Story Archive for 06/24/2010
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Jazz Disappoint With Hayward
Published on June 24, 2010 at 11:09PM
The Utah Jazz had a plethora of options with the #9 overall pick in Thursday’s NBA Draft. However, perhaps as a panicking procedure once the Detroit Pistons adroitly took Georgetown’s Greg Monroe with the #7 pick, Utah took Butler’s Gordon Hayward. While it’s true that Hayward was a good collegiate player, many NBA analysts, chief among them, ESPN’s Jay Bilas, believe Hayward lacks sufficient athleticism to be a solid NBA player. This is what the Jazz do with the #9 pick? I wish I could feel good about this selection, but on my part that would be intellectually dishonest. The Jazz’ major concern is lack of height and the selection of Hayward did nothing to solve this problem. Deron Williams said he would give Utah two years to make moves to impress him. Sadly, they appear to be off to a lousy start in that regard. For the most part, other teams made wise moves, such as the Miami Heat. Miami was able to draft Jarvis Varnado of Mississippi State and De’Sean Butler of West Virginia, who, if he is able to recover from the torn ACL he suffered in the Final Four, could be a steal. However, the true success for the Heat could come from the amount of salary cap space they’re freeing up in anticipation of the start of free agency July 1. Stephen A. Smith, via his Twitter account, has said the Heat can sign up to three max players (one of them would of course be current Miami star Dwyane Wade) and thus become instantaneous championship contenders. In any case, it will be interesting to see how things play out next week as free agency commences. The Atlanta Hawks, who traded for New Jersey’s pick at #27 with which they selected Jordan Crawford of Xavier, may have gotten a steal while Milwaukee adroitly selected solid big men in Larry Sanders of Virginia Commonwealth, Darington Hobson of New Mexico and Tulsa’s Jerome Jordan. The Washington Wizards also did quite well for themselves in selecting John Wall of Kentucky with the #1 overall pick and taking Marquette’s Lazar Hayward with the 30th overall selection. I could be wrong about Gordon Hayward, but right now it’s obvious that the Wizards selected the draft’s best Hayward as Lazar, much like his ex-college teammate, Wesley Matthews (who I love with the Jazz), has a nose for the ball and gives you everything he has. Thanks for reading!
Governor Herbert Sees Utah's Economy Improving
Published on June 24, 2010 at 02:05PM
(SALT LAKE CITY)-Utah Governor Gary Herbert says he sees the state’s economy improving during a recording for his monthly press conference Thursday at the KUED studios at the University of Utah. Herbert says the cuts he ordered for state agencies will provide a cushion for any lingering hard times. Those cuts will take effect July 1, the start of a new fiscal year for the state. Currently, state economists are projecting growth in the economy and Herbert believes Utah is turning the corner. For evidence to back up his claims, Herbert cites that corporate income taxes are up and Utah businesses are beginning to hire more workers.
Hay Truck Catches Fire in Ephraim
Published on June 24, 2010 at 02:02PM
Updated on June 24, 2010 at 10:23PM
(EPHRAIM)-Heat from the rear brakes of a semi truck caused its load of hay to catch on fire Thursday while traveling through Ephraim. The truck was on the northern outskirts of Ephraim, near Wal-Mart just before noon when an explosion on one of the truck’s tires caused the incident. Home video shows the flames shooting off the back of the truck and firefighters attempting to extinguish the fire. No one was hurt and U.S. Highway 89 remained open during the fire. Traffic is currently flowing normally.
Lawmaker Wants Schools To Teach Gun Safety
Published on June 24, 2010 at 01:57PM
(SALT LAKE CITY)-A Utah lawmaker wants to require gun safety training in all state schools. Parowan-based Senator, Dennis Stowell, made this pitch to the Judiciary, Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Interim committee Wednesday. A 1996 law encouraged schools to teach gun safety although Stowell says fewer than 10 percent of students receive such training. Stowell says his motivation comes from several accidents involving firearms, including the death of a 6-year-old Iron County girl who found a gun under a bed. Stowell requested feedback from fellow lawmakers before he drafts a bill he plans to present this fall. Some committee members expressed concern about mandating that school districts train their students on gun use.
