Story Archive for 03/31/2010
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Prep Sports Roundup: 3/31
Published on March 31, 2010 at 10:18PM
RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Jordan Williams homered and Chris Jensen amassed eight strikeouts as the Richfield Wildcats pounded the Beaver Beavers, 10-2 Wednesday in non-region baseball action. Josh Robinson and Stoney White each doubled in the loss for Beaver.
SALINA, Utah (AP)-Johnny Dykster and Taran Wright each doubled and Brady Hansen posted six strikeouts as the Juab Wasps doubled up the North Sevier Wolves, 6-3 in non-region baseball action Wednesday. Colton Piep tripled in the loss for North Sevier.
Richfield entertains archery range concept
Published on March 31, 2010 at 03:49PM
(RICHFIELD) – Richfield City may soon get a new archery range due to a Boy Scout Eagle project. At Tuesday night’s city council meeting, Richfield resident Lee Woolsey addressed the council on the concept of constructing an archery range south of the water tank on West Mountain. Woolsey said ten to fifteen targets would be placed in strategic locations in an area away from I-70 and city limits. He said dues charged to participants will help keep the range in good condition. Following the presentation, Mayor Brad Ramsay and several councilmembers commented the concept is worthy of further study, including locating the archery range in proximity to private property and access issues. Councilmembers said this would be the first archery range in many years to be constructed near the city.
Richfield Senior Center roof needs repair
Published on March 31, 2010 at 03:39PM
(RICHFIELD) – Several concerned citizens were in attendance at the Richfield City Council meeting Tuesday night to show support for funds needed to replace a portion of a leaky roof at the Senior Citizens Center. Richfield resident, Sally Henry petitioned the council on funding half of the cost of the repair due to a leaky swamp cooler on the building. Henry said the leak has damaged the shingles, wood casing and ceiling in the kitchen area of the building. Business Administrator Mike Langston commented that the city normally provides half the cost of repairs to city buildings when needed. Henry said a bid of almost $2,300 has been submitted from a local contractor. Mayor Brad Ramsay said the City Building Administrator, Paul Hinrichs will inspect the damaged area and report on the project.
Bennett questions Obama on drilling announcement
Published on March 31, 2010 at 03:21PM
(WASHINGTON D.C.) – Sen. Bob Bennett says Pres. Obama’s announcement regarding offshore drilling is a small step in the right direction but only after taking a few giant steps backward. In recent statements, Bennett has blasted Obama on boosting fees on oil and gas leases with more than $36 billion in new taxes and implementing new job-killing taxes. Bennett said in Utah, oil and gas jobs and business investments are critically impacted by the actions of this White House, including the smallest oil and gas lease sale ever in the state because of Obama’s policies. The president today, announced the need to reduce America’s dependency on foreign oil and “harness traditional sources of fuel”, as we increase homegrown energy. Bennett said that as a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, he’ll continue to fight against any new taxes, fees and red tape that kills jobs and adds to federal and state budget deficits.
Danny Glover To Deliver Commencement Address @ Utah State
Published on March 31, 2010 at 02:45PM
(LOGAN)-Renowned actor, Danny Glover, will deliver the commencement address at Utah State University’s graduation ceremony this spring. School administrators say Glover will also receive an honorary doctorate during the ceremony May 8. Utah State University President, Stan L. Albrecht, says he’s thrilled about having Glover address graduates, noting that it’s not the actor’s first time at the school. Glover’s first appearance at Utah State came at a time when he gave an address on the famed Harlem poet, Langston Hughes. The actor, who has starred in such movies as Angels in the Outfield and the Lethal Weapon franchise, is also in the process of developing a film about ex-Utah State football player Lionel Aldridge, who had a successful career with Vince Lombardi’s legendary Green Bay Packers teams of the 1960s, as well as the San Diego Chargers in the 1970s, but also struggled with schizophrenia.
Ogden Police Chief Withdraws Utah Senate Candidacy
Published on March 31, 2010 at 02:39PM
(OGDEN)-Ogden Police Chief, Jon Greiner, has withdrawn his candidacy for reelection to the Utah Senate. A judge recently ruled that the Republican violated a federal law during his successful 2006 state Senate campaign by signing off on federal grants in place during his run for office. Administrative Law Judge, Lana Parke, ruled that Greiner violated the Hatch Act of 1939, which was aimed at corrupt politics. Greiner could have appealed, but this could have meant the city of Ogden would have to forfeit federal money or have Greiner step down from his position. A city official said that Ogden received a letter from the federal U.S. Office of Special Counsel demanding that Greiner withdraw his name from reelection or quit his job. It also said failure to comply could trigger a new round of legal action. Greiner officially withdrew Wednesday and in a statement to the community, he apologized for potentially causing Ogden residents any embarrassment.
