WasteLess Solutions expands food rescue with free HungreeApp
PARK CITY, Utah —WasteLess Solutions is adding a new weapon to its food‑recovery arsenal: a smartphone app that pairs surplus meals with hungry neighbors in real time.
The Park City–based nonprofit announced on Thursday that it is partnering with The HungreeApp to create an online “Community Village” where restaurants, caterers, and other licensed food businesses can post excess food for immediate pickup. Donation activity is scheduled to begin Memorial Day weekend.
The HungreeApp is free to download on Apple and Android devices. Once registered, food providers can list extra items in less than a minute, while “Hungrees” — anyone seeking a meal — can claim offerings based on distance, dietary preference and other filters. No income qualification or usage limit applies.
“Adding The HungreeApp to our toolkit means we can quickly connect food donors with people in need — without complicated logistics. It’s simple, fast, and impactful,” said Julianne Carone, area director for WasteLess Solutions.
The HungreeApp operates through public or private “Villages” that let communities create self‑managed sharing ecosystems. Developers say the platform aims to curb hunger, cut waste, and strengthen social ties by redistributing resources at the neighborhood level. WasteLess is now onboarding certified providers to the Park City Village. All licensed food businesses in Summit County automatically qualify. The nonprofit will assist with demonstrations and training at no cost.
Organizers say the app is designed to complement, not compete with, existing food‑aid networks. Local pantries typically allow grocery pickups twice a month, but they cannot always handle unexpected prepared‑food surpluses. By capturing those leftovers before they reach landfills, the app targets both food insecurity and waste.
Founded in 2018, WasteLess Solutions has rescued more than 2.5 million pounds of food — valued at $4.8 million — diverting upward of 1,600 tons of carbon dioxide emissions and conserving an estimated 297 million gallons of water, according to the organization. A grant from the Park City Climate Fund financed its 2024 expansion into Summit County.
Registration for Park City’s Running With Ed extended to May 9
PARK CITY, Utah — Regular‑rate registration for the Park City Education Foundation’s annual Running with Ed relay has been extended through May 9, giving residents an extra week to sign up for the May 17 “fun‑draiser” that supports classroom grants across the Park City School District.
Every entry fee and donation backs teacher‑led programs, while friendly competition among campuses determines which will claim one of the Park City Mountain Grants: $5,000, $3,000 or $2,000 for their parent‑teacher organizations.
As of Friday, the participation leaderboard stands:
Jeremy Ranch Elementary School — 27.3%
Parley’s Park Elementary School — 26.8%
Trailside Elementary School — 20.7%
McPolin Elementary School — 20.3%
Ecker Hill Middle School — 7.7%
Park City High School — 5.3%
Treasure Mountain Junior High — 4.5%
Registration and full race details are available at runningwithed.com.
Run-A-Muk Reopens: Wagging tails, clean trails and one golden poop surprise
PARK CITY, Utah— Run-A-Muk, Summit County’s off-leash open space, reopened Wednesday after a monthlong rest, greeting dogs and their owners with freshly cleared trails and the scent of sage.
During the spring hiatus, Basin Recreation and community volunteers removed 163 pounds of pet waste and other trash from the 43-acre property. Crews recovered items ranging from a metal T-post to a pair of lost paw boots — and one spray-painted “golden poop,” a scavenger-hunt prize hidden to reward diligent helpers.
Rosie Noodle rests beside the spray-painted “golden poop” she and owner Randi Jo Greenberg discovered during the spring cleanup at Run-A-Muk. Photo: Randi Jo Greenberg
Long-time Park City resident Randi Jo Greenberg and her dog, Rosie Noodle, claimed the treasure.
“It was really great,” Greenberg said. “Rosie Noodle and I were doing our cleanup like we always do, and I looked down and was standing almost right on top of the golden poop. I’ve been looking for years and always wondered, Are there really poops? It turns out there are — and I found one.”
Greenberg said her canine companion received a new toy and treats, while she walked away with a Hugo Coffee gift card. “The thrill of winning was enough,” she added. “The prize just made it even more awesome.”
