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Show Growth , tragedy are top news stories for 1998 year MT ' PLEASAN- T- Spring in hit the news flash flood Citys disand is still the of July topic cussion throughout the city and the county. On July 22, the first of two flash floods swept down Canal Canyon and threatened residents in the south part of town. Heavy rainfall brought down rocks and dead fall which destroyed bridges, blocked culverts, and sent a river of mud through fields and residences. A second flood hit the next day destroying all that had been done, to repair from the day before and Spring City was declared an emergency area. Since then. Spring City has applied and received $65,000 from the Community Development Building Grant and is now planning on Eagle Scan to do an alluvial map of the city. Wal-Ma- rt Despite conflict and dispute, Wal-Mawill be going up in around March. Most Ephraim people shop outside the county, this is where Wal-Ma- rt got the motivation to start a store in Ephraim. The Pyramid has received and printed many letters to the editor praising, or opposing the store. A study on the impact Wal-Ma- rt was done by Wikstrom Economic and Planing Consultants. It was found that if Wal-Ma- rt succeeded, it will boost the tax base for the county. If Wal-Ma- rt does not succeed, it will devastate both Ephraim and the county. There is no doubt that the $270,000 store will be competition for small businesses and debates about the store are still being conversed and argued. rt : : ; ; Heritage building The Heritage Building in Fairview has been replaced to its 1900 configuration. It is undergoing painting, cleaning, new lighting and arrangement of displays. Careful planning and generous donations went towards the replacement of the new roof. The reconstruction of the building will take up the rest of the winter. The Heritage Building is planing of reopening sometime in the spring. Tragedy Between Dec. 25, and 26, 1997, two men, George R. Emmett and Alfonso Duran, were shot to death, The two men were allegedly shot by Santiago Nenez Mendez, and Santiago Garcia. The two men were brought to trial in February on charges of alleged criminal homicide, murder, and first degree felony. Mendez had earlier served time for homicide and murder. Emmett was gunned down in his home west of Moroni, and was the victim of an alleged robbery. He was shot twice with a 9mm hand gun and whiskey, and guns were ammunition, allegedly taken. Nothing was taken from Durans camp trailer on the Frisch-necranch where Duran was found. The alleged perpetrators were former acquaintances of Duran. Cody David Dyches was caught in an avalanche at the beginning of the year while on a snowmobile outing with friends. The party was located at "the bowl," which is at the top of Pleasant Creek Canyon. Dyches was making a pass in the bowl when the avalanche broke loose, he was unable to hear the call of warning from his friends. Bruce Henderson and son, Skyler, were killed Feb. 26, when their car skidded out of control on black ice, colliding with a van. Hendersons son. Sterling, was hospitalized with a broken shoulder. The passengers m the van, Phillip Leany and Christopher Ewing, received cuts and minor injuries. ht former Nancy Jorgensen, Gunnison City Recorder, died in accident on Interstate a multi-ca- r 70 April, 25. The vehicle hydroplaned on the icy road causing it spin out of control. Nancy was a passenger in a vehicle driven by Lisa Jorgensen who sustained internal injuries. Linsey Jorgensen sustained minor injuries along with passengers of the other vehicle, Robert and Maria Hamilton. Darrell Young. Utah County, was drowned Nov. 4, at Gooseberry Reservoir. The victims father reported his son had slipped under the icy waters. The search for the body was prolonged due to weather conditions and visibility conditions of the reservoir. North Sanpetes new ambulance was totalled in route to Childrens Medical Primary Center July, 8. A Nissan Pathfinder, driven by Zachary Carlson. hit the ambulance at an intersection. Carlson stated he didnt have time to stop when the light was changing to yellow and that he didn't see or hear the ambulance. Avalanche takes two lives Two Utah FAIRVIE- WCounty youths were found dead in an avalanche on Sunday, Jan. 3, about 3 a.m., according to a Sanpete County Sheriff s Department press release. Matthew Summers Nielsen, 16, and Jesse Van Krebs, 17, both Mapleton, were both pronounced dead at the scene. It was reported that the sheriffs office received information about 11 p.m., on Jan. 2, that two male juveniles from Utah County were involved in an accident in Fairview Canyon. The youths had parked their car near Mile Post 12 and walked out onto a snow overhang when it reportedly collapsed, causing an avalanche, which entangled them. Sanpete County Deputies arrived at the scene at approximately 11:23 p.m., where they were assisted by Sanpete County Search and Rescue, Fairview Ambulance, Fairview Fire Department, Mt. Pleasant Police Department and Utah Highway Patrol. Sheriffs County Sanpete Office is urging anyone going into the back country to engage in winter activities to use caution because of the extremely high avalanche danger. -- College hires new coach by Ken Beazer EPHRAI- M- Snow College Michael has named Empey, Pocatello, ID, as the new head football coach, replacing Keith Uperesa, who left for Idaho State University earlier this month. Empey takes over the program after coaching TE at University of North Las Vegas (UNLV) the past two seasons. During his tenure at UNLV, he produced