(SALT LAKE CITY)—Utah will receive nearly $24.6 million in federal stimulus money for health and human services programs that help children and prevent disease. About $22.4 million of the money will support child care programs for working families, those seeking employment, and those receiving job training or are enrolled in school. The rest of the announced money will be used for vaccines and grants to agencies that come up with innovative ways to get more people vaccinated. Some funding will also be used to support national public information campaigns on vaccines. The Centers for Disease Control sponsors 317 immunization programs.

KINGMAN, Ariz.—An Arizona judge has denied a request from polygamist leader Warren Jeffs to force Texas authorities to fully answer questions concerning a 2008 raid at a sect compound in El Dorado, Texas. Mohave County Judge Steven Conn stated in an April 3 ruling that he was not sufficiently briefed on the matter and that the request could be considered at a later time. Jeffs’ lawyers wanted to know when Texas authorities found out a fake phone call triggering their raid on the FLDS compound. Defense lawyer Mike Piccarreta argues that the raid shows reckless disregard of the truth by Texas authorities. Jeffs is currently awaiting trial in Arizona on four counts of being an accomplice to sexual conduct with a minor.

LOGAN, Utah (AP)—Utah State’s mens’ basketball team became the nation’s top field goal percentage team for the second consecutive season according to the final Division I statistics which were released Thursday. The Aggies, who shot 49.6 percent from the field on the season became the nation’s most prolific shooting team for the third time in the past five seasons. The last time a Division I mens’ basketball team led the nation in field goal percentage in consecutive seasons occurred in 1996 and 1997 when UCLA did it. Additionally, Utah State’s three top rankings in field goal percentage represent the best five-year stretch in NCAA history. Payson native Tyler Newbold was exceptionally prolific for Stew Morrill’s squad as he had nearly a 4-1 assist/turnover ratio.

(PROVO)—A Provo-based company is getting ready to unveil a full-sized electric truck that reportedly can get more than 100 miles a gallon. Raser Technologies will unveil their new engine in an SUV at an auto show in Detroit later this month. Raser marketing vice president David West states the truck’s electric engine will accelerate and have more torque than a regular truck engine. It will go the first 40 miles on electricity alone after which a built-in gas generator will charge the batteries if you continue to drive. West also said that it has enough power to power a neighborhood in case of an emergency, and if drivers drive 60 miles a day, the truck will get about 100 miles a gallon. The company hopes to have a consumer version for sale in 2011.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—An Iraq war veteran accused of robbing a bank will remain in jail. Thursday morning, Codie Carver appeared in court for a hearing while his attorneys argued he should not be held without bail as he waits for trial, but the judge disagreed. Carver has pleaded not guilty to charges that he robbed a Washington Mutual Bank in March, although he has admitted to taking part in the robbery. He said he hired someone to rob the bank, while later giving the money to homeless people in Las Vegas.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—Salt Lake City police pulled a car out of the Jordan River Thursday morning after a teen driver reportedly swerved to avoid hitting something in the road and lost control. The car then went down an enbankment and into the river. The driver was able to safely get out of the car and was shaken up, but not injured. Police say speed was not a factor in the crash and it’s unlikely the teen will be cited.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—A Salt Lake Community College student could face charges for threatening the college’s staff. The suspect in question, 34-year old Daniel Etherington, was arrested Monday for reportedly making terroristic threats to Salt Lake Community College employees. Utah Highway Patrol troopers stated Etherington told college administrators that he “knows how to use guns,” and that he felt he was being treated unfairly. The district attorney’s office will screen the case, perhaps this week. Etherington has since posted bail and was released from the Salt Lake County Jail. According to jail records, Etherington’s criminal past dates back to 1995 and has included arrests for such things as domestic assault and disorderly conduct.

(RICHFIELD) – A former Elsinore man has been sentenced in District Court for making two separate bomb threats. According to court documents, 57-year old, Augustine Vigil, was sentenced in Sixth District Court by Judge Marvin Bagley, to two terms of 1-15 years in prison, for calling in bomb threats to WalMart and K-Mart last year. Sevier County Attorney, Dale Eyre, said the prison sentences are appropriate for the crimes committed. He said damages reached $500,000 in the first bomb threat while the second threat resulted in the disruption of the justice system. Hundreds of people were evacuated from WalMart during a Saturday bomb hoax last year while bomb squads cleared the building. Vigil was arrested the following Tuesday after a police investigation led to him. The second threat was made against K-Mart during the first day of Vigil’s trial for the WalMart bomb threat, resulting in a mistrial in the first case. Vigil pled guilty to both incidents during a court appearance in February.

(ST. GEORGE) – A Utah man escaped his burning vehicle after a rollover crash near the Utah/Arizona border on Tuesday. The Arizona Department of Public Safety said that 80-year old, Kenneth Thayn of Bloomington Hills south of St. George, was traveling about 3pm on I-15, when he lost control of his vehicle and went over an embankment and rolled. Reports said that passing motorists stopped to help Thayn out of his burning vehicle and he was transported to a local hospital with burns and other injuries.

(MARYSVALE) – The Sevier County Planning Commission approved a preliminary application for developers to build a new railroad hotel north of the Big Rock Candy Mountain Resort near Marysvale. Steven Grow, representing Rock Candy Mountain, said the project will feature refurbished railroad cars as a unique way to spend the night. Prior to preliminary approval, the Planning Commission had several questions concerning septic tank seepage over time that could runoff into the river running alongside the planned project area. Grow said the Public Health Department has already signed off on the project but the county wants regular testing of the water to insure compliance. The project now moves to the County Commission for final consideration and approval.