Story Archive for 05/03/2010
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Snow College seeks input on campus future
Published on May 03, 2010 at 04:18PM
(RICHFIELD) – The Snow College administration has scheduled a public meeting to gather input on the future of the Richfield campus. Sevier County officials, along with the Sevier School District, are co-sponsoring a meeting to be held on May 13 at 7pm at the Sevier Valley Center Atrium on the east side of campus, to discuss an extensive review of Snow’s mission and programs and desire public input. County Commissioner Gary Mason has stated that Snow College is a critical component to the future of our area and says he’s supportive of adjustments Snow must make to meet their long-term goals. The public is invited to attend the meeting and offer comments.
Trial Set in Artifact Looting Case
Published on May 03, 2010 at 02:46PM
(SALT LAKE CITY)-An October trial has been scheduled for a group of Blanding residents accused in the black market trading of ancient American Indian artifacts taken from federal or tribal lands. The five defendants are accused of being involved in the same sales of artifacts to a government operative. Monday, U.S. Magistrate, Samuel Alba, set a two-week trial starting October 25 for Joseph M. Smith and his wife, Meredith, Tad Kreth and brothers, Brandon and Reece Lewis. The five defendants are among 26 people in Utah, Colorado and New Mexico charged after a two-year federal sting operation. Early on, two of the defendants committed suicide. Five others have pleaded guilty and surrendered or planned to surrender their collections. The remaining defendants are awaiting trial.
Victim of Zion Fall Identified
Published on May 03, 2010 at 02:42PM
(ZION NATIONAL PARK)-The National Park Service has identified the victim of a fall inside Zion National Park. Monday, it was revealed that the victim was a 63-year-old California woman. The service stated that on April 27, Regine Milobedzki of Upland, Calif., fell 1,000 feet from Scout Lookout, a popular viewpoint located along the West Rim trail at the junction with the route to Angels Landing. Milobedzki remained unidentified for two days while on April 29, a local hotel reported a guest who had not checked out on time. After matching the driver’s license photo of the guest with the victim, a positive identification was made. The name was withheld pending notification of the family. The circumstances surrounding the cause of the fall remain under investigation.
Appeals Court To Hear Arguments in Kane County Road Case
Published on May 03, 2010 at 02:38PM
(DENVER)-The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is revisiting a ruling over a bid by Kane County to claim ownership of dirt roads crossing the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. A three-judge panel of the court previously ruled the county was wrong to take control over motor routes on federal land. The county sought a rehearing by the full court, which is scheduled to hear oral arguments late Monday in Denver. In 2003, county leaders took down 31 signs at the monument in southern Utah that closed routes and prohibited off-road vehicles while county signs, essentially opening the routes,were placed in their stead. Kane County contends it can claim right of way on the roads. In the interim, the county has removed its signs.
Washington City Hosts Cotton Days Events
Published on May 03, 2010 at 02:33PM
(WASHINGTON)-Washington City is commemorating its annual Cotton Days festivities wherein citizens remember the community’s founding as one of the original settlements of southern Utah. Events begin at 6:00 p.m. Monday evening at the Washington City Community Center where rock climbing, swimming and sand volleyball will be available. Festivities will conclude with a fireworks show at dusk. Washington City celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2007 and a series of tours this week will introduce second-graders to the city’s heritage.
Commissioners grant SPC waiver request
Published on May 03, 2010 at 01:02PM
(RICHFIELD) – Sevier County Commissioners granted a waiver request today for land owned by the Sevier Power Company to be annexed into the Sigurd Town limits. At their bi-monthly meeting, Commissioners discussed the waiver request and unanimously approved the measure. Sigurd Town officials also addressed the Commission on the action, saying they want to annex the land to block SPC from building a coal or gas-fired power plant outside town limits on county property. Zoning Administrator Larry Hanson said if Sigurd moves to annex, they would be required to change their map boundaries, gain 75% approval from property owners in that area and convince SPC to annex. Commissioners commented that granting SPC’s waiver request does not preclude Sigurd Town officials from pursuing annexation procedures.
Miss Gunnison chosen
Published on May 03, 2010 at 11:31AM
Updated on May 03, 2010 at 07:03PM
Kayla Bartholomew was crowned as the new Miss Gunnison last Friday night, she also received the Miss Photogenic award. The first attendant title went to Breeauna Davis, second attendant is Breanna Fredrickson and the Miss Congeniality award was titled to Breanna Young.
Icy bridges cause I-70 accidents
Published on May 03, 2010 at 08:18AM
(JOSEPH) – Utah Highway Patrol Troopers investigated two separate rollovers early Friday morning on I-70. The first accident occurred just before 7am when 48-year old Teoflo Perez of Denver, traveling westbound, slid on an icy bridge in a 1996 Ford Ranger and rolled near the Marysvale turnoff on I-70. UHP said Perez was not wearing his seatbelt but was not injured. His passengers, 18-year old Dania Perez of Denver, was injured and taken to the Sevier Valley Medical Center in Richfield, as well as 46-year old Maria Chino, also of Denver. Following that accident, UHP said a second accident occurred at about 7:10am on I-70, injuring a Monroe woman. The report said that 89-year old Marie Hintze was traveling westbound west of Joseph in a 2000 Ford Ranger and slid on an icy bridge and rolled. Hintze was wearing her seatbelt and taken to the hospital with possible injuries.
Gunnison man injured in SR-28 accident
Published on May 03, 2010 at 08:06AM
(FAYETTE) – A Gunnison man was taken to the hospital with unknown injuries Friday morning after rolling on SR-28. According to a UHP report, 36-year old Kelly Fewkes was traveling southbound in a 1985 Chevy Blazer, when his right rear wheel sheared off at the axle hub and he rolled at about 10:15am. Fewkes was transported to the Gunnison Valley Hospital and treated.
UHP concludes investigation in sargeant death
Published on May 03, 2010 at 07:58AM
(SEVIER) – Utah Highway Patrol investigators have concluded that a Sevier County Sheriff Sargeant was thrown from a bridge on I-70 while responding to an accident Thursday night. UHP said that close analysis of the evidence at the scene and other physical evidence clearly showed that 36-year old Franco Aguilar of Richfield was struck by a green Toyota Camry after the car was hit by a Chevy Suburban, throwing him over the Fish Creek Bridge at about 10pm Thursday. Aguilar fell 100 feet to his death. His body was recovered later that night at the bottom of Fish Creek Basin. The accident also sent three people in the vehicles to the hospital with multiple injuries. UHP continues to investigate speed on snowy road conditions and other factors related to the accident. Aguilar leaves behind his wife and five children. Public viewings will be held Tuesday from 6-8pm at the Sevier Valley Center in Richfield and also from 9-11:30am Wednesday at the SVC. His funeral is planned for Wednesday at noon at the SVC in Richfield with a procession prior to the funeral. Memorial funds have been set up at Zions Bank and Wells Fargo for Aguilar’s family.