NORTH OGDEN, Utah — Authorities are investigating after more than $150,000 was allegedly stolen from an elderly woman’s bank account in North Ogden.

According to a Facebook post from North Ogden City, officers were dispatched on Monday, Jan. 23, after the victim’s child made a complaint.

Lt. Jeremy Hindes with the North Ogden Police Department told KSL that everything was done online.

Fortunately, the 81-year-old woman was able to get her money back through the Credit Union.

Hindes said the case is still open, adding that the Credit Union fraud department is looking into it and an investigator has reached out to the FBI Internet Crime Task Force.

Posted By: The Reporters
February 1, 2023

June 5, 1967 – January 28, 2023

Michael W. Ogden, 55, Indianapolis, passed away on Saturday, January 28, 2023, at Community Hospital North in Indianapolis. He was born on June 5, 1967, to the late Kenneth and Judith (Cartmell) Ogden in Indianapolis.

Michael previously worked for a non-profit organization for HIV/AIDS patients in Fredericksburg, Va. He loved music and going to concerts. Michael was an avid movie buff who enjoyed life.

He is survived by his brother, Steven (Toni) Ogden; uncles and aunts, Dennis (Jeanie) Ogden, Richard (Kathy) Ogden, Patricia (Chris) Johnson, and Keith (Jeniffer) Ogden; and his cousins, Chet (Mary Ann) Blanton and Jennie Rose.

Private family services will be held.

Memorial contributions may be made to Indiana AIDS Fund, Inc., 429 E. Vermont St., Suite 400, Indianapolis, IN 46202 (indianaaidsfund.org).

Condolences: randallroberts.com

September 20, 1934 — January 28, 2023

Loren Rollo Wright, 88, passed away on Saturday, January 28, 2023. He was born on September 20, 1934, in Ogden, Utah, the son of Leonard Harper Wright and Thelma Rollo (David) Jones.

He worked for 42 years at Hill Air Force Base where he met the love of his life. He married Shirlene McIntyre on September 24, 1954, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. They had six children, David Wright, Ricky Wright, Lila (Wayne) Santistevan, Barbara Edwards, Janet (Brian) Bishop, and Cheryl (Bobby) Mack.

Loren enjoyed going camping and hunting and loved spending time with his family. He adored his little dog, Heidi. He will be deeply missed but we know we will see him again.

Loren is survived by his wife; children; 14 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, half-brother, and a grandson.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 3, 2023 at 11 am at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd. Friends may visit with family on Thursday from 6 to 8 pm and Friday from 9:30 to 10:30 am at the mortuary. Interment, Huntsville Cemetery.

Condolences may be shared at: www.lindquistmortuary.com.

Level crossing brewing

Head to the award winning South Salt Lake brewery on February 11th as they’ll be taking the wraps off their latest Red Feather Cambium Series brew. Running 6.00pm through 8.00pm the brewery will host an in-house tasting of their barrel aged Black Album Imperial Black Rye IPA.

LCB write that they’ll be, “enjoying an evening celebrating and learning all things beer, rye and bourbon. Our Head Brewer Chris Detrick (pictured) along with High West Distillery’s whiskey expert Austin Thomas will be on hand to talk about The Black Album, The Barrel Aged Black Album aged in High West Bourye barrels, and High West Distillery’s Bourye whiskey.”

Tickets are available at https://levelcrossingbrewingtheblackalbum-bourye.eventbrite.com and purchase includes a welcome cocktail, pours of both Black Album beers, and a taste of Bourye, along with a few small bites of food. The event is 21+ only.

Ogden Food Tour

The world might seem like an inescapable arctic hellscape right now, but trust me, you’ll be back to perambulating in no time at all. With that in mind keep an eye on this new food focused tour from OTown Food Tours. Here’s the full press release from the organizers on what to expect:

. . .

Inaugurating a new era of culinary tourism in Ogden, OTown Food Tours is proud to announce the launch of its “Taste Ogden” walking food tour on February 7, 2023. This guided culinary experience will showcase the best of what this historic railroad town has to offer in terms of restaurants and artisan producers. Participants will explore a sampling of offerings that represent the Ogden food scene.

