Today, Tour of Utah Race "Americas Toughest Stage Race"

2014 Tour of Utah

"The Tour of Utah, officially the Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah, is an annual multiday road cycling race; traversing the states of Utah andWyoming. Since the 2011 edition, the tour holds UCI classification (2.1). Between five and six UCI ProTeams compete annually. Due to its altitude, distance, and weather conditions, the tour is nicknamed: "America's Toughest Stage Race". In 2010, only 71 of the initial 140 riders finished. After receiving 2.1 status in 2011, a stronger field participated; 88 of the initial 120 competitors finished. In September 2014, it was announced that the race was promoted to 2.HC status." Wikipedia

Monday, August 3

9:15 AM  Neutral Start from 100 East and Federal, Logan, Utah

9:21 AM  Start Race Start on 400 North and 500 East, Logan, Utah

 Logan Canyon

11:04 AM 10:54 AM 10:46 AM 10:38 AM 10:33 AM  Enter Garden City, Utah

11:16 AM 11:06 AM 10:56 AM 10:48 AM 10:41 AM  Left Continue on US-89

11:29 AM 11:17 AM 11:06 AM 10:57 AM 10:50 AM  Utah Sports Commission Sprint

Idaho State Line

11:36 AM 11:23 AM 11:12 AM 11:02 AM 10:55 AM  Enter Fish Haven, Idaho

11:50 AM 11:36 AM 11:24 AM 11:13 AM 11:05 AM Enter St. Charles, Idaho

11:55 AM 11:41 AM 11:28 AM 11:17 AM 11:09 AM  Right North Beach Road, Idaho

12:09 PM 11:54 AM 11:40 AM 11:28 AM 11:19 AM  Bear Lake State Park Beach, Idaho

12:15 PM 11:58 AM 11:45 AM 11:32 AM 11:23 AM Left Continue on North Beach

12:15 PM 11:59 AM 11:45 AM 11:33 AM 11:23 AM  Right East Shore Drive, Idaho

1:15 PM 12:53 PM 12:35 PM 12:19 PM 12:06 PM  Continue on East Shore

1:17 PM 12:56 PM 12:37 PM 12:21 PM 12:08 PM  Right SR 30

1:47 PM 1:22 PM 1:01 PM 12:43 PM 12:29 PM  Utah Sports Commission Sprint

Garden City, Utah

1:47 PM 1:22 PM 1:01 PM 12:43 PM 12:29 PM  Left US-89

2:06 PM 1:40 PM 1:18 PM 12:58 PM 12:43 PM   Logan Canyon

Logan Canyon - 7772' - Cat. 2

3:57 PM 3:20 PM 2:50 PM 2:23 PM 2:02 PM 2.0 132.1 0.0 212.5 0.0 Race Finish on 100 East, Logan, Utah

Summer At The Marina

Photo by Lauriann Wakefield, Little Starling Photography

Garden City Sheriff Deals With Man Later Killed By Logan SWAT Team

Bobbie Coray, Reporter
Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah. August 1, 2015.  Sunday, July 26, 2015, three days before Roger Barker of Providence was killed by a Logan SWAT team, he was in Garden City at his cabin threatening suicide according to Rich County Sheriff Dale Stacey.  Barker  had called his wife to inform her and she called the Logan Police who got him on the telephone to talk him down.  A neighbor went over to help.  Rich County Sheriff Dale Stacey and another officer were then able to take him to Logan Regional Hospital to the secure mental health unit. During the drive, Stacey said that Barker was cooperative and pleasant. It was emotional for Stacey to hear that he had been killed after that interaction with him, he said.

"What people don't realize is that we have the same problems as they do anywhere else, we just do not have back up or SWAT teams or trained people to work a stand off", said Stacey.  

A Herald Journal Article by Amy Macavinta, July 30, 2015 reports:

"Police say Wednesday’s effort to work through a period of despondency and threats of suicide with 53-year-old Roger Barker of Providence was not their first interaction with him this week.

Logan Police Chief Gary Jensen said a patrol officer spoke at length with Barker on Sunday and was able to convince the man to seek help. Then, Wednesday afternoon, Barker was served with temporary protective orders after a family member petitioned the court for assistance.

By the end of the day, Barker was dead.

As the news spread across social media Thursday, many people expressed shock and disbelief. He was described as a one-of-a-kind person who would have given everything he had to help someone else.

Cade Brenchley, who knows Barker and his family, said Barker always had a smile.

“I just can’t imagine what happened to push him to this brink,” he said.

Several hours after learning of the protective order, Barker was once again threatening suicide, and police responded to a home at 346 N. 200 East in Logan, where he was staying.

Jensen said an officer tried to talk with him for a period of time before it became necessary to bring in a SWAT team to help manage Barker and the safety of the public.

