Staff Writer | American Fork Citizen

All five of CommonSpirit’s Utah hospitals have earned the Leapfrog Full Transparency Badge, recognizing their commitment to publicly reporting information about patient safety and quality through the annual Leapfrog Hospital Survey.

The Full Transparency Badge is awarded to hospitals that complete, affirm and submit all sections of the Leapfrog Hospital Survey, one of the nation’s leading voluntary reporting programs focused on patient safety, quality and transparency.

The Utah hospitals receiving the badge include:

• Holy Cross Hospital – Davis, Layton, UT
• Holy Cross Hospital – Salt Lake, UT
• Holy Cross Hospital – West Valley, West Valley CIty, UT
• Holy Cross Hospital – Jordan Valley, West Jordan Valley, UT
• Holy Cross Hospital – Mountain Point, Lehi, UT

“At CommonSpirit Health, our highest calling is to provide exceptional care that Utahns can trust,” said Jeremy Bradshaw, Utah Market President. “Earning the Leapfrog Full Transparency Badge across all five of our Utah hospitals is a powerful testament to that commitment. It reflects our dedication to openly sharing vital information about patient safety and quality, so every individual and family can make informed decisions about their health. This recognition embodies our promise of humankindness, ensuring clear communication and earning the confidence of those we are privileged to serve.”

Beyond reporting, the teams across the Mountain Region actively engage in continuous improvement initiatives, from implementing technology and best practices in infection prevention to enhancing patient-provider communication. Each day, the Mountain Region exceeds expectations for patient outcomes.

“We applaud these Mountain Region hospitals for their commitment to transparency,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “Transparency is one of the most powerful drivers of improvement in health care. By fully participating in the Leapfrog Hospital Survey, the Mountain Region is helping patients and families access meaningful information about the safety and quality of their care.”

The Leapfrog Full Transparency Badge appears on Leapfrog’s public ratings website and identifies hospitals that have committed to openly sharing information about their performance.

For more information about CommonSpirit Mountain Region, visit mountain.commonspirit.org.

Rob Shelton | American Fork Citizen

Ask anyone under 35 in American Fork or Lehi about buying a first home, and the answer tends to be some version of the same thing: not yet, and maybe never. The dream hasn’t changed. The math has.

The Provo-Orem-Lehi metro area had a median household income of $101,014 and a median home price of $572,450 as of mid-2026, according to an analysis by Ziffy.ai reported by the Deseret News in July. To make that home affordable on that income, mortgage rates would need to fall to 2.3 percent, a level not seen in the U.S. since the depths of the pandemic. Rates in Utah are instead averaging 6.55 percent as of late July 2026. This has led to 74% of Utahns being priced out of purchasing a median-priced home, according to the Utah Housing Strategic Plan Metrics.

That local snapshot tracks statewide. James Wood, recently retired senior fellow at the University of Utah’s Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, shared this outlook at a Salt Lake Board of Realtors forecast event in January that Utah’s housing market would be “running in place” through 2026 with modest price growth, elevated rates and a market still working through the aftershocks of the pandemic-era boom.

Nationally, the income needed to afford a typical home for sale fell 2 percent between April 2025 and April 2026, to $116,780 from $119,191, according to Redfin, the seventh straight month of improvement, and mortgage rates briefly dipped below 6 percent in February 2026 for the first time since 2022. But Redfin’s list of the 35 large metro areas that saw affordability improvements excluded all of Utah. Rates climbed back to the mid-6-percent range by late spring as instability tied to the conflict in Iran pushed them up again.

The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute’s 38th annual Economic Report to the Governor, presented in January, found Utah’s overall housing prices grew slower than inflation in 2025, technically an affordability improvement. Still, homeownership rates kept falling anyway, a sign that price growth alone isn’t the whole story.

A common assumption is that affordability will return once mortgage rates fall enough. The Ziffy.ai analysis complicates that locally: of 364 metro areas nationwide in the 2026 study, 42 had such a wide gap between median income and median home price that even an interest-free mortgage wouldn’t close the gap for typical earners like in the St. George area. The Provo-Orem-Lehi metro wasn’t quite that extreme, but still needed rates near 2.3 percent.

