HAMILTON, Ontario, Canada (AP)—DeAndra Cobb ran for 167 yards and a pair of scores as the Hamilton Tiger-Cats overpowered the British Columbia Lions, 30-18 Friday in CFL action at Ivor Wynne Stadium. Although the game was competitive through the first half, which saw British Columbia nursing an 18-17 lead, the Tiger-Cats scored 13 crucial points in the third quarter to put the game away. The win improved Hamilton to a surprising 3-2 on the season, while British Columbia slumped to 1-4. Buck Pierce completed 23 of 36 passes for 282 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions in the loss for British Columbia.

(OREM)—A child was run over and killed in an Orem driveway Friday. Police say the 7-year old boy had been playing in the water of a backyard when he went to lay down in a driveway to warm up. An aunt, who was visiting at the home, backed out of a driveway with an SUV, killing the boy.

(TOOELE COUNTY)—A massive manhunt is over in Tooele County after two suspects involved in a police chase were taken into custody. The search for the suspects was sparked after a domestic incident and burglary at the Montego Bay Casino in West Wendover, Nevada. Authorities say the incident led to the theft of a nearby casino employee’s car. The suspects led authorities on a high speed chase on I-80, before the car’s tires were spiked at milepost 49 in Tooele County. Several law enforcement agencies participated in a widespread search for the suspects, who were found just after 9:00 a.m.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—Salt Lake County prosecutors filed adult murder charges against a 17-year old boy, accused of a shooting last Saturday in South Jordan. Prosecutors say the 17-year old, Josh Buie, and 21-year old Stephen Lasiloo had argued at a party over a stolen iPod. Lasiloo and some family members left on foot. Later, prosecutors say the 17-year old Buie left in a car with some friends, while documents state Buie told the driver to stop the car. Witnesses say Buie got out, confronted Lasiloo, pulled out a gun and shot him three times. A witness told prosecutors Buie got back into the car and declared he did the shooting. If convicted of first-degree murder, Buie could face a sentence of 15 years-life in prison.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—A man convicted of securities fraud is suing Attorney General Mark Shurtleff as he claims Shurtleff didn’t prosecute others involved in the scheme due to personal relationships. Donald Purser says Stephen Brockbank and Carol Love organized the operation, which involved soliciting $2 million from investors, but never making good on promised returns. Purser says Shurtleff didn’t go after the two alleged orchestrators, due to a personal friendship with Brockbank. In the complaint filed against Shurtleff in federal court, Purser asked for $13 million in damages, saying his reputation was ruined by prosecutorial misconduct. Shurtleff has not commented.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—A man who was named as the Metro Gang’s Public Enemy Number 1 Thursday, was placed into custody Friday morning. Detectives say a tip from media reports led to the arrest of 19-year old Jonathan Anderson after his picture was broadcast to the media Thursday. The Salt Lake Metro Gang Unit was able to research a house connected to his family and found Anderson there. Sergeant Mike Schoenfeld said people who own the house didn’t know Anderson was the #1 public enemy and had allowed him to stay there while they were gone. Schoenfeld said Anderson surrendered peacefully, while he was taken to the Salt Lake County Jail and booked on two counts of first-degree felony aggravated robbery and one count of third-degree felony theft. The Salt Lake Metro Gang Unit says that with all of Anderson’s warrants, he is worth over $1 million to them. Investigators say the tipster has yet to claim the reward money.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—Rankings of Utah hospitals based on patient satisfaction ratings can now be viewed online. The rankings from the 2009 Hospital Consumer Satisfaction Report can be viewed online at health.utah.gov. The findings show about 73 percent of respondents would recommend their hospital to family and friends, but some measure showed discrepancies of up to 50 percent among the 34 Utah hospitals included in the survey. The survey used to compile the data on the Web site included 27 questions patients were asked about their hospital visit, such as nurse and doctor communication, responsiveness, of hospital staff and cleanliness of the room.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—A foreign currency trading firm has agreed to pay $225,000 to settle allegations it failed to monitor retail accounts for evidence of money laundering. The National Futures Association says Interbank FX of Salt Lake City and principal Todd Crosland agreed to tighten up the firm’s trading practices. Violations against Amanda Albretsen, also an Interbank principal and its former compliance director, are being held open conditionally for a year. The association is licensed by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to enforce market rules on numerous items, such as foreign currencies. Interbank did not return a message The Associated Press left on the firm’s automated phone system. In the settlement approved Tuesday, the firm and its principals didn’t admit or deny the allegations.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—The U.S. Air Force has notified federal regulators that a “minuscule” amount of radioactive material from targeting equipment was lost when an F-16 crashed in Utah last month. Thursday, the Salt Lake Tribune reported that the military has filed a report with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which oversees the use of radioactive material. The newspaper says eight microcuries of americium-241 are thought to be buried about 35 miles south of Wendover. Americium is a radioactive material often used in testing devices. The 28-year old Captain George B. Houghton of Candler, N.C., was killed when his F-16 crashed during a training mission June 22. The cause of the crash is not known.

(LARAMIE, Wyo.)—Rocky Mountain Power is beginning the installation of 19 wind turbines at a new wind park in Albany County, Wyoming. The Salt Lake City-based company says the first phase of the McFadden Ridge project will generate a combined 28.5-megawatts of electricity. Completion is scheduled for late 2009. The new project is also near Rocky Mountain Power’s 66-turbine High Plains wind project. The company says construction of the High Plains project is underway and scheduled for completion this fall. McFadden Ridge is Rocky Mountain Power’s seventh Wyoming wind project in the past two years.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—Schools in Texas are allowed to charge kids $15 when they see them using cell phones in class and while Utah schools don’t have a fee, this may change shortly. All Utah school districts are required to have a cell phone policy, which in the words of Davis district spokesman Chris Williams, has forced parents to pick up their kids’ cell phones if they’re not paying attention in class. Williams said that placing a fee on cell phone usage in class would have to go through some red tape, but some schools are considering the possibility. Currently, schools in Abilene, Texas have collected more than $100,000 in student fees for cell phone use in the past two years.

(RICHFIELD) – Charges are pending for a West Jordan woman who hit an elderly Salina woman at 300 North 500 East in Richfield Thursday morning. A Richfield Police report said that at about 11am, 44-year old, Adele Bailey from West Jordan, was stopped at the intersection and attempted to cross, when she hit a 1991 Buick Century, driven by 85-year old, Twilla Peterson of Salina. The police report said that Bailey did not see Peterson and slammed into her. Charges are pending for failure to yield. Neither driver was injured in the accident but both vehicles sustained damage.

(PANGUITCH) – A Wichita, Kansas family was taken to the hospital with possible injuries after their vehicle rolled on SR-89 Wednesday morning. A UHP report said the family’s 2008 Suzuki Reno was traveling southbound at about 10am, when the driver became distracted and drifted off the right shoulder of the highway, overcorrected back onto the highway and rolled. The driver, 22-year old, Mrinal Nagrecha, was taken to the Garfield Memorial Hospital, along with his passengers, 49-year old, Vijay Nagrecha, 20-year old, Bhargavi Nagrecha, 12-year old, Shiviani Nagrecha and 41 year old, Preeti Nagrecha. The UHP report said all were wearing their seatbelts.

(SIGURD) – A Loa teenager was injured on SR-24 near Sigurd Tuesday night when she slid off the highway. According to a UHP report, at about 7:30pm, 17-year old, Merissa Edwards was traveling eastbound about six miles south of Sigurd in a 1997 Dodge Stratus, when she drifted off the right shoulder and struck a delineator post. The report said Edwards came back over the road and slid off the highway. UHP said she was not wearing a seatbelt and issued a citation. Edwards was taken by private vehicle to the Sevier Valley Medical Center in Richfield with possible injuries.

(ORDERVILLE)—Wednesday night, a 15-year old Valley High student died after being hit by a baseball during a practice session. Jeff Wood, a 15-year old player was playing in center field when he was hit by a line drive. Coaches and teammates reported Wood was hit in the torso and while crews tried to revive him, Wood died at the scene. His family told deputies Wood had complained of a side pain before heading to practice, while his body has been sent to Salt Lake City for an autopsy to determine the cause of death. Wood’s father is Valley High’s principal and served as one of the responding emergency technicians.

(ECHO PARK, Colo.)—Authorities say a 54-year old woman has been killed while rafting on the Green River through Dinosaur National Monument. The National Park Service says the woman apparently drowned Wednesday after the raft she was riding in overturned in Triplet Falls. Members of her party found her in a pool just below the falls. She was not responsive. Her party conducted CPR for about an hour before a commercial river rafting group arrived and called the National Park Service by satellite phone. The woman was taken to Echo Park and a waiting ambulance. The park service says no other details are available. The Moffat County sheriff’s office and National Park Service are investigating.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—A state survey shows Utah’s arts organizations are suffering financially due to the economic downturn. The Utah Division of Arts and Museums had 80 organizations respond to a June survey gauging the economy’s impact on the health of the state’s arts and cultural nonprofit organizations. The results posted online this week show 13 percent of the groups are planning layoffs, while more than half said donation levels were slightly or significantly behind last year and half have decreased professional development for staff. The survey results also say 61 percent reported the size of grants they’ve received is slightly or significantly behind what they received last year. The state plans to send another survey out in September.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—Utah Representative Jim Matheson is sponsoring a food safety bill that would require the makers of ceramic dishes to include a warning label about possible lead poisoning. The House is slated to vote next week on the measure. Matheson has pushed for the warning label for more than a year, after hearing from Utah families whose children were stricken with lead poisoning linked to their dinnerware.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—In an interview with KSL-AM 1160 in Salt Lake City Thursday, Salt Lake Chamber President Lane Beattie confirmed that he will not run for the governorship in Utah. Wednesday, Beattie met with Utah lieutenant governor Gary Herbert and decided he would no longer run, as he stated on the Doug Wright show Thursday. Beattie had long been rumored to be a candidate in 2010. His announcement came the day after Jim Matheson announced he would run for re-election next year. Matheson was a rumored candidate for governor or senator.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—Intermountain Health Care is drawing the line for its lobbyists, forcing them to choose between the health care company and big tobacco companies. Intermountain Health Care has sent letters to all of its contract lobbyists saying they can’t lobby for tobacco companies and the health care company. The company says it’s “incongruous” for the firms to represent big-time health care as well as a product that often ruins peoples’ health. The Salt Lake Tribune reported the five lobbyists are done doing double duty, including former House Speaker Greg Curtis. Some lobbyists the Tribune contacted have already dumped tobacco.

(SALT LAKE COUNTY)-A Bluffdale man charged with attempted murder for shooting a neighborhood watch volunteer is out on bail and expressed his gratitude. The 43-year old Reggie Campos walked out of the Salt Lake County Jail without shoes Wednesday afternoon because he wasn’t wearing any when he was arrested July 22. As he walked down a ramp to his brother’s car, he told the Deseret News that reports he shot an unarmed man are false and says he’s looking forward to the day when his innocence is proclaimed. Campos is accused of shooting 36-year old David Serbeck while on neighborhood watch, when Campos thought Serbeck was harassing his daughter. Third District Court Judge Robert Adkins had reduced Campos’ bail from $500,000$100,000.

(BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK)—Within the next few weeks, tourists at Bryce Canyon National Park can expect to experience delays. As of August 10, crews will begin patching about 11 miles of roads and pullouts. The work will start at the park’s north end, on the main road south to Fairview Point. The work is expected to last for as long as two weeks and drivers can expect delays of 15-20 minutes. During that time, park officials are urging visitors to use the park’s shuttle buses because roads and parking lots may be clogged.

(CASTLEDALE) – Emery County Commissioners met in session this week to consider a resolution of authorizing bonds to go towards infrastructure improvements in the Castle Valley Special Service District. Commissioners say the general obligation bonds would amount to not more than $12,500,000 for water projects in the district, including drainage, street improvements, sidewalks and other related projects. A public hearing will be held in September for input on the bonds and a special election will be held due to the bonds becoming a tax levy on taxpayers.

(RICHFIELD) – Afternoon winds and low humidity have contributed to more activity on the Amos Canyon Fire burning in the mountains west of Salina. Fishlake National Forest Spokesman, John Zapell, says the fire has consumed about 1,000 acres and has spread southeast into Red Canyon, causing road closures in that area. Zapell said 15-20 MPH winds have fanned the flames into heavy fuels, much of it insect killed conifers and mahogany. No firefighters have been injured since the fire started by lightning on July 5. The fire is being managed for resource benefits.

(WASHINGTON D.C.) – Snow College has been awarded $600,000 from the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee to go towards a Nursing Education and Training Program. Sen. Bob Bennett announced the funding is part of a $10-million package that will help improve health care throughout the country. Bennett said the money will expand Snow College’s nursing program in an effort to graduate more nurses in Central Utah to help fill a shortage in the workforce. The funding also includes $100,000 to go towards the Grand County Career and Technical Education Equipment Project, $350,000 to the Boulder’s Mentoring Program and $400,000 to the Rural and Southwest Utah Renewable Energy Job Training and Creation Initiative. Thousands of dollars will also be awarded to several universities in the state for projects and programs.

(ZION’S PARK) – A fast-moving wildfire has forced the closure of the Kolob Canyons area of Zion’s National Park on Wednesday. The lightning-caused fire occurred during a strong thunderstorm that passed through the area Tuesday night and has scorched about 200 acres. The fire is burning in the Black Ridge area of the Kolob Canyons, about two miles east of I-15 and six miles south of the Kolob Canyons Visitor Center. Fire Specialist, David Eaker, says all trails at the park visitor center gate have been closed to the public for safety reasons. Eaker says the closures will remain in effect until it’s safe to reopen.

(BOUNTIFUL)—A ruptured natural gas line forced the evacuation of Colonial Square in Bountiful Wednesday. The gas leak occurred after construction crews accidentally cut a nearby underground line. Workers at Colonial Square and some homes in the area were evacuated while crews worked to fix the line.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—Two men cited after they were caught kissing on the Main Street Plaza will not face criminal charges. The Salt Lake City Prosecutors Office said it screened charges of criminal trespass in this case because the men were not given adequate verbal or written notice that they were on private property. It recommended the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints post notices of private property and the behaviors allowed there. LDS Church spokeswoman, Kim Farah, said the decision to move forward rests with the city prosecutor. When the incident occurred July 9, the Church released a statement saying the couple was asked to stop engaging in their inappropriate behavior. The citation of the two men prompted numerous protests around the country.

(BLUFFDALE)—A Bluffdale man facing attempted murder charges had his initial appearance in court Wednesday morning. Reggie Campos is accused of shooting a man on neighborhood watch, who he believed to be harassing his daughter. The judge reduced his bail from half a million dollars to just over $100,000. Campos’ attorney and family were with him in court earlier Wednesday. Last Wednesday, Campos was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail and now he faces a count of attempted murder, along with two counts of aggravated assault. The district attorney claims Campos shot the victim after the victim de-armed himself. Campos’ attorney, Greg Skordas says the state prosecutors only gave the defense 19 pages of the police report. Skordas hopes to get all the reports by the roll call hearing August 11.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—Water regulators in Utah and Nevada are close to a deal to split the shared Snake Valley aquifer, potentially allowing water to be piped south to Las Vegas. Utah Department of Natural Resources Director Mike Styler says negotiations are proceeding and a draft agreement is likely by August or September. He says any deal would protect Utah’s water users, wildlife, and air quality. The aquifer stretches across both states, and the Southern Nevada Water Authority wants to eventually start delivering rural groundwater to the Las Vegas Valley through a pipeline that could stretch more than 300 miles and cost up to $3.5 billion. Environmentalists have voiced concerns the project could dry up the valley around Great Basin National Park and potentially send dust storms toward Utah’s Wasatch Front.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—A former Vernal school bus driver has been sentenced to probation and 30 days in jail for showing students pornography on her cell phone. The driver, 27-year old Catherine J. Drake, was sentenced Tuesday. Authorities stated Drake showed three students, aged 16 and 17, pornographic pictures as she drove a bus for the Uintah School District. The pictures were reported to police on March 9 after one boy told his mother about them. School district officials said Drake was terminated soon after they found out about the incident. Drake was charged with dealing in materials harmful to a minor.

(MURRAY)—A Murray man is still in the hospital Wednesday after being shot by police outside his home. Officers stated the incident occurred after detectives got a tip that the man’s vehicle was involved in a case of road rage. Murray police officers tracked down 36-year old Eric Thatcher’s car Tuesday evening, while they say he was involved in an argument earlier in the evening with another motorist several blocks away.When officers arrived at his home to discuss the argument, his mother answered. Officers watched as Thatcher walked up from the basement with two rifles in his hands, while Thatcher reportedly confronted them. Jeff Maglish of the Murray City Police Department said it’s unclear whether or not Thatcher shouted threats at the officers, but they both opened fire at him. The Salt Lake County District Attorney’s office is investigating the shooting to determine if the officers’ actions were justified. Both officers in question have been put on paid administrative leave in the interim.