OTown founder Rick Proffer arrived in Ogden, Utah in 1996 and decided this would be the place to put down roots. With his passion for storytelling, he created OTown Food Tours as a way of celebrating all that is great about this majestic mountain town.

“OTown Food Tours’ mission is to support and celebrate Ogden through food and story,” Proffer said. “As a registered Benefit LLC, we know that when community members care for and support each other, we all thrive. Out of this abundance, a portion of every dollar spent goes to local non-profit organizations as they support children and families in our community.”

After a remarkable career of 25 years in public education, Rick decided to start writing the newest chapter of his life. Combining three passions – food, storytelling and exploring places – he launched ‘O’Town Food Tours’; an opportunity for people to experience and learn about local cuisine while getting acquainted with their destination’s unique history.

“Ogden has a myriad of diverse, vibrant, and creative food and drink offerings, yet there are
currently no food tours operating in our city,” Proffer said. “A food tour has the ability to spotlight, celebrate and support our restaurants, shops, and producers while giving our locals and visitors a ‘taste of place.’”

For more information, visit: https://otownfoodtours.com

Art & Soup

Tickets are now on sale for this yearly fundraiser. You can buy em here starting from $30. This year will be the 34th installation of the venerable fundraiser, which seeks to raise cash for the CNS Charitable Care Program which, “provides health care, hospice care and medical services to individuals in need throughout Utah.” CNS is Utah’s oldest non-profit hospice company and has been caring for the local Utah community since 1928.

The big fundraising bash affords attendees soup and food samples from 20+ restaurants, not least the opportunity to bid on work from 60 fine artists from around the state of Utah (there’s live entertainment too). The ticket secures you a tasting ticket to a whole host of local businesses, everyone from the Grand America’s Laurel, through Stratford Proper and more.

Valentine’s Day dining at SLC

As a reminder, don’t forget our yearly roundup of all the extra special Valentine’s Day events here. This year is expected to be a particularly busy affair given the influx of more than 100,000 folks headed our way for the NBA All Star week.

Keep the conversation going

Want to stay on top of the SLC food scene, minute by minute, dish by dish? Here are a few other places you should follow along:

• FREE newsletter – never miss a story and sign up for our weekly Utah food news
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• Food talk group – chew the fat with other likeminded Utah foodies

Hi I’m Stuart, nice to meet you! I’m the founder, writer and wrangler at Gastronomic SLC; I’m also a former restaurant critic of more than five years, working for the Salt Lake Tribune. I’ve worked extensively with multiple local publications from Visit Salt Lake to Salt Lake Magazine, not least helped to consult on national TV shows.

I’m a multiple-award winning journalist and have covered the Utah dining scene for the better part of fifteen years. I’m largely fueled by a critical obsession with rice, alliteration and the use of big words I don’t understand. What they’re saying about me: “Not inaccurate”, “I thought he was older”, “I don’t share his feelings”. Want to know more? This is why I am the way I am.

This article may contain content provided by one of our paid partners. These are some of the best businesses in Utah. For a list of all our current and past relationships see our partnership history page.

Arelene VanDyke helps advanced readers in kindergarten at Wasatch Elementary. Van Dyke turned 90 years old this month. (Mike Anderson, KSL-TV)

Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes

OGDEN — A teacher in Ogden is still going, after turning 90 years old this month. It’s the second time she’s retired from retirement.

Arlene VanDyke initially retired after teaching for 57 years. But, for the second time, she returned to teach at Wasatch Elementary. It wasn’t only because she loves teaching, but because the people there make it hard for her to say no.

Kids are a major part of the joy in VanDyke’s life. After losing her husband she needed to do something.

“School is a happy place to be,” she said. “I just came back volunteering. I didn’t like being home alone and I missed teaching.”

The volunteer turned into a full-time job teaching again at 87 years old.

