Story Archive for 08/10/2010
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Former Senator Dies in Plane Crash
Published on August 10, 2010 at 01:00PM
(ANCHORAGE)-Former Alaska Senator, Ted Stevens, an uncompromising advocate for his state for four decades has officially died in a plane crash at the age of 86 Tuesday. Family spokesman Mitch Rose said Stevens was among five killed in the crash outside Dillingham, Alaska, a town about 325 miles southwest of Anchorage. Stevens’ career began before Alaska officially became a state in 1959 and remained in politics until 2008 when he was convicted on corruption charges weeks before Election Day. Nevertheless, a federal judge threw out the verdict due to charges of misconduct by federal prosecutors. Stevens, a moderate Republican, was appointed in December 1968 and became the longest-serving Republican in Senate history.
LDS Church conducts tours of Ukraine temple
Published on August 10, 2010 at 12:55PM
(KYIV, UKRAINE) – Officials of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints are inviting the public to tour Eastern Europe’s first LDS Temple in Kyiv, Ukraine. Free tours began last Saturday and will continue until Aug. 21, excluding Sundays. Tours are available Tuesday through Saturday from 8am to 8pm. Church officials say the temple will be dedicated on Sunday, Aug. 29 and will be the Church’s 134th operating temple worldwide.
Another Search For Clay Branham Underway This Weekend
Published on August 10, 2010 at 12:20PM
Personnel in charge of the search for the missing 30-year-old Clay Branham of Ely, Nev. have informed Mid-Utah Radio that another search is slated for this Saturday morning, August 14 at 9:00 a.m. Arizona time at the Fredonia Welcome Center near the Utah-Arizona border in Fredonia, Ariz. Anyone in the area who would like to be of assistance is invited to come. ATVs are recommended as well as other modes of transportation in the ensuing search.
Search Turns To Montana, Canada For Last Escapee
Published on August 10, 2010 at 11:07AM
Updated on August 10, 2010 at 05:22PM
(WEST GLACIER, Mont.)-Federal authorities say they will focus on western Montana and southwest Canada in the search of an Arizona fugitive and his suspected female accomplice. Tuesday, a Canadian border patrol helicopter is expected to join the search authorities said, according to KPHO-TV, Channel 5 in Phoenix. U.S. marshals also stated they’re pursuing leads in other states, such as Indiana and Pennsylvania, where they said the fugitives have family and connections. They promised more arrests of people accused of helping the pair throughout the day. Monday, the Attorney General’s Office charged McCluskey’s ex-wife, Diana Joy Glattfelder, with hindering prosecution and conspiracy. Marshals arrested McCluskey’s mother, Claudia Washburn, on Saturday. Both women are accused of giving money and rides to the escapees and Welch, marshals said. Additionally, KKCO-TV, Channel 11 in Grand Junction, Colo. stated the escapees used wire cutters that one of the women threw over the fence at their jail in Kingman, Ariz. Monday, Montana-based marshals said they received a tip that Welch was spotted at a restaurant in St. Mary, Mont., on the eastern edge of Glacier National Park, confirming this was one of multiple reports of sightings in the Glacier area. The first arrestee, Tracy Province, is currently being detained in the Hot Springs County Jail of Thermopolis, Wyo., pending extradition to Arizona, according to Arizona U.S. Marshal, David Gonzales.
I-15 Update in St. George
Published on August 10, 2010 at 11:00AM
(ST. GEORGE)-The Utah Department of Transportation reminds motorists traveling along Interstate 15 near Exit 6 in St. George that the Hilton Trail Drive is closed to all traffic. Additionally, the current Confluence Park Trailhead Parking Lot will be closed as of September 1 and traffic along the interstate has been shifted to the outside lane in both directions. Grading and excavation activities will continue on the redesigned Southgate Golf Course which will be open in October 2010. Please remember that in the construction zone, the speed limit is 55 miles per hour and fines for speeding in construction zones are doubled.
National Parks and Monuments Fee Free Weekend
Published on August 10, 2010 at 10:54AM
(ZION NATIONAL PARK)-United States Secretary of the Interior, Ken Salazar, has announced free admission to all National Park Service sites this weekend, Saturday August 14 and Sunday August 15. The free weekend provides encouragement for all Americans to visit national parks and monuments. Visitors are asked to remember that the fee waiver applies only to entrance fees and does not include special use fees such as camping and backcountry permits. For a list of park service managed sites which offer free entrance fees this weekend, please visit www.nps.gov. Additional fee free days are scheduled for September 25 and November 11 and are intended to help Americans enjoy the outdoors and experience their public lands.
Suspects arrested in Delta burglary
Published on August 10, 2010 at 10:41AM
(DELTA) – Millard County Sheriff’s deputies have arrested three suspects involved in a break-in of a local downtown business in Delta over the weekend. A sheriff’s report said that 18-year old Lorenzo Lopez, 24-year old Luis Baron and 18-year old Rey Martinez, all of Delta, were arrested Monday in the burglary of Courtesy Ace Hardware early Saturday morning. The report said the suspects gained entrance through the rear door of the business. Display cases were damaged and over $3,000 in merchandise was stolen in the break-in. Deputies said the stolen property was recovered from at least three residences in Delta. All three suspects were booked into the Millard County Jail.