(RICHFIELD) – Richfield City’s newest bike and walking path between Main Street and 500 North is nearly completed. Finance Director, Mike Langston, updated the city council in Tuesday night’s meeting on the progress of the project, saying paint striping still needs to be done as well as bollards placed at the site and possible lighting along the path. Richfield Police Chief, John Evans, is asking the public to not use any motorized vehicle along the path due to safety reasons. Mayor Brad Ramsay commented that a ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held mid to late August for its official designation.

(RICHFIELD) – Costs are rising for cemetery plots at the Richfield Cemetery. At the City Council meeting Tuesday night, councilmembers considered amending the Cemetery Policies and Procedures to allow upright headstones in all sections of the cemetery, rather than in designated areas. Councilmember, Dan Chidester, said the costs of these new plots should be the same amount as those of other plots in the cemetery. He said the spaces should be raised to $325. The City Council discussed the increase and passed the measure. Also, at the council meeting, officials discussed a cooperative agreement between the Sevier School District and Richfield City to share facilities and equipment. Approval will be given at the August 11 city council meeting.

(RICHFIELD) – Discussion was held at the Richfield City Council meeting Tuesday night concerning councilmembers’ authority to revoke business licenses. During the discussion, a local business owner said if a business is in violation of an ordinance, the city shouldn’t do anything until the owner is cited and the case goes to court but councilmember, Larry Lunnen, disagreed, saying there’s a difference between a criminal violation and a legislative rule. Mayor Brad Ramsay commented that the city council has the authority to revoke a business license because the city grants a license. City Enforcement Officer, Charles Billingsley, addressed the council on the matter because a local business has been in violation of the nuisance ordinance for several years.

(SALT LAKE CITY) – The vote on Governor Jon Huntsman’s nomination for the ambassadorship of China has been delayed. A committee staffer told the Deseret News the delay is due to paperwork still being compiled. The vote by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is now expected to take place either Tuesday or Wednesday of next week. The process will then move on to the full Senate for confirmation. Huntsman is expected to be confirmed before the session adjourns on Aug. 7.

(NEW HARMONY) – Two people were killed Tuesday afternoon in Washington County when their vehicle rolled on SR-144. According to a UHP report, 38-year old, Jason McDonald of Cedar City, was carrying four people just outside of New Harmony around 3pm, when a tire separated, causing him to lose control. The report said McDonald went off the road, rolled twice and began to flip end-over-end and catapulted into the air after striking a dirt embankment. UHP said the vehicle landed nose-down and separated into two pieces on impact. McDonald was killed in the accident as was 12-year old, Adaline Moore of Peoria, AZ. All four occupants were wearing seatbelts and the condition of the other two passengers is not known. Investigators say the vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed at the time of the accident.

(RICHFIELD) – A Sevier County native has been chosen to be the new publisher of the Richfield Reaper newspaper. 54-year old, Chuck Hawley of Central Valley, was picked to take over the publication after the death of Mark Fullenbach in April. Hawley says he’s looking forward to the opportunity to continue the tradition of producing a quality weekly newspaper. William Brehm Jr., president of the Brehm Communications Inc. family of community newspapers, made the announcement recently. Brehm has owned the Richfield Reaper since 1990. With the announcement, the newspaper shifts its head position to someone outside of the Fullenbach family for the first time in more than 75 years.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—A federal grand jury has indicted a law firm and its employees, accusing it of immigration fraud. Authorities said it’s the largest fraud case of its kind in Utah history. The indictment was unsealed Tuesday afternoon and was obtained by KSL-AM 1160 in Salt Lake City. The indictment accuses the Alcala Law Firm of visa fraud and alleges firm employees conspired to fraudulently obtain temporary worker visas for illegal immigrant employees who were already hired and in the country illegally. The indictment charges the firm with conspiring to obtain visas under false pretenses for companies who knew their employees were in the country illegally. At a news conference Tuesday federal prosecutors would not say if the companies, were in on the conspiracy. Among those working for the firm were a former U.S. Border Patrol agent and a former visa worker at a consulate in Mexico. The indictment also accuses the firm’s employees of seeking more visas from the federal government than were needed. Ed Moreno of the U.S. State Department said the visas may have been handed out to others who did not work for the companies in question. Moreno could not say what became of the workers who got the reportedly 5000 fraudulently obtained visas, although they’re likely still in the country, authorities conceded. There were eight arrests Tuesday, with all of them due in federal court Wednesday. Calls to the Alcala Law Firm seeking comment were not immediately returned Tuesday.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—A Utah judge has scheduled a hearing to consider whether to allow the sale of a 438-acre parcel of land where a southern Utah-based polygamous cult had planned to build a temple. The land, known as Berry Knoll, is part of the United Effort Plan Trust, a communal land trust tied to the church in question which purports to be a branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saint, although LDS general authorities vehemently deny this. The trust has been under court control since 2005. A court-appointed accountant wants to sell the land, in northern Arizona, to pay off a debt. A hearing is set for Wednesday in 3rd District Court in Salt Lake City. Church members oppose the sale and sued last year to stop it. A stay of the sale was lifted last week when a judge rejected a settlement proposal that would have returned the majority of trust assets to the church.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—A woman was taken to the hospital in critical condition after being hit by a UTA bus Tuesday. Officers are investigating who was at fault. The woman, who is in her 20s, was crossing the street in downtown Salt Lake City Tuesday morning around 11:00 a.m. It is not yet known who was at fault. Mark Bednarik of the Salt Lake City Fire Department said UTA officials are combing over the site where the accident occurred. The investigation shut down northbound lanes on 300 West near Pioneer Park as the UTA bus was stopped crookedly across two lanes of the road.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—The federal agency that oversees AmeriCorps ranked Utah as the top state in the country for volunteerism. The Corporation for National and Community Service says 45 percent of Utahns donated 162 million hours of service to a worthy cause last year. The agency valued those services at $3 billion with tutoring/teaching, serving as the top activity. Nebraska was second with nearly 39 percent of residents volunteering their time and Minnesota was third at just over 38 percent. Agency policy chief Robert Grimm says Utah’s dominant Mormon faith played a role in the numbers, although rates are higher in some states without strong religious affiliation, such as Vermont.

(SOUTH JORDAN)—South Jordan police have arrested the father of a teen suspected in a weekend murder. The Salt Lake Tribune reports the 51-year old man was taken into custody Monday on suspicion of obstruction of justice. His 17-year old son is accused of shooting and killing 21-year old Stephan Jo Lasiloo during a party Saturday night. Court documents say after the shooting, officers went to the suspect’s house and the teen’s father told them he wasn’t there. The boy and his father were later found hiding at a home in Ogden.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—An early morning fire at a Salt Lake City apartment building forced dozens to evacuate Tuesday. Firefighters still don’t know what caused this fire and are not calling it suspicious at this point. Firefighters received multiple calls about the fire at 1:00 a.m. Tuesday and they stated it was threatening another apartment building about 40 feet away. Firefighters were initially told several people were trapped inside, but residents were able to escape through a second-story window before firefighters arrived. Both apartment buildings were evacuated and the 14 residents of the burned building were displaced by the fire. The American Red Cross is now helping those people find food, clothing and shelter.

(LAYTON)—A Layton woman who pleaded guilty to causing a fatal crash while driving under the influence of prescription sleep medication Ambien will not spend any time behind bars. The 28-year old Alicia L. Kap was sentenced to 36 months in prison Monday and ordered to pay a $1000 fine for causing the crash that killed Verna and Dean Arava in May 2008 near Hill Air Force Base. A lawyer for Kap told the court she had completed an inpatient substance abuse program and is currently undergoing outpatient treatment. The Araves’ family members said they preferred not to have Kap sent to jail, but rehabilitated instead.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—Utah’s likely next governor is still trimming his list of possible lieutenant governors. Current lieutenant governor, Gary Herbert, currently has five names on his list, rather than the initial 26. Herbert stated he’s thinking about two Davis County Republicans, Greg Bell and Stuart Adams. The Deseret News learned the short list also includes Natalie Gochnour of the Salt Lake Chamber and Salt Lake County commissioner and firefighter Michael Jensen. Adams says he’s interested in the lieutenant governor’s job while Jensen says he’s most likely to stay with the United Fire Authority. Gochnour and Bell declined to comment. The transition could take place next month while Herbert is set to take over as governor as current governor Jon Huntsman is slated to become the U.S. Ambassador to China.

(RICHFIELD) – The Richfield City Council will hold a public hearing tonight to gain input on the tentative budget for 2009/10. The City Council will discuss actual revenues and expenditures in the last completed fiscal year, estimated totals for the current year and estimated totals for the upcoming budget year. The public hearing will be held at 7:00 tonight and after the hearing, the Council plans to adopt the budget for the fiscal year 2009/10. The public is invited to attend the hearing.

(MILFORD) – An independent developer and operator of wind power, who owns a wind farm in Milford, has announced that it has closed two financial deals for a total of $191 million. First Wind, Inc. completed an 8-1/2-year deal with Alberta Investment Management Corporation worth $115 million and also a $76-million deal with HSH Nordbank for First Wind’s Stetson Project. First Wind CEO, Paul Gaynor, said closing the financial deals means that AIMCO and HSH Nordbank are committed to making major investments in clean, renewable energy. AIMCO Principal, Ben Hawkins, said his company is impressed with First Wind’s ability to deliver value on their portfolio of operating and growth wind assets. First Wind currently has five operating wind projects totaling 274 magawatts in three states; two in Maine, two in New York and one in Hawaii. They also have a 200-Megawatt project under construction in Milford.

(SALT LAKE CITY) – The company that owns Albertson’s stores in Utah has announced that it’s selling a majority of its stores to Associated Foods. Supervalu says the sale will include 36 stores but will not include three St. George-area stores. Supervalu is also looking for a buyer for its two Albertson’s stores in Orem and two stores in West Jordan. Associated Food Stores says it intends to rename the 36 purchased stores and expects to offer employment to most Albertson’s employees. Supervalu’s Salt Lake City distribution center will remain part of the company and will stay open. The sale still needs approval of regulators and is expected to close this fall. Supervalu expects to get about $150 million from the sale. Albertson’s was founded in 1939 and acquired by Supervalu in 2006. Albertson’s employs more than 3,000 people throughout Utah.

(SALT LAKE CITY) – The Environmental Protection Agency is pumping $750,000 of stimulus money into retrofitting Utah farm equipment with clean-diesel technology. Acting Administrator for EPA’s Denver region, Carol Rushin, said American Reinvestment and Recovery Act funding is providing economic and environmental benefits to Utahns. She said equipment retrofitting will help farmers reduce pollution, conserve fuel and help create and maintain jobs. Utah’s share of the stimulus funds will replace 12 agricultural vehicles, repower 26 engines in agricultural vehicles and equipment and install 25 auxiliary power units on agricultural vehicles.

(RICHFIELD) – The Richfield City Council met in a special session last Thursday at noon to consider and award the low bid for the painting of city streets and crosswalks. Business Administrator, Woody Farnsworth, says the bid was awarded to Straight Stripe Painting of St. George and the work must be done before students go back to school. Farnsworth said the low bid amounted to $13,356.

(KAMAS)—Search crews are looking for a Salt Lake City woman who has been missing since Saturday. The Summit County Search & Rescue, with the assistance of the Department of Public Safety Helicopter and the American Search Dogs were searching in the Bald Mountain area for 48-year old Gina Trujillo of Salt Lake City. Trujillo was last seen July 25 at the Soapstone Camp Ground between 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. Trujillo was reported as missing to the Summit County Sheriff’s Office by a family member Sunday. Monday morning, Summit County deputies located her vehicle parked at the Bald Mountain trailhead.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—The Salt Lake City Police Department is asking for help in finding a suspect in a stabbing that transpired early Sunday morning. Police reported 39-year old Steven Duran is wanted on two counts of aggravated assault for stabbing two men in an altercation.

(SOUTH SALT LAKE)—A man attempted to rob a bank and steal a car Monday, but failed in both attempts. South Salt Lake police stated a man entered a Wells Fargo bank around 9:15 a.m. and handed a teller a note, stating he had a gun. The man demanded that the teller hand him the money, but she tripped an alarm and the man left. Upon leaving the bank, the man also tried to grab a woman out of her car and take her vehicle but she put up a fight and he fled again. Police are currently searching for the suspect.

(ST. GEORGE)—Police in St. George used a Taser on a suspect after they claimed he attacked an officer attempting to take him into custody. Officers responded to a report of a family fight Sunday and when they arrived, they said 20-year old Chad Jones refused to follow instructions to get down on the ground. Instead, the suspect reportedly ran at the officers and threw a rock at one of them. Officers then used the Taser on him and made the arrest. Jones is charged with aggravated assault against a police officer, failure to stop at the command of a law enforcement officer, public intoxication and other crimes.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—One out of every six homes for sale in the Salt Lake Valley is a short sale, according to the Salt Lake Board of Realtors. Realtors communications director Dave Anderton told KSL-AM in Salt Lake City most homeowners in Utah looking for relief are those who have purchased large homes over $500,000. The problem is particularly bad in Washington County, Anderton said, as Southern Utah Title owner Alan Carter reported three out of four of the county’s real-estate sales are foreclosure listings or short sales. Additionally, over 8 percent of Utah homeowners are delinquent on mortgage payments or are in foreclosure. Nationally, the number is over 12 percent.

(RICHFIELD) – The Sevier County Sheriff’s Office is reporting an increase in home burglaries in the county. Public Information Officer, Nate Curtis, says several burglaries have taken place in Richfield and two in Salina recently. He said one residence was broken into twice in one weekend. Investigators say witnesses have come forward with information on suspects and they’re following up on the leads. Sheriff’s deputies are warning people to be aware of suspicious activity in your neighborhood and encourage you to notify people you trust to watch your residence if you’re leaving town.

(ZION’S PARK) – The lightning-caused Horse Fire at Zion National Park has consumed about 2100 acres and is about 50% contained. Park officials detected the fire July 7 near Lava Point and the northernmost reaches of the park. Fire activity has been largely isolated to eastern portions of Horse Pasture Plateau, where firefighters have completed a buffer zone along eastern portions of the West Rim Trail. Fire personnel are allowing the fire to burn for resource benefits and say the fire is no direct threat to structures or people. About 60 firefighters are managing the fire.

(CEDAR CITY) – A Cedar City attorney has pleaded not guilty to charges of failing to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars from a settlement to relatives of victims of a plane crash. Court documents show that on Thursday, 38-year old, Matthew Graff, waived a preliminary hearing where prosecutors would have to show their evidence to take the case to trial. His defense lawyer, Gregory Skordas, says the hearing isn’t necessary. Graff practices law in Cedar City and St. George and was accused of failing to pay $848,875 to two men whose wives died in a plane crash last August near Moab that also killed eight other people. Graff is charged with two second-degree felony counts of unlawful dealing of property by a fiduciary.

(SIGURD) – A Sigurd teenager escaped serious injury in a motorcycle crash on SR-24 Friday night. Utah Highway Patrol investigated the crash, saying that at about 6pm, 17-year old, Sheyenne Stewart, was traveling southbound on SR-24, when she lost control of her 1990 Honda CT-90, at about 1250 North State in Sigurd and rolled. UHP reports say Stewart was wearing her helmet and it was unknown if she was taken to the hospital.

REGINA, Saskatchewan, Canada (AP)—Calvin McCarty ran for 76 yards and a pair of touchdowns while Tristan Jackson returned a punt 74 yards for a score to lead the Edmonton Eskimos to a 38-33 win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders Saturday at Mosaic Stadium in CFL action. The Roughriders earned a 22-0 lead early in the second quarter as Darian Durant (20 of 36, 238 yards, TD) made several big plays, including a scoring toss to Wes Cates. Additionally, Saskatchewan’s Lance Frazier returned a Ricky Ray (23 of 32, 247 yards, INT) 69 yards for a score to open up the big advantage. However, on a day when Saskatchewan’s 1989 Grey Cup winning team was honored, which included Eskimos coach, Richie Hall, Edmonton turned the tide. Behind Ray’s prodigious passing and McCarty’s big plays in the running game, the Eskimos actually took a 30-25 lead late in the third quarter. Nevertheless, the Roughriders responded with a short scoring run by Chris Szarka while conceding a safety to Edmonton to make it a 33-32 lead midway through the fourth quarter. Arkee Whitlock responded with a 13-yard touchdown run for the Eskimos while Saskatchewan turned the ball over on downs on a crucial drive late in the game when sure-handed Weston Dressler uncharacteristically dropped a pass on 3rd down. The win improved Edmonton to 2-2 on the season while Saskatchewan slumped to 2-2, in their second consecutive loss.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—A judge is refusing to allow a man to get out of jail to attend the funeral for his sister and her family. Julio Inez Martinez’ sister, Veronica, died along with her husband and three daughters in a car accident last week near Saltair. Martinez is in jail on charges of stabbing his wife 20 times with scissors in front of their children. The Salt Lake Tribune reports Judge Denise Lindberg originally said Martinez could attend the funeral but reversed her decision after an attorney for his children objected.