Principal and interest are only part of the monthly bill. According to a March 2026 profile from the National Low Income Housing Coalition, a full-time worker in Utah needs to earn $29.29 an hour, a household income of $60,930 a year, to afford the average two-bedroom rental at HUD’s Fair Market Rent of $1,523 a month without being cost-burdened. That’s before factoring in the added costs of ownership: property taxes, homeowners insurance, HOA dues and maintenance on top of a mortgage payment.

With the cost of ownership and rent, some young people are getting creative. According to Finance Buzz and the US Census Bureau, 27% of Utahns age 18-34 currently live with their parents. Nationally, a third of American young adults still live at home with their parents. That figure is up over 10% from 1960.

Population growth: Utah County is projected to roughly double, to 1.5 million residents, between 2025 and 2065, and will drive 45 percent of the region’s long-term population growth, according to the Gardner Institute’s 2026 Economic Report to the Governor. That growth hasn’t slowed even as statewide net migration has slowed: migration accounted for just 43 percent of Utah’s 2025 growth, the Gardner Institute found, the lowest share in four years.

The lock-in effect: More than 61 percent of Utah mortgage holders have an interest rate below 4 percent, according to Wood’s 2026 outlook, giving current owners little incentive to sell a home a younger buyer might otherwise be able to afford.

Housing affordability was ranked Utah voters’ No. 1 issue in the Utah Foundation’s 2024 Priorities Project, the first time in that survey’s 20-year history any housing-related concern topped the list. The Priorities Project runs once every four years, so that remains the most current version of that specific measurement, with the next update due in 2028.

In the meantime, the Utah Foundation has kept publishing on the topic. A March 2026 report, “Appraising Utah’s Homeownership Approaches,” examined “shared-equity” programs, in which private investors help cover a buyer’s down payment or other costs in exchange for a share of the home’s future value, an emerging option as government subsidy programs remain limited relative to need.

Nationally, first-time buyers made up just 21 percent of all home sales in the year ending mid-2025, the lowest share the National Association of Realtors has recorded since it began tracking the figure in 1981, down from roughly 40 percent before the 2008 financial crisis. The median age of a first-time buyer nationally hit 40 in 2025, also a record.

Gov. Spencer Cox’s goal of adding 35,000 new “starter homes” statewide by the end of 2028 remains behind pace; state housing officials reported roughly 6,500 starter homes built statewide as of a legislative preview in January 2026. The state’s Utah Housing Strategic Plan, finalized in December 2025, calls housing affordability the “single greatest threat to Utah’s prosperity” and is now paired with a new public dashboard.

Homeownership remains one of the most common financial goals among young Americans. The challenge isn’t that younger Utahns have stopped dreaming of homeownership; it’s that the cost of that dream has risen faster than the incomes meant to reach it, even in a year when national affordability data show tentative, uneven improvement. Whether Utah County closes that gap may decide not just where young adults live, but whether they stay in places like American Fork and Lehi.

April Slaughter | American Fork Citizen

A 59-year-old man died Saturday after he was struck by lightning while hiking near the summit of American Fork Twin Peaks, according to the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

The incident was reported at approximately 12:20 p.m. on July 18 as thunderstorms moved across the Wasatch Mountains. The man and another hiker were near the summit of the east peak when lightning struck, reportedly causing the man to fall.

Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue was activated at 12:22 p.m. and responded with assistance from a Utah Department of Public Safety helicopter and Snowbird Ski Patrol.

Crews located the hikers from the air, but storm conditions initially prevented rescuers from safely reaching them. Search and rescue personnel reached the area after the storm cleared and recovered the man’s body. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The search and rescue operation lasted approximately two hours. Rescuers had to balance the need to reach the hikers quickly with the continued danger posed by the thunderstorm in the exposed, high-elevation terrain.

Snowbird Ski Patrol helped escort the surviving hiking partner safely from the mountain. Authorities had not released the name of the man who died as of Monday.

“We would like to thank Snowbird Ski Patrol for assisting with the safe escort of the patient’s hiking partner off the mountain,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. “We also extend our appreciation to DPS for their skilled aviation support and assistance throughout the incident.”

