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Saunders Construction Announces Change in Leadership

OGDEN, UT – Saunders Construction, a four-generation construction firm started in 1908 in Ogden, Utah, is announcing a change in the leadership of the company. Casey B. Hall has been named President and General Manager, Edward T. Saunders is the CEO, A. Craig Saunders will continue as Vice President, and Lori Robertson will remain as Secretary. Saunders Construction does a variety of commercial construction, specializing in medical remodels and tenant improvements.

Moving forward, Saunders Construction will continue building based on the same principles of honesty, integrity, forthrightness and dedication that have been its trademark for over 114 years.

Casey Hall, the new company president, has been with Saunders Construction for 23 years. He started as a laborer and through hard work and dedication became a superintendent and then a project manager and estimator. He has an extensive resume that includes construction of many new commercial buildings, several new chapels and remodels for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, state and government projects, the Ogden and Weber School Districts, and other prominent businesses along the Wasatch Front. Since 2010, Saunders Construction has been focusing on medical remodels and tenant improvements. These specialty projects include a cardiology office, sleep labs, optometry and plastic surgery clinics, imaging facilities and operating rooms.

Every aspect of construction, from demolition to roofing, can be completed by our own experienced personnel or through the relationships we have with reputable subcontractors in all trades that we know and trust. Our superintendents, Steve Thompson, John Hall, Will Harkness, Ethan Moser, Matt Squires and Trevor Trotta are all hardworking and dedicated and have the knowledge and ability to bring each job to successful completion.

Although there are many larger construction firms in the state, we believe there are none with a better reputation or legacy than that of Saunders Construction.

For more information about Saunders Construction, please visit https://saunders1.com/.

Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel Announces Entertainment Lineup

FORT HALL, ID, February 6 – Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel announces an exciting Entertainment Lineup of concerts and shows. Bringing world-class entertainment to Eastern Idaho continues, and the Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel looks forward to hosting these upcoming events.

Pre-sale tickets go on sale Wednesday, February 8, 2023 at 10 a.m. Stay tuned to Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel’s Facebook page for a special access code.

All other tickets for these upcoming events will go on sale Friday, February 10, 2023 at 10 a.m.

Entertainment Lineup
Midland Concert
Friday, June 2, 2023 | 8 p.m. | Outdoor Concert | Ticket Pricing: $39 – $150
Hailing from Dripping Springs, TX, lead vocalist Mark Wystrach fronts Midland’s rich sound, rounded out with lead guitarist/vocalist Jess Carson and bass player/vocalist Cameron Duddy. Rooted in tradition in both sound and style, the trio initially garnered attention by playing clubs in the region. Their critically acclaimed sophomore album Let It Roll (Big Machine Records) earned the No. 1 position on Billboard’s Top Country Album Sales cart upon release, receiving praise from outlets such as Rolling Stone, Variety, NPR, and Entertainment Weekly, among others. Wystrach, Carson, and Duddy all played an integral role in writing the 14-track album with Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne. The album was produced by Dann Huff, McAnally, and Osborne and was a follow-up to the critically acclaimed, gold-certified debut album, On The Rocks (Big Machine Records). Launching in 2017 with rave reviews, On The Rocks was declared “The Year’s Best Country Album” by the Washington Post. Their 2x Platinum-certified chart-topping debut “Drinkin’ Problem,” which offers an international nod to Country music reminiscent of the 1970s and 80s, earned the band their first GRAMMY® Awards nominations for Best Country Song and Best Country Duo/Group Performance. Midland was also named New Vocal Group of the Year at the 2018 ACM Awards and was nominated for Vocal Group of the Year at the 2020 CMA Awards.

