Ogden Week In Review

Construction Fires Prompt Crackdown: Ogden officials issued new fire safety directives to contractors after a series of destructive fires in August. A press release outlined enhanced precautions (e.g. 6-ft fencing, on-site extinguishers, no-smoking rules, etc.) required at 82 building projects, with non-compliance risking stop-work orders. All 82 contractors acknowledged the order and began complying immediately. Mayor Ben Nadolski called it an “all-hands-on-deck” effort, stressing that every city department and builder must help prevent fires and protect the community. (ksl)

Weber State Accelerated Degree: As students moved back to campus, Weber State University announced a pilot 3-year bachelor’s degree program aimed at making college faster and more affordable. The first offering is an interdisciplinary Applied Politics, Philosophy & Economics B.A. requiring ~90 credits (launching this fall) for careers in public policy and law. WSU’s public relations director said accelerated degrees align with the university’s mission of accessibility and meet workforce needs in Utah, potentially expanding to more fields soon.

Local Student Film Success: A short film produced by Weber State students through the campus Studio 76 program is headed to an international film festival. “Quiet, Arlo,” directed by WSU student David Guerrero and starring alum Dustin Bessire, will screen at the Zepstone International Film & Music Festival (ZepFest) in Salt Lake City on Sept. 11. The film explores themes of addiction, bipolar disorder and recovery drawn from Bessire’s personal journey; its premiere coincides with the five-year anniversary of his decision to pursue sobriety. The filmmakers hope the project’s raw honesty resonates with audiences and shines a light on mental health.

Ogden Airport Updates: Ogden City made strides in overhauling policies and infrastructure at Ogden-Hinckley Airport. This week the City Council unanimously approved modernizing the outdated airport ordinance to clarify the roles of the mayor’s administration versus the council in airport oversight. At the same time, a $4.4 million terminal upgrade is nearing completion – slated by the end of October – to give the airport a modern, welcoming facility for travelers. Mayor Nadolski noted the renovated terminal (with updated seating, local imagery, and even a “Welcome to Ogden” audio greeting) will create a much better first impression for visitors. Ogden’s only commercial service today is Breeze Airways flights to Orange County, CA, but Nadolski hinted that airlines are “kicking the tires” on Ogden as they see the new terminal and improved services – signs the airport’s culture and prospects are “changing dynamic” for the better.

Tremonton Officers Tragedy: A domestic violence call in Tremonton turned deadly on Aug. 17, when a suspect opened fire and killed two police officers, Sgt. Lee Sorensen (56) and Officer Eric Estrada (31), and injured a sheriff’s deputy and his K-9. This week prosecutors charged 32-year-old Ryan Michael Bate with aggravated murder (capital offense) among 20 felony counts, and announced intent to seek the death penalty. According to charging documents, Bate had assaulted his wife and ambushed the officers with a rifle as they arrived, then continued shooting until he was apprehended. The killings garnered national attention and rocked the community – thousands of people lined the route as the fallen officers’ bodies were escorted home, and attendees at the Box Elder County Fair collectively pledged $260,000 for the officers’ families during a charity livestock auction tribute. A public vigil was also held in Tremonton to honor Sorensen and Estrada’s ultimate sacrifice.

Fatal Auto-Pedestrian Crashes: Ogden saw a spike in deadly auto-pedestrian accidents this week. On Monday (Aug. 18), a man in his 50s was struck and killed by a vehicle while crossing at 33rd Street and Wall Avenue in Ogden. Police said he was in the crosswalk (though possibly against the signal); the driver initially left the scene but was later located and is cooperating with investigators. This incident followed another tragedy just a few days prior – on Friday night an alleged DUI driver’s pickup plowed into pedestrians waiting at a red light at 20th Street and Harrison Blvd, killing a 64-year-old man out walking his dog. The same night, yet another pedestrian was fatally hit in West Valley City. Officials are urging caution as Northern Utah communities grapple with multiple auto-ped fatalities in the span of a week. (gephardtdaily, kjzz)

I-15 Closure in Riverdale: Drivers in the Ogden area braced for a major traffic disruption over the weekend as a portion of Interstate 15 in Riverdale was set to fully close overnight for a bridge demolition. Beginning 10:00 p.m. Saturday (Aug. 23) until ~8:30 a.m. Sunday, I-15 was to be shut down in both directions at Riverdale while crews demolish the old 4400 South overpass. UDOT advised motorists to detour via the I-84 junction and Riverdale Road during the closure and specifically noted Ogden Airport travelers should use 31st Street to reach the airport. The work is part of a project replacing three I-15 bridges in Riverdale that date back to the 1960s. By employing some accelerated construction methods, UDOT expects to finish the overall bridge replacement project by summer 2026 – months ahead of the initial timeline.

