students realize after one college-level course that it is too difficult, they don’t have the time to keep up with the work or they want to protect their GPA. Others continue to take multiple college courses over the four years of high school. “They start to learn about themselves and what they can handle and what they can’t,” Blodgett said. “It helps them learn how to time manage—trying to handle a 10-hour a week job plus two CE and an AP—that’s a lot to handle. Sometimes you don’t know how to do it unless you push yourself.” Blodgett said students who take challenging classes in high school are better prepared

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In 2023, Utah students took 45,308 advanced placement exams and 9,000 Salt Lake area high school students took concurrent enrollment college courses. (Photo by Ben Mullins on Unsplash)

for college. “I encourage kids to try AP, concurrent enrollment or honors,” he said. “Those are more academically challenging them for a transition into college. They’re going to be more successful if they’ve been pushed, if they’ve had that experience in high school. It makes that transition so much easier than a kid who hasn’t challenged themselves and hasn’t tried to see what they’re capable of. I view that as a stronger benefit, more than just earning the college credit.” Blodgett said there used to be a trend among high-achieving students to take as many college level courses as they could, some attempting to earn an associate degree along with their high school diploma. However, this led to the problem of elective baggage, credits students earned taking random college courses which didn’t count toward their degree or certificate. While serving on the Concurrent Enrollment Advisory Committee at SLCC, Blodgett helped revamp the system for credit transfers to eliminate this problem. Now, instead of trying to earn an associate degree, high school students can take fewer college credit hours to earn a General Certificate of Completion, which packages general education credits into a one year certificate that transfers seamlessly to all Utah colleges and universities.

“It just helps them focus their energy on what they need and helps target a path to what they are interested in going into,” Blodgett said. “Sometimes kids are just taking credit to take credit, and this program helps us identify the specific needs for any major that they’re going into.” Less than 2% of MRHS students are working for the general certificate of completion this year, but 36% of students are taking at least one college-level course (not including courses taken through JATC). Pursuing advanced classes is part of the culture at Copper Hills High School, the school’s CTE Coordinator Kristy Yeschick said. Last year, 70% of CHHS graduating seniors had taken at least one CE or AP course. “We are known as an academic-minded school,” Yeschick said. “Because of this mentality, we have always had one of the highest enrollments in the area for concurrent enrollment. Parents and students both enjoy taking college general education classes for $5 per credit hour. It helps the students see they can take a college class and be successful.” SLCC Director of Concurrent Enrollment Brandon Kowallis said taking college courses while in high school is ideal because students have access to a “robust support system.” “In the high school, if a student starts to struggle, counselors are going to reach out,

teachers are going to reach out, and they’re going to support them,” Kowallis said. “On our campus, there is none of that support. The student is considered an adult. They’re responsible for how they do in the class, and there’s not as much intervention if they start to struggle.” CE classes also have a later drop-deadline than on-campus courses. Students typically take CE classes at their high school, but SLCC also offers on-campus concurrent enrollment classes. This provides students with a wider selection of course offerings—ideal for students at smaller schools—as well as a taste of what college is like. “Concurrent on-campus is a chance for students to get the full 100% authentic college experience,” Kowallis said. “It’s great for them to make a connection on campus with adults and students from different backgrounds. And it’s nice to help them to feel comfortable on a college campus so that when they graduate from high school, they sort of know what they’re in for.” Blodgett encourages students to be familiar with the pros and cons of AP and CE courses when making class schedule decisions. “I can’t tell a kid what’s best,” he said. “I just give them the information. I can give them advice. But everyone is unique in their own path and their choices are personal to them.” l

February 2024 | Page 5

AI gaining traction as a mental health tool By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com Editor’s note: this is part of a series of articles about artificial intelligence in schools.

hat teacher can determine the mood of each of their students within the first few minutes of class? A teacher who uses AI tools. Jordan School District has provided their teachers with SchoolAI, a platform which not only helps them address students’ academic needs but also their social, behavioral and mental health needs as well. With SchoolAI’s bell ringer tool, teachers set up a chatbot with specific parameters to engage personally with each student. It asks what they ate for breakfast, how they feel about what they are learning, or what they remember about yesterday’s lesson. On the teacher’s monitor, the students’ answers are color-coded according to mood and tone. “The teacher is sitting there, kind of like in the command and control center on their laptop,” Kevin Morrill of SchoolAI explained. “They can see a kind of heat map and emoji showing how the class is feeling. At a glance, teachers can immediately see their entire class’s feelings within the first few minutes of coming to class.” Jordan School District Superintendent Dr. Anthony Godfrey said, “SchoolAI helps triage where teachers are needed most in that moment.” Valley High School teacher Graham Bany said the color-coded visual indicators alert him when a student types something off-base or worrisome. “So I can go and actually check in oneto-one with that kid and give them the support that they need,” he said. Jordan Hills Elementary school teacher Jill Firkins said it helps her know when something may be affecting a student’s mood or ability to focus on learning. “I had a student who mentioned in a science chat with SchoolAI that their dog had died,” Firkins said. “It gave me a heads-up and I was able to check in with that student.” Godfrey said one of the benefits of the tool is it helps teachers to be aware of how their students feel about their learning. “If a student feels confident and curious, a lot of learning can take place; if they’re frustrated and confused, that will block learning,” Godfrey said. “So understanding a student’s disposition toward learning and how they feel about their own progress is an important aspect of what SchoolAI can offer.” The interface also allows shy or easily embarrassed students to ask a question privately instead of speaking up in front of their peers. “In the past, you may say to students, ‘Work on this assignment and raise your

