After months of construction, the Utah Transit Authority has opened the new pedestrian bridge at Provo Central Station. The public celebrated its opening in a ribbon-cutting ceremony yesterday, November 14.
The goal of the bridge was to improve safety, air quality, and to more efficiently connect downtown Provo to the broader public transportation network. While the bridge is operational, elevators within the structures are not yet usable. They’re still pending inspections from state government.
It cost roughly $7 million to build the bridge. 35% was paid by federal funding and 65% was paid by local sources. The bridge spans two FrontRunner tracks and two Union Pacific Railroad lines near 600 South and 100 West in Provo, Utah. It’s 145 feet long.
For pedestrians, this area is often blocked by trains. This makes crossing difficult, dangerous, and at times impossible. This bridge addresses those challenges.
Orem is gearing up for election season! In 2023, 12 candidates are running for 3 available council spots. To help Orem citizens get informed about the candidates and their platforms, Orem City is holding a Meet the Candidates Night on Thursday, August 10 from 6-8 PM in Library Hall.
This is a unique opportunity to interact with fellow citizens running for office. There are few opportunities like this where all candidates are together in one room for open questions. The seats up for election in 2023 are currently held by Jeff Lambson, Terry Peterson, and Debby Lauret.
Candidates will address the audience for the first hour, explaining what they hope to accomplish on behalf of the city. The second hour will be an open house where the public can personally meet the candidates and ask them questions.
The 2023 candidates are: Crystal Muhlstein, Matt McKell, Greg Duerden, Chris Killpack, Jeff Lambson, Archie Williams III, Spencer Rands, Heather Fry, Jenn Gale, David Edward Garber, Mike Carpenter and Wade Sewell.
Ahead of the event, check out the videos Orem shot for each candidate here. You can see an example of one below.
Note: The inclusion of this candidate’s video does not indicate an endorsement, and is merely an example of what you can expect from the video series.
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.
Austin Madsen near Mount Dutton on Jan. 27, 2023. Photo courtesy of Mapleton Police Department.
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By Richard Provost
The body of Austin Madsen, a 32-year-old resident of Mapleton, Utah, has been found in Garfield County near Mount Dutton after over four months of searching. He went missing on January 27. Shed hunters spotted the remains on May 29 around 2:30 PM and immediately reported the sighting to the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office.
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Authorities arrived at the location and determined that there was no foul play involved. Joe Adams, the public information officer for the sheriff’s office, stated that Madsen’s death appeared to be the result of natural causes, likely due to exposure to the elements.
The remains were transported to Taylorsville, where the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner identified the body using dental records provided by the Mapleton Police Department. Austin Madsen’s father, Aron Madsen, revealed that his son suffered from bipolar disorder and occasionally experienced mental crises. According to Aron Madsen, Austin had expressed his desire to leave Mapleton and clear his mind, intending to head to Fredonia, Arizona, where his family had lived in the past. However, something diverted his path, leading him to Mount Dutton where his truck became stuck in the snow.
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The last communication from Austin Madsen was a video sent to a friend on January 27, showing himself on the mountain. This video helped the police identify the general area. Search and rescue efforts began on January 29 in Dry Hollow, approximately 5 miles southeast of where Madsen’s body was eventually found. Multiple sheriff’s offices collaborated in the search, but due to a severe snowstorm, the operation had to be temporarily suspended. After the storm passed, the search resumed but was called off on February 3 when all leads were exhausted.
There were subsequent reports of sightings in Ogden, but they turned out to be cases of mistaken identity. A further search conducted by deputies from Garfield County and members of the Rocky Mountain Rescue Dogs took place during the weekend of May 20 but yielded no results. The Fredonia Police Department informed Madsen’s family of the discovery of his remains.
Austin Madsen is survived by his wife, Emily, and their two young sons, aged 2 and 9 months. The Garfield County Sheriff’s Office expressed its condolences to the Madsen family and requested that all inquiries be directed to their office, allowing the family time to grieve this tragic loss.
Provo is gearing up for an exciting event this weekend as thousands of runners flock to the city for the highly anticipated Utah Valley Marathon on Saturday, June 3, 2023. This marathon promises to bring an influx of energy, determination, and a positive influence to our community.
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Known for its speed and scenic beauty, the Utah Valley Marathon has gained recognition as one of the fastest spring marathons in the region. With breathtaking views of mountains, lush farmland, cascading waterfalls, the majestic Provo River, Deer Creek Reservoir, and nearby national parks, participants will experience an unparalleled journey. This event not only serves as a great opportunity for the runners but also presents a momentous occasion for the city as a whole.
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Event organizers are expecting a significant turnout, with over 8,000 runners and visitors projected to visit Provo for this premier race. Notably, 27% of the registered participants come from out-of-state – a huge boost to local businesses. As these athletes and their families occupy hotel rooms, dine in restaurants, and explore retail stores, it is estimated that this marathon alone will inject approximately 1.7 million dollars into our local economy. Runners will make their way through the course from 6:30 AM until 3 PM.
To ensure the safety and smooth progression of the marathon, there will be some necessary road closures and detours. Beginning at approximately 6:30 AM until 3 PM, the outside Northbound lane on University Avenue will be closed. Race participants will have the right of way, and traffic will be allowed to cross when there are gaps in the runners. Additionally, University Avenue will be completely closed between 200 North and 300 South until 3 PM.
Throughout Provo Canyon, all traffic will be directed to travel in the Westbound lanes. There will be one lane open for traffic traveling East and West. Runners will cross at approximately 5600 N.
The 800 N flyover will remain open, and all northbound traffic on University Avenue will be rerouted west of 4800 N. Likewise, southbound traffic coming out of the canyon will be detoured west at 800 N Orem.
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.
Provo Tribune: Local News for the Provo/Orem Area 