Local News
Utah’s massive data centers seek to build new power sources
Leia Larsen | The Salt Lake Tribune
Note to readers • This story is made possible through a partnership between The Salt Lake Tribune and Grist, a nonprofit environmental media organization.
In rural Millard County, Kalen Taylor is bracing for the day the farmland across the street transforms into a sprawling data center complex.
Initial plans for Joule Capital Partners’ 4,000-acre data center site call for six buildings, each powered by 69 Caterpillar natural gas-powered generators to meet the intensive energy demands. Construction is slated to begin this spring. Once built, Taylor will likely hear the equivalent of more than 400 semi-trucks idling in his neighborhood around the clock, producing emissions year-round.
“I just would rather look out my backdoor and see cornfields than a data center,” Taylor said. “I like the sound of crops rustling in the wind, not the hum of a CAT generator making power.”
Farther north, Eagle Mountain city officials have turned to massive data centers operated by tech giants like Meta to provide much-needed tax revenue. But even in this urban, rapidly growing part of the state, developers struggle to secure the power they need from Utah’s largest electric utility, Rocky Mountain Power. Google has delayed building a campus there due to energy constraints. That prompted the City Council to explore building small nuclear reactors, to the consternation of many residents.
“It means our city would become a radioactive storage site,” said Joy Rasmussen, a mom of four who bought a home in Eagle Mountain in 2022.
This spring, in Washington, D.C., Sen. John Curtis (R-Utah) spoke glowingly to Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, about Utah’s aspirations to “lead” the nation “with data centers and advanced technologies” during a Senate Commerce Committee hearing on artificial intelligence.
Curtis noted the “challenges” that come with data centers’ insatiable energy demands. How, the senator asked, can the state protect ratepayers?
“The best way,” Altman responded, “is much more supply. More generation.”
With the growing demand for more data centers, Utah finds itself in a difficult position. State and federal officials have called AI the “arms race” of a new era, as the nation looks to fend off Russia and China and forge its place as the world’s leader in technology, energy and innovation. And Utah looks to position itself at the forefront of that fight.
The state’s main electricity provider, Rocky Mountain Power, doesn’t have the capacity to meet the surge in energy demand. Data center developers have instead turned to generating their own electricity, mostly using natural gas. Gov. Spencer Cox has zeroed in on nuclear as a cleaner energy solution as part of his Operation Gigawatt.
That collision of the AI boom and limited power supplies means Utah’s rush to build data centers is likely to rely on fossil fuel energy for the foreseeable future, raising concerns about the state’s already struggling air quality. Alternative sources won’t match the demand the centers generate — potentially as much as four times what Utah residents and businesses currently consume. Small nuclear plants are at least a decade away, while the Trump administration has curtailed many incentives for solar and wind power.
Lawmakers and regulators are trying to balance the needs of energy-intensive industries without ratepayers feeling the environmental and pocketbook pains felt in other parts of the country, like rising energy bills and polluted resources.
“We’re kind of in a big mess right now,” said Logan Mitchell, a climate scientist and energy analyst for Utah Clean Energy, “and it’s manifesting in all of these different ways.”
Data centers turn to self-built power
Rocky Mountain Power, like many private utility providers in the U.S., has a monopoly as the sole electricity provider in much of Utah, but it must yield to state regulation. For decades, power providers hummed along as energy demand across the country stayed relatively flat.
Conflict arose, however, when platforms like Altman’s ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini and Elon Musk’s Grok made AI a mass consumable good rather than a niche product. Demand for more data centers gripped the globe, and the utilities, which plan for energy needs decades in advance, were caught unprepared and undersupplied.
Data centers use substantial amounts of energy, with rows of servers computing day and night for services that are an increasing part of daily life — streaming services, online banking, e-commerce and the rise of AI. In arid Utah, many data centers have pivoted away from water-guzzling evaporative cooling in favor of closed-loop systems, which require more electricity to run.
Last year, the Utah Legislature passed SB 132, allowing private companies with energy demands of 100 megawatts or more to build their own generating stations that operate off the public grid used by nearly everyone else. The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Scott Sandall, R-Tremonton, specifically cited data centers as he promoted the legislation.
“It kind of un-handcuffs Rocky Mountain Power to provide these loads for data centers, for AI, for large manufacturers,” Sandall said, “those that are coming in, and quite frankly, changing the curve of power demand.”
In Millard County, both Joule and Creekstone Energy intend to build their own massive facilities, powered by natural gas.
“We are so excited for other alternative energy sources like geothermal and solar and wind and someday, maybe even nuclear,” said Mark McDougal, a managing partner of the Joule data mega-campus. “But we can’t wait for that.”
Natural gas is efficient, McDougal said, and a proven technology that can run around the clock.
