BOISE, Idaho (AP)—Elaine Connolly of Utah State won the womens’ 800-meter dash to headline strong showings for numerous WAC track athletes Friday at Boise State University. Additionally, her teammate, Erin Stratton, won the womens’ mile run while the Lady Aggies were also bolstered by Kim Quinn’s win in the 5000-meter dash. As for the men, Brian McKenna of Utah State won the 5000-meter dash while the Aggies’ Clint Silcock took the high jump crown. Through five womens’ events, the Idaho Lady Vandals lead with 44 points while through seven mens’ events, Boise State leads the way with 76.50 points. The meet will resume Saturday.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP)—San Diego State’s Stephanie James placed first in the womens’ pole vault to headline strong showings for numerous Mountain West Conference track athletes on Day 2 of the track championships at the Albuquerque Convention Center. Additionally, her teammate, Karoline Koehler placed first in the long jump. As for the men, Brigham Young’s Leif Arrhenius won the weight throw while his teammate Trevor Heiner won the high jump. Through two days of competition, Brigham Young’s women have amassed 72 points in six events, while the Cougar men are also in first having posted 63.50 points thus far. The meet resumes Saturday.

SEATTLE (AP)—Carter Wells of Stanford placed first in the mens’ weight throw to lead the way at the MPSF Track and Field Championships Saturday at the University of Washington. Additionally, Arizona’s Luis Rivers-Morales won the long jump and Scott Roth of Washington won the pole vault. As for the women, Washington’s Marie Lawrence won the 5000-meter dash and Lisa Engarter of Arizona won the womens’ high jump in the pentathlon. The meet will resume Saturday.

HOUSTON (AP)—Tulsa’s Alex Becker placed first in the womens’ 5000-meter dash to highlight numerous strong showings for athletes scattered throughout the southwest Friday at the first day of the Conference USA championships. Additionally, Tulsa’s John Beattie placed first in the mens’ 5000-meter dash to conclude competition on the first day of action. The meet will resume Saturday.

(RICHFIELD) – The Central Utah Narcotics Task Force has resolved a late December 2009 attempted murder case involving an illegal immigrant and a Sevier County man. Investigators reported that Edgar Perez-Monroy stole a firearm from an Austin residence in December and pawned it at a Richfield pawn shop. The report said that Perez-Monroy used the firearm in an attempted homicide of another hispanic man in Sevier County. Perez-Monroy was apprehended and booked in the Sevier County Jail on Jan. 27 for theft of a firearm, possession of a firearm by a restricted person and aggravated assault. Immigration and Customs Enforcement discovered that Perez-Monroy was in the country illegally and was turned over to federal authorities on Thursday.

(FAIRVIEW) – A snowmobiler reported missing has been found safe after spending Wednesday night in Fairview Canyon. According to a sheriff’s report, 54-year old Doug Wheeler of Springville was snowmobiling with a group of about 20 people, when he became separated from his group and failed to return to camp late in the afternoon Wednesday. The Sanpete Search and Rescue was notified and began looking for Wheeler Wednesday night. Workers searched the Fairview Canyon area through the night until the search was called off due to poor weather conditions. The search resumed Thursday morning and a helicopter spotted Wheeler at about 11am. He was taken off the mountain in good condition. Wheeler said he kept warm through the cold night by starting his snowmobile several times. He was reported to be cold, tired and hungry.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)—Neal Monson posted 29 points and 14 rebounds and the Waterford Ravens clipped the North Sevier Wolves, 39-27 Thursday in the first round of the 2A state tournament at the Sevier Valley Center. Daniel Hales had seven points and four rebounds in the loss for the Wolves. Waterford advances to the semifinals Friday evening at 7:30

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)—Rhees Jackson had 22 points and 10 rebounds, Payton Jesus poured in 19 points and six assists and Craig Brinkerhoff added 18 more points as the Kanab Cowboys clipped the North Summit Braves, 77-65 Thursday in the first round of the 2A state tournament at the Sevier Valley Center. Dalan Judd had 16 points and Cameron Bowen added 14 more in the loss for the Braves. Kanab faces Waterford Friday evening at 7:30.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)—Race Parsons had 20 points and Orion Wilson added 18 points and six boards as the South Sevier Rams dismantled the Layton Christian Eagles, 64-44 in the first round of the 2A tournament at the Sevier Valley Center Thursday. Isaac Pedroza had 11 points and six boards in the loss for the Eagles.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)—Parker Anderson and Judd Rydalch had 12 points apiece and the South Summit Wildcats humbled the Enterprise Wolves, 55-41 Thursday in the first round of the 2A tournament at the Sevier Valley Center. Kyle West had 18 points and six assists in defeat for the Wolves.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)—Kendra Richins had 11 points and made a pair of clutch free throws in the closing seconds to lead the North Summit Lady Braves to a 36-34 win over the Kanab Cowgirls in the first round of the 2A tournament Thursday at the Sevier Valley Center. Kelly Livingston had 10 points and seven boards in the loss for Kanab.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)—Tressa Lyman posted 16 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Enterprise Lady Wolves to a convincing 45-34 win over the North Sevier Lady Wolves at the Sevier Valley Center Thursday. McKinzie Robins had 10 points in the loss for North Sevier.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)—Chelsee Willardson had 13 points and Shacari Hinck added 11 more as the Richfield Lady Wildcats edged the Wasatch Lady Wasps, 46-42 Thursday at Utah Valley University in the 3A tournament. The Lady Wildcats will next face the Canyon View Lady Falcons Friday at 12:50 p.m. with a shot at the 3A championship game on the line

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP)—Andrea Riley had 33 points, including the last 17 points in regulation for the #17 Oklahoma State Cowgirls in a 73-72 win over the #16 Texas Lady Longhorns Wednesday in Top 25 womens’ college basketball action. Tegan Cunningham added 18 points and 12 boards for Oklahoma State, who improved to 19-8 on the season. Brittainy Raven had 20 points in the loss for the Lady Horns, who fell to 19-8. In other Top 25 action Wednesday, #1 Connecticut stonewalled Syracuse, 87-66, #22 Vanderbilt clipped Florida, 71-60, #23 Hartford downed Albany, 63-57, #5 Xavier smacked Charlotte, 81-61, #19 St. John’s humbled Rutgers, 60-52 and #3 Nebraska overpowered #10 Oklahoma, 80-64.

SALT LAKE CITY (AP)—Carlos Boozer posted 33 points and 16 rebounds and the Utah Jazz overcame an 11-point halftime deficit to oust the Charlotte Bobcats, 102-93 Wednesday in NBA action at EnergySolutions Arena. The Jazz turned the tide with a 31-16 surge in the 3rd Quarter while the Bobcats, currently seeking to fend off Milwaukee for the eight and final seed in the Eastern Conference playoff race, failed to capitalize off of a solid first half which saw them post 53 points and generally suppress one of the NBA’s elite teams. Deron Williams added 20 points and 12 assists for Utah as the Jazz improved to 37-20 on the season. Gerald Wallace had 27 points and eight rebounds for the Bobcats while Tyrus Thomas added 20 more for Charlotte, who fell to 27-29. In other NBA action Wednesday, Atlanta edged Minnesota, 98-92, Memphis stymied Washington, 99-94, Portland gashed Toronto, 101-87, Chicago clipped Indiana, 120-110, Milwaukee bludgeoned New Orleans, 115-95, Orlando smoked Houston, 110-92, San Antonio tripped up Oklahoma City, 95-87, Dallas humbled the Los Angeles Lakers, 101-96, Phoenix scorched Philadelphia, 106-95, and the Los Angeles Clippers stonewalled Detroit, 97-91.

(EUREKA) – A mining company has signed an agreement with Kennecott Exploration, Co. to mine for copper, gold and molybdenum in Eureka in Juab County. Chief Consolidated Mining Co. officials says the agreement will be complete when all parties involved sign the contracts. Under terms of the agreement, Kennecott will focus on the Big Hill Project, a hill in the center of the 16,000 acre area, owned by Chief Consolidated, including part of Eureka. Kennecott would earn 51% of the project by completing a pre-feasibility study or incur $20 million in costs, whichever comes first. If successful, Kennecott would get another 4% of the project once Kennecott’s parent corporation, Rio Tinto, accepts the study. Chief Consolidated’s other properties are not affected by the agreement.

(LAYTON)—A Layton man faces charges for allegedly beating his daughter with a cane. The Standard-Examiner reports that police say Ralph Andrew Clark was using the cane following knee surgery. Clark struck his 17-year-old daughter several times after getting into an argument over whether or not she could go out with friends. She suffered minor injuries to her legs, arms and torso. This is not the first time Clark has been accused of assaulting his children. In January, he was arrested for beating a child with a broom and a shovel. He pleaded guilty to a charge of simple assault in connection with the incident. Clark was arrested Monday and is currently in the Davis County Jail. The case now rests with the Davis County Attorney’s Office to screen for formal charges.

(WEBER COUNTY)—Weber School District has banned a type of incense that can be smoked to produce a marijuana-like “high.” The drug is known as damiana, but has also been referred to as “Spice,” under which title it is sold under several brand names, including “Black Mamba.” District officials say they have informed parents that any student found with it on school grounds will be disciplined as if they had brought any other controlled substance on campus.

(NEW HARMONY)—Federal money will help rehabilitate land near the southern Utah town of New Harmony and safeguard against flooding after a fire swept through the area last summer. The Mill Flat fire burned across 19 square miles, destroying three homes and several outbuildings. Some now worry about the potential for flooding and mudslides as snow begins to melt in the next few weeks. The Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Emergency Watershed Protection program will provide about $1.1 million to help safeguard private lands. NRCS water resources coordinator Norman Evenstad says projects could include catch basins to stop debris during a flood, revegetation and reseeding on ground that burned. He says plans for the money will begin to firm up next month.

(RICHFIELD) – Richfield City is getting ready to install a new emergency management system. Sevier County Hazmat Commander John Hunt told the city council in Tuesday night’s meeting that the current system is antiquated and needs to be replaced. He said in 2008, the city received a grant of $780,000 to purchase equipment but still lacked $200,000 for installation. Hunt said due to the downturn of the economy in the latter part of 2008, the city was not able to come up with enough money to install the system but since then, funding was awarded through another grant. He said the new system will feature multi-tone sirens to be installed at the current location of the fire station in the city. Hunt commented that the system should be installed within the next few weeks and the public will need to be educated as to which tone is applied to each emergency.

(Mount Pleasant) North Sanpete School District Superintendent Courtney Syme has announced his retirement effective June 30th. Syme’s career in the district has spanned thirty-four years. He commented that during that time he has had the opportunity to “work with the best teachers and administrators in the world.” Syme also commented that it has been gratifying to see students learn and grow and become successful and productive citizens in the community, the state, and even across the world. The district will start taking applications soon to fill the position and hope to have a replacement sometime in March or April.

(CEDAR CITY) – A victim of child abuse was named Miss Southern Utah in Cedar City on Saturday. Erika Hansen, a 21-year old junior biology major from Cedar City, was crowned at Canyon View Middle School and awarded a $1,000 college scholarship. Hansen competed against six other contestants, including four SUU students, one from BYU and another attending UVU in Orem. Her platform of child sexual abuse prevention awareness was unique among the contestants. Hansen said on stage her biggest obstacle was coming forward to inform authorities that she had been sexually abused for seven years. She won Miss Iron County in 2008 on her same platform and qualifies to run at the Miss Utah pageant scheduled to take place in June.

(RICHFIELD) – Richfield City officials have decided to not raise taxes on energy use until they’ve scrutinized cuts in the budget. At the city council meeting Tuesday night, councilmembers tabled adopting an ordinance that would change the rate of the Municipal Energy Tax from 3% to 6% and a Telecommunication Tax from 3% to 3.5%. Councilmember Richard Barnett recently commented that dozens of comparable-size cities throughout the state have operated at 6% for years while Richfield has not raised its rates. The council also tabled adopting an ordinance setting a maximum height for garages and accessory buildings in residential areas until the city attorney can re-draft language in the ordinance.

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP)—Dairese Gary amassed 23 points and Roman Martinez added 17 more as the #12 New Mexico Lobos won another close call with a 72-66 victory over the Colorado State Rams Tuesday at Moby Arena in Top 25 mens’ college basketball action. Former College of Eastern Utah star Darington Hobson stepped up with 15 points and 10 rebounds for New Mexico, who improved to 26-3 on the season, keeping themselves in line for one of the top four seeds in a regional for the NCAA Tournament according to several prominent college basketball analysts, such as Joe Lunardi and Seth Davis. The Rams, obviously motivated by hosting a national power, actually led 32-29 at halftime, before the Lobos overpowered CSU with 43 points in the last stanza, including a late 7-0 surge to repel the last Ram run of the evening. Adam Nigon amassed a career-high 23 points in the loss for Colorado State. In other Top 25 action Tuesday, #13 Georgetown humbled Louisville, 70-60, #4 Syracuse downed Providence, 99-85, #6 Kansas State bludgeoned Texas Tech, 83-64, Evansville stunned #22 Northern Iowa, 55-54 and Florida stymied #17 Tennessee, 75-62.

(SALT LAKE CITY) – The Utah BLM has released the results of the competitive geothermal lease sale that was held in Salt Lake City on Tuesday. The sale included 17 parcels on BLM Utah lands and ten parcels on BLM Idaho lands. The BLM sold 17 of the Utah parcels on 60,320 acres of federal land in the Fillmore Field Office and four of the Idaho parcels on 10,592 acres. The total revenues for the sale netted the BLM nearly $335,400. Geothermal energy accounts for 8.5% of renewable electricity generation and 0.3% of total U.S. electricity supply. Reports say that almost 50% of the nation’s production of geothermal energy is on federal land. Utah’s current geothermal production is primarily in Beaver County where two plants produce 24 megawatts per year.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—The brother of a Utah sheriff is accusing federal agents of misconduct when they arrested him last June for allegedly trafficking in ancient American Indian artifacts. Tuesday, David Lacy testified that heavily armed agents stormed his house and held him for hours while grilling him incessantly about his artifacts collection. Incidentally, this was all done without reading him his Miranda rights against self-incrimination. Earlier Tuesday, the agents testified they did everything properly. Lacy, a teacher at San Juan High School in Blanding, is the brother of San Juan County Sheriff Mike Lacy of Monticello and one of 26 collectors and dealers in Utah, Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico who were arrested after a two year sting operation. Lacy remains insistent his collection of American Indian artifacts was legally obtained.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—Anger in Utah continues to grow over the possible designation of two national monuments in the energy-rich southern part of the state. A U.S. Department of the Interior document lists more than a dozen sites throughout the West for possible monument designation, which would make them off-limits to development. Presidents have the sole authority to designate national monuments through the Antiquities Act. The Interior department insists the list is a product of brainstorming and nothing more. However, in Utah, fear of a possible land grab persists as a result of the Clinton administration’s designation of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Tuesday, a Capitol rally supported a measure to require congressional approval of future Utah monuments.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—The Utah House will consider greatly expanding the ability of the state attorney general’s office to issue administrative subpoenas for online and cell phone records. A House panel approved a measure 10-1 on Tuesday that would allow the subpoenas to be issued anytime the attorney general’s office suspects the Internet or a cell phone has been used to commit a felony. They could also be used when stalking and electronic harassment are suspected. Currently, the subpoenas can only be used to force Internet companies to provide certain information about someone suspected of committing a sex crime against children. The bill is opposed by some criminal defense lawyers who say it lacks appropriate checks and balances from the judicial system.

