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Utah’s Famously White Snow Is Getting Dusty

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Utah’s Famously White Snow Is Getting Dusty


Dust blowing off the dry areas around the receding Great Salt Lake is coating the famously ski-friendly pure white snow on nearby slopes and causing early melting—a big problem with wide-ranging effects for Utah, reports Smithsonian Magazine. In a study published by Environmental Research Letters, University of Utah hydrologist McKenzie Skiles and her colleagues looked into what was going on with the dirty snow on slopes near the lake. They found that in 2022, snow coating the Wasatch Mountains was the dustiest it had been since researchers began tracking levels 14 years ago. The biggest source of the dust, about 50%, is a desertlike region west of the city, but a quarter of it came from the Great Salt Lake, the researchers found.

The dust makes the snow melt faster, which translates into a shorter ski season at popular resorts—draining away tourist dollars—and added pressure on water systems, reports Science News. The latter are made to handle steadily flowing melt water, not sudden cascades. Additionally, faster snow cover loss leads to a heightened danger of wildfire due to dry forests. Scientists found that the dirtier snow made the regional snowpack melt 17 days faster in 2022, per a release at Phys.org. “You might see 17 days and think it’s no big deal, but our current snowmelt models don’t account for dust,” says Skiles. And the dust situation may only get worse in the years to come.

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Smithsonian describes a “vicious cycle” at play: “When the snow melts earlier in the spring, that means the landscape dries out more quickly during the heat of the summer. That drier landscape, in turn, then contributes more dust to the snow, making it melt even faster.” The shrinking lake worsens the problem because a smaller lake translates to a smaller snowpack in the mountains. CNN reported earlier this year that some scientists worry the shrinking lake could lead to the more widespread danger of a “toxic dust bowl.” Bonnie Baxter of the Great Salt Lake Institute at Salt Lake City’s Westminster College calls it “an ecological disaster that will become a human health disaster.” (Read more Great Salt Lake stories.)





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Utah

Utah father of six Olin Johnson killed wife in murder-suicide after chilling final Facebook post: police

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Utah father of six Olin Johnson killed wife in murder-suicide after chilling final Facebook post: police


A Utah man and his wife were found dead in a suspected murder-suicide on Thursday afternoon, days after he reflected on being a “crappy person” in his final chilling social media post.

Olin Johnson, 57, is accused of fatally shooting Kerilyn Johnson, 52, before turning the gun on himself inside their $1.34-million American Fork, Utah home, according to KUTV.

Police have not disclosed a motive for the killing, but said a family member discovered their parents’ bodies.

Olin Johnson is accused of fatally shooting his wife Kerilyn Johnson before turning the gun on himself inside their million-dollar American Fork home. Kerilyn Johnson/Facebook

Neighbors of the couple said they were playing softball with them the night before the shooting, and didn’t notice any problems as Olin hinted at future plans, the outlet reported.

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The couple celebrated their 32nd wedding anniversary in April.

Before the tragedy, Olin shared his concerning thoughts and love for his motorcycle.

“No matter how crappy a person I am, motorcycles always love me back. Oh and skiing. Skiing loves me too,” Olin’s post on June 18 read alongside pictures of him riding his bike and skiing.

Olin’s account featured a bio that read “father to 6 great kids and one Beautiful wife,” and also featured his family, especially Kerilyn.

“The family is requesting privacy as they grieve their loss. We express our most profound and sincere condolences to the family and friends of Olin and Kerilyn,” the American Fork Police said.

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According to his LinkedIn, Olin is listed as the owner of Simtek Modular, a “service company that makes modular panels for force-on-force training.”

The page alleges the company has worked on projects with the US Border Patrol, FBI and Utah County Sheriff’s Office.

Police have not disclosed a motive for the killings. Olin Johnson/Instagram
The couple had built the million-dollar home in American Fork back in 2022. KUTV 2 News Salt Lake City/YouTube

Recent posts showcased the couple’s trip to Australia, where they celebrated Kerilyn’s birthday and a separate post praising her breadmaking.

Kerilyn Johnson was an adjunct faculty member at the BYU School of Music where she taught several courses over the last two years.

She is credited with performing in multiple main stage productions and performed in throughout the US, Russia and Baltic States while completing her bachelor’s degree.

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“Currently, she does studio work locally and maintains her private studio at home, in addition to being a mother of six,” her bio read.

Days before the tragic murder-suicide, Olin shared his concerning thoughts and love for his motorcycle. Olin Johnson/Instagram
The couple shared six children together. GoFundMe

She was remembered as a generous friend that would be missed.

“Kerilyn was literally one of the most generous, kind, supportive people that I have ever known,” Gayle Lockwood told KUTV.

