Story Archive for 08/23/2010
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Elsinore woman wins "Splash Party" promotion
Published on August 23, 2010 at 05:27PM
(RICHFIELD) – A local winner of a radio contest is excited to add a few new items to her new home in Elsinore. Malory Moore was the Grand Prize winner of Mid-Utah Radio’s “Splash Bash Pool Party” last Friday presented at Jorgensen Ford in Richfield. Moore said she was very happy to win some great prizes. Part of Moore’s winnings included a pool party where she could invite 50 people of her choice to attend at the Richfield Swimming Pool Tuesday at 5:30pm. The new patio set was donated by Larsen’s Ace Hardware in Richfield and the barbeque grill was donated by Home Depot of Richfield. Other prizes included two $100 gift certificates from Christensen’s Department Store and Walmart in Richfield and another gift certificate from Salon 56 of Richfield. Hamburgers, hot dogs and juice bags will be provided by Fresh Market and Ideal Dairy, both of Richfield.
Corroon Proposes New Graduation Requirements
Published on August 23, 2010 at 02:15PM
(SALT LAKE CITY)-Utah Democratic gubernatorial candidate, Peter Corroon, has proposed new high school graduation requirements for youth in the state.
Corroon released his education plan Monday, saying students who graduate with only the required 18 credits of core academic classes are unprepared for college or the workforce.
Corroon wants to raise graduation requirements to 22 core credits and automatically enroll every high school student in a collegiate preparatory program. Students could still opt out of the college track with parental consent.
Corroon also says more Utah students need to go to college in hopes of percolating economic development. He has also proposed incentive programs for students who become teachers, including a loan forgiveness program.
No Eggs Recalled In Utah
Published on August 23, 2010 at 01:57PM
(Utah) The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food says that it has contacted egg distributors and retailers in the state and have found no evidence that any of the tainted eggs from Wright County Eggs have made it into the state. They are continuing to monitor for the presence of any of the listed eggs, and will issue an update if the situation changes. UDAF officials found that nearly all eggs in the Utah market come from Utah producers. Utah also operates under the Egg Quality Plan which has helped the state produce some of the safest eggs in the nation. Utah produces around 330 million eggs each year. Officials do recommend that consumers cook eggs completely before consuming to prevent the possibility of infection.
Utah Unemployment Rate Remains Constant
Published on August 23, 2010 at 12:57PM
(SALT LAKE CITY)-Figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show Utah’s unemployment rate remained steady at 7.2 percent from June to July.
The Utah Department of Workforce Services says the state has gained about 17,000 jobs over the past year, leaving total employment at about 1.19 million. The department issued these July figures Monday.
Workforce Services says Utah’s economy continues to exhibit signs of recovery with the state adding jobs at a slightly faster pace than the economy’s rate at losing jobs.
The department says 98,000 Uthans were considered “unemployed” in July. In July 2009, the unemployment rate was 6.8 percent.
Utah also remained well below the national unemployment rate of 9.5 percent.
Forest removes road closure designation
Published on August 23, 2010 at 12:42PM
(RICHFIELD) – Forest Service officials in the Fishlake National Forest have removed the road closure designation on the Twitchell Canyon Fire burning northeast of Beaver. Information Specialist John Zapell says the smoke local residents see is probably from fires burning elsewhere. Zapell said the Twitchell Canyon Fire burning about 14 miles northeast of Beaver, has consumed about 4500 acres and is not growing, in spite of high winds. The fire is being allowed to burn for resource benefits and has not caused any injury or threatened structures. Other fires burning north of Beaver, including fires burning in the Mt. Nebo Wilderness Area near Mona, are being monitored for fuel consumption.
Man Escapes From Colorado Prison
Published on August 23, 2010 at 11:15AM
(GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.)-KREX-TV, Channel 5 in Grand Junction, Colo., has reported law officers in northeast Colorado are searching for a 48-year-old inmate convicted of attempted murder who escaped from a maximum security prison.
Around 11:20 p.m. Sunday, Douglas Alward escaped from the Sterling, Colo. Correctional Facility, about 100 miles northeast of Denver.
Alward is already serving a 20-40-year sentence for convictions of attempted murder, assault, burglary and kidnapping.
A department spokeswoman says he was last seen shortly after 9:00 p.m. and didn’t appear for roll call an hour later. She said he could be “dangerous.”