(OGDEN)—A father and son in Ogden are now behind bars after being accused of running a drug distribution operation according to the Ogden Standard-Examiner. Those arrested were 26-year-old Michael Martinez and 46-year-old Nick Martinez. They were booked into the Weber County Jail over the weekend after members of the Narcotics Strike Force, Ogden Crime Reduction Unit and the Ogden Metro Gang Unit raided their apartments in Ogden. Officers found nearly two pounds of methamphetamine, a large amount of ecstasy pills, a number of firearms and thousands of dollars in cash, which police say was drug proceeds. At the time of their arrests, Michael was also wanted on parole violations and Nick was on parole. Both are facing multiple charges.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—Two fugitives accused of killing a Millard County sheriff’s deputy were told to leave the area by officers who were looking for them, but apparently didn’t recognize them. Roberto Roman and Ruben Chavez-Reyes are accused in the murder of Millard County sheriff’s Deputy Josie Fox early on the morning of January 5 near Delta. Later that morning, police believed the two were hiding in Salt Lake City and evacuated the neighborhood where they were believed to be. A resident who lives nearby, Shirley Cleverly told the Salt Lake Tribune she’d arrived at home early that morning because the suspects knew her sons. Cleverly said she didn’t know they were fugitives and didn’t know they were at home until police evacuated the premises. They were found the next day in a shed near Beaver and arrested. Salt Lake City Police Chief Chris Burbank confirmed Cleverly’s story and wants to identify the officers who didn’t recognize the wanted men so he can talk to them.

(SALT LAKE CITY) – A group of farmers and ranchers met on Capitol Hill on Monday in a tasty show of force against the environmentalists’ agenda to attack the agriculture industry. The “Celebrate Agriculture” rally coordinated by the Utah Farm Bureau, featured locally produced beef jerky, string cheese and slices of Norbest turkey. The event also included remarks by Rep. Kerry Gibson of Ogden, a dairy farmer and Rep. Mike Noel of Kanab, a cattle rancher. Gibson said farmers and ranchers often suffer personal attacks despite being the “ultimate environmentalists.” Noel took his turn at the bully pulpit to call for the defeat of “cap-and-trade” legislation aimed at crushing agriculture in Utah. He also rallied farmers and ranchers to remain at the Capitol for the afternoon debate on a controversial bill that spells out access to public streams and waterways on private property.

(RICHFIELD) – The Central Utah American Cancer Society 2010 Relay-For-Life Event is kicking off this Saturday at the Red Hills Middle School in Richfield. The event will run from 6:30 to 8pm with a special invitation extended to all cancer survivors. Event organizers say that all individuals wishing to honor a loved one who has battled cancer, luminaria bags will be available at a cost of $5 each. The event will feature booths, including balloon ties, balloon darts, fishing games, bean bag and coin toss, face painting and a cakewalk. The public is invited to attend the event free of charge but booths will be provided at a cost of $.50 each.

(RICHFIELD) – The Richfield City Council met in session Monday night to discuss more ways to cut an already tight budget. Finance Director Mike Langston presented the council with the 2010-11 proposed draft budget, showing areas where the city can reduce expenses in spite of loss in revenue to city coffers. City councilman Richard Barnett said he, the mayor and some members of the council would be willing to give up their monthly pay to help. Mayor Brad Ramsay said the city may push back the possible increase in an energy tax by three months if other services can be cut, including the swimming pool, golf course and other services. Langston said city employees will have to pay 100% of a 10-15% increase in insurance premiums this year, which amounts to a pay cut. Councilmembers determined to have public hearings on the budget cuts before any action is taken.

(PROVO)—A suspect has been arrested and booked into the Utah County Jail under suspicion of murder in connection to the investigation of a woman’s body found in Hobble Creek Canyon over the weekend. The suspect is 22-year-old Damien Allister Candland of Provo who was booked into the Utah County Jail on a charge of aggravated murder. The victim was later identified as 41-year-old Amy Candland of Provo, Damien’s aunt. Investigators previously called the circumstances of Amy’s death “suspicious.” Candland was found near the Jolley’s Ranch campground in Hobble Creek Canyon Sunday. Monday morning, police say the Utah County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the victim’s identity from her brother. Police say they found evidence linking Damien to the victim and the Hobble Creek location. Amy’s body was turned over to the Utah Medical Examiners office where an autopsy will later be performed.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—Witnesses say a man torched his own apartment Sunday night and watched as it burned. The fire forced 12 people out of their homes while firefighters doused the flames at the Edison Place Apartments in Salt Lake City. The fire destroyed one apartment and severely damaged two others. The arsonist, 45-year-old James Brinton, was arrested and booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on a first-degree felony charge of aggravated arson.

(MORGAN)—The Utah Department of Transportation and Morgan County will pay nearly $40,000 to settle legal claims over a protest against fur farms. Federal court papers say the two agencies have agreed to pay the Salt Lake Animal Advocacy Movement to cover its attorney fees and court costs. Last fall, the group sought permission to hold a demonstration called Fur Free Saturday in Morgan. It sued over the county’s requirement that it pay $425 for extra police and permit fees along with taking out a million-dollar insurance policy. Group members also claimed UDOT employees violated their free speech rights because the agency wouldn’t issue a permit for the protest. The protest occurred November 26 and the group assembled without having to pay for security.

(PLEASANT GROVE)—Pleasant Grove is tackling a foul-smelling problem with the help of millions of dollars. The Deseret News reports the odor from the sewage treatment plant is strong enough that the people who work at the BMW dealership across the freeway say they’ve had to leave work at times. They also say the smell has made some workers and customers sick. Utah County Commissioners have approved the issuance and sale of up to $70 million in sewer revenue bonds for the Timpanogos Special Service District. About $10 million of that is going toward odor control. Crews will enclose the headworks building and air into the building will be filtered before it’s released. The changes could come as soon as next year. The newspaper reports the most offensive odor comes from crews flipping compost of the plant, which is done every three to five days within a three-week period. The district is installing a fabric system to cover the compost, which is now open. The facility serves 192,000 people in 10 municipalities.

(SPANISH FORK) – Utah lawmakers are praising the Utah Department of Transportation for improved safety measures on stretches of U.S.6 in Spanish Fork Canyon. Many lawmakers are saying if it hadn’t been for the lobbying efforts of a Huntington woman, who lost her mother in a 1971 crash on winding sections of the highway, the improvements may never have happened. Kathy Justice has been pushing for decades to get lawmakers to fund improvements and organized a group to make US 6 safer. She said she was told that no one in their lifetime would ever see a four-lane highway on that stretch of U.S. 6 but it happened. Spanish Fork police say they’ve had their share of investigations of fatalities on U.S. 6 for years and knew that something had to be done. UDOT has taken steps to greatly reduce crossover head-on collisions along the highway by adding lanes, bridges and rumble strips, along with additional signage.

(SALINA) – A Colorado woman was taken to the hospital with injuries when the vehicle in which she was traveling crashed on I-70 Sunday afternoon. According to a UHP report, 53-year old, David Collins of Rifle, CO. was traveling eastbound east of Salina in a 2001 Porsche, when he lost control and spun on icy roads, crashing into the center guardrail at about 5:15pm. The report said that his passenger, 48-year old, Corrinna Collins, also of Rifle, was wearing her seatbelt and transported to the Sevier Valley Medical Center in Richfield with broken bones. David was wearing his seatbelt and was not transported the hospital.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)—Kandice Gleave amassed 25 points and Loni Allan added 16 more as the Piute Lady Thundebirds crushed the Duchesne Lady Eagles, 68-34 Saturday at the Sevier Valley Center to win their first state championship in school history. Kylie Kielbasa had eight points in the loss for Duchesne.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)—Courtney Lamborn had 12 points and the Rich Lady Rebels took third place at the 1A state tournament with a 42-37 win over the Panguitch Lady Bobcats at the Sevier Valley Center Saturday. Kalani Norris had 18 points in the loss for Panguitch.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)—Sydney Cornforth had nine points and the Bryce Valley Lady Mustangs ousted the Valley Lady Buffaloes, 40-29 Saturday at the Sevier Valley Center in the 1A consolation bracket. Kori Cox had 11 points in the loss for Valley.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)—Bridgett Grahmann had 18 points and Jennifer Horak added 17 more as the Intermountain Christian Lady Lions ousted the Altamont Lady Longhorns, 47-42 at the Sevier Valley Center in the 1A consolation bracket Saturday. Whitney Fieldsted had 23 points in the loss for Altamont.

CEDAR CITY, Utah (AP)—Colton Piep had 15 points and Jaden Gurney added 14 more as the North Sevier Wolves downed the Parowan Rams, 58-50 Saturday in the 2A play-in playoffs at the Centrum. Zack Wood had 19 points in defeat for Parowan.

CEDAR CITY, Utah (AP)—Neal Monson had 18 points for the Waterford Ravens as they got past the Beaver Beavers, 50-31 in the 2A play-in playoffs Saturday at the Centrum. Austin Blackburn and Robbie Gurr had seven points apiece in the loss for Beaver.

CEDAR CITY, Utah (AP)—Craig Brinkerhoff had 24 points and the Kanab Cowboys outlasted the Rowland Hall/St. Mark’s Winged Lions, 52-51 Saturday at the 2A play-in playoffs at the Centrum. Matt Bossart had 13 points in defeat for Rowland Hall.

CEDAR CITY, Utah (AP)—Dalan Judd had 15 points and Cameron Bowen stepped up with 12 more as the North Summit Braves gashed the Gunnison Bulldogs, 47-31 at the 2A play-in playoffs Saturday at the Centrum. Erick Rosenvall had eight points in the loss for Gunnison.

CEDAR CITY, Utah (AP)—Isaac Pedroza had 17 points and the Layton Christian Eagles clipped the Millard Lady Eagles, 60-48in the 2A play-in playoffs Saturday at the Centrum. Joel Swallow had 15 points in the loss for Millard.

CEDAR CITY, Utah (AP)—Dillon Bishoff had 29 points and the South Sevier Rams decimated the Cross Creek Bobcats, 84-42 Saturday at the 2A play-in playoffs at the Centrum.

CEDAR CITY, Utah (AP)—Kyle West’s 22 points led the way for the Enterprise Wolves as they dismantled the Grand Red Devils, 57-38 in the 2A play-in playoffs Saturday at the Centrum.

CEDAR CITY, Utah (AP)—Levi Thompson had 17 points and Judd Rydalch added 15 more for the South Summit Wildcats as they tripped up the San Juan Broncos, 63-38 Saturday in the 2A play-in playoffs at the Centrum.

DRAPER, Utah (AP)—Ajay Pizza had 16 points and the Juan Diego Soaring Eagle got past the Richfield Wildcats, 44-37 in the 3A playoffs Saturday. Tyler Thomas had 12 points in the loss for the Wildcats.

SALT LAKE CITY (AP)—Zach Myaer had 21 points and the Judge Memorial Bulldogs pounded the Delta Rabbits, 71-42 Saturday in the 3A playoffs. Colin Christensen and Taylor Shamo had nine points apiece in the loss for the Rabbits.

NEPHI, Utah (AP)—Braden Saunders posted 17 points to lead the Morgan Trojans to a 49-42 win over the Juab Wasps Saturday in the 3A playoffs. Joey Lewis had 15 points and Taran Wright added 11 more in the loss for the Wasps.

(AMERICAN FORK)—Police say a convicted sex offender may be at it again. This would mean Riverton resident Kevin Duane Allred will have been guilty of sex related crimes three times in the past three decades. Monday, Allred will be in court to face charges of lewdness by a sex offender. Court records show Allred has been arrested for showing himself inappropriately several times in American Fork, including most recently at an American Fork Wal-Mart in October 2009. Court records depict that he has previously flashed American Fork residents in 1989 and 1998 in addition to last year’s incident.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—Author Stephen R. Covey is joining Utah State University as a tenured business professor. The author of numerous motivational books, such as “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” will be the school’s first Jon M. Huntsman Presidential Chair in Leadership. The position was made possible by a $1.5 million donation from Huntsman. Thursday, Jon M. Huntsman School of Business Dean Douglas Anderson said Covey will donate his $75,000 yearly salary back to the school. The money will help fund the Stephen R. Covey Center for Leadership. Anderson said Covey’s appointment is a step toward the school being known for ethical leadership. Covey is a well-known management expert who also co-founded Franklin Covey, a professional services firm. Utah State University president Stan Albrecht says Covey will boost the school’s profile.

(RICHMOND)—Authorities say a building slated for demolition has collapsed in northern Utah. The Cache County sheriff’s office says the building in Richmond had been used as a warehouse in the past. Upon its collapse Thursday, the building was empty. Officials say the incident is under investigation but it doesn’t appear suspicious. A sheriff’s deputy was nearby at the time of the collapse and witnessed it. The collapse knocked down power lines and a highway was shut down for a time while crews worked on them. The sheriff’s office says the building’s owners were in the process of getting permits to demolish it.

(RICHFIELD) – Sevier County Commissioners have set the dates for collecting trash to be taken to the landfill from clean-up efforts throughout the county. County pick-up dates will be on April 15 and May 15 and tires will be collected between May 15 and June 15, 2010 for disposal. Commissioners are asking residents throughout the county to have the debris ready to be picked up on those dates. If you have any questions, call the Sevier County offices.

(RICHFIELD) – Sevier County Commissioners have sent a letter to the Forest Service concerning the exclusion of county officials in day-to-day decisions on forest planning rules. At the county commission meeting Wednesday, Commissioners said that with changes in new Forest Service personnel, some don’t know what’s required of them in order to comply with their coordination obligation. Commissioners said the oversight has already caused some problems, citing a California court case in which the state sued the forest service over the development of four plans without coordinating with state officials. A judge in the case ruled in favor of the state, citing a 1982 rule that clearly defined requirements for coordination. Sevier County Commissioners also commented that they’ve had a good relationship with local forest service officials and want to continue the partnership.

(KANAB) – Kane County is suing the federal government over ownership of 46 roads that cross public lands in the county. The 332-page complaint spells out the county’s argument that the government should grant ownership under “quiet title” actions as required by multiple courts. Kane County sued under provisions in Revised Statute 2477, an old mining law that granted rights of way across public land. Congress repealed the law in 1976 with existing claims grandfathered in but subsequent rulings held that ownership disputes must be argued road by road in federal court. Court documents state the county must prove each claim in court. Rural counties have filed multiple lawsuits over road access on public land, including roads in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and Canyonlands National Park.

LOS ANGELES (AP)—Ashley Hamilton posted 17 points and Drew Viney added 16 points and 10 rebounds as the Loyola Marymount Lions stunned the #9 Gonzaga Bulldogs, 74-66 Thursday at the Gersten Pavilion in mens’ Top 25 college basketball action. The win was the latest peak in a roller coaster season for the 14-13 Lions who also beat Notre Dame at South Bend, Ind. in an early-season shocker in non-conference play. Elias Harris had 13 points and 11 boards to lead the Zags in the loss, who despite a 21-5 record, have dropped their second game in four West Coast Conference games. In other Top 25 action Thursday, #5 Syracuse outlasted #10 Georgetown, 75-71, #19 Vanderbilt bested Mississippi, 82-78, #21 Pittsburgh overpowered Marquette, 58-51 and Minnesota hammered #16 Wisconsin, 68-52.

