Story Archive for 09/30/2009
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Prep Sports Roundup: 9/30
Published on September 30, 2009 at 10:39PM
Updated on October 01, 2009 at 04:58AM
COALVILLE, Utah (AP)—Anders Skagerberg had two touchdown runs and Devin Ovard added a 66-yard scoring run as the North Summit Braves stormed past the Gunnison Bulldogs, 24-8 Wednesday in 2A East football action.
KAMAS, Utah (AP)—Levi Thompson had a pair of scoring runs as the South Summit Wildcats hammered the North Sevier Wolves, 39-7 in 2A East football action Wednesday. Jaron Carter hauled in a 45-yard touchdown pass in the loss for North Sevier.
BEAVER, Utah (AP)—Orion Wilson tossed two touchdown passes and ran for another score as the South Sevier Rams outlasted the Beaver Beavers, 26-20 Wednesday in 2A West football action. Jex Jones had two touchdowns in defeat for Beaver.
MANTI, Utah (AP)—Brady Aste, Devan Fowles and Zach Bown each had scoring runs for the Manti Templars as they remained atop Region 12 with a 21-12 waxing of the Emery Spartans Wednesday.
DELTA, Utah (AP)—Derek Peterson had scoring runs of 71, 13 and 22 yards to lead the Delta Rabbits to a 42-6 rout of the North Sanpete Hawks Wednesday in Region 12 football action.
NEPHI, Utah (AP)—Brock Orme ran for three touchdowns and tossed for another score as the Juab Wasps blasted the Richfield Wildcats, 32-13 in Region 12 football action Wednesday. Tyler Giddings had a pair of touchdown runs in the loss for Richfield.
ESCALANTE, Utah (AP)—Kalani Norris and Chelsea Barney combined for 19 kills as the Panguitch Lady Bobcats swept the Escalante Lady Moquis, 3-0 in Region 20 volleyball action Wednesday.
BEAVER, Utah (AP)—Emily Morley had 11 kills to lead the American Leadership Lady Eagles to a 3-1 win over the Beaver Lady Beavers Wednesday in non-region volleyball action.
3A South Division Tennis Finals Conclude
Published on September 30, 2009 at 10:29PM
RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)—Morgan Anderson of Desert Hills placed first in first singles at the 3A South Division girls’ tennis tournament Wednesday at Richfield. Hurricane’s Zoe Gregorie placed second, while Kayla White of Manti was third and North Sanpete’s Roberta Garlick placed fourth. Desert Hills also placed first in second singles with Annie Davis taking the title while North Sanpete’s Breanna Sadler was third and Seleni Shepherd of Richfield placed fourth. Desert Hills’ Alexa Ford made the Thunder 3 for 3 in singles events as Alexa Ford placed first in third singles, while Manti’s Abby Hatch was third and Courtney Hailes of Delta placed fourth. Desert Hills maintained their dominance in doubles’ events as Kristin Anderson and Hilon Wright placed first in first doubles while Manti’s Meg Jenkins and Jen Johnson were second. Additionally, Richfield’s Kim Wayman and Kaitlyn Christensen were third. Finally, in second doubles, Manti’s Nikki Barton and Audrie Naylor were first as they bested Kelsee Broadhead and Angie Steck of Desert Hills. 3A girls’ tennis will resume with the state tournament at Brigham Young University Friday and Saturday October 9 and 10.
LDS die from tsunami in Samoa
Published on September 30, 2009 at 03:26PM
(SAMOA) – The LDS Church has confirmed eight church members have died after an 8.3-magnitude earthquake hit the islands of Samoa and Tonga. The quake Tuesday morning hit the south Pacific Ocean and spawned a deadly tsunami that have claimed the lives of more than 111 people. Reports say that 82 deaths have been reported in Samoa, 22 in American Samoa and seven in Tonga. According to LDS Church Spokesman, Scott Trotter, recovery and relief efforts are now in their second day where all but two of the LDS missionaries serving in the islands have been accounted for. The two are local sister missionaries from the Tonga Nuka’alofa Mission serving on the island of Niutoputapu, which borders Samoa. Efforts to communicate with people on the island have not been successful, although church leaders continue to work with government officials to make contact.