Page 6 | February 2024

High school students used an AI chatbot to organize their thoughts into a class mission statement, which they then edited and personalized. (Photo courtesy of Graham Bany)

hand if you need help,’” Godfrey said. “Well, what that says is, ‘Raise your hand if you’d like to signal to the whole class that you’re struggling.’” Kimberly Mendenall, a computer science teacher at Fort Herriman Middle School, said the AI tools in Adobe Express have been beneficial for students who struggle with shyness or anxiety. Instead of reading their report in front of their peers, they have the option to use AI tools to easily create an animated character to present their material. “It allows students to have that freedom of not feeling like they are personally being seen, but their voice is still being heard,” she said. Bany said it is common for some high school students to feel uncomfortable contributing to class discussions. “We all know that kids will not speak up in the classroom all the time,” he said. “Some of the kids— especially the ones that feel wronged or feel hurt or disenfranchised, or not a ‘cool kid’ or ‘popular kid’—are sometimes afraid to actually use their voice because they’re afraid of that retaliation—even just verbally or nonverbally—from those people in those spaces.” Bany and his journalism students used AI tools to create a class mission statement. Each student contributed their ideas privately and AI crafted a statement that incorporated everyone’s ideas. “Had we not done it that way, some kids may have never actually contributed or tried to say something or really advocated for the thing that they felt,” Bany said. “So what it does is actually allows them to be a part of the process instead of hoping to not be noticed during the process.”

AI tools can benefit students who are frustrated or shy. (Image created by Firefly Adobe AI)

And because all the students contributed to, edited and personalized the statement, they all feel ownership of it. “Our classroom culture has taken a dramatic shift because they wrote the rules, it was all of their ideas anyway, and so they’re just being held to their own expectations and standards,” Bany said. AI tools are also being used in school counseling centers to meet students’ mental and social health needs. Kip Webster and Sierra Dickson, both licensed social workers working at Mountain Ridge High School, use a metrics program with AI features to assess student’s levels of anxiety, depression, overall happiness, optimism, grit and their feelings about school. The AI collects the data, provides a general analysis, identifies areas of concern and then suggests videos that would be helpful for the parents of the struggling child. Dickson said as the metrics program gathers information from students, they can monitor the effectiveness of treatments. “Eventually, we will be able to see not only how they’re doing now, but also be able to measure if meeting with a therapist in school or in a group therapy setting is benefiting them,” she said. To streamline the assessment method and provide coping strategies for students, both Dickson and Webster have set up a DonorsChoose project to acquire iPads. They believe the use of iPads, which students are already comfortable with, will help them learn how to utilize technology tools to improve their mental health. “With a lot of kids, their anxiety is school-based, and so they’re still in school

when they come in and talk to us, and so they’re still pretty amped up,” Webster said. “So there’s some apps that we could use through the iPads—like the Calm app, the Headspace app, or paint by numbers, things like that—to help them just slow down and relax.” As school faculty members utilize AI technology tools to improve their students’ behavior and mental health, they also acknowledge its effect on their own mental well-being. “I unequivocally credit AI with 100% saving a lot of my sanity as a teacher,” Bany said. “It automates hours of work that I would do a week into minutes that I can then take and work with in the different ways that I need to. So it saves all of my sanity, all of my time. It helps me fill in the gaps of my own ability—not for lack of ability—but lack for availability.” Amber Saffen, an engineering and robotics teacher at JATC, said AI tools that digitize resources and reduce monotonous work have reduced the workload and the stress of teachers, especially new teachers, who, according to a KSL report, have a 45-50% turnover rate within their first five years. “Everyone knows starting to become a teacher is a lot of work—it’s a hard profession to jump into,” Saffen said. “And so to have them say, ‘Hey, here’s some more resources to help you,’ is going to help with teacher burnout a lot.” l

Riverton City Journal

Exhibit celebrates 100 years of Utah in films By Tom Haraldsen | t.haraldsen@mycityjournals.com

n 1923, “The Covered Wagon” became the first-ever motion picture filmed in Utah. It was shot in Circleville. The silent movie was released in 1924, has enjoyed a lifetime box office total of $4 million (mainly through rentals) and still scores a 91 on Rotten Tomatoes. More importantly, it brought Hollywood to Utah, and it’s been here ever since. The Utah Film Commission has opened a new exhibit, “100 Years of Utah Film & Television,” on the fourth floor of the Utah State Capitol, where it will be on display through the end of the year. It’s free to the public. To celebrate, an opening night ceremony was held on Jan. 11 featuring actress Lacey Chabert, writer/producer/director Jerusha Hess, actress/producer/director Amy Redford, executive producer Danny Peykoff and author/film historian James D’Arc. UFC director Virginia Pearce moderated a panel discussion before the exhibit formally opened. Pearce said the exhibit showcases “the breadth of what has happened here,” over 1,000 movies and TV shows shot in the state, not including hundreds of commercials. “Utah started as a very insular, withdrawn society in the pioneer days,” said D’Arc, whose book “When Hollywood Came to Utah” was published in 2019. He is working on a centennial edition for later this year as well. “When the Parry brothers—Chauncey, Caleb and Gronway—opened it up to the Hollywood studios in 1920, they opened up Utah to the world.” He says filmmakers have returned regularly since those early days. Almost every corner of Utah has been featured in Hollywood productions from Cache Valley to Southern Utah. The exhibit has walls covered with posters and photographs from many of those films and includes artifacts such as a John Wayne saddle he called one of his favorites, shoes from “Napoleon Dynamite,” an alien head from “Plan 10 From Outer Space,” and memorabilia from the “High School Musical” movies shot at East High School. There’s a nice tribute to Kevin Bacon’s “Footloose” as well, a movie that really opened the way for contemporary filmmakers to come to the Beehive State. More than 200 episodes of TV’s “Touched by an Angel” were filmed in and around Salt Lake City, Provo and Ogden, along with three seasons of “Promised Land” that was a spinoff from “Touched.” Redford said Utah has “a scrappiness in the way in which you accomplish things in this state.” She has filmed two movies here, and of course her father Robert Redford has been entwined with Utah for many years— from films like “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” and “Jeremiah Johnson” to his Sundance Film Festival, which enjoyed its 40th anniversary this year. Chabert is known as the “Queen of the