Negotiators continued to talk with him for more than an hour. During that time, he became more and more agitated as the situation unfolded over the police radio. Barker was often seen on the front porch with his phone in his left hand and a handgun in his right.

On more than one occasion, he told negotiators he would shoot the officer in front of the home if that officer didn’t leave, or he would shoot out the spotlight if officers didn’t stop shining it at his apartment.

At one point in the ordeal, negotiators reportedly told commanding officers that Barker asked, “How many people are going to die tonight?”

“Eventually those talks (between Barker and negotiators) broke down, and Mr. Barker presented himself at the doorway to his home with a handgun, and once again, Mr. Barker fired a shot toward a police vehicle parked right across the street, and in turn there were officers right there … and they returned fire,” Jensen said during a press conference Thursday afternoon.

Although paramedics were staged nearby and able to immediately begin life-saving actions, Barker was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival at Logan Regional Hospital.

Two officers — a Logan City Police officer and a Cache County Sheriff’s deputy — have been placed on routine administrative leave while an outside agency investigates the chain of events leading to Barker’s death.

Sheriff Chad Jensen said this is a unique situation with two officers, each from a different agency, who are involved in an on-the-job shooting incident.

“In order to have a fair and honest and productive investigation, we have turned this over to an outside agency,” he said.

The Davis County Sheriff’s Office works to that end, and Chief Jensen said law enforcement will be keeping most of the details at bay until the conclusion of the investigation.

Barker does not appear to have a history of drug or alcohol abuse, nor does he have a criminal history per se.

He does have a booking record in the Cache County Jail, likely from an incident in 2012 when he was charged with violating an earlier protective order, but that charge was later dismissed."

amacavinta@hjnews.com;Twitter: amacavinta

Raspberry Days August 6 - 8

The Raspberry Days Festival is an incredible event held to celebrate the harvest of the world famous Bear Lake Raspberries. The Raspberry harvest usually starts around the 3rd week of July and lasts 3-4 weeks. 

The Raspberry Days Festival is an annual event. The festival is a fun filled 3 days with the Little Miss Berry Pageant, the craft fair with continuous entertainment, the Parade on the Boulevard, the Rodeo and 5K run in Laketown, the Pancake Breakfast at the Garden City Park, dances, and ending with the fireworks on the Beach.

Highlights include:

• Craft Fairs, Wednesday through Saturday, August 5-7.  City and LDS Church parking lot and park and local artisans at Lakeview room above the city library 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Parade 6 p.m. Bear Lake Boulevard, Thursday August 6.

• Rodeo 7:30 p.m Friday-Saturday, August 7, 8 at Laketown Arena

• Pancake Breakfast Saturday 8-11, Garden City Park 

• Boat Parade, Saturday 9 p.m. Bear Lake Marina

• Fireworks, Saturday night at 10 p.m.

Below are the links to the Raspberry Days flyer and concert information

Event Flyer

Concert Information

Don't Miss Local's Raspberry Days Fair Above Garden City Library

The Bear Lake Valley Craft Fair is back for it's 6th year during Raspberry Days - Aug. 6-8th. Once again, we will be in the Lakeside Building at the Garden City Office Center on 300 West just north of the library. The hours are Thu. and Fri. from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. and Sat. from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. And, as always, we will be showcasing crafts and other goodies made by our very own talented Bear Lake Valley residents.

This year we will have beautiful handicrafts including quilts, table runners, pillows and pillow covers, minky baby blankets, sewn kitchen items, Marsha Hansen's fabulous raspberry hot fudge, wooden bowls, and antler handle knives. There will also be Raggy Daggy Do-Dads jewelry, enchanting fused glass items, hand-painted gourds, Papa's Chocolates (my new favorite is dark chocolate toffee clusters), and Animals Need Help with their cute polo shirts, tote bags, hats, and other items bearing the ANH logo (and where we got our beautiful Sam).

So, please come by our air-conditioned, intimate craft fair and support our local crafters and artisans where you're sure to get items "made in Bear Lake"!

Garden City Library Summer Reader Winners

The winners from our Summer Reading drawing are...(drumroll please):

Kids Kindle donated by Bruce and Kathryn Warner - Rylan Gough
7" Kindle Fire donated by Bruce and Kathryn Warner- Dylan Negus
6" Kindle Fire donated by Chuck Stocking and Bear Lake Computers - Sim and Kirby Weston
6" Subway Sandwich Certificates - Jordan Johnson, Traiden Stuart, Bessie Smith, Avery Weston, and Kaeda Lundgren
Digital Bookmarks - Braxton and Madison Moldenhauer

Congratulations to all of our winners!!!! For those who won and were not at the pool party yesterday, please come pick up your prize by AUGUST 15TH - or we will draw another winner!!!