Ja Rule & Ashanti Concert
Friday, July 7, 2023 | 8 p.m. | Outdoor Concert | Ticket Pricing: $39 – $150
Ja Rule
Born in Hollis, Queens, he debuted in 1999 with Venni Vetti Vecci and its single “Holla Holla.” From 1999 to 2005, Ja Rule had several hits that made the top 20 of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, including “Between Me and You” with Christina Milian, “I’m Real (Murder Remix)” with Jennifer Lopez, “Always on Time” with Ashanti, “Mesmerize” also with Ashanti, and “Wonderful” with R. Kelly and Ashanti. During the 2000s, Ja Rule was signed to Inc. Records, which was formerly known as Murder Inc. and was led by Irv Gotti. Ja Rule has sold over 30 million records worldwide and was the best-selling rapper in 2001.

Ashanti
Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter, actor, and author burst onto the music scene with her smash hit, self-titled album, Ashanti. It landed the #1 spot on the Billboard Top 200 and R&B album charts, selling a whopping 504,593 units in its first week. This set a SoundScan record as the most albums sold by any debut female artist in the chart’s history and granted her a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records. Throughout her 20-year career, Ashanti has released six studio albums and received several illustrious rewards, including eight Billboard Awards, a Grammy, two American Music Awards, two Soul Train Awards, and six ASCAP Awards. She has reigned at the top as one of Billboard’s “Top Females of the Decade from 2000-2010” and continues to break Billboard records having a Hot 100 entry every decade in the 2000s, 2010s, & 2020s.

Upcoming Entertainment
Chris Janson – March 24, 2023
The Clairvoyants – April 8, 2023
Midland – June 2, 2023
Lee Brice – June 23, 2023
Ja Rule & Ashanti – July 7, 2023

To purchase tickets, go to shobangaming.com. Additional information, as well as our most recent media releases, may be found at shobangaming.com.

About Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel
Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel is home to an 85 thousand-square-foot gaming operation, 156 hotel rooms, the largest ballroom in the region at 15 thousand square feet, full-service Cedar Spa, six food and beverage outlets, and High Stakes Bingo Hall.

The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes owns and operates three gaming properties, including the Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel, Sage Hill Casino and Travel Center, and Bannock Peak Casino and Truck Stop. The Economic Growth Plan continues to evolve for the health and benefit of the Tribal membership and the Eastern Idaho Region.

D.L. Evans Bank Announces New Branch Manager of the South Ogden Branch

BURLEY, ID, February 3 – John V. Evans Jr., President, and Chief Executive Officer of D.L. Evans Bank is pleased to announce the promotion of Morris Smith to the Vice President Branch Manager of the South Ogden Branch.

Morris joined D.L. Evans Bank last year with extensive banking and finance experience. He worked at the Downtown Ogden KeyBank branch for 17 years in the Dealer Loan Center and as a Loan Officer. From there he went to Centennial Bank where he worked for 13 years as Branch Manager for the Ogden, Layton, and Clinton branches. He studied at Weber State University and the American Institute of Banking. In his new position with D.L. Evans Bank, he will continue consumer and commercial lending while managing the branch and providing customer care and leadership in achieving branch goals.

Morris Smith, South Ogden Branch Manager, D.L. Evans Bank

Morris currently serves on the Board of Directors at Weber Human Services located in Ogden where they provide resources to the community that need assistance with mental health, education, housing, and basic human health needs. He loves adventuring outdoors: hiking, biking, camping, fishing, and boating. He also enjoys his family and friends as they are the most important things in his life.

He would like to invite his family, friends, and customers to visit him at the South Ogden branch located at 3990 South Washington Boulevard. He can also be reached by phone at the office at (801) 399-2265 or by cell at (801) 510-9445.

https://www.dlevans.com/

NBA All-Stars to Visit YMCA Programs

Fathers and Men of Professional Basketball Players make special plans to visit children in Afterschool and Preschool Programs.

On Friday, February 17, from 3-4 PM, Afterschool and Preschoolers at the Taylorsville YMCA Community Family Center are in for an incredibly special afternoon. The Fathers and Men of Professional Basketball Players are hosting an event at the YMCA, especially for these children, where they will interact with players and fathers. The media team from the NBA will accompany this group, where a worldwide spotlight will highlight their work with the YMCA of Northern Utah.