RivertonJournal.com

The alien head from “Plan 10 From Outer Space,” with the Utah beehive symbol, is part of the display at the state capitol. (Photo by Roger Tuttle)

From left, actress Lacey Chabert, actress/producer/director Amy Redford, and executive producer Danny Peykoff spoke at the exhibit’s grand opening. (Tom Haraldsen/City Journals)

“The Covered Wagon” was the first movie filmed in Utah, released in 1924. (Photo by Roger Tuttle)

Hallmark” movies since she’s been cast in over 30 of them. Two of those, “Haul Out the Holly” and “Haul Out the Holly: Lit Up,” were filmed in the same cul-de-sac in Salt Lake City. “I love working here in Utah,” she said. “I’ve worked with some of the nicest people I’ve ever met. There’s a collaborative spirit here, a sense of team.” Peykoff is the executive producer for “Horizon: An American Saga,” the Kevin Costner multi-part Western saga that was filmed in southern Utah. Two more parts of that franchise are in the planning stages for filming in the future. The first two films will be released this summer. “Kevin has been scouting locations in Utah since 2006,” he said. “He loves the American West and he has always loved coming to Utah, where of course the first couple of seasons where ‘Yellowstone’ were shot.” Peykoff added that while working on “Horizon,” he and his daughters also dis-

Paul Newman and Katharine Ross (inset photo) filmed “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” in Washington County. (Photo by Roger Tuttle)

covered something else, Utah-based Swig drinks. “I don’t know why I can’t find anything like that in Southern California, but they’re great here.” Just wait, Danny, they’re growing nationwide. Hess and her husband Jared broke into the industry with their blockbuster debut film, ‘Napoleon Dynamite,” shot with a budget of just $200,000, premiering at the Sundance Film Festival and going on to earn a $44 million box office and become a cult classic. Since then, the Hess’ have written and produced a number of films, Jerusha helming “Austenland” with Keri Russell, Jennifer Coolidge and Jane Seymour in 2013. “We always have about a dozen ideas for films floating around in our heads,” Hess said. “We love working here and can’t wait to film here again.”

The film commission said over the past decade, more than $600 million has come into the state from film productions, and 36,000 jobs have been created worth $1.5 billion in wages. Utah tourism estimates almost $44 million went to businesses and for wages in rural Utah for one 2022 film (the name was not disclosed). D’Arc said that for the most part, the locals who’ve been involved in the film industry as it’s come to Utah—from extras to crew members to merchants and hospitality hosts—have said the same thing about the days when Hollywood comes to town “All they take are pictures,” he said, “and all they leave is money.” l

February 2024 | Page 7

Sheldon Stewart: Salt Lake County Councilmember, ‘Star Wars’ fan, extreme fiscal conservative

By Ella Joy Olsen | e.olsen@mycityjournals.com

hen he describes his role on the Salt Lake County Council, Sheldon Stewart says he’s one of three “extreme fiscal conservatives,” the others being David Alvord (District 2) and Dea Theodore (District 6), who often vote in a similar fashion on budget agenda items. While he might be an extreme fiscal conservative in council, on his softer side, he’s also a self-proclaimed “big Brené Brown fan,” with his favorite of her books being “Dare to Lead.” And he’s been a huge “Star Wars” fan ever since he was a kid. County Councilmember Sheldon Stewart serves District 5, which encompasses parts of Herriman, Riverton and West Jordan. It includes portions of West Valley City, as well as the entirety of Bluffdale. Finally, this District covers the portion of Draper that lies west of I-15 and the portion of South Jordan that lies east of Bangerter Highway. Prior to his election to Salt Lake County Council in late 2022, he served for over a decade on the Riverton City Council, also serving on the Redevelopment Agency of Riverton City and Riverton Law Enforcement Service Area. Sources of pride while on the County

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Council One of the issues he’s worked on in his first year on the Salt Lake County Council, that he’s most proud of, is that he’s helped create an ethics policy for county representatives, in how they communicate with state legislators and other entities. The new ethics policy should be completed before the 2024 legislative session and will put in writing who can speak on behalf of the county. In the past, he claims, there have been instances where the backing of the county legislative branch (the County Council) was implied in support of a project, when this wasn’t really this case. He aims for more transparency in communication. He’s also proud that the county did not have to raise taxes this year. In fact, he doesn’t advocate for any tax increases unless it is to fund public safety (police and fire). This year he, Alvord and Theodore advocated for a $32 million cut from the county budget. They succeeded securing reductions of $10 million by eliminating or shrinking some programs that were started during the pandemic, such as the Workforce Inclusion & Successful Employment (WISE) program and Division of Equity & Inclusion (DEI) staffing.