The developers received support from county leaders because of their potential to create employment in construction, maintenance and security, along with boosting economic development. The rural community in central Utah lost its largest employer, the Smithfield Foods pork processing plant, in 2023 – it accounted for about a quarter of all jobs in the county. The idling of the nearby Intermountain Power Plant’s remaining coal units also caused a hemorrhaging of local jobs.
Construction of the massive sites will bring some jobs to the communities, but data centers generally employ a relatively small number of permanent workers.
Millard County’s location is attractive to data center developers because it lies on a fiber optic corridor and near a natural gas pipeline, along with large transmission lines associated with the old coal plant.
“Having both of those in the same place,” said Ray Conley, Creekstone’s CEO, “and not having a large metropolitan area that is competing for power is a very unique combo.”
It also lies outside the Wasatch Front, an area plagued for years by poor air quality that falls short of federal standards.
“It’s so hard where you have inversions and trap emissions,” McDougal said. “[Here] emissions are able to disperse.”
Joule’s applications filed with the state indicate it will produce 1 gigawatt to start — about a quarter of the electricity Utah currently uses annually. But its own public statements indicate it intends to produce more than 4 gigawatts onsite. Creekstone, less than a mile away, intends to produce 10 gigawatts, Conley confirmed.
At least a few computing campuses want to build natural gas plants on the Wasatch Front as well, despite its inversions and air quality challenges. Data company QTS received approval from the Eagle Mountain City Council to build a 20-acre, 200 megawatt plant last year, although a company spokesperson said it secured power from Rocky Mountain instead.
In West Jordan, the expanding Novva data campus received state approval to build a 200 megawatt natural gas plant in December 2024.
But “natural gas” is an old greenwashing term, Mitchell said. The fuel is methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Burning it produces carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and other pollutants.
Nitrogen oxides mix in the atmosphere, get baked by the sun and turn into particulate pollution in the winter and ozone pollution in the summer.
The pollutants create haze in rural parts of the state as well, and impact visibility at Utah’s famed national parks from Arches to Zion.
Even data centers on the Wasatch Front that have tapped into the existing power grid also received approval to install hundreds of diesel-fueled generators in the last five years, including QTS, Meta and the National Security Agency in Utah County and eBay, Aligned, DataBank, Oracle and Novva data centers in Salt Lake County. Those generators would only run during blackouts and other emergencies when the campuses can’t get enough grid power, according to permit applications. But diesel emissions contain even more harmful pollutants than natural gas.
In November, the federal government removed Northern Utah from its list of regions out of compliance for wintertime inversion pollution after more than a decade, thanks to state efforts like banning wood burning on poor air quality days combined with stricter federal regulations on vehicles and fuel. But it continues to struggle with meeting national requirements for ozone smog.
The new data centers coming online, with their diesel and natural gas generators, could bump the state right back out of compliance, environmental advocates say.
“They’re eating into all of the progress we’ve made to reduce emissions from other sources,” Mitchell said.
State regulators said they’re not just concerned about temporary diesel generators and year-round natural gas generators taking a bite against air quality gains in recent years.
“We’re concerned about all growth,” said Bryce Bird, director of the Utah Division of Air Quality. “Everything that has to do with people also has emissions associated with it.”
That doesn’t mean Utah can’t be a tech leader, said Department of Environmental Quality Executive Director Tim Davis. But the state’s still figuring out how to strike the right balance between affordable energy creation, environmental protection and improving public health.
“I don’t know of a state that is not having similar conversations,” Davis said. “That’s just a mind-numbing amount of new power that they’re trying to plan for.”
‘If anybody wants to criticize data centers, look in the mirror’
Novva applied for a two-year presidential exemption from the Clean Air Act in March under a program designed to benefit coal plants, smelting facilities and chemical manufacturers. The company asked for the exemption so it could operate using diesel generators while it finishes building its natural gas plant, according to records obtained by Grist and shared with The Salt Lake Tribune.
The company noted Rocky Mountain Power can’t provide the electricity needed until 2031, and even then, it’s not guaranteed. The requested exemption aligns with national security interests, Novva wrote in its application, citing the U.S. Department of State’s assertion that AI is “at the center of an unfolding global technology revolution” and can help make Americans safer.
Novva CEO Wes Swenson said he never received a response to the exemption request. He insisted, however, that data centers like his are important for protecting “American data.”
“If anybody wants to criticize data centers, look in the mirror,” Swenson said. “‘I want Netflix, I want Prime, I want Apple TV.’ … Nobody goes to the library anymore. Who uses cash? Where do people think that all comes from?”
Where will all the new energy come from, and how will it impact Utahns?