“Oh, do I like it? I love it! I loved it the first day I started teaching,” she said. “I’ve loved it ever since. It’s wonderful to have a job you love to go to.”

She did take a break during the pandemic, but after returning to volunteer it became more permanent.

“They just keep asking me to come back, and it’s not hard to convince me because I want to,” she said with a chuckle.

Granted, the school made some adjustments for VanDyke. She doesn’t do technology, just the basics as she helps advanced readers in kindergarten part time.

They just keep asking me to come back, and it’s not hard to convince me because I want to.

-Arlene Van Dyke

“That fifth year is a magic year for kids. It’s just a magic year,” she said.

Van Dyke has a little trouble walking nowadays, but the school makes it work. “‘We don’t care,’ my principal would say. ‘We don’t care. We just want you in the classroom,'” she said.

And for Van Dyke, that’s OK.

“All right, I love you more than chocolate cake. Okey-doke?” she asked the classroom.

The kids replied, “Artichokey!”

Van Dyke also loves the faculty. She said they make her feel younger. She called educators wonderful people and great to work with.

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Most recent Utah K-12 education stories

Mike Anderson

Mike Anderson often doubles as his own photographer, shooting and editing most of his stories. He came to KSL in April 2011 after working for several years at various broadcast news outlets.

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BEN DORGER, Standard-Examiner file photo

The United States Courthouse in Salt Lake City is pictured Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019.

OGDEN — An Ogden man will serve 10 years in a Nevada prison after being convicted of sexually abusing a pre-teen girl and distributing child pornography that he allegedly produced.

US District Judge David Sam in Salt Lake City last week sentenced Michael V. Trivett, 36, to 10 years in the federal prison in Pahrump, Nevada, on the distribution charge, plus lifetime supervision after release, according to court records.

On Jan. 10, in a related case, 2nd District Judge Craig Hall in Ogden sentenced Trivett to one to 15 years in prison on a charge of first-degree felony aggravated sexual abuse of a child. Hall said the state sentence could be served concurrently to the pending federal term.

According to federal charging documents, an agent with an anti-child pornography task force was working undercover on a messaging app, posing “as an adult male who was sexually active with his daughter.” Trivett, using a pseudonym, allegedly then graphically described being sexually active with a young girl. Trivett sent the agent an explicit video of a young girl, the charges said.

Police arrested Trivett at his workplace on April 13, 2022, reporting in charging documents that he possessed a syringe loaded with methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, a 9 mm handgun and a large knife.

Charging documents said Trivett waived his Miranda rights and admitted sending and receiving child pornography via the messaging app. He also allegedly admitted to sexually assaulting 6- and 10-year-old girls and producing child pornography using the younger victim. He allegedly told police that he committed the abuse while high on narcotics.

In return for the guilty plea, the US Attorney’s Office agreed to drop two other child pornography charges plus counts of illegal drug and firearms possession.

In the state case, the Weber County Attorney’s Office agreed not to file additional charges against Trivett in return for his plea to the child sexual abuse charge.

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OGDEN, Utah — The end of January is sometimes referred to as the “graveyard of New Year’s resolutions” because most are forgotten or abandoned by then.

Speaking to thousands of young adults Sunday at the Weber Institute of Religion, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles championed the value of setting and pursuing goals, overcoming failures and learning from mistakes, and finding hope and strength in Jesus Christ .

“There is something about turning a new page that energizes us and fills us with hope,” Elder Uchtdorf said. “I believe this life is a life of many new beginnings, even daily new beginnings.”

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks at the Weber State Institute in Ogden on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023.

Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Learning from mistakes

Whether it’s learning to paint, playing a sport or gaining an education, most worthwhile endeavors in life involve a rigorous learning process that includes failures and mistakes, Elder Uchtdorf taught.

“Mastering anything requires constant practice,” he said.

Just as a loving parent encourages a child to keep learning, Heavenly Father encourages His children to carry on through the pain of this mortal existence and learn from the consequences of choices.

“If we embrace our shortcomings as a path to improve, these mistakes can be a great teacher,” Elder Uchtdorf said.