for this funding,” Stewart said. TRCC funding is a program where eligible organizations can apply for funding for consulting, capital, or tourism expenses, paid for by county dollars. Personal life The best thing that happened to Stewart in 2023 was the birth of his first grandchild, a girl. “Receiving the title of grandpa is better than any other title I’ve ever received,” Stewart said, delight evident in his voice. “She brings so much joy.” Aside from his role on the county council, Stewart recently started a new job with a consulting group that works in banking. And now that he and his wife Heather are empty-nesters (they have three adult married children), he loves to travel. His favorite type of trip: cruising. He also loves to build with his hands. Last year, Stewart designed and built a backyard shed that he’s particularly proud of. When asked what “one thing” he’d like his constituents and county members to know about him he replied, “That I do things for the right reasons. I’m not making decisions to maintain political office or further a political career.” He ran for county council because “county budget and governance affects everything from household budgets to standards of living,” and he wasn’t happy with representation at the county level for his community. But the Salt Lake County Council is, “where I stop.” He’s not looking to run for higher office. l

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Page 8 | February 2024

He’s pleased that the county has a AAA bond rating and believes that council does a good job in maintaining that rating, but he also believes that the “county doesn’t need to continue to spend,” worrying that the county may “duplicate programs and services that might be better covered by city budgets or via private/ public partnerships.” He plans to continue to pursue this shifting of resources and funding by cutting staff and programs that he feels don’t serve all county residents equally. Focus on the southwest corner of Salt Lake County Stewart was triggered into running for County Council because, as a Riverton City councilmember, he didn’t think the former county councilmember (his opponent) was adequately representing the unique needs of the southwest corner of the county, and that Riverton, in particular, was not receiving their benefit of shared services. Services for which, he says, they were being taxed. In particular, he has taken issue with UTA and is currently working on a plan to drive costs back to the city who utilizes the service. In other words, to tax in proportion with services received, meaning if fewer bus routes are available in a particular district, residents of the district would pay less tax. He is pleased, however, that District 5 has recently received more county funds via the Tourism, Recreation, Culture & Convention (TRCC) program. “Tawnee McCay [Riverton County Council] and Lorin Palmer [Mayor of Herriman] have done a good job advocating

District 5 Salt Lake County Councilmember Sheldon Stewart with his oldest daughter at the Eccles Theatre (a Salt Lake County Arts & Culture venue) for the Mat and Savanna Shaw Christmas performance. (Photo Sheldon Stewart)

Riverton City Journal

3 reasons to celebrate your birthday By Holly Curby | hello@hollycurby.com

irthdays. The ancient Egyptians initiated them, the Greeks added their flare to them with the radiance of the candle along with its wish, the ancient Romans brought them to the commoner, the Germans added the cake, and even a song was written in the 1800s for the occasion. In America we celebrate them—for ourselves, for celebrities, for our nation—we even designate national holidays for them. There are many cultural differences in how birthdays are celebrated too. From the piñata and high-end quinceanera celebrations in Mexico, the custom of throwing yourself a party in Norway and the Netherlands, celebrating certain years according to the Chinese calendar in China (1st, 10th, 60th, 70th, and 80th birthdays), designating the first slice of cake in honor of the person in the room who is most important in the birthday person’s life as in Brazil, to even measuring one’s life by their kindness vs. years in Bhutan, Birthdays are a celebration of life and love. However, not everyone is into feeling the observation, warmth, and power of celebrating their birthday. To those, might we unwrap a few reminders as to the reasons why birthdays are to be celebrated: 1) Celebrating our day of birth allows us to reflect on life. The good, the bad, the ugly. To see where we've been, and how far we've come. Our trials and our triumphs. Our hills and our valleys. To think of the blessings from within the past year. The accomplishments that have taken place and even some goal setting for the year ahead. Yes to reflect on a life given, a life living, a life still to be lived. 2) Celebrating our day of birth allows us to gather with

others such as our friends, and our family—those who matter to us. This could be a party like often done for kids, or even an opportunity to serve. When my mom turned forty our church congregation came over to our new house to help us lay sod. The pandemic created some unique ways Listen to the full episode on Holly’s of gathering with others Highlights podcast (photo courtesy of for celebrations such as Holly Curby) car parades in front of the birthday person’s home or social distancing BBQs. Oh, the gift of others in our lives. The gift to gather together. 3) Celebrating your day of birth allows you to be reminded that you matter. Not everyone is good about accepting compliments, gifts, or even attention. This one day allows others to do such things for the birthday person who often is a little more receptive to such acts. Whether we realize it or not, we need the encouragement. A perspective shared in the Stanford Daily stated that a birthday is "A celebration of the sacrifices the parents had to work through, up to and including the immense loss of time, energy, and perhaps a career’s forward trajectory." Celebrating our birthday helps us take a moment to reflect on our lives, the sacrifices that have been made on our behalf to get us to where

Birthday celebration (Photo courtesy of Holly Curby)

we are at, and perhaps think of what we may want to accomplish in the year ahead. So, this next birthday, instead of pulling a bah-humbug attitude, might we blow out the candles on our cake, surrounded by loved ones, and press into the unique sense of joy, laughter, and love as your friends and family choose to celebrate you? Want to learn more about intentionally living a life full of purpose? Visit www.HollyCurby.com or check out Holly’s Highlights podcast. Holly’s Highlights podcast is available wherever you listen to podcasts including Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Pandora, and even “Alexa, play Holly’s Highlights podcast.”l

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Riverton City Journal

FEBRUARY 2024

RIVERTON REVIEW Official Newsletter of the Riverton, Utah City Government MAYOR’S MESSAGE

Strategic Planning Enables our Success By Mayor Trent Staggs Thorough strategic planning is one of the secrets that makes Riverton City so successful. Our detailed planning has ensured economic vitality and robust growth under careful management. This past month, all city council members, city department heads, and I revisited our long-range plans for the city.

