It’s been an eventful year here in Davis County with some highs and lows but hopefully the good outweighed the bad. 

The county has seen a lot of growth and even more is expected as people recognize what a great place it is. With that growth comes the need for new roads like the West Davis Corridor as well as U.S. 89 improvements. Drivers have had to learn to adapt as they’re rerouted but the end result will be less congestion and easier access to where they’re headed.

There are about 1,300 students in the Davis School District who are homeless or at-risk. The Davis Education Foundation has worked hard with community partners to open Teen Resource Centers in several high schools for those students to have a safe place to go and receive the help they need.

The district also welcomed a new superintendent and appointed a director for the Office of Equal Opportunity.

The newly renovated Memorial Courthouse opened to the public after a two year project to restore it to its original 1930s glory. 

There were some heartbreaking events too. A wildfire burned the Centerville hillside and an 8-year-old girl was killed in an accident during the Kaysville 4th of July parade. An intruder entered a Centerville home, assaulted the elderly homeowners and set it on fire. However, those tragedies brought out the good in Davis County residents who rallied around the families impacted and shared with them their love and support. 

That’s what makes the county unique. It’s filled with good people who just want to make life better for their family, friends and neighbors. It’s a new year – let’s make it a good one.

Top stories of the year

Intruder sets Centerville home on fire with owners in it

CENTERVILLE—A Centerville home went up in flames July 21 after a man entered the home and assaulted the homeowners then set the house on fire.

Ammon Jacob Woodhead, 37, of Salt Lake City was arrested after he allegedly went into the home at 329 E. 1825 North in Centerville and threatened the three elderly adults living there that he was going to burn the house down with them in it. He poured gas around the house and then set it on fire. The homeowners were able to escape but suffered injuries from the assault. 

January: 

Long lines at testing sites as COVID cases spike 

BOUNTIFUL—COVID cases reached an all-time high during the holidays and testing sites were seeing a flood of people coming in. The testing site at the Bountiful Veterans Park had a long line of cars snaking from the Library to 1300 South every day all day. In spite of that, physicians were still recommending individuals get tested as soon as they show any symptoms.

The Utah State Department of Health reported more than 3,000 cases in one day the week of Jan. 7 and by the following Monday had a count of 14,754 total new cases since before the holiday on Thursday, Dec. 30.  

West Davis Corridor construction underway

Construction of the West Davis Corridor was well underway and currently on track to be completed in 2024. 

The 16 mile, four lane highway is a forward connection of Legacy Parkway. The $740 million corridor runs from Legacy at Glovers Lane in Farmington north to State Route 193 in West Point. There will be separate interchanges at Legacy Parkway at the I-15 junction in Farmington, 950 North in Farmington, 200 North in Kaysville, 2700 West in Layton and 2000 West in Syracuse. The extension includes 10 miles of new trail that connects to the Immigration trail and the existing Legacy Parkway trail.

February 

Davis School District Catalyst Center opens

KAYSVILLE—The new Davis School District Catalyst Center opened in Kaysville. The facility has state-of-the-art equipment for high school students to get hands-on experience while gaining the skills to be successful out in the real world.

“We foster creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship and collaboration,” said Principal Brian Hunt. “We offer the best world class educational experience. This building is designed for our unique instructional model.”

The district bought the office building at 1265 Sportsplex Drive in Kaysville two years ago and had it remodeled into what is now the Catalyst. They also purchased 3.5 acres of land adjacent to the building for future expansion. 

Legislature considers bill to preserve the Great Salt Lake

What has long been the unique feature of Utah has almost disappeared. In an effort to find ways to preserve the Great Salt Lake, Speaker Brad Wilson ran HB410 Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Program. HB410 takes $40 million to set up a Great Salt Lake task force.

Davis County families impacted by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

For many residents in Davis County who came from or have recently visited Ukraine, the invasion by Russia that began Feb. 24 has been heartbreaking and terrifying. It has been for many Americans and citizens of other countries as well.

Oksana Million immigrated from Ukraine in 1996. She and her husband Sam live in Fruit Heights, and though her family members still in Ukraine were waiting for this to happen, “nobody believed it would.”

April:

Legislature overrides Governor’s veto of HB11 

SALT LAKE CITY—It took less than 30 minutes for the House and Senate to override the Governor’s veto of HB11 during a special session. The controversial bill prohibits transgender individuals from competing in women’s sports and was passed on the last day of the 2022 legislative session. Gov. Spencer Cox had said he would veto the bill when it came across his desk.

The votes were decisive with 21-8 in the Senate and 56-18 in the House. 

