By: Rob Shelton

American Fork Citizen

American Fork police have garnered world wide attention from viral videos of arresting a California YouTube personality twice in one night last March. Officers say he orchestrated repeated visits to a local resident’s home as part of a public campaign tied to a disputed Star Wars LEGO collection, a case that has since generated more than 2 million views and prompted the city’s police chief to issue a lengthy public defense of his department’s actions.

Benjamin Paul Schneider, 30, of Los Angeles (known online as “Reckless Ben”) faces misdemeanor charges of stalking, targeted residential picketing, disorderly conduct and criminal trespass. The alleged victim is Joshua Johnson, an American Fork resident and employee of Bricks & Minifigs, a Utah-headquartered LEGO resale chain.

Johnson contacted American Fork Police on four separate occasions between March 8 and March 11, reporting escalating conduct he described as harassment. Schneider was arrested the evening of March 11 and booked into the Utah County Jail. 

American Fork Police Chief Cameron Paul released a 26-minute video statement at the end of the day on Friday, May 29, laying out a day-by-day account of what officers encountered.  

On March 8, Johnson called police to report a man in a baseball cap with a UPS logo taped onto it had left a suspicious package at his door. The package contained rubber ducks. Officers located a dark-colored Hyundai nearby and pulled it over. Officer Richardson cited the driver, Tyler Shaw, for failing to stop before the stop line at a stop sign as well as failing to stop completely. Schneider was in the back seat. Both denied involvement in the package delivery.

Schneider disputes that the stop was legal. In his YouTube video, he says dashcam footage he later obtained from the department shows the vehicle fully stopped at the sign. “We fully stopped at the stop sign,” Schneider said. “So this is an illegal traffic stop.”  

According to Paul’s account of officer reports, Schneider admitted during the encounter that the rubber duck delivery had been staged, designed so Johnson would unknowingly sign a fake confirmation on Schneider’s phone, which Schneider planned to use to forge a document claiming he couldn’t be trespassed from the property for five years. According to Paul, Schneider “did not believe there was anything wrong with this” and “believed there was nothing wrong with his posing as a UPS delivery driver.” Officers issued trespass warnings and released both men.

The next day, March 9, a man knocked on Johnson’s door claiming to be from a nearby church congregation and said he had been sent by Johnson’s church leader. That was false. Officers identified the man as Christian Morgan and determined he had made the statements at Schneider’s direction. Schneider later admitted to officers he had sent Morgan because, according to Paul, “their civil case could not proceed without an attempt at verbal reconciliation.”

Officers stopped Schneider’s vehicle again after the Morgan incident. According to the incident report, Officer Hawkins pulled over the vehicle after seeing Morgan attempt to get into the car.  Hawkins wrote that he conducted a traffic stop “as it was involved in the incident of harassment.”  

This time, Officer Fraughton reported that driver Shaw’s eyes appeared glossy and raised concern about possible impairment. Shaw agreed to field sobriety testing, including a portable breath test that came back at .00BrAc.  No other signs of impairment were observed. 

Officer Fraughton then deployed a police service dog to conduct an open-air sniff around the vehicle. The dog alerted to the presence of the odor of a controlled substance. Officers searched the vehicle. No illegal substances were found. Schneider and Shaw were released.

On March 10, Schneider showed up near the Johnson residence again. Johnson’s wife, Kaylee, called police reporting a woman photographing the home. Joshua Johnson called separately, according to the chief’s statement, reporting “he was going to shoot someone” as a result of the ongoing harassment. Officers responded immediately. Schneider told an officer that day, “I’m just following the instructions of the government. He keeps calling the cops on me to avoid getting in trouble for his crimes.”

On March 11, after Schneider had already been arrested the night before on an earlier stalking charge, a group returned and hung a sign on a neighbor’s fence across from the Johnson home. The sign showed Johnson holding cash over an elderly man in a hospital bed with the words, “I stole a dying man’s life savings.” One of the men at the scene, Sheldon Norcross, was on FaceTime with Schneider as officers arrived.

“Officer Richardson asked Norcross who it was he was speaking with,” Paul said, “and specifically asked whether it was Benjamin Schneider. Norcross confirmed Schneider was on the FaceTime call.”

Officers seized Norcross’ phone after they say he began manipulating the device when told it would be taken as evidence. Schneider was located at a nearby Airbnb via a judge-approved search warrant and arrested a second time that evening.

