Story Archive for 05/28/2009
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James' Triple Double Helps Cavs Stave Off Elimination
Published on May 28, 2009 at 11:00PM
Updated on May 29, 2009 at 05:35AM
CLEVELAND (AP)—LeBron James posted a triple-double with 37 points, 14 rebounds, and 12 assists as the Cleveland Cavaliers lived to play another day with a 112-102 win over the Orlando Magic in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals Thursday at Quicken Loans Arena. Although the Cavs built an early 32-10 lead, this proved to be anything but secure as the Magic pulled to within 56-55 at halftime. As the second half progressed, the lead changed hands several times but in the crucial fourth quarter, Cleveland went on a 34-23 run to close out the game. Additionally, Mo Williams (24 points) had easily his best game of the series as he made 6 of 9 3-point attempts, while Zydrunas Ilgauskas chipped in with 16 points and six boards. As for the Magic, Hedo Turkoglu (29 points, six rebounds) and Dwight Howard (24 points, 10 rebounds) each had solid performances in defeat. The Magic still have a chance to eliminate the Cavaliers if they can win Game 6 at Orlando Saturday.
40-Ton Tank Falls on Man
Published on May 28, 2009 at 03:58PM
(TOOELE COUNTY)—Emergency crews are on the scene at an accident in Tooele County. Crews were on an old mine site in Dell and dismantling a structure when a 40-foot tank fell on top of a man. As of yet, the extent of the man’s injuries are not known.
Concerns Raised About Selenium Limits @ Lake
Published on May 28, 2009 at 03:55PM
(SALT LAKE CITY)—Federal officials are raising concerns about the amount of selenium a new state limit would allow in the Great Salt Lake. Selenium is a naturally occurring material that also turns up in sewage discharge and industrial operations. When its levels are high enough, it can cause deformities and other reproductive problems in certain birds. State officials say the new regulation would protect most birds at the lake from harmful levels of selenium.
Deal Reached on Drilling @ Scenic Utah Overlook
Published on May 28, 2009 at 03:49PM
(SALT LAKE CITY)—An oil company has agreed to minimize the visual impact of drilling at scenic Hatch Point, above Canyonlands National Park. Equity Oil Company, a subsidiary of Denver-based Whiting Petroleum Corporation, negotiated the agreement with the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, which considered Hatch Point worthy of wilderness designation by Congress. Whiting Petroleum spokesman Jack Ekstrom said the company will consult with SUWA on discreet locations on three lease parcels for any drilling rigs or pumps. Ekstrom said the company hasn’t decided where to drill yet as it is still exploring for underground oil or gas deposits. SUWA staff attorney Morgan Wyenn said the agreement projects scenic vistas near Canyonlands.
Home Depot Scam Appears To Be Big Problem
Published on May 28, 2009 at 03:42PM
(COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS)-People accused of ripping off Home Depot stores have been suspected of running an even bigger fraud. At one time, police thought the group may have taken as much as a half million dollars from Home Depots in several Western states. Officer Beau Babka said in the LA Basin area, anywhere from $300,000$400,000 in water heaters have been fraudulently taken. Babka said numerous police agencies are interested in talking with the group, which was arrested in Cottonwood Heights last week. Police reported they have seized nearly $5,000 in gift cards and some items that had been taken out of a Salt Lake City location. Authorities reported that the suspects used counterfeit receipts, real store receipts, and gift cards in their multi-state scam. Local charges could be filed by the end of the week and the suspects remain on extended hold at the Salt Lake County Jail.
Device Will Give Parents More Control Over Teens' Driving
Published on May 28, 2009 at 02:45PM
(SALT LAKE CITY)—A Utah company is getting ready to release a device that rates how well teens drive. Inthinc has reportedly created a device, known as Tiwi, a small box that sits inside vehicles and monitors how teens drive, how fast they’re going, and if they speed or drive aggressively. The device tells teens to slow down when speeding and gives them 15 seconds to comply before it alerts parents through text, e-mail, or phone call. Limits can also be set on where teens can drive and their driving performances will be graded on a weekly or monthly basis. The Tiwi is expected to cost between $500 and $600 and there is a monthly fee for the cell phone-based services.
Woman Slams SUV Into House
Published on May 28, 2009 at 02:37PM
(HIGHLAND)—A woman and her young child escaped serious injury Thursday after the woman lost control of her car and crashed into a house in Highland. The SUV was heading east through a residential neighborhood when the driver drove over the curb and through a brick wall, separating the home from the garage. Lone Peak Police Sergeant Jake Moosman said the driver was coming down the road when she lost control of the vehicle. The driver was checked for minor injuries at the scene and the 2-year old girl was strapped in her car seat and not hurt. Police are unsure how fast the SUV was going, but because of the thousands of dollars incurred in damage, authorities believe speeding occurred.