two-tim- e TE, Sam Mineo, and an offensive attack that finished first in the Conference Western Athletic (WAC) for passing offense in 1997. All-WA- C C Empey was a two-tim- e himself lineman offensive at Brigham Young University, helping to lead the Cougars to four straight WAC Championships during his stay in Provo. All-WA- Upon graduating from BYU with his masters degree, Empey accepted a coaching position at West Texas A&M University where he coached linebackers ami served as strength and conditioning coach for the football , gram. Empey joined UNLVs staff in 1997 under Rebel Head Coach, Jeff Horton. Fountain Green City honors two residents Cook has served his family, by Jesse Oldrovd FOUNTAIN GREE- N- Two neighbors and friends with countcitizens were recently honored less acts of kindness, generosity ftnd given plaques at the City "and his life. Christmas party. Booth Cook was He loves the community and e services awarded for his people. At nearly 90 years of age, he 4o the city and Larry Gilgen was service-througho- ut life-tim- awarded Citizen of the Year. Booth Cook F. Booth Cook, a loyal and devoted citizen was tom June 1, 1909, to Edith Justesen and George E. Cook in Cedar Cliffs, three miles south of Fountain Green. Cedar Hills is now only a memory of the once thriving life-lon- settlement g, of about 25 families. Together with his family he farmed along the banks of Birch Creek. Some of his fondest memories are of people producing nearly everything they needed to live for themselves. There were no telephones, Tvs, radios, airplanes, computers, natural gas, or any of the modern conveniences people take for granted today. Transportation was walking, horseback, wagon, buggy or sled. The old Sanpete steam train ran through the settlement and would stop to pick up cans of cream or other farm commodities for shipment to market. Booth and some of his friends would sometimes grease the train tracks then hide in the cedars to watch the train as it hit the greased tracks. All children were taken to school by wagon or bobsled depending on weather conditions. Booth graduated from Moroni High School. He went on to study at Brigham Young Academy for one year, then returned home and went into the sheep business with his father and brothers. Booth married Erda Crowther and made their home in Fountain Green where he has given lifelong community service in both civic and church responsibilities. He has served as president of the Jericho Wool Growers Association, a member of the Fountain Green City Council and North Sanpete School Board, and Mayor of Fountain Green. In the LDS Church he served as presidents of the Quorem of the Seventy, and in 1951 was called to serve a full-timission at the age of 42, to the North Central States. After returning home he was called to serve in the Moroni LDS Stake High Council, and served as bishop of the Fountain Green Ward for more than eight . years. stands as one of the last of a generation which has witnessed nearly a total transformation of the world from the old to the modern age. Tribute is paid to this fine, devoted gentleman who has given much aid to his family, friends, and city. He and his wife. Erda are the parents of five children, 24 grandchildren, and 21 greatgrandchildren. . Larry Gilgen Larry D. Gilgen was bom Nov. 5, 1936, in St. Charles, ID, to Karl T. and Arvilla Ann Bartholomew Gilgen. He has one older brother and lived in a small log home. Gilgen lived with his grandmother in Ephraim until he was old enough to go to school. He lived with his mother in Phoenix during the winter and worked for his step-fathon the farm south of Ephraim. He also helped his uncle raise turkeys. er During his years in high school Gilgen won many medals running track. His father and worked for Utah grandfather Power & Light, and he began working there too. Larry met a very special girl, Mary Tuttle, who lived in Manti. They were married June 7, 1958. After only a year he received what he called a love letter from the draft board. He went to Fort Ord, CA and later was sent to Korea where he spent 18 months. After his discharge he returned home to Salt Lake City and back to his job with UP&L. They lived there for the next 10 years. Gilgens next job with UP&L was a local agent for the Moroni area. In October of 1973. they moved to Fountain Green. He enjoyed his work of finding and correcting trouble spots. He took pride in his work and after 32 years with the company he retired. Since that time he has served in Fountain Green in many ways, he volunteered to help in emergency situations, accidents and fires, and supports the Emergency Medical Technician program. When Fountain Gieen formed the Lions Club, he was their first president and served for several years. He is always on hand for work projects, such as cleaning up trees and bushes on city streets. Giigen has been in charge of the Lions Club Easter Egg Hunt since its beginning. He and his wife, Mary, were Youth City Advisors for four years and attended Camp Williams with the youth. He w as on the board of directors for the Fountain Green Irrigation Company and is .acting president of the Cedar Hills Pasture Company. He has served as a LDS Ward Clerk. Since his retirement he still stays busy and has learned to be a big helper in the home and really likes to cook and try out new recipes. Erica Chavez, daughter of Claudia Paries and German Cha ez. Ephraim, was the first baby of the year bom in the Sanpete Valley Hopital. Erica was bora on Jan. 2, 1999, at 10:05 p.tit.. and weighed 8 lbs. 6 oz. The baby has an older sister. Jasmine Chavez. |