(LOGAN)—Logan’s police chief says he wasn’t careful when he disposed of documents and dozens of disks containing department information into a large trash bin. The material was found by a “dumpster diver” and most of it was later returned to the department. Logan Police Chief Russ Roper says he’s responsible for throwing away the disks and documents while he says there was a communication problem and the wrong bin was picked up. Roper says the information on the 52 disks is nearly 10 years of it and much of it is irrelevant.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—Utah House Speaker Dave Clark is extending a deadline for lawmakers to submit ideas on how to improve government to better the lives of the state’s residents. On the first day of the 2009 legislative session that ended in March, Clark gave 75 members of the Utah House 100-page blank notebooks he said he wanted to fill with 100 innovative ideas. The deadline was Friday. Clark says he’s now giving lawmakers another few weeks as he expects to collect the notebooks August 19. The public can also submit ideas by sending an e-mail to utahmatters@utah.gov.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—A kitchen fire broke out in a Salt Lake City apartment Friday morning. Fire crews were called to the building when smoke was spotted coming from a unit on the second floor and were able to quickly knock down the flames before it spread to other apartments. Nevertheless, residents were evacuated as a precaution. No one was in the apartment at the time and no injuries were reported. The cause is under investigation.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—In what has already been a busy month for Orrin Hatch, the Utah Senator has made another big move. Friday, Senator Hatch announced he would not support Sonia Sotomayor’s nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court. In a statement released Friday, Senator Hatch said he was impressed by Sotomayor’s credentials, experience and personal demeanor, but after reviewing her judicial record, he concluded he could not support the nomination. Hatch also said Sotomayor’s testimony and responses during her Senate confirmation hearing led to his final decision. Additionally, Hatch stated he wished President Obama had chosen a Hispanic nominee that all senators could support. Despite opposition from Hatch, GOP leaders and other conservatives, Sotomayor’s confirmation is all but assured. She is expected to be confirmed by early August. Republican Utah Senator Bob Bennett says he has also opposed Sotomayor’s nomination.

(VERNAL)—Colorado Interstate Gas Company has agreed to install environmental controls and pay more than $1 million to resolve violations of the Clean Air Act. The Justice Department and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced this settlement Thursday. CIG will pay more than $1 million in a civil penalty and back fees. The company will also pay for two air monitoring stations for a year on the Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation near Vernal. According to a complaint, Colorado Interstate Gas failed to obtain a permit and control and test emissions sources at the compressor station on the reservation. The settlement is subject to a 30-day comment period and approval by a federal court.

MONTREAL (AP)—Former Utah State star Anthony Calvillo completed 30 of 39 passes for 404 yards, two touchdowns and an interception as the Montreal Alouettes remained unbeaten by outlasting the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, 21-8 Thursday at Percival Molson Memorial Stadium. Despite Calvillo’s prolific performance, the Tiger-Cats held an Alouettes squad that came into this game averaging 44 points a game to their lowest output of the season. The win improved Montreal to 4-0 on the season, while Hamilton fell to 2-2.

(WASHINGTON D.C.) – A Salt Lake City-based researcher has found records that show the LDS Church may have posthumously baptized several members of President Barack Obama’s ancestors. Helen Radkey, critical of the practice, said she uncovered records on the Church’s new FamilySearch database that includes personalized identification numbers for Obama’s relatives, including his father, Barack Obama Sr. Records in the FamilySearch database do not indicate if the “baptism for the dead” ceremony was actually performed in an LDS temple, saying only that the information is “not available”. LDS Church Spokesman, Scott Trotter, declined to comment on the specifics involving Obama’s family but said it’s counter to the faith’s policies to perform baptisms for the dead for those whose names are not submitted to the Church, except for relatives. Trotter said the Church would investigate any infractions in the policy. The White House declined to comment, other than to say that Obama and LDS Church President Thomas S. Monson, did not discuss the topic during their brief meeting Monday in the Oval Office.

(Ephraim) An ATV accident up Ephraim canyon sent three people to the hospital last night. According to the Sanpete County Sheriff’s Office, five people were riding in a side-by-side ATV at 8:00 PM on Wagon Road in Ephraim Canyon when they hit a rut in the road and began tipping to one side. The driver over-corrected and the ATV rolled. Three of the occupants were seriously injured with two being life-flighted to northern Utah hospitals, and the other being taken to a local hospital. The Sanpete Sheriff’s Office, Search and Rescue, and Ephraim ambulance responded to the accident. Those involved in the accident were from West Jordan and Saint George.

(RICHFIELD) – Several local officials spoke this morning to the Americans with Disabilities Administration concerning improvements to facilities in Richfield. The meeting was held at the Richfield City Park in celebration of ADA’s tenth birthday highlighting comments from a representative from Sen. Orrin Hatch’s office, Sevier County Commission and the City. Mayor Brad Ramsay said the city has improved access to many areas around the city. Ramsay said improvements on the new bike path from 500 North to the cemetery have been completed as well as the Main Street Enhancement Project and College Avenue. Commissioner Gary Mason updated the ADA on increased improvements for the disabled at the fairgrounds and a representative from Sen. Hatch’s office spoke on better research in helping the disabled.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—The International Space Station joined with the space shuttle Endeavour will be visible in southern Utah Saturday and Monday. On Saturday, it can be seen from 10:07-10:11 p.m. and on Monday, it can be seen from 9:20-9:27 p.m. Northern Utah will get a chance at seeing it tonight and Friday.

(BLUFFDALE)—A late night altercation left one man fighting to survive after a Tuesday night shooting. The victim, authorities say, is a member of a local neighborhood watch while the shooter is reportedly a resident of the neighborhood. Over the past few weeks in Bluffdale, there have been numerous vehicle burglaries and vandalism to vacant properties in the neighborhood in question. Tuesday, 38-year old David Serbeck and his homeowner’s association president decided to patrol the neighborhood to see if they could find anyone involved. Sometime before 11:00 p.m., the HOA president and Serbeck came across four teenage girls walking down the street. The two men drove next to the girls, trying to question them about the crimes as they believed they may have been involved because their vehicle matched the description of the car used in earlier burglaries. After the men followed them, one of the girls called her father, 43-year old Reginald Campos, claiming the men were stalking them. When the girls arrived home, Campos and his daughter went looking for the men and found them in their SUV nearby. Afterward, Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Don Hutson said Campos fired as much as three rounds at Serbeck. Serbeck was flown by helicopter to Intermountain Medical Center in critical condition. The Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office arrested Campos for murder and they claim he did not have a concealed weapons permit, although Serbeck did. The Salt Lake County District Attorney will screen the case.

(BOULDER, Colo.)—Researchers at the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colo. believe global warming increases the chances of the Colorado River system’s reservoirs could be depleted by the middle of this century. A study released this week says if global warming cuts the river’s average flow by 10 percent while the chances of draining the river’s reservoirs by 2057 is 27 percent. The researchers say a 20 percent drop in stream flow translates to a 50 percent chance of draining the reservoirs by that date. The Colorado River travels nearly 1500 miles from Colorado to the Gulf of Mexico and feeds more than a dozen reservoirs while supplying drinking and irrigation water for about 30 million people.

(TAYLORSVILLE)—About 700 customers in Taylorsville are still without power after a truck smashed into a power pole along 2700 West. The truck hit and knocked over a power pole just after 10:30 Wednesday morning. Live wires dangled down over the truck which prevented crews from getting to the driver. Crews were forced to shut off power before the driver could be pulled out as well. Police are investigating the crash, but believe the driver simply lost control. Rocky Mountain Power must now replace the pole and reconnect the power lines. For now, Rocky Mountain Power is rerouting power to select customers. The repairs are more complicated than anticipated and power won’t be fully restored until Wednesday evening. The Unified Fire Authority said the live wires started a small fire on a fence next to the scene of the accident while the fire was doused swiftly. The driver suffered only minor injuries and was treated and released at the scene.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—Tribes in Utah are speaking out against a proposal to develop a commuter rail stop on what was once an American Indian village. In March, Utah Governor Jon Huntsman signed a bill paving the way for a land swap and the subsequent development of the Utah Transit Authority’s FrontRunner stop and a surrounding private development. Wednesday, the five tribes in Utah said they plan to deliver resolutions to the governor’s office opposing the project in Draper. Bruce Perry, the chairman of the Northwestern band of the Shoshone Nation said the site in question is rife with valuable Indian artifacts from a 3,000-year old village and the land is also valuable as a home for wetlands and wildlife habitats. UTA spokesman Gerry Carpenter said no decisions have been made on the future of the project.

(HARRISVILLE)—After shooting his friend in a drunken argument, Mark Austin Maxwell could spend up to 15 years in prison. Maxwell was convicted of the attempted murder in connection with the shooting of Victor Pacheo in Harrisville last February. According to court documents, Maxwell and Pacheo began arguing after Pacheo said it was “dumb” for Maxwell to drive drunk. Maxwell said he’d then show Pacheo who was dumb and proceeded to shoot him in the head. Pacheo lost an eye as a result of the shooting.

(PROVO)—A man who thought he was going to be killed went on a rampage inside a Provo post office Monday evening. When police arrived at the scene, they say the suspect, 22-year old Abren Williams Jr., was trying to break the glass out of the front door. Court documents outlined in the Daily Herald say Williams scattered envelopes, poured beer on the floor, broke out a window and lit a table on fire among other things. Williams claimed to have done this because he claimed his life was threatened and he wanted to be somewhere with surveillance cameras. After no one showed up to fight him, he found other ways to douse his frustrations while he was arrested and booked into the Utah County Jail.

LAS VEGAS (AP)—In this city, where jackpots are about as mercurial and fraudulent as the BCS, Tuesday, Gary Patterson’s Texas Christian Horned Frogs were picked as the preseason favorites to win the Mountain West, a league which has been jammed more than any other by the corrupt way college football at the Division I level chooses its pseudo-national champion. While I-A college football is about as real as unicorns and ice cream waterfalls, there are still good stories with substance and among them is the Mountain West Conference. There are numerous opportunities for the MWC to assert itself once again as the prohibitive favorite Horned Frogs will travel to Virginia and Clemson while Brigham Young duels with Oklahoma at a “neutral field” in Dallas and hosts Florida State several weeks later. In any case, TCU is expected to be the class of an underrated college football league primarily due to experienced returners. From a defense that was among the best statistically in Division I last season, the Horned Frogs return four starters, headlined by All-MWC performers in defensive end Jerry Hughes and electric kick returner Jeremy Kerley. Other stalwarts include defensive back Rafael Priest (the fact that Texas Christian University is owned by the Disciples of Christ, makes “Priest” a hilarious if not appropriate name) and offensive lineman Marshall Newhouse. This is where the analysis ends and the criticism begins because college football is such a sham. In some ways, it is a beauty contest but even that isn’t a fair assessment. The “blondes” with cosmetic surgery (Ohio State and Oklahoma) receive preferential treatment but they embarrass themselves much like the fake girls without personality you often find representing Denmark and Ukraine at the Miss World Pageant. Meanwhile, the smoking hot brunettes representing such places as Italy and Egypt (Texas Christian, Boise State, Utah) are pushed to the back because tradition denotes “blondes are better looking.” Based on my preference in women and in college football, I take considerable umbrage with this prehistoric and primeval way of thinking. If I want to watch Captain Caveman make a buffoon of himself, I’ll watch Boomerang as he has no place determining the mythical national champion. Thus, once again I adjure you BCS crooks, please don’t besmirch what should be a great sport. Due to your incessant lusts for more, more and more, your credibility incidentally becomes, less, less and less. I just want to send out my sincere condolences to the illustrious athletic director of Texas Christian University, Dr. Danny Morrison (who has visited this site several times he says) for his Frogs getting jammed if they go unbeaten. To quote several passages from the movie “Ben-Hur,” (I defy you to name another movie which won 11 Oscars) in its application to the BCS, the evil Massalah told Judah, there is “rebellion in the wind,” and in an apt denunciation of Rome in its relevance to the BCS, Judah tells Massalah “when Rome ERRRR the BCS falls, there will be a shout of freedom such as the world has never seen. Orrin Hatch and Joe Barton will not quit advocating for the good so the BCS, either by disinterest or rebellion of fans will soon go the way of all the earth, complete with livestock scattering their remains from lunch all over it. Until then, it’s too bad that Texas Christian, Utah, Brigham Young or whoever will get jammed. Still, remain faithful, college football fans. The BCS will soon prove to be its own worse enemy. Have faith.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—The parent company of the Salt Lake Tribune is donating editions of the paper from 1871-2003 to the University of Utah, which will conserve the fragile volumes and keep them open for public access. The university also plans to digitize the pages to create a searchable database. The Salt Lake Tribune has bound past editions of the paper into more than 2500 oversized volumes while this month, MediaNews Group made a donation transferring ownership to the university. Salt Lake City bookseller, Ken Sanders, appraised the collection while he says 130 years of continuous newspaper publication in the West is priceless historically and has a monetary value of $650,000.

(BOISE, Idaho)—A Utah-based nuclear services company has been awarded a contract from Battelle Energy Alliance, to manage waste from Battelle’s Lab operations at the Idaho National Laboratory in eastern Idaho. EnergySolutions Inc. of Salt Lake City will treat, package and transport radioactive, hazardous and industrial waste from several INL facilities, including the Advanced Test Reactor site and the Materials and Fuels Complex. Company spokesman Mark Walker says the $19 million contract will run for five years, with work beginning this summer. Approximately 20 workers will be employed under the contract.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—Zions Bancorp reported a loss of just over $40 million in the second quarter. The Salt Lake Tribune reports the company’s loss is due to a large amount of money being set aside to cover problem loans. Company officials say they are worried about the commercial real estate market and are putting the funds aside in case their concerns become reality.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—Like the rest of the nation, Utah is undergoing considerable financial difficulty. However, it is one of the few states not to raise taxes in order to deal with it. A new study from the National Conference of State Legislatures shows only 19 states in the nation, including Utah, did not raise taxes in the past year. However, that could change as Utah lawmakers plan to look at raising taxes on tobacco and alcohol in the upcoming legislative session. Thirteen other states have already raised tobacco taxes in the past year and five have raised liquor taxes.

(SOUTH SALT LAKE)—A South Salt Lake man faces charges for allegedly attempting to burn down the apartment building where he lived out of protest. Police say Lance Levart was angry over late fees he was charged by the property owner and in response, he poured gasoline on the floor of his apartment and ignited it. The subsequent fire caused more than $600,000 OF damage to the building. Levart is now charged with aggravated arson, criminal mischief and obstruction of justice charges.

(WASHINGTON)—Water experts are telling Congress that uranium mining near the Grand Canyon would court disaster. Tuesday, witnesses told a House panel that the risk of polluting the Colorado River is high if mining is permitted. They also want lawmakers to make permanent a decision made by the Obama administration to temporarily bar the filing of new mining claims on nearly 1 million acres. Hydrologist David Kreamer believes it’s “unreasonable” to think uranium mining doesn’t risk polluting streams and groundwater that feed the river. Kay Brothers, the deputy general manager of a Nevada water utility says if a mining disaster should occur, most of southern Nevada would be left without water supplies.

(AURORA) – Aurora City officials held a public hearing Monday night to gain input on revenue bonds for the construction of a new city office, community center and other facilities. No negative comments were offered and the city passed the resolution for the amount of $300,000 to finance the costs of construction. With passage of the resolution, Aurora City will bid out the projects and accept the lowest bid. The projects should begin as soon as the bid is awarded.

(RICHFIELD) – Fishlake National Forest personnel have closed some roads and trails in the vicinity of the Amos Canyon Fire burning west of Salina. Officials said Forest Road 442 and the Red Canyon Trail along the southwest portion of the fire have been temporarily closed due to concerns for public safety. The fire has scorched about 634 acres about 12 miles west of Salina and is being managed for resource benefits.

(MOAB) – A new report by the Department of Energy says about 100,000 tons of uranium mill tailings near Moab have been removed and transported to a nearby disposal site. Excavation of the 16 million tons began in February and rail shipments to the Crescent Junction disposal site began in late April via 88 containers. Rep. Jim Matheson said federal stimulus money and an extra allocation from the Omnibus Appropriation Act infused an additional $118 million to the project to accelerate the timeline of cleanup. Matheson said the extra funding should increase the tailings shipments from 12,000 tons per week to 21,000 tons per week through September 2011. The DOE report said 130 acres of the 439-acre site, is covered with tailings and sits on the west bank of the Colorado River. Officials say removal of the tailings will prevent 137 million gallons of contaminated groundwater from reaching the Colorado River.

