Ogden Week In Review

Charlie Kirk, Protest, and Group Response
A tragic event involving Charlie Kirk and its aftermath dominated conversation in both YouKnowYourFromOgdenIf Facebook group and on Reddit this week.

(It’s important to note that, while tensions are high, most Americans do not condone political violence—regardless of their views. There’s been a lot of “othering” around this situation, but no one deserves to experience something like this. The rhetoric has become heated, but we must remember that blaming an entire group for one person’s actions only widens divisions. Let’s keep perspective and focus on what unites us.)

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Community Support, Lost & Found, and Service Requests
Local Facebook and Reddit users banded together to offer recommendations, support, and resources on a range of posts this week:

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Neighborhood News, Humor & Oddities

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Events, Local Business, and Resources

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Ogden man charged for firing at crowd in apartment building
Police arrested a man who fired several gunshots at a group inside an Ogden apartment, hitting exterior walls but injuring no one. The suspect was already barred from owning firearms due to a previous felony conviction and admitted to experiencing psychosis during the incident. He is currently held without bail.

Neighbors advocate to preserve public green space
Residents have organized to oppose the sale of a neighborhood green space, pleading with Ogden City officials to aid in preserving the land amid growing concerns about park access and urban development in established neighborhoods.

Wasatch Pony Club blindsided as horse course bulldozed for motorsports
Members of the Ogden-based Wasatch Pony Club expressed outrage after discovering their cross-country equestrian track at the Weber County Fairgrounds was demolished without warning to make room for new motorsports facilities.

Weber School District studies closing historic Pleasant View elementary
Officials are exploring whether to close one of the area’s oldest schools, potentially redrawing district boundaries—a move that could impact families across multiple Ogden-area neighborhoods.

‘Ignite patriotism’: Major Brent Taylor flag unveiled at Raptors game
A new giant American flag, honoring Major Brent Taylor, was unfurled at Lindquist Field before the Ogden Raptors' game, in a ceremony attended by community members and military families.

Public calls grow for access to city-owned Ogden lake
Local residents are renewing efforts to open a city-owned lake for broader recreational use, arguing the body of water—currently leased to a ski-maker—has major community potential.

Ogden detectives reinvestigate 41-year-old Ogden Canyon murder
Law enforcement is revisiting physical evidence and seeking new leads in a decades-old homicide in Ogden Canyon as modern DNA testing breathes new hope into solving the cold case.

Dogden Festival launches at Farmers Market Ogden
Furry friends and their humans took over a special Saturday market downtown for the inaugural Dogden Festival, featuring contests, treats, and a celebration of Ogden’s dog-loving community.

Interfaith concert brings together faith communities
The annual Ogden Interfaith Concert returned, with local artists and musicians performing at the Ogden Tabernacle to highlight unity and diversity among area faith communities.

Volunteer opportunities highlighted at local nonprofits
Nonprofits and local groups used September to spotlight needed roles—from food drives to afterschool programs—to help connect willing volunteers to open positions impacting the Ogden community.

Economic growth: Ya YA Foods expands local operations
National beverage manufacturer Ya YA Foods announced an expansion in Ogden, aligning with local efforts to bring new jobs and business to the area. In partnership with Oatly, the development will boost the city’s growing reputation as a food and manufacturing hub.

Weber County approves $2 million public safety raise
Weber County Commissioners approved a $2 million budget increase to boost compensation for public safety employees—law enforcement, corrections, and paramedics—without increasing taxes. The move comes after a compensation study compared local pay to regional and national rates.

Arrests made after shooting critically injures three, including child, at western Weber County gathering
Weber County deputies arrested two suspects in connection with a violent shooting at a large party near 9300 West 900 South. Three people were injured, including a 5-year-old girl and a man who later died from his injuries. The sheriff’s office has not confirmed if the incident was directly tied to street racing activity, but said the area is a known hotspot.