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks at the Weber State Institute in Ogden on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023. He was accompanied by his wife, Sister Harriet R. Uchtdorf.

Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

‘teacher and mentor’

As mistakes occur, Elder Uchtdorf reminded young adults, “Heavenly Father is not an angry God who is constantly wagging his finger at us,” looking for reasons to punish His children.

“Remember, because He loves you, He does not remove obstacles from your paths. He does not lower standards to make things easier for you. But even as you stumble, struggle or try to resist His help, He does not give up — ever,” the Apostle said. “God is not your opposition. He is your coach. He is your guide. He is your healer. He is your Savior. His self-admitted purpose is to be your teacher and mentor.”

The grandest, most glorious being in the universe hath the well-being of his children at the center of His attention; it is even His work and His glory, Elder Uchtdorf said.

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles holds up a copy of “For the Strength of Youth” guide while speaking at the Weber State Institute in Ogden on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023.

Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

“He looks at you with compassion and kindness, knowing that failure is part of the coursework in this mortal school,” he said. “When you wonder if anyone cares, be assured, He is there, He will walk alongside you.”

Elder Uchtdorf encouraged young adults to study and use “powerful tools” such as the Church’s “Come, Follow Me” curriculum, seminary and institute, and the principles of the new “For the Strength of Youth” guide to help make good choices. The Savior also offers repentance and forgiveness through His Atonement.

Vincent Van Gogh

Dutch post-impressionist painter Vincent Van Gogh, one of the most famous artists in Western art history, produced as many as 2,000 works of art and is believed to have only sold one while alive.

Despite his discouragement, as well as being misunderstood, ridiculed and ignored by others throughout his life, Van Gogh continued with his art. Today his paintings are worth millions.

“The world is richer because Van Gogh did not give in to discouragement or surrender to the ridicule of critics,” Elder Uchtdorf said. “Had he listened to the voices of those around him, his genius would have been silenced and the entire world would be poorer as a result.”

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Harriet Uchtdorf, look over an audience of thousands of young adults at the Weber State Institute in Ogden on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023.

Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Joseph of Egypt

Biblical scholars believe Joseph of Egypt was 17 years old when he was hated by his brothers, sold into slavery, then accused of a crime he didn’t commit and sentenced to prison.

He wasn’t promoted to oversee Egypt until he was 30 years old.

“For some 13 years, during the prime years of his life, Joseph was either a slave or a prisoner. … Joseph must have wondered why the Lord had abandoned him,” Elder Uchtdorf said, asking the young adults to imagine themselves in that situation. “But Joseph’s patience, faith and determination brought him from a state of helplessness to one of prestige and strength.”

Joseph learned that it may not come when or how we expect, but the Lord blesses the faithful, the Apostle said.

Bright future

As young adults look to the future with new goals and beginnings, Elder Uchtdorf concluded with four key lessons:

• “God loves you and he has a plan for you.”
• You are never helpless. You are never alone.”
• “Your joy does not come from external circumstances” or “what others think about you.”
• “No matter your disappointments, loneliness, wounds or imperfections, you can find meaning and peace if you stay true to your inner compass and to the covenants you make with Heavenly Father. The Holy Ghost and the light of Christ are available to you — always.”

Elder Uchtdorf referenced the 2023 youth theme found in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all through Christ which strengthens me.”

“For even when the skies appear dark, Jesus Christ will be with you. God asks that you open your heart to Him. Search for Him. Learn of Him. Follow Him,” he said. “As you press forward and never lose hope, you will come to know that Jesus Christ will stand by you. He will comfort and guide you. Jesus Christ is your strength.”

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Harriet Uchtdorf, greet Houston Lacey hours after Lacey was baptized. Elder Uchtdorf spoke at the Weber State Institute in Ogden on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023.

Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

‘I feel very loved’

Hours after his baptism on Sunday, Houston Lacey was sitting in the front row of the chapel when Elder, accompanied by his wife, Sister Harriet R. Uchtdorf, came down from the rostrum to give him a handshake and a hug.