Governor on Legislative Favoritism Controversy: Governor Spencer Cox addressed media questions about reports that Utah Senate President Stuart Adams quietly advanced a 2024 law that ended up aiding Adams’ granddaughter’s legal case. Cox sparred with reporters and said he doesn’t believe an ethics probe is needed, asserting “there’s nothing to investigate” since “the facts are abundantly clear” and largely undisputed. He noted he was “very grateful” he had “no idea this was impacting someone in [Adams’] family” when he signed the bill, because knowing might have changed his approach. The law in question (SB213) allows 18-year-olds still in high school to be charged as juveniles in certain sex-offense cases. Adams’ 18-year-old granddaughter, who had been facing first-degree felony rape charges for sex with a 13-year-old, ultimately took a plea deal under which she served no further jail time, got four years probation, and avoided sex-offender registration. The case has prompted public outcry – the victim’s family felt the teen suspect received “special treatment” – and some lawmakers from both parties have called on Adams to resign, though he has refused. Cox defended Adams’ choice not to disclose his family tie during the legislative process, saying it was appropriate that the Senate leader did not lobby or vote on the bill to avoid direct conflict of interest.

Death Row Inmate Clemency Denied: The Utah Board of Pardons and Parole denied a clemency request from death-row inmate Ralph Menzies, moving him one step closer to execution. Menzies, 67, is scheduled to be executed by firing squad on Sept. 5 for the brutal 1986 murder of 26-year-old Maurine Hunsaker. He has spent nearly four decades on death row. At a commutation hearing last week, Menzies’ attorneys argued that because he now suffers from severe dementia, is wheelchair-bound on oxygen, and doesn’t understand his situation, carrying out the execution would be a “grotesque spectacle” and merciless. They also noted concerns about the original trial – including a judge who later said he misapplied the law in sentencing, and a review panel recommending the death sentence be vacated. However, after weighing two days of testimony from both the defense and victim’s family, the board announced it found no cause to commute Menzies’ sentence. Barring a last-minute court intervention or a reprieve from Gov. Cox (who cannot pardon but could delay the execution), Menzies will be the first person executed in Utah since 2010. Notably, the Utah Board of Pardons has never granted clemency to a death-row inmate in state history.

Federal Budget Impacts (“Big Beautiful Bill”): Utah officials briefed state lawmakers on how the new federal budget bill – nicknamed the “big, beautiful” bill by congressional Republicans – could affect Utah’s programs. The budget package, passed in June, makes sweeping changes to funding streams: it eliminated certain grants (for example, a $1 million federal grant Utah used for radon gas mitigation in rural homes was cut) and it scales back incentives for renewable energy initiatives. On the other hand, it boosts funding for agriculture and fossil fuels – including a huge increase in the “farm safety net” program (part of $66 billion more toward commodities and crop insurance to help farmers in downturns) and new federal loans to support traditional energy and critical mineral development. Utah’s Department of Environmental Quality warned that losing the radon mitigation funds and other EPA grant cutbacks could harm public health efforts. Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture and Food praised provisions that will help family farms (like raising the estate tax exemption to $15M per person and expanding predator livestock loss compensation to 100%). State energy officials noted the law shifts focus toward oil, gas and mining – for instance, creating a $1B DOE loan program for traditional energy projects – while rolling back some Inflation Reduction Act programs for clean energy. Utah lawmakers on the Natural Resources committee were told the bill brings a mix of “negative and positive impacts” but overall gives an edge to extractive industries and farm supports at the expense of certain environmental and clean-energy efforts.

Rare Virus Detected in Salt Lake County Mosquitoes: On Aug. 20, officials confirmed the first-ever detection of St. Louis Encephalitis Virus (SLEV) in Salt Lake County mosquito pools. Previously only found in southern Utah, this virus is similar to West Nile but less common. Health officials stress there’s no vaccine or treatment—prevention through repellents, clothing, and reducing standing water is key. Doctors are being advised to consider SLEV in patients with compatible symptoms.

Utah National Guard Asked to Assist ICE: On Aug. 21, the Utah National Guard began seeking volunteers to support an ICE operation scheduled for mid-September through mid-November. Officials emphasized Guard members would not conduct arrests or enforcement; instead they’d assist with tasks like transportation, fingerprinting, and data entry. Governor Cox said participation is voluntary and must be federally funded. The move is part of a broader deployment of up to 1,700 Guard troops across 19 states to support ICE.

MLB Expansion Odds Favor SLC: Utah’s push to land a Major League Baseball team gained momentum in national discussions. The latest odds from an oddsmaking site put Salt Lake City as the second-likeliest city (22.2% chance) to get an MLB expansion franchise, behind only Nashville (33.3%). Sportswriters are taking notice – in a recent article about expansion, MLB insider Jayson Stark named “probably Nashville and Salt Lake” as the leading candidates for two new teams (while cautioning nothing is certain yet). MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has repeatedly signaled a desire to expand from 30 to 32 teams, with the league likely adding one new club in the West and one in the East once the Oakland A’s and Tampa Bay Rays resolve their relocation/stadium issues. Salt Lake City’s bid – led by the Larry H. Miller family and the Big League Utah coalition – is well-positioned: the group has a proposed stadium site (the “Power District” east of the Fairpark) and committed local ownership ready to go. Utah leaders and fans are excited by the prospect, hoping that the state’s booming growth and sports culture will attract MLB’s attention and potentially bring a professional baseball team to the greater Ogden/SLC area in the coming years.

Until next time,

Raw, weird, and local.