Utah vs. COVID-19: Thursday, April 16, 2020
It’s like a game of Whack-A-Mole, where challenges show up randomly and must be pummeled. First, we had a testing shortage in the state, and we quickly learned increased testing is essential in the fight against COVID-19. So Silicon Slopes started TestUtah and opened mobile testing units. WHACK. Second, a severe shortage of PPE (Personal […]
UTAH vs. COVID-19: Monday, April 13, 2020
Whether it’s because of social distancing, a nondenominational global fast, or lower-than-expected testing rates, Utah’s numbers looked amazing today! Only 60 new cases of COVID-19 were reported on Monday, which is a 3 percent growth rate. Also, the state expanded the list of symptoms from three to six — and they want to test ANYONE […]
UTAH vs. COVID-19: Saturday, April 11, 2020
I’ve been writing updates and posting them on Facebook (approx. 4-5 per week) since March 16, 2020. Yesterday, they deemed my posts inappropriate and in violation of community standards. Fortunately, all of my updates are stored here on UtahValley360.com. Data As of Saturday, April 11, Utah has 18 deaths related to COVID-19 (5 new deaths […]
DAILY UPDATE of UTAH vs. CORONA: Monday, April 6, 2020
Plans are in motion and the right hands are on the wheel. Today, the cogs kept moving forward while the state maintained social distancing under Governor Herbert’s directive. He didn’t speak at the daily press briefing, perhaps because he felt he was being repetitive (something he mentioned at the past two daily press conferences). Utah […]
WEEKEND UPDATE ON UTAH vs. COVID-19: April 4, 2020
Utah has been collaborating and “crushing” the past couple of days. In an unprecedented partnership, the state of Utah and Silicon Slopes announced www.TestUtah.com and its accompanying “Crush the Curve” slogan. The goal is to get 2 million Utahns (basically everybody) to take the assessment at www.TestUtah.com. The simple and easy questionnaire gathers data and then helps those with symptoms schedule […]
Utah vs. Coronavirus: April 1, 2020
Governor Gary Herbert started his this third daily press conference by denouncing the April Fool’s joke that circulated on social media today saying that he ordered all students to repeat their current grade in school starting next fall. Not true! #aprilfools Then he shared some truths, which include a slight relaxation of rules for restaurants and […]
DAILY UPDATE ON COVID-19: Tuesday, March 31, 2020
Although it still feels like we’re living in the Twilight Zone — and the ending hasn’t been written — it also feels like the state is falling into a routine. Gov. Gary Herbert held another daily press conference. Dr. Angela Dunn, Utah’s epidemiologist, updated the case count at her consistent 1 p.m. meeting. Here’s my […]
DAILY UPDATE COVID 19: March 30, 2020
Lieutenant Governor Spencer Cox compared fighting COVID-19 to building an airplane while flying it — which in my estimation is much better than sitting on the ground debating where to begin the daunting process of assembling a plane. Three new plans took flight in Utah today — child-care for first responders, small loans offered by […]
WEEKEND UPDATE FOR COVID-19: Saturday, March 28, 2020
At 4 p.m. on Friday, the state stood still while Governor Herbert held a press conference and outlined additional guidelines he called “Stay Safe, Stay Home.” Most of the four-page document is a stronger reiteration of what has already been stated — work from home, isolate if you have symptoms, maintain a 6-foot social distancing […]
Daily COVID-19 update: Thursday, March 26, 2020
Today’s edition of COVID-19 includes a vocabulary lesson, statistics on the reduction of miles we’re driving, and some good news about the non-spike of positive tests Utah is reporting. Here are my 18 takeaways from this alternate universe we are getting used to. Stay At Home Vs. Shelter In Place These two phrases have been […]
DAILY UPDATE ON COVID-19: Wednesday, March 25, 2020
During this afternoon’s Silicon Slopes Town Hall, Summit County (Park City) announced a “shelter from home” order — then we learned in real time that Governor Herbert supported it. Colorado instigated a “shelter from home” order during the Zoom discussion as well, and Idaho had done the same thing two hours previous. Things are changing […]
Daily COVID-update: March 24, 2020
Data As of Tuesday, March 24, Utah has 298 cases of COVID-19, which is up 41 new cases from the previous day. (Utah County has 13 positive cases). Total testing in the state is 5,823 so far. Testing capacities have increased to 2,600 per day, with the expectation that even more testing will be available […]
Daily COVID-19 update: March 23, 2020
During today’s Silicon Slopes conference call, Lieutenant Governor Spencer Cox learned from Elder Craig C. Christensen that his missionary son (along with almost all of the 19,800 U.S. missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serving in foreign lands) will be returning to the United States. And all of us on the […]
Daily COVID-19 update: March 21, 2020
Weekend Update Like many have said, “What a year this week has been!” Yes, it has been economically devastating for many and socially isolating for all. But we live in the best state in the nation, full of minds working on the problem from every possible angle. As I’ve listened to a number of conference […]
Daily COVID-19 Update: Wednesday, March 18, 2020
Wednesday update! Once again, Silicon Slopes facilitated a phone call with state and community leaders. We heard updates from Mitt Romney, Steve Starks, Spencer J. Cox, Bill Hulterstrom, and others. Here are a few of my takeaways from the conference call as well as other emails/texts I’ve received: Testing The good news is that the […]
Daily COVID-19 update: Tuesday, March 17, 2020