“I was being told how lucky I am to be in the same room as an Apostle, then he came up and hugged me,” Lacey said. “Words honestly don’t even begin to explain it, but I feel very loved.”

Before departing, Elder and Sister Uchtdorf made their way through the audience greeting people with smiles, handshakes and hugs. Along the way they helped three individuals seated in wheelchairs — two young women and one young man — to feel God’s love.

“It was quite the experience for me. I’ve been going through a tough time,” Christopher Compton said. “It meant a lot. It was like God remembered me.”

Charlotte Elizabeth Poe and her friend Story Turner were also moved.

“In my life I’ve often felt of little worth,” Poe said. “He (Elder Uchtdorf) has a very special way of saying and conveying the love of the Savior in his voice. … That means so much to me and I feel so blessed to have heard this message from him.”

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Harriet Uchtdorf, meet Charlotte Elizabeth Poe and Story Turner after Elder Uchtdorf spoke at the Weber State Institute in Ogden on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023.

Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

‘Institute is participating’

More than an hour before the devotional, young adults formed a line that wrapped almost all the way around the Weber Institute building.

Elder and Sister Uchtdorf arrived early to meet briefly with members of the Weber Institute student council. Elder Uchtdorf encouraged the young adults to “jump in,” “have fun” and “participate” in institute.

“Institute is participating,” he said.

Clay Ogden is the National Business Development Manager for SRA. Clay interacts with business owners, financial advisors, CPA firms, consulting firms, and health brokers to explain SRA’s risk management strategies.

Russ Alan Prince: Please describe SRA.

Clay Ogden: Do you ever lay awake at night wondering about the “what if” for your business? As we have seen over the last few years, there are many risks business owners take that traditional insurance does not cover. In fact, we have seen this concern repeat itself throughout history.

In the 1980s these same concerns were realized when the US experienced a hardening of the insurance market so significant it was called “The Liability Crisis.” During this time, insurance providers were raising premiums or canceling many businesses’ insurance altogether. This Liability Crisis drove Congress to enact the McCarran-Ferguson Exemption, which limited dramatic surges in premiums, as well as Section 831(b) in the 1986 Tax Reform Act. This new section of the tax code gave power back to the business owner, providing an alternative self-insuring option using tax-deferred funds and allowing businesses to become self-reliant.

Much like the 401(k) tax code allows an employer to set aside tax-deferred dollars for retirement, the 831(b) tax code allows a business to set aside tax-deferred dollars for underinsured and/or uninsured risks. Previously, this tax code was exclusively enjoyed by Fortune 500 companies, but recently it has become much more widely accessible due to increased guidelines and competitive pricing. Just as a 401(k) requires third-party administration, so does an 831(b) plan.

SRA 831(b) Admin was founded on the belief that small and mid-size businesses are the lifeblood of the American economy. We administer 831(b) plans to ensure these types of companies can weather the storm by offering competitive pricing and ensuring compliance through stringent guidelines.

As we have seen in today’s ever-changing risk environment, it’s important for a business to develop a comprehensive risk management program through an 831(b) plan. Any and all industries can benefit including:

• entrepreneurs

• Property managers

• Dental and medical

• manufacturers

• Self storage

• Professional services

• Construction

• Retail

• Technology

• And many more…

Prince: What have you done for clients?

ogden: COVID-19 was a hard lesson as insurance carriers denied business interruption claims citing indirect losses and language that limited coverage. While state and local governments labeled businesses as non-essential and forced them to close. Hindsight is 2020, and the 2020 pandemic made it clear that business owners must establish an 831(b) plan. SRA’s 831(b) plan not only addresses tangible asset risks through traditional insurance carriers but also addresses intangible asset risks.

There is no shortage of risks that business owners have identified over the years, which range from data breaches to key employee loss, credit defaults, supply chain interruptions, legal disputes, and many more.