(BRYCE CANYON) – The Bridge Fire burning near the Bryce Canyon National Park is mostly contained reducing the threat to the main road in the area. Bryce Canyon fire crews say the 3500 acre blaze is now about 60% contained and the main road to the Park is open. Dan Ng, Chief of Interpretation at Bryce Canyon National Park, said a two-mile portion of the park’s main road was closed last week due to the proximity of the fire. The 2900-acre Horse Valley Fire near Panguitch Lake is now 100% contained.

(ANNABELLA) – The Annabella Town Council will hold a public hearing this Thursday night concerning the issuance of bonds to construct street improvements. Town officials say the bond resolution authorizes the issuance of $125,000 in Street Improvement Bonds. The public is invited to attend the meeting which will be held this Thursday at 6pm at the Annabella Town Hall at 295 East 300 North.

(BOULDER) – Fire crews on the Dixie National Forest are working to contain the Steep Creek Fire northeast of Boulder in the Escalante Ranger District. The fire is burning about 11 miles northeast of Boulder and has covered 247 acres. Three fire crews, one engine and a helicopter are working the fire in steep, rugged terrain, making direct suppression efforts difficult. Weather has assisted in controlling the fire with cooler temperatures and rain falling on the fire on Sunday. No injuries have been reported.

SALT LAKE CITY (AP)—When the Utah Jazz’ 2009-10 season commences this fall on KMTI and KSVC, Utahns will hear a new radio play-by-play voice, KFAN afternoon talk show host, David Locke. Locke will replace veteran NBA broadcaster “Hot” Rod Hundley who served as the franchise’s only play-by-play man dating back to its inception in New Orleans. Locke brings more than 15 years of experience in broadcasting to the Jazz and in 2006-07, he served as the radio play-by-play man for the then-Seattle SuperSonics. Additionally, Locke spent seven season as the voice of the WNBA’s Seattle Storm, one season as the television play-by-play man for numerous University of Washington sports and one season as the TV/radio announcer for the Utah Starzz of the WNBA. The native of Palo Alto, Calif. currently hosts the highest-rated sports talk show in Utah, “Locked on Sports,” on 1320-KFAN in Salt Lake City, while Locke has also served as the pregame, halftime and postgame host during Jazz broadcasts on the Utah Jazz Radio Network. Locke began his radio career in 1992 at KIEV-AM in Los Angeles.

(RICHFIELD) – An appeal of a power company’s application for an ash disposal site near Koosharem has been tabled due to discrepencies in zoning maps. At the Sevier County Commission meeting today, representatives for the Sevier Power Company requested commissioners postpone the appeal hearing, pending scrutiny over old and new zoning requirements for their Conditional Use Permit on the ash disposal site for the proposed building of a coal-fired power plant near Sigurd. James Kennon, President of the Sevier Citizens for Clean Air and Water, requested commissioners deny the CUP and appeal for the disposal site because of problems, he says, with the original application. After discussion, Commissioners approved the postponement for 30 days to look at both zoning maps to find out where the discrepencies are. Commissioners also tabled an appeal of the Grand National Council of Nations on a CUP for a rock crushing, mineral extraction operation near Sigurd. SCCAW representatives are opposed to the operation because they say the Grand National Council of Nations is operating illegally. County Attorney, Dale Eyre, said the matter will be taken under advisement.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—A bad case of graffiti at Salt Lake City’s Ensign Peak has city officials asking residents to be on the lookout for vandals, and to call the city to report any tagging. Spray paint has been found on rocks, trashcans and along the trail and at concrete steps near the monument. Salt Lake City graffiti supervisor Brent Olander said the graffiti hasn’t been cleaned up because his committee didn’t know about it. Olander says the graffiti on Ensign Peak is no worse than anywhere else in the city and it’s a challenge to get cleaning supplies up to the monument because they have to be hiked in.

(SPRINGVILLE)—The Utah Department of Transportation will close Interstate 15 near the interchange with SR-77 for two consecutive nights this week. The first closure will be on northbound I-15 from 10:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m. Tuesday for demolition of the remaining half of the old interchange bridge structure while Wednesday from 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. crews will close down southbound I-15 for bridge demolition. Each night, traffic will be diverted to the on/off ramps on the freeway. Traffic on the interchange has been shifted to the bridge deck of the new single point urban interchange structure. This work is being done as part of the Access Utah County SR-77 construction project. UDOT encourages motorists to use caution and to travel at posted speeds while driving through work zones. Schedules are subject to change due to inclement weather, equipment problems or emergency situations.

(PROVO)—It is now illegal to sell a recalled item at a yard sale or online auction because of the passage of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008. To try and help people figure out what they should not be selling at yard sales, the Consumer Product Safety Commission released a handbook outlining potentially dangerous products. Provo City zoning administrator Reta Trimble said federal officials will not be trying to enforce federal rules. Trimble also said in Provo, permits to hold yard sales are not required and the number of yard sales are at a comparable level to last year despite the recession and other factors. The Wall Street Journal reports garage sales listings on Craigslist have increased 60 percent in the past year.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—A pollutant that can slowly trigger changes in the lives of plants and animals has been increasingly found in 16 National Park service sites, primarily in the western United States. Air quality data obtained by the Associated Press shows significant worsening trends for ammonium in several flagship parks, including Yellowstone, Mount Ranier and Canyonlands National Parks. Ammonium is often linked with fertilizers, agricultural operations and urban pollution. Rich in nitrogen, ammonium can act like a fertilizer and cause changes to soil and water chemistry. In large enough doses, it can also affect the diversity of species and give fuel for exotic grasses that in turn, facilitate the spread of wildfires. Scientists say they’re unable to pinpoint the sources of the ammonium, which is carried in rain and snow.

(WASHINGTON)—Monday, the Interior Department announced it is temporarily barring the filing of new mining claims, including for uranium, on nearly 1 million acres near the Grand Canyon. The land is being set aside for two years so the department can study whether it should be permanently withdrawn from mining activity, according to a notice published in the Federal Register online. The notice covers more than 600,000 acres under the control of the Bureau of Land Management and about 360,000 acres in the Kaibab National Forest in northern Arizona. The announcement comes ahead of Tuesday’s congressional hearing on a bill to set aside more than 1 million acres of federal lands north and south of the canyon. The bill’s sponsor, Democratic U.S. Representative Raul Grijalva of Arizona, and environmental groups had been looking to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar for temporary protections at the Grand Canyon while the legislation is pending. The Interior Department under President George W. Bush was unresponsive to efforts to ban new uranium mining claims. The House National Resources Committee invoked a little-used rule to stop any new claims for up to three years, but interior officials refused to recognize the action and continued to authorize additional mining claims. There are as many as 10,000 existing mining claims on BLM and U.S. Forest Service lands near the Grand Canyon for all types of hard-rock exploration. Some 1100 uranium mining claims are within five miles of the Grand Canyon. The protections offered by Salazar won’t include uranium mining claims already filed near the Grand Canyon, officials said.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—The battle over health care reform is coming to Utah with democrats targeting one of their own. Democrats are turning their ire toward Jim Matheson, who does not support the current reform bill moving through Congress. Members of the Blue Dog Democrats, including Matheson, have spoken out against the president’s health care proposal, calling it too costly. The Salt Lake Tribune reported, that in response, the Democratic National Committee will run 30-second TV ads in Utah, and other comparable states, to turn up the pressure. The ads depict people affected by the current health care system and say it’s time for reform. The Energy and Commerce committee is expected to vote on the bill this week while the measure would then be combined with similar bills and go before the full House for a vote in the next few weeks.

(NEW YORK)—Qwest is doubling its top Internet download speeds in some areas to keep up with the offerings of cable companies. The phone company is introducing a plan with download speeds of 40 megabits per second and upload speeds of 20 mbps in a few areas, including Denver, Tucson, Ariz., Salt Lake City, and Minneapolis/St. Paul. It costs $110 a month for the first year when combined with home phone service. Qwest Communications International Incorporation aims to add more areas in the next few months. It is also offering higher upload speeds to existing customers: 5 mbps for $5 a month. Cable companies are rolling out a new cable-modem technology this year, allowing them to offer download speeds of 50 mbps.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—Washington County authorities say a Utah hiker, who was missing overnight, has been found on Signal Peak. The Deseret News says 37-year old St. George resident Casey Madsen was picked up Sunday, nearly a day after he told his wife he had wandered off the Oak Grove trail. Reportedly, Madsen followed a group of Scouts who got lost and while the group backtracked to the trail, Madsen continued trying to find them. Washington County Sheriff’s Department Sergeant Jeff Bailey said Madsen sent a text message to his wife Saturday, who alerted search teams. Madsen later called rescuers with his coordinates and was found in the area where the scouts had last seen him. Madsen was dehydrated and flown to St. George’s Dixie Regional Medical Center.

(PANGUITCH) – A Salt Lake City motorcyclist sustained minor injuries Friday south of Panguitch when he crashed on SR-143. A UHP report said that at about 12:30pm, 39-year old, Michael Schweitzer, was traveling southbound on a 1999 Harley Davidson about 13 miles south of Panguitch, when he lost control of his motorcycle and laid it on its side. The report said Schweitzer received minor injuries and was not transported to the hospital.

(BRYCE CANYON) – A wildfire burning in Bryce Canyon National Park kept the area’s main highway closed Sunday. The lightning-caused Bridge Fire, burning about eight miles south of Bryce Canyon City, is 50% contained and has consumed nearly 3500 acres of forest and park lands. Fire crews spent Saturday fighting the hotspots with foam and water. Fire personnel say due to fire, smoke and hazardous trees, 15 miles of Highway 63 have been closed since the fire started on June 14. Bryce Canyon officials hope to have the road open by today. All other roads, visitor services and viewpoints are open.

REGINA, Saskatchewan, Canada (AP)—Former Utah State star Anthony Calvillo completed 24 of 35 passes for 281 yards and a pair of scores as the Montreal Alouettes decimated the Saskatchewan Roughriders, 43-10 Saturday at Mosaic Field in a matchup of the CFL’s only unbeaten teams. The game began as a defensive struggle as the top two defenses in the CFL were on display. Nevertheless, the Alouettes broke through in the third quarter as they built a 30-8 lead on scoring strikes from Calvillo to Kerry Carter and Kerry Watkins to put the game on ice. Avon Cobourne also had a solid performance for Montreal as he posted 25 carries for 145 yards and a pair of scores. The win improves Montreal to 3-0 on the season while they have averaged 44.5 points a game thus far. Andy Fantuz had four receptions for 60 yards in the loss for the Roughriders. In other CFL action Saturday, Hamilton bested Winnipeg, 25-13.

(WEST JORDAN)—A worker who was rushed to the hospital Friday morning after a co-worker found him unresponsive inside a fireplace, has died. Witnesses stated the 39-year old man reportedly grabbed some electrical wires inside the insert he was installing, but investigators aren’t sure exactly what happened. Crews swiftly arrived on the scene and were able to get him out while he was later taken to the hospital where he died.

(WEST JORDAN)—A fire that destroyed a popular West Jordan restaurant has been blamed on bathroom exhaust fans. West Jordan fire investigators say the fire, which occurred July 8, was accidental and determined the fire started in the exhaust fans located above the bathrooms. The fire spread through the truss system and caused the roof to collapse. Two groups of firefighters were inside when the roof collapsed while big beams and other debris fell on six of the firefighters. The firefighters were able to free themselves and escape before anyone came after them and none of them were injured. Damage is estimated to be as high as $1.5 million, while employees say the owner plans to rebuild.

(PARK CITY)—Workers are assembling a funicular railway at Park City’s Deer Valley Resort. The track will reportedly climb 500 vertical feet from the base of the ski area to the St. Regis Deer Crest Resort, which will open this fall. The track is being reported as the first funicular at a North American ski resort while the heated or air conditioned cabins will be open for public use free of charge. The plaza will include a restaurant, a 3000-bottle wine bar, a 14,000-square foot spa and a beach on an outdoor terrace overlooking ski slopes.

(PROVO)—A Provo nurse has been arrested after police say he took advantage of a patient who was struggling with an addiction. Provo police told KSL-AM 1160 in Salt Lake City, a male nurse was taking care of two female patients in the psychology ward at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center earlier this month. A joking conversation between the patients and nurse soon became sexual in nature when it was mentioned some pain medication could be traded if one of the girls showed him her chest. One night, one of the patients was placed in a room by herself and around 3:00 a.m., her gown was moved around as she was inappropriately touched. Later, she found an unopened package of Lortab pills from the hospital, tucked with her personal belongings. Police were contacted and through an investigation, it was discovered the pills had been checked out by the nurse taking care of her, although the medication was signed out as if it were going to a different patient. On Tuesday, police arrested the nurse, Skyler Evans, and booked him in jail on numerous charges including forcible sexual abuse. Evans has since been bailed out of jail.

(MIDVALE)—Residents of a Midvale neighborhood woke up Friday to flames shooting out of a nearby house while investigators say the fire was likely the result of faulty electric wiring in the home’s garage. The fire was reported just before 5:30 a.m. and by the time fire crews arrived, flames were shooting 30 feet in the air. Firefighters were able to contain the majority of the fire to the garage and the east wall of the house. The house was empty at the time, but the owner was in the process of renovating before selling it. Fire officials say the house incurred between $50,000 and $75,000 in damages while had the house not been empty, it could have been more. Firefighters say the fire caused some minor heat damage to the house next door, but nothing that would compromise the structure.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—A Utah Highway Patrol trooper has been hurt after his car was rear ended on Interstate 15. UHP Trooper Cameron Roden said the trooper was conducting a traffic stop on the right shoulder of southbound I-15 near South Salt Lake Friday when a car drifted off the road. The trooper was inside the car when it was hit from behind around 1:00 a.m., the Salt Lake Tribune reported Friday. Roden says the trooper was taken to a hospital in serious condition and was later upgraded to fair. Roden said the car the trooper pulled over wasn’t affected by the crash.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—A man who stumbled into a Sugar House gas station with gunshot wounds has been jailed while deputies believe he was shot during an attempted robbery. Investigators initially believed 26-year old Ronald Whitelaw was the victim of a drive-by shooting. However, upon receiving new information Thursday, they now believe he was shot while he and another man attempted to burglarize an apartment in Holladay. Salt Lake City police found Whitelaw just before 11:00 p.m. Wednesday at a Tesoro gas station while he had been shot in the stomach and leg. He was rushed to the hospital in critical condition but wouldn’t tel officers how he received the wounds. Lieutenant Don Hutson of the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Department said the motive of Whitelaw and his accomplice was to get in the house and rob the residents. Authorities said the timing of the two events leads them to believe Whitelaw was involved in the burglary. After he was released from the hospital, he was arrested and booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of aggravated burglary, a weapons violation and three counts of aggravated assault. Authorities say they’re looking for suspects in the case while the sheriff’s office says the shooting is still under investigation.

(WASHINGTON D.C.) – Sen. Bob Bennett has secured over $400,000 for an emergency assessment of the Logan Northern Canal in Logan. The canal caused a fatal landslide last week. The funding would enable the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to assemble a team to examine the structure, identify risks and begin necessary repairs. Bennett said he was saddened by the tragic loss of life in the incident and extended his sympathies to the loved ones of the family members killed by the landslide. He said the government needs to ensure that the public health and safety is not further endangered by any remaining and unforseen risks from the canal. Bennett noted that the funding will help experts take immediate action to examine the entire canal system.

(SALT LAKE CITY—The chancellor of the Episcopal diocese of Utah has been named to a seat on a national board of the Episcopal church. Diocese spokesman Craig Wirth said Stephen F. Hutchinson was elected to serve a six-year term on the Episcopal Church’s Executive Council in the United States. The election took place Wednesday during the faith’s 2009 General Convention at Anaheim, Calif. The 38-member council serves as the governing body of the church between conventions which occur every three years. The council is comprised of bishops, priests, deacons and laypersons. As the chancellor of the Utah diocese, the 62-year old Hutchinson is the church’s lawyer and administrative officer.

(PANGUITCH) – Several lightning-caused fires have scorched thousands of acres on the Dixie National Forest. The Horse Valley Fire north of Panguitch Lake has consumed nearly 3,000 acres and is now 60% contained. The fire began on July 2 and was initially managed for resource benefit but the fire spread outside the planned burn area and fire personnel decided to fully contain the fire. A cabin was lost in the blaze and two of the 300 firefighters working the fire sustained some injuries. The fire should be completely contained by today. The Bridge Fire burning on the west side of Bryce Canyon National Park has consumed 1500 acres. The fire began on June 14 and is being managed for resource benefit. Fire personnel say the fire caused the evacuation of about 50 vehicles on Wednesday two miles south of the Park entrance to the end of the road at Rainbow Point. The road remains closed due to the fire but the visitors center will stay open. Also, the Bull Berry and Skull Springs Fires burning on the west side of the Box-Death Hollow Wilderness Area, continue to be controlled.

