Elizabeth Spencer | American Fork Citizen

The Digital Childhood Institute (DCI) recently filed formal complaints with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) against both Apple and Google. Melissa McKay, President and Chair of the Board for DCI and a Utah County resident, has spent years working to protect young people from the harmful effects of digital platforms. DCI is a nonprofit research and education organization that exposes online exploitation and pushes for stronger protections through policy, public awareness, and direct advocacy.

Since 2019, DCI leadership has repeatedly urged major app stores to prioritize child safety through congressional testimony, national campaigns, public letters, legislation, and awareness efforts. When these attempts produced little meaningful progress, the organization turned to the FTC.

The complaint centers on five main violations: that Apple knowingly markets harmful and age restricted apps as safe for kids, advertises deceptive safety claims about their ineffective parental controls, facilitates binding contracts between children and tech companies without involving parents, enables unlawful data collection from users under thirteen in violation of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, and continues to bill families for in app purchases made by minors despite a 2014 FTC consent decree requiring express parental consent.

“An FTC investigation could not only hold Apple accountable but also set a powerful precedent for protecting children across the tech industry. For years, advocates have pushed for real change. After repeated hearings, national movements, resolutions, and letters brought little progress, we had no choice but to file formal complaints and write app store accountability legislation,” said McKay.

In October, DCI filed a similar 50-page complaint against Google. The Google filing focuses on how Google Play, YouTube, and Chrome operate as a connected ecosystem that harms children. It points out that Google relies on a quick, automated developer questionnaire to generate age ratings for Google Play, leaving families with no real protection. The complaint also emphasizes that Google allows children to remove parental oversight as soon as they turn 13.

“Google’s so-called safety features are a dangerous illusion,” McKay stated. “By outsourcing age rating to a two-minute questionnaire and cutting parents out of the moment a child turns 13, Google is not protecting families. It is betraying them. This is not child safety. It is corporate negligence presented as responsibility.”

The Utah State Legislature passed the App Store Accountability Act in March, a bill McKay helped draft, which requires app stores on mobile devices to verify a user’s age, obtain parental consent for minors, and provide clear and accurate safety disclosures. The Digital Childhood Institute also filed an amicus brief supporting a similar Texas bill that followed Utah’s lead. “All good child safety bills pass first in Utah,” shared McKay.

To read more about their work, visit: DigitalChildhoodInstitute.org.

Leia Larsen | Guest Writer

The Silicon Ridge mine could bolster efforts to make U.S. less dependent on China as it seeks to lead the world in AI, electric vehicles, green energy and defense.

A Provo company has unearthed a massive deposit of minerals crucial for building electric vehicles, semiconductors, satellites, magnets and more — and it lies less than 20 miles south of Utah’s tech center at Silicon Slopes.

Ionic Minerals Technology (Ionic MT) found that its Silicon Ridge mine is rich in critical and rare-earth elements. The newly discovered supply could support national initiatives to lead the world in artificial intelligence, electrify transportation and bolster defense, all while reducing dependence on foreign markets like China.

And the company asserts it can extract the materials with virtually zero waste. It will also use no explosives or chemicals at the site, said CEO and founder Andre Zeitoun.

Zeitoun described the company as part of a new, more responsible generation of mining.

Silicon Ridge’s deposit of critical and rare earth minerals is suspended in clay, not hard rock, making it easier to extract.

The clay holds 16 critical minerals, Zeitoun said, including gallium and germanium, which are used in electronics, fiber-optic cables and lasers. China by far produces the lion’s share of those minerals and other rare earths, and it recently imposed an export ban on them, sending U.S. companies scrambling for new supplies.

“Over the last 20 years, [we’ve] kind of put ourselves in a situation,” Zeitoun said, “where we’ve allowed ourselves to be solely reliant on imports of these metals that power our lives.”

But with Ionic MT’s discovery, the minerals tech leaders at Silicon Slopes use in their computer hard drives, screens, chips, and more could be sourced from their own neighborhood. This local sourcing marks a shift from past reliance on distant or foreign minerals.