Utah leaders have honed in on nuclear power, and small modular reactors in particular, as a cleaner and more sustainable solution to the spike in energy demand. The need is not just driven by data centers, but also a hoped-for renaissance in manufacturing and the future electrification of Utah’s transportation. But Rocky Mountain’s parent company, PacifiCorp, only has firm plans for one small reactor – a plant under construction by TerraPower in Kemmerer, Wyoming. It won’t come online until around 2032, and Utah will share its projected 500 megawatts with other Western states.
Enthusiasm for small nuclear reactors within Utah’s borders appears tepid. Brigham City is the only community so far to fully embrace nuclear reactors. But in making that announcement, state leaders were light on specifics in explaining why the small city needs the power. No known data centers are planned for the area.
Ninety minutes south in Eagle Mountain, Meta’s data campus is expanding, a huge QTS data hub is under construction and Google is waiting to build on 300 acres it owns within city limits. The city made two attempts last year to adopt an ordinance to allow for nuclear development and other energy projects, including solar farms. After receiving mixed feedback, the efforts failed.
The pivot to nuclear has environmental and clean energy advocates wondering why Utah has shied away from renewables. Cox calls his Operation Gigawatt an “all-of-the-above” strategy that welcomes all energy sources. But resources like wind and solar have faded from the conversation.
“People see renewable energy as the woke liberal energy, and we have to stick with fossil fuels and nuclear, because that’s what conservatives want,” said Ed Stafford, a professor of marketing at Utah State University whose research focuses on renewables. “Politicization of energy is just a bad thing, because, as common sense tells us, we should go with the cleanest and cheapest forms of energy that spreads the wealth around.”
PacifiCorp intends to bring no new solar, wind or battery storage online in Utah over the next two decades, according to the latest draft of its long-term resource plan. Meanwhile, the utility isn’t factoring large energy consumers, like data centers, into its projections, to Mitchell’s frustration.
“Rocky Mountain Power should be planning for the reality of the future,” Mitchell said, “rather than creating a fictional reality that indicates they don’t have much load growth and they’re not going to build new resources.”
Data center developers and operators interviewed for this story said they support transitioning to cleaner energy sources. But they also need consistent and reliable power, when the sun doesn’t shine and the wind doesn’t blow.
“The economic rebates and incentives are going away, which is why it’s not as in fashion as it was before,” said Conley, Creekstone’s CEO. “But a lot of [data] customers are willing to pay a premium for green energy instead of dirty energy.”
Conley’s company recently applied with the Utah Office of Energy Development to operate the Intermountain Power Plant’s remaining coal units, which went idle this year after the plant’s customer base in California decided to transition to cleaner energy sources.
“Diversification,” the CEO said, “reduces risk.”
Risk is at the forefront of at least some Utahns’ minds, particularly as news stories across the nation call out data centers for driving up the cost of power for all ratepayers. Utilities build new generating plants and upgrade decades-old grid equipment to meet rising demand, then spread the costs among all their customers. This year, Pew reports, both data centers and cryptocurrency mining could cause the average U.S. power bill to grow 8% by 2030.
In Utah, however, SB 132 seems to serve a dual purpose of helping data center developers get the energy they need behind the meter, while protecting other customers who still use the traditional grid.
“There’s very little evidence that data centers have impacted rates to date,” said Michele Beck, director of the Office of Consumer Services, a utility watchdog part of the Utah Department of Commerce.
She called SB 132 one of the “best ideas out there” for protecting power customers in the nation. But, she said, it’s important for Utahns to remain vigilant. It’s not just utilities struggling to catch up to new demand. Regulators have struggled to keep pace as well.
“The industry in general is speeding up,” Beck said. “It just compounds everything.”
Grist reporter Naveena Sadasivam and Tribune reporter Addy Baird contributed to this story.
Staff Writer | American Fork Citizen
After decades of helping individuals and families overcome hunger, housing instability and poverty, Community Action Services and Food Bank (CASFB) has temporarily closed its doors effective Nov. 1 while the Board of Trustees determines the best course of action in our current circumstances.
The temporary closure follows an increasingly difficult financial environment marked by declining grant funding and donations, and growing demand for services.
For generations, the work of CASFB has been powered by people who believed their neighbors deserved a hand up during difficult times. Employees and volunteers have served families in crisis, donors and funders have invested in solutions, and community partners have worked alongside the organization to strengthen communities throughout Utah, Wasatch, and Summit counties.
“Our greatest sadness is knowing that the need for these services has not gone away,” said Caitlin Rangel, Interim CEO. “We are profoundly grateful to every person who has given their time, resources, expertise, and heart to this organization. Whatever has been accomplished through Community Action Services and Food Bank belongs to this community.”
Utah County Commissioner Skyler Beltran issued a statement about the closure on Facebook.