The warrant affidavit included a statement from the Airbnb homeowner who told officers he could hear multiple individuals inside the residence speaking about possibly stolen LEGO toys they had taken. Officers added a request to search for stolen LEGO merchandise alongside the warrant to apprehend Schneider. The warrant was approved by Fourth District Judge Roger W. Griffin. When executed, no stolen items were found and none were seized.

Five people were taken into custody at the Airbnb. Four were eventually released. Schneider was transported to the Utah County Jail.

Schneider disputes the police version of events at multiple points. Beyond contesting the March 8 traffic stop, he says the rubber duck delivery was not intended to forge a contract, and he denies that the pattern of contact at Johnson’s home constitutes stalking.

He says the dispute stems from Bricks & Minifigs taking control of a Keizer, Oregon, franchise in late 2024 and failing to return or compensate for a LEGO collection belonging to an 83-year-old man and his son, Bryan Mansell. He says he helped Mansell win a default judgment in Oregon court and came to Utah to serve Johnson personally with civil papers in a follow-up lawsuit.

“We went to court, and we won,” Schneider said in his YouTube video. “We know you closed down the store to avoid paying us.”

Bricks & Minifigs denies the collection was taken by current ownership. In a public statement, the company said the collection was handled by the original Oregon franchise operator, Chrystal Law, and may have already been sold before Johnson became involved. The company filed a civil lawsuit Wednesday accusing Schneider, Mansell and others of a harassment and extortion campaign.

Chief Paul said his department’s role was not to referee the Oregon business dispute.

“The fact that someone may believe they had been wronged financially does not exempt any individual from the laws governing harassment, trespassing, stalking or other conduct within our jurisdiction,” Paul said. “Our responsibility was to respond to conduct reported here in our community, evaluate the facts available to our officers at the time, and enforce Utah law.”

A protective order was granted against Schneider on May 20. The Fourth District Court case remains active. Schneider has not entered a plea.

Charges are allegations. Schneider is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. Schneider’s YouTube video of the events can be found here and the police department’s statement in full can be found here.

Staff Writer | American Fork Citizen

Utah Governor Spencer Cox will join Clark and Christine Ivory, alongside leaders from Ivory Innovations, the Call to Action Foundation, the Clark and Christine Ivory Foundation and the Lehi community on Thursday, May 28, for the grand opening of Innovation Park at Holbrook Farms and the Lehi Rippy Literacy Center. Together, the new workforce housing community and literacy center uniquely address two of Utah’s most pressing issues, housing affordability and childhood literacy, in one of the state’s fastest-growing cities.

This ribbon cutting will celebrate the availability of more than 200 all-electric townhomes purpose-built for Utah’s essential workers and mark the grand opening of the community’s new Lehi Rippy Literacy Center. By embedding a free community tutoring center within a workforce housing community, the involved organizations are showing that the most effective solutions tackle these interconnected problems together rather than in silos.

Attainable housing for Utah’s essential workers

Innovation Park at Holbrook Farms was developed through the Call to Innovations partnership between Ivory Innovations and the Call to Action Foundation, funded entirely through private philanthropic contributions.

The community features 200+ all-electric townhomes for Utah’s workforce families: the teachers, nurses, hospital staff and first responders who are the backbone of the state’s fastest-growing communities but are increasingly priced out of the neighborhoods they serve.

With monthly rents starting at $1,231, Innovation Park offers pricing significantly below Lehi’s market rates. The development is strategically located adjacent to the new Intermountain Health Primary Children’s Hospital in Lehi, ensuring the healthcare professionals who care for Utah’s children can find quality, affordable housing within minutes of where they work.

Since opening Phase 1 in fall 2024, Innovation Park has reached near-full occupancy, underscoring the urgent and growing demand for attainable housing.

“Our team hopes that Innovation Park and the Lehi Literacy Center highlight what can happen when communities come together to help address the challenges facing Utah families,” said Clark Ivory, co-founder of Ivory Innovations and CEO of Ivory Homes. “We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with others, think creatively, and work alongside those who care deeply about strengthening our communities. We welcome anyone who would like to join us as we continue striving to build Utah together.”

Tackling Utah’s Literacy Crisis

Research from the Annie E. Casey Foundation shows that children who struggle with reading are four times more likely to drop out of high school. Addressing this challenge has been a central mission of the Clark and Christine Ivory Foundation, which has long invested in community-based literacy programs that uplift children and expand their educational opportunities.

“Every child deserves the chance to become a confident reader, regardless of their zip code or their family’s income,” said Christine Ivory, President of the Clark and Christine Ivory Foundation. “By opening this new literacy center in the heart of Innovation Park, we’re meeting families where they are and making sure that the children who live here and in surrounding Lehi areas have access to the same opportunities as any child in Utah.”

The new Lehi Rippy Literacy Center provides free tutoring in the heart of the community, building on a legacy program of the original Rippy Literacy Center that has served Lehi families for more than 20 years. Supported by a generous contribution from the Stokes Foundation and sustained through a partnership with Lehi City, the center ensures every child at Innovation Park and in the broader Lehi community has access to the reading support they need to succeed. For more information, visit innovationparkholbrook.org

STAFF WRITER | American Fork Citizen

Alpine City is proud to announce a new fire station that will also house Alpine’s first community center. This project is a major investment in public safety, sense of community, and the city’s future.

A cornerstone of this effort is a generous donation from former Alpine Mayor Don Watkins and his wife Peggy. Their philanthropy will help make Alpine City’s first dedicated Community Center a reality. Their contribution shows a long-standing commitment to strengthening the community they have served and called home for many years.

“Don and Peggy Watkins have always believed in the power of community,” said Councilmember Blackwell. “Their generous gift will create a place where residents of all ages can gather, learn, celebrate, and connect.”

The new facility, to be built near city hall, will integrate the city’s modern fire station with a welcoming, functional community space designed to serve residents through meetings, programs, events, and educational opportunities. The community center will also provide Alpine with a much-needed central gathering place and be a hub for civic and social activities.

Additional community partners have also stepped forward to support the project. AltaBank has generously donated funds for the building’s community room, ensuring residents have a comfortable, well-equipped space for meetings, classes and community events. This room will serve as one of the primary gathering spaces within the new facility.

Further support from the David and Lynda Roskelly Family includes a donation of workout equipment for the fire station. This contribution will allow Alpine’s firefighters to maintain the high level of physical fitness required to safely and effectively serve the community, ensuring they are prepared for the demanding work of emergency response.

The new fire station will feature modern emergency response capabilities, improved apparatus bays, and updated living areas for firefighters. Together with the new community center, the facility reflects Alpine City’s vision. It aims to create infrastructure that supports both public safety and community life.

The media and public are invited to a groundbreaking ceremony:

8 am, MT, May 21, 2026
20 North Main (near city hall)
Alpine, UT 84004

City leaders are excited about the impact the project will have for generations to come.
“This project represents the very best of Alpine,” Mayor Merrill added. “It shows what is possible when dedicated public servants, generous community members, and local businesses come together to invest in the future of our city.”

The City of Alpine extends sincere gratitude to Don and Peggy Watkins, AltaBank, the David and Lynda Rosskelley family and all project partners and supporters. Thank you for helping make this important project possible.

For more information about the project and construction updates, residents are encouraged to follow Alpine City’s communications and announcements. https://alpineut.gov/

Nichole Coombs | American Fork Citizen

It may not be a sport you’re familiar with, but it’s putting Lehi City on the national stage.
Disc Golf is growing in popularity worldwide. According to UDisc, an app that tracks members, the sport has grown by 86 percent since 2020, with an estimated 8-12 million people playing.

“We call it a lifestyle sport because it gets all ages up and moving,” said Scott Belchak, the executive director of Elevate Utah Disc Golf, a nonprofit dedicated to increasing the quality and quantity of disc golf venues across Utah.

Reflecting this growth, the state has about 20 courses, including the Dragonfly Disc Golf course located at 3600 North Maple Loop in Lehi.

“Disc golf is a sport that’s played just like traditional golf,” said Belchak. “Except instead of holes in the ground, we have baskets that are in the air.”

For many years, Belchak says, disc golf was seen as the ‘blue collar’ side of traditional golf. That changed during the 2020 pandemic, when disc golf exploded in popularity.

“We saw courses overrun with beginners and new people trying out the sport,” said Belchak. “That’s fantastic, but it also shone a giant spotlight on our lack of infrastructure.”

This dramatic increase in participation inspired the creation of Dragonfly Park and its disc golf course. In 2022, a group of volunteers asked Lehi City to help buy baskets and tee pads for the park, and the community would do the rest.

