Tag: Provo City

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Springville News

Teen and Her Two Dogs Survive After Jeep Falls Into River

Photo from the Utah County Sheriff's Office.
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By Charlie G. Patreus

Last Sunday night, the Utah County Sheriff’s Office got an urgent call. A white jeep had accidentally driven off the road in Payson Canyon and into the river – a 20 foot drop. The car contained a 16-year-old girl and her two dogs. She was headed northbound out of the canyon.

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In this crash, no signs of impairment are suspected or reported. The crash was likely due to speeding, but not by a drastic or reckless amount. The road exhibits tight curves, which could have contributed to the crash.

UCSO public information officer Sgt. Spencer Cannon said the car went forward 75 to 100 feet and landed upside down in the water. The young driver, Alison Kennedy, made it out safely with only minor scratches. Her dogs escaped as well.

“It looked initially like it could be really bad, but it turned out not to be as serious of a crash as it looked like it could have been,” Cannon said. He explained that the people behind Kennedy stopped to help and called 911. First responders arrived within ten minutes.

There is no railing on the side of the road, but crashes in that area are much less frequent than other, more narrow parts of Payson Canyon. However, many areas of the canyon don’t have a guard rail, and the roads are so narrow they don’t give enough room for both lanes of traffic.

The Utah Department of Public safety recommends driving below the posted speed limit in hazardous weather, at night, and when there is rough or windy terrain.

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University News

BYU Engineering Releases Spaceport America Documentary

Photo by BYU Rocketry
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By Mike Romero

What does it take to compete in the world’s largest intercollegiate rocket engineering competition? A new documentary from the Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering answers that question. Shot by BYU students and filmmakers Sawyer Nunley and Heber Stanton, it tells the story of BYU’s High-Power Rocketry Team as their rocket, Maverick, prepares for launch at the 2022 Spaceport America Cup.

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Maverick was built with an Aerotech M2400 motor and a machine-learning module to prevent water from sloshing within the rocket’s payload. Despite mechanical difficulties ahead of launch, the rocket reached a height of 10,432 feet, earning the BYU team a rank of 11th out of 46 teams in their category at the 2022 Spaceport competition. The team also received 2nd place for the Barrowman Award for Flight Dynamics and 2nd place for the Sportsmanship Award.

The BYU rocketry team returned to take 1st place in the 2023 Spaceport America Cup with their rocket, Solitude (named for the Utah-based ski resort). They also received 1st place for Modeling and Simulation. BYU beat out 157 other collegiate teams from 24 countries for the title.

Check out the documentary below.

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Provo City News

Provo’s Music Community Unites To Save Teen

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By Mike Romero

Clayton Smalley, a Spanish Fork country artist and welder, has dedicated his career to infusing his songs with a genuine working-class spirit. Influenced by legendary musicians like George Strait, Keith Whitley, and Reba McEntire, Smalley’s love for traditional country music shines through, shaping his unique style.

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One of Smalley’s remarkable abilities is his knack for transforming songs like Niall Horan’s “Slow Hands” into heartwarming exchanges between a husband and wife, reminiscent of lazy summer days on a cozy porch. His cover of the track garnered an impressive 100,000 streams on Spotify, while his original music has amassed hundreds of thousands more.

As a devoted husband and father, Smalley strives to balance his artistic aspirations with his professional career, all while being signed to Nashville country label YN Records. However, his world was turned upside down when he received the devastating news of his son Austin’s diagnosis—heart failure.

Utah country musician Clayton Smalley.

Austin, an 18-year-old high school student and passionate baseball player, was actively pursued by college recruiters until his diagnosis forced him to miss his senior season. After undergoing numerous tests and specialist appointments, it was determined that Austin was not eligible for a left ventricular assist device and would require a heart transplant.

Thankfully, the transplant surgery, which took place this week, was successful. Nevertheless, the road to recovery remains long and arduous for the Smalley family. According to the January 2020 Milliman Research Report, the average cost of a heart transplant in the United States, prior to insurance coverage, amounted to a staggering $1,664,800. This includes pre- and post-transplant medical care, hospital charges, organ procurement fees, and medications.

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Recognizing the financial strain the family faces, a GoFundMe campaign has already raised over $16,000 and is still open to contributions. Additionally, The Angelus Theatre, along with a group of talented Utah country artists including John Griffin, Cody Robbins, Whitney Lusk, Pat Swenson, Maddie Wilson, and Hayden Cluff, will be hosting a benefit concert on Saturday, July 8th, at 7:30 PM. This event promises an unforgettable showcase of talent. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $20 or at the door for $25.

All proceeds from the concert will go towards supporting the Smalley family, assisting with mounting medical expenses, lost wages, meals, and the day-to-day costs associated with the heart transplant surgery and recovery.

For the latest updates, be sure to follow Clayton Smalley on Instagram. Meanwhile, take a moment to enjoy his captivating track “These Boots Were Made to Dance” below.

