Story Archive for 07/23/2010
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Argos Improve To 3-1
Published on July 23, 2010 at 11:43PM
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.
Chaffetz Says Stop Horsing Around With Sports Votes
Published on July 23, 2010 at 12:57PM
(WASHINGTON)-House Republicans and Democrats in Washington have put aside their differences to honor sports figures who have performed well in their respective events. Nevertheless, Utah Republican Representative, Jason Chaffetz, has said this needs to stop. The freshman Republican appears to have won some converts as his bill against memorializing the 142nd season of the Saratoga race course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., passed by a 396-14, a high number of no votes for a type of resolution that usually passes unanimously. Chaffetz gained attention earlier this year when he confronted President Barack Obama at a Republican retreat in Baltimore, accusing the president of breaking promises to block lobbyists from administration jobs and to eradicate special project spending.
Bennett gets funding for space, projects
Published on July 23, 2010 at 12:51PM
(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.
Cedar Breaks offers cool activities
Published on July 23, 2010 at 12:35PM
(CEDAR CITY) – A national monument in Utah is offering a break this weekend through Labor Day from the summer heat. The Cedar Breaks National Monument on Highway 143 east of Cedar City sits at 10,350 feet above sea level and is always cool and inviting at about 65 to 75 degrees, in the cool shade of pine trees and the rejuvenating beauty of nature. Activities offered at Cedar Breaks include special Junior Ranger programs this weekend through Labor Day and on Aug. 21, the monument will celebrate its history with a day of fun and information. Part of the history lesson includes the connection between Cedar Breaks and former President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the lodge and Utah Parks Co. That night, there will be a showing of “My Friend Flicka”, which was filmed in 1941 in and around Cedar Breaks.
Flagstaff Residents Too Late For Flood Insurance
Published on July 23, 2010 at 11:28AM
(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.
Wall Street Section of Navajo Loop Reopened
Published on July 23, 2010 at 11:16AM
(BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Utah)-The popular Wall Street section of the Navajo Loop Trail in Bryce Canyon National Park has been reopened after being closed since last April due to falling rocks. Wall Street takes visitors through a narrow passage between towering rock fins and centuries-old Douglas Fir trees. Trail crews have been busy over the past several weeks clearing rocks which have fallen since the closure. Bryce Canyon has experienced other closures to this trail as in May 2006, a significant rock fall occurred on this section of the Navajo Loop trail with the debris covering a 60×15 area with an estimated mass of almost 500 tons. As always, regardless of conditions, visitors are asked to wear hiking boots with lugged soles when descending the steep trails that can be found at Bryce Canyon.
Fishlake plans Gooseberry Road closure
Published on July 23, 2010 at 10:58AM
(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.
Judge Sets Deadline To Settle Disputes in Polygamous Twin Towns
Published on July 23, 2010 at 10:53AM
(COLORADO CITY, Ariz.)-A Utah judge set a 45-day deadline for attorneys to propose a process to sort competing claims to property in a polygamous community that has experienced escalating disputes over such things as homes and grain silos in Colorado City, Ariz. and Hildale, Utah. Third District Judge, Denise Lindberg made it clear, though, that she considers any property leases issued by a fiduciary overseeing the United Effort Plan Trust to be equivalent to a court order. Lindberg spoke to attorneys involved in the trust dispute Thursday during a telephone status conference requested by the Arizona Attorney General’s Office. An audio recording of the meeting was later provided to the media. The polygamous sect which occupies much of the land and comprises most of the population in these two communities lost much of its authority in 2005 over property due to allegations of mismanagement. Lindberg said that she needs to carefully assess what she does in regard to this case.
Lightening causes multiple Utah fires
Published on July 23, 2010 at 10:35AM
(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.