Basin Recreation plans another volunteer cleanup in the fall and will again hide a golden poop for participants to find. Details will appear on the district’s events calendar.
Run-A-Muk is open daily from dawn to dusk. Owners must leash dogs in the parking lot, carry waste bags and pack out all trash.
Utah Wildlife Board approves 2025 Big Game Permits, rule changes
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Wildlife Board approved the 2025 big game hunting permit numbers and several updates to hunting rules during its public meeting Thursday, including an increase in general-season deer permits.
Deer Population Management
“It should be noted that harvesting buck deer does not drive deer populations,” Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Big Game Coordinator Dax Mangus said. “That is a common misconception we hear when we make permit number recommendations each year. The most important factors that drive deer population numbers are the survival rates of doe deer (since bucks don’t have babies), fawn production and fawn survival over the winter. The way we hunt buck deer in Utah doesn’t drive deer populations, but what happens with deer populations drives how we hunt buck deer.”
Permit recommendations are based on population surveys, survival data, habitat conditions, and buck-to-doe ratio goals established in the statewide deer management plan, last updated in December 2024.
2025 Hunting Permit Highlights
General-season buck deer: Increased from 71,525 in 2024 to 80,200 in 2025
Limited-entry buck deer: 1,547 permits
Antlerless deer: Reduced to 340 permits
General-season elk: 15,000 any bull and 15,000 spike bull permits
Antlerless elk: Increased to 20,798
Uinta Basin private-lands-only elk: 500 new permits
Increases were also approved for pronghorn, moose, bison, desert bighorn sheep, and mountain goat
Rule Changes
Harvest reporting: Hunters must report within 30 days of season end or by Feb. 15
New hunts: Antlerless deer allowed near Alton for population control
Youth access: Youth with restricted rifle permits can hunt all general seasons in their unit
Import rules eased: Regulated import of skulls from CWD-positive states now allowed
Aerial retrieval: DWR will monitor aircraft use in game retrieval
CWMU and Other Updates
The board approved 688 public and 48 private antlerless permits under the Cooperative Wildlife Management Unit (CWMU) program and added two new CWMUs. Additional changes include clarifying landowner permit eligibility and modifying expo permit rules, including the removal of nonresident-only permits and a proposed fee range of $5–$10.
The full meeting is available on the Utah Department of Natural Resources YouTube channel.
Milan-Cortina Olympics organizers announce budget of 1.7 billion euros
MILAN — Organizers of next year’s Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics announced an operating budget of “about 1.7 billion euros” ($1.9 billion) on Thursday, a 100 million euro ($112 million) increase from the previously stated amount.
The budget does not include construction of competition venues such as the 118 million euro ($131 million) sliding center in Cortina d’Ampezzo and the new Santa Giulia ice hockey arena in Milan, which could cost nearly 300 million euros ($330 million), nor big infrastructure projects involving roads and railways.
The International Olympic Committee will also contribute about $1 billion in additional funding for the Feb. 6-22 Games, while the Italian government is funding more than $1 billion in infrastructure development to improve access to venues.
Unlike recent Winter Games in Sochi (2014), Pyeongchang (2018) and Beijing (2022), most of the 2026 venues are in place and have been used for years for World Cups and world championships.
Russia reportedly spent $51 billion on the 2014 Sochi Games, a price tag that is expected to stand as an Olympic record for many years.
The operating budget for the 2022 Beijing Games was estimated at about $4 billion.
Yoga Littles, big impact: Mark Robinson’s mission to build mindful kids
PARK CITY, Utah — For 21 years now, Mark Robinson has practiced yoga. Father of four- and six-year-old boys, the Yoga Littles instructor admitted that part of the reason he wanted to teach was to spend more time with his sons. The Littles Yoga class at Park City Yoga Collective is for kids of any and all levels, 5-12 years old, designed for fun with age-appropriate games, stories, animal sounds and creativity. The Yoga Littles class is held every Friday at 1 p.m. on PCYC’s B-Side, while in the Hot Room, there is a 1 p.m. Hot Power, perfect for a simultaneous adult and child class.
