Tag: Utah County

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Provo City News

Provo Municipal Candidates Will Address City on Thursday

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By Charlie G. Patreus

Candidates vying for municipal office in Provo are gearing up for the upcoming fall elections. The Municipal Council seats will be up for grabs, and Provo voters will have the chance to choose their representatives in this year’s general election. The primary election is scheduled for September 5, but before that, an opportunity awaits Provo voters to hear directly from the candidates on Thursday.

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Utah Representative Tyler Clancy, a first-term legislator representing a substantial portion of Provo (the area east of State Street and generally between 2620 North and 300 North) will host the forum. The event will take place from 6:30 to 8 PM in the Bullock Room of the Provo City Library.

Clancy has emphasized the importance of an informed electorate for a thriving republic and highlights the forum as a platform to actively engage in the political process and make well-informed decisions on election day. In a press release, Clancy expresses his hope that the event will foster open dialogue between the candidates and the citizens of Provo, build community trust, and lead to a more responsive government.

With a total of thirteen candidates vying for the four open seats, there is only one incumbent seeking re-election. In District 1, Craig Christensen and Stan Jensen are contending for the seat currently held by Bill Fillmore. For the District 3 seat, currently occupied by Shannon Ellsworth, the candidates are David Lewis and Becky Bogdin. Incumbent council member Travis Hoban is the sole candidate for District 4.

Meanwhile, Council member David Shipley has decided not to run for re-election for the City Wide II seat. Eight candidates are stepping forward to replace him: Joseph Penrose, Beth Hedengren, Ari Emmanuel Webb, Gary Garrett, Wendy Ahlman, Tanner Bennett, McKay Jensen, and Nathan Smith Jones.

The forum will allow the candidates to address crucial topics, respond to audience questions, and present their ideas for improving the community. After the event, the candidates will have tables set up for further discussions. The forum is free and open to the public, welcoming everyone interested in participating. See the map of Provo Council Districts below.

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University News

UVU Hosts First Silicon Slopes Artificial Intelligence Summit

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By Charlie G. Patreus

Artificial intelligence (AI) has the power to bring about both positive advancements and potential chaos and devastation. This was the key message conveyed at the inaugural Silicon Slopes Artificial Intelligence (AI) Summit hosted by Utah Valley University.

Tyler Folkman is the chief technology officer and AI officer for Benlabs, an organization dedicated to exploring the applications of machine learning in transforming creator entertainment. Folkman was among the esteemed AI experts who shared their insights at the conference.

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He explained that we are yet to comprehend the full potential of AI. He said there is a belief that it can achieve remarkable feats, but there is also a lot of fear associated with it. As we continue to enhance its capabilities, AI holds boundless possibilities to assist us. While it could potentially cause harm, he believes we now have the ability to control and mitigate those risks.

Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes emphasized the need for the tech industry’s involvement in shaping policies and laws surrounding AI. Reyes urged experts and AI consumers to ensure that the regulations implemented protect humanity without impeding the positive applications of AI.

Reyes also pointed out the existence of current tools and ongoing efforts in this regard. He highlighted proposals such as digital watermarks or inherent ID markers that can help distinguish between authentic and fake content, benefiting consumers, businesses, and legal proceedings.

Rachel Bi, an associate professor in UVU’s Personal Financial Planning Program and head of the Finance and Economics Department at the Woodbury School of Business, has been actively researching business applications of AI, machine learning, blockchain, and cloud computing for several years.

UVU aims to be at the forefront of technological adoption.
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Bi explained the distinction between two types of AI. Narrow AI, or weak AI, is designed to tackle specific tasks or solve particular problems. On the other hand, general AI, or strong AI, aims to replicate the broad cognitive abilities of human intelligence, enabling it to comprehend, learn, and perform any intellectual task humans can.

“The majority of the AI that we engage with on a daily basis are narrow AI, including the famous ChatGPT,” Bi said. “It is worth mentioning that developing a general AI could be very challenging and is not yet realized, although people are working on it. But the attainment of self-awareness of general AI will raise profound philosophical, ethical, and technical questions that are hotly debated.”

Bi further highlighted AI’s impact on the financial sector, citing the use of robo-advisors to manage stock portfolios and AI algorithms to determine individual credit scores by analyzing extensive personal data, such as debt, revenue, and spending habits.