Government Calls Distracted Driving an Epidemic
Published on September 30, 2009 at 03:14PM
(WASHINGTON D.C.)—Wednesday, the Obama Administration declared driving while distracted a “peril in a nation reluctant to put down its cell phones and handheld devices.” Officials said Congress and the public must teem up to reduce the danger. Congress is watching the issue closely as Democratic Senator Charles Schumer of New York and other Democrats are pushing legislation requiring states to ban texting or e-mailing while operating a moving vehicle or losing 25 percent of their annual highway funding. Currently, 18 states and the District of Columbia have passed laws making texting while driving illegal and seven states and the District have banned driving while talking on a hand-held cell phone, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Powerful Earthquake Rocks Western Indonesia
Published on September 30, 2009 at 03:07PM
(JAKARTA, Indonesia)—At least 75 people are dead and thousands more are trapped under flattened buildings after a powerful earthquake struck western Indonesia off of Sumatra island, Indonesian officials said Wednesday. The death toll is expected to rise. The 7.6-magnitude quake hit off the coast of the town of Padang Wednesday. Officials said the quake triggered a landslide that cut off land transport to the area closest to the epicenter. Power and telecommunications were also cut. The quake was among the same fault line that spawned the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. A tsunami warning for countries along the Indian Ocean was issued, and panicked residents fled to higher ground fearing giant waves. Padang, a sprawling low-lying city of about 900,000 was badly hit by an 8.4-magnitude quake in September 2007 when dozens of people died and several large buildings collapsed. The quake comes a day after an earthquake with a magnitude between 8.0 and 8.3 in the South Pacific hurled a massive tsunami at the shores of Samoa and American Samoa which left at least 99 dead. Wednesday’s earthquake could be felt in high buildings in Jakarta, several hundred miles away. It was also felt in neighboring countries Singapore and Malaysia.
IHC Introduces New Genetic Information System
Published on September 30, 2009 at 03:01PM
(SALT LAKE CITY)—Intermountain Health Care announced a new standard for sending genetic information between doctors and labs Wednesday. For cystic fibrosis, colon cancer, breast cancer, some kinds of heart disease and many other diseases, the doctor needs information about the patients’ genes. The doctor sends questions and information to a lab and now that they can be sent via computer, doctors say this signifies better care. IHC hopes the new standard will be used by labs, hospitals and doctors nationwide.
UTA To Run Extra Trains For General Conference Weekend
Published on September 30, 2009 at 02:51PM
(SALT LAKE CITY)—The Utah Transit Authority will be running extra trains this weekend to deal with the crowds expected downtown for General Conference sessions of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. UTA is encouraging the public to avoid traffic and parking congestion by taking TRAX and FrontRunner to the general conference. On Saturday October 3, TRAX Service runs every 15 minutes as scheduled with extra trips departing from Sandy Civic Center-to the Salt Lake City downtown terminal at 8:19 a.m., 8:34 a.m., 8:49, a.m., 9:04 a.m., 11:49 a.m., 12:04 p.m., 12:49 p.m., 1:04 p.m., 3:49 p.m., 4:04 p.m., 4:49 p.m., and 5:04 p.m. The FrontRunner service runs every 60 minutes and TRAX trains depart Salt Lake Central Station for Temple Square every 15 minutes. On Sunday October 4, the TRAX service runs every 20 minutes, as scheduled, with extra trains departing from Murray Central-City Center (Salt Lake City downtown terminal) at 8:21 a.m., 8:41 a.m., and 9:01 a.m., as well as from the Sandy Civic Center at 12:29 p.m. and 12:49 a.m. Two extra trips from the City Center to the Sandy Civic Center will run following each session and extra cars will be added to all Sandy/Salt Lake trains for additional capacity. Early service will also be provided on the university line with two additional trips departing from Medical Center-City Center at 8:02 and 8:22 a.m. FrontRunner does not run on Sunday.
