? Schools Closing In SLC? Afraid So + Salt Lake Gets Arts Grant – Patch.com

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First, today’s weather:

Mostly sunny. High: 37 Low: 22.

Find out what’s happening in Salt Lake City with free, real-time updates from Patch.

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Here are the top stories in Salt Lake City today:

1. The man who fatally punched another man at a homeless encampment last May in Salt Lake has now been sentenced for criminal homicide by assault. According to police, Juan Ayala Jr., 47, had an argument with the victim, approached and punched him in the face. When the victim fell to the ground and lost consciousness, Ayala fled the scene. Sentenced to 5 years in Utah State Prison, Ayala says he hit the victim in self defense and did not intend to kill him. (ABC 4)
2. Salt Lake City’s cultural landscape didn’t fare well during the pandemic slow down, and, as a result, the National Endowment For The Arts has awarded the Salt Lake Arts Council a $500,000 grant aimed to restore the city’s cultural sector. Utah’s flagship city and cultural epicenter was one of 66 recipients nationwide that got the grant, and the only city in Utah . Funds will go toward the City Arts Grants Program to fund artists, organizations, and various projects that strengthen the cultural fabric of the city. (KSL.com)
3. It’s a cruel irony during a time when teachers are hard to come by that Salt Lake City will need to face the reality presented by a dramatic drop in students that will not only necessitate the need to cut full-time teaching positions, but will likely close schools as well. The equivalent of more than 75 teachers will need to be reduced for next year, although the district is looking for creative ways to cut that number in half, and school board members are compiling study lists for which schools to consider closing as well. A consideration they will dive into by the end of the month. (fox13now.com)

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Today in Salt Lake City:

• The Salt Lake Public Library presents Preschool Storytime, featuring stories, rhymes, and fun to help kids get ready to read! Today at the Sprague Firehouse Express Branch. (10:30 AM)
• The Utah Jazz take on the Brooklyn Nets tonight at Vivint Arena, downtown. (7:00 PM)
• Thierry Fisher conducts Ravel, Lizst, and John Adams with the Utah Symphony, tonight and tomorrow, at Abravanel Hall. (7:30 PM)
• The U’s Department of Theatre brings the comedy The Book Club Play to the stage at the Babcock Theatre, tonight and this weekend. (7:30 PM)

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From my notebook:

• “President Joe Biden has nominated two SJ Quinney U Law alumnae to serve as U.S. attorneys. If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Trina Higgins and S. Lane Tucker will serve among 94 U.S. attorneys across the country who are “indispensable to upholding the rule of law as the top federal law enforcement officials for their districts.” (The University of Utah)
• “Here’s an in-depth look at the moving walkways in The New SLC.” (Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC))
• “In honor of the Year of the Tiger in the lunar calendar, we are celebrating these unique and charismatic species! Amur tigers, like [The Hogle Zoo’s] Sasha, are one of the largest cats in the world today. They are typically found in Russia Far East with a smaller population of ranges across China and possibly North Korea. Wild tiger populations have been in decline driven towards extinction. Hunting and deforestation have reduced populations dramatically. Luckily, we can take practical steps to protect these species.” (Utah’s Hogle Zoo)
• “Attention Harry Potter™ fans: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince™ in Concert with Utah Symphony is coming to Abravanel Hall!” (Utah Symphony)
• “Kids Café offers free Grab & Go snacks for kids age 17 and under. Snacks are distributed at the Marmalade, Day-Riverside, and Glendale Branches. They are also distributed at the Main Library through the Holds To-Go service; just call the Holds To-Go number when you arrive and a friendly Library staff member will bring the snacks to you.” (Salt Lake City Public Library)
• “Some girls dream of being soccer players, but Park City native Lindsey Van dreamed of flying—as an Olympic ski jumper. At the time, women weren’t allowed to participate in ski jumping. Fast forward several years when Van competed alongside 27 other women ski jumpers from across the globe in the Sochi Olympic Winter Games.” (Visit Utah)
• “Thank you to Mark Miller Subaru for the opportunity to create Children’s Museum exhibits in their showrooms. And thank you for hosting a wonderful ribbon cutting ceremony! We are excited to continue our partnership” (Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum)

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Real quick, you’ve probably heard about concerns regarding the Great Salt Lake drying up. Yes, our city’s namesake could turn into a desert of toxic dust. But Katie Hatzfeld over at SLUG magazine highlights ways you can get involved in helping to advocate for the salty lake we all think is Great. Check it out. OK, you’re officially in the loop for today! I’ll see you around.

— Joseph Peterson

About me: Joseph is a writer and marketing communications strategist with a degree in Mass Communication and Public Relations from the University of Utah. He’s keen on city life, public libraries, national parks, and promoting events that build community.