This Week's Top Stories

development

Governor's Funding Threat Over Development Law Rattles Wasatch County

After the county rejected a 144-lot development on state trust land, Gov. Spencer Cox's housing adviser threatened to withhold $2.1 million in annual road funding — a move that drew outrage from local leaders and residents.

The latest chapter in Wasatch County's running battle with state officials over growth and housing law came to a head in late August and continued reverberating this week. After county leaders rejected a proposal by Philo Development to build 144 five-acre lots on Utah Trust Lands Administration property east of Heber City, Gov.

wildlife

Bear Cub Near Heber Airport Captured, Then Euthanized After Biting Officer

A young black bear spotted wandering alone near the Heber Valley Airport on Wednesday was safely caught at first, but was later put down after it bit a state wildlife officer during handling.

What began as an unusual wildlife call on Wednesday morning ended in a grim outcome by Thursday. At approximately 9:40 a.m. on September 23, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources received a report of a young black bear near the Heber Valley Airport. Wasatch County Sheriff's Office deputies, an animal control officer, and a Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement officer all responded. The cub was described by the Wasatch County Sheriff's Office as appearing 'lost and confused,' with no mother bear anywhere in the vicinity.

property tax

Heber City Must Scrap Planned 4.2% Property Tax Increase After Missing State Notice Requirement

The Utah State Tax Commission blocked the city's approved fiscal year 2027 property tax bump because the city failed to post required information on its website — a mistake that cannot be corrected mid-year.

Heber City will have to operate without roughly $154,000 in additional revenue this fiscal year after the Utah State Tax Commission ruled that the city's 4.2 percent property tax increase for FY2027 cannot be imposed. The increase had been unanimously approved by city staff on August 18, but a review by the state commission found that Heber City failed to post a required combined city-and-county tax statement on its website for the mandated 14-day period before a public hearing — a new rule added during the 2026 legislative session.

Upcoming Events

September 25–26

Lynden Legacy Pumpkin Patch at Summerhouse Farms

📍 Summerhouse Farms, 2001 West 1200 South, Heber City · Various times · Verify · Go Heber Valley

October 9–11

Schutzenski Festival Weekend 1 — USBA Fall Camp & Biathlon

📍 Soldier Hollow Nordic Center, Midway · Various times · Verify · Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation

October 16–18

Schutzenski Festival Weekend 2 — XC & Trail Running Race

📍 Soldier Hollow Nordic Center, Midway · Various times · Verify · Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation

Through October

Midway Farmers Market — Final Weeks of the Season

📍 Midway Town Square, 200 W Main Street, Midway · 10:00 AM–1:00 PM · Verify · Go Heber Valley

Through October 15

Ranch Farms Pumpkin Patch — Open Through Mid-October

📍 Ranch Farms, 2715 S Ranch Drive, Daniel · Various times · Verify · Park City 360

More from the Community

State Audit Flags Recurring Election Compliance Issues in Wasatch County

A report from the Utah Office of the Legislative Auditor General, published September 15, found repeated but relatively minor compliance shortcomings in how Wasatch County ran its 2026 primary election.

Utah Supreme Court Weighs Final Outcome of Heber Valley Temple Dispute

Heber Valley is waiting on the Utah Supreme Court's ruling after the court heard oral arguments on September 4 in the long-running lawsuit over the planned Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day…

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