“It is a travesty to see such a crucial organization in our community close its doors. For decades, Community Action has provided essential services to some of our most vulnerable residents and its closure leaves a significant void in Utah County,” the statement begins. “We have been actively involved in coordinating efforts to ensure these critical services continue with as little disruption as possible. This includes taking over operations of the Utah County Warming Center, which will open tomorrow, November 1, as scheduled.”
The statement continues, “Years of financial and operational mismanagement, coupled with a recent escalation of financial instability, should not be mistaken for a failure of the government partners who have consistently supported these programs and services.
“What cannot be lost in this transition are the more than 20,000 residents who rely on these critical services and the more than 50 dedicated employees who have spent years serving others. These are real people, real families and real livelihoods impacted by this unfortunate situation,” Beltran states.
“I also want to recognize several furloughed Community Action employees who are generously volunteering their time to help us transition operations of the Warming Center. Their continued dedication to serving others, even in the face of their own uncertainty, speaks volumes about their character.
“There is a lot of work ahead but Utah County always comes through,” the statement concludes.
The organization recognizes that the temporary closure will create uncertainty for clients, employees, volunteers, donors, and community partners.
Annie Knox | Utah News Dispatch
Utah Valley University is bringing on a past leader of the state’s highway patrol to fill a new safety post after the assassination of Charlie Kirk on the campus last year.
The announcement comes a month after an outside review identified gaps in the university’s planning and protocols. The report recommended Utah Valley create a top administrative role to oversee safety operations and emergency management, and the university said in response it was already doing so.
Michael Rapich is taking the job at the university in Orem after 33 years with the Utah Highway Patrol, where he served at the helm for nine years before retiring in November 2025.
University President Jon Anderson said in a prepared statement that Rapich “brings decades of public safety leadership, sound judgment, and trusted relationships across Utah. His experience and collaborative approach will strengthen how UVU prepares, responds, and works together to serve our campus community.”
The university has faced criticism for failing to secure each rooftop and assigning just six police officers to staff the event attended by some 3,000 people. Kirk’s family blames lapses in event security for his death and has taken a first step toward suing the school by sending a notice of claim.
Rapich’s longtime relationships with law enforcers throughout the state will help enhance emergency response and coordination with other agencies, the university said.
Rapich said in a statement that he’s honored and looks forward to working with students, employees, and others in public safety at the university and surrounding communities “to identify every opportunity to ensure that UVU Campus is a trusted place for learning, growth, and engagement.”
Rapich became a state trooper in 1992 after serving in the U.S. Coast Guard and working as a 911 dispatcher, the university said.
Kirk, a founder of the student organization Turning Point USA and a close ally of President Donald Trump, was shot and killed just minutes into an outdoor speaking event in a courtyard on Sept. 10, 2025.
Tyler Robinson, 23, is accused of using his grandfather’s hunting rifle to fatally shoot Kirk from a rooftop on the campus. He has pleaded not guilty to aggravated murder.
A judge last month ordered Robinson to stand trial. If he’s convicted, prosecutors have said they’ll seek the death penalty. They expect a trial to take place in 2028, while Robinson’s defense team says they will need until 2029 to adequately prepare for a trial.
This story was originally published by utahnewsdispatch.com and written by Annie Knox. Adjustments for style and clarity have been made.
Local News
Utah County Planning Commission meeting disruption ends in protester’s arrest outside commission chambers
Jennifer Thomas | American Fork Citizen
The Utah County Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend a controversial new data center zoning ordinance during a tense, packed meeting on October 20, 2026, which ended in a physical confrontation and the arrest of a protester.
The Utah County Government land use proposal added data centers as a permitted use within Mining and Grazing (M&G-1) and Industrial (I-1) zones, while establishing a new Data Center Overlay Zone.
The recommended framework includes development standards such as:
• Capping individual data center size at 1 million square feet and 500 megawatts
• Limiting annual water usage to 300,000 gallons
• Mandating strict noise and traffic studies
The Planning Commission’s vote serves as a recommendation only. The full Utah County Commission holds final authority and will review and vote on the ordinance at a later date.
Over 100 local residents filled the chambers in Provo to voice deep opposition to the proposal. Speakers and local advocacy groups—including UT for the People — No Tech Billionaires and Protect Utah—expressed concern that large-scale data centers will strain local water and electricity grids, disrupt rural grazing and industrial spaces, and impact the environment.
Critics also condemned the commission for advancing the recommendation amid vocal public pushback.
After the vote, tensions escalated as attendees voiced loud objections in the room. When deputies moved to clear disruptive individuals, a physical altercation broke out in the lobby and seating area.
Activist, Aspen Azalea was taken to the ground by a Utah County Sheriff’s deputy, evaluated by EMS, and booked into the Utah County Jail.
