Latest news with #WestValleyCity
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
Wayfinding Week activities aim to connect Pacific Islanders with their seafaring roots
Pacific Islanders of yore developed elaborate navigational techniques centered on nature, and a week of activities aims to tap into that tradition to connect Pacific Islanders now in Utah with their seafaring roots. Wayfinding Week, the first event of its type in Utah, launched Friday with a presentation on an oral history project focused on Utah's Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities. It continues with several events through May 30 that tap into the navigational traditions of Pacific Islander communities and apply the knowledge to modern-day life. Living 'so far inland, we often feel separated from the ocean where our ancestors, language, culture and identities came from,' said Jake Fitisemanu, now living in West Valley City but born in New Zealand and raised in Hawaii. 'A lot of this knowledge is ancient but also so relevant and practical in our modern, urban lives today.' The Samoana Integrated Learning Initiative, founded by Fitisemanu — also a member of the Utah House of Representatives — is the main organizer of Wayfinding Week. It's also sponsored by the University of Utah's Center for Pasifika Indigenous Knowledges, the Utah Pacific Islander Health Coalition and other organizations. Next week, varied speakers will offer historical, metaphorical and personal presentations centered on the seafaring traditions of Pacific Islanders, though speakers will also touch on ecological matters. 'Wayfinding is a central core of Pacific Islander cultures reflected today in our languages, proverbs, customs and practices, and even how our families and community organizations are structured,' said Laneta Fitisemanu, Jacob Fitisemanu's sister and another event organizer. The ocean 'connects all of us across the Pacific, and even for those of us born and living in the diaspora, that connection still holds us together and ties us to where we come from.' Pacific Island navigational techniques 'are rooted in stars, winds, ocean currents and ancestral knowledge,' according to a press release for the event, and presenters from Hawaii, Samoa and New Zealand will offer lessons about the traditions. The keynote speaker at a presentation on Tuesday, May 27, 'Voyaging by Land and Sea: Utah Roots and Oceanic Roots,' will be Fani Bruun, captain of Gaualofa, a traditional Samoan ocean voyaging canoe. 'Drawing from her experiences voyaging across Pasifika and beyond, she explores how wayfinding teaches us to live in balance with the ocean and land, reminding us that caring for the earth is inseparable from honoring who we are,' reads a synopsis of the event. Celeste Manuia Haʻo, an educator from Hilo, Hawaii, will offer a talk on Wednesday, May 28, blending 'wayfinding, cultural revitalization and the sacred responsibilities of a taupou living in diaspora into a powerful story of return, resilience and renewal.' A taupou is a type of ceremonial hostess in Samoan culture. An event Thursday, May 29, at Clark Planetarium will feature the Samoan 'star compass' while a storytelling event is set for Friday, May 30. Traditional wayfinding went through a period of decline with the advent of western navigational technology, said Laneta Fitisemanu. But it's now going through a period of revival, in part as a means of asserting the Pacific Islander identity and reconnecting Pacific Islanders living outside the region with traditional culture. Events like Wayfinding Week 'remind them that our people were scientists, mathematicians and engineers and that they, too, can pursue these fields where we still need more representation,' she said. Organizers 'want more islander families in Utah to have similar experiences of reconnecting with the oceanic core of who we are.'
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Comic books worth $70k stolen from West Valley City comics store
WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah (ABC4) — A beloved West Valley City comic book shop is turning to the community for help after two extremely valuable comic books were stolen last week. The store is offering a reward to anyone who can help recover the stolen comics. Charles Prows, co-owner of , told ABC4 the comics that were stolen are Avengers #1 and Amazing Fantasy #15, which are worth roughly $70,000 combined. Avengers #1 is the very first Avengers comic, and Amazing Fantasy #15 features the first appearance of Spider-Man. Prows said that because they are the first books for these iconic characters, that makes them very valuable. The comics were on display in the store under lock and key, and because of that, Prows said he believes it was likely a former employee or long-time customer. Because of , The Nerd Store was forced to temporarily relocate, which means that getting data from their camera systems is going to take time. In the meantime, The Nerd Store has turned to the community for help. Prows asked community members to keep an eye out. 'If you're ever at a pawn shop or a street fair or a buddy's house and you see one of these pop up, keep in mind that it might be ours and just let us know,' he said. 'Hearts of gold': Community rallies behind popular comic book store following flood Prows explained that the books have unique attributes that will help them identify the books as theirs, so they are fairly confident that they will eventually get them back. The owners are maintaining positivity through it all. 'I still have stores to run, and we still have day to day to do, we still got everything else going on, so we gotta keep focused and keep moving forward,' Prows said. The owners of The Nerd Store told ABC4 they are willing to waive any charges if the books are returned in good condition within the next two weeks, and they are also willing to keep the identity of the thief anonymous if they turn themselves in. If not, the theft is considered a felony, and they will pursue full charges to the extent of the law. They are also offering a $10,000 reward to anyone who can help recover the comics or identify the thief. Prows requested that anyone with information contact West Valley Police dispatch at 801-840-4000. Dennis Dolan and Nick Butts contributed to this story. Comic books worth $70k stolen from West Valley City comics store Utah sculptor creates statue of President Trump's 'raised fist' moment in Butler EXCLUSIVE: Logger reveals origins of Yellow Lake Fire 11-year-old in St. George raises money for aunt after being bullied at his lemonade stand Family remembers Elder Aleki Langi, who died while serving LDS mission Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