The incident was initially described as occurring near Little Cottonwood Canyon, while the name American Fork Twin Peaks led to some confusion about whether it happened in American Fork Canyon. Authorities placed the hikers near the east summit of American Fork Twin Peaks, in the mountains just south of Snowbird Resort.

American Fork Twin Peaks sit along the boundary between Salt Lake and Utah counties. The two summits rise to approximately 11,500 feet, and the west summit is considered the highest point in Salt Lake County. These mountains should not be confused with the nearby Broads Fork Twin Peaks.

High, exposed ridgelines and summits can become particularly dangerous when thunderstorms develop. Lightning tends to strike elevated or isolated objects, and hikers above the tree line may have few places to seek protection.

The National Weather Service advises hikers and others participating in outdoor activities to check the forecast before leaving and monitor conditions throughout the day. Summer thunderstorms can develop rapidly over Utah’s mountains, even when skies appear clear at the beginning of a hike.

Thunder is a warning that lightning is close enough to pose an immediate threat. The weather service recommends leaving exposed areas and seeking shelter as soon as thunder is heard or threatening clouds begin to form. Hikers should not wait for rain to begin before moving to a safer location.

According to the weather service, a significant lightning threat generally extends 6 to 10 miles from the base of a thunderstorm. Wind, rain and surrounding terrain can also make thunder more difficult to hear, leaving hikers with less warning that a storm is approaching.

“There is no place outside that is safe when a thunderstorm is in the area,” according to National Weather Service guidance.

The safest shelter is inside a substantial building or a fully enclosed, hard-topped vehicle with the windows closed. Picnic shelters, open-sided structures, tents and isolated trees do not provide adequate protection.

When a building or vehicle cannot be reached, hikers should descend from peaks and ridgelines as quickly and safely as possible. They should avoid lone trees, rocky overhangs, open fields, metal fences and bodies of water. Groups should spread apart to reduce the possibility of multiple people being injured by the same strike.

Outdoor activities should not resume until at least 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder, the weather service advises. Lightning can extend several miles beyond the visible base of a thunderstorm and may strike in an area where rain has not yet begun or has already ended.

If someone is struck, bystanders should call 911 immediately and begin first aid if it is safe to do so. Lightning strike victims do not retain an electrical charge and can be touched. CPR or an automated external defibrillator may be necessary if the person is not breathing or does not have a pulse.

Lightning kills about 20 people annually in the United States and injures hundreds more, according to the National Weather Service. Some survivors experience burns, neurological damage or other lasting health complications. About two-thirds of lightning deaths are associated with outdoor recreational activities.

Saturday’s fatality occurred during a weekend marked by severe weather across Utah. Heavy rain and thunderstorms also caused flash flooding and other hazardous conditions in several areas of the state.

The Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office expressed their condolences to the family and friends of the man who died.

April Slaughter | American Fork Citizen

A West Jordan man remains in the Utah County Jail following his arrest in connection with the Timp Fire, a wildfire that burned about two acres and prompted evacuations and temporary closures in American Fork Canyon.

Conrad Jared Larsen, 46, was arrested by the Utah County Sheriff’s Office at 8:30 p.m. on July 15 and booked into the jail at 10:48 p.m., according to the county’s inmate search. Jail records list his status as active, with no release date shown.

Larsen was booked on a new allegation of arson involving property damage of at least $5,000. The jail listing identifies the suspected offense under Utah Code as arson involving the property of another and classifies it as not bailable. The booking information does not establish that prosecutors have formally filed a criminal charge in district court.

The same jail record also lists a separate Orem Justice Court arrest warrant in an earlier criminal trespass case involving an institution of higher education. The trespass case is separate from the Timp Fire investigation.

The Timp Fire was reported July 9 near Timpooneke Campground, a popular recreation area in American Fork Canyon that provides access to trails in the Mount Timpanogos Wilderness. The campground and nearby Mutual Dell area were evacuated while crews responded, and access to other canyon recreation sites, including Tibble Fork Reservoir, was temporarily affected during the emergency.

Firefighters kept the fire to approximately 2 acres before it could spread farther into the surrounding forest.