(BIRDSEYE) – The Lake Fork Fire burning north of Indianola has now consumed 460 acres and is being allowed to burn for resource benefits. Fire personnel say the fire is burning in the Lake Fork Canyon area about eight miles north of Indianola and 2 miles southeast of Birdseye. Smoke and flames may be visible for the next few weeks from North Skyline Drive, North Sanpete Valley and along U.S. 89 and Highway 6. The fire is burning in pinyon and juniper with scatter brush, forbs and grasses.

(WEST VALLEY CITY)—A man who is a suspect in a California murder investigation was arrested in West Valley City Thursday. Police say they spotted the man who was working outside a West Valley City business holding a large advertisement placard near 35th South and Redwood Road. The man was standing in the median, prompting officers to approach and question him on possible jaywalking/safety issue concerns. As officers questioned the man and asked for identification, he gave them a name that he couldn’t spell. A woman claiming to know the man appeared and was also questioned by officers. The man eventually confessed to being a suspect in a California murder investigation originating out of Fresno. Police discovered that 27-year old Jose Augustine Leon had a $1 million warrant for his arrest and took him into custody.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—A woman charged with murdering an elderly man in his apartment in downtown Salt Lake City earlier this year pleaded guilty to one count of murder Thursday. Prosecutors say Joy Lynn Adams broke into 69-year old Adolf Neal’s apartment January 27, after which she stabbed him in the neck then fled the scene. Several witnesses identified Adams as being in the apartment at the time of the crime while she was arrested the same night. Adams faces anywhere from 15 years to life in prison for the crime.

(OGDEN)—A woman has been charged with stealing thousands of dollars from a charity devoted to preventing child abuse in Utah. Weber County prosecutors charged 40-year old Teresa Burns Monday with communications fraud, theft and forgery, each of which are third-degree felonies. She is accused of stealing money from Prevent Child Abuse Utah, where she worked as an administrative assistant. According to a police affidavit filed with charges, a bookkeeper at the nonprofit discovered forged checks and documents after Burns had given notice in April that she was quitting her job. Police say two checks were on the books as being made out to the Worker’s Compensation Fund when in reality they had been made out to a law office to pay out a pair of garnishments. When confronted by her bosses, Ogden Police Detective Rick Childress said in the affidavit Burns told them it’s something she did. Reed Richards, an attorney and volunteer with Prevent Child Abuse Utah called the case, “unfortunate.” According to court records, during an appearance in 2nd District Court Wednesday, Burns was told to hire an attorney and bail was set at $5000. She is due back in court July 21.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—The court-appointed accountant in charge of a polygamous church property trust is defending the sale of cows from a southern Utah church dairy in the midst of settlement negotiations. Late Wednesday, in 3rd District Court filings, attorneys for Bruce Wisan say the cash-poor United Effort Plan trust needed an infusion of money to pay off debts. Wisan got $360,000 from the sale of cows from Harker Farm in Beryl. Wisan’s attorneys want a judge to toss out a complaint about the sale made by members of the polygamous sect in question. Sect members say the June 2 sale guts the farm of critical assets and decimates its value.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—A judge deciding whether a 14-year old boy should go to trial in the shooting death of a man at a West Valley City golf course has heard the boy’s alleged admissions to police. Wednesday, a recording was played in court before 3rd District Court Juvenile Court Judge Andrew Valdez. In the recording, the boy says he was high on marijuana and scared when he shot JoJo Lee Brandstatt twice on February 5. The boy, who is charged with murder, aggravated kidnapping and aggravated robbery said he was coerced into doing the shooting which was apparently gang-related. Valdez will decide whether the boy’s case should go to trial and if so, whether he should be tried as a minor or an adult. Three adults also charged in connection with the case have been ordered to stand trial.

(DRAPER)—Search and rescue crews have found two missing hikers who were missing in the Corner Canyon area of Draper. A UHP helicopter spotted 29-year old Cody Hidler from Salt Lake County and 30-year old John Vallieres from Davis County on the Bald Mountain trail around 9:30 a.m. Thursday. Sergeant Chad Carpenter of the Draper Police Department said the troops in the helicopter found the hikers in question. The hikers were in good condition and opted to make the five-hour trek out of the canyon while telling troopers they got lost for a few hours and decided to spend the night on the trail. When they didn’t return, their wives panicked and called the Draper Police Department. Family and friends told police the hikers were prepared with tents and sleeping bags while they had enough food and water to survive for a few days. The hikers did not have cell phones and police said they would have found them much more swiftly had they had cell phones with them.

(PROVO)—The U.S. Department of Education is giving five school districts in Utah money to help improve emergency preparedness. In the Provo District, Student Services Director Greg Hudnall says the district will use the nearly $120,000 to help train specialty personnel throughout the district on emergency procedures and improve and enhance emergency planning. Hudnall says in the past they’ve been able to train principals and teachers but they now have the funds to work with bus drivers, special education teams, after school staff, custodians and even lunchroom workers. Hudnall said he wants them to be well versed in such areas as violence and crisis situations. Other districts getting the emergency preparedness grant include the Uintah, Washington, and Tooele School Districts as well as Providence Hall, a charter school in Herriman.

(HILL AIR FORCE BASE)—Utah’s congressional delegation says Hill Air Force Base will maintain key components and systems on the U.S. Air Force’s two newest unmanned aerial vehicles. Officials from the Governor’s Office of Economic Development have said securing the workload on the MQ-1 Predator and the MQ-9 Reaper could bring 300 new jobs to the area. Hill AFB will be responsible for the airframe on both the Predator and the Reaper, as well as the satellite, radio and software functions on the Predator.

(GRANTSVILLE)—Fire damage to Grantsville Elementary School will keep students out of the building this fall. The Tooele School Board hasn’t decided where to send approximately 750 kids when classes start next month while they say smoke and water damage is too much for classes to be conducted at Grantsville Elementary for several months. A fire was caused Monday by a stove burner in the teacher’s lounge.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—Salt Lake City police are investigating the possibility of gang involvement in a late night shooting. Officers responded to a gunfight at a Tesoro gas station on the upper bench of Salt Lake City just before 11:00 p.m. Wednesday where they found a man in his mid 20s with four gunshot wounds. Police are not sure where the shooting took place but they say the man had walked to the station after being shot. He was taken to University Hospital in critical condition, while police have no suspects in the shooting.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—Utah Lieutenant Governor Gary Herbert addressed Utah’s film industry for the first time Thursday at the state film luncheon. Additionally, the state film commission’s director gave his State of the Film address. Herbert will succeed current Governor Jon Huntsman when he is confirmed by the U.S. Senate as ambassador to China later this summer. Huntsman has boosted spending in the state by making the film industry an economic priority and Herbert’s expected to continue that focus. As of 2007, Utah’s film industry had a $138 million impact, created 1100 new jobs, added more than $25 million in personal income and nearly $3 million in new tax revenues.

(RICHFIELD) – Organizers of the “Field of Stars” production recently concluded in Richfield gave city officials a $350 donation to go towards the Sevier Valley Veteran’s Memorial fund. At Tuesday night’s city council meeting, Director Sunny Thompson reported the success of this year’s production during Fourth of July celebrations. She said over 1500 people attended the three-day performance with 55 cast performers, logging over 3600 hours in the effort to put on a successful show. Thompson said the entire staff was excited to donate the money to Veteran’s Memorial fund.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—Financial reports show U.S. Senator Bob Bennett has raised more than $700,000 in the past three months leaving the Utah Republican with more than $900,000 in cash on hand to fend off challenges from within his own party. Bennett is seeking his fourth term in 2010 but is facing multiple challengers who say he’s been in office too long and hasn’t kept government spending in check. When first elected in 1992, Bennett said he would serve only two terms. Bennett now says Utah needs experienced representatives in Congress. Bennett’s chief Republican opponent is Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff. Shurtleff’s campaign did not immediately respond Wednesday to requests for his report.

(RICHFIELD) – The Richfield City Council has approved the application for federal assistance for upcoming projects to expand the airport. At the city council meeting Tuesday night, Business Administrator, Woody Farnsworth, said once the application is approved, the city can move forward with its expansion project. He said the projects total a little over $1.2 million, including $31,000 each from the city and state for matching funds on the projects. City officials also approved the selection of Jones and DeMille Engineering of Richfield as the designers of the 300 North to 300 West improvement project. Farnsworth said the project should start when school is out next year. He said approval of the improvements were made in previous council meetings but funding has not been available until now. The total cost of the street improvement is $72,638. The city also awarded the Multi-Use Path Fencing project to Central Valley Construction at a cost of $40,460.

(UTAH COUNTY)—A runaway gravel truck rolled across Alpine Hill Wednesday and narrowly missed a canal. The driver was not in the truck at the time and the truck was being loaded with gravel when it started rolling away from the site. It rolled down the hill, jumped the highway and ended up in a field. The driver says he locked the first set of brakes when he got out of the truck but wasn’t sure about the second set. No one was hurt.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—The man accused of threatening to harm the FBI’s confidential informant in a massive artifacts theft case will remain in jail. During an appearance in the U.S. District Court Wednesday Magistrate Judge Brooke Wells ordered 44-year old Charles Denton Armstrong to remain in jail. Court records said the judge ordered the Blanding man to be held due to his criminal history and a danger he presents in the pending artifacts theft case. Armstrong was charged with retaliating against an informant and he is accused of threatening to hurt the FBI’s confidential source that helped authorities charge 25 people in connection with the theft of ancient artifacts from public and tribal lands in the Four Corners area. The case is considered to be the largest of its kind in the nation. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for Utah said it plans to seek a grand jury indictment against Armstrong and if convicted, they say he could face up to 20 years in federal prison. Armstrong is due back in court July 23.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—Crews reopened the 1300 East off ramp from westbound I-80 in Salt Lake City Wednesday, ahead of schedule. In early June, the ramp was closed while crews reconstructed the off ramp as part of the Innovative 80 project. The ramp was expected to be closed until early August. The reopening was welcome news to numerous businesses who are located near the interchange as their customers had a difficult time with the closure.

(RICHFIELD) – Richfield residents have been calling the city office concerning problems with the display of the Centennial Park flag at the north end of the city. City officials say numerous calls have been received by people who say the flag looks distorted and blaming the city for their unpatriotic attitude. But Business Administrator, Woody Farnsworth, says the city is doing everything it can to correct the problem. He said the entire cable system on the flagpole is non-functional and a portion of the cable used for lowering and raising the flag has wrapped itself around the top of the pole. City officials discussed the problem with UP&L and the fire department but they had no immediate solution to the problem. Colonial Flag, of Salt Lake City, has agreed to send a pole climber to fix the problem by Thursday morning.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—New rules are in place to check teachers’ backgrounds in Utah but there are holdups preventing them from occurring. State Superintendent Larry Shumway said at a legislative briefing Tuesday that computer glitches have slowed the process of running checks on all employees. The Salt Lake Tribune reported fingerprinting employees could take at least a year while this would open the door to national screening. Under the new rules, teachers must undergo background checks every five years when their licenses are renewed. Additionally, staff workers, such as bus drivers, are now subject to periodic checks. The Tribune also reported school workers must now report any arrests or convictions within 48 hours, or they’ll be flagged by the Department of Public Safety.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—Cases of Internet sex predators and child pornography have skyrocketed in Utah to record-breaking levels, authorities said. The Utah Attorney General’s Internet Crimes Against Children task force said Tuesday that its caseload has risen 40 percent in the first six months of the year. Ken Wallentine, the Utah Attorney General’s Chief of Law Enforcement said there have been 76 arrests during the first six months of 2009 for Internet sex crimes as compared to just 32 arrests in the same span last year. Wallentine said ICAC agents work constantly to dig deeper in cases which often results in child abuse investigations or other crimes. Utah is often one of the more popular spots in the nation for paid subscriptions to pornographic Web sites while Wallentine believes that’s a matter for social scientists to investigate.

(RICHFIELD) – The Richfield City Council held two public hearings during Tuesday night’s council meeting concerning amendments to the Zoning Ordinance. The City Council said the first amendment would allow a legal non-conforming use to be enlarged upon issuance of a Conditional-Use Permit by the Planning Commission. The second amendment to the Zoning Code involves reducing the landscaping requirement in Manufacturing Zones from 10% to 5%. Councilmember, Larry Lunnen, says the current ordinance costs business owners too much money to comply. No public comments were offered and the mayor closed the hearings. The City Council also adopted an ordinance regulating sidewalk sales between 200 North and 200 South on Richfield’s Main Street creating an unobstructed walkway parallel along the street.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—Salt Lake City councilman Eric Jergensen will not file for re-election to the office of Salt Lake City Council in District 3 he reported in a released statement Tuesday. In the statement, Jergensen said he needs to focus more fully on his family and that other capable candidates have expressed interest in running for the Council. Potential successors include Lisa Allcott and Yossof Sharifi.

(PRICE)—A task force looking at what to do with the College of Eastern Utah says that among all possibilities, the best option is to make it a comprehensive college within the Utah State University system. Utah Board of Regents member David Jordan reported the task force also looked at whether to completely eliminate the central Utah school, to keep it as it is or to make it a Price campus for Utah State University. Monday, in Price, Jordan said making a CEU college within the USU system is best for the school and its community with the goal in mind of preserving and expanding the educational opportunities at the college. The task force will present its findings to the Board of Regents on Friday. Jordan says CEU has faced such obstacles as declining enrollment, high instructional costs and declining revenues.

(KANE COUNTY)—A semi truck carrying a load of asphalt was involved in a rollover in the southern Utah community of Alton Tuesday morning. The Utah Highway Patrol says the tanker was traveling northbound on Highway 89 when it apparently drifted off the right shoulder and overturned. The tank was breached and is leaking asphalt into a nearby creek. The driver suffered minor injuries and northbound lanes on Highway 89 have been closed. The Utah Highway Patrol estimates it will take several hours to clean up.

(LOGAN) – The search for the bodies of three people caught in a mudslide up Logan Canyon has intensified. On day four, over 40 workers are now involved in the search, which is double from what it was Monday, including firefighters from every city in Cache County and a few FEMA-trained searchers from Salt Lake City. Logan Fire Chief, Mark Meaker, says workers didn’t realize how much effort it would take to recover the bodies of those presumed dead. Meaker said firefighters have hit the foundation of the home and are going through with shovels, putting the dirt in another pile. He said the dirt is taken from there to a separate location and checked for remains again. Canine units are also helping search for the bodies, which experts say may not be intact from the force of the mudslide.

(SALT LAKE COUNTY)—An early morning pursuit ended in Salt Lake City Tuesday when the suspect’s vehicle slammed head-on into a 7-Eleven sign. The three suspects in the car are believed to have been involved in a stabbing. At this point, Taylorsville police don’t know whether or not the suspects inside the stolen vehicle are the same who were involved in the stabbing. Detective Shannon Bennett of the Taylorsville Police Department said they have limited information on the suspects at this time. The stabbing was the result of a road rage incident that occurred around 1:20 a.m. and police say the victim was stabbed in the forearm with a knife. Around 2:30, a West Valley City police officer spotted a vehicle matching the description of the suspects and their vehicle: a dark-colored sedan. Three people were inside the stolen vehicle when it crashed while all of them were minors. Police say both passengers were hurt and the passenger in the back suffered serious injuries. A West Valley City police officer was also involved in the crash when his car hit the curb. Investigators from the Salt Lake City Police Department are handling the investigation and Taylorsville city officials say they will investigate whether or not there’s a connection in the stabbing.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—The bogged down project to move Odd Fellows Hall will remain stuck in limbo, about 11 feet in the air. A federal judge has denied a request to resume moving the historic building across Market Street to make way for a new courthouse. The move halted last month after a team of subcontractors walked off the job, claiming Layton Construction still owes them money. The two sides must agree to mediation terms by Friday.

(WASHINGTON)—With the DTV Converter Box Coupon Program ending on Friday July 31, DTV Assistance Centers and the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Education Fund are urging unprepared households to apply for a converter box coupon as soon as possible to receive their $40 government coupon to purchase a converter box. The recent transition to digital television was largely a success for television viewers and broadcasters. However, some families have been “digitally disconnected” as there were problems in such areas as converter box installation and receiving local broadcasters’ varying signal strengths. Households that do not have digital television must call 1-888-DTV-2009 or visit www.dtv2009.org before the program ends July 31. The coupons are valid for 90 days after they are issued and if transferable, can be given to others.