Other speakers at the summit included Dave Wright, CEO of e-commerce acceleration platform Pattern, and Christina Baum, vice president of Digital Transformation and chief information officer at UVU.

“I love that UVU is being recognized as leading out,” Baum said. “I love our partnership with Silicon Slopes. I think there is so much that we can leverage artificial intelligence for in the education space, and I think instead of being scared of where that might lead us educationally, we need to embrace that and find ways that we can really catapult our education forward and help remove barriers for students.”

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UVU is well-positioned to adapt to AI-powered learning. George Rudolph, chair of UVU’s computer science department, emphasized that hosting the AI Summit conference strengthens UVU’s connection to local industries and reinforces its commitment to cutting-edge workforce development.

The one-day conference also marked the official launch of the Silicon Slopes AI chapter, further fostering collaboration and progress in the field of artificial intelligence.

For another example of how UVU is embracing cutting edge technologies, check out their work with VR and drones below.

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University News

UVU Aviation Becomes First in the U.S. to Use Fully Unleaded Fuel

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By Mike Romero

Utah Valley University’s (UVU) School of Aviation Sciences is set to become the first collegiate flight training program in the country to transition its entire training fleet to fully unleaded aviation fuel (UL94).

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Operating since 1988, UVU’s School of Aviation Sciences has trained and educated numerous FAA certified pilots and aviation industry professionals, boasting a graduate job placement rate exceeding 92%.

In collaboration with Swift Fuels, a fuel research and development company based in Indiana, UVU recently received its initial shipment of UL94, marking a significant milestone in the adoption of unleaded fuel for piston-engine aircraft. While leaded fuel has traditionally been used in these aircraft due to the need for higher-octane fuel, Swift Fuels’ UL94 is a lead-free alternative that has gained approval for use in approximately 70% of existing piston aircraft. Although still in the early stages of adoption, UVU’s fleet of 25 aircraft, comprised of Diamond DA40s and Piper Seminoles, is fully compatible with this new fuel and ready to reap its benefits.

Nick Marsh, supervisor of aviation operations at UVU.
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The switch to UL94 brings several advantages to the aviation program. Engines running on this fuel will experience smoother operations and fewer mechanical issues, such as fouled spark plugs. Moreover, mandatory aircraft inspections will require less time and manpower, leading to reduced maintenance costs for UVU. John James, the director of aviation maintenance at UVU, highlighted how the cleaner-burning nature of UL94 benefits engine components, ultimately resulting in enhanced efficiency and cost-effectiveness in student training.

Beyond the cost advantages, UL94 serves as a more environmentally friendly alternative. It significantly reduces lead exhaust emissions, aligning with UVU’s commitment to sustainability. Nick Marsh, the supervisor of aviation operations at UVU, expressed his enthusiasm for the transition, emphasizing how the use of unleaded fuel would create safer working conditions for fuel-handling employees by eliminating their exposure to leaded fuel.

Curt Castagna, President and CEO of the National Air Transportation Association (NATA), commended UVU’s decision to adopt UL94 and recognized the university’s leadership in promoting community partnership and environmental progress. As an academic institution and early adopter of UL94, UVU has the opportunity to educate the industry on the use of environmentally friendly aviation fuels while training future pilots.

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NATA, the leading national trade association representing general aviation service companies, is part of the industry’s Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions (EAGLE) initiative, which aims to transition piston-engine aircraft to lead-free aviation fuels by the end of 2030. Castagna’s congratulations further underline the significance of UVU’s move toward UL94.

UVU’s transition to unleaded fuel aligns with its broader sustainability efforts in recent years. These initiatives include reducing campus water usage by 40 million gallons annually, donating excess food from UVU’s GRIT Garden to the CARE Hub campus food pantry, partnering with UTA to offer free public transportation, and constructing a pedestrian bridge across I-15.

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Springville News

Springville White Nationalist Pleads Guilty to Child Porn Charges

Jared M. Boyce, 27, of Springville, Utah (Mug shot from Kootenai County Sheriff's Office)
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By Mike Romero

A Springville man, Jared M. Boyce, has admitted to possessing child pornography while residing in Utah County. Boyce, 28, pleaded guilty in April to nine counts of second-degree felony charges for sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of a class A misdemeanor for dealing in harmful material to a minor. Court records indicate that the remaining felony charges were dismissed with prejudice.

