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ARTS & LIFE

Culture

Vilociti hip-hops into view as USU's newest dance company
For some people, dance is a hobby. For others, it's a passion. Utah State University students Krissy Smith and Omar Poole came together to create Vilociti, the school's newest dance company, which emphasizes hip hop, break dance, and popping and locking. / By Melissa Salcedo

Features

Harvest market gets off to a good start in Richmond
Residents have been given a chance to sell their local produce within the community now that they have the Harvest Market. / By Jami Elzinga

From tiger's tooth to cow's hairball, Hyrum museum has it all
At 27 years old, the city museum has a new home and a new look but the same appeal to those who have ties to Cache Valley. / By Seth Bracken

Meet Eli Brayley, campus preacher who endorses (good) confrontation
The sky was stormy, threatening to burst -- much like the crowd that was drawn around Eli Brayley, a born-again Christian from Canada, who was standing outside the Taggart Student Center on a recent afternoon. Brayley was at Utah State for one reason: to preach. / By Megan Wiseman

It was a typical happy Father's Day, and then . . .
Where was I? I couldn't see, but I could feel something warm and wet penetrating the towel covering my face. My mom was frantically screaming at my dad to drive faster. I was in the car, but where they taking me? / By Kelly Brinkerhoff

Remedy for life's stresses: dust off your ideals
The older I get, the more consequences seem to loom over my head. They are no longer something that could happen -- usually they are an inevitability -- or so it would seem. / By Cody Littlewood

Customers are always right -- unless they need Internet help
The majority of the people who call in expect me to fix their problem by the end of the call no matter what the problems is . . . even if it has nothing to do with the company I work for. Customer service has slowly turned into something else, something far less prestigious and far more humiliating. / By Bethany Crane

I love you, you love ... what?
Someone prematurely tells you that they love you, and then you're left trying to figure out what to say. What do you do at this point? / By Britta Anderson

Waiting for salsa: Gardening teaches patience
My wife and I decided we would bottle some salsa this year. We have never done this before and knew it would be difficult. / By Ron Wallace

Music

Jason Reeves just typically chilling with iPod and phone awaiting USU concert
Portland? Check. Seattle? Check. San Francisco? Check. These three cities are some of Jason Reeves' favorite places to perform. When most people think of those three, they get the laid-back, "chill" vibe. This is also the vibe I get when talking to Reeves on the phone Thursday afternoon. / By Whitney Schulte

Jessica Simpson gives killer concert in Vegas to complement No. 1 album
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo has to put up with a lot these days. But, I'm pretty sure he wouldn't change it for the world. "To be my man, you have to put up with a lot," said Jessica Simpson to a crowd of eager fans. "I toot under the sheets, I spend a lot of money and I can belch the ABC's." / By Whitney Schulte

The Shins' music brought wisdom that changed my life
There's a song adapted from Shakespeare's Twelfth Night that goes, "If music be the food of love, sing on, sing on. Sing on 'til I am filled with joy." I remember thinking about how cheesy this song was as my soprano voice sang the verses in high school choir. Who wrote this, anyway? I thought to myself. / By Kelly Greenwood

Wild Art

Take that!: Sideline photos of the Aggies' first victory of the year, a pounding of Idaho / Photos by Leah Lopshire

Blown out by the Utes: Sideline photos of a tough loss at Romney / Photos by Leah Lopshire

A Slice of Brigham City: Peach Days bring festivities to town / Photos by Leah Lopshire

Aggies get a hearty welcome as they return to campus / Photos by Leah Lopshire

BUSINESS

Biz Features

Fonnesbeck Greenhouse in Mendon started life as the family's cow pasture
Residents of Mendon who want to start a garden or need to do a little touching up before winter don't need to look far. Fonnesbeck Greenhouse supplies the basics, from seeds, to fertilizer, to full grown trees. / By Chari Ingraham

Bep's in Newton delivers service with a smile
Come to Bep's Country Store on the corner of Center and Main streets in Newton and you'll leave with more than a few groceries. You'll also have acquired a smile and a new friend. / By Rachel Christensen

Bearcreek Bakery and Cafe might be Hyrum's best-kept secret
It's easy to forget it's there. Many do, and many just don't know it even exists. But Jan Wurst, owner and operator of the Bearcreek Bakery and Café, is determined to make her mark on the Hyrum community. / By Seth Bracken

