Well, congratulations to the Edmonton Eskimos who won their first game of the CFL season in a 28-25 decision over British Columbia. As I learn more about the Canadian Football League, I begin to understand how majestic its history is. For instance, the first Grey Cup (the CFL’s equivalent of the Super Bowl) game took place in 1909, which is almost 60 years before the Green Bay Packers won the first Super Bowl. Incidentally, the Eskimos are just as storied as the Packers and even have the green and gold color scheme. Thus, when the Eskimos started 0-4 this season, it’s understandable that team management and local media became adamant that things had to change swiftly. Friday, in a hardfought win over the Vancouver-based Lions, Edmonton recaptured some of its old magic. Leading the way was Ricky Ray (25 of 34, 360 yards, 2 TD’s, INT) and Arkee Whitlock (18 car, 102 yards) while even after British Columbia took a 25-21 lead in the 4th Quarter on a 54-yard interception return for a touchdown by Davis Sanchez, the Eskimos refused to quit. Their gumption in fighting back saved head coach Richie Hall’s job (at least for another week) and suddenly in North America’s City of Champions, the loyalists are beginning to believe again. Next week’s game against Toronto should be an interesting challenge.

Meanwhile, the Atlanta Falcons, to me, are legitimate Super Bowl contenders. This is a prevailing notion to me as I lay down my weary head to bed after writing these (hopefully) illustrious articles for your perusing pleasure! I can just envision the likes of quarterback Matt Ryan (263 of 451, 2,918 yards, 22 TD’s, 14 INT’s), wideout Roddy White (85 receptions, 1,153 yards, 11 TD’s), tight end Tony Gonzalez (83 rec, 867 yards, 6 TD’s) and tailback Michael Turner (10 TD’s) improving their stats in 201. Furthermore, an opportunistic defense featuring studs like safety Thomas DeCoud and defensive end John Abraham will live up to its potential by dethroning last year’s Super Bowl champions, the New Orleans Saints, in the NFC South. I just like how the Falcons do things and they seem to have all the pieces in place. I would like to see young defensive end, Lawrence Sidbury, assert himself as a complimentary end to Abraham. The Falcons fans would definitely deserve a Super Bowl title and while I love my Denver Broncos more than any other team, there’s a soft spot in my football-loving heart for teams with low profiles (such as the Saints) who excel on the grandest stage the game has to offer. If nothing else, I expect a champions’ heart to be forged on the practice fields of Atlanta suburb, Flowery Branch, Ga. as the Falcons engage in training camp. Thanks for reading!

(SALT LAKE CITY)-A federal judge in Utah is refusing to dismiss charges against one of the more than two dozen defendants caught up in a federal sweep of artifact looting. Friday, a defense lawyer argued the government was piling charges on 48-year-old Loran St. Clair of Monticello. St. Clair was indicted on multiple counts of selling two seed jars that he got from his mother to a government informant. His lawyer, Mark Moffat, argued the sale was a package deal and the government shouldn’t be allowed to bring two felony charges, one for each seed jar. U.S. District Judge, Dee Benson in Salt Lake City ruled after the hearing that both charges were justified, as well as a third blaming St. Clair for stealing the jars from tribal lands.

(ST. GEORGE)-Historians at Dixie State College of Utah are calling upon Dixie alumni, relatives of alumni and the community to help the college complete its yearbook collection as the institution begins its Centennial Celebration. Bonnie Percival, the DCS’ special collections librarian said school historians have identified eight years’ worth of yearbooks that may be possibly missing, 1917, 1919, 1922, 1927, 1931, 1933, 1936 and 1937. Last May, Dixie State formally kicked off its Centennial Celebration during commencement exercises. The 17-month affair will culminate with events and festivities leading up to the institution’s 100th birthday on September 19, 2011.

(MESQUITE, Nev.)-An elderly California woman, who was traveling with family through Mesquite, Nev., en route to St. George from Los Angeles on Sunday July 25 has been reported as missing to Mesquite police. According to Mesquite Police Department Public Information Officer, Robert W. Everett, the 70-year-old Sonja Ellis, who was in her own car, was reportedly separated from other family members and never made it to St. George. Her brother, who was traveling in another car, has filed a missing person report. In the interim, she has not been heard from. Ellis has been described as a 5’4,” 108-pound white woman with shoulder-length blonde hair and green eyes. She was driving a gray 2005 Toyota Avalon with Utah license plate Z067MS. Authorities believe she may have been disoriented once she got separated in Mesquite and is unable to find her family.

(WASHINGTON)-Utah Republican Representative, Jason Chaffetz, says if his new legislation is adopted, it could save the U.S. Postal Service hundreds of millions of dollars in fuel and operations costs. The legislation, which Chaffetz introduced Thursday, would give the U.S. postmaster general the authority to declare 12 mail holidays, the average of one per month. On these days, there would be no mail delivery although it would continue in transit, similar to Sundays. During congressional testimony in April, U.S. Postmaster General, John Potter, said the Postal Service is projected to lose $238 billion over the next 10 years with a $33 billion loss in 2020 if nothing is done. Potter said the Postal Service can work to reduce $123 billion of the losses by 2020 but it would need congressional authority to close the remaining $115 billion. One of Potter’s proposals includes permanently adjusting the number of delivery days from six to five. Thursday, Chaffetz said dropping 52 delivery days per year would affect too many constituents and postal works, while negatively affecting commerce. The bill is expected to head to the House’s Federal Workforce, Postal Service and the District of Columbia Subcommittee, where Chaffetz is a ranking member.

(BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK)-A vegetation plan to control invasive, non-native plants at Bryce Canyon National Park has received the go-ahead after it was decided it won’t impair cultural or historical resources or have negative impacts on the Utah prairie dog, a federally-listed threatened species that inhabits the park. The park will use an integrated pest management plan, including fire, mechanical, chemical and biological controls of invasive vegetation. At this same time, the plan aims to preserve and restore native and sensitive plant species, incorporating an inventory of those plants while carrying out vegetation controls. The plan is designed to work in tandem with future park projects while minimizing the effects of human activities on native plant populations. Throughout the state, the eradication of invasive plant species has gained momentum and attention, with support obtained through grants and other sources of funding. Plants, such as the yellow starthistle, are being removed from the City Creek Canyon area because they deplete water resources and grow rapidly. Most of Utah’s cities and counties, as well as the state itself, have aggressive invasive plant control programs that utilize numerous methods to eradicate non-native plant species, many of which were introduced to Utah through the importation of hay and other crop products. Due to its stewardship over cultural and historical resources, the National Park Service must go through a rigorous examination of vegetation plans, designed to have the least adverse effects possible.

(ST. GEORGE)-A pilot’s landing didn’t go as planned Thursday as his plane landed at the St. George belly with its landing gear still up. Officials said the pilot was uninjured in the incident, but the plane landed on its belly. Another flight which had been prepared for takeoff was delayed by 30 minutes until the site of the accident was cleared up. St. George Police Lieutenant, Kyle Whitehead, said the only problem may have been other flights circling the airport who were waiting to land.

(ST. GEORGE)-Even though the full enforcement of Arizona’s SB1070 law is still in flux, St. George officials, due to their proximity to the Arizona border are still preparing for repercussions of the bill. While Utah has aspirations of drafting a comparable bill to Arizona, this has not been done yet, so perhaps those who would be prosecuted in Arizona will come to Washington County. Nevertheless, some St. George residents say this may be far-fetched as Ron Current of Impact of Southern Utah, a gang and drug fighting initiative in St. George, says they may be more likely to go to Nevada, California or Texas.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-Utah-based immigration experts have been looking at suggestions concerning the state creating its own guest work program, but at least one man has voiced concerns that a Utah-based system won’t work. Last month, Utah Attorney General, Mark Shurtleff, proposed the idea of starting a Utah-based guest worker program, saying such a program would create a legal way for immigrants to find work so employees wouldn’t feel the need to hire them illegally and workers would stop committing identity theft. Immigration attorney, Mark Alvarez, says that constitutionally Utah cannot overstep the federal government on immigration, one of a plethora of problems with the plan. Alvarez said the federal government would have to change policies and give Utah exceptions to run its guest worker program. He doesn’t see this happening since it wouldn’t benefit the federal government and its immigration enforcement to have varying policies around the country. Alvarez said another issue is a Utah guest worker program wouldn’t solve the problem of those already living in the state without documents, saying those people would be forced to stay out of the country if they came forward to get the permit.

(SALINA)-In the 26th consecutive year that the Utah Jazz have sent a player to teach Jr. Jazz participants the fundamentals of the game, another successful performance occurred Thursday at North Sevier High School. This year’s designated Jazz player, rookie forward Jeremy Evans, brought his zeal for life and prodigious basketball acumen to the forefront for numerous children and their parents in attendance. The 6’8”, Western Kentucky product instantaneously captivated the wide-eyed youth with his impressive athleticism and friendly demeanor. Evans and a Jazz team representative taught the youth basic fundamentals such as dribbling, passing and shooting while after the camp, Evans graciously fielded questions from the kids and anybody else who wanted to know anything about him. I had the privilege of asking him a couple of questions and I must honestly say the young man has a magnificent attitude and is willing to do whatever is asked of him to make the team better. Evans particularly admitted he must improve his footwork, but if Jazz coach Jerry Sloan gives him a fair amount of reps, I believe he will be impressed with Evans’ skills. One thing the Jazz have desperately needed is someone with length and energy to agitate the likes of the Lakers’ Pau Gasol, the Nuggets’ Carmelo Anthony and other elite players throughout the Western Conference. If nothing else, Evans will be a winner in the game of life and that’s what matters most.

(PHOENIX)-Opponents of Arizona’s SB1070 law continue to make their voices heard and are continually thrown into jail by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who is making a crackdown on illegal immigration one of his signature moves in his position. At least eight protesters marched toward a police line, allowing themselves to be arrested. Meanwhile, Arizona governor, Jan Brewer, called U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton’s decision halting the law Wednesday a “bump in the road” and her spokesman said Arizona would appeal to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco later Thursday. Opponents of SB1070 say this ruling sends a strong message to other states, such as Utah, who hope to replicate the law. Lawmakers or candidates in as many as 18 states say they want to push similar measures when legislative sessions start up again in 2011.

(ST. GEORGE)-Although the fate of Arizona’s SB1070 still hangs in the balance, protesters in Utah plan to have their voices heard. A grassroots movement of students in southern Utah, spanning from Cedar City to St. George is planning a protest against the law Monday. The group, Southern Utahns Against Discrimination, will run a protest at Dixie State College Monday and is the organization’s second protest, with the first taking place this June. The protest will be at the Bluff Street Park in the northern part of St. George at noon and is expected to be attended by religious and community leaders.

(MESQUITE, Nev.)-The City of Mesquite is accepting applications for a new fire and rescue chief following the resignations of fire chief Derek Hughes and interim fire chief Dave Peterson, who will be leaving August 18. The city has begun the recruiting process and job descriptions and applications are available online at www.mesquitenv.com. Applications will be accepted through August 31.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-Interior Secretary, Ken Salazar, will be in Salt Lake City next week to participate in two “public listening” sessions, one geared toward adults and the other designed specifically for youth. The sessions, which will take place on August 3, are part of President Barack Obama’s Great Outdoors Initiative to develop a “conservation agenda” that correlates to 21st Century ideals and attempts to reconnect Americans with the outdoors. The sessions, which will take place at the Salt Lake Radisson Hotel at 215 W. South Temple in Salt Lake City are tailor made for youth as they are the future of the country, Obama stated. Salazar, who is also slated to speak at a breakfast prior to the sessions, is a controversial public official in Utah because of his February 2009 decision to yank 77 oil and gas leases that had been offered at a Bureau of Land Management auction in Salt Lake City. In defense of his decision, Salazar said he felt the environmental reviews conducted on the parcels were inadequate and too many of them were located on the doorsteps of national parks or other scenic treasures. Although many were ultimately released for auction, a review team deemed that eight had been inappropriately offered. A recent investigation by the agency’s own Office of Inspector General refuted Salazar’s claim that parcels were rushed to auction as a result of the pending charge in presidential administrations.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-An energy company has received approval to open one of Utah’s biggest natural gas fields by agreeing to use new technology to drill under wild areas, instead of on top of them. Bill Barrett Corp.’s multi-billion dollar project was approved Thursday by the federal Bureau of Land Management. The agency’s approval reflects a deal the drilling company cut with environmental groups to pull back from wild areas and limit well pads off the high rim of the Green River’s Desolation Canyon. Barrett will use 120 well pads instead of the expected 538 it originally proposed and directional drilling to get at gas pockets deep underneath wild lands. Interior Secretary, Ken Salazar, calls the deal “historic.” The Denver-based company says this is one of the most environmentally progressive gas projects anywhere.

(PROVO)-A 37-year-old Price man convicted of posing as a census worker was sentenced anywhere from seven years to life in prison for holding a couple hostage at gunpoint and demanding money. Wednesday, Tyler Archuleta was sentenced by Fourth District Judge Claudia Laycock in Provo after he pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary, kidnapping and making terroristic threats in June. Authorities stated Archuleta held Savage Services chief executive Allen Alexander and his wife hostage at their Alpine home last September. Reportedly, Archuleta demanded $100 million before forcing them to their vehicle to obtain the money. Prosecutors say he also told the couple that bombs were placed at a company building. Archuleta’s lawyer said his client lost a coal trucking contract and blamed Alexander’s company.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-Utah Governor Gary Herbert has nominated Karla Staheli as juvenile court judge in the 5th Judicial District, which serves Beaver, Iron and Washington counties. Staheli has served as guardian ad litem in the 5th and 6th judicial districts. In this role, she represented abused, neglected and dependent children in district and juvenile courts in central and southern Utah. Prior to this assignment, she served as a deputy Iron County attorney. This nomination is subject to confirmation by the Utah Senate.