ESCALANTE, Utah (AP)—Kace Roundy had 21 points and Kam Roundy added 14 more as the Bryce Valley Mustangs dismantled the Escalante Moquis, 75-59 Thursday in Region 20 boys basketball action. Cody Barney had 20 points in defeat for the Moquis.

BICKNELL, Utah (AP)—Eric Frandsen amassed 38 points as the Panguitch Bobcats pummeled the Wayne Badgers, 79-61 in Region 20 boys basketball action Thursday. Carson Syme and Cason Chappell had 10 points apiece in the loss for Wayne.

MILFORD, Utah (AP)—Tyson Westwood had 23 points as the Piute Thunderbirds edged the Milford Tigers, 67-64 in overtime Thursday in Region 20 boys basketball action.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)—Katie Berry had 23 points as the St. Joseph Lady Jayhawks edged the Monticello Lady Buckaroos, 42-39 Thursday in the 1A state girls quarterfinals at the Sevier Valley Center. Swayzi Slade had 17 points in defeat for Monticello.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)—Whitney Lefler posted 22 points for the Tabiona Lady Tigers as they edged the Green River Lady Pirates, 46-44 in the 1A state girls quarterfinals Thursday at the Sevier Valley Center. Jill Vetere had 14 points in the loss for Green River.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)—Brooks Eberly had 10 points for the Valley Lady Buffaloes as they doubled up the Milford Lady Tigers, 34-17 in Thursday’s 1A state quarterfinals at the Sevier Valley Center.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)—Ashley Nelson, Kaylea Shakespeare and Lesha LeFevre had nine points apiece as the Bryce Valley Lady Mustangs bested the Wayne Lady Badgers, 42-31 in the 1A state girls quarterfinals Thursday at the Sevier Valley Center. Cassey Manzanares had 14 points in the loss for Wayne.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)—Courtney Lamborn posted 12 points and Maude Peart added 10 more for the Rich Lady Rebels as they got past the Whitehorse Lady Raiders, 53-38 in the 1A state girls quarterfinals Thursday at the Sevier Valley Center. Maray Filfred had 18 points in the loss for Whitehorse. The Lady Rebels, already two-time defending state 1A champions have advanced to Friday’s semifinals.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)—Kandice Gleave posted 19 points and Amanda Bagley added 14 more as the Piute Lady Thunderbirds hammered the Intermountain Christian Lady Lions, 52-28 in Thursday’s quarterfinals at the 1A state tournament. Jennifer Horak had 19 points in defeat for ICS. The Lady Thunderbirds have advanced to Friday’s semifinals.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)—Kalani Norris had 15 points as the Panguitch Lady Bobcats bested the Altamont Lady Longhorns, 37-30 Thursday in the quarterfinals at the 1A state tournament. Whitney Fieldsted had 13 points in the loss for Altamont. Panguitch now advances to Friday’s semifinals.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)—Jessica Madsen had 20 points as the Duchesne Lady Eagles tripped up the Meridian Lady Mongooses, 46-28 in Thursday’s quarterfinals at the 1A state tournament. Rachel Allen posted nine points in the loss for Meridian.

(ROOSEVELT)—A man fatally shot by a police officer in eastern Utah has been identified. Police say 44-year-old Gary Wheeler was shot Wednesday in Duchesne County while still behind the wheel of an allegedly stolen pickup truck after he rammed a police car with it twice. Roosevelt police officer J.T. Bird is on administrative leave while authorities investigate the shooting. Wheeler, a Magna resident, had allegedly burglarized a tire store. Roosevelt Police Chief Rick Harrison says he thinks Wheeler was preparing to run over Bird, who had gotten out of his car after it was rammed and disabled. Bird fired and Wheeler died at the scene. A passenger in the truck was booked into the Duchesne County Jail on suspicion of burglary and vehicle theft.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—A United Airlines flight out of Denver was diverted to Salt Lake International around 10:00 a.m. after a bomb threat on board that plane. The threat was found on a note but it’s not known what was said. Flight 741 was on its way to San Francisco and airport officials confirm there were 193 passengers and 6-crew members on board. Airport spokeswoman Barbara Gann says a flight attendant found the note, but did not say where the note was discovered or whether any passengers came in contact with it. The Boeing 757 is currently parked at the northwest corner of the airport on runway 34, away from the terminals. Passengers were evacuated from the plane onto waiting buses, which took them to the airport’s International Terminal for questioning by FBI agents. Crews unloaded baggage from the plane for inspection while a bomb-sniffing dog spent 30 minutes checking out those bags before going onto the plane. The FBI, ATF, Salt Lake City Fire Department and airport officials are involved in the investigation. FBI officials are not releasing many details because the investigation is ongoing. Gann says the incident has not affected airport operations and that flights are still coming in and out of Salt Lake City as scheduled.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—The NAACP is shocked that a Utah state lawmaker is suggesting that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and a Utah gunmaker share a holiday. Senator Mark Madsen of Eagle Mountain is sponsoring SB247 which would force the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday to be shared with a state holiday recognizing the birthday of Ogden gunmaker John Browning. King’s birthday is always celebrated on the third Monday of January while Browning’s birthday is believed to be around January 21. He died at the age of 71 in 1926. The local president of the NAACP, Jeanetta Williams, says she’s furious. Nevertheless, some GOP lawmakers don’t necessarily oppose the proposal while majority leader Scott Jenkins of Plain City told the Deseret News that guns are used to help keep peace. Madsen says he wants an established holiday to recognize Browning, who had 128 gun patents, but he’ll find another day if his proposal becomes a race issue. Williams says she believes lawmakers are now looking at alternative dates.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—Enrollment at Utah’s public colleges and universities has grown nearly 10 percent this spring semester over the same period last year. Thursday, the Utah System of Higher Education said enrollment increased by more than 13,000 students, the largest year-over-year increase in the system’s history. The enrollment growth comes at a time state colleges are slashing their budgets, resulting in larger classes, fewer services and some programs being eliminated.

(CLINTON)—A 12-year-old Clinton boy is accused of stabbing his grandmother after she took his cell phone away. According to the Deseret News, police were called to the woman’s home last Saturday afternoon on reports of a domestic disturbance. They arrived to find the woman stabbed in the back with a kitchen knife. The victim told officers she was trying to discipline the boy by taking his phone and he reacted violently. The knife narrowly missed severing her spinal cord. The boy is now being evaluated by mental health professionals and will likely face an aggravated assault charge. The woman is expected to make a full recovery.

(ZION NATIONAL PARK)—Several climbing routes in Zion National Park will be closed for months to protect nursing peregrine falcons. Park officials say 11 cliffs will close to climbing as of March 1. The park is home to a high concentration of breeding peregrine falcons each spring and summer. The falcons, once federally protected, were taken off the endangered species list in 1999. The falcons like to nest and raise their young in the tall cliffs of the park and already the park has previously closed off climbing routes to protect the young falcons. The birds’ activities will be monitored by biologists and cliffs not being used will be reopened in May. Those hosting fledgling falcons will likely stay closed until midsummer.

(AMERICAN FORK) – Sen. Orrin Hatch faced a hostile crowd at a town meeting held at the American Fork Junior High School Wednesday night. The crowd of about 300 jeered Hatch saying he was out of touch with the voting public and more interested in raising money for candidates than listening to what the people had to say. Hatch countered that the Tea Party movement is fractionalizing the Republican Party leading to the election of more liberal politicians. He blamed the movement for the loss of Sen. Gordon Smith, a politically moderate but fiscally conservative Republican from Oregon. Hatch said Smith lost to Democrat Jeff Merkley, one of the most liberal senators, by 45,000 votes. He said he’s building a bloc of fiscally conservative Republicans who can rein in President Barack Obama’s policies.

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP)—Jimmer Fredette had 36 points and made 6 of 10 3-point attempts as the #14 Brigham Young Cougars hammered the Colorado State Rams, 90-72 Wednesday at Moby Arena in mens’ Top 25 college basketball action. Although Colorado State kept the game close through the game’s first 20 minutes, trailing only 38-28 at intermission, the Cougars scored 54 points in the latter stanza to win going away. Jackson Emery added 16 more points for Brigham Young, who improved to 24-3 on the season and 9-2 in Mountain West Conference play. Travis Franklin had 14 points to pace the Rams in the loss as they fell to 15-10. In other Top 25 action Wednesday, #4 Purdue edged #12 Ohio State, 60-57, #7 Kansas State outlasted Nebraska, 91-87, #6 Duke tripped up Miami (Fla.), 81-74, #13 Butler dismantled Illinois-Chicago, 73-55, #8 West Virginia crushed Providence, 88-74, #20 Temple waxed St. Bonaventure, 73-55, #18 Tennessee got past Georgia, 69-60, Missouri upset #17 Texas, 82-77 and #15 New Mexico walloped Wyoming, 83-61.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)—Tasha Reilly had 24 points for the Duchesne Lady Eagles as they pummeled the Wayne Lady Badgers, 65-38 Wednesday in the 1A state girls quarterfinals at the Sevier Valley Center. Amanda Grundy and Brittani Nelson had nine points apiece for the Lady Badgers in the loss.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)—Estee Arts posted 19 points for the Meridian Lady Mongooses in a 41-39 win over the Bryce Valley Lady Mustangs at the Sevier Valley Center in the 1A state girls quarterfinals Wednesday. Lesha LeFevre had 11 points in defeat for Bryce Valley.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)—Whitney Fieldsted posted 19 points for the Altamont Lady Longhorns in a 46-35 win over the Monticello Lady Buckaroos Wednesday in the 1A state girls quarterfinals at the Sevier Valley Center. Swayzi Slade had 16 points in the loss for Monticello.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)—Kalani Norris had 16 points and Shelby Taylor added 14 more for the Panguitch Lady Bobcats as they humbled the St. Joseph Lady Jayhawks, 45-27 at the Sevier Valley Center in the 1A state girls quarterfinals Wednesday. Katie Panushka had eight points in the loss for St. Joseph.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)—Kandice Gleave posted 20 points and Amanda Bagley added 16 more as the Piute Lady Thunderbirds dismantled the Tabiona Lady Tigers, 71-31 Wednesday in the 1A state girls quarterfinals at the Sevier Valley Center. Shantaya Strebel had eight points in the loss for Tabiona.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)—Jenny Burns amassed 15 points and Bridgett Grahmann added 13 more as the Intermountain Christian Lady Lions overpowered the Green River Lady Pirates, 49-37 Wednesday at the Sevier Valley Center in 1A state girls quarterfinals action. Sarah Swalberg had 19 points in defeat for Green River.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)—Ashley Argyle had 14 points and Maud Peart added 13 more as the Rich Lady Rebels decimated the Valley Lady Buffaloes, 53-23 in the 1A state girls quarterfinals Wednesday at the Sevier Valley Center. Nikki Milligan had 14 points in the loss for the Lady Buffs.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)—Austin Billie and Stephanie Hamm had nine points apiece to lead the Whitehorse Lady Raiders to a narrow 47-43 win over the Milford Lady Tigers Wednesday at the Sevier Valley Center in the 1A state girls quarterfinals. Andrea Mayer had 23 points in the loss for Milford.

(DUCHESNE COUNTY)—Police are investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting in Roosevelt. Wednesday, around 5:30 a.m., a Roosevelt police officer saw a broken window at a Big O Tire and a white GMC leaving the scene. The officer tried to pull over the driver, but the driver refused to stop. A chase through Roosevelt then ensued. Police say the driver of the GMC then rammed into the patrol vehicle at one point and took off. The suspect vehicle then hit the patrol car a second time, near 700 South and 400 East and disabled the patrol car. According to the police, the officer got out of the patrol car and shots were fired as the driver of the GMC was killed. A passenger inside the vehicle was not injured. The officer has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. Police have not released the name of the suspect.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—The U.S. Geological Survey reports domestic copper production declined in 2009 due to the global recession and depressed market prices. The federal agency says Utah ranks second behind Arizona for domestic copper production which declined by about 9 percent to 1.2 million tons. The agency says copper prices fell from $3.65 a pound on the London Metal Exchange to less than half that as the global recession took hold during 2008. Prices started a gradual recovery during 2009, but plentiful supplies will keep copper production in check for 2010. Kennecott Utah Copper is a major producer. The company’s Bingham Mine, once a broad 8,000-foot mountain in the Oquirrh Range, has been reduced to the world’s deepest man-made hole over a century of mining.

(RICHFIELD) – Richfield City is the host city for the Utah Wildfire Academy where over 400 firefighters statewide attend training classes for future firefighting efforts. Sevier County Special Events Coordinator, Kevin Arrington says this academy is a big help for firefighters in their training and a big boost to city businesses. Arrington said in the past, academy attendees slept in tents set up at the SVC but over the years, some have changed their minds. He addressed County Commissioners at today’s bi-monthly meeting to request $3,000 to go towards funding the academy. Commissioners approved the request. The Wildfire Academy will be held at the SVC on the Snow College-Richfield Campus May 17-21.

(SALT LAKE CITY) – A judge in a federal criminal case involving bogus bidding on oil and gas leases in December of 2008 has postponed the trial of environmental activist Tim DeChristopher. According to court reports, DeChristopher’s trial was postponed to hold a hearing on a defense motion arguing that the government is selectively prosecuting DeChristopher. The defense team claims that energy company employees at the auction made bids they didn’t follow through on and they weren’t prosecuted. At that auction, DeChristopher bid up prices by hundreds of thousands of dollars on some parcels and won 13 other parcels while acknowledging he had no intention or capacity to pay $1.7 million for the leases. He was indicted in April of 2008 on felony charges of interfering with a government auction and making false representation. The judge in the case will hold a hearing on March 15 and decide whether to reschedule a trial.

SAN DIEGO (AP)—Jene Morris had 16 of her 23 points in the first half, a stanza which saw San Diego State amass 49 points, as the Lady Aztecs decimated the #25 Texas Christian Lady Horned Frogs, 84-61 Tuesday in Top 25 womens’ college basketball action. Paris Johnson added 19 points for San Diego State, who improved to 15-9 with the win. TK LaFleur posted 18 points in the loss for the Lady Frogs who fell to 19-6. In other Top 25 action Tuesday, #18 Virginia hammered Longwood, 81-40, #8 West Virginia got past Rutgers, 55-51 and #23 St. John’s upset #3 Notre Dame, 76-71.