NEWS

ATV News for September 29, 2008 -- click for video

Teenage girl convinces Hyde Park council to move speed limit sign
Because of a girl without a license, residents can drive a bit safer. A 25 mph speed limit sign in front of the post office will be moved to the east side of the road after resident Jessica Beddingfield, 15, complained to the city council Wednesday about its location. / By Brittny Goodsell Jones

Paradise puts farmers' market in a new spot -- the Internet
The City Council in an effort to eliminate food waste has decided to implement a "Farmers' Market," but unlike traditional markets this one will not be an outdoor market or even an indoor one. It will be online. / By Cody Littlewood

Cache Rendezvous for September 25, 2008 -- click for video

Providence OKs driving off-highway vehicles on city roads
An approving crowd was present as the City Council unanimously approved an ordinance Tuesday that will allow children as young as 8 to drive off-highway vehicles on nearly all the streets in Providence. / By G. Christopher Terry

River Heights council agrees cars on Clover Ridge need to slow down
A resident asked the City Council Tuesday to consider lowering the speed limit of a city road. Brandon Mortenson would like the speed limit of Clover Ridge to be changed from 25 to 15 mph. The road is at 800 East, between 500 and 600 South across from River Heights Elementary. / By Diane Denning

Richmond wins gold medal for promoting health
Richmond city has earned a gold medal award from the state health department's "Healthy Community" program. / By Jami Elzinga

RAPZ tax pays for Richmond park's new gazebo
The city park in Richmond is getting a new gazebo. The 18-foot-by-18-foot structure is being built in hopes that they can have a covered area to have concerts in the summer in the park, and a social life to the city. / By Jami Elzinga

ATV News for September 22, 2008 -- click for video

Nibley works on land-use chart, sewage treatment plan
City Council made major progress on the land use chart as well as reviewed an agreement to control the streets and new rates for sewage treatment. / By Aubreyann Hansen

Wall Street's ill winds not affecting Providence business so far
An economic crisis of historic proportions is the overriding concern for Americans today, and nearly every news broadcast contains some mention of Main Street, as in "how will this unbelievable turn of economic events effect Americans who live in towns with Main Streets?" / By Graham Terry

Adult-oriented business ordinance a preventative measure in Providence
Councilwoman Kathy Baker would like to make one thing clear to an anxious populace unnerved by talk of pending sexually-oriented business ordinance, which will be the topic of a public hearing at 6:15 p.m. Wednesday: No one has tried, at any point, to open an adult-oriented business in Providence. / By Graham Terry

Smithfield planning commission amends zoning laws
Clarification was the goal for the Smithfield Planning Commission in regards to yard measurement and temporary structures. The meeting didn't take long as a unanimous 5-0 vote made the needed amendments. / By Tim Olsen

Millville council grants building permits
The city council had the privilege of scout troop 27 present the colors at their meeting. The scouts read the history of the Pledge of Allegiance and then brought the American flag into the meeting house where they led the congregation in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. / By Jake Ipson

Cache Rendezvous for September 18, 2008 -- click for video
This week's edition of Cache Rendezvous highlights some great events going on here and around campus. We take a look at the new student radio station Fusion, learn how to eat more than 12,000 calories in one meal in Aggie Kitchen, and how to go green in a new segment to Rendezvous, Hippie Tips. / Producer: Rick King. Director: Blair Larson. Hosts: Adam Stevens and Corinne Smith

Renting its city building for weekend events brings mixed blessings to Hyde Park
A few years ago, Mayor Dave Kooyman said he got a problematic phone call about oregano. The call came from a Hyde Park city staff member who said a bag of oregano had been left behind by a group after a party at the city building. When the mayor went down to investigate, he got a surprise. / By Brittny Goodsell Jones

River Heights P&Z sends tree ordinance to council for approval
The Planning Commission had a public hearing Tuesday to approve the River Heights city tree ordinance, but only two people showed up. City council members Doug Clausen and Kathryn Hadfield were the only ones at the hearing. / By Diane Denning

ATV News for September 15, 2008 -- click for video
Check out our coverge of the visit of Antonin Scalia, and how video cameras were prevented from taping the talk of a Supreme Court judge on the USU campus.