There are four main themes in Riverton’s Strategic Priorities that help guide elected officials in aligning city resources with our community’s needs.

The first is a “Sense of Community.” This priority has helped us ensure our community maintains an identity as the southwest part of the Salt Lake Valley continues These yearly meetings help us to grow rapidly. As prioritize goals and projects identified by our residents from the citizen Riverton residents Riverton City’s elected officials and executive staff convened on Saturday, January 20, 2024, find themselves in to deliberate on the city’s Strategic Plan and chart the course for its future direction. survey. We hear you, and we are the middle of all this actively implementing your ideas erton City better than we found it for this business center. We strive to growth, it’s vitally important that the and suggestions into our plans. Our the next generation. This involves maintain our reputation as being city maintains strong communication government strives to be a governimproving and expanding the city’s one of the most business-friendly channels with everyone. ment of, for, and by the people of water resources and guaranteeing cities in the state of Utah. Riverton. The survey long-term stewardship of capital asThe second and is one tool that enWith growth comes a tremendous sets of the city. Financially, this prithird themes are sures the taxpayers’ responsibility to ensure our infraority mandates we save enough for “Connectivity & voices are heard in “These yearly structure is kept up. Residents corrainy days that will ensure our city Infrastructure” and this important planrectly identified traffic congestion as can weather future economic storms meetings help us “Economic Develning process. a challenge Riverton City needs to or other unforeseen challenges. prioritize goals and opment.” These confront. Our city staff and elected are two distinct In this daylong meetThese fiscally responsible and projects identified responsibilities that officials are hard at work negotiating, we discussed prudent strategic priorities have ing remedies with state and local also go hand in nearly every aspect by our residents served Riverton City well and are partners. The nature of our city’s hand. The sucof city government. keeping the city on the path of boundaries will require us to ensure from the citizen cess of Mountain Both our successcontinued success. I am very proud our road maintenance is carefully View Village is the es and setbacks survey.” of what our elected officials and city observed and maintained. envy of the valley are contemplated staff have achieved. Our success and will benefit and reviewed. The The last theme of our Strategic proves that the Riverton model of Riverton City for lodestar of Riverton Priorities is “Sustainability.” This obliving within our means and planning City’s planning is our Strategic Prior- generations to come. Residents’ tax jective is focused exclusively on the for the future are principles that all burdens are reduced significantly ities, which every resident should responsibility we have to leave Rivshould follow. due to the successful planning of familiarize themselves with.

RIVERTON REVIEW | FEBRUARY 2024

PAGE 1

COUNCIL MESSAGE

Recapping Our Annual Strategic Meeting ELECTED OFFICIALS Trent Staggs - Mayor Andy Pierucci - District 1 Troy McDougal - District 2 Tawnee McCay - District 3 Tish Buroker - District 4 Spencer Haymond - District 5

UPCOMING CITY MEETINGS CITY COUNCIL February, 6 & 20, 7 p.m. PLANNING COMMISSION February, 8 & 22, 6:30 p.m.

Report a problem at rivertonutah.gov/report

By Councilmember Tish Buroker Your opinion matters. In January, the mayor, city council, and Riverton City executive staff met to review the results of the most recent citizens survey and set course direction for the coming year. When asked what outdoor recreation amenities citizens would like to see prioritized in future funding, 72% stated more trails. I agree! And so do other elected city representatives, along with our county and state officials. In fact, the Utah Legislature has appropriated millions of dollars for a connecting trail network. To receive some of this funding, we must have a shovel-ready project. It would be great if we could demonstrate how Riverton trails would connect with South Jordan, Herriman, Bluffdale, and Draper trails, and to the greater trail network. After working on the Jordan River Commission and watching the completion of the Jordan River Trail which now connects from Utah Lake to the Great Salt Lake, I know how popular a connected trail

PAGE 2

The January strategic meeting was also a great opportunity to review some of the data Riverton City collects which is utilized as planning and operational decisions are made. I thought you might be interested in some of the fascinating facts about our city: • The median value of an owner-occupied housing unit is $478,000. The unemployment rate is 2.1%.

2,118 fire hydrants; and 6 well houses. • Riverton has 3,500 streetlights. 742 of them were converted to LED lights in 2023. This brings the total of light conversions to 70%. This has been a longstanding goal, and it is encouraging to know that we are closing in on the final 30%. This is a cost saver for the city. • Riverton has 1,981 manholes and 2,463 catch basins. As Riverton’s representative on the Mosquito Abatement District, I know that each one of those catch basins is treated each summer to prevent the growth and spread of mosquitoes. The city also has a program to clean and maintain both the manholes and the basins, which reduces the need for repairs.

• 9,488 miles of road was plowed from 2022-2023. With the most recent snowstorm, another 1,240 miles of roadway was plowed while putting down 160 tons of salt.

• The entire city was swept four times for a total of 1,176 miles, removing 402 tons of debris. This is a critical activity of the city that prevents large amounts of debris from entering the water drainage system that eventually flows into the Jordan River and the Great Salt Lake.

• Riverton maintains 199 miles of culinary pipe; 5,003 valves; 7 pressure zones; 3 water tanks;

If you are interested in learning more about Riverton, visit rivertonutah.gov.

• Riverton has 33 parks and playgrounds.

Winter Parking • Between November 1 and March 1, no vehicle may be parked on city Policy & Snow streets during a snow storm OR where snow has accumulated on Removal Protocol road shoulders. The following snow removal protocol and winter parking policy is in effect in Riverton:

• Major roadways, high-traffic areas and school zones are prioritized in snow removal efforts as a matter of public safety. • Minor roads and cul-de-sacs are cleared if 4 inches of snow or more has accumulated once main roadways are clear.