“For the most part, this worked,” said Belchak. “But the park sits on the water table, so the grass is continuously growing. It’s gorgeous all year, but the volunteers couldn’t keep up with the grass.”

The city stepped in to help with mowing, while ongoing venue improvements are supported by the nonprofit Elevate Utah Disc Golf and volunteer hours. These upgrades are part of Lehi’s preparations to host part of the United States Women’s Disc Golf Championships (USWDGC) when the event is held in Utah from July 16-19, 2026.

The Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) hosts major events worldwide. The 2026 USWDGC will be held on four courses throughout Utah over four days, including the Dragonfly course.

Belchak emphasized, “Dragonfly will be used on Saturday and Sunday, and a champion will advance from the amateur and the professional 50-55 plus women’s pool.”

This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the PDGA.

Utah’s deep ties to disc golf are also notable. “Utah has some pretty rich history with the sport,” said Belchak. “The Creekside Park course in Salt Lake City is one of the oldest courses.

It was the eighth course built in the world around 1976. It was designed by Steady Ed, the inventor of the sport, and it sits as a memorial to Walter Fredrick Morrison, the inventor of the Frisbee.”

That history remains active today. According to Belchak, the Creekside course averages about 45,000 played rounds per year.

Organizers hope that by bringing a major PDGA event to Utah, local interest in the sport will increase, as well as donations to support infrastructure. The Wasatch Disc Golf League is in Utah County and includes players from Provo to Lehi. The league includes players at all levels.

Don’t miss your chance—purchase USWDGC tickets online at http://www.uswdgc.net. Want to get involved with Utah’s disc golf community? Explore local clubs, upcoming events, or discover volunteer opportunities at elevateut.org.

Rob Shelton | American Fork Citizen

Linda Pauling started Make-A-Wish in 1980 with $37.76, trusting God after losing her son, Chris, to leukemia. She said, “Yes, God just took it. Truly do believe this was his purpose.” On May 6 in Utah, she watched Make-A-Wish Utah break a $651,000 fundraising record.

Following this achievement, Make-A-Wish Utah shared the milestone at the seventh annual Drive for Wishes, presented by Strong Auto Group. It was the campaign’s biggest year, and the money will fund wishes for 100 Utah children currently waiting.

“This cannot not happen,” Pauling told the crowd, repeating a phrase she’s leaned on since the beginning.

Here’s how the campaign worked: Strong Auto Group donated three vehicles for a month, each wrapped in sponsor logos and driven statewide to Make-A-Wish events and community stops.

Drivers filmed “Wish Cab” videos, a Make-A-Wish spin on “Cash Cab,” featuring sponsors and board members in the cars, answering trivia questions. Each wrong answer cost $1,000, paid directly to Make-A-Wish Utah.

One wrapped car seven years ago has grown into a three-car fleet that has raised over $2 million for Utah Wish Kids, says CEO Daniel Dudley.

“We try to be very business oriented,” Dudley said. “The better we run our organization, the more children we can impact.”

However, the heart of the morning belonged to Pauling.

She told how her son Chris, as a young boy with leukemia, dreamed of being a police officer. Arizona’s Department of Public Safety made it possible. The director gathered his officers and said, “Gentlemen, this cannot not happen.” They gave Chris a real uniform, swore him in as the state’s first honorary highway patrolman, and flew him over the mountains in a police helicopter.

Chris died three days later.

“The officers, and I got together, five of us,” Pauling said. “And you know what we said? There’s more kids. Let’s find them.”

That was 1980. Since then, Make-A-Wish has expanded to operate in 50 countries, with 60 chapters across the U.S., and has granted more than 680,000 wishes worldwide.

Building on this legacy, Chief Development Officer Summer Ehrmann said this year’s record was made possible by 52 sponsors and a four-person development team — Garrett Gallegos, Stephanie McAllister, Mae Caine and Skye Smith.

“This is going to bring the joy of a wish to 100 wish kids that are waiting for a wish today,” Ehrmann said.

The morning closed with a wish reveal. Wish kid Jed, the day’s guest of honor, walked in through a tunnel of cheering supporters after finishing a scavenger hunt outside. The middle-schooler, who attends a military academy, wished to fly to Anchorage, Alaska, where his brother is stationed. Jed’s specific wish is not only to visit his brother, whom he misses, but also to experience riding in military vehicles during his stay.
Pauling read the proclamation.

