Story Archive for 04/16/2009
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Prep Sports Roundup: 4/16
Published on April 16, 2009 at 09:36PM
NEPHI, Utah (AP)—Levi Dastrup pitched a no-hitter and amassed nine strikeouts as the Juab Wasps blasted the Altamont Longhorns, 11-1 Thursday in Region 14 baseball action.
RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)—Wade Melling had a hat trick, while Ethan Bradshaw posted three assists as the Beaver Beavers ousted the Richfield Wildcats, 5-4 in Region 13 soccer action Thursday. Eric Durrant and Mikol Duncan each had two goals for Richfield.
MOAB, Utah (AP)—Sebastian Roa, Robbie Sweeten, Jacob Galley, and Derek Hawks each scored for the Grand Red Devils as they blanked the Manti Templars, 4-0 Thursday in Region 13 soccer action.
GUNNISON, Utah (AP)—Brian Granda and Josh Carlisle each posted two goals as the Gunnison Bulldogs bested the North Sevier Wolves, 5-2 in Region 13 soccer action Thursday. Jovani Chavez and Zach Frazier each scored for the Wolves in the loss.
NEPHI, Utah (AP)—Brittney Bryan homered and had three hits overall as the Juab Lady Wasps pounded the Altamont Lady Longhorns, 17-2 Thursday in Region 14 softball action.
NEPHI, Utah (AP)—Terrie Kouns had three hits and three RBI as the Juab Lady Wasps completed a doubleheader sweep of the Altamont Lady Longhorns with an 18-0 rout in Region 14 softball action Thursday.
Authorities Investigate Alleged Kidnapping
Published on April 16, 2009 at 03:41PM
(COALVILLE)—A man is behind bars, accusing of kidnapping his girlfriend of seven years in Summit County. The Summit County Sheriff’s Office reported last night that Jerardo Marquez Cantoriano allegedly took the woman against her will from an apartment complex and reportedly assaulted her. Officers said the victim escaped after catching the attention of security guards at the Nuevo Mexico Night Club in South Salt Lake. Later, Cantoriano returned to the victim’s house where he was returned to custody. Cantoriano was booked into the Summit County Jail shortly thereafter while investigators are still looking into the case. Formal charges against Cantoriano are pending.
State Revenues Better Than Lawmakers Feared
Published on April 16, 2009 at 03:36PM
(SALT LAKE CITY)—State revenues in Utah are down less than Utah lawmakers planned. A Utah Tax Commission Report shows state revenues in the first nine months of the current fiscal year are down nearly 9 percent instead of the 12 percent legislators budgeted for. The revenue report means if the economy doesn’t slide even further, state lawmakers likely won’t have to come back for a special season to make additional budget cuts or raise taxes. In September, lawmakers cut $272 million from the state’s budget after the revenue forecast was revised to reflect a slumping economy. Legislative leaders have said the first tax they’re likely to raise would be the cigarette tax.
12,000 Utah Homes in Foreclosure
Published on April 16, 2009 at 03:28PM
(SALT LAKE CITY)—Utah has some 12,000 homes in foreclosure according to the foreclosure listing firm RealtyTrac Inc. With nearly 1 million housing units in Utah, though, this represents a relatively small problem. Even though Utah had the ninth-highest fastest growing foreclosure rate in the first quarter of 2009, RealtyTrac said Utah doesn’t consistently rank high for troubled mortgages and will probably pull out of the Top 10 in the next ranking. In contrast, Nevada’s foreclosure rate is five times higher, while it’s three times higher in Arizona, RealtyTrac reported.
SB 81 Founder Says Racial Profiling Is Non-Existent
Published on April 16, 2009 at 03:22PM
(SALT LAKE CITY)—The man who wrote the much-publicized Senate Bill 81 says he has no problems with departments opting out of parts of the new law, but he says other tenants are not optional. St. George resident Bill Hickman stated he knows cross-deputizing as immigration agents wouldn’t be for everyone which is why he says that portion is optional. Nevertheless, Hickman also said the argument that the bill encourages racial profiling is an excuse as he pointed out that border patrol agents would be guilty on a daily basis under that logic. Kane County Representative Michael Noel has supported the bill and told KSL-AM 1160 that racial profiling is not the law’s intent. Utah Senate President Michael Waddoups also said that even if officers opt out of cross-deputizing, he still expects them to enforce state laws. Waddoups would also like to see the act get more funding as the economy continually recovers.
Bad Patch of Weather Causes Trouble
Published on April 16, 2009 at 03:14PM
(SALT LAKE CITY)—While the freakish storm which struck Utah Wednesday has caused significant trouble for southern and central Utah, things have been no different in northern Utah. Ramps along I-15 leading into Salt Lake City were a particular challenge as the ramp with I-15 and 600 North had to be closed down Thursday morning because of a wreck as was the case for ramps at 500 South. In Utah County, a wreck was reported on northbound I-15 near Payson, while another wrec occurred near Spanish Fork. In both Salt Lake and Utah counties, UHP troopers stated that from midnight-10:00 a.m. Thursday, there were 17 slide-offs and 75 crashes. People were injured in 11 of those wrecks.