According to the Affidavit of Probable Cause, Azalea was charged with “disrupting a meeting/procession, interfering with a peace officer, and assault on a peace officer.”
According to the Affidavit, during the meeting, there was a “disruption by some of the attendees, the commission chair asked for those individuals to be removed, one did so voluntarily, one did not, she was later identified as Aspen Azalea. Despite being asked and ordered several times by law enforcement officers to remove herself from the meeting she did not.”
The deputy stated in the Affidavit, “I grabbed ahold of her (Azalea) arm and stood her up to remove her from the area, as I was pulling her out of the row of chairs, it felt like she attempted to go limp and dump her body weight on me, when I pulled her out of the row of chairs and into the isle I felt a sharp pain in my groin, it felt like I had been kneed or kicked in the testicles by Aspen, simultaneously two other individuals latched onto Aspen and had to be physically removed from the commission chambers.”
“The individuals were told to stop resisting and separate from each other, they did not and had to be physically separated from one another.”
Utah County Sheriff Mike Smith defended the use of force and arrests made during the Planning Commission meeting in a public statement on the Utah County Sheriff’s Office website at https://sheriff.utahcounty.gov/news/260978:
Video footage shared by advocacy groups dispute the official account, claiming Azalea was not actively being vocal when she was removed from the meeting and was subjected to excessive force that caused her chin/jaw to hit the ground. Audio from the Utah County Planning Commission meeting captures shouting and public disruption.
The Utah County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the use-of-force incident is under internal supervisory review.
Rallies demanding accountability and a full moratorium on private data center developments have since formed at the Utah State Capitol.
Nichole Coombs | American Fork Citizen
The Fox Hollow Golf Course in American Fork is ready to grow, but how and where that growth occurs will depend on a feasibility study and possibly a new bond.
Mayor Paul Binns chose Lehi City Council member James Harrison to represent Lehi on the golf course steering committee.
“The golf course is paying for its own feasibility study,” said Harrison. “Once that study is completed, we will come together as staff and elected officials on that committee and evaluate what we want to do.”
Fox Hollow, located at 1400 North 200 East in American Fork, is funded and operated through a partnership between Lehi, American Fork, and Pleasant Grove. The golf course was formerly called Tri-City Golf Course. All three cities are helping pay off the current bond, which expires at the end of 2027. Fox Hollow wants a new bond to replace it and help fund course upgrades.
“They are looking to add covered bays that can bring in revenue throughout the winter,” said Harrison. “They would like to offer golfers one more option. It’s really hard to get on the schedule [a tee time] because the course is so popular. By adding bays that can be used year-round, they add another option for golfers who may not be able to get on the course and a way to generate revenue.”
American Fork has offered to provide acreage on the west side of the golf course for the expansion at no cost to Fox Hollow. Currently, all three cities contribute $225,000 per year to help pay the bond and operating expenses, and about $10,000 is contributed to an emergency fund.
“Depending on the course’s performance each year, the city gets refunded a certain amount,” said Harrison. “And the last few years [the profit sharing] has been going really well.”
In addition to the covered bays (similar to Top Golf), the golf course wants to add a food court to serve customers and generate additional revenue, especially during the winter months when the main course is closed.
Harrison says the bond would be about $7,000,000 if it passes, but there are many steps before that happens. The three participating cities would pay the bond collectively.
“We need the results of the feasibility study, then the proposal is brought to the Lehi City Council, and we will vote on whether to support a bond. We will need to look at it from the perspective of Lehi residents and ask whether it really benefits a broad enough population in our city. The best-case scenario is it would bring in tons of revenue, and we would have a net gain in revenue,” said Harrison.
But Harrison is also skeptical about what the study’s results will show.
“The results can vary widely,” said Harrison. “The market isn’t very mature in this space. Having a public golf course and adding covered bays could be a benefit, but it’s also a risk.”
The feasibility study is expected by year-end. Then, all three cities- Pleasant Grove, American Fork, and Lehi- will meet to discuss the expansion and must agree on a bond before it moves forward.
Staff Writer | American Fork Citizen
Groundbreaking for the Lehi Utah Temple is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 5, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced Oct. 26.
Elder John A. McCune, a member of the church’s Utah Area Presidency, will preside at the ceremony.
The temple was announced in April 2024. The groundbreaking announcement did not include a ceremony time, attendance information or an estimated construction completion date.
The Lehi temple is among 32 temples in Utah that are operating, undergoing renovation, under construction or announced, according to the church. The church reports approximately 2.2 million members in more than 5,000 congregations statewide.
Temples serve a different purpose from the church’s meetinghouses, where Sunday worship services and other activities are open to the public. In temples, eligible church members participate in religious ceremonies, including marriages and baptisms performed on behalf of deceased ancestors.
