Story Archive for 12/31/2009
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Layton Police Searching For Man Who Tried To Rob a Credit Union
Published on December 31, 2009 at 03:18PM
(LAYTON)—Layton police are on the lookout for a man who tried to rob a credit union shortly before it closed Wednesday evening. Surveillance pictures depicted him walking into an American First credit union wearing an out-dated cream-colored suit, a dark fedora style hat and large black-framed glasses. Police say he kept his hand in his jacket pocket as if he had a weapon but authorities say he told the clerk he didn’t want anyone to get hurt. Police also say the suspect became suspicious that the police hadn’t been called so he left the credit union without any money. He has been described as a white man, around 5’7” or 5’8” and around 160-170 pounds.
Clearfield Police Looking For Child Sex Abuse Suspect
Published on December 31, 2009 at 03:14PM
(CLEARFIELD)—Clearfield police are currently searching for a man they’ve accused of child sexual abuse. Authorities believe 40-year-old Eldon Lee Seagrist sexually molested multiple female children in 2008 and 2009. They say Seagrist was a person of trust in their lives. After interviewing victims and witnesses, detectives say they have enough evidence to arrest Seagrist. He has been described as a white man around 5’10” and 180 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes.
Crews Letting Business Fire Burn Out
Published on December 31, 2009 at 03:05PM
(WEST VALLEY CITY)—Firefighters are allowing a three-alarm fire burn at the Carpet Barn near 3700 South on Redwood Road. Crews are monitoring the fire, which they expect to burn and release clouds of smoke into the evening. Consequently, Redwood Road near 3700 South is closed in both directions and will be for the duration of the fire. The fire started around 11:30 a.m. Thursday while one of the employees was using a weed-burner to melt the ice off of the loading dock. Four people were inside the building when the fire started including the owner, his son and two employees. The building is a complete loss and crews are letting the fire burn because of the type of carpet it has inside. It is made out of nylon, which is petroleum-based. Once it catches fire, the flames cannot be extinguished.
New Ethics Initiative Targets Political Money
Published on December 31, 2009 at 02:57PM
(SALT LAKE CITY)—Using campaign donations for personal use would be prohibited under a new citizens’ ethics initiative in Utah. A group calling itself The Peoples Right LLC will begin holding public hearings on the initiative Tuesday in Duchesne and Price. In Utah, elected officials can spend campaign connections on anything they want, such as houses, boats or swimming pools, as long as they disclose it. Additionally, the state does not place any limits on who may contribute to a campaign or how large contributions can be. Under this initiative, corporations and unions would be prohibited from directly donating to campaigns. A $1,000 limit would be placed on individual donations and those from political action and political issues committees. Violating the contribution limits and the ban on personal use of campaign contributions would result in a Class C misdemeanor. After the hearings, the group will need to collect about 95,000 signatures by April from registered voters. In 26 of the state’s 29 Senate districts to get the initiative on the 2010 ballot. The group is likely to face opposition from Republican state lawmakers who control the Legislature and contend there is no culture of corruption at the Capitol. For months, legislative leaders have been seeking to quash another ethics initiative sponsored by a group called Utahns for Ethical Government, which is largely comprised of former state lawmakers.
Utah Woman Dies After Dive in Cayman Islands
Published on December 31, 2009 at 02:55PM
(GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands)—A 52-year-old cruise ship passenger from Utah has died after going on a diving trip in the Cayman Islands. Police spokeswoman Janet Dougall says the woman became unconscious during a dive and died before arriving at George Town Hospital. Thursday, Dougall said the woman was an experienced diver who was visiting the islands on Wednesday with her family. Police did not release her name or hometown.
Utah Dentist Arrested For Practicing Without a License
Published on December 31, 2009 at 02:52PM
(SALT LAKE CITY)—Police arrested a Salt Lake City man accused of practicing dentistry without a license for more than a decade. According to the Deseret News, the Utah Attorney General’s Office said Daniel Vasquez was arrested for investigation of 10 counts of license to dispense violation and possession of a controlled substance. The office said Vasquez operated in Utah for the past five years, treating people at his home. When detectives searched the home they found dental tools, xylocaine and anesthesia. Vasquez told the investigators he used these drugs on patients.
Charges Dropped Against Man Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife
Published on December 31, 2009 at 02:48PM
(SALT LAKE CITY)—A judge dropped all charges against a South Salt Lake man accused of brutally beating his wife. Police arrested 31-year-old Davey Williams after he allegedly held his wife captive for three days last September because he thought she was cheating on him. Police said Williams beat his wife, tied her wrists and ankles together with an electrical cord and then around her throat, strangling her. He then used a knife to cut her hair off and prevented her from escaping. Police said Williams also threatened to kill his wife in front of her 2-year-old son. He was charged with aggravated kidnapping, two counts of aggravated assault and two other felonies in connection with the abuse. A judge dropped the charges against Williams because prosecutors didn’t have enough evidence against him. There were also problems with a witness in the case.
Warrants Sealed in Payson Murder Case
Published on December 31, 2009 at 02:45PM
(UTAH COUNTY)—A 4th District Court judge has sealed search warrants issued in connection with the murder of former BYU professor Kay Mortensen. According to the Salt Lake Tribune, prosecutors requested the warrants be sealed so potential suspects are not tipped off about key parts of the investigation. Mortensen was killed in what appeared to be a home invasion robbery at his residence in Payson November 16. There have also been reports several guns were stolen at the time of the crime.
Provo To Have Two Fireworks Shows To Ring in New Year
Published on December 31, 2009 at 02:40PM
(PROVO)—Provo City is preparing to kick off its New Year’s Eve celebration warmly by holding it inside the Provo Town Centre Mall. At 6:00 p.m., the mall will be transformed into an international party center. Provo Recreation Supervisor Brian Smith says this year’s theme is a party around the world and will include Scottish bagpipes, a Mariachi band, Polynesian dancers and more. Organizers faced some challenges this year putting the party together and the number of donations is down to a slow economic year. Nevertheless, there will still be plenty of things for partygoers to do as there will be green picture booths that use green screen technology to put visitors at various locations throughout the world. Additionally, there will be two fireworks shows, one at 9:00 p.m., and the other at midnight.
Orem Police Searching For Robbery Suspect
Published on December 31, 2009 at 02:36PM
(OREM)—The Orem Police Department is asking for help to find a suspect who robbed a woman and a gas station. Orem Police Department Sergeant Craig Martinez said the first robbery occurred December 21 and he said a woman was unloading groceries from her car when a man approached her, pulled out a gun and demanded money. The next night, he robbed a local Walker’s Food and Fuel location, approached a clerk and demanded money from the till. Both robberies occurred around 11:00 p.m. The suspect in both cases has been described as a man in his early 30s around six feet tall and 250 pounds. He was reportedly wearing a black sweater with white stripes, blue jeans and a beanie cap. Witnesses say he had bad complexion and was driving an older, silver 4-door passenger car, possibly a Chevrolet Lumina.
Logan Cancels Public New Year's Eve Party
Published on December 31, 2009 at 02:33PM
(LOGAN)—Many cities are gearing up for their big New Year’s Eve bashes Thursday evening but in Logan, the celebration has been canceled. The Herald-Journal reported that the usual donations to pay for the celebration failed to come in this year. The paper says that in the past, the city has relied on $10,000 apiece from Cache County and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to help fund New Year’s Eve festivities. Both denied the city’s request this year. Past celebrations have included live bands, magic shows, ball drops and fireworks.
St. George police search for Utah man
Published on December 31, 2009 at 08:46AM
(ST. GEORGE)- Nevada officials are working with St. George police to help find a missing Utah man. According to police reports, Steven Koecher was last seen Dec. 13 in Henderson, NV., where he was washing windows and putting up Christmas trees in the area, when he vanished. Police say his car was found two days later. Koecher’s phone has been turned off and there has been no activity in his bank account. He had been living in the St. George area since April and has family living in Bountiful. If you have any information on where Koecher might be, contact the St. George Police Department at 627-4301.
Colorado couple killed near Beaver
Published on December 31, 2009 at 06:58AM
Updated on December 31, 2009 at 04:57PM
(BEAVER) – An automobile crash on I-15 near Beaver killed a Colorado couple Wednesday afternoon. Utah Highway Patrol reported that 77-year old, Robert Moore and 80-year old Bedonna Moore, were traveling northbound, when the driver lost control of his blue Honda Odyssey and crashed over the median into southbound lanes at about 12:30pm. The UHP report said a Dodge Ram pickup, pulling a trailer, T-boned the passenger side of the van, killing both occupants. The driver and passengers of the pickup sustained minor injuries and were transported to the Beaver Valley Hospital. Exit 112 off I-15 near Beaver was closed for four hours Wednesday to clear the scene. Also, Salt Lake and Utah counties reported 123 property-damage accidents, 16 injuries and multiple slide-offs Wednesday.