FIND US ONLINE! @rivertonutahgov

is. The county is currently working on plans to identify possible trail connections from the Oquirrh Mountains to the Jordan River Trail. Additionally, The Point project, located at the old prison site, plans to create a trail connecting the Jordan River Trail to the Bonneville Trail. These projects take years to complete, but wow, what great amenities.

• Snow removal problem reports or complaints may be directed to the Riverton City Public Works Department at 801-208-3162

rivertonutah.gov/snow

For enforcement requests of the winter parking ordinance, please call RPD Non-Emergency Dispatch at 801-840-4000.

RIVERTON REVIEW | FEBRUARY 2024

PUBLIC SAFETY MESSAGE

Protecting Your Property By Interim Chief Shane Taylor Here in Riverton City, ensuring the safety of our residents is a collective responsibility. The Riverton Police Department has seen an uptick in recent incidents related to stolen vehicles, vehicle break-ins, and package thefts. In this month’s Public Safety Message, we aim to raise awareness and provide practical tips residents can use to protect themselves and their neighbors from these potential threats.

Stolen Vehicles Riverton City, while generally safe, is not immune to opportunistic thieves. These thefts are particularly common in the winter months when car owners start their cars to get the heaters running. Riverton deputy police chief Shane Taylor explained, “Unfortunately, when you start your vehicle and re-enter your home, we have individuals focusing on neighborhoods and stealing vehicles while they are running.” To minimize this risk, avoid leaving your car if it is running. A few extra minutes inside a cold car beats having a stolen vehicle.

Unlocked Vehicle Break-Ins The Riverton Police Department was notified last month of individuals who were making the rounds in Riverton neighborhoods in the early morning hours that were going house-to-house searching for unlocked cars that were parked outside. Ring doorbell footage showed these individuals approaching cars, peering inside the windows, and attempting to open doors. To reduce the risk of a break-in, we recommend trying to park in well-lit areas and avoid leaving valuables in plain sight, as this can attract unwanted attention.

Package Thefts With the rise of online shopping, package thefts have become more prevalent. Be proactive by following

the tracking information and arranging for them to be delivered when you are home. If you see a package is out for delivery while you are away, a quick text to a family member or neighbor to retrieve the package from your doorstep can keep your package out of the hands of thieves. Consider installing security cameras or using smart doorbell systems to monitor your front door. Some services, such as Amazon, allow you to request packages to be delivered at different areas of your home—even inside your garage. By becoming aware of our surroundings and adopting preventative measures, we can mitigate the risks of theft in our neighborhoods. Let’s work together to ensure that Riverton remains a secure and welcoming place for all its residents.

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n rivertonutah.gov/subscribe To minimize the risk of your vehicle being stolen, avoid leaving your car if it is running. A few extra minutes inside a cold car beats having it stolen.

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Interested in Adopting a Pet?

Animals that are impounded by Riverton City Animal Control officers are held at Stone Ridge Veterinary Clinic for five days so owners have time to find their pets. At the end of the five days, animals in good health will be put up for adoption. Because it can feel risky to adopt a pet without ever meeting them in person, we invite you to schedule a meet and greet! Animal visitations are held by appointment Tuesday-Thursday between 1 and 3 p.m. You can schedule an appointment to meet your furry friend by dialing 801-208-3168. Learn more at rivertonutah.gov/adopt-a-pet.

RIVERTON REVIEW | FEBRUARY 2024

Riverton App n rivertonutah.gov/app

Report a problem, see the city calendar, get directions to parks and city facilities, and find city information right from your mobile device.

PAGE 3

UPCOMING EVENTS

RIVERTON REVIEW

Be part of a Riverton tradition and come participate in one of the valley’s best races. Medals and prizes will be awarded for participants and winners. Early registration continues through February 29 for the Riverton Half Marathon & 4Life 5K on Saturday, March 23, 2024. Races begin at 9 a.m. at Riverton City Park. Register at: rivertonutah.gov/half Not Your Parent’s Art Show

QPR Suicide Prevention Training

Trans-Jordan Landfill Disposal Vouchers

Become a Riverton Town Days Sponsor

Come see original art pieces created by young local artists displayed at the Old Dome Meeting Hall. Find details at rivertonutah.gov/ exhibits.

Attend a free suicide prevention training to learn how to respond to someone in crisis. Classes normally occur monthly. Register at rivertonutah.gov/qpr.

Pick up a free voucher to the Trans-Jordan Landfill at the Utility Billing Office at Riverton City Hall when you begin your spring cleaning.

Riverton City is seeking business sponsorships to help us put on great Riverton Town Days and Rodeo events this year!

• Visit Through February 28, Monday - Friday, Noon - 5 p.m.

• Thursday, February 15, 7 p.m. Riverton City Hall

• Limit of two vouchers per household per year.

PAGE 4

Visit rivertonutah.gov/sponsors to see what opportunities are available or to submit a sponsor application.