Paradise will replace old water meters with new radio-readable ones
Mayor Leroy Atwood proposed in City Council meeting to begin replacing the old meters with new ones that are read by radio waves. / By Cody Littlewood

Bomb scare at post office causes Friday morning evacuation
The Logan City Police Department reacted quickly to a call it received Friday morning about a possible bomb at the Logan Post Office, 75 W. 200 North St. / By Diane Denning

Cache Rendezvous for September 11, 2008 -- click for video

Mendon council resolves to fund sidewalks and bike paths
In a meeting Thursday, Mendon City Council members passed a resolution to create a Trails, Bike and Pedestrian Committee to oversee the safety of children, joggers and bikers on 100 East Street. / By Chari Ingraham

Hyrum landowner must install sidewalk if she wants to sell
Bonnie Nielsen will be required to pay for a sidewalk for her own property and for a neighboring plot that she is trying to sell, said Scot Allgood, Hyrum Planning and Zoning commissioner Thursday night. The commission voted unanimously to require the sidewalk, and for two trees to be planted. / By Seth Bracken

Millville P&Z decides animal loafing sheds are buildings
"Millville is country living at its finest," according to Jim Hart, planning commissioner, and that was theme for the Planning and Zoning Commission at its meeting. The hot topic for the night came up when a city member who was not present but wanted to know whether a loafing shed is considered a building. / By Jake Ipson

Peterson Equipment moving to Hyde Park
After almost 50 years of being in Logan, Peterson Equipment Co. will move to Hyde Park near the end of the year. / By Brittny Goodsell Jones

River Heights plans winter closure of boulevard
The City Council met Tuesday night and discussed plans for closing River Heights Boulevard from the first part of November to the beginning of March. / By Diane Denning

Richmond throws a party for city residents
Fun, food and friends were the agenda for the Richmond City Party last weekend at the city park. / By Jami Elzinga

ATV News for September 8, 2008 -- click for video
The inaugural program for the fall semester

Providence sets public hearing for adult-oriented businesses
The City Planning Commission will have a public hearing Sept. 24 to consider amending city code by adding a definition for adult-oriented businesses, and to add standards to those required for conditional use permits.

Nibley postpones final approval on 3 subdivisions
Vacation of road, canal piping and vegetation requirements put a hold on approval of three final plats presented before the City Council for approval Thursday night. / By Aubreyann Hansen

Tremonton city, health department, meet to resolve relocation issues
City officials and representatives from the Bear River Health Department met Wednesday to clarify a few issues regarding the transfer of city property along 2000 West to the department. / By Dave Archer

Hyrum pond tests positive for West Nile virus, councilman says
A pond tested positive for West Nile virus two to three weeks ago, said Tom LaBau, Hyrum City Councilman, Thursday night. / By Seth Bracken

Newton council approves Griffin property division
Plans to split the Griffin property into two residential plots, keeping the dairy and an easement on the property, were approved by City Council Thursday. / By Rachel Christensen

Council will decide fate of Richmond's popular haunted house
Several items of debate came before the Richmond City Council Wednesday night in a meeting that took several hours. One topic of hot debate was a temporary building permit for the old Cache Valley Dairy factory, where Jamie Forbush operates one of the more popular haunted houses in the area every year. / By Jami Elzinga

Power line issues postpone Tremonton's health department move
The Bear River Health Department will remain at its current Tremonton location a bit longer than they had planned. This comes after the Tremonton City Council agreed Tuesday night to give the health department a 90-day extension on its current building because of problems delaying the construction of a new facility. / By David Archer

Scalia to speak Sept. 15 at USU
Justice Antonia Scalia of the United States Supreme Court is the keynote speaker for Utah State University's conference "Freedom and the Rule of Law." He speaks at noon Sept. 15 in the Stevenson Ballroom of the Taggart Student Center on the USU campus. The public is invited.

Richmond preschool's sign approved by P&Z
Tuesday's session of the Richmond Planning and Zoning Commission meeting was an important one for Candice Nagata. Her newly permitted preschool that is run out of her home will get a sign put out in front. "Through a Child's Eyes Discovery Preschool" is the name of Nagata's new school. / By Jami Elzinga

OPINION

Immigration isn't only an issue, it's human beings
You're crouched in the dark watching cars pass you by on the road to your right, and ahead you see a fence, barbed and foreboding. Your children are with you and as you fervently tell them to be quiet you wait for a gap in the passing cars to try and make your run for the barrier. / By Bethany Crane

Abortion should be a woman's choice, without religion or politics
If we let the government decide for us on issues regarding our bodies and our lives, we will eventually let them decide on much more. / By Ashley Zarate

Bicyclists need to know the rules of the road
Two weeks ago when driving to work there were two bike riders riding on the side of the road. Without signaling or looking they thought they would just cut me off. I guess they thought the lane was for bicyclers only. / By Ron Wallace

Dear government: Hands off our guns
Basically, advocates want to take away our precious guns and give them to our government for "safe keeping." We're not buying it. / By Stephanie Bassett

At Whit's End: Lucky to survive a plane crash
"Anybody who can survive a plane crash is pretty lucky," said Dr. Fred Mullins of the Joseph M. Still Burn Center. The doctor was talking about Travis Barker, former drummer for Blink 182, and Adam Goldstein, aka DJ AM. / By Whitney Schulte

If men got pregnant, we'd wear Hefty bags and cry at ball games
I want to be part of the whole pregnancy process, so much so that I've even considered checking if there was some sort of medical procedure that would allow me to carry the child. If nothing else, it would make me at least half as cool as Arnold Schwarzenegger. / By Seth Hawkins

Tell them the truth: Not everyone can be 'the winner'
I am convinced there is a new epidemic traveling around America, I like to call it American Idol Syndrome. / By Debra Hawkins

Shame on USU for agreeing to Scalia's demand to exclude video cameras
When I told my students, who produce a Webcast and cablecast news progam at Utah State, that they would be barred from covering one of the biggest news stories they would see in years, they were outraged. Words like "press rights" and "First Amendment" leaped to their lips -- but mostly they just asked "WHY?" / By Penny Byrne

Is Superman's message still relevant in today's world?
The summer movie season of 2008 saw unparalleled success for the superhero film genre, with nearly every film featuring Spandex-clad fisticuffs emerging with some measure of critical acclaim or box office prestige. / By Mack Perry

One day to live: What would you do?
I've always wondered what I would do if I found out I only had one day left to live. I think everything that seemed important the day before would suddenly become insignificant. I wouldn't go to class, I wouldn't go to work, and I wouldn't waste any time. / By Stephanie Bassett

Thanks, Dad, for your gift of the San Rafael Swell
Once when I was in fourth grade, my father repaired my Camping Ken's leg with real surgical steel. It was then that I knew he was a genius. And like most geniuses, he is a little crazy. / By Ashley Schiller

Where are the fairy tales about getting into law school?
If anybody sees me in a field at night dressed in rags and waiting by a pumpkin, don't suspect anything. I am not crazy. I am waiting for my fairy godmother. / By Shannon Johnson

Utah State's B Parking deserves less than a 'B'
I, like many other students, bought a B Parking pass this year. I thought parking close to the TSC would help me be on time to all of my classes, but I was wrong. If anything, it made it even more impossible to be on time. / By Craig Morris

My obsession for recycling gets the last, um, laugh on me
Only two things can make me barf. These two things involve running more than my body can handle, and somewhere between 17 and 18 shots of alcohol. I don't ever count dry heaving or those times when you throw up a little bit in your mouth and are forced to swallow. Since I hate myself, these are also my two favorite hobbies. / By Ashley Zarate

Coming out of the closet: 'I'm a Democrat, Dad'
"So, your brother tells me that you're with the Democrats." My father spat the final word as if he were speaking a word that could cause disease by just letting it slip through your lips. / By Seth Bracken

At Whit's End: Jessica Simpson fans on cloud 9, and with good reason
The ninth day of the ninth month happens to be a lucky day for Jessica Simpson. Nine has become Simpson's lucky number because it is the number her boyfriend, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, wears on his jersey. She has chosen this particular 9/9 to release her new record. / By Whitney Schulte

At Whit's End: Maybe baby
The one thing all celebrity moms have in common isn't the crazy baby names (hello, Apple Paltrow, Kingston Rossdale, and Suri Cruise), or the expensive designer duds they buy in size 0-6 months. It's that they try to keep their pregnancies a secret from the masses for so long. / By Whitney Schulte

SPORTS

Millville's Special Olympian has won 42 medals
Michael Phelps' seven gold medals don't even compare to 42 medals. That is how many medals Richard Morgan has won in his competitions. Richard competes in the Special Olympics. / By Jake Ipson

Smithfield's Birch Creek golf course a city treasure
Nestled near the base of the Bear River Mountains, the Birch Creek Golf Course is one of the best kept secrets in Utah. This 18-hole public course travels through benches and valleys, revealing ponds, streams and gullies. / By Tim Olsen