(PHOENIX)-Three people have been arrested as hundreds of protesters rally against Arizona’s new immigration law despite a federal judge’s last minute decision to block the measure’s most controversial parts. It was not immediately clear why the people were detained Thursday during the rally at the federal courthouse. Demonstrators first marched from the state Capitol at dawn Thursday, then held a prayer service at a local church. Currently, marchers are heading toward Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s office and will then return to the Capitol. Activist Salvador Reza says some demonstrators have promised nonviolent civil disobedience but couldn’t provide more details.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-The immigration debate and the notorious “list” have led to a litany of negative e-mails addressed to Utah Governor Gary Herbert. After Herbert spoke out against the supposed illegal immigrant list, he began receiving angry e-mail, letters and phone calls. The Deseret News reported that he received 400 pages of e-mail, most rife with angry messages questioning his integrity and bravery. A few correspondences were supportive and one person said the silent majority supports the governor.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-Former United States drug czar and Four-Star general, Barry McCaffrey, was in Utah Wednesday to discuss the recent explosion of drug use among America’s youth. McCaffrey reported that 5 million teenagers in the country struggle with drugs, depression and behavior issues as well as sexual misconduct. McCaffrey spoke with former drug addict, Tyler Loeffler, at Westminster College in hopes of raising awareness for teens in need of help. Utah Attorney General, Mark Shurtleff, who was also at the meeting, said he spoke from personal experience as a father, watching his own daughter wade through such issues as drug addiction and depression. McCaffrey told parents that they need to look for telling behavioral signs, such as running away, failing grades and isolation and that they should never give up on them.

(WASHINGTON D.C.) – Sen. Bob Bennett is slamming the DISCLOSE Act that would impose new regulations on those wishing to exercise their rights to engage in political speech. DISCLOSE is an acronym for Democracy is Strengthened by Casting Light on Spending in Elections. Bennett is opposed to the Act because it doesn’t disclose its true purpose and is filled with prohibitions and violations of the First Amendment. He said the bill goes against corporations and their right of free speech and includes restrictions that don’t apply to unions. Bennett commented that the act aims to prohibit expenditures by certain people and certain groups. The bill passed the House last month but failed from going forward in the Senate.

(STOCKTON)-URS Corp. safety department officials at the U.S. Army’s Tooele Chemical Agent Disposal Facility estimate the site contractor work force reached and surpassed an unprecedented safety milestone for the project, 10 million consecutive man hours worked without a lost workday accident or injury. The current consecutive safe hours string began on October 26, 2005. Gary McCloskey, the vice president and general manager of systems contractor for URS, called the achievement an “honor” for every employee who has worked at the chemical weapons disposal plant during the streak. McCloskey said the next goal should be completing the depot’s munitions disposal without any lost time due to injury or accident. The facility employs 1,000 contract workers, with between 600 and 700 working on site at a given time. On each day of safe work without a lost workday injury, approximately 6,500 man hours are accumulated.

(RICHFIELD) – The 300 North road improvement project in Richfield is underway. City Manager Mike Langston discussed the project and several other projects with the city council at Tuesday night’s council meeting. Langston said funding was secured last year to improve 300 North from Main Street to 300 West, similar to the 500 North project four years ago. He said funds in the amount of $800,000 came from the Small Urban Committee and is federally funded through UDOT. The city’s match is $60,000. Langston also said two other projects involving the eradication of woody vegetation in the Cottonwood and Dairy Canyon Debris Basins will start this fall. He also said the new building for the Central Utah Food Sharing Program is under construction and will take about four to five months to complete.

(FILLMORE) – The Millard County Sheriff’s Office is alerting local businesses to be aware of counterfeit money floating around. A sheriff’s report said over the July 24th weekend, four phony $50 bills passed in the East Millard County area. Detectives said the bills were actually $5.00 bills that had been “washed” and made to look like $50 bills. The bills look authentic but a security strip within the bill indicates it’s a $5.00 bill. The sheriff’s office is warning business owners to be cautious when accepting larger bills. If you are aware of any of the fake bills, call the sheriff’s office. Millard County Deputies are also on the lookout for suspects stealing copper wire at construction sites in the area.

(PHOENIX)-KPHO-TV Channel 5 in Phoenix reports that Judge Susan Bolton has made a ruling on Senate Bill 1070, Arizona’s immigration law that is expected to be enacted Thursday. Law enforcement agencies throughout Arizona have been conducting last-minute training to learn how to avoid racial profiling. In addition to his bold comments on Good Morning America earlier Wednesday morning, Maricopa County Sheriff, Joe Arpaio said he will conduct another one of his office’s crime sweeps Thursday, implying he can make room for more inmates, if need be. Nevertheless, SB1070 opponents still plan to protest throughout the day Thursday. Phoenix City crews have begun the process of building barricades at the Maricopa County Courthouse overnight in anticipation of large numbers of protesters.

(PAGE, Ariz.)-The Page (Ariz.) City Council has approved an 18-month license for land use for a music festival that’s expected to give a natural amphitheater its first large-scale usage this fall. The PowellaPalooza 2010 is expected to be staged September 23-26, partially at the amphitheater near Coppermine Road. Mayor Lyle Dimbatt promised the festival would be unique and unusual for Page while it will also add a new tourist dimension for the community. The program, which will feature 50 to 60 bands on eight stages, also including houseboat/beach band performances and the use of surrounding marinas and bars, is being produced by the same group that has staged the Desert Rocks Concerts in Moab since 2005. The license would become valid only on signatures of both parties and would expire in 18 months. Attendance projections have been raised recently to as many as 4,000 people, according to publicist Jaime Taylor.

(DENVER)-The National Park Service has named a new director for its Intermountain Region. NPS director, Jonathan Jarvis, announced the appointment of John Wessels earlier this week. Wessels will be responsible for the service’s 92 national parks and 5,000 employees at national parks in Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma. Wessels has served as the regional associate director for administration, business and technology since 2004. He first joined the NPS in 2000 as the regional comptroller and has also had leadership positions at Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the service’s Washington D.C.-based headquarters and at Grand Teton National Park. Wessels will assume his new post in Denver in August.

(BLANDING)-San Juan County residents who don’t want Senator Bob Bennett’s land bill to die have formed a grassroots organization, Friends of Cedar Mesa, to keep citizens informed as wilderness designation discussions hang in limbo. Retired river ranger for the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, Mark Meloy, says the Friends of Cedar Mesa attempts to let citizens’ voices be part of any wilderness or conservation protections for this region of southeastern Utah. At the request of the San Juan County Commission last March, Bennett sent letters to groups that may be interested in offering suggestions for a comparable land bill similar to the Washington County Growth and Conservation Act of 2009, which the GOP Senator and 2nd District Democratic Representative, Jim Matheson, co-sponsored. Bennett’s staffers assisted the San Juan County Commission organize spring meetings for various interest groups. The U.S. Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, and several conservation organizations made presentations. However, at the May 8 state Republican convention, Bennett lost his bid for re-election. Utah Senator Orrin Hatch’s spokeswoman, Heather Barney, said Hatch would pick up the fight if need be. Hatch has already worked with other rural Utah counties, Emery and Piute, on similar bills. Meloy, who organized a Celebrate Cedar Mesa event in Bluff last month, hoped the day of panel discussions would bring residents up to speed on the land bill efforts, which so far have focused on what government and various conservation and outdoor groups might want in the proposal. Blanding, Bluff and Monticello residents, as well as representatives of the Navajo Nation, have shown broad support for some kind of regional protection, Meloy said. Meloy stated that people who support the group, along with elected officials, seem to agree the mesa is a natural for wilderness designation. The mesa comprises about 475,000 acres of high plateau land.

(MOAB)-The National Weather Service has accurately predicted heavy rainfall throughout southern Utah thus far this week and implied it may continue through Wednesday. Meteorologists expect flash flood warnings to be prevalent throughout the day as heavy rainfall remains in Grand County and surrounding areas. Tuesday, S.R. 128, near Moab, was closed for a portion of the afternoon which saw approximately four to five inches of debris spill onto the highway. The road was cleaned and opened about an hour after the report was initially called in, stated Utah Highway Patrol trooper Cameron Roden.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-After seven months as the interim director of the Capitol Preservation Board, Allyson Gamble has been named as the board’s executive director. She is now charged with overseeing the long-range planning of the seven buildings and grounds on the Utah Capitol Complex: the Capitol building, the Senate and House buildings, the Utah State Office building, the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers building, the White Memorial Chapel and the Travel Council Building. The board’s first director, David Hart, oversaw the four-year renovation of the Capitol. In late 2009, he resigned to join a Boston-based project management company that opened an office in Salt Lake City. Gamble, who had been director of communications and visitor services for the board, was appointed as acting interim director in January. In her role as executive director, Gamble will also oversee the Capitol’s visitor services program, event and space scheduling, food services and the Capitol gift store.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-A Utah Supreme Court ruling in favor of polygamous sect leader Warren Jeffs Tuesday stunned attorneys on both sides although the woman involved with the charges against Jeffs, Elissa Wall, says she’s not done fighting the matter. Wall, who was 14 at the time when Jeffs performed a spiritual marriage between her and her 19-year-old cousin, Allen Steed, is now an adult and said she vows to fight back. The Supreme Court ruled, among other things, that the jury should have been told that Jeffs had to have the intent Wall would be raped when she was coerced into marriage. Wall remained insistent that she was instructed to have sex during her marriage to her cousin and that the jury knew that. However, Jeffs’ attorney said faulty instructions sprang from “improper, insupportable changes” and that prosecutors “mixed and matched” legal theories in hopes of convicting a polarizing religious figure. Additionally, the Utah Supreme Court ordered a new trial in the case, although prosecutors have not said whether or not Jeffs will be retried in Utah. Should the state decide to investigate, Wall said she’s completely behind it. Jeffs’ next challenge awaits in Texas, where he’s accused of marrying himself to a 12-year-old and fathering a child with an underage girl. Anti-polygamy activist, Rowena Erickson, says this overturned conviction is a blessing in disguise because Texas authorities are well-known for their aggressiveness in such matters. This ruling comes as Washington County authorities are investigating allegations that Wall may have lied about her medical records that were used in the trial. County Attorney, Brock Belnap, launched an investigation in February after being told by a third party that Wall’s medical records had all been created in one day to make it look like she’d seen a caretaker on several occasions. The status of this investigation was unclear Tuesday. Additionally, KUTV-Channel 2 in Salt Lake City, has reported that in the interim, Jeffs will go to court in Washington County and go through a similar process before going to Texas.

Much of the NFL news cycle swirls around Cincinnati Tuesday as the Bengals made perhaps the biggest splash of the offseason with the acquisition of Terrell Owens. The enigmatic wideout, who has zealously been looking for a team since the Buffalo Bills released him earlier this year, has signed with the Cincinnati Bengals, making the long moribund franchise one of the NFL’s more interesting stories. Despite the prodigious talents of signal-caller Carson Palmer, the Bengals passing offense only amassed 181 yards (that figure comes after I rounded up) in 2009. Thus, Cincinnati brass rectified this issue in part in the annual collegiate draft last April as they drafted prolific Oklahoma tight end Jermaine Gresham, Texas wide receiver Jordan Shipley and Kansas wideout Dezmon Briscoe. Additionally, Bengals owner Mike Brown brought in veteran receiver Antonio Bryant to assist the eccentric, yet gifted, Chad Ochocinco, who with 72 receptions, 1047 yards and nine scores, was Palmer’s only reliable target in 2009. Of course, Ochocinco and Owens have already been teammates of sorts off the field as they both have their own reality shows on VH1. If any team can handle the scrutiny which will descend upon them by having the likes of Ochocinco and Owens on their team, be assured that it’s the Bengals. As for Brown, he told www.nationalfootballpost.com Tuesday that a potential lockout in 2011 will be averted so I sincerely hope he’s right. It’s nice to have the NFL coming shortly again!

(GRANTS PASS, Ore.)-A coalition of several western states and three Canadian provinces offered its most detailed strategy as of yet for controlling greenhouse gas emissions blamed for climate change, saying they hope it stands as a model for national systems in both the United States and Canada. At the core is a cap-and-trade system that would go into effect in January 2012, gradually ramping down emissions levels. The system, which gives financial incentives for carbon emission reductions, would start with power plants and then extend to large industrial producers and transportation. The goal is to cut greenhouse gas emissions in the next 10 years to levels 15 percent below those produced in 2005. Building on a less-detailed strategy issued two years ago,the plan comes at a time when Congress has been unable to produce a climate bill to address the same issues. The document includes the first details of how the carbon auction would work and it recommends the offsets from programs that store carbon would be limited to a fraction of total emissions. Thus, there would be a floor price on emissions and the auction would be open to anyone. Thus far only two states, California and New Mexico and three provinces, Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia, are writing regulations in anticipation of joining the Western regional carbon auction when it begins in 2012, said Michael Gibbs, California’s Deputy Secretary for climate change and co-chairman of the initiative. The two states and three provinces account for 70 percent of the emissions produced by the signers of the strategy, creating enough liquidity to get the cap-and-trade system up and running. An economic analysis estimated fuel savings would offset the cost of investing new and more energy-efficient equipment to meet limits on carbon production, Gibbs said. Jim Whitestone of the Ontario Ministry of Environment said the coalition hopes the cap-and-trade system will serve as a model for the governments of Canada and the United States.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-Government officials close to the investigation into the release of a list of 1,300 names of purported illegal immigrants in Utah tell the Associated Press the second person suspected in the case work in the imaging department of a state agency. The officials identified the worker as Leah Carson and they spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the case. Carson worked in the imaging department for the state’s Department of Workforce Services. The imaging office scans documents to put them into electronic form. State officials say two workers methodically viewed private records to compile the list and Carson could not immediately be reached for comment Tuesday.

(PHOENIX)-According to documents obtained by the Arizona Daily Star last week, federal authorities knew someone was planning a violent home invasion in the Arizona border town of Arivaca, more than a month before it happened. The documents, filed last week in Pima County’s Superior Court in Tucson, show two FBI informants claimed they told agents Shawna Forde was recruiting people to raid a house she thought was filled with money, drugs and guns. A man and his 9-year-old daughter were shot to death in the home May 30 although informants said they knew of the plot in April. Forde is reportedly connected to a border watch group that takes protecting Arizona’s border with Mexico into their own hands. She and two men were arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the invasion and slayings. Prosecutors are also seeking the death penalty. The FBI stated they received information after the fact and will not comment until the case is tried. Mid-Utah Radio again expresses appreciation to KPHO-TV Channel 5 in Phoenix for information on this story.

