Story Archive for 08/30/2010
Show/Hide Archive Navigation
Wisconsin man arrested on I-70 for drugs
Published on August 30, 2010 at 04:19PM
(SALINA) – A Wisconsin man was arrested Thursday night for possession of cocaine and marijuana in a vehicle stop on I-70 west of Salina. UHP Troopers stopped a 2010 Kia rental car for a traffic violation and became suspicious when the driver changed his story concerning where he was going and where he came from. Troopers dispatched a Sevier County deputy with his police K-9 Unit and alerted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle. A search discovered three pounds of cocaine and 6-and-a-half pounds of marijuana. The driver, William Amos of Milwaukee, WI., was booked into the Sevier County Jail.
SLC motorcyclist injured in Fairview Canyon
Published on August 30, 2010 at 04:11PM
(FAIRVIEW) – A Salt Lake City motorcyclist was injured up Fairview Canyon Sunday afternoon when he was thrown from his motorcycle. According to a UHP report, 22-year old Phillip Meitner was riding his 1999 Honda CIX motorcycle about 15 miles east of Fairview, when he drifted off the right shoulder and went down an embankment into a wash. The report said Meitner was wearing his helmet and was thrown from his motorcycle. He was transported to the Sanpete Valley Hospital with possible broken bones. Meitner was cited for improper lane travel.
Fremont prepares for Labor Day visitors
Published on August 30, 2010 at 03:45PM
(SEVIER) – Officials at the Fremont Indian State Park and Museum are gearing up for visitors during the last holiday of the summer. Park worker Robin Woods says the Park is offering several programs and activities for the Labor Day weekend. Woods said that Campfire Programs will be held both Friday and Saturday nights in the Castle Rock Campground. Atlatl, guided hikes and various other programs will also be held all weekend long. The Fremont Indian State Park is located about 21 miles south of Richfield on I-70. The visitor’s center is open daily from 9am to 6pm.
LDS Church "regularizes" Chinese relations
Published on August 30, 2010 at 12:51PM
(SALT LAKE CITY) – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has announced plans to participate in talks to “regularize” operations in China. In a statement released today, the First Presidency said they have had discussions with a senior official of the People’s Republic of China from Beijing, to regularize activities between the Church and China. On Aug. 24, a senior Chinese official met with the First Presidency in Salt Lake City. Previously, Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles and Elder Donald L. Hallstrom of the Presidency of the Seventy attended two meetings with Chinese leaders in Beijing in February and May of this year. Church Spokesman, Michael Otterson indicated that “regularizing” relations between the Church and China does not mean sending missionaries to China.
Richfield Planners hold chicken discussions
Published on August 30, 2010 at 12:42PM
(RICHFIELD) – The Richfield City Planning Commission will hold discussions this Wednesday concerning clarifying conflicts between the Zoning Code and the City Animal Ordinance. At issue is whether the city will allow chickens to be harbored within residential zones in the city. Currently, the city animal ordinance does not allow chickens within city limits but the zoning code does allow chickens in certain zones within the city limits. The Planning Commission will also discuss the distance required between buildings in some zones in the city and other permit applications. The public is invited to attend the planning meeting at 7pm this Wednesday at the Richfield City Office Chambers but no comments will be taken.
Springville girl hit by lightening strike
Published on August 30, 2010 at 11:26AM
(SPRINGVILLE) – A 12-year old Springville girl was struck by lightening Friday night during a football game she was attending. Officers said lightening hit the ground at a corner of the field at Springville High School and traveled underground about 100 yards to a refreshment stand, where the girl was holding on to a metal pole. The charge apparently went up the metal pole, throwing the girl backward to the ground. The pre-teen complained of weakness to her left arm and side and was taken to a local hospital, where she was treated for minor injuries. The lightening strike prompted officials to evacuate the field and delay the game for about an hour. Springville went to defeat Wooster High of Reno, NV. 40-0.
Arizona and Feds Disagree Over Drug Cartel Violence
Published on August 30, 2010 at 11:14AM
(PHOENIX)-KPHO-TV, Channel 5 in Phoenix, reports that Arizona Drug Enforcement Agency special agent, Romona Sanchez, said that by virtue of a drug crackdown by the United States and Mexico, drug cartels are more desperate.
Last Tuesday, the war against human and drug trafficking reached an all-time high while 72 people were found executed at a ranch less than 100 miles south of the Texas-Mexico border in the small Mexican town of Tamaulipas.
However, Arizona authorities do not believe the drug cartel problem is being reduced. Instead, they say things are becoming more terrible than before.
Hidden camera pictures taken in southern Arizona’s Pinal County show men, called drug mules, armed with machine guns carrying large backpacks.
Therefore, Arizona officials remain reticent to say the drug problem is being eradicated.
Troops To Gather on the Border Monday
Published on August 30, 2010 at 11:10AM
(PHOENIX)-KPHO-TV, Channel 5 in Phoenix, reports that National Guard troops will deploy to the Arizona-Mexico border Monday.
The first wave of 30 troops will assist Customs and Border Enforcement agents working at ports of entry.
Eventually, more than 500 troops will be deployed to help secure the border.
Critics say more troops are needed to solve the problems related to drug and human smuggling.
Two-year old girl killed in rollover on I-70
Published on August 30, 2010 at 11:04AM
(GREEN RIVER) – A two-year old baby daughter of a Colorado woman was killed in van rollover on I-70 near Green River over the weekend. According to police reports, 33-year old Rubicelia Alvarado was a passenger in the van when it rolled at about 1:30am Saturday. Police said Alvarado and her daughter, Samantha Bermudez, were not wearing seatbelts and were ejected from the van, after the right rear tire tread shredded. Alvarado was critically hurt and her daughter was killed. Alvarado was transported to St. Mary’s Hospital in Colorado, where she was treated for back and neck injuries. The driver of the van, 37-year old Alberto Santacruz of California, along with his six-year old son, Larry Bermudez, were both wearing seatbelts and were taken to the Green River Medical Center with minor injuries. The van was heading from Colorado to California at the time of the accident.
Glen Canyon and Rainbow Bridge Receive New Acting Superintendent
Published on August 30, 2010 at 11:04AM
(PAGE, Ariz.)-Kym Hall, a 23-year National Park Service veteran has been named as acting superintendent of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Rainbow Bridge National Monument.
Hall began her new job last Monday, August 23, in Page, Ariz. that will continue until a permanent superintendent arrives.
Hall replaces the outgoing Stan Austin who began his new assignment this week as superintendent of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio.
Hall began her career with the national park service in 1986 as an administrative clerk before developing an interest in law enforcement where she worked in various capacities for 14 years.
Waddoups To Rehear Federal Jurisdiction Dispute
Published on August 30, 2010 at 10:56AM
(SALT LAKE CITY)-The case of Peni Cox vs. Bank of America’s ReCon Trust Company will be reheard in Utah District Court by Judge Clark Waddoups this Tuesday at 8:30 a.m.
The central issue is preemption of Utah law which previously arose in the analysis of the court’s jurisdiction, according to attorneys John Christian Barlow and E. Craig Smay.
Barlow and Smay contend the court relied upon the wrong statute, producing an erroneous conclusion of preemption.
The plaintiffs have asked the court to correct its finding and remand the matter to state court.
The defendants have asked the court to dismiss the action, alleging the plaintiff, Peni Cox of St. George, lacked a cause of action under Utah laws which are statutes allowing foreclosure of real property.
In their petition, Barlow and Smay conclude the motion by the defendant to dismiss must be denied and the prior order setting aside the state court injection should be withdrawn and the case be remanded to the state court.
If this case is remanded back to state court in St. George, then all foreclosures by Bank of America will again be halted.
Utah on Track For Mildest Wildfire Season in 10 Years
Published on August 30, 2010 at 10:50AM
(SALT LAKE CITY)-Utah is on pace this year for the lowest number of wildfires and acres burned in a decade.
As of August 24, officials had recorded 841 wildfires and 9,825 acres burned in Utah.
The other year in the past decade which was this light was 2008, when there were 999 reported fires and 28,490 acres burned.
Ed Delgado, of the Eastern Great Basin Predictive Service said presumably one of the reasons the fire season has been so mild is because of a wet spring that lasted well into June although it’s hard to pinpoint one weather factor for the phenomenon.
The most prominent fire this year was the Twitchell Fire in Beaver County which is still burning.
Authorities say that while the fire season will last through mid-September and that grass and brush below 7,000 feet are still dry, weather conditions aren’t expected to warm up enough to cause any new fire threats this year.