Lockwood, a retired voice teacher at BYU, said she had Johnson as a student and called her a friend.

“She is a light that will be missed in the world,” she added.

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A GoFundMe was created by a family friend to raise funds for the Johnson children who have to make funeral arrangements.

Kerilyn Johnson was an adjunct faculty member at the BYU School of Music where she taught several courses over the last two years.
She also did studio work locally and maintains her private studio at home. Olin Johnson/Instagram

“With the sudden passing of Olin and Kerilyn Lowe Johnson many are devastated and desire to show love and support to their six children as they navigate this tragedy,” the crowdfunding read.

“It is hoped that they would not need to shoulder the financial burden of paying for funeral expenses and other unexpected costs over the coming weeks and months.”



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Stage 1 fire restrictions now in place for southern Utah

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Stage 1 fire restrictions now in place for southern Utah


ST. GEORGE With wildfires starting to pop up around the state, Stage 1 fire restrictions are now in place in southern Utah as announced Friday by the Bureau of Land Management. 

Fire managers in multiple counties are worried about the dry, hot conditions. As a result, they are urging people to be careful this summer.

What it means

So, what does Stage 1 mean when it comes to fire restrictions?

Basically, it means no campfires or open fires outside of designated areas are allowed. 

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Additonally, no fireworks are allowed on public lands, but there is more.

Stage 1 fire restrictrions also include the following:

  • No shooting of explosive targets.
  • No metal cutting or welding in dry areas.
  • No smoking near vegetation.

With the current conditions, the BLM said it’s just too dangerous.

“Right now, we are averaging between three and four fires most days of the week,” said Nick Howell, fire management specialist with the Bureau of Land Management. “We’re expecting conditions to definitely continue to dry out.”

Howell is the fire manager for the BLM’s Color Country District near Cedar City. He said most of the fires in the area could have been prevented.

“Most of our wildfires here in the Color Country Interagency Management Area are human-caused fires at this point,” he said.

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The reason why fire managers are worried about the conditions is because there is a lot of grass is southern Utah.

Some portions of southern Utah have had higher-than-normal precipitation, which means a lot of grass growth, and that vegetation is starting to dry out.

Locations included

The areas under Stage 1 restriction are in Washington, Iron, Beaver, Kane, and Garfield counties as well as several areas in northern Arizona.

With temperatures expected to stay warm for the foreseeable future, fire conditions are only going to get worse.


Mark Jones contributed to this story.

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Utah hosted international standout Veniamin Abosi on official visit

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Utah hosted international standout Veniamin Abosi on official visit


The Utah Utes basketball program is abuzz with excitement as they hosted highly-touted international prospect Veniamin Abosi on an official visit. Abosi, a standout player known for his athleticism and versatility in Greece, has garnered significant attention from top programs across the country. His visit to Utah is a testament to the Utes’ recruiting efforts and their aim to build a competitive team for the upcoming seasons.

Abosi’s journey to this point has been impressive. Standing at 6-foot-6 with a wingspan that allows him to play multiple positions effectively, he has shown remarkable skills both offensively and defensively. His ability to shoot from beyond the arc, drive to the basket, and his defensive prowess make him a highly sought-after recruit. Abosi’s career has been marked by numerous accolades, including leading his team to championships and earning MVP honors at several tournaments. He played for the Olympiacos U18 team during the Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament earlier this year, which is the annual tournament that features the top U18 clubs in Europe.

For the Utes, landing a player of Abosi’s caliber could be a game changer. The program, which has a storied history in college basketball, will be looking to re-establish itself as a dominant force in the Big 12 Conference. Smith is known for his ability to develop talent and build cohesive teams, and has been at the forefront of this recruitment effort. His vision for the Utes involves a fast-paced, high-energy style of play that would suit Abosi’s strengths perfectly.

During his visit, Abosi had the opportunity to tour the campus and get a feel for the university’s facilities. He also spent time getting a sense of the team culture that Smith has cultivated. The Utes’ state-of-the-art training facilities and the passionate fan base were highlights of the visit, giving Abosi a glimpse of the support he would receive if he chose to commit to the Utes. 

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One of the key moments of the visit was a meeting with the coaching staff, where they discussed Abosi’s potential role on the team and how he fits into their long-term plans. Smith reportedly emphasized the development opportunities at Utah, not just on the court but also in terms of personal growth and academic success. The Utes’ recent success in developing players and helping them reach their professional aspirations was a significant talking point.

As Abosi considers his options, the Utah Utes remain hopeful that their efforts will pay off. Abosi would not only bolster their starting five but also send a strong message to other top recruits about the Runnin Utes’ direction and ambition.



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