Independent investigation finds no direct evidence of bullying in Izzy Tichenor case

FARMINGTON—An Independent Investigative Team retained by the Davis School District to investigate allegations that a student at Foxboro Elementary was bullied on the basis of her race and disability found there was no direct evidence to support those allegations. However, the Team did conclude that Foxboro failed to protect 10-year-old Isabella Tichenor (Izzy) by not documenting and investigating a report from her mother that her daughter had been bullied. Izzy took her own life in November. Her mother Britney Tichenor-Cox alleged her death followed frequent bullying and belittling by other children. 

Linford becomes the 19th superintendent in the Davis School District

FARMINGTON—The Davis School District Board of Education voted unanimously during a special meeting on April 20 to appoint Dr. Daniel R. Linford as the next superintendent. Linford succeeded Reid Newey who retired as superintendent in June. He officially began his position on July 1.

With his appointment, Linford became the 19th superintendent in the Davis School District. 

June: 

Renovated Davis County Memorial Courthouse opens

FARMINGTON—Officials cut the ribbon on the newly renovated Davis County Memorial Courthouse, June 17. The two-year renovation project combined restored elements with some historical fixtures. 

The courthouse has gone through several renovations since it was built in 1890 and has now been restored to its 1930s glory. 

“In 1890 it was a Victorian red brick building,” said Davis County Facilities Management Director Lane Rose. “In 1930 they took off the roof and knocked down a couple of walls and built around it.” 

In 1958 and 1979 additions to the courthouse were made. The recent renovation removed those additions, renovated the original historic 1930s section and exposed brick from the original 1890 courthouse.

July:

Hillside wildfire forces cancellation of Centerville parade 

CENTERVILLE—A wildfire in the mountains above the city that started July 3 forced families from their homes and cancellation of the annual parade as firefighters battled the blaze.

“Sunday at 11 p.m. a fire broke out on the mountain at Center Street east of firebreak road, quickly spreading to the north,” said Centerville Police Lt. Allen Ackerson. “South Davis Metro Fire (SDMF) came out along with eight agencies to assist that night. The fire was contained on the east side of firebreak road. It did its job and stopped it from coming down into homes.”

Ackerson said 89 homes were evacuated. 

Tragedy during Kaysville Parade led to young girl’s death

KAYSVILLE—An 8-year-old girl was killed after being hit by a vehicle during Kaysville’s Independence Day parade July 4.  Macie Hill of Layton, died after witnesses said she had been run over by the trailer towing a vehicle for the Patriot Cheer All Stars cheerleading team, for which Macie was a member, that was participating in the parade. Emergency responders and bystanders quickly rushed to her aid and she was transported to the Kaysville Fire Department and later to a local hospital, where she died from her injuries.

Legacy Events Center expansion in final design phase

FARMINGTON—The Legacy Events Center in Farmington has grown from a facility primarily used for horse races and equestrian events to hosting youth sports, trade shows, cheerleading, dance and dog shows. As the use has transitioned over the years, the County Commission has seen a need for more space. The design of a 120,000 square foot building on the north end of the center is expected to be completed at the end of 2024.

August

Second Teen Center opens at Northridge High

LAYTON—Northridge High students, teachers, board members and others in the community cheered as a temporary teen center sign was taken down to reveal the official one at a ribbon cutting to open the center just in time for the start of school. The Northridge Teen Resource Center is the second facility of its kind in the Davis School District with four others under construction.

The teen center gives at-risk students in need, including those experiencing homelessness, a safe place to shower, launder clothing, study, eat and access to other basic essentials and an opportunity to work one-on-one with counselors. It also has a full community pantry for students and families to access food.

November

Network of trails will connect Utahns throughout the state

WOODS CROSS—Utah is known for its outdoor recreation and trails but not all of them are easily accessible. Gov. Spencer J. Cox and Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) Executive Director Carlos Braceras announced a vision to build a network of trails that would connect Utahns to their destinations and communities throughout the state. 

December

Governor’s budget includes historic investments in teacher salaries 

KAYSVILLE—Gov. Spencer Cox announced significant tax cuts and historic investments in teacher salaries at a press conference held at Centennial Junior High Dec.8.

“We are leading the nation in our economy and unemployment is at an all time low,” said Cox. “But high gas prices and groceries are taking a toll. Utahns deserve some relief. We want to give deep, meaningful tax relief.”

The biggest announcement for teachers was a $6,000 boost in total compensation. “It’s the year of the teacher,” he said. “This is our top priority. It’s not just hollow promises. I believe in giving world class education for families. Last year we made an historic investment in education. This year there will be $1.5 billion in new appropriations.”