HOUSTON (AP)—Mehmet Okur had 21 points and eight rebounds and Paul Millsap added 20 points and 12 boards as the streaking Utah Jazz won their 10th game in their last 11 outings with a 104-95 victory over Houston Tuesday at Toyota Center. The Jazz built an early 10-point lead before the Rockets used a 32-21 surge in the 2nd Quarter to briefly take control. Nevertheless, the resilient Jazz managed to outscore the Rockets, 28-21 in the crucial 4th Quarter to improve to 33-19 on the season. Incidentally, despite being a traditionally mediocre road team, the Jazz won their fifth game in their last six road outings with the win at Houston. Aaron Brooks and David Andersen had 18 points apiece in the loss for the Rockets, which dropped them to 27-25. In other NBA action Tuesday, Miami scorched Philadelphia, 105-78, New Jersey dismantled Charlotte, 103-94, Detroit crushed Minnesota, 108-85, Chicago decimated New York, 118-85, Oklahoma City stormed past Dallas, 99-86, Phoenix hammered Memphis, 109-95, Portland bludgeoned the Los Angeles Clippers, 109-87, Boston outlasted Sacramento, 95-92 and the Los Angeles Lakers bested Golden State, 104-94.

(GUNNISON) – The South Sanpete School District has announced the 49th Annual Sterling Scholars Competition to get underway on Wednesday for the first round of elimination. Those competing from Gunnison Valley High School include, Dixie Sorenson in English, Jonathan Warren in Speech and Drama, Cami Carlisle in Math and Sage Lund in Social Science. Other competitors include, Morgan Cejudo in Foreign Language, Selisha Jensen in Visual Arts and Jacob Johnson in Computer and Information Technology. Rayel Sorenson will represent the school in Science, Jayden James in Trade and Technical Education, Shaylee Bosshardt in Family and Consumer Science and Katlin Jensen in Business and Marketing Education. Rounding out the competition are Carisa Allred in Music, Kayla Bartholomew in Dance, Connor Dyreng in Agriculture and Wyatt Hopkins in the General Scholarship category. Those who make it through the initial cut will compete in the final round on March 3

(SALT LAKE CITY)—Utah’s 2011 budget will be $50 million less than originally forecast. New revenue estimates released Tuesday show the state’s upcoming budget will be about $11.2 billion. This year’s budget is about $11.5 billion. The estimates are based on an economic forecast and are the final figures lawmakers will be provided before setting the budget in the legislative session that ends March 11. Lawmakers will consider slashing state budgets further, hiking taxes or tapping into a rainy day fund that has more than $400 million left in it to make up for additional losses in revenue.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—Utah won’t be abandoning daylight savings time. Tuesday, lawmakers voted down a proposal that would have kept Utah on Mountain Standard Time the entire year, rather than switching between standard and daylight time each spring and fall. Representative Ken Sumison of American Fork says he doesn’t care whether Utah’s on Mountain Standard Time or Mountain Daylight Time but says the state needs to pick one and stick with it. A Utah House committee disagreed. House Bill 288 was defeated on a 6-3 vote.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—Utah Republican Senator, Chris Buttars of West Jordan, is getting a lot of attention for his proposal to save the state money by getting rid of the 12th grade. Appearing on CNN Tuesday morning, Buttars was asked about how he came up with the idea, and why it will not hurt students who are already motivated in their education. The Utah State Commissioner of Higher Education, William Sederburg, says while he respects Buttars’ view, graduation requirements should be made more stringent so students are required to take tougher classes their senior year. Buttars says his bill would save the state $120 million a year. It is now being debated in the Senate.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—The Utah House will consider preventing state agencies from complying with the federal Real ID act. The act is intended to prevent drivers license forgeries by requiring enhanced security measures. Orem Republican, Stephen Sandstrom, says it’s an example of the federal government overstepping its bounds. About a dozen other states have already passed measures preventing state agencies from implementing the requirements of Real ID. Residents of states that fail to comply with the act may not be allowed to board airplanes or enter federal buildings in the future with their drivers licenses. On Friday, a Utah House committee unanimously approved House Bill 234. It will likely be debated by the full House later this week.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—Utah officials say that if there are too many bighorn sheep on Antelope Island, the first option should be finding a home for them someplace else. If this doesn’t work, hunting could be another option, according to the plan. The Utah Parks and Recreation Board approved the herd management plan last week. In 1996, 26 bighorn sheep were brought to the island, which sits in the Great Salt Lake. Today, there are around 100 sheep. As the population grows, sheep are occasionally relocated off the island. Other management plans will be developed for the island’s bison, pronghorn and mule deer.

(RICHFIELD) – An elderly Richfield man was taken to the hospital with injuries when another Richfield motorist hit him north of Richfield Monday afternoon. According to a UHP report, 88-year old, Earl Curtis was traveling northbound on SR-118 in a 2007 Ford Edge, when he slowed to make a left turn on 600 North and was hit from behind at about 2:45pm. The report said that 58-year old, Mark Hansen of Richfield was also driving northbound in a 2001 Chevy Silverado, when he attempted to pass Curtis and struck him. Curtis was not wearing a seatbelt and was transported to the Sevier Valley Medical Center in Richfield with unknown injuries. Hansen was wearing his seatbelt and was not injured. He was cited for failure to yield.

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP)—Xavier Henry, Cole Aldrich and Marcus Morris each had 12 points and the #1 Kansas Jayhawks got past the #23 Texas A&M Aggies, 59-54 Monday at Reed Arena in Top 25 mens’ college basketball action. Although the win was the 11th in a row for Kansas, it did not come easy as the Jayhawks needed a late 7-2 run to pull out the victory over the scrappy Aggies. David Loubeau had 17 points to lead Texas A&M in the loss. The win improved the Jayhawks to 25-1 on the season while the Aggies fell to 18-7. In other Top 25 action Monday, Connecticut upset Villanova, 84-75.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—Nearly 100 Salt Lake County employees have taken early retirement since the county began offering new incentives about a year ago. Darrin Casper, the county’s chief financial officer, says the departures have helped avoid layoffs as the county deals with a budget crunch. The county has offered retirement incentives to longtime employees twice in the last 14 months in an effort to trim its workforce. The latest offer includes 75 percent of accrued sick leave plus a $5,000 stipend for each year of employment above 30 years. County officials say as many as a dozen more workers may take early retirement by the end of March. The county has also left more than 300 positions vacant for a savings of nearly $20 million.

(RIVERDALE)—A private Christian school in Riverdale has announced plans to sell its elementary school and stop its elementary education program. Officials at Christian Heritage School say they plan to sell the elementary building to Good Foundations Academy, which hopes to start operations later this year. Steve Diehl, the interim headmaster for Christian Heritage Academy, says there are currently about 210 students enrolled in the elementary program. The school, which is facing a budget crunch, laid off 12 employees but it wasn’t enough to make up the deficit. Lawmakers approved funding for the Good Foundations school for the 2011-12 school year but officials are hoping to move the funding up so the school can open in August.

(FILLMORE) – A senior at Millard High School in Fillmore is the recipient of a scholarship provided by Utah’s newest and largest wind farm. Boston-based First Wind recently awarded 17-year old, Kelsey Mitchell a $3,000 scholarship to be used at a college of her choice. Carol Grant, senior vice-president of external affairs at First Wind, said the reason for awarding the scholarship was to give back to the school due to the ingenuity of a local teacher and his students, who played a big role in making the Milford Wind Corridor a reality. More than a dozen students helped Millard High engineering and technology instructor, Andy Swapp calculate data from a small turbine he set up at his farm, resulting in many inquiries from wind energy businesses across the country. The project has grown to 97 wind turbines with the capacity to generate clean, renewable energy to power approximately 45,000 homes per year in Southern California. The project became operational in November of 2008 and has created more than 250 development and construction jobs and resulted in more than $85 million in economic benefits to Utah.

AKRON, Ohio (AP)—Ohio State’s Christina Manning placed first in the womens’ 100 and 200-meter dashes to headline strong showings for numerous athletes scattered throughout the Midwest Saturday at the Akron Invitational. Additionally, the Dayton Lady Flyers were represented well by wins from Liz Coorey in the womens’ mile run and Maureen Bulgrin in the 3000-meter dash. As for the men, Akron’s Phil Ferguson placed first in the 60 and 200-meter dashes while his teammate Tyshaun Peoples won the 60-meter hurdles.

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP)—Arizona’s Luis Rivera-Morales placed first in the mens’ long jump to headline strong showings for numerous athletes in the Southwest Saturday at the 2010 NAU Invitational. Additionally, Arizona’s women were bolstered by Elizabeth Patterson’s win in the high jump, while Constance Ezugha of Arizona State placed first in the womens’ long jump. Other wins came from Arizona’s Nick Ross in the mens’ high jump and Southern Utah’s Christina Day in the womens’ 400-meter dash and Austin Hill in the mens’ 400-meter dash.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP)—Kimberly Williams of Florida State took the womens’ triple jump crown to lead the way for numerous athletes scattered throughout the South at the Tyson Invitational Saturday. Additionally, Nebraska’s Audrey Svane won the womens’ high jump while Oklahoma’s Sara Pappas won the pole vault. As for the men, Georgia’s Torrin Lawrence took the 400-meter dash title while Liberty’s Josh Edmonds took the 5000-meter dash crown. Meanwhile, Eric Kynard of Kansas State placed first in the high jump and Ryan Whiting of Arizona State won the shot put title.

CLEMSON, S.C. (AP)—Ikeiylah Brown of Coastal Carolina placed first in the 60-meter dash to lead the way for numerous athletes scattered throughout the southeast Saturday at the Tiger Paw Invitational at Clemson University. Additionally, Georgia Tech’s Melanie Akwule took the 60-meter hurdles crown while her teammate Annie Martin placed first in the 1000-meter dash. As for the men, Cornelius Tyler of Charleston Southern took the 400-meter dash crown and Joey Thompson of UNC-Greensboro placed first in the 800-meter dash.

SEATTLE (AP)—Oregon’s Nicole Blood placed first in the womens’ 5000-meter dash to headline the strong showings of numerous athletes scattered throughout the Northwest Friday at the 2010 Husky Classic. Additionally, Aaron Braun of Adams State won the mens’ 5000-meter dash to conclude competition on the day. The meet will resume Saturday.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP)—Amber Riley of Auburn won the womens’ 400-meter dash to lead the way for numerous athletes scattered throughout the south and southwest Friday at the Tyson Invitational at the University of Arkansas. Additionally, Tulsa’s Paula Whiting won the womens’ mile run while Kimberly Ruck of Clemson won the 5000-meter dash. As for the men, Brian Laskowski of Miami (Fla.) placed first in the 800-meter dash and Sam Chelanga of Liberty won the 5000-meter dash. The meet will resume Saturday.

CLEMSON, S.C. (AP)—Clemson’s Alyssa Kulik placed first in the womens’ 5000-meter dash to lead the way on her home track in the Tiger Paw Invitational Friday. Georgia Tech’s women were also represented well as Annie Martin placed first in the 1000-meter dash while Shelby Kittrell of North Florida won the womens’ 5000-meter dash. As for the men, South Alabama’s Zac Edwards won the 5000-meter dash while Charlotte’s Darius Law took the 500-meter dash title. The meet will resume Saturday.

SALT LAKE CITY (AP)—The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame named an elite list of players, coaches and teams as finalists who will be considered for election to the Springfield, Mass.-based Hall in 2010. Among the inductees on the list are former Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Lakers power forward Karl Malone. Also headlining the list is Malone’s longtime teammate with the Utah Jazz, John Stockton, who was instrumental in Malone’s 14 NBA All-Star game appearances and two league MVP awards. The announcement was made in Dallas Friday in conjunction with other NBA All-Star game festivities. The Class of 2010 will officially be announced Monday April 5 at a news conference in Indianapolis prior to the NCAA Division I mens’ basketball tournament championship game. A finalist needs 18 of 24 votes from the Honors committee for election into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The Class of 2010 will be enshrined during Hall of Fame induction festivities at Springfield, Mass. August 13.

(WEBER COUNTY)—The Weber County Sheriff’s Office has announced a man who so desperately wanted to become a deputy that he produced a fake badge off the Internet, has no chance of ever becoming one. Office captain Klint Anderson said the aspiring deputy, 22-year-old Cooper Griffin, gave his phony badge to an ex-girlfriend as a present. After her suspicion was aroused, she called North Ogden police who then turned it over to the county, thinking it belonged to them. The sheriff’s office discovered it to be a fraud which is troublesome because many stories of people pretending to be officers have often robbed or assaulted innocent citizens. Anderson said he thought Griffin had pure intentions, but impersonating an officer is still a Class B misdemeanor. Griffin has subsequently been booked into he Weber County Jail.

(LOGAN)—A Tremonton teen who was seriously injured in a multi-car crash in Sardine Canyon last week has died. The boy, identified as Michael B. Higley, was one of two 17-year-olds in a car that was involved in a February 1 crash. The Utah Highway Patrol has said a moving truck crossed the center line of U.S. 89/91 and hit two passenger cars head-on. Robert L. Smith of Wellsville, who was in the other car hit head-on, was killed instantly. Utah Highway Patrol Lieutenant Lee Perry says Higley died Wednesday at an Ogden hospital. The other teen who was in the car remains in intensive care. The driver of the moving truck was treated for minor neck injuries and released.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—Utah lawmakers may take action on a number of bills that would dramatically alter the state retirement system. A Senate committee is scheduled to vote on the retirement measures from Senator Dan Liljenquist Friday. Liljenquist’s reforms would largely reinvent the state pension fund for new employees hired after a certain date. The economic meltdown in 2008 left many pension funds shortchanged and other states have made similar changes. The crisis stripped Utah of $6.5 billion and returns in 2009 did little to alleviate losses. Liljenquist, a Bountiful-based Republican, says his main goal is to keep the system fit for the state’s current and retired employees.

(DELTA)—Delta is preparing for its Snow Goose Festival at Gunnison Bend Reservoir, just west of town next weekend. The three-day event starts next Friday, February 19 and admission is free. Utah Division of Wildlife Resources officials say up to 20,000 snow geese have been spotted at festivals in previous years. Except for black tips on their wings, snow geese are pure white. State officials will provide spotting scopes and biologists will also be on hand to answer questions.

(RICHFIELD) – The Richfield City Council is revisiting some agenda items with the Planning Commission concerning Zoning Code changes on construction of metal buildings and the placing of storage containers in residential areas of the city. At issue is what types and sizes of metal buildings can be constructed on private property within the city limits and the use of storage containers. Both the Council and Planning Commission oppose the permanent use of storage containers within the city limits and can only be used on a temporary basis. At the city council meeting this week, the council said Planning members want metal buildings to be in harmony with existing structures on private property but some councilmembers question what “in harmony” means. Councilmembers Bryan Burrows and Mike Turner say what’s “in harmony” to some Planners may be different to other members, officials and the public. The general consensus of the council is that some members of the Planning Commission are going too far in their personal opinions on the construction of metal buildings. The discussion between the Planners and Council will continue in future meetings.

(SALT LAKE CITY) – Leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints are saying the battle over same-sex marriage is endangering religious beliefs in political debates. Elder Lance B. Wickman, an attorney for the LDS Church and member of the Quorum of the Seventy, said the greatest challenge facing the Church is the worldwide slide downward regarding the place of religion in the public square. Wickman, speaking at the J. Reuben Clark Law Society Conference Thursday night at the University of Utah, cited the Proposition 8 initiative, passed by California voters in 2008, that would limit marriage to being between a man a woman. Wickman commented that in a current federal court case of Perry v. Schwarzenegger, Prop 8 is being challenged and portends to define not just marriage but the ground rules for all future political debate as well. He said Perry seeks a court declaration that, as a matter of law, religious views may not be use to justify the denial of a social civil right. Wickman says the case essentially claims that the voters, from whom all authority in a democracy flows, may not consider religious views and values when deciding alleged social and cultural civil rights.

