Hey Cache Valley!

If your July calendar looks like a toddler with a sticker sheet—good. That means you’re doing summer right. 

This week’s newsletter is loaded like your neighbor’s nachos at the block party: we've got a magic show that'll make your kids think you're cool again, a Nerf war that’s basically teen therapy, and a casserole so comforting it might write you a thank-you note.

We’re also talking fast EV chargers (finally!), backyard memory blankets (yes, it’s a thing), and the CopperLane sale that might break your “no more clothes” promise.

So grab a popsicle, plop in the shade, and scroll like it's your full-time job. Let’s make this week so Cache Valley. 

In this issue:

- Word on the Street
- Where to Be
- I'll Take One of Everything
- Life Comes at You Fast

- Locals Who Mean Business

- This Made Us Smile

Logan’s been turning up the heat (literally), and our sprinklers are working harder than a mom with toddlers at a splash pad.

This year’s water usage is up 14% compared to the past three summers — and while our water system isn’t panicking yet, it is side-eyeing your overzealous lawn.

Check those sprinklers (sidewalks don’t need hydration), fix the leaky geysers, and maybe give your grass a weekend-only spa day. Saturdays and Sundays = chill flow = happy pipes.

Be the neighbor whose lawn still looks good and doesn’t trigger a city-wide water sigh. 

Full scoop👇

Buzzkill Alert: West Nile Virus Found in Cache Valley Mosquitoes

Well, that escalated quickly.

Some local mosquitoes just tested positive for West Nile virus, which means it’s officially time to dig out that citronella candle you bought in 2017 and never used.

The Health Department has tips, warnings, and a firm “no thanks” to mosquito bites.

We've got the details—and yes, it includes ditching any backyard puddles acting like five-star mosquito resorts.

Read the full scoop and protect your ankles →
West Nile Virus Detected in Cache Valley Mosquitoes

Utah’s Fruit Highway Is Basically Nature’s Candy Aisle

Craving a summer road trip that smells like peaches and tastes like heaven? 🍓 Utah’s Fruit Way is bursting with fresh-picked perfection—from juicy cherries to famous Brigham City peaches.

The best part? It’s all roadside, local, and deliciously in-season. Load up the kids, roll down the windows, and prepare to brake for fruit stands.

Here’s your sweet (and scenic) guide →
Enjoy a trip on Utah’s Fruit Way

From Bedside to Brilliance: USU’s Nursing Program Is Seriously Leveling Up

Cache Valley’s future nurses aren’t just learning how to take pulses—they’re making them faster. 

Utah State’s nursing program is expanding in a big way, with more students, more space, and more simulation dummies that blink (and maybe sass back?). It’s part of a huge push to meet the nursing shortage—and spoiler: our Aggies are crushing it.

If you’ve ever had a nurse save your day (or your IV), you’ll want to see what’s brewing in USU’s scrubs department.

Catch the full heartwarming, community-boosting scoop →
USU’s Nursing Program Is Growing

Teens, Treats & Totally Free Fun—Yes, Really!

Calling all high schoolers! The Youth Opportunity Fair is popping into Richmond and it's bringing candy, comedy, and career inspo—aka the triple threat of teen events.

Expect balloon animals, button making, arrowhead necklaces (hello, fashion), and games you can actually win. Bonus? Improv pros The Antics are performing live, and there's popcorn. Enough said.

July 15

5:00–7:30 PM

Richmond Theater
Free (but bring your curiosity and maybe an appetite)

RSVP & details HERE! 

Nerf or Nothin’ — Teen War at the Civic Center!

Ready. Aim. Laugh until you wheeze.

Hyrum Library is hosting the ultimate foam-blasting showdown for teens—because summer isn’t complete without a little friendly fire (with safety goggles, of course).

Bring your own Nerf gun, and we’ll provide the darts, goggles, and battleground vibes. This is your official excuse to dodge, dive, and dominate.

Thursday, July 18
3:00 – 5:00 PM
Hyrum Civic Center
Ages 12–17
Free event – but make sure you bring your A-game!