The Silicon Ridge mine lies on the southern end of the Lake Mountains, a small range just west of Utah Lake, on parcels leased from the State Trust Lands Administration. In addition to its location, the company also holds a permit with the Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining, the terms of which remain confidential, state officials confirmed.

“We are excited about the ongoing progress on the project,” division director Mick Thomas said in a statement, “and the potential it represents.”

Rare earths are crucial for green technologies such as wind turbines and solar panels, as well as batteries and motors.

Ionic MT was launched in 2020 by mining halloysite from clay deposits in Juab County, near the town of Eureka. Halloysite is an aluminum-silicon mineral that electric vehicle manufacturers are tapping to help batteries charge faster and last longer.

Zeitoun said vehicles could soon charge as quickly as filling a gas tank, which he sees as key to EV adoption.

The company processes the mineral using a patented process at its 74,000-square-foot manufacturing plant in Provo. In search of more supplies, Ionic MT began exploring Silicon Ridge but was surprised to find more than just halloysite.

“Our machine came back showing, in every single sample that we looked at, the same distribution of these metals,” Zeitoun said. “We first thought … maybe there’s a mistake.”

Third-party testing, however, revealed an abundance of gallium, germanium, rubidium, cesium, scandium, lithium, vanadium, tungsten, niobium and other metals, the CEO said. The Silicon Ridge deposit came from the same type of ancient volcanic formation that created rich deposits in China. That nation currently produces around 60% of global rare-earth supplies and accounts for 90% of processing.

Similar deposits lie in Brazil and Australia, Zeitoun said, but Silicon Ridge is the only known analog in the United States.

The discovery at Silicon Ridge could open the door to finding more rare earths throughout Utah, said Katie Potter, a professional geologist and professor of practice at Utah State University.

“It may kick off a halloysite gold rush,” Potter said.

Utah’s halloysite formed from a volcanic flare-up around 30 million years ago, Potter said. The ash settled near hot springs, creating unique clays with tube structures.

“Those tubes can suck in rare earth elements and other critical metals, like lithium,” she said, “and prevent it from being leached or weathered away.”

Silicon Ridge’s proximity to roads, power lines and a workforce make it favorable for mineral development as well, Potter added.

“We also have climate change and a need to shift away from carbon-emitting energy resources,” she said. “If it’s not extracted here, where we have stronger environmental regulations … it’s going to be done by offloading those effects” to other countries.

Ionic MT initially leased 4,053 acres on Silicon Ridge from the Trust Lands Administration in 2023. They returned to that agency’s board in August, seeking another 3,700 acres, after more than 100 boreholes and trenches revealed ample concentrations of rare earth and critical minerals in the clay.

The state will earn $13 per acre per year under the lease and $1.60 per ton, or 10% of the gross value of the mined clay, whichever is greater, according to Trust Land documents. All the revenue will go to Utah schools.

With state permits and a processing facility already in place, Zeitoun said his company is ready to move “rapidly” to begin harvesting the minerals. The mine could create “hundreds” of local jobs, he said.

The federal government has also expressed interest in supporting the mine, Zeitoun said, but he declined to disclose any details. The Trump administration has moved to secure a more diverse supply of rare earths in recent weeks following clashes with China.

State leaders, meanwhile, are having their own eureka moment over Ionic MT’s discovery.

Senate President Stuart Adams and House Speaker Mike Schultz, both Republicans, cited Silicon Ridge as an example of Utah’s ability to power the nation’s future.

“Our state is uniquely positioned to lead the transition to cleaner energy,” Adams said in a news release Thursday, “by developing next-generation resources right in our own backyard.”

Gov. Spencer Cox, also a Republican, called the new mine “a huge win for Utah and the nation” in a LinkedIn post. He added the development will help fuel his “Operation Gigawatt,” an initiative to more than double the state’s energy production over the next decade.

Note to readers • This story is made possible through a partnership between The Salt Lake Tribune and Grist, a nonprofit environmental media organization.