Ambulance Provider Plans To Leave Salt Lake City
Published on September 30, 2009 at 02:48PM
(SALT LAKE CITY)—Salt Lake City’s ambulance provider may leave the city several years before it’s able to fund its own services. According to the Salt Lake Tribune, the city wants to start its own ambulance service, but it’s a project that will take several years to go online. The contract with the current provider, Southwest Ambulance, expires December 21. Southwest says it will leave the state unless a new contract can be worked out.The council says even if Southwest leaves, the city will find another company to provide short-term service.
Pediatricians Recommend Getting H1N1 Vaccine Via Clinical Trial
Published on September 30, 2009 at 02:44PM
(SALT LAKE CITY)—Salt Lake area pediatricians say children under the age of 3 should be signed up for a clinical trial for the H1N1 vaccine rather than wait in line for a child’s shot. The trial is open to children between 6-35 months of age who have not had flu in the last six months, have not received a seasonal flu vaccine in the week prior to the clinical research study vaccination and will not receive a seasonal flu vaccine the week after the clinical research study vaccination.
Cards Offer Discounts on Prescriptions
Published on September 30, 2009 at 02:42PM
(SALT LAKE CITY)—Salt Lake County residents can now enroll in a new program that will give them discounts on their prescription medications. The Salt Lake County Prescription Discount Card gives residents an average discount of 20 percent off the retail prices of prescription drugs. Any county resident can pick one up, regardless of whether they have health insurance or not.
Teen Accused of Assaulting Girl Could Undergo Mental Evaluation
Published on September 30, 2009 at 02:37PM
(WEST VALLEY CITY)—Attorneys for a West Valley teen accused of attacking a 6-year-old neighbor girl want him to undergo a psychological evaluation. According to the Salt Lake Tribune, his lawyers say the boy is mentally disabled which may have affected his judgment. The teen is charged with assault, sexual assault and kidnapping in connection with the incident earlier this month. Police say the boy admitted to committing the crimes. The boy was initially credited with saving the girl, saying he found her bloody and beaten near his home and brought her to safety.
76 Arrests Made Across Utah in Multi Agency Gang-Enforcement Effort
Published on September 30, 2009 at 02:29PM
(SALT LAKE CITY)—A total of 76 gang members and gang associates across the state, including many with serious criminal histories, are facing further criminal charges or deportation today following a 2-month, multi-agency gang enforcement surge spearheaded by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in close coordination with the offices of the Utah U.S. Attorney and the Utah Attorney General. There were 36 gang members and gang associates arrested in Utah over the last two months who are facing federal or state criminal prosecution on a wide array of charges. The enforcement surge focused on gang members and gang associates in four areas statewide, Salt Lake City, Provo, Ogden and St. George, while in each jurisdiction, ICE worked closely with local law enforcement agencies to identify gang members and gang associates who posed a significant threat to public safety. For more information on reporting suspicious activity in your community, you can visit www.ice.gov.
Utah Governor Shuts Public Out of Efficiency Commission
Published on September 30, 2009 at 02:24PM
(SALT LAKE CITY)—A commission created by Utah Governor Gary Herbert to streamline state government won’t open its meetings to the public. The Utah Advisory Commission to Optimize State Government is meeting to find ways to make government more efficient at the time the state is facing as much as an $850 million budget shortfall.Herbert spokeswoman Angie Welling says the commission is discussing sensitive comments and having the public there could stymie a frank and open dialogue among commission members. Welling says Herbert is still committed to having an open and transparent government while the public will be invited to a handful of meetings in the future, although specific dates were not available.
Rain and Wrecks Mar First Storm of Season
Published on September 30, 2009 at 02:19PM
(SALT LAKE CITY)—While the bitter winter-like weather has been anything but propitious in south central Utah, things are hardly better along the Wasatch Front. Wet roads have caused traffic delays on I-215 and I-80 in the Salt Lake Valley, while an accident occurred at the I-15 interchange with 700 North. The Utah Department of Transportation prepared for the change in weather earlier this week when crews put snowplow blades on trucks, despite temperatures in the 90s. Once the height of winter occurs, UDOT plans to have 280 plows on Utah roads.
