Community gathers to honor homeless who died in Utah County over the winter

Published

11 months ago

May 6, 2025

Community gathers to honor homeless who died in Utah County over the winter

PROVO, Utah — Monday was a day of remembrance in Utah County for the lives of four unsheltered community members that were lost through the winter.

“Jimmy, Amber, Alan and Marc,” said Karen McCandless, the executive director of Community Action Services and Food Bank. “Each one of them were fellow travelers in this journey that we were on.”

The journey led one of them, “Jimmy” Trafny, to a home in October of 2024.

“Jimmy was so excited… and he was making plans to celebrate the holidays in his new apartment,” McCandless said.

But he never got the chance.

“That was particularly hard for me,” she added.

The memorial comes just as warming centers overseen by McCandless and her team have closed for the season.

“You’re with someone every night for six months… Stability leads to positive outcomes,” said Kenna Mathews, who serves as their director of housing.

No one from their warming shelters was lost during the winter.

“It’s a miracle and you guys participated in that miracle,” said Pastor Justin Banks with the Genesis Project in Provo, which served as one of the centers.

But the challenge to keep others safe now grows.

“I’ve been worried since the morning we closed — way before that,” Mathews said, “How are we going to help our people?”

Mathews says the homeless population in Utah County is only getting bigger — “due to the housing crisis, due to the economy.”

So she’s hopeful those connections they’ve made through the warming centers stick.

She adds that rather than seeing their neighbors through a negative lens, she also hopes the people of Utah County help answer their prayers.

“So many times, they’re pushed aside and they’re rejected, neglected,” Banks said in prayer during the service. “Let us see the beauty in every life, God.”

“They are people and they do deserve to be remembered,” said Mathews. “Just like we want to be remembered, they want to be remembered.”

Mathews noted that she’s grateful for all those who have stepped up, with more than 500 volunteers contributing at the warming centers this winter.

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After a historic building’s demolition, SLC Council slashes developer’s incentive

Published

4 hours ago

April 15, 2026

Press Room

After a historic building’s demolition, SLC Council slashes developer’s incentive

Blaser Ventures planned to renovate the iconic Utah Pickle Co. Building in the Granary District, but later demolished it.

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Construction crews work on the Pickle & Hide property at 739 S. 400 West on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. The partially rebuilt Utah Pickle Co. Building is at right.

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Utah

Utah County Republican Party to hold convention Saturday

Published

16 hours ago

April 14, 2026

Press Room

Utah County Republican Party to hold convention Saturday

Staff Writer | Lehi Free Press

All Utah County Republican delegates are invited to participate in the Utah County Republican convention this Saturday at Skyridge High School. Several high-profile Utah County races with numerous republican contenders will vie to represent the party in the primary election. Those races include two county commission seats, and a republican nominee will emerge from the county clerk and county recorder races.

The day-long event starts at 7:30 a.m. with a greeting time for candidates and delegates, then registration from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. According to county officials, food trucks will be on site. Delegates are encouraged to bring water and a cushion for more comfortable seating.
The Utah County Democratic Party held its nominating convention earlier in April.

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Utah

Kentucky Wildcats set to host Utah transfer Terrence Brown on visit

Published

1 day ago

April 14, 2026

Press Room

Kentucky Wildcats set to host Utah transfer Terrence Brown on visit

Kentucky basketball continues to stay aggressive in the transfer portal, hosting Utah transfer guard Terrence Brown for a visit, according to Matt Jones of KSR, as the Wildcats look to rebuild their backcourt heading into next season.

Brown, a 6-3, 175-pound point guard, is coming off a standout year in which he averaged 19.9 points, 3.8 assists, and 2.4 rebounds per game. He shot 45.3% from the field and 32.7% from 3-point range while starting all 32 games and playing over 31 minutes per contest.

There is already a connection between Brown and Kentucky, as he previously played alongside former Wildcat forward Ansley Almonor during the 2023-24 season before Almonor transferred to Kentucky the following year.

Kentucky’s interest in Brown comes as the program looks to reload at the guard position following multiple departures, including Jaland Lowe, Denzel Aberdeen, Jasper Johnson, and Collin Chandler. Head coach Mark Pope and his staff have made it a priority to evaluate all options, with Brown emerging as a serious candidate after a recent phone conversation between the two sides.

The Wildcats have also hosted other guards like Zoom Diallo, and currently, Rob Wright is on campus.

Brown’s visit is part of a busy stretch for Kentucky, with several other notable transfer targets expected to make their way to Lexington, including Alex Wilkins, Donnie Freeman, Jalen Cox, and Magoon Gwath.

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