Like sneaking vegetables into your children’s meals, Robinson sneaks in skills that have life-long benefits.
Robinson’s boys practicing their zen. Photo: Mark Robinson
“Breath is probably the most important one you can learn, because if you’re anxious, you can breathe. If you’re mad, you can breathe. If you’re sad, you can breathe. Having and developing small skills like breath are so valuable. Yoga is one of the many tools we can use in life.”
Whether your child is into jiu jitsu or skateboarding, yoga can increase fine motor control, reduce stress and anxiety, improve focus, and help regulate emotions. “Name me a sport where you don’t need good balance,” he asked.
“The children like the fact that we structure the classes so they’re fun number one. And then number two, what can we learn? I’m trying to give them one extra skill, so when their brother or sister, mom or dad is frustrated or happy or whatever, they’re grounded in reality.”
Robinson’s approach to class with young kids is not to take anything, especially yoga, too seriously. He structures classes in ten 5-minute sections to capitalize on students’ attention spans. The first section is always breath-work, followed by moves and poses, and bookended by breath-work and a story. He spoke of not adhering to specific plans because, as those familiar with children know, you just have to go with the flow.
“I did my yoga teacher training in 2022 but I had no desire really to teach until I met Jenn [Armstrong-Solomon],” Robinson said. “She was just terrific for me. In the 200 hour yoga teacher training, she gave me another layer to ground myself and think what’s next to develop personally, yoga was secondary. I hope that I can teach that to other children as well. Because I’m a better dad for it, I’m a better teacher, skier, brother and son for it.”
The Robinson family. Photo: Mark Robinson.
In a previous life, Robinson was a medical executive working in endoscopy. His work took him around the world to Australia, Asia and South America. Now, he is busy teaching Yoga Littles, coaching his sons in soccer, coaching skiing, school pick-ups and drop-offs, and managing his company, Powder Hounds Coffee.
“I have to prelude that, I have a partner that has let me build my coffee company, teach yoga, and raise our sons. She got promoted and I said, why don’t step back and I’ll help raise the children more, and you go dominate the world that you’re obviously incredible at doing.”
Your child doesn’t have to be a yogi or athlete to enjoy PCYC’s Yoga Littles class with Mark, just open to a non-competitive and creative experience of mindfulness, flexibility, and movement.
Meyer Gallery marks 60 years with anniversary exhibition honoring local legacy and artists
PARK CITY, Utah — Meyer Gallery will mark six decades as a cornerstone of Park City’s art scene with a special exhibition, “A Legacy of Art: 60 Years of Meyer Gallery,” opening Friday, May 30, from 6 to 9 p.m. at its historic Main Street location. The event coincides with the Park City Gallery Stroll and will feature live music, refreshments, and works from a roster of celebrated Utah artists.
The exhibition, on view through June 18, brings together paintings, sculptures, photography, and mixed media, reflecting the gallery’s long-standing commitment to both emerging voices and established names.
“For anyone to have made it 60 years in the gallery business is pretty amazing,” said Adam Hansen, Meyer Gallery’s new owner and longtime director. “I feel like I’m standing on the shoulders of giants. It’s like being handed a precious family heirloom.”
Visitors explore Meyer Gallery’s richly layered interior, where historic architecture meets contemporary portraiture, anchored by the original 1890s bank vault that still stands at the heart of the space. Photo: Meyer Gallery
Hansen joined Meyer Gallery in 2012 and became director soon after. In April 2024, he assumed ownership from Susan Meyer, who had led the gallery since 1997. Her parents, Darrell and Gerri Meyer, originally founded the gallery in 1965. It was first known as The Hanging Room before moving into its current home inside the historic First National Bank building and adopting the Meyer Gallery name.
“We’re so fortunate to be in the building that we’re in,” Hansen said. “It still has the original brick and bank vaults from the 1890s. The big walls allow us to hang large-scale works—something a lot of galleries can’t accommodate. That physical presence sets the tone that you’re walking into a historic space, even while we show contemporary work.”
The 60th anniversary show highlights artists with long-standing ties to the gallery, including Brian Kershisnik, Jeffery Pugh, Paige Anderson, Mary Sauer, and Colby Sanford, among others. The focus remains firmly rooted in Utah.