Rob Shelton | American Fork Citizen

A $50 million proposal to rebuild American Fork’s aging Public Works complex moved forward this week, but only after a tense city council discussion last week, when several council members said they would not approve issuing any bonds until they received more information. The council voted after a public hearing and a lengthy round of questions. The motion was eventually approved with parameters that allow the city to continue the bonding process, but did not authorize the sale of bonds.

The proposed bond surprised many residents who learned about it after the meeting. City newsletters, social media posts and other communication channels made no mention of the historically large bond. The only mention was a brief notice on the city council meeting agenda to notify residents. That minimal disclosure frustrated some residents, who said they should have been informed about such a significant financial undertaking earlier—and through clearer channels.

The proposal also surprised a few city council members. Councilmember Staci Carroll said she was uncomfortable advancing a bond with many unanswered questions. “I don’t have enough information to feel like I know [what is in] the $50 million bucket,” Carroll said during the discussion. “I don’t know what that’s based on, or what we’re really building. And I understand that this is a parameter, but it feels like I don’t have quite enough.” Councilmember Clark Taylor agreed, stating, “I feel the same way.”

One resident spoke during the public hearing portion of the meeting. He was there to comment on another agenda item. Royce Shelley stepped to the podium to question both the size and timing of the proposed bond. “The amount of the bond concerns me,” Shelley said. “I don’t have any details, but a $50 million bond–I wonder if $50 million is what we really need to do it right?” He urged the city to take a closer look at the numbers, adding that it might be time to “find a sharper pencil in the drawer, or a pencil sharpener in the office,” and see whether the project could be done for less.

Mayor Brad Frost responded briefly that the $50 million figure represented a maximum, not a guaranteed cost. “The parameters resolution is a very big box,” Frost said. “I expect it’ll be less than that.”

The meeting then shifted from public comment to city council questions.

Council questions: ‘It seems backwards.’

City Administrator David Bunker explained that the city must set a “not-to-exceed” amount before final design work is completed. “We won’t have plans or documents or actual bids,” Bunker told the council. The actual bond figure would rely instead on an engineer’s cost estimate of what the facility would cost.”

For several council members, that explanation raised more questions than it answered. Taylor cautioned that approving a high bond amount could drive the project’s design rather than constrain it. “If we were given $43.5 million… we’re going to get what we wanted for that $43.5 million,” Taylor said. “I mean, we’re never going to come in under that. We’re going to design up to that and do that, that that seems backwards to me. I just have a little bit of a problem with that. I have a lot of problems with that.”

Council member Tim Holley echoed those concerns, saying he also wasn’t prepared to move forward without a clearer picture of what the project would include. “I kind of go along with what council member Carroll said and what Mr. Shelley said, too,” Holley said. “I would like to have a better understanding of the project overall, because $50 million is a lot of money. It is a lot of money for a city building.” He said public facilities often grow beyond their original scope. “They tend to go over budget and do more than what they need for the city,” Holley said. “I’m not against a public works building and updating the facility, but without a solid understanding of the project, $50 million is a lot of money, and we need to make sure we’re staying within what’s needed versus what’s nice to have, and that we’re being responsible to the residents of our city.”

What can $50 million buy?

Recent public construction projects in neighboring cities underscore why some council members and residents questioned the scale of the proposed bond. In Lehi, construction is nearing completion on a new City Hall and Library totaling roughly 60,000 square feet. According to the Lehi Free Press, the bond for that project is about $31 million.

American Fork’s most recent significant public building came in well below that figure. The city completed Fire Station 52 in the fall of 2023 at a cost of approximately $9.1 million. The station measures about 16,500 square feet.

The city’s existing Public Works complex was built in stages. In 2000, American Fork celebrated the ribbon-cutting of three new buildings at the site. Two structures on the south end of the complex totaled about 12,000 square feet, while the office building on the north end added roughly 7,500 square feet.

Currently, no site plan, renderings or detailed building specifications have been presented to the council for the proposed $50 million price tag.

Residents will not be voting on the proposed bond, as the financing would move forward through a legal structure that allows cities to borrow money without a ballot initiative. Under Utah law, cities may create a Local Building Authority, a separate entity formed by the city council to issue debt. The authority exists primarily to finance public buildings and infrastructure and can issue lease revenue bonds, which typically carry slightly higher interest rates than voter-approved general obligation bonds.

