Northern Utah Ready for Weekend Break from Snow

Snowfall over the past month has left many residents in northern Utah and southeastern Idaho feeling tired.  Each week seems to bring at least 8 inches of fresh powder to the area.  This weekend, however, looks to be nice but cold. 

Lowes, Home Depot, and several local hardware stores have all sold out of snow blowers this season.  “We can’t keep them in stock.  People are sick of shoveling this winter,” an employee of Lowes said.

Logan has received approximately 30 inches this season with more reported on the mountain bench areas.  Preston, Idaho has received as much as 36-44 inches in some areas.

The snow is welcome in this high desert region.  Several years of low snowpack and drought conditions have hampered the area’s agriculture production.

Full Time Kindergarten Welcomed in Utah

Extended day kindergarten classes have been set up in 40 percent of Utah’s elementary schools during the program’s first year. 

“So far at least the anecdotal evidence is that it’s been very positive,” state associate superintendent Brenda Hales said of the program.  Opponents to the program say it’s unfair to the taxpayers to basically pay for free day care.

Children coming from disadvantaged homes have typically struggled in first grade and beyond compared to those from more affluent households.  Full day kindergarten has been shown to better prepare children and narrow the learning gaps before they widen. 

The Utah Legislature last year approved a $30 million optional, extended day kindergarten program, distributing $7.5 million a year for four years. The money goes to schools with the greatest need.