He is described as a 6’1”, 152-pound white male with a shaved head
Lake Powell Ruled Mussel-Free
Published on August 23, 2010 at 11:08AM
(PAGE, Ariz.)-Three years after a false positive detection of mussels in Lake Powell, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources has officially deemed the lake to be mussel free.
The zebra/quagga mussel rating for Lake Powell was recently changed from inconclusive to negative, the National Park Service announced Friday.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area superintendent, Stan Austin, said this is one of the rare times when getting a negative rating is “good.”
National Park Service aquatic geologist, Mark Anderson, said the false positive results obtained in 2007 were always in question and that everyone’s confidence level has been increased after the release of these results.
Bonavita accused of attacking Coordinator
Published on August 23, 2010 at 11:01AM
(RICHFIELD) – A Constitution Party candidate running for the Sevier County Commission has been accused of physically attacking the County Events Coordinator. According to Fair Director Paula Martin, Elaine Bonavita of Salina was asked not to hand out leaflets during the Commissioner’s barbeque during the kick off of the county fair Aug. 11. Martin said when she approached Bonavita to stop campaigning, Bonavita physically attacked her. Bonavita claims that’s not true. Martin countered that the altercation did happen and informed Bonavita to not touch her. Bonavita said she wasn’t aware that campaigning was not allowed at the fair. She has filed a complaint with the Lt. Governor’s Office claiming her right of free speech was violated. Martin said prior to the barbeque, she asked Commissioners and the County Attorney if campaigning should be allowed and all agreed it should not. Bonavita claims the unofficial policy is unfair because her opponent, Commissioner Gary Mason, was passing out free hamburgers, an activity she considers a form of campaigning.
Dixie Drive Interchange Update
Published on August 23, 2010 at 10:43AM
(ST. GEORGE)-The Dixie Drive Interchange Project between mileposts 8 and 6 in St. George is continuing to make progress. As of August 21, here are the latest updates. The Virgin River Trail has been opened and the Hilton Trail Road remains closed to all activities. Additionally, concrete barriers have been installed in the I-15 construction zone and the posted speed limit remains 55 miles per hour.
New Catholic Church Dedication Highlights Growth in southern Utah
Published on August 23, 2010 at 10:28AM
(ST. GEORGE)-Sunday, hundreds of Washington County-based Catholics gathered at the newly renovated St. George Catholic Church to celebrate the culmination of a two-year project of faith and charity.
Parishioners and civic dignitaries, such as St. George Mayor, Dan McArthur, attended a dedicatory Mass celebrated by Bishop John C. Wester of the Salt Lake City Diocese.
The Reverend, Gustavo Adolfo Vidal, the parish priest of St. George Catholic Church said the renovation of the Spanish-style church began two years ago and was paid for with donations and money collected at fundraisers and sales at the church’s thrift store, near St. George Boulevard on 500 East.
Vidal said the church serves 1,400 families or roughly 7,000 individuals. The church opened in 1991 and originally cost $650,000 to build.
Sunday’s Mass was part of a celebration which began August 16 and will run through Sunday August 29.
Sunday’s events also included a fundraiser dinner including an appearance by Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints’ Quorum of Twelve Apostles.
FDA Looking For Tainted Eggs Source
Published on August 23, 2010 at 10:03AM
(SALT LAKE CITY)-Investigators from the Food and Drug Administration are working to find the cause of a salmonella outbreak that has sickened as many as 1,300 people and forced a recall of more than half a billion eggs.
Two Iowa farms linked to the disease outbreak, Wright County Egg and Hillandale Farms, share suppliers of chicken and feed as well as connections to an Iowa business with a history of violating state and federal law.
The number of illnesses, which are potentially life-threatening to those with weakened immune systems, is expected to increase.
The most common symptoms are diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever eight-72 hours after eating a contaminated product.
The egg industry has consolidated over recent years, placing fewer and larger businesses in control over much of the nation’s egg supply to consumers.
The salmonella outbreak has raised questions concerning federal inspections of egg farms. The FDA also oversees inspections of shell eggs while the Agriculture Department is in charge of inspecting other egg products.
Seattle attorney, William D. Marler, who is representing a person who filed suit alleging illness from tainted eggs at a salad in Kenosha, Wis. said Sunday his firm has been retained by 24 families and was representing a woman who was hospitalized in California.
The FDA investigation could take months and sources of contamination are often difficult to find.
Jeffs May Be Sent Back To Texas
Published on August 23, 2010 at 09:58AM
(SALT LAKE CITY)-A Utah judge has taken a step toward sending polygamous church leader Warren Jeffs to Texas to stand trial on charges of bigamy and sexual assault.
Judge Terry Christiansen signed a warrant for Jeffs’ arrest Friday following an extradition request from Texas Governor Rick Perry.
The charges stem from alleged sexual relations with two underage girls in the sect’s ranch in Eldorado, Texas, which Jeffs leads.
Currently, Jeffs is being incarcerated at the mental health unit at the Utah State Prison at Point of the Mountain near Draper.
His initial appearance is slated for Thursday in Third District Court.
Questar Launches Plan To Save Customers Money
Published on August 23, 2010 at 09:43AM
Updated on August 23, 2010 at 03:49PM
(SALT LAKE CITY)-While Questar’s energy assistance program is relatively inexpensive, some Utahns wonder why they have to pay for it.
The program, Questar says, is meant to be about “give and take,” and spokesman Chad Jones stated rate-hike cases can be expensive and the company prefers to settle without going through the whole process even when customers are irked that they now have to pay a fee.
Jones said the average customer will pay around 10 cents a month for the assistance fund, claiming it will actually save rate payers money. Additionally, he claims that that bad debt costs eventually get rolled into good paying customers.
Nevertheless, Jones admits this may not be perfect as if the plan doesn’t work as intended it will eventually cause problems.
The maximum anyone can receive for this program is $37 a month
One Dead, Another Injured In Rollover Near Goshen
Published on August 23, 2010 at 09:39AM
(GOSHEN)-One man was killed and another was critically injured in a rollover crash on U.S. Highway 6 near Goshen early Sunday morning.
The Utah Highway Patrol reported the two men were driving eastbound in a Dodge pickup just after 4:30 a.m. when the truck rolled about 100 yards off the road. Both men were thrown from the vehicle.
Troopers say the passenger, 21-year-old Riley Obrian of South Jordan, died at the scene while the driver, 20-year-old Joshua Kearl of Santaquin, was taken to Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in critical condition. Neither man was wearing a seat belt.
Troopers say alcohol and drugs may have played roles in the crash.
UDOT To Launch New Toll Lane System
Published on August 23, 2010 at 09:28AM
(SALT LAKE CITY)-Drivers engaging in the Monday commute in northern Utah will have a chance to test out the state’s new toll lane on Interstate 15.
The pay-as-you-go system includes four zones on I-15 throughout the Wasatch Front. Officials with the Utah Department of Transportation say the toll lanes have worked in other states so they should work successfully in Salt Lake City.
UDOT believes the system will appeal to solo drivers who don’t want to pay a monthly fee. Instead, they can pay a small fee every time they merge into the far left lane.
In order to access the lane, motorists need to buy electronic passes that respond to sensors along the interstate which are at four points: one in Utah County, two in Salt Lake County and one in Davis County.
New signs will display costs for each zone which will be based on traffic congestion at any given time, with the price likely to range anywhere from 25 cents to a dollar for each zone.
Those who carpool may travel in the lane for free while drivers who own the device but happen to be carpooling can just turn it off to avoid being charged.
UDOT insists it tried to make the system simple for law enforcement to catch violators. Crews have installed lights on the back of the signs that will assist UHP in detecting which cars entering have transponders and which do not.
UDOT spent close to $10 million to implement the system and much of it was paid for by the old monthly sticker system.
UDOT plans to extend the toll lane to Spanish Fork once the I-15 CORE project is finished at which point Utah would have the longest continuous express lane in the country.
UDOT says 6,000 drivers have already signed up for the new system.
Cedar City Starts Recycling Program
Published on August 23, 2010 at 09:23AM
(CEDAR CITY)-Cedar City residents will soon have a more convenient way to dispose of recyclable goods such as paper and cans as the community will launch a community recycling program Wednesday.
Public Works Director, Rick Holman, says bins for paper, plastic, metal and glass will be placed at five drop-off locations across the city.
Drop off sites include Southern Utah University, Homestead State Park and several other area schools. Holman says all the drop off sites have not yet been declared.
A contractor will haul the bins away weekly and the city’s one-year contract for the service is $7,800.
Mayor Joe Burgess says the city began considering vendor proposals for the program in the spring and stated money has been set aside in the city’s budget for the program future.