In this arrangement, the building authority issues the debt and oversees construction of the facility. Once completed, the authority leases the building back to the city, and the city makes annual lease payments that cover the bond’s principal and interest. Over time, ownership of the building ultimately transfers to the city.

According to last week’s city council information packet, “The maximum annual amount of lease payments that the city will pay under the Lease is $3,280,000. Debt service will be paid through a combination of utility user fees and impact fees.” Those payments would be funded by revenues from monthly utility bills paid by residents and businesses, as well as impact fees from new development.

Unlike general obligation bonds, which require voter approval and are backed by property taxes, lease revenue bonds bypass an election entirely.

Approval—but with strict limits

After an hour of discussion and despite their concerns, the council voted to adopt the parameters resolution with an added contingency. The contingency is that the bond professionals can continue working to bring the bonds to market in January. Still, it may not market the bonds without another vote by the city council. The council wishes to receive more details within the limited time available. Council members made sure that point was clear. The bonding team will come back with updated estimates, a refined scope and financial details before any debt is sold.

Council says inadequate notice and details on bond proposal

What stood out most to the council last Tuesday night wasn’t just the bond amount; AF’s lawmakers were clearly concerned about their lack of knowledge of the proposal and the little notice to the public.

As Carroll summarized, the council must understand “what we’re really building” before locking residents into a 31-year financial obligation. Until the city provides a clear plan, several members signaled they are not ready to approve it.

Megan Wallgren | American Fork Citizen

Lehi’s Electric Park was filled with light, music, and community on December 15 as several hundred people gathered for a public Chanukah celebration that included the lighting of the Utah County menorah, speeches from local and religious leaders, live Jewish music, and traditional holiday foods.

The event was hosted by Chabad of Utah County and marked, organizers said, the largest Jewish celebration ever held in the county. Families and community members enjoyed jelly donuts, latkes, children’s activities, and a performance by Jewish singer-songwriter Tali Yess, as the park became a hub of warmth and celebration despite the December weather.

Rabbi Chaim Zippel, director of Chabad of Utah County, opened the program by reflecting on the resilience of the Jewish people and the importance of celebrating faith publicly and proudly, especially in light of the recent terror attack at a Chanukah celebration at Australia’s Bondi Beach.

The menorah lighting was dedicated to two Chabad rabbis who were killed in a recent terror attack in Sydney, Australia. Organizers explained that dedicating the light in their memory was a way to honor their lives and reaffirm a commitment to faith, peace, and resilience.

“This celebration is about survival and thriving,” Rabbi Zippel said, emphasizing that Jewish identity and tradition are strengthened through openness and community support. “We’ve always honored somebody with the lighting of the menorah. This year, it only felt appropriate to dedicate the lighting of our menorah to Rabbi Eli Schlanger and Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, the two rabbis who gave their lives to be lamplighters in Australia.”

“We commit ourselves as we add a little bit more light tonight, that we will carry on their light, and their mission to grow in our Judaism, to grow in our faith,” he said.

Zippel credited Lehi City’s Parks and Recreation program for helping make the event possible through grant funding, noting that the celebration would not have happened without the city’s partnership.

Lehi Mayor Mark Johnson attended the event and addressed the crowd, expressing appreciation for the city’s strong interfaith relationships. He spoke of Lehi’s commitment to inclusion and support for all religious communities, especially during challenging times. Mayor Johnson also acknowledged recent global events impacting the Jewish community and shared words of comfort and solidarity.

“I’d like to just tell you; I know God watches over all of us–even though there are times that he lets things happen. But the thing is, we rebound, and we keep our faith, and he supports us, and he helps us through these trials. And we get stronger. All I can ask for tonight is that you all feel some kind of comfort and understanding that you’ll be able to move forward stronger than ever before,” said Johnson.

Rabbi Zippel was joined by his father, Rabbi Benny Zippel, the chief rabbi and executive director of Chabad-Lubavitch of Utah, who offered a prayer for peace and spoke about the deeper meaning of Chanukah. His remarks referenced the symbolism of olive oil used in the menorah, describing how heavy pressure on olives brings forth the oil, a metaphor, he said, for Jewish perseverance throughout history.