RIVERTON REVIEW | FEBRUARY 2024

Elected officials start new year as former Councilmember Wells bids farewell By Travis Barton | travis.b@thecityjournals.com

inners in the city’s November election were sworn into office Jan. 2 for the Riverton City Council’s first meeting of the year. Councilmembers Andy Pierucci, Troy McDougal and Spencer Haymond took their oath of office with each facing different circumstances to win their elections. District 1 saw Andy Pierucci elected to his first term after he was selected to replace former Councilmember Sheldon Stewart, who departed after winning a seat on the Salt Lake County Council last year. Pierucci initially took office Jan. 3, 2023—almost a year to the day prior to being sworn in again—before running unopposed for the District 1 seat. District 2 had one-term incumbent Troy McDougal run against challenger David Gatti, with McDougal squeezing out a victory 51%-48%, winning by 43 votes. In District 5, two new challengers vied for the council seat after incumbent Claude Wells decided not to run again. Spencer Haymond defeated Steven Winters with 62% of the vote to represent their district. Haymond was endorsed by Wells to replace him. But for Wells himself, who entered of-

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Claude Wells represented District 5 for four years. (File photo courtesy Claude Wells)

fice a few short months before COVID arrived, he reflected on his time in office with a farewell message in January’s city newsletter. “I am humbled to have had the privilege to represent the great residents of our city,” he wrote. When first sworn into office, Wells told the Riverton Journal that neighbors asked him to run and after three tries he finally

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agreed because “I love and care what happens in our community,” considering himself a public servant rather than politician. In his message he described diving into different experiences, actively visiting all 32 water pump houses and participating in the first Citizens Police Academy. As well as doing a ride-along with the snowplows to “see what challenges our snowplow drivers encounter when cars are parked on narrow streets or in small cul-de-sacs” or watching Old Liberty “get built in the middle of the night to see what goes into building a road from scratch.” Wells also highlighted no tax increases during his four years as well as participating in city events like the parade, rodeo, car show, serving breakfast during Riverton Town Days, countless ribbon cuttings and the city’s Veterans Day programs. When Wells was elected, he had two grandkids. Now there are 10 with eight under the age of 5. “I am grateful for the confidence residents put in me to represent their values and goals for our city,” he wrote. “There is a lot I will miss, but it is time for me to spend more time with our growing family.” l

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Mountain Ridge girls finding region play to be challenging By Josh McFadden | j.mcfadden@mycityjournals.com

ith talented opponents Copper Hills, Bingham, Herriman, Corner Canyon and Riverton, Mountain Ridge has gone up against some stiff competition this season. The Sentinels have held their own, posting a 2-3 record halfway through the region schedule. Through January, the Sentinels were 12-6 overall and held the No. 8 spot in the Class 6A RPI rankings. These rankings will determine seeding for the state tournament, which starts Feb. 20. Mountain Ridge has had some close calls and were not far from being 4-1 at the midpoint of the region portion of the season. After losing to Copper Hills on the road, 52-41, on Jan. 16, Mountain Ridge had a pair of heartbreakingly close defeats. First, the Sentinels lost at home to Bingham, 68-67, on Jan. 18, flowed by a 55-53 loss to Riverton at home on Jan. 25. In between these two narrow defeats was a 59-51 win at Corner Canyon on Jan. 23. Mountain Ridge opened Region 2 play Jan. 11 with a 54-41 win over rival Herriman. This season, Mountain Ridge has gotten several players onto the court for game experience. Twelve players have scored, led by sophomore sensation Kya Newton, who scores 14.7 points per game. She’s

also the leader in assists with 2.6 points per game. Defensively, Newton is one of the top players in 6A, evidenced by her 3.1 steals per game. New began the year with six games of at least 12 points. Her season-high effort in scoring was 23 points through the first 18 contests. Jessica Maynard is one of the biggest all-around threats in Region 2, if not all of 6A. The sophomore scores 13.8 points per game and pulls down 8.6 rebounds an outing. Through 18 games, she had registered five double-doubles. Her season-high in points was 25 against Bingham, while her best rebounding game was 15 at Highland on Nov. 21. She also had 13 blocked shots through January, with a high of four at Highland. She also had two games in which she dished out four assists. Kaylee Montgomery has been a key member of the team. Another young player—just a freshman—she scores nearly eight points a game and has an average of 2.4 steals a contest. Arguably her best game came Dec. 15 at Olympus when she totaled 16 points (including four three-pointers), five rebounds, three assists and four steals. Cailin Kehl, at 6.3 points per game, and Jada Jangard, at 4.9 points per game,

Kaylee Montgomery has been a key member of the team. Another young player—just a freshman— she scores nearly eight points a game and has an average of 2.4 steals a contest. ( Photo by Pat McDonald)

are also key players for the Sentinels. Jangard also leads the team in assists with 3.1 a game. With a slate of games against each region foe, Mountain Ridge has a chance to climb the standings and improve its RPI. The final league game is at Riverton on Feb. 15. A year ago, Mountain Ridge reached

Through January, the Sentinels were 12-6 overall and held the No. 8 spot in the Class 6A RPI rankings. (Photo by Pat McDonald)

the quarterfinals of the 6A state tournament, falling to Fremont in double overtime, 73-65. l

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Riverton girls basketball team hopes for turnaround during stretch run By Josh McFadden | j.mcfadden@mycityjournals.com

t’s been a challenging season for the Riverton girls basketball team. A year after falling to 11-11 overall after an 18-6 campaign in 2021–22, the Silverwolves were 4-13 after 17 games this season, winning one of five Region 2 contests. With the second half of region action to go, Riverton had some work to do in order to garner a better seed for the Class 6A state tournament, which tips off Feb. 20. Riverton dropped its first four region games after going 3-9 in non-region play. Three of the league losses were by at least 15 points, but Riverton did play a close contest at home against Herriman on Jan. 18, falling 43-38. However, on Jan. 25, Riverton picked up victory No. 1 in Region 2, outlasting

