covid

Goodbye 2020. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out! We have been barraged with negativity about the year 2020. True, there were some bad things that happened this year. Okay, a lot of bad things. However, there’s always another side to the story. 10 reasons to love 2020: 1. The kids got more sleep. Really, sleep has so many health benefits. So, when the kids all came home from school permanently in March, definitely a shocker, they were probably completely sleep deprived from years of waking up at unearthly…

Thrive 125 commemorates the 125th anniversary of Utah’s statehood.

Utah’s government launched a new “Level of Transmission” index on Tuesday. It will provide a more scientific way for assessing each county’s Covid situation, along with new restrictions created to fight the current rise in cases. Color-coded guidelines are discontinued.  Wasatch County is one of six Utah counties currently on "high transmission" risk. Levels will be reassessed weekly. They are determined by looking at case rates per 100K, percent of test positivity, and statewide ICU usage.   The Governor did not enact…

Wasatch High School is temporarily switching to an online learning format from Monday, October 12 through Friday, October 23, 2020. The school is planning to return to in-person learning on Monday, October 26. Extracurricular activities will continue as planned. As stated on the Wasatch County School District Facebook page, “Our in-school mitigation efforts have proven to be effective. However, the recent increase in community COVID cases has had a direct impact on our high school students and staff.” The Wasatch…

Wasatch High School students of 2020 have missed out on many of the usual high school experiences. Prom, graduation, spring sports, and so much more was modified or cancelled completely. Homecoming was also on the chopping block. But the school district, the school board, the high school, Wasatch County Health Department, and some students, came up with an ingenious plan to save it. Thanks to them, Wasatch High School's Homecoming Dance 2020 will be held this Saturday. Assistant Principal Ryan Bishop recalled, “Back in…

The Shop in Heber Valley grant program was opened last week to businesses in Wasatch County. Not only will it help local businesses, but it benefits the general public as well. Businesses can apply for up to $5,000. These funds, however, must be used to reimburse huge discounts passed on to customers. The grant is the result of the combined efforts of Wasatch County, Heber City, and Midway City. These government entities are utilizing their CARES Act funds for the grant. It is aimed at supporting Heber Valley businesses…

Labor Day Weekend 2020 will be unusual in the Heber Valley. Swiss Days, a statewide favorite, was cancelled back in May due to Covid concerns. The massive craft, food, and entertainment event usually brings thousands to the valley each year. It is one of Utah’s largest festivals. 2020 would have been its 73rd year. However, there is still an opportunity to purchase items online from Swiss Days’ vendors. According to www.midwayswissdays.org, there will be a “one-time only Midway Swiss Days 2020 online vendors' showcase.”…

Wasatch School District welcomed students back to school on August 17, 2020. The district opened on its original start date, a feat which was unattainable for many other districts across the country. Even in Utah, only four districts plan to be open by the 17th. Several have planned openings later this week. And many others will begin even later. Some states are still keeping schools closed. In fact, 8 states, plus the District of Columbia, do not have in-person instruction at all right now. Some are planning for delayed…

Wasatch School District approved their plan for reopening schools at a meeting on July 21, 2020. District plans have been evolving since last March, when kids were sent home unexpectedly due to the coronavirus pandemic. “We have worked very closely with to put things in place,” Garrick Peterson, Director of Academics, explained. “We’ve put measures in place that make it safe to come back to school for our teachers, our staff, and our students.” Parent survey results showed 50% of parents desire full-day, traditional…