ENDANGERED: 18-year-old with ‘mental delays' missing out of West Valley
WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah () — Officials are seeking assistance in the search for a missing teenager out of West Valley City. Ryker Buxton, 18, is said to be about 5'7″ tall, weigh 120 pounds, and have brown hair and blue eyes. According to the endangered missing advisory, Ryker 'has mental delays and mental capacity of a 7-12 year old.' Ryker requires medication and was last seen wearing glasses, a black hoodie, blue jeans, and brown work boots. Ryker may have been riding a bicycle, the advisory said. Officials did not provide additional details or photos. LEARN MORE: What should you do if someone goes missing? Anyone with information has been asked to contact the West Valley City Police Department at 801-840-4000 and reference case number WV25-38333. There is no further information at this time. Here are some suggestions to keep in mind . Utah officials suggest taking notes on interactions with law enforcement to keep track of details such as officer names, dates and times of interactions, the case number, and what the officers say. When working with local law enforcement to report a missing person, it is recommended one shares as much information as possible about the missing person, including but not limited to: Full name or nicknames. Recent photos. Date of birth and age at the time they disappeared. Gender/sex. Detailed physical description (including unique scars or tattoos). Date of disappearance. Medical conditions. Last known location. Social media accounts. For more information, the Department of Public Safety has a page on its website dedicated to , as well as pages to view missing persons from Utah. Additional hotlines and resources originally compiled in a are available below: : 800-799-7233 : 888-373-7888 : 833-872-5176 : 800-786-2929 : 800-273-8255 : 844-762-8483 Candlelight vigil held for teen who died in American Fork motorcycle crash West Valley man who filmed 2017 assault of 14-year-old girl sentenced to prison ENDANGERED: 18-year-old with 'mental delays' missing out of West Valley The 24th Ogden Marathon is this weekend — Here's what to know about closures, events Ogden mayor appointed to 2034 Olympics Host Communities Committee Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Yahoo
West Valley mom charged with attempted murder after trying to drown 7-year-old son: police
WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah (ABC4) — A West Valley City mother has been charged with attempted murder after trying to drown her 7-year-old son, according to the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office. Petrice Shirley Mary Garcia, also known as Petrice Gustafson, 35, is charged in Salt Lake County with attempted aggravated murder (first-degree felony), disarming a police officer – firearm (first-degree felony), three counts of aggravated child abuse – intentionally or knowingly (second-degree felony), and criminal trespass – dwelling (class A misdemeanor). On May 3, 2025, West Valley police responded to a report of child abuse. One individual reported that a boy — later identified as Gustafson's 7-year-old son — was 'bleeding and had blood all over his shirt,' court documents state. The caller reported that Gustafson's son had ran to their home and said that his mom tried to kill him by hitting him on the head with a statue and trying to drown him. PREVIOUSLY: 7-year-old found covered in blood, woman arrested for child abuse The caller stated she then saw Gustafson come out of her house saying, 'Call the cops, I tried killing my son,' a statement of probable cause reads. Gustafson allegedly then entered the caller's residence through the front door while completely nude. The caller's husband tried to get Gustafson out of their home as Gustafson then allegedly confronted his own child and assaulted him. Another witness added that he saw the child running down the street asking for help. He told police the boy had blood all over, and that Gustafson was also running down the street completely nude and jumped a neighbor's fence. Gustafson allegedly then saw the caller near his garage and assaulted him before the man tackled her to the ground, holding her until police arrived. Both Gustafson and her child were taken to separate hospitals for treatment following the incident. Medical staff said the boy had wet clothes and wet shoes. While in the hospital, Gustafson reportedly struck a witness and a nurse, pulling her hair. When an officer restrained her, Gustafson grabbed for the officer's gun, saying, 'You're going to have to kill me.' Upon investigation of Gustafson's home, police found a bathtub filled with water, a broken statue weighing 3-5 pounds, and a 'considerable amount of blood' around the bathtub, court documents state. The child detailed to police a disturbing story of physical abuse in the incident. 'Medical records show [the child] suffered a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI), multiple scalp lacerations that required closure with 15 staples, and a forehead laceration that required four sutures,' court documents state. '[The child] also sustained bruises and abrasions on his ankles, his right shin, his right upper thigh, his right hand and wrist, his left third knuckle, and his right forearm. He also had swelling and bruising to his nasal bridge.' Doctors with Safe and Healthy Families found that the boy's injuries cannot be explained by accidental injury, preexisting medical illness, reasonable discipline, or benign events and should be considered 'trauma inflicted.' Gustafson told police she was 'pretty sure she hit [the child]' and that she 'may have grabbed something' to hit him with but 'could not remember.' Gustafson is reportedly on active probation and has an extensive criminal history, including multiple convictions related to possession of narcotics. The State has requested that she be held in Salt Lake County Jail without bail. Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. West Valley mom charged with attempted murder after trying to drown 7-year-old son: police Best Small Cars for 2025 Chris Buescher is back at Kansas Speedway, reliving the closest Cup Series finish in NASCAR history Vietnam War: Nurses reflect 50 years later Above-average warmth with increasing wind for Mother's Day weekend Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