Drunk Driving To Be Checked On Nebo Loop This Weekend
Published on July 23, 2010 at 10:23AM
(SALT CREEK CANYON)-The Utah County Sheriff’s Office will be cracking down on drunken driving along one of the Wasatch Front’s scenic roads this weekend. With an increase in holiday traffic coming to the Nebo Loop, deputies will conduct a sobriety checkpoint at Beer Can Flats on the Nebo Loop Scenic Byway Sunday. Deputies will administer roadside sobriety tests to drivers suspected of impairment from 1:00-11:00 p.m. Sunday. Drunken drivers will be arrested while drivers who are not impaired will be allowed to drive on with only minimal delay. Besides catching impaired drivers, officials say they also hope to raise the level of public awareness and deter drunk driving.
Public Hearings on Outdoor Initiative Planned
Published on July 23, 2010 at 09:47AM
Updated on July 23, 2010 at 06:38PM
(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/
Shurtleff Uses Twitter To Defend Immigration Stance
Published on July 23, 2010 at 09:43AM
(SALT LAKE CITY)-After being lambasted for not prosecuting illegal immigrants, Utah Attorney General, Mark Shurtleff, said he is setting the record straight on Twitter. Thursday evening, Shurtleff tweeted that he has prosecuted hundreds of illegal aliens who are guilty of stealing Social Security numbers and using them to buy homes, in response to numerous tweets from citizens who derided him. Shurtleff said he is questioned like this often and criticized the media for often not getting things correct.
Trail Reopens on Cedar Mountain
Published on July 23, 2010 at 09:38AM
(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.
Body of Missing Boy Scout Found in Zion National Park Ravine
Published on July 23, 2010 at 09:34AM
(ZION NATIONAL PARK)-The body of a missing Boy Scout was found Thursday in a ravine off of a main trail in the Kolob Terrace section at Zion National Park. Corey Buxton, a 17-year-old Scout from Las Vegas, became separated from his group Wednesday afternoon on the second day of a backpacking trip. A search was launched using ground search teams and a helicopter. The search resumed Thursday morning using search dogs, field searchers and a helicopter. His body was found Thursday afternoon around 3:30 p.m. in a ravine off the Hop Valley Trail. Officials have not yet released a cause of death, but have said the extreme heat may have played a role.
Carbon County plans recycling tires
Published on July 23, 2010 at 08:45AM
(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.
Alouettes Round Back Into Form; Dumervile Signs Extension With Broncos
Published on July 23, 2010 at 12:40AM
Well, it appears that reports of the Montreal Alouettes’ demise have been greatly exaggerated as the defending Grey Cup champions asserted themselves in a dominant 37-14 win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats Thursday at Molson Percival Stadium. The Alouettes were led by ex-Utah State signal-caller Anthony Calvillo (28 of 38, 309 yards, 2 TD’s) who was in his element all evening long. This is a scary sign for the CFL as after the first three games of the season, Montreal looked anything but dominant despite a 2-1 start. However, with their dismantling of the supposedly resurgent Tiger-Cats, the Alouettes sent a message out that they’re still hungry and ready to replicate last season’s success.
Meanwhile, the Denver Broncos signed stud defensive end/linebacker, Elvis Dumervil, to a 5-year contract extension, ensuring that the NFL’s defending sack champion (17 sacks, also a single-season Broncos team record) will be in orange and blue for many years hereafter. The Broncos (and please note, I speak as a passionate fan) have a great chance to shock the world and Dumervil will be a major impetus in this process.
Finally, word has leaked out of New Orleans that Chris Paul wants to depart from the Hornets and play for the Orlando Magic, New York Knicks or Miami Heat. It’s much like anything else in life, as soon as somebody else sees their colleagues get opportunities they’ve been deprived of (to Paul, this would be LeBron James and Chris Bosh joining Dwyane Wade in Miami), an insatiable lust emerges causing them to no longer be content with their surroundings. Of course, nobody wants to be part of a rebuilding process (which the Hornets are undergoing), so Paul’s concerns are understandable. Nevertheless, the mass exodus of stars to play with other stars, while legal, is disconcerting for the NBA. Thanks for reading, I’m out!