Local News

Thursday night’s city council meeting in Park City had two major topics: What this summer’s events calendar might look like and an update from the city’s housing department on the potential for future public-private development projects.

If there’s one thing everyone could agree on Thursday night, it’s that summer 2021 will not look like summer 2020.

Wasatch County fared well in 2020 despite the closures and restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic. A recreation, arts, and parks (RAP) tax may be on the ballot in November.

As the counties and municipalities of the Wasatch Back see positive revenue numbers rolling in from the unprecedented 2020 year of the pandemic, many officials are pleasantly surprised by what they see. Wasatch County Manager Mike Davis said they projected up to 20% drops in sales tax revenues.

Utah’s largest master plan developer, Anderson Development, has put out feelers to property owners in Garff Ranches – located between Browns Canyon Road and State Route 248 – to see if they’re interested in becoming a new city in central Summit County.

According to a partner with Anderson Development Steven McCutchan, Anderson Development is not ready to comment on the proposal to incorporate the 17,000 acres between the Snyderville Basin and the Kamas Valley to become Garff Ranch City, Utah.

The National Ability Center’s Board of Directors has selected a local man with personal ties to the organization to lead the nonprofit. His first day on the job was Thursday.

Dan Glasser has a long history of working in the corporate world, leading small and large teams in the media and technology industries. His new job will tap into his passion for supporting charitable organizations. 

The Utah Department of Health reported 519 new COVID-19 cases statewide on Friday. Summit and Wasatch Counties both saw under 10 cases each.

Summit County’s seven new cases and Wasatch County’s six is the second day in a row where both counties have reported fewer than 10 cases in a day. Wasatch County has not recorded more than eight cases in a day since March 2nd -- when they saw 13 -- and before that a day over 10 cases had not been seen since February 17th.

The Snyderville Planning Commission on March 9 approved a Conditional Use Permit for a group home in Highland Estates—after hearing voices that praised the facility, and others that worried about its impacts.

Snyderville Chairman Ryan Dickey says they came to a decision, guided by federal law, and they set up a list of conditions to mitigate the operation.

Park City announced at Thursday night’s city council meeting that the public hearing for the future arts and culture district will be held on March 31st.

City council work sessions to hammer out the details of the proposed arts and culture district began last fall and now the public will finally get their chance to weigh in on the project later this month.

Mayor Andy Beerman disclosed at Thursday evening’s city council meeting that the public hearing will take place on March 31st.

During their meeting on Tuesday, the Snyderville Planning Commission looked at two projects in lower Silver Creek. 

For one of them, the Planning Commission sent a negative recommendation to County Council for the second time in recent months.

During a non-voting work session, the Snyderville Commission was introduced to a proposal from Anaya’s Market, which is moving from Park City’s Bonanza area to a site in lower Silver Creek northeast of the Bell’s gas station.

On Wednesday, Heber City Mayor Kelleen Potter gave a brief State of the City address covering a handful of the most pressing issues such as housing, traffic, financial health, and the Heber Valley's development.

Potter began her address with a brief history lesson underscoring the "locals' versus move-ins" social media chatter. She introduced a descendant of some of the first Heber Valley locals: Chief Tabby, a member of the Timpanogas Tribe.

Today on the Local News Hour:

(01:47) - Utah Avalanche Forecast Center Report

(07:48) - Kim Carson of the Snyderville Basin Transit District joins us.

(28:27) - Park City Councilmember Steve Joyce has a recap of Thursday night's meeting.

(40:59) - Wasatch County Manager Mike Davis provides an update on county business.

Park City Councilmember Steve Joyce has announced that he will not seek reelection to a second term on city council.

Joyce’s first term as a city councilor is set to end in January 2022 and he told KPCW on Friday morning that he will not seek reelection to a second term this fall.

“Yeah, I can be completely definitive,” Joyce said. “I will not be running for reelection, so there’s an open opportunity for somebody out there.”

A pair of Park City parents have filed suit in U.S. District Court against a requirement that their two children have to undergo a mandatory Covid-19 test in order to receive in-person schooling.

The lawsuit was filed on Wednesday, March 10. 

The parents, Holly and Mark McClure, on behalf of their two children, are objecting to an order from the Utah Department of Health that permits local schools to require a test.

A pickup truck crashed on westbound Interstate 80 late Wednesday afternoon, spilling fuel and causing hours of delays for people heading to the Salt Lake Valley.

Shortly after 4pm Wednesday, the Utah Highway Patrol responded to a report of a potential hazardous material spill near the quarry in Parleys Canyon.

A spokesperson for the patrol said a pickup truck was traveling westbound on Interstate 80 before changing lanes and hitting a semi truck carrying hazardous material. 

The National Ability Center announced it has appointed Dan Glasser to take the helm as the new Chief Executive Officer for the organization.

Leslie Thatcher talks to Glasser about his new role and what the future holds for the NAC.