This is your daily news rundown for Thursday, Oct. 16. In this edition:
- The Cache Community Food Pantry has opened a new warehouse in Logan
- Crews have been pulled from the Yellow Lake Fire due to storms in the area
- Law enforcement is hoping to make this year's UTV Takeover near Hurricane safer
- Enrollment increases at Utah's public universities
- The Mantua police chief has been placed on administrative leave
- Logan residents oppose removing trees from the Island neighborhood for waterline project
Cache Community Food Pantry opens new warehouse in Logan
3:41 p.m.
The Cache Community Food Pantry celebrated the opening of a new warehouse in Logan.
The multi-million dollar, over 9,000 square foot warehouse will have more shelves and more refrigerator and freezer space, plus a room to repack bulk donations.
It’s located behind their current location at 259 South Main in Logan, where citizens and local officials gathered Wednesday to celebrate the new warehouse opening.
The new facility was made possible by donations, including by the State of Utah Legislative Appropriation, Cache Valley Bank, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Crews pulled from Yellow Lake Fire due to storms
3:41 p.m.
Crews have been momentarily pulled from fighting the Yellow Lake Fire due to storms in the area.
The Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest said their crews were pulled off the line Wednesday, noting that as weather permits, crews will keep backhauling equipment such as pumps and hoses from the area.
With the precipitation, officials are watching for the potential of “falling snags,” which is where dead or burned trees are more likely to fall.
The next community meeting about the fire is scheduled for Saturday at 4 p.m. in Kamas, where they will discuss transitioning the fire back to local forest officials.
UTV Takeover to involve higher law enforcement presence
3:41 p.m.
Visitors to the UTV Takeover at Sand Hollow State Park this weekend can expect an increased law enforcement presence in the area.
The UTV Takeover, a tour of off-road vehicle riding events across the U.S., is coming to Hurricane this week, with 20,000 visitors expected to attend.
Last year, rangers reportedly responded to dozens of accidents, DUIs, and alcohol- and drug-related violations. They hope to reduce those numbers this year through increased education and enforcement.
They encouraged all participants to take the free online adult off-highway vehicle education safety course, which is required for all adults operating those vehicles on public lands in Utah. Helmets are also encouraged for everyone and required for those under 18.
Enrollment increases at Utah's public universities
10:41 a.m.
The Utah System of Higher Education on Tuesday released its annual enrollment data, and the numbers are encouraging for all eight institutions under the USHE umbrella.
The Utah System of Higher Education reported a 4.32% rise in enrollment at the state's eight public colleges and universities from 2023 to 2024.
This growth contrasts with a 1.80% increase the previous year, with notable gains in both undergraduate and graduate enrollments.
In 2024, Utah State University enrollment grew 2.98% to 28,900 students.
The University of Utah broke enrollment records set the previous year. This year, the U. grew by 4.7% with 36,970 students — the highest total in the university's 174-year history. Utah Valley University reached a school record of 46,809 students, the most in the state by nearly 10,000 students.
University leaders attribute this increase to strategic initiatives aimed at improving access and opportunities, despite challenges like declining college-going populations and federal FAFSA delays.
Mantua police chief on administrative leave
10:41 a.m.
Mantua town council members could release more information about the future of their police chief during their council meeting Thursday night.
Mayor Terry Nelson says Mantua Police Chief Dakota Midkiff has been placed on paid administrative leave after he arrested 76-year-old Richard Schulze for investigation of interfering with an officer. Midkiff claims Schulze approached him while he was responding to a 911 call on October 5th. The chief documented that Schulze was argumentative and refused to comply, forcing him to arrest the man.
Some Mantua residents are petitioning to have Midkiff removed as the town’s police chief, saying his treatment of Schulze was unnecessary and excessive.
Nelson said while Midkiff is off the job, one full-time officer and one part-time officer continue to patrol the town.
Logan residents oppose removing trees from Island neighborhood for waterline project
10:41 a.m.
Some residents living in the Island neighborhood of Logan are opposing the removal of trees for a proposed waterline project. According to the Logan City website, the project includes installation of a 10-million-gallon water storage tank and transmission waterline from 1500 E. to 600 E. and would require the removal of several green ash trees that line Canyon Road. The trees have lined the road for more than 100 years.
During Tuesday's Logan City Council meeting resident Brandon Elwood said the petition asks the city to consider an alternative plan that would protect the trees he says are vital to the community’s aesthetic and unique character of the Island.
Logan City’s website outlines the waterline project, and links to a tree evaluation commissioned by the city to assess the health of the trees.
According to the assessment, many of the trees show signs of declining health such as fungal infections, decay and fractures. Only a few were labeled to be in good condition, but many were labeled to be in fair condition.