At the Y, many of our families come from low-income backgrounds and receive scholarships to attend YMCA programs. For them, interacting with NBA players and those connected to them will be the opportunity of a lifetime. The Fathers and Men of Professional Basketball Players will spend time with participants and their parents, encouraging them to always reach for their dreams and speaking to parents about supporting their children’s goals. They’ll join in with Afterschool activities where they can have meaningful interactions with participants in the program.

During the event, YMCA preschoolers have prepared a few songs to show off the skills they have learned in the classroom while our Leaders-in-Training Group (4th-8th graders) have prepared a skit to teach about our 4 core values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, & Responsibility. Four incredible student leaders from the Afterschool Program will receive personalized signed jerseys from All-Star players, recognizing them for their outstanding character as young people. Additionally, the Fathers and Men of Professional Basketball Players are presenting the YMCA with a donation for the Y Afterschool Program and matching funds from members of the group.

The spokesperson for this event, Chris Jones, said, “We are very excited to partner with the YMCA of Northern Utah. This incredible group of fathers and men see the value in programs like the Y and are happy to support them in any way possible. Our group has always been philanthropic at heart, so we look forward to sharing that with the world, especially with the YMCA of Northern Utah.”

With the support from the NBA, Black Chamber of Commerce, YMCA Board of Directors, and the Fathers and Men of Professional Basketball Players, we are hopeful this event to draw much-needed community support and, more importantly, provide an unbelievable experience for children that deserve it. We truly believe Utah needs to see this kind of good happening in its own backyard.

For additional information about how the YMCA was chosen for this opportunity, contact Chris Jones from the Fathers and Men of Professional Basketball at (646) 420-8511. For information about the YMCA of Northern Utah, please contact Mandy Lail at (385) 287-8009.

About the YMCA of Northern Utah
Since 1893, the YMCA of Northern Utah has sought to strengthen communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the U.S., 2,700 Ys engaged 21 million men, women and children – regardless of age, income or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. We are proud to be a part of a nationwide movement that seeks to deliver lasting personal and social change through our programs.

https://www.ymcautah.org

Full Lineup Announced for 15th Ogden Music Festival

Ogden Friends of Acoustic Music kicks off summer, bringing the best Americana music to Northern Utah at the homegrown music festival, June 2-4, at Weber County’s historic Fort Buenaventura.

OGDEN, UT, February 1 – Ogden friends of Acoustic Music (OFOAM) is excited to announce its full lineup for the 15th annual Ogden Music Festival, June 2-4, at Weber County’s beautiful Fort Buenaventura in Ogden. The three-day festival is family-friendly with camping on site, a jam camp, workshops, kids activities, and more. This year boasts the most diverse lineup of new and established artists yet, embracing the best of Americana: bluegrass, country, gospel, folk, Tex-Mex conjunto, and a lot of soul will be heard from the OFOAM stage under the cottonwood trees this year.

“This year is special,” says festival co-director Reba Nissen. “If you look at our talent committee’s travels over the past year, we’ve been collecting artists at venues and festivals in Utah, Idaho and Arizona. Each artist produced their own goosebump moments in their live performances.”

This year’s lineup is Dan Tyminski Band, Thee Sacred Souls, Danielle Ponder, John Craigie, Della Mae, Miko Marks, Los Texmaniacs, Pixie & the Partygrass Boys, Chatham Rabbits, National Park Radio, Kate Macleod, The West Road, and Pompe ‘N Honey.

Applications are now open for Tweeners, local artists that play between the main acts.

Founded by Michelle Tanner in 2008, OFOAM has enjoyed great success as a locally-based, volunteer-run nonprofit organization.

“We are a strong women-run organization,” says Tanner. “We haven’t had to change much about our festival in the fifteen years of operation because we have a good structural base, and we keep bringing great music!”

Tanner says they have to work hard for their funding, but sponsors and grantors keep coming back “because of all we do for our community to get instruments into the hands of youth.”

