Story Archive for 08/03/2010
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Chaffetz mulls over union contract negotiations
Published on August 03, 2010 at 12:40PM
(WASHINGTON D.C.) – Utah Congressman Jason Chaffetz is proposing ways to shrink the size of the federal government while at the same time accepting campaign contributions from public sector unions. According to the Salt Lake Tribune, Chaffetz has accepted $26,500 from unions with ties to the U.S. Postal Service, which tops the money he received from other politicians, banks, lobbyists and dietary supplement companies. The newspaper conducted an analysis using campaign disclosure reports and data collected by the Center for Responsive Politics. The report indicated that unions overwhelmingly donate campaign money to Democrats but Chaffetz is the top Republican on the House Subcommittee that oversees the financially troubled Postal Service. Chaffetz says that the five major unions all have to renegotiate contracts in the next couple of years and are currently fond of donating money to those in charge of the contracts. Democratic opponent Karen Hyer decided to run against Chaffetz in this year’s election, saying that accepting those kinds of donations, encourages corruption. Chaffetz denounces her claims, saying that his bill has nothing to do with campaign contributions but rather his own idea to reduce the cost of the population count.
Utah Third In Conservative States
Published on August 03, 2010 at 09:48AM
Updated on August 03, 2010 at 06:41PM
(Utah) According to a new Gallup Poll, Utah ranks third in the nation for the number of people who identify themselves as conservative. Fifty-one percent of those surveyed placed themselves on the conservative side for the first half of 2010. Utah also ranked in the top two for those who are Republican or lean towards the Republican side in voting. Only Wyoming ranked higher than Utah in both conservatism and Republican affiliation. The poll also placed Utah in fourth place for consumer confidence, although the actual economic statistics place the state more towards the middle in job creation, employers hiring and letting people go, and satisfaction with the standard of living. Utah also placed second in overall well-being, just behind Hawaii. The well-being portion included life evaluation, emotional and physical health, healthy behavior, and work environment. Utah was in the top third of states in all categories except for emotional health which placed the state in the bottom half. Utah did take the top spot in the work environment portion. The state also came in at number five for the number of those who attend church regularly. The state with the highest rate of church attendance was Mississippi.
Central Valley woman, kids, injured in rollover
Published on August 03, 2010 at 09:01AM
(FAYETTE) – A Central Valley woman and two children from Pleasant Grove were taken to the hospital after a rollover north of Fayette on SR-28 Sunday night. According to a UHP report, 54-year old Susan Faackrell was traveling southbound in a 1995 Ford Explorer, when she drifted off the right shoulder of the highway at about 8:15pm. The report said Faackrell overcorrected to the right and rolled twice. She was transported to the Gunnison Valley Hospital with unknown injuries. Her passengers, 9-year old Rebecca Alvey and 7-year old Emma Alvey, both of Pleasant Grove, were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
Sevier Commissioners study Track 89 development
Published on August 03, 2010 at 07:43AM
(RICHFIELD) – The Track 89 resort development project at the Big Rock Candy Mountain in Marysvale Canyon was a top item at the Sevier County Commission meeting Monday morning. Economic Development Director Malcolm Nash provided an update on the project to Commissioners at the meeting. He said that acreage for the development has been put on hold to use the ground as a means to secure matching agency funds for improvements of the resort. Nash also commented that a design plan for ATV trailheads, bike paths, restrooms, parking areas and signage needs to be completed at the resort before any further development can be done. Also at the meeting, Commissioners approved an agreement between the Forest Service and Sevier County for matching funds in the amount of $150,000 to go towards improvements on roads on the forest.
Twitchell Canyon fire continues to burn
Published on August 03, 2010 at 07:28AM
(BEAVER) – A lightening-caused wildfire continues to burn north of Beaver. Fishlake National Forest personnel say the Twitchell Canyon Fire, burning about 14 miles northeast of Beaver, has now consumed about 700 acres. Fire managers are allowing the fire to burn to reduce fuels in the area. They say the fire started on July 20 and is about 50% contained. Due to firefighter operations, the Indian Creek Road above the Pole Canyon road junction is closed until further notice. Forest personnel are inviting the public to an open house at the Beaver Ranger District office Aug. 4 from 5-7pm to give people a chance to ask questions on the Twitchell Canyon fire and the management of other fires in Utah.
Detectives investigate Aurora burglaries
Published on August 03, 2010 at 07:17AM
(AURORA) – Sevier County investigators are looking into some burglaries in the Aurora area. The sheriff’s office said the first took place last weekend on main street in Aurora and the second north of Aurora at a farm owned by Sevier County Commissioner Gary Mason. Public Information Officer Nate Curtis said that multiple items were taken from both locations, including tools and water recreation equipment. Deputies continue to investigate the thefts.