Referring to the antisemitism that drove the Bondi Beach attack, Benny Zippel said, “So this, my friends, tonight is, in fact, an act of defiance to make a proud, loud, and clear statement. Here in Utah County, we will not cower to violence. We will not cower to bigotry. We will not cower to hatred. The more they hate us, the more they attack us, the better and stronger Jews we shall be.”

Following the lighting, children were invited to participate in a dreidel song and celebration, bringing energy and joy to the gathering as families joined together in song and tradition.

Organizers said the evening was not only a celebration of Chanukah, but also a public expression of unity, hope, and light. Rabbi Zippel said, “The goal is to add light to the community and strengthen bonds across cultures and faiths.”

Megan Wallgren | American Fork Citizen

American Fork Police officers helped spread Christmas cheer on Dec. 6 during the department’s annual “Shop with a Cop” event. The charity event provides breakfast and presents for children in need.

This year, the program sponsored 14 children from the American Fork community as well as two adults from the Utah State Developmental Center, making it a meaningful experience for some of the community’s most vulnerable residents.

According to AFPD Executive Assistant Sarah Lowder, a total of 15 sworn officers and five non-sworn Police Department personnel participated, with several staff family members also volunteering their time.

The morning began at American Fork Fire Station 52, where children were welcomed by officers for breakfast, provided by Chick-fil-A, along with a chance to get to know their police partners for the day.

The children were then buckled into patrol cars and treated to a thrilling “lights and sirens” escort down North County Boulevard to the Cedar Hills Walmart. Officers used a dedicated radio channel for the event, where children could use the police radios. “Most of the kids said ‘Merry Christmas’ to each other. This always brings the Christmas spirit to the police department,” said Lowder.

Upon arriving at Walmart, each child found their name displayed on “Santa’s Nice & Naughty List,” a moment that brought huge smiles. “Every child was so excited to find their name on ‘Santa’s Nice List’,” Lowder said.

Walmart employees and Santa himself welcomed the group, offering stockings and photo opportunities before shopping began.

Every child was paired with an officer who helped them select gifts. Although the program is intended to allow children to shop for themselves, many chose to pick out presents for parents and siblings as well. “It was heartwarming to see the children shop for their families as well as themselves,” Lowder said.

A large support crew of officers, American Fork City employees, Chick-fil-A staff, Walmart workers and volunteers helped wrap the children’s gifts. Walmart donated wrapping supplies, while Highland Gardens provided tables, chairs and festive decorations that enhanced the holiday atmosphere.

Shop with a Cop is funded entirely through private donations, including contributions from Chick-fil-A, Walmart and several American Fork Police Officers and their families. All donations are managed through the American Fork Public Safety Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that operates independently from the city.

The event continues to be one of the department’s most meaningful traditions, strengthening bonds between families, officers and the community during the Christmas season.

Staff Writer | American Fork Citizen

The Utah County Health Department (UCHD) has confirmed one new case of measles. Public health officials are actively investigating and taking measures to limit further spread.

The UCHD’s goal is for people to have the information they need, and the Utah Department of Health and Human Services keeps an updated list of exposure locations on its website. They are encouraging residents to review it and reach out to their healthcare provider if they have questions.

Measles is a highly contagious viral illness that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Symptoms typically include high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and a characteristic rash that spreads over the body. People who are not vaccinated are at the greatest risk. This includes infants, who are not eligible for the vaccine until they reach 12-15 months old.

UCHD urges all residents to ensure they and their family members are up to date on the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Individuals who think they may have been exposed or are experiencing symptoms should call their healthcare provider before visiting a clinic, urgent care or emergency department.

For updates and more information about measles, please visit https://epi.utah.gov/measles-response/.

Megan Wallgren | American Fork Citizen

This December, the Chabad of Utah County (COUC) will host Lehi’s first-ever public Chanukah celebration. Organizers hope the large-scale, family-friendly event will become a cherished annual tradition.