Finally, a Writing Group for Grownups (Who Prefer to Type in Peace)

Write at Night is your monthly escape with fellow adults who get it. Join author Sarah E. Bouche and other local writers for a cozy, creative night of writing, learning, and uninterrupted focus.

Thursday, July 18
5:00–6:30 PM
Hyrum Library Meeting Room
Adults 18+ | Free

No judgment if your "novel" is still a title and a Pinterest board

Want to Build a Better Community? Start Here.

Join a virtual workshop that’s more “aha!” than awkward.

The Community Cultural Humility Workshop is your chance to learn how to connect across cultures, check your blind spots (we all have ’em), and help create a Cache Valley that truly feels like home for everyone.

No lectures. Just real talk, practical tools, and a whole lot of heart.

📅 Wednesday, July 16
🕕 6:00 PM
💻 Online (comfy pants encouraged)

Register HERE! 

POOF! Your Boring Morning Just Disappeared

Expect flying stars, sleight-of-hand, and a whole lot of “how’d he DO that?!” Bring your camp chairs, your curiosity, and your inner child. This show is for all ages—because adults need wonder too.

Wednesday, July 17
Shows at 10:30 AM or 1:00 PM
Hansens Sports Complex (220 E 2850 N, North Logan)

FREE! Just don’t forget your chair or your sense of whimsy.

The Cozy Casserole That Basically Hugs You Back

Some recipes say “comfort food”... this one screams it in the gentlest, most buttery way possible.

This chicken and rice casserole is creamy, crispy-topped, and packed with nostalgic magic (plus, it only takes 10 minutes to prep).

Perfect for busy weeknights, hungry teenagers, or when you just need something warm and reliable that won’t ghost you like your 2022 sourdough starter.

Scoop the recipe here →
Chicken and Rice Casserole Recipe

Are These the Coolest Glasses in Cache Valley—or Just Hype?

Has anyone tried these?? 👉 Amazon link

I keep almost buying them but always chicken out—are they actually worth it? How do you use them? Do they actually work or just look awesome in the drawer?

Would love to hear from someone who’s used them!

Genius Summer Hack: The "Backyard Time Capsule Blanket"

Tired of the “I’m bored” loop before noon? This one’s a total aha moment and becomes a family tradition instantly:

Take an old picnic blanket and use fabric paint, markers, or iron-on patches to document your summer adventures.

Each time you do something summery—like catch fireflies, visit Bear Lake, hit a drive-in movie, eat corn on the cob—add a doodle, date, or quote to the blanket.

By the end of summer, you’ll have a soft, cozy time capsule of memories you can sit on next year—and relive all the magic. 

Totally screen-free. Completely nostalgic. And way cooler than a scrapbook.

CopperLane’s Having a Warehouse Sale—And Your Closet’s About to Thank You

This is not a drill: CopperLane Clothing is clearing out the racks and making room for new arrivals—which means YOU get first dibs on the softest, cutest, most wear-it-everyday pieces at warehouse sale prices. 

From twirl-worthy dresses to laid-back staples that actually flatter, this local fave is serving up deals your wallet (and your closet) will be obsessed with.

Cache Valley-based, mama-approved, and flying off the shelves. Go now or cry later.

Shop the Warehouse Sale → CopperLaneClothing.com

That’s a wrap on this week, Cache Valley!

If you laughed, learned, or added just one more thing to your already-bonkers summer calendar, we’ve done our job. 

If you loved it—send it to a friend! Sharing is caring, and your bestie deserves the inside scoop on magic shows, casserole wins, and that genius backyard time capsule blanket (seriously, start one—you’ll thank us next summer).

See you around the valley (probably near the soda fountain),
—Your friends at Cache Valley Locals

P.S. A few of the links in this issue may give us a small commission (at no cost to you!)—which helps us keep the newsletter running, the jokes flowing, and the community connected.

Thanks for reading, supporting, and being the reason Cache Valley is the best place to call home. ❤️