Willard City released its mid-year financial report at the Jan. 23 council meeting, highlighting concerns about the water fund’s deficit cash position, as well as the probability of having to turn a [post_excerpt] million grant back in to the state. The financial report for the first half of the year, compiled by Childs Richards CPAs & Advisors, outlines financial challenges related to the city’s water fund. While overall city revenues and expenditures remain stable, the water fund is facing issues that could impact its sustainability. The fund has reached 79.8% of its projected annual revenue, excluding additional grant funds, largely...

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A Davis County man is being held without bail in the Box Elder County Jail following his arrest in January for possession and distribution of graphic child pornography depicting dozens of children, ranging in ages from infancy to 10 years old. Chase Steven Hutchings, 31, of Centerville, Utah, was arrested on Jan. 15 in Box Elder County, and is currently charged with 30 first-degree felony counts of aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor, one second-degree felony count of enticing a minor into unlawful sexual activity, and one Class C misdemeanor charge of enticing a minor. The charges stem from an...

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A student from Bear River Middle School engages in an Industrial Training International simulation at this year’s STEM Fair, sponsored by the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Utah. The virtual reality training system can help prepare students for jobs in construction, manufacturing, and industrial safety. Over 40 businesses, educational entities, school clubs and more brought hands-on activities to engage the 2,000 students who attended the event. See more photos on page 4.

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Willard City’s financial position remains stable and its books are in order, according to an independent audit report presented to the city council on Jan. 23 by Chuck Palmer of Chuck Palmer and Associates CPAs. Palmer delivered a clean audit opinion for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, stating, “This is an unqualified opinion. It’s the highest opinion we can give. There are no material errors we need to report to you.” The audit report detailed a total net position of ,246,630, up from ,182,010 in 2023. Net position represents the difference between the city’s assets (,550,125) and liabilities...

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The Box Elder High School swim team continued its dominance of Region 5 as both the boys and girls teams easily won region championships last Saturday at the South Davis Aquatic Center in Bountiful. The Bees had already faced and defeated every team in Region 5 ahead of the championship meet, so they entered the contest with confidence. The girls set the tone early with a convincing win in the first relay of the day and they never looked back, collecting 778.5 points to finish more than 250 points ahead of their nearest competitors to claim their seventh straight region...

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The Perry City Council approved an updated emergency operations plan (EOP) during their Jan. 23 meeting, incorporating updates meant to strengthen the city’s emergency preparedness. The new plan replaces the version adopted in 2016 and focuses on refining communication systems, clarifying roles, and increasing flexibility in disaster responses. Perry Emergency Manager Marshall Blom presented the revised plan and outlined its purpose and updates. “The EOP acts as a kickoff point and a framework for planning for all four phases of a disaster: mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery,” Blom ex- plained. He emphasized the importance of collaboration both during emergencies and...

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The chief of the Tremonton Fire Department was arrested on Jan. 27 on suspicion of sharing child sexual abuse material, following an investigation by law enforcement agencies. Ned Brady Hansen, 54, was taken into custody after Brigham City police executed a search warrant at his Garland home at approximately 7 a.m. He was booked into the Box Elder County Jail on eight counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. The investigation began in November 2024 when the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a CyberTipline report from the messaging service Kik, identifying an account linked to Hansen that...

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The Box Elder High School boys basketball team suffered two big blows to its postseason hopes last week, falling 64-49 to Woods Cross on Wednesday and 75-45 to Viewmont on Friday. The Bees were hoping to flip the results from their first round of region play, where they started 0-3 before winning their next four games. They were also looking to take advantage of Woods Cross’ star senior Hunter Jackson playing limited minutes, as he was held out of the starting lineup. But the Wildcats had other plans, coming out as the early aggressors and using an 18-6 run in...

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Elevate Credit Union is excited to announce its upcoming book drive in February in collaboration with the United Way of Northern Utah (UWNU) and The Family Place. Throughout the month of February, Elevate Credit Union will collect new or gently used books for kids from infancy to young adult. All donated books will be distributed by UWNU and and The Family Place to children and teens in Box Elder and Cache County, fostering a love for reading and learning within the community. “We are passionate about promoting literacy and education in our community,” said Anna Poelma, Marketing Coordinator for Elevate....

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The Box Elder County Fair will be celebrating 100 years of the fair and Golden Spike Rodeo. In 2025, county residents are celebrating a century of cherished memories, thrilling rodeo moments, and community spirit at the Box Elder County Fair & Golden Spike Rodeo. “Whether you’ve captured unforgettable photos, have heartwarming stories to share, or recall special moments from past fairs, we want to hear from you. The county is seeking photos, memories told, personal stories and newspaper clippings,” said Lynnette Crockett, marketing director at Box Elder County. Send your photos, memories, videos, and stories to lcrockett@boxeldercountyut. gov. Those who...

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