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Show Page 10 The Ogden Valley news Volume XXII Issue XXIII February 1, 2015 Cold Ice Meansfun.Hot Fishing January and February don’t have to be “Most ice anglers really look forward to dreary months. Visiting a frozen pond, reservoir or lake can brighten your day in a flash. Drew Cushing, warm water sport fisheries coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources, says winter is one of the best times of the year to fish. “Winter provides advantages you won’t find during other times of the year,” he says. “And the fishing can be really good. Ice fishing is also a fun reason to get out in the sun and breathe some fresh air.” You can stay updated on where fishing is best at www.wildlife.utah.gov/hotspots. Two additional websites—www.bigfishtackle.com and www.utahwildlife.net—also provide updated ice fishing information. The DWR has also compiled some basic information about ice fishing and why you might want to give it a try. The information is available at <http://go.usa.gov/tGXe> A cheap & fun way to fish - Cushing says ice helps anglers several ways: If you’re willing to walk, you can reach any part of the lake or reservoir you want to fish. Cushing calls ice “the great equalizer.” “In the winter,” he says, “you don’t need a boat or a float tube to reach certain parts of a body of water. If you have a rod and a reel, and you’re willing to walk, you can reach any part of the water you want to fish.” Catching fish in the winter doesn’t require the skill needed to catch fish during other times of the year. Just drop your bait in front of the fish, and wait for the fish to take it. You don’t need a lot of expensive equipment. A short rod and reel, some hooks and sinkers, wax worms or meal worms, an ice auger or a digging bar, and a large spoon or something you can use to scoop ice chunks that form in the hole you’re fishing, are all you need to get started. If you like to fish with lures, you may want to include some small jigs and ice flies in your tackle box too. Cushing says chartreuse and red tend to be the best colors to use when fishing through the ice. Because you can drill two holes close together, ice fishing is a great way to double your fun by fishing with two poles. In addition to catching fish, you and those you’re fishing with can talk and socialize. Just drill your holes close together, and have the social side of ice fishing,” Cushing says. Sounds great, but isn’t it hard to drill a hole through the ice? One thing that surprises many first-time ice anglers is how easy it is to drill a hole through the ice. Cushing says if you have a hand auger, you can drill through six to eight inches of ice in about a minute. “It’ll take a little longer if you use a digging bar,” he says. “If you’re using a digging bar, try to find some holes that were recently drilled. There’s a decent chance that the ice in those holes won’t be very thick.” Digging bars cost between $5 and $10. Manual ice augers cost about $50. Great! But how can I have fun if I’m cold? Temperatures can be cold during the icefishing season. But that doesn’t mean you have to be cold. You can stay warm simply by dressing for the conditions. Cushing says one piece of equipment anglers often forget is a pair of insulated, waterproof boots. As the day warms, slush can develop on top of the ice. “Having a pair of waterproof boots will keep your feet warm and dry,” he says. Also, wear your clothes in layers. That way, if the day warms up, you can remove a layer and still stay warm and comfortable. Sounds good, but how do I know if the ice is safe to walk on? Most anglers wait until the ice is at least 4 inches thick before walking on it. Ice is usually thinnest near the shore. Before you walk out, Cushing says you should drill or dig a test hole to see how thick the ice is. You may also want to drill or dig some additional holes as you walk out. If the ice in your test holes is at least four inches thick, you can be almost certain that the ice farther out is at least four inches thick, or thicker. Ice cleats and ice spikes - Ice cleats and ice spikes are two ice-related items you may want to consider buying: • You can strap the ice cleats to the bottom of your boots. The cleats will give you better traction as you walk on the ice. • Ice spikes are two short pieces of metal. They’re often attached by a short cord that you can drape over your neck. If you fall through the ice, you can pull yourself out by jabbing the spikes into the top of the ice near the edge of the hole. Once the spikes are jabbed into the ice, use them to pull yourself out of the hole. LIBERTY PARK cont. from page 1 them—$565,000. “At this point, we have financial commitments upwards of $500,000 for the purchase of these two parcels; however, we need additional financial help to make this purchase happen. We are looking to the community for their support so we can make this corner a permanent part of the park, preventing it from becoming a commercial entity like it very well could become.” In addition to the properties located west and southwest of the park, friends of the park state that they also have been in talks with another property owner whose land sits directly east and south of the park—along River Dr. to the east, and between the Liberty cemetery and the park to the south. This property owner has agreed, if the park desires, to sell approximately 8.4 acres to the Park District at what has been deemed a “reasonable price.” A friends of the park representative also explained, “This would allow us to expand the park east and south, and also give us the ability to add some property to the cemetery for its future expansion. Altogether, this additional property would make the park close to 16 acres in total area. To be able to purchase all three parcels, we are looking at just over $1,065,000, which represents $565,000 for the two parcels west and southwest of the park along Highway 162, and another $500,000 to purchase the approximate 8.4 acres located directly east and south of the park.” Friends of the park added, “We are also in discussions with the county about ways TAX SEASON cont. from page 8 through 2014 and you were uninsured earlier in the year, or if you were uninsured for only a short period of time during the year, you may be eligible for an exemption from the requirement to have health coverage. they might possibly help in this acquisition effort. Possibilities discussed include the combining of the Valley’s park districts; increasing the mill levy in the parks’ districts; applying for and receiving grant funding; as well as the county helping to purchase the pieces outright, or assisting with a no-interest loan. “We need to protect and provide green space in the valley—not only for our current use, but for the benefit of future generations. Those who came to this beautiful Valley before us had the vision and foresight to set aside land for the benefit of the community; we need to carry forth this legacy. It is only going to become more difficult to do so as time moves forward, development pressures increase, and larger or strategic contiguous parcels like these become more difficult to come by—or more costly to purchase. We need to do this for ourselves and the community in general, but, more importantly, for future generations so they will also be able to have green space and adequate park space to use and enjoy. “We look forward to and appreciate your future support in this effort, and your help in whatever way possible, and at whatever level.” A Liberty Park Board meeting will be held February 4, 2015, beginning at 6:00 p.m., at the home of Liberty Park Chairman Ross Mertlich. An agenda item will be the possible acquisition of the two land parcels located west and southwest of Liberty Park, along Highway 162. The Mertlich home is located at 4477 N. 3800 E. in Liberty, Utah. For more information, contact Ross Mertlich at 801-745 3731. • You can claim the exemption on your tax return when you file. The process is fast and easy. You’ll simply select the exemption that applies to you and enter the corresponding code. Resources Available • HHS Fact Sheet: 3 Tips About Marketplace Coverage & Your Taxes • Use a tool to get information you may need to determine your 2014 premium tax credit. • Learn more about your taxes if you had a 2014 plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace. • IRS Resource Guide: Health Care Law: What’s New for Individuals & Families • Learn more about Payment Plans, Installment Agreements and Offers in Compromise. Individuals Who Didn’t Have Health Coverage in 2014 - While those who can afford health coverage but chose not to buy it may have to pay a fee; individuals who could not afford coverage or met other conditions can receive an exemption. If you qualify, receiving an exemption is simple and easy, and means you won’t have to pay a fee. It is important for individuals to know that exemptions are available and to understand the steps they need to take to request one. What Consumers Need to Know • You can claim most exemptions on your tax return, but some exemptions are only available through the Marketplace. • There are a variety of exemptions available, including if: • The cost of coverage was too expensive. This applies to you if the lowest priced plan available to you would have cost more than 8 percent of your income. Visit <HealthCare. gov/taxes/tools> to get information you may need to claim the exemption for coverage being unaffordable to you in 2014. • You were uninsured for only a short period of time. • You experienced a hardship, such as if you had medical expenses that resulted in substantial debt, if a close family member passed away, or if you experienced domestic violence, among other hardships. You will need to apply to the Health Insurance Marketplace to qualify for this exemption. • For a complete list of exemptions and more information, read Information about Health Insurance Marketplace exemptions, or visit <HealthCare.gov/taxes> • When you file your taxes, you will enter information about the months you had coverage and any exemptions you qualify for on your tax forms. • If you could have afforded coverage in 2014 but chose not to buy it—and you don’t qualify for an exemption—you will have to pay a fee with your federal tax return. • The fee is based on your income, and how many months you didn’t have coverage. • If you didn’t have health coverage for all of 2014, you’ll pay the higher of $95 per adult and $47.50 per child, who didn’t have coverage, limited to a family maximum of $285, or 1 percent of your income, subject to certain caps. Resources Available • Information about Health Insurance Marketplace exemptions • Exemption information • If you couldn’t afford health coverage • If you had a gap in health coverage • If your state didn’t expand Medicaid • If you’re eligible to get services from an Indian Health Care Provider • To claim a hardship exemption • Use a tool to get information you may need to claim the exemption for coverage being unaffordable to you in 2014. • Learn more about exemptions and how to claim them. • HHS Fact Sheet: No Health Coverage? What that Means for Your Taxes • IRS Resource Guide: Health Care Law: What’s New for Individuals & Families Additional Help If consumers have questions about their taxes, need to download forms, or want to learn more about the fee for not having insurance, they can find information and resources at www.IRS.gov or <www.healthcare.gov/ taxes> They can also call the Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596. Some people who signed up for health insurance through the Marketplace can get free tax assistance. For more information, visit www. IRS.gov/freefile or <www.IRS.gov/VITA> |