Cedar City woman honored at pageant
Published on June 24, 2010 at 11:26AM
(SALT LAKE CITY) – A Cedar City woman was chosen as third runner-up at the Miss Utah Pageant on June 19. 21-year old Erika Hansen, last year’s Miss Iron County and current Miss Southern Utah, won the position against 54 other contestants. She received $1300 in scholarship money and additional scholarship money by being chosen as the sole recipient of the Quality of Service Award. The award is given to the contestant with the best platform. Hansen has received state-wide media attention for her platform of child sexual abuse awareness. She suffered severe sexual and physical abuse for seven years at the hands of her stepfather, Kevin Phillips, who is now serving a sentence of 25 years in prison for his crimes. Hansen eventually alerted authorities of the abuse and has bravely and openly shared her story in the hopes that other victims will know what to do if they are suffering from abuse.
Richfield Chevy dealer sells to GM
Published on June 24, 2010 at 10:55AM
(RICHFIELD) – A Chevrolet dealer in Richfield has sold his line of Chevys to another dealership in the city. Joe Betar, owner of Classic Motors, sold his Chevy line of automobiles to Robin Henrie and Rick Harper, owners of High County Auto in Richfield. The owners, along with final approval of General Motors, sealed the deal last week. The sale aligned the Chrysler and General Motors dealerships in Central Utah with the goals of both manufacturers. With the move, High Country Auto will be the exclusive dealer for GM in the area and will be one only three dealerships in the state of Utah that represents Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac, all four brands of GM. Classic Motors will continue to be the exclusive dealer for Chrysler in the area, carrying Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram.
People found okay at 12 mile
Published on June 24, 2010 at 08:43AM
Updated on June 24, 2010 at 03:57PM
(Manti) The Sanpete County Search and Rescue were called out this morning at 4:00 AM to look for four people from Gunnison who were reported missing in the twelve mile area. According to the Sanpete County Sheriff’s Office, Cody Dyreng, Rhett Jackson, and two young boys went to scout hunting areas in the Black Fork portion of Twelve Mile Canyon about 4:30 Wednesday Afternoon. The Sheriff’s Office reports that the jeep the men were driving became stuck and they were forced to spend the night without any supplies. Rescue crews were able to locate them about 8:30 this morning and brought them down off the mountain. All four were reported in good condition.
Monroe woman injured in ATV accident
Published on June 24, 2010 at 08:42AM
(ELSINORE) – A Monroe woman was injured and taken to the hospital when she crashed her ATV along a road in Elsinore Wednesday afternoon. According to a sheriff’s report, 19-year old Rebecca Runolfson was traveling eastbound on a 2007 Articat ATV along the road at 1150 South 611 East in Elsinore, when she became distracted and crashed off the shoulder. The report said Runolfson was thrown from the ATV and sustained a broken arm in the crash. She told deputies she was wearing a helmet and was transported to the Sevier Valley Medical Center in Richfield. Runolfson was cited for an expired registration and no valid driver’s license.
Romney endorses Utah Republican candidates
Published on June 24, 2010 at 08:01AM
(SALT LAKE CITY) – Former presidential candidate Mitt Romney announced his endorsements Wednesday for Utah’s major political races. For the U.S. Senate, Romney is supporting Republicans Mike Lee, Gov. Gary Herbert, Rep. Rob Bishop and Rep. Jason Chaffetz, all running for re-election. Gov. Herbert said he’s grateful to have Romney as a good friend to the State of Utah and honored to call Mitt and Ann his friends for their support to the upcoming election in November. Romney also endorsed Morgan Philpot in the race against Jim Matheson for Utah’s Second Congressional District. Romney announced he’ll be contributing a combined $12,500 to their campaigns.
California man drowns at Yuba Reservoir
Published on June 24, 2010 at 07:42AM
(NEPHI) – A California man drowned at Yuba Reservoir Wednesday afternoon. According to Juab County Sheriff Alden Orme, the 18-year old was jumping off a cliff near the Painted Rocks boat ramp at about 5:30pm, when he went under the water on the east side of the reservoir due to an apparent seizure. Family members attempted to rescue the man and called for help from Yuba Lake State Park officials. Search and Rescue and a diving team from Juab County searched for the victim for about three hours until his body was recovered in a 12-foot deep area of the reservoir. The victim was taken to the Central Valley Medical Center in Nephi. Officials have not publicly released the man’s name. Orme said the man was visiting family in Utah at the time of the incident.