“We hereby announce that Jed’s wish to go to Anchorage Alaska will be granted,” she said.
Jed’s mother said the wish gave her son something to hold onto.

“It gave Jed hope that at the end of his journey he could do something fun,” she said. “He could do something that he wouldn’t have been able to do otherwise.”

A common misconception, Dudley said, is that wishes only go to children with terminal illnesses; less than 30% of recipients fit that description. Most are referred by their medical teams as part of treatment.

Pauling declined a paid role at Make-A-Wish decades ago and continues to maintain a demanding travel schedule as a volunteer. The numbers still surprise her.

“I always return to the biblical verse: store your treasures in heaven. That’s what I do—give it to God, let Him distribute it. By His grace, Make-A-Wish has grown to what it is today,” she said.

As the morning drew to a close, Pauling came back to the same line she’s used for 46 years.
“Let’s go find them,” she said. “Let’s go.”

Brynn Carnesecca | American Fork Citizen

American Fork High School’s award-winning band collaborated with Utah’s Cars and Coffee chapter to hold a barbecue competition to raise money for their yearly activities. The event, coined the Caveman Cookoff, brought the city together in a new way.

The band has over 300 ninth through 12th grade students and numerous regional and national accolades. The event took place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at AFHS. People from all over the city and beyond gathered on the field and in the parking lots to support the band. The idea to bring the various activities together came from band director Orien Landis.

“We’ve been doing [the band barbecue] for a few years since COVID as a way to do something outside,” Landis explained. “It’s slowly developed over the years into what it is now. It’s really organically grown over time.

In one corner of the parking lot, hundreds of supercars and their owners were parked for people to come see, free of charge. Lamborghinis, Ferraris and other supercars sat out front of the high school with doors open.

“My little brother plays in the marching band,” shared Coffee and Cars representative Alex Thang. “I’ve been a big part of the car community. My mom said ‘Let’s try to combine two worlds at once.’”

For those who had no tie to the marching band, the supercars were a huge draw. Local organizations, including Club Paddock and Fast Lane Drive, made a special appearance to bring the community together while supporting the school’s band.

AFHS’s own band played jazz tunes on the grass for everyone to enjoy. Vendors lined the field as well with various foods to keep everyone satisfied. In the far corner, a rib cook-off invited visitors to come and taste test. For $8, visitors could get a ticket and be an official judge.

“Our daughter is a sophomore in the marching band. When she first came in as a freshman, as her parents, we wanted to help out wherever we could,” said Miram Benson from Uncle Jesse’s Barbecue. “We wanted to contribute and make it a great event.”

With various audiences being drawn to the school, the event was a smash hit with the community.

“Truthfully, I didn’t expect this many supercars to show up,” Jeevz Dusara from Cars and Coffee laughed. “I’ve never seen this many supercars at an event. We’ve been doing Cars and Coffee for the last six years. It’s been pretty awesome that a lot of cool car groups came together. It’s really cool to bring that to a high school event.”

All funds raised from the event will go towards the marching band attending the Grand National Marching Band competition in Indianapolis.

“The band just has certain needs. We have to truck two loads worth of semi items to Indianapolis, rent buses, buy plane tickets, and things like that,” Landis explained. “Everything that we’re doing here is going to go to the band program to make sure that the students have what they need.”

Community members of all ages attended the event.

“It’s a community feel. As soon as you step into the band program, no matter if you’re a student or parent, you feel included and united. It’s such a cool feeling,” Benson expressed.

For more information on the band, visit http://www.americanforkband.com.

Jennifer Thomas | American Fork Citizen

Utah is officially changing its approach to electric micromobility with the passage of Utah House Bill 381, effective May 6, 2026, forcing a change in how families utilize electric mobility devices. Key takeaways from the legislation include a mandatory helmet requirement for all electric bike (e-bike) riders under 21, and strict age-based regulations that ban children under 8 from riding on public roads and require adult supervision for those between 8 and 14. Violations could result in police holding the devices, according to the Lehi Police Department.

Key Aspects of HB 381:

Helmet Requirement: Anyone under the age of 21 must wear a properly fitted, fastened helmet while operating or riding on an e-bike or similar device on public roads.

Age and Supervision Requirements: Under 8 cannot operate a motorized e-bike on public roads, paths or trails. Ages 8 to 14 must be accompanied by an adult when riding an e-bike. Under 16 it is illegal to operate a Class 3 e-bike (which exceeds 20 mph).

