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Show BUILDING COMMUNITY IN OREM AND VINEYARD T I O N THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2008 50 CENTS SCHOOLS: Plants become lools, pieces of art T0WH HALL: Anticipated Meyer's book released SPORTS: to compete in Olympics S T L BUSINESS DIANE'S WIGS PROVIDES SALON-LIKE EXPERIENCE Flashing yellow arrows to be tested Michael Rigert NORTH COUNTY STAFF Motorists in Orem will soon be seeing yellow that is flashing yellow left-turn arrows ar-rows at designated new traffic lights in the city. A newly developed type of traffic signal format, the flashing yellow arrow replaces circular green lights during permissive left turns at intersections in which motorists yield to oncoming traffic. Drivers must still determine if there is an adequate gap before turning. Mark Taylor, signal systems engineer for Utah Department of Transportation, said a seven-year study conducted by the Federal Highway Administration found the flashing yellow arrow not only allowed more vehicles to get through the intersection, it also results in fewer mishaps. "They concluded that flashing yellow arrows ar-rows for permissive left turns are the safest," saf-est," he said. Four other states are using the new traffic signal design and Salt Lake City has successfully suc-cessfully used three of the flashing yellow arrows at traffic lights in the past year and a half, Taylor said. Adam Lough, Intelligent Transportation Systems engineer for Orem's Traffic Division, Divi-sion, said when three new traffic lights were planned at city intersections currently using 2- or 4-wdy stop signs, officials opted to try out the yellow arrows. Operationally, the flashing yellow arrow also enables traffic officials to better accommodate ac-commodate peak travel periods or during special events, such as traffic converging on or departing from a BYU football game. By changing the timing on the signals, operators opera-tors can allow more cars in a heavy flow of traffic to get through a key intersection, he said. "The flashing yellow arrow attracts more attention because of its changing color, be- See ARROWS, Page 2 BUSY ENTERTAINING m ii hi C I V H A : M ' i ' ' ' f, I i ... i i 2 I J1' IP Ns.4 v , ,5. . . .. l MARIO RUIZDaily Herald Children follow the lead of Orem Library volunteer storyteller Ariarte Newell during a very active and involved story time Tuesday. Orem library among nations most used Michael Rigert ( , . , NOfTH COUNTY STAFF According to a hew annual report on the Orem Public Library, already noted as one of the nation's busiest library, business is booming. The library, featured in recent years in a book of the nation's top 50 public libraries, was ranked eighth in the nation in circulation circula-tion per capita (12.98) for 2007 among similar-sized facilities. Total circulation last year was just under 1.2 million, the report stated. Among children's titles, of which the M- brary has nearly a half million, the library tanked in the top 4 percent of children's book circulation per capita, said Louise Wallace, Wal-lace, director of the Orem Public Library. "It's not a surprise but we're very proud of the fact," she said. Another note-worthy statistic in the library's li-brary's 20072008 fiscal year report entitled "Remarkable Firsts" was the fact the participation partici-pation in library programs and activities has skyrocketed, Wallace said. In 2006, when the library's South Wing underwent a complete remodel, program attendance was 19,000. This past year, it nearly doubled at just under 33,000, she said. Library staff in the past year have made a concerted effort to present rich and diverse cultural programming for adults, teens and children. Offerings have included monthly international themed film screenings, a wa-tercolor wa-tercolor exhibit illustrating the experiences of a Salt Lake City woman interned in a Japanese Jap-anese internment camp during World War II, and an election series comprised of local candidates and political experts. "We made a real effort to bring to the li- See LIBRARY, Page 2 Resident receives Outstanding Citizenship Award Reva Bowen NORTH COUNTY STAFF the woman who played a key role in establishing a charitable foundation that aids children in Utah County classrooms was honored recently by Mayor Jerry Washburn and the Orem City Council with the Walter C Orem Outstanding Citizenship Award. Linda Peterson, an Orem resident for 30 years and a career teacher, led local teacher association associa-tion members to set up the Kids Cause Foundation in 1993. The organization provides basics such as eyeglasses, clothing, and health and dental care to needy children in local classrooms. Kids Cause Js now a United Way allocated agency. ". "In reality, no child can learn vhen they have physical, mental, men-tal, and emotional needs that are greater than their ability to learn," said Peterson. "A community must come to the aid of children." Peterson said she has wrestled with herself over how much a community should provide. She believes that responsibility begins with a person's f amily and extended extend-ed family. "But if parents, or grandparents cant