Richfield plans hearings on projects
Published on September 30, 2009 at 12:54PM
(RICHFIELD) – The Richfield City Council will hold a public hearing on Oct. 13 to gain input concerning the city’s application to the Permanent Community Impact Board for funding the construction of a new fire station in the city. City officials also want input on their application for the CDBG Small Cities Program for 2010 on other projects planned throughout the city. The public hearing will be held at 7pm on Oct. 13 at the Richfield City Office. The public is invited to attend.
Hatch disappointed over abortion funds
Published on September 30, 2009 at 12:40PM
(WASHINGTON D.C.) – Sen. Orrin Hatch says he’s disappointed with the Senate Finance Committee’s decision to vote against his amendment that would ensure taxpayer’s dollars not be used to fund abortions. Hatch said the American people don’t want and should not be expected to foot the bill for abortions through the new programs or subsidies created in the current health bill. He said that once the bill gets to the floor for debate, he’ll fight tooth-and-nail to get language in the bill that would prevent taxpayer’s dollars from being spent to fund abortions. Hatch’s amendment failed in the committee by a vote of 13-10.
Survey shows less doctor visits
Published on September 30, 2009 at 10:47AM
Updated on September 30, 2009 at 04:49PM
(WASHINGTON D.C.) – A new survey shows that some consumers are cutting primary care and dental visits before other health appointments. Dr. David Cockrell of the American Optometric Association, says the annual American Eye-Q Survey, indicates that early diagnosis of eye and vision problems, can prevent serious complications later. Dr. Cockrell said that health issues of any kind are not things that Americans should ignore. He said that a majority of respondents to the survey showed that 63% visited dentists less, followed by 59% of primary-care physicians, 52% less visits to eye doctors and only 8% are sticking to their health schedules. Dr. Cockrell said that Americans should pay more attention to their health care than anything else.
LDS Church assists in Philippine storm
Published on September 30, 2009 at 09:12AM
(MANILA, PHILIPPINES) – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints continues to distribute relief supplies to flood-ravaged areas of the Philippines in the wake of a severe storm that tore through the northern province. Saturday’s arrival of tropical storm Ketsana in the Philippines resulted in the heaviest rainfall reported in that country in 40 years and triggered significant flooding. Of the 140 confirmed fatalities in the Philippines, 24 were identified as LDS Church members, with more among the others still missing and the total number of church members affected by the flooding still being assessed. All LDS missionaries in the flooded area are safe and accounted for and church members are assisting in clean-up efforts and distributing relief supplies.
Grand School District faces trouble
Published on September 30, 2009 at 07:35AM
(MOAB) – The Grand County School District is in financial trouble. A recent audit revealed that the 1500-student district is facing a $2-million deficit. District officials say the bottom line translates to cuts for the school district and possibly tax increases in Moab and other towns in Grand County. Margaret Hopkin, district superintendent, says the school district has fallen victim to the recession but the audit also uncovered “accounting errors”, prompting the need to make immediate cutbacks. Some of those cutbacks include, a four-percent salary cut district-wide, two additional furlough days, for a total of five this year, a co-pay on insurance and a $100,000 cut to the student activities budget. In addition, the school board has applied for “financially distressed district” status from the state.
Flu vaccine shortage at CUPHD
Published on September 30, 2009 at 07:00AM
(RICHFIELD) – The Central Utah Public Health Department is notifying the public that their current supply of seasonal-flu vaccine has been depleted. The lack of supply has forced the canceling of the Monroe flu shot clinic on Thursday. CUPHD officials said the public can still get seasonal-flu vaccine shots at local doctor’s offices and at hospitals. They said that a boost in supplies should arrive at the end of November.
RV burns near Torrey
Published on September 30, 2009 at 06:56AM
(TORREY) – A Missouri man lost his RV in a fire Monday afternoon near Torrey on SR-24. According to a UHP report, 64-year old, Glen Tubbs of Kansas City noticed that his rear brakes had heated up and caught fire on his 2001 National Carribean at about 3:30pm three miles south of Torrey. The report said the fire spread to the rear of the entire vehicle.