The celebration is set for Monday, Dec. 15, at 6 p.m. at Electric Park in Lehi. COUC is partnering with the city as a recipient of a Lehi PARC grant to host the event. The event is free to the public, but registration is required at lehichanukah.com.

Rabbi Chaim Zippel, co-director of COUC, said the vision is to create something “grand, large and publicly accessible,” reflecting the global tradition of lighting menorahs in prominent public spaces.

“On an international level, you’ll see menorahs lit at some of the biggest landmarks in the world,” Zippel said. “Chanukah is a holiday with a long history of public celebrations, and we’re excited to bring something on that scale to Lehi.”

Zippel and his family moved to Utah to lead the Chabad of Utah County in 2022, less than a week before Chanukah began. Their first local celebration was small and intimate, with about 40 people squeezed into their living room. The next year, they moved the event to the Provo Courthouse, where it filled to capacity.

“Each year, we saw more interest, more excitement,” Zippel said. “It became clear that the community was ready for a public Chanukah celebration; something open to everyone.”
This year’s event in Lehi marks the first time the celebration will be held outdoors on such a large scale.

Though Chanukah is a Jewish holiday, the Lehi event is designed for the whole community, regardless of background or belief. “It’s a public celebration for people of all faiths,” Zippel said. “We’ve already had so many people sign up. This is an opportunity to say, ‘Come one, come all. Come learn, come celebrate.’”

Zippel said the event helps strengthen the local Jewish community — one that is vibrant but geographically spread through the county. “Our events show that there is a proud, excited Jewish community right here in our backyard,” he said. “It also highlights the love, respect and admiration our neighbors have for us. We never need to hide. On the contrary, we should celebrate proudly with those around us who support us.”

This year, he noted, that message carries particular weight. “Unfortunately, since the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks, many people have felt pressure to hide their religion and their Judaism in particular,” Zippel said. “It’s so important that we show our faith and not hide. We’re not going anywhere. We’re grateful to be able to observe our religion freely and peacefully in this community.”

Chanukah commemorates the ancient Jewish triumph of light over darkness and the survival of religious freedom in the face of persecution. Zippel hopes that message resonates with everyone who attends.

“It’s a very powerful holiday,” he said. “The idea of light overcoming darkness, of hope beating hate — those themes extend beyond the Jewish community.”

The evening will feature a variety of activities meant to engage families and children, including: lighting the Utah County Menorah and a dreidel competition with participation from local elected officials, live music with Jewish recording artist Tali Yess, and Chanukah stations offering traditional holiday treats.

Zippel said he hopes families walk away with warmth, joy and connection. “I want people to feel uplifted, to feel part of something bigger. This is shaping up to be a very special evening,” he said. “We can’t wait to celebrate with the entire community.”

Staff Writer | American Fork Citizen

Families have the chance to walk the streets of Bethlehem this week as A Babe Is Born – Live Nativity returns for a four-night run, Dec. 3–6, from 6 to 9 p.m. The outdoor production, located at 1174 S. 1700 W. in Lehi, recreates the Nativity story’s setting through detailed sets, costumed actors, and live animals.

Instead of a traditional seated performance, visitors will walk through a series of scenes depicting Mary and Joseph’s journey and the events surrounding the birth of Christ. The experience is designed to be family-friendly, with no age restrictions. There will be opportunities for children to briefly interact with animals, including goats, sheep, and rabbits. Organizers note that parts of the experience are sheltered; however, guests should prepare for winter temperatures.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for children, and time-slot reservations are available through Eventbrite. Attendance is expected to increase this year, and families are encouraged to reserve tickets early.

A portion of the event’s proceeds will support refugee assistance efforts, and production will provide opportunities for local refugees to participate. Organizers aim to create a meaningful holiday experience while also addressing ongoing humanitarian needs.
A Babe Is Born – Live Nativity runs Dec. 3–6, from 6–9 p.m. Full schedule and tickets are available on Eventbrite under A Babe Is Born – Live Nativity.

Staff Writer | American Fork Citizen

The Utah Festival of Trees is underway this week, transforming the Mountain America Expo Center in Sandy into a sprawling forest of decorated evergreens, baked goods, and holiday displays—all dedicated to helping children receive medical care they depend on. The annual fundraiser, now in its 55th year, runs through Dec. 6 and remains one of Utah’s most recognizable holiday traditions.

The festival began more than five decades ago as a volunteer-led effort to support Primary Children’s Hospital. What started as a modest charity project has grown into a massive community showcase, with more than 550 trees on display this year. Families, schools, businesses, and civic groups spend months designing and decorating each tree. Many carry the name of a child who has been treated at Primary Children’s or honor a child who died. Some celebrate milestones; others share messages of remembrance and hope.

“There is nothing like the Festival of Trees to begin the holiday season in a fun and meaningful way,” said Dustin Lipson, president of Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital. “Many items have been lovingly curated, with every detail chosen to honor a Primary Children’s Hospital patient. We’re grateful for the countless donated items and community support that has helped generations of children to heal and thrive at Primary Children’s Hospital for 55 years—and counting.”

Every tree, along with wreaths, centerpieces, quilts, gingerbread houses, and other donated items, is auctioned to raise funds for the hospital. Last year’s festival generated $3.4 million, and organizers expect to surpass that total this season.

The week opened with a silent auction on Dec. 2, where bidders crowded around the displays hoping to win the chance to bring one home. The auction is one of the most anticipated parts of the event, with some trees consistently selling for thousands of dollars. Beyond the auction floor, visitors can stop by the Sweet Shoppe for the festival’s well-known fudge, hot scones, and other treats. Music and dance performances run throughout the building, and children line up for photos with Santa and the Grinch. For many, attending has become a family tradition marking the start of the holiday season.

Even as the festival has grown, it has remained entirely volunteer driven. An 87-member board and hundreds of additional volunteers prepare the event year-round and staff it during the week. Lipson added that the festival’s longevity comes from the people behind it. “The Festival of Trees is presented by Intermountain Foundation—and brought to life by a dedicated, generous, 87-member volunteer board,” he said. “It’s a chance for the community to come together, celebrate the season, and help kids continue to receive the innovative, compassionate, expert care they need to thrive.”

Each year, a Patient Champion is selected to help represent the children whose lives are directly affected by the funds raised. This year’s ambassador, Livie Smart, is encouraging festivalgoers to register as bone marrow donors. For many attendees, meeting a Patient Champion is the most memorable part of their visit—an opportunity to connect the celebration around them with the very real families it supports.

The emotional weight behind the trees is never far from view. Some were decorated by families navigating childhood illness today; others were created in memory of children who have died. Many families describe decorating as a way to share a child’s story. For them, it is also a chance to give back to the hospital that treated them. Visitors walking the aisles encounter displays that are cheerful, elaborate, personal, and often profoundly moving.

The money raised through the Festival of Trees supports Primary Children’s Hospital in its mission to provide pediatric care regardless of a family’s ability to pay. The funds support treatments, services, equipment, and programs that benefit both patients and their families. Organizers emphasize that the festival remains successful because Utahns continue to treat the event not just as holiday entertainment, but as a shared responsibility to care for children in the state and beyond.

Tickets are available at the expo center or at FestivalofTreesUtah.org. Admission includes access to all displays, live performances, and the holiday market. Whether visitors arrive to admire the craftsmanship, enjoy the food, or support a cause that has touched someone they love, organizers say the community’s support makes a direct and lasting difference.

The Festival of Trees runs through Friday. When the lights dim and the decorations come down, the dollars raised will continue working—funding care for children whose families are facing some of their hardest days.

Ryann Anderegg | American Fork Citizen

The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) says construction on the highly anticipated Flex Lanes system on Pioneer Crossing remains on schedule, even through winter weather, and the work continues to shift traffic patterns for thousands of daily drivers. The project, which spans from I-15 to Redwood Road, aims to improve traffic flow, increase safety, and reduce congestion in one of Utah County’s fastest-growing regions.