Published reports citing the arrest record say the U.S. Forest Service identified Larsen as a suspect and contacted the Utah County Sheriff’s Office. Witnesses reportedly told investigators they saw a man matching Larsen’s description adding sticks to a fire burning outside a designated fire ring.

According to those reports, the fire had spread to two nearby bushes and flames had reached an estimated 10 feet while the man continued adding material. Investigators later located Larsen in the canyon, where he was reportedly carrying a large log and had a lighter in his back pocket. Authorities also reported a strong odor of smoke coming from his vehicle.

Those details are allegations attributed to the arrest record and have not been proven in court. Larsen is presumed innocent unless and until he is convicted.

Investigators estimated the damage would exceed $5,000, according to published reports citing the arrest record. Even a relatively small wildfire can require a substantial response when it begins near a campground, trailhead or other crowded recreation area.

Timpooneke Campground sits along the Alpine Loop Scenic Byway and is a primary access point for hikers entering the Mount Timpanogos Wilderness. The area draws campers, hikers and families throughout the summer, making evacuations and closures especially disruptive during the peak recreation season.

Published reports citing federal court records state Larsen previously pleaded guilty in connection with a 2017 fire that burned approximately 17 acres near the Timpooneke area. 

As of the most recent jail search, Larsen remained in custody on the arson booking and the separate Orem warrant. Any decision to formally file charges will be made by prosecutors after reviewing the evidence gathered by investigators.

April Slaughter | American Fork Citizen

The body of a man who disappeared while attempting to swim across Tibble Fork Reservoir was recovered Sunday night following a search by emergency crews.

The Utah County Sheriff’s Office said the man, who was in his 20s, was at the reservoir with a group Sunday evening when he attempted to swim from one side to the other. During the swim, he went beneath the surface and did not come back up.

Authorities received the report at approximately 6 p.m. Utah County Search and Rescue arrived at the reservoir, and a helicopter was called to assist with the search from the air.

Shortly before 10 p.m., the Sheriff’s Office announced that crews had located the man and recovered his body from the reservoir.

The man’s name was not released. The Sheriff’s Office said it would not publicly identify him.

Officials did not provide additional information about what happened before the man disappeared, how far he had traveled or where in the reservoir he was located. They also did not report whether he was wearing a life jacket.

Tibble Fork Reservoir is located approximately seven miles up American Fork Canyon. The mountain reservoir is used for swimming, fishing and paddle sports during the summer.

The Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation encourages people using Utah’s lakes and reservoirs to wear properly fitted, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets. The agency notes that approved life jackets provide lifesaving buoyancy and should be selected according to the wearer’s chest size, weight and intended activity.

Utah law requires every vessel to carry at least one properly sized and serviceable U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket for each person aboard. The life jackets must be readily accessible rather than stored out of reach or left inside their original packaging.

Children ages 12 and younger must wear life jackets while aboard a vessel. People using personal watercraft and those participating in towing activities are also required to wear them.

For paddle sports, the state requires a life jacket for each person aboard a stand-up paddleboard, kayak or canoe. Although paddleboard leashes are not required under Utah law, the Division of Outdoor Recreation strongly recommends using the correct leash for the conditions. The agency cautions that a leash does not replace a life jacket.

Officials have not released any information connecting the Tibble Fork drowning to a violation of boating or life jacket laws. The safety guidance is provided for those recreating on Utah waterways.

Authorities extended condolences to those affected by the man’s death. Additional information will be released if it becomes available.

Brynn Carnesecca | American Fork Citizen

Home-owning in Utah has never been more out of reach. According to the National Association of Realtors, homes have a median of $440,600, a 1.8% increase from last year. With many young adults trying to settle in Utah, housing can be extremely difficult to afford and purchase.

Some young adults choose to rent, some buy, and some continue living with their parents or another loved one. Bekah Bingham, a Provo resident, has found renting an apartment to be difficult and frustrating. Originally from Kansas, she feels that she pays for more support and help than she receives.

In the last few months, she has dealt with a mice infestation, a broken dishwasher, an excess of spiders and hot water going out for a week.