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University News

BYU Is Finally In The Big 12

BYU fans celebrated at an on-campus party on June 30, 2023. Photo courtesy of BYU Athletics
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By Mike Romero

It’s been a long 22 months. After nearly 2 years of waiting, BYU will end its era of independence by uniting with the elite Big 12 for the 2023-2024 season. Celebrations among students, fans, and alumni took place this past weekend.

A massive gathering was held in Provo, Utah. Fans gathered and counted down until midnight, when the BYU Cougars were officially admitted into the conference. BYU even made a massive announcement on a digital display at Times Square in New York City.

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BYU’s sports teams will compete in 20 of the 23 sports sponsored by the Big 12. The school won’t participate in wrestling, rowing, or equestrian. Since the Big 12 doesn’t support men’s volleyball, BYU’s men’s volleyball team will stay in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation.

In a major win for Latter-day Saints and a gracious move on the part of the Big 12, BYU will not compete in athletic events on Sundays – a holy day for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

BYU football begins their 2023 season with three non-conference home games. Then they’ll hit the road to take on Kansas on September 23. Home games this year include Cincinnati on September 29, Texas Tech on October 21, Iowa State on November 11, and Oklahoma on November 18.

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Provo City News

Provo Celebrates July Fourth Through Tradition

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By Richard Provost

The Fourth of July is one of the busiest, most festive times of the year for Provo residents. Steeped in tradition, the Fourth in Provo, Utah is a bright, cheery, and magical time with plenty to do. Provo’s Freedom Festival is one of the largest in the United States.

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On Saturday, July 1, legendary rock group, Journey, returned to Provo for the second time. They played LaVell Edwards Stadium to a large audience. F-35s from Utah’s Hill Air Force Base flew over the stadium, and the night concluded with the nation’s largest stadium fireworks spectacle.

This morning, the Grand Parade will take place at 9 AM. Marching bands, professionally crafted floats, giant balloons, horseback riders, and musical performers will all appear in downtown Provo. Provo’s Balloon Fest will conclude this morning before the parade. Hot air balloons have filled the sky the entire weekend, taking off from Fox Field at 6 AM each morning.

Freedom Days, Provo’s Fourth of July carnival, will take place today from 11 AM to 7 PM. Food trucks, musicians, vendors, and rides will be situated on Center Street and University Avenue, across from the Provo Temple.

“I invite each and every one of you to come and experience the patriotic spirit that fills our city during the Freedom Festival,” says Mayor Michelle Kaufusi. “It is a wonderful way to connect with your neighbors, friends, and family, and to appreciate the freedoms we enjoy in our beautiful nation.”

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Provo City News

Provo Watches Celebratory Flyover

Photo courtesy US Department of Defense.
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By Mike Romero

Residents of Provo just witnessed a remarkable event. The U.S. Air Force and Utah Air National Guard’s air refuelers took flight over northern and central Utah on Tuesday, commemorating a century of air refueling.

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On June 27, Tuesday, we honor the remarkable achievement of U.S. Army Air Service aviators who successfully executed the first-ever air refueling 100 years ago. It was on this historic day in 1923 when 1st Lts. Virgil Hine and Frank W. Seifert, piloting a DH-4B aircraft, transferred gasoline through a hose to another DH-4B plane carrying Capt. Lowell H. Smith and 1st Lt. John P. Richter.

The inaugural air refueling, once believed to be an impossible feat, marked a new era for combat aircraft. This innovative process enables planes to remain airborne for extended periods, conserving fuel and saving valuable time during long-distance flights.

Provo residents witnessed the flyover between 10:10 and 10:20 AM, with the three aircraft passing directly over BYU campus at 10:13 AM. Watch the flyover in the third slide below.

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University News

BYU Students Construct Solar-Powered Concrete House on Campus

Photo by Matthew Norton/BYU
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By Zach Collier

In a groundbreaking achievement, students from Brigham Young University (BYU) have designed, engineered, and built a sustainable, zero-energy dwelling directly on campus. Tucked away behind BYU’s Snell Building, this two-bedroom, two-bathroom residence has received hundreds of visitors this month.

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Affectionately known as the “Triple Dome Home,” this architectural marvel comprises three interconnected monolithic concrete domes. A featured dwelling in the Utah Valley Parade of Homes, this zero-energy domicile spans a modest 850 square feet and stands as a testament to the prowess of student builders. This transportable house can be relocated wherever a crane can be stationed. In fact, this particular dwelling will soon be uprooted and transported to California for sale later in the fall.

Built as part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon, it’s meticulously designed. The house aims to minimize its carbon footprint, curtail water consumption, and effortlessly maintain a consistent temperature throughout both frigid winters and scorching summers.

The interior of the BYU Triple Dome Home by BYU Photo.