Feds Settle Suit Over Drilling in Rocky Mountains
Published on March 31, 2010 at 02:33PM
(SALT LAKE CITY)-The Obama administration will limit the use of an administrative shortcut that has been used to approve thousands of drilling permits across the Rocky Mountains without full environmental reviews. The policy change was reflected in the settlement late Tuesday of a lawsuit filed in Utah by environmental groups that challenged the Bush administration’s interpretation of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The act allows federal land managers to fast-track drilling permits without ordering an environmental assessment of the consequences. In Salt Lake City Wednesday, the U.S. Attorney’s Office confirmed that the settlement will all but close the loophole used to approve thousands of oil and gas wells from 2006 to 2008. The government lawyers settled the case on behalf of the Secretary of the Interior, Ken Salazar. His office did not immediately return a message from the Associated Press Wednesday.
Weather Prompts I-80 Closure in southwest Wyoming
Published on March 31, 2010 at 02:30PM
(CHEYENNE, Wyo.)-The Wyoming Department of Transportation has closed Interstate 80 between Evanston and the Lyman area in southwest Wyoming due to bad weather. A department spokesman says a combination of snow, icy roads and poor visibility forced the closure Tuesday morning. There were eight crashes, including one with injuries, in the area before the department closed the road. The department also implemented the chain law from Evanston westward to the Utah state line. The National Weather Service Bureau in Salt Lake City issued a winter weather advisory until late Thursday for southwest Wyoming and predicted possible snow accumulations of 4 to 8 inches.
Hurricane Man Sentenced To Prison For Mortgage Fraud
Published on March 31, 2010 at 02:27PM
Updated on March 31, 2010 at 08:52PM
(SALT LAKE CITY)-A Hurricane man will spend one year in prison and pay $264,000 in restitution on a conviction of mortgage fraud. Tuesday, a judge spared Jerry Huff the three-and-a-half-year sentence prosecutors had recommended. Last year, a judge found Huff guilty of wire fraud, money laundering and failure to file taxes. He was among hundreds nationwide caught in a sweeping FBI crackdown on mortgage fraud.
Minnesota AG Sues Loan Companies Over Rates, Licenses
Published on March 31, 2010 at 02:20PM
(ST. PAUL, Minn.)-Three Internet companies offering consumers short-term loans are the target of lawsuits by Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson. Wednesday, Swanson sued in state court, accusing the payday loan companies of operating without proper Minnesota registration and for charging rates deemed excessive under state law. The lawsuits seek penalties and restitution, but Swanson didn’t know how many consumers might be affected. The defendants are Eastside Lenders of Delaware, Global Payday Loan of Logan, Utah and Jelly Roll Financial of Virginia. In a letter to Swanson, Eastside argued that it’s exempt from Minnesota’s law. The other two couldn’t immediately be reached for comment, with a supervisor Jelly Roll’s call center in Costa Rica telling a reporter to mail questions.
Penalites For Crimes in Front of Children OK'd
Published on March 31, 2010 at 02:14PM
(SALT LAKE CITY)-Utah Governor Gary Herbert has signed a bill creating penalties for those convicted of committing violent crimes in the presence of children. House Bill 62 makes it a Class B misdemeanor to commit a violent crime in the presence of a child younger than 14. Representative Janice Fisher, a West Valley City Democrat, sponsored the measure. The final version is largely similar to the bill Fisher originally introduced, except for one amendment. House lawmakers voted to remove a provision that would require courts to impose a fine for any counseling a child might need following the incident.
Road salt deteriorates bulb outs in Richfield
Published on March 31, 2010 at 12:53PM
(RICHFIELD) – Road salt has created deterioration on concrete on the new bulb-outs at the Main Street Enhancement Project in downtown Richfield. Business Administrator Mike Langston says the city is asking downtown business owners to help with alleviating the problem next winter. Langston said the city will also help with spraying off road salt at the bulb-outs during the winter months and adding a concrete sealant to preserve the look and texture of the project.
Richfield signs agreement on canal relocation
Published on March 31, 2010 at 12:39PM
(RICHFIELD) – An agreement between a local canal company and Richfield City has been signed in order to relocate a portion of the canal before the airport expansion project can begin. City Business Administrator Mike Langston said the agreement between the Richfield Canal Company and the city was necessary as part of the expansion. Langston said the relocation of the canal would involve removing the flow of water away from proposed runways at the airport. He said that underground pipe will be installed as part of the relocation project.