Utah Collegians Struggle To Find Courses As Record Enrollment Occurs
Published on August 10, 2010 at 10:22AM
(ST. GEORGE)-Dixie State College, like many other institutions of higher learning in Utah, is experiencing an unprecedented surge in enrollment. Therefore, students are scrambling to find open slots before the fall semester commences in the next few weeks. Dixie State student government vice president, Thomas Leavitt, says students are being forced into Saturday and evening classes, an egregious inconvenience for many students who work. Enrollment at the college, which will soar past 9,000 this fall, has grown 50 percent within the past two years and administrators say the pool of adjunct professors is dry, while full-time teachers are too expensive. The college has tried to adapt to these changes by setting up remote broadcasting to its Hurricane campus for larger lecture classes while they are working on various other ideas.
Rockville Rewriting Helicopter Ordinance
Published on August 10, 2010 at 10:08AM
(ROCKVILLE)-The southwestern Utah town of Rockville’s ordinance that prohibits building helipads within the city limits apparently has a loophole as it doesn’t address helicopters landing on other surfaces. Mayor Allen Brown says Rockville is changing the ordinance to make it clear that landing a helicopter within the city limits is prohibited. The conflict began when pilot Jeremy Johnson landed his helicopter near his recently purchased property in the town near Zion National Park. Brown says Johnson’s helicopter kicked up considerable dust and noise, prompting complaints. Johnson says he’d like to work out a deal with the town but Brown says there’s nothing to negotiate.
Plane, Possibly With Ex-Senator Aboard, Crashes in Alaska
Published on August 10, 2010 at 09:49AM
(JUNEAU, Alaska)-A plane carrying nine people crashed amid southwestern Alaska’s remote mountains and lakes near the town of Dillingham, Alaska, about 325 miles southwest of Anchorage, killing five people aboard, authorities stated Tuesday. Reportedly, former Senator, Ted Stevens, and ex-NASA Administrator, Sean O’Keefe, were aboard, although it’s unclear if they were numbered among those who were killed. Reports from officials in Alaska stated that nine people were aboard the aircraft and there are believed to be five fatalities. A U.S. government official told the Associated Press that Alaska authorities have been told that the 86-year-old Stevens was aboard while the officials, speaking on terms of anonymity, said his condition is unknown. The federal official declined being identified because the crash response and investigation are currently underway. Stevens has been in this type of situation before as he was one of two survivors of a 1978 plane crash in Anchorage, which killed his wife, Ann, and several others. A second U.S. government official in Washington said the National Guard in Alaska reported a private medical team had been dropped near the crash via commercial helicopter. Coast Guard Petty Officer, David Mosley, said the agency has a plane flying over the crash scene, scouting it to ensure it’s safe for helicopters to come into the area with pararescuers. Tuesday, the National Weather Service reported rain and fog in the crash site area with low clouds and limited visibility. In Washington, a Federal Aviation Administration spokesman said the aircraft is a DeHavilland DHC-3T registered to Anchorage-based General Communication Corp.
UVU Creates School of Public Services
Published on August 10, 2010 at 09:45AM
(OREM)-Utah Valley University has created a new school for public services. UVU’s School for Public Services will offer bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice, forensic science, emergency services administration, emergency management and emergency care. UVU currently has 2,500 students enrolled in public service programs. Jeff Maxfield, the assistant dean for the university’s College of Technology and Computing says there are few schools or public services nationwide and said this is the first such school within the Utah System of Higher Education. UVU will also offer several associate degrees through the new school.
Utah Ranks #2 on 'Gold Standard' Ranking
Published on August 10, 2010 at 09:40AM
(SALT LAKE CITY)-Utah Governor Gary Herbert is pleased with another high ranking for the state. Utah landed in second place on a list of 10 “pro business” states in what the governor’s office called a “gold standard” for rankings. Virginia was ranked first by the consulting and brokerage firm of Pollina Corporate Real Estate Inc. of Park Ridge, Ill. The states were ranked on 31 factors including taxes, human resources, right-to-work legislation, energy costs, infrastructure spending, workers compensation laws and economic incentives.
Lawmakers Discussing Numerous Immigration Bills
Published on August 10, 2010 at 09:33AM
(SALT LAKE CITY)-Immigration promises to be a key issue once the Utah Legislature reconvenes in January and currently legislators are working on numerous bills to deal with issues on the matter. Orem Representative, Stephen Sandstrom, plans to enforce immigration law, which would consist of making it a crime in Utah to be in the state without proper document, require police to check immigration status (only the driver of a pulled-over vehicle), and provide a way for state workers to report fraud. Additionally, security bonds for workers and employees would become requirements. Sandstrom plans to officially release his bill later this week while other lawmakers, such as Democratic Senator, Luz Robles, plan to unveil their proposals in subsequent weeks.
