Content warning: This article contains information about child sexual abuse. Reader discretion is advised. Report child sexual abuse to local law enforcement and contact the DCFS 24/7 hotline: 855-323-3237. For more information, visit dcfs.utah.gov.
Utah
Utah woman to participate in international 'Merlypics' as expert mermaid
LEHI, Utah — A Utah County woman is an expert in an aquatic activity that is increasingly becoming popular.
Mia Sim competes as a mermaid.
The 21-year-old will head to Switzerland this Spring to compete in an international event called the ‘Merlympics.’
The event tests competitors in several disciplines including speed, grace, and water conservation efforts.
Mia has participated in mermaiding since she was a young child after her dreams of becoming a gymnast were derailed.
“I was six [years old] and wanted to be an Olympic gymnast. That day never came for me. I spent countless hours in the hospital getting surgeries and physical therapy to recover my feet,” she said. “Mermaiding has been a really big sense of safety and healing for me.”
Mia explained she is the first competitor from the Rocky Mountain region to compete individually at the Merlympics.
She likely won’t be the last as Mermaiding is growing in popularity globally.
Online stores selling mermaid gear and accessories and schools dedicated to teaching the activity make the sport more accessible.
“You see it in all the social media – this is a new career that people can do,” said Marielle Chartier Henault, the founder of Aquamermaid, one of the largest mermaid schools in the world with locations across the United States and Canada. “You see influencers who are mermaids on Instagram or TikTok.”
That exposure on social media, along with physical fitness benefits and the chance to create unique characters are reasons why she believes mermaiding will continue to grow.
“It’s about the fun aspect. People want to shine and be beautiful,” Chartier Henault said. “It’s like doing sport and you don’t know it’s a sport. You’re becoming like a superhero or a princess.”
Mia has developed her own superhero skills, perfecting her craft while becoming an expert in water safety and fitness.
“You are a synchronized swimmer, you’re a scuba diver and you’re a bag of rocks,” she said.
Everyone has a different reason for deciding to jump into any activity.
For Mia, mermaiding allows her to feed her competitive desires while creating mythical characters, creating a path to healing.
“It’s not a forceful forgive them and move on,” she said. “It’s be someone better if you can. Don’t worry about the past anymore if you can control the future right now.”
The Swiss Merlympics take place May 24 – 26.
ST. GEORGE, Utah (ABC4) — A Utah father has been arrested for allegedly sexually abusing and raping his juvenile daughter in their home.
The 55-year-old man, who ABC4.com is not naming to protect the identity of the victim, has been arrested on 11 counts of sodomy on a child (first-degree felony), six counts of rape of a child (first-degree felony), three counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child (first-degree felony), and one count of rape of a child (first-degree felony),
According to court documents, on May 5, officers with the St. George Police Department received a Division of Child and Family Services referral regarding a sex offense. The referral claimed that the 55-year-old man was sexually abusing his juvenile daughter in their home.
The victim was taken to the Children’s Justice Center for a forensic interview. She reported that her father would perform sexual acts on her, as well as force her to perform sexual acts on him.
During an interview with police, the father admitted to sexually abusing and raping his juvenile daughter. He was then arrested and transported to the Washington County Jail where he is being held without bail.
Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Maricopa County officials used Snapchat to locate a missing 17-year-old girl allegedly held and assaulted by a man recently released on sexual assault charges. FOX 10’s Andrew Christiansen learns more about how he held the teen against her will at his Litchfield Park home.
LEHI, Utah (Amazing America) — Featuring over one million blooming flowers, including about 400,000 tulips imported from Holland, the Thanksgiving Point Tulip Festival is one of the largest, most popular springtime events in the U.S., held each year at Ashton Gardens in Lehi, Utah.
The festival runs for about six weeks, usually from early April until mid-May. This year’s celebration concludes on May 16, so there’s still time to see the beautiful blooms.
Throughout the course of the festival, new flowers are always blossoming — and not just tulips. Visitors can admire daffodils, poppies, hyacinths and more.
Each year, tens of thousands of people flock to the festival from all over. What really sets Thanksgiving Point apart is that every October, the team redesigns bloom patterns and plants new bulbs, making for a completely fresh experience for visitors each year.
The Thanksgiving Point Tulip Festival is filled to the brim with the sights, scents and sounds of spring. It’s a must-visit for all flower enthusiasts, but there’s really something for everyone to enjoy, including sweet and savory treats, live music on select days, interactive classes and tours, and plenty of unique photo opportunities.
Timed entry tickets are required, and prices range from $17 to $29. Children two and under enter for free. The festival is typically open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and closed on Sunday. For more information, click here.
We know there are plenty of other stories of unique landmarks and cultural experiences in all corners of the USA, and we’re making it our mission to find and highlight them. If you know of one, we’d love to hear about it. Send a DM to @amazingamericatv on Instagram!
For more amazing stories, click here to subscribe to Amazing America on YouTube and follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
-
New York55 minutes agoHis DNA Was Taken After His Arrest at an ICE Protest. Now, He’s Suing.
-
Detroit, MI1 hour agoDetroit Grand Prix returns downtown: Speed, sound, and racing action set for May 29–31
-
San Francisco, CA2 hours agoSan Francisco Giants honor Willie Mays with highway designation on what would have been his 95th birthday
-
Dallas, TX2 hours agoBattery case against Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale closed
-
Miami, FL2 hours agoMiami woman allegedly lured man to luxury condo via Instagram, then robbed him with 2 accomplices
-
Boston, MA2 hours agoDespite progress, Neely and Sweeney say Bruins have a long way to go
-
Denver, CO2 hours agoDenver leaders pitch city as host for 2028 Democratic National Convention
-
Seattle, WA2 hours agoBryan Woo returns to dominance in Seattle Mariners win – Seattle Sports