“I didn’t hear anything [about management] before I moved in, but since then, I’ve only really heard negative things,” Bingham said. “They don’t care about their residents. They own a lot of properties in Provo, and they don’t take care of them.”

While Bingham pays upwards of $500 a month for her portion of a shared space, getting help from the management consistently takes weeks. And, if she or one of her 12 housemates calls to get something fixed, they are charged for a repairperson to come out, whether the problem is resolved or not.

“It’s such a Utah thing,” Bingham shared. “In Kansas…most people have apartments, and it is a lot cheaper in general. Here, there is such a need for housing and so many students need a place to live, that the standards drop very low.”

With all of the difficulties, Bingham cannot afford a house at this moment and feels that renting is her best option.

Aria Nuan, a young Lehi homeowner, has tried to be strategic with her housing decisions. What began with a duplex rental has now grown into being a homeowner with her fiance.

“It was definitely a unique experience that my fiance and I had,” Nuan explained. “We definitely had the perspective that investing in real estate was a wealth-building instrument. We didn’t just look at housing as our housing. We looked at it as an investment into the places we were moving.”
During the house-hunting process, Nuan and her partner considered different options. They weren’t sure if they wanted to do a new build, or fix up a property. Eventually, they decided to purchase a recent build from another couple. The couple is extremely happy to be able to afford a house, but it didn’t happen by chance.

“One of the biggest contributors to being able to afford a home at a young age was not having student debt. Both me and my partner used scholarships and payed a lot of our degrees out of pocket,” Nuan said.

Additionally, Nuan worked multiple jobs during college and high school.

“I think a lot of people assume that you can only achieve [homeownership] if you are privileged. While it does take a lot of privilege, it also takes a lot of work,” Nuan expressed.

Scott Clarke, a first time home-buyer specialist and local realtor echoed similar sentiments. He shared that there are programs in place to help first-time home buyers in Utah that some don’t take advantage of. For first-time homeowners purchasing a new build, the Utah Housing Corporation will provide $20k for the down payment or closing costs. The home price cannot exceed $450k, but the program has helped many young adults purchase homes.

“90% of Gen Z hope to own a home, but 63% think it will never happen,” Clarke said. “So many people think it’s way harder than it is.”

Still, home prices deter many from investing in real estate.

“Right now, 20% of all home purchases nationwide are first-time home buyers, which is the lowest it’s been since 1980,” Clarke explained. “As for Utah, our prices are higher than most places, but that’s not going away anytime soon.”

In the future, Clarke and his team believe that Utah’s home market will continue rising in price. Their prediction comes from other tech-heavy areas, such as Silicon Valley. They encourage people to invest in real estate now before it gets higher.

Clarke also says that, to be a first-time homeowner, someone needs to make around $55-60k a year.

“There is no better way to build wealth than owning a home,” Clarke shared. “More than that, it builds society and helps us to be family-centered.”

That being said, Clarke also recognizes that there are challenges to owning a home.

He said, “It’s way different. Back in our grandparents’ day, the average home price was about 1.2 times the average salary. Now, it’s eight times the average salary. How much we are making and how much homes cost is so different.”

Nuan also encourages people to take a step back and think about if homeowning is truly for them. She believes there is no “cookie-cutter” mold, and that every person’s path is unique and different.

“Look at the holistic picture of everything,” Nuan encouraged. “Homeowning isn’t for everyone. Some want to travel or do other things, and that can be just as valuable as owning a home.”

For more information about Scott Clarke and his team, visit www.realestatehelputah.com, or email him at [email protected].

Elizabeth Spencer | American Fork Citizen

Honoring our nation’s 250th anniversary, Follow the Flag (FTF) wanted to do something extra special this year. The morning of Independence Day at their “Dawn’s Early Light” ceremony, instead of unfurling the traditional US flag, FTF unfurled the “Betsy Ross” flag. The special flag has 13 stars arranged in a circle, representing the original colonies of the United States of America in 1776.

When the 11,960 square foot flag was unfurled, “You heard a couple gasps,” FTF volunteer Kathy Sweat shared.

