Local News

The Summit Land Conservancy celebrates the success of the land conservation agreement reached last weekend between Utah Open Lands and the Armstrong family.

The funding to preserve the 19-acre Snow Ranch Pastures came in with about a day to spare. It is successful closing triggered another land grant from long-time resident, Kerry Armstrong. Contingent on the closing of the Snow Ranch Pastures, she announced she would place a conservation easement on her 16-acre Red Barn parcel. Utah Open Lands.

Summit County Attorney Margaret Olson says she was pleased with the attendance at a meeting last week that discussed the legal aspects of stream access on the Weber River.

She told KPCW there have been some conflicts because of confusion, on the part of landowners along the river, and recreationists trying to get to the Weber. Olson had details on a crucial 2017 Utah Supreme Court decision.

Summer provides plenty of opportunity for adventure outdoors for children but with that fun comes risks parents should be aware of, the Heber City Police Department has summer safety tips for parents.

Heber City Detective Tammy Thacker says that when it comes to outdoor recreation its important parents take proper precautions.

Reservoirs, rivers and irrigation ditches are especially high this year after an impressive winter. Thacker says because of that there’s an increased risk of drowning for children.

The Brothers Osborne will be on the Eccles Stage on Sunday evening with Park City Performing Arts Institute and The St. Regis Big Stars Bright Nights summer concert series.

KPCW's Carolyn Murray talked with John Osborne about growing up in a small town on the Chesapeake Bay, singing with his brother and all the musicians and musical genres that inspire the brother duo.

Park City is ready for a busy week of events to celebrate the nations independence. The festivities begin the night before the 4th and continue through the weekend.

July 3rd will see a host of activities ahead of Independence Day celebrations. Free activities include the farmers market at Park City Mountain Resort, and fireworks at the Canyons Resort. Wednesday also marks the beginning of the nearly sold out Oakley Rodeo which will run through July 6th.

With two big holidays in July, first responders are gearing up for fireworks season. Fireworks rules and guidelines help minimize the risk of fire during your July 4 celebrations.

Summit County Fire Warden Bryce Boyer says there are no fire restrictions or firework restrictions currently because recent precipitation has led to more moisture in local vegetation. But that doesn’t mean people should go lighting off fireworks wherever they please.

The Sundance summer film screenings are expanding to include Coalville with a show on July 19th.  The first in the series is Wednesday at Redd Butte Gardens in Salt Lake City and three shows will play in Park City later this month.

Here is a run-down on the free outdoor films showing in Summit County this summer.

July 12th is the first screening in Park City. LaraLee Ownby is Assistant Director of Programs with the Sundance Institute and she says the first show on the 12th was a premier this year at Sundance and has not yet been released.

A Yellowstone exhibit opens at the Natural History Museum of Utah in Salt Lake City. It celebrates the animal migrations through many years of observation. They’ve curated science, photography, film making and artistry to show the long-distance movements like elk, mule deer and prong horn that exist in the greater Yellowstone ecosystem.

Sentencing was delayed in Third District Court Monday for a Salt Lake man who pled Guilty after shooting his brother at a Canyons hotel.

The judge put off a decision after a new allegation surfaced against the defendant. Although the details are unclear at this point.

The defendant, 32-year-old Christopher Leahy Head, was arrested in April. Officers reported that he, his older brother, and their families were staying at the Westgate Hotel when an argument broke out between the siblings. The defendant fired a handgun, striking the older brother in the rear.

As we reported, Summit County is moving ahead toward electric cars.

Council member Kim Carson talked to us Thursday, noting that they have opened 12 new electric charging stations, mostly in the east side areas of Coalville and Kamas, for a total of 27.

Carson lives in Silver Creek and drives a hybrid car. So, she’s happy to hear about more charging stations coming to the county.

With the cold weather, hopefully, behind us, it’s time to look ahead to summer—and who is staying in Park City on summer nights. 

Park City Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau CEO Bill Malone says summer business has grown 3-4% per year over the past two decades. But overnight visitation in the summer looks a little different from what might be expected.

Two recent ruling by the Supreme Court will impact the census and redistricting of the US in the next few years. Utah Governor Gary Herbert responded to the two rulings.

The supreme court ruled on Thursday that federal courts have no role to play in policing political districts drawn for partisan gain.

In his monthly press conference Governor Herbert said that the supreme court ruling doesn’t have any real impact on the state other than it confirms that gerrymandering is a state issue.

Summit County Council Member Kim Carson says she’s excited that the county has preserved three major land parcels in North Summit—not just for open space, but to continue agricultural activity.

Meeting on Wednesday, the council approved three conservation easements for the Summit Land Conservancy.

The county will be a co-holder on the easements, which legally will help the Conservancy to obtain funding.

Carson has details on the three properties.