Welcome to The Local, your source for community news from your friendly neighborhood public radio station. KPCW is the only nonprofit source of daily news across Wasatch and Summit counties.
We have hand-selected a few recent articles that reflect the happenings in our vibrant, eclectic and engaged community. Go to kpcw.org to read – and listen – like a local.
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60 acres of North Fields preserved forever
By Grace Doerfler
Credit: Kristine Weller
The Flying A Ranch in Wasatch County’s North Fields — also known as the Giles family farm – is now under a conservation easement.
Utah Open Lands Executive Director Wendy Fisher said the farm is rich with unique grasslands, plants and animals, including sandhill cranes.
More than four years of work went into securing permanent protection for the 60-acre ranch, which has been in the Giles family for generations.
The federal Natural Resources Conservation Service contributed more than $2 million to the easement, $650,000 came from a Wasatch County open space bond and about $145,000 came from Utah’s LeRay McAllister Working Farm and Ranch Fund.
The working Flying A Ranch joins the 102-acre Kohler farm as permanently protected land in and near the North Fields, which locals often call the “crown jewel” of the Heber Valley.
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Monument aims to spotlight indigenous history in Heber Valley
By Grace Doerfler
Credit: Grace Doerfler
Wasatch County history lovers want to erect a monument honoring Chief Tabby-To-Kwanah and his son, Tom Tabby, key figures in the Heber Valley’s story.
Chief Tabby-To-Kwanah was a leader in the Timpanogos Nation. The chief was instrumental in peace treaty negotiations with Latter-day Saint settlers and indigenous people in the valley after his tribe was forced off its land.
The Wasatch Community Foundation and the Sons of the Utah Pioneers are driving the monument project. The idea was presented to the Wasatch County Council in March.
It includes setting a new marker on Tom Tabby’s grave in the local cemetery and a monument to his father, Chief Tabby.
A ceremony is planned for May 2 at the cemetery. The new memorial will include a statue and a historical plaque.
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UDOT to lower speeds, add lights to make roads safer near Hideout
By Grace Doerfler
Credit: Grace Doerfler
The Utah Department of Transportation is planning safety upgrades to state Route 248 near Hideout.
Highway speeds and residential intersections present challenges for local drivers.
In particular, UDOT says the intersections at Shoreline Drive, which leads to the Ross Creek trailhead, and Deer Mountain Drive are problematic. UDOT wants to shift those roads so they line up.
A traffic light is also being installed at the east end of Hideout, near Tuhaye, plus flashing lights to warn drivers before the signal turns red.
Speed limits will be reduced from 65 mph to 55 mph in the area around the new traffic light.
The agency is also considering short-term improvements, including feedback signs that flash when drivers cross the speed limit.
There’s not yet a timeline for the improvements.