Guests gather amid sculpture and contemporary paintings during a lively opening reception at Meyer Gallery, celebrating the vibrant community and creative legacy that define the Park City institution. Photo: Meyer Gallery
“In Utah, we have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to artistic talent,” Hansen said. “We don’t need to go to New York to find high-quality work—it’s in our backyard.”
While Meyer Gallery’s curatorial vision has evolved over the decades, Hansen said the core mission remains the same: promoting excellence in contemporary painting and sculpture, with an emphasis on regional voices.
“I plan to maintain the same approach to curating that Susan had,” he said. “We’ve always tried to find a thoughtful balance between traditional and contemporary. It’s an organic process—artists come and go—but the philosophy remains constant.”
As Hansen leads the gallery into its next chapter, he says he is not looking to make sweeping changes. “My goal is to keep moving in the same direction. Any shifts will happen naturally, as they always have.”
The May 30 opening reception is free and open to the public. For more information, visit meyergallery.com or call 435-649-8160.
Sandhill cranes return to Swaner Preserve for spring season
SUMMIT COUNTY, Utah — A familiar and majestic sight is gracing wetlands around Park City once again: Sandhill cranes have returned to the Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter for their spring and summer stay. These tall birds—known for their distinctive red crowns and echoing bugle calls—are part of a larger migratory population that travels from wintering grounds in Arizona and New Mexico to breeding territories across northern Utah.
TownLift reader Owen Modena captured these photos on an afternoon walk on Wednesday near Swaner Preserve. Remember to share your photos with tips@townlift.com for a chance to be featured.
Sandhill Cranes at the Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter in Summit County, Utah
Sandhill Cranes at the Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter in Summit County, Utah
Summit County serves as a key nesting habitat for these prehistoric looking birds. At Swaner, visitors can witness courtship displays like elaborate dancing, where pairs leap, bow, and call in unison. The preserve also protects essential wetland and upland areas that support crane nesting and chick-rearing through late summer.
Utah DNR Wildlife biologists encourage respectful viewing. “Staying on trails and keeping a safe distance helps protect nesting cranes during this sensitive time,” said a DWR representative.
For those hoping to catch a glimpse of these ancient birds—whose lineage dates back millions of years—the best viewing times are early mornings and evenings along the wetland boardwalk.
More info about crane watching and conservation efforts is available at swanerecocenter.org.
Park City teens explore careers in medicine and fire service through PCCAPS
PARK CITY, Utah — Students in the 11th and 12th grades at the Park City High School have opportunities to experience what their fellow community members at the Intermountain Park City Hospital and the Park City Fire District do daily.
The Park City Center for Advanced Professional Studies (PCCAPS) educates students toward readiness for career success in many industries, including medical, fire, and physical therapy. In doing so, a win-win-win study structure partnership is created.
The course is designed for those interested in professions in sports medicine such as athletic training, physical therapy, orthopedics and sports performance. Guided by Park City High School’s team of certified athletic trainers, students demonstrate various skills relative to emergency care, evaluation and treatment; musculoskeletal systems; taping and wrapping skills; care and prevention; and strength training and nutrition. Students work on projects for real sports medicine professionals (clients) intended to enhance the field of sports medicine or the PCHS athlete experience.
Previous clients include: Intermountain Park City Hospital, The Kutcher Clinic, Power To Shred, U.S. Ski & Snowboard, Heiden Orthopedics and others.
Students earn certifications in CPR/AED and First Aid for adults, children, and infants. They are provided with several field trip opportunities, including the Utah Valley University Cadaver Lab, health career fairs that may be taking place during the semester, and the University of Utah Orthopedic Center. Students also receive a backstage pass to Intermountain Park City Hospital professionals through Intermountain’s intern training program.
The Healthcare Career Academy is a collaborative initiative with Intermountain Health Park City High School, funded by a generous community donation. It uses a Stanford University curriculum to educate high school students about public health, the drivers of health, and how they can advocate for healthier conditions in their communities.