Richfield questions state-approved energy grant
Published on March 31, 2010 at 11:26AM
(RICHFIELD) – Richfield City is considering a state-approved energy grant to install a 15-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system to help save on energy useage. Business Administrator Mike Langston approached the council with the project at Tuesday night’s council meeting. Langston said the state has already approved the $120,000 project for the city to install the system on the south facing of the city office building. The state has also approved $4,900 for the upgrade of 60 florescent fixtures. He said the system would produce about 2250 kilowatt hours of electricity per month, saving the city about $180 per month. Langston also commented that by replacing the florescent fixtures, the city would save about $80 per month. Mayor Brad Ramsay said the city is not required to accept the grant and questioned if the state needs approval for work done on the project or if installers need to be certified. The discussion was tabled until more information can be obtained on the project.
UDOT requests Richfield abandon road
Published on March 31, 2010 at 10:57AM
(RICHFIELD) – Representatives from the Utah Department of Transportation are asking Richfield City officials to abandon a city road to allow them to develop the area. UDOT’s Nathan Lee presented the idea at the city council meeting Tuesday night. The road is located at 100 West between 700 and 800 South of Richfield. City officials say the road configuration has been a problem for many years and by abandoning the road, UDOT can help expand parking areas for Sandi’s Drive-In and a survey building. The move would also help UDOT expand their facilities in that area. UDOT also said no funds would be required by the city to expand parking. City officials will continue to work with UDOT for the development of the road area.
Richfield bemoans reduced tax collection
Published on March 31, 2010 at 10:44AM
(RICHFIELD) – Sales tax revenue collection in the 2009/10 budget is down significantly in Richfield due to the sluggish economy. Business Administrator Mike Langston explained the shortfall during the city council meeting Tuesday night. He said the city revenues are down nearly 10%, or about $16,000 at this time of year in comparison with last year. Langston also commented that revenues are down 20% from two years ago before the economic crisis hit our local areas. Mayor Brad Ramsay said the city has been careful to not raise taxes to balance the budget but other budget cuts are still being considered and possible services may need to be cut. A small tax increase on energy use may need to be implemented to help balance the budget.
Moab businessman sentenced for loan fraud
Published on March 31, 2010 at 08:45AM
(SALT LAKE CITY) – A Moab businessman has been sentenced to a year in jail for securing a loan in a bogus construction project. According to court documents, 50-year old Jerry Huff misrepresented his income, doctor photos and loans from a number of lenders to secure a $250,000 loan in the form of a second mortgage, to build his “dream home”. A jury found Huff guilty last year of all five criminal charges, including wire fraud, money laundering and failure to file taxes. Prosecutors recommended that he be given up to 3-1/2 years in prison because of the “devastating impact” white-collar crime has on society and families but U.S. District Judge Clark Waddoups instead sentenced Huff to a year in jail and ordered him to pay $264,000 in restitution. Huff’s attorney, Robert Hunt, spoke of his client’s work ethic and central role in his family, saying he was caught up in a dream and “aggressively” pursued something beyond himself that could aid his family.
Richfield City increases rates and fees
Published on March 31, 2010 at 07:55AM
(RICHFIELD) – The Richfield City Council considered and adopted a resolution at Tuesday night’s meeting setting rates and fees the city charges citizens for services. As of April 1st, anyone requesting copies of documents, records or information, will pay $.20 per page or the actual cost if the request requires the City to obtain copies from another entity. The resolution also includes language that if the request requires more than 15 minutes of staff time to complete the request, a per hour rate will be assessed. In addition, any check returned to the City for insufficient funds, account closure, etc. will be assessed a $15 return check fee. An applicant who submits plans for building specifications will also be assessed development review fees, including inspection fees and costs.
No consensus in Richfield on height ordinance
Published on March 31, 2010 at 07:04AM
Updated on March 31, 2010 at 01:36PM
(RICHFIELD) – A motion concerning setting maximum heights for accessory buildings in residential areas in Richfield died last night due to lack of consensus at the council meeting. For several months, the city council, planning members and building contractors have been battling a change in the ordinance that would require homeowners to construct new outbuildings at a certain height on private property within city limits. The current ordinance says builders can build accessory buildings up to 35 feet. Councilmembers have considered heights ranging from 20-25 feet and were eventually presented with a maximum height of 22 feet and a maximum eave height of any wall to not exceed 16 feet. Also included in the proposed ordinance was a requirement for an accessory building to be a minimum of six feet from the property line. Councilmember Richard Barnett made a motion to accept the ordinance as written with Dan Chidester seconding the motion. Both Councilmembers Mike Turner and Bryan Burrows voted no and Chris Allred abstained. Mayor Brad Ramsay said the matter will be sent back to the planning commission or not brought up again.