Latter-day Saints believe temple ceremonies unite families beyond death.
Staff Writer | American Fork Citizen
Intermountain Health opened a specialty clinic and cancer center Monday in Saratoga Springs, adding services for residents of the city, Eagle Mountain, West Lehi and nearby communities.
The 48,000-square-foot facility is part of Intermountain’s existing campus, which also includes emergency services and a surgery center. The clinic offers cardiology, gastroenterology, orthopedics and sports medicine, women’s health and pediatrics.
The cancer center provides medical and radiation oncology, infusion therapy, survivorship support and advanced radiation treatment.
“We’re proud to bring this level of coordinated care closer to the families we serve,” said Jason Wilson, president of Intermountain Health American Fork Hospital. “This is one of Utah’s fastest-growing areas, and we will help ensure people here have the medical care they need.”
The campus expansion is intended to reduce patient travel and help providers coordinate care, Intermountain said.
“When someone is going through cancer treatment, being close to home matters,” said Dr. Tawnya Bowles, senior medical director for oncology at Intermountain Health. “This center will help patients stay connected to family, work and daily life while receiving compassionate, high-quality care.”
“Bringing these services together makes it easier for providers to collaborate and for patients to get the care they need in one place,” said Lyndsey Russell, market vice president of Medical Group operations for Intermountain.
Staff Writer | American Fork Citizen
On Thursday, Oct. 1, The Children’s Center Utah celebrated the grand opening of its Kahlert Children’s Mental Health Center, its first location outside of Salt Lake County, expanding access to specialized infant and early childhood mental health care for children (from birth through age six) and their families and caregivers.
Located on the Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital, Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Campus in Lehi, the new center brings The Children’s Center Utah’s services closer to families in one of the state’s fastest-growing regions. Approximately 60,000 children from birth through age six live in Utah County, and previously many families seeking care from The Children’s Center Utah had to travel to Salt Lake County to access services at the organization’s existing West Valley City location.
The Kahlert Children’s Mental Health Center is currently providing outpatient mental health services, with The Children’s Center Utah’s Therapeutic Preschool Program set to begin in January 2027. Together, the programs will provide Utah County families with greater access to comprehensive, effective mental health care during the earliest years of a child’s development.
“This center represents what is possible when people come together around a shared goal of improving children’s mental health in our state,” said Rebecca Dutson, president and CEO of The Children’s Center Utah. “We are deeply grateful to the individuals and organizations who recognize the importance of infant and early childhood mental health and have been willing to lead the way. If we want to stem the tide against Utah’s mental health crisis, we have to start earlier—giving young children and families access to the support they need from the very beginning.”
The Kahlert Children’s Mental Health Center was made possible through strong public/private partnership. The State of Utah appropriated funding for the project, which was matched two-to-one by private investments including land donated by Intermountain Health and critical philanthropic support from The Kahlert Foundation, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Clark and Christine Ivory Foundation, Central Bank, and Christian and Marie Gardner, among others.
“Every child deserves the chance to grow up healthy and supported,” Gov. Spencer J. Cox said. “When a child is struggling, families need to know where to turn and be able to get help early. The Kahlert Children’s Mental Health Center will bring more specialized care to Utah children during some of their most important years. I’m grateful to everyone who came together to build this center and give more families the support they need.”
Directly across from Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital, the Kahlert Children’s Mental Health Center complements the pediatric medical services available on the campus and reflects a shared recognition that children’s physical and mental well-being are deeply connected. The location is part of The Children’s Center Utah’s broader commitment to increase access to services statewide.
“We are so proud to stand alongside The Children’s Center Utah as they bring this extraordinary work to more children and families across our state,” said Heather Kahlert, Executive Vice President of The Kahlert Foundation. “At The Kahlert Foundation, we believe deeply in showing up for families at the moments when support can make the greatest difference. This new center is about creating a place where children can be cared for, families can feel supported, and healing can begin early. It is incredibly meaningful to us to help make that possible.”
The opening also coincides with the release of new research commissioned by The Children’s Center Utah and conducted independently by the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute. One data point shows that 20% of screenings for social or emotional issues among children ages 0-5 are in the concerning range, further underscoring the need to expand access to infant and early childhood mental health care as Utah’s communities continue to grow.
“I’m thrilled to welcome this new resource to Utah County,” said County Commissioner Skyler Beltran in a Facebook post about the ribbon cutting. “What a great investment in our children and families and an exciting addition to our community.”
For The Children’s Center Utah, the Lehi expansion is part of a broader effort to reach children earlier and remove barriers that can make it difficult for families to access specialized mental health care. By bringing services closer to home, the new Center will help more of Utah’s youngest children and their families and caregivers get the support they need, when they need it most.