Zoning map change on the table for Western Weber Planning Commission
A public hearing is scheduled regarding an expansion of the C-2 Commercial zone, potentially affecting subdivisions in western Weber County. Residents are encouraged to review proposals and attend the commission meeting.

Layton 2-year-old girl dies after being struck by reversing pickup
In a tragic accident, a toddler in Layton (Davis County) passed away after being run over by a pickup truck at a local car wash. Police say the incident appears to be a “devastating accident.”

Davis County launches grief & loss support center
A new dedicated grief center has opened in Davis County to provide families with counseling and community support after the loss of a loved one—a first of its kind for the region.

West Nile virus claims life in Davis County
Public health officials report eight human cases of West Nile virus this season in Utah and Davis counties, with one fatality in Davis County. Residents are advised to eliminate standing water and avoid mosquito bites.

Wyoming man sentenced for distributing fentanyl at Woods Cross motel
A Wyoming resident was sentenced to jail and probation after being convicted of selling fentanyl at a Woods Cross (Davis County) motel, following a high-profile SWAT raid.

Strong thunderstorms and hail move through Davis and Salt Lake counties
A line of severe thunderstorms brought high winds and hail to the area, downing branches and prompting reminders to secure outdoor property as autumn weather arrives.

Legislature approves $30 billion budget, with teacher raises and tax cut
Utah lawmakers have finalized a $30 billion budget for the fiscal year, approving an income tax cut, a $1,446 raise for teachers, and $1,000 bonuses for education staff. Despite a $112 million budget shortfall, funding remains for nuclear power research, the state’s first-time homebuyer program, and teacher compensation.

Governor Cox reviews final bills of 2025 legislative session
Thursday marked the final day for Governor Spencer Cox to sign or veto bills passed by the legislature. As of March 31, Gov. Cox issued six vetoes out of the 2025 session’s bill. Hot topics included possible bans on fluoride in drinking water, restrictions on displaying Pride flags on government buildings and in schools, and changes to public records access.

Utah Supreme Court asked to pause redistricting order
The Utah Legislature has appealed to the State Supreme Court, seeking to halt a lower court ruling that would require lawmakers to redraw congressional districts. The legal battle over gerrymandering could have long-term impacts on Utah’s political landscape.

Pack It Out Utah: Watershed cleanup events launch statewide
Utah’s annual clean water campaign runs throughout September, with events to remove trash from trails, rivers, and lakes. The program, led by Utah State University and state agencies, invites every Utahn to join cleanup efforts and help preserve local water quality.

Congress faces government shutdown deadline as funding fight intensifies
Senate leaders warned of a looming federal government shutdown unless major budget disagreements, especially regarding health care and safety net funding, are resolved. The funding deadline is September 30, and none of the 12 annual appropriations bills have been signed, risking the 29th shutdown in recent decades.

US economy added nearly 1 million fewer jobs than previously reported
A major revision to federal jobs data showed the U.S. labor market added 911,000 fewer jobs than originally estimated for the past year, raising new concerns about economic momentum and prompting debate over Federal Reserve interest rate policy.

Employment growth revised sharply downward following BLS audit
Annual payroll adjustments by the Bureau of Labor Statistics lowered average monthly job growth by over 70,000, revealing a much weaker labor market for the previous year than previously understood. Economists say this slowdown predates recent tariff policies.

Political fallout grows after high-profile activist Charlie Kirk is killed
The shooting death of political activist Charlie Kirk has prompted heightened security nationwide, especially at public events and on college campuses, as threats and fear ripple across the country. President Trump announced Kirk will be posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The fallout from the assassination has become a focal point in national politics, with leaders across the spectrum confronting new concerns over safety, extremism, and the tone of U.S. discourse.

Climate, space policy, and education debates at forefront in Washington
Federal agencies, including NASA and the Department of Education, hosted major events and briefings on the status of space policy initiatives and new mandates for school safety and climate education.

Until next time,

Raw, weird, and local.