OFOAM provides the Ogden Music Festival Instrument Petting Zoo, showcases youth on its stages, and offers the year round WILL & WAY (Weber Instrument Lending Library for Weber Acoustic Youth) with free instrument loaning and free music lessons. There is also a Kid Zone and kids’ parade at the festival.

Kids ages 16 and under get free admission to Ogden Music Festival.

Festival-goers from all over Utah and out-of-state come for the good music and community spirit.

Nissen reflects on the festival community they’ve cultivated through the years: “When I look at our poster this year, the artist, Wendy Buehler, really captures that for me. ‘Imagine all the people’ who put their love into this festival every year, from the committee and team leads, to all the volunteers, the vendors, and the artists. It’s a beautiful thing.”

Camping on site is available throughout the weekend, along with workshops, late-night campground jams, art vendors, morning yoga, and dining from some of the best local food and beverage vendors.

Tickets are available online at o foam.or g/ogden-music-festival. Volunteers get a 3-day pass for serving two 3-hour shifts during the festival weekend. Get all the festival details at OFOAM.org.

About Ogden Friends of Acoustic Music (OFOAM)
OFOAM is an all-volunteer 501-c-3 non-profit organization that provides the community with live traditional and contemporary Americana music experiences. Through these performances, we attract visitors from outside the region and help develop Weber County and Ogden as a destination for first-class arts events and recreation. We strive to raise awareness of the benefits of exposure to music and traditional instrument playing through music education with a focus on youth and underserved audiences.

Contacts
Reba Nissen
Co-Director, OFOAM
reba.ofoam@gmail.com

Deann Armes
Marketing Director, Ogden Music Festival
deann.ofoam@gmail.com

Weber State University Uses 3D Printing for Aerospace Support, Research

OGDEN, Utah, January 26 – Weber State University is using 3D printing to advance its research on composite materials that support northern Utah’s aerospace and defense ecosystem.

The university’s Miller Advanced Research and Solutions Center recently upgraded and installed the Impossible Objects Composite-Based Additive Manufacturing system, or CBAM-2. The machine prints composite materials that can then be used to design parts for a range of high-tech applications.

Located near Hill Air Force Base, Utah, the MARS Centers brings together Weber State students and faculty with industry experts who can apply innovative solutions to real-world problems, especially in the realm of national defense.

“Composite materials are of high interest to the military, and the ability to 3D-print those parts on demand with CBAM gives us an advantage to participate in more projects and recruit the best talent,” said David Ferro, dean of WSU’s College of Engineering, Applied Science & Technology.

Ferro said Weber State has a long history with Impossible Objects and believes the new system – a leap in technology from the center’s previous CBAM printer – will be a valuable tool in aerospace research among academia, defense and commercial partners.

“We’ve used this technology to print parts for legacy aircraft, aging jets that need replacement parts or tools that aren’t in production anymore,” said Devin Young, grant writing and research specialist at WSU, who works at the MARS Center. “CBAM makes parts that are lighter and stronger than some of the other methods out there, and it does it faster.”

Young said a recent example of 3D-printed parts via Impossible Objects includes a strap that keeps first-aid kits secure inside aircraft currently flown by the U.S. Air Force.

“We’ve found a range of uses for this technology, from large aerospace companies to small local businesses,” Young said.

Steve Hoover, Impossible Objects CEO, said the CBAM system’s Carbon Fiber PEEK 3D-printed material achieves excellent mechanical properties and is a cutting-edge alternative for aluminum prototyping, tooling, spares and repairs.

“The MARS Center is at the forefront of aerospace and defense research,” Hoover said. “We’re proud that they’ve selected CBAM technology, and have already engaged in several projects that have exciting potential for the Department of Defense, Department of Energy and other industrial partners.”

The MARS Center opened in August 2022 thanks to a $3.5 million donation from the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation. The CBAM 3D Printer from Impossible Objects is among the first advanced manufacturing technologies to be installed and used the new facility.

Contact: Bryan Magaña, byranmagana@weber.edu

Weber State University is renowned for excellent teaching, accessible educational opportunities and its enduring presence in northern Utah. Weber State serves more than 29,000 students form all walks of life and offers 225+ degree programs, including 20 graduate degrees. Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more.