Task Force To Fight Prescription Drug Abuse
Published on April 16, 2009 at 03:11PM
(SALT LAKE CITY)—A new task force will fight the growing problem of prescription drug abuse in Utah. The number of deaths related to non-illicit drugs in the state doubled between 2001 and 2007, so members of the Utah Pharmaceutical Drug Crime Project reported they will work with federal law enforcement as well as public health workers to pinpoint where drugs are being bought, sold, or used improperly. They will also launch a series of PSA’s warning people about the dangers of prescription drug abuse.
Splitting Utah's Largest School District Proves Expensive
Published on April 16, 2009 at 03:05PM
(SALT LAKE CITY)—The breakup of Utah’s largest school district is shaping up to be an expensive divorce. Currently, the tab to break up the Jordan School District is $33 million, which exceeds the annual combined spending of the state’s smallest five school districts by $7 million. In 2007, east Salt Lake County residents voted to leave the Jordan School District and form the new Canyons School District. According to the Salt Lake Tribune, $3 million covers the cost of a legal battle over Jordan’s assets. The rest will go toward the hiring and relocation of Jordan’s central offices. Jordan will also lose its rich property tax base this summer, which means 41 percent less in per-student funding.
Disabled Riders Protest Bus Fare Hike
Published on April 16, 2009 at 03:00PM
(SOUTH SALT LAKE)-Disabled users of the UTA’s paratransit service are protesting a plan to cut services and raise fares. Dozens of riders packed a Wednesday pubic meeting in which wheelchairs, walkers and assistance dogs reminded officials that the buses are a passageway to independence. UTA plans to raise the one-way paratransit fee from $2.50$4 which is twice as much as a ticket for a regular adult ticket.
Residents Flee When Apartment Building Shifts
Published on April 16, 2009 at 02:55PM
(SALT LAKE CITY)—Residents of a Salt Lake City apartment complex fled Thursday when a corroded beam underneath the building caused a structural shift. At about 1:00 a.m. Thursday morning, the Salt Lake City Fire Department arrived at an apartment complex where there were reports of cracked walls. The trouble reportedly started when a 50-foot support beam on the first floor began to bend, thus causing apartments above it to shift and drop six inches in some places. 36 residents were forced to evacuate. A Salt Lake City-based building inspector investigated the structure and determined that 18 units on the building’s west end were not safe to enter into.
Utah Unemployment Rate Reaches 5.2 Percent
Published on April 16, 2009 at 02:49PM
(SALT LAKE CITY)—New figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show Utah has lost nearly 33,000 jobs over the past year. An employment rate released Thursday says Utah’s unemployment rate grew to 5.2 percent in March, which is nearly a 2 percent increase from last year. The national unemployment rate is currently at 8.5 percent.
UHP Won't Cross Deputize Troopers For Immigration Law
Published on April 16, 2009 at 02:44PM
(SALT LAKE CITY)—The Utah Highway Patrol does not want to take advantage of a program to cross-deputize troopers as immigration agents. The UHP has joined a growing line of departments that want nothing to do with a controversial part of SB 81. According to the Salt Lake Tribune, Utah Department of Public Safety Director Lance Davenport says the decision is mostly about money. He stated that if the Legislature wants troopers to become immigration agents, more resources are needed. The UHP joins a long list of organizations that want nothing to do with SB 81 which already include the Salt Lake City and West Valley City police departments. At this juncture, Salt Lake County will only enforce immigration laws against inmates booked into its jail. Lawmakers passes SB 81 last year and it will go into effect July 1.
Inmate donates afghan to RFL event
Published on April 16, 2009 at 02:23PM
(RICHFIELD) – A Sevier County Jail inmate is participating in the Relay-For-Life event to be held this June in Richfield. Public Information Officer, Nate Curtis, says Natasha Woodside of Salina has crocheted a beautiful quilt for the event. Curtis said that Woodside has been an inmate since December of 2008 and has learned to crochet during her incarceration. He said she’s made and given away 17 afghans to family and friends while in jail. She’s made bags, purses and 49 beanies and was asked by jail employees if she would make an afghan to donate to the Relay-For-Life event. The run is scheduled for the night of June 26 at the Richfield High School track.
Miss Iron County Speaks Out Against Sex Abuse As Former Victim
Published on April 16, 2009 at 11:37AM
Updated on April 16, 2009 at 09:33PM
(CEDAR CITY) – The current Miss Iron County is competing for the title of Miss Utah basing her platform on informing the public of the increase of child sex abuse. 20-year old, Erika Hansen of Cedar City, says helping the public become more aware of an escalating problem in society, is her goal. Hansen is herself, a victim of sex abuse for seven years, starting at the age of ten, at the hands of her step-father. According to her own story, Hansen, by herself, brought charges against him resulting in a life sentence in prison. She said her goal is to help communities recognize, prevent and react responsibility to child sex abuse. She will be competing for the title of Miss Utah in June.