Park City High School
The Healthcare Career Academy benefits the students and Intermountain Health Park City Hospital.
“By helping students become more aware of various careers offered in healthcare at their local community hospital, they can become prospective healthcare professionals that can help us build a pipeline of people that want to return to work in the communities where they grew up. This helps build a stronger, healthier future for the Wasatch Back and beyond,” Lori Weston, CEO of Intermountain Health Park City Hospital, told TownLift.
“Hospital employees involved in the academy get a chance to mentor students, which can be very rewarding,” she added.
Students participating in the academy can, among other life lessons,
Connect one-on-one with local health or hospital leaders to learn what they do in their jobs and careers and how they got there.
Learn to recognize health concerns in the local community
Engage in hands-on learning with University of Utah medical students. For example, students learned how to maintain a healthy weight and how much sugar is in various foods or beverages.
Learn how to create awareness about healthy behaviors, health screenings, and checkups by writing public service announcements that could be shared through the media.
Intermountain Health Park City Hospital also partners with Park City High School through PCCAPS and offers a hospital internship for a senior at Park City High School.
“So often, the community only thinks of the clinical things that happen in a hospital. These students leave with a much better understanding of everything that happens on a daily basis to make the hospital operate,” said Weston.
Once at the hospital, students are shown all types of careers in clinical and non-clinical areas such as pharmacy, physical therapy, emergency department, marketing, human resources, etc.
“We show them different ways to get into healthcare, what entry-level jobs there are, and explain the work and education pathways to further their career,” said Weston.
Another exciting option for students in this program is to spend two days at a Park City Fire District station. If it’s a busy day with incoming calls for service, the student can accompany the team in their emergency vehicles to serve the community out in the field, shadowing the professionals.
If it’s a day on which the fire station employees are simply taking care of the daily tasks involved with maintaining a state of readiness, then students’ observance of it is equally important if they’re thinking about pursuing a career in the fire sciences and services.
“Getting local high school students involved with the Park City Fire District is a great opportunity for both the students and the staff,” Russell Buhecker, Park City Fire District FF/AEMT, told TownLift. “New firefighters and EMTs gain valuable experience by teaching and mentoring, which builds their confidence and sharpens their skills. The hands-on interaction helps reinforce critical protocols for the staff while showing students that lifelong learning is essential in this line of work. It also gives students a firsthand look at how their community responds to emergencies and what being a firefighter really involves.
Near the culmination of the classes, students present a health improvement project for the community. For example, two of the top presentations this year were:
How could Parkites best educate out-of-state rental car customers as to the most efficient and effective ways of safe driving procedures and practices during instances of inclement weather? Perhaps an app.
How could Parkites incentivize skiers and snowboarders to put down the foot rest bars on chairlifts, an action proven to increase health and safety benefits? Possibly a QR code on the lowered bar gifting a free lodge hot chocolate.
Food for thought.
Take control of your money with the Financial Education Course for Women
PARK CITY, Utah — A new financial literacy course in Park City aims to help local women take control of their money and build a future of financial confidence. Habitat for Humanity of Summit and Wasatch Counties is launching its next cohort of the Financial Education Course for Women, formerly known as She Means Business.
The free, four-week in-person series begins May 8 and offers women of all experience levels the chance to build financial knowledge in a supportive, judgment-free environment. Classes will be held at the Blair Education Center, located at 900 Round Valley Drive, from 6 to 8 p.m.
The course will cover topics such as spending plans, saving strategies, credit improvement, fraud protection, investing basics, mortgage navigation, and affordable housing options. Participants will also be guided in setting achievable financial goals and understanding their personal relationship with money.
The session schedule is as follows:
Thursday, May 8
Thursday, May 15
Tuesday, May 20
Thursday, May 29
Expert facilitators include:
Lindsey Powers, Business Development Officer, America First Credit Union
Justina Smith, Certified Financial Planner, Edward Jones
Jamie Schwarzenbach, Senior Manager of Business Blueprint & Banking, American Express
Meagan Nielsen, Administrative Director, Habitat for Humanity
Space is limited and early registration is encouraged. Refreshments will be provided. For more information or to register, contact Meagan Nielsen at programs@habitat-utah.org or call 435-774-0752.