According to Wyatt Woolley, Senior Communications Manager at UDOT, crews have made significant progress in the past several months. “The project itself is still on track for completion in late 2026,” Woolley confirmed. With a year of construction ahead, UDOT is emphasizing transparency and consistent communication with residents who rely on Pioneer Crossing as a daily arterial route.

One of the largest accomplishments so far is the near-completion of the center-median removal and reconstruction. For years, the wide median along Pioneer Crossing has served as a safety buffer between opposing lanes. Still, UDOT’s new design transforms it into a functional travel lane that can shift direction during peak hours.
Woolley explained that over 90% of the median work is finished. Crews have removed and rebuilt nearly 4.5 miles of the corridor, pouring more than 7,200 cubic yards of new concrete, an amount Woolley compared to “as many as two million Costco pumpkin pies.”

With the median construction phase wrapping up, drivers may have noticed a recent shift in construction activity. UDOT has moved westbound lanes south between Mill Pond Road and Riverside Drive, making room for the next central stage: significant drainage improvements.
“These upgrades include installing more than 200 new storm drain inlets and miles of buried pipe to move water off the road faster during rainstorms and snowmelt,” Woolley said. The enhancements aim to reduce standing water, improve tire traction, and ultimately increase driver safety, especially during the winter months when icy conditions can develop quickly.

Poor drainage has long been a concern along sections of Pioneer Crossing, with drivers frequently encountering puddling, splash back, and hydroplaning risk during heavy storms. Additionally, crews will begin installing pole foundations and wiring for the future Flex Lane overhead signs. These signs will eventually communicate lane direction during peak travel times.

To create space for storm drain installation and electrical work, UDOT has fully closed the north sidewalk along Pioneer Crossing for the time being. Pedestrians and cyclists are being detoured to alternative routes, though UDOT acknowledges the closure impacts foot traffic between residential neighborhoods and nearby commercial areas.

“Once this work is completed on the north side of Pioneer Crossing, crews will shift traffic to the north and perform similar work on the south side into summer 2026,” Woolley said. This extended timeline means residents should expect recurring lane changes, closures, and narrowed travel lanes as construction alternates between sides over the next 18 months.
UDOT advises drivers to pay close attention as striping, traffic barrels, and signage may shift frequently. Because the entire project area continues to function as a high-volume commute corridor, crews are working to maintain as many open travel lanes as possible throughout construction.

As snow approaches, UDOT has begun coordinating between its construction crews and snowplow operators to maintain accessibility and visibility in the work zone. Winter storms often bring reduced visibility, freezing conditions, and increased crash risk, factors that become even more challenging in active construction zones.

“Our construction crews are working closely with our snowplow crews to prepare for winter weather conditions and keep work zones as clear and visible as possible,” Woolley said.
To improve safety, the speed limit on Pioneer Crossing has been lowered to 40 mph for the duration of construction. UDOT is urging drivers to slow down, stay alert, and avoid distractions while traveling through the corridor. Speeding in work zones remains a top contributing factor in winter-related crashes statewide.

The department also reminds residents that even if workers are not physically present, the lower speed limits still apply. Narrower lanes, abrupt alignment shifts, and hidden equipment behind barriers all contribute to increased risk.

The Flex Lanes system is designed to accommodate shifting traffic demands throughout the day. Once completed, electronic overhead signs will direct drivers into the appropriate lane depending on peak flow, eastbound during the morning commute toward I-15 and westbound during the evening rush.

The goal is to increase road capacity without widening the entire corridor, minimizing the impact on nearby homes and businesses while improving overall traffic flow. With rapid population growth in Lehi, Saratoga Springs, Eagle Mountain, and the surrounding communities, Pioneer Crossing has become one of the most heavily traveled roads in the region.

UDOT estimates that Flex Lanes can increase peak direction capacity by up to 30% when fully operational.

Given the scale and duration of the project, Woolley encourages residents to stay connected with UDOT’s outreach updates. “We have a variety of outreach channels to provide the public with information about Pioneer Crossing and the other major UDOT projects happening in the area,” he said.

Drivers may track weekly construction updates, detour information, and schedule changes at
udotinput.utah.gov/NWUtahCounty.