OTTAWA (AP)—Jason Spezza, Milan Michalek, Daniel Alfredsson, Chris Neil, Chris Phillips and Alexei Kovalev each scored and the Ottawa Senators outgunned the Washington Capitals, 6-5 Thursday at Scotiabank Place in NHL action. Brian Elliott added 19 saves for the Senators who won for the 13th time in their past 14 games to improve to 35-22-4. Alexander Semin amassed a hat trick in the loss for the Capitals, while Tomas Fleischmann and Jeff Schultz also scored for Washington, who fell to 41-13-7 with the loss. In other NHL action Thursday, Carolina downed Buffalo, 4-3 in overtime, San Jose clipped Detroit, 3-2 in a shootout, Boston gashed Tampa Bay, 5-4, Vancouver blanked Florida, 3-0, Dallas tripped up Calgary, 3-1 and Edmonton humbled Los Angeles, 3-2 in a shootout.

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP)—Elias Harris had 19 points and Matt Bouldin added 18 more as the #11 Gonzaga Bulldogs won 20 games for the 13th consecutive season with an 80-61 rout of the Saint Mary’s Gaels Thursday at the McCarthey Athletic Center in mens Top 25 college basketball action. Robert Sacre also stepped up with 13 points for the Bulldogs, who shot 54 percent from the field in the win. Omar Samhan had 21 points and 11 boards in the loss for the Gaels. In other Top 25 action Thursday, #15 Butler bested Youngstown State, 68-57.

CASTLE DALE, Utah (AP)—Taylor Mann had 21 points and the Emery Lady Spartans crushed the Delta Lady Rabbits, 65-43 Thursday in Region 12 girls basketball action. Kaity Diaz had 13 points in the loss for Delta.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)—Brooke Bliss posted 16 points and the Richfield Lady Wildcats decimated the Juab Lady Wasps, 65-34 in Region 12 girls basketball action Thursday. Kiz Farrer had 15 points in the loss for Juab.

MT. PLEASANT, Utah (AP)—Erica Draper had 15 points for the North Sanpete Lady Hawks in a 55-24 rout of Manti Thursday in Region 12 girls basketball action. Shauri Lyon had eight points in the loss for the Lady Templars.

FILLMORE, Utah (AP)—Calli Jackson keyed a balanced scoring attack with eight points as the Kanab Cowgirls overpowered the Millard Lady Eagles, 36-22 in Region 13 girls basketball action Thursday. Keri Brunson paced Millard with nine in the loss.

BEAVER, Utah (AP)—Hannah Snyder had 12 points for the Beaver Lady Beavers in a 42-27 win over the Parowan Lady Rams Thursday in Region 13 girls basketball action.

SALINA, Utah (AP)—Sydney Asper amassed 21 points and McKinzie Robins added 18 more as the North Sevier Lady Wolves hammered the Gunnison Lady Bulldogs, 62-15 in Region 15 girls basketball action Thursday. Amberlyn Stratton had five points in defeat for Gunnison.

PANGUITCH, Utah (AP)—Lindsay Phillips had 27 points but it wasn’t enough as the Escalante Lady Moquis fell to the Milford Lady Tigers, 46-33 Thursday at the Region 20 tournament.

PANGUITCH, Utah (AP)—Kalani Norris had 20 points for the Panguitch Lady Bobcats stonewalled the Bryce Valley Lady Mustangs, 47-28 at the Region 20 tournament Thursday. Ashley Nelson had nine points in the loss for Bryce Valley.

PANGUITCH, Utah (AP)—Amanda Bagley had 20 points and Kandice Gleave added 19 more as the Piute Lady Thunderbirds drilled the Valley Lady Buffaloes, 69-47 Thursday at the Region 20 tournament. Kayla Maxwell posted 19 points in the loss for Valley.

(LOGAN)—A man who pleaded guilty in the 2008 death of a woman whose body was found by a fisherman near the banks of the Logan River has been sentenced to 15 years in prison. Robert W. Ferretti, of Pueblo, Colo., was arrested in March 2009. He was charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of 33-year-old Tiffany Britt Jarmon. In January, the 44-year-old Ferretti pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and an obstructing justice charge against him was dropped. On Wednesday at sentencing, he told a judge he wanted to withdraw his guilty plea but prosecutors told him he couldn’t without showing a good faith reason for doing so. Prosecutors have said detectives linked Ferretti to the slaying when they found Jarmon’s blood in an SUV registered to him.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—Utah lawmakers have passed a bill asking the federal government to remove wolves in the state from the endangered species list. The House approved Senate Bill 36 on Wednesday 47-23. It now advances to the governor. Removing wolves from the endangered species list would allow the state to manage wolves. Wolves rarely show up in Utah and they’re federally protected in all but the state’s northeastern corner. Republican Senator Allen Christensen of North Ogden has said he doesn’t want the state to be a safe haven for the animals, which he calls dangerous predators. Under the bill, the state would ask the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to remove any wolves found in protected areas in Utah. Rural lawmakers in the state fear wolves would pose a significant threat to livestock and wildlife.

(SPRINGVILLE)—Firefighters spent five hours Wednesday battling a Springville house fire. The home, located near 700 South and 700 East, has had extensive remodeling done, including additions, which posed problems for firefighters. The additions created dead air spaces throughout the attic and once the fire reached the attic, flames spread quickly into those spaces. Around noon earlier in the day, the homeowner reported he smelled smoke near his wood burning stove. He put out what fire was there but the fire had already spread to the attic. Around 4:00 p.m., smoke and fire alarms went off in the house while the family of four got out unharmed and called 911. Firefighters arrived on the scene within minutes and were eventually assisted by the Mapleton Fire Department but struggled to contain the flames well into the evening. There is no estimate of damage done to the home. The family is now staying with friends.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—A group of conservative Utah lawmakers wants to use eminent domain to take federal lands in the state. The goal is to spark a legal fight supporters believe will result in the state being allowed to develop resource rich parcels of land. More than 60 percent of Utah is owned by the federal government and policy makers have long complained federal ownership hinders the ability to generate tax revenue and adequately fund public schools. Utah spends less per student than any state and has among the nation’s largest class sizes. Legislation to allow the use of eminent domain on federal lands was introduced in the Utah House Thursday.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—A former West Valley City police officer has pleaded guilty to a felony charge stemming from his attempt to arrange a sexual encounter with a juvenile over the Internet. Douglas L. Paulsen was originally charged with six felonies and a misdemeanor in 2nd District Court. In a deal with Davis County prosecutors, last week the 41-year-old pleaded guilty to one third-degree felony count of dealing harmful materials to a minor. The other charges were dropped. Paulsen is facing up to five years in prison at his March 30 sentencing. Paulsen worked for West Valley City’s police and was a high school resource officer. He was arrested October 6 at a Layton mall and police said he communicated with an undercover officer posing as a 15-year-old for a month.

(Ephraim) The old Ephraim Elementary Building has been sold to Snow College. The South Sanpete School District agreed to sell the building at it Board meeting on February 10th for one-point-five million dollars to be paid over twenty years at a rate of seventy-five thousand dollars per year. The building and property will be transferred to the college as soon as it is vacated by the district this summer. The college has tentative plans to demolish the two older wings of the building, but use the newer portion for some of its educational programs. The money from the sale will be applied directly to the districts debt payment for its building program. The new Ephraim Elementary is expected to be completed by the start of next school year. According to District officials, the old Gunnison Elementary building and property will also be put up for sale in the coming weeks.

(MONROE) – The creator of the original Frisbee died Tuesday at his home in Monroe. 90-year old, Fred Morrison was born and raised in Richfield and was honored by Utah House Rep. Kay McIff on the House floor Wednesday. McIff said Morrison’s Frisbee found its way onto fields and playgrounds around the world and came with a set of simple instructions, written by his wife, Lu Nay, who died in 1987. The instructions simply said, “Flip, flap, flies straight.” During a Thanksgiving Day family picnic in 1937, Morrison and his wife tossed the lid of a popcorn tin back and forth for fun and eventually moved on to cake pans. Morrison was soon selling “Flying Cake Pans” for $.25 each on the beaches of Santa Monica, CA. The Frisbee had several name changes over the years, including the “Flyin-Saucer”, to take advantage of the UFO craze in the 1950’s and the “Pluto Platter” in 1957. Wham-O, a hunting-goods company, picked up Morrison’s invention and in 1959, changed the name for good to Frisbee. The company has sold more than 200 million Frisbees since marketing the toy, giving rise to the popular new sports, Ultimate Frisbee and Frisbee Golf. A gathering of friends and family will be held this Saturday at 1pm at the Cowboy Corral in Elsinore.

NORMAN, Okla. (AP)—Amanda Thompson amassed 19 points and 19 rebounds and the #12 Oklahoma Lady Sooners edged the #15 Baylor Lady Bears, 62-60 in overtime in Top 25 womens’ college basketball action Wednesday. Brittney Griner posted her second-consecutive triple-double with 17 points, 12 rebounds and 11 blocks for the Lady Bears, who fell to 17-6 in the loss. In other Top 25 action Wednesday, #1 Connecticut stymied DePaul, 95-62, #4 Nebraska got past Kansas, 67-60, #6 Xavier tripped up Saint Joseph’s, 63-56, Texas Tech upset #11 Texas A&M, 57-54, #13 Georgetown snuck past Pittsburgh, 66-63 and #24 Saint John’s decimated Louisville, 91-56.

SALT LAKE CITY (AP)—Pau Gasol had 22 points and 19 rebounds while Lamar Odom added 25 points and 11 boards as the Los Angeles Lakers, despite the absence of Andrew Bynum and Kobe Bryant, pummeled the Utah Jazz, 96-81 Wednesday at EnergySolutions Arena in NBA action. The Jazz were never able to get anything going against the Lakers who raced out to a 31-18 lead at the end of the 1st Quarter and never looked back. Andrei Kirilenko had 17 points in the loss for the Jazz who fell to 32-19. The win improved Los Angeles to 41-13. In other NBA action Wednesday, Miami scorched Atlanta, 94-76, Toronto downed Philadelphia, 104-93, Sacramento ousted Detroit, 103-97, Milwaukee gashed New Jersey, 97-77, New Orleans clipped Boston, 93-85, Orlando smacked Chicago, 107-87, Charlotte edged Minnesota, 93-92, Portland outlasted Phoenix, 108-101 and Golden State stonewalled the Los Angeles Clippers, 132-102.

(RICHFIELD) – The discussion over heights and widths of garages and accessory buildings in residential areas of Richfield occupied a good portion of the city council meeting Tuesday night. The council re-worked the sizes of the buildings in past work sessions and sent recommendations twice to the Planning Commission to come up with a size that would satisfy residents and the city council. The council had originally decided that a height of 25 feet would be sufficient but Planners rejected it and sent it back to the council for revision. Mayor Brad Ramsay and the council, along with comments from local builders, decided a height of 24 feet with a 16-foot height of walls off the property line should satisfy the Planning Commission. City officials said they’ll send the recommendations to the Planners to see what decision they’ll make and hopefully will have a decision by the next meeting.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—This spring, crews are expected to blast away a 30-foot slab of limestone hanging near the outside exit of Utah’s Timpanogos Cave that experts worry might fall on visitors. Tuesday, cave officials released an environmental analysis of the proposal, which also includes a new set of stairs and a sturdier roof near the cave’s exit. The national monument’s superintendent, Denis Davis, says falling rocks are a regular concern on the trail to the cave but the massive slab near the exit is particularly worrisome. He’s hoping to have the blasting complete in April and get work on the stairs done by mid-July. The cave receives about 80,000 visitors a year.

(SALT LAKE COUNTY)—A lack of funding could mean an early release for state inmates. The Salt Lake County Council has signed a resolution threatening to release state inmates from the County Jail if the legislature doesn’t approve enough funding to house them. The resolution was prompted by the Utah Association of Counties, which is also urging Davis, Weber and Utah counties to do the same. The Association’s executive director, Brent Gardner, tells the Salt Lake Tribune the state has only set aside less than half of the $15 million it needs to reimburse counties that house state inmates.

(SANDY)—A bankruptcy trustee for the owner of Kiddie Kandids says threats have been made against his clients. The Daily Herald reported that on Tuesday, trustee Duane H. Gillman asked U.S. Marshals be present at a creditor’s meeting next week involving the photography studio. While he would not detail the threats made, Gillman said the presence of the Marshals would make the meeting more “peaceable.” Kiddie Kandids closed its doors January 11 after not being able to meet payroll and other financial obligations. Currently, the company owes more than $1 million in wages and commission, and even more to investor Sorenson Capital. Additionally, thousands of Kiddie Kandids’ customers are upset at being unable to collect their prepaid photos or be reimbursed.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—A Utah Senate committee has approved a ban on the use of cell phones by some teen drivers. Senate Bill 113, proposed by Salt Lake City Democratic Senator Ross Romero, bans calls by those 17 and younger while behind the wheel. The Legislature has resisted an all-out cell phone ban for drivers of all ages in recent years. Romero says he proposed his measure after hearing from teens upset about friends being killed or injured in accidents. Tuesday, the committee approved Romero’s bill on a 4-1 vote. It now goes to the full Senate.

(RICHFIELD) – A private academy located in Richfield has won approval from the city council to expand their facility to a new building. Fieldstone Academy, a private school for male students who have learning disabilities, wants to move into the old First Security Bank building at 95 North 100 East. Expansion Coordinator, Jef Anderson says the move will help them serve a larger number of students. He said the academy is currently located at 80 East 1000 North in Richfield and helps students in grades 8-12. Zoning Administrator, Paul Hinrichs said the move for the academy required a change for use of the property and needed the council’s approval. After discussion on at-risk issues and other potential problems, the city council approved the change in the zoning code.

(RICHFIELD) – The Richfield City Council is holding discussions over improving the standard on public works projects. Building Inspector Paul Hinrichs, along with representatives from Jones and DeMille Engineering of Richfield, appeared before the council at Tuesday night’s meeting to present improvements in construction standards. They said the city needs to update its work project standards every five years because there’s a tendency to become complacent in following specifications. Jones and DeMille representatives said the city needs to have stricter instructions to developers in subdivision contracts, agreements, bond forms, certificates of insurance and general conditions. They recommended the city adopt the current editions of the Manual of Standard Specifications and Standard Plans within city limits. City officials said they would take the recommendations into consideration and vote on the matter in a future meeting.