Jennifer Thomas | American Fork Citizen
A recent break-in at the Chabad of Utah County, headquartered in Lehi, has only strengthened the resolve of its members. Following a Saturday, Sept. 26 incident at the commercial complex housing the Jewish office and classroom space, the Lehi Police Department has launched an investigation.
Fortunately, the building sustained no structural damage, and the community has emerged more united than ever.
According to Hadley Milner, Lehi City Communications Coordinator, “Officers responded to the scene around 11:30 p.m. after the east glass entry door of the multi-unit complex was shattered. Officers searched the building and confirmed that the building had been entered.”
A subsequent search of the property, located on Mayflower Avenue in Lehi, confirmed that the building had been unlawfully entered. The complex houses four separate businesses.
“At this time, no additional vandalism has been identified, and no property has been reported stolen from the other businesses within the complex,” said Milner. “No other commercial space was damaged.”
The incident stands in stark contrast to the overwhelming warmth and rapid expansion the organization has experienced since its founding.
Rabbi Chaim Zippel—the first Utah-born Chabad Rabbi—and his wife, Esty, co-founded Chabad of Utah County out of their Lehi home in November 2022. Starting with just eight loaves the first week, they delivered homemade challah bread to local Jewish families. At the time, many Jewish residents lived in such deep isolation that they frequently asked the Rabbi, “if they were the only Jewish family in the entire county.”
After almost four years based out of their home, they were fortunate to utilize other locations to host events. “In August of 2026, we leased an office/classroom space in Lehi. We were excited to have a home base and a place where we could be found online,” said the Rabbi.
He continued, “On August 27, we installed the door sign, and on September 26, one month later, we had the break-in.”
The front door was completely smashed and destroyed just before midnight on Saturday, triggering a security alarm. Because the incident took place on the first day of the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, Rabbi Chaim Zippel and his family—who observe Jewish holidays and Shabbat electronics-free—did not discover the damage or the flood of community messages until a day later.
“We just finished Shabbat and our phones were off as we do not use electronics throughout the holiday,” said the Rabbi. “We were unaware of the incident because our phones were off. The police and the building manager responded to the incident. But at 11:30 p.m. on Sunday night, when we turned on our phones, we discovered the messages letting us know what had happened.”
Investigators are pursuing all possible leads and motives, including whether bias or prejudice may have played a role in the incident. “At this stage of the investigation, there is not enough information to determine whether this incident was a hate crime. Investigators will continue to evaluate all available evidence and information as the investigation progresses,” noted Hadley Milner, Lehi City Communications Coordinator.
No suspects have been arrested.
Despite the break-in, Rabbi Zippel and Chabad of Utah County are undeterred and continue to expand their outreach. They remain focused on fostering a secure, meaningful, and inclusive space for the local Jewish community.
“While we must remain vigilant and take steps to protect ourselves, we refuse to let negative news disrupt our momentum. We are deeply grateful for our neighbors, as well as the Jewish, non-Jewish, and interfaith leaders whose kindness and support help our community thrive,” said the Rabbi. “Having experienced so much growth over the past few years, we know that a few anonymous online cowards cannot diminish the profound love and solidarity we share. We will continue to move forward, uplifted by the strength of our community.”
The Lehi City Police Department asks anyone with information about the incident, or who may have witnessed suspicious activity in the area, to contact their non-emergency line at (385) 201-1005.
Megan Wallgren | American Fork Citizen
*This story was updated on Oct.2, at 7:33 p.m.
An email sent on September 15 to Alpine School District classified employees left some recipients feeling attacked, despite the good news it contained.
The email announced an additional $250 to a one-time payment of $500 for classified employees added during contract negotiations with the Alpine Education Support Professionals union earlier this year. “The Board of Education and District leaders are pleased to announce an additional $250 to the one-time payment of $500, making a total of $750 to be paid to classified employees in the fall of 2026, prorated based on the employee’s contract or hours worked each week,” the email stated.
The bonus announcement was followed by a statement calling out bad behavior during the negotiations.
“Let us be very clear, the additional payment is in spite of the poor behaviors, inaccurate depictions and statements about the board and superintendent’s value of and support for this essential group of team members in both public and private settings by several leaders of AESP during the negotiation process, ratification meetings, and proposal consideration in official public meetings,” the email read.
“Our hope is this message will acknowledge the unfortunate situation created by a few individuals as an opportunity for us all to self-reflect and seek improvement while inviting future AESP leaders in the new school districts to return to long-standing, positive, and mutually beneficial discussions, solutions to problems and validation of all members involved in this important work – serving children, parents, team members and communities.”