An uptick in technology reliance on cloud-based software and third-party vendors to manage supply chain, sales, and data storage has raised concern over data breaches among many businesses. A catastrophic business interruption that insurance does not cover or comes with sub-limits and exclusions that prevent a full recovery. Using an 831(b) plan, businesses can set aside tax-deferred funds to recoup losses due to a data breach, third-party interruption, cyber scams, and more.

Business owners take on a significant amount of risk to run successful companies, but with an 831(b) risk mitigation strategy in place, they can rest easier at night knowing they have tools in place to support their business should unforeseen events occur.

Prince: What are the issues with 831(b) plans as far as the IRS is concerned?

ogden: The advantages of an 831(b) plan are notable. In addition to the risk mitigation strategy, premiums paid to an 831(b) plan are tax-deductible business expenses and the premium revenue earned by the 831(b) can be excluded from taxable income. However, these tax benefits can quickly disappear if the IRS determines that the plan is abusive. One of the most important aspects of a compliant 831(b) plan that SRA requires is the following the 4-Part Test which includes:

• Proper risk transfer: it must be clear that risk is contractually transferred to a third-party insurer

• Proper risk distribution: it must be clear that the plan utilizes the law of large numbers to disperse risk among many parties

• Fortuitous risk coverage: the plan must cover fortuitous risks and not ordinary business risks

• Act within the principles of insurance: the plan must operate similarly to how an ordinary for-profit insurance company would.

The 4-Part Test is built on the foundations of Rev. Ruling 2009-26 and relevant case law. Each part of the test is essential to successfully owning an 831(b) Plan and the ability to elect under the 831(b) Tax Code.

In addition to following the 4-part test, there are a number of red flags the IRS looks for when identifying abusive plans. It’s important that an 831(b) plan avoids these pitfalls:

• Participating in an 831(b) only to lower your tax bill

• Vague coverage, unnecessary or duplication of existing coverage

• Premiums are expensive, inconsistently paid, and set to meet specific results

• No defined claims procedure to investigate and pay losses

• Inadequate reserves to pay claims

Unfortunately, not all 831(b) plan managers are created equal and IRS scrutiny has arisen when a captive manager does not ensure compliance.

Prince: What do you see as the future of 831(b) plans and SRA?

ogden: Recent legislative changes and the failure of insurance surrounding COVID have proven 831(b) plans can be a lifeline to businesses during uncertain times. As these issues continue, insurance companies are not able or willing to carry all of the risks, requiring businesses to fend for themselves. Following COVID and considering the current liability crisis, we believed that owning an 831(b) plan will become a normal business practice.

The future of 831(b) plans is bright. SRA expects more regulations to come from the Congress and guidelines to be published by the IRS, and with that comes clarity, improved fee structures, and more availability in the market. If you are an entrepreneur, bootstrapper, or already self-insuring certain risks, an 831(b) plan is a powerful way to efficiently manage your risk and defer funds during the good times to survive the bad.

RUSS ALAN PRINCE is the Executive Director of Private Wealth magazine (pw-mag.com) and Chief Content Officer for High-Net-Worth Genius (hnwgenius.com). He consults with family offices, the wealthy, fast-tracking entrepreneurs, and select professionals.

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Ogden City Police vehicle. Photo: Gephardt Daily/Nancy Van Valkenburg

OGDEN, Utah, Jan. 29, 2023 (Gephardt Daily) — An Ogden man is being held without bail on four counts of felony discharge of a firearm.

Marcellino Librado Escobedo McCain, 19, was charged in connection with Jan. 22 shootings after which two victims were transported to McKay-Dee Hospital. One was shot in the stomach and one in the head, McCain’s charging documents say.

An Ogden City Police officer told Gephardt Daily shortly after the shootings that both victims — one man in his 20s and one in his 30s — were expected to survive.

McCain’s probable cause statement says another victim was identified later.

“A third victim came forward and was treated at another area hospital for a gunshot wound to his lip,” says the statement, filed by an OPD officer.

“The initial information I was given was that there had been people getting into behind the bar and an SUV, later identified as a Toyota 4Runner, had pulled around and begun firing on the two victims.”

