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 moreAuthor: Mike Kieffer
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 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 moreGRIT Happens: Teaching Your Kids (and Yourself) to Stick with It
If grit were easy, we’d all be sipping umbrella drinks on a beach instead of wrestling with IKEA instructions or middle school slang. But as Julie Adamic reminds us—with humor, heart, and a dash of dark chocolate—grit and growth mindset aren’t just buzzwords. They’re teachable, livable, and essential. In this refreshingly honest piece, Adamic shares practical strategies for helping kids (and adults) build resilience, embrace mistakes, and stick with the hard stuff. From “What I Messed Up Today” dinner chats to grit charts and victory journals, she offers a toolbox full of real-life wisdom. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or just someone trying not to burn the lasagna again, this post will leave you inspired to say, “I can’t do it… yet.”
Read moreBREAKING: Charlie Kirk Shooting Suspect in Custody After Tip from Family Friend
Charlie Kirk was struck mid-sentence, answering a question about mass shootings when the bullet found him. In the chaos that followed, a movement lost one of its loudest voices, and a family lost its center. The suspect is in custody, but the wound to public discourse—and private grief—will not heal quickly.
Read moreEDITORIAL: A Nation Marked
Machines now select military targets. Children die in classrooms. Political leaders are assassinated in public forums. This is not a map of isolated tragedies—it’s a portrait of moral erosion. In a nation where 18% of adults now believe violence is acceptable to advance political goals, the question is no longer whether we are in decline. The question is whether we can still recognize it.
Read moreCharlie Kirk Fatally Shot at UVU Event; Cedar Valley Student Leader Responds
Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA and a prominent figure in conservative youth politics, was fatally shot Wednesday afternoon while speaking at Utah Valley University. The incident occurred around 12:10 PM MDT during an outdoor Q&A session under a tent labeled “American Comeback.” Kirk was reportedly answering a question about mass shootings when a…
Read moreCedar Valley TPUSA Leader Responds to UVU Shooting: “Political Violence Has No Place in This Country”
In the wake of today’s shooting at Utah Valley University, I reached out to Brady Thomson, chapter leader of Turning Point USA at Cedar Valley High School, for a statement. Brady responded with the following: “Today’s events at UVU has shaken me and my chapter. I was personally not present at the event but we…
Read moreBreaking: Shot Fired at UVU During Charlie Kirk Event, Suspect in Custody
Live Updates OREM, Utah — A single gunshot was fired Wednesday afternoon on the campus of Utah Valley University during a speaking event featuring conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The incident occurred during the first stop of Kirk’s “American Comeback Tour,” hosted by Turning Point USA. According to an official UVU Alert, the shot was directed…
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