Additionally, The Lehi Police Department stated, “Children ages 8-15 years old need to be riding under the direct supervision of a parent. Direct means that the parent can see and at least yell at the child, should they be doing something that needs to be corrected.”

According to Lehi Police, “The Department of Public Safety is working on developing an online safety course that the child may take to eliminate the direct supervision requirement.”

Impound Authority: Police have the authority to impound devices from minors violating safety laws; the device will only be released to a parent or guardian.

High-Powered Devices (HPEDs): The law clarifies definitions, recognizing that some devices marketed as e-bikes (without operable pedals, capable of 30 mph) are actually high-powered electric devices or motorcycles, subjecting them to different regulations.

“Sur Rons, and other machines like it that go 20+ mph without pedaling, are classified as e-motorcycles and cannot be on any public road,” stated Lehi Police Department.

Alcohol Restriction: It is illegal to consume alcohol while operating an electric-assisted bicycle.

Safety Education: The bill initiates a safety course for the operation of certain electric devices on a highway.

The law was largely driven by safety concerns following a surge in youth e-bike injuries and irresponsible riding among young, high-speed users on residential streets.

The Lehi Police Department is prioritizing community engagement over enforcement during the initial phase of the new law.

“The recent Utah law that covers e-bikes, e-scooters and e-motorcycles took effect last week. While some parts of the law are obviously unpopular, we want everyone to know that education is our primary goal, not enforcement,” stated Lehi Police Lieutenant Kenny Rose. “While the enforcement route isn’t our preference, when education and common courtesy among riders is not working, it is something that we are prepared for.”

Lehi Police want to connect with the public and educate riders, urging them to stop and talk rather than running from the scene.

“This law is not a situation where we are challenging riders to run from us; quite the opposite, we want people to stop and talk with us about the new law and learn how they can operate safely and courteously within the new law,” said Rose.

Overcoming the hurdles of new legislation requires a unified approach. Through partnership with law enforcement, these challenges can be turned into a safer future for everyone.

Ryann Anderegg | American Fork Citizen

Drivers along Pioneer Crossing in Utah County are seeing relief as the Utah Department of Transportation opened an additional lane in each direction, boosting roadway capacity by 50% on a key commuter corridor.

The new lanes stretch about 4.5 miles between Lehi and Saratoga Springs, aiming to improve travel times for thousands of drivers. Commuters began using them on Monday, May 4, marking a milestone in the ongoing project.

“If you’ve ever driven along Pioneer Crossing, you know how needed this project is,” said UDOT Region Three Director Rob Clayton. “Opening these lanes will make a noticeable difference and provide a more reliable commute for the thousands of people who rely on this road every day.”

The new lanes address traffic in fast-growing Lehi, Saratoga Springs, Eagle Mountain, and nearby areas, which have experienced significant growth, straining local transportation systems.
Pioneer Crossing serves as a key east-west connector between Interstate 15, Redwood Road, Mountain View Corridor, and several residential neighborhoods. Heavy commuter traffic during peak morning and evening hours has led to frequent congestion, long backups, and unpredictable travel times.

Flex Lanes let officials change directions based on demand. During peak times, up to four lanes serve the busiest direction.

UDOT estimates that the completed project will save drivers more than 6 minutes per day in travel time and reduce congestion by more than 900 cumulative hours per day across the corridor.

Without these improvements, travel times are projected to rise by 2037: evening westbound from 19 to 32 minutes, morning eastbound from 14 to 20 minutes.

The new lanes opened nearly two months early thanks to favorable winter weather, close coordination with the contractor, WW Clyde, and efficient construction methods.

Crews reused on-site materials and recycled concrete from demolished portions of Pioneer Crossing, helping reduce delays and keep the project moving efficiently.

Beginning May 10, drivers can expect nightly closures along short segments of Pioneer Crossing as crews install overhead structures that will eventually support Flex Lanes signage and lane management systems.

Construction schedules may continue shifting depending on weather, equipment availability, and other factors.

UDOT is encouraging drivers to remain cautious while traveling through the active construction zone. Officials noted that crews recently repainted portions of the roadway and added additional solid white lane markings to make lanes more visible and improve safety for motorists navigating the changing traffic patterns.