The vehicle

About an hour later, the 4Runner was located behind a residence at the 200 block of Patterson Avenue, “An address that Ogden Metro Gang Detectives had served a warrant on recently for firearms and narcotics. Detectives were told that there were casings into the alleyway and backyard of the home.”

The vehicle was determined to be owned by Gabriela Saucedo, 23, who was arrested Jan. 22 on two charges of obstruction of justice, a second-degree felony, and one charge of tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony, in connection with the shooting case.

After additional investigation, Ogden City police served a warrant at McCain’s residence. He was interviewed by officers after waiving his rights, his probable cause statement says.

“McCain placed himself at 25th St. with Gabriella
Saucedo and (another woman, not charged) at the bars,” McCain’s affidavit says. “He stated that they got into an argument with someone and he thought the male was going to get a gun, so he left. However from surveillance footage it was apparent that the 4Runner shot rounds first at the Impala.”

McCain’s texts

A search of McCain’s phone, after he reportedly granted permission, showed McCain had communicated with the woman who has not been charged, asking her to remove the plates from the vehicle used in the incident, “and her saying the police had already taken the car ,” charging documents say. “They both talk about being scared and McCain states he’ll take the charges.”

McCain faces initial charges of four counts of felony discharge of a firearm, three of them as first-degree felonies and one as a third-degree felony.

McCain was ordered held without bail in the Weber County jail.

Weber County Sheriffs Office Photo Gephardt DailyNancy Van Valkenburg

We live in a state where outdoor recreation continues to grow in popularity and importance. Recreational attributes help us attract and retain talented people in Arkansas. That means that protecting and enhancing those attributes is key to future economic development.

I’ve long been frustrated with the US Forest Service and US Army Corps of Engineers, agencies that too often in recent decades have pointed to budget restrictions as excuses for de-emphasizing the recreational parts of their congressionally mandated missions. Members of the Arkansas congressional delegation share my frustration.

In August 2015, US Rep. French Hill of Little Rock wrote the head of USFS to request that Camp Ouachita, a former Girl Scout camp in Perry County, be restored. The camp, which closed in 1979, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the only remaining Girl Scout camp in the country constructed during the Great Depression by the Civilian Conservation Corps and Works Progress Administration.

USFS didn’t bother to reply until November of that year. And the reply didn’t even come from the man to whom the letter had been addressed. It instead came from an underling named Joe Meade, who at the time headed a division called Recreation, Heritage and Volunteer Resources.

“Although the Forest Service remains open to all viable business proposals consistent with maintaining Camp Ouachita’s historic setting and features, it is not economically practical to embark on an expensive effort to restore additional structures at this time,” Meade wrote.

Hill has never been one to give up. He takes pride in the fact that Arkansas has the nation’s best system of state parks, thanks to voter passage in 1996 of Amendment 75 to the Arkansas Constitution. That amendment created a sales tax that provides needed revenue for park improvements and other uses. Hill reached out to state officials about making this piece of the Ouachita National Forest a unit of Pinnacle Mountain State Park.

In the summer of 2021, it was announced that the state Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism would manage the Lake Sylvia Recreation Area. The state signed a property lease with USFS. The lease includes Camp Ouachita, which was constructed from 1936-40. Ogden Hall and cabins there were designed in the rustic style that was popular during that period.

Hill points out that the staff at Pinnacle Mountain has been asked for years about potential camping sites in the Ouachita National Forest.

Lake Sylvia was constructed in 1936-37 by the CCC. In 1937, the CCC also constructed a small recreation area on the south end of the 18-acre lake, which is 38 miles west of Little Rock. Lake Sylvia Recreation Area now has a swimming beach, bathhouses, picnic sites, 14 campsites with water and electricity, eight primitive sites, seven rustic cabins with bathrooms and two group tent sites.

I’m with Hill, a ninth-generation Arkansan and lifelong outdoorsman, on a visit to the recreation area. Molly Elders, who oversees the site for the state, bubbles with enthusiasm as she takes us on a walking tour.