(FLAGSTAFF, Ariz.)-Kaibab National Forest specialists are preparing to ignite splash piles on the Williams Ranger District this week. Depending on environmental conditions and Arizona Department of Environmental Quality approval, burning may begin on Wednesday at the Spring Valley and Frenchy units. If the request is approved, fire personnel plan to approximately 30 acres of piles on Spring Valley, which is nine miles north of Parks, Ariz. and Interstate 40 and 50 acres of piles on Frenchy, two miles south of I-40 just north of Horse Hill. Personnel are evaluating the potential for igniting the units depending on fuel moisture, humidity and wind. Light south winds are predicted for the region Wednesday. During the day, smoke will likely transport north of the project areas while managers expect smoke to settle into local areas overnight. Smoke may be visible for several days after ignition.

(DENVER)-The federal government is rapidly expanding a program to identify illegal immigrants using fingerprints from arrests. This has drawn opposition from local authorities and advocates, who argue the initiative amounts to an excessive dragnet. This program has received less publicity than Arizona’s immigration law, which debuts Thursday, but it may end up having more potential, due to its ability to round up and deport immigrants nationwide. Currently, the state of Colorado is debating the program, although it has been derided in such cities as San Francisco and Washington. Under this program, known as Secure Communities, the fingerprints of all those booked into jail for any crime are run against FBI criminal history records and Department of Homeland Security immigration records to determine who is in the country illegally and whether they’ve been arrested previously. Most jurisdictions are not included in the program, but Immigration and Customs Enforcement has been expanding the initiative. Since 2007, more than 450 jurisdictions in 26 states have joined. Due to the fact everyone would be fingerprinted who is arrested, the program could easily deport more people than Arizona’s law, according to attorney Sunita Patel. The program has had previous success as from October 2008-May 2010, almost 3 million people have been screened and of those, almost 35,000 people were identified as illegal immigrants previously arrested or convicted for more serious crimes, such as murder and rape. Colorado officials became interested in the program after an illegal immigrant from Guatemala with an extensive criminal record was accused of causing a car crash at a suburban Denver ice cream shop killing two women in a truck and a 3-year-old inside the store. Authorities say this illegal, Francis M. Hernandez evaded discovery because he conned police with 12 aliases and two different places of birth. The Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition said in its letter to the governor that the Secure Communities is “inherently flawed and should not be implemented.” CIRC cited one of its major concerns is that in cases of domestic violence, where both parties involved may be taken into custody while authorities investigate, victims may feel reluctant to report crime out of fear illegal status may be discovered. However, ICE maintains that only suspects arrested for crimes, and not those reporting them, will be screened for legal status.

(HUNTINGTON)-As the Crandall Mine Canyon disaster approaches its third anniversary, coal mining in Utah appears to be experiencing a resurgence, both in profitability and safety. According to the Deseret News, Pete Heckford, the state’s director of Division of Boiler and Elevator Safety says among coal-producing states nationwide, Utah is even with Colorado for fifth place in underground mining, producing about 26 million tons of coal annually. In a report released in June, “The Structure and Economic Impact of Utah’s Coal Industry,” showed that in addition to those employed by the state’s coal-powered electricity plants in 2007, another 7,300 jobs were created through “ripple effects.” The statewide total earnings impact associated with the operation of the coal-powered plants was estimated to be around $350 million, according to the report from the Bureau of Economic and Business Research at the University of Utah. Coal’s economic impact may also be felt by the royalties and taxes paid by the coal industry, the report stated. One of the larger mine operations in the state, the Deer Creek Mine near Huntington, produced about 4 million tons of coal last year, according to mine manager Earl Snow. Snow credits technological advances and industry-wide commitment to improving safety as major reasons for decreased mining injuries and fatalities through the years. Much of the reason for increased safety in the mines, according to Garth Nielsen, the director of the Utah Office of Mine Safety is the miners themselves making better choices while underground as well as the improved technology.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-The Utah Supreme Court overturned the conviction of polygamous sect leader Warren Jeffs Tuesday morning at a West Jordan courthouse. The court ruled that the trial judge, James Shumate, committed an error in his instructions to the jury. According to the high court, the jurors should have been instructed that in order to convict, they had to find it was Jeffs’ intent that Elissa Wall be raped without her consent. Since no such instruction was given, the court threw out Jeffs’ convictions and ordered a new trial. A spokesman for the attorney general says it has not yet been decided whether the case should be retried or not.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-A state lawmaker hoping to bring an Arizona-style immigration law to Utah says the version of the bill released to the media this week is fraudulent. Republican Representative Stephen Sandstrom of Orem says the phony measure circulated Monday included extreme proposals such as seasonal workers receiving tax exemptions for agreeing to ankle bracelet monitoring, housing “reservations” for such workers, employers who report illegal immigrants get refunds on their state Workers’ Compensation Fund contributions, sheriffs receiving the ability to deny bond for illegal immigrants because they’re a flight risk and compensations for ordinary citizens to enforce immigration laws. The Deseret News reported Sandstrom is outraged and he said someone seeks to sabotage him with the fake bill. The lawmaker also guarantees his bill says nothing concerning guest worker programs.

(RICHFIELD) – A suspect charged with the murder of a Millard County Deputy will appear in court today for a preliminary hearing. Court documents showed that 38-year old Roberto Roman of Delta is scheduled to appear in 6th District Court today at a preliminary hearing to determine the proceedings of his future trial. Roman was arrested and charged with murder for the slaying of Millard County Deputy Josie Fox of Delta at a traffic stop in the early morning hours of Jan. 5 east of Delta. He’s also charged with tampering with evidence and possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person. His accomplice, 37-year old Ruben Chavez-Reyes of Fillmore, has also been charged in the slaying.

(RICHFIELD) – Thunderstorms that passed through Central Utah over the past week were responsible for starting 15 fires. Personnel on the Fishlake National Forest say that ten of the fires are burning on the Fishlake with most at a tenth of an acre or less. Officials say the Twitchell Canyon Fire burning about 13 miles northeast of Beaver is at about 130 acres. For public safety, the Indian Creek Road after the Pole Canyon road junction is closed to Manderfield Reservoir until further notice. The Jensen Spring Fire, burning about 2 miles northeast of Monroe is also being managed. All fires are being allowed to burn to reduce hazardous fuels and take its natural role in the ecosystem. Fire personnel continue to observe and manage the fires including rate and direction of the spread, fuels and weather.

(PRICE) – A pair of tornadoes touched down southeast of Price Monday afternoon. KSL Meteorologist Ken Randolph says you need to have a combination of several factors to make it a tornadoe. Randolph said strong winds toppled trees and damaged some homes when the tornadoes hit at about 3:20pm Monday. Emergency workers said that no injuries have been reported.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-The state of Utah’s highest court is set to issue a decision Tuesday morning in polygamist sect leader Warren Jeffs’ appeal of a 2007 rape conviction. A judge sentenced Jeffs to consecutive 5-to-life prison terms in 2007 for his role in the spiritual marriage of a 14-year-old girl to her 19-year-old cousin. Elissa Wall, who is now an adult, testified in court that she had expressed concerns that she was too young to marry and preferred to marry someone else other than her cousin. Jeffs appealed this case on the grounds that he was merely acting as a spiritual adviser and never promoted non-consensual sex between the couple. Last month, Arizona prosecutors dismissed four charges of sexual misconduct with a minor against Jeffs. These charges stemmed from two arranged marriages between teenage girls and older male relatives. Prosecutors dropped the charges when two alleged victims no longer wanted to proceed with the prosecution. This dismissal could also speed up prosecution in Texas where Jeffs was charged with sexual assault of a child and bigamy in the months after the raid of the Yearning for Zion ranch in Eldorado, Texas in 2008. Jeffs was transported to the Utah State prison in June and will appear in a West Jordan, Utah courtroom tomorrow.

(PARAGONAH)-Prairie dogs that have been digging up Paragonah’s cemetery are being evicted, although not swiftly enough for local officials, who are complaining about the animals toppling headstones as they dig. At the Paragonah Cemetery, a fence with a ground curtain was recently installed to keep the prairie dogs out, but dozens were already inside the perimeter, so trappers are trying to get them out. In southern Utah, prairie dogs have been federally protected since 1973 and they also have a proclivity for destroying golf courses as well as cemeteries. The cinnamon-colored rodents have caused significant frustration in the past few years and some Utahns say its protected status has hindered development and economic growth in one of the state’s fastest-growing areas, Iron and Washington County. In the 1920s, there were about 95,000 prairie dogs in Utah and after a movement to eradicate them, there were about 3,000 left in the 1970s. Federal protection has caused numbers to increase and officials said, there are currently about 10,000 of them in Utah.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-Salt Lake City-based EnergySolutions Inc. has withdrawn its application to import up to 20,000 tons of low-level radioactive waste from Italy. The company sent the Nuclear Regulatory Commission a letter requesting its application be withdrawn Friday. The move to withdraw the import license application comes after the company announced this month that it would no longer seek to dispose of foreign nuclear waste at its disposal facility in Utah’s west desert. Instead, the company says it will try to help build and manage overseas disposal sites. The application to import the waste and dispose of it in Utah was opposed by two Utah governors. Furthermore, the U.S. House passed a bill banning the importation of low-level radioactive waste. The bill has stalled in the Senate.

(PAGE, Ariz.)-A 32-year-old Greek man fell 600 feet to his death Saturday at the Horseshoe Bend overlook near Page, Ariz. Charalampos Grammatoglou of Thessaloniki, Greece, was standing on a thin sandstone ledge overlooking the Colorado River when the ledge gave way around 11:25 a.m. Saturday, reported Lieutenant Ron Anderson of the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office in Page. Just before his fall, members of his entourage told him to get back, Anderson reported Monday. The Sheriff’s Office and National Park Service responded, verifying Grammatoglou was deceased. The death was the first for the popular overlook in 14 or 15 years, Anderson said. The Colorado River is located about 1,000 feet below, at the bottom of a steep cliff. Anderson said he has long cautioned visitors from getting too close to the edge.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-Next month, the Salt Lake City television market is receiving a blast from the past with former competitors joining forces. The Salt TV Network, a new independent local news web cooperative, launched in beta version last week and is expected to be fully functional in August. It is currently being funded by startup investors, but the founders plan to seek advertising and paid subscribers. The talent is a who’s who of Salt Lake City broadcasting icons such as Dick Nourse, Kimberly Perkins, Randall Carlisle, Reece Stein and Tom Barberi, among others. The site has been under development for about a year and as the Internet continues to emerge as a global force, this is expected to be a worthy investiture for all parties involved.

(MOAB)-Federal managers at Arches National Park are revisiting the rules regulating rock climbing on the famous arches and natural bridges in southeast Utah. National Park Service officials say they’ll consider broadening the regulations but not until they consider public comment, which will be accepted through August 10, on the new Climbing and Canyoneering Management Plan. The park’s planning and compliance coordinator, Sabrian Henry, says officials recognize rock climbing and canyoneering as significant park activities although the new plan is still needed to ensure increased park use doesn’t ruin the land’s unique natural and cultural resources. Canyoneering will be monitored introspectively because of its increased popularity and its consistent role of ascending and descending on the park’s rocks. This review comes four years after Arches first tightened its rulings on climbing after first discovering regulations were too vague to prosecute climber Dean Potter who made a controversial “free solo” climb of the iconic Delicate Arch in the park in May 2006. The current rules make it quite clear that rock climbing on any arches or natural bridges is prohibited as is slacklining, or walking on a flat, nylon webbing or rope anchored between rock formations, trees or any other natural feature. Commercial guiding will also be examined, as will be the need for a possible permit system, group size limits and the policy on installing or replacing bolts, anchors or software.

(WASHINGTON)-Owners of the iPhone will now be able to break down electronic locks on their devices in order to download applications that have not been approved by Apple Inc. under government rules announced Monday. The decision to allow this practice, commonly known as “jailbreaking,” is one of a multitude of newly installed exemptions from a federal law which prohibits the circumvention of technical measures controlling access to copyrighted works. Every three years, the Library of Congress allows certain exemptions in certain instances to ensure the existing law does not prevent non-infringing use of copyrighted material. Another exemption would allow owners of used cell phones to break access controls on their phones in order to switch wireless carriers.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-While Arizona’s new immigration law is expected to be officially enforced Thursday, Utah congressman, Jason Chaffetz, says addressing legal immigration should be a priority for the federal government. Chaffetz believes reforming the visa program, coming up with a guest worker program and deporting criminal illegal immigrants should be priorities. He also says requiring businesses to check the immigration status of employees would help. Chaffetz also said he has been informed by the Department of Homeland Security that 40 percent of people who come to the U.S. on visas never return. In closing, he reported that he thinks rounding up and deporting millions of people is “not reasonable” and he wants to target illegals who have committed crimes.

(ZION NATIONAL PARK)-Zion National Park officials say three men who were swept away in a flash flood in a canyon were able to signal for help and be rescued. Zion spokesman Ron Terry says the men from the Las Vegas area were hiking in Spry Canyon on Saturday when about an inch of rain fell in less than 30 minutes. Terry reported all three men were washed over a 40-foot drop and two of them went over another 60-foot plunge as water rushed through the canyon walls. One of the men used a headlamp to signal a distress call and an off-duty park ranger spotted the flash. Two of the men were flown to a St. George hospital and Terry said their names were not being released and had no word of their condition on Sunday.

