Northern Utah
Debating A Public Garden
Salt Lake City is taking public input on the future of a community garden near the Jordan River on the west side of town. The Og-woi People’s Orchard and Garden was built last year. However, it technically isn’t permitted by Salt Lake City, which is why the city’s public lands department is now undertaking a formal approval process. Community members come to tend the garden every week, which provides fruits and vegetables for whoever wants them. But the project has also been a source of frustration among residents who say they weren’t consulted about it when it was created. Read the full story. — Emily Means
American Fork Police Chief Retires
The long-serving police chief of American Fork retired Wednesday. Chief Darren Falslev joined the department in 1992 and became the chief in 2016. He’s the city’s longest serving officer. Falslev said he was planning to spend more time with his family. Lt. Cameron Paul will serve as the interim head of the force while the city conducts a search for Falslev’s replacement. — Elaine Clark
Region/Nation
Owens Introduces Opt-In Draft For Women
Rep. Burgess Owens, R-UT, has introduced a bill to let women opt in to the U.S. military draft. It comes in response to part of this year’s National Defense Authorization Act which has a provision which would require women to register for the selective service. Members of Utah’s all Republican delegation, including Rep. Chris Stewart and Sen. Mike Lee, have spoken out against that requirement. In a press release, Owens said he doesn’t think women should be forced to serve, but that they should be “celebrated for their heroic contributions to our country’s military.” — Elaine Clark
Utah Man Missing In Yellowstone
A Utah man remains missing in Yellowstone National Park after the body of his brother was found. Kim Crumbo of Ogden and Mark O’Neill of Washington State were on a four-night backcountry trip and were reported overdue. 67-year-old O’Neill was found last week near the eastern shore of Shoshone Lake and an autopsy determined he died of hypothermia. Yellowstone officials said they will continue to look for Crumbo as conditions allow. The 74-year-old is a former Navy SEAL who served in Vietnam. A vacant campsite was found on the lake’s south side. The water in Shoshone Lake averages 48 degrees, which can be deadly in 20 to 30 minutes. — Associated Press
Canada Sets Aside Day To Remember Native School Atrocities
Thursday marks Canada’s first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a day meant to acknowledge the impacts that residential schools had on Indigenous people. Both Canada and the U.S. had government programs that took Indigenous children from their homes and forced them into boarding schools. Many experienced neglect, abuse and even death there. — Maggie Mullen, Mountain West News Bureau