A VERY SPECIAL thank you to Bruce and Kathryn Warner, Chuck Stocking and Bear Lake Computers, and Subway for their kind donations this year!!! We had 73 children signed up this year and wonderful prizes to reward them for their summer reading.

Cisco Sonar

Cisco Sonar

By Bryce Nielson

Bear Lake is a very special place.  I have been around it all my life.  I saw it before I could remember, nearly drown in it as a kid, fished it when I was in high school and studied it when I went to college.  Bear Lake entered my soul.   When I moved up here to do research on the fishery in 1974 my destiny was set.  I would spend the rest of my life at Bear Lake.

I have seen many things since that time.  I have always been intrigued watching all the happenings going on around me.  I love to observe trends, listen to what people say and watch what they do.  I won’t be able to remember your name but I can remember specific events that have happened in the past.

As this 24^th of July weekend comes to a close, I would like to make some observations.  This is the first time in 40 years that I have not been committed to either as a biologist or owner of Cisco’s Landing.  This weekend I have had time to reflect on my thoughts.

The beauty of Bear Lake has not changed over the years.  It is etched in countless memories, but the area is struggling to maintain its character.  When you visit it, the Lake becomes part of you. It has always been safe and the people welcoming.  It is all about families.  It is one of the premier spots for family reunions.  Locals here are naturally friendly.  They are more than happy to accommodate our seasonal population surge.  Many of these folks still don’t lock up everything they have at all times.  They have lived all their life here, know the area on a year around basis and are trusting, which is rare today.  The population is changing however which distresses me.

I am happy to see people choosing Bear Lake for their permanent homes.  Individuals in the past resented any newcomers and wanted all for themselves.  I am sure that is what the Shoshoni Indians thought when the Mormon pioneers arrived.  Lately many of these people seem to think they need to change things here.  It is true that we need to adjust to changes.  They come because they love it  and then try to change it with ridiculous demands, regulations, laws and ordinances.  

Apparently we need to be controlled because we are incapable of making our own decisions.  We are all constantly being watched by fearful people.  If they hear a shot, see a car driving differently, a dog running or anything else they are immediately on the cell phone reporting it because they are constantly into everyone else’s business.  I personally hate it.  The Rich County Sheriff’s office does an outstanding job with limited resources and don’t need any additional demands.  Give them a break.

I apologize.  When I started writing this peace I wanted to focus on Bear Lake, how people love it and it gets into their souls.  It is fun to see all of the posts showing everyone having fun at Bear Lake on Social Media but I also hear the Rich County Radio Dispatch.  So when I let my mind loose, it went to changes in attitude which affects the area I love.   If Bear Lake has entered your soul, quit trying to change into the places you came from.  Remember why you came here in the first place.

Bear Lake Flowers

Photo by Elvira Luzack

Monday Organ Concert At Paris Tabernacle

Paris Tabernacle

Monday July 27

5 p,m.

Free Organ Concert

By

Ben Alder

Long Time Bear Laker Paul Birdsey Passes Away. 1934-2015

Paul W. Birdsey, of Garden City and Spanish Fork, UT, passed away quietly on July 17, 2015 at Utah Valley Hospital. He was born April 12, 1934 in Philadelphia, PA son of Grace Evans Thompson Birdsey and Arthur Edward Birdsey.

He is survived by his wife, Constance (Connie) Birdsey; sons, Paul W. Birdsey Jr. (Maegan) and Christopher D Birdsey (Susan); grandchildren: Catherine (Justin) Savrock; Steven P. Birdsey; Haunna C. Birdsey; brother, Bruce ; sisters, Barbara MacDonald and Jayne (Tom) DiNardo; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Grace; his sister, Jo Harriet Cooper; and his grandson, Kevin Edward Birdsey.

Paul was in Scouting for over 30 years serving as Scoutmaster to two troops. He was awarded the Silver Beaver award during his long service.

Paul was a Lay Pastor of the Bear Lake Community church until his illness made it impossible to continue preaching and leading a congregation on a regular basis. His greatest joy was serving Communion to the congregation and leading Worship service. He developed and led Inter-faith gatherings in the Bear River valley for many years.

Paul was employed for 29 years by SPS Technologies, Jenkintown, PA and Salt Lake City as a Manufacturing Engineer; Bear Lake State Park for a number of years as a Seasonal employee; and for 6 years driving and delivering Meals on Wheels. He very much enjoyed the contact with all of the seniors on his route. 

A Memorial Service for Paul will be held in late September at the Bear Lake Community church in Montpelier, Idaho.

Free Live Music Concerts In Garden City

Live Music at Conestoga Ranch

July 31, 2015 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Conestoga Ranch, Garden City

Join Conestoga Ranch in Garden City this summer for live, outdoor music every Friday night. Free to public, these exciting Performances will be staged fireside by the resort's Main Lodge. Dinner and refreshments available onsite at the Campfire Grill and General Store

Morning

Photo by Joe Stocking

All You Can Eat Breakfast, Raspberry Days

On August 8^th starting at 7 a.m. the Garden City Fire department will hold its
Annual “All you can eat” Breakfast

 At the city park in Garden City.  