With the NFL’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony coming up August 6, its more lightly-regarded counterpart, the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony took place Sunday @ Cooperstown, N.Y. Leading the way was the beloved centerfielder Andre Dawson, along with umpire Doug Harvey, manager Whitey Herzog and broadcaster Jon Miller. Dawson, who played for four teams over the course of 20 seasons, posted 438 home runs, 1,591 RBI and 2,774 hits and due to his swiftness (he stole 314 bases as well), fans glowingly referred to him as “the Hawk.” Meanwhile, Harvey was lionized for his efforts as an umpire who never attended umpiring school (but still proved successful) and Herzog, who is best known for his 1982 World Series title with the St. Louis Cardinals, received almost 88 percent of the vote to join his illustrious colleagues. Finally, Miller, who currently serves as the voice of the San Francisco Giants on KNBR-AM 680 in San Francisco as well as the play-by-play broadcaster for ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball, received the Ford Frick award for “major contributions” to baseball. Dawson, who presumably is clean from steroids, thanked the voters for allowing him to be immortalized, but lamented that the game has changed for the worse with the implementation of performance-enhancing substances. I commend Dawson for his candor, I just hope that nothing leaks out that he was ever guilty of taking such drugs.

At the Tour de France, Spain’s Alberto Contador won his second consecutive yellow jersey, capping of what has already been a magnificent sports year for Spain. In the NBA, Contador’s countryman, Pau Gasol, helped the Los Angeles Lakers win their second consecutive NBA championship while tennis star Rafael Nadal has ensued in his mastery on the court, as he won Wimbledon earlier this month. Furthermore, two weeks ago, the Spanish won the World Cup for the first time in history while with the World Basketball Championships coming up from Turkey next month, Spain could ensue in its athletic magnificence on the year. Gasol headlines a solid team which also features the likes of Rudy Fernandez, Ricky Rubio and Jose Calderon so if I were a betting man, perhaps I’d place some bones on the Spaniards. Since I’m not, however, I can hopefully perpetrate my journalistic excellence and continue to give you insightful comments. Thanks for reading!

The Toronto Argonauts, one of the CFL’s most storied franchises appears set to regain previous glory as they found another way to win in dramatic fashion with a 24-20 win over the British Columbia Lions Friday at Rogers Centre. Byron Parker returned a Travis Lulay interception 41 yards for a score to give the Argonauts the win which improved them to 3-1. Already, the Argos have experienced a significant paradigm shift as a year ago, Toronto once lost nine consecutive games. Hamilton businessman David Braley would have been happy with either winner in this game as he owns both the Lions and Argonauts. Incidentally, this game also commemorated the first time that two teams owned by the same owner have squared off on the field in the CFL. Cory Boyd ran for 148 yards for the Argonauts while Cleo Lemon tossed for 222 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Lulay threw for 330 yards but had two costly picks for the Lions as he filled in for the injured Casey Printers. This was also British Columbia’s third straight loss which has squelched the momentum of the Lions’ Week 1 win over Edmonton. Tomorrow, the CFL has a doubleheader featuring Edmonton and Winnipeg in the opener while Calgary hosts Saskatchewan in the night cap.

(WASHINGTON D.C.) – Sen. Bob Bennett was successful this week in securing $1.9 billion for a new NASA Launch Vehicle and funding for juvenile outreach, crime prevention and global climate programs. Bennett said the Senate Appropriations Committee has approved the money that will use solid rocket motors as a core technology for an integrated heavy lift rocket, saving thousands of jobs in Utah. Bennett said the rocket motors for NASA’s new launch vehicle will be produced in Utah. He said the legislation is significant because it rejects Pres. Obama’s failed vision for human spaceflight. The bill also secured another $6.25 million for juvenile outreach, crime prevention technology and global climate monitoring programs in Utah. Bennett also was instrumental in gaining approval of over $68 million for Utah energy and water projects.

(FLAGSTAFF, Ariz.)-Most homeowners at the base of the San Francisco Peaks in Flagstaff, Ariz. will not have their FEMA flood insurance coverage until August, local residents believe. Flagstaff resident, Geri Finch, says despite her home getting flooded, her coverage does not begin until August 11. Finch claims her agent told her the flood coverage offered only covers damage caused by standing water. The coverage starts after 30 days after it has been purchased. Mid-Utah Radio would like to thank KPHO-TV, Channel 5 in Phoenix for their assistance on this story.

(SALINA) – Road contractors plan to temporarily close a portion of the Gooseberry Road Monday through Friday in a maintenance project designed to improve travel and roads on the Fishlake National Forest. Fishlake personnel say a section between Cold Springs and Gates Lake Road will be temporarily closed to through traffic from 8am to noon and from 1-5pm, Monday through Friday. The portion of the road will remain open on weekends.

(CEDAR CITY) – Lightening strikes have caused two brush fires in Beaver County and Cedar City over the past few days. The first strike hit Monday night in Southern Utah and Northern Arizona, starting at least 30 fires. One fire, 25 miles north of Cedar City, quickly spread to almost 400 acres. That fire is about 60% contained. The second fire about 13 miles northeast of Beaver has spread to about 40 acres. The Beaver fire is being managed but is not yet under control. Officials have closed down access from Indian Creek Road to Manderfield Reservoir until further notice. Thunderstorms that caused the second fire also caused 15 other smaller fires this past week, including 10 of them on the Fishlake National Forest.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-Utahns are being asked for their opinions and ideas for public lands use and conservation as part of a federal government program called America’s Great Outdoors Initiative. The Obama Administration established this in April. The Interior and Agriculture Departments, Environmental Protection Agency and the Council on Environmental Quality are charged with collecting comments from stakeholders. Those include tribal leaders, farmers, ranchers, sportsmen, foresters, businesses, educators, state and local governments and recreation and conservation groups. A public hearing will take place Tuesday August 3 at the Radisson hotel in downtown Salt Lake City, located at 215 West South Temple. There will be two sessions: one for adults from 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. and one for youth from 1:30-3:00 p.m. Comments may also be submitted at www.doi.gov/americasgreatoutdoors/

(CEDAR CITY)-A southern Utah trail is reopening to the public after a major overhaul to increase safety. The U.S. Forest Service reported Friday that the Cascade Falls National Recreation Trail on Cedar Mountain east of Cedar City has been re-engineered and will be open in time for the 24th of July holiday. The Forest Service rerouted the trail and stabilized erosive soils over the last couple of years. Acting Cedar City District Ranger, Charlie Marsh, says the trail is one of the highlights for visitors to Cedar Mountain. The trail features views of the Virgin Rim country near Zion National Park and ends at a waterfall flowing out of the cliffs.

(PRICE) – Carbon County officials are getting rid of all the old tires in the county landfill. Commissioner Bill Krompel said roughly 4 million pounds of old tires have overrun the landfill and need to go. Krompel wrote a letter to the Utah Department of Environmental Quality and secured a 60% grant to send the tires to a recycling center in Salt Lake City and the other 40% to come from tire shops and their recycling fee. He said Liberty Tire Recycling will begin picking up the old tires, starting this week and transport them to SLC, where they’ll be chopped up for use at athletic fields around the country. Krompel said it’ll take about four months just to get rid of all the tires and for Carbon County, it means less of a fire hazard and more use out of the landfill.

(PHOENIX)-Judge Susan Bolton presided over two hearings in a Phoenix courtroom packed with spectators and top Arizona officials Thursday on whether the state’s new immigration law should take effect amid a flurry of legal challenges against the crackdown.

Arizona Governor, Jan Brewer, was in attendance at the second hearing, as was the U.S. Attorney for Arizona, Dennis Burke.

At the end of the first hearing, Bolton did not issue a ruling and the later afternoon hearing focused on the U.S. Justice Department’s request of a preliminary injunction which seeks to block key sections of the law from taking effect next Thursday.

During the morning hearing, Bolton told lawyers for the American Civil Liberties Union she’s required to consider blocking only parts of the law, not the entire statute as was requested.

She also said the law has a section allowing certain parts to take effect even if other portions should be struck down.

Most of the controversy of the law, according to KPHO-TV, Channel 5 in Phoenix, revolves around provisions related to the stops and arrests of people, new crimes related to illegal immigrants and a requirement that immigrants carry and produce their own immigration papers.

The law requires officers, as they enforce other laws, to check a person’s immigration status if reasonable suspicion exists that a person is in the country illegally.

It also disallows people from blocking traffic when they seek or offer day-labor services on streets and prohibits illegal immigrants from soliciting work in public places.

Since Brewer signed off on this law in April, it has inspired statewide rallies in Arizona and caused considerable controversy.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-Democratic gubernatorial nominee Peter Corroon is calling for the state to maintain its traditional energy resources while expanding the development of renewable energy. Corroon announced his energy plan Thursday while he says developing renewable energy resources can bring economic development to Utah in the form of new jobs. As governor, Corroon says he would follow the lead of former Republican Governor Jon Huntsman, who set an energy-efficient target of a 10 percent reduction in electricity and natural gas consumption by 2025. Corroon says he would tap Utah universities for ideas and innovation to facilitate the renewable technological development and expand the use of renewable energy on state properties. Corroon says that includes requiring all new facilities to be “net zero,” generating as much as energy as they use.

(FLAGSTAFF, Ariz.)-Several cracks in a dam at a new 71-acre flood control basin in the western sector of Flagstaff, Ariz., were found during a recent inspection by the Arizona Department of Water Resources. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which finished this project, is currently investigating the cause of the cracks, most of which are less than an inch wide. The dam is bisected by a concrete spillway but no cracks have been found there. The discovery came at an ominous time in Flagstaff, as earlier this week, significant flooding occurred in the city. Nevertheless, no repairs are scheduled until next year.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-The Utah Attorney General’s Office has begun a criminal investigation into two women accused of cobbling together a list of 1,300 residents who are purportedly in the country illegally. One of those women is Tressa Bassett, a 15-year state employee and computer specialist. The Salt Lake Tribune learned this from sources aware of her identity who spoken on condition of anonymity. Phone messages left for Bassett and two family members were not returned while a reporter also left a pair of notes requesting an interview at her home earlier this week. Bassett worked for the prison system until the state decided to consolidate its information technology services in 2005. She spent some time working for the newly formed Department of Technology Services until it disbanded the training unit, after which she went to Workforce Services. A state investigation has found information from the DWS database was methodically compiled over several months into a 29-page spreadsheet with the names, addresses, birth dates and phone numbers of all 1,300 listed and in select cases, their Social Security numbers as well. The department has begun the process of terminating Bassett.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-The Utah Office of the Legislative Auditor General has decided against auditing high-occupancy vehicle lanes, citing new legislation that will require the Utah Department of Transportation to answer similar questions. The audit was requested by Representative Wayne Harper of West Jordan who questioned the use of HOV lanes, the cost to construct and maintain the lanes, the impact on traffic congestion and vehicle emissions and the safety and enforcement of HOV lanes. In a report released Tuesday afternoon, the legislative auditor noted that in March, the Legislature approved SB38, sponsored by Senator Karen Morgan of Cottonwood Heights. The law requires UDOT to report each year to the Transportation Interim Committee on HOV lane usage, impact and safety in comparison to general-purpose lanes. Furthermore, UDOT is also finishing the installation of an electric tolling system that will change how drivers pay to use the lanes as well as where the lanes are used, according to the auditor’s report. UDOT will report their first findings to legislators by November. In August, UDOT will begin operating an electronic tolling system on the HOV lanes and will take time in gathering data.

(CASTLE DALE) – The father of former BYU basketball and NBA player Shawn Bradley died Wednesday after falling off his roof in Castle Dale. The Emery County Sheriff’s Office said 61-year old Reiner Bradley was applying caulk to a rain gutter on his roof, when he fell 15 feet onto a cement basement entrance, hitting his head. The sheriff’s office believes he died instantly. A report said when Bradley didn’t show up for work, his co-workers began looking for him. He was a physician’s assistant and was well respected in the community. He is survived by his wife and four children.

(COLORADO CITY, Ariz.)-Escalating tensions in the polygamous communities of Colorado City, Ariz. and Hildale, Utah, along the Utah/Arizona border have caused the Arizona Attorney General to call for an emergency dealing with a Utah judge to handle the matter. In the interim, Utah courts have assumed control of the United Effort Plan Trust, declaring the trust had been abandoned by polygamous group leader, Warren Jeffs. The UEP trust owns most of the land in these two communities. Nevertheless, the court-appointed administrator has been fought strenuously by the polygamous faction in his efforts to reform the trust. One of the more controversial moves has been giving occupancy agreements for homes in the community not belonging to members of the sect. Last Tuesday, community Marshals arrested a couple which did not belong to the sect at their own home and despite their calls to the Mohave County (Ariz.) sheriff, there was no resolution to the matter at hand. The arrestees, Matt and Genevive Hainline, said the arrest was a plot to remove all those from the twin communities who do not belong to the sect.

(CEDAR CITY)-U.S. Bureau of Land Management officials say a lightning-ignited southern Utah fire wildfire has grown to 397 acres, but is being contained. The fire began 19 miles north of Cedar Cit Tuesday on steep terrain. BLM spokeswoman, Jenny Hammond, says the blaze has been 60 percent contained and is burning grass, pinon and juniper trees. No structures have been threatened as of yet. Fire managers say there are about 78 people fighting the fire, including three ground crews and a pair of fire engines. Several air tankers have also been used. Officials say smoke from the fire may be visible from the communities of Cedar City, Minersville and Milford.

Division I-A college football coaches can be some of the biggest hypocrites on terra firma and Alabama head coach Nick Saban’s take at the Southeastern Conference’s media day is one of the biggest reasons why. For starters, at Wednesday’s rendezvous with the press, Saban lambasted agents for ruining his program. Saban had plenty of choice words for these agents, but since this is a family site, I’ll paraphrase. Alabama’s “illustrious coach,” (note sarcasm…) had the audacity to call these agents a slang term for men who take advantage of women of the harlot persuasion. From there on, we won’t quote from Saban because there’s nothing he can do to enhance my knowledge on any subject. What we do know about Saban is in 2006, he left the Miami Dolphins high and dry to go to Alabama because the Tide are a traditionally favored program and thus don’t have to work their way into a “national championship” game. During his ignominious reign in Tuscaloosa, Ala., the Tide have had numerous issues with academics and agents amid his precipitous ride to the mythical pinnacle of I-A college football. Through it all, Saban has been a selfish jerk with no regard for those around him. Thus, what is the difference between Saban and the agents who are supposedly “ruining his program?” In closing, there is no reason for anyone to listen to a college football coach at a BCS program on any subject (unless it’s Mack Brown, Kyle Whittingham or Joe Paterno), especially one as sleazy as Saban.