CHICAGO (AP)—Kris Versteeg scored the winning goal in a shootout and Patrick Kane added two more scores as the Chicago Blackhawks outlasted the Dallas Stars, 4-3 Tuesday at United Center in NHL action. Antti Niemi added 24 saves for the Hawks, who improved to 39-15-5 with the win. Mike Ribeiro, James Neal and Loui Eriksson each scored in the loss for Dallas, which dropped them to 26-21-12. In other NHL action Tuesday, Boston edged Buffalo, 3-2 in a shootout, Carolina pummeled Florida, 4-1, the New York Islanders stymied Nashville, 4-3 in a shootout, Ottawa bested Calgary, 3-2, Tampa Bay stormed past Vancouver, 3-1 and St. Louis humbled Detroit, 4-3 in a shootout.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP)—Chris Wright had 21 points and Greg Monroe had 12 assists, greatly helping Georgetown’s transition offense as the #8 Georgetown Hoyas got past the Providence Friars, 79-70 Tuesday at Dunkin’ Donuts Center in mens’ Top 25 college basketball action. Julian Vaughn added 19 more points for the Hoyas who managed to overcome a 7-point second half deficit to win going away. The victory improved John Thompson III’s Hoyas to 18-5 on the season, while Providence slumped to 12-12. Jamine Peterson posted 23 points in the loss for the Friars. In other Top 25 action Tuesday, #2 Kentucky got past Alabama, 66-55, #6 Purdue got past #10 Michigan State, 76-64, #24 Vanderbilt embarrassed #12 Tennessee, 90-71 and Illinois upset #13 Wisconsin, 63-56.

ORDERVILLE, Utah (AP)—Clay Williams had 22 points as the Valley Buffaloes edged the Milford Tigers, 68-65 Tuesday in Region 20 boys basketball action.

JUNCTION, Utah (AP)—Tyson Westwood keyed a balanced scoring attack with 16 points and the Piute Thunderbirds hammered the Panguitch Bobcats, 71-49 in Region 20 boys basketball action Tuesday.

TROPIC, Utah (AP)—Kace Roundy posted 24 points and Kaden Chynoweth added 19 more as the Bryce Valley Mustangs outlasted the Wayne Badgers, 55-51 Tuesday in Region 20 boys basketball action. Zach Taylor had 14 points in the loss for Wayne.

ESCALANTE, Utah (AP)—Josh Curtis had 16 points and Zach Wood added 15 more as the Parowan Rams decimated the Escalante Moquis, 74-49 in Region 20 boys basketball action Tuesday. Daniel Munson had 17 points in the loss for Escalante.

MANTI, Utah (AP)—Abbie Kay and Tayler Jewkes had 14 points apiece and the Emery Lady Spartans bludgeoned the Manti Lady Templars, 73-37 in Region 12 girls basketball action Tuesday. Shauri Lyon had 10 points in the loss for Manti.

DELTA, Utah (AP)—Kaity Diaz and Maklee Bliss each had 12 points and the Delta Lady Rabbits stonewalled the Juab Lady Wasps, 50-32 Tuesday in Region 12 girls basketball action at the Palladium. Kiz Farrer had 12 points in defeat for Juab.

MT. PLEASANT, Utah (AP)—Brooke Bliss led the way with 17 points for the Richfield Lady Wildcats in a 70-38 rout of the North Sanpete Lady Hawks in Region 12 girls basketball action Tuesday. Kara Anderson had 12 points in the loss for North Sanpete.

BEAVER, Utah (AP)—Bonnie Yardley had 11 points for the Beaver Lady Beavers as they tripped up the Enterprise Lady Wolves, 42-29 Tuesday in Region 13 girls basketball action.

LAVERKIN, Utah (AP)—LaRisa Alldredge and Samantha Houston each had 11 points as the Kanab Cowgirls stormed past the Cross Creek Lady Bobcats, 56-18 Tuesday in Region 13 girls basketball action.

FILLMORE, Utah (AP)—Autumn Murphy posted 12 points and Tina Dalton added 11 more for the Parowan Lady Rams in a 36-30 win over the Millard Lady Eagles in Region 13 girls basketball action Tuesday. Brooke Rhodes had eight points in defeat for Millard.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—The former president of the only facility that can dispose of low-level radioactive waste for 36 states said Tuesday he wants to open a new disposal facility in Utah. Charles Judd stated EnergySolutions Inc.’s facility in Utah’s west desert is running out of space and can’t handle future waste from the decommissioning of nuclear power plants. He plans to build a new site on state land about three miles off of Interstate 80 in Tooele County. By building on state trust land, Judd says the state’s schools could reap a financial windfall. Judd is making his initial pitch at a time that the state is facing a $700 million budget shortfall, although he said it would be years before he could get his operation running. Judd said his company, Cedar Mountain Environmental, would not seek to import foreign low-level radioactive waste or depleted uranium. Meanwhile, EnergySolutions insists capacity is not a problem at its facility.

(BLUFFDALE)—Leaders of Bluffdale are scheduled to discuss and take a vote Tuesday night on whether or not to continue getting police protection from the newly-formed Unified Police Department. Bluffdale City Manager Mark Reid said the city is weighing three options, stick with the current UPD contract, using nearby Saratoga Springs’ police force or creating its own police force.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—The father of a 5-year-old girl who was murdered in 2006 has pleaded guilty to misdemeanor drug possession and child endangerment charges. Rickey Lee Norton entered the pleas Monday in 3rd District Court. The 33-year-old was sentenced to two years of probation and ordered to take substance abuse therapy and continue mental health therapy. Five other charges were dismissed. Norton was arrested last September in West Jordan while charges allege police found marijuana and a loaded handgun in his home while three children under the age of 6 were inside. His daughter, Destiny Norton, was missing for eight days in 2006 before police found her body stuffed in a plastic storage box in her neighbor’s cellar. The neighbor, Craig Gregerson, pleaded guilty to kidnapping and killing the girl. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

(SALT LAKE CITY) – The Utah State Legislature is in the middle of its 45-day session with several bills passed and others being considered. State Senator Ralph Okerlund of Monroe says he’s working on SB-60, a bill he is sponsoring concerning voluntary contributions to search and rescue teams in Utah counties. Okerlund said the purpose of the bill is to add funds to search and rescue teams statewide to use for training and equipment. He said the teams rely on out-of-state recreationists who use search and rescue when the need arises. Okerlund said people can purchase a card to contribute money to the organizations.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—The idea of linking classroom performance to teacher pay is gaining momentum on Utah’s Capitol Hill. The House Education Committee unanimously approved a resolution that establishes guidelines for a performance pay system for teachers. It now moves to the House for debate. The proposal, HJR3, is sponsored by Representative Marie Poulson of Cottonwood Heights, a former English teacher. The joint resolution recommends the system be based on numerous factors, such as promoting student achievement, supporting quality instruction, providing collaboration and being responsive to local needs. Poulson told the Deseret News she wants to ensure quality teachers are in every classroom. Critics tell the paper those things are difficult to standardize and pay based on test scores is a poor evaluation method. They also question the practicality of implementing merit pay. Currently, teachers are paid based on academic degrees, certification and years in the profession. A pilot program at Midway Elementary School in the Wasatch School District looks at tying teacher pay to student achievement, which could include test scores, teacher development, such as receiving additional training and attending seminars, and parent surveys.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—A House committee will consider a resolution that would urge the federal government to support a new nursing home for Utah’s veterans. House Resolution 9 would encourage the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to help Utah with efforts to build an additional home. Tuesday, the resolution to be considered says constructing the nursing home would express gratitude to veterans for their service. The Utah Department of Veterans Affairs currently runs a full-time facility in Salt Lake City and a partially operational one in Ogden. The resolution is being sponsored by Clearfield-based Republican Curtis Oda.

(SOUTH SALT LAKE)-Indoor sprinklers helped keep damage to a minimum during a fire at a South Salt Lake business Monday night. Fire officials say the sprinklers at Vortex Overhead Doors doused most of the flames before firefighters arrived on the scene around 10:00 p.m. They said a fire was burning near a truck parked inside the facility. The truck was destroyed and most of the business suffered only water and smoke damage. Damage is estimated at $80,000$90,000.

(SALT LAKE CITY) – The Beehive State is home to one of the most romantic cities in America. According to Amazon.com, Salt Lake City is one of the top 20 romantic cities, ranking eight on the list. The website reported that Alexandria, VA. took the number one spot. Miami, FL. is second. The rankings were based on sales data of things like romance novels, sex and relationship books, romantic comedy movies and Barry White CD’s.

(Ephraim) The annual legislative session is well under way at this point, and state leaders are grappling with how and where to trim from the budget. The state’s higher education institutions are bracing for additional cuts, on top of last year’s seventeen percent reduction in funding. Some of that was made of for in stimulus money, but that isn’t an option this year. Governor Herbert has proposed keeping the budget at the same level as last year following the stimulus boost. Even that would be difficult as all schools have seen double digit increases in enrollment. According to Greg Dart, Snow College’s Director of Media Relations and Student Services, there are other budget proposals that could impose cuts of up to twenty-four percent. The Higher Education Appropriations Committee is reviewing the proposals and will have a large influence in the final decision. According to Dart, the members of the committee, which come from both the House and Senate, are strong proponents of Higher Education and are not looking favorably on the proposals that would cut deeply into already slim budgets. Some schools have said that additional cuts could create fiscal emergencies, but Snow College President Scott Wyatt testified before the Legislature recently that whatever the final budget may wind up being, the school will continue to operate.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)—Kelley Cain had 19 points and the #5 Tennessee Lady Volunteers got past the #22 Vanderbilt Lady Commodores, 69-60 Monday in Top 25 womens college basketball action. The win improved the Lady Vols to 21-2 on the season, while Vandy fell to 17-7. Merideth Marsh had 19 points in the loss for the Lady Commodores. In other Top 25 action Monday, #6 Duke hammered #15 North Carolina, 79-51 and #24 Virginia waxed Maryland, 82-68.

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP)—Jason Terry had a season-high 36 points and Drew Gooden added 25 points and 10 rebounds as the Dallas Mavericks surged past the Golden State Warriors, 127-117 Monday at ORACLE Arena in NBA action. The Warriors raced out to a solid start by amassing 70 first half points but they failed to sustain their momentum as they eventually succumbed to Dallas’ superior depth. The Mavericks, who failed to lead before the 4th Quarter, outscored Golden State, 37-19 in the last stanza en route to their 32nd win of the season. Anthony Morrow had a season-high 33 points and 11 assists in the loss for the Warriors, who fell to 13-37. In other NBA action Monday, Orlando bested New Orleans, 123-117 and the Los Angeles Lakers overpowered San Antonio, 101-89.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—An ethics initiative sponsor says Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff has violated the state’s election laws and is requesting that the lieutenant governor’s office investigate his fundraising activities. Steve Maxfield says he filed a petition with Lieutenant Governor Greg Bell’s office Monday. Maxfield is one of the primary sponsors of The Peoples Right, which is seeking to ban corporate campaign contributions. Maxfield says Shurtleff has wrongfully used his political action committee in place of his office holder account. Shurtleff denied any wrongdoing, saying the petition is politically motivated. He said he and his campaign staff would fully cooperate with any investigation. A message was left with one of Bell’s office seeking comment.

(MAGNA)—Police are attempting to figure out why a driver hit a 14-year-old girl on her way to school Monday. The incident occurred around 7:00 a.m. near 8500 West and 2700 South in Magna while Unified Police Department Lieutenant Don Hutson said investigators are not sure why the car hit the girl. Hutson says the 20-year-old driver immediately stopped and stayed at the scene as she was obviously distressed. Hutson says the car hit the girl, who is currently in extremely critical condition, so hard that it knocked her shoes off, one of which landed 30 feet down the road. Investigators have taken routine blood samples from the driver and were at the scene for hours to ensure that their investigation was thorough. After the investigation is completed, the county attorney will decide if charges will be filed.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—State lawmakers are considering a measure that would let them abstain from voting on bills if they have a conflict of interest. Currently, lawmakers are required to vote on every bill if they’re in the room when a vote takes place, even if it directly benefits them. Under rules a Senate committee considered Monday, legislators would be allowed to abstain from voting on a bill if they believe it’s inappropriate to do so.

(PROMONTORY)—ATK Space Systems says the February 25 ground test at Promontory signals the end of the space shuttle program. NASA was supposed to replace the space shuttle with a new spaceship and launcher for travel to the moon and beyond. President Barack Obama, however, has proposed scrapping the new program for something different, leaving NASA’s longtime contractor in Utah with an uncertain future. Clearfield-based ATK Space Systems has laid off 970 workers in Utah since October, citing the phase-out of the space shuttle and the Minuteman III ballistic missile programs.

(CEDAR CITY) – A 38-year old Plain City woman was taken to the hospital and three passengers were injured after a semi crashed into the woman’s vehicle on I-15 between Cedar City and St. George Saturday afternoon. According to a UHP report, the woman was traveling northbound in a Chevrolet Malibu, when a semi, rounding a curve in the southbound lanes, went through a median and drove into oncoming traffic at about 2:30pm, hitting the Malibu. The woman was taken to the Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George in serious condition and later lifeflighted to the Intermountain Medical Center for arm and shoulder surgery. Her injuries were not considered life-threatening. The other occupants in the vehicle sustained minor injuries and were treated and released. The semi driver was not injured but was cited for failure to maintain the vehicle within its lane.

WASHINGTON (AP)—Alex Ovechkin amassed a hat trick and Mike Knuble scored the game-winner in overtime as the Washington Capitals edged the Pittsburgh Penguins, 5-4 Sunday at Verizon Center in NHL action. Jordan Staal and Sidney Crosby each scored a pair of goals in the loss for the Penguins in this matchup of Eastern Conference powers. The win, which saw the Capitals overcome a 4-1 second period deficit, improved them to 41-12-6 on the season while Pittsburgh fell to 35-22-2 on the season. In other NHL action Sunday, Boston blanked Montreal, 3-0.

CINCINNATI (AP)—Andy Rautins had 20 points and the #4 Syracuse Orange improved to 23-1 on the season with a 71-54 rout of the Cincinnati Bearcats Sunday at Fifth Third Arena in mens Top 25 college basketball action. The Orange shot 51 percent from the field on the afternoon and surrendered only 24 second half points en route to the easy victory. Ibrahima Thomas had 13 points in the loss for Cincinnati, which dropped them to 14-9. In other Top 25 action Sunday, #18 Ohio State bested Iowa, 68-58.

MIAMI (AP)—Again, this is a column, not your conventional article and I must honestly say the New Orleans Saints are worthy champions and showed why the NFL is my favorite sport far and away.

Yes, I do admit to having a crush on Ana Ivanovic, but if she isn’t competing in the finals of The French Open, Wimbledon, etc, I don’t want to watch tennis (at least on the womens’ side). As for the men, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are great but they’re often the only ones.

I do love the NBA as my second-favorite sport and rejoice in my Utah Jazz, Dallas Mavericks and even Milwaukee Bucks playing well overall (the Mavs need to pull out of their funk quickly though) but the NBA is still inferior to the NFL. As for college football, three letters, B C S, tend to infuriate me excessively.

College basketball is great, but is a notch below the NBA and thus also below the NFL. In the NHL, playoff hockey is compelling but that won’t occur until April.

The NFL is the greatest simply because of games like this. Who would have thought the New Orleans Saints would upset the mighty Indianapolis Colts with Peyton Manning (the greatest quarterback this game has seen as I’ve mentioned previously) at the helm at the top of his game?

To quote ESPN’s lovable commentator, Chris Berman, that’s why they play the game.

Things started out well enough for Indianapolis as Manning (31 of 45, 333 yards, TD, INT) led two scoring drives that gave the Colts a 10-0 lead at the end of the 1st Quarter.