“We decided quickly that we wanted to surprise our own team. So, there was just a handful of us who knew,” said Carrie Fox, wife of FTF founder Kyle Fox. Carrie said the anticipation was wild, and to keep it a surprise for most of the team, they had to pack up the old flag as if they were going to unfurl it, except this time, when everyone went home, a few of them went back and exchanged the 50-star flag for the 13-star flag.

Kathy was one of the few FTF volunteers who knew the flag would have only 13 stars and called the surprise “exciting.” She said it was like having a birthday party for your own team since most of them didn’t know the special flag would be unfurled.

“It was surreal; it was a year into the work. It was emotional,” said Carrie of the unfurling on Independence Day.

Last year, knowing the 250th anniversary was approaching, FTF volunteer Steve Madsen wanted the organization to do something special to commemorate the milestone. While attending the 2025 Stadium of Fire, Madsen was inspired by the Betsy Ross flag showcased at the program. He approached the Foxes with the idea of unfurling the 1776 flag in lieu of the traditional 50-star flag.

Kyle Fox, who founded FTF in 2015, said the unfurling of the unique flag was everything they had hoped for. He hired photographers to capture the experience and the emotion in the spectators, which were smiles and tears.

“When that flag came down, I bawled like a baby,” said 20-year-old Ammon Paxton, who was the voice-over for a short cameo of Paul Revere at the beginning of the ceremony. Revere started off the celebration riding in on a horse. “I love freedom, I love America. A lot of my friends think that I worship the Constitution, so I have very high respect for these men.” Paxton hopes Revere’s voice inspired someone in the crowd. “I love Paul Revere,” added Paxton.

Colby and Kathy Sweat have volunteered their time and services for the non-profit organization. As a professional seamstress, Kathy was integral in repairing one of the flags, which had a 14-foot tear after a microburst ripped through the area. Kathy has earned her nickname “Sweatsy Ross” with her amazing knowledge, seamstress skills, and industrial sewing machines.

Colonial Flag makes large flags for FTF. Once they cut off the extra fabric from the flag, they save it for FTF to make streamers. These special streamers include individual names of veterans or influential people in our community who have passed away. Kathy purchased an embroidery machine and sewed special streamers that fly out on the line with the large flags. For the Sweats, this year is extra special because flying alongside the Betsy Ross flag is their sister-in-law’s streamer, who died earlier this year of cancer. “When I was sewing it, it was hard. You have one of those moments that just tugs, and you miss them so much,” shared Kathy.

Lining the trail leading up to the 154’x78′ flag are other versions of the American flag over the years. The trail begins with the British flag and then ascends in chronological order as states joined the Union.

Showcasing the large flags takes hundreds of volunteers. “We are such an incredibly diverse group; we can do anything. Kyle dreams it up, and he says, ‘Well, I think we should,’ and we all go, okay, and it happens,” concluded Colby.

“We’ve got people from all walks of life, all ages, all backgrounds. All of us come in with a God-given gift, and then combine us, and we’re unstoppable,” said Kyle of the FTF team.

Each flag unfurled by FTF has a special name, and this one is no different. In honor of our nation’s 250th birthday, they named it “General Washington.” FTF will fly the General Washington at the Grove Creek trailhead in Pleasant Grove through July 12. FTF also flies flags on 9/11 and for Veterans in other locations, including St. George and Ogden, UT, and Twin Falls, ID. For more information about FTF, check out their website at followtheflag.org.

April Slaughter | American Fork Citizen

Rocky Mountain Power (RMP) customers in Utah could see changes to their electric bills under a proposed settlement now before the Utah Public Service Commission.

The settlement, filed June 30, would increase RMP’s general rates by $93 million, or 4.2%. For an average residential customer, the company estimates the increase would amount to about $3.44 per month.

Although the settlement terms are tied to a July 1 effective date, the agreement has not yet received final commission approval. The Utah Public Service Commission is still reviewing the settlement.

The proposed increase is paired with a separate decrease in energy charges that RMP says will more than offset the hike for the average residential customer. According to the company, customers will also see an average 10.6% reduction in energy charges because of an adjustment to the Energy Balancing Account, which tracks certain fuel and power costs. That adjustment is expected to reduce a typical residential bill by about $11 per month.

Taken together, RMP says the two rate actions would result in an overall net decrease of about 6.4% for an average residential customer.