Now, moving on to REAL football, Ed Reed, a 9-year veteran with the Baltimore Ravens and in my opinion, a borderline Hall of Famer will likely start the 2010 season on the Physically Unable To Perform list. Luckily, the Ravens have plenty of quality defensive backs to insert into the lineup in Reed’s absence. However, Reed is anything but ecstatic about how he believes Baltimore management has treated him. Reed, who has returned six interceptions for scores in his career, (a noteworthy feat among safeties) has publicly stated that management is not fairly compensating him for his exploits. While that remains to be seen, it’s peculiar to see Reed acting this way as in addition to his stellar athleticism, he has consistently been one of the leaders in the Baltimore locker room for years. For a team with serious Super Bowl aspirations, this is not a good sign for Baltimore. Nevertheless, I fully expect signal-caller Joe Flacco to lead the ship correctly for the Ravens. Thanks for reading!

(ST. GEORGE)-This past week, Dixie State head coach, Scott Brumfield, a former NFL offensive lineman with the Cincinnati Bengals in the mid-90s, was admitted to Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George with back pains. During the evaluation period, medical personnel felt it was necessary to run more tests on Brumfield, after which they discovered he had tested positive for Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. While Brumfield undergoes his medical treatment in St. George, his assistant coaches will run the day-to-day football operations. The Red Storm begin their season with an August 28 game @ Adams State (Colo.)

(PHOENIX)-Arizona’s new immigration law is set to take effect next week, but there is still controversy looming. Officers in the Phoenix Police Department, according to Phoenix’s ABC-15, say there is a conflict between jurisdictional policy and state law underway. The issue at hand is a clause in a draft of the law that says for all those arrested not being booked, the arresting officer/employee will call or otherwise contact authorities to verify the immigration status of these individuals. Furthermore, all arrested people, including juveniles, shall have their immigration status verified prior to the arrestee being released. Phoenix Law Enforcement Association President, Mark Spencer, said the law was intended for officers to assume all people they come in contact with are in the country legally, unless reasonable suspicion exists that they’re in the country illegally or have committed a crime. PLEA is hoping for a revision of the draft before the law takes effect July 29.

(SPRING VALLEY, Ariz.)-Spring Valley, Arizona residents are experiencing the latest forest fire in northern Arizona which was allowed to burn Tuesday. The lightning-ignited fire, northwest of Kendrick Peak, is at more than 415 acres and growing slowly, about six miles from Spring Valley, a town about 84 miles southwest of Flagstaff, Ariz., according to officials from the Kaibab National Forest’s Supervisors Office. Spring Valley was partially evacuated a little more than a month ago due to a large wildfire that burned 3,374 acres. This new fire, the Juniper Fire, is being allowed to burn within a 1,600-acre boundary and is located about 18 miles northeast of Williams, Ariz. Punky Moore, the fire spokeswoman for the Kaibab National Forest, said the fire is in a good location with roads surrounding it because of ridges along roadways which prevent the fire from spreading. Traditionally, the U.S. Forest Service has allowed such lighting-ignited fires to burn in locations where they don’t threaten property, don’t enter wilderness areas and are forecast to burn moderately, as prescribed burns would.

(BEAVER)-The Utah Department of Public Safety has reopened three drivers’ license offices in southern Utah on a part time basis, in Beaver, Fillmore and Panguitch. The Beaver office is now open on the first and third Tuesdays of each month, 8:30 a.m.-4:40 p.m., the Fillmore office is open will be open on the first, third and (when available) fifth Wednesdays of each month, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. and the Panguitch office is open on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Additional information about services and documents needed to obtain a drivers’ license may be found on the division’s Web site, www.driverlicense.utah.gov.

(BRIGHAM CITY)-Brigham City is bracing for numerous visitors next weekend during the groundbreaking for the community’s new LDS temple, the 14th in the state of Utah. Jim Buchanan, the director of emergency services for the city, told the Ogden Standard-Examiner, that within 12 hours of the groundbreaking’s official announcement, all of the city’s hotels were booked. City officials expect anywhere from 10,000-30,000 visitors for the event which begins Saturday July 31 at 9:00 a.m. Additionally, there will be 2,000 invited guests and the public is invited to attend. Furthermore, the groundbreaking will be broadcast to LDS stake centers throughout the temple district. Other cities will send police officers to help with traffic and road closures while the Standard-Examiner also said Brigham City’s Main Street and 13 intersections will be closed. The temple will be on Main Street in downtown Brigham City and will have four stories and take up 36,000 square feet.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-The Utah Department of Workforce Services has identified and fired two employees who they say are responsible for compiling the list of 1,300 supposedly illegal immigrants last week. The former employees also disseminated the list, and personal information, to the media and law enforcement officials. Tuesday, the Department said it initiated termination proceedings against the workers, whose names have not yet been released. According to DWS policy, access and distribution of personal and confidential records may be punishable by termination of employment. Furthermore, the misuse of confidential information may also constitute a violation of state and federal law. Information gathered during the Department’s week-long internal review will be handed over to the Utah Attorney General’s Office Wednesday morning for possible legal action. This 29-page list, which purports to contain private data about illegal immigrants began circulation last week after which Utah Governor, Gary Herbert, immediately commanded all state agencies to begin a review process to determine if the information originated within the state government. The news broke shortly after Governor Herbert’s roundatable discussion Tuesday afternoon.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-Utah Governor Gary Herbert says the release of a list of 1,300 purported illegal immigrants has hurt efforts to enact irrigation reform. Tuesday, Herbert addressed a gathering of political, community and law enforcement leaders at an immigration summit roundtable that the anonymous mailing divided the community at a time when it should be coming together. The list was mailed to news media and law enforcement this month, rife with Social Security numbers, birth dates, workplaces, addresses and phone numbers. The list also demands that those who appear be deported, although some listed insist they’re in the country legally.

(RICHFIELD) – Several road projects in South-Central Utah are causing some traffic delays. The Utah Department of Transportation says finish work on a chip seal project on SR-118 from Monroe to the Livestock Auction may cause five minute delays. Another chip seal project at the Glenwood turn-off on SR-24 at Peterson Creek may cause 15 minute delays in traffic throughout the week. In Sanpete County, crews are leveling the roadway on SR-28 north of Gunnison in a chip seal project, causing 15 minute delays. The project extends north from Gunnison and past Fayette for several miles. UDOT says motorists should take the necessary precautions in work zones throughout South-Central Utah.

(RICHFIELD) – The American Red Cross is hosting two blood drives in our local area this week. The first drive will be held this Thursday at the ambulance building in Richfield from 2-7pm. The bloodmobile unit will be located in the parking area of building at 925 North Main. ARC says the second blood drive will be held Saturday in Delta at the Senior Citizen Center from noon to 5pm. All those who have the ability to donate blood are invited to either blood drive.

(SALINA) – A Richfield man was lifeflighted to a hospital along the Wasatch Front Monday afternoon after his ATV rolled on top of him at Rex’s Reservoir up Salina Canyon. A sheriff’s report said that 74-year old Ross Harward was riding his ATV down a steep terrain near the reservoir at about 2:30pm, when he encountered several large boulders that had rolled onto the trail. The report said that in an attempt to back up his ATV, the machine rolled on top of him. Harward was able to get back to his camp with the help of those with whom he was riding but complained of shoulder, back and chest pain. The sheriff’s office also took a report of a 59-year old woman riding her ATV near the Fremont Indian Museum on Monday. She apparently stopped to do some hiking and broke her ankle. Search and Rescue was notified and transported the woman by ambulance to the Sevier Valley Medical Center in Richfield for treatment. No information was released on the woman’s name or location.

(VEYO)-Hot temperatures in Washington County caused a power line transformer to malfunction, igniting a brush fire along S.R. 18 near Veyo Monday afternoon. The quick response of BLM firefighting crew and the Santa Clara Public Safety Department quickly contained the fire, according to KCSG-TV of St. George. Tuesday morning, the Santa Clara Public Safety Department also confirmed that no one was injured and that everything has returned to normal in the area.

(PROVO)-Lewdness citations have been dropped against eight people who went skinny dipping at Diamond Fork Springs in Spanish Fork Canyon after officials acknowledged a sign near the site was unclear. The bathers were cited last fall but the Utah County attorney’s office decided not to go forward with the misdemeanors. Part of the problem was a U.S. Forest Service sign warning would-be bathers to use discretion in removing clothes. The group’s members said they were confronted in October by Utah County sheriff’s deputies checking the area and were cited. Utah County’s Chief Deputy Attorney, Tim Taylor, said the office decided it was not a good case to take to trial. The Forest Service has since removed the sign, acknowledging it as “somewhat ambiguous” and prohibited nudity to match county law.

(TOOELE)-Utah’s Deseret Chemical Depot says Colonel Mark B. Pomeroy will take over as commander Thursday. Pomeroy has previously served as branch chief for the U.S. Army’s Nuclear and Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction Agency in Virginia. In Utah, he will succeed Colonel Gerald L. Gladney, who will become the Pentagon’s director for chemical demilitarization programs. The Deseret Chemical Depot is destroying the nation’s largest stockpile of chemical weapons and the Army says Pomeroy will bring this task to a close before finishing his two-year assignment in Utah’s west desert. The director of the U.S. Army Chemical Materials Agency, Conrad Whyne, will conduct the change of command in a ceremony Thursday. State and federal officials have been invited.

The Indianapolis Colts are often a team as bereft of controversy as CBS Sports’ Gregg Doyel, is of bad takes. Judging by their old-school, sweet blue and white uniforms and the classic horseshoe which has personified the franchise since their days in Baltimore, things haven’t changed much. Nevertheless, despite Peyton Manning’s straight-arrow reputation and the solid work ethic of the likes of Jeff Saturday, Gary Brackett and Austin Collie, things aren’t as propitious as they have been previously with the Colts. For starters, reliable wideout, Reggie Wayne, and defensive end, Robert Mathis, each of which are key contributors for the Colts, are both perhaps planning to hold out since they haven’t had new deals signed as of yet. Furthermore, hard-hitting safety Bob Sanders, who has not been able to play much over the past few seasons is perhaps considering retirement. Luckily for the Colts, Manning, who in my opinion will retire as the greatest quarterback of all time once he hangs up his cleats, is at the helm and will thus keep things going correctly. So, perhaps this will be much ado about nothing, but we’ll see what happens. All I know is the Colts have won at least 12 games for seven consecutive seasons, and I fully expect them to make it eight.

As for Dwyane Wade, he apologized for his World Trade Center comments and I therefore, forgive him. After all, I like all Marquette alums who make it in the NBA, such as ex-Jazzman Wesley Matthews, who the team did not resign, thus allowing Portland to pick him up. The Blazers will love him. I’m out.

(RICHFIELD) – Sevier County Commissioners are considering raising the transient room tax to bolster funds for tourism in the county. At the Commission meeting today, Commissioners discussed raising the tax from three percent to 4.25%. According to state law, the county can’t raise the transient room tax above the 4.25% level. Travel Council Director Kevin Arrington approached the Commission with the tax hike, saying that if it’s approved by September, the increase will go into effect in January, 2011. He said that 30% of the increased funds would go towards brick-and-mortar tourism projects and 70% would go towards sponsored events. Arrington said that transient room tax increases should always go towards specific tourism projects. Commissioners said that local motels and restaurants don’t need to be notified of the tax hike but as a courtesy to those businesses, county officials would approach them.

(ANNABELLA) – Two local teenagers were taken to the hospital Sunday afternoon after a truck in which they were passengers rolled on a road in Annabella. According to a sheriff’s report, 19-year old Rachel Jolley of Richfield was traveling southbound in a 1993 Chevy Blazer at about 5:30pm, when she hit soft dirt on the shoulder of the road at 700 East 200 North in Annabella and rolled once. The report said Jolley was traveling with her boyfriend and her brother, plus two other girls. Deputies said that 19-year old Becky Hurd of Richfield sustained an injury to her arm and was taken to the Sevier Valley Medical Center in Richfield for treatment. A 16-year old Richfield girl was also taken to the hospital for treatment. Jolley and her brother were not injured in the accident but her boyfriend had a cut on his upper arm and received stitches. She was cited for speeding as the cause of the crash. The Blazer landed on its top and was a total loss.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-According to KTVX-Channel 4 in Salt Lake City, a spokesman for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints released a statement about the Church’s stance on immigration Monday. The statement comes prior to Utah Governor Gary Herbert’s planned immigration summit Tuesday. Community, civic, law enforcement and religious leaders will attend the summit in Salt Lake City. The statement, released by Church spokesman, Scott Trotter, said that Scott Parker, who heads the Church’s Salt Lake City Public Affairs Council, will represent the Church at the summit. The Church says complex issues surrounding immigration are a matter of concern for citizens of the United States and that elected individuals have the responsibility to find solutions in the best interests of those whose lives are affected by the ruling. In closing, the Church said they admonish citizens to act civilly as they address the issue and that success will come if authorities do what is best for God’s children.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-Utah officials are investigating whether eight more state workers may have accessed confidential documents to create a list of 1,300 purported illegal immigrants that was mailed to law enforcement officials and the news media. Utah Department of Workforce Services spokesman, Dave Lewis, says the employees were being interviewed Monday. Two other state workers were placed on administrative leave with pay last week. The department administers food stamp programs and other benefits. State officials have said most of those identified on the list have children who are receiving benefits. The mailed list contains Social Security numbers, birth dates, workplaces, addresses and phone numbers. Additionally, names of children are included, along with due dates of pregnant women. In Utah, intentionally releasing private records is a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and an $1,000 fine. Utah Governor, Gary Herbert, has said he will sign an immigration bill into law next year should he remain in office. However, it is unclear how much it would mirror the Arizona law, which will go into effect July 29.