Funds are used to support both the department and some youth groups in the county.

Eggs, bacon, hashbrowns, huge pancakes and juice!

July Fire District Board Meeting

Chris Coray, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah.  July 16, 2015. The Garden City Fire District Board held its regular monthly meeting.  Present were board members Brian House, Randall Knight, and Howard Pope.  Absent were Jenny England and Perry Wakefield.

The new fire/rescue boat is operational, docked at the government dock in the marina, and is nearly completely fitted out.  The boat does not yet have an infrared radar installed nor its own sets of night vision goggles (they are available quickly from other sources), nor one piece of needed medical equipment.  During trials the boat had a maximum speed of 30 mph and the department feels that it is under powered.  The speed goal of 40+ mph while loaded will require two bigger outboards and Chief Wahlberg indicated he was looking for revenue sources to provide the engine upgrade.  

In an ironic turn of events the very first day the boat was in the water it was used to rescue 4 people from a capsized boat about a half mile north of the marina, during a wind event that produced 4-5 foot waves.  The boat capsize was observed as it happened from the shore and the rescue boat quickly pulled all the swimmers from the water without harm.

The question of radio communication was addressed.  In communicating with the Idaho boats the system has to use older use frequencies found on the Idaho boats and the communication has to go from Utah boats to central dispatch then on to the Idaho boats.  While the A to B to C system is functional it is not as modern as the radios and frequencies used among Utah agencies, personnel, and equipment.

The district accountant, Tiffany Wahlberg, reported on the independent audit of agreed upon procedures required by the state.  This state requirement cost the district $3,000 this year (state mandated) and produced a result of nearly perfect compliance with only two minor adjustments to policy required.

Besides the rescue on the lake there were 6 fires suppressed during the month, the largest being a lightning caused fire near Swan Creek Village.  On that fire, which was brought under control in about 3 hours, there were some minor problems and one major issue with equipment that slowed operations down and all but one problem has been repaired.  The major issue is that the 6 X 6 vehicle used by the department for rough terrain and difficult access situations was broken beyond repair through operator error and is lost to the department.  This is the only vehicle of its kind in the county and a replacement needs to be found.  Chief Wahlberg is looking for a 5 ton model to replace the 2 ½ ton model that was lost. (Note:  Since the meeting the fire department has obtained a 5 ton surplus army vehicle 6 X 6 that will be modified to replace the lost one—but this is a bigger truck.  It was given to the department by the state).

Rich County School Board Meeting

Kathie B. Anderson, Reporter
Rich Civic Times

RANDOLPH, Utah. July 15, 2015. Policy 604.2: Educators who work in extracurricular activities are paid additional money in accordance with the current salary schedule. Payment is made at the end of the activity season. Ratified.

Interest-based Facilitation: A productive meeting was held with the Classified Employees. A 3.5% settlement was accepted. The salary for activity and route drivers will increase to $10.00 an hour. A motion was made by the Board to change the policy which will be ratified at the August meeting.

Staffing: A motion to accept new teachers passed unanimously.

Speech and Language Teacher
Kathryn (Katie) Mena

Social Studies Teacher
Loren Kennedy

The R & D Cleaning contract was renewed for the 2015-2016 school year.

The athletic fee schedule for 2015-2016 will remain the same. A motion to approve the Fall Athletic Schedule passed unanimously.

Policy 601.3.4.1: When hiring assistant coaches or accepting assistance from volunteers, head coaches are encouraged to seek a person that would serve the program and present names to the building principal for approval. If approved by the building principal, he/she will recommend candidates to the school board for approval. No appointment will be final unless or until approved by the school board. A motion to add “assistant director” to the policy was approved by the Board.

An announcement seeking a new position Head Girls Basketball Coach will be posted immediately. The new coach will hire his/her own assistant.

All teachers and staff will attend the Opening Institute on August 19, 2015. The guest speaker will be Heidi Alder, Legal Council, and Utah Professional Practice Committee, who will speak on Employee Ethics. The workshop will begin at 8:00 a.m. in the Rich High School Auditorium.

The Emergency Preparedness Plan is in place for the upcoming school year.

 
Several summer projects have been completed: New motion sensor LED lighting has been installed, soccer and football fields are being prepared, CO2 and smoke detectors have been installed, drain pipe leakage is being repaired, all new carpeting installed, a section of roof repaired at the high school, and a new marquee will be shipped and installed in August. The Rich School District is accepting bids on a ’94-’95 7/70 tractor.

The School Board thanked Rick Lindt for his hard work getting the schools ready for the new school year. He saved the District a considerable amount of money by doing much of the work himself.