Sidewalk closures remain in parts of the corridor. UDOT posted alternate pedestrian routes north of construction, using 700 South, 975 South, and Lehi Ranch Road.

In addition to the newly opened lanes, the broader Pioneer Crossing project includes several other roadway improvements intended to increase capacity and improve safety.

The Pioneer Crossing project is one piece of a larger effort to improve regional connectivity across northwest Utah County. Several major transportation projects have either recently opened or are currently under construction throughout the area, including the new Mountain View Corridor extension and ongoing work on 2100 North.

Clayton said these projects work together to create more transportation options and reduce pressure on major roadways like I-15.

“Each of these projects plays a valuable role in what we call ‘connectivity,’” said Clayton. “They support major corridors like Mountain View and I-15, while also helping local trips to school, work, and recreation. Progress on Pioneer Crossing brings us one step closer to giving drivers more travel options across the region.”

Pioneer Crossing has been one of the most congested roadways in northwest Utah County. Rapid housing development in Saratoga Springs, Eagle Mountain, and western Lehi has added thousands of new drivers to the corridor over the last several years. Transportation planners have emphasized the need to proactively expand roadway infrastructure now to avoid more severe congestion in the future.

As construction continues, public patience is important. With new lanes open and more improvements on the way, drivers are seeing progress on a project expected to reshape travel in northwest Utah County.

Megan Wallgren | American Fork Citizen

Tucked in the mountains near Scofield Reservoir, attending Clear Creek camp has been a rite of passage for generations of fifth-grade students in Alpine School District. This week, Alpine School District (ASD) announced it would put Clear Creek Camp on the market, marking the end of an era.

In a letter to administrators, later posted on social media by various groups, Superintendent Robert Smith said the decision came after extensive discussions among the boards of ASD and the three new districts formed from its split: Aspen Peaks, Lake Mountain, and Timpanogos.

“This decision was not made lightly,” Smith wrote. “After many hours of discussion, the boards weighed the costs and benefits of continuing operations with other needs and possible uses. Ultimately, they determined that the proceeds from a sale could be more effectively directed toward meeting the needs of students across three new school districts. This change, though difficult, will allow new school districts to focus on other aspects of their transition plans.”

Smith emphasized that this summer’s Clear Creek program will continue as planned, allowing a final group of students to experience the camp.

Aspen Peaks board president Diane Knight said, “Clear Creek holds a special place in the history of Alpine School District. Generations of students, including my own children, have wonderful memories of the friendships, experiences, and lessons they learned at Clear Creek. Because of that, this decision has not come easily.”

Knight added, “Over time, the program has changed significantly. The traditional week-long camp experience is no longer feasible, and today, Clear Creek primarily serves students through day trips. Rising maintenance costs, combined with the 2- to 3-hour bus ride each way, have made it increasingly difficult to provide the experience students once enjoyed. After careful consideration, all three districts have made the difficult decision to place the property for sale.”

ASD purchased the property in 1972 to establish an outdoor learning program. It had five well-built cabins and a large maintenance building that was converted to accommodate the administrative offices, kitchen, cafeteria, assembly room and showers. Later, an amphitheater and shower facility were constructed by the district.

John Jay Harris served as the camp’s director from 2008 to 2020. He began teaching there in 2000. “Those week-long excursions were packed full of learning opportunities, unique outdoor adventures, games, songs and new friendships. It was a place where 10 and 11-year-old children learned confidence, team building and basic understanding of the history, geology, plant and animal life and beauty of that amazing part of Utah,” Harris said.

At its peak, the camp hosted weeklong sessions throughout the summer, accommodating more than 100 students each week. Harris said, “Once a computerized registration system was in place, the entire summer essentially filled up in 20 to 30 minutes. There was high demand for one of the 110 student openings each week, and a long waiting list was used to fill in last-minute openings. For the 20 years I was involved with the camp, it served approximately 1,100 children every summer.”

Clear Creek camp was also the first time many of the students had taken an overnight trip away from their parents. “It was a coming-of-age type experience. Kids proved to themselves they could make it,” said Brad Greenwood, the camp’s director for six years, following Harris’s tenure.

Greenwood said Clear Creek’s meaning for the community can be found in the individual memories made there.

“It’s been a wonderful resource, and so many good memories have been made there,” Greenwood said. “Individual memories and friendships are what it’s based on. I’ve heard of lifelong friendships that started there. Even though it wasn’t easy for every kid, they all went home with more confidence, friendships and memories that will last for a lifetime.”

