Story Archive for 06/16/2009
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Longhorns Down Sun Devils; Advance To Bracket Final
Published on June 16, 2009 at 10:45PM
OMAHA, Neb. (AP)—Cameron Rupp had two home runs, one of which broke a seventh inning tie and the Texas Longhorns erased a six-run deficit to oust the Arizona State Sun Devils, 10-6 Tuesday at Rosenblatt Stadium. The Longhorns pounded out 15 hits in the win, which places them in the Bracket 2 final Friday where they will either meet Arizona State or North Carolina. Remarkably, Texas also improved to 40-0-1 on the season when leading after seven innings. In other CWS action Friday, North Carolina pummeled Southern Mississippi, 11-4.
Beneficial Life To Eventually Be Shut Down
Published on June 16, 2009 at 03:54PM
(SALT LAKE CITY)—Tuesday, there was a major announcement from the business arm of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints as the Church will be leaving the life insurance business. Deseret Management Corporation CEO and president, Mark Willes said bigger companies can offer much greater diversity in policies and investment options. The Church’s business managers plan to shut down Beneficial Life Insurance eventually but the process required for such an endeavor could take more than 50 years. Beneficial Financial Group CEO and president Kent Cannon said all claims will go forward. Executives say the fundamental problem is a downturn in the company’s investment portfolio. Willes said this is a result of a meltdown in the financial markets which Deseret Management faces just like everyone else. About 1000 agents will have their business disrupted by this announcement.
Bountiful Junior High Teacher Takes Plea Deal
Published on June 16, 2009 at 03:47PM
(FARMINGTON)—Former Bountiful Junior High teacher Linda Nef pleaded guilty to first-degree felony attempted aggravated sex abuse of a child Tuesday. Details of the plea agreement have not yet been released. The 46-year old Nef is accused of sexual acts with a 13-year old boy from January 2-February 14 2008 and the judge noted she had a special relationship of trust with the boy. The judge ordered a pre-sentencing report from Nef before her sentence July 21. Her attorneys told reporters outside of the courtroom that Nef has already undergone a psycho-sexual evaluation which confirmed she is neither a pedophile or a predator. The victim and his family say they want the possibility of probation for her. Another teacher accused of having sex with the same student after Nef is scheduled to be back in court June 29.
Missing Orem Woman Found Safe and Sound
Published on June 16, 2009 at 03:44PM
(OREM)—Orem police announced the discovery of resident Sarah Jensen Tuesday. Jensen went on a camping trip Memorial Day weekend and when she didn’t return, her family became concerned. Jensen was finally found in New Mexico by officers making a traffic stop. The officers said Jensen was traveling through New Mexico on her own accord and appeared to be in good health.
Salt Lake City on Short List of World Cup Candidacy
Published on June 16, 2009 at 03:34PM
NEW YORK (AP)—The USA Bid Committee announced Tuesday it has issued Requests for Proposals to Officials representing 37 cities across the United States that currently qualify as potential host cities for the FIFA World Cup in 2018 or 2022, with Salt Lake City being mentioned among them. The RFP’s were issued Monday and request information from city officials covering a vast array of subjects such as tourism, climate, security, transportation, promotion and more. The RFP’s are an important step in the United States’ application that is due to FIFA in May 2010. FIFA’s 24-member executive committee will study bids, conduct site visits and name the two host nations for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups in December 2010. Additionally, the USA Bid Committee also released a short list of 45 stadiums associated with 37 candidate host cities that represent a wide spectrum of facilities such as college football and NFL stadiums with capacities ranging from 45,000-100,000. American cities advocating for the bid are also range from New York-Knoxville, Tenn., home of one of the country’s largest college football stadiums, Neyland Stadium. California has five stadiums in consideration, while Texas and Florida each have four. The USA Bid Committee’s efforts have earned the support of many prominent individuals such as United States president Barack Obama.
Smell From Santquin Gas Line Causes Alarm
Published on June 16, 2009 at 03:28PM
(SANTAQUIN)—Regular maintenance to a Questar gas line in Santaquin has caused some local strife. Santaquin residents called 911 Tuesday about concerns they experienced from smelling natural gas. Questar is periodically releasing gas in the community as part of the maintenance and while the gas quickly dissipates in the air, the stench lingers. Police and fire department representatives in the community are aware of the maintenance and say there is no reason to be alarmed.
Sixth Utahn Dies From Swine Flu Related Illness
Published on June 16, 2009 at 03:19PM
(SALT LAKE CITY)—A sixth person in Utah has died from swine flu-related illness. Epidemiologist Ilene Risk of the Salt Lake Valley Department said on Tuesday tests confirmed a swine flu-related death of a Salt Lake County man who died Friday. The news follows the death of a Salt Lake County woman who died Monday. County health spokeswoman Pam Davenport said the woman had pre-existing underlying health conditions that might have contributed to her death. Davenport declined to offer specifics on the case. All six deaths from swine flu in Utah have come from Salt Lake County.