Mountain Ridge 55-53. The win was largely due to a big fourth quarter in which the Silverwolves outscored the Sentinels 16-9. Junior Faythe Stauffer has been the offensive star for Riverton. Stauffer leads the team in scoring by pouring in 16.8 points a game. She’s also second on the team in rebounding with an average of 5.1 boards a contest. She leads the Silverwolves with two steals a game and is tied with Halle Talbot in assists with an average of 2.4 a game. Stauffer’s top game in scoring this season was in the first game when she racked up 27 points against Roy. She has seven 20-point games this season and had a stretch from Jan. 3–Jan. 16 when she had five 20-point-plus games in a row. In

the win over Mountain Ridge, Stauffer had her first double-double of the season, recording 22 points and 11 rebounds. Senior Emmalee Christensen is second on the team in scoring with an average of 9.9 points a game. She is the leader in three-pointers, having knocked down 23 through 17 games. Christensen had a season-high 21 points against Viewmont on Dec. 19. Her best game in region play was against Mountain Ridge when she had 14 points. Maggie Hamblin could be a player to watch in the coming years. The sophomore is averaging 7.1 points this season to go along with a team-best 8.2 rebounds. She’s also by far the top shot-blocker on the team, swatting away 1.1 blocks an outing.

Other key contributors on this year’s squad include Talbot, Gabby Murdock, Savanna Drury and Ashley Halladay. Riverton scored a big first-round win over Weber in last season’s state tournament and then fell to region rival Herriman in the second round, 61-50. Currently, the Silverwolves were 16th in the RPI rankings, which would give them a first-round road game. To secure a home game or a bye, Riverton will need some big victories in the final five games of the regular season. The last game before the playoffs for the Silverwolves is at home against Mountain Ridge on Feb. 15.

Riverton boys basketball looking for more wins in second half of region play By Josh McFadden | j.mcfadden@mycityjournals.com

n the non-region portion of the season, the Riverton boys basketball season had a stellar 12-1 mark. Region 2 action has proven to be a bit tougher. The Silverwolves lost their season opener at Brighton but then reeled off 12 wins in a row. Six of these wins were by double digits. The competitive Region 2, how-

ever, offers some challenging opponents. Riverton lost its first three league games, beginning with a 53-41 defeat at the hands of Corner Canyon on Jan. 12. The Silverwolves then fell at Bingham, 75-61, on Jan. 16, followed by a 96-93 loss in a thrilling double-overtime contest at home against Herriman.

Riverton put an end to the streak with a pair of league wins: 89-78 over Copper Hills on Jan. 23 and 63-60 at Mountain Ridge on Jan. 26. The Silverwolves’ offense has at times been potent. Riverton scores 64.2 points a game and has hit the 70-point mark five times. For the Silverwolves, winning 14 of their first 18 games earned them a No. 5 spot the RPI rankings. This will determine the team’s playoff spot when the postseason begins for the Class 6A tournament Feb. 21. Last season, Riverton fell to Davis in a close second-round game, 46-44, finishing the season at 17-7. This season’s version has two players averaging at least a dozen points per game. Ben Barrus, a senior guard, scores 15.2 points per game. Barrus hit double digits 14 times in the first 18 games, with a season-high of 31 in the double-overtime loss to Herriman. He also pulls down more than four rebounds a game and twice recorded nine boards. Junior guard Evan Berrett is the player who makes the Silverwolves’ offense go. He is the leader in assists with nearly

three a game and registers 12.2 points a contest as well. His season high in points is 21, which he achieved twice, at Crimson Cliffs on Dec. 15 and in the Herriman loss. Senior Kaden Allred scores just under 10 points a game and led the team in three-pointers through 18 games, making 36 up to that point. His most prolific game was against Pleasant Grove on Jan. 9 when he converted on six shots from behind the arc as part of a 26-point effort. Christian Heninger, a 7-foot center scores 6.6 points a game and grabs just over four rebounds. Senior forward Vaughn Johnson averages 6.5 points a game. Meanwhile, senior forward Zach Edwards is a key part of a balanced attack. He averages 7.3 points a game and is the team’s leading rebounder with five boards a contest. Blake Robbins and Ryker Kerkes have also chipped in on both ends of the court. A few more wins in the second half of region play should help Riverton maintain or move up in its RPI positioning. The final game before the playoffs for the Silverwolves is at home against Mountain Ridge on Feb. 16. l

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Riverton City Journal

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Page 22 | February 2024

Riverton City Journal

Coming up for air

or a state run by legislators who sneer at tobacco products, I find it confusing they don’t give a flying cigar about our state’s dangerous air quality. GOP legislators balk at green energy initiatives like a vampire facing the sunrise and a head of garlic. A 2023 American Lung Association report said Salt Lake ranks among the nation’s most polluted cities for ozone and short-term particle pollution. I don’t know what those words mean, but it doesn’t sound good. Lawmakers say Salt Lake has always dealt with inversions, we just have to work around a valley filled with pollution. That’s like saying the kitchen’s always been filled with rotting banana peels, crushed egg shells, open yogurt containers veiled in mold, and a greasy chicken carcass. We just have to work around it. Studies show polluted air is a bigger threat to our health than alcohol or tobacco. Maybe not breathing polluted air should be included in the Word of Wisdom next to wine (the devil’s fancy beverage) and tea (the witch’s drink). Then, perhaps, our lawmakers will pay attention. It’s true the valley’s design creates Utah’s crappy air quality. Temperature inversions trap cold air under a layer of warm air, like putting a lid on a pot of soup. Only this soup is filled with vehicle pollution, smoke from wood burning stoves, industrial emis-

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February 2024 | Page 23