(FLAGSTAFF, Ariz.)-Navajo lawmakers are set to take up an issue which has long been a source of controversy around the country about whether or not judges should be elected. Legislation on the Tribal council’s summer session, which starts Monday @ Window Rock, Ariz., seeks to put this question before voters in November. If approved, three tribal Supreme Court justices and 17 district court judges would be elected, starting in 2012. Retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice, Sandra Day O’Connor, has been pushing for state legislators to end the practice of electing judges, contending partisan elections and fundraising that comes with it impairs the ability of judges to be impartial in court. Supporters, including the sponsors of the tribal measure, say electing judges ensures they’re accountable to the people. More than 30 states elect judges in some form. The Navajo system of seating judges is similar to that used in the state of Arizona in which a panel recommends candidates to the governor and one is appointed. However, the Navajo Nation differs from this with the implementation of the Tribal Council’s Judiciary Committee and the entire council’s confirmation of the president’s appointment.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-Rocky Mountain Power says scam artists are tricking customers to reveal their credit card accounts. The utility says Utah customers are receiving fraudulent telephone calls, claiming they’re in default and at risk of losing power. In other instances, scam artists have told customers they forgot to sign a check. In all cases, it appears callers are asking for credit card numbers to satisfy bills. Rocky Mountain Power remains insistent that it does not operate this way and warns customers not to surrender any of their personal information. The utility says it is working with police to stop the fraud and stated it never demands immediate payment for service or damaged or broken electrical equipment.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-Utah’s newest Supreme Court justice starts his new job Monday. Around noon, Tom Lee will be sworn into office by his former boss, U.S. Supreme Court justice, Clarence Thomas. Last month, the Utah Senate unanimously confirmed the law professor at Brigham Young University to fill the seat held by retired Justice, Michael Wilkins. Lee has previously served as a deputy assistant U.S. attorney and once clerked for Justice Thomas. Lee’s brother, Mike Lee, is the GOP nominee for U.S. Senate.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-Utah Governor Gary Herbert has called for a roundtable discussion Tuesday on one of the country’s more significant issues, illegal immigration. Herbert has invited 30 community leaders to the discussion and participants will range from lawmakers to church and minority group leaders. The discussion, which is expected to last two hours, will bring in two politicians on opposite sides of the argument: Republican representative, Stephen Sandstrom of Orem, who has reiterated he plans to move forward with an immigration bill similar to the one Arizona will pass July 29, and Utah Attorney General, Mark Shurtleff, who has suggested implementing a state-sanctioned guest worker program which may potentially lead to citizenship.

(PIUTE COUNTY)-A pilot is dead after a glider went down in Piute County. According the the Piute County Sheriff’s Office, a call came in at 10:00 PM Saturday about a possible missing glider. After checking all major roads and airports with no results, the search was called off due to darkness. The search resumed at 6:30 AM Sunday morning and the glider was found about 9:00 AM west of Marysvale in the Tushar Mountains. Piute and Sevier County Search and Rescue along with EMS, and Classic Lifeguard assisted in the retrieval of the body from the scene. The name of the victim has not been released. The NTSB and the FAA are investigating the crash.

(CENTRAL VALLEY) – A Central Valley man escaped injury Friday morning after a Monroe woman crashed into him on SR-118. According to a UHP report, 34-year old Sara Stevens of Monroe was traveling southbound when she attempted to pass 39-year old Thomas Bird of Central Valley, and broadsided Bird as he made a left hand turn. The report said Stevens was driving a 2004 Saturn Ion and Bird was in a 1991 Dodge Dakota at the time of the accident at about 8:45am. Neither driver was injured in the crash but Stevens was cited for following too close and no seatbelt use.

Today, there is good news and bad news, let’s start with the good, since I’m always such a positive guy.

Thus, we start in the CFL, where the Saskatchewan Roughriders celebrated their 100th anniversary in the league by wearing red and black jerseys that are most often associated with the Calgary Stampeders. Despite the fact that the Roughriders trailed the erstwhile Edmonton Eskimos, 20-13 heading into the 4th Quarter, Darian Durant (238 passing yards, TD, INT) and Wes Cates (12 car, 112 yards) made huge plays to lead Saskatchewan to a 24-20 win. However, the greatest individual performance belonged to Edmonton’s Fred Stamps (12 rec, 213 yards) despite the loss which drops the Esks to 0-3. Meanwhile, Saskatchewan improved to 3-0 and looks as good as anyone else in the CFL.

As for the bad news, longtime North Carolina mens’ basketball coach Dean Smith, who won two national championships with the Tar Heels and helped bring blacks into mens’ college basketball is currently dealing with Alzheimer’s. In the words of prolific sports journalist John Feinstein, (who did a magnificent job filling in for Jim Rome last Thursday), it’s obvious Smith’s memory isn’t what it was before. Of all the aggrandizing ways to watch your body deteriorate, Alzheimer’s is chief among them. It’s sad that one of sports’ all-time great figures is suffering from such symptoms and I wish him the best.

(BLANDING)-This Friday commemorates the end of five straight days of heavy labor in the Navajo Nation of southeastern Utah for teens throughout the country. The adolescents have spent thousands of hours this summer fixing homes within the Navajo Nation. This past week has been especially industrious for the youth as they have worked a cumulative 10,000 hours of work on 35 Navajo homes. This is also the 11th year that the state of Utah’s Division of Housing and Community Development has welcomed teens to the state, which has proved to be an enriching experience for both the youth and those they serve.

(GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Ariz.)-Grand Canyon National Park officials now know the identity of a body retrieved from below Moran Point on the South Rim of the park last Monday. In a news release issued Thursday, park officials say they identified the body as that of 50-year-old Kirby Porter of Mechanicsville, Va. Park officials say they first received a call of a man who reportedly exited a car at Moran Peak July 11. The man then climbed over a retaining wall and was found lying down at the edge of the canyon rim. Additionally, witnesses reported that upon park rangers’ arrival at the scene, the car was found but not Porter. Officials began searching in the area Monday and the park’s helicopter reported seeing the body of a man more than 250 feet below the rim. According to the Coconino County (Ariz.) Medical Examiner, the cause of Porter’s death resulted from injuries incurred in a fall. We would like to thank KPHO-Channel 5 of Phoenix for their assistance in gathering information on this story.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-Utah Governor, Gary Herbert, is the new chair of the Economic Development and Commerce Committee for the National Governors Association. The appointment was announced in Boston last Sunday during the final day of the annual NGA meeting and Herbert replaces the outgoing chair, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, his spokeswoman, Angie Welling said. The Economic Development and Commerce Committee has jurisdiction over a broad range of issues, such as transportation and infrastructure, financial service and competitiveness, in addition to other matters. Governor Herbert has previously served on the NGA’s health and human services standing committee, the Health Care reform task force and the special committee on homeland security and public safety. In 2011, Utah will host the annual NGA meeting for the first time since 1947.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-The state of Utah has identified at least two employees from the Department of Workforce Services who accessed state data to compile a 1,300-name list of people presumably in the country illegally, according to the Salt Lake Tribune. Friday morning, Utah Governor Gary Herbert said this appears to be a “very deliberate violation of security protocols,” when he appeared on an KSL-AM 1160 morning show. Reportedly, a group calling itself “Concerned Citizens of the United States,” sent the 29-page document to news outlets and law enforcement agencies, demanding people on the list be immediately deported. In addition to listing the names of the supposed illegal immigrants, the sheet also featured their places of employment, due dates for pregnant mothers, and more than 30 Social Security numbers. This crime, in the state of Utah, is considered a misdemeanor, which is punishable by six months in prison or an $1,000 fine to release protected information. Additionally, Herbert said federal law also appears to have been violated.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-Latino community leaders are calling for swift and open investigation as they seek to suppress community fears. Volunteers have taken more than 1,000 calls and e-mails from Latinos who are desperate to know if they are among the 1,300 supposed illegal immigrants who are in Utah. Those who have been fielding the calls say many asking if they’re on the list insist they are American citizens or permanent residents. The accuracy of this list is in question and many point to the fact that despite virtually all of the names being of Hispanic origin, it is believed a quarter of undocumented immigrants come from different places.

The NFL supplemental draft, while often overlooked by most fans of the game, has netted several good players in the past, such as ex-Syracuse wideout Rob Moore and former Washington State signal-caller Timm Rosenbach. Well, now ex-Brigham Young tailback Harvey Unga can be added to the mix. The Chicago Bears took a chance on Unga, who was expelled from BYU after having premarital sex with his girlfriend. On www.nationalfootballpost.com, this was seen as a strike against him, but generally, NFP spoke glowingly of him, saying he has a strong running style and is instrumental to offensive success on the goal line, one of Chicago’s weaknesses last season. Now, while I think Unga will do fine in Chicago, he will be hurt by having Jay Cutler for his quarterback. Cutler, despite having immense talent, never gets anything through his head and has not proven he’s anywhere near coachable since his entry into the NFL in 2006. While Chicago will probably not be a playoff team this season, I fully expect Unga to be one of the bright spots.

Meanwhile, another congratulations to the Utah Jazz. Bringing in Al Jefferson and Raja Bell was magnificent and this team can go places this season. Nevertheless, it’s a shame to see Wes Matthews go. Good luck in Portland, Wes!

(SALT LAKE CITY)-Leaders from the Latino community conducted a press conference Thursday morning to discuss a list of purported illegal immigrants sent to multiple government agencies and media outlets last week. They say this list has caused fear in the community by singling out Latino people. Activist Tony Yapias with Proyecto Latino de Utah has set up a phone bank which receives calls from concerned citizens throughout the day. Governor Gary Herbert has vowed to work with various state agencies to determine if any of them were involved in its compilation or distribution.

(WASHINGTON D.C.) – Gov. Gary Herbert has changed his stance on energy development in Utah. Herbert said in his testimony on Tuesday, that Utah needs to cooperate with the federal government instead of fighting them. Herbert, in his appearance before the GOP House and Senate Western Caucus in Washington D.C., said he digressed a little bit from the playbook on “The War on Western Jobs” in conflicts with Democrats over issues affecting the state. He said it’s better to build a better relationship with the Obama Administration rather than fight and rant and rave. Rep. Rob Bishop, who heads the House Western Caucus, said the governor came across “very clear and forceful” in speaking out about the issues he hopes to resolve but the federal government needs to do something they haven’t done so far, including policies that contribute to the high unemployment rate in Western States.

(REDMOND) – The Redmond Town Council has made some policy revisions concerning fundraising events during the July 24th celebration. Town Clerk Nancy Hampton said at Wednesday night’s council meeting, councilmembers voted to exclude outside vendors as part of fundraising activities for the holiday. Hampton said outside vendors could take money away from city-sponsored booths organized by the Youth Council. She also said the council changed their policy on loaning out booth games to others due to potential problems of damage. Redmond Town will also host a youth dance July 23rd as part of the July 24th town activities.

(PHOENIX)-Thursday, around 10:00 a.m. MST (Arizona time), a federal judge is scheduled to hear arguments over whether Arizona’s new anti-illegal immigration law should take effect July 29. This marks the first major hearing in one of seven challenges to the strict law. U.S. District Judge, Susan Bolton, will also consider arguments over Arizona governor Jan Brewer’s request to dismiss the challenge filed by Phoenix police officer, David Salgado, and the statewide nonprofit group, Chicanos Por La Causa. Last week, Bolton said she will not rule on Salgado’s request to block enforcement of the law before it takes effect. Other challenges to the law were filed by the U.S. Department of Justice, civil rights organizations, clergy groups, a researcher from Washington and a Tucson, Ariz. police officer. Bolton will conduct similar hearings July 22 in lawsuits filed by the federal government and civil rights groups.

(MOAB)-Due to its location near two national parks and dozens of other national monuments, U.S. Highway 191 has been the home of numerous fatalities as well. In order to curb this issue, the Utah Department of Transportation will be rebuilding the Colorado River Bridge section of the highway, pouring in $42.3 million into the project this year as well as an additional $9.3 million in the future. This is especially essential because many of the vehicles are semis, according to UDOT spokesman Kevin Kitchen. Additionally, UDOT reported on their Web site that there will be another project underway between mileposts 127 and 157 which is expected to make the road more safe for all motorists. It is anticipated the projects will be completed by the end of August 2010.

(GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK, Wyo.)-This week, a wildfire at Grand Teton National Park, near Jackson, Wyo., has forced the closure of a trail and a viewing turnout on the Jenny Lake scenic road. Park officials stated the fire began Tuesday afternoon in a mixed conifer forest although the cause is unknown. Wednesday, a ground crew, helicopter and two engines arrived on the scene. Additionally, park officials closed the Leigh Lake Trail, a boat portage and backcountry campsite at Leigh Lake as well as the Cathedral Group scenic turnout.

(LAS VEGAS) – Sen. Bob Bennett is sparring with a Nevada Republican candidate in her effort to oust Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. Bennett says U.S. Senate candidate Sharron Angle would flop against Reid in the run for his Senate seat. Angle calls Bennett an elitist who is out of step with voters who want a leaner, tightfisted government. The “Tea Party” favorite told Fox News that she counts herself among “mainstream Americans”, who believe the 76-year old Bennett has “outlived his usefulness.” Bennett says she’s one of the Washington “elitists that is no longer in touch with what the country is really thinking about in these economic times.” The two Republicans have become unlikely rivals in a range war over the “Tea Party movement” and what it means to GOP politics. Bennett was ousted in a May primary and lost his chance at a fourth term when he finished third in his party’s nominating convention in a contest marked by tea party unrest. Bennett warned that tea party “unrest” may be helping Democrats this election season, including in Colorado and Nevada.