Greenwood hopes that the camps’ curriculum can be adapted to continue providing students with opportunities to interact with the outdoors. “Kids were able to turn off the screens and connect with nature,” he said. “It was always an adventure.”

Smith said as the district moves forward with listing the property through a commercial real estate agent, any sale will follow an open and transparent process, with final approval required in a public board meeting.

While the land may soon change hands, those who’ve been involved in any way hope elements of the curriculum will continue in classrooms, preserving at least part of Clear Creek’s legacy.

“It took a tremendous amount of energy to create the Clear Creek experience, but looking back, those summers were absolutely magical,” said Harris.

Alixel Cabrera | Utah News Dispatch

Amid boos and screams from hundreds of community members, Box Elder County commissioners unanimously approved two resolutions in support of a 40,000-acre data center campus proposed for an unincorporated site in the county.

About 1,100 people filled the fairgrounds’ fine arts building after rallying outside. Commissioners had moved the meeting to a larger space, but when the group became rowdy, they made their decision in a small room away from the public.

“For hell’s sake, grow up,” Box Elder County Commissioner Boyd Bingham told the public, growing irritated as a wave of roars interrupted the meeting, not for the first time.

The angry crowd’s jeers outweighed the voices of commissioners and guests, especially when they spoke about water rights and the county’s tax revenue prospects stemming from the project. Many in the audience asked to be heard, but shouts prevailed throughout the meeting.
No one was escorted out, but instead, the commissioners left the room and broadcast their quick vote on a screen available to the public.

“Cowards,” some in the audience yelled. Others repeatedly shouted, “People over profit.”

The resolutions were needed under state law to allow the Military Installation Development Authority, or MIDA, to move forward with the Stratos project. MIDA, an agency formed by the Utah Legislature to promote economic development with a military-related purpose, required county approval because the data center is to be built on private land without existing zoning. Approval enables MIDA to proceed with planning and development processes specific to this unique situation.

“Today’s vote is not the end of the process, it is the beginning. If this project moves forward, it will happen in phases over many years. At every step, it will be subject to continued oversight, permitting and regulatory review,” Commissioner Lee Perry told reporters after the meeting.
Unlike regular industrial developments, this project required municipal approval before a full environmental assessment—which examines all potential impacts to air, water, and wildlife—was drafted. Developers said the study will be prepared later, though the timeline remains unclear. At the meeting, commissioners said developers must first obtain an air quality permit from the appropriate agency, then undergo an engineering review, a process that typically assesses structural and safety aspects and usually takes 150 to 200 days.

The vote comes after commissioners delayed their decision by a week, citing insufficient time to review the project. That quick pace of approvals has frustrated the public, who have filled meetings and comment channels with questions about the potential impacts of such a large development in northern Utah.

The data center campus sponsored by Kevin O’Leary, a celebrity investor from “Shark Tank,” will include a natural gas plant supplying 9 gigawatts of energy to achieve self-sufficiency, more than twice the state’s annual consumption. This power will be isolated from Utah’s grid and won’t affect utility rates, say developers.

Developers are also planning to use a closed-loop system to cool their equipment, using privately owned water rights that are unsuitable for drinking or irrigation. But, without a definitive environmental study, the public remains skeptical.

James Evans, a retired geosciences professor from Logan, showed up to join the people who gathered outside the fairgrounds to rally against the project. He said he wished leaders had slowed down and thought the decision through.

Evans said, “I was struck by the cavalier way decisions and discussions happened. This is a multibillion-dollar project, including one of the world’s largest gas-fired plants.”
However, the commissioners’ decision turned out to be what Evans expected.

Evans added, “This unfair process burdens the three county commissioners. I don’t think they had enough data or time, but they faced a lot of pressure. I truly feel sorry for them.”
What’s next

Now that the county’s approval has been secured, developers will conduct a capital-raising effort, Casey Hill, a spokesperson for O’Leary Digital, said after the meeting. The entire project will be over $1 billion. Its first phase will start in the next few months, he said.

Now that the state environmental permitting process is beginning, developers have committed to holding town halls with the community at different stages.

With the resolutions, commissioners laid out guardrails for the project, including county representation on a project board, dark-sky protections, noise standards and public safety assurances.

Editor’s note: The key points for this story were written by a Utah News Dispatch journalist.