do it the rest of us have to. If we dont teach citizenship and caring, we reap the rewards in crime and incarceration. You can only be saddened by the fact that we have people who somehow missed that identifying with community and service." Having fielded criticism from some quarters that those receiving help are "just users," Peterson noted, not-ed, "1 have found that the people who really have needed help for ...... m ft V'... ' W.fiV ' if , . k Cm) MARC HAODOCKNorth County Linda Peterson is Orem's most receni Walter r See AWARD, Page 2 recipient OREM BOY INJURED IN FIREWORKS ACCIDENT HAS BREATHING TUBE REINSERTED - J he 11-year-old Lehi boy injured by a homemade firework on Pioneer Day is back on a ventilator after doctors tried unsuccessfully to wean him off of sedative drugs. When doctors at Primary Children's Medical Center in Salt Lake City took Bridger Hunt off of the drugs, he began thrashing around. The thrashing presented a risk that he could damage the wounds caused by the explosive device that nearly killed him, so doctors gave him m'uscle-paraiyzing drugs and reinserted a breathing tube Saturday that had been removed several sev-eral days earlier, according to hospital spokeswoman Bonnie Midget. Midget said the reinsertion of the breathing tube is not indicative of a decline in Hunt's condition, which was upgraded from critical to serious on Saturday. On July 28, Bridger underwent 12 hours of surgery to repair damaged arteries, veins, tissues and bone in his left leg. After the surgery, doctors said they believed be-lieved Bridger's leg had been saved. A surgery Friday to close the leg wound was unsuccessful, and the surgery sur-gery will be reattempted later. On Monday, Karl Hunt, Brilger's father, said doctors doc-tors told him that Bridger's femoral nerve, which was severed in the accident, could not be repaired. "The nerve is dead. He'll never walk normally again," he said. "They're trying to do all they can with the tendons to make it so he'll have some motion in his leg, but he'll never have the feeling in the top part of his leg again." Bridger was riding his bicycle near his grandparents' grandpar-ents' house in Lehi on July 24 when a homemade firework, consisting of a metal pipe filled with black powder, exploded about 30 feet from him. Shrapnel from the device tore through Bridger's leg and torso. Police said the device was built and detonated by 45-year-old Craig A. Miller, of Lehi. Miller was charged last week With child abuse; possession or control of an incendiary or explosive device; and obstruction of justice. He is scheduled to appear in Provo's 4th District Dis-trict Court on Aug. 26. - Daily Herald FUNDRAISER TO BENEFIT OREM FIREWORKS VICTIM BRIDGER HUNT - There will be a fundraiser fundrais-er for Bridger Hunt, an 11-year-old Orem boy severely injured in a Lehi fireworks accident on July 24, tonight at Bonneville Park in Orem, 800 West and 1500 North, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Karl Hunt, Bridger's father, said the fundraiser, which will include a raffle and silent auction, is being organized by Bridger's friends. ASPHALT SHORTAGE PROMPTS OREM TO LIMIT EXCAVATIONS IN CITY RIGHT OF WAYS Because of skyrocketing fuel prices, asphalt, a petroleum by-product is currently in short supply. Consequently, Orem city is having a difficult time purchasing asphalt for patching of potholes and other uses. City staff continually search for a supply of asphalt to fill city needs. As a result of this shortage, street excavation work be held to a minimum and any digging in a City street be limited to emergencies such as water leaks. Due to the shortage of asphalt, permits will not be approved for any excavation in Orem that requires asphalt as-phalt removal and replacement in city right of ways. The only exception will be if a contractor provides a current letter from an asphalt supplier guaranteeing the required amount of asphalt to patch the work. TIMPANOGOS STORYTELLING FESTIVAL RETURNS RE-TURNS THIS MONTH - One of the largest storytelling story-telling festivals in the nation, Orem's Timpanogos Storytelling Festival returns to the valley Aug. 28-30 at Mt. Timpanogos Park in Provo Canyon and selected events at the SCERA Outdoor Shell Theatre. Some of the nation's best-known storytellers - some familiar, some new will be featured at the annual outdoor tradition, along with regional storytellers, musicians, entertainers and a variety of food booths. For festival information, schedules and tickets, go online to www.timpfest.org, Call 229-7436, or send an e-mail to ticketstimpfest.org. OREM ADDICTION TREATMENT CELEBRATES 40 YEARS - The Gathering Place, an addiction treatment center at 251 E. 1200 South, celebrate its 40th birthday with a luncheon on Wednesday. In addition ad-dition to an adult program, which offers help to men and women who have substance abuse problems, The Gathering Place offers other specialized treatment treat-ment programs, such as pornography addiction treatment, treat-ment, family support, a women's program and an addiction prevention program called "Life Skills." For more information, visit www.gatheringplace.org. Ill: HI I ioss'oooso1 |