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January

Swear ins: Mona City Council and Levan Town Council swore in new council members at the beginning of the month. Newly elected Amy Stanley joined incumbents Randy Christensen and Jay Mecham on the Mona Council. Bruce Rowley, incumbent, and Taryn Brooks, first time council member, joined the rest of the Levan Town Council. Re-elected Nephi City Council members Justin Seely, Nathan Memmott and Larry Ostler were also sworn in.

Controversy: Leadership in Mona City was unhappy with how things were handled regarding the redundant natural gas line that would go through parts of Mona. They felt they were not involved in the process. Nephi City leaders were apologetic and promised to consult with Mona City as the project moved forward.

New Year’s Baby: Violet Everitt was the first baby born at Central Valley Medical Center in the new year. She was born on January 2nd to parents Kristine and Michael Everitt.

Sports: Juab High School Cheer and Stunt Team reclaimed the 3A State Title competing against North Sanpete and Summit Academy. Team member Isaac Allred was awarded first place in the state jump-off competition while Siera Crawford placed 2nd.

Weddings: Casandra Taylor and Jonathan Downs; Caitlin Westring and Dilan Owens; Sean Gibson and Tao Ran

In Memoriam: Betty Skinner, Frankie Bowers; DeAndre M. Dodge; Molli Graham

February

County news: Dredging work at Jenkins Flat was postponed for awhile, but the work finally started at the beginning of the month. It was completed by the end of March and made for a great spot for fishing.

Sports: JHS Wrestling set a record as divisional champs by sending the most qualifiers to the state tournament with 26 out of 28 qualifying. They would go on to win their 4th state title in a row and crowned the most ever individual champions: Connor Ingram, Channing Warner, Chase Ingram, Cade Bowring, Will Harmon, Blake Mangelson and Shan Jackson.

Groundbreaking: A ceremony was held at the future site of a hotel in Nephi City. This had been a long time coming with several residents and business owners protesting the hotel throughout the previous year at council meetings. The project has yet to start construction.

School news: Janet Ware was sworn in to a position on the Juab School District Board to fill the vacancy left by Mary Nielsen who resigned.

Missionaries: Kyson Carroll, Lima Peru North Mission

In Memoriam: John Grimard; Grant Kay; Patricia Andreasen; George “Walt” Walter Howard; Norinne Hayward Wessman Husbands; Tom Clarence Goble

March

Coronavirus wreaks havoc: At the beginning of March it was thought that the recent outbreak of COVID-19 would stay out of Utah, but no luck. Spring sports had just begun and were cancelled by the end of the month. At the beginning of the month, Governor Herbert issued a two-week school cancellation and then a re-evaluation which turned into a cancellation of all in-person learning. School went entirely online for all grades and schools in the state.

Guidelines from the CDC and local health departments starting being issued and non-essential businesses were asked to close and employees work remotely from home. Mass gatherings were limited to less than 10 people so church services were suspended until further notice. Funerals were limited, weddings cancelled or postponed, and grocery stores were struggling to keep items on the shelves. Nursing homes were closed to visitors, hospitals cancelled all non-emergency surgeries and visitors were limited.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints started to send home missionaries serving overseas. Some would be relocated to areas within the United States while others would have the option to finish early.

New business: The Rollin’ Home RV park in south Nephi began construction in March. However, there was some disagreements with Nephi City over roads and how they should be surfaced. After some discussion the matter was worked out and the park is now up and running.

School News: JHS Speech and Debate team wins Region 14 title. Malachi Compton took 1st in Congressional Debate and Extemporaneous Speaking Presley Steele took 1st place in Foreign Extemporaneous Speaking. Teiya Parkin took 1st place in Impromptu Speech. Bryce Esplin and Troy Tapusoa placed 1st in Policy Debate. Holton Hennrich and Steele placed 1st in Public Forum Debate. Hennrich and Steele would go on to win 1st place in Public Forum Debate and Steele placed 1st in Foreign Extemporaneous at the state tournament.

JHS had six Sterling Scholars place at the regional competition including Holton Hennrich, Speech and Drama winner; Olivia Foster, World Language winner; Nikole Bunker, Visual Arts runner-up; Presley Steele, Social Science runner-up; Bryce Esplin, Music runner-up; and Gentry Jones, Trade and Technical Education runner-up.

Missionaries: Rose Oveson, Houston Texas South Mission

Weddings: Kaitlin Guillory and Connor Jeppsen; Megan Park and Austin Butler; Brock Sperry and Madison Godfrey

In Memoriam: Ruth Howard; Marilyn Morgan Kendall; Blaine Howell; Twila Rockwell; Darlene Pew; Donna Andersen; Day LeRoy Newell; Bob Weeks; Jenean Evans

April

Water Project: Work on the Nephi City Water Project started up again as the weather turned nice. Laying new pipeline along the roads within the city limits continued.

Coronavirus continues: After re-evaluating the situation, Governor Herbert stated that all schools would remain closed until May 1st. That included all sports and extracurricular activities.

Little Sahara Sand Dunes decided to close during the Easter vacation which usually draws hundreds of thousands of people.

Residents within the county shared their experiences of being on stay-at-home orders. Some included learning new skills, online school, leaving messages of positivity on sidewalks with chalk, and just enjoying car rides around town.

A group on Facebook started up a Friday night event of dragging Main Street. This event drew lots of participation and it was nice to get out and see other people, even if it was from the safety of your front seat. This also helped local businesses as it was encouraged to stop by and grab take-out.