Governors Go Nuclear: Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming unite to boost regional energy independence
DRAPER, Utah — The governors of Utah, Idaho and Wyoming signed a tri-state agreement Monday to strengthen collaboration on energy policy, infrastructure development and nuclear innovation across the region.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, Idaho Gov. Brad Little and Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon formalized the agreement at the Built Here: Nuclear Energy Summit in Draper, Utah. The memorandum of understanding (MOU) outlines a cooperative framework to advance energy resilience, improve infrastructure coordination, and accelerate the development of affordable nuclear power.
“The West will lead the next chapter of energy abundance and American prosperity,” said Gov. Cox. “Today, we brought together industry leaders, investors, and policymakers to chart the course for nuclear energy. Our new compact strengthens our shared commitment to aggressively pursue more affordable, reliable energy across state lines.”
The summit, hosted by Cox, gathered leaders from across the nuclear energy sector and highlighted Utah’s push to become a national hub for advanced nuclear development. The event also emphasized the importance of regional partnerships in securing a stable energy future.
Under the agreement, the three states plan to coordinate aligning energy policies, streamlining infrastructure projects and advocating for supportive federal policies. The MOU also includes commitments to enhance grid reliability, develop a skilled energy workforce and maintain affordable energy access for residents.
Officials described the agreement as a major step toward creating a regional “energy corridor” centered on nuclear innovation, with Utah, Idaho and Wyoming positioned at the forefront.
Park City High dance coach placed on leave amid state investigation, license review
PARK CITY, Utah – A part-time dance and cheer coach at Park City High School has been placed on administrative leave as the Utah State Board of Education considers suspending her teaching license over allegations related to her prior employment at another school.
Melanie Hiatt, who began teaching in Park City at the start of the 2023–24 academic year, was placed on leave by the Park City School District on April 25. The district acted after learning that the Utah Professional Practices Advisory Commission (UPPAC) had recommended a two-year suspension of her teaching license. That recommendation, the result of an investigation into her conduct while working at Providence Hall High School in Herriman, is expected to be reviewed by the state board Thursday, May 1.
According to documents filed in 3rd District Court, UPPAC found that Hiatt had committed “boundary violations and bullying behavior with a student” during her time at the Providence Hall. The allegations were submitted to the commission, a former Providence Hall student who graduated in 2020. Hiatt later filed a defamation lawsuit against the student, claiming her report contained false and damaging statements that harmed Hiatt’s career.
The Park City School District said it does not comment on specific personnel matters. However, spokesperson Colton Elliott provided general information about the district’s policy on administrative leave.
“The decision to place an employee on administrative leave is made on a case-by-case basis by district leadership, often in consultation with our Human Resources department and legal counsel,” Elliott said. “Leave is not automatic and depends on a variety of factors, including the nature of the concern, employee role, and potential impact on students and the school environment.”
He added that when an employee is under investigation by another district or outside agency, the Park City School District reviews the available information before determining whether to take action.
“Not all external investigations require automatic leave unless they relate to student safety, a licensure violation, or other conduct that would trigger a mandatory report to the Utah State Board of Education (USBE) and/or Utah Professional Practices Advisory Commission (UPPAC),” Elliott said.
Court filings show that district officials were notified of UPPAC’s findings on April 18. A letter sent to Hiatt on April 21 placed her on leave and informed her she would be terminated if the state board ultimately suspended her license. The letter also barred her from accessing school property.
Hiatt is fighting the decision in court. Her attorneys recently asked a District Court judge to reinstate her, arguing the district acted prematurely and in violation of her teaching and coaching contracts. They also said the timing of the leave caused harm to students in the Park City High Dance Company as they prepared for their year-end performance. The judge denied the emergency request.
While Hiatt remains on leave, the assistant dance coach has taken over classroom responsibilities and is leading preparations for the team’s showcase, scheduled for May 1 and 2.
In September, the Park City High School Girls’ Volleyball Coach was placed on leave following allegations of misconduct.
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