Alpine Food Services employee Sarah Fotheringham said, “We were all jaw-wide open with the letter. We felt like it was written in bad taste and intended to intimidate us.” Fotheringham continued, “I’m very happy the School Board came through with their willingness to give us additional compensation after giving us a .5% COLA.”
Classified employees are support personnel who handle non-instructional and operational roles critical to running the district. These include school office staff, facilities and maintenance crews, and transportation and nutrition services workers, along with other various part-time employees.
The cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) pay increase, just 0.5%, that classified employees received in their paychecks for the ‘27 fiscal year was a sticking point in negotiations earlier this year. The union rejected the initial contract proposal. As part of a compromise, the contract included a one-time bonus payment.
The email stated, “This additional [$250] payment reflects the long-standing commitment of the board of education and superintendent to invest in and advocate for our “hands-on” technicians and support team members, which group has and will always be a high priority to the leaders of Alpine School District.”
ASD Superintendent Robert Smith addressed the controversy by affirming Alpine’s commitment to its classified employees. “Alpine’s Board of Education and Superintendent value their classified employees,” he said. “In the negotiation agreement, a statement to revisit the amount of the one-time bonus was included. This message was the announcement of that review and determination.”
Of the paragraphs that raised eyebrows, Smith said, “The intent of the message and section you referenced was to decouple the increased amount from a process this year that was unlike any experienced in the past 20 years with AESP.”
Smith continued, “Wording of any communication could be improved, which is true in this case. The intent was to celebrate our employees, follow through on a commitment, and invite a more positive dialogue in the new districts.”
When asked who wrote the email, Smith responded, “The message was approved for distribution by a majority of the Board and Superintendent and sent by the ASD communications team.”
Fotheringham also wants to leave any bad feelings between Alpine and classified employees behind. “My hope is that, with the new school board and new AESP boards, they will work together better with patience and understanding. I’m hopeful that the employees will be valued by the new school boards more than what was displayed in the announcement,” she said.
UDOT aware of the problem
Nichole Coombs | American Fork Citizen
It’s been three weeks since a 15-year-old Skyridge student was hit while crossing SR-92 and Center Street in Lehi. The teen, whose name has not been released, is healing from a fractured wrist, but his accident has brought attention to something neighbors say they’ve seen coming.
“He was in the crosswalk on his e-bike,” said Tiffany Barker, a Lehi resident who lives near the intersection. “He was doing everything right, and a big truck turning right didn’t see him start to cross and hit him. I was the third person on the scene, and the boy was rolling around on the ground saying he was in pain. We kept him still until paramedics arrived.”
This intersection is frequented by students coming and going from Skyridge High School and Viewpoint Middle School. Residents say ninth graders going to the high school for some special classes have to cross this intersection during the day.
“We really need a walking bridge,” said Barker. “Students are coming back and forth, people coming to the businesses, and there are walking paths on both sides. There’s a lot of foot traffic.”
The intersection has been on Lehi City Council members’ minds for some time.
“I’ve been worried about it for a long time,” said council member Rachel Freeman. “I don’t want any family in our community to have to deal with a tragedy. I go into that intersection daily, if not multiple times a day, and feel like there are some blind spots. I think a pedestrian bridge would help.”
SR-92 is not a Lehi City road, but that doesn’t mean the city isn’t working to get a bridge.
“Lehi City has been working on a design and working on securing funds for a bridge for some time because our engineers anticipated this intersection would be busy,” said Freeman. “Lehi has been able to secure about half the funding for the bridge so far, but we are still waiting, hopefully, for the other half of the funding to come from UDOT.”
The Utah Department of Transportation, or UDOT, is aware of the safety concerns over this intersection.
“This is a priority for Lehi,” said John Gleason, UDOT’s director of public relations. “We are working to come up with solutions. School boundaries have recently changed in the area, and so we are working to make it safe for everyone, so we don’t have situations like the one that recently happened.”
UDOT doesn’t have an exact timeline for a pedestrian bridge in the area.
“We are aware of the funding that Lehi has secured,” said Boyde Humpherys, region three deputy director for UDOT. “We are working as fast as we can through the process for everyone.”
UDOT uses data from multiple sources, including local committees, to create a prioritization list. Currently, a pedestrian bridge across SR-92 ranks among the top three.
“It’s about an $8-9 million project,” said Humpherys.
Council member Michelle Stallings says the pedestrian bridge is a high priority and there are a couple of ways Lehi City can help.
“It could be a partnership,” said Stallings. “We have another pedestrian bridge further west, and it was a partnership between Lehi, UDOT and UTA. Federal grants were used for that one, so the funding was different, but it could be a joint project.”
Several petitions have been circulated locally to bring attention to the problem.
For Barker and her neighbors, time is of the essence.
“We really need this bridge now. We can’t wait for another kid to get injured before it becomes a priority.”
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