Easter egg activities were cancelled or revamped to include more social distance friendly activities.

Central Utah Public Health Department announced first confirmed case of COVID-19 within the Six County area.

Small business loans: Due to the ongoing shutdowns, small businesses took a hit financially and Congress passed the CARES Act to help those struggling. The money was finally available to businesses who qualified to help them get through the tough closure period.

School News: JHS student body council elections and cheer tryouts were held online. SBO candidates submitted videos online with their campaign pitches while prospective cheerleaders submitted videos of their talents.

Dr. Rick Robins was selected to become the superintendent of Canyons School District and the search was on for a new superintendent in Juab School District.

UHSAA cancelled all remaining sports for the school year due to COVID-19 and the uncertainty of coming back to in-person learning.

JSD decided to hold the Class of 2020’s graduation virtually. Each senior was able to go to the school and film a segment of themselves receiving their diplomas which was later edited, along with speeches, into a video that was livestreamed on CentraCom.

Nephi City News: A Planned Unit Development was approved for a 34-unit housing development in southern Nephi. The council approved it with some hesitancy and decided to put a moratorium on these types of developments until they could look at the ordinance and make some changes.

Weddings: Jessica Wallace and Joshua Haws; Karilee Ostler and Draydon Jacobson; Jared Rowley and Breanna Vance

In Memoriam: Jerris Bennett; John Leftwich; James Clarence Richards

May

Salute Utah Flyover: In a show of solidarity for frontline responders, veterans and to lift spirits across the state of Utah, the U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II Demonstration and 388th Fighter Wing out of HIll Air Force Base in Ogden participated in a stateside flyoner. The four fighter jets flew over Juab County along the I-15 corridor and it was a sight to be seen.

Coronavirus Cancellations: Mona City Council met to discuss what they would do with their summer celebrations and summer recreation programs. At first it was decided to take a wait and see approach, but as the time got closer to make preparations, they decided to cancel the events.

Mask Up Utah: The state of Utah announced a “Mask for Every Utahn” project which was a public-private partnership to provide a free face mask to every Utahn. Even thought a statewide mask mandate was not in place, residents were encouraged to take the situation seriously and wear masks while in public or when social distancing could not be adhered to.

Coming Together: Volunteers came together to clean up the Nephi Nature Trail near Canyon View Ballpark. Twenty-eight volunteers showed up to remove debris, garbage and overgrown vegetation.

JHS Graduation: The Class of 2020 missed out on an in-person graduation, but they were still able to be recognized. The Friday Night Drag group put together a Graduation Drag where all senior were asked to decorate a vehicle of their choice and drive down Main Street and then back to the high school where they picked up their diploma. The graduation ceremony was shown on CentraCom Channel 10. Several entities came together and put up banners featuring every graduating senior on the light poles along Main Street. 167 students graduated on May 20th.

Yellow Phase: Nephi City was allowed to move into the “yellow phase” of activity in May. This allowed for larger gatherings, certain sports and businesses could reopen, but safety guidelines were still in place. Little Sahara Sand Dunes reopened on May 13. The county building was reopened, but appointments were necessary to conduct business. JSD started to make plans for the return of school in the fall.

School News: Dr. Kodey Hughes was selected to be the next superintendent of schools in JSD. He was the superintendent of TIntic School District before taking the position in Juab.

Weddings: Walker Memmott and Danielle Shupe; Kyler White and Taibree Coleman

Missionaries: Drayden Shepherd, Mexico Pachuca Mission

In Memoriam: Johns Sutherland; Joel Hansen; Dr. John Robert Davis; Wesley Christensen; Andrew Joseph Rubalcava; Joleen Alverson

June

Splash into Summer: The Nephi Swimming Pool reopened for the summer season with certain safety guidelines in place.

Sentencing: Cody Alexander Young received a 1-year sentence in Fourth District Court for his guilty plea of second degree felony manslaughter in the death of Jan Peterson Jenkins in 2018. Jenkins’s body was found on October 13, 2018 in a remote area near Silver City in Juab County.

County Events: Juab Xtreme Racing event continued with guidelines and fewer numbers as previous years.

Fire Season: A fire near Rocky Ridge broke out on June 12 and consumed 350 acres of brush before being contained.

Election Year: Because of the ongoing pandemic and social distancing guidelines, Juab County moved to vote by mail in the primary election. A new ballot box was installed behind the county building so residents could drop off their ballot in person if they wished.

Accident: Two people were killed, another in critical condition, following a collision with a train near Burraston Ponds. The group had just been at the ponds and did not see the train as they crossed the tracks.

School News: Dr. Kodey Hughes was sworn in as the new superintendent of Juab School District.

Dr. Joel Holman was named as the National Wrestling Coaches Association High School Boys Coach of the Year.

Missionaries: Dallin Taylor, Pennsylvania Philadelphia Mission

Weddings: Makena Lenhart and Tanner Wilkerson; Mikayla Tasker and Garrett Carter; Ashlin Ludlow and Brigg Hoopes; Mikenlee Bryan and Zack Rosquist; Kaylee Price and Ilia Mosteller; Chandler Barker and MaKiah Thalman; Carissa Kay and Curtis Averett; Macie Garfield and Malachi Peterson; Tate Douglas and Amanda Evans

In Memoriam: Donna Jones; Beth Whimpey; Loren Stephensen