Story Archive for 07/13/2010
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Steinbrenner Dead, Raja With the Lakers?
Published on July 13, 2010 at 10:42PM
Well, at my new palatial work environs, I had ample time to listen to numerous media analysts speak concerning the death of New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner. Steinbrenner, who with all due respect to Bruce Springsteen is known as “The Boss,” purchased the Yankees in 1973 from Columbia Broadcasting Service and has easily been one of, if not the best, owners in sports. Steinbrenner compelled his Yankees to adhere to meticulous grooming standards (no beards were ever allowed for the Bronx Bombers) and always ensured he was the most powerful man in the room. Thus, in a year which has already seen the deaths of legendary sports figures such as UCLA mens’ basketball coach, John Wooden and even Yankees public address announcer, Bob Sheppard, Steinbrenner still maintains his status as a dominant figure upon his deathbed. I’m not sure if he’ll be missed by the masses, but his death definitely leaves a huge gap that cannot be filled. Steinbrenner is irreplaceable, for better or worse.
Meanwhile, one of my favorite all-time NBA players, Raja Bell, is being courted by numerous NBA teams with aspirations of championships, such as San Antonio, Dallas and most ominously, the Los Angeles Lakers. Notwithstanding their bitter feud in 2006, Kobe Bryant is reaching out to Bell to join the Lakers. Hopefully, Raja will remain the player I think he is and tell Bryant thanks but no thanks. After all, Bell had one of the great quotes of all time when he was a member of the Phoenix Suns team that beat Bryant’s Lakers in seven games in the 2006 Western Conference playoffs as he said “Bryant gets preferential treatment from the refs.” What a guy! Raja, please sign with my Dallas Mavericks.
As for my other favorite NBA team, the Utah Jazz, Al Jefferson has joined the fold. The former Boston Celtic and Minnesota Timberwolf definitely has the skills, tenacity and size Utah desperately needs to be a player in the Western Conference. I have derided the Jazz’ front office this offseason mercilessly so when they do something right, I’ll give them plaudits. Jefferson goes 6’10”, 265 and has averaged 15 points and 13 rebounds throughout his career. Beyond that, he has a better reputation than toughness for Carlos Boozer (sorry Bulls fans, much like George Washington, I cannot tell a lie). Thus, nice job, Jazz, now don’t let Wesley Matthews get away. Thanks for reading!
Firefighters Back on Lines @ North Folk Wildfire
Published on July 13, 2010 at 12:03PM
(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.
Chaffetz attacked on immigration stand
Published on July 13, 2010 at 11:33AM
(WEST VALLEY CITY) – A Utah Republican congressman is being attacked by his Democratic opponent on the immigration issue. Speaking at the American Family Fiesta in West Valley City on Saturday, Democrat Karen Hyer said that 3rd District Congressman Jason Chaffetz is using immigration as a wedge issue for political gain. She said Chaffetz gets too much mileage from his Republican base of convention delegates by talking about concentration-like tent cities and promoting enforcement-only immigration bills. Hyer said she would devote more time to make compassionate, comprehensive immigration reform a top priority. Chaffetz advocates on his website that he follows seven principles on the immigration issue, including fixing legal immigration, reject amnesty, lock down the border and enforce visas, enforce current laws, remove incentives to be here illegally, give businesses the tools to operate legally and insist on assimilation. He also says he doesn’t want to reward people for breaking the law.
UDOT advises motorists of SR-118 project
Published on July 13, 2010 at 11:00AM
(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.
Body of Missing Utah Canoeist Found
Published on July 13, 2010 at 10:08AM
(GREAT FALLS, Mont.)-The body of a 21-year-old Utah man missing in the Missouri River near Great Falls, Mont. since July 4 has been found. Cascade County (Mont.) Sheriff’s Office officials say the body of Leroy Emack of Hildale, Utah, was recovered from an intake at Rainbow Dam Monday morning. An employee with PPL Montana, which operates the dam, spotted the body. Emack was in Great Falls on a construction job at Malmstrom Air Force Base. He and two others entered the Missouri River on a 14-foot canoe on the evening of July 4. The canoe capsized while the other two made it to shore. The sheriff’s office said Emack drowned and officials say none of the people in the canoe were wearing life vests.
National Forest Near Price Reopens After Prescribed Burn
Published on July 13, 2010 at 10:00AM
(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.
Fillmore man arrested on several charges
Published on July 13, 2010 at 08:37AM
(HOLDEN) – A Fillmore man was arrested last week on charges of auto theft, drugs and property theft in the Holden area. According to a sheriff’s report, 42-year old Bart Gray was arrested after deputies received a report of a stolen air compressor from Holden. The investigation led deputies to the Flowell area on a possible auto theft that had occurred from a local business in Flowell. During questioning, officials discovered that Gray had taken the vehicle and he was charged with joyriding. Deputies also obtained a warrant to search Gray’s residence in Fillmore and discovered baggies containing drugs, burglary tools, drug paraphernalia and stolen property. He was arrested and charged for possession of Methamphetamine, theft and possession with intent to distribute, possession of burglary tools and drug paraphernalia.
Don Coryell Memorialized
Published on July 13, 2010 at 12:17AM
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.