Before the Storm

 

Photo by Jennifer Casillas

No Quaranteen!

Avoid the quaranteen.

No one wants a teen stuck at home. Get them vaccinated to keep COVID out of school and keep them in class and at extracurricular activities.

The Utah Department of Health recommends a layered prevention approach consistent with the Utah COVID-19 Disease Plan and CDC school guidelines to minimize the impact of COVID-19 exposures and outbreaks in school settings and maximize opportunities for children to participate in in-school learning and extracurricular activities.

Encouraging all school staff and students 12 years and older to be vaccinated against COVID-19 is an important prevention strategy. We ask all Utahns to carefully consider getting vaccinated and to seek out credible information about the vaccines from their healthcare provider and reputable health organizations. The vast majority of all COVID-19 deaths, hospitalizations, and cases in Utah are happening to people who are not vaccinated. It’s important for parents to talk to their child’s trusted healthcare provider if they have questions or concerns about vaccinations. 

COVID-19 vaccinations are FREE and available to anyone 12 and older. The Pfizer vaccine is the only COVID-19 vaccine authorized for children 12 to 17 years old. All three vaccines, Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccines are authorized for people ages 18 and older.

Fire Danger

Bobbie Bicknell Coray, Reporter
Rich Civic Times

RANDOLPH, Utah.  August 11, 2021.  Dan Ames, Rich County Fire Warden and Dusty Richards, Bear River Area Wildland Fire Management,  told the County Commissioners that there have been six fires that have only burned 3 ½ acres.  One was a lightning strike but because of a quick alert, they were able to get on it rapidly before it took off.

Ames said that the county moisture is at the lowest level it has ever been, he said that the County levels are 20% dryer than the County has been in the driest year.

They work with the three local fire departments and give each department $400 a year for their participation. 

Richards said that it is getting harder to hire qualified people.  They have had two openings for wardens, one for Cache County and one for Box Elder County.  They publicized the jobs nationally for over a month and only two people applied.   Wages are under the market value, the Bear River Area wardens start at $17 an hour and it is not competitive, according to a study completed with surrounding states and local municipalities.

Richards asked if the county would approve a raise for the two Rich County fire people.  They will redo the budget January 1 for 2022, but since HB 65 made an increase retroactive, the warden’s budget would need about $ 3500 extra for the period from July to January. Commissioners agreed

Birds at the Lake, Loving Saturday's Storm

Photo by Carol Ann Dyer

 

COVID 19 FUNDING - FREE MEALS FOR STUDENTS

With funding acquired through Covid -19 allocations the USDA’s Food & Nutrition Service is offering

FREE MEALS for all students - Breakfast and Lunch

Starting first day of school until end of school year

STUDENTS ENROLLED IN RICH SCHOOL DISTRICT

Free Breakfast & Free Lunch will be served at their school.

Parents are strongly encouraged to complete the required application for Free and Reduced Price Meals and have it submitted as soon as possible. Remember you can do this online as an Aspirecontact. This will enable the transition from this free program to the National School LunchProgram to be as seamless as possible when fundingruns out. Also, this helps our district inmany funding ways beside the lunch program.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

School starting information

 School will start Monday,  August 23.  Kindergarten students will be given an individual screening test during the first days of school.  Parents of kindergarten students will be receiving a letter, from the teacher, with specific information relative to the testing schedule and the start of regular classroom activities. School will begin at 8:00 a.m. and end at 3:21 p.m. for all students.

The middle school bus will leave the high school at 7:15 a.m.  The high school bus will leave Rich Middle School around 7:15 a.m.  If you have any questions regarding the time your bus leaves, contact your bus driver or Robyn Esterholdt at BTC 435-793-4501 x 300 or 435-881-2690.

Any new students attending North Rich Elementary or Rich Middle School, not already registered, should call 946-3359. RMS students are preregistered and class schedules can be found on Aspire.    If students have any questions or concerns about their individual schedules, they are asked to contact Principal Motta.

High school students are already registered.  Any new high school students should call Principal Larsen at 793-2365 starting August 2. A letter containing information about sport practices and coming back to school can be found on Rich High School under news. 

New students attending South Rich Elementary not already registered should call 793-2135 ext 100.

Soccer sign up

 

Bear Lake County Fair

August 23 @ 10:00 am - August 28 @ 10:00 pm

Bear Lake County Fair, Rodeo 

Bring the family for some good old fashioned fun! Rodeo, Carnival, Concert, Demolition Derby, Parade, Exhibits and more.  Parade, concerts, horse pulls, hypnotist, rodeo, and truck pulls. Call 208-847-0344 for more info.

Cisco’s Sonar

Bear Lake Water Levels
by Bryce Nielson

In recent weeks I have heard people wonder if Bear Lake has ever been this low before.  They hear about the horrible drought and Lake Powell drying up and assume that Bear Lake is experiencing the same problems. 