(RICHFIELD) – The Sevier County Planning Commission has given preliminary approval to the proposed construction of a gas-fired power plant near Sigurd. Sevier Power Company officials met with the Commission in a meeting held Wednesday night to answer questions from the Planners. SPC President Rod Clark said he was happy with the Commission’s decision to grant preliminary approval. Commission members questioned SPC on several issues, including placing liners in evaporative ponds, lighting, landscaping, controlling contractor debris and noise. SPC said that it would take about a year to get final approval on an air quality permit from the state. Planning Commissioner Brenda Malmgren made a motion to approve the preliminary plan for the building of the plant, with Evelyn Nielsen seconding that motion. All members voted in favor of the motion, except for Caryl Christensen, who voted no and refused to comment.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-After some 1,300 names of illegal immigrants in Utah leaked to the media, the governor’s office is desperately seeking to find its impetus. One theory is the list originated in a state database. Law enforcement authorities and Utah media first received the list Monday while as of Wednesday, computer experts were cross-checking the list with various databases. The list of names was circulated by an anonymous group to news and police organizations after earlier this week which included addresses, phone numbers, Social Security numbers and due dates of supposed illegal immigrants. The group in question made demands that people on this list be deported immediately.

(Ephraim) Ephraim City has a new City Manager. Regan Bolli has taken over for Richard Anderson who is retiring after seven years in the position. Bolli is originally from Ephraim and attended Snow College where he also met his wife. Bolli won the position over thirty-one applicants and six other finalists. According to Ephraim City Mayor David Parrish, city leaders felt that Bolli could help raise Ephraim to the next level. Bolli graduated from BYU with a degree in American Studies and later earned a law degree from the the University of Denver. Bolli has served previously on the Board of Economic Development in Eagle Mountain, and also as a member of the Board of Directors for the Chamber of Commerce in the Lehi area. According to Bolli, one of his main goals is to market the city to businesses that would enhance the area. He also believes in community involvement to bring different viewpoints together to resolve community issues.

(CEDAR CITY)-KCSG-TV of St. George reports that the North Fork Wildfire, 24 miles southeast of Cedar City, was fully contained as of Tuesday evening. The 5-acre fire which burned in steep, rugged terrain was effectively contained by helicopter aerial attacks. Incident officials reported four structures in the general vicinity of the fire were threatened, but there were no significant damages incurred. Crews from Color Country Fire Management, the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, Dixie National Forest and personnel from the state of Utah were all on hand to douse the flames. Fire officials stated there were no evacuations, injuries or closures of any lands in the area.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-Gasoline prices are dropping in Utah, but still remain above the national average. AAA says Utah gas prices have dipped by 11 cents this past month to an average of $2.87. However, in the lower 48 United States, only California, Washington, Nevada and Oregon have higher gas prices than Utah. The current national average is $2.71. AAA says Utah’s prices have been above the national average since January 26.

(RICHFIELD) – The Richfield City Council has approved a preliminary agreement between Richfield and Monroe City for the drainage of wastewater in a sewer lagoon cell south of Richfield in a proposed sewer project in Monroe. At the city council meeting Tuesday night, Darin Robinson of Jones and DeMille Engineering of Richfield presented a concept plan of the project, which would allow Monroe to connect to the Richfield sewer system and drain wastewater into a sewer cell south of the city. Monroe Councilmembers Warren Monroe and Douglas Gadd also attended the meeting and commented that the city tried to convince residents in Monroe back in 2000 to regionalize their sewer system for the treatment and re-use of water but were turned down due to cost restraints. Monroe said that more residents now want a sewer system constructed in Monroe with the city using their own processing equipment and maintenance. Gadd commented that Austin and Central Valley residents could not join the system because they would have to force flow the wastewater into the system. Robinson said that Richfield has 230 acres south of the city for sewer wastewater with 70 acres currently in use. City officials agreed that there’s plenty of land available for Monroe to use for 50 years. Details of the agreement between the two cities still need to be discussed.

(CEDAR CITY)-The U.S. Forest Service says firefighters and helicopters are returning to fight a lightning-sparked wildfire near Cedar City. No injuries have been reported as of yet but fire managers say there are structures in the general area of the North Fork fire burning in steep terrain on less than 10 acres about 24 miles southeast of Cedar City. Crews from the Color Country Fire Management Area were scent to the scene after a lightning strike and initial aerial attack on the fire Monday. The fire is being managed by the State of Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands.

(RICHFIELD) – The Utah Department of Transportation is advising motorists of traffic delays on SR-118 beginning Wednesday. UDOT says construction workers will apply a chip-seal coat from Monroe to the Livestock Auction at the junction of SR-118 and 120. Traffic will be reduced to one lane and motorists can expect delays of up to 15 minutes as pilot cars guide motorists through the work zone in alternating directions. Road surface work will continue until this Friday and a paint crew will return next Tuesday to finish striping the new surface.

(PRICE)-The U.S. Forest Service has reopened a section of national forest west of the Scofield Reservoir that was closed for a prescribed fire last week. The Manti-La Sal National Forest says last week’s fire cleared about a square mile of downed fir and spruce. Another seven square miles around the fire was closed as a precaution. Among the forest roads reopened over the weekend were C Canyon Road, Bean Bridge Road, Fish Creek Trail, Gooseberry Trail and Silver Creek Trail. The burn covered the French Creek, Silver Creek and Fish Creek drainage basins. Forest officials are warning people of the danger of snags and possible hot spots in the blackened area. Some spots could still be smoldering and crews were monitoring the situation.

This was a slow day in sports, in fact no games occurred in North America, save NBA summer league matchups which do not count in the league standings. Thus, the major story of the day was the funeral for Don “Air” Coryell. Coryell was the impetus of the west coast offense and in the words of his tight end with the San Diego Chargers, Kellen Winslow, he is responsible for the dynamic high-flying offenses we see in the NFL today. Coryell coached at San Diego State in addition to his stint with the Chargers and also coached the then-St. Louis Cardinals where he made signal-caller, Jim Hart, a star. According to the assessments of Winslow, Dan Fouts, John Madden and Joe Gibbs, each of which are Hall-of-Famers, Coryell should join them in professional football’s illustrious shrine in Canton, Ohio. It’s perplexing that Coryell hasn’t been inducted yet. Nevertheless, when that moment comes, it will be well-deserved.

(FAIRVIEW) – A 78-year old Woodland Hills man was killed Saturday night when he rolled his ATV on a Skyline Drive trail near Deep Lake in Sanpete County. According to Utah State Parks and Recreation officials, Wayne Madsen was riding with his daughter and son-in-law when he rolled on a steep, rocky slope. The report said Madsen was not wearing a helmet and died at the scene around 7pm.

(PRICE)-A motorist died in a head-on collision on Highway 6 early Monday morning. The Utah Highway Patrol said a pickup truck was headed due east just after midnight when it collided with an elk on the road. The pickup then veered into the westbound lanes, hitting a semitrailer at milepost 212, about 30 miles east of Price. The pickup truck caught fire and the driver, identified as 64-year-old Wayne Christiansen of Kenilworth, Utah, died at the scene. The driver and a passenger in the semi were not seriously injured. U.S. Highway 6 was closed for about three and a half hours while crews cleaned up the wreck.

(OASIS) – A Delta farmer was severely burned over the weekend when his swather caught fire and exploded, destroying the machine and a shed. According to a sheriff’s report, 43-year old Darin Peterson was at his farm in the small community of Oasis about six miles west of Delta, when he noticed smoke coming from his machine. The report said Peterson crawled underneath the swather to fix the problem, when it suddenly ignited and exploded. He was able to escape the blaze but while backing up in his pickup, he slammed into a power pole. Peterson was transported to a local hospital and eventually taken to the University of Utah Burn Unit with second-degree burns to his forearms and upper arms. He’s listed in stable condition. A report said that Peterson’s 40-by-80-foot shed and his swather was completely destroyed in the fire.

(EPHRAIM) – An Ephraim woman was taken to the hospital after side-swiping another vehicle on SR-89 last Tuesday afternoon. According to a UHP report, 19-year old Bobbie Ross was traveling southbound north of Ephraim in a 2000 Nissan Altima, when she became distracted and drifted off the right shoulder of the highway at about 4pm. The report said Ross overcorrected and went into the northbound lane, sideswiping a 2001 Dodge Intrepid, driven by 43-year old Heidi Johnson of Fairview. Both Ross and Johnson were wearing their seatbelts and were transported to the Sanpete Valley Hospital in Mt. Pleasant with possible injuries. UHP said Ross’s passenger, 19-year old Amy Horner of Heber was wearing her seatbelt and was not taken to the hospital. Ross was cited for driving left of center of the highway.

While his NFL career was often unspectacular if not ineffective, Cleo Lemon has long been able to get the job done although athleticism is not his strong point. Lemon (15 of 23, 162 yards) did whatever was required of him and tailback Cory Boyd (19 car, 109 yards, TD) had his first 100-yard rushing performance in the Canadian Football League as the Toronto Argonauts bested the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, 36-34 Friday at Canad Inns Stadium. The Argonauts had lost nine consecutive games, dating back to last September when they defeated their provincial rivals, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats but with Lemon’s resourcefulness and an opportunistic defense that forced two turnovers against the explosive Bombers, Toronto may have turned the corner. Meanwhile, all of the Bombers’ good will, according to analysts on their flagship radio station, CJOB-AM 680 in Winnipeg, has been neutralized, especially if Eastern Conference rivals Hamilton and Montreal both win this weekend. That would place all of the CFL’s Eastern Conference teams at 1-1. Much like Lemon, the results may not be spectacular, but they’ll be efficient and make parity a staple in Canada’s foray into professional football.

Meanwhile, in the states, the Detroit Lions are hoping to cast the demons of unprecedented NFL futility aside this season. Head coach Jim Schwartz is doing a magnificent job in amassing new talent and dispelling the darkness of the old regime. Nevertheless, general manager, Tom Lewand, needs to pick up the slack. Lewand, as of June 25, was pulled over for drunk driving in suburban Detroit and pleaded guilty to such charges Friday afternoon. While he will never suit up in the ultra-cool Honolulu blue and silver scheme the Lions employ, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell says the NFL’s standard of conduct applies to all NFL employees, players or otherwise. Thus, while Schwartz continues to build an illustrious legacy in Motown, I would suggest that Lewand eschew liquor and get with the program. While I love my Denver Broncos more than any other team, there has always been a soft spot in my heart for the Lions and I wish them well. Thanks for reading and have a magnificent weekend!

(ST. GEORGE)-The family of a missing St. George man says they are planning another search for him in the Las Vegas area. The family of Steven Koecher says about 30 volunteers plan to gather in Las Vegas Friday to ride bus lines and visit homeless shelters in the area. Koecher has been missing since December 13 and authorities say he drove from his St. George home while he was seen on a surveillance video walking away from his vehicle in the upscale Sun City Anthem neighborhood of Henderson, Nev. Koecher’s family has offered a $10,000 reward for information in the case. The volunteers who planned to search for him Friday are all personal acquaintances to Koecher. Koecher’s father, Roelf Koecher, says this is the best chance to make a positive identification.

(OAK CITY) – The Millard County Sheriff’s Office has removed old explosives in an outbuilding near a residence in Oak City on Tuesday. A sheriff’s report said that a former resident of the home was known to have used explosives in mining operations in the Oak City area. When deputies arrived at about 5pm Tuesday, they found at least one stick of dynamite in a shed behind the residence. The Utah Bomb Squad was also called in to investigate and discovered three sticks of dynamite and several containers of blasting caps, which were removed and transported out of the city. The bomb squad destroyed all explosives.

(ST. GEORGE) – A brush fire in the St. George area last weekend led police to the discovery of the body of a man who had been missing for several months. Police reports stated that 50-year old Randall Jeffery was living in St. George when he disappeared. His sister, Lauretta Swansborough, says the discovery of her brother has brought relief to the family. Jeffery’s body was found by firefighters at the bottom of a rocky cliff below the Red Hills Parkway in St. George. The firefighters were in the area dousing a brush fire that was started by fireworks. Lt. James Van Fleet with the St. George Police Department said crews had to wait until the morning of July 3 to recover the body. Swansborough said her brother had been missing for three months and the family felt he had died and gone to a better place.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-Seismologists at the University of Utah say there was a minor earthquake in Washington County Thursday. University seismograph stations recorded the quake as a magnitude of 3.3 around 10:30 a.m. Thursday. The epicenter of the quake was about four miles southeast of Washington City and university officials stated it was felt in Washington City, St. George and Hurricane. There were no immediate reports of damage or injury.

(MARYSVALE) – A stash of explosives was found in Marysvale Canyon Wednesday by a group of researchers conducting a study of bats in the area. According to a Sevier County Sheriff’s report, the Utah Bomb Squad was called to investigate an area near the Big Rock Candy Mountain. The bomb squad discovered a stash of dynamite in a cave on Forest Service property that was sweating and could not be removed. The report said the bomb squad detonated the explosives without incident and are following up on information as to who may have left the dynamite unsecured on forest ground.

(RICHFIELD) – Rocky Mountain Power wants to expand transmission lines to solve potential problems with the increasing demand for power in South-Central Utah. RMP representatives met with Sevier County Commissioners Wednesday morning to discuss the progress of the Sigurd to Red Butte project of the construction of transmission lines crossing county and private property. RMP says they want to achieve a “level of reliability” when power outages occur along certain segments of the lines so that power is restored quicker through the use of other lines.

(RICHFIELD) – Sevier County Commissioners have approved the names of appointments to the fairground committee. At the Commission meeting on Wednesday, Commissioners said the advisory group includes Clint Johnson over the stock show, Chip Gleave for the Lion’s Club and Max White to be charge of the rodeo. Other names submitted and approved included Duane Utley over Horse Racing, Recreation and Riding Club is Don Sudweeks, Paula Martin will be in charge of the County Fair and Commissioner Gary Mason will represent the Commission. Rebecca Mills will be in charge of 4-H and at-large committee members include Linda Reynolds, Scott Christensen and Chad Anderson. Commissioner Gordon Topham said that about 20 applications for committee positions were submitted.

At long last, we know LeBron James’ destination, at least we will Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. MDT. James has apparently pared down his choices to New York, New Jersey, Los Angeles, Chicago and Miami. It also appears that Dwyane Wade will remain in Miami with the Heat while Chris Bosh will join him. In hopes of equalizing matters, the Chicago Bulls signed ex-Utah Jazz forward Carlos Boozer as a last gasp attempt to entice James. However the chips may fall, it will be nice to have this matter resolved. This is true for fans and media analysts (or hybrids of both, such as myself).