The proposal is part of a stipulated settlement tied to RMP’s 2024 general rate case, which has been the subject of lengthy regulatory proceedings and appeals. The company originally sought a much larger increase in 2024, citing rising costs for fuel, power purchases, wildfire mitigation, insurance and system investments. In April 2025, the Public Service Commission approved a smaller increase than the company requested.

The new settlement would also support rate stability through 2028, with RMP agreeing not to file another general rate case with rates effective before Jan. 1, 2029. The agreement also outlines a framework for about $2 billion in future Utah investments, which the company says are needed for reliability, resilience and growth.

The settlement is not final. The Public Service Commission has scheduled additional hearings on the docket this month before deciding whether to approve the agreement.

The rate changes would affect RMP customers in Utah, including residential, commercial and industrial customers. In American Fork, RMP provides electric service to many customers. In Lehi, the impact is more limited because Lehi operates its own municipal power department. Lehi residents and businesses who receive electric service through Lehi City Power would not be directly affected by RMP’s rate changes. Customers who receive an RMP bill would be affected.

Rocky Mountain Power serves more than 800,000 customers in Utah and is the state’s only rate-regulated public electric utility.

For customers, the practical effect will depend on usage, rate class, and whether the settlement is approved. Higher-use households and businesses could see different impacts than the average residential estimate provided by the company. Because the proposal remains under review, final bill impacts could change before the Public Service Commission issues an order.

Megan Wallgren | American Fork Citizen

Local families enjoyed food, live music, kids’ activities, and a meet-and-greet with BYU football players, all in support of Foster Care, at Align Utah’s Open House on June 20. The event, held at Align’s Lehi office, was designed to raise awareness about foster care and how to make a difference in the lives of Utah children.

The open house combined information about foster care with family-friendly activities, featuring music from the First Christian Tongan Band of Utah, performances by Ailine’s Touch of Polynesia dancers, a Hawaiian food truck, balloon artists, and face painting.

“It was incredible,” said Align co-founder Tina Worton. “About 150 people came through the doors. There was a lot of interest from people who wanted to become foster families and make a difference in kids’ lives. It was super heartwarming. The atmosphere everyone contributed to was amazing. People here in Utah County, and specifically Lehi, really opened their hearts to learn what they can do to support families.”

The event was designed to open conversations about Foster Care in the community in a way that makes the topic approachable for adults and children alike. While parents could attend informational presentations on foster care, children enjoyed activities that naturally sparked conversations about compassion and helping others.

“We really wanted this open house to be not just adult-friendly but kid-friendly,” Worton said. “Adults want answers and information, but we wanted it to reflect the kind of work we do by creating experiences for families.”

Throughout the event, a looping presentation encouraged visitors to better understand the realities that children face in foster care. One display challenged attendees to imagine having just 10 minutes to gather everything they owned before leaving home.

“It’s not a question for many children; it’s their reality,” Worton said, noting that many children enter foster care carrying only a garbage bag of belongings.

She hopes helping children understand foster care at a young age encourages greater empathy.

“We want kids to understand what foster care is,” she said. “You never know what another child may be going through. Being aware helps us all become kinder and more compassionate.”
One of the most meaningful moments, Worton said, came when three siblings currently living in a foster home participated in the musical performance alongside their foster father, who serves as the band’s leader.
“The three children all participated,” she said. “One played the snare drum, and another performed a solo. It was a sweet reflection of the joy that can come to kids’ lives through foster care. It gives hope back to the community. This is what inclusivity looks like.”

Align was founded two years ago to strengthen foster families across Utah. The organization’s name comes from the Pororoca, a powerful wave that forms in the Amazon River when the sun, moon, and Earth align during the equinox.

“When multiple powerful forces come into perfect alignment, they actually change the direction of the entire river,” Worton explained. “Children in foster care face difficult currents all the time because of trauma. No single person or organization can overcome those things alone. When we all align, we’re strong enough to change the trajectory of children’s lives.”