Looking at historical data, it has been considerably lower in the past.  There is no dam on Bear Lake.  It fills as water from the Bear River is diverted into Mud Lake (wetlands at the north end), through the Rainbow Canal, in the spring.  The majority of the Bear Lake Waterfowl Refuge is controlled by dikes and channels.  This complex increases in elevation during runoff and the excess water is released into the lake through the gates near the North Beach Jetty.  Once in the lake, the water can only leave through evaporation or pumping into the outlet canal at Lifton.  It is different than reservoirs that need to constantly release water to the river downstream. 

How the water is released or pumped out of the lake is now controlled by a complex agreement between PacifiCorp and the Bear River Water users.  Bear Lake Watch also participates in negotiations.  PacifiCorp is responsible for delivering the water.  In reality, there is a reservoir on top of a natural lake.

Around 1917, the Lifton pumping plant and canals were built and downstream hydropower plants were constructed.  The first below the lake is near Soda Springs, Idaho. created Alexander Reservoir and is known as the Soda Plant.  As the river winds through southeastern Idaho, two more plants, Cove and Grace were constructed on diversions.  Downstream, the Oneida Plant which created Oneida Reservoir.  The gradient of the river then flattens out and the last impoundment is the Cutler Marsh, which in addition to the Bear River, collects stream water from Cache Valley and was made by the Cutler Dam.  What is left of the river at this point flows past Corinne into the Bear River Bird Refuge near Brigham and then the Great Salt Lake. 

Once the lower Bear River was dammed and tamed, the Bear River Compact, which was established in the early 1950’s, described how the water was to be used for irrigation between Wyoming, Utah and Idaho.  Hundreds of different water rights were incorporated into canal companies that then regulated the many users from various diversions.  These water companies are now grouped into the Bear River Water Users.  They produce millions of dollars worth of agricultural goods and employ thousands of people. 

If you look at Bear Lake you see that it has a lot of water in it, approximately 6,000,000 acre feet.  The average depth is over 100 feet.  The elevation of the lake today (8/13) is 5913.4 feet UP&L datum.  That leaves 14 feet of water in the Bear Lake State Park Marina.  Plenty of water to launch boats and play on the lake while continuing to supply water for power and irrigation. 

I have seen the lake at its highs and lows over the last 48 years.  The one thing that is apparent is the growing demand for water the population growth.  Geologic studies indicate that Bear Lake may have been 60 feet higher and lower than present.  Humans have no control in those long term events.  I hope that in the future we can understand that this lake is a unique resource that we are lucky to enjoy.  We need to do everything we can to preserve Bear Lake for the next thousand years (at least).   

 

 

 

 

Bear Lake Marina

Photo from Bear Lake State Parks

 

Masks and vaccinations recommended for school opening

Bobbie Bicknell Coray, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

RANDOLPH, Utah.  August 11, 2021. Rich County has the smallest percentage of vaccinated people in the tri county area served by the Bear River Health Department.  Only 43% have been vaccinated.  Over one third of the confirmed cases are of people 25 years old and younger. People from 16-25 are very low in vaccination rates in the County.  Students over 12 can be vaccinated in Randolph by the Bear River Health. There have been 160 cases in Rich County.

Jordan Mathis, Director Bear River Health Department, told County Commissioners that they are working with the school districts.  Every communicable disease has a plan.  BRHD plan is to push the prevention side of things including face coverings.  Because of concerns about the children 12 and under who cannot yet be vaccinated, students should wear masks.

Covid 19 testing will be available for free.  Vaccinations are the best preventative option. Vaccinations can be done at the Bear Lake Clinic in Garden City,  Bear River Memorial Hospital in Montpelier Idaho and at m any places in Logan, Utah and Evanston, Wyoming.  BRHD will also send a nurse to give vaccinations.  All vaccinations are free.

Mathis said “Keep sick children and staff home.”

Handwashing and hygiene are also important.  Anyone tested positive for Covid 19 will be required to isolate.  If there is a case in the school, exposed individuals in a classroom will be notified.  The exposed students will then have to wear a mask unless vaccinated.

“We are asking parents to strongly consider these recommendations to keep school open.  If there are 30 cases in two weeks then we will test everyone in the school to see if there is a need for quarantine.”

There is also a chance for athletes to be infected at away games.  Mathis said this should be an incentive to get students over 12 vaccinated to protect the school and the community.  The school will send out more information for school rules.

Letter to the Editor re 500+ RV park.

 To the Editor:

I was born, and grew up in Pickleville. Over the past 60+ years, I have witnessed the many changes the Bear Lake Valley has undergone. As I return to become a full time resident again, I find myself both nostalgic and fearful.

Growing up, there were four small family resorts in the Garden City/Pickleville area. Gus’ Resort (owned by Gus Rich), Ideal Beach (owned by the Pulsiphers), Blue Water Beach (owned by Preston and Gladys Kimball), and Holiday Marina (owned by Jack and Ethel Ryan).

What was later known as the Pickleville Country Store was originally called El Centro or Hodges Lodges. Purchased by Ralph and Sally Eastman, El Centro was converted into the Pickleville store around 1972. The Utah State Package Store was added in 1973. 

