By Mark LaRocco

RIVER HEIGHTS -- It's "better late than never" for a River Heights area sheep. As reported by Public Works Supervisor Kent Parker in Tuesday night's City Council meeting, the sheep was found near the city pumphouse by local residents.

Allegedly living off of snow and weeds, the animal was one of an estimated 203 lost sheep that escaped when a semi truck overturned at the mouth of Logan Canyon just over a month ago, said Parker. A farmer from Hyrum came and picked up the sheep, but then discovered he could not have it.

"The insurance company got to keep the sheep," said City Recorder Sheila Lind.

In other business, resident Bessie Wakefield complained about the house across the street from her house. She said that it looks terrible and that the city should take action against the homeowner.

"It's a fire hazard and it's an eyesore," said Wakefield.

The council and Mayor Vic Jensen discussed the possibility of getting with an attorney and formally requesting the homeowner to fix it up. They have already demanded big changes and nothing has been done so far. Councilman Noel Cooley said a property can legally be condemned after a time limit--it can be burned down, taken over, resold--and could become the city's property.

"It's definitely time to get aggressive," said Councilwoman Gladys Atwood.

Bill Carson bought and sold the home and moved it to where it now sits on a makeshift foundation. It has no house number, but lies between 464 and 474 East on 500 South. The current owner, Kyle Bodily, lives in Logan.

In a phone interview, Bodily said that he bought the house about a year ago, and when he has money he fixes it up. The roof is the newest part of the house and was put on early last year. Bodily claims that where the house was used to be a vacant grassy field, and residents would throw junk there, like old water heaters.

"We don't have the $20,000 or $30,000 to throw out on something like that," said Bodily. "It's not going to be a quick operation, unless a rich relative dies."

The council decided to send an ultimatum regarding the property to Bodily.

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