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The investigation began on July 11, 2022, when the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) seized Boyce’s phone as part of an unrelated inquiry. Subsequently, FBI agents obtained a search warrant for Boyce’s phone and discovered 22 explicit images involving child pornography.

During a subsequent police interview, Boyce confessed to possessing and accessing the illicit images within Utah County. He also admitted to engaging in sexually themed conversations about children in an online chatroom, sharing sexually explicit images of children, and maintaining an ongoing conversation with a 16-year-old girl to whom he sent explicit images of himself.

In addition to the child pornography charges, Boyce remains under investigation for his involvement with Patriot Front. He was one of 31 individuals arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to riot at an LGBTQ pride event in Idaho in June 2022. The charges related to the Idaho incident are pending in Kootenai County.

Boyce is currently facing a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison for the child pornography charges and is scheduled for sentencing Tomorrow.

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University News

Utah Valley University Earns Recognition as a Military-Friendly Institution

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By Charlie G. Patreus

Utah Valley University (UVU) has been honored with a prestigious Top 10 Military Friendly School designation by Military Friendly, an esteemed organization that assesses a school’s dedication, initiatives, and accomplishments in creating sustainable and valuable opportunities for the military community.

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“This recognition reflects many hours invested by our team and other UVU partners to create an exceptional experience for our military-connected students,” says Kayle Smith, interim director of UVU Veteran Success Center.

Employing a comprehensive methodology that incorporates public data sources, proprietary surveys, and firsthand input from veterans, Military Friendly evaluates institutions across multiple categories, including academic policies, admissions procedures, cultural commitment, financial aid, graduation and career support, as well as military student assistance and retention.

UVU, in line with this methodology, has achieved a remarkable Gold rating, securing an impressive fifth-place ranking among Large Public universities nationwide.

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The university’s Veteran Success Center plays a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth transition and success of student veterans, service members, and their dependents throughout their educational journey, from enrollment to graduation. Since its establishment in 2015, the center has provided invaluable guidance to approximately 800 military veteran students and 2,400 military dependents, enabling them to maximize their military benefits in funding their education at UVU.

To learn more about the UVU Veteran Success Center, visit uvu.edu/veterans.

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Orem City News

New Public Facilities Zone in Orem After City Council Vote

Sign for Hillcrest Elementary School in southeastern Orem, Utah, February 2017. Courtesy Wikimedia Commons.
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By Mike Romero

With discussions surrounding school closures, boundary changes, and the potential formation of new school districts in Orem, the Orem City Council took action on Tuesday by implementing changes to various zones, consolidating them into a single Public Facilities Zone.

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The vote in favor of the zone change was 6-1, with Council member Tom Macdonald casting the lone dissenting vote. Macdonald expressed concerns about the lack of communication and collaboration with the school district prior to issuing public notices about the proposed changes.

The purpose of the new zone is to safeguard public land for future educational institutions and parks. It also serves as a preemptive measure to prevent the Alpine School District from selling its land without obtaining approval from the Orem Planning Commission and City Council. Approximately 90% of Orem’s land is already developed.

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Council members emphasized their apprehension regarding future growth and land requirements, especially considering the possibility of private and charter schools being established in the city. This concern was heightened after the legislature approved $8,000 in funding for each student, regardless of the type of school they attend. This includes public, private, charter, or homeschooling—according to Ryan Clark, assistant city manager.

During the public hearing, questions were raised regarding whether the rezoning was intended to facilitate the sale of Alpine School District (ASD) properties at a lower price. However, it was clarified that the city had paid the appraised value for Hillcrest Elementary when it closed, and the same principle would apply to other schools. The city holds the first right to purchase any school property according to state law.

Council member Terry Peterson argued that ASD had closed Hillcrest Elementary, Geneva Elementary, and Polaris High School without any financial compensation being returned to Orem schools. Tensions between Orem city government and Alpine School District have run high in recent years.

“I think we can do more by working together,” Council member Jeff Lambson stated.

City attorney Stephen Earl recommended preserving the property, citing concerns about the irreversible loss of land if ASD were to sell it to developers. He questioned where schools would be built in the future if the need arose.

“As far as I’m concerned, regardless of ASD’s involvement, this is simply a matter of common sense,” Mayor Dave Young asserted. “We never anticipated school closures. Amidst all this uncertainty, we must preserve our lands.”

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