Talk show host's son dies in fall
Published on August 30, 2010 at 10:30AM
(WASHINGTON D.C.) – The son of a Salt Lake radio talk show host died in a tragic fall in Washington D.C. over the weekend. Police reports said that 22-year old Eric Wright, son of KSL Newsradio host, Doug Wright, fell from a seven-story apartment complex at about 2am Saturday. Investigators said Wright was found unresponsive in an alley and the fall appeared to have been an accident. Wright was a senior studying history education at the University of Utah and at the time of his death, had been working as an intern for Utah Rep. Rob Bishop.
LDS Bishop Shot and Killed in California
Published on August 30, 2010 at 10:11AM
(VISALIA, Calif.)-Visalia, Calif. police are searching for clues in the fatal shooting of a bishop of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the community.
The shooter has been identified as Kenneth James Ward of Modesto, Calif. while he killed 42-year-old bishop Clay Sannar, who died in his office at the Visalia LDS chapel where his congregation meets, according to Visalia police chief, Colleen Mestas.
After the shooting, the killer admitted to authorities that he had shot Sannar and as police responded, several shots were exchanged.
Tulare County (Calif.) Sheriff’s Office deputies are taking over the investigation of the shootout while the office did not immediately respond to calls for comment.
Local Church leader, Ralph Jordan, said Ward, who is not a member of the Church, walked into the church’s foyer and asked to speak to a local leader.
When Bishop Sannar arrived to speak with Ward, he shot him several moments later.
LDS Church spokesman Scott Trotter said the church’s thoughts and prayers are with Sannar’s family.
Prior to his death, Sannar was the general manager of Soil Basics, a fertilizer company in Visalia, a city of nearly 126,000 about 44 miles southeast of Fresno, Calif.
He had six children, including a 6-month-old infant and he had been the bishop for about four months.
6 Utah Agencies Share in $300K Colorado Grant
Published on August 30, 2010 at 10:08AM
(SALT LAKE CITY)-Six Utah nonprofit agencies that provide services to people in need are among the major recipients of more than $309,000 in grants from the Colorado-based Daniels Fund.
The Utah agencies include Transitions in Blanding, as well as several others in the Salt Lake Valley.
The Daniels Fund, the brainchild of cable television pioneer Bill Daniels, supports nonprofit groups in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.
Grant awards are targeted for programs that address aging, alcoholism and substance abuse, amateur sports, disabilities, education, homelessness, disadvantaged persons and youth development.
Feds To Round Up Wild Horses @ Utah-Nevada Border
Published on August 30, 2010 at 10:03AM
(FILLMORE)-Federal authorities stated they plan to round up hundreds of wild horses in Utah’s west desert as of next week.
The Bureau of Land Management is also inviting spectators to witness the event, which is slated for September 7 at Baker, Nev.
Officials say the population of wild horses far exceeds the ability of parched range lands to support them.
The plan is to remove 400 horses, leaving about 250 to roam around the Conger and Confusion mountains.
The BLM says it plans to put captured horses up for adoption or relocate them to pasture lands.
Orderville Holds Vigil For Slain Deputy
Published on August 30, 2010 at 09:59AM
Updated on August 30, 2010 at 04:07PM
(ORDERVILLE)-Sunday evening, Orderville residents gathered for a candlelight vigil in honor of a deputy shot down in the line of duty Thursday.
Deputy Brian Harris, a resident of nearby Mt. Carmel, was honored by several hundred people at Valley High School and by candlelight, he was given a moment of silence.
There will be another vigil Monday evening in Kanab and funeral announcements are still pending.
President Monson Dedicates Ukrainian Temple
Published on August 30, 2010 at 09:45AM
(KYIV, Ukraine)-Ukrainian members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints met Church president Thomas S. Monson and President Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Church’s First Presidency as they participated in the dedication of the Church’s 134th temple at Kyiv, Ukraine Sunday.
Prior to the dedication, President Monson spoke to the Ukrainian Saints about what this historic temple means, as it is the first to be built within the borders of the old Soviet Union.
As is customary during temple dedications, President Monson invited several children to assist him in applying mortar to the edges of the temple prior to the dedication.
Previously, Ukrainian Saints traveled 33 hours to the Frieberg, Germany Temple and the temple will serve 31,000 Latter-Day Saints in Russia, the Baltic States, Ukraine, Poland, Romania and Bulgaria.
Police Capture Kane County Suspect
Published on August 30, 2010 at 09:38AM
(KANAB)-The suspect in the shooting of a Kane County Sheriff’s deputy was captured early Monday near the Utah-Arizona border after a resident reported an armed prowler, authorities stated.