However, from there, the Saints managed to keep Manning off the field, even utilizing a risky onside kick as they kicked off to commence the second half.

Naturally, New Orleans head coach Sean Payton’s magnificent Saints recovered the kick and only percolated in momentum.

When I commented on the New Orleans Saints’ official fan blog, Canal Street Chronicles (www.canalstreetchronicles.com if you’d like to visit) that I believed Payton’s expertise gave New Orleans a definitive advantage in the coaching department, it was nice to see my belief verified.

Payton may look like actor Frankie Munz (of “Malcolm in the Middle” and “My Dog Skip,” fame) and always look like he’s eating Sour Patch Kids during Saints games, but the man can coach and on the football field that’s all that matters when it comes down to it.

As for the game’s MVP, Drew Brees (32 of 39, 288 yards, 2 TD’s), he utilized pinpoint accuracy and adroit leadership to lead the Saints to victory.

Brees is not only a magnificent quarterback who has won the hearts and minds of New Orleans denizens with his stellar play and majestic leadership on the field, off the field he has also done many wondrous things.

Perhaps some of you know that Brees visited the Beaver County Jail four years ago.

While there, he signed a football for the inmates and gave autographs to anyone who wanted them. Brees did not tell why he came but he went about his business, made people happy and then, like the gallant Don Quixote figure he is, went wherever the wind carried him doing good and working on becoming one of the best quarterbacks the NFL has seen in this generation.

It will take several more years for Brees to hold a candle to Manning’s overall greatness but if he continues on his path for the next several years, he definitely belongs in the Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio upon his retirement.

Ultimately, I was just glad to have a Super Bowl where both teams were rife with good people. Thus, there is no expectation of disappointment once the game ends regardless of who emerges triumphant.

The NFL offseason commences now, but there’s still much to be done and hopefully my Denver Broncos are in this position next season.

After all, in the majestic National Football League, to quote Boston Celtics star Kevin Garnett: ANYTHING IS POSSIBLLLLLLLE!

GUNNISON, Utah (AP)—Jantz Jensen had 11 points to lead the Gunnison Bulldogs to a 50-49 win over the San Juan Broncos Saturday in Region 15 boys basketball action.

PAROWAN, Utah (AP)—Josh Curtis posted 14 points to lead the Parowan Rams to a 56-53 win over the Valley Buffaloes in non-region boys basketball action Saturday. Lance Maxwell had 20 points in the loss for Valley.

BLANDING, Utah (AP)—Kelsi Meyer had 24 points for the San Juan Lady Broncos as they pummeled the Gunnison Lady Bulldogs, 50-32 in Region 15 girls basketball action Saturday. Amberlyn Stratton and BrieAnn Peterson each had eight points in the loss for Gunnison.

SUNRISE, Fla. (AP)—Alex Kotalik and Mark Giordano each scored and the Calgary Flames doubled up the Carolina Panthers, 2-1 Friday in NHL action at the BankAtlantic Center. Mikka Kiprusoff added 12 saves for the Flames, who improved to 29-21-8 with the win. Dennis Seidenberg scored the sole goal for Florida in the loss, which dropped them to 24-24-9 on the season. In other NHL action Friday, New Jersey edged Florida, 4-3, Washington pummeled Atlanta, 5-2, Carolina humbled Buffalo, 4-3 and Phoenix stonewalled Chicago, 2-1 in overtime.

LOS ANGELES (AP)—Chauncey Billups posted a career-high 39 points along with eight assists and J.R. Smith added 27 more points as the Denver Nuggets outclassed the Los Angeles Lakers, 126-113 Friday at STAPLES Center in NBA action. While the Lakers have rolled through much of the regular season virtually unscathed, the Nuggets, despite their lack of recognition, have dominated Los Angeles in their first two matchups of the season. The Lakers held a slim 64-59 lead at halftime before the Nuggets scored 67 points in the second half to pull out the win which becomes all the more impressive when one considers the NBA’s leading scorer, Carmelo Anthony, missed the game for Denver. The prolific Nuggets made 57 percent of their shots including a scorching 68 percent (15 of 22) of their 3-point attempts on the evening. Kobe Bryant had 33 points and nine rebounds in the loss for Los Angeles, which dropped them to 38-13 while Denver pulled to within 3.5 games of the Lakers for first place in the Western Conference as they improved to 34-16. In other NBA action Friday, Indiana pummeled Detroit, 107-83, Washington stunned Orlando, 92-91, Boston got past New Jersey, 96-87, Milwaukee bested New York, 114-107, Atlanta gashed Chicago, 91-81, Philadelphia surged past New Orleans, 101-94, Houston hammered Memphis, 101-83, Minnesota upset Dallas, 117-108 and Phoenix tripped up Sacramento, 114-102.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—A Utah state senator is proposing changes to the Utah retirement system that he says will help ensure its long-term stability. Bountiful Republican Senator Dan Liljenquist is proposing a set of bills that would essentially do away with the state’s defined-benefit pension system for new employees. Instead, those hired after July 1, 2011, could either put 8 percent of their salary into a 401(k) type of program or put part of it into a defined benefit pension plan with greatly reduced benefits. Public employees unions are pushing back, saying the economic crisis made the system shaky but it will recover over time and drastic proposals aren’t warranted. The system covers 182,000 current and former public employees.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—Lighters that look like toys would not be allowed to be sold in Utah under a measure the state House has approved. Republican Representative Ronda Menlove of Garland says her bill is meant to keep children from starting fires. The sales ban would not apply to lighters with corporate logos or other artwork. The Utah Fire Prevention Board would be responsible for maintaining a list of which lighters can’t be sold, although novelty lighters could still be in people’s possession and used in the state. House Bill 201 cleared the House Friday on a 41-28 vote. It now advances to the Senate.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—Funding from a children’s foundation helped law enforcement agencies round up dozens of suspected child predators in Utah. According to the Utah Attorney General’s Office, tens of thousands of images and videos of child pornography were seized during a month-long Internet child pornography crackdown called “Operation Frostbite.” There were 14 people arrested and 25 others are still being investigated on suspicion of child sexual exploitation. In January, the month-long cover operation resulted in six home search warrants and 10 computer search warrants being served in Salt Lake, Tooele, Davis and Utah counties. Several of the individuals busted in the sting are accused of actively manufacturing child pornography as well.

(ST. GEORGE)—A Dixie State College instructor says he will seek the Republican nomination in the race for Utah’s 2nd Congressional District seat this fall. Neil Walter says he will challenge former state lawmaker Morgan Philpot for the nomination. The winner will likely face Democratic U.S. Representative Jim Matheson. Republicans have long tried to win the 2nd District seat away from Matheson, but his margin of victory has only increased in the past three elections. Walter won with 63 percent of the vote in 2008 and has a sizable campaign account heading into this year’s election. Federal Election Commission reports show Matheson has $1.2 million in cash on hand.

(SALT LAKE CITY) – A legislative committee passed a climate change resolution Thursday in its first test in the battle on global warming skepticism. The committee voted 10-1 on House Joint Resolution 12 to advance the measure to the full Utah House. Rep. Kerry Gibson of Ogden says the resolution calls on the EPA to “immediately halt its carbon dioxide reduction policies” until an independent investigation of “climate data conspiracy”. The lone negative vote on the measure was Democrat Rep. Phil Riesen, of Hollady, who commented that industrial pollution is obvious. The non-binding resolution contends that temperatures have been level and declining in some areas for the past 12 years. Those voting in favor of the measure say the purpose for the resolution to get Washington’s attention on passing “cap-and-trade” legislation that would hurt farmers and businesses.

(NEPHI) – Detectives arrested an additional suspect Thursday morning in the drug bust operation in Sanpete and Juab Counties bringing the total number of those arrested to 24. Juab County Attorney Jared Eldridge said the drug bust involved all types of illegal drugs. Eldridge said all the suspects appeared in court as the various felony charges of drug distribution were read against them. He said in almost all the cases, the suspects sold drugs to support their own habits. Police reports showed that one of those arrested owned an auto parts store in Nephi and used his business as a location for prescription drug deals. The arrests sent shock waves throughout the communities of Nephi and Ft. Green.

BOSTON (AP)—Carolyn Swords had 14 points and nine rebounds and the Boston College Lady Eagles shocked the #6 Duke Lady Blue Devils, 61-57 Thursday in Top 25 womens’ college basketball action. The win improved the Lady Eagles to 13-10 on the season and to 4-4 in ACC play while Duke suffered their first conference loss of the season and fell to 18-4. Jasmine Thomas had 19 points in the loss for the Lady Devils. In other Top 25 action Thursday, #5 Tennessee smacked Arkansas, 74-57, #2 Stanford hammered UCLA, 74-53, #9 Ohio State got past Iowa, 86-82, #14 Georgia edged #21 LSU, 49-46 in overtime, Miami (Fla.) blew past #15 North Carolina, 80-69, #18 Kentucky smacked Mississippi, 80-66, Detroit blasted #20 Green Bay, 71-55, #22 Vanderbilt downed Florida, 66-58 and #24 Virginia hammered Clemson, 82-60.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP)—LaMarcus Aldridge had 28 points and 13 rebounds and Martell Webster added 21 more points as the Portland Trail Blazers got past the San Antonio Spurs, 96-93 Thursday at the Rose Garden in NBA action. Despite having struggles to contain the Spurs’ efficient offense throughout the first three quarters, in the last stanza, both Portland’s offense and defense rose to the occasion as they outscored San Antonio, 30-19, down the stretch. Manu Ginobili had 21 points in the loss for the Spurs. In other NBA action Thursday, Cleveland dismantled Miami, 102-86.

(WASHINGTON D.C.) – Sen. Orrin Hatch was about to deliver a prayer at this morning’s national prayer breakfast in Washington D.C. when he was interupted by his own cell phone. Hatch’s phone went off right at the moment when he started to pray. The yearly breakfast has been held in Washington for more than 50 years and was attended by Pres. Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—Lobbyists would be prohibited from giving gifts to lawmakers worth more than $10 under a bill the Utah House has approved. The measure is part of a series of ethics bills that sailed through the House on Wednesday. Lawmakers are trying to restore faith in the public that legislators can police themselves and that there’s no need for voters to support a citizens ethics initiative that would create a conduct for state lawmakers. To help address that issue, the package includes a constitutional amendment to create an independent ethics commission. The bills also call for executive office holders and candidates to file financial disclosure and conflict of interest forms at least once a year for posting online.

(MOAB)—A former Moab police officer has been accused of stealing money from his own department. According to the Salt Lake Tribune, Edward Arvel Guerrero was charged with burglary and theft last month. Prosecutors claim he stole close to $900 from the office of a lieutenant, believed to have been seized in a drug bust or other crime. Guerrero pleaded not guilty to both charges. Emery County is prosecuting the case to avoid any conflicts of interest.

(MOAB)—Two Utah conservation groups are fighting a proposed uranium mill in western Colorado. Moab-based groups Red Rock Forests and Living Rivers are challenging the company’s application to pump groundwater from the Dolores River basin. The Dolores is a 250-mile tributary of the Colorado River that drains into Utah. Energy Fuel Resources LLC needs the water to process uranium ore and wants to build the mill 12 miles west of Naturita, Colo. The project is under evaluation by the Colorado Department of Health and Environment. It could take the agency 18 months to make a decision. Red Rock Forests and Living Rivers filed their challenges Tuesday. Living Rivers conservation director John Weishelt says the Dolores River is one of the West’s most scenic and popular locations for whitewater rafting.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—The University of Utah’s campus infrastructure is in crisis, stated school president Michael Young. Young told the Utah Legislature’s Capital Facilities and Government Operations Appropriations Subcommittee Monday that water pipes bursting and power outages have caused problems with research, the ability to procure federal grants and keep high-quality professors. Young pointed out that in June 65 buildings on campus lost heat and hot water for a number of days due to breaking pipes. The situation repeated itself a few weeks ago in January when 44 buildings lost their heat and hot water. Additionally, the school has suffered 22 power outages the past two years. Young says the school needs $100 million in improvements, but is now asking for $15 million to fix immediate needs. Those needs are $5 million to replace 18 miles of deteriorating metal water pipes, along with $10 million to replace a power substation built in the 1950s.

LAGRANDE, Ore. (AP)—Former Snow College womens’ basketball star and current Eastern Oregon University student athlete Shaylee Nielson of Delta has been nominated by the institution’s athletic department for consideration as one of the Cascade Collegiate College’s representatives for the national Emil S. Liston Award for NAIA athletes. The Liston Award recognizes the outstanding female junior student athlete of any NAIA intercollegiate basketball team with at least an overall GPA of 3.5. Nielson is majoring in Physical Education and Health in addition to being a guard for the Lady Mountaineers.

(RICHFIELD) – The Fishlake National Forest and Richfield Field Office are working together to mark the general route of a portion of the Old Spanish Trail known as the Fish Lake Cut-Off that crosses public lands administered by the two agencies. Forest Supervisor John Zapell says interpretive signs will be displayed along the route to tell the story of the trail. Signs will be displayed at Red Creek near the Ivie Creek Rest Stop on I-70, off of SR-25 in the Johnson Valley area, at the Doctor Creek Trailhead, the SR-24 Rest Stop by the Koosharem short cut and the Paiute ATV Trailhead in Kingston Canyon. The interpretive signs will tell that between 1829 and 1848, traders from New Mexico stitched together a series of trails left by Native Americans and Spanish priests that stretched 1200 miles through what are now the states of New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Nevada and California.

EDMONTON, Alberta, Canada (AP)—Ryan Potulny scored the game’s sole goal and the Edmonton Oilers won their second straight game in a 1-0 win over the Philadelphia Flyers Wednesday at Rexall Place in NHL action. Jeff Deslauriers had 33 stops for the Oilers, who improved to 18-31-6 on the season. The loss dropped the Flyers to 28-24-3. In other NHL action Wednesday, Ottawa doubled up Buffalo, 4-2, St. Louis gashed Chicago, 3-2, Calgary pummeled Carolina, 4-1 and Anaheim smacked Detroit, 3-1.

BOULDER, Colo. (AP)—Sheron Collins had 16 points and Marcus Morris had six of his 15 points in overtime as the #1 Kansas Jayhawks outlasted the Colorado Buffaloes, 72-66 Wednesday at the Coors Events Center in Top 25 mens’ college basketball action. Cole Aldrich posted his fourth consecutive double-double for the Jayhawks with 16 points and 14 rebounds as Kansas improved to 21-1 on the season. Marcus Relphorde (18 points, 11 rebounds)made a pair of free throws for the Buffs to give them a 60-59 lead with 56 seconds left in regulation but from there, Kansas finished with a 13-6 flurry to win going away. In other Top 25 action Wednesday, #6 West Virginia dismantled #21 Pittsburgh, 70-51, South Florida stymied #8 Georgetown, 72-64, #17 Temple pummeled Duquesne, 76-60, #18 Ohio State stonewalled Penn State, 75-62, #20 Vanderbilt ousted Mississippi State, 75-72, #22 Northern Iowa got past Wichita State, 59-56 and #24 Baylor crushed Iowa State, 84-63.