The Triple Dome Home boasts several remarkable engineering features, including the utilization of fiberglass in lieu of rebar as the primary material for reinforcing the concrete structure. Additionally, a PVC membrane envelops the entirety of the exterior walls, providing insulation and imperviousness to water. Portions of the exterior walls are concealed beneath soil, rocks, and plants, creating an innovative berming technique.

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The residence harnesses the power of 34 double-sided solar panels seamlessly integrated into a carport and an adjacent pergola. Thanks to its concrete dome construction, the house boasts windproof and fireproof properties while remaining resilient to extreme temperatures. Enhanced energy efficiency is achieved through the inclusion of triple-paned windows.

This undertaking has stretched the physical and intellectual capabilities of over 20 students involved in the design, engineering, and construction processes.

BYU represents one of the 15 universities hailing from the United States, Canada, and India that took part in the esteemed Solar Decathlon Build Challenge. Later this year, the BYU team and their Triple Dome Home will also compete in the Orange County Sustainability Decathlon.

There are only two days left to tour the home before it moves to California. The Utah Valley Parade of Homes is happening now, and concludes on June 24.

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State News

St. George Writers Conference Gears Up for July Event

Photo by MojaveNC, CC BY 2.5
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By Zach Collier 

Who stole your dream? And why did you let them steal it? These are just two of the poignant questions that the St. George Writers Conference plans to discuss on Friday, July 14 in southern Utah.

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“At the St. George Writers Conference, these questions will be addressed – and time will be given for you to answer them for yourself,” says event organizer and author Eileen Telford. “The speakers chosen for this conference all had dreams – and they made their dreams come true.”

Deanna Draper Buck had a dream – to find a book which told powerful scriptural stories in a way that preschoolers would understand. When she couldn’t find one, she wrote one. At the writer’s conference, she’ll share how she fought hard to make her dream come true and found an ally at Deseret Book.

In addition to buck, other speakers include writer Rebecca Lange, graphic novelist Tarl Telford, and event organizer Eileen Telford. Other topics covered include Sweet Romance, Christian Writing, Traditional vs. Indie Publishing, and Cover Design secrets.

The conference will be held at The Washington County Dance Hall in CottonTown Village Square. Breakfast, lunch, and dessert during a post-conference reception will be provided. Tickets can be purchased at StGeorgeWritersConference.com.

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Orem City News

Lindon and Orem Exploring Changes to Water Usage

Upper Provo River.
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By Mike Romero

Urban irrigation in Orem, provided by the Provo Bench Canal & Irrigation Company and the North Union Canal & Irrigation Company since 1862, is facing potential changes. Lindon City is considering diverting its canal shares into the Provo River Aqueduct, resulting in reduced water flow and utilization in the North Union and Provo Bench Canals. Permission from the canal companies’ boards is required before filing for the change application, with potential conditions to protect remaining shareholders.

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Currently, there are around 100 water users who practice open irrigation, and their options include continuing with potentially less water, selling shares, or submitting ideas for consideration.

Lindon City aims to tap water from the Provo River aqueduct to maintain six miles of open ditches, benefiting the Lindon irrigation ponds. The primary drivers for this change are the costly upkeep of aging canals and the push for water conservation efforts requested by Utah Governor Spencer Cox. The canals are currently facing issues such as garbage and broken bottles being discarded into the ditches, resulting in diminished water flow and potential water deprivation for end users. To address this, Reed Price, the maintenance division manager for Orem, suggests using the city’s culinary water for more effective drip irrigation, while Lindon currently relies on secondary water for irrigation.

The cost for Lindon to connect to the Provo River Aqueduct is estimated at $1.1 million, a more cost-effective alternative compared to canal maintenance expenses. A shareholders meeting was held, and Lindon plans to construct the tap in the upcoming fall, allowing farmers to observe the impact on canal operations. The complete transition is expected to take place by 2025, with Orem and the majority of stakeholders expressing support for the proposed changes.

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Provo City News

Thread Wallets to Expand in Downtown Provo

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By Mike Romero

It started on accident. Colby Bauer was bodysurfing in Hawaii and lost his wallet. Out of necessity, he started holding his cards and cash together with a rubber band. His girlfriend (now wife and business partner) McKenzie decided to make him a permanent solution. She sewed him a better-looking sleeve out of stretch fabric.

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Soon, whenever he’d take out his wallet to pay for something, he’d get comments on McKenzie’s invention. Thread Wallets was born.

After a successful Kickstarter campaign, the Bauers took Thread from $140,000 to $4 million in sales in 3 years (from 2016-2019). Growth has continued since then, showing a 1900% increase in the last 5 years.

Recently, Mayor Michelle Kaufusi announced Thread’s plans to expand their headquarters, choosing to reinvest in Provo instead of moving elsewhere. Together, they identified the old Ford car dealership at 241 West Center. Thread and Provo City will work together to renovate this new location and turn it into Thread’s new corporate headquarters.

Check out the video below to learn more about Thread CEO Colby Bauer, and to catch a glimpse of the new space – complete with an indoor skate park.

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