The Girl Scouts were founded in Georgia in 1912 by Juliette Gordon Low. The organization grew rapidly. The first Girl Scout camp was established in New York in 1922. By the late 1930s, there were almost 1,000 Girl Scout camps across the country. The first Girl Scout troop in Arkansas was organized in 1927. Starting in 1928, troops in the Little Rock Area Girl Scout Council took turns using Camp Quapaw, a Boy Scout camp in Saline County.

In 1936, Sue Worthen Ogden, president of the council, obtained a permit from USFS to create a camp in the Ouachita National Forest on Narrow Creek in Perry County. It was at a spot where the creek runs through a deep, rocky ravine known as the Narrows. The CCC decided to construct Narrow Creek Dam there. The lake formed by the dam was named Lake Sylvia on Ogden’s recommendation. Ogden had heard a speech about the ideal Girl Scout titled “Who is Sylvia? What is She?”

The public campsite was on the south side of the lake. On the north side, meanwhile, the WPA began working on Camp Ouachita. It was built in stages. The Girl Scouts paid for furnishings, equipment, materials and some labor. The WPA provided most of the labor.

The noted Little Rock architectural firm Thompson Sanders & Ginocchio designed the buildings with Frank Ginocchio as project architect. Structures were built with fieldstone and cypress logs. There were gabled roofs covered with cypress shingles and an exposed hewn-log framework. The common area had a great hall named after Ogden, an infirmary and service buildings. The common area was surrounded by four units that grouped campers by age. The units were named Lake View, Tall Timber, Echo Valley and Cliff Top.

A fifth unit across the lake was added in 1959 and called Atihcauo. It had no cabins and offered primitive camping for older girls, who accessed it by canoe.

According to the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program: “Camp Ouachita drew Girl Scouts from across Arkansas and even neighboring states. There were two-week camp sessions, one-week sessions and even weekend camps. Activities varied by age and skill level with each unit hosting A different age group and interest focus.Some units emphasized water activities like canoeing and sailing.Others honed backpacking and campcraft skills.Still others taught lifesaving skills or trained future camp counselors.

“The base for each group’s activities was the unit house, where they might have nature talks, duty assignments, arts and crafts or rainy day games. It’s where they received mail from home and gathered around the fireplace on chilly evenings. There was no electricity in the camp until 1950, and then it just served the great hall, infirmary, icehouse and caretaker’s residence.

Girls were paired and used the buddy system. Water in showers was cold and came directly from the lake. In the swimming area, there were diving boards that floated on rafts in deep water. Inexperienced swimmers used two shallow swim cribs that were enclosed by a wall topped with a catwalk.

Everyone came together at Ogden Hall for meals and events such as religious services and talent shows. Girls sat eight at a table during meals.

By the 1970s, health regulations prohibited the use of untreated water from the lake. The 1978 summer camp was the last since the Girl Scouts couldn’t afford a modern water system. USFS largely neglected the site.

From 1982-86, other organizations were allowed to demolish structures and salvage the stones. Demolition was only halted when the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program announced that the camp was eligible for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places.

Limited work was done in the 1990s to the caretaker’s residence and Ogden Hall’s roof. From 2001-07, Ogden Hall was renovated in stages along with the Lake View unit’s cabins and bathhouse.

“One of my favorite parts about working at this park so far has been the stories that have come out of this,” Elders says. “These cabins housed hundreds of girls through the years. I love to hear their stories. We’re trying to collect them. Even people who didn’t attend camp come here and want to get involved.”

Lake Sylvia Recreation Area is part of Hill’s dream of a corridor of outdoor attractions stretching from Little Rock to deep in the Ouachita National Forest. There are two access trails from Lake Sylvia to the Ouachita National Recreation Trail, a backpacking trail that covers 177 miles in Arkansas and 46 miles in Oklahoma.

“Good things can happen when federal, state and local governments work together toward a common goal,” he says. “We must expand and enhance the Natural State’s outdoor resources for all Arkansans to enjoy.”

Rex Nelson is a senior editor at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.