Today’s update is largely based on a press conference with the Utah Department of Health and Dr. Angela Dunn, the state’s epidemiologist. I’ll also include volunteer opportunities and other generous ideas that cross my desk. Data In Utah, we have performed 900 tests for COVID-19. We have 51 positive tests so far, with 41 of […]
First Daily COVID-19 update: Monday, March 16, 2020
I just got off a conference call with 200+ community leaders (hosted by Silicon Slopes and Clint Betts) and wanted to share a few of my takeaways. Within our state we have the innovation and ability to produce 50,000+ diagnostic tests PER DAY for the coronavirus. These tests are made by Co-Diagnostics, and they are […]
4 family outings for Thanksgiving Break
Between the family feast and the holiday shopping frenzy, families can use their extra-long Thanksgiving weekend to explore the winter wonderland unfolding in Utah Valley. Here are four family outings for the Thanksgiving Break. Spiritual and Religious Art of Utah On display until Jan. 16 at the Springville Museum of Art is the 33rd annual Spiritual […]
UV To Do: calendar of events for November 2018
The holiday season is just getting started. Take a glance ahead and mark your calendar for these Utah Valley events and traditions. Events Dias de los Muertos When: Nov. 2 from 4–8 p.m. Where: Shops at Riverwoods Cost: FREE Site: Facebook Catrin and Catrinas Celebration When: Nov. 3 at 4–8 p.m. Where: University Place Cost: FREE Site: universityplaceorem.com Annual Tree Lighting and Concert […]
13 trick-or-treating locations and family-friendly Halloween events in Utah Valley
Utah Valley is all about the treats come Halloween, so the holiday celebrations don’t need to take place only on Oct. 31. Make Halloween work with your schedule — or at least warm up for the big Halloween night — with these 13 local Halloween events. Autumn Festival at Provo Pioneer Village Get into the […]
Double Takes: Seven Local Celebrity Lookalikes
Each year we call on readers to submit local lookalikes, and then we select a collection of carbon copies to feature. These twinners are frequently asked “Has anyone ever told you . . .?” and find themselves the object of stares at the airport. This year, our picks span genres ranging from an HGTV star […]
The ‘Designing Women’ of Gatehouse No. 1: Inspiring beauty everyday through great design
Sponsored Story Stephanie Holdaway and the team of professional designers at Gatehouse No. 1 offer the best in custom furniture and interior design. The 10,000-square-foot furniture store and design studio is located in the heart of downtown Orem and has established a strong reputation for interior design by offering innovative, high-quality home décor and furnishings […]
Eat more free: Details for Cow Appreciation Day and Slurpee Day
Two annual free food events are giving everyone a something to look forward to this week. On Tuesday, the annual Cow Appreciation Day at Chick-fil-A moooves into town. Costumers who dress up in any sort of cow apparel — which means anything from a homemade shirt to a full-out cow costume — receives a free […]
How to get your Utah camping fix without actually camping
You get it — Utah is a great place to get outside, pitch a tent, build a fire, sleep under the stars, climb mountains, live off the land, yada yada yada. But what if camping just isn’t your thing? What if you think the outdoors are just fine but you’d rather stay within walking distance of […]
OneRepublic, acrobats and stunts: 2018 Stadium of Fire had many tricks up its sleeves
PROVO, UTAH – The 38th Annual Stadium of Fire has no need to “apologize” following the 2018 celebration, which was headlined by pop rock band OneRepublic. With its largest crowd in the past 10 years, the Stadium of Fire welcomed performers with a variety of tricks up their sleeves. Besides singers OneRepublic, GENTRI and Lexi […]
8 of Utah County’s best beaches
The Beehive State is hundreds of miles from the ocean, but it’s still possible to have fun at the beach without making the 600-plus mile trip to the west coast. Utah County has a handful of sandy “beaches” next to local ponds, lakes and reservoirs, where you can have a great time sunbathing, swimming, kayaking, […]
Romney and Curtis clear winners in Republican primary
About 30 minutes after the polls closed Tuesday night, two major races had clear winners: Mitt Romney for U.S. Senate and John Curtis in the 3rd Congressional District. “It looks like our team won the primary, and we understand at this point there were a record number of people who voted in this primary,” Romney […]
It’s time to vote! Do you know what to do with your ballot?
If you’re a registered Republican or live in a district with a school board primary, chances are that you got a primary election ballot in the mail this week. For the first time last year, Utah County did a (mostly) vote-by-mail election. After initially deciding to go back to using voting machines, commissioners voted in […]
Summer (and sanity) saving camps for kids in Utah Valley
The early bird gets the worm — or in this case, the guaranteed spot in that coveted summer camp. If you’re staring down three months of empty calendar squares and aren’t sure where to start when scheduling activities, all is not lost. There are venues across the county still accepting registrations for day and overnight […]
8 Utah County cities named as safest cities in Utah, Highland takes top spot
Utah County is living up to its nickname of “Happy Valley.” Safewise named Utah’s 20 safest cities in 2018 and eight Utah County cities made the list with Highland topping the list. According to the study that used the FBI crime report, Utah has continued it’s trend of being a safe place to raise families. […]