(PROVO)—Provo police arrested a man who is accused of attacking a woman at her yard sale last Friday. According to the Deseret News, police say the man grabbed the woman’s hair, pulled her head backward, kissed her and licked her face. Reportedly, he also tried to pour Gatorade in her mouth and a police affidavit claims he fondled her as she tried to get away. The woman then ran into her apartment and locked the door while she said the man tried to follow her in after which she grabbed a gun. When officers arrived, 44-year old Jeronimo Sanchez-Tolentino said he didn’t touch the woman except for giving her a high five. Sanchez-Tolentino was arrested and booked into the Utah County Jail on charges of sex abuse and intoxication.

(SALT LAKE CITY) – Utah-based Flying J is reportedly merging its operations with Tennessee-based Pilot Travel Centers. Trade publications are confirming reports of the merger and are expected to announce the action later today (Tuesday). The reports say only Flying J’s truck stop operations are part of the merger, which includes more than 270 truck stops in 41 states. Pilot currently operates more than 300 similar operations in 40 states. Both are among the largest privately-held companies in the nations. Flying J filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection on Dec. 22, 2008, due to a large amount of debt and a drastic drop in oil prices. The merger would free up cash for Flying J in its efforts to reorganize certain aspects of its company.

(WASHINGTON D.C.) – Sen. Orrin Hatch has coined a new word to describe the Obama Administration’s unprecedented interference in the private sector. Speaking on the Senate floor, Hatch noted that American taxpayers are playing a new game called, “Obamanopoly”. Hatch said that Obama owns two auto-manufacturing companies, oil sands and offshore drilling leases, interest in several hundred banks and enough real estate holding to make him the world’s richest man. Hatch said Obama has collected trillions of dollars in a mere 155 days since taking office.

(PANGUITCH) – The Bridge Fire burning about eight miles south/southwest of Bryce Canyon City is being managed by the Powell Ranger District on the Dixie National Forest. The lightning-caused fire started on June 14 and has grown to about 400 acres. Fire personnel say the fire is being managed for resource benefit but several roads have been closed for public safety, including the Eastside Forest Road from the Bridge Hollow Road north to the Long Hollow Road, near Bryce Canyon City.

(SAN ANTONIO)—Attorneys for 10 men from a polygamist group’s west Texas ranch want a judge to block prosecutors from using thousands of pages of documents seized in a raid last year. The attorneys filed a lengthy argument in Schlechler County court Monday when they asked that documents from the April 2008 raid of the Yearning For Zion Ranch be barred from the men’s criminal trials. The first trial could potentially start this fall. The lawyers argue that Texas enforcement used fake domestic abuse hotline calls as an excuse to violate the constitutional rights of members of the FLDS cult. The men face charges such as bigamy and sexual assault of a child.

(SOUTH SALT LAKE)—A South Salt Lake Rite-Aid Pharmacy was robbed for the second time in two months and police believe it was done by the same two men. The pair, wearing bandanas over their faces, walked into the Rite-Aid near 7th East and 33rd South, pulled out handguns and demanded money and drugs. Officers say the two escaped by jumping a fence at the rear of the store and running along a drainage ditch. Police believe these two men are responsible for a similar robbery at this pharmacy May 19.

(WASHINGTON)—Sixteen colleges, universities and schools across Utah have entered into Yellow Ribbon program agreements with the Department of Veterans Affairs to improve financial aid for veterans participating in the Post-9/11 GI bill program. Over 3400 agreements were received from 1100 schools participating in the program. The Yellow Ribbon program funds tuition expenses that exceed the highest public in-state undergraduate tuition rate. Institutions can contribute up to 50 percent of those expenses and VA will match this additional funding for eligible students. Additional information can be found on VA’s Web site, www.GIBill.VA.gov.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—Federal prosecutors have charged a Blanding man with retaliation against an informant in a massive artifacts theft case. 44-year old Charles Benton Armstrong has been charged in U.S. District Court with retaliation against an informant. Armstrong was arrested and is scheduled to appear before a magistrate judge Monday afternoon. According to a federal complaint, Armstrong is a former patient of Dr. James Redd who was arrested in connection with the investigation in which the source was involved. Armstrong told the confidential source he knew the name of the informant and that he planned “to take care of him.” However, Armstrong stated he only planned to hurt the informant, not kill him. Federal agents have gone to great lengths to protect this confidential source who wore a wire and provided information that led to charges against 25 people. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for Utah and the FBI have defended their decisions as they claim the raid was necessary for officer safety and the preservation of evidence.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—Although the official search has been called off for an 8-year old boy who fell into a Salt Lake City canal, a volunteer search is still underway. 8-year old Trejon Fite attempted to cross a pipe over a Jordan River surplus canal when he fell into the water last month. It is presumed that Fite drowned. Volunteers are still searching for his body in hopes of giving his family closure. Police say a team of cadaver dogs will occasionally join the search.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—With his murder trial just days away, Bernard Rigby has struck a plea deal. Court records show that the 65-year old Rigby pleaded guilty last week to second-degree felony manslaughter in the 1990 slaying of Gary Feltch. Rigby acknowledged killing Feltch as he believed him to be a rival for the affections of his girlfriend, stated the Deseret News. Rigby was scheduled to go on trial Monday as he was initially charged with first-degree felony murder, but Salt Lake County prosecutors said they agreed to a plea deal in part because of Rigby’s failing health. The victim’s family approved of the plea deal, said Salt Lake County District Attorney Alicia Cook. Rigby is slated for sentencing August 19.

(LOGAN) – Recovery efforts move forward to locate three people presumed dead after a powerful mudslide buried their home Saturday up Logan canyon. Crews resumed the search this morning to locate 43-year old, Jackeline Leavey, her 14-year old son, Victor Alanis and 12-year old daughter, Abbey Alanis. Officials believe the family was in the home at the time of the mudslide. Logan Fire Chief, Mark Meaker, said crews were able to resume efforts Sunday afternoon and are declaring the effort a recovery, rather than a rescue operation. Police reports say the family had been renting the home at 915 East Canyon Road when the mudslide occurred.

(RICHFIELD) – A Richfield woman was arrested over the weekend for DUI and evading police in a short chase along main street. According to a UHP report, 48-year old, Jill Courtier, was traveling in a 1997 Ford Taurus at about 12:50am and refused to stop at trooper’s lights. The report said that Courtier ran two red lights in the chase from 1300 South to 400 North that reached speeds of 65 miles per hour. Two Richfield City Police officers joined the chase around 300 South Main. When Courtier’s speed slowed to 45 MPH, the UHP trooper used the PIT to end the chase. Reports say that minimal damage was done to both vehicles and the driver was arrested.

(WASHINGTON D.C.) – Sen. Bob Bennett has voted “no” on the controversial Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. In response as to why the negative vote, Bennett said the legislation would give big tobacco companies a monopoly in the market. Bennett said the legislation would shut down smaller tobacco companies and do very little to reduce deaths and disease associated with tobacco. The bill is backed by Sen. Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Canada (AP)—DeAndra’ Cobb amassed 175 all-purpose yards and a touchdown and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats won at GM Place for the first time in five years with a 31-28 win over the British Columbia Lions, Friday in CFL action. The Tiger-Cats started out well as Nick Setta nailed a 51-yard field goal to give Hamilton an early 3-0 lead. Nevertheless, the Lions also started well as Buck Pierce (26 of 40, 333 yards, 3 TD’s, 2 INT’s) threw scoring tosses to Parris Jackson and Geroy Simon to help British Columbia open up a 14-4 lead. Nevertheless, from that time on it was all Tiger-Cats as they drew even at 14-14 at halftime by virtue of a 13-yard scoring run by quarterback Quinton Porter and another Setta field goal, this one from 42 yards. In the third quarter, Pierce was picked off by Jeff Tisdale, who returned the theft 43 yards to give Hamilton their first lead. The Tiger-Cats put the Lions on the brink when Porter hit Cobb on a 48-yard scoring strike to make it 31-21 late in the fourth quarter. However, the Lions had one last run in them as Pierce hit Emmanuel Arcenaux on a 42-yard scoring strike to make it 31-28 but Pierce threw a late interception to help Hamilton pull out the win. The loss was the second in a row for British Columbia to start the season, while the Tiger-Cats improved to 1-1. In other CFL action Friday, Winnipeg defused Calgary, 42-30.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—A group trying to get an initiative on the 2010 ballot to create an independent advisory commission on redrawing voting boundaries is challenging the proposal’s estimated cost. The Fair Boundaries Coalition says data behind the estimated $1 million price tag put on its proposal by legislative analysts is biased and inaccurate. The coalition wants to create an 11-member advisory board on redistricting but would still give legislators the final say. Lisa White Baskin, a coalition member and attorney, is asking the Utah Supreme Court to step in and she wants the fiscal note revised. Nevertheless, Michael Christensen, the director of the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, says the estimate is based on the new premise the commission would be doing its own redistricting work in addition to the Legislature.

(UTAH STATE PRISON)—A woman convicted of killing her 2 1/2-year old daughter outside Moab in 2004 will be released from prison next week. Friday, the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole announced in a decision that 34-year old Wendy Bullock will be given parole. As part of the conditions of her release, she was ordered into a halfway house with additional outpatient treatment. She was also ordered to take medications as prescribed. Bullock admitted to killing her daughter, Sarah as she described hearing voices and hallucinating which led her to strangle her daughter. Bullock also attempted suicide and at her parole hearing, she said she has undergone counseling and therapy and is on a strict medication regimen. Family members say Bullock has been suffering from mental illness for years while the slaying prompted her mother to advocate for others suffering from mental illnesses.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—Former Utah Congressman Chris Cannon is facing a new lawsuit over unpaid campaign bills while this is the second lawsuit filed against him. Letter 23, the firm formerly known as W Communications, filed the lawsuit Thursday claiming the former 3rd District representative owes it more than $85,000. The lawsuit says the company provided tens of thousands of dollars worth of campaign and promotional materials at political conventions in 2006 and 2008. Cannon was defeated in the 2008 Republican primary. Cannon told the Salt Lake Tribune the company is owed something, but his campaign money is gone. Nevertheless, Cannon said he plans to fulfill his obligations. An Oregon-based polling company, Moore Information, previously filed suit against Cannon over unpaid bills.

(COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS)—Office vacancies in the Salt Lake Valley are at a 4-year high according to a new report by a local commercial real estate firm. CB Richard Ellis reported the average office vacancy rate in Salt Lake County is just over 14 percent while the economy is to blame. Many businesses have broken leases to reduce the amount of office space they take up or by moving to smaller places. Thus, plenty of office space is currently available in the Salt Lake Valley. Some areas have more vacant space than others as there are areas in downtown Salt Lake City with vacancy rates around 11-12 percent while there is only an 0.5 vacancy rate at Research Park near the University of Utah. Vacancy rates have climbed above 20 percent at the Sandy/South Town business area. For businesses moving into Utah, this is a buyer’s market and prospective tenants are able to push for better allowances and in some cases, free-rent periods. Kreg Peterson, the vice president of office space at CB Ellis said the next quarter’s vacancy rates will likely continue the current trend but there appears to be light at the end of the tunnel by the end of the year.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—The moderator of the Utah Ratepayers Association is concerned about who will build power lines to light up the National Security Agency’s new data center which is slated to be built in Utah. The NSA’s proposed 1 million-square foot building will need up to 65 megawatts of power which is why it’s being moved out of Maryland as it has maxed out the power grid there. Ratepayer association moderator Roger Ball said he’s concerned about who will pay to build the needed power infrastructure while he also hopes the NSA will pay a high enough power rate to prevent other Rocky Mountain Power customers from getting stuck with a higher bill. Ball told KSL-AM Newsradio 1160 he’s concerned political leaders in the state will be so excited to bring the facility to Utah that they’ll put pressure on regulators to approve the deal regardless of how it may affect others.

(KAYSVILLE)—For her humanitarian efforts, a Kaysville woman was honored by KSL-TV Channel 5 in Salt Lake City. Joye Kuhn began making quilts and numerous other toys and clothes for people in Chile when she heard there was a need. Additionally, her grandson, Tyler Bracken, who nominated her while on a donating mission for her in Mexico, has delivered her work for years to needy people throughout Latin America.

(WASHINGTON D.C.) – Sen. Bob Bennett continues to let his constituents know that he’s opposed to the Obama Administration’s efforts to enact a Cap and Trade policy. He said, in conversation with European government agencies, he asked them if Cap and Trade had an effect on ratepayers on their utility bills and they said it does. Bennett said that if Cap and Trade legislation is passed in Congress, American businesses will eventually relocate their businesses to countries who don’t comply with the law and our economy will suffer and workers will lose their jobs. He said Cap and Trade is bad for America and he’ll continue to oppose it.

(CEDAR CITY) – A lightning-caused wildfire burning in South-Central Utah has grown due to high winds. Forest Spokesperson, Andi Falseto, says the Horse Valley Fire burning about three miles north of Panguitch Lake, grew from 150 acres Thursday to 700 acres. The fire is burning on the Cedar City Ranger District and smoke is visible from multiple areas, including Richfield, Beaver, Panguitch and Escalante. No roads are closed and current recreation facilities remain open in the burn area and there’s no threat to any summer homes. Also, the Skull Springs Fire is burning near the Box-Death Hollow Wilderness Area and has consumed about 50 acres. The fire is being managed for resource benefit.

(SIGURD) – A stretch of highway between Sigurd and Salina is being smoothed out to make driving easier and safer for travelers. The Utah Department of Transportation is paving the section on I-70 with possible single lane closures while crews work in the area. Also, UDOT says crews continue to paint and install signs on the road between Sevier and Joseph and workers are replacing concrete slabs through the Clear Creek Canyon area with possible lane closures. Other projects include a lane-level overlay from Monroe to the Richfield turnoff with work expected to begin near the livestock house on the north and then extend south toward Monroe. UDOT continues to work on several other road projects this summer in South-Central Utah.

(SCOFIELD) – The Utah Department of Transportation is notifying semi truck drivers of road restrictions at Scofield Reservoir today. The restrictions involve semi-trucks traveling on SR-96 at the Scofield Reservoir between 3pm and 9pm. UDOT crews are cutting into the roadway and repairing asphalt in the area and semis will not be allowed access. Officials say only one lane will be available to other vehicles and flaggers will be directing traffic. Weekend delays may also affect travelers in that area.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—As reported by KTVX Channel 4 in Salt Lake City, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration scientists announced Thursday El Nino has recurred and is expected to persist through the 2009-10 winter. El Nino’s impacts depend upon a variety of factors such as intensity and extent of ocean warming as well as the time of years. While the effects are numerous, not all of them are negative as El Nino is known to suppress hurricane activity in the United States, brings winter precipitation to the Southwest and less wintry weather across the north. Its negative impacts include causing mudslides in Central and South America and creating winter storms in California. While El Nino has a strong influence on global weather colloquially, it has relatively little or no effect on temperatures in Utah, except for giving Cedar City dry and warm winters, wet and cool springs and wet falls.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—Final auditions will take place in Salt Lake City within the next few weeks to find an LDS singer to sing the national anthem at a home game for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Every year, the Dodgers host “Mormon Night,” where roughly about 12,000 Latter-Day Saints attend. This year, organizers decided to hold open auditions for any LDS church member to sing the national anthem before the game. LDS Open Auditions Producer Sonja Eddings Brown said she hopes to make an aspiring performer’s dreams come true. Brown reported about 500 people across North America sent in CD’s and 40 will sing in Los Angeles while 40 will be at the LDS conference center in Salt Lake City July 22. The Dodgers will narrow the candidates down to six, each of which will be on the field on Mormon Night which will be August 6. The Dodgers honor the church because they’re the franchise’s single biggest client. In addition to having Latter-Day Saints sing the national anthem and “God Bless America” during the 7th inning stretch, one is also selected to throw out the opening pitch.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—Utah lawmakers are looking at ways to bolster the state’s public employee retirement fund including possibly requiring employees to pay into their fund for the first time in two decades, raising the retirement age or reducing benefits paid out to retirees. The state’s retirement fund went from turning a $1 billion profit in 2007 to suffering almost $4 billion in losses last year. The state is now left with 84 percent of the assets it needs to fully fund its projected liabilities. Nearly 156,000 current employees and retirees participate in the state retirement system. Senator Dan Liljenquist, the senate chairman of the committee overseeing retirement issues says lawmakers hope to hear recommendations for the fund in September so they can come up with a solution by the time the Legislature convenes in January.

(SALT LAKE COUNTY)—Five people used their cell phones to call for help Thursday morning when they got lost several miles up the Mount Olympus trail. The group was found and was making its way down the mountain shortly before 1:00 p.m. Around 10:00 a.m., the hikers called 911. They said they were somewhere along Mount Olympus and needed help while they told dispatchers they had gone hiking around 3:00 a.m. under a full moon and felt they were lost in a dangerous place. They had two cell phones with them, while one of the batteries on a phone was already dead and the second was dying so authorities gleaned what information they could and put it on the UHP helicopter. The helicopter found them almost immediately and was able to drop off a search and rescue member. Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Department Lieutenant Don Hutson said the group was from out of town and unfamiliar with the area.

