When Doug St. Julien stepped on the scale in Eagle Mountain, Utah, he was nearly 340 pounds—too heavy to remain in the Utah National Guard. Years later, with the help of a local TOPS chapter and unwavering support from his wife, Doug shed 114.5 pounds and was crowned the 2024 TOPS Utah King. His journey, rooted in portion control, community encouragement, and a commitment to lifelong wellness, reflects the power of grassroots health movements in Cedar Valley. Doug’s transformation is more than personal—it’s a rallying point for neighbors facing similar battles with obesity and a reminder that lasting change begins close to home.
Read moreYear: 2025
Biosecurity Alert: Screwworm Parasite Creeps Toward U.S. Border — What It Means for Utah Ranchers
A flesh-eating parasite once eradicated from the United States is making a dangerous comeback just 70 miles south of the Texas border — and experts warn it’s only a matter of time before it re-enters the country. The New World Screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax), known for its devastating impact on livestock, has been confirmed in Nuevo…
Read moreWhen Moving Feels Like Time Travel: Returning to a Childhood City as an Adult
Clemmie Remembers the First Hands on the Helm in Eagle Mountain
Well now, pull up a stump and let ol’ Clemmie tell you about how Eagle Mountain got its first few leaders. It’s a story with a bit of spark and a good deal of get-up-and-go, just like the folks who decided to build a whole new town out in Cedar Valley. You know, it weren’t…
Read moreInvestigating the Legend of the Utah Lake Monster
Utah Lake has long carried whispers of a monster—from 1860s settler reports near Lehi and Saratoga Springs to a 1921 “seal-like” chase in Goshen Bay. We sift original accounts, rival newspaper jabs, and sober debunkings to see what—if anything—still lurks beneath these Cedar Valley waters.
Read moreAI in Blue: A Look at the Saratoga Springs Police Department’s New Tech
Artificial Intelligence is no longer a distant concept—it’s here, embedded in the daily operations of local institutions, including law enforcement. In Saratoga Springs, the police department has implemented a generative AI tool called Axon Draft One, designed to assist officers with report writing. While its purpose is practical—streamlining paperwork and improving documentation—it raises deeper questions…
Read moreSoul Mending
Remember the Importance of Suicide Prevention this September
September is National Suicide Prevention Month and it’s important to know that there are resources to help you or your loved ones. Intermountain Health has continued to build on local hotline resources in response to growing behavioral health needs in communities throughout the state. This includes Intermountain’s Connect Care/Behavioral Health Hotline – the telehealth option…
Read moreOPINION – Mark on Merit: The Founders and the Measure of a Citizen
To judge a person by their race, religion, or creed—whether to elevate or exclude—is to betray the very principles that built this nation. The Founders, for all their flaws, gave us a framework that can still elevate the best among us – if we have the courage to use it.
Read moreThe Sensory Side of Moving: How Sight, Sound, and Smell Affect Your Adjustment to a New Home
Moving isn’t just logistics—it’s sensory transformation.
In her latest guest post, Daniela Coleman explores how sight, sound, and smell shape your adjustment to a new home. From the flicker of streetlamps to the hum of a refrigerator, each detail guides comfort, memory, and belonging.
Whether it’s the scent of morning coffee or the echo of footsteps in a hallway, the sensory side of moving reveals how homes become personal stories.