MT. PLEASANT, Utah (AP)—Devin Shelley had 19 points and Dallen Bird added 15 more as the North Sanpete Hawks downed the Delta Rabbits, 73-59 Wednesday in Region 12 boys basketball action. Colin Christensen had 22 points in the loss for Delta.

CASTLE DALE, Utah (AP)—Nevin Jensen had 27 points for the Emery Spartans as they gashed the Juab Wasps, 59-49 in Region 12 boys basketball action Wednesday. Dallin Kay and Jake Bradford had 12 points apiece in the loss for Juab.

MANTI, Utah (AP)—Tyler Thomas had 16 points for the Richfield Wildcats in a 47-38 win over the Manti Templars Wednesday in Region 12 boys basketball action. Zach Bown had 13 points in defeat for Manti.

FILLMORE, Utah (AP)—Robbie Gurr had 20 points for the Beaver Beavers in a 56-53 win over the Millard Eagles in Region 13 boys basketball action Wednesday. Mike Louder paced Millard with 15 points in defeat.

KANAB, Utah (AP)—Kyle West posted 33 points and Randy Jones added 22 more as the Enterprise Wolves got past the Kanab Cowboys, 74-67 Wednesday in Region 13 boys basketball action. Payton Jesus had 19 points in the loss for Kanab.

JUNCTION, Utah (AP)—Kandice Gleave had 16 points and Amanda Bagley added 15 more as the Piute Lady Thunderbirds decimated the Escalante Lady Moquis, 57-17 in Region 20 girls basketball action Wednesday. Lindsey Phillips had 13 points for Escalante in the loss.

PANGUITCH, Utah (AP)—Kalani Norris had 29 points for the Panguitch Lady Bobcats in a 53-32 rout of the Milford Lady Tigers Wednesday in Region 20 girls basketball action. Amanda Mayer had 19 points in the loss for Milford.

BICKNELL, Utah (AP)—Cassey Manzanares had 12 points to lead the Wayne Lady Badgers to a 46-30 win over the Valley Lady Buffaloes in Region 20 girls basketball action Wednesday. Kayla Maxwell had 12 points in the loss for the Lady Buffs.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—Utah’s attorney general is demanding a settlement in a nearly 5-year-old dispute over a communal land trust once held by a polygamous church. The United Effort Plan Trust holds most of the homes and property in Hildale, Utah and Colorado City, Ariz., where members of the sect in question reside. The trust has been under state control since 2005 after allegations of mismanagement. Settlement talks last year failed. In a letter sent to the sect’s attorneys, Utah AG Mark Shurtleff says the issue must be resolved within 30 days. Shurtleff suggests following a proposal from Bruce Wisan, the accountant appointed by a judge to manage the trust. An attorney for the FLDS says the demand is inconsistent with ongoing settlement talks.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—A man accused of severely beating his 86-year-old landlady is now back in Utah. Monday, 45-year-old Arthel Burnett Martin was extradited from California and was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail. He is currently being held on $1 million bail. Martin is charged with attempted murder and aggravated robbery in connection with the New Year’s Day attack on Anne-Smart Pearce. Martin had rented a room in Smart-Pearce’s Salt Lake County home a few days before the attack. Martin fled the state after the crime, but eventually turned himself into the California Highway Patrol in San Francisco January 11. Smart-Pearce is still recovering from her injuries and says she hasn’t slept well in the interim.

(RICHFIELD) – Richfield City continues its search for a Business Administrator to replace Woody Farnsworth who retired at the end of last year. Mayor Brad Ramsay has formed a research committee consisting of himself, retired councilmember Larry Lunnen and Sevier Valley Medical Center Administrator Gary Beck, to move forward in the process of hiring Farnsworth’s replacement. Ramsay said the city has placed several newspaper ads in various cities throughout the state with a deadline to respond by March 1 at 5pm. The hiring committee hopes to have an Administrator hired by March 15 to start July 1, 2010. Finance Director Mike Langston is filling in as Business Administrator until a new person is hired.

(SALT LAKE CITY) – The Utah State Legislature continues their second week in their 45-day session in Salt Lake City. State Senator Ralph Okerlund says he serves on several committees that affect local residents, farmers and ranchers in South-Central Utah and is currently in discussion on predator control. Okerlund said the legislative process began at a slow pace but is picking up as legislators get more involved in issues affecting the State. He said he serves as Chairman of the Revenues and Economic Development Committee and Community Appropriations Committee, plus participating in other sub-committees.

DALLAS (AP)—James Neal, Brad Richards, Mike Modano and Jamie Benn each scored and the Dallas Stars doubled up the Minnesota Wild, 4-2 Tuesday at American Airlines Center in NHL action. Marty Turco added a season-high 40 saves for Dallas, who improved to 25-20-11 with the win. Guillaume Latendresse and Andrew Brunette each scored in the loss for Minnesota, which dropped them to 27-25-4. In other NHL action Tuesday, Detroit stymied San Jose, 4-2, Washington gashed Boston, 4-1, Toronto blanked New Jersey, 3-0, Tampa Bay stonewalled Atlanta, 2-1, Montreal ousted Vancouver, 3-2, Phoenix tripped up Nashville, 1-0 in a shootout, Colorado hammered Columbus, 5-1 and Los Angeles bested the New York Rangers, 2-1.

PROVO, Utah (AP)—Jimmer Fredette had 26 points and the #12 Brigham Young Cougars parlayed a swift start into a 76-56 win over the Texas Christian Horned Frogs Tuesday at the Marriott Center in Top 25 mens’ college basketball action. The Cougars led 35-21 at halftime and cruised to victory from there against the overmatched Frogs. The win improved Brigham Young to 22-2 on the season, while TCU fell to 10-13. In other Top 25 action Tuesday, #2 Villanova waxed Seton Hall, 81-71, #3 Kentucky dismantled Mississippi, 85-75, #4 Syracuse pounded Providence, 85-68, #16 Wisconsin overpowered #5 Michigan State, 67-49 and #11 Kansas State crushed Nebraska, 76-57.

NEPHI, Utah (AP)—Abbie Kay had 19 points for the Emery Lady Spartans in a 66-39 win over the Juab Lady Wasps Tuesday. Tessa Bradford had 11 points in defeat for Juab.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)—Brooke Bliss had 17 points for the Richfield Lady Wildcats in a 63-29 rout of the Manti Lady Templars in Region 12 girls basketball action Tuesday. Tauni McFarland had 12 points in the loss for Manti.

DELTA, Utah (AP)—Jamie Burton had 11 points for the Delta Lady Rabbits as they stymied the North Sanpete Lady Hawks, 43-34 Tuesday in Region 12 girls basketball action. Kylee Blackham had 14 points in defeat for North Sanpete.

ENTERPRISE, Utah (AP)—Tressa Lyman had 19 points in the loss for the Enterprise Lady Wolves in a 31-28 win over Kanab Tuesday in Region 13 girls basketball action. Whitney Houston had 11 points for the Cowgirls in defeat.

BEAVER, Utah (AP)—Tiffany Gillins keyed a balanced scoring attack with 16 points as the Beaver Lady Beavers hammered the Millard Lady Eagles, 57-37 in Region 13 girls basketball action Tuesday. Keri Brunson had 24 points in the loss for Millard.

(RICHFIELD)- Richfield City’s insurance company has agreed to pay all costs to homeowners whose property was damaged when a main water line burst in December. Finance Director Mike Langston said that Travelers Insurance had initially refused to pay for damages because they were not liable due to construction of water lines. The city’s engineers said construction of lines was the standard in the 1980’s and the insurance company approved. After an investigation, Travelers Insurance determined that Richfield City’s failure to install thrust blocks at the water line intersections was the result in the water line break and they’re handling all claims by homeowners. The main water line burst at 300 North 600 West due to sub-freezing temperatures in the early morning hours of Dec. 27, flooding several homes near the break.

(SALT LAKE CITY)—A former Utah state senator who resigned after being arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence has been charged with two misdemeanors. Salt Lake County prosecutors on Tuesday charged Sheldon L. Killpack with one Class B count of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and one class C count of failing to signal. According to the charging documents, Killpack had a blood alcohol level of .11 grams, the legal limit is .08 grams. The charges were filed in the county’s justice court and carry potential penalties of up to six months in jail and up to three months in jail, respectively. A telephone message left for Killpack’s attorney, Ed Brass, was not immediately returned Tuesday. A Utah Highway Patrol trooper pulled Killpack over January 15. Killpack resigned as the Republican Senate majority leader the next day. A date for the court hearing has not been set.

(OGDEN)—Police have arrested a man in connection with a grisly murder in December 2009. Weber County Attorney Dee Smith says 49-year-old Robert Lee McCullar was taken into custody Monday after investigators gathered sufficient evidence to make an arrest. This stemmed from an incident wherein Gilbert Jesus-Robles, who also went by the name, “Jesus Sanchez,” was found dead in his Ogden apartment. Officers reported his throat was slashed and his body also had multiple puncture wounds. Smith says McCullar and Jesus-Robles knew each other, although he isn’t specifying how. Smith said the connection between the men may have potentially been criminal.

(ST. GEORGE)—Some parents of the St. George-based Desert Hills High School athletes are displeased with what they’re seeing on a high school team poster. The photo, which was taken last August, depicts members of the Desert Hills football team standing and sitting around military Humvees, some of which were carrying military weapons. Parent Carrie Lieshman not only believes the poster sends the wrong message, but also says it’s insensitive as another student, Tucker Thayer, was shot and killed at the school last November after a prop gun accidentally fired. Desert Hills Principal Ray Brooks says if he knew there would be a concern about these photos, the school would have been sensitive. The Washington County School District says they’re currently investigating the matter.

(LEHI)—A Lehi company is working on a revolutionary flash memory drive. IM Flash Technologies Inc. says it is set to produce the world’s smallest flash memory chips with the largest capacity. The company plans to begin producing the 25-nanometer 8 gigabyte chips at its plant in Lehi next quarter. These new chips are smaller than the center hole in a CD, yet they hold 10 times the data of a standard CD. The Daily Herald reports the company hasn’t said whether this will lead to any new Utah jobs as of yet. IM Flash Technologies is a joint venture of Micron Technology Inc. and Intel Corp. and occupies the former Micron plant in Lehi. The new chip can be used in such things as digital cameras, smartphones and media players.

(BLUFFDALE, UT) – A Utah State Prison inmate involved in the 1997 killing of a sheepherder near Ephraim has been granted a parole date. According to the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole, 38-year old, Santiago Mendez is slated to be paroled on Dec. 30, 2014, after which he’ll immediately be turned over to U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement for deportation to Mexico. Mendez pleaded guilty in February 1999 to the shooting death of Alfonso Duran. Mendez admitted to officials that he had gone to Duran’s trailer with Santiago Garcia on Dec. 26, 1997, to rob him and things turned violent. He also said he was drunk at the time of the murder. Mendez and Garcia were also believed to be involved in the slaying of George Emmett near Manti the same day. Garcia is serving 15 years in the state prison for the killing of Emmett.

(RICHFIELD) – Livestock production reports are out in the six-county area showing areas of growth and areas of problems. Sevier County reports that most cow-calf producers haven’t started calving yet, while Millard County reports that cows that started calving at the end of January have suffered little or no losses due to the weather. Wayne County reports that more than a foot of snow is causing problems for livestock producers and they’re waiting to see what the weather brings before bringing cows off the ranges. Beaver County reports that some producers have started to calve and lamb and most animals look good due to sufficient hay supplies. Garfield and Kane Counties report receiving much needed moisture during the last month causing some problems on the ranges.

(CEDAR CITY) – A Cedar City man was arrested on a laundry list of charges after police say he broke into his ex-wife’s apartment, fought with officers, spit blood on them and smashed his head into concrete. According to a police report, 25-year old, Stevan Staley was arrested after police responded to a second 9-1-1 call at 4:45am Monday. The report said that Staley was intoxicated and allegedly began fighting with four Cedar City officers and an Iron County Sheriff’s Deputy. Paramedics also arrived on the scene to administer medical treatment but Staley refused and was handcuffed. His legs also had to be restrained. After arriving at the Iron County Jail, Staley began fighting again with two corrections officers and was booked on suspicion of five counts of assault by a prisoner and two counts of assault on a corrections officer, all third-degree felonies and several other charges.

CALGARY, Alberta, Canada (AP)—Mike Richards scored twice and Claude Giroux added another goal as the Philadelphia Flyers blanked the Calgary Flames, 3-0 Monday at the Pengrowth Saddledome. The win improved the Flyers to 28-23-3 on the season, while the Flames fell to 27-21-8. In other NHL action Monday, Pittsburgh downed Buffalo, 5-4, Anaheim tripped up Florida, 3-0 and Edmonton doubled up Carolina, 4-2.

SALT LAKE CITY (AP)—Deron Williams amassed 18 points, 15 assists and seven rebounds and the Utah Jazz clipped the Dallas Mavericks, 102-94 Monday at EnergySolutions Arena. The Jazz improved to 29-18 with the win and they moved to within half a game of the Mavs for the third seed in the Western Conference playoff race. Utah put the game away by outscoring Dallas, 27-16 in the 4th Quarter and by forcing several key turnovers in the closing stages of the game. Dirk Nowitzki had 28 points and eight boards in the loss for the Mavs. In other NBA action Monday, Boston gashed Washington, 99-88, Milwaukee dismantled Miami, 97-81, Phoenix bested New Orleans, 109-100, Memphis stymied the Los Angeles Lakers, 95-93, Denver outlasted Sacramento, 112-109 in overtime and Portland pummeled Charlotte, 98-79.

(OGDEN)—Police in North Ogden have found the body of a 70-year-old man who was missing. Officers say David Butt was last seen at his Harrisville church building Sunday afternoon. His body was found at an Ogden hotel room Monday morning. Officers are still trying to determine the cause of his death.

(WASHINGTON D.C.) – Forest Service and BLM officials say the federal 2010 grazing fee will not increase this year. The announcement was made last week that the fee is $1.35 per animal unit month for public lands administrated by the BLM and $1.35 per head month for lands managed by the Forest Service. The fee is calculated according to current private grazing land lease rates, beef cattle prices and the cost of livestock production. An AUM or HM are measures for fee purposes, including the occupancy and use of public lands by one cow and her calf, one horse, or five sheep or goats for a month. The grazing fee was established by Congress in the 1978 Public Rangelands Improvement Act and has continued by Presidential Order issued in 1986. The fee cannot fall below $1.35 per AUM and any increase or decrease cannot exceed 25% of the previous year’s level.

(RICHFIELD) – Sevier County is conducting an all-out “war” against a noxious weed invading rangelands and surrounding areas in the county. Jody Gale, Associate Professor of the USU Extension Service in Sevier County, appeared before Commissioners today at their bi-monthly meeting to add the “Curly Dock” weed to the County Noxious Weed List. Gale said this particular weed has gotten out of control. He said that in the past, the weed was not considered a noxious weed but has proliferated so rapidly, it’s become a nuisance. He said the weed cannot be eradicated but it can be controlled. Gale said the weed is also known as, “Indian Tobacco” and is described as having a bright, red top and prolific seeds. He said several agencies, including farmers and ranchers in the area, are banding together to help control the weed.