In the World Cup, Spain outlasted Germany, 1-0 to advance to Sunday’s final against the Netherlands. Both the Dutch and Spanish have long-standing traditions of choking on the greatest stage but it’s obvious that one of these squads will shake that label, at least temporarily. That’s all for now, so thanks for reading!

(SALT LAKE CITY)-Two Utah residents, Brent Bullock and Tammy Shumway, are headed to federal court in Salt Lake City for sentencing on charges of taking or selling ancient American Indian artifacts to a government informant. In court papers, Bullock admitted he took a ceramic figure from public lands and Shumway says she arranged the sale. According to court papers, Shumway also helped sell an ancient garden hoe and a blanket’s fragment to the undercover operative. Prosecutors said they’ll recommend probation for Bullock and Shumway during their Wednesday sentencing. Tuesday, 76-year-old Dale Lyman received five years’ probation for trafficking a prehistoric Clovis spear point. More than 24 people were charged in the sting operation which was publicly announced in June 2009.

(RICHFIELD) – A public hearing was held today at the Sevier County Commission meeting for commissioners to gain input on increasing several agency funds. County Clerk Steve Wall explained to Commissioners increases in the debt service, building authority and capital improvement funds. Wall said nearly $600,000 has been budgeted for the debt service fund but an increase of $105,370 needs to be approved in order to pay down the debt sooner at a lower interest rate. With the reduction, the county would be paying on about $530,000 debt service over a 10-year period instead of the $600,000 still owing for 12 years. Wall also explained that nearly $270,000 would need to be added to the building authority fund for HVAC and solar PV systems and $137,000 in the capital improvement fund for fairground improvements. After the public hearing, Commissioners approved the increase in the debt service fund but withheld approval on the building authority and capital improvement funds until the next meeting.

(RICHFIELD) – The American Red Cross will host two separate blood drives in July in Richfield. The first drive is scheduled for Wednesday, July 14 from 3-8pm at the Richfield Utah Stake Center at 159 North 400 West. The second drive will be held at the Sevier County Ambulance building in the bloodmobile unit on Thursday, July 22 from 2-7pm. The ambulance building is located at 925 North 50 West in Richfield. ARC asks that residents who can donate blood are invited to show up at the donation times and give the gift of life.

(RICHFIELD) – A Richfield woman was injured in a motorcycle accident Monday morning at a Richfield intersection. According to a UHP report, at about 9am, 38-year old Lisa Arrington was traveling southbound on a 2003 Honda motorcycle at 100 East, when she attempted a quick right turn at the intersection at 300 South 100 East and her motorcycle overturned. The report said Arrington was not wearing a helmet and sustained head injuries. She was transported to the Sevier Valley Medical Center in Richfield for treatment.

(MOAB) – A veteran police officer from Moab accused of breaking into his own department and stealing nearly $1,000 will spend 30 days in jail. Court records stated that 43-year old Edward Guerrero was sentenced today (Tuesday) in Moab’s 7th District Court to begin serving his sentence July 10. Following his release, Guerrero will have to pay $958 in fines and spend the next two years on probation. Guerrero was charged in January with breaking into the Moab police department and stealing money sometime between Aug. 15 and Oct. 6 of last year.

(AURORA) – Sevier County deputies are investigating two reports of theft in Aurora on Monday. The first report was a Twister Go-Kart that was stolen and the second was a four-by-eight-foot ATV trailer. Detectives say the Go-Kart was silver in color and had two flat tires. Officials say it appears the thefts may be connected but they’re still investigating the reports.

(Manti)

The Sanpete County Canvas of the June Republican Primary was released Tuesday morning.

With an additional 47 ballots counted in the County Sheriffs race Brian Nielson held his lead over incumbent Kevin Holman although it narrowed from the 18 vote separation on election day.

With the additional ballots the final tabulation was Brian Nielson 1,344 votes….Kevin Holman 1,334….a 10 vote difference.

Nielson will now appear on the November ballot as the Republican candidate for Sanpete County Sheriff to oppose Democratic candidate Paul Harnett.

(KANAB)- A 105-year old woman lead the Fourth of July parade in Kanab this year. Violet Honey celebrated the holiday as she led the parade downtown Kanab’s main street Saturday on a float in her honor entitled, “American made—Violet B. Honey is 105.” Thousands of parade attendees gathered to sing Happy Birthday and to release 105 red, white and blue balloons in her honor. Her posterity includes four children, 15 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren and 43 great-great grandchildren. Statistics showed that 126 Honey family members were in town to celebrate the birthday with a party at the Kanab City park and several family members commented that Honey was the oldest person to have ever lived in southern Utah and one of seven of the oldest to still be living around the state.

(TUCKER) – The Utah Department of Transportation is advising motorists of a road closure tonight in Spanish Fork canyon. UDOT officials say that Highway 6 will be temporarily closed at Tucker while crews blast adjacent rock in that area. The closure will take place at about 6pm and will reopen about 30 minutes later. The excavation is part of a project to reconstruct and widen the roadway. UDOT says the closure may affect immediate access to the junction of Skyline Drive and South Starvation Road with U.S. 6. Motorists are advised to be careful during the road closure notification through the canyon between Spanish Fork and Price.

(SALT LAKE CITY) – A University of Utah study is saying ATV accidents are showing a dramatic increase over an eight-year period. West Jordan husband and father, David Smith was seriously injured in an ATV accident while deer hunting two-and-a-half years ago and says he was probably doing something he shouldn’t have been doing. Smith currently has two rods implanted down each side of his spine, along with 12 bolts to hold everything together and a protective cage across an area where the bone exploded following the impact of the accident. He also wears a pain pump to control the pain. U of U Neurosurgeon Dr. Joel MacDonald says children are more vulnerable to ATV crashes than adults. MacDonald, along with his colleague, Dr. Michael Finn, found there were a million, 117,000 emergency room visits and 495 deaths from ATV accidents over the eight-year period. They said a five-year analysis in Utah alone found at least 700 head and spine traumas. Smith said he and his family still love ATV riding but they’re a lot more cautious.

(PAROWAN)-Brokers have reduced the sales price for a southern Utah ski resort by nearly $6 million. The original asking price for the Brian Head ski resort was $34.75 million, but reduced to $29 million three weeks ago. A broker for the firm, CB Richard Ellis Inc., says the price came down because of a slow market in resort real estate. The Iron County-based resort is currently running its regular summer activities, including mountain biking and ski lift rides. General Manager, Henry Hornberger, says if the resort doesn’t sell before the winter season begins, he expects it to be business as usual at the resort. Brian Head Resort consists of two mountains, nine lifts and 640 skiable acres on 50 runs.

(CEDAR CITY)-Some southern Utah residents are trying to create a new cemetery for veterans. Southern Utah Mortuary associate office manager, Russell Kennedy, stated Cedar City is a perfect location due to the Veterans Memorial Park and the new veterans’ nursing home. Utah Veterans Affairs executive director, Terry Schow, says creating a new veterans’ cemetery may be difficult due to current budget cuts. Schow also says Utah is not eligible for a national VA cemetery as it does not have the required veteran population. Schow says there’s about 165,000 veterans in Utah and that the state’s current VA cemetery is expected to have the requisite capacity for what Utah needs.

For all the recognition and plaudits Roger Federer has rightfully earned on tour the past few years in mens’ tennis, he is beginning to be eclipsed by Mallorca (Spain) native Rafael Nadal. Nadal, who in 2 minutes and 13 seconds dismantled Czech Tomas Berdych en route to his second Wimbledon title in three years. Additionally, he has won the French Open five times and has only been eluded at the U.S. Open. This is obviously the next challenge for Nadal and Labor Day weekend, chances are he’ll get a chance to exorcise his previous demons in the states. Tennis historian and NBC commentator, Bud Collins, says the best way for Nadal to overcome these previous failures at Flushing Meadows is to emulate what womens’ tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams have done as they traditionally have run the gamut in all Grand Slam tournaments. For now, I tip my hat to Nadal as at the ripe young age of 24, the Mallorca maven (that’s my name for him, hopefully it catches on!) the future remains bright for him.

Meanwhile, Week 1 of the Canadian Football League drew to a close Sunday with the British Colombia Lions decimating the Edmonton Eskimos, 25-10 at Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium. Leading the way for the Lions was muscular tailback Jamal Robertson who ran for 169 yards on only 11 carries and kicker Paul McCallum, the CFL’s oldest player at the age of 40, who made all six of his field goal attempts. The Lions, who have won five Grey Cups in their storied history could be legitimate darkhorses to be the greatest in Canada once again.

Finally, the word on the street is ex-Phoenix Sun, Amar’e Stoudemire, could be a New York Knickerbocker. Could LeBron be joining him (which would make my previous statements on the matter seem foolish)? Stay tuned!

(SALT LAKE CITY)-Utah Governor Gary Herbert says he plans to hold a frank, open discussion about immigration issues in the next several weeks. Herbert made the announcement Thursday on both English and Spanish radio stations in Salt Lake City and that he plans to specifically hear from two Utah lawmakers: Republican Stephen Sandstrom of Orem, who plans to propose a bill modeled after one recently passed in Arizona in the next legislative session and Democratic Senator Luiz Robles in Salt Lake City who opposes the measure. The Arizona law requires that police conducting traffic stops or questioning people about possible legal violations should ask them about their immigration status if “reasonable suspicion” exists that they’re illegally in the country. Herbert affirmed that Utah will come up with an immigration law unique to the state.

(RICHFIELD) – A Sevier County Sheriff’s deputy has been promoted to fill the vacancy of a sergeant killed in the line of duty a few months ago. A sheriff’s report said that Deputy Stacy Mickelson has been promoted to Sergeant over one of the two crews of Patrol Deputies in the Sheriff’s Office. Sgt. Mickelson is filling the slot left vacant when Sgt. Franco Aguilar was killed in an accident on I-70. The report said Mickelson has been with the Sheriff’s Office for over 18 years, including service as a 911 Dispatcher and a Jailer at the old Sevier County Jail. He has also been a patrol deputy for over 11 years. Other changes in the department include Detective Nate Curtis assigned as Chief Deputy due to the resignation of Chief Deputy John Hunt. Hunt is filling the full-time EMT slot left open when Jeff Daniels left to accept employment elsewhere. Hunt will continue being the Director of Emergency Medical Services and Director of Emergency Management. The changes in the department will take place July 5.

(MONROE) – Rocky Mountain Power reported a power outage Wednesday in the Monroe area due to interruptions along the power grid. RMP Spokesman Jeff Hymas said the company couldn’t pinpoint the exact cause of the outage but suspect it was power interruptions. Hymas estimated the power outage affected over 1400 RMP customers in the Elsinore and Central Valley area and others on the Monroe power system. He said the outage started at about 5pm Wednesday with power restored at about 6pm. Several customers on the Monroe power grid said power was restored at about 8pm.

(RICHFIELD) – Sevier County Commissioners will hold a public hearing this Wednesday to consider an increase to several funding agencies. Commissioners will discuss increases to the Debt Service Fund, the Building Authority Fund and the Capital Improvement Fund. The hearing will be held at 11am in the Commission Chambers of the Sevier County Administration Building in Richfield. The public is invited to attend and offer comments.

Well, it was Canada Day in case you are multiculturally unaware of your surroundings. Traditionally, the Canadian Football League kicks off this day and perhaps the greatest game on opening day in the league’s storied history took place between Montreal and Saskatchewan. The Alouettes and Roughriders, who played for last November’s Grey Cup (the CFL’s version of the Super Bowl), put on an offensive show which saw the Saskatchewan Roughriders earn a 54-51 win in overtime when signal-caller Darian Durant (30 of 44, 478 yards, 5 TD’s) hit Weston Dressler (10 rec, 154 yards, TD) on the game-winning strike from three yards out. The Alouettes had taken a 51-48 lead previously in overtime on a Damon Duval field goal, but the Roughriders capitalized on overtime rules which differ from the NFL’s, to earn a huge victory. The 105 combined points are a Week 1 CFL record and the nightcap in Calgary, which saw the home-standing Stampeders oust Toronto, 30-16, was also a good game. Thus, CFL, you’re doing great!

Meanwhile, all remains quiet on the NBA free agency front and as you know, Roger Federer was ousted from Wimbledon, so there’s upsets in Britain galore to enjoy. The NFL will return shortly, but for now, the CFL’s doing an impeccable job filling the gap. Thanks for reading!

(SALT LAKE CITY)-Arnold Friberg, a world-renowned artist and devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, died at the age of 96 Thursday morning at a Salt Lake City rehab center. Friberg is perhaps best known for his “The Prayer at Valley Forge” painting which he completed in 1975 and depicts George Washington kneeling in prayer, as well as his Book of Mormon paintings which he originally did for LDS publication “The Friend.”

(SALT LAKE CITY)-Utah’s legislative leaders have named the five individuals who will serve on the state’s first independent ethics commission. The ethics commission will meet in private to screen complaints against lawmakers and consists of three retired judges and two former lawmakers. The judges are former Utah Supreme Court Justice, Michael Wilkins, retired Utah Appeals Court Judge, Russell Bench, and retired 2nd District Judge Jon Memmott. The former lawmakers are Gayle McKeachnie, a Republican, and Joanne Milner, a Democrat. The commission does not have the authority to discipline lawmakers. It can only recommend that legislators review complaints.

(DELTA) – A Las Vegas medical examiner has determined the brother of slain Millard County Deputy Josie Fox died of an accidental drug overdose. The report said the body of 40-year old Ryan Greathouse was found April 22 in the bedroom of a Las Vegas apartment. The Clark County Coroner’s Office said Wednesday that Greathouse died of an accidental overdose of cocaine, heroine, ethanol and methadone, that was found in his system. Greathouse’s sister, Fox, was gunned down while making a traffic stop of a suspected car burglar in Delta on Jan. 5. Following a statewide manhunt, 37-year old Roberto Roman and 36-year old Ruben Chavez-Reyes, both of Delta, were arrested in connection with Fox’s death. A pretrial conference for Chavez-Reyes is set for Aug. 18 and Roman’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for August.