(WEST JORDAN)—Firefighters had to escape a fast-moving three-alarm fire at a restaurant in the West Jordan overnight. Crews arrived just after midnight Wednesday to find smoke billowing from the eaves of Jim’s Family Restaurant. West Jordan Fire Department Battalion Chief Reed Scharman says two groups of firefighters were inside when part of the roof collapsed. Big beams and other debris fell on six of the firefighters. Scharman says the firefighters actually called out a “May Day” and were able to free themselves and escape before crews came after them. None of them were injured. Investigators are unclear about the fire’s cause, although they have no evidence to confirm if it was suspicious. At one point, 74 firefighters were involved in the fight and damage is estimated to be as much as $1.5 million.

(VERNAL)—A Vernal woman is charged with two counts of attempted manslaughter for firing shots at a car while driving drunk. According to the Roosevelt Police Department, an officer stopped Terri Gray on U.S. 40 last month after other motorists called 911 to report she was driving recklessly. During this stop, another car pulled up and the people inside told the officer Gray had also fired shots into their car. The officer found a bullet hole in the passenger side door. Upon a search of Gray’s car, the officer discovered a handgun. Roosevelt police say she has failed sobriety tests. Gray appeared in court Wednesday on the attempted manslaughter charges.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—A man accused in the death of a woman at Jordanelle Reservoir has been charged with first-degree murder. Prosecutors say Joshua Binkerd commanded fellow gang member Christopher Alvey to shoot Ashley Sparks last December. The 21-year old Sparks was found shot four times and was barely alive at the Jordanelle State Park visitor’s center in December 2008 while she later died at a hospital. Prosecutors alleged Binkerd wanted to prevent Sparks from testifying against him for dealing drugs while he’s already in jail on charges of forgery and theft. Alvey was sentenced from 20 years-to life in prison for pulling the trigger in the murder.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—The Utah Geological Survey is on the lookout for fissures in the ground. Fissures can indicate changes in aquifers beneath the ground caused by water withdrawal and a declining water table. The UGS plans to map fissures near Enoch and parts of Cedar Valley in Iron County. The agency plans to survey the fissures and calculate how much the ground has shifted. The UGS believes the study should take about a year.

(SALT LAKE CITY) – Utah Congressman Jason Chaffetz is taking a stand against benefits for the partners of homosexual federal workers. Rep. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, is sponsoring a bill that would give equal health insurance and retirement benefits to the same-sex partners of federal employees. She calls the bill an issue of equal compensation for equal work. But Chaffetz spoke up during the bill’s first hearing on Wednesday, saying he’s in favor of preserving traditional marriage. Chaffetz called the legislation discriminatory against heterosexual couples that choose not to marry. He’s the ranking Republican on the House committee that oversees the federal work force.

(BEAVER) – The 84-year old Milford man missing since Saturday has been found alive in a remote area of Beaver County. The Beaver County Sheriff’s Office says the Civil Air Patrol found Leonard Boyington Wednesday morning in a ravine southwest of Frisco Peak. A sheriff’s report said Boyington had rolled his truck down a ravine while he was prospecting in the area. He was transported to a local hospital and treated for dehydration and starvation. Boyington is now recovering back at home in Milford.

(ANNABELLA) – The Annabella Town Council held a public hearing during last week’s council meeting to gain input on the issuance of revenue bonds to fund road repair in town. No comments were offered at the meeting and the council passed the resolution. Town Clerk, Tina Mitchell, said the loan amount for the street improvement revenue bond is $125,000 but in case of adjustments in the amount, the council will hold a public hearing July 23 for an amount not to exceed $175,000. The public hearing will be held at 6pm at the Annabella Town Offices.

(COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS)—A California man is in jail after being accused of raping a 13-year old girl in Cottonwood Heights. Police said 24-year old William Suh used MySpace to talk to the teen for over two weeks before he came to Utah. Suh reportedly stayed with the girl at her sister’s apartment in Cottonwood Heights for three weeks in June, while during that time, Suh allegedly had sexual contact with the girl several times. The teen reportedly called her father who then called police to report the incident. Suh’s computer has been seized and investigators are working to determine if there may be any more victims. Suh is being held in the Salt Lake County Jail on $50,000 bail and he could be officially charged as early as later Wednesday.

(SOUTH JORDAN)—In an effort to save the lives of residents, South Jordan is now requiring buildings and facilities to have defibrillators on hand in the event someone goes into cardiac arrest. South Jordan is the first Utah city to pass such an ordinance as it came into effect July 1. The city council passed the code unanimously and it specifically requires public access to automated external defibrillators, known as AED’s, which allows anyone to use the device without any experience or previous training. AED’s are easy to use and come with automated instructions. Additionally, they will not harm a patient even when used incorrectly. South Jordan firefighters plan to educate the public on the new ordinance and how critical they can be in saving lives.

(RENO, Nev.)—Through August 10, the public can comment on a draft environmental impact statement for a proposed pipeline that would run through four states. The Ruby Pipeline Project, a natural gas pipeline, would stretch from Wyoming through Utah and Nevada to Oregon. From July 21-30, seven public meetings will take place to gather comments on the proposal. There will be two public meetings in each Utah, Nevada and Oregon and one meeting is scheduled for Wyoming. After comments are reviewed, any significant new issues will be investigated and a final environmental impact statement will be issued. Several federal and state agencies are working with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in preparing the impact statement.

(DAVIS COUNTY)—Several lanes of I-15 were closed Wednesday afternoon in Davis County because a belly dumper lost its load. The truck spilled its load of asphalt on the northbound interstate near the Layton Hills Mall around 12:45 p.m. The three right lanes of traffic were closed and drivers were forced to use the left shoulder to get through the mess. Currently, all asphalt has been cleaned up and all traffic lanes are open.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—A new survey finds that health insurance is one of the biggest problems facing Utah small-business owners. Wednesday, numerous small business owners scattered throughout the state met in downtown Salt Lake City to talk about survey results. It was discovered only 40 percent of the 300 small businesses surveyed offered health insurance. Additionally, 67 percent support a shared responsibility among government, businesses, individuals and the health care industry. The research was conducted by Lake Research Partners in early June through a random telephone survey of 300 small businesses in Utah.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—Formal charges have been filed against a Salt Lake City man accused of kidnapping three children he thought vandalized his car. The 21-year old Juan Estephan Lopez faces three counts of child kidnapping for allegedly forcing the three boys into his car last month, and then calling one of the boys’ mothers, demanding $1000 for his safe return. Lopez allegedly told the woman he was going to keep all three boys until his car was repainted. Salt Lake City police say Lopez walked out of his home and saw spray paint all over his car. Police say he and his 16-year old cousin drove to Sherwood Park and found three juveniles they believed were responsible for the damage. The two allegedly grabbed the juveniles and forced them into Lopez’ car.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—Hundreds of members of the Army Reserve are bidding family and friends farewell as the soldiers begin a deployment that will take them to Iraq for one year. More than 340 soldiers from the 96th Sustainment Brigade will fulfill a mission to facilitate the evacuation of U.S. troops in Iraq. By the end of the day, Wednesday, three groups of soldiers will have left. About half of the soldiers who comprise the newly-formed brigade are specialists from around the country, while the other half is exclusively from Utah. The largest of the groups is expected to have 130 soldiers.

(OGDEN)—For the first time since 2003, Ogden will have a constable to oversee security, bailiffs, and prisoner transport for the Ogden Justice Court. Rob Kolkman, the chief deputy for Midvale-based Court Security Services was hired Tuesday by the City Council and will start his duties July 15. Kolkman was chosen by a seven-member nominating committee and was appointed to a six year term by the Ogden City Council. Kolkman has 27 years of law enforcement experience.

(OGDEN)—A traffic stop led to the arrest of two people, including a 27-year old woman who may have endangered her child by exposing the infant to marijuana smoke. The Ogden Standard-Examiner reported 27-year old April Lee Roeling was taken into custody Monday night after police found marijuana and drug paraphernalia within reach of a 9-month old child at her home. Police say the scent of marijuana was also in the air and they believe Roeling may have been smoking near the infant. The search of the home was done after police stopped 31-year old Max Edward Duran for a traffic violation as he left the home. An officer reported the smell of marijuana and found two ounces of it in Duran’s pockets. Duran confirmed that he planned to sell it later.

(SALINA) – Two wildfires continue to burn on the Fishlake National Forest. Forest staffers say the Clear Creek Fire is burning three miles south of I-70 and has scorched 25 acres. The Amos Canyon Fire 12 miles west of Salina has burned about 30 acres. Fire personnel say a Red Flag warning is in effect today due to high winds and low relative humidity. Both fires are being managed for resource benefits to reduce hazardous fuels. Smoke from the fires is visible from the Richfield area, as well as Gunnison, Salina and from Highway 50 and I-70.

(WASHINGTON D.C.) – The U.S. Senate approved $9-million in earmarks on Tuesday for agriculture projects in Utah. Sen. Bob Bennett requested the funding saying the money will support programs and research initiatives that will help Utah and the West balance protecting crops and water sources, as well as wildlife. The Senate Appropriations Committee included $4.53 million in its annual agriculture appropriations bill to support construction of a new Agriculture Research Center at Utah State University. The bill also includes $2.5 million for the Utah Conservation Initiative to provide assistance to communities for local conservation projects, including agricultural water-use enhancement, watershed planning, flood prevention and grazing improvement.

(BLANDING)—Federal officials are removing American Indian artifacts from the family home of two Utah women who pleaded guilty to illegally removing the items from public or tribal land. Dan Barnes, a special agent with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, told the Salt Lake Tribune several vehicles, including two rental trucks, arrived Tuesday to seize the relics from a home in Blanding. Monday, 59-year old Jeanne Redd and her 37-yer old daughter Jerrica pleaded guilty to several felony counts charges stemming from a sweeping federal investigation into theft and illegal trafficking of artifacts. Barnes said all the Indian relics in the home, whether from private or public lands would be taken away. The retrieval of artifacts is part of a plea agreement approved by a federal judge Monday in Salt Lake City.

(FARR WEST)—A man whose motorized wheelchair was stolen, has received another wheelchair to use while deputies search for the thief. Bill Lamb of Farr West, is an Air Force veteran who left his Jazzy, worth about $4000, in his driveway. It was stolen last Thursday but friends in the community have stepped up to assist him. Bill Ackerman of Syracuse learned of the theft and brought Lamb a new wheelchair. Weber County sheriff’s deputies are on the case but have no leads on the theft.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—The University of Utah has threatened legal action against HBO drama, “Big Love,” for improperly using the school’s logo and letterhead without permission. A case and desist letter was sent to HBO Tuesday after the university learned its letterhead and trademark block U logo had been used in an episode of the cable show last March. An HBO representative did not immediately return a message seeking comment Tuesday. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has consistently derided this show as the show’s characters (who practice polygamy) often claim to be LDS, although Church leaders have repeatedly told the world the organization has had nothing to do with polygamy since the Manifesto of 1890.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—The remains of a child whose grave dated to the late 19th Century have been repatriated to the Kanosh band of the Southern Paiute. This is the first successful repatriation under a 1992 Utah law, which is a state version of the 1991 federal Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act which is designed to ensure American Indian remains are handled with dignity. The remains were found by a man hunting rabbits in Millard County in 1999 while the man discovered several small blue glass beads which led him to a baby’s grave. The child’s remains were returned to the Kanosh band in late May. Forrest Cuch, the director of the Utah Division of Indian Affairs says the case lays the groundwork for future repatriations.

(LOGAN)—The Utah State University Press is cutting out the printer for some books currently available online. The publishing house at the university recently began using Digital Editions to release a line of e-books which customers can purchase and download. USU Press plans to offer 110 titles, most of them already published in the traditional form. USU Press Director Michael Spooner reported several other schools are experimenting with the emerging market and interest is growing, particularly among young people. Spooner says the demand should increase as e-book technology improves.

(LOGAN)—Another Utah State University student accused in the hazing death of an 18-year old fraternity pledge will spend time in jail. First District Court Judge Thomas Willmore sentenced 20-year old Christopher Ammon to 180 days in jail Monday, but suspended most of that sentence. Ammon will spend 14 days behind bars. According to the Deseret News, Ammon will also be placed on probation for six months and pay a $500 fine. His sentence also requires him to talk to students about the dangers of underage drinking. In May, Ammon pleaded no contest to unlawful supply of alcohol to a minor, a Class B misdemeanor. 18-year old Michael Starks died of alcohol poisoning last year after taking part in an initiation ceremony for Sigma Nu. Eight of the 12 students charged in Starks’ death have had their cases resolved.

(RICHFIELD) – Richfield City officials want to attract better businesses to the city by promoting the new Business Park south of the city. Project Coordinator, Kimball Poulson, says the old Industrial Park was running out of space and jobs were being lost. He said sales of property in the new Business Park has been slow because of the economy but the potential for attracting new business is looking better as the economy improves. Kimball said the purpose of the Park is to give business owners the opportunity to not only offer higher-paying jobs but to create an environment for workers to live and work in our local area.

(RICHFIELD) – Sevier County officials have stepped up efforts in eradicating mosquitos in our local areas. Mosquito Abatement Manager, John Johnson, says the most recent spraying started in the spring and many areas continue to be sprayed depending on the need. Johnson said the spraying program is not only designed to destroy West Nile virus but any mosquito disease. He said local residents should use Malathion Five to destroy mosquitos and bugs in their own lawns while the county takes care of spraying along city streets between 8:30 and 11:30pm.

(ST. GEORGE) – A Las Vegas woman has survived a lightning strike at a southern Utah campground. Washington County Sheriff’s Sgt. Danny Kroft said the unidentified 48-year old woman was standing next to a tree that apparently was struck by lightning Friday at the Pine Valley Campground near St. George. He says the woman was breathing normally when authorities arrived but was taken to the Dixie Regional Medical Center for observation. Investigators found no wounds on her body. The woman told authorities that she could feel electricity going through her body from her feet to her fingertips.

(RICHFIELD) – Thunderstorms sparked two new fires on the Fishlake National Forest over the holiday weekend. Forest Spokesman, John Zapell, says the Amos Canyon and Clear Creek fires are being allowed to burn to reduce hazardous fuels. The Amos Canyon fire started July 5 about 12 miles west of Salina and two miles north of Beehive Peak. The Clear Creek fire is burning in ponderosa pine about three miles south of I-70. Some forest roads may be closed in those areas until fire crews say it’s safe to travel.

(WEST VALLEY CITY)—A 73-year old woman is dead after being found face down in a fish pond Sunday night. The woman was found by a neighbor in about a foot of water. The neighbor pulled the woman out of the pond and performed CPR on her, although paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene. West Valley Police Lieutenant Dalan Taylor said police often see these types of incidents occur with children, but rarely with adults. Investigators are looking into potential causes of the incident and if she had any medical problems that may have caused it. An autopsy is slated to occur Monday, although the victim’s name has not been released. Police are reportedly trying to track down her husband who they believe was out of town at the time.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—In the past few years, iPhones have become virtually invaluable to numerous Utahns, while interestingly many of their features are developed here in the Beehive State. iPhone applications such as movie showtimes and phone directories originated in Utah as they were created by Jason Izatt of Izatt International who has six apps in your average iTunes store. Several other Utah companies have followed after Izatt International such as Familylink.com and Avantar.

(LEHI)—Union Pacific workers are preparing to connect the existing Union Pacific freight line with a section of the Utah Transit Authority’s new FrontRunner track in Utah County. The temporary rail connection will allow Union Pacific to continue running freight in the area while UTA builds the new FrontRunner line south from Salt Lake City-Provo. The 44-mile line has been under construction for nearly a year and is more than 20 percent complete. UTA officials planned to discuss construction progress on the new line Monday in Lehi.

(DELTA) – Workers at the Ace Hardware store in Delta uncovered a World War II uniform Friday when they were cleaning out the basement. KSL-5 first reported the story on Friday, saying workers came upon a case labeled M.H. Workman. Further investigation proved the uniform belonged to the family of RaeAnn Nilson of Highland. She said her brother saw the news story and called her. Nilson traveled to Delta on Independence Day to pick up the case at the store her grandparents owned decades ago. She said when she arrived, a flood of emotions came with the experience. Nilson’s father, Merlin Horne Workman, served in the Army Air Corps in the southwest Pacific during the war and when he came home, worked at his father’s Delta grocery store as a carry-out boy. Nilson said the family thought their father donated his uniform to the Salvation Army but apparently, left it at the store.

