Michelle Deininger

Summit County has moved to a high level of transmission for COVID-19, and doctors say the numbers don't look as good as they did earlier in the week.

Just one week ago, Summit County moved to a moderate level of transmission, but by Friday it joined 25 other Utah counties at the high level. The three remaining counties, Rich, Daggett and Piute, have a low level of transmission.

Park City Police officers worked with Utah Highway Patrol to inspect large trucks this week, seeking to reduce traffic hazards created by faulty brakes and other violations.

Police and highway patrol spent four hours in the Deer Valley Snow Park Lodge parking lot Tuesday. They weren’t just waiting for trucks to happen by – spotters were stationed at typical thoroughfares used by trucks. Those officers pulled trucks over and escorted them to the inspection area.

A small brush fire that started yesterday in Pinon Canyon, with smoke visible from Oakley, is still burning, but under control and not threatening any structures. 

As of midday Tuesday, two South Summit Fire Department crews were working on the fire in the right fork of Pinon Canyon above Oakley.

South Summit Fire commissioner Kent Leavitt said the fire has burned about two acres and did not grow much overnight. It’s considered under control, but Leavitt said helicopter assistance is coming later today.

One of the four candidates for city council in Park City has dropped out of the race,  just days before ballots are mailed to voters.

Thomas Purcell sent an email to Park City Recorder Michelle Kellogg Monday afternoon, saying he had to end his campaign. Purcell's email stated "ongoing issues with my health (back), and personal commitments will not allow me to be a competent candidate for office." Purcell added he looked forward to being involved in city poltics in the future.

The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) advises drivers planning travel to Salt Lake City International Airport this weekend that the ramp from westbound I-80 to the airport will be closed. The ramp is scheduled to close Friday, Oct. 1, at 8 p.m., and is expected to reopen by Monday, Oct. 4, at 4 a.m.

During the closure, airport travelers will need to use alternate routes to access the airport, including I-215 and Bangerter Highway. The airport access from the northbound I-215 ramp to westbound I-80 will remain open.

Summit County reported a new COVID-19 death Thursday. A woman between 65-84 years old who was hospitalized at the time of her death has died of the virus. That brings the number of Summit County residents who have died of COVID to 18.

The stoves will heat up again at the former Adolph’s Restaurant on Kearns Blvd.

Maggie Alvarez and Matt Harris, the duo behind RIME Seafood and Raw Bar at Deer Valley’s St. Regis and Afterword in Heber, announced Tuesday that they’ll take over that space and bring the city an updated and relocated version of Tupelo, their former Main Street fine dining restaurant.

The two weren’t immediately available to comment, but said in an announcement that they hope to open before the start of the winter season.

Vail Resorts, owner of Park City Mountain, announced Thursday it plans to replace the Eagle Lift and Silverlode Lift for the 2022 – 2023 ski season.

The Eagle Lift is currently a triple chair at the base of the resort, next to the First Time Lift.  Vail plans to change it to a high-speed six-person chair lift with a new mid-station. Vail claims the new lift will significantly reduce crowding and wait times.

Summit County Sheriff identified the two people in the car that crashed on US 40 after a high-speed chase yesterday morning. Daisha Reynolds, 19, of Salt Lake City, was ejected from the car when it rolled over and died at the scene.

The driver was Charles Caster, 22, also of Salt Lake City. He is in critical condition and was airlifted to a hospital after the crash. The incident is being investigated by the state Attorney General’s office, West Valley Police Department, Park City Police Department, and the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner.