Story Archive for 01/20/2010
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Jazz Sweep Spurs; Keep Postseason Hopes Alive
Published on January 20, 2010 at 11:53PM
SAN ANTONIO (AP)—Carlos Boozer amassed 31 points and 13 rebounds while Andrei Kirilenko added 26 points as the Utah Jazz swept their four-game season series with the San Antonio Spurs by virtue of a 105-98 win Wednesday at AT&T Center in NBA action. The season sweep for the Jazz over San Antonio commemorates the first time it’s happened in 16 years while incidentally, the Jazz also eliminated the Spurs in the playoffs in 1994 with a 3-1 series win. After falling behind by 10 points early in the 2nd Quarter, Utah hit their stride midway through the period and seized control for good in the 3rd Quarter as they outscored San Antonio, 29-20 in the stanza. Manu Ginobili had 22 points and eight assists in the loss for the Spurs. The win improved the Jazz to 24-18 and kept them just behind Houston for the last playoff spot in the Western Conference. Despite the loss, San Antonio, at 25-16, is currently in fourth place in the West. In other NBA action Wednesday, Atlanta tripped up Sacramento, 108-97, Orlando waxed Indiana, 109-98, Portland stonewalled Philadelphia, 98-90, Dallas edged Washington, 94-93, Charlotte embarrassed Miami, 104-65, Detroit upset Boston, 92-86, New Orleans got past Memphis, 113-111, Milwaukee stymied Toronto, 113-107, Oklahoma City snuck past Minnesota, 94-92, Phoenix scorched New Jersey, 118-94, Denver outgunned Golden State, 123-118 in overtime and the Los Angeles Clippers bested Chicago, 104-97.
Prep Sports Roundup: 1/20
Published on January 20, 2010 at 09:40PM
BEAVER, Utah (AP)—Robbie Gurr had 20 points and Colton Harris added 14 more as the Beaver Beavers hammered the Cross Creek Bobcats, 83-57 Wednesday in Region 13 boys basketball action.
PAROWAN, Utah (AP)—Ryan Robinson posted 16 points and the Parowan Rams got past the Kanab Cowboys, 57-51 in Region 13 boys basketball action Wednesday. Rhees Jackson had 22 points in the loss for Kanab.
ENTERPRISE, Utah (AP)—Lance Garnder had 12 points for the Enterprise Wolves as they crushed the Millard Eagles, 50-21 Wednesday in Region 13 boys basketball action. Mike Louder had six points in defeat for Millard.
TROPIC, Utah (AP)—Kace Roundy amassed 17 points and Korde Chynoweth added 16 more as the Bryce Valley Mustangs stymied the Escalante Moquis, 77-56 in Region 20 boys basketball action Wednesday. Cody Barney paced Escalante with 15 in the loss.
JUNCTION, Utah (AP)—D.J. Tischner had 22 points for the Piute Thunderbirds as they got past Milford, 65-52 Wednesday in Region 20 boys basketball action.
PANGUITCH, Utah (AP)—Eric Frandsen had 17 points and Brooks Leach added 13 more as the Panguitch Bobcats humbled Wayne, 52-43 in Region 20 boys basketball action Wednesday. Brennan Rees had 13 points in the loss for the Badgers.
BEAVER, Utah (AP)—Brielle Christensen keyed a balanced scoring attack with nine points and the Beaver Lady Beavers dismantled the Cross Creek Lady Bobcats, 72-23 Wednesday in Region 13 girls basketball action.
Graco Strollers Being Recalled After Amputations
Published on January 20, 2010 at 02:27PM
(SALT LAKE CITY)—1.5 million strollers are being recalled after some children had their fingers amputated. The recall includes certain model numbers of Graco’s Passage, Alano and Spree strollers and travel systems. The problem lies in the canopy hinges and the company has received reports of five children having their fingertips severed. Two others got cut as their parents were opening or closing the canopies.
Woods Cross Refinery To Conduct Open House In Hopes of Regaining Trust
Published on January 20, 2010 at 02:21PM
(WOODS CROSS)—The Silver Eagle refinery of Woods Cross is conducting an open house Wednesday night in hopes of regaining the lost trust of nearby residents. Silver Eagle’s Vice President of Refining and Operations, Mike Redd, continues to express regret over the November 4 explosion that damaged dozens of homes. However, he says he’s hopeful officials will soon be able to restart a section of the plant that was not damaged by the explosion. The section in question is a low-pressure distillation unit that doesn’t use chemical reactions. Redd says the purpose of the meeting is to show the public what they do and what sections of the plant they hope to reopen. Passengers will also get to see where the explosion took place from a distance. Redd says the U.S. Chemical Safety Board continues to keep the explosion area sealed off so no rebuilding or improvements have been made in that area.
Investigation Into Chemical Death Continues
Published on January 20, 2010 at 02:14PM
(SARATOGA SPRINGS)—A 30-year-old man died Tuesday after ingesting a chemical substance while working at a chemical plant in Payson. Now, questions are being raised about how he ingested the chemical and why the company allowed the man to go home. The chemical Maurice Lacayo ingested was selenomethionine, a salenom-based amino acid believed to be helpful in treating cancer. According to neighbors, Lacayo was working as a temp for the Sabinsa Corporation in Payson, which uses the substance in one of its products. When Lacayo opened the substance, it puffed into his face. Lacayo began feeling sick, so he called his wife to pick him up and upon his arrival at home, he began to vomit. He was then taken to a nearby Intermountain Healthcare InstaCare clinic, but once medical personnel learned he’d been exposed to a chemical, he was transported to American Fork Hospital, where he died shortly after arrival of cardiac arrest. Tuesday night, hazmat crews quarantined Lacayo’s house and the clinic Wednesday morning, it was determined everyone exposed to him was OK. Police say their next step is to perform an autopsy on Lacayo and dig further in to how he was exposed at the plant.
Republicans Choose New Utah Senate Leaders
Published on January 20, 2010 at 02:08PM
(SALT LAKE CITY)—With less than a week until the 2010 session, a new Utah Senate majority leader has been elected by Republican legislators. The change was made Wednesday morning following Sheldon Killpack’s resignation. Senator Killpack was serving as Senate Majority leader, but resigned from his post after a DUI arrest last week. According to the Senate’s Web site, Senator Scott Jenkins, a Plain City Republican, has been selected as Killpack’s replacement. Senator Wayne Niederhauser, a Sandy-based Republican who had been serving as assistant whip, will replace Jenkins as the majority whip. Senate leadership is slated to hold a news conference Wednesday to discuss what this new leadership team needs.
Proposed Bill To Increase Tax on Utah's Affluent
Published on January 20, 2010 at 02:04PM
(SALT LAKE CITY)—A Utah state lawmaker wants to tax Utah’s richest residents to pay for education. Democratic Representative Brian King of Salt Lake City is sponsoring the bill, which calls for those earning more than $250,000 a year to pay a 1 percent tax income increase. The bill would increase the tax by 2 percent for those earning more than $750,000. King tells the Deseret News the idea is to help fund the anticipated growth in Utah’s public school system, which he says is not addressed by Governor Gary Herbert’s proposed budget. The bill would affect less than 2 percent of the state’s population and would raise about $350 million. King tells the paper those earning more than $750,000 are in the “best position” to help Utah pull out of its severe financial crisis.
SC Commission considers tax hike
Published on January 20, 2010 at 10:49AM
(RICHFIELD) – Sevier County Commissioners met in session today to discuss raising the transient room tax to promote the attraction of more events to the county. Travel Council Director Kevin Arrington said the proposed tax increase does not affect local residents. Commissioners approved a measure to raise the tax but not until they could decide how much it would be. The state allows counties to raise the transient room tax to 4.25%. Sevier County currently has a tax rate at 3%. Commissioner Gary Mason says sports tournaments statewide have become increasingly competitive and Richfield is fortunate to host the bulk of them because of our location in the middle of the state and other venues. Commissioners will decide on the tax increase in future meetings.
Sanpete County Courthouse Energy Upgrade
Published on January 20, 2010 at 09:46AM
(Manti) The Sanpete County Courthouse may receive some much needed upgrades thanks to money provided by the Federal Government for energy efficiency improvements. According to County Commissioner Steve Frischknecht, the state has received about nine million dollars to help the counties improve energy efficiency in their buildings, and Sanpete County is applying some of that money. Commissioner Frischknecht commented that the county could save thirty percent on energy cost just by replacing the old boiler heating system at the courthouse. Officials are also hoping to replace some of the lighting in the courthouse to a more efficient type. The savings would be welcome in a time when budgets are shrinking and costs are rising. The money is being offered as a non-matching grant, which means the county will not have to come up with any money to contribute if the application is approved.
Search warrant reveals information on deputy shooter
Published on January 20, 2010 at 07:36AM
(SALT LAKE CITY) – The man accused of killing Millard County Deputy Josie Fox was reportedly heavily armed and had threatened to shoot a cop, according to a newly released search warrant. The document states that 37-year old, Roberto Roman of Delta was armed with an AK-47 and AR-15 semi-automatic rifles and had threatened to “kill any police officer that stops or approaches him.” The search warrant was served at a Salt Lake City home hours after Fox was shot to death on SR-50 in the early morning hours of Jan. 5. The deputy’s brother, Ryan Greathouse, had purchased drugs from Roman prior to the shooting and told investigators that he saw an AK-47 and a Baretta semi-automatic weapon in the car with Roman. He also said that Roman told him he would “shoot a cop if they stopped him.” Roman and an accomplice, 36-year old, Ruben Chavez of Fillmore, were arrested the following day after they were found asleep in a shed in Beaver. Both men will appear in 4th District Court in Fillmore this (Wednesday) morning for a status conference.
Drug Task Force arrest six in drug sting
Published on January 20, 2010 at 07:03AM
(RICHFIELD) – A nine-month long drug investigation involving individuals in three counties in South-Central Utah has resulted in several arrests with more pending. The Central Utah Narcotics Task Force, along with the Richfield Police Department, Piute and Wayne County Sheriff’s Offices and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, arrested six people last Thursday on drug charges. Those arrested included 38-year old, Manuel Miramontes of Monroe, 21-year old, Roberto Vargas and 44-year old, Jesus Hurtado, both of Richfield, 37-year old, Alberto Rodriguez of Loa, 39-year old, Enrique Zubia of Circleville and 16-year old, Jesus Terrazas of Elsinore. All were arrested for Distribution of a Controlled Substance and other drug-related charges. The investigation continues with more arrests to follow.
Winter storm causes delays on roads
Published on January 20, 2010 at 06:52AM
(RICHFIELD) – A new winter storm has moved into the state causing delays in the morning commute. A UDOT Spokesperson says I-15, I-70 and SR-89 are passable with road restrictions. UDOT said the heaviest amount of snow is falling south of Utah County and all roads are snowpacked and slick. The Utah Highway Patrol says motorists should be extra careful with travel this morning and throughout the day.