The 23-year-old Scott Curley was arrested around 12:45 a.m. Monday morning after he tried to break into a house about four miles north of Fredonia, Ariz.
Jim Driscol, the chief deputy of the Coconino County (Ariz.) Sheriff’s Office said a caller said a suspicious person was trying to enter his home and after his dogs woke him up, he spotted a man with a rifle over his shoulder.
After the homeowner called 911, 17 law enforcement officers responded and quickly located Curley who surrendered without resistance, Driscol stated at a Kanab news conference.
Curley is charged with shooting and killing Kane County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Brian Harris during a foot chase Thursday after which Curley hid in the desert east of Fredonia until his capture.
Authorities say Curley, who was hungry and tired, surrendered without resistance and was believed to be in possession of the rifle he used to kill Harris at the time of his arrest.
The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office stated they are seeking Curley’s extradition from Utah.
Obama's approval rating lowest among LDS
Published on August 30, 2010 at 07:54AM
(SALT LAKE CITY) – A new poll shows that President Barack Obama’s approval rating among members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is at an all-time low in the country’s major religious groups. In a Gallup poll released Friday, LDS approval of the president’s job is at 24%. The highest approval during the rating’s period came from Muslims at 78%. His approval is also high among atheists and non-Christians. Overall, approval for the president among all religious groups has dropped. The poll was conducted by telephone, with a random sample in all 50 states, including over 4,600 members of the LDS Church. The poll’s results came as no surprise to Utah political observers.
Panguitch woman injured in downtown accident
Published on August 30, 2010 at 07:33AM
(PANGUITCH) – A Panguitch woman was taken to the hospital after slamming into another vehicle along Center Street in downtown Panguitch City Thursday afternoon. According to a UHP report, 68-year old Jimmie Wright of Enoch was traveling southbound in a 2008 Chevy Silverado on 400 East, when he failed to stop and crossed Center Street. UHP said 17-year old Sydnee Palmer of Panguitch rearended Wright in her 1998 Nissan Sentra at about 1pm and sustained minor injuries. Troopers said Palmer was not wearing her seatbelt and was transported to the Garfield Memorial Hospital. Wright and his passenger, Betty Wright, were wearing their seatbelts and were not injured. Charges are pending after UHP complete investigation of the accident.
California motorcyclists injured on SR-143
Published on August 30, 2010 at 07:21AM
(PANGUITCH) – Two motorcycles crashed last week on SR-143 in a construction zone. Utah Highway Patrol reported that 55-year old Kenneth Pascoe of Hesperia, CA., was traveling eastbound on a 2002 Harley Davidson, when he rounded a corner and attempted to stop for construction along the highway up to Panguitch Lake. He, along with 54-year old Jesus Monarrez of Claremont, CA., riding a 2001 Harley Davidson, both locked brakes and flipped their motorcycles. Both men were wearing their helmets but sustained injuries and were transported to the Garfield Memorial Hospital. No citations were issued.
UHP investigates truck fire on I-70
Published on August 30, 2010 at 07:00AM
(SIGURD) – Utah Highway Patrol investigated a truck fire Thursday near the Sigurd exit on I-70. According to a UHP report, 24-year old Kory Cropper of Layton was traveling eastbound, when his 1986 GMC S-15 caught fire at about 4:30pm. Cropper was able to get out of the truck uninjured. The report said he was not transported to the hospital.
Local teens injured in rollover on SR-118
Published on August 30, 2010 at 06:55AM
(SIGURD) – A trio of local teenagers were taken to the hospital Friday night after a rollover several times on SR-118 near Sigurd. According to a UHP report, 16-year old Tyler Dalton of Central Valley was traveling northbound when he was distracted by his passengers and drifted off the highway at about 7:30pm. The report said Dalton overcorrected and rolled multiple times, coming to rest on the side of his 2005 Chevy Silverado. He was wearing his seatbelt and was transported to the Sevier Valley Medical Center in Richfield with unknown injuries. A passenger, 14-year old Tyler Bingham of Monroe, was not wearing his seatbelt and was ejected out the rear window. Another passenger, 14-year old Cody Dalton of Central Valley, was wearing his seatbelt. Both boys were taken to the hospital. No information is available as to the condition of the teens. Dalton was cited for improper lane travel.