Man Found Shot To Death Near Vernal
Published on June 16, 2009 at 03:13PM
(VERNAL)—Authorities are investigating the shooting death of a man near Vernal. The Uintah County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Tuesday that a 52-year old man was found shot to death Sunday. However, deputies would not divulge any more information, including whether the shooting was self-inflicted our suspicious. Uintah County Sheriff’s Corporal Brian Fletcher said the incident is under investigation. The victim’s body has been sent to the Utah State Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy.
Small Fire Forces Evacuation of American Fork School
Published on June 16, 2009 at 03:09PM
(AMERICAN FORK)—American Fork fighters responded to a report of a fire inside the Dan W. Peterson School Tuesday morning. The call came in at 11:30 a.m. at the school which focuses on helping students with disabilities. No flames were visible and it appears smoke damage was also limited. In the interim, students were moved to nearby Barratt Elementary and everyone was accounted for before firefighters moved in on the scene.
Springville Police Investigate Possible Murder Suicide
Published on June 16, 2009 at 03:00PM
(SPRINGVILLE)—Monday evening, Springville police discovered two people dead inside a duplex. Springville police believe it appears 46-year old Brian Sebastian shot 40-year old Jeanie White sometime between Sunday afternoon and Monday night before he turned the gun on himself. Police state it’s unclear at this time what may have triggered the shooting but say there is a history of domestic violence in the relationship. Springville police arrested Sebastian on two separate occasions for domestic violence in November 2009 as well as last month. Lieutenant Dave Caron of the Springville Police Department said Sebastian had been arrested on a couple of different occasions in the past. Authorities also believe it’s possible Sebastian shot White in order to prevent her from leaving. Springville police would not say whether or not a struggle occurred inside the home at the time of the shooting but they are waiting on an autopsy from the medical examiner before they release more information.
USDA awards Utah farmers crop money
Published on June 16, 2009 at 11:46AM
(SALT LAKE CITY) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture is offering farmers thousands of dollars in grant money to grow “specialty crops”. USDA Marketing Director, Jed Christenson, says the government would like to see more fruits and vegetables grown locally. He said that Utah is in line to receive a portion of $236,000 in grants to grow fruits, vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts and horticulture and nursery crops, including flora. Christenson noted that the money cannot be used to buy seeds or other supplies that benefit a single producer but to develop ideas to benefit all those who wish to participate in the program. He said, in the past, Utah has received around $11-12,000 to help fund the effort.
Bug eradicated in Sevier and Sanpete counties
Published on June 16, 2009 at 11:07AM
(SALT LAKE CITY) – A voracious insect has been eradicated on highly productive pastureland in the Cove Fort area and the town of Fayette in Sanpete County. Utah Department of Agriculture and Food Spokesman, Larry Lewis, says the Black Grass bug infested more than 25,000 acres and crews were able to quickly wipe out the bug. Lewis said that over 50 landowners helped the UDAF and U.S. Department of Agriculture eradicate the bug, which if left unchecked, would have damaged or destroyed tens of thousands of dollars worth of livestock and wildlife grazing forage. Reports indicated that areas in Juab, San Juan and Box Elder counties were also treated for the infestation, helping to save the state’s $340-million hay crop. More than $250,000 of federal insect funds were directed to the program for treatment costs.
Herbert challenges climate change
Published on June 16, 2009 at 07:57AM
Updated on June 16, 2009 at 02:38PM
(PARK CITY) – Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert challenged the reality of climate change during a Western Governor’s Association panel discussion Monday held in Park City on combating what some groups call global warming. Herbert, who sat quietly through most of the discussions during the past two days, spoke up after presentations that included his statement that the debate on climate change was far from over. He commented that he’s heard people argue both sides of the issue from man-made impacts to inconclusive evidence from top-notch scientists. Herbert drew a smattering of applause from the audience attending the three-day meeting, which ends today. The Lt. Governor is not yet a member of the association but will be after Gov. Jon Huntsman is confirmed by the U.S. Senate as Pres. Obama’s ambassador to China.
Boats burn in Lake Powell fire
Published on June 16, 2009 at 07:03AM
(PAGE, AZ.) – Two boats have sunk in a fire Friday night at Lake Powell. A National Park Service ranger spotted the flames at Wahweap Marina at about 11:30pm and notified an NPS fire crew and the Page Fire Department to help put out the fire. The park service said two privately-owned 37-foot cabin cruisers were lost in the fire. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.