Kansas Wins Judgment in Records Case
Published on May 28, 2009 at 02:31PM
(TOPEKA, Kan.)—A Utah company has agreed to pay $1 million under a consent judgment for selling Kansas motor vehicle records to third parties. Kansas Attorney General Stephen Six said Thursday the judgment against The Recall Center also bans the company from using those records and other personal information of Kansans for unauthorized purposes. Last year, the Kansas Department of Revenue agreed to sell vehicle titles and registration records to the company and was allowed to use those records to help automakers notify consumers about vehicle safety issues or letting insurance companies process new policy applications. The consent judgment says The Recall Center sold tens of thousands of those records to other unauthorized parties.
Police Shoot and Kill Man After Chase
Published on May 28, 2009 at 02:24PM
(WEST JORDAN)—A man was shot and killed by police following an overnight chase in Salt Lake County. The chase started when an officer spotted a suspicious vehicle at a South Jordan business but when he tried to pull over, the driver took off. South Jordan police officers then followed the driver into a West Jordan neighborhood and in the words of West Jordan Police Sergeant Drew Sanders, entered a business complex where he had already committed several burglaries. Police stated the suspect then rammed officers before taking off into West Jordan. The driver had nowhere to go and when police blockaded him, he once again used his vehicle as a weapon. KSL-TV, which broke this story, is currently reporting that two investigations are currently underway, one in the officer-involved shooting, and the other into the initial crime.
Prosecutors Charge Pregnant Girl in Beating Case
Published on May 28, 2009 at 02:15PM
(VERNAL)—Prosecutors have charged a 17-year old girl who allegedly paid a man to beat her up so she would have a miscarriage. The girl, whose fetus survived, is charged in 8th District Juvenile Court with first-degree felony criminal solicitation to commit murder. She appeared in Juvenile Court Wednesday, and Judge Larry Steele has ordered her to remain in a juvenile detention facility. Prosecutors stated the girl paid 21-year old Arron Harrison of Naples $150 to beat her up after her boyfriend threatened a breakup if she didn’t get rid of the child. Harrison is charged with second-degree felony attempted homicide and he made his first appearance in court Wednesday. Harrison’s court-appointed attorney, John Beaslin, told the Associated Press on Thursday that he had no comment.
USDA announces new farm calculator
Published on May 28, 2009 at 10:57AM
(SALT LAKE CITY) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced a new online research and planning tool for farmers and ranchers to use in examining programs in the new 2009 Farm Bill. Farm Service Agency Utah Specialist, Cary Son, says the Average Crop Revenue Election Program is a new revenue-based guarantee program to assist farmers in managing the risks inherent in agricultural operations. Son said the website calculator can be used for one year and repeated to project multiple year results. He said August 14, 2009 is the deadline to enroll in ACRE for the 2009 Crop Year.
Smart lawyer dismissed from sex case
Published on May 28, 2009 at 07:25AM
(KANAB) – A lawyer for a former manager of the BLM charged with sex crimes has asked to be dismissed from the case. Gregory Saunders, a St. George private attorney who has been representing Rex Smart, says there was a conflict of interest and asked to be removed from the case. Saunders appeared before 6th District Court Judge Wallace Lee on Wednesday in the judge’s private chambers and was asked for his reason for dismissal but Saunders said it would violate his lawyer-client privilege. Smart was then asked to fill out a form of indigence, which was approved by Kane County Attorney Jim Scarth and the Judge assigned public defender, William Leigh to represent Smart. Smart was charged in January 2008 for the sex crimes that allegedly took place between June 2005 and September 2006 at Smart’s house and rodeo grounds in Kanab, involving a girl when she was 9 and 10 years of age. He faces seven counts of sex abuse of a child, two counts of sodomy on a child and a single count of rape of a child, all first degree felonies. Smart has been free on $125,000 bond.
Search for stillborn may be cancelled
Published on May 28, 2009 at 06:58AM
(MAYFIELD) – Sanpete County Deputies may call off the search for a newborn baby whose body they believe may have been dumped in a landfill in Sanpete County. Sanpete County Sheriff, Kevin Holman, says crews have been searching for the body for three weeks with no success. Holman said deputies have nearly finished searching a compacted, 24-foot deep, 100-yard long area in which landfill operators said the newborn’s body is most likely buried. Officials say that beyond that area, they don’t know where else to look and digging up the entire landfill is not an option. Authorities also say that the baby’s body may not even be in the landfill and the teenage mother who gave birth to the baby, may be lying. County prosecutors have not filed charges against the mother and it’s unclear whether she will face criminal charges.