Story Archive for 07/08/2010
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LeBron Joins Heat; Miami a Super Power?
Published on July 08, 2010 at 11:43PM
As promised in last night’s post, we now know LeBron James’ free agency destination. In a national television appearance on ESPN Thursday evening, James announced that he would join fellow All-Stars Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami, a move which many analysts believe places the Heat instantaneously on top of the Eastern Conference. Obviously, not everyone is pleased with James’ decision, as Cleveland Cavaliers owner, Dan Gilbert, wrote a public letter that called James a “coward.” Incidentally, Gilbert also vowed that the Cavaliers will win an NBA championship, perhaps as presently constituted, before James hoists the Larry O’Brien trophy with the Heat. Obviously, Gilbert is frustrated and in the world of sports, which are supposed to be fun, Clevelanders were dealt another difficult blow. While the Heat have a great chance to go on a dynastic run with three stars who have an aggregate age of 26, this is not a sure thing. The Heat still have to find serviceable parts to fit around their triumvirate of greatness so I’ll leave that to master general manager, Pat Riley.
Meanwhile, the NFL is just around the corner as one month from today, the first preseason game occurs with the Dallas Cowboys and Cincinnati Bengals squaring off in the Hall of Fame game at Canton, Ohio Sunday August 8. Thus, expect more NFL analysis and keep coming back for more columns. Much like Bill Cosby told kids in the 70s that watched Fat Albert, on the Maverick Sports Corner, you may learn something, perhaps several new things!
Minor Earthquake Hits Southern Utah
Published on July 08, 2010 at 02:08PM
(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.
Flying J Emerges From Bankruptcy
Published on July 08, 2010 at 02:03PM
(OGDEN)-Flying J Inc. says it’s emerging from a bankruptcy with a reorganization that pays all of its creditors in full. The truck stop operator and petroleum producer sold some assets, a Texas pipeline division and a California refinery as well as streamlining other business units to improve profitability. The Ogden-based company also combined its gas stops with rival Pilot travel centers. Flying J filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2008 and says its reorganization plan was approved Wednesday by U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware.
Bat researchers discover dynamite in cave
Published on July 08, 2010 at 10:50AM
(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.
Top Stop-Gunnison City reach settlement
Published on July 08, 2010 at 08:56AM
(GUNNISON) – An out-of-court settlement has been reached between Top Stop and victims of the underground gasoline leak in Gunnison. The settlement ends years of litigation between the city, businesses and homeowners who’ve suffered because of the leak three years ago. Gunnison Mayor Lori Nay says the settlement brings some relief to the community. It was three years ago Wednesday the catastrophic leak is believed to have started at Top Stop where 20,000 gallons of gasoline seeped into the ground, sending dangerous vapors into shops and homes within days. Several businesses, including Lila Lee Apparel and the Casino Star Theatre shut down due to the gas vapors and some homeowners couldn’t return to their homes. Gunnison City Attorney Peter Stirba says it was in the best interest of several parties to resolve the litigation. The agreement is confidential and business owners, the city and several homeowners will receive some compensation for their losses but still leaving bitter feelings. Court documents say that Top Stop has paid out $2-million on claims and cleaned up all but 200 gallons of the 20,000 gallons of gas. Clean up work continues at the site.
RMP discusses power expansion in Sevier County
Published on July 08, 2010 at 08:02AM
(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.
Sevier Zoning changes approved at meeting
Published on July 08, 2010 at 07:35AM
(RICHFIELD) – Landowners in Sevier County will now be able to construct buildings on 100% of their property instead of just a portion. At the County Commission meeting Wednesday, Commissioners approved a change in the Zoning Ordinance to reflect the decision. The current ordinance states that developers and landowners can only use a 25% portion of their property to construct buildings but the new changes in the ordinance amends that. Also at the meeting, Commissioners accepted $1500 from the Division of Wildlife Resources as payment In-lieu of Taxes for a conservation area near the sewer lagoons close to Annabella. DWR is not required to pay taxes on the land it owns but elected to make the payment to Sevier County because hunters are allowed to hunt on the land and the county helps take care of it.
Commissioners approve fairground committee
Published on July 08, 2010 at 07:24AM
(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.
Iron County plans hazard hearing
Published on July 08, 2010 at 07:01AM
(PAROWAN) – Iron County Commissioners will hold a public hearing on Monday to consider a proposed geologic hazard ordinance. The ordinance relates to development in areas subject to surface fault rupture, landslide and slope instability, rock fall, debris flow, hydrocompaction and problem soils. If the ordinance is passed, the temporary land use regulation prohibiting development in landslide susceptible areas can be repealed. The public is invited to the meeting on Monday at 1:30pm at the Commission Chambers in Parowan.
NBA Pieces in Place, World Cup Final Set
Published on July 08, 2010 at 12:01AM
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!