Worton said her passion for foster care began as a child, when she saw adult family members take in and work with foster children. At age 18, she began working for her father’s foster care agency, starting in entry-level roles before discovering what she describes as her life’s calling.
“I’ve stayed because I have so much fidelity to really make a difference in these children’s lives,” she said. “Who fights for them? They don’t have their biological parents to fight for them. It’s got to be us.”

Today, Align supports approximately 120 licensed foster families across Utah, serving communities from Logan to Sanpete County. The organization recruits, trains and licenses foster parents while providing ongoing case management, therapy coordination, placement services and around-the-clock crisis support.

“We don’t want families that are perfect,” Worton said. “We’re looking for willing families, people who are willing to learn and keep growing.”

She said each child has unique needs, making it critical to carefully match children with foster families who can provide the right environment.

“We’ve never met the capacity,” Worton said. “We’re experiencing a shortage of foster parents, and we have not been able to keep up with the demand for homes. Every child deserves to feel like there is a home that can meet their needs.”

Align continues to host informational sessions for individuals interested in learning more about foster care. Worton hopes events like the Lehi open house help dispel misconceptions while showing prospective foster parents they will not be alone.

“We want people to have the right vision of what this looks like and how they can contribute,” she said. “I feel so grateful to be a part of it. I wake up most days and think, ‘I get to contribute.’ We really do have such a strong community and sense of helping people become involved.”
Residents interested in learning more about becoming foster parents or supporting foster families can request information via Align’s website at alignutah.com. The Lehi office will also be holding information sessions on July 15 and August 12. RSVP on the website.

Elizabeth Spencer | American Fork Citizen

Patriots will gather in Utah County to celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday and witness the unfurling of Old Glory across Grove Creek Canyon in Pleasant Grove. Follow the Flag (FTF) has hosted the annual event since 2015. Big Betsy will be unfurled the morning of Independence Day. The flag ceremony, “By Dawn’s Early Light,” will begin at 7:30 a.m.

 In preparation for the Fourth of July, hundreds gathered Sunday, June 28, to march two giant sets of stars and stripes to the mouth of Grove Creek Canyon from the Veterans Memorial at the Pleasant Grove Cemetery. Bagpipes and horses, along with a covered wagon, led the way for the mile-long flag walk. Proud Americans stood at attention, hands over their hearts as the flags passed.

Jordan Fairbanks has volunteered with FTF for the last 12 years. Patriotism runs deep in Fairbanks, as he was born on the 4th of July and served in our armed forces. Fairbanks was near the front of the procession. He walked the entire mile to the canyon, quietly and reverently holding a folded flag in honor of the great men and women who have given their all for our freedoms.

 When asked to share his feelings about the American flag, Fairbanks responded, “It’s the only one I’ll ever salute.” His favorite things about our country have been raising his children with his wife and saying that his posterity can “do whatever, be whoever they want and have the freedom to succeed and achieve and do everything.”

 Miss Pleasant Grove Teen first attendant, Aniston Seegmiller, also participated in the flag walk. She said the experience was awesome. “It was so cool to be able to come together as a community and be able to walk that amazing huge flag up to the canyon and see the beautiful sky and landscape.”

 “As I was walking up Battle Creek Road for the parade, I noticed an older veteran in a chair. He saw us coming forward with the flags. From what it looked like, it was a struggle for him to just stand up out of the chair, and it took numerous attempts to stand on his own. I could see how important it was to him to stand up for the flag and show his love and pride. To me, it was awesome,” added Fairbanks.

 “America is such an amazing place, and I’m so grateful to live here. We have such amazing leaders and have amazing people who fought for us,” concluded Seegmiller.

 While the flag is on display, the public is welcome to come and enjoy free live music at 8:30 p.m. for three nights in the shadow of the stars and stripes. “Sonic Duke” will kick off the music-filled evenings on July 10, followed by the “Hartley Road Band” on July 11; the mini-concert series will conclude with “Legacy Music: Utah County Choir and Orchestra” on July 12.

 FTF will also host “Run 2 Remember,” a 5k trail run honoring veterans on July 11 at 7 a.m. Runners must register by July 10 at 11:59 p.m.

 The 150’x78′ giant flag will be on display across Grove Creek’s 600-foot-wide canyon through the evening of July 12.  For more information, visit followtheflag.org