(RICHFIELD) – The Sevier County Travel Council was able to obtain approval from County Commissioners today on recommendations for improvements. Special Events Coordinator, Kevin Arrington, said money collected for sponsored events this year is $10,000 up from last year. Arrington said his office will have to wait until the end of the year to determine how much money future events will bring in the county coffers.

(AURORA) – A 48-year old woman was injured in an ATV accident Sunday in the Lost Creek area east of Aurora. A Sevier County Sheriff report said that deputies, Search and Rescue and EMT’s were called out at about 5pm. They were able to transport the woman to the hospital where she was treated. Reports don’t indicate the woman’s name or where she was from. Officials say that she was part of a group from Hill Air Force Base touring the area on ATV’s.

(ST. GEORGE) – St. George police are looking for a man who used a bomb threat to rob a bank on Friday. According to a police report, at about 3:45pm, the man went to a Wells Fargo bank inside an Albertson’s grocery store at 805 South Bluff St. and told a teller he had an explosive device in a bag he placed on the counter. The teller gave the man money and the robber left. Police reports say the bomb squad arrived and a robot destroyed the device but police don’t know if it was actually a bomb. The robber was described as a black man, possibly in his 40’s, about 6-feet tall with a medium build. Anyone with information is asked to call the St. George police.

REGINA, Saskatchewan, Canada (AP)—Former Brigham Young standout Omarr Morgan snared two interceptions and Weston Dressler posted seven receptions for 154 yards as the Saskatchewan Roughriders got off to a solid start in the CFL season with a 28-24 win over the British Columbia Lions Friday at Mosaic Stadium. Morgan’s two picks represented six turnovers the Saskatchewan defense forced against the Lions, while they sealed the game when Buck Pierce (17 of 33, 186 yards, TD, 2 INT’s) threw a pick as time expired. Emmanuel Arcenaux had three catches for 40 yards and a score in the loss for British Columbia.

(CALGARY, Alberta, Canada)—A 4-year old Utah boy is recovering in a Calgary hospital after he was pulled unconscious from Waterton Lake at the Canada-U.S. border. The boy, a resident of Provo, was pulled from the lake in stable condition and airlifted to the Alberta Children’s Hospital. His name was not released. The boy was crossing a bridge at Boundary Creek Wednesday when he fell off and was swept into Boundary Bay, on the Montana side of the international border, in Glacier National Park. Royal Canadian Mounted Police said the boy’s father jumped into the fast-flowing creek to try to rescue him, but he was also swept down the lake. When nearby boaters found the boy and his father the boy was not breathing and was submerged about three feet below the surface.

(SOUTH JORDAN)—The Salt Lake County District Attorney has cleared a South Jordan police officer for shooting and killing a man who rammed officers with his SUV. Wade Russell Pennington led police on a chase in May when they tried to pull him over for allegedly burglarizing a business. When Pennington got stuck in a cul-de-sac, he drove into two police cars repeatedly and lunged out of an SUV at an officer. The district attorney says the officer was justified in using deadly force.

(RICHFIELD) – A local high school basketball star is in Richfield today to conduct a basketball clinic at the high school. Ryan Cuff, who played basketball and football for Richfield High School, says while he was growing up, his father, Coach Bob Cuff, pushed him to be a better player and person. Ryan conducted the basketball clinic this morning free of charge to those who signed up. He will also be signing his new book, “Basketball in my Blood”, at Christensen’s Department store from 2-4pm and will also highlight the “3-on-3 Basketball Tournament” at the city park at 4pm. Cuff is currently the Dixie High School basketball coach in St. George.

(SALT LAKE CITY) – A woman charged for her role in a massive artifacts theft case may strike a plea deal with federal prosecutors. A KSL-TV news report said that a notice filed late Thursday in U.S. District Court for Jeanne Redd indicates a change of a plea hearing. She is facing a long list of charges accusing her of stealing ancient Indian artifacts from public lands in the Four Corners area. The Feds allege Redd was part of an illegal network of people accused of stealing and dealing in the artifacts. Redd and her husband, Dr. James Redd, were arrested in an early morning raid that netted 24 people. The day after their arrest, Dr. Redd took his own life. The U.S. Attorney’s Office would not comment on whether or not it was striking a plea bargain with Jeanne Redd.

(SALINA) – A California couple escaped injury in a single vehicle accident on I-70 east of Salina Tuesday morning. UHP said that at about 9am, 19-year old, Kendra Tate, of Semi Valley, was traveling eastbound in a 2008 Dodge Stratus about 12 miles east of Salina and drifted off the highway hitting the center guard rail. The driver overcorrected back onto both lanes of travel and came to rest in the middle of eastbound lanes. Her passenger, 20-year old, Rashun Aljuani, was not injured, as well as Tate. Troopers said both were wearing seatbelts. The report also stated that Tate apparently fell asleep at the wheel, causing the accident.

(EDEN)—Crews said a 2-inch line has been cut in half and is leaking gas in the Ogden Valley. Dispatchers at the construction site where the leak occurred Thursday say the crew has been evacuated where a new elementary school is expected to be completed shortly. Authorities have ordered workers to evacuate and close off an area near 1900 North in Eden as a precaution. The leak reportedly occurred around 12:30 p.m.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—More than 100 law enforcement officials are looking for the body of 8-year old Trejon Fite. Salt Lake City Police Department Sergeant Robin Snyder said the boy’s family needs closure. The search, which will take place Thursday, will cover 14 miles of the Jordan River Surplus Canal, from California Avenue to the Great Salt Lake. The first six miles will be covered on foot, while the remaining eight will take place by boat. The Salt Lake City Police Department said that if they don’t find the body by Thursday evening, it will re-evaluate and decide whether or not another search will be beneficial.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—Wildlife officials say an endangered Utah fish is showing signs of recovery. The June sucker, which only lives in Utah Lake and its tributaries, made its first appearance this year at a restored creek near Springville. Crews spent $1.3 million fixing up Hobble Creek last year, so it could host the rare fish, named after the June spawning run. Mike Mills, a local coordinator for the June sucker recovery program, says about 100 of the fish used the creek in May and June, a pleasant surprise for wildlife managers. The June sucker was listed as an endangered species in 1986.

(SALT LAKE COUNTY)—Utahns looking to hit the road for the 4th of July holiday or who are planning other vacations might want to think twice about writing it online. While it’s tempting to place tales of exploits on Facebook or Twitter, Sandy Police Sergeant Justin Chapman exhorts people to be cautious with what they post. Chapman said people often advertise their homes are empty online when they go on vacations or adventures of any kind. Chapman also said some people use security setting when posting on Facebook or Twitter so they can exclude certain people from reading their posts. He also said there is no guarantee information will remain private with hackers and other fraud experts lurking around online.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-Rocky Mountain Power has notified state regulators that it wants to increase electricity rates by $67 million as of February 2010. The increase would mean an average Rocky Mountain customer would see their annual electricity bill go up by 4 percent, or about $2.70 a month. Rocky Mountain Power President A. Richard Walje recently told the Salt Lake Tribune editorial board that the utility needs the rate increase to help cover growing investments in power-generating facilities and transmission lines. The increase would be implemented by raising its monthly customer charge from $3$5.70.

(RICHFIELD) – Officials at the Fishlake National Forest are warning motorists to expect delays and closures at two projects on the Gooseberry Road this month. RAM Contractors are working to improve and re-align the road between Cold Springs and Gates Lake Road. The portion of the road will be temporarily closed to through traffic from 8am to noon and 1-5pm, Monday through Thursday and 8am to noon on Friday throughout the month of July. The second project involves reconditioning and paving of the road from the end of the existing paving at Brush Trail to the gate at the Sheep Creek trailhead about a mile south of the Gooseberry Administrative Site. Motorists are warned of 45-minute delays in those two project areas.

(ZION’S PARK) – An employee at Zion’s National Park was hospitalized Thursday morning for inhaling propane fumes after attempting to fix a leak at Zion Lodge. National Park Service Spokesman, Ron Terry, says Park personnel take every precaution to ensure that all employees work in a safe environment. Terry said the employee suffered an inhalation injury and was treated at the scene and then transported to the Dixie Regional Medical Center. Zion Lodge and the surrounding area was evacuated due to the proximity of the propane tank where the leak was occurring. A pair of maintenance workers wearing breathing apparatus managed to shut off the leak.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—A downtown Salt Lake City day shelter for the homeless will stay open after all. The Bishop Weigand Center day shelter was scheduled to close this week because the organization running it didn’t have enough money. Catholic Community Services says the center was down to offering only the most basic services, but the city and Salt Lake County each contributed $100,000 to keep the Weigand Center open another year. The center gives homeless people a place during the day to avoid the heat of summer days or bitter cold in winter. Showers and laundry facilities are available at the center, which hopes to expand its services.

(SPANISH FORK) – Voters in southern Utah County Wednesday narrowly passed a $160-million bond for the Nebo School District. The measure, which would pay for seven new schools and several improvements, advanced by less than two percent. The impact will be a little more than $300 a year for those who own a $250,000 home. A leeway also passed by an even slimmer margin. The Nebo School District is one of the fastest growing districts in the state at more than 1,000 new students a year.

(SALT LAKE CITY) – Wetter-than-normal weather in June has hurt Utah’s summer fruit crop. The Deseret News reported that 30% of all sweet cherries grown in Utah were lost to heavy rains and hail in the past month. The weather also ruined watermelon and cantaloupe and caused fungus to grow on half of the apricots and peaches grown in Box Elder County. The damage means that farmers will have less fruit to sell this summer and at discounted prices.

(LA VERKIN) – La Verkin Police have apprehended a robbery suspect due to an alert resident who saw the man in a news story earlier this week. A police report said they received a call from a La Verkin resident Wednesday who said they saw Jack Strader in town and authorities arrested him. Strader’s image was broadcast all over the state through video security cameras at a Walgreen’s pharmacy in Provo. Police were not able to locate the man until an alert viewer called. They arrested Strader without incident in La Verkin.

(RICHFIELD) – The Miss Richfield royalty will be on hand this weekend to lead Fourth of July activities in Richfield. Miss Richfield, McCall Nielson, says the city’s float in the parade Saturday morning will display her platform concerning multiple sclerosis Awareness. Nielson said her goal is to activate the Central Utah Chapter for MS and conduct a MS Relay Walk to bring more awareness to the disease.

(CEDAR CITY)—An inmate made a bomb threat at the Iron County Jail Monday while holding a corrections officer hostage and attempted to escape. According to Iron County Sheriff’s deputies, 28-year old Steven Crutcher was in the visiting area of the jail Monday when he pulled something out of his shirt and grabbed a deputy, holding what appeared to be a pipe bomb to her. Iron County Sheriff’s deputy Aaron Pallesen said Crutcher claimed to have a bomb and that he would blow up himself and the corrections officer if he didn’t get outside. The deputy was able to radio for help and after he was rescued, Crutcher was pushed back into the booking area of the jail. Pallesen said the device was really a toilet paper roll that had been colored gray and had wires from an AM/FM radio and the red detonation button was a pencil eraser. Crutcher is now being housed in isolation where he is watched 24 hours a day, Pallesen said. Crutcher has been at the Iron County Jail since May for possessing a stolen vehicle, a weapons violation, and a parole violation warrant from Wisconsin. Pallesen also said the corrections officer was uninjured.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—After federal prosecutors agreed to dismiss the case because of medical issues, state prosecutors have now charged a retired Air Force major busted in an Internet sex sting. The Utah Attorney General’s Office charged 45-year old Reinaldo L. Canton with three Class A misdemeanor counts of enticing a minor. The charges were filed Tuesday in Salt Lake City’s 3rd District Court. Canton was originally charged in federal court in Salt Lake City back in 2007, but the case was dropped earlier this year due to issues surrounding his health. In court papers, Canton’s attorney argued he suffered from a life-threatening heart condition and the stress and strain of criminal prosecution would put his life at risk. The Utah U.S. Attorney General’s Office agreed to dismiss the case, with prejudice, meaning the charges could be refiled at any time. The charging documents claim that Canton arranged a sexual liaison over the Internet with someone he thought was a 15-year old girl. The “girl” turned out to be an undercover police officer. After arriving at the Layton Hills Mall, Canton was arrested. Canton had a litany of excuses ready, officers said while a court appearance has not yet been scheduled.

SALT LAKE CITY (AP)—At a time of year where the NBA is bustling with free agency, the Utah Jazz took care of some business Wednesday. Utah Jazz general manager Kevin O’Connor announced the signing of first round draft pick Eric Maynor, formerly of Virginia Commonwealth. Although financial terms were not released, it is known that Maynor will participate in the Jazz’ mini-camp in preparation for the 2009 Orlando Pro Summer League while camp is slated to begin Wednesday. Maynor is expected to make his professional debut for the Jazz against Boston next Monday in Orlando, Fla. Maynor, at 6’3” and 175 pounds was named as the 2008-09 Colonial Athletic Association player of the year which marked the second consecutive season he’d won the award. The 22-year old Maynor also received Sports Illustrated All-America Second Team and Associated Press Honorable Mention All-America honors and was named as Virginia’s collegiate player of the year by the Richmond Times-Dispatch as well as the VaSID player of the year. Maynor concluded his four-year career with the Rams as Virginia Commonwealth’s all-time leader in points (1953) and assists (674). For his exploits, Maynor’s No. 3 jersey was retired during his last home game at VCU. The Raeford, N.C. native also led Westover High School to a state championship his senior year. Maynor was also the first Virginia Commonwealth player the Jazz have drafted and the first to go in the first round. The last Ram to be drafted before Maynor was Sherron Mills, who went to the Minnesota Timberwolves with the 29th overall pick in 1993.

(HILL AIR FORCE BASE)—An electrical malfunction sparked a small fire at a building on Hill Air Force Base Wednesday, officials said. The fire occurred at Building 5 around 9:00 a.m., the Air Force said, which prompted an evacuation. Hill Air Force Base’s fire chief said the fire is believed to have started outside the building. He suspects an electrical malfunction of de-icers located on the rain gutters. Damage was contained to the rain gutter and the fire was extinguished. A more formal investigation is underway and the Air Force stated no one was injured.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—Utah is expanding its list of places where anglers should be careful about eating fish, due to mercury. For the first time, mercury has been detected in fish at Red Fleet and Stienaker reservoirs in Uintah County. The state health department says pregnant women and children should not eat largemouth bass from Red Fleet or bluegill from Steinaker. Adults should limit their consumption to two 8-ounce servings of each a month. State officials are issuing a similar warning about wiper, a cross between white bass and striped bass, taken from the Newcastle Reservoir in Iron County. Since 2000, fish have been tested for mercury in 268 Utah lakes, streams and rivers. Of those, 16 have elevated mercury levels.

(ST. GEORGE)—The Federal Aviation Administration says search crews in southern Utah have found the wreckage of a single-engine plane that crashed after leaving from the Las Vegas area while the pilot was killed. FAA spokesman Ian Gregor says authorities believe only the pilot was found aboard the Piper Malibu which departed from the North Las Vegas airport Tuesday morning at about 6:30. The plane was headed toward Cedar City when it disappeared off the radar shortly after 7:00 a.m. Gregor says search crews found the burned wreckage Tuesday afternoon in a mountainous area about 20 miles west of St. George. Search and rescue crews are currently at the site recovering the pilot’s body. A crew will stay with the wreckage overnight and a team from the NTSB plans to arrive Wednesday to investigate potential causes of the crash. Authorities don’t know the pilot’s identity and Washington County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Rob Tersingi said skies were clear at the time of the crash.

(SARATOGA SPRINGS) – A former congressman is angry at being forced off his business site for a chemical cleanup operation. Ex-congressman, Merrill Cook, says the School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration kicked him off his 480-acre explosive plant site in Saratoga Springs to clean up chemicals used to make explosives for the mining industry. The Environmental Protection Agency budgeted $2 million for the cleanup effort with most of the waste to be transported to a construction landfill in Tooele County. Cook insists that the cleanup was never necessary and said the EPA rejected two proposals he submitted that would have lowered the cleanup costs and allow his company to earn between $100,000 and $200,000 in profit. Cook also criticized SITLA because they hiked his rent last year from $4650 a year to more than $1.2 million annually that drove him off the property that could have used for development. Both Cook and SITLA are suing each other in court over the matter and will eventually resolved by a judge.

(ST. GEORGE) – Dixie State College in St. George is lowering tuition for out-of-state students attending the college this fall. Starting today, Dixie State is offering a “Good Neighbor Policy”, allowing students living in northern Arizona and southeastern Nevada, to pay in-state tuition. The new policy covers Clark and Lincoln counties in Nevada, including residents of Mesquite, Logandale and Las Vegas and residents of Mohave and Coconino counties in Arizona. A new law passed by the legislature earlier this year allows college hopefuls out of state to enhance their educational opportunities in the state while boosting local economies.