Tour Van Rolls on I-15 Near Cedar City, 3 Confirmed Dead
Published on August 10, 2010 at 09:29AM
(CEDAR CITY)-A rollover accident on Interstate 15 near Cedar City has killed two adults and one child. Utah Highway Patrol trooper Cameron Roden said the bus, carrying Japanese tourists, was en route to Bryce Canyon National Park from Las Vegas heading northbound on I-15 around 7:00 p.m. Monday evening when the driver somehow lost control. The van hit the median and rolled near milepost 66, four miles north of Cedar City. There were 15 tourists in the vehicle at the time, many of which were ejected at the time of the accident. The two adults who died were among those who were ejected while the child was trapped inside the vehicle. With the seriousness of the injuries, Roden said the number of fatalities could grow.
Israeli Ambassador Tours LDS Church Sites
Published on August 10, 2010 at 09:23AM
(SALT LAKE CITY)-Israel’s first female ambassador to the United Nations enjoyed a special visit to Salt Lake City Monday wherein she visited prominent sites of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The Honorable Gabriela Shalev took her place at the United Nations two years ago. Despite the challenges of her position, she made many friends in New York City, including Latter-Day Saints who invited her to come to Utah. Monday, Shalev finally visited Utah, touring Temple Square as well as the Church’s Welfare Square and humanitarian center. She came on a mission of friendship, she said. Since her appointment to the UN in 2008, Shalev said she has tried to improve Israel’s standing within the organization. This has proved difficult due to the Israelis’ continual struggles with the Palestinians. Shalev’s trip to Salt Lake City is part of the ambassador’s farewell tour and she will leave the UN to return to academia in Israel at the end of August.
Iron County holds on geologic ordinance
Published on August 10, 2010 at 08:53AM
(PAROWAN) – A vote on a geologic hazard ordinance in Iron County was about to be approved when a Commissioner halted the action. At the County Commission meeting Monday, Commissioners were poised to vote on the ordinance, when Commissioner Lois Bulloch stopped the process. She said she wanted an independent group to review the proposed ordinance and make recommendations, including a committee made up of the county’s six municipalities, a city attorney and engineers. Bill Lund, a geologist with the Utah Geological Survey, told commissioners a review by new eyes is a good idea but Jennie Hendricks, representing the Iron County Board of Realtors, said a review is good but the lack of an ordinance is creating uncertainty and is already having an impact on some people who want to sell property or obtain loans. The rest of the Commission agreed with an independent review and set a deadline of Oct. 15 for a report.
Garfield, Beaver School Districts plan tax hike
Published on August 10, 2010 at 07:29AM
(SALT LAKE CITY) – The Garfield County School District is considering a raise in property taxes in order to close budget gaps. Several other school districts around the state, including Beaver, Salt Lake, Rich and Davis, are also considering a raise in taxes. Reports indicate that Davis has the largest gap, after slashing millions from its budget through eliminating two instructional days for employees, increasing classroom size by one student and not renewing 90 teacher contracts. Davis still needs nearly $10 million to break even. If the school boards decide to raise taxes, property owners would pay approximately an extra $110 annually. Businesses would see an increase of $198. The Beaver School District will hold a Truth-In-Taxation hearing this Thursday to gather public comment.
Browns Could Be In For Intriguing Season; Knicks Retain Stupidity
Published on August 10, 2010 at 01:04AM
As the Cleveland Browns prepare for their preseason opener Saturday at Green Bay, there are plenty of questions in C-Town in need of addressing. While Clevelanders still remain upset with the fact native son LeBron James spurned them, it’s obvious that this metropolis on the banks of Lake Erie is still a football city, come what may. While I do believe Colt McCoy, the franchise’s third-round pick from Texas, will be a solid quarterback for years to come, I’m not sure if Jake Delhomme is the answer in the interim. While it’s apparent that Delhomme and McCoy make a quality comedy duo, as heard on Jim Rome’s radio show last week, the jury is still out on whether or not they can work together solidly through training camp as they strive to make the Browns the best they can be. Nevertheless, let’s accentuate positives for Cleveland, such as Josh Cribbs. The swift of foot, six-year veteran out of nearby Kent State has proven to be the Browns’ most consistent weapon. The explosive Cribbs has numerous talents that served Cleveland well last season and with his vast skill set, he is a weapon that other teams have to focus on all week in preparation prior to a game against the Browns. Additionally, tailback Jerome Harrison (194 car, 862 yards, 5 TD’s) showed some signs of improvement last season while the acquisition of Peyton Hillis from the Denver Broncos adds another weapon to what could be an excellent backfield. Ultimately, I’m not sure how the Browns season will play out but it will be intriguing to find out.
As for the New York Knicks, the sole reason you divorce someone is because you want nothing to do with that person anymore. Nevertheless, Knicks owner, Jim Dolan, is willing to let bygones be bygones with Isiah Thomas, notwithstanding the fact he is the sole reason New York was in financial bondage they are still trying to work out of. I’d say I feel sorry for the Knicks, but how can you be this stupid?