Impossible Objects is a 3D printer and materials company founded with the belief that materials science inventions would enable 3D printing to revolutionize the world in the same ways computers and the internet have revolutionized the way we live, work and play. Impossible Object’s CBAM technology combines the production rate of conventional manufacturing with the design flexibility of 3D printing to create high-performance materials at break-neck speeds. These advanced composite materials are lightweight, strong and ideal for a range of industrial applications. By removing the barriers, we’ve unlocked new opportunities to reshape and rethink manufacturing. Learn more at https://www.impossible-objects.com/

D.L. Evans Bank Announces Taylorsville High School Wellness Center as 2022 Donation Initiative Recipient

BURLEY, ID, January 23 – D.L. Evans Bank is pleased to announce Taylorsville High School Wellness Center as one of the donation initiative recipients of 2022. This donation initiative gives D.L. Evans Bank employees an opportunity to nominate their favorite non-profit organizations in Idaho and Utah to receive a donation from D.L. Evans Bank. D.L. Evans Bank also added an additional 5% to each total in the employee’s name.

A donation in the amount of $2,625 was made to the Taylorsville High School Wellness Center and was nominated by Julie Taylor, Vice President Branch Manager of the Murray branch. This donation will help the wellness center purchase school supplies, hygiene items and food. Meal bags are also available for students near a long weekend and holidays to ensure they will have something to eat while away from school.

Pictured: Sam Taylor (D.L. Evans Bank Commercial Loan Officer), Brian Murray (Assistant Principle Taylorsville High School), Afton Lambson (Assistant Principal Taylorsville High School), and Julie Taylor (D.L. Evans Bank Vice President Branch Manager of Murray).

About D.L. Evans Bank
Established in 1904, D.L. Evans Bank is a community bank focused on serving the local communities and providing the best banking solutions to the community members. D.L. Evans Bank has 38 branches in Idaho and Utah, with more than $3 billion in assets.

More information can be found at https://www.dlevans.com/

Lon Hudman, Five Star Hospitality Performance

Lon Hudman is a managing partner of Five Star Hospitality Performance, the single source partner for corporate events, experiences, team building activities, and incentive travel for over 18 years. The Worldwide Event Producers have worked with many renowned brands including Microsoft, Eddie Bauer, Outdoor Retailers, and 3M to provide unforgettable experiences.

With offices in Orlando, FL and Salt Lake City, UT, the organization provides both national and global services. Lon Hudman describes what drew him to Ogden explaining, “I recognized a need for a quality event production company in Ogden and Northern Utah.” Hudman spent 25 years in the event production industry prior to stepping away for several years to help establish a start-up nutritional supplement company. Now Hudman has returned to the event production industry to pursue the career that he has always loved.

After telling a former client of his plans to dive back into the event production industry, the client replied excitedly, “Thank goodness! No one ever matched your creativity or the quality of the events that you produced.” Another client endorsement states, “The Five Star Hospitality team are all so great to work with! The location and resort they helped us find was perfect for our company trip. They made the process very easy with constant communication and suggestions that all were on point. Five Star lives up to the name 100%!!”

Specializing in large events, Five Star Hospitality Performance’s corporate structure allows them to assemble the ideal-sized team to fit your needs and optimize the amount spent on any event. Their list of trusted and experienced partners in all areas of event production is second to none, resulting in an event that is of the highest quality and yet budget friendly.

“You rarely remember how something looks, but you will always remember how it made you feel. That’s why we work with our clients to combine creative storytelling, experiential design, and a focus on natural touch points to curate spaces that create lasting memories, not fleeting impressions.”

Hudman believes that live events are going to make a huge comeback, “Post Covid, people are looking forward to getting together again in person and enjoying conventions, meetings, and incentive travel,” said Hudman.