Hodges Canyon Road was just the Lane”, bordered by ancient cotton wood trees, a small orchard, a red barn, and horse corrals.

Garden City had one small grocery store owned by the Pulleys, who also ran the Motor Lodge Motel. I remember stopping in frequently to buy their wonderful penny candy.

Water’s Edge and Cody’s Restaurant now occupy the site of the store. The Motor Lodge is now known as the Bear Lake Motor Lodge. The Pulleys later opened a café, now Firehouse Pizza. Pulley’s had lively competition from John and Nancy Murphy’s Lakeview Café. The Murphy’s café and motel were located at what is now the Epic rental retail store.

Sterling’s was the lone gas station in Garden City. Owned by Sterling Rich, it was located on the corner of what is now Bear Lake Blvd. and Logan Canyon Road. The only fast-food place in town was the Frosty Stand, now LaBeau’s. They made the best double dip chocolate cones in the world.

After Pickleville was incorporated into Garden City, the town leaders devised a Master Plan for Garden City. They knew that the valley would be growing, and the unfortunate events that transpired when Ideal Beach was transformed into Sweetwater Resort led them to think about how the town could balance growth and community.

Their vision included specific areas for businesses, resident families, and seasonal/recreational interests. They also built in the consideration of green and open spaces for the enjoyment of all. Even through several boom and bust cycles in the valley, town officials knew that growth would continue. Their goal was not to stop development, but to manage it in order to preserve the essence of the wonderful spirit of life in the Bear Lake Valley.

More recent town administrations have held a different outlook. Rather than plan with an eye to the future and to the community, they allow developments that are in conflict with the town plan, and allow developers excessive leeway. Commercial and high density developments are allowed to misuse the Planned Unit Development zone. 

Now the town appears poised to set aside the Master Plan again, to plant a 500 unit RV Resort in the middle of 110 acres of land zoned for low density single family homes, and what is now agricultural land.

After pushback from concerned community members, the town now announces that they are “updating the General Plan”. To this end, they are asking for input from the public in the form of a survey. The timing of this sudden desire to re-visit the General Plan should greatly concern all who live or recreate in the Bear Lake Valley. The form of the survey questions should also concern everyone. What are the questions actually asking? How will the input be used? Will the public have access to the data collected?

In speaking with many of the folks I grew up with, I hear my own concerns mirrored. “The town is getting more and more chaotic. I can’t wait for winter”.

“How many more short term rentals can we handle?”

“How are people building 15 bed and 12 bath hotels and getting away with calling them houses?”

“Can our water and infrastructure keep up with the pace of this development?”

“Why isn’t the town managing growth better? Who is benefitting?”

Here is my point – If you are concerned about the chaotic and apparently uncontrolled growth in our town, STOP BEING PART OF THE PROBLEM. Your silence equals consent. GET INVOLVED. Voice your concerns to your town leaders. If they continue to fail to be responsive, ELECT NEW ONES.

Don’t let your neighbors do the job alone. Don’t be afraid to let your opinion be known, and your voice heard. The future of Garden City is ours to protect. If we lose the lifestyle and the beauty we have inherited, we will all be the poorer for it. We will have “killed the goose that lays the golden egg”, and be left only with the eyesore we allowed to be created, along with the financial burden that will accompany it.

Jayne Hodges

Life Long Bear Laker

Bear Lake Island

Photo by Lauriann Wakefield

 

Rich School District Information

Three RMS and three NRE Land Trust Community Council positions are open for the 2021-22 school year. Nominations for these positions will be accepted at the school office from August 2nd to September 2nd.  

Voting for these positions will take place at the school any time during school hours from September 7th to September 14th.

Back to school Information will not be mailed home.  Please check both school web sites for important back to school information.

Kip Motta honored

 

8/16/21 The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) announces Principal Kip Motta as the 2021-22 President-elect of the association. 

Principal Motta is the Principal of both Rich Middle School (RMS) and North Rich Elementary (NRE) in the Rich County School District located in northeast Utah. 

Principal Motta has spent 38 years as an educator with the last 21 years as the principal of RMS and NRE. Principal Motta has served on the general Board and the Executive Committee of the Utah Association of Secondary School Principals (UASSP). The service to the principals and students of Utah, through UASSP, lead to the opportunity for Mr. Motta to serve the past 4 years as a general Board member of NASSP. 

This July Principal Motta was elected as the 2021-22 presidentelect of NASSP. He will serve in this capacity for one year followed by a year as the President of the Association then a year as the Past-president.

 “I am so excited for the opportunity UASSP and NASSP have given me to represent principals from across our nation. It is an enormous honor and responsibility which could not be possible without the support of Superintendent Lamborn and the Rich County School Board.” Principal Motta continued to say, “My involvement with UASSP and NASSP has opened many opportunities for Rich School District, myself, and the students we are privileged to serve.” “I am so proud to have been recognized by my peers locally and nationally as a person they trust to be a part of the leadership team for one of the premier education organizations in the world, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a Principal and to represent the immense positive impact our profession has upon the future of our world.” “GO BE GREAT!”