Sevier deputies investigate vandalism
Published on August 23, 2010 at 09:16AM
(RICHFIELD) – Sevier County Sheriff’s deputies are investigating several trespassing and vandalism reports throughout the Cove and Monroe Mountain areas. A sheriff’s report said a trailer was broken into on Cove Mountain over the weekend and several “No Trespassing” signs were reportedly taken down near Mormon Peak. Deputies are asking if anyone has any information on the vandalism, to contact the Sheriff’s Office.
Sandy man injured in ATV accident
Published on August 23, 2010 at 08:49AM
(RICHFIELD) – A Sandy man was taken to the hospital after crashing his ATV Sunday night near Lost Creek Reservoir. According to a Sevier County Sheriff’s report, 35-year old John Lampshire had left camp to pick up some friends who were hunting and crashed on Seven Mile Road with several injuries. The report said Lampshire’s friends had started walking back to camp and found him laying in the road. Deputies said Lampshire was not wearing a helmet and sustained multiple head injuries. He was transported by his friends to the Sevier Valley Medical Center in Richfield and then lifeflighted to another hospital up north early this morning.
Arizona governor blasts Suns owner
Published on August 23, 2010 at 08:08AM
Updated on August 23, 2010 at 03:20PM
(PHOENIX) – Arizona Governor Jan Brewer is blasting the owner of the Phoenix Suns for opposing the state’s new immigration law. In a recently released statement, Brewer questioned the team’s owner, Robert Sarver, for criticizing the new law, asking what he would do if hordes of illegal immigrants were sneaking into games without paying. Brewer said the owner may have a different stance on the law if ushers and security personnel were not allowed to ask gate-crashers to produce their ticket stubs and could not be ejected from games, or if those who sneaked in were provided with complimentary eats and drinks. Brewer asked what would happen if a gate-crasher became ill or injured, would the Suns provide free medical care and shelter? Sarver had no comment to Brewer’s statements.
Cove Fort announces big numbers at event
Published on August 23, 2010 at 07:33AM
(COVE FORT) – Organizers at a historic LDS site in South-Central Utah were exhilarated at the number of visitors who came to their annual event. Tallies showed that more than 4,600 people came to the Cove Fort Historic Site at the Junction of I-15 and I-170 on Aug. 6 and 7 to share in a look back at the pioneer heritage of Utah. Visitors were greeted by the 26 senior missionary couples dressed in period clothing, who demonstrated pottery making, blacksmithing, beekeeping, soapmaking and other pioneer crafts, while intertwining gospel messages. The fort was built in 1867 under the direction of Ira Hinckley, the grandfather of President Gordon B. Hinckley, who accepted a call from Brigham Young to leave his Coalville home and travel to Cove Creek to build a fort as a refuge for travelers. The fort was dedicated in 1994, providing a modern spiritual way-station for travelers.
Pats Intriguing Team If Nothing Else
Published on August 23, 2010 at 01:01AM
Even as Rush Limbaugh said the mainstream media was desirous to have a black quarterback excel when he lambasted Donovan McNabb in 2003, it seems the media is desirous to have the New England Patriots excel.
Every time I tune into radio, television or Internet programming involving the NFL, someone has the Patriots as a darkhorse favorite to which I am indifferent.
I don’t really hate the Patriots, in fact, I thank them for producing Josh McDaniels, Jabar Gaffney, Jarvis Green and Lonie Paxton, each of which are doing a great job for my Denver Broncos.
With that said, I think the Patriots have a legitimate shot to earn a wild card in the AFC East if nothing more. To me, the Miami Dolphins are the class of the division, but we’ll see what happens as the season unfolds.
The Patriots do have numerous things going for them, though, as Tom Brady (66 percent completion percentage, 4,398 passing yards, 28 TD’s, 13 INT’s), Wes Welker (an NFL-high 123 receptions, 1,348 yards in 2009) and Randy Moss (83 rec, 1,264 yards, 13 TD’s) all seem to be better than ever, according to various media sources.
Nevertheless, NBCSports.com’s Tom Curran revealed to me in a tweet several weeks back that he believes the Patriots’ offensive and defensive lines, as well as outside linebacker, are all concerns.
With Brady and his .764 winning percentage, (the best among active NFL quarterbacks), one can reasonably expect New England to be all right. However, with the Jets and Dolphins having markedly improved, it remains to be seen what 2010 has in store for the Pats.
I will give the Pats at least nine wins, but if they can enter the bye week at the least at 2-2, then they can easily defy my expectations.
As always, enjoy the NFL. Nothing is more tailor made for making prognosticators look like fools than the ebbs and flows of a typical NFL season. Thanks for reading!