To learn more about Five Star Hospitality Performance, please visit https://fivestarhospitalityevents.com/ or check out their Instagram here. You can also reach Lon Hudman at lon@fivestarperformance.co

D.L. Evans Bank announces John V. Evans, III has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer and John V. Evans, Jr. will continue to serve as President

BURLEY, Idaho, January 5 – D.L. Evans Bank announced today that John V. (J.V.) Evans, III, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer and John V. Evans, Jr. will continue to serve in the role of President.

John V. Evans, Jr. joined D.L. Evans Bank in 1979 and has served as Chief Executive Officer of the Bank since 1985. His father, John V. Evans, Sr. joined the Bank as President in 1987, after serving ten years as Governor of Idaho, and he served as Bank President until 2014. John Jr. succeeded his father in the role of President. John Jr. stated: “It’s been an honor to serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of D.L. Evans Bank. While I look forward to continuing my role as President of the Bank, appointing John V. Evans, III, to the Chief Executive Officer role is an exciting milestone for our company and I believe his expertise and knowledge will lead the Bank to further growth while nurturing the company culture.” John Jr. has been instrumental in the Bank’s overall success for more than 43 years. It is under his leadership that the Bank has grown from two branches and $8 million in assets to over $3 billion in assets and 38 branches throughout Southern Idaho and Northern Utah. D.L. Evans Bank is currently the largest Idaho-based community bank.

Appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of D.L. Evans Bank, John V. (J.V.) Evans, III, is a fifth-generation banker, as he is a great-great-grandson of the D.L. Evans Bank founder, David Lloyd (D.L.) Evans. He has more than 25 years of banking experience, serving as an Executive Officer and being instrumental in the success of the Bank. J.V. said: “I am excited to serve as the Chief Executive Officer of D.L. Evans Bank and for John V. Evans, Jr. to continue to serve as President. Being a family-owned and employee-owned bank, we are very proud of our company and family history. We are grateful to be able to serve our communities. We have remarkably talented leaders and employees working for our company and I am excited for the future.”

Over the years, J.V. has led D.L. Evans Bank in several different capacities, from lending and management to being appointed as a member of the Executive Management team in 2003 in the role of Executive Vice President, and in more recent years as the Chief Credit Officer. J.V. has a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Idaho and is a graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School. He has been active in his community serving on many non-profit and community boards. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Idaho Elks Hospital Foundation, Idaho Bankers Association, Bankers’ Bank of the West, and the Federal Delegate Board of the Independent Community Bankers Association.

John V. (J.V.) Evans, III, Chief Executive Officer (Left) and John V. Evans, Jr., President (Right)

Ogden School District to Provide No Cost Meals to All Students For the Remainder of the 2022-2023 School Year

OGDEN, Utah – Nov. 2, 2022 – The Ogden School District Child Nutrition Department is pleased to announce that effective November 2, 2022 through the remainder of the school year, all breakfasts and lunches served to all of our students will be free of charge. The Child Nutrition Department has elected to use available State Reimbursement funding to cover the costs of the meals for the remainder of the school year for students who do not financially qualify for free school meals. We hope this decision will benefit families by easing the financial burden of paying for school meals.

Please note this is for the 2022-23 school year only. Parents will need to plan on submitting a free & reduced meals application or pay for school meals for the 2023-2024 school year. The Ogden School District Child Nutrition Department will re-evaluate the opportunity to offer meals at no cost to all students in the future, based on available funding.

This news builds upon the announcement made on August 19, 2022 that eight of the 18 schools in Ogden School District had qualified for inclusion in the USDA’s Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program, which provides funding for school meals in school communities with high rates of poverty.

Bonneville Elementary, Heritage Elementary, Hillcrest Elementary, James Madison Elementary, Lincoln Elementary, Odyssey Elementary, Mound Fort Jr. High and George Washington High School are the schools that had already qualified for the federal CEP funding during the 2022-2023 school year. Now, Ogden School District has ensured that students at all other District schools will receive no cost meals for the remainder of the school year.

For more information, contact Jer Bates, Director of Communications or visit www.ogdensd.org.