Richfield dispatch celebrates honors week
Published on April 16, 2009 at 09:46AM
(RICHFIELD) – The Richfield Dispatch Center is participating with the rest of the country in celebrating the National Public-Safety Telecommunications Week honoring hundreds of thousands of telecommunications specialists nationwide. Dispatch Manager, Kathy Johnson, says our local dispatchers need to be honored because they’re the best in the state. She said all 911 calls from Sevier, Piute and Wayne Counties are handled in the Richfield Office and staff dispatch calls in several outlying counties. NPST Week was first introduced to Congress in 1991 honoring over 500,000 telecommunicators nationwide. Johnson said dispatchers appreciate written commendations, or a mention of “good job” at a briefing or just a pat on the back.
North Sanpete Credit Recovery Program
Published on April 16, 2009 at 09:38AM
Updated on April 16, 2009 at 04:27PM
(Mt Pleasant) The North Sanpete School District has decided to expand their credit recovery program to include the middle school. Earlier this year the district announced the creation of a program to help high school students make up credits that were lost due to failed classes. That program will run during the school year, as well as during the summer. Now the board has approved funding to extend the program to the middle school and particularly to eight graders. North Sanpete Superintendent Courtney Syme says the board is concerned that if students fall behind during the middle school years, they will fail to finish high school. The program for middle school students will begin this summer. If it proves successful, the district could make the program permanent. The hope is that it will help students be better prepared to succeed as they move on to high school.
BLM deeds land to Washington Schools
Published on April 16, 2009 at 08:10AM
(ST. GEORGE) – The Washington County School District will receive a property deed to 50 acres from the Bureau of Land Management on Friday. According to a district report, the land, located in the Bloomington Hills area of St. George, will be transferred during a ceremony at school district offices. The land is the latest parcel donated to the district since 1983 under the Recreation and Public Purposes Act. The district has used the land to construct several schools and other facilities. Marshall Topham, assistant superintendent for secondary education, said the district has been leasing the property at a minimum rate. So far, the BLM has deeded 349 acres of land over to the district.
Mavs Defuse Rockets; Clinch Sixth
Published on April 16, 2009 at 12:20AM
DALLAS (AP)—Dirk Nowitzki had 30 points and 15 boards and Jason Terry added 23 more points as the Dallas Mavericks bested the Houston Rockets, 94-85 Wednesday to finish the NBA season on a high note at American Airlines Center. The win gave the Mavs their 50th win of the season which is the ninth consecutive season they’ve reached that plateau. By virtue of San Antonio’s 105-98 victory over New Orleans in overtime, Dallas has obtained the sixth seed in the Western Conference, while incidentally they will face the Spurs this weekend in the first round of the playoffs. Yao Ming had 23 points to pace Houston in defeat. In other NBA action Wednesday, Boston got past Washington, 115-107, Toronto clipped Chicago, 109-98, Philadelphia outlasted Cleveland, 111-110 in overtime, Indiana stormed past Milwaukee, 115-108, Miami stymied Detroit, 102-96 in overtime, Sacramento handled Minnesota, 97-90, New York crushed New Jersey, 102-73, Orlando decimated Charlotte, 98-73, Memphis stonewalled Atlanta, 98-90, Oklahoma City hammered the Los Angeles Clippers, 126-85, Phoenix outgunned Golden State, 117-113, and Portland pummeled Denver, 104-76.
Canucks Best Blues; Take 1-0 Lead
Published on April 16, 2009 at 12:13AM
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Canada (AP)—Daniel Sedin and Sami Solo each scored goals for the Vancouver Canucks and Roberto Luongo had 25 saves in a 2-1 win over the St. Louis Blues to open the first round of the NHL playoffs Wednesday at GM Place. The Canucks, who are now 14-1-1 at home since February 1 will seek to take a 2-0 lead over the Blues in Game 2 Friday. Brad Boyes had the sole goal of the game in the loss for St. Louis. In other NHL playoff action Wednesday, Pittsburgh trounced Philadelphia, 4-1, the New York Rangers surprised Washington, 4-3, and New Jersey smoked Carolina, 4-1.
Breth; Kratovil, Pace Jayhawks @ Kansas Relays
Published on April 16, 2009 at 12:08AM
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP)—Joey Schwecke of Minnesota placed first in the mens’ 100-meter dash and long jump to lead the way for numerous athletes scattered throughout the Midwest Wednesday in the first day of competition at the Kansas Relays. Additionally, Iowa State’s Jordan Andreassen placed first in the womens’ high jump, while Kansas’ Corbin Kratovil placed first in the shot put on his home track. The Jayhawk men were also bolstered by Jacob Breth’s win in the 400-meter dash to close the first day of competition. The meet will resume Thursday.